Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-31
CAME Toby WHISKY
Mr.. FIFE TELLS or ONE or HIS FOR
MER VISITS TO RICHMOND.
The Noted Drummer Evangelist Also Re-
Iates the Story Of His Conversion-som>
thing Of His Splendid Work.

"The last time that was In RICH
mond." said the noted drummer-evange-
list. Rev, William +. Fife. to Dispatch
reporter yesterday evening. just before
he took the train for Maysville, KY,
where he goes to hold revival, Il came
to this city to buy a bill OF whiskey. l
am thankful that my mission this time
has been better one"
Continuing, his remarks, Mr.. Fife said
ne loved the people of this city, and
that he wanted TO hear and knew he
would hear that many OF their souls had
been saved during this great religious
tidal-wave.
How long have you been preaching,
Mr.. Fife?" queried the news-gatherer,
with some timidity.
II preached my first sermon In the III
tie town Of Kinston, n. c.. in September,
1882"
HOW HE WAS CONVERTED.
Mr.. Fife then told the remarkable story
| of his conversion in Wilmington. y. c.,
under the preaching of Evangelist II. q.
| Pearson, April 2. 1858. He had been a
commercial traveller from his 18th year
until he began his evangelistic work, and
| had led a pretty fast life. MIR. Fife al
mtted that he drank and gambled. ana
] was very heavily In debt, owing about
$4,000 as a consequence, when he gave
his heart to God. Every penny of this
| had been paid since he had been preach
ing, and he was q happy, free man.
| Speaking Of his conversion, the drummer
evangelist said that at the time IL oc-
| Cured he was living with his family IN
| Fayetteville, y. c. lie learned that Pear
son was conducting meeting Ill WIZ
mington. and went down TO hear him.
He went back home. but had been 50
impressed that he returned to hear the
preacher again. He remained week In
attendance upon the meetings. He had
| been deeply convicted, but vowed In his
room that he would not give up his heart
| to God. on the morning OF April -, 1888,
! he paid his hotel bill, had his baggage
| put on the boat and was determined 10
leave Wilmington after the services that
evening. When night came he went to
the meeting became converted, went
back to his hotel. and got party OF his
wicked friends together and held prayer
with them.
CONTINUED TO TRAVEL.
After his surrender to God, Mr.. Fife
continued i'm his story, he travelled eigh-
teen months for his house. but never
failed to work and pray and do whatever
was in his power for the glory Of Christ
He gave up the road, as previously
| stated In September, 1889.
Being a man OF the world prior 10
that time, Mr.. Fife, were you not sorely
tempted and tried after you had made
profession OF faith? the reporter VEN
tured to ask.
by no means. 1 found that every
| body respected me for what | had done.
| ! did nor have SO much trouble then as
/ have had since" the preacher laugh
| ingly replied.
| SOMETHING OF HIS WORK.
An an evangelist. Mr.. Flies success
has been almost unparalleled. Although
| II is but four and u half years since he
began his work, his labOrs have been In
strumental in bringing 20oOO souls tc
| Christ. and church statistics show that
about 800 Of this number have been
| added to the church-rolls throughout the
land. His recent meeting in Charleston
| w. Va. was most gratifying. There
| were about 500 professions, ana 800 have
| already joined the church The drum
mer-eyangeist has conducted reyivais In
almost every State in the South. and his
| principal points are his downright sin
cerity and his knowledge of the ills OF
| Gin A bttp nj