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THE 
 
 HARVEST WORK 
 
 OV 
 
 THE HOLY SPIRIT, 
 
 ILLUSTRATED IN THE EVANGELISTIC LABORS 
 
 REV. EDWARD PAYSON HAMMOND, 
 
 EDITED BY REV. P. C. HEADLEY, 
 
 AUTHOB OF " WOMEN OP THE BIBLE," " JOSEPHINE," " KOSSUTH," ETC, 
 
 "Say not ye, There are yet four monlhs, and then cometh 
 harvest."— John iv. 35. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 HENRY H O Y T 
 
 No. 9 Cornhill. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by 
 HENRY HOYT, 
 la the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 A general and sufficient reason for the publica- 
 tion of such a work is found, in the following ex- 
 tract from the British Standard, by Eev. Dr. Campbell, 
 of London, referring to Mr. Hammond's labors in 
 Scotland : " One theatre of his operations was 
 Dumfries, where a work of a very extraordinary 
 character was carried on for a lengthened period. 
 All sects and denominations united, and (here was 
 such a movement both in and around the town as, 
 we believe, was never previously heard of. The 
 largest church edifices were too small to accommo- 
 date the meetings which were held both day and 
 night. The facts of the enterprise were recorded 
 in a very interesting pamphlet, which was sent us, 
 and which we publish in successive portions in the 
 British Ensign, We have reason to believe that 
 the narrative was read with very deep interest, and 
 that it has been extensively useful. 
 
 " Mr. Hammond next appeared in Glasgow, 
 where he labored with equal zeal, energy, and suc- 
 cess, surrounded, encouraged, and sustained by 
 ministers of the various denominations. The ac- 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 count of his doings there, and those of his zealous 
 associates, have now reached us in the form of a 
 handsome volume, entitled ' Good- will to Men : a 
 narrative of Evangelistic labors, and of the blessed 
 results which attended them during his visit to 
 Glasgow, in the Spring of 18G1 : with an intro- 
 ductory note by the Rev. Dr. Hetherington, Pro- 
 fessor of Theology, Free Church, Glasgow.' 
 
 " Amid the many interesting things in the volume, 
 the most important, we thinlc, is the report of the 
 soiree and presentation to Mr. Hammond, in Glas- 
 gow, prior to his departure. His own speech on 
 that occasion, made just on his return from Italy, 
 is one of very deep interest. We shall endeavor to 
 make room for it in the next number of the British 
 Ensign.''' 
 
 The present volume was suggested by the writer, 
 and its design is not to honor man, but God; to 
 furnish Christians and all friends of revivals, for 
 their own estimate of truth and duty, of evan- 
 gelistic labors and the great awakenings on both 
 sides of the Atlantic, sketches of the wonderful and 
 blessed harvest-scenes within a few years past. 
 
 The editor of these unpretending pages entered 
 upon his work, hopeful of God's guidance and 
 blessing, because, whatever the difference of opinion 
 of men and measures, all must feel that the whole 
 question of religious effort — the grapd enterprise of 
 a world's conversion, compared with which all other 
 
PREFACE. V 
 
 objects become Insignificant, is one of general con- 
 cern. And we believe the facts here given are 
 authentic. They were taken either from formal 
 narratives referred to, scrap-books containing the 
 reports of local papers, prepared by a lady in Scot- 
 land, or from written correspondence. All the works 
 upon revivals at command have been consulted, and 
 the reader left as far as possible to judge of prin- 
 ciples, facts and results, rather than invited to ac- 
 cept the views of any one connected with this 
 volume. It has been the constant endeavor to 
 keep, in its proper relation to the truthfulness and 
 usefulness of the book, the name of him whose 
 recent labors are embodied in it ; and it is now sent 
 forth with the prayer, that it may contribute to the 
 advancement of God's kingdom, and the encourage- 
 ment of those who long for its triumphant coming. 
 The introduction by Rev. J. J. Carruthers, D. D., 
 of the Pay son Church, Portland, who entered warm- 
 ly into the revival movement, and was greatly 
 favored with the divine presence in his congrega- 
 tion, will be found rich in Christian thought, and 
 enlarged views of the word's spiritual harvest. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The aggressive power of the Churcli of Christ 
 has been, as yet, very partially developed. The 
 associated missionary operations, which happily dis- 
 tinguish the present age, leave almost untouched the 
 talents committed to Christ's people — the moral 
 resources provided by the Head of the Church for 
 the evangelization of the world. The great mass 
 of Christian disciples are but little affected, by the 
 known condition, and the coming destiny of the 
 multitudes by whom they are surrounded. These 
 are perishing by thousands and by millions, for lack 
 of that knowledge which Christians have, and 
 which, by every consideration of fealty to Christ, 
 and charity and faithfulness to men, they are bound 
 to communicate to others. What mean the divinely 
 selected and employed emblems of their moral rela- 
 tion to the impenitent and unrenewed — the light 
 of the world, the salt of the earth, the leaven 
 secretly, silently, but surely leavening the whole 
 lump — if they do not imply the duty and privilege 
 of morally influencing those with whom they are 
 brought into immediate contact ? Does it, can it 
 comport with such symbols of diffusive action, that 
 
VIU INTRODUCTION". 
 
 those who know the grace of God in truth should 
 constantly associate with Cliristless, hopeless and 
 unholy relatives, friends, and fellow-citizens, with- 
 out conveying to these, in any way, the convictions 
 and forebodings entertained as to their actual condi- 
 tion in the sight of God, and their rapidly ap- 
 proaching destiny ? Christians have hearts to feel, 
 and eyes to weep, and tongues to utter the emotions 
 of affectionate and earnest sympathy in reference to 
 all that affects the temporal circumstances of their 
 friends and neio-hbors ; but how is it that so few 
 hearts are touched, so few tears shed, and so little 
 said or done, for interests so far outweighing in im- 
 portance the aggregate of all interests temporal and 
 earthly? Surely, it is high time that Christian 
 disciples of our own and of other lands, should 
 awake out of sleep, ponder deeply their solemn and 
 untransferable responsibilities, and give not merely 
 their prayers and their pecuniary contributions, b«t 
 themselves to tlie work of converting sinners and 
 saving souls from death. 
 
 To break this criminal, dishonorable and destruc- 
 tive slumber, and to bring the burden of conscious 
 responsibility to bear, with adequate pressure, on 
 the hearts and lips and lives of those who are 
 bought with a price and are not their own, has ever 
 been one leading object of those evangelistic labors, 
 which, with their expected and realized results, are 
 recorded in the present volume. 
 
INTEODUCTION. ix 
 
 Another principal and ever-prominent object of 
 these labors is to preach to children all the words of 
 this life ; to invite and urge them to come, in 
 penitence and hope, to Christ ; and thus to secure 
 their present and perpetual welfare. So wisely and 
 wondrously adapted is the truth, as it is in Jesus, to 
 the very earliest stages of mental development, that 
 a little child can know enough of its own sinfulness 
 and of Christ's grace and power, to become wise 
 unto salvation. A too common incredulity on this 
 point has been effectually overcome, by facts per- 
 petually occurring in connection with the labors 
 here detailed. The best, most precious, and most 
 promising fruits of these revivals are seen in the 
 conversion, salvation, and growing sanctity of child- 
 hood and early youth. 
 
 Multitudes, even in our own land, never hear the 
 gospel of the grace of God. In many so-called 
 sanctuaries, this gospel is supplanted by deadly 
 error, and tens of thousands are living and dying in 
 utter destitution of the power of godliness, and in 
 habitual disregard even of the forms of Christian 
 worship. Can these be reached, are they, in any 
 number, ever reached, by the ordinary agencies and 
 appliances of the Christian Church? — and,if not, 
 ought we not gratefully to welcome a means and 
 mode of action, which have proved so potent in the 
 hand of God, in calling back the prodigal to his 
 Father's house, and conducting the sheep, lost but 
 
X INTRODUCTION. 
 
 found, to the fold of the good shepherd ? Ought 
 not the Church, by her chosen and approved Evan- 
 gelists, to go forth to the highways and hedges, and 
 compel these outcasts to come in, and share the 
 bounties of redeeming grace ? The well-chosen 
 title of this book will secure the Christian reader, at 
 the outset, from all mistake as to the convictions and 
 expectations of the friend and brother, whose labors 
 of love are here brought to view. He serves the 
 Lord Christ, and ever seeks from Him direction, all 
 needed aid, and all desired success. He recognizes 
 and relies on the promised agency of the Holy 
 Spirit ; and, inasmuch as this is ever inseparably as- 
 sociated with the prayer of faith, he always and 
 everyv/here insists on this, as the sine qua non of 
 success in his momentous enterprise, that fervent, 
 inwrought prayer shall precede, accompany, and 
 follow every effort to persuade sinners to fiee from 
 the coming wrath, and seek the open, accessible, 
 and sure refuG^e of the cross. 
 
 May the circulation and perusal of this volume 
 instrumentally lead to more of that Harvest-work, 
 •which comes of the good seed of the kingdom, 
 fructified and ripened by the Sun of Righteousness, 
 and by the dew and rain of Heavenly grace ! 
 
 J. J. Carruthers. 
 Portland, Me., Nov. 10, 1862. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Preface 
 
 Introduction 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 What is a Revival ? — The relation of Revivals to the 
 growth of the Church — Hindrances to their occurrence 
 and progress — Testimony of Rev. James Caughy — 
 Rev. E. Porter, D. D. — Farewell words of John 
 Angell James — The work of the Evangelist — The pre- 
 sent position and duty of the Church 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Mr. Hammond's early home, and Conversion — Prepara- 
 tion for his work during his course of study — Sails for 
 Europe — Terrific scene at sea — His providential intro- 
 duction to the labors of an Evangelist — Awakening in 
 Musselburgh — Results 37 
 
 CHAPTER TIL 
 Revival in Gifford — Haddington, its historical interest, 
 and tlie awakening — Mission to the West of England 
 — Great open air meeting at Iluntly — The work in 
 adjacent towns, Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Tillicoultry — 
 The Mining District, MotbevAvell and Wisham — The 
 
 closing year's record 76 
 
 CHAPTER IV. * 
 
 The work of God in Annan — Testimony of secular papers, 
 statements of incidents — The Soldier, the Infidel — The 
 
 100 
 
XU CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Glasgow — the awakening there — Mr. Hammond's method 
 of conducting the Religious Services and style of 
 preaching — Children's Meeting — Meeting for Cabmen 
 — Letters — Summary 142 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Tour on the Continent — Letters from Geneva and 
 Milan — Letter from an officer of the Exmouth — Pre- 
 sentation Meeting in Glasgow — Meetings at Moffat, 
 London, Liverpool — Voyage in the Great Eastern — 
 Conversipns among Soldiers 179 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 Commencement of labors in Boston — Services at the Salem 
 Street Church — Records of the work — Cases of Con- 
 version — Revival in Portland — Interesting cases of 
 conversion 216 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 A week in Bethel — An unusual scene — Gorham, among 
 the White IMountains — Bath — Statement of Rev. J. 
 O. Fiske— South Paris— Farmingtoii 237 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Old Colony — Church of the Pilgrimage — The Winter 
 and Spring of 1862 — Facts and Incidents, Lewiston, 
 Maine — The cloud like a man's hand — The mighty 
 outpouring — Letters — Farewell — Brunswick — College 
 scenes •> 258 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Revival meeting in Portland — Seven Pastors give an ac- 
 count of Revivals in their parishes — General proposi- 
 tions drawn from the narrative 290 
 

 '6. 
 
 'lOiL 
 
 '^^$^m%^ 
 
 HARVEST WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 What is a revival ? The relation of revivals to the growth of the 
 church. Hindrances to their occurrence and progress. Testi- 
 mony of Rev. James Caughy. Rev. E. Porter, D. D. The fare- 
 well words of John Angell James. The work of the Evangelist. 
 The present position and duty of the church. 
 
 The terms revival, awakening, and reformation, 
 with other forms of expression in popular use, mean 
 the same thing — an unusual measure of the Holy 
 Spirit among the people, beginning " at the House 
 of God." Although the indispensable agent in 
 regeneration was always abroad, and, since Abel 
 bowed at his altar, has led every soul to Christ 
 saved by his sacrifice ; and there were at long 
 intervals, times of great refreshing as in the reign of 
 Hezekiah ; yet, is it evident, that under the new 
 economy of grace, the revival period in the church 
 commenced at Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost. 
 The most spiritual branch of Zion has had and must 
 have the harvest seasons, when, like the fields of the 
 prosperous husbandman, the scenes of joyful in- 
 
14 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 gathering of the ripened grain, display the richness 
 and abundance of God's goodness and mercy. 
 
 Eev. Dr. Hetherington, Professor of Theology in 
 the Free Church College, Glasgow, in his intro- 
 tion to " Good Will to Men," gives the following 
 explanation of the word revival : 
 
 *' The word itself is often used in Scripture, and, as so used, 
 it generally implies the reproduction of a spiritual life which 
 liad almost died away. It is not, however, strictly synonymous 
 with the term conversion ; for while revival implies the renewal 
 of a life which had almost died away, conversion strictly means 
 the conferring of a spiritual life on those who were previously 
 * dead in trespasses and sins. ' In truth, it so happeos that 
 revivals and conversions commonly accompany each otiier ; so 
 that, wliere conversions are frequent and striking, many will 
 be re-quickened or revived.'''' 
 
 In the glowing language of Kev. Wm. Reid, 
 editor of the British Herald : 
 
 " God in his wise and holy Providence, answers prayer ' by 
 terrible things in righteousness,' and close upon the back of a 
 judgment period, the Holy Spirit descends upon a whole com- 
 munity as ' a rushing mighty wind ' — like ' floods upon dry 
 ground,' or * like rain upon the mown grass; 'and the great 
 heart of society begins to heave and palpitate as the heart of 
 one man, and myriads of careless sinners are arrested, alarmed, 
 illled with anxiety about salvation, and turned simultaneously 
 to look on Him whom- they have pierced, and mourn those sins 
 that pierced llim and brought Him to the dust of death. 
 
 " The quiet conversion of one sinner after another, under the 
 ordinary ministry of the Gospel, must always be regarded with 
 feelings of satisfaction and gratitude, by the ministers and 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 15 
 
 disciples of Christ ; but u periodical manifestation of the 
 bimaltaneouB conversion of thousands is also to be desired, 
 because of its adaptation to atlbrd a visible and impressive de- 
 monstration to a world Ijing in wickedness, that God has 
 made that same Jesus, whom they have rejected and crucified, 
 both Lord and Christ ; and that, in virtue of his Divine 
 Mediatorship, He has assumed the royal sceptre of universal 
 supremacy, and ' must reign till all His enemies be made His 
 foststool. ' 
 
 " And, considering that He is ' by the right hand of God 
 exalted,' as the rightful though rejected Sovereign of the 
 world, is it not reasonable to expect that, from time to time. 
 He will repeat that which, on the day of Pentecost, formed the 
 conclusive and crowning evidence of His Messiahship and 
 Sovereignty ; and, by ko doing, startle the slumbering souls of 
 careless worldlings, gain the attentive ear of the unconverted, 
 and, in a remarkable way, break in upon those brilliant dreams 
 of earthly glory, grandeur, wealth, power, and happiness, 
 which the rebellious and "God-forgettmg multitude so fondly 
 cherish? Such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit would form, 
 at once, a demonstrative proof of the completeness and accept-" 
 ance of His once oliering of llimselt' as a sacrifice for sin, and 
 a prophetic ' earnest ' of the certainty that He ' shall appear 
 the second time without sin unto salvation,' to 'judge the 
 world in righteousness,' and * give to every man according as 
 his work shall be.' And, in every age of the Church, the God 
 of our salvation has graciously bestowed the Holy Spirit in His 
 demonstrative power, that He might glorify Jesus, by discover- 
 ing Him in ail His fulness to the regenerated souls of multi- 
 tudes of His ransomed people. When ' the promise of the 
 Fatlier ' was first realized on the solemn day of the first Pente- 
 cost, alter the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of power, an 
 all but universal awakening was experienced, and thousands of 
 J-^rusalem sinners were simultaneously convinced of sin and 
 
16 THE HARVEST WORD 
 
 converted to God. We read that ' about three thousand souls ' 
 repented, and were baptized ' in the name of Jesus Christ for 
 the remission of sins,' and received ' the gift of the Holj Ghost,' 
 as the result of one exhibition of the Cross and Sceptre of the 
 glorijBed Emmanuel. With one voice we exclaim, * How bless- 
 ed ! ' But how very many of us are, at the same time, enter- 
 taining the idea, that although it was peculiarly needful, then, 
 as a testimony for Jesus, and to solemnize the inauguration of 
 the new dispensation, which is termed emphatically ' the minis- 
 tration of the Spirit,' yet such a remarkable outpouring of the 
 Holy Ghost, and such a vast number of simultaneous con- 
 versions, are not to be expected in subsequent ages. But, by 
 harboring such a thought, we entertain an opinion, which both 
 Scripture and ecclesiastical history unite to disclaim : for the 
 Word of God leads us still to expect the Holy Spirit, ' like 
 floods upon the dry ground ; ' and such ' times of refreshing ' 
 and wide-spread, simultaneous conversion have repeatedly oc- 
 curred in the history of the Church, as to prove conclusively, 
 that extraordinary religious awakening and simultaneous con- 
 version ought not to be regarded as peculiar to the day of 
 Pentecost, but as part of the ordinary working out of God's 
 great purpose of grace, for the conviction and conversion of the 
 uDgodly, and for ultimately ' bringing many sons to glory.' 
 The history of the Church in our own land bears ample and 
 frequent testimony to such periodical awakening and remark- 
 able revival. ' ' 
 
 We shall not attempt a narrative of the " times 
 of refreshing," since that Pentecostal baptism of the 
 Spirit, peculiar only in a few miraculous manifesta- 
 tions, to authenticate, and give a fitting inauguration 
 to the new and glorious working of His power ; nor 
 of the mighty outgoings of the conquering Em- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 17 
 
 manuel in England, Ireland, Scotland, and on the 
 continent, in centuries past ; but turn for illustra- 
 tion of the facts recorded in the Sacred Annals, to 
 our New England history, and also that of the Mid- 
 dle and Southern States. From the earliest settle- 
 ment of the country, the churches were enlarged and 
 strengthened by the special visitations of the Spirit. 
 
 But, within the last century and a half, there 
 have been the most frequent and amazing exhibi- 
 tions of His wonder-working presence. The '' Let- 
 ters on Revivals," by Eev. E. Porter, D. D., late 
 Professor of Theology at Andover, '^ Thoughts on 
 the Revival of Religion in New Eng'and, A. D., 
 1740," by Jonathan Edv/ards, and Joseph Tracy's 
 more elaborate work, " The Great Awakening," 
 contain stirring narratives of the mighty manifesta- 
 tions of the Spirit in our country, which commenced 
 in 1739, whose beginning, in some cases, was " at- 
 tended with overwhelming power." Rev. Di^ 
 Griffin, then of Newark, N. J., describes, with 
 graphic pen, the marvelous descent of the Holy 
 Ghost upon all the people, so that, regardless of 
 time, the children even hung upon his lips until he 
 was sometimes compelled to leave them. 
 
 In Vermont, " on a sudden, the Spirit of the 
 Lord appeared to come like a rushing mighty wind. 
 Almost the whole place was shaken at once ; scarce- 
 ly was there a family in which some were not 
 earnestly inquiring what they should do to be 
 
18 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 Baved ; scarcely a countenance without evident 
 marks of solemnity." 
 
 Whitefield came to America, in 1739, and went with 
 flaming zeal and great success, through the Northern 
 and Southern States. Yet was he met by decided 
 opposition in and out of the Church. Associations 
 of ministers passed resolutions against his evan- 
 gelistic labors. Still he labored on, finding con- 
 genial spirits in the Tennents, also "sons of 
 thunder," in proclaiming the gospel message. There 
 were extravajxances incident to human weakness in 
 many places, but the good fruits made the tares 
 seem inconsiderable in the contrast. The churches 
 were raised to a higher plane of religious experi- 
 ence and duty. 
 
 Of the phenomena in general, attending the re- 
 vivals. Dr. Porter writes : 
 
 " In many instances, less promising at first, there was a 
 gradual progress for three, six, and even eighteen months, be- 
 fore any visible decline ; and in some of these, a steady current 
 of divine influence, rising and swelling, amid continued 
 showers of heaven, bore down all opposition. The churches, 
 which were visited with these more protracted seasons of mercy, 
 generally, perhaps, received the most solid accession to their 
 Btreno-th, if not in numbers, at least in the intelligent, shining, 
 enduring piety of those who were added to their communion. 
 It ought to be observed, that, while in some places divine in- 
 fluence was continued, for several years, like the dew that 
 descended on the mountains of Zion, in others there wa§ an 
 apparent suspension and renewal of such influence, resembling 
 successive revivals, several times in the same year." 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 19 
 
 Among the Evangelists, who assisted pastors dur- 
 ing these revivals, conspicuous are the names of 
 George Whitefield, Gilbert Tennent, and Asahel 
 Nettleton. Associated with the similar scenes since 
 that period, are Kev. Dr. Kirk, now of Boston, 
 whose success was very similar to Dr. Nettleton's ; 
 and, also. Rev. Charles G. Finney. The annals of 
 1831 especially, and 1857 and 1858, are familiar to 
 the present generation, and need no farther mention 
 here, than that, under the rebukes of God's provi- 
 dence, bringing Christians to their knees, the great 
 religious movement arose directly in the hearts of 
 the people, with no other visible means besides 
 those in ordinary use, excepting the meetings for 
 daily prayer. That but a small portion of the bless- 
 ing offered was secured, and loss sustained for the 
 want of deeper humiliation, more entire consecra- 
 tion and discriminating presentation of the evan- 
 gelical' system, none can doubt. Notwithstanding, it 
 was a priceless benediction to our land, preparing 
 it in some degree for the life-struggle of freedom, 
 and many of her sons, for the Christian hero's 
 death on the battle-field. And here we may add, 
 that when Christians in England express their sur- 
 prise, that the great awakening did not visibly affect 
 the anti-slavery cause, they overlook the fact that a 
 religious Influence which would revolutionize govern- 
 ment, virtually controlling its politics, must transcend 
 anything Britain or America can hope for till very 
 
20 THE HARVEST -STORK 
 
 near the millennial period, when a nation shall be 
 born in a day. Until then, we shall have to mark 
 the effect of revivals upon churches and communi- 
 ties where they occur, and the general progress in 
 religious thought among the masses, silently and 
 almost unconsciously preparing them for great 
 changes in political and commercial life, and giving 
 an impulse through the under currents of feeling, to 
 the popular reforms which spring from the gospel of 
 Christ, — the soul of all true progress in the world. 
 There can be no more important inquiry to a 
 Christian mind, than that which is directed to the 
 obstacles in the way of the gracious visitation of 
 the Spirit to save the sauls of men, and those which 
 interfere with his work^ when already commenced. 
 Like the destroying angel's mission, the question 
 goes at once to the sanctuary and the very altars of 
 God. On this subject we quote from Dr. Porter's 
 Letters on Eevivals, whose wisdom and piety ia 
 known to all the churches. After specifying defects 
 in the pulpit, he writes : " that, where there were no 
 revivals at the period to which I've referred, it was 
 generally the fact, either that the whole truth was 
 not exhibited in the pulpit, or at least with pungency 
 and fidelity, or that the proper tendency of preach- 
 ing, though good in itself, was frustrated by some- 
 thing decidedly amiss in pastoral influence." 
 
 Dr. James W. Alexander, of the Presbyterian 
 Church, New York City, who so recently departed 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 21 
 
 to his rest above, urged with great force upon the 
 clergy the singleness of aim in securing the salva- 
 tion of souls ; and with the venerable Dr. Ide, of 
 Medway, expressed his strong preference for extem- 
 pore preaching, as designed to reach more directly 
 the people, and accomplish the work of the gospel 
 ministry. Dr. Thomas H. Skinner, of the same 
 city, has always, by various discourses and example, 
 presented similar views, recognizing the necessity 
 of revivals, and the work of the Evangelist. 
 
 Indeed, the ministers, greatly blessed in winning 
 the soids to Christ in all denominations, have not 
 differed on this question of means and results, ex- 
 cepting on minor points of labor. 
 
 We shall quote an eloquent passage from Rev. 
 James Caughy, the Nettleton of the Methodist 
 church, an eminently successful evangelist. In his 
 '' Revival Miscellanies," a work of great power, ad- 
 dressing a friend upon the objections usually made 
 to revival efforts, he says : 
 
 *' Christianity has her subjects of beauty, harmony, and 
 grandeur. In many instances, she would seem to invite the in- 
 quiring mind into the investigation of ' truth in the abstract ; ' 
 where taste may be regaled, and where the lover of polite liter- 
 ature may luxuriate in the wide field of her boundless wealth. 
 That there is much in such intellectual disquisitions ' to soothe 
 the mind,' ' please the fancy, and move the affections,' I do 
 admit ; but I do not forget, that there may be much also to 
 gratify human vanity. Could you see my papers, which are 
 folded up and put away, you could not believe such subjects 
 
22 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 have been by me ' always and wholly disregarded ; ' but they 
 are totally unfit for the present services, and those great truths 
 which are adapted to them I conscientiously prefer, even at the 
 risk of having ' certain persons of an intellectual character 
 form an unfavorable opinion of the mind and education of the 
 stranger. ' 
 
 " My work, in these special services, is to cast away from me 
 every discussion that would serve to retard the great purposes 
 of my mission, and to preach those mighty truths of the Gos- 
 pel that will awaken and convert men. If some of my hearers 
 do not, or will not understand my * object and aim,' I cannot 
 help it. "We may say of fine sermons, during a revival, as 
 Hector said to Paris : ' It is not your golden harp, nor curled 
 hair, and beautiful painting, that will stand you in the field ; ' 
 and, as an old divine says: 'Neither is it the wrought scab- 
 bard, but the strong blade ; not the bright color, but the sharp 
 edge of it, that helpeth in danger, and hurteth the enemy.' I 
 have, my dear sir, drawn the sword, and have thrown away the 
 scabbard. Let jesters and speculators 'have their say,' — 
 that sword .shall make havoc, by the power of the Holy Ghost, 
 among ' the king's enemies ; ' and before I leave this chapel, I 
 hope to be able to point to a great cloud of witnesses, — a host 
 of new converts, — and say, ' Behold the fruits of my ministry !' 
 These are of more value to me in the church of God than 
 thousands of hearers applauding my sermons, and not a sinner, 
 perhaps, converted to God ! " 
 
 We add, as most solemn and touching counsel, the 
 last work of a justly distinguished pen, passages 
 from the Review of the Life of Richard Knill, whose 
 tracts are well known, by John Angell James, with 
 whom Mr. Hammond had an interview, at his home 
 in Birmingham, just before this last testimony was 
 written. It is also an interesting fact, that Rev. Dr. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 23 
 
 Carrutliers, whose earnest words are found In this 
 chapter, was predecessor to Mr. Knill, in the Scottish 
 Missionary Church of St. Petersburg, Eussia. The 
 venerable author writes of Dr. Knill : 
 
 " We now take up the inquiry after the means, by which ho 
 attained to so great a measure of usefulness. It is evident that 
 it was, in a great degree, to be attributed to his intense desire 
 after it. He set out in life with the adoption of that mighty, 
 impulsive, and glorious word, usefulness ; and usefulness, with 
 him, means converting sinners. He yearned for the salvation of 
 Bouls. It was, with him, not merely a principle, or a privilege, 
 but a passion. For this he longed and prayed in the closet, 
 wrote in the study, labored in the pulpit, conversed in the par- 
 lor, and admonished, counselled, and warned wherever he went. 
 ####### 
 
 "It is, I think, an error into which many of our modern 
 ministers, whose education has been carried to a high pitch, 
 have fallen, that every thing is to be done by the head rather 
 than the heart. We know very well, that the true method is to 
 reach the heart through the head, and that men must be made 
 to feel by being shown why they should feel, and what is to 
 make them feel. But in very many cases, especially in the least 
 educated, the head is to be reached by appeals to the heart. 
 We often hear the remark, ' Yes, it was a clever sermon, but 
 it wanted heart.' ***** 
 
 " The passion for the conversion of souls, which he manifested 
 in the pulpit, and which led him to seek it with such earnest- 
 ness there, he brought with him out of the sanctuary, and 
 carried into more private spheres, as the great object of life and 
 principle of action. Like the enthusiastic botanist, geologist, 
 he was ever in pursuit of his object, and looking out for fresh 
 means of gaining it. It was his felicity to have rarely to say, 
 
24 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ^ I have lost an opportunity.'' How few, how very few of us 
 have attained to this watchfulness for occasions of usefuhiess. 
 
 * # # # 4t: # # 
 
 " Whether it was the servant girl that waited upon him in the 
 house of a friend, or the host and hostess themselves, or the 
 fellow-traveller in the railway carriage, or the porter at an inn, 
 or a person he usually met on the road, or a sailor on the sea- 
 beach, he had a tract or a word — generally an apt word — for 
 each. In every one, he saw an immortal being on his passage 
 to eternity, and he longed to be the instrument of his con- 
 version. Oh, what multitudes would be converted to God, and 
 how changed would be the face of society, if all ministers and 
 all Christians were thus set upon the work of saving souls ! 
 And why should they not be ? 
 
 " He had an ardent, and, if we may so say, an outgoing soul. 
 Then there was dauntless moral courage, and an unflinching 
 boldness of address. 
 
 '* By many, I know, the introduction of religion in the way of 
 personal address, especially if the person he treated as uncon- 
 verted, is considered as a breach of good manners and a mark 
 of vulgarity ; and too many pious people, and ministers, also, 
 yield to this conventionalism, and pass through life without ever 
 attempting thus to do good. But can this be right? Is it not 
 a cowardly, guilty silence? If we have found the secret of 
 happiness for both worlds, should we not in all proper ways 
 seek to make it known to others? 
 
 He was eminently a man of prayer, and did everything in 
 the spirit of prayer. His communion with God was close and 
 constant. He came from the closet strengthened for his work 
 in the pulpit and in the city, and went back to his closet, not 
 only for repose and refreshment, but to be strengthened and 
 prepared for farther labor. This made him ' strong in the 
 Lord and in the power of His might.' And why are any of 
 God's servants feeble in action, but because they are weak ia 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 25 
 
 devotion ? We live in days when Christians are far less in the 
 closet than they should be. The study and the counting-house 
 encroach upon the closet. We are preaching-men and busi- 
 ness-men, but not so much as we should be, praying-men. 
 
 '♦ In the retrospect of a long life, now drawing to a close, dur- 
 ing whiclj I have watched, of course, the career, and observed 
 the mode of action, of many of my brethren, I have noticed 
 great diversity in the results of their ministry ; and I have 
 most assuredly seen, that where they have been intensely earn- 
 est for the salvation of souls, and have sought this by a style of 
 preaching adapted to accomplish it, God has honored their en- 
 deavors by giving them success. If, without impropriety, I 
 may refer here, as I believe I have done elsewhere, to the ser- 
 vice which, during fifty-four years, I have been allowed to 
 render to our Great Master, I may declare my thankfulness in 
 being able, in some small degree, to rejoice that the conversion 
 of sinners has been my aim. I have made, next to the Bible, 
 Baxter's ' Reformed Pastor,' my rule as regards the object of 
 my ministry. 
 
 " I sometimes venture to hope that it has kindled in me a 
 spark, but oh, how dim ! of that spirit which actuated Mr. 
 Knill. In regard to all that constitutes earnestness, I blush be- 
 fore his statue, as it rises before me in this volume, and confess 
 my short comings in the work of the Lord. Standing, as I now 
 do, in the prospect of the close of my ministry, of the eternal 
 world, and of my summons to the presence of tlie Great Lord 
 of all, the salvation of soultf, as the object of the ministry, ap- 
 pears to me, more than ever before, in all its awful sublimity. 
 Everything else, as compared with this, seems but as the small 
 dust of the balance; and though, perhaps, not altogether an 
 idler in the vineyard of the Lord, it is now my grief that I have 
 not been more devoted. To my younger brethren I say,. You 
 are engaged in the greatest work in the universe ; for in preach- 
 ing for the salvation of souls, you are brought into fellowship 
 
23 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 Avith God in His eternal purposes of mercy to the children of 
 men, with our Lord Jesus Christ in His redeeming work upon 
 the cross ; with the Holj Spirit in His mission to our world ; 
 and with prophets, apostles, and martyrs. Heaven, through 
 eternity, will resound with the praises of your diligence, or 
 hell with lamentations and execrations upon your neglect. 
 Happy will it be for you, and happy for your flocks, if the 
 perusal of this volume should help you to find and to wear the 
 mantle of Richard KiiiU." 
 
 While tJiese weiglity words vv^ere passing through 
 the press, the great and good man suddenly finished 
 his course, and joined the church triumphant — 
 leaving to his ministerial .brethren, and to all, this 
 aiFecting entreaty and benediction. 
 
 In the churches, tlie grand dilFiculty has always 
 been unfaithfulness to covenant vows — either as 
 stated by Dr. Porter, neglect of dipc'plinc indis- 
 pensable to healthful growth and moral pov/er, or 
 the practical opposition, if not open to revivals, and 
 scepticism in regard to the doctrine of the final and 
 eternal punishment of th.e impenitent, wliich have 
 made, and do make, tlie world doubt the reality of 
 religion. The want of believing prayer, is the fatal 
 weakness toward God. Prayer, whose qualities are 
 sincerity, which leads to appropriate effort — fervor, 
 which wrestles with God, and perseverance, v/hich 
 takes no denial ; prayer and fasting before God. 
 Says Edwards, in his *' Thoughts on the Pevival of 
 Eeligion in New England," " There is no \\'^iy 
 that Christians in a private capacity can do so 
 
OF THE nOLY SPIRIT. 27 
 
 much to promote the work of God, and advance the 
 kin^rdom of Christ, as by prayer. By this, even 
 v/omcn, and children and servants may have a pub- 
 lic influence. God is, if I may so say, at the com- 
 mand of the prayer of faith." Edwards dwells 
 warmly upon the Scriptural duty and privilege of 
 private and public fasts. Christians must go 
 through Gethsemane, to the cross, with their bur- 
 den of souls. The divine appointmeni: of Evan- 
 gelists in the early history of the church, none will 
 doubt ; nor we think can it be shown that their 
 office has ever been set aside. 
 
 Dr. Porter, after presenting very forcibly the 
 primary importance of the pastoral relation, recog- 
 nizes the value, if not necessity, of successful 
 helpers in o;atherin2: God's harvest : " In a larGje 
 congregation, where the ordinary labors of the 
 ministry are as great as one man can possibly sus- 
 tain, a failure of his health, or a revival among his 
 people, may render it indispensable that he should 
 have help in liis work for v^eeks or months succes- 
 sively. Such help has often been furnished by the 
 occasional labors of other pastors, who have had a 
 short leave of absence from their own flocks. But 
 perhaps the only adequate provision for such emer- 
 gencies would be, that a few men, of rare endow- 
 ments for this particular service, — men of God, 
 distinguished for judgment, fervor of piety and 
 puavity of temper, — should be held in reserve to 
 
28 THE HARVEST WOKK 
 
 labor where they are most needed, as assistants to 
 stated pastors." We thmk the following resolutions 
 drawn by the Eev. Mr. Balkani, of Lewiston, Me., 
 a city blessed with a remarkable outpouring of the 
 Spirit in connection with the labors of an evangelist, 
 expresses the truth on this subject : 
 
 " 1. God honors the established ministry of the Christian 
 religion by employing, in the conversion of sinners, usually, the 
 truth, as preached by his faithful ministers. 
 
 " 2. The establishment of such a ministry, however efficient 
 and successful in any branch of the church, has by no means 
 exhausted the instrumentalities of salvation. The prerogative 
 being still His, to project, even into the most cultivated portions 
 of his vineyard, new and additional means. 
 
 "3. Masses of precious truth, imparted by many an able and 
 faithful pulpit, sometimes lie inoperative, at least in that 
 which is most essential, because unquickened by the Spirit — 
 by importunity of prayer — by devout ardor of sympathy — 
 by fervor of appeal — and by variety of motive made intense 
 and almost irresistable. To do this may demand, for a time, 
 men and measures not usually employed. 
 
 " 4. Evangelists are of divine appointment, and have their 
 peculiar work. That work is never in derogation of, but always 
 collateral and auxiliary to, the established ministry ; being 
 designed merely to supplement its officers and labors, and thus 
 be tributary to the conversion of souls, the spread of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom, and the gloiy of His name." 
 
 At the meeting of the General Assembly of the 
 Free Church, in Edinburgh, May, 1860, the state- 
 ment of the Rev. Julius Wood, D. D., formerly 
 moderator, in whose cliurch Mr. Hammond labored, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 29 
 
 fills a most important place in this connection. It 
 is given respecting the phenomena of revivals, in a 
 report of that body, as follows : 
 
 "Dr. Julius Wood, Convener of the Committee on Religion 
 and Morals, then gave in his report. He said — This, in some 
 respects, is the most important and interesting report that was 
 ever laid on the table of the General Assembly. If, as has 
 been said, ' a living soul is of more value than a dead world.' 
 what joy has there been in Heaven over souls, that have been 
 made alive in Scotland, since we met here in General Assembly 
 a year ago ! In consequence of instructions from the last General 
 Assembly, the Committee on Religion and Morals transmitted a 
 circular to every minister and probationer in a charge or station 
 throughout the Free Church. In reply to that circular I have 
 received 168 returns — 169, for one has reached me since the 
 Assembly met. These 169 returns are from 06 Presbyteries of 
 the Church, all the Presbyteries except 5. From some Pres- 
 byteries we have received only one return, from other Presby- 
 teries we have received several. Of the 169 returns, 86 report 
 decided awakening and revival in the congregations of which 
 they report. These 86 congregations are to be found in 42 
 Presbyteries of the Church. Thus in 42 Presbyteries we have 
 reported, decided awakening or revival ; and in the other 83 
 congregations which are to be found in 26 Presbyteries, we are • 
 gratified by being told that, whilst there is no decided awaken- 
 ing or revival, there is in almost every instance, without excep- 
 tion, increased attention to, and interest in spiritual things. 
 We find, indeed, that since the returns were sent in to me, 
 awakening has taken place in a number of localities. Some of 
 these returns were sent in two or three months ago ; and I find, 
 that since then there has been a decided work of the Lord goin^r 
 on in those places, whilst at that time they were able only to 
 report a considerable interest in religious things. In many of 
 
80 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 our congregations, there was a gradual increase of the spirit of 
 prayer and increased expectation of revival, which was quicken- 
 ed wlien we had tidings of the Lord's great work in America 
 and Ireland. These tidings both excited gratitude to God, and 
 raised expectations that lie would not pass us by ; and, when 
 we used the Scriptural means for obtaining the blessing, they 
 were blessed to us hj God. There was increased attention to 
 the preaching of the Word, increased attention at prayer meet- 
 ings, and an increase in the exercise of prayer in our social cir- 
 cles, in our families, and in secret. And, when the Lord had 
 thus prepared us for receiving the blessing, it pleased him to 
 pour it out very remarkaljly and very abundantly. 1 canjiot 
 help ohscrvinfj^ihat one great means of awakcnincj seems to have 
 been, the commmucating of intelligence of what the Lord had 
 done in other places. 1 find in almost all the reports, that this 
 was done with the most blessed results. The information interest- 
 ed the people, and brought the thing home to them ; they felt that 
 it was a reality ; and it excited a desire to partake of the bene- 
 fit, and led them to use the means God has appointed for obtain- 
 ing the benefit. I believe we can scarcely ascribe too much in- 
 fluence to the communication of religious intelligence, in bring- 
 ing about the results in which we this day rejoice. The revival 
 throughout the country began in every variety of way, and 
 through every variety of instrumentality, sometimes under the 
 quiet ministrations of the stated pastor, sometimes through the 
 vidit of a stranger from a distance ; sometimes it was a con- 
 vert, who went and told his simple story of the Lord's goodness 
 to him. I find, in many of the returns,mention made of such 
 men as North, Grant, Radcliffe, Hammond, Forlong, and 
 Weaver. God seems to have honored the labors of these men 
 in a marvellous way. The work was sometimes carried on 
 by a single remark made by one individual to another — by the 
 repetition of a text of Scripture — by a message from one 
 friend to another — or by a letter written from the scene of re- 
 vivals to friends or relatives. I believe that the day of judgment 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 31 
 
 only will reveal, how much the work has been forwarded by the 
 Jetters of Christian men and women, written in the warmness of 
 their hearts to friends and relaLivcs at a distance ; for no sooner is 
 a sinner brought to Christ, than his first thought is — 'I will 
 tell my relatives and friends what Christ has done for me.' 
 The convert cannot rest, until he has made known to those in 
 whom he is interested the Lord's work upon him. I find from 
 the report, that in a number of places tliere was considerable 
 excitement. I do not wonder at that, Moderator. When men 
 for the first time find tliemselves on the brink of hell, with 
 nothing between their souls and perdition but the frail, Heeting 
 breath in their nostrils, 1 do not Avonder that they should feel 
 alarmed and excited — when they feel themselves for the first 
 time to be under the wrath and condemnation of a righteous 
 and holy God. My wonder is, that tliere is not more excite- 
 ment — that people stiil unconverted can hear of sin and hell, 
 of a Saviour and heaven, without feelings of emotion. Ah ! 
 that excitement ; people are afraid of it, and sometimes it 
 comes with a mighty power, as if it would sweep everything 
 away before it ; but when one is enabled to cast himself humbly 
 upon God, and to enter into the work earnestly, it is not such a 
 formidable thing after all. Our God is a God of order ; and if ■ 
 wc cast ourselves upon his strength, and take counsel o^IIim, ' 
 1 believe lie will enable any man of ordinary prudence and 
 courage to guide these excited meetings lor his glory, and for 
 the good of souls. Then 1 am very glad to be able to state, that, 
 from almost all the reports I am able to gather, there has 
 been a great change in the manners and habits of the people. 
 Where the awakening has been anything like general, there 
 has been upon general society an awe and restraint ; and 1 find 
 testimoify borne by employers to the effects that have been pro- 
 duced upon their workmen. One will say, if you doubt the 
 reality of the revival, * Come to my worksliop, and you will 
 see what it is ; if you knew my men before, come and sec what 
 they are now, and you will see that something has been at work 
 
32 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 that has produced a most salutary change.' The police reports, 
 too, are exceedingly favoi-able ; the chief constable of one of 
 our largest counties, which includes a good many towns, told 
 me that there is a diminution of considerably more than one- 
 third, upon all that class of crimes including violence, &c., such 
 as assaults and disorderly conduct. Now I do not venture to 
 lay down any rules in regard to this great movement. I remem- 
 ber a most intelligent Irish Presbyterian minister saying, that, 
 when the north of Ireland was visited, he formed his plans in 
 anticipation of the wished-for revival in his own place. But 
 when it came these were all swept away, and he was just 
 forced to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way. I believe,the 
 only rule lies in the two great commandments — ' Thou shalt 
 love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,' and ' Thou shalt 
 love thy neighbor as thyself.' God will carry us through this 
 and nothing else. At the same time, there is much room for 
 wisdom and prudence. Much may be done by any loving- 
 hearted man, blessed with a fair share of moral courage, if he 
 throw himself into the work. I can never forget the weighty 
 •words uttered by a member of this house — Superintendance, 
 Suggestion, and Substitution. If we take these for our guide 
 and go into the work in dependence on the Spirit of God, He 
 will ^^able us to glorify Him and benefit the souls of men. 
 With regard to young converts, when they go and state quietly 
 to their fellow-men what the Lord hath done for them, I believe 
 that is a legitimate employment for them. I do not think it a 
 good thing for them to be long employed in this way, however. 
 When one of them has stated his experience in a few meetings, 
 it would be wise in him to retire and cultivate fresh knowledge, 
 and learn a spirit of duty to God." 
 
 An American divine, in the midst of a powerful 
 outpouring of the Spirit recorded in this volume, 
 answered the objections of some cautious minds, by 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 33 
 
 a communication whicli we give from the Christian 
 Mirror ; 
 
 " Will you kindly insert in your next issue the following re- 
 marks of Dr. Chalmers? They are found in the New York 
 edition of his sermons, vol. 1 pp. 116, 117. Although we are 
 forbidden to call any man Master upon earth, there are some 
 with whom, in matters of religion, human names have great 
 weight, and for their sakes as well as others it may be well to 
 give publicity, at this time, to these observations. 
 
 Yours, sincerely, 
 
 J. J. Carrutders. 
 
 " He recently observed, in dis- 
 coursing on the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and him crucified, 
 that some were visited with an alarming sense of danger, and 
 were long kept in a state of pain and perplexity, and had much 
 of disquietude upon their spirits, ere they found their way to a 
 place of rest or a place of enlargement. * * But we further 
 observed, that, though this was frequent in the history of con- 
 versions, it was far from universal. And why should it ? There 
 is a message of pardon from heaven at our door, and its very 
 first demand upon us is, that we should give credit thereto. If 
 any one claim upon us be preferable to another, surely it is the 
 claim of Ilim who cannot lie, that we shall believe in his testi- 
 mony. Are we to hold the truth of God in abeyance, aye, and 
 until we have walked some round of mental discipline and ex- 
 perience, that may liken the history of our transition from 
 darkness to light to that of some fellow mortal who has gone 
 before us ? Are we to postpone our faith in an actual report 
 brought to us from the upper sanctuary, till we have brought 
 the frame of our spirits to its rigid adjustment, by having 
 travelled over a course of certain feelings and fluctuations ? 
 
 We know that there is a peace where there is no peace; and, 
 better than this sleep of death, were the disturbance of loud 
 
84 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 and perpetual alarm, from wliich there might be no respite to 
 the sinner, till forced to betake himself to the only eficctual 
 hiding-place. But better, most assuredly, still, that you saw 
 the hiding-place to be open now, and that, without the interval 
 of a single moment, you have fled for refuge there, and that the 
 Boul had no sooner broken loose from the tranquility of nature, 
 than it instantly fastened on the anchor of hope that was most 
 sure and steadfast. At this rate, there would be no seascm of 
 intermediate darkness. Converts would experience now what 
 was oft experienced in the days of the Apostles. Their belief 
 would instantly come in the train of the gospel testimon}^ — 
 and their joy would instantly come in the train of their 
 belief" 
 
 It needs no argument to prove that the church of 
 Christ occupies a place in her march of conquest, of 
 peculiar interest. The world is unsettled as never 
 before, theologically and politically. EiTor un- 
 shackled is abroad, confronting, in its most daring 
 and subtle forms, " the truth as it is in Jesus." 
 Governments are shaken, and lawlessness grows de- 
 fiant on every hand. God's judgments are abroad, 
 and the fragments of the shaken order of things fill 
 the air. But comparatively unemployed and unfelt, 
 are the energies of His dear Zion. A writer has 
 well said, " she is two-fold in her character, — having 
 under the one visible form, the church of the world, 
 and within that circle of destructive influence, the 
 Church of Christ." Covetousness, wdiich is idolatry, 
 has hoarded God's silver and gold,- — ambition has 
 devoted the best talent and highest position to 
 sectarian controversy,— pleasure-loving has taken un- 
 
OF THE nOLT SPIRIT. 35 
 
 der Christian patronage, amusements and frivolity, 
 with the plea of cheerfulness, which have paralyzed 
 her spiritual strength, and practically wiped out the 
 line of separation from the world. Unbelief and 
 licentious charity have disguised and modified the 
 evangelical system ; in other words, the gospel of 
 the Son of God, as it fell from his lips armed with 
 the retributive sanctions of law, and melting ap- 
 peals of the cross. Nor has she been true to liberty 
 ancl humanity. We know that these statements 
 have a limited application ; but sin must be felt, and 
 put away from the Church of Christ ; then in the 
 miorht of an entire consecration to her Lord, with 
 wrestling prayer, and the sword of the Spirit in her 
 hand, will she become " fair as the moon, clear as 
 the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." 
 Jehovah's fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly 
 purge the floor. And it is fitting, that we, who bear. 
 His name who has declared that "judgment must 
 begin at the house of God," should inquire of him 
 upon our knees : " Who may abide the day of his 
 coming, and who shall stand when he appcarctli ? " 
 
 Oh ! shall the hosts of God's elect dictate to the 
 Spirit of God when, how, and by whom he shall 
 work in the redemption of a world straining on its 
 fetters, and siii-hinri; lor deliverance? 
 
 The captives in material chains, and the slaves of 
 sin, moving in a great caravan to the shades of a 
 mornless night, must stir the heart of the church to 
 
60 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 wrestle and to labor, as never before since time be- 
 gan. We believe they will; and that soon her 
 victories will attract the interest of the nations, as 
 do now the triumphs of the crimson field of martial 
 combat. 
 
 Forcibly says an eminent American divine : — 
 
 *' The time is coming, when his successes shall be reported 
 with more than the rapidity of Napoleon's victories ; when the 
 press shall teem with intelligence of Christian movements in 
 the world ; when the steamer shall furrow the deep to speed 
 the tidings of His power ; when the electric wires shall thrill 
 with heavenly life, to convey from city to city, and from conti- 
 nent to continent, the news of revivals of religion, and of ' na- 
 tions born in a day.' The kingdom of Christ is yet to be the 
 one thing thought of in the world, and at every market, in 
 every exchange, in every bulletin ; at the street corners men 
 shall speak of the glory of His kingdom, and talk of His 
 power one to another, making known His mighty acts, and 
 the glorious majesty of His kingdom." 
 
CHAPTER 11. 
 
 Mr. Hammond's Early Home and Conversion — Unconscious Prepa- 
 ration for his Work during liis course of Study — Sails for Europe 
 — Terrific Scene at Sea — His Providential Introduction to the lo/- 
 hors of an Evangelist — The awakening in Musselboro' — Its Re- 
 sults. 
 
 It is no part of the design of this volume to write 
 a biography, or commend to popular favor by di- 
 rect approval, or to defend against the criticism 
 and prejudice of any, the name around which neces- 
 sarily gathers much of the human interest of the 
 narrative ; 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 the most success- 
 ful Evangelist, in this country, recently before the 
 churches. And this naturally includes some notice 
 of the early history and training of God's servant 
 for His service. 
 
 Edward Payson Hammond was born in Ellington, 
 a quiet town in the Valley of the Connecticut, Sept. 
 1st, 1831, but passed his boyhood and youth in Ver- 
 non, Ct. He was a child of prayer, consecrated 
 to God by parental piety ; especially was he nurtur- 
 ed 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 
 
38 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 of religion, including in its sweep nearly all of the 
 youth of the place. 
 
 Mr. Hammcnd, in his addresses, sometimes refers 
 to the story of his conversion, and relates it thus : — 
 
 <'The first Salibath of iny 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 eeemed that all my friends and relatives, and new ac- 
 quaintances 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 board- 
 ing-place that night, a lady handed me James' ' Anxious In- 
 quirer ' to read. I 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 convic- 
 tion that had pierced my heart. I 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. 
 
 " Day by day my convictions deepened. My heart rebelled 
 against God. 1 dibputed his undivided claim to my heart. I 
 was willing to give a portion of my afiections, but 1 was not 
 ready to give up all for Jesus, and say, 
 
 " Just as I am, 
 O Lambof Godlcome." 
 
 and thus, 
 
 " Against the God that built the sky, 
 I fouglit with hands uplifted high, 
 Despised the mansions of his grace, 
 Too jDroud to seek a hiding-place." 
 
 *' Yes, ' too proud ' to come as a lost, guilty, helpless, hell- 
 deserving sinner to Jesus. As yet ' ignorant of (}od"s right- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIIIIT. 89 
 
 eousness 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.) 
 
 " Vindictive justice stood in view, 
 To Sinai's fiery mount I flew ; 
 But justice cried, with frowning face. 
 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 
 by the hour with my Bible, looking out all the passages re- 
 ferred to. I thus saw more and more of my awfully deceitful 
 and polluted heart. 
 
 " \i first, it was thoughts of the jud/jment day, and the s'lcjht 
 of the 'wicked (joing 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. 
 
 " When to the law I trembling fled, 
 It poured its curses on my head, 
 
 I no relief could find ; 
 This fearful truth increased :ny 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. 
 Wy burden seemed heavier than I could bear. But another, a 
 third eight 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.) 1 began to understand those words in 
 Acts V. 31, ' Him hath God exalted with his riglit hand to be 
 
40 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance.^ I shall never for- 
 get 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 
 For such a worm as I ? 
 
 Was it for crimes that I had done. 
 
 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 ' worketh repentance to sal- 
 vation.' I then saw that God ' might be just, and the justifier 
 of him which believeth in Jesus,' (Rom. iii. 26,) and that I must 
 
 " Cast my deadly doing down, 
 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 gi-ief can ne'er repay 
 The debt of love I owe, 
 Here, Lord, I give myself away, 
 'Tis all that lean do." 
 
 " 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. 
 
 His pardoning voice I hear, 
 He owns me for his child, 
 I can no longer feai*." 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIEIT. 41 
 
 ** 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 of the Spirit' (Gal. v. 22,) were at 
 once mine. * Love, joy, peace,' iilled my heart. 
 
 • "1 remember that I sat down at once and wrote mother that 
 I had * found 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 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 successfully for the conversion 
 of his classmates. Among them was Henry Hop- 
 kins, the President's son, now Chaplain in the army, 
 with whom he attended meetings in Pownal ; 
 where together they went forth, weeping, " bear- 
 ing 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 plant- 
 ed several Sunday schools during his vacation, 
 
42 THE HARVEST WOKK 
 
 which in some instances proved to be the nucleus of 
 churches. 
 
 Prof. Chadbourne, one of the faculty of Williams, 
 now of Bovvdoin College, thus wrote, to one of the as- 
 sociate Professors, of his pupil, after his return from 
 Europe. We quote it, because it meets objections 
 made to methods of labor which arc 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 now 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 
 mach exhausted with his continued labors. He is the same that 
 he was when a student, except that he has gained wonderfully 
 in pjwer ; the same good nature, the same fervent piety and 
 zeal for the salvation 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 l)lessing that accompanies his labors. 
 Some good men find fault, and wonder at his success, and think 
 liim over excited, but we who have known him so long, know 
 that the same zeal stirred his heart v/hen a Freshman ia 
 College, that stirs it now. God is making good his promise, 
 to honor those that honor him. His success is wonderful, be- 
 cause God gives it to him ! xYnd 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 receive 
 advice, in the same spn-it of meekness and thankfulness. But 
 I did not dare advise him to try to change his style of labor, 
 nor to be more like this or that distinguished minister, because, 
 among all the names that are precious in the churches, I could 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 43 
 
 think of no one whom God has more signally blessed in turn- 
 ing 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 lighting the 
 battles of our beloved country, I will rather rejoice that 1 have 
 been a teacher of this valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, who is 
 doing so much to bring back this whole world, from its re- 
 bellion against God; and in this, I know you will heartily join 
 me." 
 
 He received tlic degree of A. B., along with an 
 appointment for Commencement, in 1858, and in 
 18G1 the degree of A. M. 
 
 The desire and intention to be a missionary liad 
 been cherished by the young disciple ; but God 
 otherwise ordered his useful life. In the year 1858, 
 he became a student in Union Theological Semina- 
 ry, New York, and in that great city, continued with 
 unfla^2:inf»- zeal his home missionary work amonoj 
 the destitute. 
 
 Having planned a trip to Europe, he sailed in the 
 noble ship Edinburgh. A. few days later, the vessel 
 struck an iceberg, and startled all on board by the 
 shock. We quote Mr. Hammond's description of 
 the solemn scenes vv-hich follov/ed : — 
 
 " At first we rejoiced with trembling, hoping that the ship 
 had not sprung aleak. The pumps were sounded, and in ten 
 minutes the words, "^he leaks ! " rang from stem to stern. 
 Numbers fainted. Some were soon found upon their Jaiees, 
 crying for mercy ; one, who had a little before been scofling at 
 prayer and God's word. 
 
 " At midnight, during the fearful storm which ensued, when 
 the first and second compartments of the mighty ship were 
 
44 THE HAEYEST WORK 
 
 filled, and the ship, at an angle of 45°, was every moment in 
 danger of being engulphed with the mountain waves, when 
 hope had fled, and the impenetrable darkness, like the pall of 
 death, enveloped us, as I was hastening along the deck, amid 
 the pelting rain, to my work at the pumps, my ear was startled 
 as the bell tolled the hour, with the watchword, " All 's well ! " 
 Four times it echoed along the sides of the sinking ship. But 
 not a voice responded, ' Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for 
 ' all 's well ! ' ' for all knew too well they were lying words. 
 Had we believed these words, and ceased to work for our lives, 
 in one hour's time none would have been left to tell the tale of 
 our finding a watery grave. And I could but think of the sin- 
 ner's trusting in a false hope, with the waters of sin silently, 
 yet surely, hour by hour, engalphing his soul, hastening to the 
 * father of lies,' as he whispers ' all 's well ! ' And I then re- 
 solved that if the Lord spared my life, 1 would strive more 
 faithfully to obey his command, ' -Say ye to the righteous that it 
 shall be well with him,'' * woe unto the loicked ; it shall be ill with 
 him.^ Isa. iii. 10, 11. 
 
 " We barely reached St. John's, Newfoundland, the next 
 night, at dusk. We continued to bail and pump to the last 
 moment. And I thought of those solemn words (1 Peter iv. 18), 
 ' And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungod- 
 ly and the sinner appear.' The experience of those solemn 
 hours, when near going into eternity, I would not forget. How 
 earnest our united prayers, as the little band of Christians in- 
 tuitively gathered and said to Jesus, in pleading tones, ' Master, 
 carest thou not that we perish? ' Acts iv. 38." 
 
 A poetical description of the perils and rescue, 
 written for his mother, has been so often repeated 
 by Mr. Hammond as a very affective illustration, 
 especially the cry, " all's well !" that it will interest 
 many readers ; and a part of it is here added to the 
 record of the disaster. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 45 
 
 *' A nobler ship than ours, 
 
 Man's eye hath seldom seen, 
 As proud amid the cannon's roar 
 
 She sailed with queenly mien. 
 Our hearts with hopes beat high, 
 
 Of joys full many in store, 
 And so across the deep we hie, 
 
 For Scotland's bonnie shore. 
 
 " With us there were no seers ; 
 
 And none on board could ken. 
 When blighted hopes would change to fears, 
 
 Far from our journey's end : 
 So o'er the restless tide 
 
 We sped with joyous glee. 
 No fears that aught of ill betide — 
 
 Shadows of danger flee ! 
 
 *' Our gallant ship bounds on, 
 
 Amid the flashing spray, 
 While sparkling rainbows in their dance, 
 
 Attend us on our way. 
 So on the sea of life, 
 
 Do th' rainbow words of love. 
 Bedeck the worn and wounded heart, 
 
 With a beauty from above. 
 
 *' The sunlight now is gone. 
 
 And wc are left in gloom ; 
 The blinding fog comes on anon — 
 
 Hope still bestows its boon. 
 But hark ! what means that shout 
 
 From th' watchman at the prow? 
 As wildly now he shrieks — " A Port ! " 
 
 See terror on each brow. 
 
46 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " Weil may the stoutest shriek, 
 
 And cry for mercy now ; 
 An iceberg of the Northern deep 
 
 Uas struck our noble bow. 
 Joy first lit every eye , 
 
 As towering o'er our left, 
 That monster grim svent angry by, 
 
 As of his prey bereft. 
 
 " Soon o'er its massive form 
 
 Was cast a veil of mist, 
 Thus quickly from our view 'twas borne, 
 
 As wind and tide might list. 
 But hark, with loudest skrieks. 
 
 From lip to lip it flew ; 
 Oh ! ho ! our ship ; she leaks ! she leaks ! 
 
 Ah ! then was terror new ! 
 
 " All eyes then to the boats 
 
 With anxious looks were turned ; 
 How waned our fondly cherished hopes ! 
 
 What thoughts within us burned ! 
 The bravest were appalled — 
 
 The timid stood aghast — 
 As if by winged lightning called. 
 
 Grim death before us passed. 
 
 *' How floods the mind with thought 
 
 Of loved ones o'er the main ! 
 How deep with keenest sorrow fraught. 
 
 Lest ne'er we meet again. 
 But orders then were brought 
 
 The pumps to quickly man. 
 Then with the raging sea we fought. 
 
 Like warriors in the van. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 47 
 
 " For many a vreary hour, 
 
 We toiled with all our might, 
 While orisons arose to heaven, 
 
 Midst th' darkness of the night. 
 Anon our faith did foil, 
 
 As flew the cry ' she gains,' 
 And many cheeks grew ghastly pale, 
 
 Amid the drenching rain. 
 
 *' But every nerve was strained. 
 
 Our fii'teen score to save. 
 For o'er our hearts cold horror reigned 
 
 At thought of wat'ry grave. 
 But palsied be my tongue, 
 
 If I forget to praise. 
 The women in that noble band 
 
 Who toiled our hopes to raise. 
 
 " For in that darkness drear, 
 
 'Midst wild wind's awful shriek. 
 Their cheerful voice, we loved to hear, 
 
 Their praises then we'll speak. 
 Our prayers at length were heard, 
 
 'Twas a brighter, happier hour. 
 When smiled on us the peaceful sun, 
 
 And clouds uo longer lower. 
 
 " It seemed our Father's frown. 
 
 Passed with the gloom away. 
 We freely breathed, and praised His name 
 
 Whose smile around us lay. 
 For Oh, at his command. 
 
 Had winds increased their rage. 
 Far from the ocean's beaten strand, 
 
 We 'd sunk beneath the wave. 
 
48 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " But now we 're safe in port, 
 
 By no unfriendly shore ; 
 For here we find/ree hands, warm hearts i 
 
 We ask for nothing more. 
 When far away we hie, 
 
 Across the deep blue sea, 
 Our thoughts will hither quickly fly, 
 
 With faithful memory." 
 
