Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-24
CHRIST, THE ADVOCATE.
Sermon to Lawyers by Mr.. Harmon
Last Night-Fessenden's Conversion.


ices of the evangelistic campaign still OBJ
tain, no less than five different services be-
ing appointed for tomorrow. All of the
services continue to attract large numbers,
and the interest is unabated New lines of
work are daily taken up and an impulse is
being taken on which will carry the meet
ings successfully bevcnd Mr. Hammond
departure, which is now definitely set for
the last of next week The intention of
the pastors to carry on the meetings is al
ready announced. DIR. Dwinell will reach
the city tomorrow to participate in the
meetings for three or four days. Rev Mr..
Willis and Rev. Mr.. Anderson, of Marvs.
vile, were in the city yesterday, planning
TO have Mr.. Hammond visit Marysville
after the close of his labors here. Tonight
the usual pavilion service will be held. and
the usual day services. Saturday evening
large service will be held for men only at
the pavilion, beginning at 100 grand
children rally will occur at the pavilion
Sunday at > O'clock
At the afternoon meeting YESTERDAY
Mr.. Anderson read the following extract
from book recently published, the life of
Dr. Goodell, concerning the work of Mr.
Hammond IN I. Louis, when Dr. Goodell
was 2 pastor at that time
After eight weeks OF earnest union eff
fort by the churches, under the lead of
Rev. 4. P. Hammond, the evangelist, there
is no indication either of Gods hiding his
face from us, or of souls ceasing to seek the
great salvation. The cry goes wringihg down
the advancing lines of Gods hosts. st.
Louis at last for Christi
Over two hundred union meetings lave
been held, those in the morning. during
business hours, always crowded, as well as
those in the evening. Twenty-Five thou
sand more have signed the covenant to be
the Lords, and this is only a small portion
of those that have been converted. From
the first, the work has continued silent,
deep and powerful, and entirely free from
any excess. The prayer of yesterday is
answered to-day. The doctrines of the
cross are uttered, and straightway the soul
cries out, What shall do to be saved?
A business man is strongly intrenched
IN worldllness to-day; tomorrow he saws !:
Sir, we would see Jesus and the next
day he has sought his neighbor. All past
enmlty Is reconciled, and they are kneeling
together at the foot of the cross. How soon
God by his power can change the whole
moral aspect of community, and direct
into new channels the currents of thought
and feeling and activity. Every Christian
here feels that surprising advance, which
must be permanent, has been made in the
spiritual tone of this city. | was present at
the great Opera House last night, and saw
the $500 gathered there listening with
wrapt and fearful interest, hour after hour,
to the plainest gospel truths from the lips
OF Mr.. Hammond, whom God has made
pillar OF light and power in all this work !:
another preacher, speaking at the same
time to 1000 people in the street, wEo
could not gain admittance inside As
saw the 1900 (at least rise to express their
determination to become Christians, and as
L worked until after II o'clock in the par
quet among strong men bowed down in
conviction of sin, and anxious for the sal
Walton of their souls, and heard the Joyous
and triumphant confession of deliverance
and pardon through the power of redeem
ing love, and from eyes unused to shed
tears read the story of a new found hone in
the blessed Jesus, the thought came to me
again and again, eternity alone will reveal
the extent and blessedness of this work.
Mr.. Hammond's text last night was l
John H.. l: We have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous"
He defined and enlarged upon the condi-
tons and qualifications of an advocate as
applied to law, and the practice of Courts
on the earth, and very wildly and effec-
lively carried across the parallel to Jesus
Christ in the Court of the Judgment.
He told this story of the conversion of
Thos. A. d. Fessenden, of Maine as re-
lated by Mr.. Fessenden himself in public
meeting. Mr.. Fessenden was at that time
a prominent lawyer in Lewiston, Ne.
Speaking OF his conversion, Mr. Fessenden
said:
- cannot refrain fro,,, ea,-;,,. ~. :.
repugnant to my natural feelings to speak
OF myself; but in the hope that it NAV
possibly, with Gods blessing, be the means
OF some little good, | will speak
" feel lmpelled to speak for the cause of
Jesus, and OF my late experience, though
my words be feeble. My story is a simple
one. But short time since had supposed
that | was possessed of strong will, of
good nerves, and of clear judgment.
did not think | was emotional and I
to a friend with whom l was
and who mentioned that Mr..
hammond was creating an excitement, that
II he could raise any emotion in me,
should like to have him, for it was dull,
and had been so long since | had felt emo
ton, that | should like to feel it. One
Sunday evening 1t entered my mind that [
would go and hear. | went and listened
but it was without expectation
that il would afford me any pleasure, ex-
cept that of hearing one who, from report.
appeared to be an earnest and imprisoned
speaker. | listened to him and went away.
l deScanted to my friends upon his power of
and told them that he drew
upon bis travels for his figures Of speech.
was utterly indifferent, SO far as my per-
sonal state was concerned. Some time after
| attended again, and listened atteniiveIy.
| fastened my eye upon the speaker, and
Tor some moments his gaze was riveted
unon mine, as he addressed ME in tones
of impassiOned earnestness to come to
Christ. 1t was thus | began to think, is
this thing real? Is it necessary? Is it a
duty we have resting upon US But when
the sermon closed, | walk down the aisle.
and out of the church alone. l thought
then, there is no necessity of my stopping
here to talk with these people it will do
well enough for persons not in the habit
of thinking for themselves, but not for
me. | concluded that / would not
go again, but on reflection, | said | will
go. ] am not afraid 10 hear the man,
went. | was interested in the sermon.
was interested in the experience of Mr..
Wright. | was interested and moved by the
affecting prayer for physicians and Lawyers,
more particularly, perhaps, because | had
been introduced to Mr.. Hammond during
the day, and thought he might have me in
mind, and my heart was somewhat soft
ened but did not heed The invitation to
stop, but steeling my heart walked to the
door. was overtaken by him. He urged
me and friend who was with me, to re-
main. He said my old father was pray
ing for me, and kindly pressed Inc to stay.
He asked me to promise him that would
pray that night but l refused the promise,
and said | would See him next day. ASH
walked down the still street my feelings
overcame me, and l wept, but when
neared my home l endeavored to crush
out all my feelings of remorse, so that
might enter the presence of my wife calm
and unmoved, for l would not let her see
that man in the prime of life could be so
wrought upon and appear so unmanly. l
sat down. but my grief came over me, and
/ covered my face with my handkerchief
She sought 10 comfort me. l choked down
my sensations for moment, and said.
This is excitement; it will soon pass
away. But she replied, 1t is the Spirit of
God struggling with you, and begged me
10 yield to its influences. / was sOftened.
asked her to pray she did so, and asked
me to pray, and for the first time since l
was young boy knelt and prayed. The
next morning Mr.. Hammond met me. He
talked a moment with me in the street and