National Republican., 1876-02-12
PETITION FOR A GAMBLER tN] HARD CASE
USUAL MEETING FOR the CHILDREN
a DAY WELL SPENT FOR RELIGION

Lutheran church. When the opening hour ar
rived, 1880 o'clock, the congregation was slim in
numbers compared to those of the previous days,
hut as the services progressed visitors by two and
threes continued dropping in rapidly until there
was almost the same uniformity noticeable in the
size Of the audience. Many new faces could be
seen in the gathering, and nearly all of them
expressed the inward thought and desire to join
in the band, and give the religious movement
helping hand. As the services went on there
was exhibited more perfect freedom of mind and
willingness to acknowledge, among the indi-
yiduals making up the throng, any good or ben
etit they had received by attending the meetings,
and their preferrlng OF petitions for prayers for
ing in need of Divine aid. That the success OF the
meetings might be better demonstrated, not only
were cases of change Of condition and thought,
1ecured through the workings Of the revivalist,
related for the benefit OF those still doubtful and
cropping hesitatingly in the dark, but number
Of persons, who felt Joyous over what they be-
lieVed 20 be perm change in their spiritual
welfare, with cOmmencab!e courage and pride
rose in the Rssemblage and acknowledged how
and through what means this transformation had
been wrought. Mr. Hammond is q very accom-
modatiEg mar, and tTys to comply with every
request made Of him, but il he was divided into
two parts and both possessed his generous spirit
desires.
While he has staff of willing and efficient
aids, yet those bsseecbing favors display prefer
ence for the popular revivaIist, and to him they
cheese 10 make known their wishes. He gives
them respectful attention, but 1t is impossible for
him to receive all the requests they desire to
make personally.
the opportunity TO hear Mr.. Bentley's voice more
frequently has had its effect. Mr. Bentley is as
OblIging as could be desired, and yesterday rem
cered a number of most acceptable solos. His
voice appeared to be in good trim, aud the con-
EreEation were given abundant chances to hear
il. Both gentlemen were
or HAND PROMPTLY,
and among other clergy present were noticed
Revs. J. Z. Rankin, Mason Noble, Z. Ii. Gray, S.
DcmeT and Wm. S. Hammond. The opening
hymn was How sweet and heavenly is the
sight" This was followed by The mistakes of
my lie are many in which Mr.. Bentley sang the
solo and the audience united with him in the
Mr.. Hammond then read communication he
mad received from a lady, who when she gave il
20 him was weeping bitterly init In il she asked iof
his fathers Gying blessing some twelve years
since, but was now travelling the downward path.
dr. hammond said that while they petitioned
Heaven in behalf Of that son, let them also pray
for Gods blessing to descend on themselves.
Rev Dr. Rankin made the prayer. and asked
for the young man that God might have compass
sion on him, raise him up to a new life, and that
he be washed in the cleansing blood Of Christ.
He prayed that God would strengthen and bless
sThe Hallewed Cross" a solo by N1r. Bentley
and chorus by the audience, was then sung.
Rev. Mr.. Domer presented as subject for
prayer, by the request Of q sister, a brother in
The far distant West, who had wrapped himself
q fallen man. He believed that the man took
the course that he was pursuing in order to have
q consolng voice to sustain him in his dissipation
At one time he was prominent church member
lie an Eastern State, but now wreck and oatcast
from heaven.
Dr. Domer offered petition to the throne of
grace, asking God to take the wande-er to him.
self, and bring him back to the sisters home.
The congregation then sang I'VE all must
speak for Jesus"
MI. Hammond told how n few words in relation
10 the salvation Of the soul were thoughtlessIy
dropped on one occasion and picked up by man,
hn toe &c F-Or,, n 1--we TkoE
was the now eloquent and prominent preacher,
Rev. stephen living, of New York, who was
sustaining Mr.. Moody and his work in the Ep!s-
lie referred to the success of the meetings in
Harrisburg, Pa, and how on an hours notice
large church had been packed full of people, and
two per cent Of them men all anxious to learn the
way to Christ He related the story of the dis
eiples going fishing, and the breaking OF the
let,,letting a multitude of fish escape.
He said that it had been that way on the night
previous. Hewent down into the church to work,
but there were not i2borers enough, and
THE NET BROKE AND MANY GOT AWAY.
There should have been twenty working. instead
OF one. What was needed was personal workers
for Jesus.
