River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-06-30
The Boy Preacher.
indianapolis Sentinel.

fof NUMBER OF weeks just passed
Indianapolis has been in the grasp OF a
revival cyclone in many regards phen-
omenal Rev. Mr.. Harrison, who
must have the largest share whatev-
er Of credit attaches to the mere human
agencies employed, came to this city
unheralded and comparatively I'M
known. That frequent references to
him as the "boy preacher" created
some curiosity will not, we think, be
gainsaid. And, Notwithstanding the
fact that Mr.. Harrison is not a "boy
preacher he has continuously been so
represented, and the marvel in that di-
reetion has been maintained. 1t is also
worthy of remark that Rev. Mr.. Harri-
son has exhibited no large intellectual
endowments. He has preached no SER
mons indicating profound study of the
Scriptures. He has not astonished the
people by his learning or by his elo-
quence. He has few, if any, of the
gifts of oratory. In all of these regards
Mr.. Harrison falls largely below num-
Der of evangelists who have made ma
tional reputation in organizing and con-
Quoting revivals. Still, under the guild
ance of Mr.. Harrison, one of the most
extraordinary series OF meetings known
to Indianapolis, or perhaps to the coun-
try, has been in progress for several
weeks. Roberts Park Church, one of
the largest in the city, has been contin-
uously and overwhelmingly thronged;
the main floor and galleries, aisles and
corridors, have been pack ed and hun
dreds who sought admittance have
been compelled to go away. These are
the facts in the case, which are well
worthy of study. The continuance of
the meetings, the maintenance of in
terest, the steadily widening influence,
demonstrate beyond all controversy
that certain great forces are in opera
ton, which have their origin outside of
the domain of human continuance, how
ever much they may be aided by hui
man effol ts We are not in sympathy
with those who despise or affect to dis
regard small things. We are daily
brought in contact with men and wo-
men who would have us believe that
their minds are of such magnificent
sweep that anything less than mount
ain fails to attract their attention. A
laughing, singing brook is not noticed.
They are always searching for Niaga-
ras. Only the large things enrapture
their vision. They talk very learned
ly (?) of sums and systems, while
they tread upon glow-worm and brush
aside FREELY as if these bright Great
ures were not, IS well as suns and stars,
the handiwork of the Creator. Such
people are always laundering after big
sermons, overlooking with learning, in
which the finite, by Juggling at its boot
straps, proposes to find out the infinite.
A simple song disgusts them. They
are satisfied only with grand symptom
les and oratorios-full brass bands-the
music of tornadoes or the deep-toned
bass of old ocean, when the storm god
touches his organ keys and the pillows
toss their white caps high in token of
appreciation. But, for the worlds
good, all people are not 50 high strung.
There are those who would rather see a
penitent tear than the rainbows which
encircle the brow of Niagara would
rather hear penitent prayer than list
en- to the eloquence of an ancient or
modern Demosthenes; who would rath-
er hear the shout of converted sinner
than potpouTri performed by all the
brass bands on the continent. Such
people conduct revival meetings. They
sing simple songs; they pray earnest
prayers; they speak gentle words. Ap-
parently they are weak, but IN the
light of their accomplished work they
assume colossal proportions. Rev. Mr..
Harrison may proudly point to his
army of 909-and say that
these are my trophies won in fierce
fight with the enemy in Indianapolis.
He may invite the people, as he does
invite them, to visit his armory and ex-
anime his weapons-prayers, songs,
exhortations which have been and are
still mighty through God, to pulling
down the stroughclds of sin and put
ting to flight the enemy. Mr.. Harri-
son early in the battle prepared to en-
list l 900 recruits for the army of the
Lord in this city. We believe he will
accomplish the task. The work goes
bravely on. The heat is intense, but
the people do not seem to care for out
ward circumstances. They go tc
church.-They do not get weary. The
revival has extended to other churches
| and is laying hold upon all classes. The
converts are an organized band of evan
gelists, who are on the highways anc
hedges inviting and urging their com
panions to join them in their pilgrim
age to the Holy City. The Sentinel from
the first has told its readers the pro
gress and result of this great revival
a religious evnt that will be remember
ed for many years to come, and whose
far-reaching influences will never be
known until the books are opened.