Contrary to all expectations Mr. Hammond was led back to Corning the next Tuesday, where he was able to spend one night. A crowded house greeted him. From the very first it was evident that "the arrows of the King were sharp in the hearts of the King's enemies.” "The slain of the Lord were many." So great was the number of anxious inquirers that it was impossible to close the meetings till long past midnight. Though Mr. Hammond was obliged to leave the next day for Hornellsville and Erie, yet the work went on with great power. The results were widespread and permanent. Some of the children converted at that time, Rev. Dr. Niles writes, are now missionaries in foreign lands doing a grand work for the Master.

CHAPTER XX.

Erie-Remarkable Experience of a Minister-ConsecrationResults-Williamsport - Peoria-Remarkable Work--Cars Thrown from the Track--Judge Gale's Conversion—A Doctor's Experience-A Raid upon Pekin--Many SurrenderNote from D. W. McWilliams-Missionaries for Japan.

After three days at Hornellsville, meetings were commenced at Erie, where Mr. Hammond spent eight days. Rev. Mr. Bainbridge, who has since written an interesting book giving an account of his travels around the world, had visited Mr. Hammond in Corning, and secured from him a promise to spend at least a week with him in Erie. Other churches joined in the work.

The Presbyterian Banner correspondent says:

"We trust hundreds have been converted in our city; some of whom would have been regarded as almost hopeless. One hundred and forty have connected themselves with the Baptist church, and several of the others will have large additions. Thirty-four persons, among whom were several of our most influential citizens, came forward and confessed Christ."

C. W. Higgins, writing to the American Presbyterian, says:

"Rev. Mr. Hammond read, this morning, a deeply interesting letter, before the Erie County Sabbath-school Convention :

"I am nearly a stranger to you, though I heard you preach in Rochester in 1863, when I was in the Theological Seminary. But I did not work in the meetings. And much of the time, since I have been preaching, I have labored under the lash. But nearly two months ago the Holy Spirit showed me that I was not living as a minister of Christ ought. But the Holy Ghost came upon me in answer to earnest prayer and self-examination, and began to purify me. In the first place, I made an entire consecration of myself to the Lord. I asked myself a number of questions, probing to the very centre of my soul, wrote them out on paper, went to my room, and after a full confession of my sinfulness to God, prayed for grace to answer them in the affirmative. The struggle was very severe; but at last grace was given me in full measure. I was enabled to feel that my will was swallowed up in the divine will. And a few days of great peace and boldness in the Lord succeeded, and then I prayed for a still greater anointing of the Holy Ghost, and, thanks to Jesus, it came. For nearly an hour and a half I had the most unspeakable sense of the presence of the Spirit. I was almost speechless. I felt so deeply that I had not honored Him in my preaching. Then a sweet and blessed view of Jesus succeeded, filling my whole soul with a most ecstatic sense of the preciousness of the blood of Calvary. Then came a realization of the love of the Father in giving His Son to die for me. I could hardly endure the sight.

"The fruits are most blessed. I preach as I never ex

pected to. I have the boldness to tell the people anything that I know God wants me to. I have a spiritual discernment I never had before. I have power with God in prayer such as I never experienced. It is blessed to live by the faith of the Son of God.

"What a blessing to the Church and the world would ensue, if all of us that handle the word of life should wrestle up to a like experience. Surely we should also speak with

' other tongues' as the Spirit should give us utterance."

WILLIAMSPORT, PA.

The next place of labor was in Williamsport, where Mr. Hammond spent eight days. No building in the city was large enough to contain the crowds. Every nook and corner of the Court House was filled. "Reconstructed Christians were aroused to greater activity. It was reported that during the brief time Mr. Hammond was there, something like eight hundred professed conversion. Whether this be true or not, it was a mighty work of God's Spirit, and one long to be remembered. Anson G. Phelps Dodge, son of William E. Dodge, resided there at the time, and induced the men employed in his lumber works to attend the meetings.

PEORIA, ILL.

Nearly all the ministers in this city were united in laboring with the evangelist for the salvation of souls. About eight years after, says Rev. Dr. Hovey, now of Minneapolis, those who were still

present with the others united in inviting him again to that city, but Mr. Hammond was on his way to California and could not go. The daily and the religious press gave lengthy accounts of the work there. We give a few extracts :

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'About three weeks since, at the urgent solicitations of the Christians of Peoria, Rev. E. P. Hammond came here. During the first week of his stay, meetings were held more especially for children, and God so far blessed his efforts that we think it safe to say about three hundred children were rejoicing in a Saviour's love. Since that time meetings for adults have been held every evening. Our largest hall has been found incapable of holding all those that throng to hear Mr. Hammond. While he speaks of the wonderful love of God, of His ready forgiveness, words so simple that a child may understand, we cease to wonder at his success. 'Tis not merely the outcasts from society that have been reclaimed during these meetings, but a large number of our most prominent and influential citizens, who have disbelieved the Bible, and even scoffed and made light of the meetings, when they first attended, have given conclusive evidence of their love for Christ. Some of our most distinguished lawyers and physicians have taken a decided stand, and declared their determination to serve the Lord the remainder of their life. Many, of all classes, ages, and conditions of men, who have not attended church during the last nine or ten years, have, through the influence of God's Spirit, been drawn to the meetings. The good that is being done here cannot be estimated. Business men seem to be absorbed in the prevailing topic, religion.

"The First Presbyterian church was thronged last evening, and the meeting was one of the deepest and most intense interest. At the close of a practical sermon by Mr.