He said that he had previously spoken of five
conditions Of preyailinE prayer and them t1e
bring thy gift TO tee altar, and there remember
est that tiny brother hath aught against thes,
leave there thy gift before the altar, and 90 thy
way, mrs: he recUnciled to thy brother and then
come and of er thy gift
lie SAID lleg were commander TO love one
another. How were they going to do il? God
commanded them to do it. He had known cases
10 arise where they thought Of a man as a Chris
tisn, but he was full Of repeling points, and they
wondered how 1t was possible to love him. But
ii was Gods command, and they would find that
the nearer they were TO Jesus the nearer they
came 10 each other. 1t was in rcvivals like this
that they were brought together and to love each
other. He had seen ministers, standing shoulder
10 shoulder, not fighting for their UNCONVENTIONAL
Churches, but for the one cause, that of the Lord
Jusus. lie met a minister tho day before, who
said that he had been unable to attend the meet
1ngs in person, but was with them in heart. He
knew what they were doing, for he read the re-
ports in the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, and they
kept him posted in the progress of the work. His
prayers were with them. He thought the news
papers were doing an immense good in the cause.
giving them powerful assistance and urged
into the country for the information and edifics-
tion Of the brethren. He was satisfied that thero
was greater spirit Of love psrVading in the meet
ings and better expressing the conditions Of pre-
Vailng prayer. II they possessed any hard feel
ing against brother or sister they should go and
trouble. The inquiry meeting was Just the place
10 effect reconclliation and get right. He hoped
the Lord would teach them how to comply with
the conditions Of fprevaillngprayer.
A number OF brlei prayers were then made, ask
ing iOr strength, the true spirit Of Christ, recon-
work, reclamation OF lost souls in this city, and
for other purposes.
Mr. Bentley sang very PRETTY the solo entitled
Mr.. Hammond announced that the meeting was
ready for short addresses or prayers.
stranger arose and said he had met a man
connected with the Mississippi Legislature, who
acknowledged to being
A GAMBLER AND HARD CASE.
He wanted him prayed for, and It was done
Another gentleman SAID young lady desired
ttwas necessary to her salvation. She was told
that 1t was, and she was prayed for.
Rev. DR.; Gray said that he awOke in the night,
ano- thinking over this matter, thought It q
strange phenomenon that they were witnessing,
Here he had a church for which he was responFi.
ble-children whose parents looked to him for
their religious culture, and neighbOrs who imi-
tated his good deeds But he saw that God had
sent strangers here who were more interested in
walton. This was indeed phenomenon. Should
ne stand back and refuse TO pray for them? He
hoped God would forgive him and others Tor their
much as those who had come from aiar TO labor
with them. God meant something by this; they
should heed him: He then prayed for aid to all
Rev. DR.. Domer apprecistedEthe sentiments that
had been uttered. and, in all humility, wished
had done. He thought that DR.. Gray did himself
and others injustice. He could not say that he
14f Gog hg, 1t mHeh @ as ne eould with his con
combined movement; they were all alike ear.
nestly working, singing and praying for Jesus.
Rev. Mason Noble said how sweet and blessed
Is Jesus love. How strong 1t is. How bold IL
makes all in aTowing their testimony tor Christ
Dh, that there might be an overlooking Of this
spirit. When they got nearer to Christ they
could not help loving one another. Their wrongs
they were willing to confess, to forgive and be
IQEgiTen. He bid them pray for help and to love
Cne another.
MIR. Bentley sang one verse Of keep on Pray.
ing"
praise meeting was then opened, and Mr.
Hammond remarked that if they had any spC-
cal cause to thank God for to write It on Slip of
paper and send 1t to the platform.
mr. COe spoke OF visiting the Garden Of Geth-
Samaine and gathering roses at the foot OF the
Mount Of Olives, the leaves Of which he sent to
relatives and friends in this country, and pic.
tured the beauty Of that place.
After singing one verse Of I'VE Praise Thee, o
God,n
THE REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
were read, numbering forty four in all, and peti.
doubt.
The following are some Of the petitions made
young lady for her husband, whom she hopes
has some desire to be Christian, and for whom
che prays daily. Fer a dear husband who has
forsaken his frst love, and at times becomes q
victim Of ofintemperance. For a dear friend en-
gagged Jn the work Of God, but without Christ in
the world. For dear brother who was once q
Christian, but has ST. aged from the fold. For q
friend who has grown cold in her own Church,
and is now under strong Catholic cinfiuence. Also,
Tor father, and brother and his wife.