Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-05
THE PACIFIC SLOPE REVIVAL

Harrison. the Youthful Evanxeliss-
How He looks, Talks and Acts.
From the fan Francisco Chrunicle.
Harrison, the youthful revivalist, exhorted
congregation that filed every part Of the How
ard Street Methodist Church last evening
Harrison il unlike the ideal evangelist in per
sonal appearance as can be imagined. He IL of
type that in this city appears most at home in
the lobby Of theater; or, crush-hat laden,
saying something to assist . society belle to
endure life at an evening reception. His
smoOth-shaven face is Of the interesting pale
ness which nOveling young women affect to
admire, and which can be produced either by
late hours. too much cigarette Or apparently. by
certain degree Of religious enthusiasm.
He has dark eyes, rather deeply set, good
teeth, which he shows to advantage with an
unclerical SMILE and light brown hair cropped
short behind, and kept brushed back la Pom
padOur in frontby his nervous habit of constant
ly running through it first one hal.d and then the
other. His strictly unevangelical appearance is
completed by his dress q short black Prince Al
bert coat, black trousers and stylish white tie
His peculiar power is in his dramatic way of
working up to a frenZied climax, to which he
succeeds in carrying a number of hearers with
various degrees of enthusiasm, some. of course
III d VIII Oi excitement. He
works up to these climaxes as an actor works
up to his points" and uses as mucn dramatic
ability and care in the preliminary work.
Alter an opening prayer by DR.. Jewell a
hymn was announced by the revivalist. who
said, just before the last verse was
sung: During the singing of the last verse a
collection will be taken up. If we do it now it
will be of your minds 1t has ALWAYS been nv
custom to ask for collection, and some can
give much, and those who cannot afford, little.
OF course, there are some who are too mean to
live, and they never give ANYTHING" After
this business-like opening, he continued in
sharp, clear voice. which is dropped the mo-
ment he begins his revival work: ''There is
no use trying to find seats here at o'clock
and those who have Just come in must remain
standing near the door. After few nights
you won't be able to find seats at $50 o'clock"
At this point the usher walked up the aisle
followed by three ladies whom he had under
taken to seat near the platform. Eyeing the
usher sharply, the speaker cOntinued There.
now, don't bring any more forward. The people
ought to be thankful to get standing room. -
After this intimatiOn that any further Interrupt
tions OF that nature would not meet with his
approval, the revivalst started Off in high
strung, tremulous voice to exhOrt. Suddenly,
speaking very rapidly, his voice sank almost to
a whisper. and from that he broke forth in q
loud, passionate appeal to his hearers to scream
for mercy" This he followed up by falling on
his knees and praying fervently. During long
prayer, he frequently jumped to his feet aud
kneeled again. clapping his hands and beating
his head, and ended by calling On the leader for
a hymn, selected iOr his plaintive tune.
BY this time he had communicated some of his
own apparent excitement to a portion of the
congregation, and with that start he effectively
worked upon their sensbilities until he had
secured fever pitch Of emotion, when he
jumped down from the platform and walked
excitedly to and from the aisle, exhorting
and praying and shouting aloud until he had
gathered around him q number Of kneeling sim
ners moaning and swaying, as he cried upon
all to scream for mercy" At the very height
of this excitement he again fell upon his
knees, and raising his hands aloft, with the
palms turned toward the people, called out in an
Impressive voice: "Silence! silent prayer!" A
moments absolute silence was broken by the
screams OF woman who could no longer endure
the nervous strain, crying: "Glory! Glory Oh,
glory! Oh! ah!" The excitement became vet
more contagious and as several others joined in
the cry of ''GlOry!" the evangelist turned to the
leader. and in low. hurried voice said: "Sing
sing 1uick!" The Organist and leader complied.
and In the midst of the excitement prayer and
music, the evangelist dismissed the cOngrega-
ton. There will be another meeting tonight.
and on Thursday afternoon there will also be a
meeting.