They had read the superintendent's notice which he had posted up in various places, and came largely out of curiosity.
They were favorably impressed.

The room was large and airy, free from smoke and dust, and well warmed from the steam pipes.

At about twenty minutes to one Mr.Powers told the men what he had in mind.
He spoke very simply, like one who understands thoroughly the character of his audience, and then introduced the Rev.Henry Maxwell of the First Church, his pastor, who had consented to speak a few minutes.
Maxwell will never forget the feeling with which for the first time he stood before the grimy-faced audience of working men.

Like hundreds of other ministers, he had never spoken to any gatherings except those made up of people of his own class in the sense that they were familiar in their dress and education and habits.

This was a new world to him, and nothing but his new rule of conduct could have made possible his message and its effect.