The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-01
AT A TIMELY HOUR
Francis Murphy's Big Meeting on
the Eve of the New Year.
He Cheers Up the People for Good Reso-
IutiOns on the MOrrOw-The
Services.

Standing room was at a premium at the
Francis Murphy temperance meeting held
last night under the auspices of the Muir
ply League at the First Presbyterian
Church. As early as Z o'clock every seat
in the large church auditorium and the
gallery was occupied, and a half hour later
it was next to impossible to gain an en-
trance into the church. The aisles, forum and
even the stairs leading to the pulpit were
massed with people. On the platform sat
Francis Murphy and his sons, William and
Edward Murphy, the face of the temper
ance apostle beaming with smiles as he
glanced about over the great audience that
was present to greet him. A number of
active members of the Murphy League,
including the president, Charles Cleveland,
and the pastor of the church, Rev. NJ. l..
Haines, were also on the platform, and took
part in the exercises.
Rev. Mr.. Haines welcomed the Murphys
back to the city. He spoke in high praise
Of the good work francis Murphy and his
boys were doing for the whole country.
He said that Indianapolis now claimed
Francis Murphy as her own. Pittsburg had
no more claim on him; he was now a citi-
zen of indianapolis, and her people were
proud to honor so distinguished a worker
in the cause of Christ. He likened Mr..
Murphy and his sons to a life-saving crew
that were dashing out among the breakers
and with outstretched hands were drawing
into their lifeboat men who were ready to
sink. Their work was the noblest Of all,
that of raising fallen creatures to a new
manhood and womanhood, which consti-
tuted the browning glory of ALL"
AFfp1- a fprNcpt ~ ~ -, a. 5000
during which Mr.. Murphy electrified the
audience with his characteristic "Amens,'
That's right" and other expressions which
he uses with such telling effect, Mr.. Muir
pny stepped 10 the front of the platform
and said:
II am delighted to be here this blessed
New Years eve. The old year is passing
of JOY, hopes and fears, victories and de-
teats are almost at an end. We have
grace of God we viii grow strong. Jesus
has said, Come unto Ne, all We that are
weary and are heavy laden and L will give
many have found rest in His holy narne?
AS he spoke his body swayed to and fro,
his face beamed with kindly light and he
held ms audience as with a spell under the
magnetic influence of his silveTy speech. He
commanded the audience to join In singing
Il Hear the Welcome Voice" The little
choir arose and commenced TO sing. the
vast audience took up the refrain, and then
the enthusiasm of Mr.. Murphy in his great
work appeared to carry him away. Every
few minutes he would cry out, "Sing out,
every body" his handsome face all the
while beaming with a joy that was not in
| tive power of the man to conceal if he
! should try ever so hard. His every action
while conducting his meetings is natural,
there are no studied practices either in his
| speech or movements. Apparently whatever
enters his mind, suggested by surrounding
conditions he refers to in a rambling, dis
connected way that is irresistible In its
effect upon his hearers. He carries his
| audiences awaV in the beginning and onnN-
mands their undivided attention until his
| talks are concluded.
Both William and edward Murphy spoke
during the evening, receiving almost as
enthusiastic a reception as their distin-
guished parent. y song by the choir,
rendered and received an encore. At the
conclusion of the meeting many signed the
pledge. 1t was announced during the even
ing that Mr.. Murphy would hold meetings
in the city for a week under the auspices
OF the Murphy League.