 Spending a few weeks in England and Scotland, 
 Mr. H. went to Ireland to witness and enjoy the 
 wondrous displays of divine grace on that Island. 
 
 At Ballymena, he addressed large audiences, 
 triumphantly vindicating the American revivals 
 from the charge circulated abroad by their enemies, 
 that they had proved a failure. We take the fol- 
 lowing passage from a report of his remarks as pub- 
 lished in one of the papers of that city. 
 
 *' Since coming to this land I have been more deeply con- 
 vinced than ever of the reality of the existence of a personal 
 evil spirit. We read in Job of a ' day when the sons of God 
 came to present themselves before the* Lord, and Satan came 
 also among them.' And, from what I have, with perfect as- 
 tonishment, heard this day, I find that, as the sons of God here 
 have gathered together Satan also has come among them. And 
 I find, too, that he often pursues the sames course witii nations 
 and communities as with individuals. We all know the awful 
 struggle he has Avith those who are striving to escape from his 
 power to the arms of Jesus. But when, at last, the ' evil spirit 
 is cast out of a man,' he does not entirely quit the field, but is 
 ever on the alert, either to regain the mastery, or to destroy 
 the influence of the one who has noAV become his enemy. And, 
 if he find the life blameless, he still has a great calumny to 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 49 
 
 whisper in the ears of the unbeliever. He then impugns his 
 motives. He asks — ' does Job fear God for naught? ' Now this 
 faintly illustrates the movement of the great arch-enemy of man 
 with regard to America. When he found hundreds of thou- 
 sands all over the land escaping from his grievous bondage, and 
 declaring themselves no longer tlie ' servants of sin,' but free 
 men in Christ Jesus, he, with all his allies, were sorely trou- 
 bled ; and they looked about them to contrive some means to 
 destroy the influence of this great movement, that ' it spread no 
 further among the people.' They were not long in concluding 
 that their old policy was the most expedient ; and so the 
 motives of God-fearing men were maligned — the inconsisten- 
 cies of young converts were closely watched, and greatly magni- 
 fied ; and those eases where the ' good seed ' chanced to fall ' by 
 the wayside,' or ' among thorns,' or upon ' stony ground,' were 
 eagerly sought out ; but those where it brought forth ' an 
 hundred fold ' were passed by as not answering the desired pur- 
 pose. He strove to make wicked men with us believe that it 
 was all excitement, and would soon pass away ; and when the 
 Spirit of God with its mighty convicting and convertiug power, 
 in its progress from west to east, came among you, Satan was not 
 long in finding out his friends here, who were ready to spread 
 abroad the report that the 'Revival in America is a failure.' 
 Bat I am glad of the opportunity to stand up here to assert 
 that this is but another of the fabrications of the great ' Father 
 of lies.' He was a liar from the beginning ; and the more we 
 know of him leads us to believe that he will never change for 
 the better in this respect. The Revival is not a failure, but a 
 glorious triumph over the powers of darkness. You have only to 
 read the books that have been published in America giving re- 
 liable accounts of the glorious results of the work, to be con- 
 vinced that the Revival is anything but a failure. No doubt 
 there have been cases where persons have been deceived in re- 
 gard to the ground of their hope ; some whose ' hands Satan 
 has cut oft".' Here Mr. H. told of two men who were speaking 
 
50 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 together of the evidence of their hope. The first said he should 
 be saved, for he had hold of Christ. ' Ah ! but vrhat vrill you 
 do,' said the second, ' if the devil cut your hands o^? ' ' WJiat 
 then,' asked the first, ' is yowr. hope ? ' ' My hope,' said he, 
 * is that Christ has hold of me.'' So, continued Mr. II., no 
 doubt some were deceived in trusting too much to their own 
 efibrts, and not relying entirely upon Christ for salvation. Bat 
 I must say that few, if any, cases of backsliding have come un- 
 der my own observation. He would not number among these 
 cases those who were convinced of their lost condition, but 
 were unwilling to trust in Jesus as their only Saviour. Such 
 there were, and always have been. Mr. H. spoke of the effects 
 of the work lacing the same there as exhibited here. The con- 
 verts manifested the same love for Christ, and the same earnest 
 desire to engage in his cause. Ministers of different denomina- 
 tions were seen there as here to-day, upon the same platform. 
 The causes, he believed, too, were the same — namely, the 
 Spirit of God through the ' Word ' operating with Divine 
 pjvver upon the heart. The phenomena manifested as the re- 
 sult of such agency were different, bat the ultimate effects were 
 the same. With us the parties affected rose up when oppressed 
 with the burden of guilt, and asked Christians to pray that it 
 might be removed. With you they are often stricken to the 
 ground, like Saul on his way to Damascus ; and I have seen 
 cases in your midst as marvellous to me as the conversion of 
 Saul. Mr. H. then spoke of prayer as being the chief instru- 
 ment, on the part of Christians, in calling down the blessing of 
 heaven — dwelling at some length upon the power of prayer and 
 encouragement to honor God 'by asking great things of him." 
 
 The two weeks' experience in Ireland were a 
 fresh preparation and impulse in the life-work of 
 eavino; souls. Returnino; to Scotland after a tour on 
 the Continent, Mr. Hammond failed to receive re- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 51 
 
 mittances from America, and was disappointed in 
 his expectation of sailing for his native Land. Un- 
 expectedly God's kind Providence, opened the way 
 for resuming and prosecuting his Theological 
 studies in the Free Church College, in Edinburgh. 
 Extracts from his letters and remarks by Dr. 
 Alexander, will give the interesting facts of his 
 introduction to evangelistic labors in Scotland, 
 Mr. H. writes : 
 
 " For a few weeks I devoted myself entirely to intellectual 
 pursuits, and 1 found the literary atmosphere of Edinburgh very 
 congenial. But after all my conscience reproved me for doing 
 nothing for Jesus, I felt that I might at least teach a Sunday 
 School class, or something of the kind, or perhaps supply some 
 pulpit on the Sabbath, as I had done while in New York. 1 
 called on two or three of the Free Church ministers, but they 
 knew of no opening. 
 
 " Dr. W.»L. Alexander, the leading minister of the Congrega- 
 tional Church in Scotland, spoke of a forlorn hope in Mussel- 
 burgh, six miles from Edinburgh." 
 
 Mr. H. went to M. We select the followinsc 
 testimony to the genuineness and power of the work 
 in Musselburgh, from a letter addressed to Rev. Mr. 
 Eeid, Editor of the British Herald. 
 
 Dr. Alexander, on several public occasions, made 
 similar emphatic remarks. 
 
 " I think no impartial and grateful person will say that the 
 soil in Musselburgh has been one favora])le to the growth of a 
 vital spiritual piety. The indifference of the people to religion, 
 aud immobility under the most earnest preaching of the Cospel 
 
52 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 seemed to come oat more strikingly as a characteristic of the place 
 than in other towns. Sach at least iiad been for a long time the 
 impression on my mind, and therefore it was with mingled joy 
 and wonder, that I heard of the interest that had been awakened 
 there by the preaching of the Gospel. When I heard of and saw 
 crowded gatherings of people evening after evening during the 
 week, assembled to hear plain, earnest, and faithful addresses on 
 the concerns of their soul ; when I saw the deep, unmistakable 
 earnestness of groups of inquirers ; when I listened to the sobs 
 and 3ries of men and women — some of them as unlikely to be 
 moved to such displays of emotion as can be well conceived ; 
 when I found tl.at night after night, the work of conversion 
 was apparently going forward ; and many who had been not 
 only careless but profligate were giving evidence of being born 
 again ; and when I heard of large meetings during the day, and 
 numerousl^^ attended meetings in the street for religious pur- 
 poses, I felt that indeed new and strange things had come to 
 pass ; and I could only bow my head and say, ' It is the doing 
 of the Lord and it is marvellous in our eyes.' 
 
 "Besides the general interest . which the movement as a 
 quickening to spiritual life and earnestness, of a torpid and life- 
 less community presents, there are many special features of in- 
 terest arising I'rom individual cases. 
 
 " I will only add that the work seems still to be going on ; and 
 I would earnestly entreat the prayers of all the people of God, 
 into whose hands these details may come, on behalf of the work 
 itself — on behalf of those who have been impressed, and those 
 who have been brought to Christ, and on behalf of those who 
 are carrying on the labors ))y Avhich God is reviving his cause 
 there, especially Mr. Hammond, whose labors have been most 
 abundant, and to whose zeal, tact, perseverance and great self- 
 denial the whole that has been accom2}lished, is, under God, 
 mainly due. He came among us an unknown stranger from a 
 distant land, though bringing with him credentials of the most 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 53 
 
 satisfactory kind. He will return to his own land when his 
 
 work here is finished, bearing with him the love and confidence 
 
 of all who have made his acquaintance, and leaving his name 
 
 embalmed in the grateful recollections of many who shall praise 
 
 God through eternity that ever his feet were directed to the 
 
 shores of Scotland. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours in Christian bonds, 
 
 W. Lindsay Alexander. 
 
 In the Scottish Congregational Magazine, for 
 May, 1860, we find a very interesting report of tiie 
 anniversary meetings of the Congregational Union 
 of Scotland, at Glasgow, during which a conven- 
 tion was held in the City Hall, to hear addresses on 
 the great revival then in progress. It was. Mr. 
 Hammond's public introduction to his work. A 
 large audience was present. Ralph Wardlaw., Esq., 
 presided ; and after speeches by Rev. Mr. Cox, of 
 Edinburgh, and Rev. Mr. Nichol, of Rhynie, Rev, 
 W. L. Alexander, D. D., of Edinburgh, was next 
 introduced to the meeting. He said : 
 
 " Christian friends, the duty which I have to discharge on 
 the present occasion is a very pleasant one, and will be very 
 quickly discharged. I have simply to introduce to the meeting 
 a very much esteemed brother, who is a stranger among us ; 
 who has come to us from a far distant country, in the provi- 
 dence of God ; who has been honored to do a very great and 
 important work in connexion with one of our churches ; and 
 who, at my suggestion and request, (which was cordially met 
 by the local committee,) has come through to give us some ac- 
 count of the work of the Lord in which he has been an instru- 
 
54 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ment in that place. In introducing my friend, Mr. Hammond, 
 to the meeting, I may say, in the first place, that I look upon 
 his visit to this country and his residence in Edinburgh, as en- 
 tirely Providential. He has been brought to us without, in the 
 first instance, intending to come to us. He v^'as employed in 
 New York very actively during the revival there ; and about 
 twelve months ago it was thought desirable, that he should take 
 a voyage to this side of the Atlantic. When he left home, his 
 intention was simply to visit this country and return ; but cir- 
 cumstances induced him to spend the winter in Edinburgh as a 
 student of theology. It was about the beginning of last winter 
 that he made himself known to me. In the meantime, the 
 brethren at Musselburgh, feeling that they had no arm of flesh 
 to trust to, had been thrown very much upon earnest supplica- 
 tion that God would mercifully appear on their behalf. Just 
 at this crisis, one day Mr. Hammond called upon me, and he 
 said to me — ' Now that I am engaged with my studies here, 
 that is my chief business ; but I feel as if it would be necessary 
 for my soul that I should be engaged in some kind of evan- 
 gelistic work.' He had hardly uttered the .words when the 
 thought rushed across my mind — ' Here is a man sent to me 
 for Musselburgh.' I suggested to him that there was a place 
 which had occupied my thoughts for some time back, and that 
 if he would go down on Sabbath day and preach to them, I 
 thought he might revive their hearts, or, at any rate, keep the 
 place open. He consented at once. 
 
 " What I am about to state has been found interesting to 
 Christian people in other places, and have no doubt will be 
 found interesting to every Cliristian present this evening. I 
 will give expression to one or two feelings that have been ex- 
 cited in my mind with regard to the Musselburgh meeting. 
 The first thing that struck me in going out there was the in- 
 creased number of attendants. I went out upon a week 
 evening and preached in a place where I hardly ever saw a full 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 65 
 
 house upon a Sabbath day, and I found myself called upon to 
 address a congregation that crowded the place from wall to 
 wall, and even filled up the steps leading to the pulpit. That 
 struck me as very remarkable. It immediately satisfied my 
 mind that some very great work was going on there. Another 
 thing that struck me very much was the multitude of young 
 persons — of children, who were in the meeting, and who 
 seemed interested in the work that was going on then and there. 
 I may mention that before going into the meeting, I had been 
 in the vestry, which I found quite full of children. Mr. Ham- 
 mond was in the midst of them, and he must allow me to say I 
 was struck, and it was the first time 1 had ever heard him speak, 
 with the few words he said to the children and with the way in 
 which he adapted himself to them. I found he talked as well 
 to their understanding as to their hearts with great facility, 
 and he showed that he possessed what I think a very happy 
 quality, inasmuch as I do not possess it in the least myself, — 
 when he did not seem to interest them so much by talking to 
 them, be began to sing to them, and they joined at once in the 
 song. I was struck, further, after I had been preaching, on 
 going into the vestry, with the number of young lads, ragged- 
 looking collier lads, fisher lads, and that class of young men 
 who, from my knowledge of Musselburgh, seemed to me really 
 almost beyond the reach of evangelistic efibrts — I had a sort 
 of feeling that they were a hopeless class altogether. There 
 ttiey were, however, in the room, listening with the greatest 
 attention. When I went in they were engaged in singing. 
 After they were done singing, the whole company went down 
 on their knees. They had been accustomed to do so in prayer ; 
 and that was part of Mr. Hammond's system, I was going to 
 say tactics. One of the party engaged in prayer. I looked at 
 the man. I know him well enough ; I knew him of old. Pie 
 was a man who was pretty well known in the town as a very 
 rough character indeed,, aud he still retains upon his outward 
 
56 THE HARA^EST WORK 
 
 appearance something of bis ori<i;inal roughness. His prayer 
 was very short ; I don't think it lasted for three minutes. It 
 was the prayer of a man who had never been taught by any 
 human being to pray. There was not a single expression in his 
 prayer that we are accustomed to hear in prayers. He had evi- 
 dently been taught by his own meditation, and by the Spirit of 
 G(^d, to pray. Some of his exj)ression8 were very striking. I 
 do not know that I ever felt so touched by a prayer as I was 
 by that, though it was so short and simple. It was very strik- 
 ing, coming from a person who had never learned to pray ; in- 
 deed, whose only approximation to a prayer before probably 
 was taking his Maker's name in vain. Allow me to mention 
 also what struck me very much — the work among the chil- 
 dren. I confess I had something of the unbelieving state of 
 mind upon that subject to which reference has been made. 
 Having never come in contact myself with anything of the 
 kind, I frankly confess I had not just the same cordial belief in 
 the conversion of very young children as I have now. I happen- 
 ed, when I was out there one evening, to leave my great-coat in 
 one of the small vestries, and feeling the night air a little 
 chilly I thought I would put it on. When I went to the vestry 
 door I found it bolted. I Avas going to retire, when the dour 
 opened, and a very little girl appeared. I asked if there was 
 anybody in? She said — ' Yes, Sir.' Whispering, I said — 
 ' I was going in for my great-coat, but I will not disturb you ; 
 but who is it ? ' She said — ' A wheen o' us lassies.' I said — 
 ' I will not go in then ; could you get me my coat? ' She said 
 — ' It's here. Sir, but I canna get up to't.' I was going away 
 when she said — 'You might come in.' So I went in, and 
 there I found some six or eight — I forget exactly how many — 
 little girls like herself upon their knees, and one of them was 
 engaged in prayer when I stepped in. Whether she had over- 
 heard us talking at the door, or supposed that some person 
 had come in, I don't know, but her voice faltered, and she con- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 67 
 
 eluded very quickly. I hardly heard her ; but immediately 
 Bhe had concluded, another girl began to pray without their 
 rising from their knees, and a very simple, very child-like, but 
 very beautiful prayer it was. I stood listening to that child's 
 prayer, and the tears rushed down my cheeks as I listened ; I 
 could not help it, because I felt that I was reproved, that I Lad 
 doubted the work of God in that particular, and now lie had 
 brought me face to face with the work itself. After she had 
 concluded her little, short prayer, they rose up, and very abash- 
 ed the poor little things looked when they saw I was standing 
 in the midst of them. I began to talk to tliis little girl who 
 had been engaged in prayer, and I said to her after I had re- 
 assured her a little — ' Well, now, I heard you thanking God 
 for pardoning your sins, and for the peace of mind you have; 
 I suppose you feel that you have been converted ? ' And she 
 said — 'Yes, Sir,' with great quietness and great assurance of 
 mind. I said — ' Now, how did that come to pass ? you didn't 
 always think of these things.' ' Oh no! ' she said, 'I never 
 cared about these things at all.' * Well,' I said, 'just tell me 
 how it came to pass that you did come to care about them.' 
 She said — 'I came to the meetings, and attended them for a 
 while, but I did not care much about what was going on. One 
 night I went with some others into a room. There were a good 
 many women there, and some of them were greetin' about 
 their sins ; and a lady was present who spoke to them and told 
 them about their sins, and told them how they were to get 
 pardon of their sins ; and,' she added in her simple sort of way 
 — ' the thought just came into my mind that I was a sinner 
 too.' I said — 'And did you go away with that thought?' 
 ' Yes,' she replied. I said — ' Did that grieve you?' Look- 
 ing up in my face with a most earnest and striking expression, 
 she said — ' Eh, Sir, I was in an awfu' way ! ' In this state she 
 continued, she said, for a good while. I asked — ♦ How did 
 you find peace of mind? ' ♦ Oh, Sir,' she said, ' It was some- 
 
58 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 thing that Mr. Hammond said when he was preaching.' I ask- 
 ed — ' What gave you peace of mind? ' Turning on me again 
 the same intense and earnest look, she exclaimed — 'Oh there 
 is nothing can give peace of mind to the sinner but the blood 
 that was shed on Calvary.' Now, I just put it to any experi- 
 enced minister whether a statement like that does not show that 
 this child knows the way of salvation, and affords evidence of 
 having experienced the grace of God in truth. For my own 
 part all my doubts and unbelieving suspicions were gone. I 
 may just mention that, as this talk was going on, there was a 
 little boy'in the corner of the room — so little a fellow that he 
 had just emerged from the condition of petticoats, and had 
 not reached the dignity of a jacket ; his whole costume being 
 in one piece from his neck to his heels. He was standing in the 
 corner of the room, and sobbing very hard. The only idea that 
 came into my mind was tiiat the little fellow was sleepy, and 
 that he wanted to go away home as it was now about ten 
 o'clock. I said to one of the girls that he was wearied, and 
 that some one had better take him home. She said — ' Oh no, 
 Sir, he is not wearied; he is crying for his sins.' I went to 
 the little fellow and I spoke to him ; however, he was really 
 past speaking to. He was in a state of great distress what- 
 ever was the cause. I said to one of the girls — 'Perhaps 
 you could speak to him better than I could ; ' and she said to 
 me — ' Well, yes, Sir, 1 will speak to him, but he does not be- 
 long to this place.' I said — 'Indeed.' ' No,' she said, ' puir 
 fallow, he has walked all the way frae Prestonpans to-night.' 
 Now this was a dark wintry night, and yet this little creature 
 had walked by himself about four miles to get to the meet- 
 ing. I asked about him the last time I was out. This little 
 girl told me that she believed he was going on in the right 
 way, but that he did not come to Musselburgh now as there 
 was a revival in Coekenzie in his own neighborhood. This 
 was a very striking instance to me, and I was struck also 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 59 
 
 with the manifestation of a kindly interest in him on the 
 part of his juvenile companions. I said — ' This poor little 
 fellow cannot go home at this time of night.' ' Oh,' says one 
 little girl. ' I'll no let him gang hame ; I'll tak' him hame wi' 
 me.' This struck me as like the time of the beginning of the 
 gospel at Jerusalem, when they had all things in common, 
 and every man received into his house those from a distance 
 who were converted to the truth. Mr. Hammond has referred 
 to some who went down to Musselburgh from Edinburgh. 
 One servant girl went down, and she got into conversation 
 with one of those little girls, or the little girl got into con- 
 versation with her, — I don't know which — and the little 
 girl began to preach Christ to her as the Saviour of sinners, 
 to the utter amazement and astonishment of this grown-up 
 woman. She said to her, " Lassie, where did you learn 
 this ? ' After a little while the little girl, to her still further 
 astonishment, said — "If you will kneel down, I will pray 
 with you.' And to use the woman's own words ' she just 
 drappit doun on her knees and I couldna but gang doun 
 too." And the little girl prayed; and the woman, strongly 
 moved, when they rose up, exclaimed, ' Lassie, wha ever 
 learned you to pray?' The child's answer was — ' Naebody 
 learned me; I think the Lord just pita't into me,' That 
 was the means of that woman's conversion ; she is now one 
 who gives evidence of being really converted." 
 
 We introduce a fevs^ of the remarks of Mr. H. in 
 reply, because they reveal facts of interest. 
 
 "lie said that, when he first commenced his labors amongst 
 the peuple at Musselburgh, they were very few in number. He 
 found also that tlie great mass of the people in the neighbor- 
 hood were not church-going people, and though they were 
 ready to promise to attend the cliurch, they were too ready to 
 break their promises. At last a few began to come out. One 
 
60 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 night a mother came to him and asked him to speak with her 
 Bon, as he seemed to be very anxious about lus soul. Night 
 after night inquirers came in crowds, for a while there were few 
 to assist in pointing inquirers to Christ. Some people came out 
 of curiosity, and many Christian men of various denominations, 
 who came ' to see,' remained to pray, and help on the good 
 work. The Provost of the town, and prominent members of 
 the various churches, felt that it was their common cause. The 
 nightly meetings had l^een kept up for eight weeks, and the 
 church had been generally well filled, and sometimes crowded. 
 A number of i^eople had come from a distance to attend the 
 meetings. A most respectable lady, at a place thirty miles 
 distant, had heard of the work at Musselburgh ; and, without 
 knowing an individual in the place, she came and took lodgings 
 that she might attend the meetings. A request was sent in, 
 stating that she had come so far that she might know the truth 
 as it is in Jesus. For a number of days she was in deep dis- 
 tress of mind ; but in the course of a week she began to have 
 hope ; and she had since written, stating she was now happy, 
 and striving to do something for Christ amongst her neighbors. 
 It had been delightful to see men of all denominations coming 
 up to assist in this good work of the Lord. It was truly re- 
 freshing to get letters, from those u^nknown before, offering to 
 come and preach the Word of Life to those anxious to know 
 what they must do to be saved ; and Dr. Cunningham and 
 Prof. Smcaton, with whose advice he had undertaken the work, 
 had manifested much interest in the movement. It was de- 
 lio-htful to see so many from different wings of the bannered 
 hosts of the Lord coming up to battle against the powers of 
 darkness. In these revival times the followers of our great 
 Captain cease to look with an evil eye upon those wearing dif- 
 ferent regimentals, and, with their faces fixed upon the banner 
 of the cross, press forward to the victory. Mr. H. referred to 
 the necessity of the meetings sometimes being kept till late. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIKIT. 61 
 
 Every soldier in Edinburgh Castle during a time of peace is 
 expected to be within the gates before a given hour ; but let an 
 enemy invade the land, old rules are then set aside, and no 
 thought is taken of the winged hours, not even if the whole 
 niglit is spent in the conflict. ' Tliis,' said he, ' is a time of 
 invasion. The Holy Spirit has in many places been graciously 
 poured out. The minions of darkness are alarmed and martial- 
 ed in battle array ; and now is the time, calmly, yet fearlessly, 
 and trusting in Ilim whose right arm alone can gain the victory, 
 to go forth to the conflict.' He repeated the words of a promi- 
 nent member of the Free Church — ' Would that in all our 
 Churches the number of those anxious for the salvation of their 
 souls were so great, that it was necessary to remain up till mid- 
 night to point them to Jesus.' Some might call this excite- 
 ment, but those who had impartially witnessed the revival in 
 Musselburgh were convinced that it was a deep and solemn 
 work of the Holy Spirit." 
 
 Rev. Wm. L. Gage, forme .-Ij Unitarian minister 
 in Massachusetts, also spoke; and we here give, in- 
 stead of his speech, an extract from a letter written 
 several months later, for the Congregationalist, 
 Boston, from a sick-room. He did much by voice 
 and pen to prepare the way for revival labors in 
 America : 
 
 *' ' Go to Musselburgh,' said Dr. Alexander, 'and save this 
 church, and if you succeed there, you can succeed anywhere.' 
 Mr. Hammond went. And not only did he go, but he prosper- 
 ed. In only two or three weeks })c had vitalized every member 
 of the little flock and had set them to work. In a week or 
 two more, he had revival meetings every evening, and the 
 
62 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 church was crowded. He had little or no encouragement from 
 the other clergymen of the place, for they had never witnessed 
 a revival before, and had no nearer view of Whitefield's preach- 
 ing in the reign of George 11. But, unaffected by the want of 
 co-operation, Mr. Hammond worked on, introduced our Ameri- 
 can melodies, the unwonted sounds to those who have never 
 listened to a more rapidly moving air than Wells, or Dundee, 
 introduced our inquiry meetings, and our bright, sharp and 
 prompt methods of conducting the religious services. The 
 effect was immediate. Inquiry meetingFi were instituted and 
 were thronged. In a month from the time when a special in- 
 terest was awakened, a hundred felt that they had found their 
 Saviour. . He was continuing his studies at Edinburgh, preach- 
 ing every night amid the excitement of a revival. For a month, 
 the length of my stay there, I was intimate with the young 
 evangelist. I preached for him fifteen times, and was with him 
 under all circumstances. We often occupied the same room at 
 night ; we were together recipients of the same generous hos- 
 pitalities, we communicated to each other our inmost thoughts. 
 I was utterly unable to make his place good in a revival meet- 
 ing, and the most that I could do was to stand in his stead and 
 give him time to rest. But I had ample opportunity to study 
 his character, and it is my deliberate conviction, that I have 
 never met a man who was more devoted, heart, mind, soul and 
 strength, to the cause of Christ. He was recklessly prodigal of 
 his health. He labored without salary, and with no grounded 
 expectation that a purse would be made up for him. He was 
 remembered, it is true, and during my visit at Edinburgh I 
 was charged with the delightful duty of presenting him pub- 
 licly with a valuable set of theological writings, and a liberal 
 sum was subscribed in his behalf. Mr. Hammond is by no 
 means deficient in scholarship, nor in the lighter graces of cul- 
 ture. He is now a graduate of Williams College He is a 
 young man of reading, and even of literary aspirations. But 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 63 
 
 first and foremost in him is his devotion to the work of an evan- 
 gelist. I write all this entirely out of his knowledge, and only 
 from the wish that he may not meet in Boston the cold hand 
 and unsympathizing face of misjudged prejudice, but that he 
 may be helped by all those who wish well, I will not say to the 
 revival system, but to a man of integrity, power, fervor, and of 
 the most humble mind, and purest aspirations."' 
 
 Rev. Wm, Arnot, of St. Peter's Church, Glas- 
 gow, remarked at the great " Presentation Meet- 
 ing " in the same place a year later : 
 
 '' If I understand aright the position which I have been in- 
 vited to occupy this evening, the two points which I ought to 
 touch are the work and the wages of an evangelist. I am pre- 
 pared to assume fully the responsibility of dealing with these 
 two things in their application to our present circumstances. 
 These I count the main pillars of the cause, and on these I am 
 ready to take my stand without faltering. . . . While I 
 hold myself neutral on some points, I see clearly that a large 
 portion of the people who oppose them have no ground to stand 
 upon. When a soldier or diplomatist who has gained a name 
 comes in their way, they are in haste to feast and honor him. 
 Soldiers who have fought and won they feast ; and, failing 
 these, so keen is their relish for the work, that they will catch 
 and feast a stra}^ soldier who has neither fought nor won. Now 
 to the two points which I count my own. And first, the work 
 of an evangelist. Where do evangelists come Irom ? They 
 just cast up, and that is all that can be said about the human 
 side of the question. On the upper side, the answer is short 
 and easy — if they are true evangelists, they are the gifts of 
 Christ to his weary heritage. When God intends to trouble 
 the waters I must not, under color of order, limit him in the in- 
 struments which He shall employ. He may employ a minister- 
 
64 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 iiig angel, or a ministering man, or a ministering child ; or He 
 may do the work by political revolutions or material earth- 
 quakes. It is not my part to determine beforehand how he 
 ought to do it, but to wait reverently and gladly on what he 
 has done. And after the work is clone, it is not difficult even 
 to see some of the reasons why the Head of the Church em- 
 ploys a sti anger chiefly in such an awakening. It is dangerous 
 to be set upon such a height of public observation as this 
 awakening necessarily sets him on ; if it is dangerous for him, 
 a stranger, what would it have been for some of us who have 
 for a generation been in a position of honor in the community, 
 and who are rooted in the almost hereditary affections of large 
 congregations? Every man must judge for himself on this 
 point ; but for my part, I gladly acquiesce in the providence of 
 God herein, believing that I see Divine wisdom even in the in- 
 cidental circumstances of the work. Consider further how 
 much practical power and success have depended ' upon certain 
 authoritative private thrusts at the conscience — probing direct- 
 ly the present spiritual state of the individual. He is in a bet- 
 ter position for doing that work than I would be, or than most ^^ 
 resident ministers. The very fact that he is a stranger in- 
 creases his power in that direction. That sort of thrust is like 
 stretching a beam over a chasm, and expecting it to bear a 
 weight. The length of the l)eam lessens its strength. The 
 shorter beam is the stronger, simply because it is short. Every 
 stumble that a resident minister makes during a thirty years' 
 ministry among the same people is like a knot in the wood — a 
 place at which it will give way if he venture to lean much 
 upon it. No doubt, an evangelist might settle down to a thirty 
 years' ministry on the same spot, and be so kept, by God's 
 almighty and miraculous grace, that he would not only make 
 no weakening stumble, but that the people would not at any 
 time take up a causeless prejudice against him. This and all 
 things are possible with the Lord ; but they are not common in 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 65 
 
 the world — perhaps I may say more, they never happen. 
 M'Cheyne had that strength, and exerted it. He spoke 
 with authority, and spoke home. He spoke with amazing 
 eifect to the conscience in his quiet words. Would this pe- 
 culiar power have been weakened if his life had been 
 lengthened ? I cannot tell ; all I know is, that it was not 
 tried. It may be, indeed, that we are on the ver^e of brighter 
 days and higher attainments for the Church. I can think, 
 with hope, of the time being near when the weakest of Israel 
 shall be as the house of David, and the house of David as the 
 Angel of the Lord. I am hopeful for the future ; but I speak 
 of the history of the past. We shall gladly forget the things 
 behind, if we are carried onward and upward. Let no one fear 
 for a moment that Ihe recognition of this extraordinary evan- 
 gelistic work supersedes the ministry. It supports the ministry 
 in two points of view ; first, it gives us more work in the way 
 of directing the awakening and watching the converts ; but, 
 further, it will make our sermons more appreciated, and more 
 in request. A man who has been awakened by an extem- 
 poraneous, unstudied address, does not want to sit and hear 
 such addresses always. He has an appetite now for careful, 
 sj'stematic teaching ; your well-prepared sermon, that went 
 over him like water olf a goose's back, now goes into him 
 like rain into thirsty ground. I speak not only by reason- 
 ing on the nature of the case, but also by experience of the 
 fact. Where many are awakened by miscellaneous fervent 
 appeals, there the ordinary ministry is more needed and 
 more valued. Although a hundred such men as Mr. Hammond 
 were let loose on Glasgow, my occupation would not be gone. 
 By-and-by, if they were successful, their occupation would be 
 gone — tl;eir occupation as awakening evangelists ; and if they 
 should remain, they would require to fall into the regular 
 methods of the ministry. I thank God for this work ; and I 
 honor the worker. And when a faithful man comes up to 
 
6Q THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 my side, and whispers, are you not afraid you spoil him ? I 
 answer, there is danger on that side, I am alive to it ; but I 
 must not do one evil to escape another. I should fear to ofiend 
 the Lord, if I did not acknowledge his servant. Last and not 
 least, he helped us to interest the children. I do not say that 
 he suggested the idea, for some of us have been trying it for 
 many years ; but he has given us something new in method, 
 and has shown us how to put life in the old method. The 
 employment of music to enlist the sympathies and habits of 
 children on the side of Christ has received a mighty 
 impulse at this time — simultaneously from many evangel- 
 ists. In this walk he has done a great Avork. If envy were 
 lawful at all in the matter, I wo\ild envy him the place which 
 he has been enabled to gain for Christ in the hearts of hundreds 
 of children, and the place which he has himself in their hearts 
 as the servant of the Lord. 
 
 And liere we shall notice so far as proper respect 
 for misapprehensions and the desire to know Mr. 
 Hammond's position, by others is concerned, some of 
 the objections made to his methods of advancing the 
 kingdom of Christ. We cannot better introduce 
 and discuss the unattractive subject, than by a 
 quotation from Jonathan Edwards' " Thoughts on 
 the Revival of- Religion in New England, A. D., 
 1740." In this interesting and instructive volume, 
 he devotes a large portion of the contents to answer- 
 ing the popular objections to the work of God ; 
 which are similar to those heard in all ages, and re- 
 peated whenever the Lord pours contemjit upon 
 human wisdom, and moves with Pentecostal power 
 upon the people. While quackery, unavoidable in 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 67 
 
 all science and every profession, may be condem- 
 ned and opposed, and the reliance upon religious 
 novelties and machinery deprecated, Edwards con- 
 tends nobly for a just discrimination in the mat- 
 ter, and claims Christian confidence and sympathy 
 for revivals and the actors in them, when the Spirit 
 of God clearly puts his unerring seal upon both. 
 We select number six of his topics, because it meets 
 a common occasion of suspicious questioning now-a- 
 days. It is, " The comp'aint of too much singing, 
 and of relioious meetino-s of children." 
 
 " We that are grown persons have defects in our prayers that 
 are a thousand times worse in the sight of God, and are a 
 greater confusion and more absurd nonsense in his eyes than 
 their childish indiscretions. There is not so much diflerence 
 before God, between children and grown persons, as we are 
 ready to imagine ; we are all poor, ignorant, foolish babes in 
 his sight : our adult age does not bring us so much nearer to 
 God as we are apt to think. God in his work has shown a re- 
 markable regard to little children ; he has been pleased in a 
 wonderful manner to perfect praise out of the mouths of babes 
 and sucklings. I have seen many happy eS'ccts of children's 
 religious meetings ; and God has seemed often remarkably to 
 own them in their meetings, and really descended from heaven 
 to be amongst them. All should take heed that they do not 
 find fault with and despise the religion of children from an evil 
 principle, lest they should be like the chief Priests and Scribes, 
 who were sore displeased at the religious worship and praises 
 of little children." 
 
 We think with this great man, that the danger is 
 
DO THE HARVEST \VORK 
 
 not in seeking to bless and save, even if many are 
 only moved by sympathy at the time ; but in 
 neglecting and repelling with an atmosphere of 
 distance and doubt, the " little children," of whom 
 the. Master said, " Suffer them to come unto me, 
 and forbid them not." 
 
 We quote from Dr. Griffin, of Newark, N. J., 
 upon this touching theme, in the following descrip- 
 tive sketch of a revival in that city ; 
 
 *' The appearance was as if a collection of waters, long sus- 
 pended over the town, had fallen at once, and deluged the whole 
 place. For several weeks the people would stay at the close of 
 every evening service to hear some new exhortation ; and it 
 seemed impossible to persuade them to depart, until those on 
 whose Ijps they hung had retired. At those seasons you might 
 . see a multitude weeping and trembling around their minister, 
 and many others standing as astonished spectators of the scene, 
 and beginning to tremble themselves. One Sabbath, after the 
 second service, when I had catechized and dismissed the little 
 children, they gathered around me, weeping, and inquiring 
 what they should do. I know not but a hundred were in tears 
 at once. The scene was as affecting as it was unexpected. 
 Having prayed with them again, and spent some time in exhor- 
 tation. I attempted to send them away, but with all my en- 
 treaties I could not prevail upon them to depart until night 
 came on, and then 1 was obliged to go out with them, and liter- 
 ally force them from me." 
 
 This scene suggests another fact of late revival 
 effort, often noticed with condemnation, at least dis- 
 trust : The inquiry meeting at the close of service, 
 sometimes at evening, continued till a late hour. 
 
OF THE nOLT SPIRIT. 69 
 
 That the most favorable time for personal inquiry 
 and appeal is at the very moment when truth is 
 stirring the conscience and the heart, is apparent ; 
 and that the Spirit's operations, since the world be- 
 gan, have been without limitations of human origin, 
 is equally clear. Order and rational thought are 
 the only unchangeable laws of his working ; meaning 
 by order, the opposite of confusion and noisy de- 
 monstrations of feeling which are an affectation of 
 zeal. 
 
 Dr. Griffin, Whitefield, and many others dis- 
 tinguished for success in winning souls to Christ, 
 have left their testimony. And does any one doubt 
 the assertion, that inspiration alone saves the repu- 
 tation of Paul for sanity and prudence, when it is 
 recorded of him, that, after preaching till midnight, 
 and a young man falling from the upper window, 
 came near to death, he cared for the sufferer, then 
 resumed his discourse to the multitude till mornin^x? 
 
 God teaches us in manifold ways his supreme re- 
 gard for the soul of man, and his displeasure to- 
 ward those who apologize, for neglect of it, by an 
 appeal to propriety, and a quiet which leaves un- 
 moved the mai^ses of the impenitent on the margin 
 of hell. The theory of a gradual and continual 
 increase of converts and additions to the church, is 
 beautifully calm, but was never realized to any ex- 
 tent and never will be, before the morning glory of 
 the millennium floods the eartli. 
 
iO THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 Speaking personally to the people, and using 
 the press, in attracting public attention to the 
 meetings, are also spoken against by even good 
 people. The former is too plainly Apostolic and 
 Scriptural, to need a defence, if only kind and 
 courteous. The wondrous power of speech is mo- 
 nopolized by the world, and must be converted to 
 Christ by his disciples again. And certainly the 
 press belongs to God, and ought to be used for his 
 glory, and not for man's ambition. If this be the 
 motive and aim, no matter how freely the mighty 
 means of good or evil, be employed in gaining the 
 listening ear. 
 
 Edwards thus alludes to the subject : 
 
 *' One thing more I would mention, which, if God should 
 still carry on this work, would tend much to promote it ; and 
 that is, that a history/ should be published once a month, or once 
 a fortnight, of the progress of it. It has been found by experi- 
 ence, that the tidings of remarkable eifects of the power and 
 grace of God in any place, tend greatly to awaken and engage 
 the minds of persons in other places. " 
 
 He further writes upon the peculiarities of a re- 
 vival, and pointedly deals with a disposition to cavil 
 and reject instrumentalities, because new and with- 
 out precedent. They, that do so, " limit God where 
 he has not limited himself; for whoever has well 
 weighed the wonderful and mysterious methods of 
 Divine wisdom in carrying on the work of new crea- 
 tion, or in the progress of the work of redemption, to 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 71 
 
 this time, may easily observe that it has all along 
 been God's manner to open new scenes and to bring 
 forth to view things new and wonderful, such as eye 
 had not seen nor ear heard, nor had entered into the 
 heart of men or angels, to the astonishment of heaven 
 and earth, not only in the revelation of the works of 
 his mind and will, but also in the work of his hands." 
 Respecting the narration of C.^.ristian experience, 
 which, in connection with a constant appeal to God's 
 word, and ijitense earnestness, is one of the chief 
 sources of power in the youthful Evangelist noticed 
 in these pages ; Mr. Tracy, in his " Great Awaken- 
 ing," says ; 
 
 "It is doubtless true, that there can be no infallibility with 
 fallible judges ; and that the errors of enthusiasts have done 
 much to bring the relation of experience into disrepute ; and that 
 some religious men have been made ashamed to shov^^ any re- 
 spect for the practice by the sneers of those, who, having no re- 
 ligious experience themselves, hate and despise all regard for it 
 in others ; and that for such reasons the subject has received 
 less attention than it deserves. # * * # * 
 
 T!ie history of the " Great Awakening," is the history of 
 this idea, (" the new birth ") making its way through some 
 communities where it had fallen into comparative negleat, and 
 througli others wliere it was comparatively unknown ; over- 
 turning theories and habits and forms of organization incon- 
 sistent with it when it could prevail, and repelled by them when 
 it could not." 
 
 We close this view of the instrumentalities used 
 in the " times of refreshing," with letters and earnest 
 
72 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 words from eminent living preachers and pastors. 
 The first is from the pen of Rev. John Hensel- 
 wood, of Haddington, Scotland, the home of the 
 celebrated Dr. John Brown, addressed to Mr. H. : 
 
 East U. P. Manse, Haddington, June 17th, 1861. 
 My Dear Brother ; 
 
 " It may seem strange to you that you should be spoken 
 against by any party, and especially by any party making pro- 
 fessions of interest in the Redeemer's cause. But I presume 
 you can scarcely be ignorant of the fact. No\^ while I believe 
 this enmity has its origin partly in hostility to an earnest and 
 vital Christianity, and also in part, to feelings of envy, jealousy, 
 and pride, yet, much of it arises also from other causes vrhich 
 are scarcely so bad. These causes are many and various, and 
 not a few of them. I believe, orginate in ignorance and misun- 
 derstanding as to the character and motives, of your efforts and 
 aims. Pure and disinterested love of souls is a thing so rare 
 either in ministers or in any other class, that its existence can 
 scarcely be credited; and rather than believe that any one, who 
 professes to have such love, is sincere in his profession, men will 
 believe almost anything else. Hence every act of such an in- 
 dividual is liable to be misconstrued , and his most disinterested 
 performances are scrutinized with an eye to discover, if possible, 
 how they may be stript of their disinterested character, and be 
 brought down to the level of ordinary human actions — of which 
 the predominating element is selfishness. What renders such at- 
 tempts so successful, is the melancholy fact that the purest and 
 most disinterested love of souls to be found on earth is, always 
 at the best, impure and mixed with selfishness; so that there is 
 generally enough, even in the best actions, to furnish a handle 
 whereby they, who feel disposed to find it out and to use it, may 
 rob you of any opportunity you might otherwise have, of ex- 
 hibiting the power of true Christian love. How much need 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 73 
 
 therefore, have we, who profess to have a disinterested love of 
 Bouis, to be ever on our guard against all yielding to selfishness 
 in any of its forms. How much need, in a word, that we be 
 really and wholly devoted to Christ and filled with his spirit. 
 Ohforafew — even if they were a few — men of such a stamp! 
 They would be the harbingers of that golden age we are longing 
 for, when the world shall be filled with real, living., loving 
 Christians." 
 
 Kev. Dr. Carruthers, of Portland, uses the follow- 
 ing language in a letter to a friend, which we are 
 permitted to quote : 
 
 " My visit to So. Paris, was most interesting. It would be a 
 grand movement if the adjoining villages of N. and P. Hill 
 were, for a month, the scene of labor to Mr. H. Unitarianism 
 and Universalism — the two main wings of Satan's army, are 
 there so strongly entrenched, as to require some of those shells 
 which he knows how to throw, in order to dislodge them. They 
 are absolutely beyond the reach of the ordinary means of grace 
 — and the gospel, as set forth in the ordinary discourses of the 
 evangelical pulpit, has little of adaptation to these subtle and 
 eoul-ruinous forms of heresy. Their abettors, besides, seldom 
 come where they can hear the truth, and hence the peculiar 
 value of such an order of " evangelism," as shall draw them 
 from their strongholds and compel them to hear the words of 
 truth and soberness. Such labors as those of our honored 
 brother are greatly needed throughout the State of Maine; and - 
 I have little hope of its evangelization otherwise than by such 
 prayerful, persistent and peculiar efforts. The dislike and op- 
 position manifested towards these forms of Christian labor, are, 
 in my mind, distinctly traceable to very difierent causes from 
 those for which credit is desired ; and I sincerely mourn the 
 probable issue of such methods of treating the testimony and 
 the work of the Holy Spirit. God grant that He may not be 
 
74 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 80 grieved as entirely to withdraw his precious influences and 
 leave this portion of his heritage to desolation, sterility and 
 death ! For myself, my family, my church, my parish, I 
 am siacerely thankful that we were not left to look coldly on 
 our devoted brother, and to refuse co-operation in a work 
 fraught with such momentous consequences to so many souls. 
 I have no doubt of the deep sincerity of not a few who refuse 
 their sympathy with this great work — but sincerity is no 
 adequate test of truth and duty — and careful inquiry and ex- 
 amination should, in every case, precede proscription. To their 
 own master, however, they stand or fall. Let us be faithful to 
 our own convictions — let us cherish the precious gift of the 
 Holy Spirit and watch, and work, and wait in humble reliance 
 on the promised presence and power of Him who is above all, 
 and through all,and in you all." 
 
 We cannot omit a pleasant note from Rev. Mr. 
 Bonar, the well-known and admired poet, whose 
 lines are more frequently quoted, perhaps, than 
 those of any living religious writer ; feeling quite 
 sure it will interest the reader, and inspire confidence 
 in his friend : 
 
 Kelso, April. 
 " I have been following your footsteps with interest in many 
 quarters ; and I now write to ask you to visit the borders. I 
 would earnestly entreat you to come to our help here. This is 
 the centre of a very populous district. Many of our villages 
 have been visited with blessing. As yet Kelso has only received 
 a few drops. We are waiting for the shower. Will you not 
 come and help us? Do try. I need not use arguments. I 
 commend the matter to God, and remain yours very faithfully 
 in the bonds of Christ, 
 
 Horatius Bonar." 
 
 We feel assured that the reflective. Christian 
 
OF THE HOLY STIRIT. 75 
 
 reader, will feel that God our Saviour has sent forth 
 a laborer into his vineyard, to do a work which will 
 honor Him, the dust of whose chariot wheels, in 
 his conquering marches, not unfrequently blinds the 
 eyes of wondering beholders. He pauses not to 
 consult the doubting friends, nor answer the scorn 
 of unscrupulous enemies. Let his saints rejoice 
 that he reigns and works ; j)raying for wisdom to 
 discern the signs of these threatening times ; and 
 for grace, whereby we may " serve God acceptably, 
 with reverence and godly fear." 
 
 The voice of Providence and grace, to those 
 whose great object it is to win souls to Christ, re- 
 peats the sentiment of one who had labored in the 
 harvest of souls, with woman's love and zeal : 
 
 " The fields are white for harvest, 
 
 The reapers they are here, 
 Armed with the Gospel sickle, 
 
 The waving grain to clear. 
 With heart and hand united, 
 
 Thus work this busy throng, 
 While o'er the fields resoundeth 
 
 Their glorious harvest song. 
 
 " Ho ! all yc Christian reapers, 
 
 Go, labor while you may ! 
 Into your Master's garner 
 
 Oh ! gather all the day. 
 He '11 bless the feeblest efibrts, 
 
 He '11 give to all their meed, 
 Who in his name go weeping, 
 
 Uo scatter precious seed." 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Kevival in Gifford. Haddington — its historical interest, and the 
 awakening. Mission to the West of England — Great open-air 
 meeting at Huntly. The work in adjacent towns — Aberdeen, 
 Dumfernline, Edinburgh, Tillicoultry. The mining district, 
 Motherwell and Wishaw. The closing year's record. 
 
 GifFord, a farming town four miles from Had- 
 dington, was the next field of effort ; meanwhile 
 Rev. James Stewart, pastor of the Free Church, 
 was laboring in Musselburgh. Nearly a week later, 
 upon returning to his charge, Mr. S. found large 
 numbers inquiring the way to the Cross. Meetings 
 were held daily, till many of them were rejoicing in 
 the hope of eternal life. 
 
 A call was extended to Mr. Hammond by the 
 church in Musselburgh to settle over them as their 
 pastor ; but his heart was in the work of the Evan- 
 gelist. 
 
 Six churches and five ministers of Haddington 
 united in extendino; the invitation to commence a 
 series of meetings there, and he at once accepted. 
 For a week, they were held in the different 
 churches. 
 
 The old cathedral where Dr. John Brown, the 
 great expositor, and John Knox preached, seating 
 
THE HARVEST WOEK. ^ 77 
 
 fifteen hundred, was filled. The Holy Spirit was 
 present, and a number were led to the Lamb of 
 God, while Chrisiians were refreshed, and rejoiced 
 together in his saving presence. 
 
 An intelligent lady, daughter of an officer in the 
 Bengal Army, who had been for years a member of 
 a church, gives a clear narrative of her experience, 
 at this time : 
 
 " You cannot think how much I value the privilege of being 
 able to write to a Christian friend. For the first few 
 days after I really thought I had found jieace in the Lord 
 Jesua, my whole soul seemed to be filled with joy and thankful- 
 ness, and I felt an utter distaste and hatred for all the worldly 
 sins and pleasure which had formerly constituted my sole en- 
 joyments. Oh ! how I wish that I had continued in this happy 
 etate. And yet I have cause to thank my Saviour that, amid 
 all the doubts and temptations which are continually distress- 
 ing me, 1 still love to fray — which I never did in my life be- 
 fore. What should I do without prayer? I am often inclined 
 to envy my sisters in thus going straight to Christ for salvation, 
 instead of living for years as I have done, supposing mys(4f to 
 be a Christian, trusting to merit heaven through a close obser- 
 waince of all our church rites and ceremonies, instead of trust- 
 ing; alone to the finished work of Jesus Christ. 
 
 I have been talking much of late to my second sister, and 
 have been praying especially for her that she may come at once 
 to Jesud, if she could only be made to see her need of a 
 Saviour, and that she "must be born again." Although so 
 young, she has for some time past been a member of our church 
 by her own desire, and yet she told me that she could not really 
 Bay, she loved Jesus. May I ask you to join in praying for her ? 
 It well becomes me to be deeply concerned for her ; but a few 
 
7b THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 weeks ago and I was in the same darkness, and quite unconscious 
 that, notwithstanding all my professions, if I liad died then 
 I must have been lost. What can I do ? Time is so uncer- 
 tain, and eternity is for ever. I never rightly understood the 
 value of a soul till now. Yes, Jesus is now indeed precious to 
 me ; I would not give some of the hours which I sometimes 
 enjoy in his presence, for all the world has to bestow." 
 
 Soon after, he went to the south-east coast of 
 England, Lowestoft, where a tremendous gale had 
 destroyed about one hundred and sixty persons who 
 were fishing on the Sabbath. 
 
 It was thought that the minds of many would be 
 tender, and that they might be induced to give up 
 their Sabbath-breaking. For four weeks he held 
 meetings in towns along the coast nearly every 
 night. Mr. Plammond wrote : " It was a mistake 
 trying to combine the two things*. Had I devoted 
 my whole energies to the revival of religion and the 
 conversion of souls, I think it would, though in- 
 directly, have done more for the promotion of the 
 better observance of the Sabbath." 
 
 We find a report of one of these meetings, from 
 which we quote an extract, as possessing interest in 
 respect to the Sabbath question itself : 
 
 " On Wednesday evening last, the 18th, a full meeting was 
 held at the National School-room, Gorleston, for the purpose of 
 promoting the better observance of the Lord's Day, and especial- 
 ly among the owners, masters, and men, of the fishing boats in 
 that village. Eev. W.W. Blanford, Curate, presided. Among 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 79 
 
 thos3 present were J. Garnham, Esq., R. N., Capt. S. Smyth, 
 R. N., Rev. E. P. Hammond, (from New York,) &c. 
 
 " The meeting commenced with singing. The verses from 12 
 to 21 of the 20th of Ezekiel were read, followed by a short 
 prayer. The Chairman then introduced the business of the 
 meeting, observing that two institutions only had been appoint- 
 ed in Paradise, Marriage and the Sabbath. Mr. Hammond was 
 introduced and commenced by speaking of what had already 
 been done in the adjoining iowns. In Lowestoft and vicinity 
 large public meetings had been held, attended by the most in- 
 fluential of the resident and by many of the boat-owners and 
 fishermen ; and pledges were now being circulated there, and 
 had been signed by large numbers. In Southworld all of the 
 boat-owners but two had given in their pledges against the 
 Saturday night and Sunday fishing. In Pakcfield and Kessing- 
 land there was almost a universal feeling in its favor. In 
 Kessingland especially they were anxious for both nights' fish- 
 ing being given up. The only excuse he found ofiered for San- 
 day fishing was that others practise it. This reminded him 
 of having seen a flock of sheep leaping one after the other 
 over the side of a steamer into the ocean and perishing. This 
 he applied in a most solemn manner to those who, in spite of 
 this dreadful judgment from heaven, were continuing to set at 
 defiance the commands of God in desecrating His Holy Day, 
 and who were thus treasuring up for themselves ' wrath against 
 the day of wrath ' — a- more dreadful ' day ' to such than 
 that sad 28th of May, 18G0. 
 
 " Mr. H. spoke of the physical argument in favor of making 
 the Sabbath a day of rest after the toils of the week, even as 
 the night is for rest after the labors of the day. This was the 
 divine plan, and those who infringed the laws of nature, and 
 especially of the decalogue, will sooner or later find themselves 
 the losers. 
 
80 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " A Sabbath "well spent 
 Brings a week of content, 
 
 And health for the toils of the morrow ; 
 But a Sabbath profaned, 
 Whatsoe'er may be gained. 
 
 Is a sure forerunner of sorrow." 
 
 Mr. H. gave some interesting accounts of the great revival of 
 religion, Avhich he had witnessed in America, Ireland, and 
 Scotland, and showed the influence of this work in producing 
 the better observance of the Sabbath. This, after all, was hut 
 a surface question. When men could be brought by the influence 
 of the Spirit of the Lord, by thousands and tens of thousands, 
 as it had been in the United States, to feel the heinous nature 
 of all sin in the sight of a Holy God, and to look alone to 
 Christ as the only ground of justification, then ivould the Sab- 
 bath become a joy and ' delight.'' " 
 
 " No such meetings as these would then have to be called. At 
 a meeting in Lowestoft a fisherman, who had recently been con- 
 verted to Christ, said, ' A bushel of guineas would not tempt 
 me now to fish on the Sabbath.' He felt the great thing need- 
 ed was the revival, or rather the introduction of real religion 
 into each man's soul, that each should be born again, and 
 made a new creature in Christ Jesus. Then they would value 
 the Sabbath Day as a most blessed privilege as well as a right. 
 The following is one of his illustrations in order to demonstrate 
 the claims of the fishermen for the enjoyment of the Sabbath. 
 I once stood in Castle Garden, at New York, and saw a 
 weather-beaten ship, with mast and rudder gone, sails tattered 
 and torn, being towed into the great dry dock, there to be re- 
 fitted and made ready to battle again with the tempests and 
 raging billows. What would you have thought if the officers 
 of the harbor had given orders for the disabled bark to be tow- 
 ed out again to sea, and left to struggle in vain with the con- 
 tending waves, and at last to sink to rise no more ? Such in* 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 81 
 
 human conduct we should all condemn. But do we not, as 
 boat owners, in passing sentence against these oflScers, condemn 
 ourselves ? What are those of our crew but weather-beaten 
 mariners on the sea of life ? And are we not even more guilty 
 in refusing our fishermen the enjoyment of the privileges of the 
 Sabbath, than those officers would have been had they denied 
 that disabled ship the use of the harbor for repairs? Are we 
 not thus depriving our men of one of the richest boons of 
 heaven — even the God-given rights of the Sabbath as a day of 
 rest for the weary body and the hungry .soul? He concluded 
 his interesting address by pressing tliem with earnest exhorta- 
 tions, mingled with striking illustrations, not to delay turning 
 to the Lord. The Scriptures everywhere insisted upon im- 
 mediate repentance and faith in the Saviour. His language 
 uniformly was, " Now is the accepted time, now is the day of 
 Salvation." 
 
 From Lowestoft, Mr. Hammond went to Himtly, 
 in the north of Scotland, to speak in the open- 
 air meetings, held for two days under the prtronage 
 of the Duchess of Gordon, who expended $2000, 
 it was stated, in defraying expenses of trains going 
 to and returning from the grounds, and other de- 
 mands upon her liberality. It was the inauguration 
 of a series of similiar gatherings in the kingdom, 
 attended with incalculable good. We take extracts 
 respecting the grand convocation, from the British 
 Herald : 
 
 " A gi'eat work of grace has been going on for a considerable 
 period in different parts of some of the northern counties of 
 Scotland, particularly in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire ; and 
 
82 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 the assembling of 10,000 souls, at the Huntlj open-air meetings 
 in the end of July, gave to all doubters a demonstration of its 
 genuineness and extent. Twelve months ago such a ' gathering ' 
 far prayer and preaching would have bsen impossible ia 
 that district. We believe that a large proportion of the adults, 
 composing the meetings of 25th and 2Gth July, were converted 
 persons, and perhaps we should have found on inquiry that one 
 half of these converts were not yet a year old. That assemblage 
 proved,to the satisfaction of all impartial Christian visitors 
 from distant parts of these and other lands, that the Lord had 
 for some time been doing great things by the outpouring of his 
 Holy Spirit, and that He was continuing to give " showers of 
 blessing." The Rev. A. Moody Stuart, of Ediuburgh, who 
 took a leading part in conducting the services of these meetings, 
 has evidently the same impression, for we find him writing to 
 that eflect in a published letter now before us, part of which 
 runs thus : ' The great gathering in the Castle Park at Iluntly, 
 proves, by the mere presence of the congregated multitudes, 
 that there still burns within the people an unquenched thirst 
 for the water and the word of life, while its fruits indicate that 
 the Spirit of God is still moving on the face of the deep, con- 
 verting darkness into light and death unto life. All whe, then 
 ' heard of it at Ephratah, and found it in the field of the wood,' 
 have returned with ' a banner given them, to be displayed for 
 the truth,' and with the desire to stir themselves and their 
 brethren throughout the land ' to be of good courage, and to 
 play the men for our people and for the cities of our Cod.' If 
 we go forth in Christ's name bearing his reproach, — if we 
 ' put our trust in him and cry to God in the battle,' — then 
 assuredly it will be wa-itten for us in the records of Israel, that 
 ' there fell down many slain, because the war was of God.' 
 The Lord is evidently going forth before the face of his people ; 
 and if we follow, him, ' the earth will shake and the heavens 
 will drop at his presence.' 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 83 
 
 ** The forenoon of Wednesday was specially set apart for ad- 
 dresses to the young. The large concourse of people were 
 formed into a sort of natural amphitheatre, in a suitable part 
 of the park. General Anderson, of Edinburgh, presided on 
 both days. 
 
 ** A number of interesting addresses were delivered to the 
 children ; and, at the same time, a very important meeting 
 was going on ia the large tent (His Grace the Duke of Rich' 
 tuond's marquee,) at the entrance to the park — presided over 
 by the Rev. A. Moody Stuart. The greater part of the spiritual 
 impression experienced during the first day was realized 
 there.' 
 
 " On Wednesday, the chief blessing appeared to accompany 
 the services in the tent ; but, on Thursday, the power of God 
 seemed to rest more particularly on the services in the open- 
 air, where 6,000 or 7,000 were assembled. The attention of 
 the people became so riveted at the great meeting that, even 
 when the awakened were requested to repair to the tent that 
 they might be conversed with as on the previous day, compara- 
 tively few availed themselves of the opportunity, choosing 
 rather to remain where they had been wounded, expecting, no 
 doubt, that ' the power of the Lord,' which was so manifestly 
 felt, would ' be present to heal them.' And we believe many 
 were filled by the God of hope '' with all joy and peace in be- 
 lieving." 
 
 *• As regards outward decorum, there was nothing whatever 
 to ofiend even those with whom the secondary precept — ' Let 
 all things be done decently and in order ' — has passed into the 
 first and great commandment of the law, and who so confine 
 the ordinances between lines of iron as to render the apostolic 
 injunction void by leaving no room for its application. Impar- 
 tial witnesses, who took no part in the proceedings, willingly 
 testified, thJit amongst the many thousands assembled, there 
 had n-)t been seen one disorderly person, and the hostile press is 
 
84 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 compelled to admit that the ' preaching passed off very de- 
 corously.' 
 
 " Surely when the harvest is so great, and the fields are so 
 white, it is time for us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send 
 forth laborers into his harvest ; and each of us, sickle in hand, 
 to say to that Lord : ' Here am I, send me.' " 
 
 Another graphic writer says : 
 
 " The cloudy aspect of the sky led many to expect that this 
 would be a day of rain. These apprehensions, however, were 
 soon dissipated. The sky, though overcast in the morning, 
 was gradually illumined with the brilliance of the sun. 
 
 *'. At an early hour, the quiet of our street was broken ; and 
 the sound of bustling feet played ceaselessly on the ear. As the 
 large iron gateway of the Park swung open, Castle Street be- 
 came one stream of quickly moving figures, dressed all neatly, 
 some elegantly, but few flauntingiy. The hour of meeting ap- 
 proached, and the avenue leading to Gordon Schools had become 
 one surging concourse of men, women, and children. Every 
 street poured its tributary bands into the heaving crowd that 
 Avound its way to the rendezvous The sight was really one of 
 grandeur. All moved along in dense masses or long drawn out 
 columns ; eager as crowds ever are, but serious as crowds rarely 
 are. Then mark the centre to which all are tending — the 
 simple declaration of a truth older than our nation, more 
 familiar than our fireside legends, more repugnant to the unre- 
 genera>te heart than any figment of the vast cycle of universal 
 truth ; but yet, when appropriately displayed, more potent to 
 fascinate and mould than any metaphysical principles or phi- 
 losophic codes ; a truth more fitted to enthral than any system 
 of beauty or grace that can enlighten the reason, or sparkle its 
 brilliance in the imagination of man. 
 
