Evening star., 1908-01-14
REVIVAL SERVICE OPENS
SERIES OF MEETINGS AT HAM
LINE n. E. CHURCH.
Rev. Thomas Harrison, Known as
"the Boy Preacher" to Occupy
the Pulpit.

/ A large audience gathered last night at
Hamline NJ. z. Church to hear the Rev.
| Thomas Harrison, the evangelist. He
was greeted by a number of preachers,
Among them were noticed Revs Bristol.
Bacon. Price. Naylor. Dawson. Huntley
and Clark. A large choir. in charge of
Mr.. G. Fl. Schooley. led the congrega ton
In singing many of the selections from
the book Of Precious Hymns" specially
selected by Mr.. Harrison for his meet
! ings.
Mr. Harrison did not preach from a text,
but took the occasion to get in touch with
| MS audience by relating incidents that
| were made notable in the revivals of by
gone years, when men and women, many
OF them of prominence, had made pro-
| fession Of religion.
DR.. Naylor. who had known Mr. Harri-
| son for many years. referred to his great
work as an evangelist In many of the
| churches In indianapolis and baltimore
and OF the good results that followed
MT Harrison has peculi-r and at times
unique way OF expressing himself. He
related many incidents Of a touching
character. and soon found his hearers in
full sympathy with his own feelings
hymns of a stirring character were sung.
MI Harrison stopping at int rivals in the
MIDST OF the singing to mak practical
Illustration or bring out SOM good point
At the close of the services very many
remained to speak to him or to tell him
how In some city or church years ago he
was instrumental in turning their lives
into new channels.
Many strangers were present in the au-
dfence. who were drawn there by the an
nouncement that the evangelist would
preach. From expressions heard at the
close OF the meeting there seemed to be
a general feeling Of pleasure and an earn
est desire to hear more Of his discourses.
From the results of the initial meeting
Mr.. Harrison and the pastor. Dr. Guthrie,
expressed themselves we'll pleased with
the outlook. Mr.. Harrison will preach his
first sermon tonight. half hour service
or song will precsde the regular service
Mr. Harrison was born Christmas day.
1854. In Dorchester. Mass. the son of a
pious mother, now living at the age Of
his ffteenth year and he at once COM
| menced course of study at Wilbraham
Academy. remaining there until he was
licensed to preach. He was received into
Brooklyn Lay College under the care Of
DR.. Talmage.
In November 1876 in the Franklin
Street Church in Baltimore. he began his
labors In revival work. the season lasting
six weeks. His youth and personal 'ap
pearance gave him the name Of ''the boy
preacher" which title followed him in his
work for many years
No longer boy. either. in appearance
or experience. he nevertheless attracts his
audience by his plain. simple presentation
of the scriptures. easily comprehended by
the youngest of his hearers. There is
much of the ''innermost'' about him. and
in this will be found one Of the sources
Of his power. He is intensely sincere.
He does not devote his time to argument
or to an effort to prove the plain state
ments of the scriptures. but he leaves
upon the conscience Of his hearers the
0nfv of annlyin0 their force in the max.
than thirty years DR.. Harrison has con-
Quoted evangelistic meetings in many of
the principal cities from Maine to Cali
fornia.
One Of the most remarkable gatherings
during his entire ministry occurred In DR..
Talmage's great tabernacle in Brooklyn.
when more than one thousand conversions
were reported after a series Of meetings
lasting seven weeks.