LIVERPOOL. Fri, April 7.

Mr. Evan Roberts this afternoon paid a short visit to the Town hall, in response to the invitation of the Lord Mayor. A large number of ladies and gentlemen belonging to various denominations accepted the Lord Mayors hospitality for the purpose of meeting the missioner, who was accompanied by the Rev. John Williams and Dr. Phillips. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress (Mr. And Mrs. John Lea) received the guests, for whom afternoon tea was provided, in the small ballroom.

Mr. Evan Roberts seemed exceedingly pleased with his reception, and said that he accepted the honour, not for himself, but in the hope it would help the cause.

Tonight’s events certainly marked a new era in the annuals of the Revival. In the first place, the welcome given to Mr. Evan Roberts by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress at the manor house may well be regarded with satisfaction, not only on account of the civil recognition given by the second city in the empire to a young Welshman who only a few months ago was a working man in one of the mines in South Wales, but also (and what is more in harmony with Evan Robert’s own views) on account of the great good done to the movement by the kindly act and Christian courtesy of the Lord Mayor.

The second big event of the day was the enormous gathering of young people at the Sun-hall, Liverpool. Every meeting yet held dwarfs into insignificance so far as attendance is concerned with this extraordinary service. The Sun-hall is a huge building used only for religious services. It is capable of accommodating 6000 people, and its capacity was this evening taxed to the utmost; and to see the police marshalling the queue along the pavements when the crowds were making for the doors was a sight, which would have astonished the majority of those who have witnessed even the largest of Mr. Evan Roberts’s meeting in South Wales. And yet everything was done in the most orderly manner possible, so that long before six o’clock, the hour announced for opening the service, there was a packed congregation. It ought to be explained that, although tickets had been issued in order to try as far as possible to restrict the service to the attendance of young people, there were many hundreds waiting outside for admission as early as three o’clock in the afternoon.

However, before entering into a detailed account of the service, let me just glance at the particulars of the earlier portion of the days doings. As I was privileged to receive and invitation to be present at the reception given by the Lord Mayor it need scarcely be said that I gladly availed myself of the privilege. And, by the way, one of the pleasantest features of this Liverpool visit is the kindly, intelligent interest taken in the Revivalist and the Revival by all grades of my brother journalists in Liverpool. I was, therefore, delighted to find that a number of representative pressmen were present, as well as leading ministers and laymen, and especially Welsh Christian workers. Mr. Evan Roberts was accompanied but the Rev. John Williams, and among those who naturally took a prominent part in the proceedings were Mr. William Evans, J.P. (the chairman), and Councillor Henry Jones (the secretary of the Liverpool revival movement committee).

It was understood that the function was to be of a semi-private character, and that Mr. Evan Roberts did not wish to deliver any kind of address there, and his wishes were respected. But, amid the exceptional surroundings Mr. Evan Roberts proved himself to be what he undoubtedly is - as those of us who knew him well before were fully aware - one of “natures gentlemen,” as one of the guests declared today. Without the slightest ostentation he went though the formal introduction to ladies and gentlemen alike with the ease and modesty which characterises him, and his quiet thanks to the Lord Mayor for the welcome accorded him - not for his own sake but for the honour of his cause - was typical of the man.

Now to return to the monster gathering at the Sun-hall. Let me try to picture the scene. The floor of the hall is closely packed with people, every available inch being occupied. The enormous platform, with its tiers of benches, contains quite a small congregation in itself. Two great galleries, one above the other, stretch outwards and upwards. In the glare of the electric light the sea of upturned faces, the body of the hall, and the rows of keen countenances from above and all around may truly be said to present a unique sight. Even before the arrival of Mr. Evan Roberts the service was commenced in the usual way. Nobody knew how, but prayer and praise alternated with shouts of “Diolch iddo” and hundreds of “Amens.” On the platform, among others, are “Ian Maclaren” and the Rev. Dr. Aked, and presently in walks the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, wearing his chain of office. When he and the Rev. John Williams had taken their seats on the platform Mr. Evan Roberts walked in and seated himself on a chair by the side of the raised dais which had been provided for him. He had come to the meeting in the carriage of the Lord Mayor, and accompanied by his lordship and the lady mayoress, yet when he entered the building the venue figure of this great revival (humanly speaking) passed the chair which would have given himself distinction, and the chair of honour was left entirely empty; but, as events proved he could stand in the front row on that platform and easily make his voice heard all over that immense building. The service had been in progress for some time when Mr. Evan Roberts declared that it was evident that there was too much fear in that service. It was, he said, full time such fear should be cast out, so that there might be more glory to God, more liberty, and less criticism. When God came in His glory, criticism could not stand; it was obliged to quake and flee. They had come there to worship, not to enjoy themselves only, and if they came to worship they would have enjoyment - the enjoyment of work. Jesus had not yet finished working. What was he doing? What was he saying? “Gwel Fy nwylaw a Fy nhraed, mi a’u prynais.” And what else? “O gad iddynt fyw” (“O, let them live!”).

The evangelist went on to impress upon all present the necessity of obedience to the Spirit, when a young woman in the gallery struck up a hymn which the evangelist had just quoted. The congregation heartily joined, and at the close of the hymn and its repeats Mr. Evan Roberts declared that there was not half enough praying. Some might say they had never prayed publicly. Well, this was a good place to begin, and if they began there was no fear afterwards. It was not a question of language or of words. If they knew what they were going to say it was not a prayer, for prayer was the outpouring of the yearnings of the heart. There was one lesson they needed to learn - obedience. They need not be afraid of having hundreds praying at the same time.

