Evening journal., 1915-01-28
327 MORE converts
FOR BILLY sunday
Tabernacle Shakes as Mighty
Chorus Sings The
Battle Hymn
NIGHT SERVICE
MOST INSPIRING

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Jan. 2S-Be-
fore a tabernacle that filled to the
walls by Z o'clock. and rang and re-
echoed to the sonorous and terrific
strains of the Battle Hymn Of the
Republic instead Of the usual Cos
pcl measures. Billy Sunday last night
preached a sermon ON spiritual diff
fCenco which might be described as
developing a three-hundred-and-
tNenty-soven penitent-power
For three hundred and twonly-soven
persons came down the sawdust trail
IN response to il. and at least tho
odd tWenty-seven came down in "a
physical and emotional state ap-
preaching the hysterical
Men broke down and sobbed on
one anothors shoulders before the
evangelist could reach them TO seize
tlCir hands. women onlookers follow
ca suit and for fifteen minutes the
first three benches were filled with q
decidedly shaken community.
The decision to sing the Battle
Rmn of The Republic, with its
verbal thunders and its irresistible
march-rythm, came as something of a
surprise to those of the audience
who considered themselves seasoned
tahernaclo-goers.
A contingent of women from the
Federation of Organized Bible
Glasses had been allotted few
thousand of the best seats in the
tabernaclc. They were asked by
"RodN.- fhc choir loader FIRST la
Il
next 20 name their favorite "song.
Instead of Brighten The Corner. "
"Beulah Land" or any of the old or
Now pieces of the tabernacle. they
announced the Battle Hymn of the
Republic as their choice. and almost
without leadership swung into it.
Audience Takes Up Hymn.
The effect was little short OF elcc-
trifying bar OF two. and the audi
ence az large took Il up. The crowds
in the corridors took it up, the police
men AT the doors took il up and the
clots OF disappointed people at the
shut barriers joined in outside.
Men and women threw their heads
back in ecstasy of song and shouted
the chorus at the roof-rafters. GLORY
Glory Hallelujahl" Aged men in the
audience stamped their walking
sticks in time TO IL, and the womcn's
faces ran with tears as they rocked
from side 10 side I'm time 10 the I'm.
spiriting and majestic measures
The impression left by the singing
OF the hymn did not abate during tho
entire evening service. Although the
evangelist preached with all tho earn.
estness of which he is capable. he was
less objectively strenuous. perhaps
than at any time within the weeks III
has spent In Philadelphia Only once
in describing the exhausted fall of
runner. did the preacher attempt an
strong mimicry of the characters n
described: on this occasion he threy
himself on his face upon the carpo
OF the rostrum. But when the cal
came for petitent trail-hitters. tn
first two or three men who came q
the front OF the pulpit came weeping
like children.
Beside the Bible class contingent o
women, half dozen other delega
tions from various Philadelphia firm
and Institutions occupied liberia
space in the building Most of thes
brought offerings OF flowers to tn
evangelist and his wife. who an
nounccd that these were sent. alte
DAYS enjoyment Of them, to IN
public hospitals. This brought a roun
OF applause from the audience, an
further applause went up for a police
man in uniform who appeared anon
the first dozen or so of the evening
penitents. and for Mrs. Rudolp
Blankenburg, who quietly appearo
among the choir during tho service
but who was unable TO escape th