The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-08-20
ELDER MARVIN LUrz.

Hundreds in this city will remember Elder Marvin Lutz, who some twenty years ago created quite a big sensa- tion in this city by his flow of emo tional oratory at the old Howe street church and who enlisted many fol- lowers here. He has been lost track of by many here In the last few years, since reports came that he had fallen from grace. He now is again heard from. The Springfield Union of yes- terday says In its report of the second Advent camp meeting there:
 People who attended the afternoon services at the Second Advent camp meeting yesterday had an opportunity to see an incident which brought tears to the eyes of many a devoted wor- shipper and of some who came out of curiosity as well. The occasion for display of dramatic emotion came when elder M. W. Lutz was called to the rail of the platform to confess his wrong doings and to express penitence and the man whose unatttractive past has already been told, used the ocoa- sion for all that 1t could give. To all appearances he was sincere in his eX- pressions of sorrow and many of those who were present at the time were moved to tears by the truly emotional episode.
 Rev. E. T. Call of Biddeford, Me, had just finished a sermon full of en- ergy and power when Elder Miles Grant arose and said that prodigal son had returned to his home, wishing once more to enjoy the blessings of the fathers house and desiring to ad init the error of his ways, In. the midst of an impressive silence MT. Lutz came forward and started to make his con fession. For few moments he hardly moved a muscle. One hand shaded his eyes from which tears rolled down on his cheeks. Finally as Elder Grant took his hand he simply said:
 "Ive done wrong. I am sorry. For give me-"
 Elder Grant kindly laid his hand on the mans head and then from the group of worshippers close by the or gan arose the low, solemn notes of the hymn so often heard at the meetings, T Can Hear the Saviour Calling" ," Low the notes were at first, but grad
 ually the chorus grew louder until from away back among the benches | the soft notes of song were heard and | from throughout the circle the words l were sung with sympathy that could not but make an impression on those who heard them. As the last chord | died away, Rev. MT. Call simply re- peated the Lords prayer.
 | T ,,t1 ,I,n hoe ma 6a r11Ih- l lie confession of his sins, is an animated l and interesting talker, and as one Es- l tens to his words little can he wonder l that their ring, as his resonant voice uttered them, brought so many people | in this vicinity to the altar. MT. Lutz first spoke of the meeting just closed and said that he felt the power of the I Holy Ghost upon him and that before many days he would again be on the l pla tform preaching. He seemed indig-
 nant when any one demonstrated with
 him and told him not to be so hasty, and replied that he had been called, l had received invitations to preach in l several cities and that his mind was made up.
 l In response to a request for sketch of his history he said that he was born | in Philadelphia fffty-two years ago For twenty-seven years the extent of his vice knew no bounds. Gambling, drink 1 ing. all formed his pursuits. The prison l pen became familiar, the jail his home l for a part of the time, until he be-
 came known as the wickedest man in l the Quaker city. He joined the Union
 army in the War of the Rebellion and was valiant fighter. He was several times wounded, one bullet grazing his face and causing the scars on his lips Tn one battle he lost his left eye. Ru- mors have been current that these fa- cial blemishes were the rsults of some drunken fracas. This is absolutely de nied.
 Until 1870 the name of Lutz in Phil adelphia was one to be avoided. Ther Marvin LutZ became converted. IIt seemed sincere and at once took UT
 preaching, advertising himself as the
 ''Wickedest Man in Philadelphia. lCrowds gathered to hear him. Halls
 could not hold the throngs. It was g
 mighty revival for Philadelphia Thar
 Marvin Lutz came to Springfield. His
 wonderful gift of speech, his sincere
 and God-fearing manner, drew even lar
 ger caucuses than assembled in tht
 Pennsylvania city. The old city hal was inadequate. Converts came b1
 dozens and the Watershops pond was
 used as a place for baptism. ThrougE his efforts a chapel was added to As bury church and the West Springfield Methodist church built. Western Mas
 sachusetts rang with his cry of saliva ton.
 Until 1855 he continued thus. The1
 he went to Pittsfield and married ricl
 woman, Mrs. Luce by name, his wis ions of ease taking him completely b! storm. Perhaps Mir. Lutz's own word
 would better tell his story from thi point.
 "When I stopped preaching I simply backslid, that is all. People who ac cuse me of keeping houses of Ill fam and opium joints lie and I can prove it I commenced to smoke opium ant take life easy. My wife had plenty 0
 money and I had every thing wanted
 Then I forgot I was a Christian. Tn
 story told in a Pittsf1eld paper that , kept an opium den is false. I knov the man who told the police so, and
 defy him. The officers raided me ant , told me if I left Pittsfield I would no