The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-10-17
The RAILROAD EVANGELIST. :


woman, who has become known all
over the United States as THE
Railroad Evangelist" came to our
town last Saturday on invitation Of
the "Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union" Of this place, and held
a series Of meetings on Saturday
and Sunday. But to say that she
held a series of meetings does not
convey any idea of the effect of her
visit-she walked up the town. The
influence of her presence seemed
to be felt by every man, woman
and child Of our population. Men
who as a rule, take but little stock
in religious meetings, or temper
ance meetings, and other like exer-
cises held under the auspices of
the churches, were, apparently
among the most interested, and
some of them the most attentive
listeners at the meetings. The in
terest thus manifested by the crowd
in an entire stranger is a striking
example of how instinctively men
recognize and appreciate virtue in
character. The genuine article is
something that cannot be counter
feited. Neither does it need an
Iexpert to discover it. The ignor-
ant and the wise, the experienced
and the inexperienced alike detect
it. 1t awakens responsive chord
in every human breast. 1t calls
out the respect of every man who
is not dead to all the finer sensi-
bilities. As the crowd stood up
before this little lady, every man
said in his heart "she is good"
and they respected her for her
heart even if they took issue with
her head. She won them to her
apparently without an effort. The
most stony men followed her for
her blessing. Men who sheer at
religion were proud to take Jennie
Smith by the hand, and quietly
ask her interest and her prayers.
This little woman has one of the
strangest histories on record, and
it is this, in part, that draws the
public interest to her. If she has
not been the veritable subject of a
miracle, some of the wisest men of
the day-men of letters and science
who are personally familiar with
her history, have been deceived.
Hers was not one of your profess
sional faith cures" accomplished
through the agency Of men profes-
sing some supernatural power.
There were no fanatics connected
with her case. She was treated by
the best medical talent of this coun-
try. She was made the subject Of
prayer by the best and most intel
ligent christians of the country.
Her restoration seemed to follow
directly and unmistakably in an
swer to the prayers of a little com
pany of christians who were around
her couch. She who had not walked
for sixteen years; who could not
sit erect; who had but little use of
any of her limbs, got up and walk
ed across the room of the hospital,
and has been walking and working
ever since-doing enough work
every day to kill two or three ordi-
nary women.
But of her meetings here, it is
scarcely worth while to tell the
readers of the New DOMINION what
was done, as nearly everybody was
present. The first meeting was
held on Saturday night and was
attended by small audience. On
Sunday morning she occupied the
M. E. church. In the afternoon
there was an open air meeting in
the Court House square, which was
an exceedingly effective and inter
esting meeting to everybody. The
brass band was present and made
the occasion CHEEKY and brilliant.
An organ with a good choir of
ladies and gentlemen led the sing
ing in which the audience generally
joined. The day was balmy and
beautiful. Many people from the
country were present. 1t is esti-
mated that over one thousand aud
itors heard her address on this oc-
casion, and a more attentive audi
ence could not be gathered together
on any occasion. The address was
highly appreciated, and the effect
was everywhere manifest on the
faces Of those who listened and
will not soon be forgotten.
In the evening Miss Smith again
spoke at the M. E. church to an
audience that filled every part of
the space Of the large audience
room and crowded the vestibule.
At this meeting she related her
marvellous experience which was
heard in breathless silence by the
audience. The meeting was then
dismissed and the ladies Of the
Union held a kind of experience
meeting.
On Monday morning some of
the ladies of the Temperance Union
took Miss Smith to the morning
exercises at the University chapel,
where she made a ten minute ad-
dress to the students. The balance
Of her time up to IL o'clock was
occupied in calling and receiving
calls. There was no single moment
of her time unoccupied. At IL
o'clock she left for Fairmont where
she was engaged to hold meeting
that night.
NOTES.
The visit of Miss Jennie Smith