Rev. E. p. Hammond. 
 
 ■n.€d , 
 
' ■ *' 
 
 THE 
 
 Hiijiiral in ^t, Catljaiin^s. 
 
 A BRIEF HISTORY 
 
 OF THK 
 
 GREAT V^^ORK, 
 
 FROM ITS INCEPTION TO ITS CLOSE, UNDER THE 
 
 LEADERSHIP OF THE 
 
 REV. E. P. HAMMOND. 
 
 AND THIi 
 
 PASTORS OF THE METHODIST, PRESBYTERIAN 
 AND BAPTIST CHURCHES, 
 
 AIDED BY THE 
 
 Power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 BY J. H. DURHAM. 
 
 \\ ._ ■ , - ■■''■■■■. 
 
 ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO: 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY BURGOYNK & SHERWOOD, 
 
 1880. 
 
 .... * • 
 
 to* * • » 1 •. . ^ »„» « " J % %» . » • ' • 
 
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PREFATORY. 
 
 The writing and compilation of this little work was undertaken 
 at the instance of many friends, who thought it eminently proper 
 that some slight memorial of the great work done here should be 
 arranged in a better form for preservation than would be afforded 
 by the ordinary newspaper file, and with the further hope 
 that it might be productive of some little good to those who should 
 hereafter peruse it. 
 
 The work has been hurriedly prepared, in the midst of a mul- 
 tiplicity of other duties. The greater part of the "matter " has 
 been copied from the columns of the Daily News, to which paper 
 we are greatly indebted. Our acknowledgments are also due the 
 Evening journal for some valuable extracts from its columns. 
 Our thanks are also due Rev. Mr. Crossley, for some valuable 
 " matter," and also to those who kindly responded to our request 
 ior "experiences." The little book is presented to the public, 
 with the hope that, by God's grace, it may prove a blessing to 
 
 some seeking soul. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Vr 
 
I ) 
 
Wht Hcbibal in ^t. Catljarims. 
 
 ; CHAPTER I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY -THE INCEPTION— PRELIMINARY STEPS— PRO- 
 
 • GRESS — THE WEEK OF PRAYER— ARRIVAL OF REV. E. P. 
 
 HAMMOND— THE FIRST MEETINGS — IMPRESSIONS OF DIF- 
 
 lERENT INDIVIDUALS— PREJUDICES— SKETCH OF HIS LIFE 
 
 AND LABORS. 
 
 Whatever else may be said of St. Catharines, it has been for- 
 tunate in possessing, in the persons of the ministers of the Gospel 
 who have charge of the several churches and missions in and 
 around the city, a corps of talented, earnest, hard working, true, 
 Christian gentlemen, whose hearts are in the Master's work, and 
 who have left no effort untried, to advance the cause of Christ 
 within their several spheres of labor. What has been the measure 
 of success is best known to themselves, to those who have been 
 immediately interested — the members of their congregations, and 
 God. While it behooves not our pen to particularize in this 
 matter, it is not amiss to say, that, from what our eyes have seen, 
 and what we have learned from sources which are indisputable, 
 we doubt if any other city of its size, in the Dominion, can 
 produce the same number of more earnest, faithful workers, a 
 more united body, a more truly Christian band, than those of 
 whom we now speak. In saying this, we do by no means under- 
 value nor in the least detract from the able pastors of other 
 churches, who, although not in sympathy with the revival move- 
 ment, are not to be left out, being important factors in the sum 
 total of Christian workers. 
 
 That the labors of these gentlemen have done much to bring 
 about the great result v/uich we shall attempt to chronicle brieflj' 
 in these pages, may be shown from a single circumstance. The 
 writer was privileged with a glance at a diary kept by the pastor 
 of one of our prominent churches, in which under the date of 
 
6 
 
 December 17th, 1877, were the notes of a meeting of different 
 pastors to confer upon the best means of forwarding the Gospel 
 work, and foreshadowing what has finally, in so prominent and 
 marked a manner, taken place. Indeed, it cannot but be evident 
 to every one, even the most casual observer, that the seed has been 
 abundantly sown, with unsparing hands, upon well-prepared soil 
 and now, those toiling husbandmen are reaping a rich and bounti- 
 ful harvest — the result of their years of arduous, though unassum- 
 ing labor, and not the least of their reward is the place they have 
 won, and now hold, in the hearts of the people of St. Catharines. 
 
 The Rev. W. S. Griffin, feeling the necessity of an extraordinary 
 effort being made to awaken and save souls in our city, and know- 
 ing of the great and permanent work of grace wrought in Chatham, 
 when Rev. E. P. Hammond labored in connection with the 
 churches there last year, was impressed that if this distinguished 
 revivalist could be secured and the various churches would unite 
 with him in Christian work, a glorious revival would surely follow. 
 Accordingly, he wrote to him last fall and received sufficient en- 
 couragement to authorize him to call a meeting of the various 
 ministers. Rev. Messrs. Bruce, Burson, Stewart, Calvert, Crewi 
 and Crossley met in Rev. Mr. Griffin's study to consider the ques- 
 tion. All were agreed that something should be done to revive 
 God's work in our city, bu^ whether Mr. H. should be invited or 
 pot was not so easily decided. His long career as a revivalist and 
 various rumors for and against him were freely discussed. The 
 ministers concluded to consult with the officials of their respective 
 churches upon the subject before deciding what to do. The lay- 
 men said they were prepared to do as their mmisters thought best. 
 At the next meeting of the ministers, all but one approved of in- 
 viting Mr. H., and that one said he would not say, " Do not invite 
 him ;" hence it was, without any objection, decided to ask him to 
 come. Mr. Griffin wrote him again, and finally went to London 
 to see him, and obtained a promise that he would come to St. 
 Catharines in January. Union meetings were begun on Sabbath, 
 January 4th, when the ministers changed pulpits. Two services 
 were held each day of the week, and the people evidenced a very 
 deep interest in the meetings. 
 
 Mr. Hammond came on Friday, Jan. 9, rhet the ministers and 
 told them his method of conducting the meetings. What little 
 
7 
 
 prejudice there might have been before in any of the minister's 
 minds was forever dispelled in this first interview. 
 
 Mr. Hammond conducted his first meeting in St. Paul Street ' 
 Methodist Church on the afternoon of his arrival. Here the key 
 note was struck as he read and commented upon the Spirit's 
 descent and work on the day of Pentecost, and he exhorted all 
 to be •' filled with the Spirit." ' ' i 
 
 The meetings during the " Week of Prayer " were more than 
 usually earnest, and strong and fervent were the petitions that the 
 work about to be inaugurated should be crowned with success, and 
 such an outpouring of the Spirit made manifest, as was never be- 
 fore known in the city. No one can for a moment doubt but those 
 prayers were answered, and that to the earnestness of the labor 
 during *' Prayer Week " is much of the almost immediate success 
 of the revival work due. At all events, it had paved the way — 
 made " straight " the path — and the grand work, when once begun, 
 moved steadily onward. 
 
 The coming of Mr. Hammond to St. Catharines was almost 
 entirely unheralded. A very brief notice of the fact appeared in 
 the daily papers, consisting of only a few lines each, and nothing 
 more, except, of course, the announcements made in the several 
 churches the ministers of which had united in the movement. At 
 all events, there was nothing done which in the least affected 
 public sentiment, or even caused a ripple of expectancy ; indeed, 
 with the exception perhaps of half a dozen persons, ten at most, 
 no one knew anything of the Evangelist, — what he had ever done, 
 what he would do, or was capable of doing. He arrived on Fri- 
 day, Jan. gth, and was met at the station by Rev. Mr. Griffin and 
 others, who welcomed him to his field of labor. He began at 
 once ; while riding from the station into the city, he began a series 
 of rapid questions as to the situation, like a skillful general, newly 
 arrived upon a battle-field where he is to take command. In a 
 short time he had learned the position of the enemy, the strength 
 of his own force, and decided upon his plans of attack and defence. 
 The first meeting, held that afternoon, was rather a sort of recon- 
 noissance than a part of the regular advance ; skirmishers were 
 detailed; leaders of forlorn hopes designated; and the forces 
 gathered well in hand preparatory to a grand charge along the 
 whole line. 
 
8 
 
 On Saturday afternoon Mr. Hammond addressed a large and 
 attentive audience in the Queen St. Baptist Church. A large 
 number who were providcvi with the "Hymns of Salvation" led 
 the congregation in a service of song, all joining heartily in this 
 delightful exercise. It is evident he intends to make singing a 
 prominent feature in these services. His address was on '• personal 
 effort for the good of others," in which he showed the benefits re- 
 ceived, not only by those who were rescued from sin, but also by 
 those who endeavored to lead souls to Christ. In his reference to 
 meetings conducted by hmi in Dublin, Ireland, and in Mr. Spur- 
 geons Tabernacle, he told some touching incidents, all of which 
 bore upon the text, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." 
 
 On Sabbath afternoon St. Paul St. Methodist Church was 
 crowded to its utmost capacity, the lower part with scholars and 
 teachers of the Sabbath Schools of the Presbyterian, Baptist, and 
 Methodist Churches, and the galleries with the parents and others 
 interested in the work — one mistake being that a good many adults, 
 not anticipating the number of children who afterwards came, 
 filled some of the seats in the lower part of the Church, to the 
 exclusion of a good many children who came after a short session 
 of their own Sabbath Schools. The orchestra and platform were 
 filled with leading singers, and while waiting for the children to 
 assemble the time was spent in singing. 
 
 The Rev. E. P. Hammond took full charge of the meetmg, 
 Alderman Burch assisting in leading the singing, and on the plat- 
 form were Rev'ds. Burson, Brookman, Calvert, Crossley, and 
 Crews. The Rev. G. H. Calvert led in the opening prayer, after 
 which Mr. Hammond announced that this meeting would be a 
 sort of model Sunday School, and that Christian workers had been 
 chosen to occupy a seat at the end of each pew as teachers, while 
 he would act in the capacity of Superintendent. He commenced 
 his address by asking the question — Who is Jesus? which he 
 answered by telling the story of the creation and fall of man, and 
 the provision made through Christ for his salvation, all of which 
 he pictured very vividly, and illustrated with interesting anecdotes 
 and touching incidents in connection with his own travels in 
 Palestine, and his evangelistic work during the past quarter of a 
 century. The first part of his address lasted about thirty minutes, 
 after which he led in a short responsive prayer, and again address- 
 
9 
 
 ed the children, illustrating by comparison with a magnetic tack 
 hammer and nails of different sizes, which he had on the platfornn, 
 from ordinary carpet*tacks to large rusty spikes, and showing by the 
 readiness with which the small nails jumped toward and clung to 
 the hammer, and the difficulty with which the larger nails were 
 attracted by the magnetic power, how children were the most 
 susceptible to the drawing power of Christ. He finis^ied his ad- 
 dress by a strong appeal to the young to seek Christ before their 
 hearts grew hardened by refusing to answer to His call. The 
 exercises were closed by teachers speaking a few earnest words 
 to the several classes, all feeling interested in and profited by the 
 meeting, but just a little wearied with its length. 
 
 As yet no one had begun to express any opinion of the man, 
 or of his method of work. So far, he had only talked to children ; 
 and while many acknowledged his ability to interest them, yet 
 they looked npon that work as being *' frivolous," " undignified," 
 and not at all commensurate with their ideas of a revival of reli- 
 gion. The next meeting was held in Knox Church, and as it was 
 the basis for the majority of opinions formed, and prejudices aired, 
 we subjoin the following extract from the notes of a reporter of 
 one of the city papers, himself an avowed •' materialist," and 
 "free thinker:" 
 
 "Although the services were announced for seven o'clock last 
 evening, at six o'clock Knox Church began to fill with those who 
 were anxious to be in time to secure seats. Their experience of 
 the afternoon, when the St. Paul St. Church was so crowded that 
 many went away unable to obtain admittance, served them now 
 in good stead, and tkey were on hand in season. Long before the 
 hour of seven, the church was crowded ; while scores of faces ap- 
 peared at the doors unable to find seats in the auditorium, 
 although chairs had been placed along the whole length of both 
 aisles. 
 
 "This may be called the first of the series of meetings pro- 
 posed, as that of yesterday afternoon was held specially for the 
 children of the various Sabbath Schools of the city. 
 
 " While the vast audience were assembling, the choir sang 
 piece after piece by way of becoming familiar with a new selection 
 of Divine songs appropriate for such occasions. An overflow 
 meeting, conducted by Rev. Mr. Brookman, was in progress in 
 the Baptist Church, and many failing to find sittings in Knox 
 Church went there, to either assist in those services or to listen. 
 
■ ■'■ ■ lO 
 
 •* Alter singing by the choir, and prayer by Rev. L. W. Crews, 
 Mr. Hammond read a portion of the third chapter of Malachi. 
 (He should have read the first verse of the fourth chapter — Rep.) 
 and commented thereon in his own pecuHar style. Speaking of 
 the necessity of a revival among professing Christians as well as 
 . among sinners, he said : ' Just as deep as the need of the work 
 sinks into the hearts of God's people, just so far will the desire for 
 salvation sink into the hearts of sinners.' His illustrations abound- 
 ed in anecdotes, many a one being effectually used to bring soriie 
 point into bold relief, especially that of the 'boarders.' It was a 
 good one. The text proper was Revelations, 3rd chapter, 20th 
 verse. ' Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear 
 my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup 
 with him, and he with me.' • . 
 