 " Many motives swayed the multitude. They could be read 
 in the varied countenances as they swept onwards — the jesting 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIKIT. 85 
 
 leer looking out from the eye, the sportive play of fancy beam- 
 "ing on the face, the quiescent repose of the features, or the 
 troubled cloud that hung on the brow. But their centre was 
 one. It was a triumph of the unseen over the visible ; a victory 
 of the spiritual over the secular. The innate majesty of truth 
 was divesting itself of the trappings of conventionality. The 
 gospel was ridding itself of the incrustation of ceremony that 
 dulls its radiance and dims its effulgent lustre. The ornate 
 furnishing of church or chapel were for a time disused, and man 
 worshipped his God in the temple of his own uprearing. He 
 knelt on his velvet sward, beneath the lofty archway of the sky. 
 Yesterday's meeting had evidently been effective. The concourse 
 was denser — the air of anticipation was deeper. Yesterday, 
 the gala-day aspect of the crowd was sometimes painfal ; to- 
 day, it was blended with the seriousness of the Sabbath." 
 
 As a farther result of the meetings — the tide of 
 feeling setting back into the sourrounding towns — 
 night after night, the people in Portsoy, Banff, and 
 adjacent places, the masses assembled, and remained 
 for inquiry hours together. At Skeine, Aberdeen, 
 and Perth, in the open air, immense gatherings were 
 addressed by various c ergymen, and hundreds it is 
 believed, were savingly touched by the power of 
 truth wielded by the Holy Spirit. " It was a 
 glorious- sight to see so vast a multitude evidently- 
 moved by the divine influence." 
 
 In one of the large churches of Aberdeen, crowd- 
 ed tj its utmost capacity, after an earnest appeal, 
 the expressions of anxiety were so general and 
 thrilling, that one of the elders standing in the porch, 
 
86 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 called Mr. H. to the door and said the cono-reo^ation 
 must be dispersed — -he didn't want such excite- 
 ment. But the people would not go till they were 
 driven away, and flocked to another temple where 
 an inquiry meeting was in progress, and enjoyed an 
 awful, yet glorious and memorable season. 
 
 None can estimate the number of hopeful conver- 
 sions during these various meetings; but many living 
 Christians were added to the churches, and the 
 " outlying masses," ^carried with them to their 
 scattered homes, the precious seed of the kingdom. 
 
 The next call to a harvest-field, was from Dun- 
 fermline, the birth place of Charles I., in Kev. Mr. 
 Young's church, an edifice holding 2000 people, 
 where Ralph Erskine and George Whitefield preach- 
 ed a hundred years before. Here is the " Auld 
 Cathedral " and Abby of Dunfermline, built nine 
 hundred years since ; and here rest the ashes of 
 Robert Bruce, the Hero in the battle of Bannock- 
 burn. 
 
 Although interesting thus in historical associa- 
 tions, it was a field thirsting fi^r the rain of grace. 
 The spacious temple was soon filled, and the baptism 
 from above fell upon the multitude. On one occa- 
 sion, we notice in the Dunfermline Press, of Sept. 
 10th, 18G0, that 
 
 " Rev. Mr. Hutchinson said he had come to the meeting 
 merely as a listener, but as he had been called upon to speak, 
 he would only say a very few words. Some people appeared to 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 87 
 
 be of opinion that thess meetings were out of the way and un- 
 necces3Ary, and to correct this he would just ^ive a few reasons 
 ■why he considered these periods of revival as beneficial. Many 
 thought the effect was merely passing — in a few weeks it 
 would wear away, but he had the best of all testimony — the 
 testimony of experience — for saying that such was not the 
 case. His first impressions of religion had been received at a 
 revival meeting. Seventeen years ago, induced by the excite- 
 ment caused by the meetings, he had attended one, and it was 
 there that he was first awakened to a true sense of his condition 
 as a lost sinner. To show them that this was not a transient 
 emotion, he might tell them -that thirty-seveu young men like 
 him had also been impressed, and had met together for prayer 
 and religious exercise. He had lost sight of five of these, but 
 of the remaining thirty-two he could report favorably. Not one 
 of these had fallen away from their first hope. Some of them 
 had died " the death of the righteous," while the others were, 
 like himself, doing their best to live up to their profession. So 
 much for the testimony of experience. But he had another 
 cause for believing in the utility of these revival meetings, and 
 that was founded uioon reason. He looked on revivals as a vari- 
 ety in God's mode of promoting our spiritual culture. God ever 
 works by the most varied means. Let them look at nature. 
 There was a time in nature for the silent dew, and a time for 
 the influence of the genial sunshine, and there was also a time 
 for the rajTins; storm. So it was also with re^-ard to reliijrion. 
 There was a time for the ordinary preaching of the Word ; a time 
 for instruction, for meditation, and Christian action ; and there 
 were also seasons for arousing, elevating, and refreshing feeling. 
 And his intellect convinced him that a genuine revival was such 
 a time. It was a fljod-timc in our spiritual experience,which, 
 if embraced, might ccntributc much to the richness and variety 
 of our religious life. In order, however, to accomplish this 
 end, it must be real, it must affect the whole intellectual and 
 
88 THE HARVEST WOl^K 
 
 moral nature — fillino; and animating the whole soul with the 
 glorious verities of religion." 
 
 During an inquiry meeting, as Mr. H. was pass- 
 ing dowm the aisle, a man put out his hand, and said 
 with great earnestness, " have you any word for an 
 anxious sinner ? I have opposed the work going 
 on, and thought the people were getting daft, (mad), 
 and I would have nothing to do with it. But one 
 night my little girl came home and inquired of me, 
 ' Father, do you love Jesus ? I think I love him.' 
 That was the greatest sermon I ever heard. Though 
 I had heard many, nothing pierced my heart like it. 
 I have staid away three days in distress, and have 
 come to ask what I shall do to be saved." He soon 
 found peace in believing, and put up his domestic 
 altar ; the result, under God, of an angel daughter's 
 ministry of sanctified affection. 
 
 Before the large edifice in which meetings were 
 held was filled, the Evangelist went to the Cross, 
 the central place of concourse, and addressing the 
 people, invited them to the house of God. Rev. 
 Mr. Young, and several theological students, follow- 
 ed the example. On one occasion a notorious in- 
 fidel threatened violence if this were attempted near 
 him. While Mr. Young was preaching, he was 
 smitten down like Saul, and soon after stood up and 
 told the story of his deliverance from the bondage 
 of sin ; a witness to the necessity and divine ap- 
 proval of aggressive movements by the Church of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 89 
 
 Christ, even if they bear the stamp of novelty — the 
 tactics of a consecrated and prayerful zeal in the sal- 
 vation of men. 
 
 Subsequently Rev. Mr. Young wrote to a friend : 
 
 " You will be glad to hear that the work of the Lord is going 
 on prosperously here. On Sabbath evening the house was filled 
 from floor to ceiling, Th.: numbers who remained to be spoken 
 with, also increase, and many do seem to be seeking the way of 
 salvation. We have many adversaries, but the Lord is with us, 
 and we need not fear what men shall do.'! 
 
 Not a few earnest Christians had long been pray- 
 ing for the Holy Spirit's presence, and thus this 
 ancient city received the seal of God's blessing upon 
 that Gospel, which has made Scotland a name and 
 praise in the earth. 
 
 In Kircalde, Montrose, Dunbar, Crieff and Brech- 
 in, very large assemblies were addressed, and sin- 
 ners awakened and saved in that brief period of 
 special eftbrt. 
 
 Oct. 8, 1860, Mr. H. went to Edinburgh, to supply 
 the pulpit of Richmond Place Chapel for four weeks, 
 and addressed meetings every night during that 
 time, with an increasing measure of the Spirit's in- 
 fluence. Many from all denominations flocked to 
 Christ. Dr. Alexander, Reginald Radcliffe, Richard 
 Weaver and others addressed the meetings. The 
 Edinburgh Mercury says : 
 
 ♦' On Monday evening, Richard Weaver was advertised to 
 preach in Richmond Place Chapel at eight o'clock ; but before 
 
90 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 seven o'clock the house was filled, and the services were con- 
 ducted for an hour by Mr. Hammond. At eight o'clock, Messrs. 
 Weaver and Radcliffe entered, and Mr. II. was asked by them to 
 go outside and preach to the thousan Is crowding the streets be- 
 fore the chapel. There was such a crush, however, that the only 
 way he could get out was the novel one of walking upon the 
 shoulders of the stalwart men, who compelled him to do 
 so, and who stood like a rock under him, so eager were they 
 to let him get to preach to their less fortunate friends outside. 
 After Mr. Weaver had preached for about half-an-hour, he 
 preached again outside, and Mr. Radcliffe continued the 
 service in the chapel. There were eighteen hundred crush- 
 ed into the place, and hundreds remained for conversation ; 
 while the preaching was going on in the streets until 
 past eleven o'clock. As an opportunity had been given at the 
 morning meeting in the same chapel for any one to speak or 
 pray, a speaker said, that a few nights before, when the invita- 
 tion had been given both for those who were anxious and those 
 who were not anxious, but who might desire conversation, to 
 remain, there were two among the latter who embraced the op- 
 portunity. The conversation with those who professed to have 
 no anxiety for the salvation of their souls was blessed of God 
 in producing a deep conviction of their lost condition, and he 
 trusted they were now striving to live for Jesus. He believed 
 that good impressions were often lost, from the want of a more 
 cordial invitation to remain for personal conversation and 
 special pra^-er. Another gentleman said, that the previous 
 night a young lady was passing from the meeting unimpressed 
 by the words of the minister.^ While passing out, she was ask- 
 ed kindly if she was in the ' ark,' referring to what had been 
 the subject. That simple question was the first arrow that had 
 ever pierced her heart, and was the instrument in awakening 
 her to a sense of her lost condition. She found little sleep that 
 night. Afterwards she said, ' I have been a member of a 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 91 
 
 church seven years in Edinburgh, but those were the first words 
 that ever manifested any interest about my soul.' The same 
 speaker said that in Dundee, at the close of a large meeting, it 
 was requested that if there were any scoffers present they 
 would remain in a part of the house designated. A number of 
 professed scoffers remained. The first one when asked if be was 
 a scoffer, said, with tears in his eyes, * I came here one, but 
 am not so now ; ' and, said the speaker, every one of those pro- 
 fessed scoffers was smitten with a deep sense of guilt. 
 
 "Such things as the following are spoken of as taking place 
 there nig'itly : — A lady, on the way to the chapel, spoke to a 
 young woman on the street and invited her to come to the meet- 
 ing. She did so ; and, as Mr. Hammond was describing sin 
 with great impressiveness, the young woman began to weep 
 very bitterly, if.id continued inconsolable after the meeting Avas 
 closed. She had been in agony for a great part of the night ; 
 bnt she appeared at the next morning prayer-meeting with a 
 beaming cjuntenance, having found ' peace in believing.' This 
 prayer-meeting is held from half past nine to ten o'clock every 
 morning. It is on the model of tlie Fulton Street prayer-meet- 
 ing, New York — an open meeting. Three addresses, one read- 
 ing of the Scriptures, three singings, and five requests for 
 prayer are read and commented on, and three or four prayers 
 offered, all in the space of half an hour ! " 
 
 Tillicoultry, a village of four or five thousand in- 
 habitants, under the shadow of the Achil range of 
 mountains, was the scene of a rich effusion of the 
 quickening Spirit. We cannot omit just at this 
 point, a quotation from a letter written to his mother 
 by Mr. Hammond, after visiting one of these sum- 
 mits : 
 
 " I ascended the mountain yesterday, and a grander sight I 
 Bcarcelj'' saw in all Switzerland. No scene hardly ever made a 
 
92 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 greater and more suggestive impression on my mind. It would 
 take pages to describe it all to you, and to speak of the thoughts 
 Buggested. I thought of you, dearest mother, and the time 
 when I should meet you in the promised land, away from 
 lifes sorrows. When near the middle of the mountain, a 
 cloud of beautiful mist rested on its snow-white summit, and 
 another cloud below us shut out the sight of the smoky village. 
 Time seemed to be no more, and we were gazing away to the 
 delectable mountains and to the golden city. Oh, mother, we 
 shall meet above, and we shall see our blessed Jesus there, who 
 was a ' man of sorrows ' here on earth ' and acquainted with 
 grief.' Let us rejoice to know that even now he sympathizes 
 with us, that He is * touched with the feeling of our infirmi- 
 ties.' One hundred anxious inquirers remained for conversa- 
 tion here last night." 
 
 The daily services in Tillicoultry commenced 
 Nov. IGtli, under the influence of all the evangelical 
 denominations. One of the clergymen thus writes 
 for a Glasgow paper : 
 
 " For some months past we have met together in a union 
 prayer-meeting, to seek a revival of grace among Christians, 
 and a breaking forth of saving inquiry among the unconverted. 
 All the ministers of the place have taken part, and presided in 
 rotation at these meetings. The deadness of the spirit and 
 prayers of the meeting fur a time showed how much we needed 
 to be revived. We at last invited Mr. Hammond, who has been 
 laboring in revival work for some months past in our country, 
 and who had given us a flying visit for one evening, to come 
 and labor among us for a few nights. He came ; the Lord 
 owned his labors, and he spent a precious week with us. The 
 meetings in the Popular Institute Hall grew in numbers to the 
 last, and on Sabbath evening last about 1400 were present. At 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 93 
 
 the close of the address each evening , there was a second meet- 
 ing, called 'The Inquiry Meeting.' Toward the close of the 
 week from 200 to 300 waited to it ; numbers of them were 
 deeply convinced of sin, and waited to be guided to the 
 Saviour ; numbers, were Christians, who waited to direct the 
 anxious to Christ ; numbers Waited through mere curiosity to 
 see what was to be done ; and a few waited to mock. 
 
 " Prayer-meetings among the boys by themselves, and among 
 the girls by themselves, have sprung spontaneoubly up in some 
 of the factories. False professors of Christianity are breaking 
 down. Unconverted communicants in churches are among the 
 inquirers, confessing themselves yet unsaved. There is no 
 striking down, nor any development whatever of hysteric ex- 
 citement ; all is deep and quiet and orderly among the awaken- 
 ed. The Christians are laboring in season and out of season. 
 It is fatiguing to lose sleep, and to be exposed to iiumerous 
 inconveniences, but let us not seek our own, but every man 
 the things of others ; let this self-sacrificing Spirit of the Lord 
 be in us, who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became 
 poor, that we through his pDverty might be made rich. Let 
 us understand and love these lines of R. C. Trench : — 
 
 * The seed must die before the corn appears 
 Out of the ground, with blade and fruitful ears. 
 Low must these ears by sickle's edge be lain^ 
 Ere we can treasure up the golden grain. 
 The grain is crushed before the bread is made. 
 And the bread broke e'er life to man conveyed. 
 Oh! be content to die and be laid low. 
 And to be crushed, and to be broken so, 
 If thou upon God's table mayest be bread. 
 Life-giving food for souls an hungered.' 
 
 " It is delightful to see some of our most influential men and 
 ladies working side by side with the humblest Christian in 
 the inquiry meeting. It mightily shuts the mouth of prejudice, 
 and comes to the help of the Lord." 
 
94 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 McetlDo*s of a similar kind were held in Lin- 
 lithgow, the old residence of the Kings of Scotland ; 
 and a number were redeemed to become eternally 
 " kings and priests unto God." 
 
 At Motherwell and Wishaw, about twenty miles 
 from Glasgow, in the great coal region of Scotland, 
 followed rich displays of the Holy Spirit's victorious 
 might. Strong men bowed before his presence, and 
 declared, in the great congregation, what God had 
 wrought in their behalf, with tears and hearts aglow 
 with the new life " hid with Christ in God " 
 
 The Edinburgh Mercury contained a report 
 respecting the character of the awakening there, 
 from which we take a few extracts ; 
 
 *' At a meeting held in Richmond Place Chapel, Edinburgh, 
 on Monday night, some statements of a very interesting kind 
 were made regarding the awakening in Wishaw and Mother- 
 well. After a speaker, who had been there a fortnight ago, 
 had given a statement of what he had seen in these places of 
 the commencement of the work of revival, the Rev. William 
 Reid was asked to address the meeting. He began by saying 
 that he could, from his own personal knowledge, confirm all 
 that had just been said about the wonderful awakening that 
 was going on in the mining districts referred to. He had been 
 at Motherwell some time ago, and had spoken to a full church 
 on a week evening ; and had seen many there who had been not 
 only greatly reformed and rendered sober and serious, but who 
 were hopefully converted. With regard to Wishaw, he had 
 been there last Sabbath, and he had seldom seen anything like 
 the intense religious anxiety manifested by the multitude, which 
 assembled to hear the word in the evening in the public school. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 95 
 
 They seemed to hear of the living water like men dying of 
 thirst ; and many of them came to JesuB and drank. The 
 building in which they sat was filled to overflowing, long before 
 the hour for commencing the services, and many returned home 
 who could not get admittance, while some hundreds were con- 
 tented Avith standing-room during the whole evening. At the 
 close of the regular service, about three hundred remained for 
 the inquirers meeting, and about one-half of them seemed to 
 be awakened, and to be the subjects of spiritual anxiety. Men 
 were dealt with in one room by themselves, and women in 
 another room ; and even when nearly three hours had elapsed 
 the cases of awakening had not been all attended to. It was 
 not only the poor and illiterate that had been affected, but men 
 and women of education and superior circumstances. He had 
 seen nothing like the religious anxieties he then witnessed, since 
 the visit of Messrs. RadclilTe and Weaver to this city ; and he 
 could not but thank God, from the bottom of his heart, for the 
 indefatigable labors of his brother, Mr. Hammond, through 
 whose instrumentality this great awakening had taken place. 
 His services are most valuable. Every man has his own gift 
 and work; and Mr. H., he believed, was specially fitted for 
 breaking up the fallow ground, and commencing a series of re- 
 vival meetings." 
 
 A well-knovni physician furnished an example in 
 his own experience, of striking conversion. For 
 twenty years he had been a professor of religion, 
 joining the church in accordance with a custom in 
 Scotland, which the Eev. James Smith of the estab- 
 lishment, in Aberdeen, so pointedly condemns ; that 
 of receiving persons to the communion upon pro- 
 fession of an orthodox, instead of a saving acquaint- 
 ance with Christ. Mr. S. thinks half of the cases 
 
93 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 of conversion In the revivals, were connected with 
 the churches. 
 
 Dr. M. was at first bitterly hostile to the measures, 
 and severely rebuked his servants for remaining to 
 a late hour at the services. Soon after, from 
 curiosity, he went, and was urged by a friend to re- 
 main with him to the meeting for inquiry. He re- 
 fused, adding, '*the place was too hot for him." 
 But meeting Mr. H. in the street, not well, he pro- 
 posed kindly to prescribe, a pretext to open the way 
 for personal conversation. 
 
 Upon entering his parlor, the Cross was present- 
 ed, but his proud heart rebelled. He was willing 
 to send to London for books to read, — would do 
 anything himself, — like the Assyrian when bidden 
 to wash in Jordan. With a gentle pressure of the 
 hand, he was urged to bow and submit to Christ at 
 once. He yielded, and as he expressed it, " closed 
 with Jesus that hour." A few evenings later, with 
 his wife happy in the smiles of the Lord, he was 
 pointing the anxious to Calvary ; leaving the 
 sanctuary at midnight, often, in his self-forgetful 
 zeal; and afterward went abroad preaching the 
 word. 
 
 The Glasgow Herald contained the clear, sharp 
 answer below to criticisms upon the " religious ex- 
 citement : " 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 97 
 
 " Wishaw, April 17, 1861. 
 * Sir, — Your correspondent ' Imprimatur,' in the Herald of 
 to-day, expresses his astonishment that you have not raised 
 your warning voice against the ' dangerous and immoral ten- 
 dencies of so-called revival meetings.' I suppose he means 
 those held in Glasgow. I hope, Sir, you will believe me that 
 I am equally surprised, that you have of late opened your 
 columns to a one-sided view of this great movement ; and would 
 not have troubled you with any remarks on the matter, had 
 your correspondent from Inveraray yesterday, and ' Imprima- 
 tur' to-day, given the public the least hint,that they knew 
 anything of the movement at all, its designs and results. I beg 
 to inform them that I live in the midst of a large mining 
 population, which was visited by Mr. Hammond five months 
 ago. When it was announced that he was to hold revival meet- 
 ings, I determined to make myself judge of the whole matter, 
 and attended nearly all the meetings he held in this place, and 
 fully expected to have heard terrorism in all its force evapo- 
 rated from him ; but, instead of this, it was completely the re- 
 verse ; not a word was spoken of an alarming nature that was 
 not quoted from the words of Jesus himself I kept a strict 
 watch on all I saw, and found nothing to alarm or disturb even 
 the most fastidious. All was solemnity, and quite in unison 
 with the circumstances of the people assembled. And now 
 that the movement is five months old in this place, one would 
 be led to believe, from the remarks of ' Imprimatur,' that the 
 bad effects of these meetings would be telling upon the com- 
 munity, and the ' young females ' in particular. I am proud 
 to say, that no such cases have occurred in all the circle of my 
 acquaintance with the movement ; and I am apt to believe, that 
 your correspondent resembles much those so-called Christians, 
 who deny the right of any person to meet for prayer after sun- 
 set, but who would frankly and freely give accommodation to 
 parties of young men and women to meet in their rooms, barns, 
 
98 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 &c., to drink, dance, and sing till morning. On the contrary, 
 I can point to men, both rich and poor, in this locality, who, 
 previous to these raeetmgs, were infidels, scofiers, drunkards, 
 swearers, wife-beaters, &c., and who have now become regular 
 church-goers — sober, industrious, and good members of the 
 community. And, with regard to the invitations that are 
 spoken of by your correspondent, such as ' Come to Jesus,' I 
 must say it is l:)etter to hear a company of men and women call- 
 ing upon one another in this manner, than inviting one another 
 to the dram-shop. And, as an instance of what has occurred in 
 this place on the pay night at some of the public works, instead 
 of men entreating one another to go and drink their wages 
 after they get them, they go in bands and pray together till 
 midnight ; and if these meetings have been the means of mak- 
 ing happy one fireside, they certainly should ' Imprimatur ' 
 also. I hope that your correspondent, who assumes this name, 
 will seriously look into the whole case, before he solicits you to 
 warn the public from attending meetings which have no other 
 object in view, than to make them followers of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus, and good moral subjects of our beloved Queen. 
 
 I am, &c., 
 
 Audi Alteram Partem." 
 
 In Mr. H's first memorandum of the New Year, 
 he writes : " It is safe to record, that after careful 
 calculation, about seventeen hundred profess to have 
 been awakened and found Jesus, within the past 
 year. Many more have been led to ask the great 
 question, ' What shall I do to be saved ? ' and how 
 many of these have since found peace, the judg- 
 ment day alone can determine. May the Lord ever 
 lead me to feel my own nothingness and Christ's 
 fuUness, and to remei^ber that it is not by might. 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 99 
 
 nor by power of man, but by my Spirit, saith the 
 Lord.' " 
 
 How true the words of Dr. Bonar, 
 
 ** He liveth long who liveth well, 
 All outer life is short and vain, 
 He liveth longest who can tell 
 
 Of living most for heavenly gain. 
 
 Waste not thy being ; back to Him, 
 
 Who freely gave it, freely give. 
 Else is that being but a dream, 
 
 'Tia but to bsy and not to live." 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The work of God in Annan. Testimony for a secular paper. Rev. 
 Mr. Gardiner of the established Church. Other statements and 
 incidents. The work extends to Dumfries. Its progress. Stirring 
 scenes and incidents. The Soldier. The Infidel. The means of 
 success in winning souls. 
 
 January 13th, 1861, in Annan, a pleasant town 
 in the south of Scotland, on Solway Firth, containing a 
 few thousand inhabitants, but a centre of business 
 importance, daily services were commenced. The 
 clergy united in the holy enterprize warmly and 
 devotedly. 
 
 The Dumfries Standard makes the following re- 
 cord : 
 
 *' The meetings have been crowded to excess, many having 
 been forced to go away from want of room, while three to four 
 hundred people have remained after ten o'clock, and been oc- 
 cupied until midnight, in receiving spiritual assistance. Scores 
 of persons who had never before seriously thought of death, 
 judgment, and eternity, have, with tears in their eyes, remained 
 at the inquiry meetings, and conversed most anxiously about 
 the state of their souls. The aspect of the townjias, in conse- 
 quence of this revival, been completely changed. It is not now 
 on matters of amusement or business that the conversation 
 turns. Every one talks of the great religious change, and 
 wonders now that so much scepticism about the revival in 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 101 
 
 Ulster and the West of Scotland had before prevailed among 
 the inhabitants of Annan. Many young sailors, who had 
 scarcely ever attended a place of worship, have been brought 
 to a knowledge of their Saviour ; many a drunkard has desert- 
 ed the public-bouse in horror of his previous life ; the "Artisans 
 of the town have abandoned the corners where they lounged in 
 the evenings, and have betaken themselves to prayer and medi- 
 tation ; and even ' the Arabs ' of the burgh, the boys who 
 were for ever shouting and yelling about the streets, have every 
 evening been engaged in singing psalms and hymns. The week 
 has also been a busy one with the ministers of the town, who, 
 not content with the spiritual comfort they afforded to the 
 anxious during the inquiry meetings, have been engaged during 
 the day in calling on those who are the most distressed about 
 their souls salvation. JNIany souls seem to have found ' perfect 
 peace.' The young of both sexes have shared most largely in 
 the blessing — though grown-up persons, and even aged men 
 and women, and in some instances husbands and wives together, 
 have publicly inquired after, sought, and found the Saviour. It 
 is a season of great joy to all the Lord's people in Annan. 
 The blending of hearts in Christian love is amazing to behold 
 in so short a time. 
 
 " All the usual features of deep religious awakenings else- 
 where are strongly marked here, with the exception of ' prostra- 
 tions ' and extravagances, for which praise is due to God. 
 During the addresses, solemn earnest attention is the only 
 feature visible on the audience, but when the public meeting is 
 over, and the ministers and other Christian friends move among 
 the anxious from pew to pew, the power of God's truth in con- 
 vincing of sin is manifest; and, to an onlooker who has a heart 
 to sympathize with the work of saving conversion to Christ, 
 nothing can possibly be more solcmniising, than to see through- 
 out all the church, on ground-floor and galleries, groups in 
 earnest close conversation on the great concerns of their soul ; 
 
102 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 and bj and by the groups kneeling, or, if too crowded, their 
 heads bowed on the book-boards, when prayer is made to God 
 on their behalf. An avowed infidel, who came several miles to 
 see and scoff, was convicted and converted the same night. 
 Several young men have publicly professed their faith in Jesus, 
 and have given an intelligent account of tlieir change of heart. 
 The public mind is deeply moved. A solemn awe seems to hang 
 over the whole community. Scoffers there still are, and likely 
 will be ; but many who warmly opposed at first now more 
 warmly approve. The prayers of God's people are asked for 
 Annan." 
 
 Eev. Mr. Gardiner, of the United Presbyterian 
 Church, at a meeting of Synod in May, 1861, four 
 months later remarked : 
 
 *' Having adopted the recommendation of the Liverpool Con- 
 ference of the Evangelical Alliance, to hold a week of special 
 prayer for the revival of vital godliness, the week commencing 
 on the 6th and closing on the 13th January of the present ,year, 
 they found the nightly meetings well attended, and a peculiarly 
 solemn spirit pervading them during the entire week. The 
 way of the Lord being thus prepared, so to speak, Edward 
 Payson Hammond, who was previously little known to any of 
 them, even by report, began his labors among them as an Evan- 
 gelist on Sabbath, 13tli January, and succeeded in inducing a 
 goodly number to remain for conversation on the concerns of 
 the soul after the regular service was over. At this meeting a 
 few were found to be in a state of anxiety, while the greater 
 proportion were present probably from motives of mere 
 curiosity. The movement thus inaugurated gathered strength 
 night alter night, from that date, with a rapidity truly sur- 
 prising, and continues in vigorous action to the present time. 
 Crowds flocked to Annan, from ten or twelve parishes around, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 103 
 
 for spbitual benefit, and usually remained ta a late hour. 
 Many, very many, after passing through a longer or shorter 
 period of soul-conflict, gladly received the Word, and returned 
 to their homes as in primitive times to tell what God had done 
 for their souls, thereby widening and deepening the interest in 
 the work, and prompting others to utter the earnest cry, 
 ' What must we do to be saved ? ' insomuch that within less 
 than a month the awakening might be said to have embraced 
 the whole of the south of Scotland. All classes of persons, 
 too, were brought under the blessed influence — the young and 
 the old, church-goers and church-neglectors, masters and men, 
 ladies and maids — all were equally stirred to the very depths 
 of their nature, and were to be found sitting side by side in the 
 inquiry meetings, directing or being directed to ' The Lamb of 
 God that taketh away the sin of the world.' A kindly Chris- 
 tian sympathy took possession of all hearts, rendering the peo- 
 ple oblivious of class distinctions, and causing them to realize 
 their common brotherhood in nature and in grace. Nor was 
 any particular view of their state before God peculiar to any 
 one class of the awakened. In each class some were aficcted by 
 an awful consciousness of their spiritual death, others by a sense 
 of their guilt as rebels against God, and others by a perception 
 of the danger to which they were exposed on account of their 
 continued unbelief of the truth ; while probably the larger 
 number were deeply penetrated with godly sorrow for their 
 gospel-hardened insensibility to the great and unparalleled love 
 of the Lord Jesus. The Rev. gentleman then bore testimony 
 to the beneficial effects of the revival on the morals of the peo- 
 ple. Total abstainers, themselves being judges, testified that 
 no agency ever employed has efl'ected a tithe of the good, in the 
 direction of sobriety and temperance, that the revival has ac- 
 complished — and accomplished, too, without, or almost with- 
 out, any reference to this particular sin. Of the number wlio 
 have been hopefully converted to God, in and around Annan, 
 
104 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 during this season of refreshing, he could form no correct esti- 
 mate ; but he believed he was understating the truth when he 
 said, that he had himself conversed with upwards of five hun- 
 dred anxious inquirers, the great majority of whom professed to 
 have ' believed with the heart unto righteousness,' and who, 
 with a single exception, are giving evidence of a saving change, 
 by bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit in an eminent degree. 
 He might just be allowed to add, that all who had visited them 
 had been pleased to bear a unanimous testimony to the thorough- 
 ness of the work in Annan." 
 
 The testimony of Rev. Mr. Gardiner, of the Es- 
 tablished Church, is very emphatic : 
 
 " Living in that little town, which has been so conspicuously 
 the scene of revival, himself engaged in much of that work, 
 likewise intimately associated with those who have been (under 
 the hand of God) the most prominent agents in the movement 
 there, revival was to him a grand spiritual reality, an incon- 
 testible fact. Holding these convictions, and warm from the 
 influences of this reviving religious life, he had come to Glas- 
 gow, where a similar work was positively going forward. But, 
 when inquiring with intelligent curiosity respecting it, what 
 was his surprise to find that, in many circles of society, it was 
 still the subject of cavil, and denial ? It was a disclosure of 
 how tenacious we are in this country of the hereditary and tra- 
 ditional, and of the distrustfulness with which we regard any- 
 thing approaching innovation, though that should be nothing 
 else than the outcoming of the requirements of progress. Mr. 
 Gardiner went on to say that in some, quarters, to his great sur- 
 prise, he had found it even painful defending revivals here, and 
 that were he to accept of the exaggerated accounts which he 
 found circulating, he would have been led to think that all who 
 were interested in these meetings, the audiences not less than 
 the leaders of the services, were little short of fools and mad- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 105 
 
 men. Leaving these prejudices, which he believed would dis- 
 appear in this city as they had done elsewhere, he could with 
 more pleasure speak of what had taken place in Annan. There, 
 no longer any doubt was expressed regarding the veritable 
 work of the Spirit. The effects of its operations were so ap- 
 parent, that they had an existing witness in the changed lives 
 of many, the full churches, and the eagerness for religious in- 
 etruction, and the cordiality subsisting now between class and 
 class. For two years previous they had weekly prayer-meet- 
 ings, and many other additional instrumentalities, eagerly 
 desiring to obtain heaven's blessing upon a town which seemed 
 so dead. All that time the heavens appeared as brass above 
 them. One minister visited Ireland during the great revival, to 
 bring home intelligence of the doings there. Still there was 
 no visible change, though perhaps these recitals awakened ex- 
 pectation. These were the needful preparations, he believed ; 
 bat true revival came to Annan with Mr. Hammond's visit 
 there. From a chill, dreary wilderness, it was now vernal as a 
 garden in spring. The good fellowship that now subsisted 
 among the difierent bodies of Christians, the willingness to 
 leave minor differences in abeyance, and heartily co-operate in 
 the advancement of the chief duty of winning souls to Christ, 
 were in themselves blessings which he hoped would long con- 
 tinue to mark the religious life in Annan, and were some of 
 the means which were most likely to promote spiritual advance- 
 ment. It would be well for Christians to concentrate their 
 minds on God's work, and cease to prescribe its conditions, 
 since we were seeing in every quarter that, irrespective of our 
 preferences and pre-conceived notions, the work was begun and 
 carried on, and countless souls the while redeemed from death to 
 life. He might further state that, in many of the churches in 
 the neighborhood, and in most instances where the ministers of 
 these difierent places had taken no interest in the revival, re- 
 vival had in measure reached them through the visits and the 
 
103 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 intercourse which their people had had with the awakened peo- 
 ple of Annan." 
 
 The Kev. Mr. Young, Independent, contributed 
 to the papers of the Congregational Union, the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 " Of the number of conversions I can form no sort of esti- 
 mate. They are of all churches, ranks, and ages. Leading 
 men in the town have taken, and are still taking, a deep in- 
 terest in the work. The young have been most abundantly 
 blessed. Three days ago, I observed to an intelligent Christian 
 friend, ' It really seems as if all the young men were convert- 
 ed.' He gave a cordial assent, and added that the same might 
 be said of the young women. Of coarse, I am far from 
 believing that this is literally true of either class. Doubtless 
 there are many of the young, as well as of the old, who are 
 unsaved still ; but I am safe in saying that the number of the 
 saved is very large indeed. That the Lord may still enlarge it 
 is our earnest prayer ; it is also what we anticipate. 
 
 " Requests for prayer in special cases have been very- 
 numerous. I find that I have in my possession about one hun- 
 dred and twenty, and these are not nearly the whole. Most 
 striking have been some of the answers. On one Thursday 
 evening, a Christian husband asked us to pray for his wile and 
 two sons. Tne former was then, and had been for years, an in- 
 veterate opponent. Yet only two nights after the husband 
 could request us to give God thanks because his wife and one 
 son had been converted ! One other case I may give. A 
 thoughtless, though amiable young man, was one evening 
 specially prayed for. He was not at the meeting ; yet about 
 the time that the petition was being presented, the Lord deeply 
 convinced him of sin ; before nest night he had peace in 
 believing, and on the second night he was earnestly seeking the 
 salvation of others ! He still goes on well. Other cases, al- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 107 
 
 most as noted, have rebuked our unbelief, and have shown that 
 if God's people will only trust him, he will do ' exceeding 
 abundantly above all that we ask or think.' 
 
 " Very blessed has been the work among the children, and 
 especially among such as had been under Sabbath school in- 
 struction. There is ample evidence already — and the evidence, 
 we hope, will accumulate — that not a few of the scholars 
 have passed from death unto life. 
 
 "As theworkwasinallthechurches,Ishouldbesorryto speak 
 as if it had any peculiar connexion with one of them. It 
 has not. Yet with deep gratitude I have to say, that our own 
 congregation have received large blessiugs, that our church 
 members have taken at the very least their full share of direct- 
 ing inquirers, that they have sacrificed much in order to come 
 to the meetings, and that in blessings bestowed upon them- 
 selves and upon their families, their large sacrifices have been 
 ampiy repaid. To one thing I world ask special attention. It 
 has been where, in time or money, the largest sacrifices have 
 been made that the largest amount of blessings have been re- 
 ceived. 
 
 "I have said nothing of the Sabbath meetings in our own 
 place of worship. These have been such times of refreshing 
 as I never expected to have seen. Sermons have not been re- 
 quired, and would have been quite unseasonable. Thanksgiv- 
 ing for the general awakening, and for blessings to families and 
 individuals — brief, pointed exhortations, obviously coming 
 from the heart, and eliciting from other hearts an earnest 
 response — the observance of the ordinance of the Supper with 
 a deeper feeling of humility and thankfulness than we had ever 
 before been able to cherish — conversation with inquirers at the 
 close, and finding that under some brief address or during the 
 conversation souls have been saved — much fervent pra3'er for 
 the continued progress of the work — this gives only a faint 
 idea of what our Sabbath meetinojs have been. Often before 
 
108 THE HAKVEST WORK 
 
 have we had special reasons for thanksgiving. To the praise of 
 divine grace we acknowledge, that even in times past the Lord 
 has given us numerous cases of conversion. Bat now, even in 
 our own congregation, they are far more numerous ; and we are 
 only the more thankful as we think that, as to conversions at 
 least, other congregations have shared still more largely in the 
 blessing. A writer in the Dumfries Standard, writing of the 
 revival here, says very truly, ' Members and adherents of the 
 various churches, who had borne the character of virtuous 
 and religious, among whom are not a few of the principal in- 
 habitants of the town and neighborhood, have not been 
 ashamed to stay for the inquiry meetings, with a view to be 
 conversed with and prayed with. Many of the worst and 
 hopelessly godless characters of the town, who were never 
 known to think about or care for their souls, are in nightly 
 attendance. Several of them have been deeply moved, and 
 some of them, it is believed, hopefully converted. The union 
 of Christian hearts is also very marked.' 
 
 " Since writing the above, I have spoken with a Christian 
 brother as to the probable number of converts. He shares 
 in my opinion that it is impossible to number them ; but he 
 is firmly persuaded that they amount to some hundreds ; and 
 the data which he and other brethren have supplied are such as 
 to show that in the town and in the country the member of 
 conversions is indeed very large. ' What hath God wrought ! ' " 
 
 Rev, George Gailey, of the Free Church, at the 
 meeting of the General Assembly, in May, 1861, 
 said : 
 
 " We did not seek in any way to get up a revival in Annan. 
 I was greatly struck with a remark I saw in a letter in the 
 Witness y that revivals never come up, that true revivals always 
 come down. Some of the most delightful cases we have had 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 109 
 
 were the result of the inquiry meeting. Some who came that 
 night did so from mere curiosity, and one came merely to scoff. 
 Mr. Hammond's words went as an arrow to the heart of two of 
 those to whom I now refer, occupying a high and social posi- 
 tion in Annan. They were brought to a knowledge of the 
 truth, and took an important place in leading the movement 
 from that time till this. The firt^t persons spoken to were a 
 husband and wile, two of my own church members. They 
 were professing Christians, in full membership with the 
 church, and bearing openly a religious character. Mr. Ham- 
 mond's words awakened them both ; they never felt sin before ; 
 they never had been convinced of sin before. The arrow of 
 conviction went to their hearts. I have seen that couple, as I 
 have seen many other couples, coming night after night, sitting 
 together side by side, hand in hand, praying with and for each 
 other, to be conversed with by any Christian minister or Chris- 
 tian brother who might direct them in the way of peace and 
 God, ceasing not to attend, ceasing not to seek till they both be- 
 came new creatures in Christ Jesus. 1 have seen case after case of 
 that kind. Oh ! the blessed work we had, from pew to pew in 
 our anxious meeting, is just the work we have to do from the 
 pulpit ! We have no other gospel to preach, no other thing to" 
 say ; only, we come into close quarters with them, meeting this 
 difficulty, and answering that question ; and sometimes the 
 simplest word that a child could understand would be just the 
 word the anxious one wants, and the eyes are opened and the 
 eoul gets its enlargement. I was going to speak of an aged 
 man who was called on to tell what the Lord had done for 
 him. Here was my old friend sitting under the pulpit for 
 seven or eight years, and if I had been asked to point out one 
 of the truly Christian members of my Church, I would have 
 named him among them — a man who was never absent from 
 the Lord's table. I have had conversation after conversation 
 with him, and it was a case of being born again ; it was his 
 
110 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 first saving conversion to the Lord Jesus. And oh ! he is a de- 
 lightful specimen ; and God has given him his whole family. 
 One of his daughters — he is a man in humble life — carries 
 joy on her very countenance. In passing your eye over the 
 multitude in the gallery, you could not pass her face when you 
 came to it, without seeing the ray of heavenly light there. I 
 was called on unexpectedly to be present at the coffining of a 
 child. AVhen waiting for the coffin to come in, as usual I was 
 epeaking very personally to those present, trying to improve 
 the event. I was pointing out as plainly as I could the way of 
 peace with God — the A B C of peace with God. I thought 
 the spiritual state of some required it. When I paused and 
 looked up, the father was leaning forward, his face brightened, 
 and he said to me — oh! how instructively — Oh, sir, I am 
 beyond that stage. lie told me that his mind had been deeply 
 stirred before on the subject of personal religion, and that he 
 attended the meetings, and had conversations with ministers 
 and others — myself among them, though I did not recollect of 
 it — and being in the field one day laboring with four com- 
 panions, he turned up a sod of clay, and turned with it, a 
 penny. He stooped down to grasp it, just, as he said, because 
 he attached a certain value to it, though not a greater value 
 than it was worth. The thought then immediately occurred to 
 him — Do you set any value on Jesus and on peace with God, 
 as you set a certain value on the various things of the world? , 
 That, Sir, he said, was the making. of me for eternity ; I was 
 enabled to lay my soul on Jesus, and I have not had a day of 
 darkness, or distrust, or distress of soul since. And what a 
 change that makes now, he said. Had this stroke come upon 
 me in the days of my darkness, it would have crushed me to 
 the ground. But, oh ! now, sir, I not only know that God is 
 wise in the doing of that thing, but I feel that God is kind in 
 the doing of it. There is just one other matter to which I re- 
 fer, and that is to the general effects and results upon the pub- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Ill 
 
 lie in Annan and its vicinity. 1 may just say in a word, that 
 these are most marvellous. The general aspect of the town and 
 country is morally and spii-itually changed — absolutely revolu- 
 tionized. We were almost proverbial for immorality. It is on 
 the Border — and the Border is proverbial for badness. We 
 had drunkenness, and all the kindred vices, and swearing. The 
 voice of impiety is not now heard, and there is the most mani- 
 fest arrest laid on the drunken habits of the people. The at- 
 tendance in the places of worship is greatly increased. I may 
 just illustrate that from my own congregation, which I may 
 give as a specimen of all the others in town which took part in 
 the movement. We had our usual communion Sabbath on the 
 first Sabbath of February, three weeks or so after the movement 
 began. Wc added then about forty members to the ohurch, 
 new converts, — members of a class so different from what I 
 was wont to introduce into the church. We held, two weeks 
 ago, a special commission to meet the desire in the congregation 
 to come to the Lord's table again. I added then, I think, 
 somewhere about fifty more members. Thus, in three months, 
 we added about ninety members. I was not able to fix on one 
 of that ninety or a hundred, who, if I had gone and said,— 
 Now, have you been savingly blessed, do you think? — biit 
 would have answered in the affirmative, yea, and are giving evi- 
 dence, all the evidence we can desire, of having been savingly 
 blessed. We have a great hiring market in Annan, twice a 
 year. One of them falls due in May ; and oh ! it has been a 
 scene of iniquity. I remember wlien I first came to Annan and 
 saw that fair, that I gave ofience to some of my people, after 
 seeing the intemperance that prevailed, by saying from the pul- 
 pit, n°ext Sabbath —' Oh ! it is hard to think that anythmg 
 good can be done here, wliile, by universal consent, two whole 
 days ia the year are given virtually to the devil, in this town 
 and neighborhood.' But this month we faced that fair in a 
 way wc^had never done before. Wc have a revival committee, 
 
112 THE HARYEST WORK 
 
 and they looked out for this coming rock, and provided for it ; 
 and I think they have solved the problem of hiring markets 
 and fairs in the land. There are some esteemed brethren 
 present — Colonel Davidson, who kindly visited us, and also 
 Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Rainy, Mr. Reid, and a number of other 
 members who came down to help us. About eight thousand 
 people were brought into the town that day, and notwithstand- 
 ing the attendance being three times the usual amount, yet, 
 even on their own showing, the whisky-sellers did not do an 
 average business. There were out-door services twice during 
 the day. There was a refreshment tent, in which thirteen 
 thousand or fourteen thousand cups of tea and coffee were sold, 
 at a penny for each. A penny was charged for each thing — a 
 bun, a penny ; cheese, a penny ; bread and butter, a penny ; — 
 for we went on the penny principle. Nineteen thousand pennies 
 were thus taken in course of the day ; the tent being opened 
 with prayer and closed with prayer. On Friday first there ia 
 to be a meeting to take steps to erect a hall for the purpose of 
 having it open on every future fair and market-day I believe 
 if £1000 were required at this moment to carry on the revival 
 work, the sum would be raised before Saturday night in the 
 little town of Annan." 
 
 We have a strong confirmation of the reality and 
 greatness of the blessing enjoyed in Annan, from the 
 pen of Eev. Mr. Young, which we give. It was 
 written as the date shows, more than a year after the 
 revival scenes described, and addressed to a friend 
 in America. 
 
 " I have the most lively and happy recollection of Mr. Ham- 
 mond's coming to Annan. It was on Saturday, 12th January, 
 1861. On the same evening he called on some of the ministers, 
 and looked in at a prayer-meeting, which was then being held. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIEIT. 113 
 
 On the Sabbath forenoon he spoke in two places of worship, 
 speaking shortly in each. In the afternoon there was a crowded 
 meeting in the Free Church. The four ministers who had long 
 co-operated in holding a union prayer meeting and who contin- 
 ued throughout the revival to co-operate with one another and 
 with Mr. II., were all present. The writer of this did not speak, 
 but the other ministers spoke to good purpose, and Mr. H. 
 gave an excellent address. That night there was an Inquiry 
 Meeting. This was properly the first night, yet thus early the 
 good work began. Among those with whom he conversed were 
 two of the leading men of the town, and those two, along with 
 others, have ever since taken a deep interest in whatever may 
 glorify God or be of advantage to man. Of the enormously 
 crowded meetings which followed I cannot speak in detail. The 
 largest available place of assembly — usually the United Pres- 
 byterian Church — was filled to overflowing : not the town only, 
 but the country for many miles around was deeply awakened ; 
 sometimes meetings were held in two churches at once, Mr. H. 
 speaking first at one and then at the other. Each afternoon 
 there was a delightful meeting for prayer. At night, the first 
 meeting commenced at half-past seven, though the people came 
 60 early that the meeting really began with praise and prayer 
 at a much earlier hour. About ten, the first meeting was 
 closed, and from ten to one o'clock we spoke with inquirers. 
 Never, even in my most hopeful moments, did I anticipate 
 scenes like those which the Lord in his rich mercy then allowed 
 me to see! The workers were, Mr. H., a young man who ac- 
 companied him, the four ministers, and a large number of ear- 
 nest, Christian men, members of our churches ; yet there was 
 ample employment for all. Even when the inquiry meeting 
 was closed, there was often reason to fear that some wishing 
 conversation might have been overlooked. The impossibility of 
 getting through the blessed work any sooner, was the sole rea- 
 son for protracting the meetings always till one o'clock, and in 
 one instance till after two. 
 
114 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " The Evangelist continued with us two weeks, and soon after 
 he again favored us for one day with his invaluable aid. In the 
 afternoon, a lai-ge and important meeting was held, when seve- 
 ral persons told how they had been converted in the revival. 
 Among these were some office-bearers in a church a short dis- 
 tance from Annan. In the evening, three meetings were held 
 6imultaneous]3^ The Free Church Avas nearly full of children ; 
 a church belonging to the Establishment, (in which also others 
 of the meetings had been held,) was on this evening crowded 
 with women only ; while the U. P. Church was crovv-dcd also 
 with an audience consisting exclusively of men. Other speak- 
 ers of course assisted, but on this, as on all other occasions, it 
 was Mr. Ilammond himself whom the Lord chiefly used. 
 
 " As regards the abiding results, I shall only copy the follow- 
 ing very moderate statement, being part of a letter which I 
 published more than three months ago in our local paper, tho 
 Annan Observer: — 
 
 " ' I feel neither special call nor deep anxiety to vindicate the 
 Annan Revival. It is its own best vindication. Now that, 
 since its commencement, one year has elapsed, what are some 
 of the good results we have witnessed ? 
 
 " ' First, There have heen many conversions. How many. I 
 have never attempted to say ; but that they are very numerous, 
 I have no sort of doubt ; and speaking of all the professed con- 
 verts whom I have known, I can freely state that the cases of 
 backsliding, or even of temporary relapse, have been singulai'ly 
 few. AVith very rare exceptions, the professed converts are 
 holding out well, trusting, as I believe, not in themselves, but 
 in ' llim who is able to keep them from falling, and to present 
 tiiem faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding 
 
 " ' Second, among those who, since the revival, are taking a 
 deep interest in religion, are a vast number of young men, many 
 of them energetic and active, and some of them persons of influ- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 115 
 
 ence. Among the young of both sexes, as well as among per- 
 sons fart'ner advanced in life, the l)lessed effect of the Ptevival is 
 visible and abiding. Much, indeed, still remains to be accom- 
 plisijed, bat this is no reason why we should not acknowledge 
 thankl'ully the great things which already the Lord has 
 wrought. 
 
 "Third, The intemperate have been reformed. I could men- 
 tion I know not how many, every one of whom now sit at the 
 feet of Jesus, ' clothed and in his right mind.' Delightful, in- 
 deed, and unmistakeaidc, arc cases with which I am acquainted. 
 The temperance movement had effected much ; the revival move- 
 ment has eilected more ; there is no jarring between them — 
 both are needed, and both are excellent, while they are mutual- 
 ly helpful the one to the other. 
 
 " I would only say, further, that through the revival, the 
 children of God have had their faith greatly strengthened. 
 Never before did they see so much of the power of prayer, or 
 of God's readiness to answer it. They asked Ilim for guidance, 
 and He gave it. They prayed Him to send laborers, and lie 
 sent them. In many cases He gave theui so suddenly, that we 
 could only think of His promises — a promise which in the peo- 
 ple of Israel will hereafter have a still more signal fallilment. 
 * It shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer ; and 
 while they arc yet speaking, I will hear.' 
 
 " In 8pe:iking of ^Ir. Hammond, and of Iiis peculiar qualifi- 
 cations for an Evangelist, I place in the foreground iiis humble, 
 child-like confidence in the Lord. Believing that God has given 
 promises, he expects Him to keep them. This expc-ctation gives 
 the tone to his prayers, and helps him greatly in all that 
 he undertakes. Whenever he came among us he urged us to 
 look for great things, and quoted ofteaer than once, and with 
 excellent effjct, these words of God by Jeremiali, ' Call unto 
 me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty 
 thinsjs which thou knowcst not.' — Jer. xxxiii. 3. 
 
116 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " Farther, Mr. II. has a good judgment as to what should be 
 done and what should be said. Even when he spoke but little 
 it was the right thing, and at the proper time. He is full of 
 zeal, but by no means too zealous for one who seeks to pluck 
 men as brands from the burning ; while there is about him a 
 sino-leness of aim which I greatly admire, and which for myself 
 I should greatly wish to possess. He was followed here by 
 other laborers, of whom there were many who did us good 
 service ; but it was with Mr. Hammond that the revival be^an, 
 and we shall ever feel that it is to him that, under God, we are 
 chiefly indebted. Even yet, more than fifteen months having 
 passed, I am finding among those who apply for church fellow- 
 ship, some who speak of Mr. II. as having been the means in the 
 Spirit's hand of leading them to Christ. I may state that since 
 the revival began, we have — even in our little church — re- 
 ceived about ninety new members, yet ours is only one of a- 
 number of churches in the town, with others in the country 
 around, which this glorious revival has here filled and increased. 
 Many of the cases of conversion are full of interest, but space 
 does not permit me to go into detail. 
 
 " But the last among the causes of Mr. Hammond's power ia 
 his peculiar sweetness of temper or disposition. He is quite a 
 man to be loved, for he loves every one. I have had him living 
 with me while he labored in Annan — to have thus had the op- 
 portunity of having much intercourse with him — to have learn- 
 ed, as I did, how successful he had been in Dumfries and Glas- 
 gow after he left us — to have the hope, which I have, of still 
 meeting him on earth — and especially to have the hope that 
 through the mercy of God and the merits of the Saviour, we 
 shall meet — as one of .the beautiful hymns he taught us to 
 sing expresses it — 
 
 " On the other side of Jordan — 
 In the sweet fields of Eden, 
 Where the tree of life is blooming," 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 117 
 
 — all this I regard as a blessed privilege for which 1 neve 
 can suflficiently give God thanks. 
 
 " Both of Mr. Hammond, and of the Revival, I might have 
 written much more, for where the work has been so great, and 
 where the fruits are so abiding and visible, it is not easy to tell 
 where to stop. The full results will appear in eternity, and will 
 be to the honor of the ever blessed Spirit, and of that loving 
 Saviour whom at all times and in ail things it is a privilege to 
 serve. 
 
 " I have not the pleasure of knowing the gentleman for whom 
 
 1 am writing this brief account, but regarding him as a friend 
 
 of Mr. H., and as one who takes an interest in revivals, I am 
 
 happy to furnish him with such an account as I have been able 
 
 to give. Ebenezer Young, 
 
 Pastor of the Independent or Congregational 
 
 Church in Annan. 
 Annan, 15th May, 1862. 
 
 Dumfriesv the home and burial-place of Robert 
 Burns, the man of genius, and the mournful wreck, 
 morally ; an important* Burgh, twelve miles from 
 Annan, caught the sacred fire from the latter town, 
 through the visit of some of its pastors. A very 
 just estimate of sources of the principal speaker's 
 success, under God, appeared in the Dumfries Stand- 
 ard, at the commencement of the daily meetings, 
 
 " Mr. ILiramond never preaches essays, or deals in the elabo- 
 rate or transcendental ; he wants to make religion a thing of 
 ordinary life — the great business of every day ; and this being 
 his desire, he presses the gospel on the acceptance of his 
 hearers, just as a skilful trader seeks to dispose of his worldly 
 merchandize, only that he offers ' the pearl of great price ' with 
 gre^iter earnestness, so as to correspond with its infinitely 
 
113 THE HAKVEST WORK 
 
 greater value. This is, as we have already hinted, one of the 
 secrets of his success. Many of his illustrations are brought 
 fresh and new from the busy earth on which we tread, and have 
 thus a strong human interest, and he has a marvellous knack of 
 making such mundane themes the medium fur conveying precious 
 spiritual truths. And when after relating an entertaining 
 anecdote he seeks to inculcate its lesson, the tones of his well- 
 modulated voice thrill with a pathos and persuasiveness which 
 are as music to the ' inner ear,' and assist materially in send- 
 ing the moral home at once to the heart. He almost always 
 manages to make a powerful impression on his audience. This, 
 humanly speaking, is owing in a great degree to three things 
 — first, his intense earnestness; secondly, his large-hearted 
 benevolence; and thirdly, his simple unstilted Saxon style of 
 discourse. While naturally courageous and self-dependent, his 
 chief strength doubtless lies in his thorough belief that he is 
 God's ambassador to sinful men — that he has received for each 
 and all who come within the reach of his voice a message of 
 love and mercy ; and hence his ' holy baldness,' his unwearied 
 devotedness in proclaiming the gospel — his oft-reiterated re- 
 monstrance, ' Why will ye die? ' urged at once with amazing 
 energy and with tearful tenderness.'" 
 
 Of the venerable and great man, whose name is 
 identified with the Free Church, in connection with 
 the services, it is said : 
 
 " Dr. Wood presided, and in a few warm, pregnant words, 
 he thoroughly identified himself with the present Revival move- 
 ment, and expressed his wonder, not that people should thus 
 be congregating in great masses together and be anxiously in- 
 quiring ' What must we do to be saved ? ' but that meetings 
 like these are so rare, and that so much deplorable apathy pre- 
 vails even among professing Christians on the subject of their 
 salvation." 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 119 
 
 We find a little work, printed in Dumfries, which 
 has an immense circulation, from which we quote : 
 
 " The following communicated account of the movement at 
 this early stage, appeared in the Standard of the 30th January : 
 
 " The work of Revival, which has been spreading in Annan 
 with remarkable intensity and power for the last fortnight, has 
 now extended to Dumfries with a fervor even greater than was 
 witnessed in Annan, at the beginning of the meetings there. 
 The large and spacious church in which the Rev. Dr. Wood 
 ministers was, long before six o'clock on the evening of Sab- 
 bath, crowded in every part, while hundreds were pressing 
 around the door eager to obtain an entrance, but could not. 
 The Congregational Chapel was opened for the benefit of those 
 who were desirous of hearing the words of life, and thus a 
 second audience was placed under the Revival influence. At 
 the close of his sermon, Mr. Hammond invited the anxious to 
 remain for conversation, pressing on those who wished to be 
 Baved, and on those who hope to be saved at some future time, 
 to remain to be conversed with on the momentous inquiry, 
 * What must I do to be saved ? ' This is the crisis of the work 
 for the evening, to which the Christian looks with most thrilling 
 interest. Oh ! it was a spectacle which drew tears from many 
 eyes, to see several hundreds in the lower part of the church 
 and in the gallery, with countenances showing intense anxiety 
 fl)r salvation, waiting two hours in the church for conversation. 
 Many were found suffering great mental anguish from the dis- 
 covery of their sin against the God of love. The tears were 
 flowing plentifully while they wefe deploring their sins and the 
 hardness of their heart. Others had found peace to their 
 troubled conscience in the discovery that the blood of Jesus 
 Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin. And there were 
 not a few, who had been unmoved under the stirring appeals, 
 who were subdued through the power of sympathy ; for, seeing 
 
120 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 others so earnest in seeking salvation, they felt it was high 
 time for them to be earnest likewise. Many Christians gave 
 help m the work of conversation. So far as we could learn 
 their views, but one feeling pervaded all their miods — that the 
 prayers which had been ofiered up for months past were now 
 answered in the cloud of blessing descending on Dumfries, and 
 that God had put his seal upon the work by the conversion of 
 sinners. 
 
 " At six o'clock on the evening of Monday, Dr. Wood's 
 Church was filled with the children of the Sabbath schools as 
 it had been in the afternoon of Sabbath, and some of them 
 gave clear proofs of conversion, and that they have found in the 
 Saviour the salvation of their never-dying souls. At half-past 
 seven, Dr. Wood's Church was crowded, and many who were 
 eager to be present could not reach the door, so great was the 
 crowd outside. Mr. Hammond preached on the leprosy of 
 Naaman, and a very deep impression was made on the listening 
 crowd. About the same number remained for conversation on 
 the evening of Monday as on the Sabbath, but many who suf- 
 fered greatly from the heavy load which pressed them down on 
 the first evening, had found peace and were rejoicing in Christ 
 the second evening. It was touching to see sitting in the same 
 pew, the aged father, mother and daughter, agonized with the 
 conviction of sin against the God of love, on the Sabbath ; and 
 on the Monday the daughter was mingling with the band of 
 young converts, with a happy face and rejoicing heart, praising 
 God. In one pew was sitting a dear boy of twelve years of age, 
 with the tears streaming from his eyes for joy that he had 
 found the Saviour, and on either side of him were aged men 
 and women, groaning from the load of sin on their hearts, and 
 in less than a quarter of an hour that load was removed, and 
 the seat of mourning was exchanged for joy and gladness. 
 
 " The Independent Church was literally crowded on Monday 
 night from ten till twelve — how long after, we know not ; and 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 121 
 
 after the inquirers, mostly males, had been individually spoken 
 to by the Rev. Mr. Machray and others, Mr. Hammond looked 
 in, gave a brief address, prayed, and then invited some of the 
 converts to tell their experience to the meeting. The invitation 
 was in the first instance responded to by a young man belono-- 
 ing to Dumfries, who declared that a few days ago he was a 
 ecoflfer, and cared not for spiritual things. He was induced to 
 attend one of the meetings, and was a little affected by what he 
 lieard ; but he went away soon, and thought no more on the 
 subject till on a subsequent night he went by invitation to an 
 inquiry meeting, where he was affectionately spoken to by a 
 young man, during whose address he had his eyes opened to 
 see his sins. He saw that he was a poor, guilty sinner, and that, 
 unless he was washed in the blood of Christ, he would go to 
 hell. He went home in great trouble of mind, and tossed about 
 sleepless in bed till three or four o'clock in the morning. Next 
 night he got into conversation with some of the ministers, and 
 one of them, Mr. Torrance, explained to him that he must put 
 his trust in Jesus ; and just as he was told to do that, a some- 
 thing came over him which he could not describe, but he did 
 feel that he could put his trust in Christ, and this made him 
 happy. He advised all who heard him, who were yet uncon- 
 verted, to turn to Jesus as he had been enabled to do, and then 
 they would be happy as he was ; and oh, he said, let those 
 who have found Christ tell the good news to others in the 
 E^.rcets, that they too may obtain salvation and get rid of all 
 their tears. 
 
 " Another man, approaeliing middle age, belonging to the 
 neighborhood, we believe, next stept forward and told how 
 abt)ut fourteen months ago he had been first aroused to a sense 
 of his true condition as a sinner in the sig it of God, but that 
 tlie impression wore off. That night week, when at the Re- 
 vival meeting, the impression was renewed and deepened, never, 
 he hoped, to be effaced. In returning home he offered up a 
 
122 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 heart- felt prayer, and, the next moment, experienced a joy 
 such as he was unable to express. 
 
 *' With the view of aflbrding more accommodation for the 
 increasing crowds which flock nightly to the Free Church, 
 several seats were on Monday removed from the area, thus 
 leaving standing room for nearly two hundred persons, instead 
 of merely sitting room for fifty-eight. But if the church 
 could, by any possibility, have been enlarged to twice its form- 
 er size, it in that case would still be filled to overflowing, so at- 
 tractive are the Revival sermons, and so unprecedently intense 
 and wide-spread is the interest felt in them, not only in Dum- 
 fries, bat in all the country around. Not fewer than one 
 thousand seven hundred and fifty persons were within the walls 
 of the church on Monday night, many of them closely wedged 
 together ; and last night the attendance was if anything great- 
 er ; while on each occasion there were hundreds at the doors, 
 unable to obtain an entrance. 
 
