Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-05-13

Christians, because Of his works on
religious subjects, but also to Amer.
lean patriots on account OF the
active sympathy he displayed so eff
fectively for our union In the late
great struggle. He preached to-day
under the auspices of the convention
10 session here, making provisions for
a Methodist Ecumenical conference,
to be held sometime In the future, al
which all branches OF Methodism are
TO be represented. His text was: lone
Lord, one faith, one baptism" and his
subj sct, christian unity. 1t was an
able discourse, breathing in a high
degree that spirit Of christian charity
for which the great preacher liz re
markable. Unfortunately, he did not
speak loud enough for his audi
ence to hear all he said, and
TO that excebt, his discourse was fail
ure He will return soon - his native
shores, and We will never see him
again on this continent. He is adyanc-
ed in years and will soon pass away,
hut will go down in history as one OF
The venerable men OF the age.
The grand event of the day WAS The
sermon of Bishop simpson, al O'Clock
this afternoon, at Music Hail. The
doors were thrown open at . p. M,
and soon the immense auiience room,
including the galleries, were filled, ev.
cry seat being Iaken, and at least one
thousand persOns, including many
ladies standing. The approaches to
the hall were uensely crowded, and
at least thousand people were turned
away without gaining entrance.
There were from six 10 seven thousand
per1ons in the hall and galleries, l
was fortunate to get seat on the
stage W here could look down on the
sea of up'urned faces and a grand
sight it was. The evening was ex
ceedingly warm, and the rustliDg of
the thousands of fans was like the
rustlipg of the leaves in the forest.
At 81. the great organ, the second
largest in the world, struck up the
inspiling strains of Beethoven's Halle
lujst, which was followed by selec
ton from Bennett, the slow and sad
strains of which were in beautiful
contrast to the first grand piece. Then
to the tune America, the hymn begin-
ming:
"Glory to God on high''
A scripture lesson was read, when
the audience sgsin joined in siDgiTg
to the old tuEe, Greenland,
Now be the gospel banner" sc.
Bishop McTyeire offered prayer, and
then Bishop Simpson preached one OF
the most eloquent sermons which it
has ever been my good pleasure to
hear. His text was the Ali Verse Of
the 42nd chapter of Isaiah, and his
theme was the triumphs OF christian
ity. AS pulpit orator he stands the
equal of any man in America aud on
this occasion he fully sustained bis
high reputation. His sermon showed
careful thought, holy zeal and heav-
emily inspiration. II was marked with
thrilling passages OF burning tlo.
quepce, that moved his large audience
TO Irresistible manifestations of ap-
prevail. He was frequently applauded,
and old-fashioned Methodislic re-
sponses were heard all around. His
sermon was As minutes in its delivery,
but those who had not seats stood pa
iiently, and many thought the time
not half 80 long.
To night, after having been fortified
with the Gospel in all its purity from
such distinguished sources, 4 thought
l might risk hearing Bob Ingersoll
the eloquent but reck less seoffsr at the
christian religion. He was down for
lecture at Pixies opera housa, on
"What shall we do to be saved ~ |
went around thirty minutes before
3 La IL hi n ha Iaa
begin, and found the ticket office eur
rounded by mob, pushing aud surg
ing and swearing, in an Fl fJrt 10 PAT
chase tickets of admission. / had but
little cash, but l involuntarily put my
hand on my pocket book Immediately
on getting into that crowd. Most
| of those going in were respe able
people ia appearance, including a fair
proportion of ladies. But there were
many hard faces of both sexes, aud on
entering the hall after the lecture be
gap, l noticed that these were the per
cons who Joined most heartily In ap
plauding InRersolps coarse wit ant
shocking ribaldry. Every seat in tn,
building was taken and hundreds ere
standing. 1 wondered II the hall was
/ safe, and thought il the fl lor should
10 INV u VI uIc uIedh Dutt Wuht
situation it would by. Haunted by
such thoughts. sutf citing with beat
and disguised with the utterances
Of the speaker.lI was glad to get away,
and did. feeling that II the lecture
bad made any impression at all on
my mind, IL was to confirm and
sire pgtben me in the old fAsti neC
ideas learned from the father. In,
gers I'll is man of ability in some re.
spec,s. but IL IL the clownish part o
his performance that attracts, and his
coarse assaults upon religion may bt
regarded with perfect Indifference H.
may amuse the unthnking and gaiT
the applause Of the rabble but he viii
not change one reasonable, Intelligent
educated man in a hundred years; anC
when he dies be will BE- forg1t'en in &
decade.
The interesting events Of the con
ference in session here, will take plact
this week, when four bishops will be
elected, probably more; the editors o.
various church papers under the pat
ronage Of the general con ference, book
agents, missionary secretaries, &c.
W, r.
A young mother must have tomt
rest. But how ia this to be accom-