The British captured the city of Quebec by scaling the cliffs. They were led by British General James Wolfe.
What eventually turned the war in Britain's favor was new and stronger British leadership (British leadership was taken over by William Pitt, formerly Britain's Secretary of State. He introduced new policies that made Britain more involved in North America, along with working with British allies in an effort to create a British empire.
I believe the person who preached to crowds in Philadelphia was George Whitefield, who would catch peoples' attention with dramatic theatrics, including crying.