The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-04

or observe what was to be seen.
Hundreds came and went away be-
cause. they could not gain adm7ttance.
Two whole Sabbath schools ssssayed
to effect an entrance, but their more
enterprising neighbors had already
occupied the room. In and about
the pulpit were many of the most
prominent ministers OF the city,
Mr. Hammond arrived while the
assembling multitude was seeking ac-
comodations. Of course he was
eagerly surveyed, for the distinguish
ed manner in which his labors had been.
blessed in indianapolis, Lockport,
Rochester and other places had raised
no little anxiety to see him. He
soon assembled the pulpit, and stood
before the congregation man of about
thirty-eight years, of medium hight,
with rotund frame, and a round,
cheerful face that might be mistaken
for that of an Englishman. He
looked hurriedly about the congre-
cation as he removed his gloves;
walked nervo1sly about the platform;
seated chs man; spoke to that, and at
once gave unmistakable signs that he
was q man of business, and In the
habit of having things his own way.
| The exercise that followed indicated
pretty clearly that much Of his infu-
ence is found in his capacity for or
ganization. He has wonderful en-
thusiasm and energy, and possesses
| the power Of infusiDg them into
those he proposes to use. lie some
| times relates an anecdote with great
effect, but his elocution IN general is
bad, and his reading poor and IN
pleasant. With all this he speaks
effectively. The children listen with
eagerness and the old people do not
tire.
Some time elapsed before the audi
ence settled down. This was occupied
| in singing hymns that generally spoke
of Christ. Each verse before singing
was read by Mr.. Hammond, who in
general made some reflections in re-
gard to the leading thought contained
therein. The Rev. O. A. Hills read
apart of the 18th chapter of Matthew.
aud prayer was made by the Rev.
Charles Ferguson.
Then Mr.. Hammond took for his
/ text, But He was wounded for our
transgressiOns, He was bruised for
our. iniquities; the chastisement of
our peace was upon Him, and with
i his stripes we are healed" He spoke
to the children on this for about
twenty minutes, the burden of his
remarks being the sufferings of the
! Savior, and the salvation they secured.
Then he prayed, beginning with
| Lord God come suddenly to Thy tenn
ple,' the congregation repeating the
sentences after him. Subsequently,
| he spoke ten minutes on the chain
| that reached to heaven containing
the four links, Jesus, holiness, use
| fitness and happiness how they
{. succeeded each other in the order
named.
| Then he requested the choir to
sing, Come to Jesus" aud the con-
CATION to remain silent.
The first strains of the hymn had
no sooner fallen upon the ear than
Mr.. Hammond motioned for the re-
mainder of the ministers to follow
him, and hastily decended to the
children standing about the platform,
to whom he began whispering words
of Jesus and His love. He moved
| hurriedly from one to another. At
first the resident ministers appeare d
to hesitate in this aggressive warfare
but they were soon with their leader
moving down the aisles, in the pews,
and indeed everywhere, speaking
words of encouragement and hope.
When one hymn was finished the
choir was requested to sing another.
Hundreds were in tears; children
were sobbing; young women and men
| kro Il hn
ing influence. No such scene had
probably ever been seen in Cincinnati.
Men of forty years in the ministry
had never Witnessed such a spectacle.
The emotions of whole congregation
seemed to be stirred to their depths,
as men of all denominations passed
through it, carrying cheering mes
sages. About half-past four o'clock
the audience, which had for the pre-
ceding half hour been melting away,
finally dispersed, very many, as they
went to their homes, rejoicing, some
wondering, others finding fault, and a
few, like Thomas, refusing to believe
until they could have more tangible
evidence of the actual presence of
the Master, whose mission had been
so earnestly presented.
/ This evening and to- morrow even
ing. at seven o'clock, a similar meet
ing will be held fer the children in
the Central Presbyterian Church, on
Mound Street, near Seventh, and on
Wednesday and Thursday evenings,
at the same hour, In the Ninth Street
Baptist Church. The children are
requested to meet at the church thirty
minutes before, to engage in singing.
Second Presbyterian Church will
occur at half-past eight o'clock each
morning of the week.