Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1890-05-24
Go, rcspondence.

M lie Il'I -" ,h 1919
months since l let You and your readers
hear from Southwest Virginia-the
Eldorado of the State. The mineral
fever has come east of the Blne Ridge
mountains. and is sweeping over Pat
rick, Henry, and Franklin counties.
Capitalists, representing untold mil
liens, from this section, and from the
West, North and Europe, have secured
leases and options on large tracts of the
richest ore lands, from iron and lead up
to silver and gold. Tobacco. wheat and
corn are promising and the farmers are
cheerful. The health of The people is
good. Heaven is richly blessing this
part of the dear old State
Danville is booming. Never since the
war has she Shown such life and enter
prise. Fine buildings are going up on
every street. and large number of
manufacturing establishments are about
to I've Matched ont. She now has direct
railroad connection with Norfolk. AMI
when the line is extended West which
will be in the near future. she will move
forward with the strides of q giant.
One or two railroads from here lending
into North Carolina are strongly talked
of. The little city by the Dan is one of
the most vigorous, plucky towns have
ever known. Her future is IN at en-
couraging.
The great meeting conducted nv R"y.
Sam P. Jones, the distinguished Geor-
gia evangelist. assisted by Rev. Mr..
Stewartof Tennessee which commenced
on The 3rd inst. closet here yesterday
afternoon. lie held Il similar meeting
in Danvlle, yon will remember, wear
ago. hut there was II greater desire 10
hear him than on his first visit. The
people came in great crowds, the trains
were crammed, and the county roads
almost blocked with vehicles of every
descriptions. After the second day the
weather was most favorable. The tab
ernacle Just completed, is IL large, wool
en- structure. and can comfortably seat
over four thousand, though over five
thousand frequently crowded into it.,
and thousands were turned away, not
able to get even standing room.
The best of order prevailed. no row.
dyism in or near the building could be
seen. Say what you will. the uniform
gond behavior during the whole meet
ing, day and night, is no little credit to
this community. The singing was un-
Ger the control of Prof. E. o.. Excill, of
Chicago, who soon drew around him the
best vocal talent of the community and
Mr.. Jones, at the close of the meeting,
nail the choir the highest compliment,
saying he had never had abetter one to
assist him in any of his meetings.
The people opened their purses gen-
erously, giving for different objects
about ten thousand dollars-seven
thousand FIVE hundred to pay for the
tabernacle. the remainder for lnciden-
tai expenses. the evangeiiitS. and the
orphan asylum. OF the North Georgia
Conference, for which Mr.. Jones is
agent.
Rev. Mr.. Stewart is an educated gen.
tleman, thirty two years of age. has
been laboring with Mr.. Jones for about
year, and is a clear, stroag, Jealous
and at times, eloquent preacher. His
styles his own. he shows his GOOD
sense innot trying to ape the peculiar
titles Of the great evangelist. He won
the hearts of the people, and will long
be remembered with affection by tie
thousands who were greatly blessed by
his minlstrations.
But what of the phenomenal man,
Rev. Sam. p. Jones. Is he holding his
own intellectually, in magnetic infu-
ence over men. and in moral and spir-
itual power? These are questions eft
en- asked. Physically he does not seem
to be so vigorous as a year ago-is turn.
ing gray and the wrinkles are percept-
IDLY deepening. If he had not been
blessed with a vigorous constitution,
and great powers of endurance he would
before this have been eitherin his grave
or utterly broken down in health. Un-
der such heavy and constant strain it is
marvellous how he keeps up.
Intellectually there is no evidence of
weakness and this writer has heard
him in four meetings-the first about
four years ago. He presses into service
every element of power in public speech.
Logic, rhetoric, Imagination. sarcasm.
irony, wit. humor, ratlos. and really
seems to be master of all. Now his
auditors listen with dlgnl6ed compos.
ure, now they frown with dissent. now
they are convulsed with laughter, now
they are bathed i'll tears. He generally
breaches about an hour-sometlmes an
hour and half. But the interest keeps
up through his longest sermons. 1t is
maintained by many that no other man
in America can command such large
audiences to hold them so long. lie is
the most unique, incomprehensible man
L have ever heard. In June he will
hold i ten-d days meeting i'll Richmond.
and also one in Norfolk. Go and hear
him for yourself. The number of pro-
fessions of religion in his meeting here
has been estimated ut seven to eight
hundred, and the church people much
quickened. The great congregation by
a unanimous vote invited him to come