 " The services on Tuesday night by the singing of hymns — 
 
 * grave sweet melody ' — ensued till the arrival of Dr. Wood, 
 who presided over the meeting. He was followed by the Rev. 
 Mr. Greig, parish minister of Kirkpatrick-Durham, who ad- 
 dressed the audience at considerable length. His closing re- 
 marks told powerfully, the audience listening with rapt at- 
 tention to the important statement made by the preacher 
 when recounting his experience as such for a period of thirty 
 years. During a large portion of that time, he now knew, 
 he had never experienced a saving change of heart. While 
 preaching sound doctrine to his people, he was as great a 
 stranger to the pow-er of the gospel as a Hindoo or a Moham- 
 medan ; and it was not till within a comparatively recent period 
 that he realized his true condition in the sight of God, and 
 found the Saviour for himself. He could not state the precise 
 period when his eyes were opened ; ' but this,' said ]V|r. Greig, 
 
 * I know, that whereas once I was blind, now I see.' 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 123 
 
 *' Mr. Hammond referred to the cases of Dr. Chalmers and 
 other ministers as parallel to that of Mr. Greig ; and expressed 
 his gratification at the address made by him. God, who had 
 made their dear brother bold to speak the truth, would bless 
 his statement, and continue to uphold him to the end. He then 
 noticed the case of another minister, who had recently experi- 
 enced a similar change at a Revival meeting, and whose public 
 acknowledgment of it had been greatly blessed by God to the 
 awakening of other souls that were in danger of sleeping the 
 sleep of death. 
 
 " An infidel young man, a draper in Dumfries, was then in- 
 troduced by Mr. Hammond, and proceeded to speak with much 
 readiness, and at times rose to a pitch of what may truly be 
 called spontaneous and unpremeditated eloquence, as he de- 
 Bcribed the way in which he had been led from the darkness 
 and desolateness of scepticism to the light and happiness of 
 saving faith. He told how a companion of his, laboring under 
 deep conviction, last week had conversed with him on the 
 danger which those incur who put off the day of their merciful 
 visitation. He was thus led to think seriously and solemnly on 
 the subject. He felt as if the arrow of conviction had found 
 its way to his heart, and on going home, told his mother he was 
 very unhappy. He went up-stairs still tormented by doubts 
 and fears ; and prayed earnestly that God would give him 
 peace. He turned to his Bible, and there read, in the First 
 Epistle of John, fourth chapter, first verse, that ' many false 
 prophets are gone out into the world.' He felt that this was 
 true — that he had been led away by false prophets, and had 
 been on the road to everlasting ruin. Still laboring under a 
 sense of unpardoned sin, he found his way on Saturday night 
 to an inquiry meeting, and there received some comfort from a 
 conversation which he had with one of the ministers. That 
 minister asked if he would come to Jesus ; and they prayed to- 
 gether ; and he felt comparatively happy. On Sabbath he 
 
124 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 went to a prayer meeting, and afterwards heard Mr. Symington 
 preach from a passage in Isaiah, in Mr, Scott's Churcli ; and 
 from the remarks then made he obtained much relief. His 
 faith was confirmed, and his peace with God through Christ was 
 sealed, as during the same evening at an inquiry meeting he 
 mixed with those who were anxious for their souls, and en- 
 deavored to lead them to the Saviour, whom he had himself, 
 after many wanderings, found. Now his faith in the all-pre- 
 vailing atonement was unwavering ; and he experienced a hap- 
 piness which till that night he had never known. 
 
 " Mr. Hammond, kneeling down on the platform, offered up 
 prayer — the tones of his voice, and his eyes streaming with 
 tears, betraying his overpowering emotion as he returned thanks 
 for the marvellous doings of the Lord as manifested to them in 
 the cases just related, and many other marks of the Divine 
 favor which had been experienced during that day and night. 
 The young man then knelt down, and oifered up a short prayer 
 
 the scene deeply ailbcting the audience. Mr. Hammond 
 
 then, addressing the audience, put the question. How shall ye 
 escape, if ye neglect so great salvation ? That question he 
 could not answer — the devils could not answer it, the angels 
 could not answer it, God himself could not answer it. Escape? 
 there was no possible way of escape if they despised and 
 neglected the great salvation. 
 
 •' Dr. Wood added a few closing words, in which he solemnly and 
 affectionately urged each individual of the vast multitude pres- 
 ent who still halted for serving two masters, to decide for Christ. 
 The meeting closed by singing the following verse and chorus J 
 
 " 'Tis done — the gi-eat transaction 's done ; 
 I am my Loi'd's, and he is mine ; 
 He drew me, and I followed on. 
 Charmed to confess the voice chvine. 
 Happy day ! happy day ! 
 When Jesus washed my sins away ; 
 
OF THE HOLY STIRIT. 125 
 
 He taught me how to watch and pray, 
 And live rejoicing every day. 
 Happy day ! happy day ! 
 When Jesus washed my sins away. 
 
 " At the protracted meeting for inquiry on Tuesday night, 
 from a hundred to a hundred and fifty were present in the Re- 
 formed Presbyterian Church ; upwards of two hundred in the 
 Independent Church ; and the females in the Free Church were 
 fully as numerous as on any former occasion. One case is re- 
 ported to us as having occurred in the Reformed Presbyterian 
 Church, of peculiar interest — that of a man from the country 
 who had been in a sfeate of great distress, a prey to doubts and 
 misconception, but who was at length, after a torturing ordeal 
 of a fortnight's duration, enabled to place his trust in the Re- 
 deemer and find in Him peace and rest. In the course of the 
 proceedings in the Independent Church, Mr. Machray made the 
 gratifying announcement, that, at the small village of Lochar- 
 briggs in the neighborhood, a crowded Revival meeting had 
 been held that evening, and about seventy anxious inquirers 
 had remained to be conversed with — results which, he said, 
 were in answer to prayers ofiered up for the people of the 
 village, at the meeting which had been held in that church 
 during the day. Several ministers, in addition to those al- 
 ready mentioned by us, have given assistance at the pro- 
 tracted «neeting8, and, as formerly, ladies and laymen in con- 
 siderable numbers arc taking part in the work. 
 
 " Among the cases which occurred on the same night in the 
 Free Church, the following one excited an extraordinary 
 amount of attention : — Robert Milligan, aged forty-nine, a 
 native of Kirkcudbright, and for twenty-seven years a soldier 
 in the 1st Regiment of Life Guards, was present at the general 
 meeting, and he was observed to he much affected by the various 
 addresses that were delivered. He was, it appears, especially 
 struck with the statements made by the Rev. Mr. Greig, and 
 
126 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 thought within his own mind it was high time he was beginning 
 to examine himself, when a minister like Mr. Greig had confess- 
 ed that he had been long personally ignorant of the gospel. 
 Towards the close of the meeting Mr. W. Milligan, junior, 
 conversed with him. and they went together for a little to the 
 house of the former, and after conversing and praying there 
 they returned to the church, he expressing a strong wish to see 
 Mr. Hammond, who was busily engaged at the time with other 
 anxious inquirers. 
 
 " The scene which ensued was highly affecting. Mr, Milli- 
 gan is a tall, well-made man, barely past the meridian of life, 
 and his buirdly figure was very prominent as he hurried up the 
 area, and seizing Mr. Hammond by the hand, said loud enough 
 to be heard over a great part of the church, 'Sir, I am a 
 soldier : I have been in many a battle, and received many a 
 wound, but never such a one as I received to-night. The 
 arrow sent by that Rev. gentleman (pointing to Mr. Greig,) 
 went through and through my very heart.' Mr. Hammond 
 asked, ' Are you now then resolved to be a soldier of the Cross 
 — enrolled in the blood-redeemed army of Jesus?' 'Yes,' 
 was the answer, ' I have too long earned the wages of sin, 
 and will henceforth devote myself to the service of the Saviour.' 
 Mr. Hammond offered up a few appropriate words of prayer ; 
 and the soldier, then holding up both hands beseechingly, pray- 
 ed with great fluency and unction. After which he 'instinc- 
 tively flourished his bonnet, as he said with modest confidence, 
 * I am not ashamed to own my Lord.' This truly impressive 
 and touching episode had a most thrilling effect upon the on- 
 lookers, many of whom sobbed aloud, while others gave ex- 
 pression to a feeling of exulting joy. Soon after, it appears, 
 Mr. Milligan told what had happened to his wife, and appear- 
 ed in company with her at the meeting, where she formed one 
 among the many inquirers after salvation, and is now like him- 
 self, it is said, happy in believing. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIEIT. 127 
 
 " A respected leader of the Free Church, Dumfries, remarked 
 the other night that the scenes he had witnessed during 
 the ten days and nights preceding were so extraordinary, 
 that he felt himself at times overcome with amazement, and 
 almost tempted to question their reality. And yet, he 
 added, they are not dreams, delusions, but 'substantial re- 
 alities, as veritable as they are wonderful and solemn. 
 The same ideas, we doubt not, have passed through the 
 minds of many who have been present at the Eevival meet- 
 ings, and especially at those held for inquiry, when, in the 
 dead of night, numbers have to all appearance been made 
 spiritually alive. The protracted meetings are marvellous, 
 on account of the hundreds who take part in them for the 
 purpose of receiving religious instruction and comfort, and 
 still more so because of the considerable proportion of those 
 who declare to their advisers, that they have found what they 
 were in search of — whose language, once that of doubt or 
 despair, is now, ' I do believe, I now believe that Jesus died 
 for me.' 
 
 " The inquiry meetings are also remarkable for the cordiality 
 with which people of all denominations and ranks mix with 
 each other, forming, so to speak, one large family, equal in the 
 sight of the same heavenly Father, and knowing, or at least 
 showing none of the distinctions which are so pertinaciously 
 clung to and so reluctantly parted with in the ordinary world 
 of life. Too often the poor are made to feel bitterly their 
 inferiority of station, but here Dives comes not — at least does 
 not venture to appear in the purple and fine linen of his pride 
 — and those who are literally in the condition of Lazarus, are 
 recognized to be brothers and sisters by men of high position, 
 and by those who are gentlewomen in every sense of the word. 
 Mill-girls and fine ladies talk lovingly together on topics of 
 transcendent interest to both. Women who have fallen — poor 
 Magdalenes — panting for heart's ease, if not sighing peni- 
 
128 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 tentiallj, form units in the throng ; and bo far from being 
 Bhunned as eomething vile, are welcomed with the feeling 
 which made the father in the parable kill the fatted calf for 
 his son. The unprecedented religious awakening now experi- 
 enced in Dumfries may subside, and no one expects that the 
 excitement can continue long unabated — in the nature of 
 things it must decrease ; but the memory of these inquiry 
 meetings will have a continued fragrance — they will be re- 
 membered as affording in some respects a foretaste of millennial 
 times ; and viewing them even in the subsidiary temporal 
 sense, without reference to the spiritual benefits there origi- 
 nated, they will, we think, tend to strengthen the bonds of 
 Boci^l existence amongst us. Those who experience the luxury 
 of doing good to the poor, know that the latter are grateful for 
 kind words as well as for charitable benefactions, that they 
 Bigh for sympathy, and gratefully appreciate any evidence 
 shown to them that they are cared for, body and soul, by the 
 rich. The coldness and superciliousness shown towards those 
 in humble life, and that often too by professing Christians, are 
 at the bottom of much of the heart-burnings and neglect of 
 religious ordinances which prevail in the lower strata of so- 
 ciety. Treatment of a contrary k'ud not only promotes social 
 peace, but is a step towards the reduction of practical heathen- 
 ism. Hence, if for nothing else, we attach great value to 
 these inquiry meetings ; and we trust that the spirit which 
 prevades them will be manifested out of doors. It must not 
 be allowed to languish, far less to die out, after these delightful 
 reunions have drawn to a close, but be brought to bear upon 
 the outcast and destitute of our population. 
 
 " The Wednesday evening meeting in the Free Church was 
 for males alone. The place was crowded by men and boys, 
 many of them from the neighborhood ; and as a proof of the 
 anxiety felt to gain admission we may state that two or three 
 hundred of the country people having had to go away early, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 129 
 
 their places were no sooner emptied than occupied by persons 
 from the town. As the meeting proceeded, it was gratifying 
 to see laboring men in various parts of the church with serious 
 faces and Testament — evidently new — in hand, carefully turn- 
 ing up passages of Scripture as referred to by the different 
 speakers. Altogether the assemblage was an extraordinary- 
 one, comprising, as it did, much of the bone and sinew which 
 constitute the main strength of the country and the chief de- 
 fence of the State. The Rev. Mr. Torrance made a few re- 
 marks ; the Rev. Mr. Millar, of Carlisle, followed, and then the 
 Rev. Mr. Symington. Mr. Fraser, of Colvend, was the next 
 speaker. He stated that when he first heard of these Revivals, 
 he had some misgivings respecting them ; but he resolved, for 
 the sake of his parishioners and himself, to inquire into the 
 subject personally. For that purpose he had come to Dum- 
 fries ; and what he had seen and now saw satisfied him that 
 the Awakening here was the work of God. He would return 
 home with the resolution, to be more zealous than ever in 
 urging his people to seek the way of salvation. Mr. Fraser 
 further expressed himself as highly pleased with all the pro- 
 ceedings ; every minister, he thought, should make inquiry for 
 himself into the matter, and not decide upon it from mere 
 hearsay. Those who did not see their way as yet to give the 
 movement their active support, should be cautious how they 
 derided it or in other respects opposed it ; and he was clearly 
 of opinion that those who carefully examined the subject for 
 themselves, would come to a satisfactory conclusion regard- 
 ing it. 
 
 " Mr. Hammond introduced a working-man of middle age, 
 who proceeded to address the audience. We give his statement 
 as near as may be verbatim : ' This is the first time,' he said, 
 * in my life that I ever rose to address a meeting on any sub- 
 ject one or other. I see many faces here that ken me weel, as 
 I belong to the place. They ken who I am, but they dinna 
 
180 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ken what I was inwardly. Before these meetings took place I 
 was a stranger to God. I professed Him outwardly ; but in- 
 wardly I was a subject of the devil. I was an infidel in prin- 
 ciple, though still professing to be a Christian. My chief oc- 
 cupation on the Sabbath day was to gang amang the fields and 
 woods, for the purpose of studying nature as we termed it ; and 
 there are men here I ken, and who I love weel, who used to go 
 there for that object. But oh, if it had been God's pleasure 
 to take me away a fortnight since, I must have been hurled 
 into eternal misery. I noo ken and feel that at that, time I was 
 without God and going fast to destruction. I aye heard folk 
 talking about sudden conversions and such like, but I thought 
 it was nonsense ; and before this night week I kent naething 
 about it, and did not feel Christ in my soul. There are men in 
 this meeting who hae seen me struggling and striving for 
 Christ, and at last I have found Him. Some said to me that as 
 long as there was life there was hope ; but my answer was, If 
 I'm saved at a', it will be by fire. In Mr. Symington's church 
 this night week I was urged to come to Christ and be saved ; 
 but I resisted the invitation. I was in great trouble, and a 
 man I met with there tried to comfort me ; but my soul was 
 overwhelmed. He siud, 'Will I pray for ye?' and with that 
 he leaned down and poured out his soul to God for me, a guilty 
 and miserable sinner. He saw that,though some little relieved, 
 I was still in great anxiety and distress, and he said, ' Just 
 gang away hame, and dinna weary yoursel sitting here, but 
 gang to yer ain house, and pray to God for grace.' I rose, and 
 gaed away hame, and there, by mysel, sat down on my knees 
 for the first time in my life. I had no words to express my 
 feelings, but I sat down on my knees till I found Jesus come to 
 my very soul. [This statement produced a marked sensation in 
 the meeting.] I was telling some men in this house last nicht 
 (continued the speaker) how I found Christ in prayer, and I 
 no^ tell them, and a' here that are unconverted, to gang hame 
 
or THE HOLY SPIRIT. 131 
 
 to their cloBets as I did, and importune God to pour peace into 
 their hearts ; and if they ask Him, faithfully believing on His 
 name, the blessing will be theirs. heavenly Father, look 
 dovrn on these poor deluded sinners ; may they be led to look 
 to Christ for salvation. God, hear this imperfect prayer. 
 Guide them in the narrow way that leads unto life eternal, for 
 Christ's sake. Amen.' This prayer, with which the speaker 
 closed his striking narrative, was broken by emotion, his feel- 
 ings seemingly being too strong for utterance. 
 
 "Mr. Hammond proceeded to say, that he had been showing 
 how God was able to turn sinners to himself, and here was a 
 witness that the statement was true. God called on all uncon- 
 verted men to turn from their evil ways. There were some of 
 God's servants who did not hold the whole truth in regard to 
 this matter, and preached sinners down to hell. In Scripture, 
 three agencies were represented as being at work in turning or 
 converting sinners, as described in the following different pas- 
 sages : * He which converteth the sinner from the error of his 
 ways, shall save a soul from death.' ' They that turn many to 
 righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever.' These 
 passages pointed out the agcLcy of man ; while others, such as 
 John vi. 44, represented God as the agent. ' No man can come 
 to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.' Then 
 in the text from which he was speaking, the sinner himself was 
 urged to turn. These passages appeared to clash with each 
 other, but it was only in appearance. In corroboration of this 
 remark, Mr. Hammond supposed the case of a man walking in 
 a reverie on the brink of Niagara Falls, and about to drop into 
 destruction. In this perilous position he is seen by another in- 
 dividual, who cries out, ' Stop, turn, or you will perish ! ' and 
 the man turns and is saved That man acknowledges with 
 gratitude the service rendered to him by the person who called 
 upon him to turn ; he speaks, too, of himself as being turned 
 from the yawning gulf ; and he also returns thanks to God for 
 
132 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 His providential interposition, by which he was led to turn and 
 escape. Did the man contradict himself when he thus spoke 
 of three agencies operating to save him ? not a bit ; and in the 
 same way there was no contradiction in Scripture when three 
 agencies were shown to be at work in converting the sinner — 
 three agents (not three instruments) — God, the sinner, and 
 God's servants — truth being the instrument. 
 
 " We have adduced a number of cases of alleged conversion ; 
 but the awakening of those who were, in the eyes of their 
 neighbors, consistent professors of Christianity has been another 
 great result of the Kevival in Dumfries. One case is described 
 to us as a specimen among many : A young lady who was a 
 communicant attended the first meeting addressed by Mr. Ham- 
 mond here in the Free Church, and though impressed to a slight 
 degree, thought but little of the service generally. She went a 
 second time, on the following Tuesday night, and felt her heart 
 thrilled when the following words were sung : 
 
 * Just as I am, "without one plea, 
 But that Thy blood was shed for me. 
 And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, 
 Lamb of God, I come ! ' 
 
 * Why not me ? ' was the lady's mental ejaculation ; and while 
 in the upper vestry among other inquirers, her attention was 
 attracted to a female of humble rank prostrate on the floor, as 
 if overwhelmed by a sense of sin. Mr. Hammond was en- 
 deavoring to comfort her by pleading that Jesus was a kind and 
 gracious Saviour ; and he closed his kindly exhortation by re- 
 questing the other females present to pray to Christ on behalf 
 of their suffering sister. The lady did so in company with 
 others, and while pleading for the poor woman, she felt as if 
 the burden of her own guilt was that moment rolled away, and 
 she rose from her knees with a full realization of pardon and 
 peace, and a happiness such as she never before experienced. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 133 
 
 " Colonel Davidson, from Edinburgh, who has visited 
 Dumfries for the sole purpose of witnessing and taking part 
 in the Revival movement, proceeded at considerable length, 
 and with great effect, to address the meeting. He stated that 
 he had gone out to India at sixteen years of age. Whilst in 
 this country, he attended worship regularly, sometimes three 
 times a day ; but for the first seven years after going to India 
 he did not hear as many sermons, so destitute was the station 
 of the ordinances of grace. One day, when riding a spirited 
 horse alone, the animal became restive, and the thought struck 
 him, ' Were I to die just now, would not my soul be lost? ' and 
 of this feeling he could not dive^^t himself. On the same even- 
 ing he dined with the commanding officer, and in the course of 
 conversation the illness of a brother-officer was mentioned, with 
 the remark that ' it would go hard with him ' — which remark 
 deepened the feeling of concern in his own mind. He spent 
 several weeks afterwards in great mental distress ; but know- 
 ins: that one of the officers was a decided Christian, he ven- 
 tured, though in much diffidence, to break the matter to him. 
 The words, ' Justified by God's free grace,' were, he told his 
 brother-officer, what he could not comprehend. On parting, the 
 officer gave him Booth's Reign of Grace, with an Introductory 
 Essay by Dr. Chalmers, and told him to read the Essay. He 
 took the book home with him, and while reading the Essay as 
 desired, the light broke in upon him — the gospel scheme flash- 
 ed vividly upon his mind. That was on the 15th of April, 
 1835 — a day ever memorable to him — it was the day of his 
 second birth ; and he kept its anniversary regularly as it came 
 round. Dr. Chalmers he considered as his spiritual father. 
 Colonel Davidson proceeded to relate some of his experiences 
 in India after his conversion, and in this country after return- 
 ing home to it. Ilis address was exceedingly interesting, and 
 obviously made a deep impression upon the audience. After a 
 few observations from Dr. Wood, devotional exercises were en-» 
 gaged in, and the meeting terminated. 
 
134 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " Colonel Davidson was present at the inquiry meeting which 
 ensued, and took an active part in the duty of ministering to 
 the spiritual wants of the anxious. 
 
 " Much interest was felt in a remarkabfe statement made at 
 this meeting by a young gentleman from a distance — a com- 
 mercial traveller we believe — who had been induced to appear 
 on the platform and say a few words regarding his own case. 
 He had, it appears, by what is sometimes called accident, but 
 which he attributed to the design of Providence, come to Dum- 
 fries at this season of awakening, and attended some of the 
 meetings without being much impressed. Still he could not 
 stay away from them, and on Thursday, while standing near 
 the door of the Free Church, the words of Mr. Hammond, as 
 he cried, ' You sinner at the door there, what do you think of 
 Christ? ' rung in his ears, and pierced his very soul. He said 
 to himself ' I am a sinner, and that appeal is made to me.* 
 Then Di*. Wood solemnly asked the audience to choose on which 
 side they would range themselves ; and the reflection passed 
 through his mind, ' I am, I fear, not on the Lord's side.' He 
 went home, and prayed that he might find the Saviour, but 
 found Him not, because he was always thinking what he could 
 do for himself. This state of mind continued, but on Friday 
 night he still wrestled and prayed. He spent that night in 
 deep and bitter anguish ; but, said the speaker, in continua- 
 tion, raising his voice to a high pitch, while tears streamed 
 down his face,' I rejoice in that night, for my mourning is now 
 turned into joy. Mr. Hammond, on Saturday evening, invited 
 inquirers to meet with him in Dr. Wood's parlor at the close 
 of the service. Well, I thought, he is a young man, and knows 
 the trials to which youth is exposed ; I will go in and take his 
 advice. I did so, and he prayed with and for me ; I prayed, 
 and wrestled with the Evil One, who clung to me as if he would 
 not let me go. These prayers on Saturday morning gave me 
 some relief, but I could not say ' Peace, peace, when there is 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 135 
 
 no peace.' Mr. Hammond, at our interview, told me to pray. 
 Pray ! and that before a stranger ! I believe my poor mother 
 taught me how to pray ; and I did fall down on my knees and 
 pray there in Dr. Wood's parlor. I experienced a sudden 
 change ; I felt wonderfully relieved ; my legs trembled ; a feel- 
 ing came over me that is inexpressible. I felt a glow of joy 
 that is unspeakable. Three young persons came in, and Mr. 
 Hammond said, ' Pray for these poor souls ; ' and I, after being 
 just delivered myself, prayed that they too might be freed from 
 the bondage of sin and Satan. sinners — those in this as- 
 sembly who have not yet come to the Saviour — do not think 
 that this happiness of mine is mere excitement. I call upon 
 you to repent, and experience with me the solid joy which the 
 believer feels who brings the burden of his guilt to Christ, and 
 gets it taken all away. I felt a diffidence at first in addressing 
 you, but I thank God who has enabled me to bear this testi- 
 mony to what has been done for my soul. Were any of my 
 friends to enter this meeting and see me here speaking to you, 
 they would be astonished ; and if any of them really are here, 
 if they would just come forward, I would try to comfort them 
 if they are in distress. ' The gentleman closed his address by 
 earnestly exhorting all to come and adopt the language of the- 
 hymn : 
 
 • Just as I am — without one plea. 
 But that Thy blood was shed for me, 
 And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, 
 Lamb of God, I come ! ' 
 
 " A correspondent has kindly favored us with the following 
 statement : ' The work of conversion is advancing in Dumfries 
 with unabated intensity. Last Sabbath, all the churches in 
 which the Revival is advancing were crowded beyond anything 
 ever before witnessed by their respective ministers. The num- 
 ber of the awakened was greater than on any previous day. 
 
136 THE HARVEST WORK. 
 
 Large numbers were drawn to the town from all the surround- 
 ing country to the extent of twenty miles — some already en- 
 joying peace with God, that they might have a time of refresh- 
 ing ; and others convinced of their sin, that they might have, 
 under the shower of the divine blessing descending here, the 
 cleansing away their guilt and the privilege of enjoying God as 
 their Father. 
 
 <' Many will have to bless God for ever that Sabbath, the 
 10th inst., was the day of their spiritual birth, that the eyes 
 of their understanding were opened, and that they were trans- 
 lated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. 
 There have been among the converts many cases of intense 
 anguish, protracted for several days, and arising from their 
 eagerness to see the grand moral change passing over their 
 heart ; thus withdrawing their thoughts from the great propitia- 
 tion to their own hearts full of all sin. Thus their anguish has 
 been increased, and expressed in their piteous sobs and cryings, 
 till some one skilled in the art of leading their thoughts to 
 their Redeemer, has pointed out their mistake, explained the 
 actual work of the Saviour finished on the cross, and exhorted 
 them to trust in his all-sufficient and boundless sacrifice ; and 
 then in numerous instances have they almost instantaneously 
 exchanged the agony of conscious guilt for the joys of pardon 
 and the hopes of everlasting life. There is a great diversity in 
 the degree in which the converts have been convinced of sin. 
 A large class have experienced little distress of mind, and have 
 seen the greatness of their guilt only after they have discover- 
 ed that the blood of Jesus Christ has washed it away. When 
 they have realized the truth of God's infinite love to them, in 
 blotting out their transgressions through the death of his own 
 Son, it is then that they see the depth of the ruin from which 
 they have been rescued. Hence their sorrow for past sin 
 mingles with their joy for present pardon. 
 
 *' We are now at the stage of this religious movement when 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 137 
 
 we are qualified to estimate the causes by which it has been 
 produced, and to see the means by which it may be continued 
 and enlarged till the whole county of Dumfries may be brought 
 under its saving power. 
 
 " And first of all, in point of importance, is prayer for the 
 influence of the Spirit to open the heart to the gospel. The 
 prayer of faith brings the blessing just as certainly as the 
 apostles wrought miracles on the bodies of men in the first 
 age of Christianity. During the last three weeks the minds of 
 Kcofiers, and infidels, and profane swearers have undergone a 
 radical change, just when a few earnest and believing men 
 were praying especially for them. The tidings of God's in- 
 finite love to them have been embraced, and in a few mo- 
 ments their hearts of stone have become like the hearts of 
 little children. Mr. Hammond is pre-eminently a man of 
 strong faith, assured that, when he asks the Holy Spirit, God is 
 willing to bestow Him. At our forenoon meeting, he exposed 
 the unbelief of Christians in their prayers, when they ask if 
 God be willing to give His blessing, He would grant it. That 
 if shows the unbelief which remains in their heart, which 
 renders the prayer an abomination to our Father, who has 
 sworn that He has no pleasure in the death of a sinner. 
 
 " Some have expressed surprise that Mr. Hammond's preach- 
 ing should have been followed with such amazing results in the 
 awakening and conversion of sinners. This surprise is in a 
 great measure the fruit of ignorance. Never was there so 
 much prayer for the Divine blessing in Dumfries as now, and 
 never were there so many faithful and pointed appeals to the 
 consciences as now ; and the rich harvest is the fruit of the 
 abundant seed. Mr. Hammond faithfully urges on the sinner 
 his duty of turning to God, and of trusting in Christ. He 
 shows the condition with which the sinner must comply to enter 
 into the enjoyment Df salvation. While praying to God for his 
 help, he appeals to the sinner to do his part, to comply with 
 
138 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 the invitation, * Come to Me, I will give you rest.' The truth 
 which saves the soul is plainly set forth, difiBculties are re- 
 moved, objections answered, prejudices exposed, and the sinner 
 is at length compelled to come in. 
 
 " Mr. Hammond is equally explicit in teaching that the 
 believer is an agent in the work of converting sinners — not a 
 mere instrument in the band of the Spirit. The gospel is the 
 instrument or hammer which breaks the heart of stone, and the 
 believer is an agent when he uses it. So is the mason. The 
 first stroke does not break a hard stone — it may require a 
 second, and a third, but each stroke is separating, although in- 
 visibly, the particles of the stone, and it may be that the tenth 
 stroke rends them assunder. Thus the mason is an agent, and 
 so is the Christian. In prayer, God is recognized as the great 
 agent. But it has paralyzed the Christian when he has thought 
 of himself only as an instrument. He has lived years without 
 once aiming to convert a sinner from the error of his ways, but 
 when he sees himself an agent, he is constrained to work as 
 well as to pray, and then the blessing descends on his labors. 
 It is seen in the early church when the disciples were scattered 
 abroad, and went everywhere preaching the Word ; and in the 
 young converts going to the towns and villages around, and 
 making known the tidings of the Redeemer's love. 
 
 " The more that sinners feel their responsibility, and the 
 more that believers regard themselves as agents accountable to 
 God for working to convert sinners, the more the work of Re- 
 vival will spread. Prayer and working on the part of believers 
 are necessary to the continuance of the Revival, and in the 
 measure in which these are given will the Revival flourish and 
 spread." 
 
 At the close of the special services, the seven 
 pastors of Dumfries, united in the following volun- 
 tary testimony published at the time. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 139 
 
 " We believe the religious Awakening in Dumfries and 
 neighborhood, to which they refer, to be a real work of the grace 
 and Spirit of God. Mere natural feeling and human imperfec- 
 tion are, no doubt, mingled with it. But having been in the 
 midst of it, and incessantly occupied with it for the last three 
 weeks, and having seen it in all its aspects, we unhesitatingly 
 express our conviction that it is a very wonderful and most 
 blessed work, by which many souls have been brought to 
 Christ, and many of God's people have received a fresh baptism 
 of the Spirit." 
 
 The statements of the venerable Dr. Wood, are 
 very forcible and convincing. Referring to the 
 labors of the Evangelist, he goes on to remark : 
 
 *' I happened to be detained in Edinburgh from indisposition 
 during the first week of his visit, and on coming home found 
 him in my church, surrounded by a most eager, convinced mul- 
 titude of perishing sinners. It was a thing such as I had never 
 seen before, and I saw my way at once to take part in it. I 
 joined with the managers of the church in working along with 
 Mr. Hammond, strengthening his hands and encouragiug him 
 in his work ; and we found that the Lord was blessing his work 
 — using Mr. Hammond as an eminent instrument in awaken- 
 ing sinners, and bringing them to the Lord Jesus Christ. When 
 I was here before, my object in the address delivered by me in 
 Hope Street Gaalic Church was to show, if possible, that this 
 was no wild excitement produced by Mr. Hammond, bat the 
 real work of the Spirit of God. I think I succeeded in show- 
 ing it was no mere work of man, but of God ; and I repeat the 
 statement. I find that it is not unneeded, and that persona 
 still refuse to believe that it is the work of the Spirit of God, 
 maintaining that it is a movement guided by Mr. Hammond and 
 the ministers. I find numbers of those persons in and around 
 
140 THE HARYEST WOEK 
 
 Dumfries, and there may be not a few such in Glasgow ; but 
 the more conversant I am with this work, the more thoroughly 
 I am persuaded that it is a genuine work of the grace and 
 Spirit of God. The great stir which it at first produced is now 
 abated, and I am coming in contact with my own people more 
 frequently, while our meetings are better attended. I have had 
 occasion to come in contact with them preparatory to the com- 
 munion, and I feel now as 1 never felt before in my ministry. 
 I have found people greatly changed, of whose sincerity I can- 
 not entertain a doubt, and am ready to hold up my hands with 
 surprise when I meet with men who persist in calling it all a 
 delusion, and denounce Mr. Hammond and others for getting 
 up an ' excitement.' It is quite true that these men have 
 looked on at a distance, and have never come in contact with 
 the work itself; for 1 am persuaded that hardly any honest man 
 can come in contact with this work, and deal with it in a faith- 
 ful, honest way, without being convinced that there is some- 
 thing in it far above man. Mr, Hammond continued with us 
 two weeks, laboring, I may say, day and night, and we all re- 
 joiced in his labors. We had people coming from all places 
 round about Dumfries at that time. One invitation after an- 
 other came to Mr. Hammond from country places, three or four 
 of which he visited for a day, or part of one. The same re- 
 sults attended the meetings there, which followed his labor in 
 Dumfries. He gathered the people about him and the ministers 
 who labored with him ; and the cry was, ' What must I do to 
 be saved ? ' 
 
 " This awakening was by no means confined to the town of 
 Dumfries and Annan — it is extending through all the country 
 round about for twenty miles, at least ; and I do not believe 
 there is a single village or hamlet within that area which has 
 not in some measure partaken of the awakening. At his first 
 meeting the church was filled — a very unusual occurrence — 
 and the awakening began that night Then there were meet- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 141 
 
 ings at Penpont, about fifteen miles from Dumfries, and the 
 Free Church was crowded. An awakening took place, and 
 now, I believe, meetings are frequently held alternately in the 
 U. P. Church at Thornhill, the Free Church at Penpont, and 
 the U. P. Church at Burnhead. Large meetings are held 
 there night after night, and I believe a most blessed work is 
 going on in the district. Mr. Hammond paid a visit for one 
 night to Penpont, and had a forenoon meeting in Glencairn. 
 Just as if to show how little it depends upon any human 
 agency, before he had opened his mouth a number of persons 
 were removed from the church in deep distress about the con- 
 cerns of their souls." 
 
 We have read with pleasure a further report of 
 Dr. Wood before the General Assembly, a year and 
 a half since the revival scenes, comprising all that he 
 had previously stated ; and in which he compared the 
 subsidence of the excitement, to the disappearance of 
 the waters of the Nile from the banks, leaving the 
 richness and fertility of the fields in the wake of 
 their withdrawal. Such was the apostolic refresh- 
 ing in this favored city, which, whatever of human 
 weakness appeared, was Pentecost in these latter 
 days. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Glasgow. Tlie awakening. Mr. Hammond's method of conducting 
 the religious services and style of preaching. The progress of the 
 work. Children's meeting. Letters of converts. Meeting for 
 women. Summary. Glasgow, on the banks of the Clyde, is one 
 of the oldest and largest cities of Scotland ; nearly opposite to 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 Mr. Hammond commenced liis labors in Dr. 
 Buchanan's beautiful church, whose congregation 
 represent much of the wealth and culture of the 
 city. He afterward preached for a number of even- 
 ings in Hope St. Church. The awakening spread 
 through the town with great power. 
 
 We have in a small volume published by the 
 friends of revivals in Glasgow, a full report of Mr. 
 Hammond's method of conducting services, con- 
 taining an outline of a sermon, which we give in 
 connection with the awakening in that city, to 
 gratify the natural curiosity which may be felt on 
 this point, and on account of interesting thoughts 
 and facts in the passage. 
 
 The editor of the Examiner, Dr. Smith, says ; 
 
 " On Sabbath, 24th February, according to announcement, 
 this well-known evangelist preached in the Free College Church. 
 At the announced hour, eleven o'clock, he ascended the pulpit. 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 143 
 
 He gave out the first four verses of the 46th Psalm, which was 
 Bung by the congregation. He then rose and said — 'We are 
 going to pray. Some here may have never prayed, and many 
 never pray till too late. ' He told a story of a Christian and in- 
 fidel who were in a boat on the Niagara river, who, as they 
 reasoned, approached the falls of that river. When the infidel 
 became aware of his peril his courage failed, and he began to 
 cry to God for mercy. His Christian friend, who was prepared 
 for death, took the oars and wrought the boat ashore, when the 
 infidel was paralyzed with terror. So many pray only when in 
 view of danger and death. Of Paul it was said, ' Behold he 
 prayeth.' He had often been seen standing at the corner of the 
 streets thanking God that he was not like other men ; but that 
 was not prayer. But now he prays as a sinner, and seeks 
 mercy. After a few more remarks he commenced to pray. His 
 prayer was rather brief and peculiar. He prayed for the city 
 — for the West-end especially — for the Magistrates of the 
 city, that they might not, like the rich man, lift up their 
 eyes in hell. He prayed for the congregation and for its 
 pastor, that the seed he scattered might bear fruit. He then 
 gave out to be read the 6th chapter of Matthew's gospel, but 
 only read the first six verses, which refer to the hypocritical 
 and ostentatious prayer of the Pharisee, &c. He then gave out 
 to be sung the first four verses of the 116th Psalm. Before it 
 was sung he said that this Psalm had been properly called the 
 new convert's Psalm, because it so well expressed his agony 
 and relief when he found peace. After the words were sung 
 he gave out for the text, Job. 22d chap, and 21st and 22d verses 
 -^ • Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace, thereby 
 good will come to thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from 
 His mouth and lay up His words in thine heart.' He said we 
 are here exhorted to acquaint ourselves with God. Last sum- 
 mer, when travelling to France by way of Calais, there was a 
 young man on board the steamer, who landed with others at 
 
144 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 Calais. He left the steamer as light of heart as any, to pro- 
 secute his journey, till an officer touched him on the shoulder 
 and demanded his passport. He said he had no passport. He 
 was conducted back to the vessel, and had to return to England 
 for his passport. Had I seen that young man in the streets of 
 London before he left, I might have told him to secure a pass- 
 port, and he might not have heeded me. I might have told 
 him that Napoleon vs^as not beloved by his subjects as our Queen 
 was, and assumed that every one who visited France might be 
 an assassin. I might have advised him to acquaint himself with 
 Napoleon and his Government b .fore he went there, and I 
 might have secured his gratitude for inducing him to make the 
 necessary preparations. I am here to-day to do a similar duty 
 — to bid you acquaint yourselves with God — to urge on you 
 the lesson of the text. The text includes a what, a ivho, a 
 why, and a when. First, we are told what to do ; a what — 
 The text bids us acquaint ourselves with God. The advice was 
 first given to Job, who already knew much of God. He was 
 like many in Scotland, which is the land of Bibles and specula- 
 tive knowledge, and sound theology, for all of which God 
 should be thanked. "Many know much about God who don't 
 know God — who don't know Jesus Christ. In America we, 
 at meetings, go round among the people and say, ' Do you know 
 God'} not about God ; but do you know Him.' I have seen in 
 Switzerland the mountain glaciers glistening in the sunlight. 
 But these glaciers in winter are bleak and cold — send down no 
 refreshing streams to the bare pastures. It is only when the 
 sun shines on them that they send down fertilizing streams to 
 refresh the pastures and make the flocks rejoice. So is it with 
 systematic theology — magnificent it is, but cold and cheerless 
 till the sun shines on it. The head may be all right and the 
 heart all wrong. The Pharisees were in this way. They had 
 head knowledge, but it left the heart untouched. The text 
 says we are to know God — not to know about him. Job says, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 145 
 
 * I have heard of Thee, but now mine eyes see Thee.' That is 
 knowing God, and the eflect was that Job abhorred himself, 
 and repented in dust and ashes. Have you thus seen God as a 
 holy God ? — one that will not clear the finally impenitent — 
 as a God that will bring every work into judgment with every 
 secret thing.' Job was highly esteemed, and had he lived in 
 our time he would have been an elder. Nicodemus was of the 
 same respectable class. How many looked up to him as he 
 passed along the streets making broad his phylacteries on that 
 memorable evening that he met with the Saviour. As he went 
 along they saw the texts of Scripture on his garments, and 
 they thought him a very holy man ; but Jesus told him very 
 plainly that he must be born again. Better to be convinced of 
 sin now than when too late — better know now whether you 
 have on the wedding garment. Many will go forward to the 
 judgment under a mistake, and say have we not eaten and 
 drunken in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets? 
 They have been only boarders in the family of Christ. How 
 many such professors there are? To -yvhom Christ will say, * I 
 never knew you — you have no passport — you are not clothed 
 in the righteousness of Christ.' Better far to be convinced of 
 sin to-day than at the judgment-seat. Better to be bowed 
 down under a sense of sin now than to be bound hand and foot 
 at last and cast out. All here know about the Queen, but all 
 do'nt know her — all do not correspond with her or dine with 
 her. There is a greo-t difference between knowing about one, 
 and knowing one : Christians know God. This morning not a 
 few of you have been saying — Oh that thou wouldest rend the 
 heavens and come down to-day — that the mountains — moun- 
 tains of sin and infidelity — might flow at thy presence. Where 
 go the Christians every morning — returning with their coun- 
 tenances beaming like that of Moses ? They go to a friend, to 
 hold converse with God ; they have a friend that poor sinners 
 have not. I have seen a godly mother stealing away to her 
 
146 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 apartment, and I have crept after that holy mother to ascertain 
 ■with whom she was speaking, but I could see no one. She was 
 speaking with one with whom I was not acquainted, and often 
 singing these sweet verses : — 
 
 ' Sweet the moments, rich in blessing, 
 
 AVhich before the cross I spend, 
 Life, and health, and peace possessing. 
 
 From the sinner's dying friend. 
 Here I '11 sit for ever viewing 
 
 Mercy sti-eaming in his blood ; 
 Precious drops ! my soul bedewing. 
 
 Plead and claim my peace with God.' 
 
 The Christian has a friend that will never leave, and never for- 
 sake — not in the Valley of Death, for there his rod and staff 
 w^ill support him. Bat we come, secondly, to the how of the 
 text. How are we to know God 7 By ' receiving the law from 
 His mouth, and laying up His words in our heart.' Many com- 
 plain of the terrors of the law. They say, tell us of the love 
 of (xod, but not of hell-fire. The Unitarians in America, and 
 Sjcinians in this country,do not like the law, but till we know 
 God's justice we will not appreciate His mercy. No doubt 
 some are drawn gently to Christ, but others are driven with 
 terror. A man in the upper floor of a house in London is 
 busy reading a book. A man with a fire escape salutes him, 
 and tells him to come down ; but he never hears the man. He 
 will not stir till a door is thrown open, and he sees the build- 
 ing is on fire, and then he leaves his book and is thankful to 
 go with the man with the fire-escape. So it is with sinners. 
 We may tell them all about Jesus, but men listen as if they 
 listened to a schoolboy's oration. When urged to come to 
 Jesus they heed not ; but when the law comes — that law 
 which is a schoolmaster, or a servant, to lead us to Christ — 
 comes with its curse, Jesus is prized as redeeming from that 
 curse. Many of you are living in carnal security and will 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 147 
 
 not come. That man in London would not stir till he saw 
 the house on fire ; and so you will not come till you see 
 your danger — till the enmity of the natural heart is slain. 
 God will not take you into his house while you are an enemy. 
 At Dumfries, an elder got the law into his heart, and he could 
 not eat, and could not sleep. He confessed before the great 
 congregation that he had not till then known God. And 
 there, too, a minister said, that for thirty years he had been 
 a preacher, while he was as ignorant of Christ as if he had 
 been a Hindoo or a Mahomedan. Dr. Chalmers, like Dr. 
 Thomas Scott, for twelve long years preached a dead morality 
 before he was savingly acquainted with God in Christ recon- 
 ciled. What a contrast between the audiences before and 
 after his conversion. Look in upon that crowd of listeners in 
 the church of Kilmany. The full rounded periods and musical 
 cadences of the speaker fall with pleasure on their ears. His 
 matchless strains of eloquence transport their minds to the 
 blissful regions of his rich imagination, but alas, whil'e his 
 words delight and gain ascent they are impotent to change the 
 will and influence the life. But a change comes over the 
 speaker. See him again in the Tron Church of Glasgow. He 
 no longer possesses that eloquence whose object is to please, nor 
 that higher kind which pleases and instructs, but he now pos- 
 sesses that which is far above these, and is the object of all real 
 eloquence — the power of persuasion. He now speaks with 
 winning eloquence from the depths of his own experience. 
 The appearance of the audience, too, is no less changed. The 
 tearful eye, and the compressed lip betoken the sorrowing 
 heart and firm resolve. While on the countenance of some, 
 despair is depicted, showing the deep work of the Spirit in con- 
 vincing of sin, the faces of others are radiant with new found 
 hopes. The speaker has received the ' law into his heart, and 
 Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness.' When the 
 law comes, men then listen as for their lives — not to the soft 
 
148 THE HARVEST AVORK. 
 
 cadences or rounded periods of the preacher, but to know how 
 they can be saved. A deacon that had heard of revivals in other 
 towns thought he would like a revival in his own town. So he 
 arranged with others for a meeting, and attended it, and 
 was delighted as the speaker went on, and said to himself — 
 ' That's a hit for so and so.' He was a deacon, and was re- 
 quested to stay to the inquirer's meeting He knew not what 
 to say to weeping souls. Not knowing him I said to him, 
 * Are you a friend of Jesus ? ' He went away without saying a 
 word and was in great agony, and like Saul he was three days 
 without sleeping or eating, and then found peace ; and I have 
 a letter from him in which he tells me all about it, which I 
 would read to you if I had time. How unlike this to an elder in 
 a town in the north of Scotland, who objected to our late meet- 
 ing. He said. We don't Avant those things here, and our 
 minister would not like it if he were at home. Some go away 
 angry, and I woi;ld rather that men would go away dis- 
 pleased, than merely saying it was all very well. He referred 
 to a lady at Huutly, who was a scoffer, for there are scoffers in 
 all classes. Slie laughed at the idea of filling a large tent with 
 listeners to a revivalist, and yet the preacher met the lady 
 clianged and converted by tliese meetings. Nor will you ever 
 Bcek Jesus till y >u are convinced of your lost state. He told a 
 story of an American gdy painter who Avas so disgusted with 
 reports of revivals in Bennet's New York Herald, that he sent 
 notice to stop hif> paper. He tried the Tribune, and it was also 
 full of revivals. He tried the Times, and it was worse. He 
 began to think there must be something in these reviA^als, and 
 he went to a meeting. Night after night he attended, became 
 interested, and at lat^t rose up in the meeting and said — " I 
 am a lost sinner; pray for me"' — and he found peace in 
 believing. It is when we see Jesus providing a righteousness 
 for us, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our 
 iniquities, that we find peace. But, thirdly, why are we to ac- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 149 
 
 quaint ourselves with God ? That we may have peace. Peace. 
 Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy. Religion is not the 
 gloomy thing many think it. Yes, it brings peace. I have 
 seen magistrates standing up in the crowded meeting and say- 
 ing that till now they never knew real peace. Happy now, for 
 their sin was washed away. Know you this peace ? It is a 
 delusion to assume that you cannot know whether you have 
 this peace. A whole epistle has been written that you may 
 know that ' you have eternal life.' Not that you may hcpe 
 or trust you have it ; but that you may know you have it. 
 Have you a love for Christ, for the Bible, for Christians, for 
 holiness ? Don't take it for granted. Don't leave this house 
 till you find peace. But, fourthly, when are you to acquaint 
 yourselves with God ? The text says now — now is the ap- 
 pointed time. ' Christ says — ' Look and be saved.' The devil 
 is here to-day, and he says not now. Did Peter at Pentecost 
 say to the thousands, go and pray for six weeks? No ; he said 
 repent now. 
 
 "The discourse, of which the preceding is a pretty full out- 
 line, occupied an hour and a half in delivery. After a few 
 words of prayer, and singing two verses of the 26th Para- 
 phrase, he pronounced the benediction, and the crowded con — 
 gregation was dismissed at a quarter-past one o'clock — Satur- 
 day, March 2. 
 
 '* Appended to this report is the following remark : * "We 
 hope the visit of this young.American to our city will do good. 
 There are in Glasgow, one hundred thousand persons who go to 
 no church.'' 
 
 The subjoined account of a " children's meet- 
 ing," will afford interest. 
 
150 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " A meeting of the most interestinp; kind took place on 
 Saturday morning last, in the Hall of the College. There have 
 Tbeen of late so many services exclusively for children, and the 
 "benefits have been so very conspicuous, that it became desirable 
 to secure the same advantages for the children of the better 
 classes resident in the West-end. Through the exertions of 
 two or three ladies resident in that quarter this was secured, 
 and Saturday morning was the initiative of these gatherings. 
 So cordial was the response to the invitations given, that the 
 hall was entirely full, mothers bringing their dear little chil- 
 dren, some of them not much more than five years of age, and 
 all of them seeming glad to be present. It was a fine sight. 
 Parents and children all there, and all to worship God, with 
 gentlemen in the ministry. It was the complete representation 
 as the Spirit describes it, of the Church — the ' whole family of 
 God on earth.' Dr. Hetheriugton presided, the Rev. Mr. Arnot 
 and Mr. Hammond on either side. On the platform there were 
 also Rev. Messrs. Muir and Alexander ; Robert INFCowan, 
 Esq. ; Mr. Gall, from Edinburgh, and others. 
 
 '* After singing Psalm 23d, which is regarded by many as the 
 child's psalm, and a short prayer by Dr. Hetherington, Mr. 
 Arnot made some interesting remarks, clustering them round 
 the lovely idea of ' Ministering children.' Religion had first 
 pointed her finger to them that she might draw attention to 
 their importance, their influence, and their value. But the 
 eye had grown dull, and had failed to look and discern what 
 religion would have us to see. Of late, literature had been 
 pointing in the same direction, but he hoped that religion was 
 again to obtain the supremacy. He thought there were many 
 indications of that. One such had come vinder his own notice 
 the other day. An elderly man had called on him in great dis- 
 tress of mind. He had been at the revival meeting in St. 
 Peter's, on Thursday last, and had left it vinmoved, but 
 sauntering along the street, a group of very young children 
 were singing, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 151 
 
 * I love Jesus, Hallelujah, 
 I love Jesus, yes I do ; 
 I love Jesus, He's my Saviour ; 
 Jesus smiles and loves me too.' 
 
 " The man of fifty summers found that he had no song 
 wherewith he could glorify his Lord and Saviour. He had 
 made a discovery of his poverty, and that the lisping child was 
 richer tlian him. The melody of these young voices had done 
 what the stirring sermon of the preacher had failed to do — 
 melted the frozen heart. 
 
 '' On the conclusion of these remarks, there was sung the 
 appropriate hymn of 
 
 ' Come to Jesus, come to Jesus ; 
 Come to Jesus just now.' 
 
 *' Mr. G. Ross gave an account of the conversion of a little 
 boy at a child's prayer meeting, and the difficulties thrown in 
 his way by his mother and uncle to keep him back. On re- 
 turning from the second prayer meeting he caught a contagious 
 disease, and Mr. Ross spoke touchingly of how this child wit- 
 nessed for Jesus while dying. 
 
 ' Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade. 
 Death came, with friendly care ; 
 The opening bud to Heaven conveyed, 
 And bade it blossom there.' 
 
 " Many a little heart seemed touched at this mournful recital, 
 and we all rose and sang — 
 
 ' We're travelling home to Heaven above. 
 To sing the Saviour's dying love; 
 
 Will you go ? Will you go ? ' 
 
 " The Rev. Mr. Muir directed the attention of another part 
 of the audience to the testimony of the Scriptures concerning 
 each meetings as the present — that while there was no ex- 
 
152 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 plicit injunction to grown-np people to come to Jesus, there 
 was for children , and couched in language that almost warned 
 against hindrances being thrown in their way — ' Suffer little 
 children to come unto me, and forbid them not.' 
 
 * Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, 
 Come to Jesus just now; 
 He will save you just now; 
 He is willing just now.' 
 
 " The exercises closed with singing, which filled the hall and 
 thrilled every heart. x\t the close of such service, the inquiry 
 meeting is usually a season of subduing tenderness. Familiar 
 conversation and prayer with them often continuing for another 
 hour, while smile and tears are seen on many faces. Though 
 much of feeling may be mere sympathy, this cannot injure the 
 weepers, and numbers are converted." 
 
 The classification of individuals, and the direct 
 appeal thus received was no insignificant element 
 of power in all these special efforts — or rather 
 apostolic, means of reaching the multitude. The 
 men, women and children, were each addressed. To 
 get at people, was the great aim. As an illustration, 
 we take from a report, the sketch of an immense 
 o-atherins: of females alone — with an allusion to 
 another for men. 
 
 "We give the following summary of the address which Mr. 
 Hammond delivered on Friday evening, at the crowded meeting 
 of females, held in Free St. Mark's Church, his remarks being 
 founded on the words in Luke x. 42 — " Mary hath chosen 
 that good part which shall not be taken away from her : " — 
 
 "How small and trivial, as measured by the world's opinions 
 are many of the materials that are found in Scripture. Such 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 153 
 
 things as we pass by every day as common -place — scarce worth 
 a thought — find their counterpart in holy writ, and there re- 
 ceive a stamp and character which reveals their significance. 
 All that is what could not fail to be, since the Testaments are 
 a disclosure of human life as it is in itself, not as we think it 
 to be ; and of the deep import it derives from its relation to the 
 uncreated God, and all the high and holy spiritualities of 
 heaven on one side, and all the malignant powers of darkness 
 on the other. And here, in these words, what have we ? The 
 register of a woman's choice — not a very important thing, we 
 would say ; yet the Holy Ghost judges difierently, and has in- 
 serted the transaction as an integral part of the Scriptures, to 
 continue through all time. Here is a woman, a young woman, 
 we may believe, who has made a choice, given a deliberate pre- 
 ference — a preference which with her was all-absorbing — to a 
 certain thing, and the object of her choice is called ' that good 
 part.' Now, what is that good part which Mary chose ? One 
 came to Jesus while he was on earth, and called him ' Good Mas- 
 ter.' ' Why call ye me good ? none is good but God,' was the re- 
 ply. All, then, that is truly good, enduringly good, must come 
 from God ; and, as he is a Spirit, all that proceeds from him, all 
 that he bestows, must be of his nature — spiritual. The true 
 good is a spiritual thing, and is God's own gift. Mary's choice 
 fell upon a spiritual good, and because she chose it, she got it — 
 got it to keep for ever ; ,' it was never to be taken away from her.' 
 And was this a chimerical choice of Mary's — a dim, intangible 
 thing — a sort of vagaery ? We are not left in any doubt 
 about it ; we learn precisely what it was. It was no mere notion, 
 no fine poetical idea, no phantasm of the imagination ; but that 
 good part was a high and holy love for the highest and holiest 
 Person — even the Saviour. And this is the true character of 
 love, that it always goes out upon a living person, and is, be- 
 sides, essentially elective. We cannot love a mere idea ; and 
 we cannot love every one. Love always chooses ; and Mary had 
 
154 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 chosen. Herein lay the hidden reality, and it had the power 
 to move her whole being. See her, after a time, mourning; for 
 her brother. AYhile Martha, in her business kind of way, 
 * went and met ' the Lord in the neighborhood, and held a long 
 conversation with Him, Mary ' sat still,' heedless . of the 
 proffered words of comfort which were addressed to her ; but 
 ' as soon as she heard that ' ' the Master ' called her, ' she 
 arose quickly and came unto Him ' Her love for her dead 
 brother was engulphed in her deeper love for her ' Master.' 
 Such spiritual love is the strongest motive power that can oc- 
 cupy angels or men. This was Mary's ' good part ' — her 
 portion — God, her ' portion for ever.' 
 
 " Now, it is this spiritual love, this ' good part,' which Mary 
 chose, that we want you, dear friends about me, to choose also. 
 There are a great many Marthas here to-night, and if they go 
 on as they are doing, engrossed with the ' cares of this life,' 
 they '11 be reproved one day by the Master. You are cumbered 
 with many things ; you find your burden heavy ; fling it from 
 you ; it will weigh you down to earth ; it will make you 
 earthy, and at last sink you to hell. Yes ; Just the ' cares of 
 this life ' will do that. 
 
 " Temporally, you will find it best to serve the Lord. Rising 
 up early, and sitting up late, and eating the bread of careful- 
 ness, makes life one unbroken drudgery ; it is not the work, 
 but the anxiety, the carefulness that does it. But the Lord 
 says, ' Hegiveth His beloved sleep.' And in place of all that 
 cankering care which eats out the life of the Marthas, the 
 Marys, who never forget that they must do with all tlieir might 
 whatsoever their hand findeth to do, have yet this repose point- 
 ed at in these words, ' I will both lay me down in peace, and 
 Bleep ; for thou. Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.' And 
 you, fashionable young ladies, what are you doing? Do you 
 ever think, when you are decking your person in order to ob- 
 tain notice, and assuming those manneris and modes of conver- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 155 
 
 eation to suit time and place, how much you are injuring your 
 very best nature? Do you ever think how shallow, how super- 
 ficial and artificial, all that makes you? — how it keeps you 
 back from ever knowing what integrity of sentiment really is ? 
 And when you are talking with gay and flippant young men, 
 and accommodating yourselves to their perverted tastes and 
 crude talk, do you ever think how far you are departing from 
 that fine womanly independence — not haughty independence, 
 but womanly independence — which gives such unspeakable 
 worth to womankind ? You wish to be admired, and all right 
 that you should ; but have — have the qualities which are 
 capable of awakening admiration in a high-toned mind, and 
 there will be no need to pander ; and whoever are not capable 
 of discerning those qualities, but relish something inferior, their 
 admiration is not worth having. Going to promiscuous parties 
 has perverted more young hearts, and wasted more talented 
 young minds, than any other thing. Such visiting is a great 
 evil. It is there that many a fine young girl loses that fresh- 
 ness which has such a charm — which is to her what the aroma 
 is to the grape, and the down upon the peach; but which, once 
 lost, can never be restored. And what follows upon this ? 
 Mannerisms and pruderies ; and these are shallow things, and 
 easily seen through, and, like all counterfeits, they are always 
 awkward at some point or other — but 
 
 * True modesty is a discerning grace. 
 And only blushes at the right time and place.' 
 
 *' Wherever genuine womanly modesty exists — let whatsoever 
 arise to her, let whatsoever approach her, clean or unclean, it 
 matters not — this quality is never fouxid wanting ; it is 
 never absent without leave ; it is never slumbering or sleeping, 
 but is always at its post — the most vigilant and untiring of all 
 the warders of the citadel of her being, that walk patrol by day, 
 or call aloud the watches of the night. But parents are as 
 
156 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 much to blame, as their daughters and many times more so. 
 They rear their children — in the nurture and fear of the Lord? 
 No ; but, worldly, time-serving themselves, they bring up their 
 children to be as much like themselves as possible. Their edu- 
 cation is on a false principle. Instead of bringing up their 
 daughters to fit them for the lovely and lofty duties of life, to 
 have those principles vs^hich fit them for meeting the dangers, 
 and sorrows, and vicissitudes which life brings to most, with 
 patience, self-denial, and hope, the influence of many a home is 
 to dispose the young female mind to think only of getting 
 married — making an eligible settlement. True, the ordinary 
 destiny of women is to be married ; but there are higher 
 destinies than that, to which they may attain ; and it is a pitia- 
 ble thing to have always one thought and project befere one's 
 mind. But, besides, worldly men do n't care for worldly women. 
 There is many a man who cares nothing for Christianity for 
 himself, but he believes it to be a good tning, and he seeks to 
 find it in the woman to whom he would ally himself. Oh ! 
 dear friends, there is no such hard, selfish thing as the heart of 
 an unregenerated man. Though he is quite incapable of honor- 
 ing the life that dwells in a Christian woman, yet he knows that 
 his honor is safe with her and he likes it to be safe. 
 
 " Now, as an instance of how much parents are to blame in 
 educating their daughters for the world and not for God, 
 I may tell you of one young lady in New York. The Spirit of 
 God had been strivng with her, and she became greatly concerned 
 about her soul. Now, if she had gone on at this time, she 
 would have really entered the kingdom, and been a child of 
 God. But her father thought — a fine young girl like that, 
 moping and talking about religion ! It made him uneasy ; and, 
 as his daughter was very pretty, he thought to get her married 
 to some rich man. That man was trading upon his child's 
 good looks just as many another father does. He said to his 
 daughter, she must go into society, must be gay and fascinating, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 157 
 
 just as she had been before what he called a serious fit came on. 
 There was a fine fashionable assembly in the city, which the 
 father wished his daughter to attend ; he promised her a rich 
 dress and valuable jewels, if she would do so ; she, with re- 
 luctance, consented. Grieved the Holy Spirit and lost all con- 
 viction, and from that moment was ' past feeling .'' She caught 
 cold, and in two weeks was close upon death. She tried to 
 think of her soul, but she could not. She had her rich dress 
 spread out upon a table, and the costly jewels placed beside it, 
 and, sending for her father, pointed with her fevered hand, and 
 said these dreadful words, ' There is the price of my soul. 
 I see plainly that what I 've often heard is true. 1 have grieved 
 the Holy Spirit, and he hast left me.' And in darkness that 
 young creature sunk into eternity, the victim of her father's 
 worldliness. Ah ! * godliness is profitable unto all things, 
 having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to 
 come.' 
 
 " And you, young Christian women here, are you going to 
 ally yourselves with worldly men,' unregenerate men? Will 
 you come down from the lofty place your heavcoly Father has 
 given you, and be yoked with the children of the Evil One? 
 How can you? Will you in this momentous thing disobey the 
 word of your Father in heaven ? Has He not said, ' Be ye not 
 unequally yoked together with unbelievers : for what fellowship 
 hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion 
 hath light with darkness ? ' Fear not, fear not, commit all 
 things to Him who ' careth for you.' Believe, there is not a 
 feeling lovely and pure in itself that he has implanted in the 
 human heart that He disregards. He will undertake to satisfy 
 all — all. But let Him. Emotions, desires that may pervade 
 the whole being, but for which words are too clumsy, He will 
 discern. Come before Him ; come near to Him, as a child to a 
 father. He knows you far better than you do yourselves. He 
 hears the prayer of the heart, though never spoken. 
 
