Daily Republican., 1879-11-04
THIRD EDITION.
OUR PHILADELPHIA LETTER.

The wharton street Charch-An
Increase Of Religious Fersor-
The Appearance Of the "BoS
Preseher"-HOw He Csnducss
His Services.
special Correspondence OF the Republican.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. l, '7s.
The Wharton Street Church revival
seems to gather feryor as it progresses,
nearly five hundred persons hs wing
protested conversion since its com
mencement few weeks 80, under the
direction Of the "boy preacher" Rev.
Thes. Harrison. The fame of this gen
tlenan has spread not only throughout
the religious circles Of this city, but
has preceded him to the States OF View
York, New Jersey and Ohio, and per-
haps much farther. In the course OF a
recent evening service he read letters
from different.points in the above States
inquiring into the particulars OF the
revival at Wharton Street Church, 50
that it Is probable that when he leaves
this city-which will not be for long
time yet-he will have more offers for
revival work than he can I'LL for a
number Of years.
He is about five feet five inches in
height, has sandy hair which he keeps
closely cut, and smooth face, besides
which he is of slim build--a make up
that gives him a decidedly boyish ap-
pearance, and his actions upon the pull
pit are slightly in keeping Herewith,
for he is restless in the'extreme, and as
different from the reformers of old, per-
maps, as day is from night.
As the collection was about being
taken up, he announced hymn 10 be
sung, saying at the same time that he
firmly believed in the scripturAl .xhor-
tation to "watch and pray - but in
this instance he hoped those present
would sing and keep a good watch for
the collection boxes about to come
around. After this he BEGAN what
might be called the revival proper.
He said he would not take up the
time of his hearers with sermon--he
had not come for that purpose; though
he could think Of plenty to say. He
had come to bring erring ones to re-
pentance, although he believed there
wers many present, not to follow his
exhortation, but from sheer curiosity,
many whe were strangers to church,
and who never prayed. He then relat-
ed how he had once travelled TO New
York City in company with a young
man, who in answer to question. said
she never prayed-didn't believe in
it"-and in spite of every argument
maintained his unbelief until tie end
of their long journey.
Suddenly assuming dramatic atti'
tude he pointed to man in the gallery
and exclaimed: THAT man never pray
ed" He is a stranger to this church.
yet he says, how do you know |,
don't prayr This tells me o." he
raising the Bible far above
his head. In the same manner he poin-
ted out other individuals, and finally
to prove his assertions opened the BIZ
BILE and turned to Christ's parable Of
the great supper, where he read the
uniform answer of the invited guests:
81 pray thee, have me excused"
From this point he branched of into
a vehement exhortation to all to come
forward and be saved. The pulpit
space was too small for his efforts.
Jumping down therefrom to the
altar he reached to the body
Of the church, and standing
Upon a bench addressed first the
light gallery, then the left, and finally
he people surrounding him. Thereal-
er he approved in every portion of the
body of the church, seeming to be ali
and fervor, to which were
.dded the mingled expressions Of sor-
ow and joy of those gathered about the
Iltar, creating scene that can never
70 erased from the memory Of one unac-
ustomed to REVEALS.
The church, it is hardly necessary
D say, was crowded, and is so every
light, and on Sunday, none but hold
rs of tickets are admitted, the tickets
eing distributed during the week.
In dramatic circles Miss Nelson, ac-
'ess, IS displayed in Twelfth Night" {
the leading feature, and crowded
ouse5 have greeted her every evening
nee her opening night at the Wa