 " The speaker described the wonderful condescension of God, 
 in knocking at the door of the heart of sinful man. What love is 
 portrayed ! How He cares for His creatures ! How He sympa- 
 thises with the poor, famishing, starving souls of men ! He would 
 sup with us ! Oh, let us open the door to-night ! Let us not keep 
 Him out, who has said, ' Behold ! I stand at the door and knock. 
 I, your Saviour, your God. I, who gave my only begotten Son to 
 die upon the cross that you might live. I knock at the door of 
 your hearts.' Oh, that we may all permit the Saviour to enter this 
 night. The point was made more plain by a most admirable illus- 
 tration, admirably told. He then went on ; Jesus knocks at the 
 door of our hearts in many ways. First, by the news of revivals 
 in other places. We hear of the great work that is being done 
 elsewhere, and we become filled with a desire to have the Divine 
 blessing poured out upon our own neighborhood. The sinner 
 hears of a friend who, from being one of the gayest of the gay, or 
 one of the hard cases, or a fast man, has turned his course and is 
 now serving the Lord, and there is a knock at the door of his 
 heart. Oh, heed it, sinner, ere it be everlastingly too late. 
 
 "The actor, for instance, will hear of Stephens the actor, who, 
 upon the stage, mimicked myself, now a converted man, prais- 
 ing God, and there will be a knock at his heart. The prosperous 
 and wealthy merchant sees a brother merchant in the same social 
 circle, brought to a knowledge of the Saviour, and there is a knock 
 at the door of his heart. 
 
 " Second — Christ knocks at the door of our hearts through the 
 influences of our children. Many an one has been saved by the 
 pleadings of an innocent child. jV/ v. 
 
 " The speaker here gave illustration after illustration, all to 
 the point, but which we have no space to reproduce. 
 
 " Third — The door of the heart is often opened by the singing 
 of Divine hymns and songs. 
 
" Fourth — Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts by love. 
 The speaker here drew a brief but graphic picture of the road from 
 Beyrout to Jerusalem, of the reminders of the Saviour on the way ; 
 of travelling over the selfsame path once trod by the feet of Christ ; 
 of gazing on the self same lakes and rivers ; of looking upon the 
 self same mountains from whence He taught the multitude, ' Bless- 
 ~ ed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit the earth,' and then 
 looking upon the spot of His crucifixion and burial, that the sins of 
 mankind might be washed away. 
 
 "Fifth — Jesus knocks by warning. Of this, numerous illus- 
 trations were given. • 
 
 "Sixth — He knocks by judgment. .;- . ,, . i. 
 
 " Space does not allow us to go further. Suffice it to say, that 
 the subject was well handled, and made its impression, evidently."". 
 
 The impressions produced by this discourse were as varied' 
 almost as were the individuals who heard it. Some were attracted, 
 othors repulsed. Some thought it a splendid effort ; others, com- 
 monplace. Its opening was grand. Every one conceded that, 
 "but then," said they, "there is a want of dignity about him ; he 
 tells too many stories ; and we don't see the object." Others said : 
 " We don't like him, and we are not going to hear him again."' 
 Nevertheless, they went, and not only once, twice, or thrice, biit 
 all the time; with what result will be seen farther on. * 
 
 Mr. Hammond had strong prejudices to contend with also, 
 even among his ministerial brethren ; and on this occasion, his 
 first Sunday evening meeting, he evidently felt their effects. What 
 became of those " prejudices," the patient reader will learn as he 
 goes on, or if he does not, we will leave it to the prejudiced parties 
 themselves to tell in one of the concluding chapters. ^ , 
 
 The following editorial, which we clip from the Eveninff 
 jfournal, a leading paper of the city, about a week later, and the 
 first which appeared in its columns, may serve to show what im- 
 pressions were abroad, and also to show the difference between a 
 " now " and a " then," as time progresses : 
 
 ..'..',. •':>:: " MR. Hammond's revival. * ; 1 ", ;>,.;» ; 
 
 " This noted preacher and revivalist has now been at work in 
 this city f )r a week, and between himself and the clergymen con- 
 nected with the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist Churches 
 and their co-workers, have suceeeded in attracting public atten- ■ 
 \tion to a marked degree. On Sunday night, the St. Paul Street 
 Church was most uncomfortably crowded, the lower part of the 
 
house and galleries being filled to repletion, and notwithstanding 
 that every permanent seat was occupied, accommodation had to 
 be provided in the aisles, and yet large numbers had to stand. 
 The introductory services were of the usual character, and Mr, 
 Hammond was preceded by Rev. Mr. Bruce, who spoke a few 
 words of practical good sense on the necessity for a religious 
 awakening in this city, and the degenerate character of the rising 
 generation. He was followed by Mr. Hammond, who occupied 
 the attention of the vast audience for perhaps an hour and a half. 
 His address was neither a sermon, nor a lecture, nor an exhorta- 
 tion, but it partook more or less of all three. In point of matter, 
 there was no great depth of thought or biblical research. He 
 told the story of the flood in a style which, we venture to assert, 
 was never told before in St. Catharines. The revivalist spoke of 
 his travels and adventures at a dance house, which was turned into 
 a place lor religious worship. Each and all of these stories had 
 its moral or point to make on behalf of the revival work, and the 
 great good which had been accomplished thereby. All these were 
 well spiced with inflection of voice, pathetic touches, and ringing 
 declamation against sin. Mr. Hammond, in the strict sense of the 
 word, is not an orator, but a very fair actor. His voice, though 
 powerful, is by no means distinct in point of enunciation, the final 
 sentences being sometimes chopped off, as it were. It is only 
 when he becomes warm that he is fluent and exhortive. He 
 rambles about in his discourse, here a story, there a bit of poetry. 
 At one place he will apparently be melted to te^rs, then he laughs, 
 next comes a few Americanisms, then an exhortation and a plead- 
 ing, forming altogether a quaint sort of hodge-podge, which seems 
 to have powerful attaction for those who listen to him. What is 
 the secret of his power ? To our mind it is owing in ihe first place 
 to his excellent method of organization. The way is prepared for 
 him by the local ministers and their helpers. People are awakened 
 and prepared for something more to follow. Hammond comes 
 heralded forth in the pulpit and the newspapers. He gets his aids 
 together. He drills them like a company of raw recruits. He has 
 his captains and lieutenants and privates, who all do his bidding, 
 and no doubt zealously and conscientiously work for the end to be 
 accomplished, which is to awaken sinners to repentance and to 
 church membership. They all work unceasingly day after day, 
 night after night, to harvest the crops. People are aroused — many 
 make resolves and professions of religion, and no doubt do so with 
 good intent. How many will remain steadfast we do not know. 
 It is a question upon which we do not feel called to express a 
 definite opinion. There is a difference between emotional conver- 
 sions and those which proceed from calm judgment. But we must 
 make allowances for the differences in human nature. Many do 
 not think for themselves, and could not be reconstructed except by 
 just such services as those conducted by Mr. Hammond. Others 
 
t3 
 
 again will be repelled. There can be no question, however, as to 
 the necessity of a religious awakening. It can certainly do no 
 harm, and may do great good. If it will make people honest and 
 true, not only to the Creator but their fellow-men, great good will 
 be accomplished, and if it will " revive " some of the members in 
 various churches who do not practice the Christian precepts which 
 they profess, it will be a greater blessing still. Indeed, here is 
 where the revival is most needed, and after the churches are exor- 
 cised and swept of the impurities which they contain, the workers 
 may, with clean hands, cry out aloud, ' Come, ye outside sinners, 
 to repentance.' *' 
 
 It is no part <tf our design to write a biography, but to give to 
 
 the public whatever will present, in a clear and satisfactory light, 
 
 the work of God, as promoted by the labors of a most successful 
 
 Evangelist before the churches. And this naturally includes some 
 
 notice of the early history and training of God's servant for His 
 
 service. We are indebted to " Harvest Work of the Holy Spirit" 
 
 for the following extract : 
 
 " Edward Payson Hammond was born in Ellington, a quiet 
 town in the Valley of the Connecticut, Sept. ist, 1831, but passed 
 his boyhood and youth in Vermont, Ct. He was a child of prayer, 
 consecrated to God by parental piety , especially was he nurtured 
 with holy fidelity under the wing of maternal love. At the age of 
 seventeen, he attended school at Southington, where had been a 
 powerful revival of religion, including in its sweep nearly all of the 
 youth of the place. 
 
 •' Mr. Hammond, in his addresses, sometimes refers to the 
 story of his conversion, and relates it thus : 
 
 " 'The first Sabbath of my stay in Southington was the com- 
 munion. This was held between the services, and all who were 
 not Christians were in the habit of going out. As I looked about, 
 it seemed that all my friends and relatives and new acquaintances 
 were gathering around the table of the Lord. Among the few who 
 passed out were none whom I knew. 
 
 " ' The thought of the judgment day flashed across my troubled 
 mind. And the awful scenes of that final separation passed like a 
 panorama before my view. On returning to my boarding-place 
 that night, a lady handed me James' * Anxious Inquirer' to read. 
 1 glanced my eye hastily over a few of its pages, but thought it 
 too dry a book for me, and I angrily threw it down. But this did 
 not extract the arrow of conviction that had pierced my heart. 1 
 felt that I was a sinner, hastening on to the great judgment day 
 unprepared. Little did I know of the earnest pleadings that were 
 daily ascending from a mother's fond heart. 
 
and thus, 
 
 fK\, '■■■'*'i 
 
 H 
 
 " ^ Day by day my convictions deepened. My heart rebelled 
 against God. I disputed his undivided claim to my heart. I was 
 wiUing to give a portion of my affections, but I was not ready to 
 to give up all for Jesus, and say : I 
 
 Just as I am, ;- ''J't'. '•■••■■('-■■ ■■.■h; ; ; -d; ■ ; 
 
 O Lamb of God, I come, » . -, ,. 
 
 '■' ', ' ■■:'■' '■'■'. ' ,' ' ,;i' 
 .• • Against the God that built th*^- sky. ; •: *,,-i,, , - 
 
 I fought with hands uplifted high, « , ;..,,% 
 
 Despised the mansions of His grace, ! 
 
 Too proud to seek a hiding-place. ''"'' ' "'* ' ■■' 
 
 "•Yes, 'too proud' to come as a lost, guilty, helpless, hell- 
 deserving sinner to Jesus. As yet ' ignorant of God's righteous- 
 ness and going about to establish' my 'own righteousness.' (Rom. 
 X. 3.) For two long weeks I wept and prayed, and read my Bible, 
 all the while treading ' under foot the Son of God.' (Heb. x. 29.) 
 
 ';,,.:;. M^i i^. i Vindictive justice stood in view, , . . ,• , 
 
 To Sinai's fiery mount I flew ; 
 
 But justice cried, with frowning face, j '. ' i: ' 
 
 This mountain is no hiding-place. 
 
 " ' During these dark days I read 'James" Anxious Inquirer.* 
 I looked upon it no longer as a 'destroyer of my peace,' but as a 
 guide to happiness — to Christ and heaven. I used to study it b)'' 
 the hour with my Bible, looking out all the passages referred to. 
 I thus saw more and more of my awfully deceitful and polluted 
 heart. 
 
 " ' At first, it was thoughts of the judgment day, and the sight 
 of the wicked going away into everlasting punishment, that alarmed 
 me ; but afterwards it was the sight of myself that alarmed me 
 most. 
 
 " ' I then began to ; realize that reformation was not enough, 
 that a great, an entire, a radical change must be experienced if I 
 would enter heaven. /:^.'. h 
 
 . When to the law I trembling fled, - ■ ' i ; 
 
 ..1, It poured its curses on my head, . . \ ,,- ' f, 
 
 ' V > ^i A.; .. I no relief could find ; . , . . 
 • This fearful truth increased my pain, 
 
 The sinner must be born again, ', ' "; • ■ ^ 
 
 And whelm'd my tortured mind. , 
 
 " • It was then the pit of sin in my own heart alarmed me more 
 than the pit of hell, into which I had been so lately gazing. The 
 desperate enmity of my guilt before God I began to realize. My 
 burden seemed heavier than I could bear. But another, a third 
 sight I was called to gaze upon which pierced my soul with a new 
 and keener arrow, — Godly sorrow. I was led by the Holy Spirit 
 
 to look on Him whom my sins had 'pierced, and mourn." 
 
 (Zach. xii. 10.) I began to understand those words in Acts v. 31, 
 ' Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a 
 
■ ^3 -■ 
 
 Saviour, for to give repentance.' I shall never forget that calm 
 Autumn morning when I fell upon my knees in my little closet and 
 repeated the hymn my mother had taught me. 
 
 Alas, and did my Saviour bleed, 
 ... , , , ; , . , And did my sovereign die ? 
 
 Would he devote that sacred head 
 ■ > i ■ '■ For such a worm as I ? 
 
 '■'^' ; r Was it for crimes that I had done, 
 
 >; . i •' .■ He groaned upon the tree ? . , 
 
 ' ' Amazing pity ! grace unknown. 
 
 And love beyond degree ! 
 
 " 'It was then, in the light of Calvary's cross, I began to feel 
 that ' godly sorrow ' for sin that * 'vjrketh repentance to salvation.' 
 I then saw that God ' might be just, and the justifier of hiu which 
 believeth in Jesus,' (Rom. iii. 26,) and that I must , , » ;■: •.>*••. 
 
 ^;-;'»f.; ,/ Cast my deadly doing down, .,;;^ 1 > . 5, . '■ i'r^*' , V' 
 Down, down at Jesus' feet; 
 
 and with tears in my eyes I exclaimed, in the words of the last 
 verse of the hymn which I was repeating, 
 
 • ' - But drops of grief can ne'er repay ■ ' •■'■'*' 
 
 , . , The debt of love I owe, •., , r .- i 
 
 Here, Lord I give myself away, ' • ' 
 
 ' ; ' 'Tis all that I can do. ■ ; . '. > '• 1 
 
 " ' It was then the blessed Holy Spirit, that had so long been 
 striving with me, took of the things of Christ and showed them 
 unto me — my blind eyes were opened. I saw that God was satisfied 
 with what Christ had done ; that Jesus had paid the debt, and I 
 had only to trust him for it all — and I could sing with all my heart, 
 
 My God is reconciled, ' : ~ ** ■, > . ■; ;i...i 
 
 His pardoning voice I hear, ■, J ,; ^ ', !. :.'^- .;\: > 
 
 He owns me for his child, , ..., , >.; 
 
 I can no longer fear. ' ■ . .. 
 
