p. 248 | A Sharp Criticism

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1875

A Sharp Criticism.

THE Stockton Leader, edited by Mrs. Gordon, gave the following opinion of the manner in which Mr. Hammond conducts his meetings :—

"We confess to a thorough disappointment in the man. The impression we had received, and which was doubtless shared by many of our citizens, was that Hammond was a gentleman of culture, thoroughly devoted to the cause of his Master, earnest and truthful in his utterances, quiet in his demeanor and eloquent and impassioned in his appeals to those hardened of heart, and whom he is seeking to lead to the better way. We find him a buffoon in his actions, a boor in his language, and a trickster in his method. With those earnest Christians who are unselfishly laboring with him to bring sinners to repentance, we have the most profound sympathy, for their efforts we have the highest appreciation—but if the 'profound religious interest' so fervently hoped for reveals itself in this community it will be in spite of rather than through any effort of the Rev. E. Payson Hammond. God sometimes chooses unworthy instruments to perform his service, but beneath the trick of manner and the vein of coarseness there must lie a solid substratum of earnestness of life and sincerity of purpose. Something of the same disappointment which we have felt, has doubtless infused itself in the community. * No magnetic power was evinced by either manner of speech or gesture, and no enthusiasm was awakened. The tediousness of detail which characterizes Mr. Hammond's illustrative anecdotes, weakens his effort, and the listener waits anxiously for the crowning point to be reached, until interest gives place to weariness, and the application falls without effect."