The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-18
RENTALS
 SWEEP WALES Religious Fcrv0r Un-
 eQuallcd. ENGLAND IS AFFECTED Work of Two Noted Chicago
 Evangelists Lancashire and wales Ri.s wltA ss.s and Prayer while Atteatiea
 q London l. Directed
 to Upheaval.

London, Dec. 17.-There has been c remarkable spread in the religious re- vivais which were started at Bolton Lancashire. on September {, of this year, by Rev. Reuben A. Torrey and Charles M. Alexander. both of whom are from Chicago.
 At first the movement was considered to be only one of the periodical out bursts which happen from time to tine throughout England and Scotland. but the proportions 1t has now assumed att tracts general attention. Wales. which Is largely non-conformist, Is ringing with revivals and the churches are crowded on week days and on sun- days.
 Some of the places of worship will not accommodate those who wish to attend. All classes are affected. No such movement has been known In Wales during the past half century. but the leaders of the revivals. noting this fact. point out that similar religious demonstrations have occurred at regu- lar intervals of fifty years. A notable and other revival meetings is the fact that the other meetings are not con- ducted solely by those on tho platform.
 The leaders commence the service with prayer. The massed congrega- ton. however, does not follow this leadership, but individuals or groups of individuals offer a prayer suggested by personal promptings until the whole becomes a Babel of independent sup plication with varying degrees of fer- vor.
 The Welsh people are famous for their singing and at times during the meetings one of the leaders commences a well-known hymn, the congregation taking 1t up. The singing continues uninterrupted for hours. The npeet- ings. which commence early In the evening. last far into the night and sometimes the seating capacity of the church Is taxed until 3 or o'clock ia the morning.
 The miners commences at o'cioe16. but they ungrndgingly sacrifice their hours of rest to attend the meetings.
 The effect of the revival movement is noticeable everywhere, and 1t is said that the public houses are almost empty Formerly they were crowded with miners after the working hours Drunkenness is now almost unknown in the Rhonda Valley, in Glamorgarshires where prayer meetings are even held in the mines during work hours.
 Preaching Rests Football. fa The efforts of the preachers also are directed against the football season, which is now in full swing. and several big matches which would have attractr ed the popuIace of the entire country have been called off because the best players refused to participate in the games. ..s
 The origin of the remarkable reli- gious upheavaI is traceable directly to the Chicago revivalists. After their success in Lancashire the work was taken up throughout Wales by several leaders. Now. however. one man has risen head and shoulders above all the rest until his name rings throughout the Kingdom as the greatest revivalisc of the day. He is Evan Roberts. -6 years old, formerly miner. Els marvellous enerky and vitality are evt- dences of the fact. He goes from place to place, remaining a few days in each, some times spending entire days and nights praying and singing. Roberts has been invited by the non- conformists of London to visit the Metropolis.
 The Rev. MT. Torrey and MT. Alex ander are active meanwhile and ans nounce an invasion of London soon.