The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-03
PARKERSBURG.
Some Plain Truths TO an Assembly
Composed Exclusively of Men
How the Old Year Went
out and the-New
One Came I'm.
PARKERsBURG, January l, 1878.


laborers to the wealthlest citizens, from
the humblest Christian and happy con-
verts, to the vicious young men and
proud ladies, as well rs stout hearted
infdels and scofers. The meeting
of the early evening was specially
arranged, with view TO get out the
classes of the lowest and hardest vices,
and of course all classes came. From Z
to 9 o'clock, the meeting was for men
exclusively, no ladies being admitted,
and in this novel religious gathering, 10
this full house Of men, young and old,
some things were talked about, and some
plain Bible truths enforced in direct
and practical way, that, l am sure, WAS
never before heard in religious or any
other assemblage in our city. Rev. Car
ter, OF the Baptist church, fret read some
scriptures bearing on tOrnication and un-
cesnness, and spoke of the Importance
and necessity OF caring for and preserv-
i pure and undetiled those bodies In
which we for while live and work, II
we hope To attain unto true and noble
manhood, aud then referred, IN blunt
AnglO-Sa1on terms, to the thirty
fine saloons, and many houses
OF prostitution In our town,
and ieariessIy portrayed the
ruinous evils ana sins against body and
soul disseminated from these houses of
vice and destruction. Rev. Warner, OF
the United Brethren Church, was still
more bold and direct. He said he
SHOULDN'T nave been called on to speak,
SIS rs happened to have fund OF facts
ana information on this subject, which II
detailed here, would drive from the
house many men he was glad to see
here. Then, again, he said he saw men
present who laid CHIN 10 responsibility
and stood high in society, who welcomed
To their par!Urs and 10 the society OF
their pure daughters and sisters
men whom they knew TO come direct
from houses of Ill fame, with the
stains OF lust still fresh upon them
and this social recognition and
welcome was reciprocal amoRg them.
Said he, know this Is PLAIN and awful
statement, but you know 1t Is true, and
/ know have the facts and witnesses
to prove 1t.
After Rev. Warner, DR.. Alexander, at
Mr.. Hsmmond's request, spoke briefly Of
tue fearful and iata, results OF the diseases
generated in these houses stating that
medical science had pronounced syphilis
lncurable; that though 1t might be pallla-
ted tor 1, time, it WAS certain to reappear,
and tina. the disease politely called sCrot-
ula was nothing more than the rank
growth OF seeds planted, it may be gen.
eratlons before, in the poisoned soil OF
sinful lust.
Alter singing, Mr.. Hammond read q
portion OF the book OF Proven bs, bearing
on the same subject, and commented
thereon, relating interesting incidents OF
his lsbors and preaching IN
houses of bad repute, and
to large congregations of fallen women,
and fallen men, too, said he, 'tor the
fallen men, and lar worse than the poor
women. On vile, lusttul wretch,
look out! for If you don't repent, that
harot, whom you first destroyed, will IN
hell gnash on you with her teeth rs her
seducer."
But soon the speakers whole thought
and words were upon the theme he so
delights to linger about, Jesus, the
Savior of all sinners, not excepting the
vilest of the vile, and while urging all to
accept Christ now on this last night OF
the wear, the several hundred women
VINO had been praying IN the other
church, came pressing IN al the open
doors, and were soon distributed on the
platform and throughout the church, the
men giving room by taking
the sisles and gallery, and crowd
ing up as near us they could.
and now the audience was natural
again and had civilized look.
But set out to tell you how the old
Year lett and the new year found this
mixed congregation. 1t always takes
me so long TO get to anything want to
tell that only have time to hint st it.
IL had been understood that 1t would be
watch meeting, and the people had
come To stay, and If they hadn't the IN
terest was so great, few could have left
had they tried. The services were varied
with singing, praying, hearing
experiences, seasons OF inquiry, praise
giving, and prayer asking, all with such
prevailing spirit of readiness and
voluntary promptness, that the disap-
pointments were only from lack of oppor-
tunity, the interest at once becoming
50 absorbing that nobody seemed
to take any note of time, and
it was evidently general surprise when
Mr.. Hammond, with watch in hand,
stepped to the front of the platform ana
announced that there were only four
minutes left o; the old year, and he could
not do otherwise than use those four min
utes IN earnest entresties TO the many
troubled or careless sinners present, TO
give themselves now and here 10 the
Savior. He most tenderly plead with
them 10 come NJ once and decide at this
blessed moment, TO lay the old year
with all th9ir past sins, at the foot OF the
cross, and have faith IN Jesus, who was
even now here, hanging over them in
pity and love, ready to give to every ore
new heart, and lead him or her forth
into the new year In the iulness of peace
and Joy unspcsksble. He then asked
al 10 kneel, which be SAID
he had never before asked of them,
and all were in moment on their knees
Leading in short, child like sentences OF
personal invocstions tor help, grace and
guidance TO sinners, seemingly the entire
audience prayed aloud after him in con-
cert, as requested, and then, without
notice, in low, plsintive strain, he
struck up singing
"DropS OF grief can ne'er repay
The debt OF love owe.
Here, L ord, give myself away;
IT'S ali that can 40"
And 10 full voice leading to repeat, the
whole bowed congregation instantly
caught his wish and the strain, and sang
the lines through again, thus sending up
in song mingled prayer and confession,
in such manner as under other circum-
stances, might have seemed mockery, but
10 these watchers, with the influence OF
the holy spirit filling the house, the
elect was msniiestly deep and solemn.
Following this, an eernest, importun-
ing prayer by Mr.. Hammond for the
yielding. almost persuaded, and sll arose
TO their feet and sang