 " Yet all these are poor and paltry motives which I have 
 
158 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 been urging upon you, to turn and give yourselves to Christ ; 
 but they may show you that 'godliness is profitable'for this life. 
 
 ' They vainly struggle to preserve a part 
 Who have not courage to contend for all.' 
 
 " The Christian, who is casting side glances to the world, has 
 yet hankerings after the world. Ah ! we must and should all 
 live to God first-hand. All of us have hindrances and difficulties, 
 arising out of early habits, education, or position, which we 
 have to contend with ; but we will resort to expedients to sur- 
 mount these disadvantages, if we have Christian wisdom. 
 And the surest way of complete conquest is entire, unreserved 
 dedication of all our powers and self to God and the Lord our 
 Saviour. Constantly straining upwards, never looking back, 
 never looking down, but ever forwards and upwards — 
 
 ' Not backward are our glances bent, 
 But onwards to our Father's home ' — 
 
 inhaling the Spirit, and reflecting the loveliness and holiness, 
 that communicable attribute of the great Jehovah. Ah ! dear 
 Christians, seek to adorn your life — to saturate the world with 
 heaven, and life with God, for that is the genius of true Chris- 
 tianity. Can you forsake all for Christ ? Can you enter upon 
 the high destiny which God has ensured for you ! Can you 
 Bay — 
 
 ' Jesus, I my cross have taken. 
 All to leave and follow Thee ! 
 Naked, poor, despised, forsaken. 
 Thou, from hence, my all shalt be. 
 
 * Perish every fond ambition — 
 
 All I've sought, or hoped, or known; 
 Yet how rich is my condition ! 
 
 God and heaven are still my own. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 159 
 
 * Soul, then know tliy full salvation; 
 
 Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care; 
 Joy to find,in every station, 
 Something still to do or bear. 
 
 * Think what Spirit dwells within thee ; 
 
 Think what Father's smiles are thine; 
 Jhink that Jesus died to win thee: 
 Child of heaven, can'st thou repine? ' 
 
 "These lines are the utterances of a young lady, who, though 
 persecuted by rich Christian parents, yet, like Mary, had 
 made her choice — chosen the good part — not taken up a pro- 
 fesssion, but become united to her living Saviour ; and her 
 choice is registered in heaven, as Mary's was — written in the 
 Lamb's Book of Life, the heart of the Saviour. And, as she 
 sped on from grace to glory, when the pearly gates were open- 
 ing upon her, she could softly murmur — 
 
 * One sweetly solemn thought 
 
 Comes to me o'er and o'er — 
 I'm nearer home to-day 
 
 Than I've ever been before. 
 Nearer my Father's house, 
 
 Where the many mansions be ; 
 Nearer the great white throne. 
 
 Nearer the jasper sea; 
 Nearer the bounds of life, 
 
 Where I lay my armor down; 
 Nearer leaving the Cross, 
 
 Nearer wearing the Crown.' 
 
 Oh, yes ! for her to live was Christ, and to die was gain. Shall 
 this be your portion, all here — Christ your all in all ? Shall 
 it be — 
 
 * ' Tis done — the great transction 's done — 
 I am my Lord's, and He is mine ! ' 
 
 Then have you that hope which maketh not ashamed ? The 
 hope of standing at the great white throne before the ' sea of 
 
160 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 glass,' striking your harp, and casting your golden crown, 
 singing, ' Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive ail 
 power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and 
 glory and blessing ? ' 
 
 " We have tried to give the scope of the address which Mr. 
 Hammond made on Friday evening last. The audience was 
 composed exclusively of females, and they were i)f all classes 
 and of all ages. This kind of gathering had been considered by 
 some as novel ; and novel it was, certainly. But why not 
 special provision for special ends? It was feared it would be a 
 failure, and we heard that it had even been proposed that Mr. 
 Hammond should alter its character. Such meetings had been 
 blessed in other places ; and, as the undeniable aim of Mr. 
 Hammond is to win souls, he believed God would bless the same 
 means in Glasgow as elswhere. 'The just shall live by faith.' 
 The church was crowded, and scores had to go away. The 
 presence of God's Spn-it was conspicuous ; and that evening we 
 think scarcely a tithe left after the close of the services, but re- 
 mained for private conversation with the clergymen and Chris- 
 tian gentlemen who came at the close for the inquiry meeting. 
 
 *' On the Saturday following, Mr. Hammond gave a service ex- 
 clusively to men. From one of the leading journals we take the 
 following short notice : — ' The spacious church, holding about 
 two thousand, was crowded to excess, and we are happy to add 
 that good evidence appeared that his address on that occasion 
 produced very satisfactory results — some young men abandon- 
 ing their evil habits, and confessing their obligation to the 
 speaker even before leaving the church.' 
 
 " During these few weeks past, an interest in this work of 
 revival has been growing among those classes who are engaged 
 in business, both as principles and subordinates, and the column 
 of * Revival Intelligence ' is now looked for and read by many 
 of those in the counting-house, the bank, and the warehouse. 
 To meet this growing interest, we would give a rapid sketch of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 161 
 
 the proceedings of that evening, which may be taken as a sam- 
 ple of revival meetings, 
 
 "The Rev. Mr. Arnot opened the services with praise and 
 prayer, and Mr. Hammond was then introduced. He remarked 
 that he was aware there had been revivals of religion ever since 
 the time of Christ, though the Spirit had been poured out more 
 abundantly at some times than others ; and it was especially 
 apparent in the present times, that men were realizing the 
 necessity of knowing whether they were in the sheepfold or out 
 of it — in the city of refuge, or on the wg^ to it ; or were care- 
 lessly sleeping, while the Avenger was hard by, ready to de- 
 stroy them. The Lord, in His sovereign mercy, was using 
 largely the experiences of those who had been savingly convert- 
 ed, for the good of others not yet able to say, ' The Lord is my 
 Shepherd.' Their pastor had kindly consented to allow two of 
 those converts to relate the manner in which, in their cases, 
 the great change had been cflected. 
 
 " The gentlemen gladly availed themselves of the occasion to 
 tell of their conversion. 
 
 " A stout elderly man, we should suppose of sixty years of 
 age, stood forward, but at the request of Mr. Arnot went into 
 the pulpit, that all might see and hear him. In a very un- 
 eophistieated way, he stated what is so usual — the long, care- 
 less, self-satisfied life — at last induced to go to one of the 
 meetings in St. Mark's — felt there was something wrong — 
 began to be troubled — went a second time — was wishful that 
 some godly persons would speak with him, but they all seemed 
 to pass him by. He had a strong desire to find Christ in his 
 own bedroom ; it would have been more agreeable to his own 
 feelings. For a fortnight he walked the streets, groaning with- 
 in himself ; felt now what he had so often heard, that sin was 
 a burden ; at last determined to go to another meeting, and 
 there either die or be saved. And he believed that God made 
 his salvation hinge upon his obedience, in giving up his own 
 
1C2 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 likings of being saved in his own closet, and taking salvation 
 vrhere the Spirit was dealing it out. He stayed to the inquiry- 
 meeting, and that night found the living Saviour. He further 
 stated that, though he knew it not, his conversion was in 
 answer to prayer. His son had been converted sixteen months 
 ago, also a daughter living at Dunbarton, both of whom had 
 been sending in petitions at the various meetings." 
 
 On Sabbatlj forenoon, in Blackfriars Baptist Cha- 
 pel, Mr. Hammonit addressed the congregation from 
 Acts xii. 7, " Arise up quickly." A large number 
 remained to the inquiry meeting which followed. 
 In the course of his address, Mr. Hammond read 
 the following letter, from an office-bearer in the 
 church : 
 
 " Mi/ dear Friend, — When I attended your first sermon I felt 
 in noways different than I had ofttimes, in listening to sermons. 
 I was not void of religious feelings, and was most strict in ob- 
 serving all religious ordinances, and had a pleasure in waiting 
 upon the exercises of the house of God. I heard you on the 
 following evening, and, though I cannot say I was unmoved, yet 
 no deep impression was made. I however thought all was not 
 right with me ; with all my regularity and attention to divine 
 things, I had not the Witness that all was well with my soul, 
 and I that night resolved upon seeing you in regard to my 
 state. I was prevented from doing this, or from hearing you 
 again for a week, from a dangerous illness intervening, and 
 any impression I may have had during that period had subsided, 
 or altogether gone. I was able to hear you again on the second 
 Monday evening, and I was then brought under strong convic- 
 tions that I was yet without Christ, at enmity with God, with- 
 out a saving interest in Jesus Christ, and without love for the 
 
OF THE HOLY STIRIT. 163 
 
 Saviour, who had done so much for me; that I had been dishon- 
 oring God in going on in this way so long, and not yielding him 
 a reasonable service of soul and body. In the inquiry meeting, 
 my feelings were intensified by the question from a friend, 
 ' Have you found Christ?' and for the first time I had honestly 
 met that question, and resolved to face it ; and I had to confess, 
 I could not answer, ' yes.' This was a momentous question, 
 and I then realized its full meaning for the first time, and I was 
 then brought into an agony of mind not easily described. I 
 was unable to lay hold upon any consulation that night, and 
 went home sorrowful of heart ; all my church-going regularity, 
 my exemplary moral character and behavior, what were they 
 to rest upon at such a juncture ? 1 found nothing less than a 
 believing apprehension and application of the blood of Jesus to 
 my guilty soul could satisfy me, and the difiiculty arose, how am 
 I to attain to this. I poured out my heart to God in 
 prayer in earnestness, that He would give me His holy Spirit to 
 direct and enlighten my darkened understanding, that he would 
 reveal the way of salvation to me. I remained in deep concern 
 all that night and next day. During your Address, the truth 
 did flash into my soul, and I was enabled to rely upon Jesus 
 solely for a full and free salvation, and to give myself, body and 
 soul, to Jesus, and rest upon Him to be a hiding place from the 
 storm, and a covert from the tempest. Wiiat an inexpressible 
 feeling of delight, when I was able from the heart to say, ' I 
 know that my Redeemer liveth,' and that what I have commit- 
 ted to His charge. He v\^ill keep against that great day. On 
 this occasion, long to be remembered by me individually, as well 
 as in connection with the great work of the Spirit, a night sig- 
 nally blessed of God to many souls, when the very presence of 
 Him, who ruleth over all, was, as it were, felt and seen among 
 us, you came to me, and I Avas tlien enabled to say that I had 
 decided for Jesus ; and I was that night able to speak of Jesus 
 and his love to anxious souls, whose position I had so lately, by 
 the g,cacc and mercy of Gad, been enabled to exchange. 
 
164 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 "A few thoughts have occurred to me in reviewing the Lord's 
 dealings with me, which I hope you will pardon me for stating 
 here: — What would have been my fate this day, had the Lord, 
 in his infinite justice, cut me off from the land of the living and 
 place of hope, during my- severe illness, to which I was subject- 
 ed, after hearing you twice ? Oh, the thought is appalling ! but 
 thanks be to God for having spared me, and given me the victory 
 over death ! I would also say what a fpJlacy it is to defer con- 
 sideration of the interests of the soul, and the preparation for 
 death and eternity, to a season of affliction, which, much to be 
 feared, is too common. Oh, there never was a more dangerous 
 expedient! — one of the devil's allurements — to deceive and 
 ruin the soul. ' Now is the accepted time ; now is the day of 
 salvation ! ' not when the poor body is racked with pain, and 
 when all the thoughts are necessary for the poor body in such 
 circumstances. I can testify to this, and most certainly such is 
 the case with the ungodly ; in such a case, I can fancy the 
 tumult within , when the summons come to an unprepared one, 
 ' Prepare to meet thy God,' and the feeling must then be as it 
 really is, that to bf saved must be as by fire. 
 
 " I rejoice, dear brother, in being able to write you such a 
 letter, and I thank the Lord for it. 
 
 Dumfries^ 3d April, 1861. 
 
 The letter which follows, was written by an 
 educated and refined young lady, and read in one 
 of the meetings at Hope St. Free Church : 
 
 " My Dear Mr. Hammond, — I was present when you ad- 
 dressed the meeting on Monday evening, and, although 
 solemnized by the earnestness and truthfulness of your appeal 
 to sinners, I did not feci the applicability of it to my own case. 
 I was a professing Christian, had been a communicant for three 
 years, and had occasionally been in great grief and anxiety 
 about my soul's welfare. While you were speaking, I felt con- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 165 
 
 Bcious that I did not love Jesus as 1 ought, and I resolved to be- 
 gin again a reformation, by piaying oftener, and reading the 
 Bible mare. While waiting for the crov^d to pass out, you 
 came to me and said, ' Have you found Jesus? ' It thrilled me 
 to the heart ; it seemed as if God himself had put that ques- 
 tion to me. Its importance, and the singularity of its being 
 put to me so personally, made me almost incapable of replying. 
 At last I said, ' I am afraid not.' You said something about 
 the ' Love of Jesus,' and ' inquiry meeting ; ' but I could think 
 only of that question. I went home, and it v/as ever 
 with me. I was at the next three meetings, and was intensely 
 miserable, for I then knew and felt myself to be a great sinner. 
 I spent half the nights in prayers and tears, and yet I shrunk 
 from remaining to the inquiry meeting, for, being naturally ex- 
 tremely sensitive, I dreaded the taunts and jeers of my com- 
 panions. 1 had been asking myself what I must give up, in 
 order to be Chriso's ; and I felt I wished to make a reservation 
 with regard to dancing and parlies. Being passionately fond 
 of music as well as dancing, I concluded that if I went only to 
 small parties of ten or twelve and played for them, but abstain- 
 ed from dancing myself, that that would bf enough. This will . 
 appear trivial to you, but I know many of my friends stumble 
 at the same tling. On Thursday evening you said something 
 about false communicants which pierced my heart. All my 
 pride gave way ; all dislike to the inquiry meeting ; and the 
 idea that I was the only one in my own circle who would be 
 present at it affected me nothing then. I stayed, but could find 
 no opportunity of speaking to you, and left more wretched 
 than ever. I wrote to you the next morning entreating your 
 prayers, and requesting to see you in the evening. You read 
 my letter from the platform to the meeting, and some of your 
 remarks absolutely terrified me. Your strongest denunciations 
 against sinners seemed tame compared with those used in re- 
 gard to me. I saw and realized my gr.ilt and danger then as I 
 
16o THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 had never done before. After you had so kindly spoken to me 
 and prayed for me, you startled me very much by asking me to 
 tell you what was the sin which kept me from Jesus. I was 
 sincere when 1 said, I knew of none, and that I was willing to 
 give up all for Jesus. I felt I could trust Him for salvation. 
 That feeling remained for half an hour, and then all my de- 
 spair and wretchedness returned. I never can describe the 
 agony I suflered during that night, and the two terrible weeks 
 which followed. I did not doubt God's willingness to save me, 
 — my anguish arose from the thoughts, that I did not really 
 understand what ' coming to Jesus ' meant, that there was 
 some mysterious feeling connected with faith of which I was 
 ignorant, and some sin still hidden, which kept me from God. 
 I besought Him to show it to me, and tear it away. 1 was al- 
 most heart-broken when the thought came to me, that my love 
 for my mother, which approaches to idolatry, was the ' right 
 hand ' or ' eye ' which stood betwixt me and the Saviour. 
 God alone knows the struggle I had before I could bring my- 
 self to say to Him in truth to take her from me by death, 
 rather than lose Jesus. 1 wrote a solemn covenant, dedicating 
 myself unreserved!^ to God and his service, trusting quietly 
 but with perfect faith in his goodness, and in Jesus' atone- 
 ment. Two passages in the Bible were especially blessed to 
 me — Isaiah 1. 10, 'Who is among you that feareth the 
 Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in 
 darkness, and hath no light ? let him trust in the name of 
 the Lord, and stay upon his God.' Lam. iii. 25, 26, ' The 
 Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that 
 aeeketh liim. It is good that a man should both hope and 
 quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.' Since then I 
 have never doubted my safety, but I have been well nigh 
 crushed to the earth with a sense of sin and unworthiness ; 
 indeed, I have realized myself to be infinitely more weak, 
 erring, and guilty than I did before. My struggle with sin 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 167 
 
 has been such, that I feel and look as if I had been prostrated 
 by some terrible illness. Now that I have found the ' pearl 
 of great price,' how small and contemptible do all former 
 joys and pleasures appear to me, when compared with the 
 peace which, indeed, passeth understanding. I have no words, 
 my dear Sir, with which to express the intense delight I 
 have felt ever since. You spoke about God's love to us in 
 Jesus Christ. I never felt so near to God as I did then. 
 That one idea, ' The love of God,' has filled me with the 
 most exquisite joy. I feel I could write pages, and yet be 
 unable to describe my delight. The thought that I am no long- 
 er alone in the world, and that I have a brother and 'friend 
 in Jesus the King of kings, is inexpressibly sweet to me. 
 
 " I tremble to think what would have become of me if I 
 had not been present that evening when you first spoke to 
 
 me. I must tell you about that night. Miss is my 
 
 dearest friend, and ,on my asking her to go with me, her 
 brother objected, and said he would go to take care of me, as 
 I w:as doing wrong to go. He tired, and left before your ad- 
 dress was finished. How I bless God that I did not go with 
 
 him. Miss went one evening, and was present when you 
 
 read and commented on my first letter. She called for me 
 next morning, and on asking what was wrong, I told her 
 how wretched I was, and urged her to think about her soul. 
 She alluded to the letter you read, and said, that had made her 
 think. I can never forget her astonishment, when I told her I 
 wrote it. S.e burst into tears, and said, ' Oh, if you are so 
 wicked, what am T?' She promised to wait for the inquiry 
 meeting. I asl.ed your prayers for her, and she is now, along 
 wit!i her brother, vt^jolc'mg in Jesus." 
 
 In the progress of the work a " special service 
 for cabmen" was lield, which a writer thus de- 
 scribes : 
 
168 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 *'0n Sunday last a special service was given in the City 
 Hall, at mid-day. for cabmen and drivers. It had been in con- 
 templation for a week or two previous, but the many hindran- 
 ces that encircle that large community of men, made it somewhat 
 difficult to arrange. It had been known among the men that a 
 service was to be given, so that, during the delay, expectation 
 had grown ripe, and at last, when it was finally settled for the 
 24th, the needed arrangements were so speedily completed, that 
 in one day one thousand tickets were circulated, and bills posted 
 throughout the city and suburbs. How the cabmen responded 
 to this invitation the appearance of the hall made known, 
 
 " We have often seen the City Hall full, crowded, crammed, 
 but never before did we see it so densely packed — every inch 
 of the platform and stair occupied ; for after ensuring ad- 
 mission to the cabmen, all others were free to enter. There 
 could scarcely be fewer than five thousand people within the 
 walls — women in mutches, scores of factory girls with bare 
 heads, men in fustian, besides the trimly dressed cabmen, and 
 hundreds of the well-to-do. 
 
 " This was a great day. This meeting for cabmen had been 
 desired with a great desire. But all the anxieties, the prayers, 
 and preparations, how infinitestimal were they compared to the 
 royal munificence with which they were crowned, heaped up 
 and runnino" over. To Him who ruleth the small things as 
 well as the great, be all the praise and the thanksgiving, ' for 
 He hath done excellent things.' " 
 
 Upon a Sabbath evening, at Cowcaddens, a dis- 
 trict of Glasgow, the people so thronged to the 
 places of appointed worship, that when the time 
 arrived, five churches were filled by the overflowing 
 masses. The meeting is well described by an eye- 
 witness : 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 169 
 
 " Dr. Eadie had invited Mr. Hammond to conduct the evening 
 services in his church. The place was so densely filled before 
 the hour of service, that it was with much difficulty he could 
 reach the pulpit. The hall below was immediately filled, but 
 the crowd outside seemed in no way diminished. Milton Free 
 Church, a few yards off, was opened, and very soon filled, till 
 the people were swarming round the doors. Large parties 
 that had come from the Crescents and the Terraces on the 
 Western Road, no doubt drawn there from curiosity, but also 
 moved by higher motives, sought out another church where 
 they might worship God. Mr. Perrot very courteously put his 
 pulpit at the disposal of Captain Gillmore, who had been sent 
 for from the other gatherings, himself giving out the 47th 
 Paraphrase, and offering up prayer. Mr. Craig came in, and, 
 just before the sermon, told forth the unvarnished story of his 
 conversi(;n from infidelity. Once freed from the trammels of 
 Buch barren notions, he looked back with surprise at the self- 
 satisfaction with which he had held them. But ever the old 
 story ; not human reasoning, not afiectionate entreaty, had pre- 
 vailed ; but a glimpse of the person of the Saviour of souls had 
 convinced him that he was endowed with a soul, and was some- 
 thing more than a mere organism. It is well for men that God 
 ever takes the conversion of a soul into His own hands. ' Not 
 by might, nor by power, but by my Spiril, saith the Lord.' 
 
 " Captain Gillmure then read the 3d chapter of John. He 
 said nothing of the mysteries of regeneration which that 
 chapter might suggest to the metaphysical mind, but made 
 very plain the indispensable need of a change of heart — the 
 true regeneration; and in words ealui, a O'ectionate, copious, 
 prayed his I'eilow-uien and women to bethink themselves of 
 Christ's salvation, and their own great need of that. He spoke 
 as an educated, thoughtful, Cliristian gentleman so well can do, 
 who has drawn las religion direct from the Scriptures, instead 
 of theological tractates. The very marrow of the Gospel fell 
 
170 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 from him, After the service was concluded, Mfe returned, hop- 
 ino; to sain an entrance to Dr. Eadie's church. 
 
 " The street in front of the church was crowded ; and there, 
 under the bright moonlight, hundreds were listening to a Chris- 
 tian layman who had been speaking to them for some time. 
 Within that limited space, bounded on either side by the Free 
 and E8tal)li8hed Normal Schools, there were five difi'erent as- 
 semblies, all willing to hear the truth, and seeking to vrorship 
 the living God simultaneously. We do not look upon this as 
 the first beginning of revival in the Cowcaddens, but rather as 
 the first fruits of much that has gone before. There has been 
 work and prayer in the Cowcaddens for this, how heartily or 
 inadequately God knows. But in addition to the agency 
 already on the ground, a band of visitors from the College 
 Church began there in w^inter was a year ; and foremost among 
 them was Professor Douglas, who, besides his professional 
 duties and other claims on his attention, found time for mis- 
 sionary work there. And for three months this winter special 
 prayer has been made for a revival in that quarter of the Cow- 
 caddens. A little company of householders — a cabman, an 
 ironfounder, a stonemason and his wife, and another young 
 married woman, wlio have lately begun to follow Jesus — have 
 all been laying this petition before the Heavenly Throne. Long- 
 ing eyes were gazing upwards for some signs of the coming 
 shower. Mr. Hammond had been little more than a week in 
 Glasgow when lie gave two services in Milton Free Church, and 
 then other two ; and now on Sabbath he is called back again to 
 the very same quarter. Would it be presumptuous to claim, 
 or would it be stupidity to ignore this as Heaven's acknowledg- 
 ment of prayers uttered and prayers embodied in action ? The 
 Lord deals with His people as one man with another. He 
 throws down the challenge, ' Prove me now herewith, if I will 
 not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a bless- 
 ing, that there shall be room enough to j:eceive it. ' Such challenge 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 171 
 
 was never given that it should not l)e taken up. Mr. Ham- 
 mond has fired the mine. Christians must now be up and quit 
 themselves like men, and in this thing do the will of the Lord. 
 Prove Him." 
 
 The letter of a converted man, a wealthy mer- 
 chant, " often seen on change," will repay perusal. 
 
 " I scarcely know how to word this letter, I feel so excited 
 and gratified since our meeting this morning. Oh grant, 
 heavenly Father, that the prayers then addressed to a throne of 
 grace for me, a poor perishing sinner, may be registered in 
 heaven. As I already told you, 1 belonged to a class of Chris- 
 tians who have a name to live and yet are dead. Revival meet- 
 ings I scouted, called them quackery — excited people, and that 
 all would end in smoke. I went upon Friday night last (and 
 my motives were more curiosity than anything else) to hear 
 you in Hope Street Church — the first revival meeting, but I 
 hope not the last I shall attend. I closely observed all, and 
 went home determined to hear more of Mr. Hammond. I, as 
 you know, was at Mr. -Arnot's yesterday ; and when I heard all 
 the voices sing, ' Come to Jesus, come to Jesus,' 1 felt that that 
 was easier said than done, and so it is. Yet how easy to those 
 who will only accept Him ! Oh, that wonderful passage, ' Be- 
 hold, 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.' You know what God showed me after we had con- 
 versed and prayed. I had expected Jesus to open the door, but 
 I have now found out that I must do it ; yea more, I must bid 
 H im welcome — a full and free welcome — no mere show of 
 friendship, it must be genuine. Oh, pray that I may be kept 
 from falling back to my old self-righteous ways, and that I may 
 experience more of that peace which, I feel, has now begun. 
 And Oh, I pray that God will touch my heart with love 
 to Him, that I may speak in love, and commend in luve that 
 blessed Jesus who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh, 
 
172 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 pray for me that I may be able, having named Christ, to depart 
 from all iniquity, that I may walk with Christ and be an en- 
 eample, so that men may take knowledge of me that 1 have 
 been with Jesus. Pray also for me that, when I speak of 
 Christ to others, lie will bless my efforts, that all the glory 
 may be his. Accept, dearest friend, my warmest thanks for a 
 debt of gratitude I can never repay, whilst I remain, always 
 yours." 
 
 TheWyntl Journal, whose editor is pastor of the 
 Wynd Church, has the following : 
 
 " One thing of vast importance he has achieved for the pres- 
 ent and the future.in opening new centres of power in the city, 
 and securing the co-operation of men in the ministry and out 
 of it, who come to the work' with fresh resources. With such 
 an enlarged basis of operations, and such an increasing band 
 of enthusiastic volunteers, it should not be difScult, by God's 
 blessing, if not to take the city, at least to take its strong 
 places, from whitjh an efibctive evangelism may seize on the 
 population in detail. 
 
 " The inquiry meeting is the real line of battle in this cam- 
 paign. JMany, no doubt, go away Irom the first meeting with 
 their consciences awakened or their hearts renewed, who either 
 shrink from the publicity of the inquiry meeting, or prefer on 
 other grounds to enter their closet and shut the door and pray 
 to the Father who seeth in secret and will reward them openly. 
 Bat there are large numbers who have no place for retirement, 
 who have no counsellors at*liome, who are too deeply distressed 
 to leave the place where they have been wounded, or who fear 
 to move away lest they should lose or miss the blessing. It is 
 a scriptural method to ask on the spot, 'Men and brethren, 
 what shall I do to be saved ? ' But if this is our. real line of 
 battle, it is here we must concentrate our Ibrces and bring up 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 178 
 
 our reserves. It is here we need wisdom and tact and readiness 
 and power. Here we are not so much serving batteries of ter- 
 rific fire, but in hand to hand encounter, ready to give quarter 
 and to heal the wounds that have been made. Yet in meetings 
 of two thousand or even four thousand people, (as in the City 
 Hall,) when more than the half may wait to an inquiry meet- 
 ing, it is absolutely needful to preserve order and to keep com- 
 mand. There should be no difficulty in providing beforehand a 
 sufficient number of judicious Christian friends for the largest 
 inquiry meeting that can be held, so that the dangers arising 
 from indiscriminate conversation, and possibly from very 
 erroneous teaching, at the most critical and most impressible 
 period in spiritual life, may bo as far as possible prevented. 
 
 *' So long as inquiry meetings are held in Churches, there 
 should be no difficulty in providing a sufficient superintendence 
 and an adequate supply of assistants, both male and female, for 
 private conversation and prayer. Every Church has its office- 
 bearers who ought to be ready to undertake this work, and who 
 have, in Sabbath School teachers, and in the Membership, 
 surely a number sufficient for this purpose. Elders, or other 
 office-bearers and capable persons should be appointed in a 
 large meeting to keep order at different points, and to see that 
 the anxious get into conference with believers who are ready 
 and able to help. If there are not enough in a Church ready, 
 especially in the beginning of such work, to engage in this de- 
 partment, it should not be difficult to get assistance elsewhere. 
 But even if on an emergency there are not enough of known 
 and trustworthy persons present for the number of the anxious, 
 let these be gathered together and addressed together — a 
 method that has its own peculiar advantages. 
 
 " At the meeting on Friday, in Hope Street, Mr. Hammond 
 read the following letter from a lady : 
 
 My Dear Mr. Hammond, — I cannot allow another day to 
 pass without sending you a few lines, to thank you for your 
 
174 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 earnestness and anxiety in trying to bring me to Christ. I can 
 now say with David, ' I sought the Lord and He heard me, and 
 delivered me from all my fears.' It is more than three weeks 
 since I first heard you in College Church. I have ever since 
 that felt deeply convicted, and at times despaired of ever find- 
 ing peace, but the Lord in his mercy pointed out to me very 
 eimply the way of salvation. I well remember the day when 
 you first besought me at the door of Finnieston Church to 
 come back, and you would speak a few encouraging words to 
 me, but I refused you three times. I was anxious to hear 
 without being seen, and thought to slip quietly out when you 
 were speaking to another. I have been at most of your even- 
 ing meetings since, and often longed to be able to say with 
 many of those around me, I bad found Christ. Tuesday morn- 
 ing last I felt more distressed than I had ever done, so much so 
 that I began quite to despair of ever finding peace. I thought 
 there is no hope for me, and had almost resolved to go back 
 to the world; but at night I felt quite determined to give 
 myself to Him, and prayed as I never had prayed before. I 
 went to my bed at night, resting myself on my Saviour, feeling 
 I had given myself to Him, never doubting. I awoke in the 
 morning singing these sweet lines — 
 
 ' Here 's my heart, Lord, take and seal it. 
 Seal it fx'om thy courts above. ' 
 
 I said to my husband, ' I am so happy, I feel the Lord has 
 pardoned all my sins.' The burden of sin I had so long felt 
 was quite removed. We wept together for joy, and I can now 
 Bay, ' Happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.' May 
 the Lord bless your unwearied labors, in trying to bring souls to 
 Christ. I shall ever remember you with gratitude as having 
 been the means, through the grace of God, of saving my soul 
 from death. Pray, dear Mr. Hammond, that my faith may be 
 strengthened J and that my dear children may be all lambs of 
 Christ's flock.— 22c^ Marc/i, 1861. 
 
OF THE nOLY SPIRIT. 175 
 
 ** On Saturday last, the meeting in Hope Street was crowded 
 as usual. Among the audience were many of that class, for 
 whom much solicitude has been expressed,in well-meant efforts to 
 amuse them on Saturday evenings, in concerts and other dille- 
 tanti entertainments. We beg to submit whether the agency 
 of the prayer meeting, with its stirring addresses, and devotion- 
 al exercises, is more calculated to elevate the masses, or the low 
 buffoonery exhibited by the very men whose daily and nightly 
 work, in saloons and elsewhere, is to degrade the people, and 
 especially the youth of our city : which of these may reasonably 
 be expected to prepare the better for the hallowed day of rest ? 
 We may easily prepare a people who will resemble the godless 
 nations of the Continent, if we employ similar means as are 
 used by their parental governments, who provide them shows, 
 to keep them from thinking of truth and right ; but we shall 
 not, by these means, furnish the future with the scenes or sub- 
 jects of another ' Cottar's Saturday Night.' " 
 
 A leading paper of the city contains a very point- 
 ed and clear summary of the classes represented in 
 the religious interest, and the phenomena of its 
 progress. After speaking of the persons, scenes, 
 and Christian fidelity rewarded, these sharp distinc- 
 tions are made : 
 
 " There have been mockers in our meetings. A few of these, 
 it is to be hoped, have been awakened, and with agonised souls 
 led to Jesus, and obtained the sprinkling of His blood ; whih 
 others, it is to be feared, have had ' their bands made stron^r 
 ' Now, therefore, be ye not mockers, lest your bands be m 
 strong : for I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts a consump 
 tion, even determined upon the whole earth.' — Isaiah xxvin. 22. 
 
 " Others, again, under the shaking of the heavens and the 
 earth, {Hebrews xii. 26,) have, as it were, turned in their (/raves, 
 and become again as still as a stone ; the Lord, to all appear- 
 
176 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 ance, having poured out upon them the spirit of deep sleep and 
 closed their eyes. — Isaiah xxix. 10 The day of redemption is 
 also the day of vengeance. — Isaiah Ixiii. 14 ; Ilosea iv. 17. 
 
 *' Some mistaking a sound theological formula for the living 
 Christ, and complacently wrapping themselves therein, have 
 not been afraid to call the movement the loork of the Devil. I 
 fear these v^ords of the Lord are applicable to such : — ' For 
 judgment I am come into this world, ' that they which see 
 might be made blind ' — John ix. 39 ; and of the prophet 
 Jeremiah — ' For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and 
 shall not see when good cometh.' — Jeremiah xvii. 6. 
 
 "There are others, again, so deeply wedded to order, Church 
 organization, the routine of officialism, they cannot easily be- 
 lieve the waters of life astir beyond the margin of their bound- 
 aries. Surely it would be well for such to remember these 
 words of the prophet : ' For as the heavens are higher than the 
 earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts 
 than your thoughts.' — Isaiah Iv. 9. 
 
 " There are others, again, who, apparently froin an a]most 
 incurable tendency to make idols of those whom God has honor- 
 ed, arc doing what they can to provoke the Lord to jealousy — 
 to bring ' leanness ' both upon themselves and others. 
 
 " Now, is it wrong to say these things grieve the Holy Spirit ? 
 Does not something of the ' fearful delicacy ' I have referred to 
 lie here ? 
 
 " But there is a bright side, for the evidence flaws in from 
 many sources that a true and deep work of grace is going on 
 over the length and breadth of the city. 
 
 " Now there are two facts that are patent to observing Chris- 
 tians. The one is the simultaneous outpouring of the Spirit on 
 many lands ; the other, the remarkable variety in the agencies 
 He is employing. In the first fact we are presented with a 
 phenomenon of a truly Divine sublimity ; and it at the same 
 time enlarges our apprehensions of the glory of Jesus Christ 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 177 
 
 who has on His hands at this moment for intercession, millions 
 of sinners awakened by the Spirit and brought to Him, — anoth- 
 er fact this, overwhelming to our finite conceptions, though 
 keeping out of view the inconceivable grandeur of His universal 
 reign. 
 
 " AVhat inroads appear to be made on officialism and routine ! 
 What new forces called into play beyond the domain of an ec- 
 clesiastical organization ! • May it not be there has been a too 
 deeply-seated idea among many that all blessings would and 
 must come through the consecrated channels of Church order 
 and authority ? Why, it would appear that there are phases 
 of the ministration of the Spirit not ' dreamt of in your philo- 
 sophy.' 
 
 "As to the evangelists themselves, one of the striking fea- 
 tures among the more prominent of them is the absence of the 
 official in their bearing, and the saliency of the human — a cer- 
 tain unmistakcable something, which inspires confidence and 
 wins the heart, which says, ' We are one with you, our whole 
 heart is yours,' — the marked and beautiful combination of faith, 
 love, and humility — a spirit stooping to every tiling, that, if by 
 such means, souls may be won to Christ. There is little won- " 
 der these men arc blessed, and secure a large place in the hearts 
 of the humble children of God. 
 
 " To be an ordained minister of the Gospel is the highest 
 honor that can be put on man ; and who shall estimate the 
 value of a faithful and loving ministry ? It is incalculable. But 
 wherever the felt dignity of the office encroaches upon or sup- 
 plants the sense of its responsibility, or blights the tender love 
 or humility that ought to characterize the ministers of the gos- 
 pel, there a great evil has been done, and an element is in 
 operation inimical to a season of revival. 
 
 " I am very reluctant to say anything that might give of- 
 fence, but I have a fear that the pride of office, of position, of 
 a thorough clerical training, may be one reason why God, in so 
 
178 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 many places, is choosing the ' weak things, the despised things,' 
 &c., &c., to effect the mightiest results. If it be so, then to 
 lay aside everything unfriendly to the sweet brotherliness of 
 spirit, that so widespread an outpouring of the Spirit is designed as 
 it is fitted to foster and maintain, seems a very imperative duty 
 on all who take an active part in the work of revival ; and I 
 know not a better place for the cultivation of such a spirit, than 
 in those union prayer meetings, where ministers and others can 
 come and go with such perfect freedom. These meetings, to 
 my mind, are a practical exemplification of the cxxxiii. Psalm, 
 and tend to keep among us the Spirit of God." 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Tour on the Continent — Letters from Geneva and Milan — Letter 
 from an OflBcer of tlie man-of-war Exmouth, concerning religious 
 interest on board — Presentation Meeting in Glasgow — Meetings at 
 ^Mififat— London — Liverpool— Voyage in the Great Eastern — Con- 
 versions among the soldiers. 
 
 Mr. Hammond, worn down with his labors, left 
 them the fore part of April, 1861, for a tour on the 
 Continent. We introduce a pleasing interlude to 
 the directly revival narrative letters, from him, pub- 
 lished in Glasgow papers, from an officer on board 
 a man-of-war, and others : 
 
 *' St. Jean de Maurienne, Sayoy, France, 
 April 16, 1861. 
 "Mr DEAR — , I am now to start for the top of Mount 
 Cenis, and thence drive to Turin, 6,700 feet above the sea, be- 
 fore night. I send you a copy of leaf from my Journal, but I 
 I have not time to read it over : 
 
 ^^ Geneva, Sabbath, close of afternoon. 
 *' Here for hours I have lingered upon the top of the Hotel 
 de la Metropole. I trust it has not been a Sabbath spent in 
 vain. The good people in Scotland will perhaps say, why not 
 away to church ? I shall be at church this evening, but there 
 was no English service this afternoon. I have been reading the 
 148th Psalm. Prom this elevation, and with such scenes spread 
 out before me, it is now inspired with a new richness of mean- 
 
180 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ing. lean but comply with the eommand,* Praise ye the Lord 
 from the heavens ; praise iam in the heights ' — Ps. cxlviii. 1. 
 Surely David must have gazed with delight upon Mount Leba- 
 non. Would that he had seen Mount Blanc upon such a day 
 as this, and watched it as I have done through its ever-changing 
 hues, now towering above the clouds, and now casting aside the 
 misty veil, discovering to our wondering eyes its lofty grandeur. 
 In front of me, covered with hundreds of boats, lies the charm- 
 ing lake of Geneva, its clear pellucid waters without a ruffle, 
 asleep in the arms of the grand old mountains. What an em- 
 blem of the Christian at ' peace,' with the everlasting arms 
 of his God about him ! Clothed in white, like a guardian angel, 
 upon the left stands Mount Jura. Nothing is wanting to com- 
 plete the beauty and glory of the landscape. Such a quiet, de- 
 lightful Sabbath it has not been my lot to spend on earth. 
 
 "All thy works shall praise th.'-e, O Lord, and thy saints 
 shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, 
 and talk of thy power." — Ps. cxlv. 10, 11. 
 
 But the hum of voices below recalls my enraptured thoughts, 
 and I look down upon the hundreds of people in groups walking 
 to and fro. No Mount Blanc with its variegated hues of crim- 
 son and purple for them ; no expansive peaceful lake gladdens 
 their grovelling souls ; no holy, sacred day of rest for them. 
 Some are on their way to the theatre, while others are killing 
 time as they best can. How few of them have had their thoughts 
 led from nature up to nature's God! And though, doubtless, 
 some of them are possessed of minds capable of enjoying the 
 beautiful and sublime, yet how few of them have a title to the 
 ' mansions in the skies,' and can exclaim as I have done many 
 times to-day — 
 
 * I love by faith to take a view 
 0£ brighter scenes in heaven ; 
 The prospect doth my strength I'enew, 
 While here by tempests driven.' 
 
PF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 181 
 
 I see on many of the houses balconies for promenading, and I have 
 wondered there are not more people upon them, to admire the 
 matchless grandeur and beauty of the work of the Great Archi- 
 tect of the Universe ; but is it not a great wonder that we so 
 seldom look away with the eye ol faith to the heights of Beulah 
 and the Delectable Mountains ? 
 
 ** To spend one day with thee on earth. 
 Exceeds a thousand days of mirth." 
 
 Truly this has been a day spent with God. ' How marvellous 
 are thy works ! ' ' Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful in 
 praises, doing wonders.' " 
 
 " The following letter from Mr. E. P. Hammond," 
 says the Glasgow Scottish Guardian, "addressed to a 
 friend, was received the other day, and as it is 
 known that a lively interest in his movements is 
 felt by many in Glasgow and elsewhere, it has been 
 thought that the publication of it would afford grati- 
 fication to his friends : 
 
 ' Milan, Lombardy, April 18, 
 and Genoa, x\pril 22, 18G1. 
 * My Dear , You see I am now in northern Italy, al- 
 most underneath the Alps. We left St. Jean de MaurieuLe 
 last Tuesday, by the diligence, for Turin, via Mont Cenis. The 
 day was all that could be desired for Alpine scenery. Such a 
 sky looked down upon us as is *seldom seen in Scotland. ]My 
 seat was behind the driver over the coupe, therefore the highest 
 and best of ad on the diligence ; my companions English and 
 American ;»our party composed of all nations nearly — French, 
 German. Norwegian, «fec., &c. Our ascent, till we reached 
 Lans le Bourg, was gradual, the scenery constantly changing ; 
 the mountains threatening to impede our further progress ; but, 
 
182 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 as our fresh relay of horses plunged boldly on, they seemed to 
 retire and allow us to pass. Thus winding among them, on 
 we went. One village after another was passed. All the 
 Savoyards came rushing out of their cottages as crack, crack, 
 went the whip, not needed, however, to indicate our approach. 
 One sou, thrown upon the ground to the children holding out 
 their hands for money, was sufficient to make a large file of 
 them, four thick. After a good dinner at Lans le Bourg, we 
 began the ascent of Mont Cenis. Eight pairs of strong mules 
 were attached in front of the horses. And now, up, up we go 
 over one snowy peak ; and yet another and another rises in 
 view of Alps in front, Alps to the left, Alps to the right, Alps 
 closing in behind. The sun is now bidding us adieu for the 
 night, tinging with his parting light the peaks with gold and 
 crimson. How mysterious and varied thy power, King of 
 Day, in this Italian sky ! Be it cold snow, or hard rock, all 
 beams with sple«idor at thy magic touch ! Who can help 
 thinking, at a time like this, of the Sun of Eighteousness, and 
 of the joy that pervades human hearts when illuminated by 
 His genial life-giving beams ? No sooner had the sun taken 
 liis departure, than the pale moon appeared to cheer us on our 
 way. We then had an American sleigh ride, with jingling 
 bells at the horses' necks. The passengers and baggage were 
 divided; the horses and mules, no longer in pairs, but tandem, 
 wearily draw us up, and we seem going up, among the stars, for 
 some of these appear as if resting upon the gigantic shoulders 
 of the mountains. Miles below, in the dim moonlight, are the 
 fading lamps of the villagers, ^t first the snow was soft, and 
 60 loose that it had to be dug through to prevent the horses 
 plunging ; and so, after this pioneer work, we found ourselves 
 as if passing through a street with marble walls, and had it not 
 been so cold, we might have believed ourselves in Geneva. But 
 soon we emerge from our high-walled streets, and are slipping 
 along on the tops of our so-called marble houses. Is it possi- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 183 
 
 ble that all this change has taken place in one day ? At St. Jean 
 de Maurienne, a few hours ago, the sun was intolerable — the 
 apple and peach trees in full blossom ; but now all our Scotch 
 plaids are not sufficient to keep off the bitter frost. But have 
 I not in Scotland felt a change as perceptible as this, in passing 
 from one congregation, where hearts were glowing with love, 
 basking in the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, eagerly drink- 
 ing in the simplest gospel truth — to another, where the at- 
 mosphere was chilling, freezing like hoar frost, the very breath 
 indicating that few warm sympathizing hearts were present to 
 pour ardent prayers to God for a blessing upon themselves or 
 upon God's servants? Ah ! how diiferent the effect upon the 
 preacher in such a case ! While thus musing, we were gliding 
 swiftly along over the smooth snow. In the distance we see 
 lights and hear bells. What is to be done ? Another party is 
 coming from Turin, and how are we to pass them ? Far off 
 from that beaten track the snow is soft, and the horses know 
 it, and are loath to leave the path ; when compelled to do so 
 one of the horses goes floundering deep down, and it takes all 
 the rest to drag him out. No wonder, for he was wallowing in 
 the soft snow bank forty feet deep, and all his own efforts 
 would only have plunged him the deeper. I thought of the 
 poor sinner who has wandered from the ' narrow way,' plung- 
 ed in hopeless despair; and without the strong arm of Jesus to 
 rescue him, he must perish. 
 
 ' It Avas one of those days and nights in which one seems to 
 live a lifetime. All the way upon the sledges I sat alone with 
 the driver ; the rest of the party were keeping warm inside. 
 The distance seemed about eight miles The cold was piercing ; 
 the poor beasts shrank, and at times seemed inclined to turn 
 back. A noble mastiffof the St. Bernard breed kept close along- 
 side, ready to lend us timely assistance. But no avalanche 
 came thundering down upon us, as one had done a few days be- 
 fore, suddenly destroying six travellers. 
 
184 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 < The sight of the telegraphic wires led us to realize that we 
 were still breathing the air of earth ; for even over those 
 everlasting hills. England, Scotland, and Italy were interchang- 
 ing thoughts. These wires are now speaking of wars and 
 rumors of wars, yet, also, is their work one of peace. They 
 have made many hearts in Britain and America to rejoice, with 
 the news of the success of the down-trodden Italians struggling 
 for freedom and liberty of conscience. They have told of God's 
 Word, no longer chained in the cell of the monk, but freely cir- 
 culated among the people ; and the day is not far distant, when 
 they will herald the glad tidings of the unshackled preaching 
 of the gospel to the millions who are now ignorant of its 
 precious truths. 
 
 ' After passing over a considerable extent of table land, the 
 moon all the while smiling upon us, and the stars glowing 
 above the unbroken snow, began the descent. At first it was 
 fearful indeed. The mules and the horses, all but two, were 
 discharged. Down such a declivity, I suppose, we should go 
 carefully, to say the least ; but the method seems to be to take 
 it at a bound ; besides, we were late, and the driver seemed to 
 have more of the ' go-ahead ' in him than even we Americans 
 ever think of possessing. He placed no restraint upon the 
 furious horses. We had left the moon on the other side of the 
 mountains ; and, to add to our gloom, the bright limps attach- 
 ed to our sledge were suddenly extinguished by the fiercely 
 raging winds. More than once I seizedj:he reins, but it was to 
 little purpose ; it only occasioned a fresh crack of the whip 
 from the driver ; and I almost wished I was oblivious to passing 
 events, like some of the loud sleepers inside. At every turn we 
 seemed to plunge into the yawning chasm l)elow. Huge clouds 
 were now hurrying across the mountain sides, as if in mourn- 
 ing for us. No joyful songs now enlivened our party. Sunny 
 Italy lay spread out before us, but no sun to reveal it to us. 
 At last we stopped at a dwelling house, and I resolved, if possi- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 185 
 
 ble, to spend the rest of the night there, and walk down in the 
 morning. But it was a part of but one room, and in it there 
 were at least thirty mountaineers, who, overtaken by night, 
 had thus far toiled up the mountain, and were sitting about in 
 that miserable room, some playing at cards, some smoking, and 
 the rest snoring. We soon reached the diligence, and were 
 glad of a warm seat, and a warm climate, too. But the sun 
 had been hot the day before, and the wheels sank down, and 
 there, to my joy, we were forced to wait till mules were 
 brought to our assistance. Meanwhile the earth rolled on its 
 axis, and the sun began to streak the east with its light ; the 
 hills behind were changing their hues ; the dark drapery of 
 the mountains was flung aside, and these lofty Alps now seemed 
 rejoicing to meet the sun, and with the heavens were declaring 
 the glory of God, and showing forth His handy work. An 
 Alpine village, far down below us, was sending up its morning 
 smoke, telling of labor begun. Clouds, like sheets of snow, 
 hung below us. 
 
 ' We were entering Turin an hour or two after sunrise. But 
 those grand old mountains had far more attraction for me than 
 that city, though within its walls were Victor Emmanuel and " 
 Garibaldi. I could not keep my eyes away from them ; I was 
 constantly looking back to have one more "hist gaze. For a mo- 
 ment I Wondered if there would be any sights in heaven more 
 grand and beautiful. But, oh ! I remember that it is written, 
 * Eye hath not seen, nor car heard, neither have entered into 
 the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them 
 that love Him.' 
 
 ' I fear I have wearied you with this long letter. I must 
 thg^efore reserve my impressions of Turin, Milan, and Genoa 
 till another time. I have some balls and some relics to show 
 you, taken from the battle-field of Magenta, near Milan. A 
 young student from Como was with me, and took great delight 
 in pointing out the position of the French, Austrian, and 
 
186 THE HARVEST WORK. 
 
 Italian troops — the traces of the battle — the houses marked 
 with musket and cannon shot ; and with much feeling he point- 
 ed to the cross raised to commemorate the burying place of the 
 thousands who fell in battle. On reaching Genoa, I found my- 
 self much exhausted, and unable to proceed on my journey. I 
 began to fear that my last work was done in Glasgow. But 
 the Lord has been good to me. The Rev. D. Kay, a missionary 
 of the Church of Scotland, who has been like a brother to me, 
 took me to his own house, so that I am now quite myself 
 again, and am to leave Genoa for Leghorn to-night (Monday, 
 April 22,) by boat, and to-morrow shall be on my way to 
 Rome. 
 
 ' With much love to , and my many dear friends in 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 I am, your affectionate brother in Jesus, 
 
 E. P. Hammond.'" 
 
 At tlie Daily Union Prayer Meeting in Elgin 
 Place Chapel, the following letter, addressed to the 
 meeting by Mr. Hammond, was read : 
 
 " Rev. Dr. Stewart's, 
 Leghorn, Italy, 23d April, 1861. 
 
 *' My dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus, — My promise to 
 write you is not forgotten ; not a day has passed without my 
 thinking often, often, of that dearly loved daily prayer meeting. 
 The happy hours passed there I can never forget. It was there 
 that I often found my strength revived for the evening. (Isaiah 
 xl. 31.) 
 
 " For many years in America I was in the habit of attending 
 a daily noon prayer meeting, and it seems like losing my dinner, 
 to be deprived of the privilege now. 
 
 " What a contrast was presented to my mind, when last 
 Thursday I entered the great and wonderful Cathedral of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 187 
 
 Milan, with its three thousand marble statues, between the 
 scene before me and that daily witnessed in your union prayer 
 meeting. There were dozens of priests in long robes, chanting 
 and speaking in an unknown tongue ; were they not in a place 
 bearing some resemblance to a Christian Church, we might have 
 tliought them acting some solemn part in a theatrical perform- 
 ance. And who were the auditors of this grand pcu'formance? 
 About twenty unliappy looking creatures, most of them beg- 
 gars ; more priests and monks and friars than all the rest. 
 Disgusted with all this delusive mummery, I fled away to the 
 top of this marble cathedral. From that dizzy height I looked 
 away across the snow-covered Alps, and shining Mount Rosa, 
 and thought of you, a band of real worshippers of the meek 
 and lowly Jesus, with here and there, mingling among your 
 number, heavy laden souls, not listening to some avaricious 
 priest, as he says, ' Come to the Confessional,^ but to the gen- 
 tle voice of Jesus, the Great High Pricgt, who hath appeared 
 to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself, saying, ' Come un- 
 to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden , and 1 will give you 
 rest.' 
 
 "Artistically, the cathedral is, perhaps, the finest in the 
 world. No one, possessed with a love of tiie grand and beauti- 
 ful, could help admiring this wonderful structure, Avith its 
 forests of spires, adorned with six thousand six hundred and 
 sixteen marble statues, and basso relievos, each of them sup- 
 porting a colossal statue of some of the apostles or saints. 
 
 " Images of Jesus everywhere ! but in whose heart was 
 there the form of Jesus enthroned as the hope of glory ? 
 Semi-heathen temples on every hand ! but among all their wor- 
 shippers, who of them possessed souls ' fit temples ' for the in- 
 dwelling of the Holy Spirit ? Ah ! how I longed to rush into 
 the thronged streets and tell them of Jesus, of salvation through 
 Him alone, and of temples not made with hands ! But had I 
 done this I should have been dragged away to prison, or to some 
 
188 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 pestilential region, where an infectious malaria would have put 
 an end to my existence. 
 
 *' But, since the union of the Italian States, the Bible has 
 been freely circulated, and the pure Gospel is preached under 
 certain restrictions. 
 
 " At Genoa I found rest needful ; the heat was intense, and 
 my head seemed much affected. The Rev. D. Kay, a missionary 
 from Scotland, was like a brother to me, and in three days I 
 was so well as to be able to speak fur him twice on the follow- 
 ing Sabbath. At the close of the evening service we had an in- 
 quiry meeting, and there is reason to believe some that day 
 were awakened, and by the Spirit of God led to Christ. We 
 went down into the harbor the night before, and induced some 
 to come, who were intending to spend the Sabbath in visit- 
 ing the celebrated Pallavicini Gardens. 
 
 " At Leghorn I have just spent one day and night with Dr. 
 Stewart. Most of you are already familiar with his successful 
 and untiring labors." 
 
 " Port of Civita Vecchia, 
 45 Miles from Rome, April 24th. 
 
 " While writing the above, Mrs. Stewart came and took me 
 away to the weekly female prayer meeting. The ' little flock ^ 
 in Leghorn are longing for a revival, and wished to know all 
 about the work of the Lord in Glasgow and Scotland. About 
 ten meet weekly to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 
 They request your prayers on their behalf. We had an inquiry 
 meeting. Two remained for conversation, while the rest in an 
 adjoining room were engaged in prayer. I told them all that they 
 must meet daily, and not only pray, but work and speak in- 
 dividually to the perishing thousands around them ; and some 
 of them with tears promised to do so. It was a most precious 
 little meeting. I found myself quite moved by it, and, I trust, 
 received a fresh baptism of the Spirit, consecrating myself anew 
 to the glorious work of winning souls to Christ. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPmiT. 189 
 
 *' After visiting Pisa, with its leaning tower of the twelfth 
 century, its marble Cathedral supported by innumerable fan- 
 tastic marble pillars, the Baptistry, and Campo Santo, we re- 
 turned to Leghorn, and visited an American man-of-war, the 
 Susequehanna. Dr. Stewart had preached on board,the Sabbath 
 before, and found the Lieutenant a most devoted man. It was 
 delightful and touching, as we spuke of the sympathizing love 
 of Jesus, to see his whole emotional nature, as the tears filled 
 his eyes and his hand instinctively pressed my own. He took 
 us down to the place of their prayer meeting. ' I could not 
 live without this prayer meeting,' said he. ' It is here that 
 Jesus stands in our midst, and says, as to his disciples of 
 old, ' Peace be unto you.' " 
 
 At the Ewing Place Daily Prayer Meeting, on 
 Tuesday, letters were read from Mr. Hammond. 
 At St James's Hall, London,- Mr. Hammond had 
 addressed from 1500 to 2000 people ; a good num- 
 ber of inquirers remained. He w^as to speak in 
 Crown Chapel the following evening. He adds, — 
 " Nearly oOOO soldiers go in the * Great Eastern,' 
 on Monday, from Liverpool. What an opportunity 
 for speaking for Jesus. Pray for us." 
 
 " H. M. S. ' ExMOUTii,' Naples, 28th May, 1F6L 
 
 " My dear Mr .nammond , — This very day last month I bade 
 you farewell on board the French Steamer; and tliough we have 
 not the pleasure of your bodily presence among us, yet we trust 
 that the same Spirit, which rested so abundantly upon you, has 
 been communicated to, and is now abiding in, many a grateful 
 sailor's heart on board. Ever since you left, we have kept up 
 the nightly prayer meetings and addresses, and propose to con- 
 tinue to do so, in God's strength, as long as we can. I could 
 
190 THE HAKVEST WORK 
 
 fill sheets of details in telling you the simple story of those who 
 have found peace with Jesus. Some of these were the worst 
 characters on board the ship, and now their lives are living 
 witnesses of the great change which the Spirit of God has pro- 
 duced on their lives and conversation. 
 
 " One man, a Sepoy sailor, was so bad and wicked, that he had 
 been turned out of one sailor's mess after another, and none 
 would at last receive him, so that he lived in the black-list mess 
 constantly. He swore dreadfully, and was too bad for sailors to 
 associate with. That man now has come down every night; 
 his life changed ; given up swearing ; amended his ways ; and 
 the Avonder of everybody who knew him. He attencis the even- 
 ing school regularly, that he may learn to read his Bible ; then 
 comes in to us ; and if you only saw how he looks at the Bible, 
 and turns over the leaves as if he would devour the contents, 
 (though he can't read), yet it would melt the hardest heart. 
 Another young fellow, one of our servants, was turned away for 
 being a drunkard. He now tells me,that he made a collection 
 of the very worst oaths he could hear, and entered them in a 
 book, so that he might never forget them, but make use of them 
 as he might see fit. That young man has now become changed ; 
 leads a ncAV life ; and engages in prayer with others on Sunday 
 afternoons. An African sailor, born in Antigua, though he has 
 a black skin, has now a white heart, cleansed by the blood of Je- 
 sus ; and the simple and beautiful, nay, eloquent prayer I and 
 others heard ban ofier up to God, the Father of the black as 
 well as the white Christian, refreshed my ^ul as well as the 
 souls of others. One man, a Cornish man, is very sincere in his 
 pleadings, but his igajrance of our langigae is a great draw- 
 back to his expressing the desires of his heart. 
 
 "On Sunday afternoons we meet with those who are desirous 
 of engaging in prayer. Some come down who desire to pray, 
 but when the time comes they can 't express the longings of 
 their hearts before others ;but,I have no doubt, they will derive 
 encouragement from bearing their fellow sailors praying, and 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 191 
 
 will receive the Spirit of prayer from on high. They all pray 
 in private, but are nervous before others. 
 
 " Lieut. , and I, felt that we had need of their prayers, and 
 
 it was our duty to encourage them, and give them an opportu- 
 nity of praying with those who felt the. necessity of cultivating 
 the spirit of prayer. We addressed them once or twice on 
 prayer, and then intimated that we would set apart means of 
 re-establishing their bodily health, and fitting you for going 
 among my countrymen and^thers to proclaim ' the glad tidings 
 of great joy^ and win souts unto Christ. Our hearts are 
 lifted up in thankfulness to our heavenly Father, who, in his 
 providence, sent you for a few days amongst us, to arouse sinners 
 from the torpor of death, to sing the songs of Zion and rejoice in 
 God their Saviour. I feel that my own soul has been much re- 
 freslied by your presence among us, and fresh vigor has been in- 
 fused. The great wall of formalism has been broken down, and 
 I have been enabled to go and talk to sailors in a way which I 
 have never done before. The same has taken place with Lieut. 
 
 , who is one with me in everything which we do for the 
 
 salvation of souls. 
 
 •' At one time I proposed writfhg you sooner; but afterwards 
 thought it better to defer it,ui;til we saw whether the impres- 
 sions made on the hearts were of a transitory character or not. 
 I have to apologize for not writing the letter you proposed, to 
 the scholars attending some of the Sunday schools in Glasgow ; 
 but when I thought over the matter, I felt that I could not 
 make it so interesting as you could, and have given up the 
 suggestion, leaving it for you to tell them about the sacrifices 
 Oifered up in the temble of Serapis, as well as the sacrifices 
 which are now offered up on board the Exmouth, by those who, 
 at times gone by, sacrificed to other gods. You can tell them 
 how God directed you to Naples, and the means by which lie 
 Bent you on board the Exmouth to rouse sinful sailors from the 
 sleep of death, who, until your arrival, had been sacrificing unto 
 
192 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 other gods, and living sinful lives, and doing very wicked works. 
 How you now hear, that some of those wicked sailors are blessing 
 the God who sent you here, that His Holy Spirit might be pour- 
 ed out upon them, changing their hearts, and leading thein unto 
 the Lamb of God. You can tell them t!iat we have a sailor among 
 us who comes from Paisley. This man,in his young days, had 
 been taught to sing praises unto God, just as they are taught ; 
 and now he comes down every evening with his tune book, and 
 pitches the tunes, and has become our precentor. After a hard 
 day's work he delights to tune his heart to God — that God to 
 whom we all sing praises, and who gives us singing hearts as 
 well as praying hearts. His mess-mates may laugh at him but 
 he does not care,for God has brought him among us to assist ua 
 in praising God, in singing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual 
 songs — making melody in our hearts unto God. You may tell 
 them how those on board, who have given their hearts unto Jesus 
 (but can't reaJ), are now learning to read, and attending an 
 evening school after their day's work, that they may be able to 
 read God's word for themselves — those epistles and gospels 
 which were written for them,as well as for everybody who would 
 receive them. You can tell them, how hard work it is for a 
 grown-up person to learn to read, and how much easier it is 
 for a boy and a girl ; and how their hearts are more disposed to 
 receive the things of Jesus, because they are not so wicked as a 
 grown-up person, and have not committed so many or so great 
 sins. That Jesus loves little children, and invites all, but 
 especially them while they are young, to come unto Him, that they 
 might be happy on earth, and be happy when they come to die; 
 for after death they will see Jesus and dwell for ever with Him 
 
 in heaven. 
 
 Your ever affectionate brother in Jesus." 
 
