p. 15 | The Pitt Theater Meetings in Pittsburgh

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

The Pitt Theater Meetings in Pittsburgh

By B. G. Wilkinson

THE auditorium of the Carnegie Library, Homewood, Pittsburgh, Pa., a splendid hall, seating about six hundred people, was hired for the Columbia Union Conference, March 13-20. This was used for the day sessions of the conference and for some night work. There was an excellent attendance at our business sessions, including about two hundred and fifty delegates and visitors, and a number of our Pittsburgh brethren and sisters. In addition we had special night sessions.

We had planned to secure one of the big auditoriums in the city for the two Sunday nights, the one preceding the session and the one on which it closed, for the presentation of the truth. Not being able to do this, we took up a list of theaters, and at last secured the Pitt Theater, which is considered the largest and most modern in the city. Mr. Patch, the manager, made an appointment to meet us the next day at eleven o’clock.

Mr. Patch was greatly surprised that we should want the theater for a Sunday night meeting, as he said his regular price was $100. He asked us what we wanted it for, and what subjects we intended to discuss. We told him we believed that this colossal war which is going on in Europe is a subject of prophecy in the Bible, and we thought the people of Pittsburgh ought to hear about it. That was why we wanted the theater. He replied, “I am glad of that, because I think the people of America need awakening; and if they need awakening on any subject, it is this one.” He said he was an American born and had traveled all over the world, but thought the Americans were the most luxurious, pleasure-loving, indifferent nation on the face of the earth, and that they certainly did need an awakening.

He let us have the theater for the two nights for $150. Moreover, he offered us the use of his libretto, and gave us two pages in which to advertise our meetings. We also advertised quite thoroughly in the newspapers. Elder D. A. Parsons did thorough work in advertising, while Elder F. H. Robbins carried forward full preparations for the coming union conference session.

At the appointed time Elder A. G. Daniells presented the subject of the evening, “The Call to Arms: Is America Yet to be Involved?” The theater seats 2,000, but that night there were fully 2,500 present. Before the lecture we took up an offering, which amounted to $131.45. We had little cards distributed to the audience, asking all who wanted to have this lecture in printed form to write their names on the cards and give them to the ushers as they passed out. When the meeting closed and we looked over the cards, we found that 700 persons had left their names as desiring to receive a printed copy of the evening’s lecture. Among them were three ministers, one leading lawyer of the city, and other prominent men.

A meeting was advertised for the next Sunday night. During the week Dr. Morgan, of Philadelphia, who plays the great pipe organ in the John Wanamaker store, one of the largest organs in the world, offered to play for us, and give a special recital in the theater, which he did. Dr. Morgan was formerly professor of music in the Pittsburgh University, as well as organist for Trinity Episcopal Church, and has many friends in the city.

The meeting held in this theater was said by some to be the largest religious meeting ever held in Pittsburgh. More than three thousand people crowded the theater, filling every seat and all available standing space. It was estimated that more than a thousand were turned away that night.

As one result of these meetings we have about fifteen hundred names of prominent people to whom to send literature, give Bible readings, etc.

The third meeting was held in the Pitt Theater Sunday night, April 2. This meeting also had been well advertised,

and a good audience was out. The third gallery had only a few in it, but the main auditorium and the second gallery were filled; in all, about seventeen hundred people. An usher who knew Pittsburgh people well, said that the boxes were occupied by some of the best people of the city.

The Lord blessed Elder Daniells in the presentation of the message. The subject was, “After the War, What?” Many expressions of appreciation were heard after the service. The collection amounted to $84.63. Many more names were handed in for reading matter on the lectures.

It was deeply regretted that Elder Daniells could not be secured to carry on the Sunday meetings. However, as he had previous appointments in Maine, the West Pennsylvania brethren decided to select a substitute speaker, and do the best they could to carry on the work. An effort is being made to get in touch with those who handed in their names, in the hope that some interested ones may be found.

B. G. WILKINSON.