Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-08-08

SOME DETAILS Of HIS WORK THERE
Mr. Ira H. Sankey, the evangelist who
has just returned to this country from pro-
longed tour abroad. gave the New y ork HT'-
aid some interesting details Of his work in
Europe, from which We take the following
When Mr. Sankey left here last Fall he
went straight to the Continent and gave the
cvanGelicals of Switzerland several weeks Of
labor. In Zurich he was particularly sue
CeSSful Tie was there introduced to the
Rev Mr. Wenger, who is known Familiarity
rs the Swiss Moody" because Of his resem-
hlancc t. the American evangelist and his
great tact in dealing with religious bodies
As an example Of his tact Mr.. Slnk,y cited
a service where Mr.. Wenger delivered an ad-
dress to two or three thousand people inthe
largest hall in the city, and when he wished
to point and emphasize an illustration he
would call on Mr.. Sankey to sing hymn
suited to the occasion, after which he would
continue his discourse. In this way he
aroused the enthusiasm of the people so that
dav after day for several weeks their hall
was crowded afternoon and evening. The
largest cathedrals in the city were freely placed
at the disposal of the evangelists, but, as Mr.
Sankey remarked their meetings are always
more successful in tabernacles and halls than
in churches and cathedrals, and hence he was
compelled to decline the offers. He found
however, that the evangelical Christians in
Switzerland, Germany and France were well
posted concerning the movements of religious
bodies, and especially of Mr. Moody and
himself in America. They have the Moody
and Sankey Hymns translated and sung in
all their social meetings. And, moreover.
they have selectedtweniy-fouro OF the choicest
hymns and tunes and put them in music
boxes and play them in their homes, so that
though Mr.. Sankey sung in English his
French and German audiences were able to
Join with HIM in the air or chorus in their
own tongue He did not come in contact
with the Old Catholic element in Switzerland
TO be able TO give an opinion about its stand
ing or prospects, but he was very hopeful of
the evangelical element in Central Europe.
He talked and sung in Berne and Basic and
other cities of Switzerland
After few months spent On the Cont
nent the American evangelist went to Eng
land and held meetings in Newcastle Oar
lington, York and other cities. His recep-
ton was most enthusiastic and generous
The staid Churchmen, who kept aloof from
the work Of Mr.. Moody and himself when
they were Overa few years ago, were now
among the foremost to invite him To- their
towns and cities and to their homes. and to
cooperate with him in the public meetings.
AT York six Wears and all the dissenting
clergymen of the town signed request that
he would visit ii. And so hearty was his
reception there he spent five weeks among
them, speaking in three or four churches
afternoons and evenings to different congre-
cations because no single church would hold
the people, notwithstanding the admission
was by tickets.
Last Sunday week Mr.. Sankey sat in the
congregation in Mr.. Surgeons Tabernacle.
lie was recognized by the great preacher,
who deputed deacon to invite him to the
platform. Then the preacher asked the
evangelist TO sing for his people in the even
ing The Tabernacle was crowded, and Mr..
Sankey sang WHO is on the Lords side =
Mr.. Spurgeonannouncedt the American evan
gelists intended departure, and when after
ward the latter sang " Hold the Fort the
entire congregation rose TO their feet spOn-
taneously and joined in the chorus 50 Justify
that Mr.. SpurEeon remarked that the roof OF
his Tabernacle having withstood that volume
of sound might be considered safe The en-
thusiasm of the audience was so great that
Mr.. SpurgeOn had the chorus sung over three
times. That was the evangelist's last song
in Europe.