 The following letter was handed in by a friend of 
 the writer, and shows one blessed result of obeying 
 the command to " sow beside all waters : " — 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 193 
 
 " My Dear Sister, — I wish to tell you of a man who came 
 on board this ship a few days ago. He preached to us, and 
 I never heard a man so earnest in prayer. He has touched the 
 hearts of many on board. My flesh trembled, and every nerve 
 shrank, so that the people took notice of me. It was nothing 
 bat the Spirit of God that was pouring into my soul. I cannot 
 tell you how I felt, but ever since I felt happy. The good man 
 who had spoken to us was going avvay that evening, but some 
 of us prayed him to stay a day or two with us, and he remained 
 for two days. He is a true Christian. Ho came from America 
 to Glasgow, during the time of the Rovival there, and preached 
 in many churches m that city. He came to this place to preach 
 the Gospel to every one. Ho has again loft for Glasgow, from 
 which place he proceeds once more to America. His name ia 
 Mr. Hammond. Dear Sister, there are two of our oScers who 
 have had a prayer meeting on board every night, for many long 
 months, bat there have been few who have encouraged them by 
 attending. They prayed to God that he would turn the hearts 
 of those on board, and the Lord, you see, has now answered 
 their prayer ; for it was the Lord who sent that good man 
 amongst us, who has given many of us to see the dangerous way 
 in which we are going. Ever since he came here the meeting- 
 room is filled. And Oh, dear sister there is a great change in 
 me. tor many long years I have been travelling on that ' broad 
 road ' which leadeth to everlasting misery. But now I see that 
 I have been going very far wrong. I have got my eyes opened. 
 I have found out Him who is a way from the broad to the nar- 
 row road, and in Him I have found peace — a peace I would not 
 want for all the world. Let the world say what it may, I will 
 
 Berve the Lord. 
 
 Your loving brother." 
 
 Naples, 12th May, 1301. 
 
 A writer, who has been often mentioned in ihcse 
 pagesj alludes to the efFect of the absence of the 
 principal agent: 
 
194 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 *' It was thought in some quarters, that with the departure of 
 Mr. Hammond there would be a lull in the revival; but, so far 
 from that being the case, it has assumed a more determined as- 
 pect. As might be supposed, the eliervesence which agitated 
 the surface of society with the first appearance of an interesting 
 stranger, has at last subsided, and now we see to what high- 
 tide mark the religious life in the community has risen. 
 
 " Since his return from Italy, he has been with us rather 
 more than a fortnight ; part of that time has been giveu to 
 making excursions to Ayrshire, Stranraer, and Helensburgh, for 
 evangelistic purposes. Throughout the last week of his stay in 
 Glasgow, he daily conducted the Union mid-day prayer meeting, 
 and in the several evenings gave a special service successively 
 in Wellpark, St. Mark's, Anderston, and Hope Street Free 
 Churches. To the praise of Him who is the Faithful Witness 
 and the Amex, the labors of this servant have been acknowledg- 
 ed to the very last ; the Lord making His glory to appear in the 
 conversion of souls by the Word preached." 
 
 Before leaving for America, a soiree presentation 
 meeting, presided over by Robert M'Cowan, Esq, 
 was held in the City Hall, containing 4000 people, 
 which was packed ; and it was believed three times 
 that number would have been present, had there 
 been room. We give, as a very fair and suggestive 
 specimen of the tone of the speeches, an extract from 
 the editorial review of the meeting by Dr. J. Smith, 
 LL.D., Editor of the Glasgow Examiner. 
 
 " The demonstration was significant as well as triumphant. 
 We see in it a stranger from America, two years ago unknown 
 to fame, winning the highest honors that even Glasgow can con- 
 fer. Mr. Hammond came among us a stranger. Some of our 
 most eminent clergymen welcomed him to their pulpits. His 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRITL 195 
 
 addresses excited a very wide interest. Hundreds professed to 
 have been led to attend to their spiritual interests by his dis- 
 courses, and crowded audiences were always present to listen to 
 him. As he labored incessantly for weeks without fee or re- 
 ward, and in the face of not a few rebuffs from a portion of the 
 public and the press, many thought that something was due to 
 his disinterested labors in a public way, and hence the proceed- 
 ing of Thursday evening. We have never been among Mr. 
 Hammond's unqualified admirers, and have not hesitated to 
 state what we reckoned objectionable in his manner and matter ; 
 but we are not less prepared on that account to magnify the 
 grace of God in him, and to acknowledge the extraordinary in- 
 terest he has awakened, and the great amount of good he has 
 achieved. After the eulogies he received on Thursday, from 
 several of our best known clergymen and laymen, any testimony 
 we might be inclined to give in his favor might well be reckon- 
 ed superfluous. But we cannot but notice the generosity of 
 the speakers, and the profound enthusiasm of the audience at 
 Thursday's meeting. One who has not yet attained the rank 
 of a licensed preacher, who is only attending to his preliminary 
 studies, has awoke such echoes in his praise in the City Hall as 
 were never awoke before." 
 
 Keferring to his curiculum, Dr. Smith adds : 
 
 *' We mention this because not a few revivalists have been 
 popular though they had none of the advantages of previous 
 education, or any training for public work. We mean no dis- 
 respect to them when we say, that the man wlio has all their 
 qualifications for usefulness and a proper training besides, oc- 
 cupies a much more advantageous position, and is likely to sus- 
 tain his popularity better among certain cla.sses of society. Edu- 
 cated persons among his audience do not require to be told, that 
 the speaker is one whose mind has been thoroughly trained, and 
 who is versant with ancient and modern literature. None but 
 a person of classic taste and training could have given the same 
 
198 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 interest to the narrative of his recent travels in the classic land 
 of Italj. We surely clo not need to argue that, other requisites 
 being equal, the man trained to think and speak must have a 
 vast superiority over others, hovt^ever earnest and zealous such 
 may be. The rapid sketch given by the Chairman as to the 
 career of Mr. Hammond, as a revivalist, was very satisfactory, 
 and the Chairman had the advantage of speaking, not only from 
 undoubted authority, but from a personal and intimate knowl- 
 edge of him. As a people, the Scotch are proverbially cautious 
 in receiving strangers ; bat in this case they have such testi- 
 mony, both public and personal, that they can have no hesita- 
 tion, and have shown none, in welcoming him as a true man, and 
 devoted servant of the one Master in heaven. Anything more 
 satisfactory and decided than the speech of Mr, M" Cowan in 
 favor of Mr. Hammond, it is impossible to conceive. The speech 
 of the Rev. Jacob Alexander was very cordial and suggestive. 
 He welcomed i^Ir. Hammond because he had developed the 
 lay agency to a larger extent than ever — he had especially en- 
 listed students in the work of evangelism — be had originated 
 children prayer meetings, — and especially he had taught many 
 to Bing hymns who never sung tliem before. In defence of the 
 revival movement, he brouglit in a very happy illustration from 
 spring. An ill-natured person might crush the crocuses and 
 snow-drops, and dam up the streams, and declare that there was 
 no spring. Bat the mighty movement was being felt through- 
 out the vegetable^ world, and would by and by burst into beau- 
 ty, despite the allegations of ill-conditioned persons. And so 
 in this movement. Men may deny it, but they cannot keep 
 back the resistless influence at work in the natural or spiritual 
 world." 
 
 From Glasgow Mr. Hammond went to MofFtit, 
 and thence to London. At the former place a meet- 
 ing was appointed, especially with reference to his 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 197 
 
 passing the Sabbath there, on his way to the Me- 
 tropolis. Such was the crowd at this watering 
 place, that the throngs went from the church door 
 to the open air ; and the divine iniiuence, which had 
 rested so largely upon Scotland, was manifestly 
 present among the people. 
 
 Amono; the meeting's in London, a larc^e one was 
 held in St. James's Hall, respecting which, Dr. 
 Campbell, of the British Standard, writes ; 
 
 " Mr. Hammond has just been in London, where we have en- 
 joyed the pleasure of several interviews with him. Lie went oflf 
 yesterday, to Liverpool, whence he proceeds in the Great 
 Eastern, which is chartered by Government to carry out 2,200 
 troops, besides a body of Cavahy, to Canada. Amid such a 
 crowd, a voyage of the old stamp, extending to seven or eight 
 weeks, would have afforded some scope for hopeful labor ; but 
 nothing can be done in the brief period of nine or ten days. 
 
 *' We may observe tliat he preached in St. James's Hall, last 
 Sunday evening. Although his design was not announced till 
 Friday, so well had the thing been managed that there was a 
 large congregation. Having opened the service in the ordinary 
 manner, the Rev. J. Alexander, of Glasgow, made an admirable 
 address, replete with the purest evangelism. Mr. Hammond 
 then discoursed for nearly an hour, in a strain peculiar, re- 
 markable, and exceedingly fitted to be useful. Nothing could 
 have been more void of glare, claptrap, and meretricious display. 
 Nothing could be more unpretending and unambitious. It was 
 throughout stamped by ' godly simplicity.' Tlic grand object 
 was clearly the salvation of men and the glory of God." 
 
 In Liverpool, also, meetings were held, a notice of 
 which we take from the Liverpool Mercury: 
 
198 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " The Rev. E. P. Hammond, whose labors have been so 
 signally successful in aifFerent parts of Scotland, has been hold- 
 ing a series of special services in Liverpool, previous to his de- 
 parture for America in the Great Eastern. The first service was 
 held on the 23d instant, in Canning Street Presbyterian Church, 
 of which the Rev. J. R. Welsh is the pastor. The next meet- 
 ing was held on Sunday evening, in the Rev. Dr. White's 
 Cliurch, Islington. Both services were numerously attended, 
 and in the evening an earnest and aflfectionate address was de- 
 livered by Mr. A. F. Thistlethwayte, of Loudon, who has been 
 laboring in connection with Mr. Hammond. After the address- 
 es, about 300 persons remained for conversation concerning 
 religious subjects. The next service was held in Dr. Raffles's 
 Church, Great George Street. The Rev. J. II. Welsh, who in- 
 troduced Mr. Hammond, having alluded to the objections often 
 urged against revival services, observed that he did not believe 
 that error would be owned of God ; and showed that the labors 
 of such men as Messrs. Brownlow, North and Hammond, had 
 resulted in the conversion of numerous souls. The Rev. Dr. 
 White gave an interesting account of the glorious results of the 
 revival under Mr. Hammond's labors in Annan, Dumfries, and 
 other places. Mr. Hammond then delivered an earnest address, 
 calculated to arouse careless souls to a sense of their spiritual 
 condition, at the close of which a number of anxious ones re- 
 mained, with the object of seeking spiritual advice. On Tues- 
 day evening, at seven o'clock, an out-door service was held in 
 front of the chapel, and addresses were delivered by Mr. J. W. 
 Bonham, of America, and J^.Ir. Thistlethwayte, of London. 
 During the meeting, a man came near the speakers and begged 
 one of the hymns, stating that he had resolved to destroy him- 
 self, but was just then arrested by the sound of the preaching. 
 At the service in the chapel, a very brief address was delivered 
 by Mr. Bonham, who was followed by a young man from Scot-, 
 land, who gave an interesting account of his conversion. Mr. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 199 
 
 Hammond then delivered a very earnest and affectionate ad- 
 dress, which was listened to witl] very great attention, and pro- 
 duced a practical effect on the minds of those present, a number 
 of whom remained at the inquiry meeting. Some were deeply 
 anxious. Last night a further meeting was held in Great George 
 Street Chapel, when Mr. Hammond delivered an address, and 
 two young converts related their experience. Previous to the 
 inquiry meeting which followed, the Rev. Dr. White urged up- 
 on those present the necessity of immediate decision for Christ. 
 A large number remained for inquiry, many of whom went 
 away rejoicing in the Saviour." 
 
 The homeward voyage, in its secular and religious 
 interest, can be given in no better form than by a 
 letter from his pen, addressed to the Daily Prayer 
 Meeting in Glasgow, and printed in a Glasgow 
 paper : 
 
 " Great Eastern, July 2d, 1861. 
 
 " My dear , Here I am, away off the banks of Newfound- 
 land, amid fogs and icebergs, and yet my thoughts revert to you 
 and the dear people on Scotia's shores. I have had a letter 
 thought out for you ever since we left Liverpool, but it is not 
 so easy on board ship to get these thoughts put down on paper. 
 Sea-sickness has not been the excuse, for I have not seen one on 
 board thus afflicted. But I have been hard at work day and 
 night distributing thousands of tracts and about twelve hun- 
 dred Bibles, a.id holding meetings. 
 
 " I cannot but think that the many prayers offered for a 
 blessing to attend us on our voyage have been answered. We 
 have had large and deeply solemn meetings every day since 
 Sal)bath (30th.) We could not see our way to commence these 
 meetings till then. We liad first to secure the consent and co- 
 operation of the chaplain on board, and also of the captain of 
 
200 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 the ship, and of the two Colonels of the 30th and 60th Regi- 
 ments. All this was accomplished by one of the officers of the 
 30th, a decided Christian, to whom Captain Blackwood, whose 
 letter was read in your daily prayer meeting, introduced me. 
 Tiiis dear officer has been most active. lie and a few others 
 have met every day in my room for prayer. Some days we 
 have had two and three meetings. There is no place where the 
 voice can reach all at once. Sometimes the wind is so strong 
 that I find it impossible to speak long ; my voice soon gives 
 way. 
 
 " Last night we had the first regular inquiry meeting. I 
 gave it no name, but, after addressing them, just w^ent down 
 among them at once ; nearly all remained, and many were the 
 anxious questions asked. Y/ould that I could have had a hun- 
 dred Avorking Christians to have gone among the soldiers, to 
 take them by the hand, and kindly point them to Jesus. I 
 thought of those who used to be so active in the union prayer 
 meeting, often remoining till five and six o'clock to bind up the 
 broken-hearted. A number of Romanists were among the 
 awakened. About half of the 30th, I am told, are of that 
 persuasion. I suppose I have given away at least five thousand 
 tracts and books, which are perused for hours at a time by the 
 soldiers. Only one man refused to take a tract or book. Some 
 of the officers are in an anxious state of mind, and have been in 
 my room on their knees, seeking for peace in Jesus. 
 
 " It has strengthened me to remember, that the dear friends 
 in the daily union prayer meeting have been remem])ering us at 
 a throne of grace. We have often been in danger, but not in 
 despair. Yesterday morning we were near a collision with the 
 steamship Arabia. There vras a dense fjg, and we were near 
 running into several icebergs. We saw four or five immense 
 ones at the same time. One of them was much like Edinburgh 
 Castle. Many Avere in great alarm the night before last, by the 
 eudden stoppage of the engines, and the sight of the huge ice- 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 201 
 
 "berg right ahead. Several did not retire to rest all night. Most 
 of these ' monsters of the northern deep ' were prowling about, 
 in near the same place where we encountered one two years ago 
 (June Gth) , 180 miles ofi" St. John's, Newfoundland. That 
 terrible scene has often come up before my mind during the 
 past few days. In thinking over the wonderful dealings of God, 
 and His goodness to me, I am often led to exclaim, ' What hath 
 God wrought ! ' How little did I know what was before me, 
 when on 1st June, 1850, I set sail from New York, to be absent 
 for onl}^ a few months. I trust I have been led to renew my 
 vows of consecration to the service of Jesus. 
 
 " While writing the above, a Roman Catholic came to ask 
 me ibr a Bible. His very looks indicated that he was anxious 
 about his soul. His lip quivered as he said, ' I have had no 
 peace since I heard your address on Sabbath last. I am a great 
 sinner. What shall I do? I have been worshipping images 
 too long — all the time neglecting Jesus. Pray far me.' ^Ye 
 knelt and prayed. It would have melted a hard heart to 
 hear him asking for mercy. I am conlBdent he has found 
 Jesus, and will at the last be found in Him." 
 
 " Friday, July Sth. 
 " It is a glorious morning. We have just entered the Gulf 
 of St. Lawrence. We shall soon be at the mouth of the 
 river. It would have done your heart good to have seen our 
 meeting last night. It was something like one of our old meet- 
 ings in Ilupe Street Free Gaelic Church. It seems that nearly 
 all the three thousand were listening. The power of God's 
 Spirit was felt, and the inquiry meeting that followed showed 
 that many were awakened. .It was truly touching to see some 
 of these strong soldiers wounded by the ' sword of the Spirit.' 
 1 thought of the words, ' Thine arrows are sharp in the heart 
 of the King's enemies, whereby the people fall under thee.' 
 Though half of the 30th regiment are Roman Catholics, all 
 came to tlie meetings and read the tracts. If one could get a 
 
202 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 congregation composed entirely of Romanists T am inclined to 
 think that, with earnest — burning — heartfelt words, relying 
 on the Spirit of God, he might confidently expect as great a 
 harvest as from an ordinary Protestant audience. But should 
 he begin to discuss 8v)me of their peculiar doctrines he would 
 lose power over them at once. But let him come to them as 
 an ambassador from heaven — telling them in plain words of 
 their enmity and of their danger in fighting against God, and 
 proclaiming reconciliation through Christ Jesus, and his words 
 "will not fall to the ground. Christ and Him crucified is the 
 preaching that must find its way to the heart. 
 
 " I fear I have wearied you with this long letter. I shall 
 "write you again when I reach home. Not a day passes but I 
 think of the daily union prayer meeting in Ewing Place Cha- 
 pel. Please remember me to them. Tell them the Lord has 
 answered their prayers, — that souls on board the Great 
 Eastern have been saved. This very moment a strong man has 
 left my state-room, seemingly having just given himself to 
 Jesus. He had been anxious for some one to speak to him for 
 a month. One young man has been awakened since he heard 
 dear Mr. RadclifTe, in Ireland. So tell them to pray on. Pray 
 without ceasing. Your afiectionate brother in Jesas," 
 
 The New York Observer re|)orts of Fulton Street 
 prayer meeting : 
 
 "A gentleman said he had in his hand a letter from a 
 passenger on the Great Eastern. It was from one whose voice 
 he had often heard in this prayer meeting. On the passage 
 over they had prayer meetings every night, and many had been 
 converted. Some of the converts were British soldiers on their 
 way, under Government orders, to Canada. This gentleman, 
 whose labors had been so much blessed, had been very useful to 
 many souls in England, Scotland and Ireland. Wherever he 
 had been multitudes had been brouerht to Christ. 
 
OF THE HOLY STIRIT. • 203 
 
 "Another gentleman arose and said that he had been a witness 
 of the success of the labors of this man who had been mentioned 
 for four months in Scotland. Whenever it was known that he 
 was to be present and speak at a meeting, hundreds would come 
 to hear. He had heard him in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and other 
 cities and towns. It was wonderful how the Lord owned and 
 blessed his humble, unpretending labors. Go where he may 
 and labor as he will, souls are converted. So it has been on the 
 Great Eastern. The leader reminded the meeting that often it 
 had been a subject of prayer, that revivals might go with the 
 voyages of this great ship." 
 
 To complete the glimpse of the great awakenings 
 during the last few years in Britain, we append a 
 general view of the Irish revivals, by James Massie, 
 D. D., LL.D., Secretary of the Irish Evangelical 
 Society; and, also, by the Rev. J. Dunham Smith, 
 of Kingstown, Dublin : 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE AWAKENING. 
 
 " The religious movement, which in the northern part of Ire- 
 land has awakened such general attention, has now become a 
 'fact in the history of the times as well as of the country. Its 
 origin, at first obscure and for a time doubtful to many, can 
 now be traced in perfect harmony with tlie principles and 
 character of the Christian dispensation. The gradual develop- 
 ment and extension of the mental and spiritual phenomena, by 
 which the work has been distinguished, have secured the 
 thoughtful attention of many devout Christians, and demand 
 yet more prayerful consideration. Wliatever may have been 
 the propurtion and relation of human agency in its progress, 
 the most honored instruments in its administration will grate- 
 fully acknowledge a pjwer unseen and a presence all-pervad- 
 
204 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ing, which are doubtless infinite and divine. * Where is the 
 •wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this 
 world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world ?' 
 'But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to con- 
 found the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the 
 world to confound the things which are mighty ; ' ' that no flesh 
 should glory in his presence.' Most suitable is the acknowledg- 
 ment of one, to whom great favor has been shown as a success- 
 ful laborer in the Revival. ' I believe that,' like the mighty 
 stream, it has arisen from a number of springs concealed, it 
 may be, in the bosom of the mountains of Antrim, where for a 
 season they continued to gush forth, seen only by a few, until 
 now they have met in the valleys, and are pouring their floods 
 on the churches, sweeping sin and cold-hearted formalism before 
 them.' How many have laved on the banks, or sailed on the 
 bosom, of a flowing river, admiring its swelling tide and pic- 
 turesque effect, and deriving all the advantages conveyed by its 
 ceaseless current, who have never inquired in what locality it 
 took its rise, or in Avhose demesne its chief spring first gushed 
 forth! 'There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad 
 the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most 
 High.' Yet it was not inconsistent with the state of a devout 
 mind, or a sanctified vision, to trace ' the waters 'which' issued 
 out from under the threshold of the house eastward,' to follow 
 the way, when brought to' the gate northward, 'to behold the 
 waters which ran out on'the right side' ' at the south side of the 
 altar.' It was, doubtless, with wonder and gratified thanks- 
 giving the prophet accompanied the man, v/hose line ' measured 
 a thousand cubits,' once and again, till he was brought' through 
 the waters,' ' to the ancles,' ' to the knees,' ' to the loins;' and till it 
 proved'a river 'he 'could not pass over' — the blessing was 
 abundant, ' for the waters were risen — waters to swim in, a 
 river that could not be passed over.' The enlightened, the 
 believing, and praying Christian will watch and long for the 
 
• OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 205 
 
 plentiful effusion of the Divine Spirit, until ' it shall come to 
 pass, that everything that liveth, vi^hich moveth, whithersoever 
 the rivers shall come, shall live.' 
 
 " Every student of the Sacred Scriptures knows well that 
 many great and exceeding precious promises have been given, 
 that God, in the Gospel of llis Son, would work, 'not by might, 
 nor by power, but by His Spirit ; ' and that His Spirit shall be 
 60 abundantly poured out from on high, that the wilderness 
 and the solitary place should be made glad for his inQuenccs. 
 ' And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out 
 from Jerusalem ; half of them toward the former sea, and half 
 of them toward the hinder sea ; in summer and in winter 
 shall it be.' The conviction has been deepening in the mind 
 of the church, not only that this rich blessing has not yet been 
 enjoyed, in the fulness of its promise, but, also, that the promise 
 has only failed, because it has not been duly pleaded, or ex- 
 pected in faith — that for jiU these things, prayer should be 
 made to him continually ; since, ' Thus saith the Lord God, I 
 will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it 
 for them.' Special seasons for prayer have, therefore, been ob- 
 served, and concert in prayer has been maintained by com- 
 panies of the devout. It has been confessed and lamented^that 
 the Holy Ghost has not been duly honored, and that his 
 gracious operations have not been so fervently and constantly 
 implored, in connection with the ministrations of the Gospel as 
 should have been. Hence, therefore, times of humiliation and 
 earnest supplication have been consecrated by many who are 
 the Lord's remembrancers. Nor have they passed, without the 
 happy experience of the richest personal enjoyment as seasons 
 of refreshing from the Divine presence. Tlie excendcd av.-aken- 
 ing which occurred lust year in the commercial cities of the 
 United States, and the myriads who were brought to decision, 
 and to join themselves to the Lord in transatlantic churches, 
 were, doubtless, preceded and accompanied l)y much believing 
 
206 THE HARVEST WORK. 
 
 and importunate prayer. Tidings of these things came to the 
 ears of the church in Britain, and were diffused into remote and 
 obscure places . Contemporaneous with the work in America, 
 has been a silent but gracious manifestation of renewing and 
 saving power in the mountainous regions of Wales, and some 
 isolated parts of Scotland. These fruits have been consequent 
 not less upon the labors and prayers of lay Christians than of 
 faithful pastors. The Rev. W. Arthur has well described the 
 result ; ' when the true spiritual element of man is shed upon 
 and around him, and the Divine breath flows into his soul in- 
 sensibly and with spiritual power ; then, when the Spirit is 
 poured out, as Joel prophesied, and as the pentecostal Christians 
 experienced, the servants of God seem to breathe their native 
 air ; men, who before languidly supported a certain kind of re- 
 ligious existence, are borne along over their daily temptations 
 as upon eagles' wings ; the besetments of their temperament 
 abate like ailments in returning health. They answer to the 
 call of duties, whether in the family, in business, or the church, 
 with a joyful sense of help ; and it is * easy ' then ' for the 
 eoul to be true." 
 
 " This state of life in the members, and power in the services 
 of the church, is never unaccompanied with fruitfulness in her 
 labors. Then mothers tell with streaming eyes how their wil- 
 ful boys have begun to lead a new liie ; tried and broken-spirit- 
 ed wives begin to see their husbands strangely seeking God ; 
 men of cold and selfish temper are found with full eyes in the 
 sanctuary, and with new benevolence doing good to their neigh- 
 bors. It is then we hear of the proud becoming lowly ; the 
 churl, liberal ; the wild, sedate and wise ; and many a fair and 
 happy transformation from sinful to Christian living, which, as 
 it circulates in the neighborhood, stirs some other heart to say, 
 ' Is it not time for me also to seek the Lord ? ' and thus Chris- 
 tian conversions go on spreading from day to day, until the 
 number of the newly awakened is such as to make a percepti- 
 ble impression upon the community.' 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIKIT. 207 
 
 " The earliest personal trace of the origin of the present 
 spiritual movement, in the county of Antrim, is given on the tes- 
 timony of a gentleman who had friendly intercourse with the in- 
 dividuals concerned. Mrs. C, an English lady, visited Ireland 
 in the spring of 185G, and spent the following summer and 
 autumn in the town of Ballymena. She thought the people cold 
 and indifierent about religion, and was often much cast down, 
 because of their spiritual dcadness. She visited the poor in 
 their cottages, and read the Scriptures to them, and prayed with 
 them, but in most cases they considered the time thus occupied 
 as lost. Occasionally she called on tlie rich, with the intention 
 of speaking to them on personal religion; but they inclined to 
 say little on that point, and often contrived to change the sub- 
 ject of conversation. On the whole, she considered, the rich 
 gave her a much colder reception than the poor. Her patience 
 was greatly tried ; but she persevered, and expected a blessing 
 to follow her weak efforts. During the summer her friend, 
 Lieut. A., who gives his whole time and substance to the work 
 of God, came, and preached with great earnestness. He 
 was favorably received by Presbj'terian clergymen, but especial- 
 ly by Mr. M., of Ballymena, who invited him to his pulpit, 
 and assisted him in getting up meetings elsewhere. Mrs. C. 
 feared that God had not as yet acknowledged her anxious 
 labors ; but she knew not of one little seed she had dropped, a 
 few days before she left Ballymena. She had some time pre- 
 viously visited two ladies, who liked to talk about religious mat- 
 ters, but especially delighted in controversial squabbles, and 
 found them engaged discussing pre-ordination, free-will, &c., 
 with a young man named J. McQ. Having listened to them 
 for some time, she sought to impress upon them the absurdity 
 of such a fruitless discussion. JS either party seemed to her to 
 have a higher object in view than to see who could best argue. 
 The young man was an entire stranger to her ; so that she ad- 
 dressed herself ehietly to t!ic ladies, and spoke to them on the 
 imp>)rtance of seeking a personal interest in the Saviour. Her 
 
208 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 words took deep root in the heart of J. McQ., who left, rumi- 
 nating on the truths brought before him. He determined to 
 lead a new life, and prayed to God for assistance. He was a 
 poor young man, with a wife and tAvo children, and was em- 
 ployed in one of the mills near Connor. He advanced in 
 spiritual matters, reading the Bible, and ' George ^Muller's 
 Life and Labors in Bristol,' till the spring of 18o7, when two 
 of his Sabbath-school class were converted to God. He thus 
 spent much time in prayer, seeking a companion to assist him 
 in the work of the Lord. One came to him in the person of J. 
 McW. These two met often in Kells for special praj^er, and 
 asked God directly for what they wanted. He was graciously 
 pleased to hear them. One belonging to the Sabbath-school class 
 came and joined their little prayer-meeting, which then num- 
 bered three. In a short time after, two more found the Saviour, 
 and joined themsslves with them. Thus their numbers gradual- 
 ly increased. In January, 1858, a child in one of the classes 
 in their little Sabbath-school was so overpowered, that its body 
 was prostrated, and it suffered greatly in consecjuence. This 
 astonished them, as it was the first they had ever seen or heard 
 of ; but still they went on with their prayer-meetings and Sab- 
 bath-school, and God blessed their elTorts in a remarkable man- 
 ner. In May, 1858, they could number sisteen or seventeen 
 who had experienced the blessed change. This gave them great 
 courage ; and in spite of some potty opposition in the shape of 
 sneers, &c., they continued to ask and to receive. Faith grew. 
 Hope brightened. ' The power of prayer ' began to be known, 
 and felt, and seen. The spring communion came on. Through- 
 out the extensive parish, consisting of some thousand families, 
 it was generally known that, lately, persons had been turned 
 to the Lord among them — some moral, and some wildly im- 
 moral. A few had heard of a similiar triumph of divine grace 
 beyond the Atlantic. The services were peculiarly solemn. 
 The Master's presence seemed to be recognized, and Ilia call, 
 heard. A great impulse was given to consideration and seri- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 209 
 
 ousness, intensifying and extending these general precursors of 
 conviction and revival. The old prayer-meetings began to be 
 tiironged, and many new ones established. No difficulty was 
 now to find persons to take part in them. The winter was 
 past ; the time of the singing of birds had come. Humble, 
 grateful, loving, joyous converts multiplied. They, with the 
 children of God, who in that district have been revived — 
 greatly refreshed by the Divine Spirit — are now very numer- 
 ous. There were, on an a-verage, sixteen prayer -meetings every 
 night in the week, throughout tlie bounds of that one congre- 
 gation — i. e., about one hundred weekly. The awakening to a 
 sight of ein, the conviction of its sinfulness, the illumination of 
 the soul in the knowledge of a glorious Saviour, and conversion 
 to Him — all this operation, carried on by the life-giving Spirit, 
 was in the Connor district for more than eighteen months ; a 
 calm, quiet, gradual, in some cases a lengthened process, not 
 commencing in, or accompanied by, a ' smiting down ' of the 
 body, or any extraordinary physical prostration, more than 
 what might be expected to result from great anxiety and deep 
 sorrow. Thus, it is worthy of being noticed and remembered, 
 that the present American Revival began in 1857 ; so did the 
 Revival in Connor : — the one began in the month of Septem- 
 ber, 60 did the other: prayer — fervent, confiding, and un- 
 ceasing, was the prominent characteristic of the one and of the 
 other : laymen — six in the one case, and four in the other — 
 were the prominent agents in commencing the work in the one 
 country as well as in the other." 
 
 TIMES OF KEFRESHIXG. 
 
 " A great change in religion has come over many parts of our 
 Irish land during the past twenty years. The light of Divine 
 truth, mingled with the Spirit's power, has extended over 
 numerous spots, now radiant with conversion, where the Lord 
 Jesus Christ is no longer as ' a stranger in the land,' or ' a way- 
 faring man that turncth aside to tarry ' only ' for a night.' 
 
210 THE HAEVEST WORK 
 
 " So signal and surprising is the present awakening, that we 
 are like men that dream a pleasant dream. Now is our mouth 
 filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. As streams 
 in the south, after mighty rains of refreshing, return to their 
 deserted channels ; so in the hundreds of sanctuaries in our 
 land, once almost desolate of power and life, there is a river of 
 salvation, the waters of which make glad the city of our God. 
 
 " I feel humbled and astonished that so much slight has been 
 cast upon this glorious work, and that, too, by some good men. 
 Whilst the Lord has been making hundreds of churches, once 
 dead or in a Laodicean state, each one a Bochim — a place of 
 tears — and whilst over five counties, prayer — the Spirit's own 
 breath — has been made without ceasing, numbers of professed 
 Christians and ministers are still standing at a distance, ^or 
 coldly speculating concerning it. Some who believe in the 
 work as a revival of religion, and rejoice in it, yet compromise 
 and apologise respecting the physical phenomena, as if these, 
 without reserve, should be condemned. I am not ashamed to 
 confess to a different mind. I have seen too much, not to say, 
 in regard to many bodily cases, ' This is the finger of God.' 
 
 " With Dr. Carson, I have no doubt that the physical agent, 
 whatever it may be, has been sent by God ; and for a specific 
 purpose. Sach was its effect one night in Coleraine, he re- 
 marks, that it was like the day of judgment, when sinners will 
 call on the mountains and the rocks to hide tliem. ' It struck 
 terror to the heart of the most hardened and obdurate sinner. 
 The whole town was in a state of alarm, business was forgotten, 
 and the revival was the only subject of conversation. A French 
 invasion could not have produced so great a panic. I have seen 
 much of the accumulated misery of bodily disease and mental 
 distress ; but I never saw anything to be compared to the 
 harrowing scene in the Coleraine Town Hall. It would be quite 
 impossible to imagine any agency more powerful for drawing 
 the attention of men to the state of their souls. I heard many 
 people mocking and scoffing, before that night, about the revi- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 211 
 
 val ; but when I saw the same parties examining the cases in- 
 the Town Hall, their mocking was at an end, and they looked 
 like criminals whose hour was at hand. No other sort of a re- 
 vival could have had the same effects. If one half of the inhabi- 
 tants had been converted in a minute, in the ordinary way, the 
 other half would not have believed it — they would have laugh- 
 ed at it as a vision. It would have had no effect upon them. 
 
 " Exception has been taken to excesses and extravagances. 
 Excesses and extravagances may be expected, where so vast a 
 surface lies open before the enemy of souls. ' Tares ' are usual- 
 ly found wherever there is ' wheat ;' ' mire and dirt ' will be 
 flung up by the deep ' sea' of spiritual conflict wit!i Satan. 
 
 " Bat I have seen the most hallowed results in the minds and 
 lives of persons, who were stricken under circumstances where 
 no natural cause could be traced. 
 
 " I said to a young man in the North, wlio had been lying in a 
 stricken state for three days, — ' Did you ever wish to be strick- 
 en ? ' * Never.' ' Did you ever dread it ? ' ' Never.' * When 
 it occurred were you in a heated atmosphere? ' 'No.' * In a 
 crowd ? ' 'No.' ' Under an exciting sermon ? ' ' No. ' ' How 
 did you feel when lying in a stricken state ? ' 'Of the external 
 world I knew nothing. Internally I felt a dreadful load of sin.' 
 'Had you never suspected it before? ' 'Never. I had always 
 thought that I was a Christian, and others thought me to be a 
 Christian.' 'How was your mind occupied during the long 
 period in which you were stricken V ' ' i had a dreadful conflict. 
 The idea of being a Christian was like a voice within contending 
 that I was such ; but the dark L)ad of sin on my soul, like 
 • another self, declared that it was not. I felt utterly lost, and, 
 laying aside the notion that I was a Christian, as a sinner I 
 cried to God to have mercy upon me.' ' How did your relief 
 come?' ' On the third day I heard the archdeacon pray, ' Lord 
 lay not this sin to to his own charf/e^ but lay it to the charge of 
 Him whose blood cleanseth from nil sin.' That substitutionary 
 
212 THE hahvest work 
 
 truth concerning; sin and its removal by Clirist, I at once em- 
 braced, and the dreadful sense of its curse was gone ; and 
 then, though my bodily strength was completely prostrate, I felt 
 a peace of mind which passeth all understanding — a joy un. 
 epealiable and full of glory.' ' Should you ever lose that sense 
 of peace and joy, how would you fisel? ' ' Oh ! I could not lose 
 it ; if T were to, I should feel humbled, yet still I should have 
 Christ.' 
 
 " One thing in this case struck me most forcibly, and, I may 
 add, solemnly. I said, ' A°> a supposed Christian, you were in 
 the habit of the daily perusal of the Bible ? ' ' Yes, daily ; but I 
 read it because I wished to know it, and because it was only 
 consistent for mc to study it, and, also, that Imight understand 
 its truths in relation to surrounding controversies ; but^' he 
 added, ' I know tiiat I never loved it — that I never, until now, 
 had any sense or intelligence of its true value and blessedness.' 
 Alas ! I thought, how many are like this ! they think they are 
 Christians, they appear such to others, but they are not so in 
 reality. 
 
 " And now, turning from this case I have the most precious 
 remembrance of two little giils, both of whom had, along with 
 some others, been stricken in a school. They were very poor, 
 and very young — one nine and the other seven years of age. 
 I said to her, ' Mary, you do not love the Lord Jesus Christ, do 
 you ? ' Thinking that I had denied the fact of her love to the 
 Siviour, the tears broke down her face, and her hands were 
 clasped in the greatest earnestness, whilst she replied, ' sir, 
 I do love the Lord Jesus Christ ! I do, I do love Him ! ' ' How 
 long is it since you commenced to love him ? ' ' O sir, ever since 
 we first began to seek Him.' ' Nay, nay, dear,' said her little 
 companion, a thin, pallid-laced child of dark intelligent eyes — 
 ' Nay, nay, dear ; ive did not first seek the Lord Jesus. He it 
 was wh(j first sought us. ' 
 
 ' Wonderful ! I thought. What *■ praise ' is this that I 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 213 
 
 hear thus from the moaths of babes and sucklings, and what 
 truth ! IIow sound its theology ! How suggestive and compre 
 hensive ! I said, • ^larj, would you liko me to pray with you ?' 
 adding, ' Remerabsr you must pray for each other.' Ere 1 had 
 risen from my knees, this little disciple taking me at my word, 
 began in a low, soft tone to warble such a prayer as I had neyer 
 heard. She prayed for her companions, then for her poor neigh- 
 bors. She said, ' Lord Jesus, thou hast come into our hearts 
 with thy love ; wilt thou not go into all their hearts with t!iy 
 love?' She then extended her requests for our country, that 
 all its people may know the Lord Jesus ; and to the whole 
 world, that the poor heathen especially may soon hear of Ilim 
 and love Him. Having prayed most fervently for the whole 
 human race, she concluded by saying, ' And now. Lord Jesus, 
 (or, dear Lord Jesus,) I have nothing more to say. Amen.' 
 
 "Do you ask, whence this great change in religion? I 
 answer, from the outpouring of the Spirit of God. And 
 especially of late, cm the truth faithfully preached. God has not 
 set aside but revived the preaching of His word. He has taught, 
 that the preaching which He honors is not that of mere philoso- 
 phy, but of Christ. The one may be attractive and costly, as 
 the offering of Cain ; but tlie other, like tlie acceptable service 
 of Abel, is val^uable for the simple manifestation of the ' blood.' 
 But whilst such as Paul must preach, and A polios water, it is 
 the work of the Elijahs of the Church to pray down the increase. 
 
 " My earnest prayer, then, is, tliat God, in mercy to our con- 
 dition, may deepen this work, and extend, it. Especially bless- 
 ed would it be, if it were to come to our own beloved city — so 
 come, that all the little streams and pools of our separate and 
 divided life in religion may be lost in one vast flood of Divine 
 awakening, of spiritual union, of life abounding in all true 
 Ciiristians, and sincere love t )\vards all saints. May the Lord 
 the Spirit give it ! and may Ho lead His people to desire it, and 
 to seek it! " 
 
214 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 The Standing Committee of the General Assem- 
 bly of the Presbyterian church in Ireland give a 
 comprehensive and suggestive summary of this 
 mighty work of God, in their official report. 
 
 After mentioning that 357 open-air services had 
 been held during the year, and that 50,000 persons 
 had thus heard the message of the Gospel, it states : 
 
 " 1. Persons of both sexes, of all ages, of different grades of 
 societ}^, of various denominations of professing Christians, in- 
 cluding Unitarians and Roman Catholics, have been at once con- 
 vinced of sin, and apparently converted to God. 
 
 "• 2. These spiritual emotions have been accompanied, in a 
 very large number of cases, by physical impressions, producing 
 bodily infirmity, and continuing, in some cases, for hours, and in 
 others for days, and usually terminating in peace of conscience, 
 and sometimes in ' joy unspeakable and full of glory. ' 
 
 " The two great truths on which the converts prominently, 
 and almost exclusively, dwell, are — the sinfulness and utter 
 helplessness of men, and the all-sufl&ciency of Christ as a living, 
 personal Redeemer. 
 
 "4. No heresy has been started in this new and unusual 
 state of religious excitement. The whole movement, in its 
 various aspects, tends to give striking and vivid illustration of 
 the great doctrines of the Gospel, as they are set forth in our 
 Catechisms and Confession of Faith. 
 
 "5. The eflect produced by this awakening on the life and 
 character of those who have experienced it, is decidedly evan- 
 gelical — a deep sense of sin, especially of the sin of having 
 neglected the great salvation, fervent love of Christ, intense 
 brotherly kindness, earnest desire for the conversion of sinners, 
 habitual communion with God, and delight in His Word, wor- 
 ship, and service. These attributes of character are assuredly 
 the fruit of the Spirit, and these are the characteristics of mul- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIHIT. 215 
 
 titudes who have lately declared themselves the servants of 
 Christ. The drunkard has been made sober ; the libertine, chaste ; 
 the blasphemer and Sabbath-breaker, devout ; the worldling, con- 
 strained to think deeply and pejiitently of his sins, and to flee 
 from the wrath to come. These are surely trophies of Divine 
 grace, and many such trophies as those have been raised to the 
 honor of God since the commencement of the present revival." 
 
 The number of hopeful conversions cannot be es- 
 timated, till Christ " makes up his jewels." And 
 the wonderful ingathering declares, that the Spirit 
 works by no rule of our wisdom, but must be grate- 
 fully and humbly accepted, come when, and in what 
 way he shall please ; and points the dull eye of our 
 faith to the hastening time, when '' kings and queens 
 shall lay their honors at the feet of Immanuel." 
 
CHAPTER YIT. 
 
 The Commencement of Labors in Boston— Services in tlio Silcm 
 Sirect C'lurcli — Statements RDspacting the "Work — Lettoi's f/om 
 Young Converts — Revival in Portland — Letters- Interesting Cases 
 of Conversion. 
 
 Upon Mr. Hammoiid's ai-rival ia America, he be- 
 gan to labor in Povvnal, Yt., and other places, find- 
 ing it diiiicalt to realize the first intention to rest and 
 recruit exhausted enennes. He received invitations 
 to labor in different fields, when, incidentally visiting 
 Boston, early in September, he preached in the Sa- 
 lem Street Church. Interest was apparent, and 
 prominent pastors of the city urged the continuance 
 of the meetings, and took pa# in them. Kev. Geo. 
 Dunham, who had supplied the pulpit in the pas- 
 tor's absence, wrote the following sketch for the 
 Con^re-xationalist : 
 
 "So] 
 
 tion and the Sabbath school, for months previous. And there 
 was considerable tenderness and disposition to prayer, also, in 
 Bome members of the church at the time. Such were prepared 
 to hail his coming as a harbinger of mercy, and to welcome him 
 as one sent from God laden with blessings. Such were ready to 
 co-operate with him in his contemplated labor. 
 
 " After a few of the first evenings, the people gathered in 
 such numbers, that it was found necessary to open the large au- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 217 
 
 dience room; and,from that time to the present, the lower floor 
 has been filled almost uninterruptedly, and in several instances 
 it has been packed fall — galleries, organ loft, and aisles. The 
 congregations have been uniformly still, solemn, and deeply in- 
 terested in the preaching of the word. The character of the 
 preaching and addresses has been the simplest, most plain, and 
 direct possible. The topics, only sach as arc often thou^-ht old 
 and threadbare ; the City of Refuge, the Prodigal Son, the love of 
 Christ for lost sinners, their danger of endless punishment, and 
 8uch as these. The manner of the preacher is generally subdued 
 and tender, sometimes full of melting pathos, and sometimes 
 rising to a good degree of eloquent majesty. 
 
 "It seems very evident that God is in the assemblies, doino- 
 His great work, convicting sinners, and delivering them from 
 bondage and death. A meeting for prayer is held at 7 o'clock, 
 in the lecture room, for half an hour, which is often full, and 
 always solemn. Latterly, a meeting of young converts is held 
 at the same hour, in another room, when as many as fifty or 
 sixty assemble to exhort, pray and sing, with some old Christian 
 counsellors to assist them. At half-past seven the preaching 
 services commence, and nearly an hour and a half is occupied in ' 
 this l)y i\Ir. Hammond, occasionally assisted by other clerg}''- 
 men. The audiences have been profoundly still, and often deep- 
 ly affected. 
 
 " The great and peculiar feature of the movement is found in 
 
 the inquiry meetings that follow the preaching. At the close 
 
 of this service, all Christians that are willing to converse and 
 
 pray with anxious shmers, or to unite in praying for them, are 
 
 invited to repair to the lecture room, and take with them as 
 
 many, who are willing to be conversed with personally, as they 
 can persuade to go. 
 
 " The meeting is opened with singing, and some short address- 
 es and prayers. At this point it ia always instinct with inter- 
 est and solemnity. It aftei^rds becomes informal and social, 
 the brethren and sisters speaking a few words of inquiry, 
 
218 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 counsel, or encouragement to each other, and searching out 
 Buch as are yet strangers to the peace of God, conversing with 
 them, striving to deepen their feelicg, and point them to the 
 Saviour ; they kneel together in little groups about the room, 
 and in adjoining rooms, and pray individually with such as are 
 willing to be prayed with. These personal and close dealings 
 often culminate at once in hopeful conversion. Many souls 
 have been led at once directly to Christ, and have obtained a 
 sweet relief. Sometimes eight or ten groups will be conversing 
 and praying together at the same time, in low and earnest 
 tones ; and, instead of the confusion that might be apprehended, 
 the efiect is not unlike the order of a Sabbath school recitation. 
 I believe no night has passed now for a considerable time, when 
 some have not been reported as having consecrated themselves to 
 Christ, and obtained evidence of forgiveness. The number hope- 
 fully converted are probably as many as one hundred, and there 
 are still many thoughtful. 
 
 " Christians from many miles around have come in, to min- 
 gle with the rising tide of religious influence and feeling, and 
 have found it good to be there. The work seems still to be 
 increasing in depth and power, and there is strong hope of still 
 greater di8pla3^s of divine goodness and saving grace." 
 
 It was hoped and believed, at one time, that the 
 work, so similar to that in Glasgow in its commence- 
 ment, would, as there, sweep over the city, bring- 
 ing thousands within its embrace. 
 
 Might not the fact, of the hopeful conversion of 
 more than one hundred souls, have been used to 
 move the hearts of the Christians of Boston, to more 
 wrestling prayer for a mighty outpouring of the 
 Holy Spirit, and earnest plmding for the salvation 
 of the perishing ? 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 219 
 
 Whatever may have been unusual in any of the 
 methods employed to reach the people ; and even 
 if, as some may affirm, mistakes were made through 
 human infirmity, lessons we are ever learning ; — that 
 it was the work of the Spirit, and infinitely better 
 than the uniformity of spiritual dearth and death, 
 no observant, living Cliristian will doubt. God 
 greatly blessed the souls of men, and vindicated the 
 power of his simple gospel, and faithful endeavors to 
 save. 
 
 Of an open air meeting on the Common, the Bos- 
 ton Journal contained this notice : 
 
 " Rev. Dr. Kirk condacted the services, and, after a few re- 
 marks, stating the meeting to be one in which all denominations 
 could unite in seeking religion, he opened with prayer, and in- 
 troduced Rev. E. P. Hammond, who followed with an impress- 
 ive discourse for nearly an hour ; and, with simple statements 
 of the ¥ast amount of evil daily practised by us, impressed his- 
 hearers with the truth of their sinful state, and invited them 
 all to seek the forgiveness and grace of God." 
 
 For a farther history of the revival, we have a 
 sketch, from the pen of a reporter of the Traveller, of 
 a meeting held Oct. 5th ; 
 
 " Rev. Dr. Kirk, who was present, then rose and addressed 
 the large company before him. Every eye was fixed upon the 
 speaker,and the deepest solemnity pervaded the entire audience. 
 Ho commenced by saying, ' V7hat a sight ! What are you all 
 here for? What do you vrant? ' After a few words upon the 
 immense importance of the occasion, he asked those present who 
 hoped they had recently found the Saviour to rise. A large 
 
220 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 number stood, including whole seats of young men and some 
 young children. lie then prayed for them, and aftei wards ad- 
 dressed those present who were seeking the Saviour in his usual 
 impressive and earnest manner. 
 
 " Rev. Mr. Hammond then requested Christians either to as- 
 sist him in conversing with inquirers or to repair to an adjoin- 
 ing room for prayer. An interesting scene then followed. The 
 whole company were at once engaged in praying, talking, and 
 praising God. In one corner were four or five ladies kneeling 
 and praying around an anxious soul. In another was a group 
 of little children, who were addressed by an elderly man and 
 exhorted to give their hearts to Christ. 
 
 " In anothe]j|Dlace, was a young man rejoicing, who a few 
 days ago was a Catholic. He was busily engaged in conversing 
 with a Catholic woman. Rev. Mr. Hammond soon came along 
 and conversed with her. She said she would like to give her 
 heart to the Saviour, if she could do so without renouncing her 
 faith. Said he, * Don't you Avorry about that. Isn't it your 
 duty to submit to Jesus ? ' Yes,' said she. ' Then do it.' The 
 three then kneeled down. Mr. Hammond prayed and she pray- 
 ed that Jesus might forgive her sins. We left them in that 
 situation. 
 
 " A few feet distant from the last group, was a young lady of 
 remarkable intelligence stating to those around her how, a few 
 nights since, she had given her heart to the Saviour. She said 
 she dared Mr. Hammond to affect her. She did n't believe in 
 the Holy Spirit. Something which was said, however, touched 
 her, and she felt deepl3^ She prayed to God if there was any 
 Holy Spirit to show it to her; and that night, with her sense of 
 sinfulness weighing her down, she gave her heart to Christ. 
 We have never seen a happier person. 
 
 *' Close by, was a woman of fifty years of age, who, with 
 tears of joy running down her cheeks, was relating to others an 
 account of the great change which had taken place in her feel- 
 ings. In another place was a group singing, and adjoining this 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 221 
 
 were a half dozen praying for a weeping sinner. All through 
 the three rooms were little companies similarly situated, and 
 ^he whole scene was one which can never be forgotten by those 
 who witnessed it. Mr. Hammond was all over the rooms con- 
 versing a few minutes with all. His custom was to make the 
 anxious soul kneel and pray with a numl:)er of others, and in 
 this way consecrate himself to God. 
 
 " The work seems to be going on with unusual power. Rev. 
 Mr. Field, the pastor, who has just returned from his vacation, 
 enters into the work heartily, and unites, with all his soul, in 
 the efforts making to lead the impenitent to the Cross." 
 
 In looking over correspondence, we read a letter 
 to the mother of the Evangelist, from which we 
 take a passage of experience, which will touch the 
 Christian heart : 
 
 "lam seeking to get low before a holy sin-hating God, so 
 that He may use me for his glory — in leading sinners to Him. 
 I must lie in the dust, or nothing will be done by me. He will 
 set mo aside. I have not much power given me yet. It must- 
 be, because I am not in a right state to receive it. Lord ! 
 prepare me to be filled with the Holy Spirit ! This is my con- 
 stant prayer." 
 
 Yio give extracts from letters written by young 
 converts, to afford a further glimpse of the awaken- 
 ing, and illustrate the usefulness of the inquiry 
 meetings in producing conviction, while the already 
 anxious are led to Christ ; and also to record tlie 
 fact, that all classes are included in the number of 
 those savingly brought under the influence • of the 
 means of grace, from Romanists and seamen, to 
 Protentant children of the church : 
 
222 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " Hundreds of happy hearts here, in Boston, and in all its 
 Bchools, will ever haA^e occasion to bless the jjind Providence 
 •which directed your steps to America and your words to our!# 
 hearts. I am not going to weary you with my own experience, 
 happy though it has been, but simply glance over a few in- 
 teresting cases which you may wish to remember. One which 
 occurs to my mind is very near and dear to me. 'T is that of a 
 young French lady. Doubtless you wall remember her as be- 
 ing, with us, a constant attendant on the meetings, where she 
 took an active part in leading sinners to the Saviour. Her 
 father is a Roman Catholic, but she was brought up in the 
 Universalist belief. Ever ready for novelty, and, perhaps, an- 
 ticipating some amusement, we went, together with sister 
 Lettie, to one of your Sabbath evening prayer meetings. Your 
 solemn words of warning, coupled with the relation of an 
 anecdote ' The Sinking Ship,' induced us to stay to the in- 
 quiry meeting. You came and asked each of us, ' Ho you love 
 Jesus ? ' The abruptness of your manner arrested our atten- 
 tion. The solemnity of the question, and its direct application 
 to ourselves, served to awaken sleeping conscience, and deep 
 conviction was the result. The lady before mentioned was 
 very deeply anxious, and felt that she was a lost sinner, unless 
 she believed in Jesus. Prayer was new to her; and, when ask- 
 ed to pray,it was affecting to hear her simple heartfelt words, 
 in broken English, asking for a new heart. She found her 
 Saviour that very-evening, and immediately set forth in the ser- ' 
 vice of her Master, in which she has been engaged ever since. 
 The evenings previously devoted to the ball-room, the theatre, 
 or some other alluring pleasure of the world, are now .spent in 
 some gathering of God's people, or some way equally acceptable 
 to them. Perhaps you will call to remembrance, too, a young 
 gentleman, whom you conversed with one evening, after the 
 exercises. Ho had been in earlier days a Protestant, but dur- 
 ing his stay at a college in New York, where he graduated with 
 the highest honors, he formed the acquaintance of a company 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIKIT. 223 
 
 of young men, who persuaded him to become a Catholic. He 
 did 60, and for many years adhered to his new belief. . He was 
 the means of turning his brother, also a Protestant, into his 
 error. Ho went so far as to study for the priesthood- He came 
 to Boston, and, by some providence, attended your meetings. 
 Very soon, as you knOAV, his voice was heard in the large 
 congregation, telling how God, through your instrumentality, 
 ' had brought him out of the horrible ptt, out of the miry clay.'* 
 How he had ' fut a new song in his month, even praise unto 
 our God.'' A short time he was allowed to serve his loving 
 Master ere he was called to receive his reward. 
 
 " Returning from one of the evening meetings, he was over- 
 taken by a heavy rain storm, and on the day follov\dng was 
 taken sick. Typhoid fever soon set in, and in a short time 
 his happy spirit had fled — fled to join that of his mother, 
 who had died broken-hearted, to think that her eldest boy 
 ^ad forsaken the religion of his childhood. Before he was 
 called away, he was the means, under God, of lifting the 
 veil from the spiritual eyes of a young lady friend of mine, 
 once a firm, bigoted Catholic, but whose eyes, now opened, 
 can never be closed. He was buried under Protestant rites, 
 the minister, who attended his mother's funeral, performing 
 the same office for her repentant child. His name was James 
 Henry Bridge. 
 
 *' One more case, which I think will interest you, and I 
 will trespass no longer on time so precious as yours. One 
 Wednesday evening, you may have noticed a party of sailors, 
 who came into the meeting, partly intoxicated. One of 
 them, a young man, was conversed with by you, and al- 
 though no impression seemed to be made on him, you prayed 
 earnestly for him. The evening following, he came again, im- 
 pelled by an invisible power. At the close of the meeting, his 
 hardened, sinful heart seemed to be touched, and as a first step 
 towards, reformation he signed a pledge, in company with 
 Deacon Chipman, a duplicate of which he carried to sea with 
 
224 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 him the next day. Some time afterwards,"he returned, and imme- 
 diately found his way to Salem Church. He could hardly find 
 words to express his thanks to the members and you, in parti- 
 cular, for your kind interest in his welfare, and for your 
 words of counsel. lie brought six of his shipmates with him, 
 all Catholics. A prayer meeting is now established among 
 that Catholic crew, and one of those ten dollar libraries is in 
 circulation. 
 
 " I would I had space to tell you of some of the other 
 blessed results of your labors here, but I have not. Num- 
 bers are joining the church ; eighteen had at one time joined 
 ours, and sixteen at another. Next Sabbath, it will be my 
 
 privilege to do so, together with "E , and two or three 
 
 other young ladies, all recent converts. 
 
 "We often sing those hymns 'We're travelling home to 
 heaven,' and ' Jasfc as I am,' and never without a thrill of 
 grateful emotion, and sweet thoughts of those happy Autumi^ 
 days— the beginning of anew life to many souls. 
 Yours in Jesus. 
 
 A lamb of the great Shepherd's flock, in the 
 Sabbath School, thus expresses her reason for the 
 hope she found m Hhn; 
 
 " I am a little girl, only eleven years old, and I have felt for 
 a long time that I have a very wicked heart. Sometimes I 
 would try to be good, and love Jesus ; but my heart is so wick- 
 ed, I thought I would wait a little longer till I was a few years 
 older, and then I would give my heart to Jesus. But, when I 
 went into the inquiry mo ting, and you came to me and talked 
 BO kindly — talked to me ab:)ut Jesus, and prayed with me — I 
 felt very unhappy, and that I av.is a great sinner. I wept and 
 prayed for some days ; then Jesus came and wiped my tears 
 away, and I am very happy now. I can trust Jesus at all 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT, 225 
 
 times, for He is my friend. Blessed Jesus ! that washed my 
 Bins away ! I used to say my prayers, but now I can pray from 
 my heart, and it makes me so happy to put my trust in Jesus. 
 I love Christians ; love to hear them talk about Jesus ; and I 
 love sinners too. I want them all to come and give their hearts 
 to Jesus. Pray for a little girl, that she may always trust in 
 Jesus. 
 
 « Boston, October 16, 1861." 
 
 The Eecorder published this additional letter from 
 a boy of thirteen years, read, with the above, in the 
 Old South Prayer Meeting : 
 
 " I rejoice that I have found peace in Jesus. I have been 
 born af^ain. I am three days old when I write this letter. I 
 will tell you how 1 came to the Lord. The first time I came to 
 hear you was the second Sunday you were here, and I then felt 
 that I was a sinner. I came the next Sunday, and as I was 
 passing out a man took me by the hand, and asked me to come- 
 to the inq-iiring meeting. I told him, I could not, and went 
 away. But,as I went to bed, I could not have any peace, and I 
 resolved the next night to go into the inquiring meeting. 1 
 ■went and eat side of a man who conversed with me about my 
 Boul. After awhile two of my playmates came where I was, 
 and told me that they wanted to speak to mc in private. They 
 took me into a side room by the desk. Thoy prayed for me and 
 talked with me, and then tuld me to pray, and down on my 
 hnees I (jave my heart to Christ. I said Lord be mercilul to me 
 a sinner. Take me 'just as I am.' Since that evening I have 
 felt peace in believing. I can read my Bible so that I can un- 
 derstand it, what I could never do before. I have talked with 
 my plavmates, but they laugh at me and call mc all manner of 
 hard names, but I shall never give up praying for them. I will 
 pray for them till I see them giving their hearts to Cnrist." 
 
226 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 From Boston Mr. Hammond went to Portland, 
 Maine. Rev. Mr. Moore, of the Union Church, where 
 meetings were held for a week, summing up results 
 in the Christian Mirror, gives the following state- 
 ment at the close of that period : 
 
 " First, Increased attendance every night upon the preaching 
 of the word, until the house was entirely filled, — with seats 
 furnished in the aisles for the accommodation of the listeners. 
 
 *' Second, Tlie opening of an afternoon prayer meeting, 
 which, on the last afternoon of the week, filled the large vestry 
 with worshippers. 
 
 " Third, The holding of an inquiry meeting in the vestry, at 
 the close of the preaching meeting, which nightly increased in 
 the number of inquirers, until the closing service of the week, 
 when the vestry was filled with Christians and anxious per- 
 sons. 
 
 " Fourth, The conversion of a number of precious souls, who 
 are now rejoicing in the love of the Saviour, some of whom 
 have publicly testified to the saving power of the Cross — rising 
 in the inquiry meeting to speak of the love of Christ. Chris- 
 tians who have conversed nightly with the penitent believe that 
 " ficorc at least have found the peace of pardoning love. 
 
 '" An unusual solemnity has pervaded the meetings, and es- 
 ^,t>cially has this been the case in the inquiry meetings. There 
 Christians were to be seen in different parts of the vestry, con- 
 versing with sinners and anxious persons, or on their knees 
 praying with them, and with tears pointing them to the Saviour, 
 A versa of a hymn was occasionally sung ; now and then a 
 word of warning and of encouragement, and occasionally a 
 short prayer was offered for some special case of inquiry, or for 
 the presence of the Divine Spirit. 
 
 «' Christiun men were there with their unconverted wives ; 
 Christian wives sat, with tears and prayers, beside their uncon- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 227 
 
 verted husbands; parents were praying with their children, 
 and children were pleading with Christians to speak and pj-ay 
 with their parents. The utmost solemnity prevailed. Chris- 
 tians were in earnest ; the penitent were laying hold of the 
 Saviour by faith ; and the ungodly Avcre awed into solemnity, 
 and melted sometimes to tears, and though they came to the 
 meeting unconcerned, were led, before the meeting closed, to 
 ask what they should do to be saved. 
 
 " Some dear children of the Sabbath school were weeping for 
 their sins, and asking about the Saviour. God's spirit had 
 troubled their hearts, and they were awakened to feel their need 
 of Christ. 
 
 " We feel that no true, sound Christian could have gone into 
 and labored in the inquiry meetings, without feeling that the 
 Spirit of God was present with great power. 
 
 " For myself, I feel greatly strengthened by the manifesta- 
 tions of the Spirit's presence during the week past ; and with 
 all my heart, I thank God for the providence which has brought 
 the Evangelist to our city. JMay his labors be still more abun- 
 dantly blest in the other part of the city, until throughout our 
 city the work of God may revive, and sinners, by hundreds, be 
 brought to see their need of the Saviour. Especially may his 
 labors be blest in the oldPayson church, where of old, God used 
 BO marvellously, to pour out his Spirit. 
 
 " I am permitted to make the following extract from a pri- 
 vate letter written hy the Rev. Henry Hopkins, son of Presi- 
 dent Hopkins,, of Williams College, from the hospital at Alex- 
 andria. 
 
