Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-22
A STRANGE SIGHT.
The Methodist Missionaries Preaching
at the Derby.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.

From the Pail Mall Gazette
At EPSON, which on Derby day Is said TO be
one vast temple of the evil one, it is Just the
opposite, for right in the center Of the crowd,
among bookmakers, pugilists, and acrobats.
and all the noisy rout tent has been erected
in which and from out of which a small army
OF energetic Methodists are carrying the war
everywhere into the enemy's crowded camp
As early as 10 an immense and ever-growing
multitude assembled; the giant ''fancy fair"
was in full swing, and busiest among the busy
were, once again, the faithful hundred. all of
whom had volunteered their help, and many of
whom gave up four precious days of their
annual holiday to be present at EPSON Their
plan Of campaign was to 60 out in groups
plant their harmonium, and behind it their
violinists and trumpeters. in the center of
crowd, and there to sing, TO play, to pray, and
to praise.
1t was a curious sight yesterday to see the
groups OF workers among the crowds Of iders
There was nothing whatever Of the average
street preacher about them; black coats and
low black felt hats were banished, but Mr.. Nix
appeared in the regulation gray sporting over
coat and tall, hght-gray hat; others were
more sporting" still, with BUTTON holes" of
geraniums and ferns and field-glass slung over
the shoulder. Loose light summer suits.
dainty light neckties, and ornamental pins,
a matter-of-fact and business like air, made
them look very much in the right place. And
there they stood, elbowed by pugilists occa-
sionally jeered at by q rowdy ruffian. but
always surrounded by crowd. The Metho-
dists have not without cause gained their
name of being good musicians; and here they
sang with strong and well-trained voices that
sound far and wide their tuneful lively hymns,
the violins and the harmonium joining Every
now and again one OF the singers jumped lightly
on stool and thence gave a two or three min
utes sermon-earnest, simple and very cheer
full withal Then once again there was more
singing, and occasionally the sun looked down
upon the small band Of men kneeling on the
grass with bare heads and faces turned to the
earth, calling upon their God to look upon the
multitude and t0guide them to his peace-a
strange sight indeed on the race course on
Derby day.
When the "carriage folk" were all assembled
at noon they, too. were attacked as they sat on
high consuming lobster salad and champagne.
On the iron spike Of long cane the pink and
up to them, and dainty gold-rimmed tracing
card" which was placed uppermost on the
spike, proved an irresistible attraction even
among the most hardened scoffers. Then,
again, while outside the excitement became
quite boundless, while the dust and the hot sun
blinded everybody, and while the first bell was
slowly tolled which announced that the great
moment had arrived, while everybody outside
strained every muscle to catch q sight Of the
course, in the cool and shady Methodist tent q
meeting was held Of song and prayer, and 30
on all through the long day and deep into the
night.
Whether the world has grown better, or only
more polite and tolerant, it is difficult to say,
but the fact is that the religious bodies on the
race course met hardly any open insult or even
scorn, and the worse case of which i heard
yesterday was this dialogue between gentle
man who was distributing papers an6 cards
and . young rufian; '.Do you practice what
you preach?' asked the latter. 'Hes," was the
cheerful reply, ~ do" ''Then lend us a shil-
ling" 81 don't preach lending shillings on
race courses"