San Francisco Chronicle - Monday, April 8, 1895

Thankful for Wilde's Imprisonment.

Rev. Henry Varley, the English evangelist, addressed two of the largest religious meetings held in Oakland in a long time yesterday. In the afternoon he addressed a meeting of men in the Congregational Church. The church was packed to the doors. During his prayer preceding his sermon he spoke of the Oscar Wilde case. The preacher said: "We thank the Lord that Oscar Wilde has been placed behind the bars in London." This reference to Oscar Wilde created some little stir.

The preacher, however, made no other reference to the Wilde case during his sermon. In the evening the Congregational Church was again packed to hear Rev. Varley. His subject was the "Prodigal Son." The sermon was listened to with much interest by a large audience. The evangelist’s work in Oakland has been remarkably successful. He will remain in the city another week and hold meetings both afternoon and evening at the First Congregational Church. Rev. Varley says that the ministers will continue their street meetings during the week.