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Keystone Gazette May 29 1896
A WONDERFUL MOVEMENT STARTED IN BELLEFONTE
BY REV. LEONARD WEAVER AND HIS ASSOCIATES WHARTON AND WEEDEN
AN IMMENSE TABERNACLE DEDICATED TO GOD'S SERVICE
THE MEETINGS DO NOT FAIL TO ATTRACT LARGE AND INTELLIGENT AUDIENCES.
THE BUILDING IS 80x150 FEET
And Has a Seating Capacity of From 3,000 to 3,500 People - Many Prominent Citizens Take Part in the Dedicatory Services by Making Short Addresses Commending Rev. Weaver and the Tabernacle Committee Upon Their Great Achievement - The Meetings will Continue in Bellefonte for an Indefinite Time - Everybody Cordially Invited to Attend and Bring a Friend with Them
 n last week's issue of the Gazette we gave a brief description of the tabernacle which now stands on the school grounds as a monument to religion and all that is sacred. There was considerable opposition to the new movement, but, like Christ himself, the projectors finally surmounted all difficulties, and today the work is moving on harmoniously, with great prospect of doing much good in this community. The work of any minister is to do good irrespective of any denominational feeling or propensities, and when he leaves his prejudices run away with him he is in the wrong. This is the mission of an evangelist, and Revs Weaver and Wharton and Mr. Weeden did not come into this community recently to tear down but rather to build up and strengthen the churches. This is not an idle fancy or a theoretical statement but one that was practically demonstrated last winter. After Rev. Weaver had closed his meetings and taken his departure over one hundred persons, as a result of his meetings, were admitted into the various churches, and the majority of them are proving faithful. For this and many other plausible reasons these evangelists should receive the hearty support and co-operation of every minister in town.
As stated last week, the novel idea of building this tabernacle was conceived last winter, when it became evident that should Rev. Weaver return to Bellefonte in the future there would not be it building in Bellefonte large enough to hold the masses of people who would come to hear the famous evangelist. The subject was placed into the hands of the following committee which went to work, solicited the money and erected the wood-work of the building with the understanding that if this was done Rev. Weaver should furnish the canvas and seats W. E. Gray, John Meese, J. A. Aikens, Samuel Diehl, James R. Hughes, James I. McClure, J. C. Weaver, Grant Hoover and Robert Cole.
After it was found that both parts of the contract could be fulfilled Rev. Leonard Weaver, of Grimsby, Canada, accompanied by Rev. James Wharton and W. S. Weeden, of New York City, came to Bellefonte and assisted in its erection. The tabernacle is something out of the ordinary structures and is a big undertaking but it has been erected and thousands of people have already been attracted during the progress of time meetings from every section of the county. The building is 80 by 120 feet and wilt seat 8000 people or more if necessary. Several thousand feet of lumber have been used in its construction and as it is substantially put together with bolts it can be easily taken down and shipped from place to place as it is intended. The top and sides are covered with heavy canvas which will turn the water. The slat seats are comfortable and well made. When looking through the immense tent it looks something like a large amphitheater, cuts of which are found above. It is now illuminated by three large arc lights furnished by the Bellefonte Edison Illuminating Company, and thus the surroundings are bright and cheerful. The cost of the tabernacle was about $1,450, all of which has been paid but $250, which the committee is working hard to liquidate. This is an excellent showing and all interested deserve unbounded credit.
Thursday evening the tabernacle was dedicated in the presence of probably two thousand people, the services being informal and very impressive. On the platform sat the building committee, Rev. J. W. Rue, pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. Weaver, Rev. Wharton, W. S. Weeden and a large choir composed of members from every choir in the town, which showed good common sense and that the only thought was to see men come to Christ irrespective of denomination or clique. The meeting was in charge of Rev. Weaver, who introduced W. S. Weeden, the famous singer, who is well and popularly known throughout this, and other states. His singing at once captivated the immense throng and everybody seemed to be carried away with the sweet notes and words that fell from his lips. This was not a time for a sermon but rather a time for thanks and expressions as to the merits of the enterprise.
