The greatest things are best told in the simplest words.
"Towards the close of the fourth verse, a figure in a plain dark suit was observed ascending the steps of the platform.

For a moment this attracted no attention, but when it was seen that a sudden movement had broken out among the delegates, the singing began to falter; and it ceased altogether as the figure, after a slight inclination to right and left, passed up the further steps that led to the rostrum.

Then occurred a curious incident.

The organist aloft at first did not seem to understand, and continued playing, but a sound broke out from the crowd resembling a kind of groan, and instantly he ceased.

But no cheering followed.