midday
A celebrated revivalist was imported to quicken the spiritual life of the University . Under his exhortations the institution underwent a religious ferment . An extraordinary excitement was astir on the campus . Class prayer meetings were held every afternoon , and at midday smaller groups met for devotional exercises . At these latter those who had made no profession of religion were petitioned for by name . James Farnum was swept into the movement and distinguished himself by his zeal . It was understood that he desired the prayers of friends for that relative who had not yet cast away the burden of his sins .