The times., 1898-01-10
BALl|NGT0N B00TH HERE
The Volunteer Commander 0c-
cupies DR.. TaImsge's Pulpit.
HE PLAYS THE CONCERTINA
It Was Sensitive to the Slightest
Touch, He Said, and He Wished
Mems Hearts Were, Too-No
Apology TO Make for His Organiza-
Jion.

Baliington Booth, commander Of
American Volunteers, occupied the pull
pit of First Presbyterian Church last
night. Despite the popular interest in
the speaker. he was heard by but d
small audience. 1t was the weather
which interfered with the attendance.
Much has been written during the
last two years about Baliington Booth.
His appearance is striking. There is
just a touch of the actoresque about
the man. He is six feet three and one
half inches tall. and is spare though by
no means unduly so. His shoulders are
broad enough and his chest proportion
aTely deep. His hair is black, with a
suggestion of grayness, and is brushed
straight back and worn rather long on
the sides of the head and about the coll
lar. 1t is combed well down over his
ears. His forehead is high, particular
ly at the temples. His eyes are deep
set and dark and shaded by heavy
brows. He wears a black mustache
above n wide mouth.
The general expression of his face is
one of earnestneSs and sincerity. He
possesses a highly nervous tempera-
front. except now and then when his
emotionalism breaks through while he
is speaking.
He was dressed last night in the uni
form of his ordeT-darll blue and gilt
braid. His frock coat was cut low, re
vealing plenty of white shirt. His
stature is erect. Before warming up to
his theme he has a strong tendency TO
be restless With his hands. claspins
fhana hi
playing upon his muscles with his fin
gers and strolling his mustache.
He is an impressive speaker, being
calm. tragic, emotional and vehement
by turns. but never departing from
naturalness.
He was escorted TO the platform by
Rev. DIR. Talmage, Rev. DIR. Sunder-
land and an aid-de-canp. On taking
his chair he covered his face with his
left hand. rested his elbow on his knee
and prayed. After this he stroked his
mustache. During the singing OF
Praise God From Whom All Blessings
Flow" he stood with his arms folded.
Dr. Sunderland announced the nature
Of the service and called for the hymn.
Stand Up For Jesus. Commander
Booths aid-de-camp then read some
scripture and called upon DIR. Talmage
to introduce the speaker of the even
ing. DIR Talmage asked that the holy
spirit might come upon the congrega-
tion during the presentation of the di-
vine message by Commander Booth
The commander came to the front
with a concertina i'm his hands which
he called "a wonderful little instru-
lnenL He said that it was sensitive to
the slightest pressure of the finger and
it would be we'll were the hearts OF men
as sensitive to the woes OF the unfortu-
nate. He played what he said was "a
song taken from the ranks Of the world
and set TO sacred words by the Ameri-
can Volunteers" He then proceeded
with The Last Rose of Summer" and
concluded with a selection from IL
TroVatore. The music was 50 well rem
dered that murmurs Of approval arose
from the congregation.
Speaking slowly and in a resonant
voice. Commander Booth made num-
ber of complimentary allusions TO DR.
Talmage. He said that two sermons
preached by DR.. Talmage years ago
had made a profound impression upon
him. These sermons We're ''On the
Great Chicago Fire" and on "Abra-
hams Offering of Isaac" These ser
mons had drawn him very close to DIR.
TalmaSe, and for years he had stood
shoulder TO shoulder with him in spirit
He explained that the American Nolun-