Arizona republican., 1914-03-05
GREAT REVIVAL
 OPENS; l200
 IN ATTENDANCE
Brown and Curry See I'm mense Audience for First Night at Skating Rink Converted into Great Tabernacle

With two hundred volunteers in the chorus, banked back of the speaking platform. and with more than i thousand interested auditors and re- i ligious workers seated in the audi torium below, although beginning in the middle of the week. the first 1 actual service of the Brown and l Curry meeting, the united evangeli- cal movement that is to be continued for a full month, began last evening. It was a meeting in which the curi- osity to see and hear the two men who are to lead the effort was blended with honest hope and faith that the protracted services will be source of great and lasting good to the city of Phoenix.
 The expected men appeared Rev. John E. Brown delivered a short and l highly interesting sermon on Prayer" while Prof Curry in addi- ton to directing the big chorus, sang a beautiful solo, Jesus Is Friend of Mine" Two pianos have been pro- vided, and these augmented by brass instruments exceedingly well played, promise musical features during the meeting that will aid greatly in at | tracting the hundreds that are eX- pected to attend during the season of revival.
 Today is to be decorating day at the "tabernace" Early in his talk MT. Brown asked all those who had flags and bunting and evergreen and flowers at home who were willing that they should be used in making the inside of the building more at tractive, to bring that material in the afternoon and all hands will turn to l and decorate. More seats are to be provided at once. The capacity was tested last night. One thousand benches for several hundred more but these were all filled last night. Some little engaging ceremony was gone through with at the first ses- sion last night although MT. Brown announced that he will preach the first real simon pure sermon of the services tonight Rev Dr. Harker, president of the Ministerial Alliance delivered a pleasing short but eff fective address of welcome. He said that the Phoenix preachers had in vited the two men because it is felt by the churchmen and women of the town that these two are able to direct the efforts of the people in the sorely needed campaign for righteousness. The ministers of the city were seated on the platform be- hind the speaker.
 In replying Mir. Brown said that he is glad to be here. His delightful reception last year when in Phoenix whetted his appetite for a greater knowledge of Arizona and her hos pitable people. Right away he, how ever. got down to business. He asked that the folks respond to the appeal to settle the business of the meeting during the first few days, as there will be no debts left, when the meet ing closes The reason for this is that taking skillet collections" takes up time that will otherwise be used , in the regular minstrations of the revival.
 Following the solo of Mr. Curry. the preacher directed himself for about thirty minutes to a highly edi- flying discourse upon the subject of prayer, passing his speech upon that ! portion of the fifteenth chapter of St Johns gospel, If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall lask what ye will and it shall be done tn Without he proceeded to strike fire with al- most every sentence. He has a charming, drawling method of speech yet at the same time he is so care ful with his enunciation as to take |, the minds of the hearers back to many an old time southern town.
 His sermon was enhanced with many impressive incidents, some of which he used from his own experi- ence, some from the experience of others that had been told him. He used but very few gestures, but his words were pointed and his sentences brlsk. An interesting speaker, he easily controls his audience His mannerisms are few and attractive He wears a neat business suit and often a brightly colored tie. He looks less like a preacher than most evangelists Has more the habili ments of a business man.
 This is also true of Prof. Curry
 Neither of the men put on any airs They act naturally, sincerely and quietly, effectively, and count theil success largely because of their un- ostentation. sa<J
 With the remarkable attendance last evening, the meeting is beins looked forward to with a great dea
 of anticipation. It was considered 2 good start Tonight the service vii
 begin promptly at 7:30 The chorus
 will sing a short service of sons
 prior to the preaching.