The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-12
FROM TEARS To LAUGHTER.
MURPHY SHUTTING BOUQUET JOHNNY
AND TELLING 4 STORY
a Scrap FROM the Temperance HcvIvnIists |
Private History Prnyer. TINT Brought
Liberty aud q 4 OO-Many Signing the Pledge |

Scrap n'om the Temperance HevIvniiscs
Private History Prayers thnL Brought
Liberty aud 100 Many Signing the Pledge
Tho Seventh Street Methodist Church.
which Ia now very large. was Just comfortably
full last evening under the attraction OF Francis
Murphy. The methods OF tho meeting were
simple and consisted In singing. speaking. and
signing the pledge. The songs OF Mrs. Wilson
were sweet and when they were performed as
solos. without assistance from Mr.. Wilson, were
as potent with the audience rs were the songs
that Mr.. Sankey used to sing with tho people
who listened to him.
Mr.. Murphys address occupied the greater
pnrt OF the tmo OF the meeting. The apostle
OF temperance wore black clothes. including an
ample frock coat that reached several inches
below his knees. and when no hinged his knees
trine. as no did frequently. this garment
swept the floor and invested its wearer with
weird and burdened appearance; but when he
stood up and diated his magnificent chest.
Mr.. Murphy looked quito large enough
for his coat. Further. to specify those
points which wero noticeable. Mr.. Murphy
wore bit of blue ribbon knotted about his
watch guard, and n white tic OF unwrinklod
lawn about tho Picadiily collar, into which set
his close-shaven, steel-bue. and powerful chin.
His thick grny hair was neatly brushed his
eyes In the gnslight alternately shono with tears
shakgy brows. and his heavy black moustache.
when he was not In pathos. stretched aterally
under the prOvOcatiOn OF an attractive smile.
His address WAS concerning his own expe-
rience As n reformed drunkard and rumseler.
and was intericted with exhortation and pic
turcsque Illustration and RnccdOle. At times
he spoke with n brOgue. at times with tho club
house drawl Of London. and mt times as II ilno
elocution werc nero baga,ello to him.
His most marked grammatical defect lay in his
despisal Of the plural verb. and several tmrs.
10 n noun which deserved 1t. he took the pains
TO 20 back aud detach 1t in favor OF II verb sim
An inciden, tha, interrupted the Sunday ad-
dress was repented Inst night. and elected great
applause. " Bouquet Johnny" n figure long
y Madison square a entered PSH at an
nterc part OF the lecturers story, his face
two magnificent bouquets. A. he came up
seat on Tho front, bench. Mr.. Mqrphy's
eyes fell on him Cas did everybody else'sl and
he stopped. short and cried out; Good night
johnny; glad 20 see you sober"
Oh" cried Johnny. Two been sober four
At that gratifying declaration, Mr.. Murphy
| during which Johnny. radiant. passed up the
flowers and then. Johnny. You're great
hoy, ," he said. aud went on with his story.
| more dramatic for that reason. II appeared
without being explained that in Portland the
and Children worn S sick ' and Without fooi @ AND
| he could not get to them. His heart wis break
ing He was In little room. and toward the
close Of day n ray OF sunshine fell In through
the window and across the floor. " Think
you | stepped on n2' cried tho, lcc-
| turcr. the tears running down his checks
| and his tone CONVEYING full sense Of the holi-
| ness OF the day: :" Nay sir: To mo 1t was tho
presence Of God '.-and he fell upon his knees
| and prayed He determined to ask some favor
| OF Mr. Perry. which was necessary TO set him
| free. Mr.. Perry was one OF those tall Yankees,
| whose jaws came down over his chin aa II
they were hung on steel swivels-and he looked
| through you" IL was no easy matter To ask a
| favor Of "A man like this but In some manner
| the man came himself TO Mr.. Murphy and lib
| Grated him. and gave him 900 besides. He
| WAS restored 10 wife and children. aud Ms his
| hand first touched the hand Of his wifo he mndo
| the pledge which he has kept ever since.
| A good half Of his hearers were crying while
! Mr.. MurDhy told this story hut minute after
| ho had concluded II he had them laughing at
| his Illustration Of how man who works at lay
| ing gas pipes Vcers out Of the way for rich
! man. and enthusiastic AT his whiring dcscrip-
| tiun OF Shcridun's ride from Winchester clos T.
| with. ON. IL pays 10 loo \ mani
A number came up to sign the pledge. among
| others half u dozen troopers from ono Of the
| garrisons.
Tonight Mr. George v Sheffield will address
| the meeting.