The times., 1899-05-02
AN INFANT PRODIGY
breaches 4 SERMON
Exhorts Sinners to Abandon
the Evil Paths.
Five-Year-0ld Child Conducts a
Religious Meeting.
Lonnie Lawrence Dennis Quotes thu.
Bible and Delivers His Won
derful Words.

Lonnie Lawrence Dennis, the fve-year-
old preaching prodigy, who has created SO
much discussion in the Afro-American re-
ligious world by reason of his remarkable
utterances, was introduced to Washing
ton audience last night. He addressed a
mixed audience at the Israel Metropolitan
Church. at the corner of First and B
Streets northwest. and volunteered to an
swer all sorts of questions propounded by
men and women in a congregation contain
ing many fifty years older than himself
When asked his mission by one of those
present the preeocious little fellow sad
that he had come Ito stir the heart of this
wicked city In doing SO a church was
selected as near the heart of the nation as
possible. Israel Church is almost within
the shadow of the dome of the Capitol.
That he succeeded, in part, in his mission
was evident last night. Many went to the
little edifice through curiosity, and were
inclined to litter and laugh when they saw
the child. robed in long gown OF white
muslin, step on the platform Before the
meeting was over the audience bscame
more deeply interested in his words. and
assumed more serious aspect, rising and
kneeling at the request of the midget
evangelist.
The church was crowded. -tenths
of the audience consisted of colored per-
sons from all parts of the city, but sprin-
kled here and there in the assemblage were
white men and women. They had read in
the newspapers of the stir which was ere
ated when the child spoke in New York
| and Brooklyn, producing a many sided dis
cussion in the columns of the press. Con-
hey ha .yira han
the pastor OF the congregation announced
the boy.
1t appears that the crowd that had paid
to stand in the rear of the church audito-
rum was so great that the infant could
not approach the pulpit. Consequently the
doors had to be closed at o'clock and an
escort provided to lead the child to the
pulpit. "Lonnie' was so diminutive in
! stature that no amount of craning of necks
and standing on chairs made it possible
/ for the curious TO catch a glimpse of him
until he reached the platform. There he
was plainly visible from all parts of the
! church by reason of the whiteness of his
! robe. Once there, the audience remarked
! upon the singular olive color of the preach
! er, his jet black, giistening eyes, and long
! wavy hair luxuriantly flowing down his
! back.
| There was lull One began to wonde I
!
! going to interest an audience. Without
! the slightest hesitation the little fellow
advanced to the front of the platform and
/ in low, lisping voice, called On the audi
enee to sing. 'Hallelujah to God" A
quick response came, the singing proceed
ing without the accompaniment of any
musical instrument The hymns. I'VE
| Walk in the Light" and What Can Wash
My Sins Away?" were sung at the request
NfVf
thing inarticulately. that could not bC
heard by the audience. The pastor ex-
planned that he desired the congregation
TO sing. Jesus Loves Me, Yes [ Know
a timid response came. probably becaus,
the majority of those present did not know
the hymn. The child stepped quickly tc
the edge of the platform. and, stretching
out its tiny arms, pleaded in loud decIam-
atory tones, Sing ali.'' This elected I
hearty response. Several minutes elapsed
during which the infant preacher and the
pastor engaged in conversation. The lat.
ter announced that he had asked the ''littl;
| man. to pray. but that the boy preacher
| wanted to have his own way and desired
| the congregation to sing another hymn
"'Lonnie" called for the Lily of the Val
ley. the Bright. the Morning Star" anC
I've Found Friend in Jesus which
were sung.
bg lulS liIlle lne dullG0Se was eDtnlSod
and the child seemed to enjoy its part .
the programme more keenly. While tn,
singing was going on 'Lonnia" paced TIL
platform, going from side to side, lookinl
out into the faces of the hundreds arounC
him. alternately waving his hands to ant
fro and clasping them. Finally he said h,
vas ready for prayer, and called on tn,
pastor TO lead the congregation in prayer
The pastor asked anyone in the audienc,
to put questions of a religious characte
to the boy. He said many might hav,
come TO the church through curiosity, bu
felt confident that they would leave won
dering how the spirit of God was reaecte,
as warning in a mere child that was un
able to read or write.
Why are you preacEing?" asked
white-haired old colored man in the roa
of the church. I'm the name of Jesu
Christ" came the ready response from tn
boy preacher. The younger generation tit
tered, while Older persons in the congrega
ton looked on with mixed admiration an
wonder.
Which Testament do you likc?" cam
the second question from u woman in an
other part of the church "All the Bib!
is good" said the boy. Il like the nel
because it is so good and righteous"
Are we all born in SIM" was asked
When we are first born" lisped the boy
I'VE are born good. We get bad after
ward
IF one become Christian will he al
ways be a Christian?". somebody els
asked. IF we keep on the right track W
VIII always be good" was the reply.
What did Christ do for you" PROFOUND
cd another curious auditor He wante
me to preach" said the child He want
me TO get sinners converted. Some peopl
go and make believe they is converted. bu
they only make believe"
When were you converted?" interrupt
ed another person. 81 was made and bor
+ converted" answered the child. Some on
asked to what church the boy belonge
to and he diplomaticaly replied bu
without hesitation, Il belongs to God
Church. / don't belong to no denomina
tions."
The boy preacher paced the platforr
while he was answering these question
and after an experience of ten minutes
cross-fring from all parts of the congrt
cation. called for glass of water II
then climbed on large pulpit chair an
proceeded to answer numerous othe
questions concerning Moses, Solomon. an
! other Biblical characters. He lnall
preached about ten minutes unassiste,
| and pleaded with sinners In the audienc
asking them to rise. SO many people wei