, 1879-08-17
SENSATIONAL REVIVAIISM.

SENSATIONAL REVIVAIISM
PANORAMIC EFFECTS IN A GOSPEL TENT.
a correspondent of the New York Sun, wri
ing from Norwich, Conn.,, saws:
When Wiliiam Hrrd, temperance orator an
Gospel tent reviva'tst Of Dover, n. H., openct
the exercises under his heated canvas on the cir
Gus lot at Fairmolut and Main streets on Satu1
day evening, mixed audience OF 500 persons
sat and uerspircd silently IN the breathlrss at
| mosphere. The choirmasters sang several solos
and row of earnest ladies under the shadow O
the canopied platform chanted revival hymns IL
the red glare OF the tent lamps.
| William Hurd had promised his CONGREGATION
| for that evening picture Of the roads to Heaven
! and He'll, and pictorial gimDse5 into bis
own dark past; and scores of workingmer
and worktngwomen had gathered to listen tc
the sad story OF moral downfall and ultimate
reformation. In the audience were many girls
and young meu,who giss1ed aud t1irted through
the exercises, and many haff-grown boys in the
dusky rear OF the tent interrupted the speakers
With noisy talk and laughter, and openly rili-
culed the reyivalist's earnest but llitera,e STYLE
hlr. Hnrd explained bis pictures us they were
shifted before him in the manner of panoramic
exhibitor, aud as be plunged into the recital of
his OWN bitter experiences. that had broken the
hearts and withcred the lives of bis family, his
inpassioncd voice rose higher and higher; be
seemingly forgot himself and bis hearers, and
his words we're often q vail Of agony, or we're
chosed In gasps Of emotion. Then, recovering
himself after i struggle, ald changing bis sub
ject, he drew shouts Of laughter from his listen
ers. His paintings, which are five and ten feet
square, are noticeable for their prodiga1ity Of
gaudy hues aud crudit5 Of execution.
The first seene represented the 'ttwo great
roads" through life. From pleasant country
landscape dotted with cottages, oVertoopcd by
the wb.tewashed sDlre Of a church, and living
Tn the shore OF the ses, two white staircases
start from an indefinite and cloudy beginning.
One. that Is labeled In large letters 'Straiehts Is
the road that leads to neayen,'' r1ses above the
village skv into distinct and small circular
scene, which portravs long, black vail, over
the summit Of which are the chubby faces OF
three cherubin1. In niche of the wall IS barred
md clamped door, at which pilgrim Is knock
ing. This is the rampant Of Heaven, and far
above it In the muddy blue skv is painted the
81 'All-Seeng Eye.n The staircase leading ur to
this abode is filled with weary travellers that
four or five inches in stature. From the bottom
Of this flight Of stairs is descending staircase
which, it is unnecessary to say, leads down to
He'll, murky region yariezated with bubbling |
Oitrh and unwnolesome smoke. There is !
crushing crowd on the steps, and nearly all the |
nru are work ng-peope with kits OF tools under |
heir arms. all have sobact o-pipes Or rum:oot-
les in either their hlnds or their ppeksts. This
passage is labeled, ''Broad Is the road that leads
o He'll" Half wav duwn, and IN the rear of
hat Is strik ng copy Of the coal beer 'kc1ler''
,nIer the Tribune parroom. a man lies dead
ruuk on the door With bottle OF rum Ia bis
ocket. A sepulcnral white hog Is nosng him
ver. i little way of IS grinn'ng, he5hless
xeleten, the right arm Of which has been sTal
1sa n mOtflnI SnrnADt that Ia |