The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-02-01
TIE BELIGIoUs AWAKENING.
Another Greas Meeting.
The Church crowded to Overlooking,
and Services Continued Three
H0uFSs
Details of Mr. Hsmmond's Work.

held in this city under the direction
of Rev. i. p. Hammond, the success
full and noted Evangelist, were con-
tinued last night in the Walnut Street
Presbyterian Church. The meeting
was announced to be for the children,
but more than half of the vast audi
ence which crowded the Church last
night were adults. The children &C.
cupied the center pews in the main
aisle, and the seats on both sides OF
the right and left aisles were crowded
with the older people. The platform
and gallery were both filed up, and
chairs placed in front and along all
the aisles were occupied Never in
the history Of Evansville was there
such an audience assembled at a
religious service on a week day night.
Some of the earnest Christians Of the
city, who ware so delighted with the
great outpouring of the people on the
Sabbath, knowing how much our peo-
pie are engaged in business, and how
often they have heretofore pleaded
their pressing engagements when
urged to attend religious meetings
during the week, feared that there
would be a diminution of numbers
and interest; but the attendance last
night fully demonstrated that our
people are thoroughly awakened.
The manner in which MIR. Ham
mond conducts his meetings is so
different from the ordinary revival
services, that it is difficult to give a
correct idea of them in the space
which can be devoted to them in this
report. Our citizens must go and
witness, and judge for themselves.
As there is, however, abroad deep
interest to know something of his
work and its wonderful results, we
notice some Of the features of the
service last night. The meeting was
opened by singing number of hymns
from the NEW Praises of Jesus" (the
title of the book used in these meet
ings), the singing being led by Mr..
Hammond, whose vocal powers are
very good, and we'll adapted to his
large audiences. At his request Rev.
@. B. I'll. Martin led Ia a very brief
prayer, simplifed to the comprehen.
sion of the youngest children. Then
Mr.. Hammond referred to his sermon
or talk of yesterday, and asked the
children to tell him the points he
made-the five links in the Golden
Chain. The children repeated them
very generally and promptly, first for
ward then backward in order-Jesus,
Holiness, Usefulness, Happiness,
Heaven. Selecting as the basis of his
first talk or sermon (for there we're
three of them during the evening",
Matthew q, beginning at the 18th
verse, he commented upon the scenes
in the trial of Christ. especially dwell
ing upon the question of Plate,
What, then, shall I do aoith Jesus2
Which he said was a troublesome
question to SO many; asked often in
mems thoughts to-day in Evansville;
now being asked By so many
here tonight. But, said he. there
will be more solemn question
to be answered hereafter: What
aoiU Jesus do aoith me? At
the conclusion Of his first talk, which
lasted about twenty minutes, he asked
all present to unite with him in a
short prayer, that all might feel that
Jesus had suffered and died for them;
a prayer which he made very briefly
and in the plainest language. sitter
the prayer, hymn appropriate to the
subject just presented was sung. Then
he asked the children how many could
say (singing the question:. II love
Jesus, I know, l know L do2" in
such a way as to touch the vast
audience as it probably never before
had done.
Rev. Mr.. Martin, pastor of the
Vine Street Church, then announced
that similar meeting would be held
at the same place this evening for the
children, and that the Morning Union
Prayer Meeting would be held this
morning at the Baptist Church, and
especially urged business men to be
present. He said the meeting yes
terday morning was as solemn as
eternity and blessed as the very gate of
heaven (Which met with the response
from a number, That's truel"), and
he doubted not these to follow would
be rich in blessing to all who would
attend.
Mr.. Hammond took his second
text: Christ also hath loUcd as and
hath giUen himself for as. having tho
children repeat it several times in
concert. until he had fixed it in the
memory Of all present. In comment
ing upon it he used several anecdotes
of real life Che said he told none but
real stories) which were so natural
and simple that frequently he ELECTED
general laughter from the children,
but he never failed to take advantage
of the interest thus awakened to leave
solemn, impressions upon their
hearts. At the conclusion of his
second talk, he said: Now children,
1 don't want to keep you long, but
will take time to tell you one more
story tonight. But before | do. |
want to pray with you,