The following persons were then called upon to make short addresses W. B. Gray, mayor of Bellefonte and chairman of the committee; Col. J. L. Spangler, Esq., coal speculator; E. R. Chambers and J. C. Meyer, Esqs., prominent attorneys; Grant Hoover and J. C. Weaver, insurance agent; John Meese and J. A. Aikens, merchants. These are all prominent citizens, all of whom spoke in high and glowing terms of the enterprise by saying that Bellefonte has had many honors bestowed upon it during the past years but they considered the sending forth of the tabernacle was more honorable than any of them. They highly commended Rev. Weaver and his associates on their grand success and hoped that much good might be done not only, in Bellefonte but in every town in which the tabernacle might be erected. The meeting closed by singing the old familiar hymn, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name."
The services Friday and Saturday evenings were well attended but the largest crowd was there Sabbath afternoon and evening. It is estimated that there were at least twenty-five hundred people present on Sunday evening, and the meeting was a very successful one, many standing up for prayer. Where all the people come from is a mystery. The platform for the choir is filled with sweet singers who make the tent ring with songs of praise to the most high God.
Prof. Weeden always leads the singing, which is one of the attractive features of all the services. Then Mr. Wharton usually follows with bible reading, prayer and exortation, and Rev, L. Weaver concludes each service with one of his strong. impassioned and matchless appeals to the people for a higher standard of morality and a greater nearness to Christ Mr. Weaver speaks rapidly and fluently, and every word is easily heard.
There is no attempt at mere excitement but they simply make earnest appeals to men to forsake their sins and follow Christ and thus be saved.
The regular meetings each day are: A Bible exposition each afternoon at 3 o'clock, meeting in the afternoon at 4 o'clock and a mass meeting in the evening. Let the people all unite in proclaiming the gospel of salvation to all people.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Evangelist Leonard Weaver is an Englishman by birth, born at Leommster, Herefordshire. When a boy he was - converted and the result of the prayers of pious parents and Christian training soon manifested itself in consecration to what has become his life work. When 21 years old he gave himself up to evangelistic work, and for nine years traveled through Great Britain and Ireland pre aching to great congregations. Six years ago his health failed him and he came to this country, and with the change came renewed health. The work he has some in America needs no mention to make it known to the people of the Keystone state.
James Wharton is a native of Penrith, Cumberland, England. He was born in a saloon known as the "Golden Keg," kept by his parents. At the age of 15 his parents died and he was thrown on his own resources. He went to but returning to his native town some five years later, found a revival going on and was converted. He married and settled down in business as a house furnisher at Barrow, Eng., but finally relinquished his trade and started in evangelistic work in Great Britain, United States, Canada and the Shetland Islands. He has crossed the ocean 23 times and for 20 years has pursued his evangelistic work. His wife is also engaged in the same noble cause.
W. S. Weeden is an Ohioan, born In Columbia county, March, 1845. Served 30 months in time was of the Rebellion. He was married, took up the study of music and soon became a master in the art. Served several years as choir master in one of the leading churches in Allegheny City and three years a go moved his family to New York City, and is now musical director of the Washington Square M. E. Church on Sundays, and during the week is engaged in evangelistic work in the slums and missions of New York and Brooklyn."
Keystone Gazette June 12 1896, page 8
An Appreciated Gift
"Rev. Leonard Weaver the evangelist, has so endeared himself to many of the Bellefonte people that they threw together their nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars and made him a present on Wednesday evening of thirty-sex dollars in gold. It was his thirty-sixth birthday and the money in dollars corresponded to his age. He also received several other gifts from the children. The presentation speech was made by Ellis L. Orvis, Esq., who did it up in a very smooth and acceptable manner. Rev. Weaver was so surprised that he could hardly respond but he managed to give expression to his feelings. He is a good man and has been the means of doing great good in this community, and the recognition of his worth in this way was nothing more than right."
Keystone Gazette June 5 1896, page 8
"Weaver, Wharton and Weeden, the Evangelists, are still creating considerable stir in Bellefonte. The special train from State College on Sunday was filled with people enroute to attend the services in the tabernacle and is estimated that between 2500 and 3000 people were present at the afternoon service. In the evening every seat in the immense structure w as occupied. To-morrow, Saturday, special services will be held all day in the Tabernacle and special trains will be run on the Central Railroad of Pennsylvania. Don' t forget the Sunday services."
