Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-31
NEGROES CRANE NECKS
TO CATCH GLIMPSE OF
WHITE PHMANTHROPIST
Interested by Work of Black
Evangelist, "W. r. Aus
tin" Promises to Lift
Mortgage on Varick A.
M. E. Temple.

curious crowd Of men and women,
among them many white people, thronsed
tho varick A. NJ II. Temple, at 10th and
Catharine streets. last night, where the
Rev. Alexander willbanks. the black
evangelist. is holding a revival They
came to get glimpse of the mysterious
wealthy white man who has promised to
lift the mortgage on the church.
wv. r. Austin" is the latest spelling
of the rich mans name. He admits this
Is not his correct name. Tomorrow night
he says, no will reveal his identity. Hun
drods of applications have been received
by the Rev. Sylvester L. Corrothers, pas
tor Of the church. for tickets for the
services then. Admission will be by
ticket only.
Austin did not go on the platform
with the evangelist last night He held
n conference with Mr. Corrothers in the
s2stors study. and then appeared in the
church a few minutes. There was
craning of necks and some OF the men
and women in the rear OF the editlCe stood
up.
The congregation became enthusiastic
when Mr.. Corrothers announced that the
rich white man had promised to INT
the mortgage and also make all necessary
repairs to the church.. The mortgage Is
about s45, 900 Austin" spent nearly all
day yesterday with the pastor making
arrangements to settle It, Mr.. Corrothers
said.
ALSO WILL PURCHASE TENT.
The philanthropist also declares he will
purchase a tent. capable of accommodate
ing more than 5000 persons. for Wllbanks,
the evangelist should this be done, the
tent will be erected on a vacant lot and
the revival will be transferred there.
willbanks has calls. he says. from nine
other cities TO conduct revivals when he
gets through here. Among the latest
requests received are those from Brook
lyn and Boston.
close watch is being kept at the
church for suspicious characters as the
result of the appearance in this city OF
Austin" The reports OF his liberality.
It is feared by the church officers, will
attract thugs to the ne'ghborhood with
the intent of holding him up and rob
hing him. Buecoats on the beats about
the church have been asked to keep the
corners clear outside the edihce, and
evry precaution is being taken to see that
the mysterious philanthropist does not
come TO harm.
Members OF the congregation and negro
revival services are elated by the number
or converts obtained by Wlllbanks. Last
night he caused 26 men and women 10
Strike the pike" The results of his
work are being compared with those Of
'BiIly" Sundays, According to those
who have kept tally every night, Will
banks has averaged two converts to
every hundred in his congregations.
White men and women frequently are
among those who stand up when Will
bank asks all sinners in the church to
arise, but so far none has "struCk the
pike" A number of personal workers
who helped In the Sunday campaign, and
some OF the choir have been aiding in
the services. They also are assisting
Willbanks TO induce men and women to
strike the pike"
DEATH IN THE POT"
The sermon last night was Death in
the Pot the pot referred to being
he'll. Willbanks opened up with a
TRADE against some person whose Identity
he has not been able to learn who. he
says, is working among the congregation
after the services. According to the evan
gelist. this man is distributing literature
among the Negroes to prove there is no
hell.
There's just as much hell now as
there was 40 years ago" shouted Will
banks. I'm fact there's more because
they had to enlarge IT to accommodate
the crowds. Every day they're building
extensions and new wings If you people