 " ' I then knew the meaning of the promise in Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 
 ' A new heart, also, will I give you, and a new spirit will I put 
 within you." 
 
 " ' As there was no revival at the time, and no preaching that 
 I remember made any special impression on my mind, I can but 
 feel that my conversion was the direct work of the Holy Spirit in 
 answer to the wrestling, agonizing prayers of my dear mother. 
 
 " ' Some of the 'fruit ot the Spirit' (Gal. v. 22,) were at once 
 mnie. ' Love, joy, peace,' filled my heart. 
 
 " ' I remember that I sat down at once and wrote mother that 
 I had ' tound Jesus.' " 
 
 " He subsequently completed his preparation for College at 
 Phillips' Academy, Andover, Mass. There, as wherever he went 
 after his conversion, God blessed his faithfulness to the conversion 
 
i6 . ' 
 
 of souls in the Institution, and in neighboring villages in which, 
 with other students, he established meetings. 
 
 " He entered Williams College in 1854. Without neglecting 
 his studies, as his instructors testify, he labored earnestly and suc- 
 cessfully for the conversion of his classmates. Among them was 
 Henry Hopkins, the President's son, now Chaplain in the army, 
 with whom he attended meetings in Pownal ; where together they 
 went forth, weeping, ' bearing precious seed,' and they returned, 
 * bringing ' their ' sheaves with ' them. The little company of 
 seven or eight Christians was increased to a prosperous church. 
 In the Spring of 1855, he went, in behalf of the American Sunday 
 School Union, among the Alleghany mountains, and planted 
 several Sunday schools during his vacation which in some instances 
 proved to be the nucleus of churches. 
 
 ♦* Prof. Chadbourne, one of the faculty of Williams, now of 
 Bowdoin College, thus wrote, to one of the associate Professors, 
 of his pupil, alter his return from Europe. We quote it, because 
 it meets objections made to methods of labor which are strongly 
 marked with the individuality of the worker, which will be farther 
 noticed hereafter, 
 
 " • You will be glad to hear of our old friend and pupil, Mr. 
 Hammond. He is r> :w laboring in Bath, and I think it must be 
 evident to all that the blessing of God attends his labors. He 
 came to me last week to lend him a helping hand, as he is much 
 exhausted wiih his continued labors. He is the same that he was 
 when a student, except that he has gained wonderfully in power ; 
 the same good nature, the same fervent piety and zeal for the sal- 
 vation of souls. He is not like other men, and it is folly for other 
 men, to judge of him by their standards. The only true test, and 
 one it seems to me, that ought to satisfy every one, is, the great 
 blessing that accompanies his labors. Some good men find fault, 
 and wonder at his success, and think him over excited, but we 
 who have known him so long, know that the same zeal stirred his 
 heart when a Freshman in College, that stirs it now. God is 
 making good His promise, to honor those that honor Him. His 
 success is wonderful, because God gives it to him ! And before I 
 dare to criticise, I must wait till I find a style of labor that God 
 more signally blesses. I gave our dear brother all the advice I 
 dared to give, with all the freedom of an old instructor towards his 
 pupil ; and would that those, who are now my pupils, would re- 
 ceive advice, in the same spirit of meekness and thankfulness. 
 But I did not dare advise hiim to try to change his style of labor, 
 nor to be more like this or that distinguished minister, because, 
 
17 
 
 among all the names that are precious in the churches, I could 
 think of no one whom God has more signally blessed in turning 
 men from sin, than He has this young man, now three years out 
 of College. And while I rejoice in the loyalty and bravery of Col. 
 Garfield and others of our old pupils who are fighting the battles 
 of our beloved country, I will rather rejoice that I have been a 
 teicher of this valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, who is doing so 
 much to bring back this whole world, from its rebellion against 
 God ; and in this,||I know you will heartily join me.' 
 
 " He received the degree of A. B., along with an appoint- 
 ment for Commencement, in 1858, and in 1861 the degree of 
 A. M. 
 
 ** The desire and intention to be a missionary had been cher- 
 ished by the young disciple ; but God otherwise ordered his useful 
 life. In the year 1858, he became a student in Union Theological 
 Seminary, New York, and in that great city, continued with un- 
 flagging zeal his home missionary work among the destitute." 
 
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 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CHILDREN'S CONVERSIONS-^LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE ONES- 
 MEJ HODS— THE COVENANT— A DESCRIPTION— VARIOUS AC- 
 COUNTS—A PROMINENT EXPERIENCE— AN OLD-TIME RE- 
 VIVAL IN ST. CATHARINES. , 
 
 At the end of the first week, conversions among the children 
 were already numerous and constantly increasing. The eyes ol 
 the people were opened to the fact that the little ones were as 
 capable of receiving and appreciating religious instruction as 
 themselves. The lessons of the magnetic hammer had not been 
 lost on children of larger growth and maturer years, and they 
 were further convinced by reading a work of Mr. Hammond's en- 
 titled, ' The Conversion of Children," in which so many instances 
 were given of the capacity of children to receive religious instruc- 
 tion, so many instances of clear, undoubted conversions, so many 
 instances where those conversions had been the means of con- 
 verting both parents, that it was folly to doubt longer ; and, in- 
 deed, it was but a short time ere the truth of the latter instance 
 was verified by the occurrence of a similar one here. We take 
 the liberty of copying two instances taken at random from many 
 in the volume just mentioned, hoping that they may prove good 
 *' seed " to somebody. 
 
 " I knew a little girl, nine years old," says Rev. Wm. Taylor, 
 " who, at a meeting I once attended, sought to find Jesus. The 
 Good Spirit had spoken to her heart , and as the big tears were 
 streaming down her face, she put her little hands together, and 
 said, ' O Lord, for Jesus' sake, have mercy on me a sinner. For 
 Jesus' sake, give me a new heart.' She prayed very earnestly for 
 some time, and then as she saw that Jesus had died for her, her 
 countenance brightened up, and she said, * O, praise the Lord ! 
 I've found Jesus. He is my Saviour. Glory to God, He has par- 
 doned all my sins.' She was so glad she did not know what to do. 
 She was an orphan girl, and had not known a parent's care for 
 years ; but now she knew that God was her father, and loved her, 
 and cared for her. As she was praising the Lord aloud like the 
 little children that got so happy when Jesus was preaching in the 
 temple, and cried, ' Hosanna to the Son of David,' a minister said 
 to her, ' Little girl, what are you praising the Lord for?' 'Because 
 
19 
 
 I love Him,' said she, ' glory be to God, I do love Him.' ' Why 
 do you love Him ?' continued the minister. ' Because He first 
 loved me, and He has pardoned my sins.' The preacher at first 
 thought that she was so small she did not know what she was 
 about, but he soon found that she was truly enlightened by the 
 * spirit of adoption.' The next day her brother said to her, rather 
 tauntingly, 'Ah, Virginia, I think your goodness will not last long.' 
 ' Well, James,' said she, meekly, 'your thinks will not make it so.' 
 Virginia grew up in the fear of the Lord, and is now a Christian 
 mother in California." 
 
 " Paris R- , a boy of my acquaintance in Virginia, became 
 
 acquainted with the Lord when he was eight years of age. I saw 
 him at a camp-meeting when he was nine years old, and he was 
 called on to pray in public about as often as any of the men, and 
 prayed with much greater effect than many of them. During that 
 camp-meeting Paris's old grandfather became awakened to see his 
 lost condition as a stranger to God, and asked his little grandson 
 to pray for him. O, could you have seen the gray-headed sinner 
 kneeling down, and groaning under the bondage of sin, and the 
 little boy pleading with his Father in heaven to have mercy on his 
 dear grandfather, you would have said, • What a mercy that the 
 old man has so good a boy to pray for him I' It was believed that 
 it was the good boy's example that brought the old man to his 
 knees. Time would fail to tell of the numerous examples of 
 juvenile piety in the past and present history of the church. 
 Many of her best ministers, and a large proportion of her most 
 exemplary members, were converted in their childhood and 
 
 youth." .■■■;■■ .,;.; ^ ■: . ;,s.-; ..■ , i ,',■ ■ 
 
 Mr. Hammond's method with children who professed conver- 
 sion was simple but thorough. Each child was carefully ques- 
 tioned by himself, one of the ministers associated with him in the 
 work, or by some competent lay brother, until satisfied that the 
 conversion was genuine so far as human kon could discover, and 
 then each was furnished a covenant card upon which his or her 
 name was written below the following legend : 
 
 " I, the undersigned, hope I have found Jesus to be my 
 precious Saviour, and I promise, with His help, to live as His 
 loving child and faithful servant all my life." • . i l* «f^> .; 
 
 Hundreds of those cards were taken, and no doubt exists in 
 the minds of those who examined the children who took them, 
 that they knew well what they were doing and were fully alive to 
 the responsibility. 
 
 As we shall doubtless refer to this matter again, we will speak 
 more particularly to the different meetings; and just here we may 
 
20 '•.... 
 
 be pardoned for introducing an able article, from the pen of Mr. 
 John E. Cuff, one of the editors of the Evening yournal, descrip- 
 tive of the general management of the meetings, and although 
 written some time after the period of which we are now writing, 
 it is so well and graphically written, and so thoroughly truthful 
 and accurate, that it will serve as a description of the whole, and 
 hence we deem this its proper place, in order that the reader may 
 see at once what is to follow : 
 
 ♦' Rev. E. P. Hammond, who may justly be styled the cele- 
 brated revival preacher and modern evangelist, has now been 
 laboring in this city for nearly four weeks, and his work has been 
 singularly blessed in results. His method hardly does justice to 
 the man's brilliant literary acquirements and deep biblical re- 
 search, yet he has no doubt carefully chosen this method, first, for 
 its great simplicity ; second, adaptability to reach the popular 
 heart ; third, for its truth. He conducts services three times a 
 day, or has done so until very lately. His plan is to keeping mov- 
 ing all the time — never to rest until such an interest has been 
 awakened that people begin to think and reflect upon their own 
 lives and what the future has in store tor them if they do not for- 
 sake sin. He possesses a wonderful knowledge of human nature, 
 bom of many years' work amongst men of all classes of society 
 and extensive travel. He has a robust frame, which is well cared 
 for according to hygienic principles, and an eye like an eagle to 
 detect where and when his preaching has reached its mark. 
 
 " We will take his evening meetings as a fair sample of the 
 way he conducts service. Long before the time appointed^ — seven 
 o'clock — crowds of people begin to flock in, no matter what the 
 state of the weather. The clergymen, reporters and others take 
 their places on the platform, and at the stroke of seven the choir 
 begins a gospel hymn and the grand notes of the organ swell the 
 anthem, filling the entire edifice with melody. Then the audience 
 join in and the effect is grand and inspiring. A prayer is then 
 offered up, generally by some local minister. By this time Rev. 
 Mr. Hammond appears on the scene and a song of praise swells 
 up. Mr. H. then makes a prayer, in which he asks the audience 
 to join. The interest by this time is fully awakened, the gospel 
 ground has been plowed up, and the preacher is ready to begin 
 the sowing of the seed. This he does by reading perhaps a por- 
 tion of the Old Testament or from one of the gospels or epistles. 
 He keeps up a running fire of commentary between the lines, tells 
 a story about people he has met, or recites a poem. But what- 
 ever he does has an application, and is applied to the work in hand 
 in the most direct and simple manner, so that all may understand. 
 After this there is more singing, and then the preacher goes into 
 what .may be called the ' solid meats ' of the gospel truth. He 
 
21 
 
 gives his text and elaborates it. Sometimes it is a set sermon, 
 sometimes an exhortation ; again it is a lecture, or a mixture of 
 all three. Dovetailed in every direction are stories thrilling and 
 startling in their intensity. They are told with wonderful effect, 
 voice, action and dramatic power. With every story is an appli- 
 cation, not only to the text, but to the people before him, as an 
 exhortation or a warning. In everything he says and does there is 
 a method and a purpose, and it is simply perfect. He is a general 
 in every sense of the word in his work, and hence his power and 
 his remarkable success. He is never lost for words. He never 
 wastes any time. His army of laborers are well grounded in the 
 work required of them, and everything moves like a well con- 
 structed piece of mechanism, the motive power being that Christ 
 came into the world to save sinners — that He died upon the 
 cross — that God loves all his people, and that it is but necessary 
 to repent and believe, and salvation will follow humble and con- 
 trite hearts in the service of the Saviour. 
 
