Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-07
IRA D. sANKEY.
Noted Evangelist Spoke at the Second
 Congregational Church.

A large crowd was present at the Second Congregational church last night to listen to Ira D. Sankey, the world-renowned evangelist, who was a co-worker of Dwight l.. Moody. It was the famous singers first visit to Waterbury, and was the result of long and ceaseIess efforts upon the part of Secretary R. s. Ross of the r. M. c. A. to have MT Sankey appear in this city. It was Mir Ross who also af- forded the people of Waterbury an opportunity of hearing Dwight l.. Moody shortly before his death. MT Sankey's visit last night was made under the auspices of the local '. M. c A. Within the pulpit with the not ed evangelist were Dr J G. Davenport, pastor of the Second Congregat tiona church.; Rev Louig N.1Holden, assist ant pastor; Rev Dr Parry, Rev Charles E. Granger, Rev Dr Anderson and R. S. Ross. The services were opened with the singing of Nearer, My God to Thee by the entire congregation at the request of Rev Dr Davenport. NIT Sankey presided during this at a little organ which Had been placed upon the platform for his benefit. Rev Dr Parry then introduced MT Sankey, stating that he was too we'll known to need any lengthy introduction. One | of Dr Parry's remarks was as follows: Wherever the English tongue is spok- en no man is known better, or more sacredly enshrined in the hearts Of the English speaking people than Ira D. Sankey." tsss In his Introductory remarks, MT Sankey said that although it was his first visit to Waterbury he had met many Waterbury people in other ! places in the past.
 sI am glad to be here, said Mir San key. ito refute the story that am dead. I don't know how the story that am dead originated but it has been going up and down the land for the last 10 years. and to every city and town I go I find that 1t has preceded
 me. So I am glad to be here to say it is not true, or at least is greatly exaggerated.''
 Mir Sankey spoke Interestingly of gospel hymns which have become ia
 nous among Christians. A hymn
 Saved by Grace" Mir Sankey sang, and also told the story of it's origin. 1 1t had first been read or recited at the I commencement exercises of Moody's
 school at Northfi6ld several years ago | by it's author, Fannie Crosby, the blind song writer. It created a deep impression with the audience. Later I it appeared in an English periodical. At the request of MT Sankey, George | Stebbfns, the sacred music writer. set
 them to music. Of his trip to Pales-
 tine the speaker told some interesting
 stories. Before singing the hymn. Ninety and Nine," the speaker gave
 its history. The words of it had been clipped from an English paper by MT Sankey while he was touring Scotland 1 with MT Moody in 1873. At the close { Of a meeting few days later, he was ] requested to sing something appro- priate. No appropriate hymn could he
 think of except what he had already sung. Something urged him to sing
 the song clipped few days before
 from the paper, and he did, not know l ing what the air would be. And lie
 has sung it ever since as he did that night. After prayer had been offered by MT Sankey and benediction had
 been given by Dr Davenport. the ser
 vices were brought to an end.
 Mir Sankey seems to grow younger
 and more active with increased years
 His voice still retains its powerful and
 magnetic force. His address was de.
 cidedly pleasing.