Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-06


Sweeny, who arrived in the city last
night, says that he hopes and expects
TO reside here permanently.
Mr.. Sweeny will occupy the pulpit at
the Seyenth-Street Christian church this
morning and night, and will leave for
Augusta, Ga, some time during the week,
where he will conduct an assembly, which
he expects will last for some ten days OF
two weeks. He arrived i'm Richmond
last night from Buffalo. n. Y. where he
has preached to immense congregations
every night for two weeks In spite of the
intensely cold weather which prevailed
there.
TO FINISH HIS ENGAGEMENTS.
According to arrangements. Mr.. Sweeny
was to have preached in Richmond last
Sunday, as well as to-day but his meet
tings were so successful in Buffalo that
he was released from the first part Of the
engagement by the council of Seventh
Street church. and one of the very happy
results of this action was the add--.on
of seventy members to the church in the
Electric City.
A condition of Mr.. Sweenys acceptance
of the call to Richmond was that he
SHOULD be allowed to fill all his engage
ments before he took up his residence
here. This was readily granted, and the
Augusta Assembly will be the last on
the list At its conclusion Mr.. Sweeny
will return TO Richmond with his family.
He will spend a day or two this week in
house-hunting, but in this particular he
expects TO rely to some extent on the adj
vice of the council.
Mr.. Sweeny arrived in the city on the
o'clock train from the North last night.
He was met at the depot by a deegation
from the church, and was very cordially
welcomed. He was taken to the house OF
DR.. Taber, on west Grace street, and du-
ring the evening many members OF his
congregation called upon him.
A POWER FOR GOOD.
Wherever Mr.. Sweeny has ministered
he has been an immense power for good.
DR.. Talmage says of him that he is one
OF the greatest preachers in the country.
and Professor Blackie, Of Edinburgh Uni
versity, alluded to him as the American
torrent OF eloquence.
In Richmond, where he conducted be-
ries of services last November, he created
a profound impression, and the Seventh
Street church was crowded night after
night. He is man of brilliant scholarly
attachments, Of powerful mental endow-
ments. and OF a wide experience. and
intimate knowledge Of men and things.
A STRONG LETTER.
The following letter from an editor OF
one of the Buffalo papers came unso-
licited, to the Dispatch yesterday, and
serves to show something OF the i'm
preston Mr.. Sweeny created by his re-
cent missionary effort i'm that city:
-. 81.
city are TO be highly congratulated in
succeeding in making a temporary ar
with him. For four weeks
/ have heard, with one nights exception,
every word that has fallen from his
gifted lips, and have carefully measured
his powers and ability. He Is a man
crammed full of logic in the handling OF
great religious truths, driving home to
the mind impressions that stick and
cause people TO start and wonder at the
power Of their simplicity. He clothes an
old truth in new garments to perfection.
As a brusher away OF useless religious
dogmas and superstition he is without
peer. AS an arranger of argument leading
up to convincing conclusions. he is a
giant. One single hearing convinces the
most sceptical that he is an earnest, sim
cere believer in every statement put forth.
He is disturber OF preconceived notions
that are not founded upon Biblical
truths, and a smasher Of the religious
nonsense and tomfoolery OF the age. A
fine quality of patience, humility, kind
ness, and consideration pervades his |
work.
THE meetings he has led here have
intense interest, and many |
grounded In error have candidly admit
ted that his statements are absolutely |
irresistible. Old men and the youth nave
been led by his mastery handling OF the
pure and simple Gospel 70 give up long |