New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-22

HUMAN NATURE AT A REVIVAL.
SCENES AT THE JOHN STREET MEETING.
PECULIAR PERSONS AND INTERESTING INCL

PECULIAR PERSONS AND INTERESTING lNOi'
DENTS-MANy CONFESSIONS
Tho words "rcvival- and "camp meeting IN
variaby bring to mind scenes where human nature
can be studied freely, and the series OF revival oc
ngs that Is in progress the old John Street Method
ist Episcopal Church IS no exception TO inc ruic'
Tho ccv Thomas Harrison, who is best known as
tho hoy prcacher- perhaps the first one TO attract
tho attention Of the visitor there. lie Is ccah-
shavcn small, though compactly built young man.
thirty -four years old lie Is somewhat rouhu-sh"ur
dcred wears Prince Albert coat, closely buttoned,
no matter how the day Is quick In his move
mcnts and IS never at rest. When on the platform
he PAGES up and down with his eyes hxcd on mo
congregation and smile on his facc lie seems 10
see and read each person I'm his audience, While he
kccps everything and everybody "a-golng' never
allowing moments pause for any reason lie VIII
call for prayer, and while the Amen Is upon INC
suppcants lips. he viii call out the number OF u
song which he starts while the people are hnding 'ho
place. over and again he starts up the chorus
never allowing moments break and keeping uho
to the music clapping his hands, waving his arms or
shouting out the words 1t Is marvellous how he
seems to inspire his hearers with enthusiasm, ana
low nc makes them shout weep al his WILL
Dr. Bowdish, the pastor OF the church, is on the
platform with him. tall. wcl-shapcd man, with
sandy side whskcrs and clean chin, always wear
Ing standing collar and spotlcss white neck'ie
dcmOnSrdilNc
quiet dignity he smiles and says Amen often, slowly
capping his hands One other face Is always to be
found on the platform-that Of the young woman
presiding at the piano This Is Miss Annie !. shcra
a graduate OF vassar College. II is Interesting to sec
how quickly she recognizes the tune that Mr. IaIri-
son is starting, and plays It, no matter what Key he
happens to hit upon. This is all the moro surprising
when learns that many of the songs She never
heard before Mr.. Harrison began his work In his
church, OF which she is a member.
From the platform. one casts his eyes over the
crowded church. Here indeed Is a field fer study.
About threc-quartcr OF the way up the left aisle,
sits an old gray-harcd man who IS so full OF glory
that he can't keep still. but shouts IT out on every
available occasion Next TO him sits another man
w;o can't keep still He is soon guided down Inc
aisle end out OF the church, for conversions while
under the influence OF drink arc not APT TO he lasting
,7ot far away SITS man who IS known in the meet
ngs es Buffalo Billp He has long curly hair which
falls on his shoulders, fncly-cut face and loud
voice His particular theme Is Praise the Lord t"
and this he cxclams both in and out OF season
lie is street preacher by profession and Is oficn
seen the City Hall steps. In tho Amen row SITS
e young man with glasses, who has but one word to
utter. That is Victory - When occasion demands
he imprcsslyoly raises his right hand ard cxclams
in loud voice, Victory - lie says that he has
been inspired by HarrisOns preaching, and he Is
going to preach himself lie hasn't made up his
mind when to begin slender youth with an
innocent face and curly hair walks amlc>sly up and
down tho aslcs. offering song books to the people
and holding his hand for the thirty-hvc cents
please
But who are those who arc converted; and where
do they come from! 1t is question not easily
answered. They mon and women, old and young
some Of them are serious. thouGhtful-looking men
men evidently we'll off IN worldly possessions. Many
evidently clerks in stores bookkcopcrs and GRAND
boys while some arc evidently tramps Here as
everywhere there those who the workcrS say
havC boon prominent in amcst every revival nat has
been hid i'm this city for Of years These
cases arc few, however. and tic men frequently
recognized by the evangclists.