MRS HAMPSON’S MISSION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2485, 24 March 1882, Page 3

MRS HAMPSON’S MISSION.

Mrs Hampson held another meeting in the Theatre Royal, last evening. By an arrangement agreed to some days ago, visitors from a distance only were admitted by ticket until seven o’clock. A large number availed themselves of the opportunity of thus securing seats, but long before seven a crowd of persons from the immediate neighborhood had assembled around the doors, and eagerly waited for the stroke of seven, at which the doors were thrown open to the public. It was, therefore, rather difficult to give effect to the committee’s agreement, but the best was done that could be under the circumstances. Before 7 30, the lime for the commencement of the service, the Theatre was crowded in every part. At half-past seven hymn No. 14, Sankey’s collection, was announced by Mrs Hampson, and sung by the congregation, led by Mr Twsntyman, jun., and his choir, after which Rev. Taylor, of Addington, led in prayer. Nfxt, hymn No. 40 was sung, then Mrs Sampson road Luke XV., remarking in passing that the grear, the rich, the learned—the Scribes and Pharisees, stood at a distance and simply watched the Saviour, while the common people heard him gladly. Curling the lip of room the haughty Phans es said, “ ibis man reooiveth sinners and eateth with them.” But Jesus took the taunt of his enemies and bound it like a laurel-wreath about his brow, and wore it as he wears it in the Bible, now one of the grandest and most glorious truths that have been revealed to us. The parable of the Prodigal Son was taken to illustrate the case of the sinner—a poor bankrupt doomed to eternal penury, coming through Jesus back to the home and bounty of a loving father. Then another hymn was sung, after which Mrs Hampson led in prayer. After praying Mrs Hampson proceeded to deliver her address, taking as her text, John xiv., 6, “Jesus said unto him I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by mo.” She said Jesus is the way back to the father heart of God. Men everywhere seem to believe in a God, but the great cry of the human heart was—wherewith shall I draw near unto my God. The Hindoo, with a clear intellect, threw himself under the wheels of the Juggernaut oar. Why 1 Simply because he knew there was a cloud between him and his God, and he would give his life to get rid of that cloud. The loving mother placed her darling beneath the dark water of the Ganges that she might fit it for the fields beyond. God might bo seen in law, hut as God in law was dead against a sinner, sin and holiness cannot dwell together. God might be seen in Providence, but, as seen in Providence, he is so high we cannot reach him. God in Christ is the God we can approach and touch. Through Jesus we receive Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. Christ is the Christian’s religion. What is the meaning of religion ? It is a compound word—re, back ; ligo, ligature—the strong piece of calico with which surgeons bind two parts of broken limb un'il they unite and grow together. By Christ heart of God and heart of man bound together until the two, separated by sin, become one again. Others are trying other ways, but there was but one way—Jesus is the only way. Jesus also was the life, Mon were galvanizing corpses, causing them to stand and do a groat many very strange things, but the very operators shuddering at the ghastliness of the dead body while it was moving find they thrust it back into the grave, saying—Life is God’s prerogative, and only Ho cen cause the dead to live again. So with the icul men might try by their own works to restore life to their spirits, but it was only by believing in Jesus that they could receive life—it "must come from God. Jesus was also the Truth. He is the keystone of the arch of truth, the sun of the system of truth. Without this other truths were imperfect and confused. Very striking anecdotes of facts which had come under Mrs Hampson’s own notice were related with tolling effect, and the address was very eagerly listened to by the very large audience. Several persons wer t to the enquiry room at the close of the service.

At the midday meeting today there were about 300 persons present. Several special request* for praise to be offered to God for good received in the services yesterday were read. Mr bH* npson read a tew to-ess frtm Kjmam m., and delivered ft very forcible address, the gist of which was that as God

bad given much, tho congregation should in return consecrate themselves to God ; the tongue of the whisperer should be given to Jetua; the ear of the gossip should be converted and consecrated to God ; professing Christians should be careful not to . whisper rumors about members of churches, or to calumniate the character of any person, but should go to tho loved ones and tell them what they had to say and go to Jesus and pray for them—body, soul, and spirit should be entirely consecrated to God. About a hundred special requests for prayer, which had been summarised, were read, and special prayers were offered. There will be a service in the Theatre again this evening at 7 30.