The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-04
An Infant Prodigy Preache,a Sermon

=
The Washington, d. q Times Of Tues
| day says:
Lonnie Lawrence Dennis, the five
year old preaching prodigy, who has
created so much discussion III the Aiio-
American religious world by reason of
his remarkable utterances, was intro
| duced 10 Washington audience last
night lie addressed mixed audience
at the Israel Metropolitan Church. at
the corner Of First and b. Streets
northwest and volunteered TO answer
all sorts Of questions propounded by
men and women ina congregation con-
tanning many fifty years older than
himself.
When ashed his mission by one of
| those present the procociOus little fell
| low said 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 audi
cree became more deeply interested in
his words. and assumed more serious
aspect. rising and kneeling at the re-
| quest Of the midget evangelist.
| The church was crowded Nine
| tel, bs Of the audience consisted OF
colored persons from all parts of the
city, but sprinkled here aud there in
the assemblage were white men and
women. They had read in the news.
papers Of the stir which was created
when the child spoke in New York and
Brooklyn, producing q many.sided dis
cussion in the columns Of the press.
| Consequently they were on the qui vive
when the pastor of the congregation an
nounced the boy.
Ii appears that the crowd that had
paid to stand in the rear of the church
auditorium was so great that the infant
could not approach the pulpit. Conse-
quently the doors had to be closed at S
| o'clock and escort provided TO lead the
child to the Pulpit 'Lonnie' was so
| diminutive in stature that no amount
| of craning of nscks and standing on
chairs made it possible for the curious
30 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 re-
| marked upon the singular olive color Of
the preacher, his jet black, glistening
eyes, and long. wavy hair luxuriantly
| flowing down his back.
There was a lull. One began to won
der how so small a child, in short skirts,
was going to interest an audience.
| Without the slightest hesitation the lit
| tie fellow advanced TO the front OF the
platform, and, in low, lisping voice,
called the audience to sing 'HalleluJah
| to God. A" 4 quick response came. the
singing proceeding without the accom-
paniment Of any musical instrument.
The hymns, I'VE Walk in the Light
and What Can Wash My Sins Away
were sung at the request Of the child.
He afterward said something, inartlcu-
lately. that could not be heard by the
audience. The pastor explained that
he desired the congregation to sing
Jesus Loves Me, Yes, l Know. A
timid response came. probably because
| the majority Of those present did not
| know the hymn. The child stepped
| quickly to the edge Of the platform :,
and, stretching out its tiny arms, plead
| ed in loud decamatOry tones Sing
all I" This elected hearty response.
Several minutes elapsed, during which
the infant preacher and the pastor en-
| gagged in conversation. The latter an
nounced that he had asked the "little
man" to pray, bat that the boy preach
er wanted TO have his own way and de-
sired the congregation to sing another
hymn. 'Lonnie" called for the Lily
Of the Valley, the Bright, the Morning
Star" and 1--WE Found Friend in
| Jesus" which were sung.
BY this time the audience was en-
| Unused, and the child seemed TO enjoy
its part of the program more keenly.
| While the singing was going OIL Lion
ME" paced the platform, going from
side TO side. looking out into the faces
of the hundreds around him, alternate
ly waving his hands to and fro and
clasping them Finally he said he was
ready for prayer, and called on the pas
tor to lead the congregation in prayer.
The pastor asked anyone in the audi
ence to put questions of religious
character to the boy. He said many
might have come to the church through
curiosity but felt confident that they
wo1ld leave wondering how the spirit
| of God was reflected as warning in
a mere child that was unable to read
or write.
"Why are you preaching?" asked a
white haired old colored man In the
rear of the church. lin the name OF
Jesus Christ, " came the ready response
from the boy preacher. The younger
generation Uttered while older per-
sons in the congregation looked on
with mixed admiration and wonder
(Which Testament do you like?"
came the second question from wo-
man in another part Of the church.
An the Bible is good said the boy.
IL like the new because it is so good
and righteous. "
Are we all born in sin ?"was asked.
when we are first born" lisped the
boy, I'VE are born good. We get bad
afteIward.
IF one becomes a Christian will he
always be a Christian?" somebody else
asked. If we keep on the right track
| We Will Always 10 SVVut WIS VAN
reply.
"What did Christ do for your" pro-
pounded another curious auditor He
wanted me to preach" said the child.
"He wants me 10 get sinners convert
ed Some people go and make believe
they are converted, but they only make
believe.
When were you converted?" inter
rupted another person. II was made
and born converted" answered the
child. Some one asked to what church
the boy belonged to and he diplomat
ically replied, but without hesitation,
II belongs to Gods Church. l don t
belong to no denominations. "
The boy preacher paced the platform
while he was answering these questions
and after an experience of ten minutes
of cross-firiGg from all parts of the con-
gregation, called for glass of water
He then climbed on large pulpit chair
and proceeded to answer numerous