 " By this time the gospel ground has not only been ploughed, 
 but harrowed, and the seeds ot truth plentifully sown, and the 
 next effort is to warm the germs of seedlings of truth into life. An 
 invitation is extended to men to visit the lecture room in rear of 
 the church, where some experienced Christians will, in a few 
 words, tell what Christ has done for them. Then sinners will be 
 invited to come to the Saviour, and they come, some tearfully, 
 some prayerfully, but all humble and contrite in heart. They are 
 invited, after a prayer for their awakening, to sign the following 
 covenant : — 
 
 • • 
 
 : I, the undersigned, hope I have found Jesus to be my • 
 
 : precious Saviour, and I promise, with His help, to live as His • 
 
 : loving child and faithful servant all my life. : 
 
 : "I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn • 
 
 : away from them to do them good ; but I will put my fear in their hearts, : 
 
 • that they will not depart from me." — ^Jer. xxxii. 40. | 
 
 " While this work is progressing in the lecture room, the 
 work in the church has not been idle with the main body of wor- 
 shippers. Exhorters speak to those who may be anxious ; and an 
 appeal made to them to make an acknowledgment of their sins, 
 and enter upon the better life of a Christian. The choir in the 
 meantime has been divided into two sections, which keep up a 
 constant strain of the sweet refrains of gospel hymns. The sweet 
 voices ot women's and children's treble mix and blend to Heaven 
 with the more sonorous and robust, but not less pleading tones of 
 the men, and the grand notes of the powerful organ swell the praise 
 in sweet unison. The meeting in the lecture room lasts perhaps 
 half an hour, with singing, prayer and experience. An adjourn- 
 
22 
 
 inent is then made to the church. Here Mr. Hammond generally 
 reads letters which have been sent to him by those who have pro- 
 fited by his lessons. Many are from children, but oftentimes from 
 adults. They contain sweet and touching lines. They speak of 
 good receivecf. They contain requests for prayer for father, brother, 
 sister or mother. 
 
 " The experience meeting is next in order, and this perhaps is 
 the most touching of all. Young and old men, moved by some 
 mysteriotis power, which we candidly believe to be the Holy 
 Spirit, quickened into life by the preaching of God's word, come 
 forward and tell their experience. Hearts which have been long 
 calloused and hardened agamst belief in the precious pardoning 
 power of the Saviour speak of how they feel under new impres- 
 sions. Some who have come prepared if not to mock, yet to resist, 
 are melted into submission, and weep and pray for help at the 
 throne of grace. The stories which most of these people tell are 
 very original in simplicity, direct in statement, and carry convic- 
 tion to the most obtuse mind that the/ have felt some mysterious 
 power which has brought peace to the mind or awakened long 
 dormant feelings into a quickening power which brings peace and 
 and joy in its train." 
 
 After such a description, we can resume the thread of our 
 work, feeling sure that our readers will the better understand, as 
 we lay before them the reports of a number of the meetings. It 
 must not be supposed, however, that the meetings were monoton- 
 ous ; on the contrary, they were intensely interesting. At this 
 time a lady writes : '• This effort on the part of the various Chris- 
 tian churches is evidently one of union ; for we notice on the plat- 
 form at the morning meeting the ministers of the different churches 
 of the city, viz., Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist, 
 all united in this common cause. The audiences are increasing, 
 which is an evidence of the growing interest of the people. The 
 exercises are so varied, that all find something for them per- 
 sonally." 
 
 The following account of one of the morning meetings serves 
 to further point out how they were conducted. These meetings 
 were especially rich in the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 " Considering the earliness of the hour quite a large 
 audience assembled at half-past nine in the Queen Street Baptist 
 Church. Mr. Hammond not having arrived Mr. Burson gave out 
 a hymn — ^just at this period of the meetmg Mr. Hammond came 
 in, and another hymn was sung, after which Mr. Hammond spoke 
 of the meeting of last evening — the necessity of all Christians to be 
 
23. 
 
 alive in this work. He had found quite a number who were 
 anxious to find Christ ; but so few were doing anything in the en- 
 quiry meeting. 
 
 ** I remember, said he, while in Balmoral, Bath, and in Scot- 
 land, that when the invitation to stay to the enquiry meeting was 
 given, every one, saint and sinner, started for the door ; but it was 
 only about two weeks before the whole audience stayed, and many 
 were converted. Last evening many went away who were anxious 
 concerning their .souls. 
 
 " At this period of the meeting Mr. McCay led in prayer. Mr. 
 Hammond resuming again, related many touching stories of his 
 four years-and-a-half stay in Scotland and Europe, and all illus- 
 trative of the great subject under consideration. The first con- 
 dition of prevailing prayer is innocency ; in connection he read 
 the 26th psalm, 6th verse. 
 
 •' The second condition — humility — reading the i6th chapter 
 ol Daniel. Dr. Lyman Beecher once said to him, ' I always have 
 a tussle with my own heart, with the church and with the devil, 
 before any revival 1 ' and he always came out victorious — the same 
 can be applied to every one of us to-day — neither can you or I bring 
 any one nearer to Jesus than we are ourselves. The great power 
 of a Christian life is to be in close communion with Christ. Let 
 us go to the unconverted and be honest with them ; let no selfish 
 motive prompt us. 
 
 '* Mr. Hammond wishes it understood that at these morning 
 meetings all are privileged to come and go as they wish, business 
 men can come in lor a few minutes just as they have time. It was 
 evident that the ministers of the city who spoke this morning 
 were heartily in sympathy with the work. Each of them gave in- 
 teresting facts to show that the Lord was already moving power- 
 fully on the hearts of the people ol St. Catharines. Rev. Mr. 
 Bruce, of the First Presbyterian Church, said, * II we expect a 
 victory here, we must be united and earnest. What would you 
 think,' he said, ' of an army sending out a little handful of its men 
 once and again to battle with the enemy, only to be repulsed and 
 slain. Men would not be sacrificed in that way by a skilful 
 gent -al. On the contrary, the whole army would be commanded 
 to move simultaneously ; so,' he said, 'if we expect a great victory 
 here in St. Catharines, God's people must be up and doing.' 
 
 *♦ A large platform has been erected in the Baptist Church to 
 accommodate the singers and ministers. The new hymns and 
 tunes which Mr. H. has brought with him are interesting to multi- 
 tudes. Manj' of the hymns are written by himself. These morn- 
 ing meetings, it is evident, are very interesting. Mr. Hammond 
 said they were all connected with one another, and it was a pity- 
 that Christians should lose any of them. Five prayers were 
 offered, all of them occupied only five minutes — that was certainly 
 a novel feature in a St Catharines prayer meeting, yet each prayer 
 
was comprehensive and to the point. "^Mr. H. believes in short, 
 pointed prayers and addresses. No one will get a chance to make 
 long winded speeches. From the appearance this morning we 
 believe the Baptist Church will be filled every day this week. 
 
 " A mass meeting for children was held yesterday afternoon 
 in the St. Paul St. Methodist Church at four o'clock. The galleries 
 were filled with adults. The singing itself in these meetings is of 
 such an attractive nature that numbers will, no doubt, attend just 
 for the sake of hearing it. We give one hymn as a specimen, of 
 which the children are very fond. It was written by Mr. Ham- 
 mond for children, and was suggested by the following letter to 
 him : — 
 
 ^ *" I think that I have found the dear Jesus. I find Him so 
 precious to my soul, I do not see how I could have rejected Him 
 so long. I think I can sing, with the rest of those who have found 
 Jesus, 'Jesus is mine.' The first time that I came to these meet- 
 mgs I cried ; but now I feel like singing all the time. The devil 
 did not like it when I found the dear Jesus. This morning, I am 
 afraid, he was trying to tempt me, but I went into my room and 
 prayed that Jesus would help me, and I think He did. I told the 
 devil that he could go away to somebody else and tempt them ; 
 that I did not want him to tempt me, and that he should not. 
 Will you please pray for two very dear friends who are yet with- 
 out Jesus. May they shed tears when they hear the melting story 
 of the Lamb ! And pray for me, your dear friend, just thirteen 
 years old.' 
 
 •I FEEL LIKE SINGING ALL THE TIME " 
 
 When on the cross my Lord I saw, , 
 
 Nailed there by sin9 of mine, 
 Fast fell the burning tears, but now, 
 N . I'm singing all the time. 
 
 •■■ ;■»>■» • CHORUS. ''•-;■■ ^ '• ■ 
 
 I feel like singing all the time, 
 
 My tears are wiped away; ' •' 
 
 t) .. For Jesus is a friend of mine, '" . 
 
 ; • . , I'll serve Him every day, 
 
 , ' Singing, glory, glory. 
 
 Glory be to God on high. 
 
 ...J When fierce temptations try my heart, , .n >■ ,, 
 
 ■ ; / ' I'll sing " Jesus is mine ;" ., ' ^\, 
 
 i ..' ; And so. though tears at times may start. ' 
 
 ■*', ' '■, i '.» ". I'm singing all the time. — Chorus. . v • ■ : 
 
 ■ O, happy little singing one, ' ' ^^'" '' 
 
 '« '« What music is like thine ? ' ' " v"'' . • 
 
 . ; : ,''1; vj With Jesus as thy Life and Sun, '•■ - »v :.,-.•*•'! v .! 
 
 7-v, T f jifr ;y •;. ^v. Go siugiug all the timc. — Chorus. .,..,j, ^,,,.. r,, 
 
 ; 1 , " The melting story of the Lamb " : ' ; . »■< ■ 
 
 Tell with that voice of thine, r ;; ^ 
 
 . Till others, with the gl^d new song, ^ 
 
 Go singing all the time. — Chorus. ', " 
 
25 
 •♦ Alter the hymn had been sung, Mr. Hammond told one of 
 his interesting stories which had come under his notice while in 
 Washington, illustrative of the power of prevailing prayer. 
 
 "A mother came to him yesterday, and with tears asked 
 prayers for her wandering boy. God hears and answers prayer, 
 and we are here to pray for the wanderer's return. After prayer 
 had been offered by Rev. Mr. Crews, another hymn was sung. A 
 great characteristic of these meetmgs is the spirit of praise." 
 
 Another writes : ' 
 
 " The praise meeting yesterday morning brought out the fact 
 that a great meeting was already in progress. Some rendered 
 praise for the conversion of their children ; others that they had 
 been enabled to go to work in these meetings. Not far from fifty 
 spoke yesterday morning, each one thanking God for some special 
 blessing. Occasionally eyes were suffused with tears as some 
 touching fact was related, showing the depth and power of the 
 work. AH hearts are encouraged, for truly these are but droppings 
 of a mighty shower. Some are asking, • What are the results of 
 the meeting ?' No definite answer can be given to this question ; 
 but those who know most about the work, tell us that between one 
 and two hundred have been converted. The number may be much 
 larger, but the above statement they regard as safe." 
 
 And so the work went on increasing in strength and im- 
 portance day by day. Following we give a brief report of an 
 evening meeting in Knox Church : • , 
 
 •* At five minutes past seven o'clock, the choir began the 
 familiar old hymn, ' Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,' and in 
 an incredible short space of time the body of the church was filled 
 and the numbers in the galleries increased rapidly. In a few min- 
 utes more Mr. Hammond ascended the platform, the usual faces 
 being already visible there before him. The service of song con- 
 tinued, Rev. Mr. Burson lining the hymns. Among those on the 
 platform we noticed Rev. Mr. Wakefield, of Hamilton, who at the 
 afternoon service gave excellent testimony as to Mr. Hammond's 
 work among children elsewhere, more particularly as to the lasting 
 effects of conversion upon them. Mr. Hammond requested the 
 audience to be seated while he gave them the history «.f that sweet 
 hymn, which was afterward sung, 'Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.' 
 As the singing closed, Mr. Hammond said : " While we were sing- 
 ing happy, there were many here saying, ' Oh, there is no happi- 
 ness for me,' but there is. We will sing a verse which will show 
 you the way, and while we sing, give your hearts to Jesus. He 
 is the author of happiness."' The verse was sung and the next was 
 announced, and sung, after which Rev. Mr. Wakefield made a 
 most appropriate and earnest prayer. He pleaded for Divine 
 assistance with a deep earnestness, and thanked God for the work 
 
26 
 
 which had already been done. A forcible appeal for the uncon- 
 verted closed the invocation, and again the service of song was con- 
 tinued. At its close, Rev. Mr. Wakefield was announced and gave 
 a most interesting account of the revival work during last winder 
 in Chatham, which was conducted by Mr. Hammond. He stated 
 that fully a thousand gave their hearts to God, many of them those 
 who were termed or looked upon as the outside pillars of the 
 Church — men who gave of their money freely for the Church, but 
 who had not given their souls to the Saviour. At one time over 
 three hundred stood up for the prayers of the people of God. He 
 spoke grandly of the children's meetings, illustrating by what a 
 railroad conductor said to him of the good the children's work had 
 accomplished in his own family, by the conversion of his two little 
 girls. He closed with a most eloquent appeal for the morning 
 meetings. 
 
