The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-27
SAVE SOULS WITH ROCKETS
Novel Way to Chronicle a Redeemed Sinner
in Ohio Town

1 Novel Way to Chronicle a Redeemed Sinner
in Ohio Town.
Gallipolis, Ohio. May ga revival
| is in progress at Murrayville that is at
tracing attention over all the country
owing to the many oddities involved in
| Its progress.
Murrayviile Is a town of 1000 inhabi-
| tants north of here on the Hooking
Valley road. The thrifty little town
has had a iong-esta biished reputation
Because of supporting sixteen saloons
with the amount of vice and crime that
was known to exist there, attracted
the attention of Evangelist Wilson of
Rio Grande, this county, who has been
touring the country and conducting
some OF the most successful reVivals.
He reminds one of Edgar Allen Poe
in many respects, and possesses almost
wonderful oratorical ability. He was
| once an inveterate drinker, has been in
) several inebriate asylums, and when on
| a spree had TO be locked up in his moth
| er-in-iaw's garnet for days.
He was beseeched not to imbibe, and
when everything possible had been done
gave up in despair.
He remained on a protracted drunk
for a long time. but finally sobered up,
became penitent. began studying the
Bible. attended the church, where his
manifestations were made known, and
later decided to hold religiousmeetings
in rural towns. He tells his congrega-
tion at all times and places of his per
sonal experiences. points out in a vivid
manner the turing elements of vice that
seek men and that cause self-deStruc-
ton and ruination.
He was persuaded to conduct revival
meetings about the country, and so
successful were his first series that he
has been classified among the evangel-
istic kings of this section ever since
The Rev. Wilson has been responsible
for more conversions than any minister
in the state, and this fact has attracted
the attention OF all the ministerial bod
les in Ohio.
About week ago ne reached Murray
vile and began a crusade against the
deprayity OF that village. II was up
nil work, but today a more moral ham
let cannot be found anywhere. The
doors OF the saloons have been closed,
churches are being established. and bus
mess rs suspended during the eyangel-
lists meetings.
The novelty of the revival Is that the
announcement of the opening Of a meet
ing is made by the discharge of a can
non near the church. and every CONVEX
sion is signalized by the firing of a sky
rocket. A brass band, with banners.
marches the converts through the stree,
and 10 the meetings, which are as live
~ and enthusiastic as political gather
ing. At the mOurner's bench and how
cred about the indomnitabIe Wilson are
crowds every night. Some Of the most
wicked characters Of the town have
united with the church. and have PRAYED
zeaiously, and wistfully for redemption
and asked reformation. The cannon
boons regularly, the melodies OF the
band are heard every evening, and the
rockets ascend 60 a prodigious height
announcing the saving Of another soul.
The pyrutechnic display is from the
front door % the place Of worShin. and
IN charge OF 9 man who does nothing
else. The place OF meeting is ten times
too small. and those VINO stand on the
outside build bOnfnes and shous as
yociferousiy and pray as loudly as those
inside. Aurrayviile is wild with ex-
citement over the revival. and almost
every citizen IS q professed Christian
and unity and harmony now exist IN
this once corrupt town. Evangelist
Wilson declares he VIII convert every
soul before leaving there.