Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-01-16

m. Rsviv.l n..sl.s. !. K.,..k.

FOR tho COURIER.
The Revival Meetings IN Keennk.
Having heard, from various soarces,
of the great interest awakened In Re.
okuk in the subject Of religion in cen
nection with the labors of Rev. e. r.
Hammond, myself and others went
down on Monday to know by observa-
ton and experience what it might be.
Twill not say, as so many have done,
that was prejudiced against Mr..
Hammond, for I knew too much about
his work to think that it could be mere
excitement; but we wished to see and
know. He is now, perhaps, the most
successful evangelist in the world
Several years since all Scotland was
moved through his efforts. Meetings
of great power and followed by per-
manent results have been held by him
in most of tho largo cities of the
Union. But the most striking
and widespread results in connec-
ton with his efforts are perhaps those
to be witnessed In Kansas since one
year ago. Commencing at Kansas
City the revival wave seemed to sweep
over tho whole Ct Kansas. Some of
our citizens were down there while the
work was in progress, and were struck
with Its general and permanent char
actcr. In such cities as Lawrence,
Lcavenworth, Topeka, multitudes
were moved by one impulse, and after
people had had time to think and to
know whether they were really con-
verted or whetherit was mere impulse
many churches received hundred
each to membership in . single day.
We found the work at Keokuk
marked with all that quiet persuasive
interest that had characterized it in
Kansas last winter, and in Dubuque,
where the interest is still undated,
although Mr.. Hammond has been gone
nearly two weeks. The meeting is the
general topic of interest; it is talked on
the street, in business houses, at homes,
everywhere. All the churches Of the
city Except perhaps the Episcopalian)
arc most heartily united in the effort.
Last Sabbath was a day of intense
interest. In the morning each congre-
CATION worshipped In its own house
and pastors pressed home earnestly
the claims Of the gospel upon their
own people. SO deep and general
was the interest in Sabbath Schools
that all study of the usual lesson was
laid aside, the time given to prayer and
conference among teachers and pupils.
In the evening the unconverted were
invited to assemble at the Presbyte-
rian church to hear Mr.. Hammond
preach, and all christians to meet at
the Baptist church. Some christians
went to the Presbyterian church, but
as fast as they were found they
were passed out at the farther
door and hidden 60 to the 9TH
er church. The Presbyterian church
is by far the largest in the city. 1t
was estimated by one who has been
usherer for several years, that al least
l4OO person were in the house, of
which 100 or 800 were never or rarely
seen in church. 1t is thought that 400
or 500 went away unable to get admit
lance. Mr.. Hammond preached with
great interest from the words, "The
wages of sin is DEATH" The prayer
and inquiry meeting that followed
is spoken of by those present
as scene seldom witnessed. Not
at all exciting in the bad sense of that
word, but full of deepest interest. Mr.
Hammond doesn't aim to produce ex-
element at all. He is a man of liberal
education, of much culture and Of the
kindest spirit. He says the only Sc
cret of his success is reliance upon the
Divine spirit, holulnS up Christ anu
personal effort. He makes everybody
work. He deals in the most kind and
candid manner with persons having
honest skeptical views, or in any way
involved in doubt. His manner with
children is plain, earnest gentle.
Among those reached by the meetings
at Keokuk is a few of fine promise, and
Catholic woman who was twelve
years in convent. The work Mon
day and yesterday showed no abate-
ment Of interest, but rather an in
crease. Both papers of the city give
full and favorable reports from day to
day. b.
January 18th.