 Mr. Hammond proposed another hymn, which he said had 
 been objected to by shallow theologians, stating at the same time 
 that the great George Whitfield said that we were saved in three 
 ways : (i) Meritoriously through Christ ; (2) instrumentally by 
 faith; (3) declaratively by faith. The singing of the hymn followed 
 to the well-known tune of ' Annie Lisle.' It was a sweet hymn 
 and sweetly sung. A short pleading prayer followed and the ser- 
 vice of the evening was begun. He took for his text those mem- 
 orable words of Paul found in Phillippians i. 21 : ' For me to live is 
 Christ, and to die is gain.' He spoke of a visit to the ancient prison 
 in Rome where Paul was confined. The Roman merchant says, 
 ' For me to live is wealth, it is gold, it is riches, it is silks, and dia- 
 monds, and precious stones.' The Roman student with his roll of 
 manuscript under his arm, says, ' For me to live is knowledge, 
 knowledge is power, the pen is mightier than the sword. Oh, yes, 
 to me, life is knowledge.' The Roman soldier said, ' For me to 
 live is glory. Life to me is the pride, pomp, and circumstance of 
 glorious war. Life to me is the charging squadron, or the tramp 
 of the legion.' But I hear the clank of a chain. Fastened to the 
 soldier by a chain was a prisoner. He had taught the truths of 
 the Gospel to the unbelieving Jews. It was Paul, who had fol- 
 lowed the teachings of his Saviour. He was fitted to die. He had 
 also been a prisoner for the love of his Saviour. For Him he had 
 been chained to a Roman soldier. He had languished in a Roman 
 prison, but through it all he had so lived that he could say, ' For 
 me to live is Christ ; to die is gain.' Another illustration carried 
 the audience with the speaker into Asia Minor, and introduced the 
 Martyr Ignatius, as he appeared before the Emperor Trajan and 
 urged the claims of his Saviour. The noble Ignatius made no im- 
 pression upon the heart of the Emperor, and he was dragged to 
 the City of Rome, and in the Coliseum, in the presence of thou- 
 sands, became a glorious martyr for Christ. Other illustrations, 
 one after another, followed, each serving to bring the salient points 
 
27 
 
 of the subject into bolder relief, and more deeply impressed the 
 truth upon the hearts of the hearers. Then followed a most touch- 
 ing reminiscence of the famous George Whitfield, the Father of 
 American Metliodism, and his last words, * For me to live is 
 Christ, and to die is gain.' A man to-day who would abuse Whit- 
 field would be called a fool; but how was it when George Whitfield 
 was alive ? Twenty years ago, Spurgeon was despised, lampooned, 
 called a mountebank, and reviled in London. So was it with 
 Whitfield during his life. Then came an onslaught upon infidels, 
 and the speaker took occasion to ascertain how many in the 
 audience had now, or once had, praying mothers, which was sig- 
 nified by the uplifted hand. Then followed an affecting relation 
 of the sickness and death of the speaker's own mother. Every in- 
 cident found an answering response in the hearts of many of his 
 hearers. It was indeed a most affecting narrative. Then the ex- 
 hortation, though still intensely persuasive, assumed a mixed char- 
 acter of persuasion and song, which was effective and promptly 
 responded to by the entire audience. The speaker said that 
 though he was but half-way through his sermon, rather than tire 
 his audience, he would break off. He had intended to impress 
 three things upon the minds of the audience : (i) You must change ; 
 God cannot. (2) This change is effected by the Hoiy Spirit through 
 faith in Christ. (3) To urge every one to come to Christ. But 
 there was no time. He gave an incident to illustrate the last of 
 the three points, and closed with an intensely earnest exhortation 
 to Christians who knew the truth of these things to stand up and 
 attest their knowledge of them, while the choir sang ' I love Jesus.' 
 A large portion of the congregation arose, and then came a call for 
 those who had been converted, and also for those who desired the 
 prayers of Christians. Many in the house arose, although many 
 still kept their seats. An earnest prayer followed for all who were 
 seeking a Saviour." . , 
 
 By way of variety, and also in the hope that it may prove of 
 interest to some one, we here introduce an account of the conver- 
 sion of a prominent young lawyer in the United States, whose 
 name is almost a household word — F. A. D. Fessenden. His con- 
 version was so similar to some which took place here, that it may 
 not prove uninteresting, and we hope that again, as it has already, 
 it may prove the agent through which a soul may be saved. 
 
 " I cannot refrain from saying, that it is repugnant to my 
 natural feelings, to speak of myself; but in the hope that it may 
 possibly, with God's blessing, be the means of some little good, I 
 will speak. I feel impelled to speak for the cause of Jesus, and 
 my late experience, though my words be feeble. My story is a 
 simple one. But a short time since I had supposed that I was 
 possessed of a strong will, of good nerves, and of a clear judgment. 
 
I did not think I was emotional, and I remarked to a friend with 
 whom I was conversing, and who mentioned that Mr. Hammond 
 was creating an excitement, that if he could raise any emotion in 
 me, I should like to have him, for it was dull, and it had been so 
 long since I had felt an emotion, that I should like to feel it. One 
 Sunday evening It entered my mind that I would go and hear. I 
 went and listened intently, but it was with no expectation that it 
 would afford me any pleasure, except that of hearing one who, 
 from report, appeared to be an earnest and impassioned speaker. 
 I listened to him and went away. I descanted to my friends upon 
 his power of illustrating, and. told them that he drew upon his 
 travels for his figures oi speech. I was utterly indifferent so far 
 as my personal state was concerned. Some time after, I attended 
 again, and listened attentively. I fastened my eye upon the 
 speaker, and for some moments his gaze was riveted on mine, as 
 he addressed me in tones of impassioned earnestness to come to 
 Christ. It was thus I began to think, is this real ? Is it neces- 
 sary ? Is it a duty we have resting upon us ? But when the ser- 
 mon closed, I walked down the aisle, and out of the church alone. 
 I 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. I concluded that 
 I would not go again ; but, on reflection, I said, I will go, I am not 
 afraid to hear the man. I went. I was interested in the sermon ; 
 I was interested in the experience of Mr. Wright ; I was interested 
 and moved by the affecting prayer for physicians and lawyers, 
 more particularly, perhaps, because I had been introduced to Mr. 
 Hammond during the day, and thought he might have me in his 
 mind, and my heart was somewhat softened ; but I did not heed 
 the invitation to stop, but steeling my heart I walked to the door. 
 
 " I was overtaken by him. He urged me and a friend who 
 was with me to remain. He said my old father was praying tor 
 me, and kindly pressed me to stay. He asked me to promise him 
 that I would pray that night, but I refused the promise, and said 
 I would see him the next day. As I walked down the still street 
 my feelings overcame me, and I wept ; but when I neared my 
 home I endeavored to crush out all my feelings of remorse, so that 
 I might enter the presence of my wife calm and unmoved, for I 
 would not let her see, that a man in the prime of life could be so 
 wrought upon, and appear so unmanly. I sat down, but my grief 
 came over me, and I covered my face with my handkerchief. She 
 sought to comfort me. I choked down my sensations for the mo- 
 ment, and said, * This is excitement — it will pass away ;' but she 
 replies, • It is the Spirit of God struggling with you,' and begged 
 me to yield to its influences. I was softened. I asked her to pray. 
 She did so, and asked me to pray, and for the first time since I • 
 was a boy, I knelt and prayed. 
 
29 
 
 " The next morning Mr. Adams met me. He talked a mo- 
 ment with me in the street, and I invited him to my office. He 
 then talked and prayed with me, and I tried to pray. He left, and 
 during that day I was overwhelmed with mental anguish. My 
 sins were before me. The memory of my past life came vividly 
 to my mind, and temptations and suggestions of all sorts pressed 
 upon me to shake off these delusions ; but I prayed constantly and 
 fervently in my mind that the Spirit of God would not leave me, 
 but continue to strive. That evening I attended meeting, and 
 heard the story of the Son of God ; that He came to save the lost ; 
 that for our sakes He was treated as though a guilty rebel ; of His 
 agony upon the cross ; and when I listened to the words of the 
 dying Jesus, in the extremity of agony, ' My God ! my God ! why 
 hast thou forsaken me ?' my heart melted. I stopped at the in- 
 quiry meeting, and on my knees I promised God, that, if He would 
 forgive my sins, I would take sides with Jesus — that I would stand 
 up for Jesus — give my heart to Him, and would trust to Him and 
 be His. I was at peace. Hence I am willing to stand up and 
 speak to you to-night. This may seem to some a simple story, 
 but appears a solemn reality to me." i ,. 
 
 At this time the interest jn the meetings was widespread, and 
 conversions were the order of the day. Several cases of conver- 
 sion were particularly striking. The people were more and more 
 encouraged to continue the work so auspiciously begun. Many 
 lingered and lingered as if loth to leave the place where they had 
 found that " peace which passeth all understanding." Many re- 
 quests for prayer were made, and many praises were given. We 
 give one of the many wonderful conversions that were told at that 
 time. A young man left his home in Merritton to go to the Opera 
 House to see " Humpty Dumpty." He got out of the street-car at 
 St. Paul-street Church, went in, and before the services were over 
 was converted, and, like the man of old, •* went up to his house 
 justified." This is only one of a great many. 
 
 Apropos of this revival, we introduce a letter written to a 
 gentlemen in this city, to whom we are indebted for a copy, by a 
 former resident here, graphically describing an old-time revival, 
 which was also wonderful in its effects. With it we close this 
 chapter : 
 
 *' St. Johns, Mich., March 25th, 1878. 
 
 " Dear Brother McCollum, — I will now, at your request, 
 relate the wonderful scenes that I alluded to. I think it was the 
 first of December, 1831, that I spent a week with Brother Buell, 
 visiting his people preparatory to a ' four-day meeting,' which was 
 
30 
 
 held in 'Father Phelps" mill, and while he was preparing the 
 mill for that purpose. We commenced on Thursday. The meet- 
 ing was committed to my direction ; but there were present part of 
 the time Brothers Eastman and Marsh, and a minister from Mont- 
 real whose name I have lost. We were blessed from the first, but 
 not as much as we had hoped, and on Sabbath evening I made 
 some stirring remarks to Christians. Father Phelps stopped to 
 put out the lights, and then kneeled and prayed until the candle 
 in his lantern burned down — not less than one hour — and he was 
 so full of the Spirit that he thought he was dying. Then he be- 
 came anxious to see his family orce more, and started for his 
 house. We heard him coming, maning a distressed noise. We 
 were afraid he had fallen and was badly hurt. I opened the door, 
 and when I got sight of his countenance I saw there was agony 
 there. As he was entering, he exclaimed, ' Lamb of God, come 
 and help us !' I knew then that he was not hurt. He dropped 
 his hat on the carpet, passed right into the kitchen, took a chair 
 and attempted to kneel by it ; but was so weak that he fell over 
 upon the floor, and lay uttering these words: ' Lamb of God, come 
 and help us! Lamb of God, come to my family !' He still thought 
 that he was dying. His daughters fell upon the floor, weeping. I 
 lifted them up, and told them to be 'calm — that their father was 
 not dying. Mrs. Sooker (now Mrs. Cynthia Winchester) began to 
 pray. I told Lucinda to call her brothers, and, when they came 
 down, the old gentleman stopped praying, and addressed one of 
 them, saying : ' The Lord is about to take your father Irom you," 
 and then proceeded to give them his dying counsel. One of the 
 sons cried right out. I told him to be calm — that his lather was 
 not dying ; but was in great distress for perishing souls. Then I 
 appealed to him. I said : ' Look at your father ; you see his dis- 
 tress for you ; will you still stand out ?' He answered, promptly, 
 • No ! I will give my heart to God now if you will pray for me.' 
 We kneeled in prayer by the prostrate father, aud I trust he did, 
 then and there, give his heart to God, as he promised. W^hile I 
 was praying, Lucinda went over to Brother Buell's and told him 
 her father was dying. He and his family came over in haste. 1 
 undeceived them ; we had a season of prayer and they returned. 
 Then the old gentleman got up, came into the sitting room and 
 walked the floor, groaning at every breath. A little daughter, six 
 years and a halt old, was in her bed in an adjoining room, and the 
 door was open. She came out in her night-clothes, and said to 
 her sister, ' None of them prayed for me.' Hearing what she 
 said, I asked her, • Did you want us to pray for you ?' She re- 
 plied, ' Yes.' I asked, ' What did you want us to pray for you for ?' 
 She answered, 'Because I am a great sinner.' Her father hap- 
 pened to be in the room. He dropped on his knees and said, 'My 
 dear daughter come to me.' She went to him, and he took her up 
 in his arms and there dedicated her to God. And now, do you 
 
31 
 
 suppose I can describe the solemnity of that scene? No lan- 
 guage nor tongue can do it — not even an angel's. He called on me 
 to pray for her, and I trust she was born into the kingdom as she 
 lay in her father's arms. Three v/eeks from that time 1 preached 
 her funeral sermon in the Methodist Church ; and she died full ol 
 peace. 
 
 " After this scene of indescribable interest, we all retired, but 
 the old gentleman could not sleep, and he went into the kitchen to 
 build a fire. He poked the coals together, and blew them and 
 made a blaze ; and then it came to my mind that the church must 
 be served in the same way. They must be rallied together and 
 the Holy Spirit must be blown upon them. As Brother Buell was 
 the pastor, it belonged to him to rally the church. So Father 
 Phelps called up one of the sons and told him to go and call up 
 Brother Buell, and ask him to rouse up the church members from 
 their beds and send them to the place of prayer. ' Tell Brother 
 Buell,' he said, ' not to wait for the morning light, for we have not 
 an hour to lose.' Brother Buell got up, went through all the 
 streets, called up the members of the church, and gathered them 
 together in that upper room of the mill. But, as I had the burden 
 of labor upon me, I was not disturbed. When I awoke in the 
 morning, a little before sunrise, I raised myself up and looked out 
 of the window down towards the mill ; and there I saw a large 
 congregation coming down the stairs. What had been going on I 
 could not conceive, but hastily dressing myself, I soon found the 
 explanation. The people had been all night in prayer. The Spirit 
 of the Lord had been blown on the church, and the way the 
 chariot of salvation rolled that day was glorious to behold. Old, 
 hardened sinners were melted down and submitted to Jesus. 
 
 " At the intermission, an Irish whiskey-seller came in and 
 stood in the passage. Brother Buell went and took him by the 
 hand and poured out a confession upon him, weeping as he spoke. 
 He said, ' I have abused you.' * Why, no, Mr. Buell, you have 
 always treated me like a gentleman.' ' Ah !' said Mr. Buell, ' I 
 have neglected your soul.' And then he held him and wept over 
 him, until the man was all broken down, and kneeled and pro- 
 fessedly gave himself to Christ. He afterwards joined the Metho- 
 dist Church, and I never heard but that his conversion was 
 
 genume. 
 
 "All of Father Phelps' children, except a babe, who were 
 not professing Christians, were hopefully converted on that memor- 
 able night. 
 
 *' Yours in Christian bonds, 
 
 " Samuel Sessions." 
 
32 
 
 CHAPTER III. ^ 
 
 THE THIRD SUNDAY— IN THE DRILL SHED— EVENING MEET- 
 INGS—THE WORK IN MERRITTON— EDITORIAL OPINION. 
 