 " ' I believe that the slow work of expectation and instruc- 
 tion is the pastor's great work ; bat sometimes after the hus- 
 bandman lias toiled and sowed, and the long summer days, full 
 of God's sunshine and gentle rains, have done their work, the 
 gleaming fields of ripening grain would perish if left to be 
 gat.'iered by liim alone ; and he must call some one with a sharp 
 sickle and a tireless arm, to help him bring them in and shout 
 the harvest home. And happy is he if he find such a reaper.' '* 
 
228 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 We take further extracts from a letter addressed 
 to a well-known pastor, in accordance with his re- 
 quest, which appeared in the Congregationalist : 
 
 " Portland, Dec. 11, 1861. 
 
 " Eev. Dr. Kirk — My Dear Brother : — You have asked me 
 to recall and state the circumstances, that preceded and intro- 
 duced the remarkable work of grace now advancing in our city. 
 However sudden this work may appear to outsiders and 'Super- 
 ficial observers, it certainly has not come suddenly nor alto- 
 gether unexpectedly on the pastor, or on the prayerful and 
 practically devoted members of the church with which he is 
 identified. The desirableness of a genuine revival of religion 
 has long been the subject of social conversation ^the brief ad- 
 dresses of the conference room have often turned on the mo- 
 mentous theme — and prayer, earnest, fervent and importunate, 
 for a plenteous cfFiision of the Holy Spirit has been a prominent 
 feature of our social devotions. 
 
 " We shared with all our sister churches — during the spring 
 and summer months — the distracting and depressing influence 
 of the war ; and, at times, the idea was by some very freely ex- 
 pressed, that it was utterly vain to hope for a religious revival 
 whilst the war continued. Many of our young men, besides, 
 were either in the camp or in the field ; and few families were 
 free from the natural anxieties of parental and fraternal love. 
 Newspapers of all kinds were eagerly read and ransacked — 
 political lectures were attended l^y vast numbers — and the in- 
 fluence of Gospel truth was greatly counteracted by the in- 
 cessant eagerness for news, and the secular current of conversa- 
 tion even on the holy Sabbath. 
 
 " In September last, he exchanged, by request, with iMr. 
 Haskell, of East Boston, and had his attention called to the 
 work of revival then in progress in Salem Street Church. He 
 attended several of the meetings, spoke at two of them, and, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 229 
 
 on his return, reported to his people the facts that had come 
 under his own observation. An intelligent member of" Salem. 
 Street Church kept him informed of events connected with the 
 work as thej occurred, and these,duly reported by him, fanned 
 the desire of a similar work amongst ourselves. 
 
 " Soon after the pastor's return from Boston, he learned that 
 Mr. E. P. Hammond had been invited by a young clergyman of 
 this city to spend a week with his congregation. The invita- 
 tion was accepted. Mr. Hammond spoke each evening through- 
 out the week, and, by the blessing of God upon his labors, 
 much good, it is confidently believed, was done. The pastor of 
 the Second Church attended some of the meetings, encouraged 
 his people also to attend, and eventually suggested an invitation 
 to Mr. Hammond to labor in the Second Parish. 
 
 " There has, since, been Divine service in our church for 
 thirty-dfee successive evenings — the interest still continuing 
 unabated — and great numbers having expressed the hope that 
 they have passed from death unto life. In all but six of these 
 meetings the pastor has taken an active part. He was greatly 
 assisted and encouraged by a visit of several days, including a 
 Sabbath, from yourself, whose ministrations were so much 
 blessed as to induce a unanimous request from the brethren of 
 the church for a 'second benefit.' Several other ministerial 
 brethren have kindly aided occasionally in the public services. 
 With the exception of ten days' absence, Mr. E. P. Hammond 
 has been indefatigable in his labors. To his honor be it spoken, 
 he has, in no instance, attempted to invade the prerogatives of 
 the pastor — has readily adopted every practical suggestion as 
 to methods of procedure — and has proved himself, in all 
 respects, a workman that necdeth not to be ashamed. The seal 
 of Divine approval has been most unequivocally affixed to his 
 unwearied labors. Many of our Sabbath School pupils, es- 
 ]»ecially of the adult classes — already well instructed in Di- 
 vine truth, have sprang at once into vigorous vitality. Young 
 
230 THE HARTEST TVORK 
 
 heads of families, having given themselves to the Lord — have 
 reared their domestic altars, and resolved, in the strength of 
 I/iviuc grace, never to GUiier the fire to go out. A pistor's 
 Bible-class — designed especially for young converts, — is now 
 organized and in healthful operation. The members of the 
 church are generally quickened and revived, and very many of 
 them taken an active part in the inquiry meeting, v^hich ia 
 held at the close of every evening service. A daily prayer- 
 meeting has been held at 3 P. M. since the commencement of 
 this work. 
 
 " I must, as yet, say nothing as to numbers, though, after 
 the most careful and cautious scrutiny, there will, doubtless, be 
 a large accession to the church. Meanwhile, the work of con- 
 version is going on, and the influence of the movement is be- 
 ginning to be felt by other congregations in the city and 
 vicinity. ^ 
 
 " Pray for us, dear Brother, that the Word of the Lord may 
 have free course and be glorified. 
 
 " Many sheets might be filled with accounts of specific cases, 
 but these, for the present, I reserve. 
 
 Yours most fraternally, 
 
 J. J. Carruthers." 
 
 John Meal, Esq., Yv^Iiose name is familiar to tliQ 
 literary v/orlcl, wrote tlius for the Portland Tran- 
 script : 
 
 THE RELIGIOUS AWAKENING HERE. 
 
 '■^ /Qui S'excuse S'accuse.-^ 
 
 •' No large moral movement ever happens without the clearly 
 Been co-operation of man. What we call agency or instrumen- 
 tality is God's way of working xhrough man upon man. Let 
 us not be astonished, therefore, when God, who is no respecter 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 231 
 
 of persons, appears to be working with instruments which we, 
 in our wisdom, should never have thought of, perhaps, nor ever 
 have supposed fitted for the work — httle children, or unedu- 
 cated men and women, for example. 
 
 " Of one thing we may be certain ; that what God has to do 
 with man, he will do in his own way ; and we may be equally 
 sure that what man has to do with God, must be done, always, 
 in God's way, whatever man may think, or believe, or hope; 
 and that God will never change his declared plan for our ac- 
 commodation, whether reasonable or unreasonable in our judg- 
 ment. 
 
 " There are many about us, who are always willing enough 
 and ready enough to go to heaven — but they insist on going 
 in their own way. They would like to be safe, here and here- 
 after ; but they have a plan of their own, which however rea- 
 sonable and proper, they will never find to be God's plan. 
 
 "If they pray, their prayers are conditional. They insist 
 upon understanding the why and the wherefore of His pur- 
 poses. They require to be satisfied upon every point, before 
 they will consent to be saved. What should we think of a man 
 swimming for his life, who should insist upon a clear explana- 
 tion of the "VYcstminister catechism, or the mysteries of free 
 agency, before he would consent to grasp the outstretched hand 
 of a fellow man, safe ashore, standing perhaps on the rock of 
 ages ? 
 
 " There is a story told of an English sailor, who having 
 tumbled overboard, in the Bay of Biscay, got astride of a hen- 
 coop, which had been thrown him, and floated off into the 
 darkness. At midnight a large ship came by and a voice hailed 
 him in Frencli. Not understanding such lingo, he refused to 
 go aboard, and stuck to his hen-coop. What became of him 
 nobody knows. Yet this poor sailor did only just what thou- 
 sands about us are now doing. They will not consent to go 
 into the Ark, but upon tlieir own terms ; forgetting that God 
 
232 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 himself being unchangeable, and having once published his 
 conditions to the Universe, cannot save us, but with our own 
 consent and co-operation. 
 
 " Mr. Hammond, of whoso labors and wonderful success in 
 Scotland, we have been hearing so much — for the last year, is 
 now in our very midst. And, if we may judge by what we 
 have heard and seen for ourselves, here, God is with him. Let 
 those who doubt, while refusing to see for themselves, and let 
 all who insist upon the Holy Spirit working in a pattern, al" 
 ways in one way, which is always their own way, bear in mind 
 that God never deals with any two of his creatures in precisely 
 the same way, for any purpose. He seems to reverence their 
 individuality, and leaves them to act here as they are to be 
 tried hereafter, separately. Let all such gainsayers, whether in 
 the church or out, therefore, go and see for themselves, and pre- 
 pare to answer for themselves, if they stand in the way, or try* 
 to discourage others, or even refuse to co-operate with all their 
 strength, humbly, though heartily." 
 
 Mr. Neal narrates a touchlno; case of conversion 
 in another communication, which, on account of its 
 suggestive interest, we give entire: 
 
 " After seeing and hearing for myself, I have become satis- 
 fied that the late awakening here is worthy of devout attention. 
 I have been present at some of the inquiry meetings, and have 
 talked face to face with weeping adults and joyful children, 
 end, for one, am satisfied,?is I have said before. Take one of many 
 cases that have come to my knowledge, and say what our duty 
 is. Are we to stand aloof or aloft, because God hath a way of 
 His own? or because man may seem to be unreasonably 
 earnest? j. n. 
 
 " At the close of the service last evening, I noticed a young 
 lady just before me, who seemed undecided about remaining to 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 233 
 
 the inquiry meeting. Once or twice she rose to go, but finally 
 sat down. When you asked those who felt that they loved 
 Jesus to rise and sing a hymn, she kept her seat. After the 
 hymn I leaned forward and asked her, if she could not say she 
 ^oved Jesus. She burst into tears. I then asked her, if she did 
 not wish to become a Christian. ' Yes,' she said, ' but /shall 
 never be a Christian. I begged her not to say so, and tried to 
 lead her to the Saviour, by telling her how ready he was to re- 
 ceive her, that he was^ore than willino;, that he was waitinoj 
 with outstretched arms to take her. But she said, ' No, Christ 
 would never take her, she had rejected him for three years. 
 She had once had serious impressions, but had stifled them. 
 During the kst revival she had been somewhat concerned for 
 her sours salvation, but had danced all night afterwards, and 
 since then had never felt any further anxiety about it. For 
 three years she had been treading Christ under foot, and in all 
 ■ that time had never offered a single prayer, even of words, to 
 say nothing of the heart. You came and talked and prayed 
 with her, but still her answer was, ' I can never be a Christian. 
 Jesus will never take me.' You asked her if she thought she 
 was a greater sinner than Paul. She said * Yes, for Paul 
 Ihoufjht he was doing God service, but she knew she was not.' 
 She had ridiculed religion and these meetings, and came only 
 to make sport of them. You prayed with her again and left 
 her with those who tried to persuade her to give her heart to 
 Jesus then ; but she could not believe, and went home sorrow- 
 ing still.' 
 
 " The next day she was invited to go to the afternoon prayer 
 meeting. She went, and her countenance still indicated her 
 deep distress. She said she had passed a sleepless night, but 
 could obtain no relief When you spoke with her after meet- 
 ing, she begged you, if you ever knew any one anxious for the 
 first time, to entreat them, from her, not to delay, but to como 
 to Jesus then. She thought Jesus would have taken her at 
 
234 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 first, hut now, it was too late. She had said, that only weak- 
 minded, nervous people were affected by this revival ; now God 
 was showing her her condition, but would not save her. She 
 still insists that she can never be saved : that she is willing to 
 give up everything, but can never be a Christian. 
 
 " God grant that she may find that it is her own heart that 
 is keeping her from her Saviour, and that she may yet find 
 peace in believing." 
 
 "Sequel. — The sequel to the case o^ the young lady who 
 felt that Christ Avouid never receive her is most interesting. She 
 remained in that state of mind for two or three days and nights, 
 unable to sleep or feel any peace till one night she remembered 
 this verse, — ' If we confess our "sins, he is faithfulUand just to 
 forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' 
 Light broke in upon her. Yes, she said, I will trust Him. 1 
 will believe. I have confessed m}?- sins, and — 'He is faithful 
 and just to forgive us our eins,' Oh ! I will believe Him. I 
 will take Him at His word. She had begun to trust Him, and 
 8hc was very happy in doing so ; and, although she feels that 
 she does not love Him as she ought, and sometimes doubts 
 whether Christ has really received her, yet she feels that Jesus 
 is her only refuge, and she is determined to try and serve Him, 
 hoping that she may eventually find that peace and joy which 
 makes the Christian's life a heaven begun below." 
 
 He adds another toucliing case. 
 
 *' A father and mother had long been praying for the conver- 
 sion of their son, a young man of some nineteen years. When 
 the revival began in the old Payson Church, an unusual spirit of 
 prayer was given them. Their wrestling seemed now to have 
 reference to the glory of God, They saw their boy was re- 
 belling against the government of a just God. Though willing 
 to attend any of the meetings, he fled from those who would 
 epeak to him of Jesus. But prayer was not lost. The Holy 
 Spirit was at work. The spoken word reached his heart. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 235 
 
 *' Sabbatli evening, Nov. 24, 18G1, hundreds were unable to 
 find standing room. At the close of the first meeting, as some 
 retired, a few of those about the door "svere able to pass in to 
 the inqairy meeting. Among the number wa^the son of these 
 praying parents.- He met Mr. II. at the door, and, instead of 
 shunning him as before, he seized his hand, and exclaimed, ' I 
 have found Jesus.' ' Hoav do you know? ' Oh, I Imow I have. 
 1 know l\o\Q him. I have just given myself to him." In two 
 mhintes more he was standing up in the centre of the house and 
 telling of the wondrous change. 
 
 " \7hen he had finished, his father, an oface bearer in the 
 church, attempted to thank God, bat hJs tears came faster than 
 his words. lie seemed to forget that every eye of that great au- 
 dience was resting upon him,a3 he pressed his way to the embrace 
 of his son, and throwing his arms around his neck, he kissed 
 him. It was a thrilling scene which brought tears to the eyes 
 of many." 
 
 An editor, who referred his decided religions im- 
 pressions to the scene, wrote a sketch illustra.ting 
 Mr. H's influence over children, which, as a pleasing 
 link in events of the awakening, w^e subjoin : 
 
 " About seven o'clock, on a clear still evening, we lieard the 
 voices of children in ewcet and silvery tones, apparently led by 
 a strong masculine voice. We listened for a moment in surprise 
 and wonder, and then made our way in the direction from 
 whence the sound proceeded, and in front of the Custom House, 
 found the fervid preacher engaged in solemn exhortation to sin- 
 ners, the singing having ceased. The scene Avas an unusual one 
 for the scaid and quiet city of Portland, and wc were in doubt 
 for a few moments as to how so unusual an occurrence would be 
 received. In a short time, a large number had gathered to hear 
 the powerful and eloquent appeal of the man of God. We were 
 
2o6 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 apprehensive of scoffing and jeers from the ' roughs,' who will 
 always be found on sach an occasion ; but not a word or a lisp 
 did we hear to break the solemnities of the hour. Every one 
 was deeply, seriously interested ; and we doubt not, that some 
 who were present were made fully and sensibly aware of their 
 sinful condition, during the few minutes exhortation of the 
 earnest and sincere man who addressed thetn. Mr. Hammond 
 was to preach that evening in the Second Parish Church, and 
 his design was to induce all who could to go. After his entreaty 
 was ended, he broke forth into the well known hymn — 
 
 * Worthy the Laiab, &c.' 
 in which he was joined by the children with which he was sur- 
 rounded, and m'oved forward to the church, the wliole singing 
 joyfully, and making melody that we have rarely heard sur- 
 passed. The scene v/as novel and startling, and the earnest ap- 
 peal was responded to with great unanimity ; hardly a man who 
 had witnessed the occurrence failed to accept the invitation of 
 the preacher, and follow him to the church to listen further." 
 
 "Would the proposed limits of this volume permit, 
 we should extend the pages of experience as record- 
 ed by converted persons, in which the work of 
 the Spirit is clearly seen, convincing of sin, and re- 
 vealing its glorious remedy, — the blood of atone- 
 ment. A recent visit and conversation with the 
 able and excellent Pastor of the Second Parish con- 
 firms the estimate; formed at the time of the " gra- 
 cious rain ; " — watering the garden of the Lord, and 
 spreading bloom and frultfulness over it, to the abid- 
 ing joy of His people, and the glory of the reigning 
 Immanuel. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A week in Bethel — An unusual scene — Gor^|Q2, among the White 
 Mountains — A new Church — Bath — Statement of Rev. J. 0. Fiske 
 — South Paris — Farmington. 
 
 At Bethel, a romantic town twenty miles from the 
 base of the White Mountains, and a place of consid- 
 erable resort in the summer ; — in the autumn of 1831, 
 an increased spirit of prayer for a refreshing had 
 been felt by a few. Christians, and soi:ls were con- 
 verted. Having visited the scene of a revival, the 
 pastor returned more deeply moved in behalf of his 
 own people, and called a companj^ of Christians 
 together to meet Mr. Hammond. The resolve was 
 unanimous to enter the harvest field, securing the 
 help of the Evangelist. A meeting was held of 
 great power ; the people were on their faces before 
 God. 
 
 The pastor wrote, early in January, after the 
 daily meetings had been in progress nearly a week, 
 to the Christian Mirror : 
 
 " God is pouring out Ilia Spirit upon ub in Bethel. Mnny 
 hope that they have been ' born again.' Many arc asking 
 what they shall do to be saved. Our meetings arc solemn, 
 well attended, well sustained by the prayers and efforts of God's 
 
238 THE HARVEST WORK. 
 
 people, "We find Mr. II, a devoted servant of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, a man of prayer that prevails with God, &c. He will 
 remain with us but a few days longer, but the prayers of many 
 will follow him when he goes from us, that he may be still 
 more successful in leading souls to our ever blessed Redeemer. 
 Happy is the pastor who can secure the labors of this humble 
 servant of the Lord Jesus." 
 
 In the same pf^er, we have these additional and 
 interestias: communications : 
 
 " Bethel, Jan. 10, 1862. 
 
 . . . . " Our meetings have been, and still are, deeply 
 interesting. People come from miles around to hear Mr. Ham- 
 mond, and many are now rejoicing in Christ, who before were 
 indifferent, or entirely thoughtless, or who made sport of relig- 
 ion, and first attended the meetings for the purpose of making 
 sport. 
 
 " But they found themselves sporting on the brink of eternal 
 woe, and have fled to Christ for refuge. 
 
 " I will mention a few cases of conversion, hoping they will 
 interest you, as it has pleased God thus to work through Mr. 
 Hammond, whom we all love. 
 
 " Mr. C. long ago thought he was born again, but he was 
 either deceived, or a great wanderer. He had long been feeding 
 on husks, and would not return to his Father's house. He thus 
 related the manner in which he was brought ' home ' : 
 
 '''[attended the meeting first out of curiosity. For two or 
 three evenings I was not deeply impressed. I thought Mr. H. 
 a fanatic or insane. But one evening there came a change. He 
 requested that the hymn commencing — 
 
 * The hill of Zion yields 
 A thousand sacred sweets,' 
 
 should be sung. He said : ' Those who are Christians may rise 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 239 
 
 and sing. Those who are not Christians may remain on their 
 Beats. Now, if any of you whj are not Christians rise, you will 
 tell a Ift. If any of you who arc Christians remain on your 
 Beats, you will tell a lie.^ 
 
 " 'I was very angry. I thought he had no right to say who 
 should sing, and who should not. I took my hat and was going 
 out. I had no idea of being controlled by him. Then the 
 thought. ' God drew the Mne before he did,' entered ray heart 
 quickly, as though a dagger had pierced mc. I sat down, still 
 feeling very stubborn. 
 
 "' That night the Holy Spirit strove with me. 1 felt that I 
 was a great sinner. At the inquiry meeting Mr. Hammond 
 talked and prayed with me. The burden was very heavy, and 
 did not leave me till I resolved to (jive up all for Christ. Then 
 I was happy. 
 
 "'Iwent home one night, feeling it to be a duty to pray in 
 my family. I had never done so, and I shrank from it. But, 
 when I went in, the way was made easy. My little Clara Cten 
 years old,) brought me the Bible, and asked me to read. She 
 had been requested so to do by her mother, who was a Chris- 
 tian, and I could not refuse. I read and prayed, my wife 
 prayed, eldest daughter (fifteen years old,) and my young son 
 prayed, and little Clara repeated the Lord's prayer ! It was the 
 most solemn prayer meeting, and at the same time the happiest, 
 that ever I attended. I with my three children had found Jesus 
 within one week ! ' 
 
 " In this beautiful manner was the family altar set up in a 
 home where prayer was not wont to be made except by the 
 mother in secret. 
 
 *' Mr. R. says : ' I did not at first attend the meetings. L 
 thought I had been about the world a little too much, to be 
 humbugged by such a man as Mr. Hammond. But at last I 
 went to hear what he had to say. I sat directly in front of him, 
 that I might look up into hie face. I was very bold. I looked 
 
240 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 him steadily in the eye. I defisd him to move me. He made 
 one of hia thrilling appeals to sinners. I was not moved, but 
 I knew I was a sinner, and thought perhaps that I oug?ft to feel 
 it. So I prayed that I might feel it just a little. I did not 
 want to feel very bad. But I got more than I bargained for. 
 I not only felt that I was a sinner, but that I was a lost sinner. 
 I felt blaclt through and through. I was perfectly wretched 
 for two or three days. At last I found I could do nothing for 
 myself ; that I could not save myself. I felt that Christ must 
 do all for me ; that he was standing near to take me. So I 
 reached out my hand and said, ' Here Jesus, I am, vile and full 
 of sin. Take me, just as I am, do with me what thou wilt. 
 I am lost without thee. Take me and never leave nor forsake 
 me.' 
 
 " 'Jesus took hold of my hand, and has not let go. He has 
 led me ever since. 
 
 " 'I have left off doing anything of myself. He does all for 
 me. At first I was tempted, and for a moment let go his hand ; 
 and then the thought came again, 'lam nothing — I can do 
 nothing — He must do all ; and the hand of my spirit reached 
 out and took his hand, and I have been perfectly happy ever 
 since. 
 
 " 'Why, I never knew what those hymns meant before, never 
 knew what young converts meant when they told about the love 
 of God in their hearts. Now I know. I thought I was a 
 Christian before. But I never before knew what it was to be 
 born again, what it was to love God. I must have been de- 
 ceived.' 
 
 " Speaking of the young mens' prayer meeting, which was or- 
 ganized last Sabbath afternoon he says : 
 
 " ' We have had a beautiful meeting. At first we did not 
 know what to say or what to do. It was the first meeting of the 
 kind many of us had ever attended, and we felt that we could 
 not do anything. I suppose God made us feel so, and afterwards 
 
or THE HOLY SPIRIT. 241 
 
 be showed us what to do, and put words into our mouths, and 
 we had a glorious meeting. I suppose this will be the way all 
 along. God will first show us that we can do just nothing at 
 all, and then he will show us how to do in Christ's strength, 
 what he has for us to do.' 
 
 " Mr. R. 's faith is beautiful, so childlike. I think before, he 
 was very proud, perhaps self-righteous. He is completely 
 changed. He has become ' as a little child.' He is now labor- 
 ing earnestly, for the salvation of souls. 
 
 " Mr. B. says : ' I was requested to meet Mr. Hammond at 
 the depot, and conduct him to his boarding-place. I was angry. 
 I did not want him to come here. I did not want a revival. 
 But I could not avoid going fur him. Sunday evening, when he 
 made one of his earnest appeals to sinners, I was ready to thrust 
 him out of the house. But when Mr. Wheelwright, our pastor, 
 rose and confirmed all he said, I thought 1 should sink. Con- 
 victions came upon me thick and fist. I was miserable, and not 
 till I gave my heart to Jesus did I find peace. To-night I stand 
 here free ! This has been the happiest day of my life. And I 
 will say to my young friends, come to Jesus ! Come now — 
 just now ! You will never regret it. Come, come^ come ! ! ' 
 
 Mrs. thus found the Saviour : 
 
 " 'lattended meetings at first without receiving any particular 
 impressions ; but on Sunday evening I was a little more interest- 
 ed. My husband noticed my serious countenance, and determin- 
 ed in his heart to laugh me out of all serious impressions. But 
 I had experienced no particular change, and I told him so. But 
 in the night I awoke with a great burden upon me. I felt that 
 1 was a sinner, and I longed fur holiness. I wanted Christ. I 
 longed for the Sabbath morning to dawn as calmly as it did in 
 days of childhood. I longed for the holy Sabbath stillness which 
 seemed so sacred to me years ago. And I prayed that my sins 
 might be forgiven, and felt happier, and then fell asleep. 
 
 " When I awoke, morning had dawned ; and the stillness was 
 
242 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 holy. The sacredness did return. I roused my husband, and 
 asked him if it did not seem different to him. But he could 
 perceive no change. 1 went to the window. The sun was just 
 rising, A halo of glory seemed to surround all things. 
 
 ' ' * The beauty of the scene thrilled my soul through and 
 through. Everything seemed chaLged — so much more beauti- 
 ful than ever before. I was happy. My soul was at rest, and 
 in harmony with ail God's works. My husband looked at me. 
 I suppose he saw the change in my countenance, and said : 
 
 " ' Do you really believe? ' and by the grace of God I was 
 enabled to say — ' I do — I do ! ' Since then my husband and 
 his daughter have both found Jesus, and it seems as though we 
 had just began to live.' 
 
 " As she told this her face was radiant with happiness, and I 
 could not doubt that she haa found the ' pearl of great price.' 
 
 '' A number of young men who went to make sport were ar- 
 rested by the power of God's Spirit, and have come to Jesus, 
 and are completely changed. I wish I could have room to tell 
 you more ; but this is enough to show you how wonderfully 
 God has been working here. 
 
 " If we could only retain the influence of the Holy Spirit, in 
 the great measure in which it has been poured out upon us dur- 
 ing the last two weeks, this would be a ' Bethel ' indeed. Pray 
 for us that the work may go on. ' ' 
 
 The Independent, of New York, published the 
 following, from a physician, formerly of that city : 
 
 *' Hundreds remain for the inquiry meetings. Weeping is 
 often heard in diflferent parts of the Church, and large numbers, 
 who but a few nights ago were deeply convinced of sin , are now 
 rejoicing in the love of their first espousals. 
 
 <' Yesterday afternoon our people, of all denominations, were 
 Boen flocking to the Universalist Church to listen to a ' discusaipn 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 243 
 
 on the subject of regeneration,' but as the TJniversalist minister 
 affirmed his belief in the necessity of the new birth, there was 
 no dispute, but a most solemn and impressive meeting. Mr. 
 Hammond often repeated the words, ' ye must be born again,' 
 and during his address the tears in the eyes of not a few indicat- 
 ed, that the Holy Spirit was leading some to feel the desperate 
 wickedness of the heart. Much prayer had been oJHered for a 
 blessing upon the meeting, and the children of God felt it had 
 not been in vain." 
 
 Rev. Mr. Wheelriglit, who had a very deep ex- 
 perience of the law and Gospel of Christ, at one of 
 the meetings overpowered with a view of the sin- 
 ner's final doom, gave remarkable force to other 
 exhibitions of this awful reality, by the weeping 
 testimony with which he sustained the most startling 
 presentations of a scriptural message, from which 
 there is a liability to recoil, by both preacher and 
 hearer. With him anxious sinners found no refuge, 
 no quarter, as they sometimes do under Christian 
 influence. The church also, stood by the pastor. 
 
 From Bethel Mr. Hammond went to Gorham, a 
 village among the White Hills, — " peace reposing 
 in the bosom of strength " — where the Rev. Geo. 
 F. Tewksbury, was laboring without a sanctuary 
 and without a church. 
 
 Soon after Mr. T. wrote to the Mirror these hope- 
 ful words : 
 
 « Gorham, N. H., Jan. 11, 1862. 
 
 " The work of the Lord is evidently revived in Gorham, 
 N. H. a series of religious meetings have been held during the 
 
244 THE HARTEST WORK 
 
 past week, every afternoon and evening, with increasing interest 
 and encouragement. Bro. Hammond has been laboring with us 
 most faithfully and earnestly, and his labors have not been in 
 vain. As the result, many are awakened and some are re- 
 joicing in hope as new-born souls. The first cases of hope were 
 in the Sabbath school, where the interest commenced. Profess- 
 ing Christians also are quickened, and much encouraged to re- 
 newed prayer and effort, working together in a spirit of union 
 and harmony. The meetings are crowded every evening, and 
 the public mlad is generally stirred. And such is the spirit of 
 inquiry awakened, that many remain at the close of the meeting 
 to be conversed with on the interests of their souls. 
 
 " The prayers of your Christian readers are earnestly desired 
 in behalf of this place, where so many of the people have been, 
 and still are, under the poisonous influence of infidelity and 
 
 false teaching. 
 
 <* Yours truly, 
 
 " G. F. Tewksbury." 
 
 As the result of tlie merciful visitation of the 
 Spirit, a church has been formed, and a neat, pleas- 
 ant temple dedicated to the worship of Him, " who 
 touches the hills and they melt, who taketh up the 
 isles as a very little thing." 
 
 We select the narrative of a conversion very clear 
 and striking : — 
 
 " When you came to Gorham, last winter, I was unable to 
 attend the first meetings. This I regretted very much, for I 
 was very desirous to hear what the Scotch preacher had to say. 
 Not that I thought I might become interested about my own 
 Boul. Oh, no. I thought I was as good as my companions, 
 and those around me. I never thought what a wicked heart I 
 had. One evening I went to meeting with some of my friends. 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 245 
 
 When we entered they were singing, ' I'm glad salvation is 
 free.' I had heard it sung a great many times before, but 
 never thought it meant anything in particular ; but then I felt 
 that it meant a great deal. Salvation is free for you and me, 
 for everybody. So strange that I had never thought of it be- 
 fore. 
 
 " In your discourse you repeated Scripture ; one verse was, 
 * He that belicveth on Him is not condemned, but he that be- 
 lieveth not is condemned already.' 'He that is not with me is 
 against me.' I never meant to be against Jesus, but surely I 
 was not with Him. 
 
 ' ' I stayed to the inquiry meeting ; you and several other 
 Christians talked with me that night. I went home, and to 
 rest ; but there was no rest for me. I arose in the morning, de- 
 termined that there should no one know my feelings. I did not 
 want them to think I had any interest in the meetings. 1 re- 
 solved not to go again. But the next night I went again, in 
 hopes that I should hear something that would drive away these 
 feelings. At the inquiry meeting,you prayed that thorns might 
 be planted in my pillow. I thought there was no need of that, 
 for they were there already. 1 continued in this state four 
 days. Oh, what a proud, rebellious heart I had, when Jesus 
 was so kind, and willing to wash all my sins away. At last I 
 went to my room, resolved not to leave it until Jesus had for- 
 given my sins. I took my Bible and began to read. I soon be- 
 came calm ; I prayed as 1 never had before ; my sins were all 
 swept away. It was so sudden, I could not realize my senses, 
 but I was so happy. Oh, I do not wonder that you love to 
 speak of that dear Jesus who died to save us. I hope you will 
 remember me in your prayers." 
 
 The city of Bath, whose population had never the 
 reputation of being excitable, but staid in character, 
 and devoted to the business of a sea-port town, was 
 
246 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 stirred with scenes of unearthly interest, during the 
 months of January and February, 1862. The be- 
 ginning and phases of the remarkable religious in- 
 terest is recorded by the pen of the able and 
 judicious pastor of the Winter Street Church, Eev. 
 J. O. Fiske, in a communication to the Christian 
 Mirror : 
 
 " You ask for some brief account of the recent work of God's 
 grace in this city ; and we ought to be ready to declare with 
 gladness what God has done for our souls. I may say then, 
 that, last autumn, an increased seriousness was manifest in some 
 of the congregation, and a more earnest prayerfulness actuated 
 many in the church. In November, a day of fasting and prayer 
 was observed by our church, with reference to the state of re- 
 ligion among us. The public meeting that day, which con- 
 tinued for four hours, was largely attended, and will long re- 
 main as a memorable occasion of the special presence and 
 power of the Holy Ghost. The first week in the year, we as- 
 sembled with the Central Church daily, in a prayer-meeting for 
 the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The third week in January, 
 there was commenced in our church a series of evening meet- 
 ings, at which solemn, earnest, pointed addresses were made by 
 Edward Payson Hammond. These meetings were held unin- 
 terruptedly every evening for four weeks. In the afternoon a 
 prayer-meeting was also held at two o'clock every daj^, which 
 was continued, either in our church or in some of the other 
 churches or vestries of the city, for nearly four months. These 
 meetings were very largely attended, the house being usually, 
 during the latter part of the time, completely fall. Almost all 
 the evangelical ministers of the city attended these meetings, 
 and were exceedingly active and devoted in them. There was 
 no denominational jealousy, no friction, nor difficulty of any 
 
OF THE HOLY STIRIT. 247 
 
 kindjgrowiDg out of this union of all who love our Lord Jesus 
 Christ in sincerity. At all the evening meetings, and after 
 those in the afternoon to some small extent, there were meet- 
 ings for religious conversation and inquiry. In the evening 
 often five or six hundred persons, or more, would remain for 
 these conversations. A portion of these would often be pro- 
 fessors of religion, conversing, and in quiet tones often praying, 
 with those who were anxiously asking what they should do to 
 be saved. Some of these inquiry meetings presented scenes of 
 very solemn interest. Many were weeping, many rejoicing, 
 many anxious, many finding their Saviour ready to forgive them 
 even as they were in the act of prayer. Prof. Chadbourne, of 
 Bowdoin College, Rev. Mr. Carpenter, of Houlton, Rev. Mr. 
 Howard, of Farmington, Rev. Dr. Tappan, and other clergymen 
 rendered us very valuable assistance in the midst of these 
 solemn scenes, by their addresses, sermons, prayers and conver- 
 sations. Twenty-six heads of families, in my own congregation 
 are among those who have begun lately to entertain a hope in 
 Christ. 
 
 " From the very first, special attention was given, in meetings 
 Saturday and Wednesday afternoons, and in the other meetings, 
 to the children. They were all very deeply interested, and one 
 of the best features of Mr. Hammond's labors among us, was 
 his unintermitted skillful and beliemng zeal for the conversion 
 of children. Quite a number of these lambs of the flock we 
 hope have passed from death unto life, and a few of them be- 
 tween the ages of twelve and seventeen years, have been re- 
 ceived into our church. No meetings that I have ever attended 
 have been more delightful and solemn, than some of these chil- 
 drens' meetings. 
 
 " As the fruits of the revival, thirty-two were added to our 
 church at the communion in May, and twenty-four more last 
 Sabbath. We are expecting quite a number of others on sub- 
 sequent occasions ; some have gone to other places, and will. 
 
248 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 I trust, become connected with churches there. The Central 
 church, the two Methodist churches, the Baptist, and the Free- 
 will Baptist have all shared in this work ; and some of them 
 have had large accessions to their numbers ; bat I cannot now 
 Bpeak with definiteness concerning them. They all feel, how- 
 ever, that they have enjoyed a season of delightful refreshing 
 from the presence of the Lord. 
 
 " Christians, I think, have learned to feel their personal 
 responsibilities more. Let me assure you, it has been no 
 feature of this religious awakening, that Christians, male or fe- 
 male, were made to feel,that they had only to stand still, and see 
 somebody else do the work of the Lord. The deepened sense 
 of responsibility, the earnest prayerfulness, the greater faith- 
 fulness, diligence and fertility in the use of means of grace on 
 the part of Christians generally, have been among the blessed 
 characteristics of this revival. 
 
 " It has also been a revival of the straightforward, un'flinch- 
 ing, abundant preaching of the old-fashioned truths of God's 
 word. We think God's word has been honored ; and when I 
 looked upon the crowds packing every pew and standing place 
 in our church, as the fifth week of our evening meetings open- 
 ed, and all to hear nothing but what all faithful ministers of 
 the gospel have always preached, I could but think that the 
 notions of bome,that these ancient doctrines of orthodoxy are 
 losing their hold on the public mind, have had their day, and 
 are about run out, were as well refuted, as we could reasonably 
 desire. I know of no better proof of the divine origin and 
 authority of the great truths of evangelical religion, which 
 6ome imagine are almost too stem and awful to be presented, 
 except in softened terms, with bated breath, and an apology, 
 than their power of thus rousing and holding the undivided at- 
 tention of a large community like this, where they are entirely 
 familiar, and the amaijing and blessed transformations of char- 
 acter which they effect. The sword of the Spirit is mightier 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 249 
 
 than any human inventions : ' The foolishness of God is wiser 
 than men ; ' and after such scenes as we have vpitnessed here, 
 we all have a re-assured confidence that the gospel, as we un- 
 derstand and teach it, will yet be ' the power of God and the 
 wisdom of God ' unto the salvation of a believing world. 
 *' Yours sincerely, 
 Bath, July 10, 1862. j. o. r." 
 
 We select one or two cases of experience, which 
 have ah'eady been printed, and made useful in 
 awakenino; sinners and leadino; them to Jesus : 
 
 " One week ago last Saturday I stopped to the inquiry meet- 
 ing, but did not feel that I was such a great sinner, and thought 
 I would not be converted at the time of a revival. You spoke a 
 few kind words to me, as did others, but I went home very 
 angry. I went again Sunday evening, and remained to the in- 
 quiry meeting ; I was in great distress of mind, but would not 
 believe the blessed promises. As I left the church, I requested 
 yoLi to pray for me, also dear Mr. Page, and tried to pray my- 
 self, but found no relief. I slept very little that night, and was 
 in great agony all the next day. I wept until I was entirely 
 exhausted. I felt that I must do something. I went to Jesus 
 and prayed Him to take me jvst as 1 was, for I could do noth- 
 ing more, and felt during the evening meeting that I was for- 
 given ; after meeting I went to Mr. Fiske and expressed my 
 faint hope, and besought him to pray for me that I might have 
 more light. I felt at peace with God, but did not feel that per- 
 fect happiness. Wednesday night I was perfectly happy and 
 fell asleep, seemingly clasping Jesus' hand. I feel that I can- 
 not praise the Lord enough for His great mercy to me. I 
 tremble when I think of the danger I have escaped, and of the 
 many who are yet travelling the broad road which leadeth to 
 destruction. Very truly yours." 
 
250 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 Among the towns adjacent to the centers of 
 efforts aal blessing, visited by evangelical labors 
 and the accompanying power of the Holy Ghost, 
 was Phipsburg, a few miles from Bath. A precious 
 season was enjoyed in connection with comparative- 
 ly little labor ; the outer wave of the divine in- 
 fluence from the Pentecostal scene. A number of 
 sea captains are among those rejoicing in the love 
 of Christ. 
 
 The foilowino; letter from one was read in a re- 
 ligious meeting, and from it we are permitted to 
 make some extracts : 
 
 '« BAin, March 15th, 1862. 
 
 ^^ My dear Friend, — Having as I hope found the Saviour 
 precious to my soul, I will attempt to give you some account 
 of my experience. I am now about forty-three years old, have 
 fallowed the sea all of my life, and like most others of my pro- 
 fession, have led a very wicked life. I have been deprived of 
 many of the means of grace; and others, that were within my 
 reach, I have neglected; until I grew to be a very hardened sin- 
 ner; so much so, that I felt quite indifferent to all that concern- 
 ed my immortal soul, and continued to live on year after year 
 without a thought of what was to become of it, when it should 
 be summoned to leave this world. 
 
 " In this state of mind you found me, at the commencement 
 of the meetings held in this place the past month. I attended 
 the meetings at first, not from any desire to be benefited by 
 them, but for novelty of hearing a strange preacher, of whom I 
 had heard so much, and made up my mind, that you had come 
 among us to get up an excitement, and I for one would have 
 nothing to do with it. Went home scolding about you, but 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 251 
 
 still could not make up my mind to keep away from the meet- 
 ings. Went again ; — you came and talked with me as did 
 Bome of the other ministers ; but all your words at that time 
 had no effect upon me. The next evening in the inquiry meet- 
 ing, you came again to me after some conversation, and asked 
 if you should pray with me. I gave consent but declined to 
 kneel ; so you prayed as we stood in the pew — you prayed, 
 that the Lord would plant thorns in my pillow, so that I 
 might not sleep until I had given my heart to Christ. I 
 slept some that night, but awoke many times and felt of my 
 pillow to satisfy myself, that there were not thorns in it. The 
 next evening I could not resist going to hear you again ; and, as 
 you was addressing us, you presented the truth, that we, in re- 
 jecting Christ, were guilty of the greatest sin. I had never 
 thought of this before, and it fell with crushing weight upon 
 my guilty soul. I saw myself a sinner of the deepest dye, and 
 went home that night resolved to seek for mercy. I tried to 
 pray, but could not. My mouth was so completely sealed up 
 that 1 could not utter a word, and it was not until the next day 
 that T could open my mouth in prayer to God for mercy, and 
 even then I could not give myself up entirely to Christ. I- 
 could not divest myself of the idea,that I had not something to 
 do to make me more acceptable to Christ. This, of course, 
 kept me in darkness and in sorrow. Abovit this time our good 
 minister, Mr. Fiske, called at my house, and, after praying with 
 me and my family, proposed that I should pray also ; this I at 
 first declined doing ; but when he told me that he feared that I 
 was not humble enough, after much entreaty, I made an at- 
 tempt to pray, but still no relief came to me. I remained in 
 this state a number of days, and was fast settling down in de- 
 spair, when one evening, after spending the whole afternoon 
 upon my knees in prayer, I went to church. Prof. Chadbourne, 
 of Bowdoin College, addressed us that evening, and, m the 
 closing remarks, when urging sinners to come to Christ, he said 
 
252 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 that we should leave our own strength behind and go forward 
 in the strength of our Saviour. licit this was what had kept 
 me from the Saviour, dependence on my own strength. I there 
 and then as I sat in my seat, yielded that, and all other points, 
 asked the Saviour to take me just as 1 was with all my load 
 of sin and guilt. I saw that God would be just, if he re- 
 fused to accept me and sent me down to everlasting woe ; but 
 in a moment I lelt that Christ was able, and would save me ; 
 and that moment peace and joy took possession of my soul, 
 light broke upon my darkened mind, and I felt that I was in- 
 deed 'a new creature.' 
 
 "It is now about six weeks since I felt that I had a hope in 
 Christ, and I can truly say, that they have been the happi- 
 est weeks of my life. I have no wish to turn back to the 
 world, for I feel that 1 have left nothing there worth going 
 back for, but I hope by God's grace to press onward in the 
 path of Christian duty, and finally gain the reward promised 
 to those who remain faithful to the end. 
 
 Chas. N. Delano." 
 
 A little boy gives the story of his conversion as 
 follows : 
 
 " Dear Mr. Hammond : — Two weeks ago last night as I was 
 playing in the street, three ladies came along, and invited me to 
 go to meeting. I thought I would go to have some fun, and be 
 out evenings. That evening I laughed and made sport of those 
 that you were praying for, and those that were anxious. I at- 
 tended the childrens' meeting the next afternoon, when you 
 gave an invitation to those who were anxious about their souls, 
 to stop. Mr. F'lske came along and talked with me, and you 
 came and prayed with me, and I felt that I was a lost sinner. 
 I went home feeling very badly about my soal. I resolved to 
 pray that night, and I did. Sabbath morning I felt a great 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 253 
 
 change in my feelings, and I have felt happy ever since. I love 
 Jesus. I Ijve to read my Bible. I love to go to meeting. I 
 love Christians. But the enemy of my soul tempted mc, and 
 tries to lead me astray, but in the strength of the Lord, I shall 
 try and conquer and lead a Christian life." 
 
 South Paris, a villasce on the Grand Trunk Kail- 
 road, between Portland and Bethel, received a great 
 and abiding dispensation of the Spirit, which, the 
 pastor, Kev. Mr. Southworth, described, several 
 months after the rain of God's mercy passed the 
 crisis of its fulness : # 
 
 " Everlasting praise belongeth unto God for this gracious vis- 
 itation, in which a large number of souls have been hopefully 
 brought to the saving possession of the truth as it is in 
 Jesus. 
 
 " God for months had been preparing His people for Ilia 
 coming. The year 1882 was commenced with prayer. The 
 spirit of supplication seemed to be given in unusual measures. 
 Meetings for conference and prayer were held more frequently. 
 The impenitent came to them and were more tender and 
 thoughtful. God, by His Spirit, was evidently present to quick- 
 en believers, and the unconverted ; and still the clouds dzlayed 
 to break, and pour its refreshing waters abundantly. At this 
 time God seemed to impress His people with a desire to do all 
 they could ; and,as it came to their knowledge that Mr. Ham- 
 mond, the Evangelist, was greatly blessed in his labors in other 
 places, there was a desire that he might be invited to come 
 among us. He was invited and came. This was the 21st of 
 February ; he staid but two days, but they were days of groat 
 power. The cloud of mercy which had been hanging over us 
 shed down its mercy drops; Christians were deeply impressed with 
 
254 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 a sense of their active dependence upon God. The words of the 
 Evangelist were attended by the demonstration of the Spirit; and, 
 of the large congregations, few, if any,reinained unmoved. Some, 
 indeed, were not impressed favorably, but others allowed them- 
 selves to be convinced of the truth. The truth was preached 
 with great earnestness^ boldness and true tenderness. He sought 
 to bring the children to Christ, and they were savingly impress- 
 ed. One of the excellencies of his efforts among us was, that he 
 preach(;d no pleasing, delusive doctrine, by which men might be 
 led to take up with a false hope. He preached the Lord and 
 Christ; and sought to convince men of their sins hj shoivin^ 
 them their sins. 
 
 " Another most interesting feature of the work with us was, 
 the inquiry meeting after the public esercises, at which many 
 remained, and were addressed on the subject of religion. This 
 meeting was continued for months, and proved a blessed means 
 of grace, in which many were led to consider their lost condi- 
 tion. There have been not a few cases of deep interest — cases 
 of conversion which have most signally displayed the Spirit's 
 power to subdue the heart. All classes of community have 
 shared in the work ! — children, little children; business men; 
 our most esteemed and respected women. Many families have 
 rejoiced, and do rejoice. Forty-four have united with the 
 church by profession. Others are designing to do so. It is not 
 designed to be understood,that this was the result of the efforts 
 of any man however blessed of God ; but the result, when the 
 church of God gave itself to prayer and foithful labor — were as 
 it appeared, in an agony for the salvation of souls. With the 
 church, in this condition, the Evangelist faithfully, prayerfully, 
 earnestly co-operated, and, under God, was the means of much 
 good among us. God grant that the time may soon come, when 
 all our communities may receive a like, or still more gracious, 
 visitation from on high. To God be all the glory." 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 255 
 
 Farmington is a delightful village in Franldin 
 County, Maine, amid varied and sublime scenery, 
 the seat of the widely known and excellent " Abbott 
 School ; '' the birtii-place and resort of the 
 Abbotts. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Howard, the brother of the beloved 
 and noble General Howard, of the army, who lost 
 an arm in the battle of Fair Oaks, is the pastor of 
 the Congregational church. He published in the 
 local paper, an account of the glorious refreshing 
 which came to that place in February, during which, 
 a hundred and fifty were, it is believed, brought to 
 Christ, besides an interest awakened in other 
 towns : 
 
 " Will you allow me a little space, in which to speak of the 
 present marked attention to tlie subject of religion in this com- 
 munity? The unusual meetings were commenced by a union 
 prayer meeting at the Academy,on Monday of last week. This 
 was attended and participated in by all the clergymen and many 
 of the people. It was then expected, that Edward Payson Ham- 
 mond, the Evangelist, would address a united meeting on Thurs- 
 day evening, but the detention of the cars preventing his ar- 
 rival, the meetings 'each day and evening during the week were 
 conducted by the resident pastors. In spite of the unfavorable 
 weather, the meetings increased in numbers ; professors of 
 religion were aroused and much earnest prayer was offered, that 
 Mr. Hammond's labors should rccaivo the blessing of Gad. But 
 the blessing was not delayed till his arrival. A number of per- 
 sons began seriously to ask the question — ' Lord, what wilt thou 
 have me to do ? ' Mr. H. held his first meeting Sabbath even- 
 
256 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ing, and the Congregational Church was crowded. His method 
 of procedure is to conduct the exercises of singing, reading the 
 Scriptures, prayer and preaching, without much regularity but 
 with singular earnestness. After these services an inquiry 
 meeting is held, to which all persons wishing to converse on the 
 subject of salvation are invited to stop, and also such ministers 
 and Christians as are disposed to instruct them. This inquiry 
 meeting has been a blessed meeting. A large number of per- 
 sons, of all ages and conditions in life, may be seen nightly in 
 all parts of the house, conversing, praying and weeping, with 
 occasional general admonition from Mr. H. and others. The 
 unanimity among Christians, ministers and laymen, seems to be 
 perfect. All recognize it as a work of God's Spirit, and all seem 
 to love the evangelist, and to co-operate with him with all the 
 heart. 
 
 " The SQtnes here are but a repetition of what has been wit- 
 nessed in Portland, Bethel, Bath, and South Paris. 
 
 " Will not the prayers of all God's people go up for this dear 
 brother who has been the means of bringing so many sinners to 
 their Saviour ? As he is about to leave us,I am expressing only 
 the general voice, in saying, that our hearts are filled with grati- 
 tude and love to him, and we have no doubt that wherever God 
 shall call him to especially labor and pray, an abundant blessing 
 willfoUow." 
 
 TVe shall not forget an evening we spent in a 
 meeting three weeks afterward, when, among others, 
 a popular physician related the steps by which he 
 was led from mere curiosity to anxiety, — from 
 anxiety to distress, — and from anguish of soul to 
 peace in believing. 
 
 And at the same moment a scoffer lay dead in his 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 257 
 
 home, one of a business firm that opposed the meet- 
 ing ; followed soon after by the most thrilling scenes 
 of the death-bed of the wife, kneeling on her bed 
 and begging for prayer and for mercy. Thus judg- 
 ment followed blessing, the usual order of God's 
 providence among men. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Old Colony. The Church of the Pilgrimage. The Winter ana 
 Spring of 1832. Facts and incidents. Lewiston, Maine. The 
 cloud like a man's hand. The mighty outpouring. Letters of ex- 
 perience. Farewell meeting. Brunswick. The College. Scenes 
 and cases of striking conversion. 
 
 In the providence of God, the writer seeking 
 health, went to Plymouth, Mass., in the Autumn of 
 1861. With all descendants of the Pilgrims in 
 natural or spiritual lineage, he felt a deep interest 
 in the Old Colon}^, with its beautiful bay, where the 
 Mayflower rocked, — Burying Hiil where their 
 ashes lie, — and the church they planted, with sacri- 
 fice and suffering without a parallel since the days 
 of the apostles. The Congregational Society there, 
 during the first 180 years, had only seven pastors, 
 including Brewster, who would never consent to be 
 ordained, although in labors of love, the shepherd 
 of the flock in the wilderness. Since the exodus frora 
 Arminianism in 1800, with the loss of all material 
 "possessions as a parish, a period of sixty years, there 
 have been, also, seven past9rs ; showing that a sad 
 chan^J-e has ffone over Puritan New Eno;land since 
 the days of the fathers. Precious revivals of re- 
 
OF THE HOLT SPIRIT. 259 
 
 ligion have been the repeated benediction of the 
 Lord upon his heritage. But the ' enemy of all 
 righteousness' seems to have had a peculiar hostility 
 toward this Jerusalem of the new world, and every 
 possible form of attack has been made upon the 
 faith and peace of the church. 
 
 Errors were rife in the community, and too often 
 the Zion, which should beat them back, had slept, 
 while her adverlfcry sowed the tares. For three 
 months before the date at the be<2:innin<? of this 
 chapter, the sanctuary of God had been closed, from 
 reasons material, and conditions of feeling ; and •' the 
 ways of Zion mourned." When invited to supply 
 the pulpit, and afterwards to remain, the conviction, 
 which laid aside all other plans, was, that the time 
 to favor her had come with God. The parish was 
 visited, cliurch fasts ajipointed, and the necessity 
 of a revival kept before the people on all occasions. 
 The aspect of the congregation gradually clianged 
 to a marked seriousness, and indications of unusual 
 interest apparent among the impenitent. But health 
 not yet confirmed, forbidding extra meetings, and 
 the exciting war news, between the Sabbaths, kept 
 back the outbreak of feeling, — the outgushing of 
 the waters of the sanctuary. At this crisis, atten- 
 tion was turned for help to Mr. Hammond. The 
 church invited him to come ; and he held the first 
 services on Sabbath-day the last of jNIarch. 
 
 The work in a brief lime, assumed a decided 
 
260 TH§E HAR\nEST WORK 
 
 form and power. Although he remained less than 
 three weeks, the house of God was opened nightly 
 for almost nine weeks ; — during which were wit- 
 nessed scenes of stirring interest. In the town be- 
 tween two and three hundred expressed hope in 
 Christ, many of whom, at least, have continued to 
 walk according to the gospel. The assistance of 
 Rev. A. B. Earle, Rev. Dr. Kirk, and the former 
 pastor. Rev. Mr. Porter, was of%reat value in the 
 progress of the work ; especially the earnest and 
 abundant labors of Rev. Mr. Earle. 
 
 At the close of a sermon, during the course of 
 the evening meetings, from the mass that filled the 
 sanctuary, rose a stalwart man of about 60 years, 
 and with trenabling frame, cried out ; " My friends, 
 it is twenty-six years since I have been in the house 
 of God, till last evening. I have been the vilest of 
 the vile ; and now 1 feel that Jesus Christ is work- 
 ing on mcj — and he is working fast. If any of 
 you can pray for me, I want you to do it/' He 
 soon bowed in the dust, and begged for pardon, 
 while a daughter on each side, who had found the 
 Saviour, wept aloud. 
 
 Upon another occasion, a member of the Church, 
 who had found fault with the severity of the gospel 
 message, with a flood of tears and broken -utter- 
 ance, declared that he had been a boarder in God's 
 family, and sought an interest in believing prayer. 
 Scenes like these were common for many weeks. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 261 
 
 The following incident appeared in the columns of 
 the Congregationalist : 
 
 '• It was on the lovely morning of May 25th, that -we were 
 Bitting in the chapel of the ' Church of the Pilgrimage,' at the 
 very base of * Burying Hill,' the Holy Spirit filling the place, 
 "when suddenly a call at the door summoned a young man to the 
 vestibule, who had recently found Jesus. In a moment he re- 
 turned, and in a flood of tears broke the hallowed stillness by 
 saying : ' My friends, the * Standish Guards,' to which I belong, 
 are ordered to leave at 2 o'clock to-day. And now I want you 
 to pray for mc, that I may be a faithful soldier of the cross ; 
 and, if I fall, may die happy in Christ. Pray for my com- 
 rades.' 
 
 " He sat down amid the audible sobs of many ; for this was 
 the first intimation of the additional contribution to the ranks 
 of the army from the young men of the Old Colony. Then one 
 and another begged the prayers of God's people for the brothers 
 and friends also called away ; and hearts and lips did pray. 
 
 " The meeting closed, and there was hurrying to and fro to 
 obey the summons. A little later the armory was thronged, 
 and the streets lined with all classes. As I spoke to the young 
 men who had recently been converted, with a smile they said, 
 
 * We are ready to go.' Those who had been inquiring the way 
 of. life for days past, wept. Soon to the stirring music of the 
 drum, whose roll was thunder to sad hearts, telling of the 
 withering stroke to the afi'ections, the Guards, attended with 
 an immense concourse, reached the depot. Stepping forth from 
 the ranks, a young man leaned upon his gun, and weeping said, 
 
 * Had I not been converted, I should not want to go, but now 
 am glad to be here.' Nest came to my side a fine youth with 
 whom wc had dften conversed about his soul, but who had no 
 hope, and weeping, desired to be remembered at the throne of 
 grace. I said, go to the Bible for light, while you pray for it. 
 
262 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 Laying his hand upon his breast he replied, ' Yes, I have it in 
 my pocket,' and also wept. Another moment, and the bell 
 sounded, and away the company moved amid cheers and tears, 
 from the atmosphere of a precious revival, to aid in beating 
 back the waves of the darkest rebellion perdition ever poured 
 over the plains of time. Let unceasing prayer ascend for the 
 soldier and for the government, that there may be wisdom to 
 discern and courage to meet the issue God is forcing upon us." 
 
 All classes were reached. Men who had not en- 
 tered the sanctuary for a score of years were smitten 
 down, and gave evidence of the saving change. 
 Whole families were taken by the Spirit from the 
 bosom of popular error., and the town was per- 
 vaded by the Spirit of the Lord ; and whatever 
 discount man's weakness or sin may make, Je- 
 hovah vindicated the faith of the Puritans, and his 
 glory, in the eyes of all the people. Although the 
 pastor elect felt it his duty to leave, the tidings 
 came of many accessions to the churches, and 
 blessed seasons around the altars of pray^er. 
 
 While in Plymouth, a call from the city of Lewis- 
 ton, Maine, the united voice of the pastors of the 
 various churches, came to Mr. Hammond, to la- 
 bor in the whitening harvest field. We give a 
 statement of the general aspect of the greatest out- 
 pouring of the Spirit, perhaps, witnessed in any one 
 place in this country for years, until, it is believed 
 five hundred persons were hopefully converted, — as 
 we find it in the Lewiston Herald, from the pen of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 263 
 
 one of the ministers. Tbe origin of the interest, 
 is mentioned in the last chapter of this work in 
 another connection: 
 
 " Mr. Hammond has now preached nine successive evenings 
 in the Free Baptist Church, the largest in the place, with in- 
 creasing interest, power and blessing. He spoke first to the 
 children in Pine Street Chapel, Rev. Mr. Balkam's church, on 
 Sunday afternoon of the 27th ult., and not only were children 
 and young people wrought upon, many of whom have since ex. 
 pressed hope, (and it is delightful to see their happy faces,) 
 but yesterday, at the morning prayer meeting, a gentleman of 
 mature years and mental powers rose in hope, and said his 
 heart was touched at that meeting. He spoke with great calm- 
 ness, though we presume no one ever heard his voice in any 
 public meeting before. He said he had always been afraid of 
 the world, but now he wished every body to know where he 
 stood, and with divine aid meant to stand, the rest of his days. 
 Some of our readers will call to mind a stout, fat, jovial young 
 man, whom they have often seen upon the railway, between 
 this place and Danville Junction. He has declared himself 
 publicly and inflexibly upon the Lord's side. There have been 
 many cases of conversions, embracing a pretty wide range of 
 character, and the work is apparently extending to the outmost 
 circle of society, and including all classes. 
 
 " Saturday evening, the Free Baptist Church was packed in 
 every part of it, above and below, by people sitting or standing, 
 while the large vestry was also filled. 
 
 " Sunday evening the above church was filled exclusively with 
 men ; the vestry with men, women and children. The Baptist 
 Church wag filled exclusively with women. The M. E. vestry, 
 which is very large, was filled as usual. The morning prayer 
 meeting,Sunday , was one of deep and tender zeal. Meetings of 
 great interest have also been held in High St. Cong. Church, 
 
264 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 during the week, of "which we have not time and space to 
 epcak more particularly. 
 
 *' If this Avork were not based upon the most thoroughly 
 considered scriptural and the()l.)gical teaching of years, it might 
 be dismii^scd as the blown up heat of an hour. As the matter 
 is, nothing of the kind can be pretended for a moment. Wc 
 suppose there is as much calmness of instruction at West 
 Point, as at any other school of learning. But every lesson 
 given there in utmost qu:et, contemplates the excitement and 
 shock of battle. Yet not more certainly, than does the whole 
 system of Evangelical truth contemplate a certain excitement, 
 when it is received into the heart. It is the inevitable excite- 
 ment of truth in conflict with error — of sin in conflict with 
 holiness — of human will in resistance to the Divine will — of 
 human depravity lifting itself in opposition to infinite purity. 
 
 " If Mr. Hammond produces excitement, it is only by the 
 greatness of his zeal to persuade men to be reconciled to God 
 that he does it. Besides, the farthest aim in the world from 
 his, is an effort to create excitement. His simple aim is to 
 preach with his whole soul what he believes to be the truth. 
 The secret of his power is the entireness with which he gives 
 himself up to the impulses of the Spirit. He always appears 
 with his Bible in his hand ; wherever he goes, the Bible seems 
 to be the talisman of his power. If any suppose he wishes to 
 exalt himself, they could not be more mistaken. He loses him- 
 self in the greatness of his work. And most emphatically may 
 it be said of him, ' the zeal of thine house hath eaten him up.' 
 If he is deluded, then the whole system of Orthodoxy is a delu- 
 sion. 
 
 " We were surprised this morning, upon entering the store of 
 one of our most able and excellent citizens of this class, to find 
 that, last night, in the retirement of his home, he had settled 
 the great question. He went home, and went to his Bible ; he 
 read it ^- read it without skipping — believed it — believed it 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 265 
 
 all — felt it as the very Word of God speaking to him. We 
 know there are others, many of them of this class, who are al- 
 ready convinced of their duty, and who are only awaiting a lit- 
 tle more pressure of will, now, to become, in the most delight- 
 ful sense, children of God. 
 
 *' At the open-air meeting Sunday evening, when full three 
 thousand were present, more than half were men. The minis- 
 ters of the place were generally present, and for the first time 
 at any of these meetings we noticed the Episcopal and Catholic 
 clergymen. Mr. II. was distinctly heard by the outmost cir- 
 cle, as well he might be, for he has spoken so as to be heard, to 
 five times the number in Aberdeen, and other places in Scot- 
 land. 
 
 " It was a heart-stirring sight. The evident impression of 
 the truth showed, that it was falling on minds, curiously mould- 
 ed by the Creator to be wrought upon by just such appeals." 
 