Prayers in Welsh and English, by men and women - young women seemingly preponderating in numbers - followed two by two. A few tried to bring the prayers into harmony by singing, but Mr. Evan Roberts stopped the singing and the prayers became still more numerous, hundreds, apparently offering up petitions simultaneously, while bowed heads, moving lips, and tear stained faces indicated that silent prayers were also being offered up in considerable numbers.

Then occurred a dramatic incident. Mr. Evan Roberts stopped the service, prayers and all - and said in Welsh and repeated in English, “There is one English friend in this meeting who tried to hypnotise me this very moment. Will you leave this building at once or ask the Lord to forgive you? God will not be mocked. We don’t come here to play. We come here to worship the Lord. We have not come here to play with the holy things of God, and they who mock Him shall be scattered as chaff before the wind. These evil practises” - and without completing the phrase he turned partly round, and, gazing at the audience from side to side and up and down, he exclaimed, “Ask God to strike him down or pardon him. Ask at once; come all together; come, come - to remove him or to pardon him.”

For a moment the effect of the startling statement was to create a profound silence, but this was promptly succeeded by torrents of prayer in Welsh and English, and after a while there was a tremendous outburst of singing -

“Y clod. Y mawl. y parch, a’r bri.
“F’o byth I euw’u Harglwydd ni.”

(“Ascribe all honour, praise and fame,
For evermore to Jesus name”).

And just as this was concluded Mr. Evan Roberts again rose, and said: - “Some of you are praying the Lord to save this person. I cannot do that. I can pray that he be removed from the face of the earth but I cannot ask the Lord to save him” This was said in English by the evangelist, and he went on: - “There has been too much playing with sacred things. People come to the Lord’s temple to play with things which have cost the divine blood. It is time they were swept away or be brought into assist, instead of obstructing. This is too awful a place to play in. What folly” What madness - the creature rising against the creator! It is bordering on lunacy! Woe to those who come between the congregation and God - especially a member. “But” (he added, after a short pause) “this person is not a member. Some people think we have come here to say what we like. But “no.” Oh, that we could all live, nearer God. The secrets of the most high are with those who fear Him. There are some young men here who are members, and who are Welshmen, but whose hands are not clean. Tonight ask God to pardon your sins. Ask in silence without bowing your heads or closing your eyes, lest people should know you.”

Then the congregation began singing and it sang first, “Great God of wonders”, in Welsh, and then “Y Gwr a fu gynt o dan hoelion” (“The Christ to the cross that was nailed”), and the spirit thrown into the singing by the hints and leading of the evangelist was something marvellous, for he seemed literally to sway this immense congregation. For the next few minutes there was some commotion owing to the arrival of a large number of shop assistants, for whom some seats had been reserved, The attention thus diverted brought the evangelist to his feat, and he called for more steadfastness in worship, and that people should not allow their devotions to be disturbed by any movement of other people/ Mr. Evan Roberts predicted several of the conversions before they were actually announced, and, as had been anticipated, there were many converts enrolled; but the second dynamic event of the evening soon attracted the attention of all.

While the tests were being applied and Mr. Evan Roberts was inviting all the people to lift up their hands again and again, his brow suddenly coloured, and he declared that one man had complained of the trouble of lifting his hand up for such a glorious harvest. The person who was guilty must ask God’s pardon at once. All singing and prayers were promptly stopped by the evangelist the moment they were started, and Mr. Evan Roberts declared the Spirit commanded the man who had grumbled to rise and confess before the congregation. Then he said: “This is the message, you can do what you like with it id you life, but if you do not rise don’t be surprised if the arm hangs by you so that you will not be able to raise it forever. You do as you please, but that would be carrying the sign of your disobedience as long as you live.”

The Rev. J. Williams remarked that things quite as strange as this had been witnessed at previous meetings, and they had been verified.

Mr. Evan Roberts: I don’t care for persons. I say the person is on this platform. Will the person rise and confess? He is not an Englishman. He is a Welshman - not a Welshwoman either. He is not a member he is not a deacon but a minister. He is not a preacher but a minister. Pray God to ‘bend’ (plygu) him.”

This request elicited scores of prayers from various parts of the building, and whilst these were proceeding Mr. H. R. Roberts (Baptist minister, Edge-lane) asked if it was not possible to have the name so that everyone might not be blamed, or, if not the name publicly, that the person might be taken aside to by prayed over in private. His own conscience was clear.

Mr. Evan Roberts: If the conscience if cleat, why say anything about it, friend?

The Rev. O.L Roberts (Welsh congregational minister, Liverpool) also rose onto the platform, and said an attack had been made upon ministers on Saturday night and here.

Mr. Evan Roberts: Sit down, please. The Rev, O. L. Roberts insisted upon the rights of ministers to defend themselves. (Cries of “Shame.”)

Mr. Evan Roberts, accompanied by Miss Mary Roberts and Miss Annie Davies, then left the meeting, and for a time it looked as if it would break up in disorder.

The Rev. John Williams, however appealed for order and quiet for a minute, and silence was promptly restored. Mr. Williams thought it would have been better if every minister had considered well before undertaking to ask questions of a man like Mr. Evan Roberts.

A Voice: But he is only human.
Mr Williams hen gave the instances which have been mentioned from day to day of the remarks of preachers verified by a barrister, of the mockery at Seacombe, &c.

After a further test by Mr. Williams and the recital of the Lord’s Prayer, the service was brought to a close.