 The meeting in the Drill Shed on Sabbath, Jan. 25th, demon- 
 strated the degree of awakening that exists. There must have 
 been nearly three thousand people present, and although the place 
 was damp and cold there was an evident reluctance on the part 
 of the large assembly to leave the place alter an hour and a half 
 had been spent in singing, prayer, scripture exposition and experi- 
 ence. A spirit of great solemnity pervaded the whole meeting. 
 Men who never enter a church and to whom the sound of the 
 gospel was new, were there, and Christians of all denominations 
 drank in the blissful atmosphere with evident relish. The singing 
 was led by Mr. Poole with a cornet, prayer was offered by Rev. 
 Mr. Stewart, Mr. Hammond read and expounded a portion of 
 Scripture, and Major Durham, in a few thrilling words, related what 
 the Lord had done for him, and offered a startling admonition to 
 those who are gliding in fancied security towards the brink of 
 destruction, not realizmg the awfulness of their danger. Prayer 
 and singing again followed, and an invitation was extended to the 
 First Presbyteriari and St. Paul- street Methodist Churches, in 
 both of which places the meetings were continued with great 
 power. This was at 3:30 o'clock. 
 
 The evening service was held in St. Paul-street Methodist 
 Church. As usual, the edifice was not able to contain the people, 
 notwithstanding all the churches were kept open. 
 
 Mr. Hammond read Matthew xxvii., and commented particu- 
 larly on the question asked by Pilate, "What shall I do with Jesus 
 who is called Christ ?'' saying that many here are asking the same 
 question, and reminding them that soon our position shall be 
 changed and Jesus will be saying, "What shall I do with you? 
 What do you deserve from the Judge of all the earth ?" He then 
 announced his text from John iii. 16: "God so loved the world 
 
33 
 
 that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever beheveth in 
 Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The following 
 is a brief synopsis of his sermon : 
 
 " The text impHes that whosoever does not believe on the 
 Lord Jesus Christ shall perish forever ; and the Bible says further 
 that * he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that 
 believeth not shall be damned ;' and ' The wicked shall be turned 
 into hell with ail the nations that forget God.' I intend, with 
 God's help, to say a few very solemn words of warning to-night, 
 and to-morrow I shall take up a more cheerful subject, and from 
 this out we wdl try and look on the bright side of the Christian 
 life. Let us take up first the word ' perish.' 
 
 " If you live and die a sinner, you will be forever separated 
 from God, and will not fulfil the end for which you were created, 
 and in that sense may be said to have perished. Some of you say 
 that all will be saved, and that God is not so cruel as to sentence 
 any to eternal damnation ; but I say that men only go to hell as a 
 natural result of the life they lead on earth, and I want to prove 
 that it was love that led God to give His law and attach the 
 penalty to it, or, in oHier words, hell is the expression of God's 
 love to a ruined world. Just imagine a man who has lived in sin 
 all his life, and who could not endure the company of Christians 
 living on earth being transferred to heaven, would it not be hell to 
 them ? What kind of a place would heaven be for the righteous 
 if all the wicked and their victims were allowed to go there ? 
 While in Switzerland, I saw a forest of beautiful trees, and was 
 told that the law of that place condemned to death any person who 
 would cut down one of these trees ; and I thought that a very 
 unjust law until I learned that those trees on the mountain side 
 were left to protect the village below from the terrible avalanche, 
 which carried death and destruction in its path. I then saw that 
 it was love for the inhabitants of those villages that induced the 
 magistrates of that place to enact such a law, and which at first 
 sight 1 thought so cruel ; and 1 say it was love that induced God 
 to enact His divine law which says, " The wages of sin is death," 
 and the just deserts of all who break God's holy law is eternal 
 punishment. God's laws r.re not unjust, but are the outcome of a 
 loving heart. Yes, God loves you a million times more than any 
 earthly father ever loved his son. 
 
 " Up to this time I have been preaching the law. I shall now, 
 God helping me, try to present the gospel, and hold up to you the 
 Savior who shed his blood for you, that you might have everlasting 
 life. Suppose Jesus was to appear here to-night and tell you the 
 story of his sufferings and death, and say that all his efforts to 
 procure salvation were in vain, would not a sense of gratitude impel 
 us to fall at his feet and worship him, even though all his efforts 
 were in vain ? But he does not come with such a message ; no, he 
 
34 
 
 comes with the glad tidings that the Father's justice has been 
 satisfied ; and although it has cost him so much suffering and 
 sorrow, and such a cruel death, yet he does all this for you, and 
 now he brings you a full and free salvation. Oh ! shall it be in 
 vain that the pardon is offered to-night ; shall all the prayers that 
 have gone up from Christian hearts be in vain ? Oh ! dear Saviour! 
 Can you treat lightly such an invitation from him who bought 
 your pardon at such a cost ? And now who, by standing up, will 
 say I want to thank my Jesus for what he has done for me, and to 
 love him while life shall last? Jesus says, "Though you have hated 
 me without a cause, yet I have suffered all this for you ; I am here 
 to-night with salvation full and free for all." 
 
 Mr. Hammond then closed his powerful and earnest exhortation 
 by singing the beautiful and touching old hymn, commencing with 
 "I have a mother in the Promised Land," the choir and congre- 
 gation joining in the chorus, and as the verses following were sung, 
 taking up the brother, sister, father, &c., we think that many 
 hearts sent forth a desire to meet those of their friends who have 
 gone on before, and many were moved to tears as they thought of 
 the parting scenes that had taken place in their own homes — and 
 of the promises made to loved ones gone before. 
 
 On an invitation being given to all who wanted to express 
 their gratitude to God, and who had just started during these 
 meetings, or who had not yet given their hearts to Christ, to stand 
 up, not less than 300 persons arose to their feet ; and the invitation 
 being broadened to include those who were not particularly 
 anxious, but who were willing that Christians should pray for 
 them, the number was largely increased ; and on the Christians 
 being called upon to stand up, there were comparatively few left 
 on their seats. The great majority of the people remained to the 
 inquiry meeting, and last night's meeting was, without doubt, the 
 most powerful and successful yet. 
 
 At this time. Rev. Mr. Swan, of Merritton, was carrying on a 
 work of revival, the tidal wave having begun to reach that portion 
 of the vineyard. We find the following item among our notes : 
 
 *• The meetings in the adjoining village of Merritton are rapidly 
 assuming a msst interesting phase, and many are being aroused to 
 a necessity of seeking an interest in the blood of the Saviour. The 
 Methodist Church last evening was filled to overflowing. Mr. 
 Charles Hamilton, of St. Catharines, gave a most interesting and 
 practical address from the first verse of the 23rd Psalm, 'The 
 Lord is my shepherd.' Mr. Hamilton held the attention of his 
 
35 
 
 :i\i(Hence completely, and his words produced a marked effect upon 
 the minds of many. An inquiry meeting developed the fact that 
 numbers are anxiously seeking the way of salvation. Let the good 
 work go on." 
 
 In the morning service, Mr. Hamilton spoke of the Merritton 
 meeting — men in tears, seeking Jesus. S )me have foun 1 the 
 Saviour. There are young men who attend these meetings we 
 want to remember in prayer. Quite a lew volunteered to go to 
 Merritton to help, (irimsby and Port Dalhousie seem especially 
 anxious that Mr. Hammond may visit them. In speaking of the 
 St. Catharines work, Mr. Hammond said : " What we want here 
 is a fire that will light up all the villages miles and miles around." 
 
 In the evening a most profound sermon was preached, one 
 which was the salvation of many. We append the following 
 synopsis : 
 
 Mr. Hammond announced that his subject to-night would be 
 the recognition of friends in heaven ; and while it will be specially 
 adapted to Christians, we hope that many who have not made 
 their peace wiih God may resolve to do so, as they view the joys 
 in store for the blessed in eternity. 
 
 The text chosen was from Psalms cxii. 6, "The righteous 
 shall be in everlasting remembrance." God has implanted in 
 every human heart a desire to be remembered, and everywhere we 
 see this principle cropping out, and if properly controlled this 
 desire is not wrong. And the text teaches that the righteous shall 
 have this desire gratified. By whom shall we be remembered ? 
 1st — By God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. 
 2nd — By Christian friends that we have known and loved on 
 earth. 3rd — By those we have been instrumental in leading to 
 Christ. 
 
 First, then, the righteous shall be remembered by the Triune 
 God, who having saved us in the beginning will love us to the end. 
 Yes, we will be loved and remembered by God the Father, and we 
 Will be loved through all eternity by God the Son, who purchased 
 our salvation for us. If we, by accepting of pardon, express our 
 gratitude and secure everlasting life, we will be loved by God the 
 Holy Spirit, through whose gentle but powerful influence we are 
 led to seek the better life. 
 
 Second. We who are righteons, and, through accepting Christ, 
 find our way to heaven, will be remembered and loved through all 
 eternity by our Christian friends that we have known and loved on 
 earth. Just here I wish to say that I have, in the few days that I 
 have spent here, learned to love the dear Christian people with 
 whom I have worked here, and especially the children who have 
 given their hearts to God; and although our paths may diverge, 
 
36 
 
 yet the text brings comfort, for we know that if we each pursue 
 our various paths through life, they will converge again towards 
 the end, and we will meet again where parting is no more. Ah I 
 my friends, we shall know and love each other there ; the ISible 
 teaches us so, and our own feelings and desires teach the same 
 truths. It IS not the name of Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, or 
 Kpiscopalian that will bring about this result. It is said that once 
 as George Whitfield was representing the scene now before us in 
 one of his earnest sermons, he called out, "Father Abraham, are 
 there any Presbytetians in heaven ?" No. "Any Methodists ?" 
 No. "Any Baptists ?" No. "Any Episcopalians ?" No. " Who, 
 . then, are there ?" The righteous. It is said there will be three 
 wonders in heaven. First, we will wonder that we are there ; 
 second, we will wonder at not seeing some there whom we expected, 
 and thirdly, we will wonder at seeing some there whom we did 
 not expect to see. This world is made up of meetings and partings, 
 but when we meet beyond this vale of tears, there will be no more 
 partings. This is a comforting thought to those who have fathers, 
 mothers or dear children gone on before. Let us be prepared to 
 meet them on the evergreen shore. 
 
 Thirdly, we shall be known and loved by those we have been 
 instrumental in leading to Christ, and many to whom you may 
 have dropped an earnest word in these inquiry meetings may greet 
 you with thanks at the gate of heaven. Oh! Christians, won't you 
 go to work and try and point some one to Jesus ? While in one of 
 the picture galleries of Europe, I stood viewing with deep interest 
 a magnificent battle scene. Just then an old soldier came hobbling 
 along, and with evident pride said, *I was in that battle; I manned 
 a gun in that engagement.' Seeing another passing, I asked him 
 if he took part in that victorious struggle, but with a sad look he 
 said, 'Oh, no! I was a prisoner of Napoleon's at that time,' In 
 the great coming judgment day will you have it to say that you 
 took part in this struggle for right ; or will you have to acknowledge 
 that you were a prisoner of Satan's at that time ? But there is 
 another recognition spoken of in God's word, and by way of 
 warning I will read it. It is found in Isaiah xiv. 15th to 19th : 
 " Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 
 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider 
 thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that 
 did shake kingdoms, that made the world as a wilderness, and des- 
 troyed the cities thereof, that opened not the house of his prisoners ? 
 All the kings of the nation, even all of them, lie in glory, every one 
 in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an 
 abominable branch." 
 
 The following is a brief account of one of the most interesting 
 morning meetings yet held. It took place on the morning of 
 January 17th : 
 
37 
 
 "The usual IJible reading yesterday was conducted by Rev. 
 E. P. Hammond in the Queen Street Baptist Church. At half- 
 past nine the body of the church was rapidly filling. The interest 
 is intense. Ministers of all denominations are at work. Members 
 of all the churches have put down tiie bars of denominational and 
 sectarian feelings. All seem to be in awful earnestness in this 
 great work begun. 
 
 "Mr. Hammond not having arrived, Rev. Mr. Bruce gave out 
 a hymn. After the singing, he read the first epistle of John, 3rd 
 chapter, giving a talk on tne reason we do not see Jesus — our own 
 corruption — referring to the two natures in man. He said of 
 Paul's experience, 'So then I find a law, when I would do good, 
 evil is present with me.' 
 
 "At this period of the meeting Mr. Hammond came in and 
 explained his lateness, and said: Every step in the Bible has its 
 trials. God would have us depend on him. The more humble a 
 man is the more God will use him. There are times when we 
 must use the hammer of God's word. We want workers who have 
 taith in God, and who will use the 'sword of the Spirit." Mr. 
 Hammond referred to Jeremiah, ist chapter, as the Bible reading, 
 Jeremiah's vision and message to Jerusalem. Jeremiah felt his 
 weakness, for he said, ' I am but a little child,' but God said, 
 'Whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak, for I am with 
 thee to deliver thee.' And the Lord put forth his hand and touched 
 his mouth, and said, 'Behold, I have put my words into thy 
 mouth.' Are we willing to open our lips and let God give us the 
 words, and say, 'Put thy spirit in my heart and thy words in my 
 mouth.' Some times we have to go to work and do His service 
 blindfolded. We would not do it if we were to see the surround- 
 ings ; but God knows what is best for us, and just the way we can 
 be led best. God's word is a hammer that will break the hardened 
 heart. To illustrate, Mr. Hammond referred to a young and 
 talented lady, an avowed infidel, in Newark. How the hammer oi 
 conviction struck home with power the truth of God's word. 'The 
 fool hath said in his heart there is no God.' We want to go with 
 God's word and God's Spirit to these evening meetings." 
 
