The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-12-31
FRANCIS MtRPnYs FOLLOWERS.
The First Sunday Meeting of the Murphy
Gospel Temperance Association.

There was q very cheerful atmosphere ia The
hall of the Y. NJ. c. A. building at o'clock yes
terday afternoon. when the first Sunday meet
ing OF the Murphy Gospel Temperance Union
Was held. President Reynolds's big anatomy
ard kindly face appeared on the scene early aud
the pleasant room filed up promptly. the seats
back to the door being pretty well taken 10 be-
fore the meeting opened. Every conner got a
cordial welcome, and the people who seemed to
have had the hardest tussle with red liquor were
the people that had the most attention. God
blessyous' and THAN God d are here's were
numerous and fervent as the members came
together and everybody seemed to have gotten
hold of Murphy's knack OF making everybody
else feel at homo. They are pretty good
looking lot Of fellows, Amt theyP Gang out Sec
rotary Douglass, of the Y. NJ. G. A., who was
mixing with the crowd. aud the people on the
platform smiled assent Most Of them were
young men, although there were grey heads
here and there. and with but few exceptions all
were neatly and cleanly dressed.
The few minutes that elapsed before Brother
Allison. who leads the singing came in. were
used in filing up the seats on the
platform with those who promised
TO sing out loud and when that
gentlemen came, the meeting started off with
Look and Live, which was sung with will,
and was followed by Anywhere with Jesus" II
Have Found Friend and other weliknow
hymns Then Secretary Roberts, of the M. q.
l. u. prayed earnestly for Gods blessing 90
the work, and there was more singing. the
hymns being sung with life and fervor that
made them very effective. Announcements Of
other meetings folio we'd. among them that Col.
John w. Ray would lead the NJ. G. T. u. at the
same hour and place next Sunday, and that the
Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y NJ. G. A. would keep
man hons at q ho iosio kr,11 Naxu
Years day. from p. n. TO Q p. NJ, and wanted
every body to come. Brother Knapp announced
that he would open mission tomorrow even.
ing, at No. 219 East Washington street. where
the saloons were the thickest, and he hoped to
be able to mako IL a permanent and useful aid
to the canse. He wanted every Murphy man to
come and help him when there was no better
opportunity for work offered. A collection
furnish temporary assistance to needy converts
TO the Murphy movement asked for by
President Reynolds, and a liberal response was
made. Then letter was read from Francis
Murphy. dated at Connersvllle. in which
the temperance evangelist spoke of a recent
magnificent meeting there. presided over by
Hon. j. n. Huston. and the success of the work
generally in that section closing with request
for the prayers OF Indianapolis friends. An in
vithtion to attend the Meridian-srreet Methodist
Church. where DR.. Cleveland would preach a
special sermon. In the evening. was read, and
President Reynolds urged everybody present to
go, taking with them their wives, daughters
and swee,hearts, and il they had no sweetheart
OF their own to take some one elses. The latter
advice supported the grounds that If q
man wouldn't GO to church he had no right to
have q sweetheart
The lesson of the day followed, being the
story Of the casting-out of devils by the Savior.
which devils subsequently entered into drove
or swine, causing them to run down a steep
place into the sea. 1t was read by Secretary
Douglass. and was accompanied by good many
quaint and forcibe illustrations the Murphy
movement being likened to the work of tho
Lord, in that IL not infrequently saved man
and spoiled a lot of hogs. Brother Knapp then
pray for q loving spirit. as the best means of
success in the work, and there was some more
vigorous music. tho people on the floor outsing
ing those on the stage.
In the experience meeting that came next.
President Reynolds led of, telling of the joy
and comfort that had come to him
since he had given his heart to
the work, and Secretary Roberts told an
affecting story OF his own life and rescue. An
earnest little fellow, with a blue ribbo1 in f.is
button hole, got up to tell how business men
had taken hold Of him and give him lift since
he gave I'D the use of liquor and Dig six-footer
on the stage told how he had gone to church
drunk and found that God could save man
drunk sober. More testimony followed,
blacksmith 10 the rear Of the house telling how
he had spent a sober and a happy Christmas
through Murphy's influence. and others spoke
of the help the organization he founded had
been to them.
At the close OF the speaking largo number
of those present came forward to sign pledges.
and the meeting broke up with a very happy
feeling among those who had taken part in IL.