BOY IN THE PULPIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8100, 27 August 1904, Page 4

BOY IN THE PULPIT.

LAD OF TEN WHO HAS PREACHED 4000 SERMONS. This is, indeed, the age of prodigies. On the night of Jim© 28, in- a large tent hat had been erected near Holloway Staion, Lonnie L. Dennis, the Americar. boy ireacher, aged ten, held the close attention if an audience of 30GO persons. It was a strange sight. The lad, who is all for his years and well knit, faced- his learers with all the assurance of a grown nan. All the usual pulpit, mannerisms are it his command, his words are eptly chosen md his flow of language inexhaustible. Dressed in a white surplice, he paced up md down the little platform and emphasisid liis points with dignified and appropriate jesfcure. The father of Dennis was an American [ndian. His mother, who accompanies kirn, s a negr.ss. The lad has a pure olive comslcxion, dark, lustrous eyes, a broad brow, md his black curls hang over his shoulders. After the sermon, the,- boy, with folded inns, told how he came to preach. "When I was between two and three, I [eit a Divine call to speak to men about iheir souls. At firet I practised on dolls. And having talked to them and sang to them, I baptised them," added Dennis, with i gleeful lough. " When I was four T preached to a regular congregation in a Congregational chapel, and I have regularly preached ever since, having addressed over 4000 audiences in rarious parts of ihe United States and Canada. I don't care ior creeds aud opinions — .Key only lead to argument. I jus* tell people 'about the Gospel, and that is good enough." Tho boy added that he had never been to school.