 The following is a synopsis of one of the most impressive 
 evening services held at this time : 
 
 "After reading the evening lesson Mr. Hammond announced 
 his text from Mark xv. 34 : ' My God, my God, why hast thou for- 
 saken me ?' We shall try and take into consideration to-night the 
 subject of the Divinity of Christ, and I ^sk you to come with me 
 across two long bridges, one of time and the other of space. The 
 bridge of time is over 1,800 years long, and that of space about 
 5,000 miles. We see a whole city in commotion. We ask wJiat 
 is the cause of the excitement, and learn that a trial is going on in 
 Pilate's judgment hall, and a man who is well known throughout 
 
38 
 
 that region is on trial for his life. We learn that he is to suffer 
 the terrible Roman crucifixion, and after being scourged and 
 crowned with thorns he is led outside the city walls, and as we 
 see him in the terrible agony of death, let us candidly ask and try 
 to answer these three questions : ist, Who is yon person? 2nd, 
 What is the character of his suffering? 3rd, For whom is he 
 suffering ? We don't ask you to take anything for granted. We 
 are here on a committee of investigation*. We are here to learn 
 something, and to ask who this is suffering between two male- 
 factors. Ask the Jew standing near, and he will tell you that he 
 is a vile impostor who claimed to be King of the Jews. Ask that 
 other man standing near, with an almost heavenly glow on his 
 face, and hear him say, 'Let me first tell you who I am. My name 
 is Lazarus of Bethany. I was dead and buried, and my sisters, 
 with burdened hearts, mourned my loss, and this man who can be 
 none other than Christ the Son of God called me back from the 
 embrace of death.' Ask the young man near by and he will tell 
 you that he is the only son of his mother and she is a widow ; that 
 he was dead and on his way to the grave when this Jesus called 
 him back to comfort his mother's declining years. Ask the little 
 girl weeping among yon group of women, and learn that she too 
 had passed from earth away, and at the call of this God-man she 
 returned to cheer her father's heart. Ask that man from Jericho, 
 and he answers, ' I was a poor, blind beggar by the wayside, and 
 hearing that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by I cried unto him, 
 and he heard me and opened my blind eyes, and I praised him 
 with a perfect sight.' So I might interrogate those who stood 
 around the cross by the hour with the same result. Some were 
 lepers, others possessed of the devil; but now they are here clothed 
 and in their right mind, and f :'stify to the more than human power 
 of him who is dying on the crcFS. But we have other means of 
 knowing. We learn from G' j s own Word, in Isaiah ix. 6, where 
 we read, ' For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given : and 
 the government shall be upon his shoulders : and his name shall 
 be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God.' And the whole 
 gospel of John was written to prove the divinity of Christ, which 
 we learn from a careful reading of its contents. And in Hebrews 
 i. 8, 9, hear what God says, ' But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, 
 O God, is for ever and ever : a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre 
 of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniqui- 
 ty ; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil 
 of gladness above thy fellows.' (Mr. H. here introduced what he 
 called a flesh and blood illustration, being an account of the con- 
 version ol the great lexicographer, Noah Webster, who did not be- 
 lieve in the divinity of Christ; but from a careful study of the New 
 Testament was led to believe in, and give his heart to Christ.) 
 My friends, Ihe crucified one was none other than the Christ the 
 Son of the living God. Second question — What did he suffer ? I 
 
39 
 
 cannot answer that queation; it will take all eternity to answer that 
 question. He suffered great physical sufferings, but his soul suf- 
 ferings were infinitely greater than his physical sufferings; yea, it 
 will take an eternity to answer that question. In other words, if 
 after millions of years we in heaven were asked the question we 
 could not answer. I must leave this question and proceed to the 
 third question — For whom did he suffer? That is the practical 
 question for us, and, sinners, I want you to look to the cross to- 
 night and feel that your dear Saviour is suffering all this for you." 
 
 We close this chapter with an editorial from the Daily News : 
 
 "The rise and progress of the revival in this city furnishes am- 
 ple food for reflection, and to every thinking mind it is particularly 
 suggestive. When it was first announced through the daily press 
 that the Rev. E. P. Hammond, the well-known revivalist, would 
 commence his labors here at a given date, it scarcely caused a 
 ripple of inquiry upon the surface of society. With the exception 
 of the brief notices just alluded to, and the announcements made 
 from their pulpits by the Ministers principally interested (and even 
 some of these were to a greater or less extent prejudiced against 
 him) Mr. Hammond came here unknown and unheralded. 
 
 "To be sure there were one or two individuals in the city who 
 had before met Mr. Hammond, and were to some extent conversant 
 with his manner of working, but they, too, were strongly prejudiced 
 against him, and what of influence they had was cast in the balance 
 on the opposit 2 end of the scale. But he came, and those who 
 opposed him, and those who were prepared in advance to dislike 
 him, and those who from hearsaj^ did dislike him, may exclaim in 
 the language of the facetious dispatch of a conquered general, 
 "We have met the enemy and we are his." 
 
 "St. Catharines, in the character of its people, is eminently 
 conservative. They are anything but easily moved. Excitement 
 finds but little rest here for the soles of its feet. Our people are 
 but little liable to be moved by any tidal wave that may impinge 
 on the shores of their fair city. They are determined to hear, and 
 hearing, to judge of the worthiness of the candidate for public 
 favor, for such must any man be who comes before them occupy- 
 ing the position of the Rev. E. P. Hammond. But, we repeat, he 
 came. He was heard. Public opinion, though divided, would 
 have polled a majority against him. Many, very many, were sadly 
 disappointed. They had formed an opinion, though upon what 
 they knew not, yet they had formed one, and the reality was in no 
 wise the equal of the ideal. The manner of the man; his fund of 
 anecdote and illustration; his seemingly disconnected manner of 
 presenting his subjects; a lack, as many thought, of that sacred 
 solemnity with which matters theological and biblical should be 
 treated, left no very good impression upon the minds of many of 
 his hearers, and they retired from his meetings resolved to never 
 
40 
 
 a^ain go t(3 hear him preach. He labored on. One by one the 
 disjointed and disconnected links began to unite. One by one, as 
 if by the attraction of cohesion, the seemingly far separated illus- 
 trations began to join themselves together and grow up into a body 
 of solid proportions out of which stood the simple truths of the 
 Gospel of Jesus Christ so clearly defined, so sharply outlined, and 
 so plain that they seemed a new creation, even to those who had 
 made a life study of all its grand precepts. The change was won- 
 derful. A new vigor was at once infused into the hearts of minis- 
 ters and laymen, and they saw that the Holy Spirit indeed blessod 
 the work of the Evangelist. Then, and not till then, did the work 
 begin to manifest itself. Its first hold was upon the hearts of the 
 children, and from them it appealed with resistless eloquence to 
 the hearts of their parents, and the tide of Salvation began to 
 flow. The work is but fairly begut:. Men who had been life-long 
 advocates of infidelity and rationalism were forced to admit the 
 power of the Holy Spirit, and were persuaded to yield to its in- 
 fluences. Men who placed no confidence in revivals, who \yere 
 opposed to them as they believed from principle, began to attend 
 the meetings and were finally led to the Saviour. It is wonderful 
 how the city is agitated. It is the subject of conversation in every 
 family, by the side of every hearthstone, in every store and in 
 every workshop. Knots of men discuss it upon the corners of the 
 streets, and the all-pervading questions are, 'Where will it end ?' 
 and ' Is it of man, oris it of God ?' In the present a-<pect of the 
 wonderful movement, there is food for deep thought. If, and there 
 is no doubt such is the case, hardened, wicked men, are being 
 transformed into good men and better citizens with higher aspira- 
 tions, the aggregate good cannot but affect every citizen, and in 
 consequence should receive his hearty support. That Mr. Ham- 
 mond, and his able coadjutors in the work, are but mstruments in 
 the hands of a higher power, no one will care to deny, and we 
 simply submit that if such be the case, it is but the duty of all to 
 at least give the aid of their countenance and approval, and, indeed, 
 we doubt if they can withhold it and be blameless." 
 
41 
 
 
 -/■;' ■ I 
 
 :..;..>.-..;.,.,., v. ,v.-i CHAPTER IV. :.,.::':■'■:■■ „ , „. 
 
 EXPERIENCES— THE FAREWELL NIGHT^MR. HAMMONDS DE- 
 ; t ^- • ; , ,./ PARTURE- CONCLUSION. : ::*; . . ; . . 
 
 Admonished that if we would keep within the prescribed Hmits 
 of our little work we must soon draw it to a close, we think it best 
 at this point to give a few of the experiences which have been re- 
 lated at these meetings. They are given in the words of the parties 
 themselves, all of whom are well known in the city, and who are 
 still enthusiastic in the cause, growing daily in grace, and walking 
 fully in the light of Divine Love. 
 
 Major J. H. Durham: Dear Sir, — At your urgent request I 
 send you the following, hoping that it may prove a help to some 
 seeking soul. 
 
 When Mr. Ham' ond first came to St. Catharines I held my- 
 self aloof from his u eetings, contenting myself with hearing re- 
 ports of them from others. Early after his advent here my wife 
 commenced to attend his meetings ; noticed a change in her de- 
 meanor, but made no remark. I was certainly very glad to see 
 the effect on her. She tried to induce me to accompany her ; 
 resisted for some time, always remarking that I took no stock in 
 in that kind of work, and until I saw some fruits of the work done 
 I would not go. My mother returned from the meetings with my 
 wife to my house on several occasions. She also tried to induce 
 me to attend them. I, however, held out until it was announced 
 that Mr. Hammond would deliver a discourse on Masonry. Had 
 an engagement to spend the evening with a friend at his house, 
 called on him to cancel it and also mentioned to him the cause for 
 my doing so, and requested him to go also, which he consented to 
 do, he being also a member of the craft. Accompanied by my 
 wife we wended our way to the St. Paul Street Methodist Church 
 where Mr. Hammond held forth in the evening ; must say that the 
 discourse on Masonry was not what I expected to hear, but as I 
 discovered afterwards it was but the preliminary to something else. 
 Do not recollect where the text was taken from, but this I do know, 
 an indiscribable feeling took possession of my entire being. An 
 allusion was made during the sermon to loved ones who had gone 
 before to that bourne from whence no traveller returns. Then 
 I t ' .ought of my little boy whom I had lost by death some two 
 years before, a child whom I loved with the whole strength of my 
 being. I believed that my boy was an angel in heaven; it seemed 
 
42 
 
 to me that my whole past life came in review before me, felt and 
 knew that I had been living a very sinful life and vowed I would 
 change my manner of living. Saw that it was necessary to do so 
 did I ever expect to see my boy again. Felt subdued, and when 
 introduced during the inquiry meeting to Mr. Hammond was much 
 pleased with the simple manner of his address, and when asked by 
 him if I did not wish to be a Christian, said 1 did wish to be one 
 but was not then prepared. He said there was no time like the 
 present, but still I was obdurate. Mr. Brookman, my old pastor, 
 also spoke to me, asking me to come to Christ as there was so little 
 for me to do. He explained that Christ had already died for me, 
 and all I had to do was to accept Christ for my Saviour and that 
 my sins would be forgiven me. Replied to him also that I was not 
 prepared to-night, although I knew afterwards that it was n«ithing 
 but my pride stood in the way ol my at once acknowledging myself 
 a sinner; however, I went home, leaving my wife behind me. I 
 took off my overshoes and coat, filled my pipe, and began to 
 ruminate over the events of the evening. I was troubled, my 
 pipe gave me no comfort as it used to do. Finally got up, saying 
 to my mother-in-law who was sittmg near me that I thought I 
 would go and see my wife home ; anyway that was the excuse I 
 gave. I wanted to go back to the church and hear more, but met 
 my wife on her way home in company with my brother and his 
 wife; returned with them to their home, where some explanations 
 ensued which healed up a breach which had been in existence 
 some time. This all happened on Friday evening, just two weeks 
 after Mr. Hammond came to the city. That night I went down on 
 my knees and prayed fervently to God to look down on me and 
 make a better man of me, and I believe God heard my prayers; for 
 next day I felt different to my iellow creatures than I ever did be- 
 fore and also that my thoughts ran in a different mould. Thought 
 seriously of what I had heard the evening previous and determined 
 to become a Christian. If I had had any doubts they were entirely 
 dispelled on my attending divine service at St. Thomas Church on 
 Sunday evening following, the services being conducted by the 
 Rev. Mr. Carmichael, of Hamilton; during the sermon he touched 
 on the responsibility of parents to their children, and as I was 
 raising a family took the sermon home to myself, and determined 
 to show them by example the proper course for them to pursue ; 
 also attended Mr. Hammond's meetings in the Drill Shed and the 
 inquiry meeting which took place immediately after in the First 
 Presbyterian Church in the afternoon of the same day, and after 
 leaving St. Thomas Church in the evening went to the St. Paul 
 Street Church where Mr. Hammond held forth; was just in .time 
 to hear the closing words of his discourse; remained to the inquiry 
 meeting and was much pleased with what I saw and the evidence 
 that God's spirit was with the meeting, which could be seen in the 
 anxious appearance of a great many there. Was asked that night 
 
43 
 
 to sign the Covenant ; refused, saying that I still had some doubt. 
 Friend Wetherald proposed that we should all kneel and pray ; still 
 held back saying let me be another day, was early at the meeting 
 on Monday evening and on that night signed the Covenant and 
 gave my heart wtiolly to Jesus; went home in a state of happiness 
 I thought it impossible to possess; raised the family altar in my 
 home and commenced reading my bible, which as long as it con- 
 tinues and having an abiding faith in the Lord Jesus I have no fear 
 for the result. 
 
