We could not get a grove in the city in which to hold religious meetings, though we could have gotten one for most any other purpose. We succeeded in getting the Commons. We pitched our tent in the hot sun. It was the first of August and we knew that it would be all we could stand to hold a meeting in a tent day and night. But we knew God had called us there and he would take care of us. We moved and pitched our small tents on the Commons to get ready for the battle. Our large tent and most everything we needed for comfort was delayed for over a week, but we did not want to use the Lord’s money to board at a hotel. It began to rain the day we camped and continued almost incessantly for a week. The water was over us, under us and around us. It came up even with the floor. We were a sight for curiosity seekers, some saying we were Gypsies, but there were no children or horses around. Some said we were fortune-tellers, and others that we were artists, But we were none of these, but a band of Pilgrims living in tents like our fathers, and seeking a city out of sight.
Finally a reporter came and interviewed me and gave us a good advertisement in a daily paper. Then the citizens began to call on us. It was not long before they knew who we were and what we were doing. When the large tent and all the small ones had been pitched, they said it looked like a village. It was during the presidential election, and the citizens were having a street fair or a business parade which lasted several weeks. There was a sham battle fought on the Ohio river by moonlight, Thousands came daily from other States and cities. While all these things were against us still it brought many from other States to our meeting. A number being convicted and saved, who otherwise never would have been.
Amidst all this excitement we never missed a meeting, but held them day and night. The night they had the wonderful fireworks they were only a short distance back of us. The noise was terrible and the devil tried his best to drive us from the field. All classes were there and while all the artillery of hell was turned on us, by the help of God we fought with. the fire, sword and shell from heaven, and won the victory. The two armies had come together. God’s soldiers came up inline. I told them to take their eyes off these surroundings and turn a deaf ear to the noise; to lift their hearts to God in silent prayer and I would preach.
