Savannah morning news., 1885-10-12
A Revival Incident.
from he Augusta Ca 0aronicis.

from the augusta Ca Chroaicle.
Something of a sensation was created
at the Holiness revival Thursday night by
a man who walked forward from tho au-
dience and asked to be allowed to say a
few words.
He advanced with delberation and In
an impressive manner, and was rather a
striking figure. He was a man slightly
taller than average, clad in a black suit
with well fitting sack coat, square and
somewhat STOPPING shoulders, dark COM
plexion, raven hair, bright, piercing eye
and nervous, eccentric action.
He paused in front of the altar and
asked to be heard. Every eye was on him
and every ear was strained TO hear what
he might say. "WhO is itI' was whis-
pered on all sides, and the same question
was asked by the preachers on the plat
form. Among the latter there were none
who could answer, but President McDon-
aid ventured the permission TO say a few
words. Among the audience there were
persons who knew the speaker and when
IL was whispered about that is was ''Bis-
muth" Miller, who was known as a tai
ented, but rather eccentric, genius, who
disclAimed any belief in God, there was
great curiosity to hear what he would
say, and rich developments were anticI-
pated.
He spoke deliberately, and his words
were quite surprise 90 those who knew
him. SAID he: ''There are some here to-
night who expect to hear me ridicule re-
ligion, but they will be disappointed.
They are sitting at the back of the tent" +"
and he pointed in the direction of a num-
Der OF young men. l have been aocus-
toned to advocate infidelity. | have ad-
Vocated it with my pen as we'll as my
voice. am laboring man, and when ]
went home night before last to the Adkins
house, where | board, two ministers
had been put in my room and found
them at prayers when | entered. When
l awoke next morning they were upon
their knees praying. Their continual
praying annoyed me and disturbed my
sleep. / determined to get ahead Of them
next night, and | stayed out till O'clock
to give them time to get through their
praying and be asleep when l came. But
when / entered | found them still on their
knees at this hour. This made me mad, 4,
and pitched into them very sharply for
disturbing my sleep and praying at all
sorts Of hours. They made no reply,
but continued their praying until l was
impressed with their earnestness and
begad TO think there must be
something behind all this praying. / no.
ticed too, that these ministers slept better
after their prayers than | did after my
beers, and as lay awake, thinking over
the matter, became convinced that there
must be God, and / made up my mind
that l would come to the tent tonight,
and confess my belief and readiness TO be
converted.
He spoke in an animated and impress
sive manner, and his words created quite
a sensation among the audience. When
he had concluded Rev. Mr.. Hart led in a
touching and eloquent prayer in his be-
half, praying that his faith might be made
whole and his conversion complete, and
be enjoy the blessing OF a pure heart.
The prayer was echoed by many on
all sides and the meeting was marked
with greater feeling and excitement than
perhaps any service that has gone before.