 As I mentioned before, my feelings were indescribable. An 
 ambition seemed to possess me to do something to make myself 
 useful in the cause of the Master. I immediately went to work 
 with, I am thankful, some satisfactory result. Somehow matters 
 which used to oppress me, when laying in my bed after retiring, 
 now have no terrors for me. They seem to have taken wings to 
 themselves and flown away, and I feel perfectly happy. I have a 
 very happy home, much more so than I ever had before, every- 
 thing being in perfect accord. In looking back on my past life, I 
 can see how much I have lost, and how much I would have gained 
 had I given my heart to Jesus years ago. My heart swells with a 
 feeling of gratitude to Almighty God that in his divine wisdom he 
 directed the footsteps of Mr. Hammond to this city. 
 
 Now, my friends, whoever may happen to read this, I would 
 like to give them a little friendly advice. Turn from your ways of 
 sin and lead a pure life; accept Jesus into your heart; let not the 
 probable sneers and scoffs of your companions deter you. Such 
 action on their part may please them, and will not hurt you ; it 
 will be all their loss and your gain. Come out and show your 
 colors, ind your example may draw them in also to declare them- 
 selves as members of the army of the Great Master, and when 
 your work is done you can lay down contentedly with the en- 
 conium, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." 
 
 James McMaugh. 
 
 Major J. H. Durham : Dear Sir, — On Oct. 13, 1879, I lost a 
 very dear friend — my father. About a week before he sent for me, 
 and asked me if I would try and meet him in heaven. I told him 
 that I would, and I assure you that there was not a day passed 
 that I did not think of his words. I wanted to be a Christian, but 
 did not know how to get the change of heart. On Friday, Jan. 23, 
 Capt. James McMaugh came into the shop, and told me that he 
 would not come up to my house that night as he agreed to, as Mr. 
 Hammond was going to preach that night in the Methodist Church, 
 and would say something that would benefit Masons, and being a 
 member of the craft I concluded to go. I paid particular attention, 
 but did not feel affected any. When I got home, my wife asked me 
 where I had been ; told her to hear Mr. Hammond. She asked me 
 how I liked him, and I told her that I did not think much of him, 
 
44 
 
 as he had too much performing to suit me, as I liked to hear a man 
 preach to the point and stand still. The next Sunday night, went 
 to St. Thomas' Church to hear Rev. Mr. Carmichael. His text 
 was, " A man's biggest enemy is in his own household." He illus- 
 trated it so finely, by showing how closely a little child would watch 
 and imitate every move its father would make. Going home, my 
 wife told me that was a good lesson for me to take. I told her 
 I did not think it was any more for me than for anybody else. The 
 next morning I was doing something in the kitchen, and my little 
 boy, two years and nine months old, was looking on. Something 
 went wrong, and I ripped out a terrible oath. My little boy looked 
 up in my face and repeated that same oath three times. I assure 
 you that I felt very bad, and my wife came up to me and said she 
 would be one of the happiest women in the world if I would only 
 quit my swearing, and I made up my mind that I would. On Mon- 
 day night I went and heard Mr. Hammond, and liked him much 
 better, and stayed to the inquiry meeting. Mr. Badgley came and 
 asked me if I had got the question settled yet. Told him that I 
 had not. He asked me why I hadn't. Told him that I did not 
 feel it in my heart. The next night I went to hear Mr. Hammond 
 again, and stayed to the inquiry meeting. Was going home when 
 Capt. Jas. McMaugh stopped me and said he wanted to introduce 
 me to Mr. Hammond. On being introduced, Mr. Hammond asked 
 me if I was a Christian. Told him that I was not. He asked me 
 why I wasn't. Told him that I couldn't be a Christian till I felt 
 it in my heart. He asked me if I didn't think that Jesus Christ 
 died for all sinners. Told him I did, and then he asked me if I 
 would pray that night when I went home. Told him I would. 
 Went the next night and stopped for inquiry meeting, and several 
 of the brethren came and spoke to me, and Captain McMaugh 
 asked me to come in the other room, where Mr. Hammond came 
 and shook hands with me, and asked me if I had prayed as I 
 agreed to do. Told him I did, and he asked me if I thought I felt 
 any better. Told him that I didn't think I did. He said I should 
 keep on praying and I should be sure to get a change of heart. 
 Promised him I would, but my prayers were like all sinners, pray- 
 ing and thinking of some business matters the same time. Went 
 every night till Sunday, the first of February, when Mr. Hammond 
 preached to men only. Felt very uneasy. Something kept tell- 
 ing me that I should go home and pray earnestly, but the sermon 
 that night impressed my mind so that I was determined that if 
 there was such a thing as a change of heart 1 was going to have 
 it. Went home about twelve; got in the house with my night-key, 
 went to my bedroom and called my wife. She jumped up quick 
 and asked me what was the matter, that I looked so strange. Told 
 her that I wanted her to pray for me, and that I was going to pray 
 for myself. We both knelt down at the lounge and prayed to God 
 to forgive my sins and make me a Christian, which I know He did. 
 
45 
 
 When we got up in the morning we both knelt down at the bed 
 and prayed again, and I can assure you that I felt that day that 
 my heart was changing. Went that night and heard Mr. Ham- 
 mond, and Captain McMaugh asked me if I thought that I could 
 sign the Covenant Card. Told him not that night, but that I 
 would the next night. Went home and felt that I was a saved 
 man, and I prayed that night with a lighter heart than I ever did 
 before. The next day I went and told my mother that I was 
 a saved man and that the Lord Jesus Christ had forgiven my sins, 
 and she cried with joy. I thank God for sending Mr. Hammond 
 to St. Catharines, for I know that he has been the means of my 
 being a saved man. Hoping whoever reads this story of my con- 
 version, if he ain't a Christian that he will pray in earnest, and not 
 as I used to do, for God has power and is willing to save every 
 sinner. Yours truly, James A. Grobb. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 Maj. J. H. Durham : Dear Sir, — In compliance with your re- 
 quest, I send you the enclosed, hoping that it may prove a help to 
 some one who is seeking Christ. Samuel McLean. 
 
 My attention was first called to the meetings by my wife, who 
 asked me to attend them, but I refused to go with her and allowed 
 her to go alone. I would meet her outside the church and go 
 home with her. This state of things continued for over a week. 
 I saw all the time that she was feeling dispirited and cast down, 
 and when I inquired the reason, she said that she was desirous 
 that I should attend the meetings as she thought it would benefit 
 me ; I told her that I would go that evening, and I did so just to 
 please her, not in the least thinking that I should hear anything 
 which would influence me in any direction. That meeting touched 
 me. I thought Mr. Hammond was alluding constantly to me. I 
 thought that some one had informed him of my past life. I re- 
 fused, however, to accede to the wishes of my wife to stay to the 
 inquiry meeting, making an excuse that I was not well. The truth 
 IS, I was condemned and I knew it, although I attempted to brave 
 it out, and fought against my feelings as strongly as I could. The 
 next day my wife went away on a visit, and when she left she re- 
 quested me to attend the meeting that night, and I promised her 
 that I would do so, and I did as she requested. On going to that 
 meeting, instead of going to the front like a man I made my way 
 round to the rear entrance and went in. The church was crowded, 
 and some of my friends asked me to take a seat, and I refused to 
 sit so as not to be noticed when they stood up for prayers, being 
 already standing. I started to go home just before the inquiry 
 meeting and only got a little way outside the door, when some 
 impulse, I know not what took me back inside again. I stood 
 a few minutes, and when several of the ministers came and asked me 
 if I was a Christian, I would answer yes, so that they would go 
 away and not talk to me. Pretty soon the new converts began 
 
46 
 
 to relate their experiences, and, attracted by those, I insensibly- 
 worked my way half along the aisle and directly I found where I 
 was, I got out of that and left for home. There alone I read the 
 bible, tried to pray, and was generally uncomfortable, until it was 
 two o'clock before I went to bed. The next morning there was a 
 meeting on the market. I could hear them speaking and singing 
 and I felt badly, the tears running down my face as I thought of 
 my sinful condition. My wife came home in the evening, and at 
 tea I told her that she had better not wait for me to come home 
 as it would be late. When I went home between ii and 1 2 o'clock 
 I found her still sitting up, and I asked h«r why she did not go to 
 bed. She said that she could not sFeep as the doors were not 
 fastened. She then retired, and 1 sat up thinking, and finally con- 
 cluded that I would read the bible, but I did not want her to see 
 me. I looked for the bible but could not find it. I then thought 
 I would give it up, but somethmg urged me on, and 1 went into 
 the bedroom after it. I asked her if she had read a chapter in the 
 bible and she said she had, and that I ought to read one too. I 
 took the bible and read a chapter or two and then prayed. Sunday 
 I felt no better and stayed from church. After dinner she wanted 
 me to go to the Drill Shed with her, but I felt ashamed and would 
 not go. I told her I was going for a walk, but I finally told her 
 that I would go to the Drill Shed, knowing that she could not get 
 ready to go along. I went and afterward started to go down town, 
 but turned back and went into the inquiry meeting in the church 
 and stayed until it was out. When I came out I felt a little better. 
 That night I went to church with my wife, and when the call came for 
 those to stand up who wanted to love Jesus, I felt that I could 
 not, but my wife stood up and when she touched me and I saw 
 her tearful eyes I arose also. After a while Mr. Hammond spoke 
 to me and shook hands and asked me if I would pray, and he 
 told me a prayer to go home and repeat, and told us both to pray, 
 and I promised him we would. We went home and prayed and 
 the same the next morning and also at noon, and I felt better, 
 felt more at rest, more peaceful. Went to church that evening, 
 felt happy and satisfied. I told Mr. Hammond that I had done as 
 he told me and that I felt better. I have kept up the family altar 
 ever since, have forsaken my evil ways, and thank God I now 
 rejoice in His salvation. 
 
 The following is the experience given by Mr. Edward Boyle, 
 
 a blind man : 
 
 I had always been more or less Sceptical, although brought up 
 in the Church of England. For the last ten or twelve years I had 
 become reckless and cared for nothing, and was fast going the down 
 grade. The first I knew of the meetings, I went into a grocery on 
 the Western Hill on the 14th of January, and heard them talking 
 about the great revivalist and what he was doing. I did not be- 
 
47 
 
 lieve in revivals, and characterized them as humbugs, but finally 
 thought I might as well go too. I felt that there was no danger of 
 being influenced by them, as I fully believed that no person except 
 one of weak intellect could be so influenced. I was not very favor- 
 ably impressed with Mr. Hammond at that time. The next even- 
 ing I went to Knox Church; and when he came to speak of a 
 mother's love and of his own mother, and when he told what she 
 said to her Edward, my name being the same, it seemed as if it 
 was my own mother speaking, and it melted me to tears, ol which 
 I felt very much ashamed. It set me thinking. It took me back 
 to childhood's days, and I saw myself a child once .nore, kneeling 
 at my mother's knee saying my prayers ; still 1 would not allow 
 myself to yield, attributing it to natural emotion only. Mr. Cross- 
 ley came to me and gave me that passage of Scripture in Isaiah Iv. 7. 
 Those words dwelt in my heart and occupied my thoughts together 
 with others until I was all broken down; but yet it was not until 
 the 26th that I was forced to yield, although I attended every 
 meeting and could not keep away. Since that time I am at rest. 
 I feel that "peace which passeth all understanding." I have 
 given up the use of liquor and tobacco. I feel that my sins are all 
 forgiven, and that I have been cleansed in His blood who died on 
 the cross for me. 
 
 Space and time forbid anything like a synopsis even of the 
 farewell meeting in St. Paul-street Church. Such a crowd was 
 never before witnessed within its walls. It was beyond descrip- 
 tion. Short addresses were given by Rev. Messrs. Calvert, Crews, 
 Johnson, Stewart, Crossley, Burson, Bruce, Griffin, and Friend 
 Wetherald, all of which were affecting, some witty, and all grand 
 testimonials to Mr. Hammond and his labors, through the power 
 of the Holy Spirit, for the salvation of souls. In several cases there 
 were free and frank confessions of prejudices at first entertained, 
 but now completely broken down and eradicated. 
 
 The closing scenes of the meeting were something to witness. 
 After great effort a passage was cleared across the platform, and 
 the several ministers placing themselves on either side of it began 
 to shake hands with the throng, who ascending to the platform on 
 one side passed off the other and out of the church toward their 
 homes. In a little time a current was established, and hundreds 
 moved along and across the platform while other hundreds despair- 
 ing of reaching the platform at all went awa}' without the coveted 
 farewell grip. Hundreds said, "well, wasn't that a good meeting.-"' 
 "It did my soul good to be there," was the exclamation on every 
 
48 
 
 side. The occasion will dwell long in the minds and hearts of the 
 people of St. Catharines. 
 
 Having exceeded the limits to which we proposed to extend 
 this little work, we can only add that the final parting with Mr. 
 Hammond at the Great Western Station was one of mingled joy 
 and sorrow — ^joy at the great good which had been accomplished 
 during his stay amongst us — sorrow at parting with him, probably 
 forever. Two hundred or more persons accompanied him to the 
 station, where, while waiting for the train, a brief service of song 
 and prayer was held, during which the train dashed up, and amid 
 many hearty hand-shakes and heartfelt God-bless-you's Mr. Ham- 
 mond stepped on board, and was soon on his way to Belleville. 
 
 And still the work goes on. Mr. Hammond has left us, but 
 his mantle has fallen on worthy shoulders, and still the Holy Spirit 
 is with us and the Lord is adding to the church daily such as are 
 saved. 
 
 Dear reader, our task is done. We have on hand enough 
 material for yet another volume of this size, and it is quite pos- 
 sible that our selections could have been better made, but the 
 work is before you, and we can only hope that it may prove a 
 comfort and solace to some saved soul.