Keystone Gazette June 5 1896, page 8
"On Saturday, June 6th, the Central R.R. of Penn's., agents will sell cheap rate excursion tickets from Mill Hall and intermediate points to Bellefonte and return. This will afford all an opportunity to hear Evangelist Weaver and Prof. Weeden. Services all day commencing 9:00 o'clock in the morning. A special train will leave Bellefonte for Mill Hall and local points at
10:20 p. m. Fare from Mill Hall 50 cents; intermediate stations in proportion. Children, half fare."
Keystone Gazette June 12 1896, page 8
THE LAST SABBATH
A Grand Religious Rally to be Held at Hecla Park on Wednesday.
"We don't mean by this that tile world is coming to an end, but that next Sabbath will be the last Sunday in Bellefonte for Weaver, Wharton and Weeden, the evangelists. The last meeting in the tabernacle will be held next Sunday evening, and then they will close their work here by having a grand religious rally at Hecla park on Wednesday of next week by having an all day service. The Central Railroad Company of Pennsylvania will, run cheap excursions between Bellefonte and Mill Hall almost any hour in the day so that everybody can attend.
Last Sabbath was a big day for these heralds of salvation. At 9 o'clock they spoke at the residence of Philip Barnhart, Curtin, before five hundred people, and those who were present claim that it was a powerful meeting. They then appeared in the Methodist church, Milesburg, at 11 o'clock. The edifice was so crowded that many were turned away.
In the afternoon and evening their meetings in the tabernacle were attended by three thousand people, many of them coming from the far sections of the county. A large number of people stood up for prayer and many were converted. It was a day of glorious things.
In leaving Bellefonte they have the consciousness of knowing that their services here were not in vain but that through the aid of the Holy Spirit they accomplished a great work. Had the ministers all united in this common cause even greater things could have been accomplished.
The tabernacle will be taken down on Monday and shipped to Williamsport where it will be erected and meetings held for a month. The ministers there are anxious that Rev. Leonard Weaver and his able assistants should go there.
In noticing the meetings in time tabernacle during the past week we forgot to mention the children's meetings in the afternoon conducted by Rev. Wharton. They have been well attended and a large number of boys and girls have been led to seek and find the Savior. Some of these meetings have been more fruitful in result than those held in the evening.
Thursday evening envelopes were distributed through the congregation asking for a farewell offering for Rev. Weaver and his associates, as the collections during the last month were simply enough to keep up the running expenses. The envelopes should be re turned with plenty of cash in them as the men are deserving."
Keystone Gazette June 19 1896, page 1
THE CLOSING SERVICES
Weaver's Tabernacle Taken from Bellefonte and Erected in Williamsport
"Sunday was a very inclement day but notwithstanding the disagreeable weather about two thousand people attended the farewell services at the tabernacle. The people went there because Bellefonte never witnessed such a revival and they knew that it would be a long time before such a deep interest would again be manifested for the salvation of humanity. Methodists, Presbyterians, Reforms, Lutherans, United Brethren and Evangelicals joined in the happy movement, and those christians who stood aloof and by their actions thanked God that they were not like the tabernacle people were not missed. Weaver, Wharton and Weeden are God-fearing industrious christians, and the good done in this community is more than any man is able to tell and never will be known on this side of eternity. Bellefonte is the better for their coming here and they have reached a class of men, women and children who possibly would never have been reached by our churches. Money, what is the little bit of money they took away in comparison to the souls they have been the instrument of bringing to the foot of the cross.
The tabernacle was taken down on Monday and Tuesday it was shipped to Williamsport, where it will be erected and meetings held in it next Sunday.
The tabernacle is one of the best and noblest enterprises ever originated in Bellefonte, and wherever it is erected our citizens can point with pride to it, and when the roll is called up yonder we will all be there and hear the final report at the bar of God.
Josh Folk has gone with the evangelists and will take care of the large tent. He is a good man for the place and will be of great service to those in charge.
The Christian rally at Hecla Park Wednesday, under the supervision of the Evangelists was a grand and noted success. It must have attracted four or five thousand people from Bellefonte, Mill Hall, Lock Haven, etc., all of whom were very attentive to the services of the day. The meetings were full of interest and a large number of persons signified their willingness to live a better life. The day was all that could be desired and it is said a cleaner picnic was never on the grounds. There were no drunks, no swearing and no spooning so that it was a conglomeration of ideal people."
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