 The following interesting letter ^vas read in one of 
 the churches. These letters indicate the wondrous 
 change that is daily taking place in the hearts of 
 many of the people. Some of the leading men of 
 business stood up in the great congregation, 
 and testified of the power of the Holy Spirit to 
 transform the whole moral nature : 
 
 " Lewiston, May 12, 18C2. 
 " Dear Mr. Hammond: — In very early life I was the sub- 
 ject of strong religious impressions, and, through the deceitful- 
 ness of my own heart, fur awhile believed I had given myself 
 to Christ. But soon I found myself deceived. Tl^en did I re- 
 fuse all confidence in experimental religion, and gladly sought 
 to believe in the universal salvation of all. That would give 
 me a wide scope for dancing and like amusements. I watched 
 
THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 professing Christians, glad to detect their faults. Thus had I 
 become careless, -when Death entered our family circle, and Oh ! 
 how deep did I sink in despair. Then I promised to become a 
 Christian, yet had no faith in Christianity. I felt that I must 
 be wrong, and often asked myself if Universalism is true, why, 
 in this the hour of deepest need, does it forsake me ? why these 
 dark and dreadful doubts? But I silenced conviction, looked 
 at professed Christians, and thought myself as good as they. 
 
 " When I came to Lewiston, as I found it inconvenient to at- 
 tend a Uiiiversalist meeting, I visited difiercnt churches, that I 
 might glean a harvest of their imperfections. How faithless, 
 how wicked was my heart. 
 
 " The first time I heard you speak, I returned home more 
 faithless than ever, assured that ' Godly sorrow ' none could 
 have. The following Monday, you spoke of the different ways 
 God takes to draw us to himself ; one was, taking from us our 
 dear friends. I never can tell how it pierced my heart. It 
 6eemed,you was to give me a last and final warning — that I 
 must repent now, or be for ever lost. After meeting, before I 
 could leave the house, you spoke to me — asked if I love(? 
 Jesus? I was ashamed to be seen conversing with you — 
 ashamed of my own feelings, which I could no longer conceal. 
 You prayed with me but 1 could not kneel. You left me, say- 
 ing you would return soon, but I waited for no second inter- 
 view. That night I sought my pillow, but found little iiest. 
 Satan seemed to say ' folly, all folly," for — ' as in Adam all 
 die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.' But I could not keep 
 away from the meetings. The next evening I sat back by the 
 door to see if I should feel the same. But there was no peace 
 for me. I did not stop to the inquiry meeting, but went home 
 and tried to read my Bible ; it was a sealed book. I no longer 
 tried to drive away my feelings,but hoped they would deepen. 
 
 '* The next day I was wretched. I felt that God would 
 agver fgrgivo ittQ ; thatlljad cQiamitted the unpardQaaWe sin, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 267 
 
 in once having professed to love my Saviour, while my heart was 
 in rebellion against Ilim. I resolved I would test my feelings. 
 I would not go to meeting, and see if my feelings would be the 
 same. But on all around seemed written, 
 
 * Till to Jesus' work you cling 
 
 By a simple foith. 
 Doing is a dangerous thing. 
 Doing ends in death. ' 
 
 *' I read my Bible, and tried to pray that if there was such a 
 thingas a change of heart, God would not sufier me to rest till I 
 had found it. Then came a dear friend, and with her arms 
 around my neck, said she had found Jesus, and it was so easy. 
 I was discouraged. I had spent miserable days and sleepless' 
 nights, and now to be told it was ' so easy.' That night I went 
 to meeting, stopped to the inquiry meeting, conversed with 
 several, but found no relief. I met with a friend, who had dur- 
 ing the week written me a letter, begging me to give my heart 
 to Christ. I would not tell him what kept me back, and we 
 left the house in company with other ladies who had just pass- 
 ed from 'death unto life.' Their company only made me 
 more wretched. I felt I was lost — there was no hope for me, 
 and I would no longer seek what I could not obtain. I finally 
 resolved to tell my friends the sin of my youth, which I feared 
 God would not forgive, and what I had ever after thought of 
 Christians. They were talking, but I know not what they said, 
 for I was lilting my heart to God as I had never before, repeat- 
 ing the words, 
 
 * Just as I am, though tossed about, 
 With many a conflict, many a doubt. 
 With fears within, and foes without, 
 O Lamb of God, I come.' 
 
 *' Then peace, such as I had never known, came to my soul. 
 
 • 
 
268 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 It seemed like going from darkness to the light of the noon-day 
 6an. I no longer doubt Christians, but with them hope to 
 . gpend an eternity of bliss." 
 
 The additional instance of sovereign rescue from 
 the edge of ruin is that of a young lawyer, whose 
 family name is familiar in the national Senate, and 
 throughout the State, T. A. D. Fessenden, Esq. 
 
 A dally paper reports the touching occasion of 
 his solemn narration of his conversion, as follows : 
 
 " Mr. Fessenden detailed at some length the story of his con- 
 Tersion, which enchained the attention of the large audience, 
 and came home to many a heart. Mr. F. spoke nearly as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 "'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 lo speak for the cause of Je- 
 Bas, and of my late experience, though my words be feeble. 
 My story is a simple one. But a short time since I had sup- 
 posed that I was possessed of a strong will, of good nerves, and 
 of a clear judgment. I did not think I was emt)tional, and I re- 
 marked 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 had been so long since I had felt emotion, 
 that 1 should like to feel it. One Sunday evening it entered my 
 mind that I would go and hear. I went and listened intently, 
 hut 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 frienda upon his power of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 269 
 
 illustrating, and told them that he drew upon his travels -for his 
 figures of speech. I was utterly indifferent so far as my per- 
 sonal 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 ad- 
 dressed me in tones of impassioned earnestness to come to Christ. 
 It was thus I began to think, is this real ? Is it necessary ? Is 
 it a duty we have resting upon us? But when the sermon 
 closed, I walked down the aisle, and out of 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, bat not for rae. I con- 
 cluded 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 inter- 
 ested in the sermon ; I was interested in the experience of Mr. 
 Wight ; 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 
 for 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 moment, and said, ' This is excite- 
 
270 THE HARVEST WORD 
 
 ment — it will pass away ' ; but she replied, ' It is the Spirit 
 of God struggling with you,' and begged me to yield to its in- 
 flnences. I was Boftened. I asked her to pray. She did so, 
 and asked me to pray, and for the first time since I was a young 
 boy, I knelt and prayed. The next morning, Mr. Adams met 
 me. He talked a moment 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 de- 
 lusions ; but I prayed constantly and fervently in my mind that 
 the Spirit of God would not leave me, but would 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 
 Bakes he was treated as though a guilty rebel ; of his agony up- 
 on the cross ; and when I listened to the words of the dying Je- 
 sus, 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.'" 
 
 Another wrote : 
 
 <' Dear Mr. Hamjiond : — When you came to Lewiston, I 
 went to hear you simply because you were famous ; for, though 
 calling myself a Christian, I was proud and self-reliant, and had 
 had no sympathy with what I scornfully called ' revival excite- 
 ment.' 
 
 " The first evening I heard you speak, you showed mc that, 
 at best, I was only a ' boarder ' in the Lord's family. I was 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 271 
 
 etartled and angry. I went to hear you talk to sinners, and 
 not to test, by personal experience, your power of awakening 
 cold hearted professors. I tried to get out of the house, bat 
 it was so crowded I could not ; stopping at the inquiry meeting, 
 8atan advised me as my only refuge, to feel disgasted ; and I 
 went home trying to think I was ; all the next day and the next, 
 I quarreled with my conscience, and, by convincing others, 
 tried to make myself believe that the revival was fanatical and 
 absurd; not a thought, in those days,of the straggle thai: was 
 going on in the hearts around me; not a prayer for the precious 
 souls that were embracing or rejecting Jesus; only a wilful de- 
 sire to forget my own duty. 
 
 " Bat as I listened, a week ago to-day, in the High St. 
 Church, to a letter you read from a lady in Portland, and to 
 your remarks concerning it, I could no longer shut my eyes to 
 the fearful wrong I was doing my own soul, and, through you, 
 the cause of Christ ; I knew then, just how Peter of old felt 
 after he denied his Lord. 
 
 *' Jeaus forgave me, as I trust, and took me back to "his arms 
 once more ; but I knew I ought to go and tell you, and ask you 
 to forgive me too ; it was so hard, I thought I could not ; so I 
 tried to help you at the inquiry meetings, and every way I could 
 think "of, but it was no use ; if I attempted to speak to an 
 anxious one, I thought how I had stood right there, and actual- 
 ly laughed at you, a little while before. 1 couldn't pray for 
 you, even, for I kept thinking, ' If thou bring thy gift to the 
 altar,' &c., and last Sabbath evening I couldn't bear it any 
 longer, so I went and told you ; then I could sing and pray, 
 brother ; I couldn't help it. 
 
 Kev. Mr. Adams, of Auburn, across the river from, 
 and practically a part of Levvistcn, gives his own 
 clear account of what God has wrought : 
 
 " The special religious interest, in the two towns of Auburn 
 
272 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 and Lewiston, came upon the mass of our community as sud- 
 denly, no djubt, as the iVcshct that sweeps aion;; our river in 
 the c:ii)y spring. And yet it Avas not sudden, lor juet as the 
 snows that -whiten the luauntain tops in Novemlx?r, and cevcr 
 t!ic plains, and lill the valleys, give token cf the coming Hood, 
 80 have there been lor months past, from as far back as Novem- 
 ber, certain!}', awakening providences, burdened Christian 
 hearts, pleadings and tears in secret places, now and then a 
 case of convert-ion, and, as we have since found, a deepening 
 thoughtfalness with many cf the unconverted. 
 
 " Whether, however, all this would have issued in a general 
 awkening, apart from the special means employed, and which 
 God has so evidently blessed, may well be doubted. Some time 
 in March, a union morning prayer-meeting was commenced with 
 usjin which the interest and the prayerfulness of Christian peo- 
 ple found utterance, and the new awakened ones found en- 
 couragement and help. 
 
 "Just at the close of April, Rev. Mr. Hammond came to 
 labor aniong us, at the invitation, and Avith the full and hearty 
 cuneurrcnce,of the pastors in tlje two towns. Fur a period of 
 nearly lour weeks, he maintained, in concert with the pastors, a 
 scries of evening meetings, and devoted himself with a singular 
 and unremitting zeal to the work cf saving souls. Rarely, I 
 am sure, is the truth of God preached more forcibly and 
 pungently. Rarely do men find themselves pressed by a moro 
 determined urgency, or plead with more fervently and more 
 tenderly, to give up their sins, and accept the Gospel salvation. 
 The meetings, held mainly in the Free Will Ba}:tist Church in 
 Lcwistcn, and (Icssl'requentlj) in the High .Street Congregation- 
 al church in Auburn, were invariably crowded, hundreds stand- 
 ing through the evening, and hundreds going away to prayer- 
 meetings elsewhere. All was subdued and still. Tiie Sjiirit of 
 God was manifestly present. The inquiry meetings that fol- 
 lowed the more public service— though it is hardly proper to 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 273 
 
 distinguish between the more public and less public, where the 
 numbers in both cases were so large — were scenes of marvelous 
 interest. Christians, young and old, were seen conversing with 
 their unconverted friends, pleading with them sometimes with 
 many tears, kneeling down with them, in their pews where they 
 were, and pleading with God on their behalf, and from time to 
 time new witnesses bearing testimony to the pardoning mercy 
 of God. 
 
 " Besides these evening services, meetings have been held for 
 the children, Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, attended by 
 large numbers of children as well as by many other persons. 
 There Christ has been preached first and foremost, and they have 
 been appealed to as if it was really believed that they might be 
 converted, and converted now ; and when we have seen hundreds 
 of them troubled under a sense of sin, when we have seen them 
 bowing before God, and pleading with many tears, when wo 
 have seen many subsequently peaceful and radiant with Chris- 
 tian hope and joy, when we have heard their testimony for 
 Christ, and have seen them pleading with their friends, and 
 pleading for them, when we have seen in them, from day to day, 
 the transformed lives, and the fruits miiet for repentance, we 
 have said, this is just what we might have expected. This is 
 in precise accordance with our own previous theory of things, 
 and is just what the Gospel and the promises of a gracious God 
 warranted us in looking lor. 
 
 "As the results of this work thus far, some hundreds — f do 
 not know how many — profess conversion. Among these there 
 are people of all ages and conditions. Some have been very hard 
 cases, young men of profligate lives, and yet for the most part, 
 and 80 far as I know, young men who have been followed in all 
 their wanderings by the prayers of Christian fathers and mothers. 
 Sjmc are men of position and influence. Many are heads of 
 families. Many are children, from sixteen years old downward. 
 In our own Sabbath school Concert, last evening, a large num- 
 
274 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 ber, I should hardly dare to eay how many, rose to testify their 
 choice of their Saviour, and their consecration to his service. 
 
 " There are two or three things suggested by this recent ex- 
 perience of which I should like to speak, but I can only allude 
 to them. One — the indispensableuess of a more direct, pungent, 
 close home style of searching than generally obtains among us. 
 There is, says Dr. Chalmers, a tmic to reason and there is a time 
 to affirm. The reasoning time is always with us, but the time of 
 bold, undoubting, urgent affirmation we too rarely reach. A 
 very large share of Mr. Hammond's power lies in this; that 
 what other ministers prove he assumes, on the marked testi- 
 mony of the Bible, and treats as inconteslibie and urgent fact. 
 And if any man takes exception to the style of that brother, as 
 making small account of established principles in logic an J rhe- 
 toric, I answer, so much the more in favor of my point, for with 
 all this drawback he effects a lodgment of truth, and sways men 
 by it a hundred fold more than you do, with all the closeness 
 of your logic, and all the felicity of your illustration and ap- 
 peal. 
 
 " A second point — which I can only suggest — has reference 
 to that most neglected class, the children. Most neglected class, 
 I say, notwithstanding the Sabbath-school and all its appliances. 
 What minister gives them their fair proportion in the instruc- 
 tions of the pulpit! What minister, even in times of revival, 
 arranges meetings for them, and preaches to them, and pleads 
 with them, as he does with those who are older ! ' Were half 
 the breath thus vainly spent 'on adults given to those whose 
 hearts are yet tender, we should see blebsed results. 
 
 " A third point — and one on which your correspondent pre- 
 sumed to say a few words at the recent meeting of the Suffolk 
 South Confisrence, in Park Street Church — is a dcierinined ur- 
 gency in dealing with individuals. We have seen the value of 
 this in the present revival. People who could get through the 
 Bermon and the prayer meeting little moved, were brouglit up 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 275 
 
 by the conversation meeting that followed, and by the importu- 
 nities of Christian friends. Men of judgment and culture, who 
 had been awakened, and who might be left, if any might, to 
 consider and decide for themselves, had been followed up to 
 their homes or their offices, and pressed with the truth there, 
 and, when they admitted it, met with the call, ' Come, then, let 
 us kneel down before God right here, now, and confess our sin 
 and plead for mercy," and all the urgency of Christien zeal, and 
 all the tenderness of Christian love and sympathy was brought 
 lio bear upon them to help them. But I have no time to go far- 
 ther, nor have you room for me. I only say in closing, * the Lord 
 hath done great things for us.' May our future lives yield 
 some harvest of gratitude and faithfulness." 
 
 We have in the Daily Journal a review of the 
 revival, in addresses made at a closing service on the 
 evening of the 12th of June : 
 
 " The Free Baptist Church was crowded to overflowing, Wed- 
 nesday evening, on the occasion of the last union meeting in 
 which Mr. Hammond, the Evangelist, is to participate in this 
 place, for the present, at least. Every part of that large 
 church was filled — the galleries, sittings, pulpit, aisles, door- 
 ways and entries ; and hundreds went away without being able 
 t) obtain even a standing place, — the interest in the gathering 
 being heightened by the fact, that it was a farewell meeting to 
 Mr. ilammond, on the occasion of which his numerous friends 
 had determined to present him with a suitable pecuniary ac- 
 knowledgement for his invaluable labors. 
 
 " Rev. Mr. Lowell conducted the meeting, and made the 
 opening remarks, for an abstract of which, together with a 
 synopsis of the remarks of others, we are indebted to Rev. Mr. 
 Tufts. Mr. Lowell said, that he had been most flxvorably im- 
 pressed by Mr. Hammond, and that it was a matter of gratitude 
 he had come among us, and aided the ministers here in the 
 
276 THE HAKVEST WOEK 
 
 good work of bringing hundreds of soula to say, 
 
 * I love Jesus, yes I do, I know I do.' 
 
 He thanked him in their behalf, in behalf of anxious souls still 
 inquiring, and in behalf of others not jet determined in their 
 minds to seek the Lord — hoping that the good word, spoken 
 to them from time to time, would be as good seed, so that in the 
 future they may turn back to these meetings as the beginning of 
 serious thoughts, and as blest of God through Mr. Hammond, 
 whom the Lord was pleased to employ as the means of their 
 conversion. 
 
 *' Rev. Mr. Butler said,he would bear testimany to the won- 
 drous things he had seen of this servant of God, who a few 
 weeks ago came among us unheralded and unknown. At first 
 he was distrustful of Mr. Hammond's measures ; but that feel- 
 ing soon passed away, and it need not be said what had been 
 done. It took hold on eternity, and that alone could tell what 
 God had wrought in this revival. Like Napoleon, he held him- 
 self to no rule of action; but like that leader, he hurled his 
 legions with great effect against the enemy. So had Mr. H. 
 plead God's word, and many sinners had been plucked as brands 
 from the burning. He hoped this work would go on. He re- 
 joiced that family altars had been increased, and that many 
 fathers and mothers could now throw their arms around whole 
 households. He hoped,that,when generations had passed, this 
 audience would rise up in praise of this revival. He thought 
 it would be matter of rejoicing among the angels and saints in 
 glory, in the ages to come. He was glad to be present and bless 
 Gud with others for this revival ; not only for what it had done 
 here, but for its influence in other places. He spoke of a good 
 work begun near b}', and hoped hundreds would be gathered 
 in. He deprecated the objections of some against the conver- 
 sion of children, as though they would not hold out. He spoke 
 of his own experience and observation of twenty years to the 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 277 
 
 contrary. lie rejoiced in the jubilee, and hoped it would be 
 the beginning of endless joy — a foretaste of that great gather- 
 ing in heaven where all would be happy and joyous. 
 
 *• Rev. Mr. Wood said, of all the assemblies of life we might 
 look to this as the most precious. In the eternal world, where 
 we taiie higher degrees of glory, we shall see this was a pure 
 work, wrought by God's Spirit. What but love could do such 
 a work ? He blessed God, that Mr. II. had come among us, 
 that a work of grace had been accelerated, the church blessed, 
 and souls saved. We had been taught to love each other as 
 never before. He spoke of tlie influence of this work at Bangor, 
 that Mr. Small carried the Spirit home with him, and that 
 a revival had commenced there with flattering prospects. He 
 hoped all would labor on in the work, and not think it finished. 
 
 " A. D. Lockwood, Esq., said,he did net expect to speak, but 
 would say with other Christians, that he enjoyed this gathering. 
 We had come together for no ordinary purpose. He could 
 speak of the love of Jesus. At eighteen he had experienced 
 religion, and during all the trials and perplexities of business 
 it had been his support. Nothing like a trust in Jesus could 
 sustain the sinking heart. He urged the business men of Lew- 
 iston to ccme to Jesus, embrace religion, and be prepared in 
 time for eternity. 
 
 " D. M. Ayer, E§q., said, he could not resist saying a word 
 for Jesus. Though not entirely free from doubts, he could 
 say Jesus was precious to him, and that a load had been taken 
 from his heart. He was determined to conquer the obstacles 
 before him. He was happy in duty and in the love of God ; 
 that so far he had had supports in business he could not other- 
 wise have had. He urged all to come to Jesus. 
 
 ''Rev. Mr. Balkam said, he would bear testimony to what 
 had already been said of the efficiency of Mr. II. 's labors. He 
 said that two sisters in his church assured him, if he would in 
 vite Mr. Hammond to come to Lewiston, that all pecuniary ob~ 
 
278 
 
 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 ligations should be met. His people at first were not in favor 
 of the invitation, bat soon thought better of it. lie approved 
 of the measures adopted by Mr. II. Since the smoke of the bat- 
 tle had cleared away, and results had been seen, his apprecia- 
 tion of him and his work had risen, and he rejoiced with others 
 that a new era had dawned. 
 
 •' Rev. Mr. McMilan spoke of the evidences that God was 
 here, and that the love of Jesus ruled in many hearts. He re- 
 joiced at all this. In eternity hundreds of converts in this re- 
 vival would shine as stars in the crown of Mr. II. He hoped 
 the work would not stop when our brother left us. 
 
 " Rev. Mr. Adams spoke af the difficulties of the ordinary 
 pastor in winning souls to Christ. He did not share in the ap- 
 prehensions of soDie, that Mr. H. would impair the friendly re- 
 lations between pastor and people. He believed that his ob- 
 ject was to brmg souls to Jesus and not to himself. He sug- 
 gested that other Christians strive to become better Christians, 
 and adopt modes of action more aggressive, come into closer 
 contact, and not be satisfied with planting their weapons at a 
 distance and firing them occasionally, but to draw near the 
 enemy and grapple with him. He thought Christians had 
 learned much within a few weeks, and he thanked God for it. 
 He closed by addressing himself to tliat class who had not yield- 
 ed to God, some of whom had attended the meetings, but ap- 
 parently to little or no effect, asking them if they were willing 
 to go on as thQy are, to call the question settled, to have it said 
 that Mr. II. had come here, labored, prayed, plead and be- 
 sought them to come to Jesus, and they rejected Him, grieved 
 the Spirit, hardened their hearts against God, and would not 
 yield ? 
 
 " Mr. Fessenden said the scene before us was inspiriting. He 
 had stood before larger assemblies, but never before one of this 
 character. He had seen large asseml^lies do honor to men from 
 abroad, to victoi-s, heroes and civilians, who had done well for 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 279 
 
 their country, but never had he seen anythhig of this kind be- 
 f)re. rie felt a pleasure tinged with sadness as he stood before 
 that great audience ; and he would take occasion to express his 
 attachment to Mr. II., who was soon to depart from us. Be- 
 fore passing to that, he wished to allude to what had been said 
 by a clergyman present, that he had no fear that Mr. II. would 
 lead any from their attachment to their pastors. He believed 
 that no bad effect would arise from it ; that he could speak 
 only for one, but in his oj)inion great good would come from it. 
 He felt it so himself. He believed the bonds would be strength- 
 ened by such measures. He believed that he had experienced a 
 great change in that respect. It has been said that Mr. Ham- 
 mond AA-as aggressive, and had taught Christians they should be 
 aggressive. That is true ; the church should be aggressive — it 
 is the church militant. 
 
 " No one had ever followed him to the portals of the church, 
 to urge him to go back and listen to what might be said, and to 
 remain in the inquiry meeting, till Mr. H., on a certain even- 
 ing a few weeks ago. God in sovereign mercy had blest his 
 Boul as he trusted, and he thanked him to-night that he made 
 Mr. U. in any way to contribute to the result of which he had 
 spoken. 
 
 " Mr. F. alluded to the peculiarity of the occasion, that Mr. 
 H. came here a short time ago, not as a distinguished warrior, 
 or great statesman, claiming the praise of meritorious service, 
 but as a simple soldier of the banner of the Cross. He would 
 not recount his labors, they were familiar to all. He spoke of 
 his success in winning the hearts of children to Christ, of his 
 earnestness in seeking the unity and co-operation of all Chris- 
 tians. The argument, tlie illustration and the appeals he had 
 made to the same. The laborer is worthy of iiis hire, bat we 
 do not asssemble to-night to pay a debt of wages to Mr. H., but 
 to thank (^Jod, and assure Mr. II. of our attachment and affec- 
 tion, and to present him a slight token of our regard. The 
 
280 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 reward of his services in the cause of Christ, he will, we trust, 
 find in another and better world. 
 
 " In addressing Mr. II. he said, ' that in behalf of all who 
 had spoken to-ni^-ht, and in behalf of a large circle of appreciat- 
 ing friends, who had contributed a purse of money as a token 
 of their respect, and who now welcome you again to our midst, 
 for a day, I present you this, which you will please receive as 
 an indication of our esteem, and with our prayers for your 
 prosperity and success in the years to come.' 
 
 " Mr. n. replied in a most affecting manner, thanking Mr. F. 
 for the token, and repeating the expressions of gratitude to the 
 many friends who had given him evidence of their esteem. IIo 
 did not take to himself any praise for what had been accomplish- 
 ed, but attributed it to God, and under him, a large share to 
 the ministers, who had all co-operated with him in the kindest 
 manner in the work. He referred to several things of a most 
 happy character. He spoke feelingly of the children and gave 
 them some timely counsel. He read from Paul's farewell ad- 
 dress to the Ephesians, with great effect. For want of room, 
 we are obliged to omit his remarks. But they were character- 
 istic. The audience were in tears, and all hearts moved. 
 
 " The silence of Rev. Mr. Tufis on the above occasion was at- 
 tributable to his reporting the above. 
 
 " The remarks were interspersed with the singing of familiar 
 and inspiring hymns by the large audience." 
 
 We providentially visitcil this pleasant city, and 
 beheld and heard much of the results of the great 
 revival. We saw hundreds, a large portion of whom 
 had sweetly expressed hope, rise together and 
 sing, " I love Jesus " — a spectacle never to be for- 
 gotten — following as it did, the graphic experiences 
 of several who felt that they were " brands plucked 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 281 
 
 from tliG burning." This work of grace opened a 
 new era in the history of the town — and God alone 
 can trace its streams of influence in their own sweep 
 to eternity. 
 
 In early summer, in obedience to the repeated call 
 of Christians in Brunswick, the beautiful seat of 
 Bowdoin College, and twenty miles from Lewiston, 
 the Evangelist entered upon a course of systematic 
 effort there, to concentrate and use for the salvation 
 of souls, the faiih and workirig power of the 
 churches. 
 
 There had been a burden on the hearts of some 
 connected with the College, both for it — consecrated 
 tQ Christ by prayev — and the people of the town, 
 perhaps never known without a blessing near. 
 
 Dr. Adams' large and beautiful church was soon 
 thronged ; and with him, on the platform, were 
 gathered the Faculty of the College. 
 
 One of the Professors of the College writes to a 
 religious paper ; 
 
 " Mr. Hammond has now been with us two Aveeks, and the 
 Holy Spirit has been present to set his seal to the words of 
 truth uttered by him. Many among us are rejoicing in Christ, 
 and we may add, the work is increasing in power, reaching the 
 hearts of the strong men. At almost every meeting, some of 
 the students in College stand u]> for the first time, to speak from 
 tiie fulness of their hearts of what God has done for them. A 
 number of these students, in company with others, assisted in 
 conducting several meetings the last week, in the outskirts of 
 the town. Last Friday, P. M., Mr. II., accompanied by Rev. E. 
 
282 THE HARVEST WOEK 
 
 P. Whittlesley, and a number of college students, recently inter- 
 ested, and others, went over to Bowdoinham, eight miles from 
 Brunswick, to hold several meetings. One was held in the 
 open air. And the interesting account which the.se young men 
 gave of their recent conversion, caused many men to wipe away 
 the falling tears. Yes, the good Spirit was there, and we hope 
 to hear of blessed results connected with this one visit to Bow- 
 doinham. A childrens' meeting was held in the afternoon, and 
 also a meeting in the church in the evening. 
 
 " Saturday last. Rev. A. C. Adams and Rev. Mr. Balkam, 
 accompanied with about 3C0 youth and children from Lewiston 
 (the greater part of them young converts) made us a visit of a 
 few hours. An open air meeting was conducted on the com- 
 mon bj JNIr. H., immediately on their arrival. It is supposed 
 15C0 persons were present. A very solemn impression was 
 made at the meeting by one of the students, who stated in his 
 address, that he came to the first open air meeting held by Mr. 
 H., sis days ago, an infidel and now he stood up, in the same 
 place, a witness for Jesus. From the common, the children 
 went to the church. Ic was the afternoon for the childrens' 
 meeting ; and it was deeply interesting to listen, while several 
 of the boys from Lewiston, in a calm and clear voice, told the 
 story of their conversion. Surely, we are now witnessing 
 scenes not unlike those when the multitude shouted Hosanna, 
 and the children were permitted by Jesus to lisp his praises, — 
 when lie Himself welcom(?d them by his own tender voice, and 
 loving hands placed upon their heads, close to his side. 
 
 " Having come on a flying visit to the beautiful seat of Bow- 
 doin College, we found the work of God progressing with quiet 
 but deepening interest. On Saturday afternoon, June 14th, at 
 2 o'clock, a meeting was held on the common. A large multi- 
 tude gathered around the stand, on which were seated, vrith 
 Mr. Hammond, Professor Chadbourne, Dr. Adams, of Bruns- 
 wick, Dr. Carruthers, of Portland, and others. 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 283 
 
 *' Di* Adams opened the meeting with Binging. Mr. Ham- 
 mond then spoke for half an hour, and Rev. P. C. Headley made 
 few remarks in conneetion with the revival in Plymouth, 
 Mass. ; a converted student of the Junior class in college, fol- 
 lowed with an earnest appeal ; and Dr. Adams, Dr Carruthers, 
 and others, impressively addressed the concourse. Tears were 
 shed, and great solemnity prevailed. In every part, the meet- 
 ing was a complete success, making all to feel, as Dr. Carruthers 
 Said, that these apostolic methods of reaching and saving men, 
 may be now wisely employed." 
 
 Writes an intelligent lady of high position : 
 
 ** The case of a blind girl,v>hose spiritual eyes have been open- 
 ed to see Jesus, has excited much interest. We cannot describe 
 the scene, when, with tears streaming down her large, dark 
 eyes, she spoke of having found Jesus, and of her desire to go 
 to the Asylum of the Blind, that she might be taught to read the 
 Bible. Oh ! ye who have eyes, and see not, remember the case 
 o^his poor blind girl, and ask, Vvhy am I blind, when I have 
 eyes to sec — eyes to read the word of God? A dear little boy 
 of eight years died, while the meetings were in progress, and re- 
 peated often during his illness the texts he heard from the lips 
 of Mr. Hammond. He left a little letti-r to Mr. H. mitinished. 
 He and his little sister of four years, died the same night, of 
 scarlet fever, and were placed in the same casket. And tiie 
 mother is smiling through her tears, knowing her lambs are 
 gathered home to the bosom of Jesus. 
 
 " It is impossible to calculate the length and breadth of this 
 revival, — the number of souls hopefully converted, and the still 
 greater numbers probal)ly awakened, as never before, to believe 
 in the reality of personal religion. These persons are of all 
 classes and ages, both of men and women, youth and children. 
 The Medical class had nearly closed its session, when j\lr. H. 
 commenced his labors, and yet some students tarried a few days 
 and were blessed. Other strangers, visiting B., have carried 
 
284 THE HAKVEST WORK. 
 
 away a blessing. The college is blessed. There is a deepening 
 of the work of grace among the Christians in College, as well 
 as in town. And a goodly number of students are rejoicing in 
 newfound hopes, and aims, and purposes to live, not unto them- 
 selves, but unto Him who has loved them and died for them. Oh! 
 how gerjtle, yet soul subduing have been the induences of the 
 Hjly Spirit resting on the minds and hearts of these dear 
 youth." 
 
 The following is an interesting story of a conver- 
 sion, published in the Religious Herald : 
 
 " The spring of 18G2, found me a gay and thoughtless girl. 
 Nineteen years of my life had passed amidst Christian influences. 
 During all these years the Spirit of God had often visited my 
 heart, urging me to seek Christ, and devote the morning of my 
 life to his service, but I had turned coldly aAvay from all its in- 
 fluences, and refused to accept Christ as my friend and guide. 
 The first meeting held by you in Brunswick, I attended mc#ly 
 out of curiosity. At the close of the service an inquiry meeting 
 was appointed, but I had no disposition to remain, and wetit 
 home resolved that I would not attend any more of the meet- 
 ings, for I knew they would make me feel restless and unhappy. 
 
 " But, when the next meeting came, and the bells commenced 
 ringing for service, something in their very ringing seemed to 
 say to me '^o.' I went, and during that evening the Spirit of God 
 was striving Avith me, but I withstood its influence, and passed 
 out of the chnrch, regardless of the urgent request for any one, 
 who would like to converse on the subject of religion, to remain. 
 I had proceeded but a few steps, when some friends proposed re- 
 turning just to see what Avould be said to us. "VVe went back, 
 but scarcely any thing was said personally to me as I sat with 
 others. The next evening I did not wish to remain at the in- 
 quiry meeting, but, as all from Topsham stopped, I was obliged 
 to The Spirit was still hovering round, softly yet earnestly 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 285 
 
 pleading with me, and for fear that I should manifest some 
 signs of the deep emotions I felt, I took a seat apart from the 
 rest. I had sat bat a moment, v/hen you (whom I most dread- 
 ed to meet and tried to shun)^ came along and addressed me with 
 the simple words, ' Do you love Jesus? ' I answered, not as I 
 should. You then asked me if I wanted to be a Christian, to 
 which I replied that I had no convictions. You talked a few 
 moments, and then wanted me to kneel down, while you pray- 
 ed. I refused to do this, but you prayed very earnestly for me, 
 told me to read the 3d chapter of John, and left me. I tried 
 to forrjet what you said, but the few simple words, ' Do you 
 love Jesus? ' haunted me. I could not forget them. They ex- 
 cited in my heart the deepest feelings. I thought how much I 
 ought to love Jesus. How kind he had been to me since my 
 angel mother passed away. I remembered, too, that he was 
 my mother''s God. That he sustained and comforted her in 
 sickness, enabling her to leave her children in His protecting 
 care, and made the gloomy ' valley of death ' bright with His 
 presence. It seemed as if I could almost feel her hand resting 
 upon me, and hear her voice urging me to love Jesus, and meet 
 her in heaven. I spent a very restless night. Daring the next 
 day scarcely a moment passed, in which something did not bring 
 to my mind the question, ' Do you love Jesus? ' Everything in- 
 animate seemed suddenly to have acquired voices, and to 
 whisper me reproachfully, ' Do you love Jesus ? ' In this state 
 of mind I attended the meetings fur more than a week, keeping 
 my convictions entirely to myself. Sometimes the sinful 
 pleasures and follies which I must renounce if I became a 
 Christian, appeared very attractive to me. But I felt assured 
 that they could never really satisfy me, that there was a gulf 
 in my heart, which nothing but the peace of Christ could fill. 
 Pride and the Spirit of God were having a severe contest in my 
 heart. I feared above all things that people should think I 
 was serious. I plead an excuse for stopping at the inquiry 
 
233 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 meetings, that I was willing to put myself in the way of con- 
 victions — that many stopped from curiosity, while all the time 
 I wanted to he a Christian. At this time you preached from the 
 words, * Why pcrsecutest thou me ? ' Every word went home 
 to my heart. The thought that Jesus, sitting at the right hand 
 of the Father in glory, should stoop so low as to plead with sin- 
 ners and say, ' Why, oh why,' aflfected me greatly. He seemed 
 to appeal directly to me, and to say, what have I done that you 
 will persecute me. I could bring no charge against the Friend 
 of sinners. He had ever been to me a merciful God, full of 
 forbearance and long-sufiering, and I had repaid ail his good- 
 ness by rejecting his love — by trampling under foot the blood of 
 atonement — by resisting the Spirit — by despising heaven and 
 putting the world in the place of God. That whi/ added great- 
 ly to my unhappiness. The following Saturday I attended a 
 childrens' meeting. As I was leaving the church, you spoke to 
 me and asked what kept me from Jesus? 1 answered truly, 
 fear of the world. That evening you preached from the words, 
 ' Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' 
 During the discourse you said, ' I see before me a young lady, 
 who told me deliberately, this afternoon, that fear of the world 
 kept her from Jesus. Oh i my young friend, you may meet those 
 you now fear in torment, and there they may say, * 'T was you 
 that hindered me from being a Christian.' As you spoke, my 
 sins ari)se before me in all their terrible greatness, and 1 saw 
 m jssW l)&t, forever lostAvithout Christ as an Almighty Saviour. 
 Before you closed your discourse, you spoke of the willingness 
 of Christ, and represented Him as saying 'Come unto me.' 
 An invitation was given for ail who wished to become Christians 
 to rise. 1 did want to become a Christian, but pride rose in 
 my heart stronger than ever, and for a moment conquered. 
 The singing commenced. ' Do n"t reject Him just now.' Pride 
 gave way, and I resolved, God helping me, that I would no 
 loTiff&r reject Christ, but would seek him with fall purpose of 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIHIT. 287 
 
 heart. Looking back upon that evening, I feel that it was with 
 me the turning point, and cannot but exclaim, 
 
 * happy day tho.t fixed my choice 
 On thee my Saviour and my God.' 
 
 Never shall I forget the encouraging words that fell from your 
 lips that evening. You prayed with me, commending me to the 
 care of our heavenly Father. I went alone to ray room, read 
 some precious promise of Christ, and knelt, determined never to 
 rise unless convinced that 1 was saved or lost. I told him, 
 that I came in dependence on his own promise that he would re- 
 ceive sinners, and turn none; aw.iy. I asked him to fulfil his 
 word, and repeated, 
 
 ' Just as I am, without one plea, 
 But that thy biood was s-hed for me, 
 And that thou bidsl me come to thee, 
 Lamb of God, I come.' 
 
 The burden rolled away from my heart, and peace like a river 
 was mine. I had imagined I should have (/reat ecstatic joy, and 
 the reality was so difi'erent that I very soon began to doubt, and 
 the sky again became clouded. That Sabbath evening, when an 
 invitation was extended to those who had given up all for the 
 Lord, and who could sing, * 'Tis done, the great transaction's 
 done,' to rise, I remained seated. I knew tiiat I had yielded 
 all, but 1 had none of that rapturous joy many mention of, and 
 the Tempter whispered that 1 should be acting the hypocrite, 
 and had better wait until I was sure that 1 was a Christian. 
 That whisper turned the scale, and I immediately went back in- 
 to deep darkness. Had it not been for the encouraging words 
 spoken to me at this most trying time, I should have despaired 
 of salvation, and gone back again to the cold world. I 1-ived in 
 this way lOr nearly a week. The following Friday evening, at 
 els o'cloQk, you were to meet me at tbe Mercy-Scat, and 1 
 
288 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 again cast myself on Jesus, asking him to forgjve me for denying 
 him bsforc the world, and solemnly promised never to deny him 
 again. The cwcct peace 1 had ljst%?y diyobodicnce returned 
 to my heart, and I felt a calm, rcstinj^ truztinj in Jesus. I 
 conl'essed him before the vrorld that very evening, by rising Avith 
 Christians, and found additional happiness and strength by 
 converging with those who were sinners, and telling them the 
 simple way in which I found Jesus." 
 
 Another story of God's mercy in salvation is 
 given by one, who emerged from the darkness of 
 error and unbelief: 
 
 " Six y^ars ago, visiting in a Methodist family, whose every 
 member was Christian, 1 discovered a beauty and value of a re- ' 
 ligious experience, I had never realized before, in sjftening and 
 beautifying the character, and controlling the wayward ten- 
 dencies of every nature, subject to the temptations of a city life, 
 an exalted station in society, and worldly wealth. The dear 
 friends' anxious solicitude for my conversion, exhibited in lov- 
 ing warnings, tears, and prayers, touched my heart, and more, 
 because it was their desire, than from an owned sense of duty 
 to God. 
 
 " Knowing what must be the effect of such unceasing efforts 
 upon a sick head, it gave power to your words over me, through 
 your sacrifice ; thus I listened and learned, till I came to lose 
 thought of you wholly, and accept instead, Jesus' words and 
 promises. For days I worked hard, trying to do for myself, till 
 one Tuesday evening, going home from meeting, a friend in- 
 quired of me my state of feeling, and I said, ' I have done every 
 thing I know how to do; and now, if Jesus accepts me, he must 
 take me as I am, or not at all,' not thinking it was all he requir- 
 ed ; and, as I s.iid and felt this, my burdened heart knew its first 
 peace. It seemed like awaking from a disturbed sleep, so quiet 
 
V 
 
 OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 289 
 
 and calm was my hitherto troubled heart. I was not even 
 then fully assured, but, going home, took my Bible and read the 
 first of John, prayed with new zeal, and lay me down sweetly 
 to sleep, as I had not for many nights before. In the morning 
 I awoke with a song of praise in my heart, and ever since have 
 been quietly happy, only regretting wasted time and lost op- 
 portunities of serving God, And now I must tell you this, 
 that even my poor, weak prayers have been heard, and God has 
 heard my mother'' s cry,'''' 
 
 It was the writer's privilege to go amid the mem- 
 orable scenes of that deep and blessed work of the 
 Spirit ; to meet with the students when the heaven- 
 ly influence pervaded the college ; to stand with the 
 pastor who has long been over the flock of Christ, 
 in the sanctuary of God, and open air, when none 
 could doubt the presence of the most High. 
 
 More hallowed hours, fresh and fragrant still in 
 memory, we have never known in all the experiences 
 of Pentecostal blessings. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 Revival Meeting in Portland— Its Origin and Object— Addresses by 
 Rev. Dr. Carruthers and seven other Pastors from Maine — Summa- 
 ry of Principles. 
 
 On Monday evening, June 23d, a large audience, 
 filling the church edifice of the Second Parish, in 
 the city of Portland, assembled to hold a Revival 
 Meeting, as it was called by the pastor ; the first of 
 the kind, we think, ever convened in this country. 
 The idea originated with Dr. Carruthers, by whom 
 it was carried out in detail, with the cordial co-ope- 
 ration of all the Christian people with whom he con- 
 ferred on the subject. The particular evening was 
 selected, because the following day, was the time 
 appointed for the meeting of the General Conference 
 of the State of Maine, and many clergymen and 
 others could attend, with reference to the anniver- 
 sary meetings of the week ; and it was also hoped, 
 that the influence of such an occasion would be 
 pleasant and elevating, upon the churches which 
 were represented there, during the sessions of Con- 
 ference. 
 
 The plan of meeting was, with the usrial religious 
 services, to have brief addresses from seven of the 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 291 
 
 pastors, in whose parishes there had been revivals 
 during the winter and spring. At seven o'clock, 
 Dr. Carruthers opened the meeting with a very 
 appropriate and impressive hymn. 
 
 This was followed by reading the 4th chapter of 
 2d Corinthians. Rev. P. C. Headley offered prayer. 
 After singing another hymn, the pastor spoke of the 
 precious work of grace in his congregation, whose 
 fruits remained to the glory of God ; and eloquently 
 expressed his hope that these manifestations of the 
 sovereign Spirit's power, might be the bright as- 
 surances of a glorious future for the churches of the 
 Eedeemer. 
 
 The Eev. Mr. Wheelright, of Bethel, was the next 
 speaker. He commenced his address with much 
 feeling, which threw a subduing influence over the 
 audience. He said he came to Portland last Novem- 
 ber, and, as he entered this church one evening, the 
 congregation was singing, " Oh to grace how great a 
 debtor ! " and his heart was filled with joy at the 
 words. He felt that God was there ; and asked, can 
 he not bless Bethel? And cannot brother H. come 
 and help gather in the harvest ? He went home, re- 
 solved to go to work for souls, and strive to bring 
 them to Christ. Mr. W. then gave an outline of 
 the efforts and results, which is found in the pre- 
 ceding pages ; closing with the statement, that 
 " when he received a letter from Dr. Carruthers, in- 
 viting him to attend this meeting, he asked the 
 
292 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 young converts wliat he should tell the people — 
 whether he should say the interest of months past 
 had been all excitement. They replied, "no ; tell 
 them God is here." He believed God was in 
 Bethel. He did not wish to call names, but loved 
 Bro. Hammond, as he loved his own soul. God 
 blesses earnest efforts ; and the minister, who labors 
 most earnestly, will be the most successful. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Garland, of the Second Church, Bethel, 
 followed, remarking, that in a few words he could 
 add, God has been blessing the town with the power 
 of his Spirit, Mothers in Israel had been praying — 
 one of them for several days, prayed all the time ; 
 and had just gone to heaven. The triumph of the 
 Cross was complete. Men, not fit for the society of 
 decent people, were converted and began to preach 
 that sinners must be born again. Accessions had 
 been made to the church, and others are soon to be 
 added. It needed no human eulogies, to exalt such 
 a work as had been witnessed in Bethel. 
 
 Eev. J. O. Fiske, of the Winter St. Church, Bath, 
 commenced his statement of the work there, as fol- 
 lows : The best I can say is, to tell you what I saw 
 in Lewiston, last evening. Seven persons, mature 
 in years and experience, rose one after the other, 
 and offered prayer ; and then the young converts. 
 I forgot that I was tired by eight o'clock. One 
 man said that he had not been to meeting for years, 
 but felt he must go and hear Mr. Balkam preach. 
 
OP THE HOLY SPIKIT. 293 
 
 The sermon reached his heart, and soon he found 
 Jesus. He rejoiced to tell them, he was witnessing 
 similar scenes in Bath. Not unfrequently we see a 
 revivino; relio-ious interest, and then it subsides. 
 But the work had been deep in that city. Much 
 earnest prayer had preceded it — some persons spent 
 the whole nin^ht wrestlino- with God. He went to 
 Portland and saw such indications as constrained 
 him to send for Mr. Hammond ; and he thanked 
 God upon every remembrance of him, in his prayers. 
 Mr. F. then sketched graphically the thrilling scenes, 
 whose narrative we have given. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Southworth, of South Paris, said, every 
 true revival must be the work of God, and it must 
 also be carried forward by men — by preaching and 
 prayer, and effort. The stated ministry was indis- 
 pensable, but we ought to use such other instru- 
 ments, as God raises up from time to time. Evan- 
 gelists had their place, among the saving agencies he 
 employed. Mr. S. spoke very earnestly and feel- 
 ingly, of the increase of the spirit of prayer, of the 
 attendance upon meetings — of the indications of 
 God's providence and grace, which led the church to 
 send for help. He went to Bath, and saw the per- 
 sonal efforts of Mr. H. — never before, saw and felt 
 how to approach men, although he believed he loved 
 their souls. He had the assistance of the evangelist 
 but two days, but was taught things he had not 
 learned before. Dr. Carruthers and Dr. Chickering 
 
294 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 also came to his help. It would take a long time to 
 tell what God had wrought, subduing strong men, 
 and bringing babes to Christ. A little boy was con- 
 verted — asked God to bless his father — went home 
 and erected a family altar, and still kept it up. 
 
 Another was so deeply impressed, that he said, he 
 loved Christ, but did not know as Christ loved him. 
 Soon the Spirit revealed Jesus to his heart. The 
 work had been characterized by a vivid sense of 
 guilt. Aged Christians were sure, they had never 
 seen so pungent convictions of sin, in any previous 
 revival. Forty-four had united with the church, 
 and more were coming forward. He closed with 
 an urgent request, for an interest in the petitions of 
 all, at the throne of grace. 
 
 At this point of great interest, prayer was offer- 
 ed ; and the congregation sang a hymn. 
 
 Eev. Mr. Howard, of Farmington, was rejoiced 
 when he heard of this meeting. Edwards declared 
 that one great means of promoting the work of God 
 more than a century ago, was to report its pro- 
 gress, to people unvisited by the divine presence. 
 Pie thouo;ht it miorht save souls in Portland. The 
 past winter he came to P., and saw strong men bow- 
 ing to Immanuel, and longed to transfer the scene 
 to Farmington. He went to Bath, and was called up 
 at dead of night, to pray with two persons. Eeturn- 
 ing home, he asked his people what they should do, 
 to develope and deepen the interest apparent among 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 295 
 
 them. They replied, something must be done. Br. 
 Hammond was invited to come and help them. 
 The snow-drifts blocked up the roads, so that he 
 could not get there. But Christians prayed and 
 worked on — and were encouraged by a letter from 
 young ladies in Bath, saying, that they had resolved 
 to pray, till the blessing came to F. Neglectors of 
 the sanctuary, were seen at church. He felt, in pre- 
 paring for the pulpit, that he must present more dis- 
 tinctly and boldly, the doctrine of an eternal hell, 
 and feared he had neglected this duty. The evan- 
 gelist came, and the work swept through the place. 
 Kev. Dr. Tappan rendered timely assistance, and 
 conversions occurred in connection with his earnest 
 words. The fruits of the revival continued ; — 
 mutual love, and good works. 
 
 God has followed mercy with judgment. A. com- 
 pany of men used to scoff. One of these was smit- 
 ten down last week, and died, " making no sign." 
 His wife was taken with the same fatal disease, dip- 
 theria, and such scenes, as attended her death, can 
 never be forgotten. She knelt on the bed, leaning 
 on her father, and asked him to pray for her. She 
 had known that the Spirit was in the place, but trifled 
 with, and grieved him. She begged for, and we 
 hope found mercy. 
 
 An old man rose in meeting before he left, and 
 asked God to send down the Holy Spirit on this 
 
296 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 meeting ; and if we did not grieve him away, that 
 prayer will be answered — it will. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Balkam, of Lewiston, said there was no 
 rule for the Spirit's operations — striking providences 
 had prepared the way. With the rising religious 
 interest, a desire was expressed by those who had 
 witnessed the work in Portland and Bath, tliat Mr, 
 Hammond should be invited to hold a series of meet- 
 ings. One of the })astors, who had been greatly 
 burdened for the city, felt the suggestion was in 
 answer to prayer, and united with his ministerial 
 brethren in extendino; the call. Durino; four weeks 
 the daily meetings were thronged, sometimes filling 
 two churches the same hour. 
 
 Mr. Balkam dwelt with great force upon the out- 
 lying masses, which could only be reached by these 
 special efforts, and of the immediate answers to the 
 prayers which were offered in the vestry, while the 
 word was being preached above. The lateness 
 of the meetings, was unavoidable. Thousands were 
 brought under conviction of sin, and had there been 
 a sufficient number of Christians to speak and pray 
 with the anxious, he believed there would have been 
 thousands instead of hundreds, converted. The 
 work had reached all classes, from the most refined 
 and educated, to the most degraded. When the 
 question of compensation arose, he was assured that 
 there wpuld be no difl&culty after the people >vera 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 297 
 
 once interested, and he was happy to say that they 
 had not forgotten in Levviston, that the evangelist, 
 as well as the pastor, was worthy of his hire. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Adams, from Auburn, a part of Lewis- 
 ton in situation and business interest, and separated 
 only by a river, was the next speaker. He said 
 he could not, like some who had preceded him, 
 speak of any special, visible preparation among his 
 people. 
 
 The work with them was sudden and powerful. 
 He had long felt, that, owing to his ill health, he 
 could not carry on the extra meetings attendant up- 
 on a revival of religion, without foreign aid. Mr. 
 Hammond's first meeting^ for children was one of 
 great power. At the close of Mr. H.'s address, 
 hundreds of children, among them two of his own, 
 remained at the meeting, many of them weeping for 
 their sins. 
 
 And, when told of Jesus' love for them, they 
 did n't know any better, than to think they might 
 then believe in Jesus, and be saved ; and the result 
 has shown that man}^ of them were then accepted of 
 Christ. 
 
 When he met Mr. H. in Boston last fall, he urged 
 him to devote himself to the great work of preach- 
 ing to children ; and he was now more convinced, 
 that he could not spend his time more profitably. 
 
 Prof. Chadbourne, of Bowdoin College, Bruns- 
 wick, spoke with much feeling of the yearning fbr 
 
298 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 the pastor's office, jvhich the touching narrations 
 had awakened. He then sketched in outline the 
 powerful work in B., including the college. The 
 evangelist could do little without the pastor. Tc 
 God belonged all the glory of salvation. With hes- 
 itation he gave his influence in favor of engaging the 
 services of Mr. Hammond last winter, for the way 
 was not then open. But he blessed God for what 
 he had wrought in connection with them. The 
 work of conviction was deep. 
 
 When Mr. H. proposed an open air meeting, he 
 feared the result, but when, a few days- after, a 
 student spoke of an arrow of conviction having then 
 pierced his heart, he had nothing more to say. 
 
 We had heard much about the way being prepar- 
 ed in other places, but he believed the Lord also 
 prepared instruments for this evangelistic work. 
 God had been preparing Mr. H. for this work. 
 When a freshman in college, he was the same 
 humble earnest laborer, and often as he accompanied 
 him among the mountains, he had been rebuked, to 
 hear him talk with the people about their souls, and 
 asked them if they loved Jesus, as easily as he would 
 ask the way to town. 
 
 From the beginning, the exercises were deeply in- 
 teresting. The waves of hallowed influence would 
 sometimes seem to lift the people from their seats — 
 so marked was the moral power of the occasion. 
 Though not designed at all for the purpose, it in- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 299 
 
 dicated the office of the true evangelist, whatever 
 defects in the methods of labor might appear to the 
 eye of observers, disposed to criticise closely the in- 
 dividual peculiarities of any man. The effect of this 
 demonstration was visible during the week of con- 
 ference, and will be good and wide-spread among 
 the churches ; and may lead to the appointment of 
 similar meetings in our smitten land, under the dis- 
 cipline of Jehovah's hand for our sins, preparing it 
 to breathe the prayer from the depths of Zion's hu- 
 miliation before her king, — 
 
 " O Lord, revive thy work ! " 
 
 The following propositions we think, are establish- 
 ed in the pages of this narrative. 
 
 1. Revivals come not by any sovereign interposi- 
 tion, apart from the responsibility of the church, in 
 securing the salvation of men. In every case, so 
 far as we can trace the history. Christians, at 
 least a small company of God's people, have " set 
 tlieir faces to seek the Lord," — often by fasting and 
 prayer,— then have used the means, personal effort, 
 and calling in such aid as God's Spirit led them to 
 accept. 
 
 Usually, while some have expected a blessing, the 
 work of grace has been carried forward under God, 
 by a minority of the nominal membership of the 
 church. That is to say, a majority have floated on 
 the tide of feeling, or been indifferent. A part only, 
 have manifested living sympathy with Christ in his 
 
800 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 travail of soul, and eiForts to save the perishing. So 
 that, the believing should neither " make haste," nor 
 wait till the church as a body are awake. 
 
 2. The inquiry meeting has been especially bless- 
 ed, and for reasons very simple and influential. The 
 minds of the people are in the best possible condi- 
 tion for hopeful effort in leading to Christ, when the 
 truth is freshly laid upon them, in an atmosphere 
 of prayer, pervaded by the influence of the Holy 
 Spirit, and the difficulties to be met, stand clearly 
 before the conscience. 
 
 Besides, the opportunity itself developes and 
 brings to the surface, conviction which had been 
 hidden for months or years, because no personal 
 effort in their behalf had called it forth. And far- 
 ther, the sif>;ht of a sino;le anxious sinner will affect 
 the inactive Christian more than many sermons ; 
 and often make, also, impenitent observers thought- 
 ful. No other means of promoting a revival has 
 been more signally successful. This demonstrates 
 the affirmation of one who has had much experience 
 in revivals, " that God is always in advance of his 
 church." Christians are not watching and waiting 
 to be " led by the Spirit." 
 
 3. The masses of every community, who do not 
 attend the sanctuary, and are overlooked to a great 
 extent in the ordinary means of grace, have been 
 reached alone by unusual methods to gain the listen- 
 ing ear ; such as inviting them to come, and open- 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 301 
 
 ing a temple or hall freely to them ; or in the open 
 air, bringing to bear upon them, the agencies of sal- 
 vation. 
 
 4. Children can be converted,- — and oftener than 
 otherwise, are made the first fruits and earnest, of a 
 glorious harvest in the kingdom of God. The com- 
 mand of Him who took them in his arms, rino-s over 
 the generations since that hour, but imperfectly 
 heard and heeded by the church of his love, " suffer 
 the little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
 not." 
 
 5. The simple gospel, presented directly and 
 earnestly to the conscience, is " the power of God 
 unto salvation." In no instance has a revival or 
 conversion been traced to logically powerful or 
 elaborate sermons as such ; but oftener than other- 
 wise to the repeated text of God's word ; a fearless, 
 tender appeal, or a tearful declaration of what God 
 has done for the soul. Sermons and the pastorate 
 are indispensable, but successful, in proportion to 
 the Scriptural simplicity, and adaptation of the truth 
 and labor, in the ministry and laity, to the com- 
 mon thought and experience, accompanied with be- 
 lieving prayer. 
 
 6. The power of a revival, and consequently its 
 extent, depend very much upon the united efforts 
 and hearty support by Christians, of the plainest and 
 most searching exhibitions of the truth of God. 
 If his seal of approval is apparent, and thus recog- 
 
802 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 nized, cavilers and scoffers are left to the lightnings 
 of Sinai, as well as to the tears of Calvary, with no 
 refuge or hiding place in the church of God. We 
 think this point of primary importance. " The ter- 
 rors of the law," have their place in the gospel mes- 
 sages, and cannot be ignored without fatal loss of 
 power. Love must alarm, as well as beckon. 
 
 7. It is also clear, that, while we are not called 
 upon to deny the imperfections and mistakes in the 
 human agencies, and to have no desire for their re- 
 moval, it is obligatory upon Christians, to accept 
 whatever God sends to promote his kingdom, 
 using it with all bold and hallowed prudence, and 
 prayer. And his seal may be seen in the Holy 
 Spirit's saving presence, overruling the weakness of 
 man for the glory of God, in securing the travail of 
 the Redeemer's soul. 
 
 8. One of the principal means of success, in special 
 efforts, is the Scriptural method of dealing with 
 souls, in seeking and expecting an immediate de- 
 cision, upon the claims of Christ. We think no 
 single source of power in the harvest-work, greater 
 than an urgency of appeal to the impenitent, with a 
 full dependence on the sovereign Spirit, not to leave 
 the sanctuary or the place of entreaty, without the 
 choice of God,— the submission of the soul uncondi- 
 tionally to Him,— pressing upon the sinner the com- 
 mand, " Choose you this day whom ye will serve." 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 803 
 
 9. Another fact, and peculiarity of the evangelis- 
 tic labors described in the pages of this volume, is 
 the directness of the effort to the sinner's case. No 
 preparatory sermons to the church were delivered ; 
 but relying on the few engaged in the Master's ser- 
 vice, and the truth as it is in God's word, with the 
 quickening effect upon all Christians, which their 
 efforts to save, and the tears of the anxious will 
 have ; the labors of even a day or two have re- 
 sulted often in the conversion of many souls. This 
 was Richard Weaver's, and also Reginald Radcliff 's 
 successful method, in Scotland and England. And 
 this suggests the question : whether an expectant 
 and decided measure to test and develope feeling in 
 our congregations, by pastors, would not often be 
 the outburst of the gracious work of the Spirit. 
 Manifold are the ways of the Lord in saving men, 
 and revivals in their origin conform to this fact, in 
 the economy of his grace. 
 
 10. The question sometimes raised, why were can- 
 victions of sin — of personal guilt — generally deeper, 
 formerly than now, we think answered in the nar- 
 ratives of conversion. It is not because, as a young 
 clergyman recently remarked, men, in the progress of 
 theological thought, pass '* more easily and gracefully 
 into the kingdom ;" but on account of superficial 
 views of the natural heart and its only means of 
 cleansing. The best indication that the Holy 
 Spirit's work has been chronicled, is the poignant 
 
304 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 sense of sinfulness expressed by nearly all who gave 
 evidence of conversion. 
 
 Those who have been " slain by the law, and 
 made alive by Christ," have a clear and well de- 
 fined experience, and love to hear all truth, re- 
 ceiving with docility and profit, that contrasted and 
 awakening statement of the sinner's lost condition ; 
 " He that believeth shall be saved and he that 
 believeth not shall be damned." Any other gos- 
 pel, i. e., messages mainly of love and clemency, or 
 of guilt, judgment and retributive wrath, are a par- 
 tial exhibition of truth. Paul declared, solemnly, 
 " Knowing the terrors of the law, we persuade men." 
 God's ambassadors and witnesses, need to feel more 
 dee^Dly the words of the faithful, tearful Doddridge : 
 
 " The watch for souls, for which the Lord 
 Did heavenly bliss forego ; 
 For souls — that must for ever live 
 In raptures or in woe ! " 
 
 The sainted Bogatzky expressed the living Chris- 
 tian's holy longirg, a century and a quarter ago ; 
 a fitting close to the records we have given of the 
 past : 
 
 " Oh that thou <vouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come 
 down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence ... to 
 make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may 
 tremble at thy presence." — las. Ixiv. 1, 2. 
 
 " Awake, thou Spirit, who of old 
 
 Didst fire the watchmen of the Church's youth ; 
 
 Who fliced the foe, unshrinking, bold, 
 
 Who witnessed day and night the eternal truth, 
 
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 805 
 
 Whose Voices through the world arc ringing still, 
 And bringing hosts to know and do thy will. 
 
 *' Oh that Thy jBre were kindled soon, 
 That swift from land to land its flame might leap; 
 Lord, give us but this priceless boon 
 Of faithful servants, fit for Thee to reap 
 The harvest of the soul ; look down and view 
 How great the harvest, yet the laborers few. 
 
 *' Lord, let our earnest prayer be heard, 
 
 The prayer Thy Son Himself hath bid us pray ; 
 For, lo ! thy children's hearts are stirr'd, 
 In every land in this our darkening day. 
 To cry for help with fervent soul to Thee ; 
 Oh hear us. Lord, and speak, — Thus let it be ! 
 
 *• Oh haste to help, ere we are lost ! 
 
 Send forth Evangelists, in spirit strong, 
 Arm'd with Thy Word, a dauntless host. 
 Bold to attack the rule of ancient wrong ; 
 And let them all the earth for Thee reclaim, 
 To be Thy kingdom and to know Thy name. 
 
 " Would there were help within our walls ! 
 Oh, let thy promised Spirit come again, 
 Before whom every barrier falls, 
 And, ere the night, once more shine forth as then ! 
 Oh rend the heavens, and make Thy presence felt, 
 The chains that bind us at Thy touch would melt ! 
 
 *' And let Thy Word have speedy course. 
 Through every land the truth be glorified. 
 Till all the heathen know its force. 
 And gather to thy churches far and wide ; 
 And waken Israel from her sleep, Lord ! 
 Thus bless and spread the conquests of Thy Word! 
 
306 THE HARVEST WORK 
 
 " The Church's desert paths restore, 
 
 That stumbling blocks, which long in them have lain, 
 May hinder now Thy Word no more ; 
 Destroy false doctrine, root out notions vain ; 
 Set free from hirelings, let the church and school 
 Bloom as a garden 'neath Thy prospering rule ! 
 
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