Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-07-20
THE MURPHY MOVEMENT.
Close OF Mr.. POtters' LabOrs In Per.
rIsbnrg.

The Murphy Movement, which was sue
cessfully inaugurated in Perrysburg three
weeks ego on Tuesday evening, has contin-
ued nightly with increasing interest up TO
the present time. Mr.. DEVoLco POTTER,
(known as" BOB" POTTER, for SHORTY who
came amongst US unheralded and unsung
hns been the moving spirit iron the first
night. The first meeting was held at Cen.
tennial Hall on Tuesday night, June 26,
Hon. ISAIAH PILLARS Of Lima, being the
principal speaker, who introduced Mr.. PoT.
TER and left him TO continue the work after
that night. Mr.. Potter had been n sue
cessful worker in the cause in Pittsburg
since his reformation some three years ago,
having reclaimed some fifty OF the hardest
cases Of inebriety in that city. After the
Murphy movement had swept over Pitts
burg like hurricane, Mr. p. came to Ohio
as an advance guard and missionary and
his efforts were crowned with remarkable
success at Kenton and other points in
Southern Ohio. IIe was on his way to
Columbus, Ind, at the time he stopped of
at Lima and was induced to accompany Mr..
PILLARS to this place.
Mr.. Potter makes no attempt at rhetor-
ical display, but his plain, practical and
earnest appeal to the inebriate to break the
chain that was a fetter to every hope and
stand erect as God had intended him to
stand-the image of his moker-touched
the hearts Of his hearers, and the meetings
seemed to gather momentum nightly and
the mysterious influence, unnccountnble on
any other hypothesis than Divine, seemed
to pervade the whole community.
On Saturday night last one of Mr.. PoT-
TER's converts from Kcnton, Mr.. JAS
WATERS, addressed the meeting and gave
some very encouraging words of the pro-
gress Of the movement in Kenton and Har-
din county.
On Sunday night there was an overflow
ing meeting at the NJ. f. Church, where
the meetings have been held with the ex-
ception of three or four evenings. The
basement of the church was then occupied
and the audience addressed by Mr.. r. S.
PARKER of Bowling Green, Rev. ]. H.
BETHARDs, and Mr.. POTTER. Mr.. L. +.
HELLER and Gen, D. w. II. DAY, of Bowl
ing Green, entertained the audience ia the
church with earnest and practical addresses.
Tuesday evening a meeting for men only
was held, at which number Of the victims
OF the intoxicating cup related their expe-
rience with King Alcohol. 1t was the old,
old story, alcohol being victorious in every
contest, and not only inaicting punishment
and disgrace on its victims, but also upon
their families and the ommunity in which
they live.
On Wednesday evening Mr.. POTTER
closed his labors here with a touching ap-
peal for all to stand by the cause in which
they had enlisted. The hearts of all were
touched intheearnest appeals and zealwhicll
had characterized the efforts OF the speaker
throughout his three weeks labor hero
and at the close of the meeting, when a
rising vote was called for as a token OF
appreciation to Mr.. POTTER, the large
audience rose up as if by magic
AT the close of Mr.. P.'s address, EDDIE
OCoNNER was called out, and after con-
trasting the bright hopes of his school days
with his blighted career since, and express.
ing his untold gratitude at being able to
stand erect, sober man, with a clear brains
he turned to Mr.. POTTER, took him by the
hand and in a most eloquent apostrophc
pronounced him the best man that God
had ever sent to Perrysburg that he had
brought happiness to many bighted homes
and sent untold Joy through the whole COM
munity. The strongest were moved to tears
at the touching scene.
At the close of the meeting nearly all oi
the large audience extended parting
hand to Mr.. POTTER, wishing him God.
speed in his humanitarian efforts wherever
he may go. lie has been engaged for few
days to assist in carrying on the work in
South Toledo. where a large number oi
those addicted to drink have already sign.
ed the pledge and are sticking to it man.
fully. He expects to inaugurate the move.
ment in Toledo in about three weeks.
The meeting last night was addressed by
EDDIE O'CoNNER and Mr.. ASHTON TAY.
LoR. Also Constitution and By Laws
were adopted by the members of the Tenn
perance Union. A few over seven hundred
names now adorn the list, and it is believed
that near hundred have signed the pledge
whose names are not recorded.