The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-01-31
The Religious Tnterost.
Rev. Mr. Hammond at the Walnut
Street Church.
THE AUDITORIUM AND GALLERY
DENgEhY PACKED
The Great Religious Movement Sue
cessfGIly Inaugurated.

Pursuant to the notice given in the
various churches yesterday morning,
the Rev. 4. ?. Hammond conducted
a children's meeting at the Walnut
Street Presbyterian Church, yesterday
afternoon at 3 o'clock. Long before
the hour announced for the begin
ming of the services, the Church was
crowded to its fullest capacity, aud a
great many persons were unable to
obtain a%dmittance. Chairs were
brought in and placed in the @aisles,
and every available bit Of standing
room was eagerly sought after and
occupied. Although a childrcn's
meeting, there were a great many old
folks present. Ministers of all de-
nominations were in attendance, and
it was a coordination of the Protestant
religious interests of the city.
The meeting was conducted in a
very interesting-we may say novel
Mr.. Hammond is unlike
any other minister we ever heard.
He is restless and in his ac-
tons, and works Increasingly. No
time is lost. Every minute is used to
advantage. Mr.. Hammond's remarks
yesterday, were addressed entirely
to the little folks. He told
them the story Of the c~ruciixion Of
Jesus, who died that mankind might
be saved. When in Palestine he
visited the place where Christ was
crucifed. He described the scourg
ing of the Savior, the placing Of the
crown of thorns upon His head, and
gave the whole story SO plainly that
every child present could understand
aohy Jesus had died to save sinners.
The manner in which MIR. Hammond
conducts the exercises, prevents tie
young people from becoming tired.
He causes them all to sing, Che brings
his own song books with him. he ut
teri short prayers occasionally, and
the remainder of the time is taken up
in talking TO them of Jesus, and tell
ing truthful anecdotes, illustrative of
Gods love for everybody, and his
willingness to forgive all who confess
their sins, and give themselves unto
Him. He gave a singular illustration
with a magnetic tack hammer and a
few nails; when the magnet was held
within half an inch Of the little nails,
they jumped up and adhered to the
magnet. To attract the larger nails
it was necessary 10 place the magnet
nearer, and to attract the largest size
he had to put the hammer down on
to it. With this illustration he con-
trasted the difference between the
children and older people, in giving
their hearts to the Lord. Notwith-
standing the fact that the meeting
lasted nearly three hours, the interest
was undated from the beginning to
the close. At the end of the first
meeting, an inquiry meeting was held,
and the ministers and many Chris
tan workers went among the children
to inquire if they were prepared to
love the SAVIOR, and in this latter
meeting, a strong religious interest
was manifested.
Although suffering from a cold,
Mr.. Hammond was able to make him
self heard throughout the entire as
semblage. Great assistance in the
singing was rendered by the choir.
We think MIR. Hammond made a
very favorable impression yesterday,
and we feel confident that he will be
aided and assisted by our entire Chris
tian community in this great evapgel-
ical work. Another meeting will be
held at Walnut Street Church this
evening.