The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-30
The American Evangelists in Ireland.
BY REV. JOHN HALL, D. D.

now in progress in three of the most infuen-
tial cities of Ireland that deserve notice, as
indicating the class of persons to whom 1t
has commended itself as true work OF the
Spirit of God. All observation shows that
among a comparatively illiterate people,
movement resting in large measure upon
feeling, may have great apparent volume,
and yet in short time shrink into insignit
canoe. But such is not the condition of the
persons whom this movement includes; and
we venture to mention one or two circum-
stances that may inspire confidence in it, and
encourage expectant effort among ourselves.
Some few weeks ago, according to usage
we'll established in Great Britain, public
breakfast was given to the EVangelists, in
the Shelbourne Hotel $50 we'll known to
Americans who have visited Dublin at
which cultivated and enlightened men of
standing, socially and educationally, endorsed
the labors of our American brethren, and
spoke of them with one accord as inaugu-
rating new condition of things in Ireland.
Another indication is found in the attitude
of the Roman Catholic newspapers, in which
whatever may be thought of their aims
no one can doubs tie apount of brain and
energy. One leading paper found its policy
of railery and caricature unsustained by
the feeling of its constituency; and it was
at length effectively rebuked by another Ro-
man Catholic paper in an earnest and en-
phatic plea for "Fair Play" to all. DR..
Cullen had good reason to mutter his disap-
proval when such voices were heard in his
own camp.
The Establishment has always separated
the Episcopal clergy-many of whom are
emiuently godly and learned--from their
brethren, but as many as thirty or forty of
these men may be found around Mr.. Moody
in meetings that number many thousands, in
building constructed for an exhibition, and
which accommodates three or four times as
many as any edifce in Dublin. The pithy,
nervous, direct style of address by which
Mr.. Moody is characterized, is already mod
flying the formal and stately pulpit manner
of the excellent brethren.
Nor is it in Dublin only, nor under the
personal influence of the eVangelists, that
this Christian cooperation is being introduced.
The following is occurring in Belfast, where
the power and value of the movement suffer
no diminution
Two neighboring churches, one Episcopal
and the other Presbyterian, whose ministers
and members cordially sympathize and CO.
operate in this good work, lately agreed to
hold united prayer meeting every Sabbath
at the close of the evening services. For
some time this meeting was held alternately
in the school-houses belonging to the two
congregations. the Episcopal minister presid-
ing in the Presbyterian sChool'room, and
the Presbyterian minister in the Episcopal
schoolhouse. Latterly, however, the meet
ings became so large that the school.rooms
could not contain them, and they had to be
transferred to the churches; and so on Sab
bath evening week the meeting was in the
Presbyterian church, the Episcopal minister
presiding, and on Sabbath evening last was
held in the Episcopal church, the Presbyte-
rian minister presiding.
On the oath of November a " Convention
was held in Dublin, at which not less than
twenty thousand persons were reported as
being present, the Bishop of KilmOre and an
immense body of the Presbyterian and Epis-
copalian clergy from all parts of Ireland be-
ing on the platform. The meeting lasted
from ten in the morning till night fall. One
who was present writes of it thus:
"Somewhere about thousand seats were
reserved for the clergymen who attended,
and the greater number of these were occu-
pied during the day by ministers from all
parts of ireland, from Cork to Coleraine.
It was a grand thing in land where eccle
sastical 8trifes have ragged so fercely for
ages, to see dignitaries of the Episcopal
Church, Fellows of Trinity College, Presby-
terrain clergymeu, rectors of city and rural
parishes, Methodist and Independent minis
tiers, forgetting for the time the points on
which they differed, only remembering the
grand verities on which they were agreed,
and in loving unity and earnestnesS deliber-
ating how best the grand ideal might be re
allied, ireland for Christ, and Christ for
Ireland One of the most noticeable Of
these was the grand earnestness which pre-
vailed. We have attended meetings of many
deliberative bodies, but in none have we seen
anything like the same depth of feeling as
on Tuesday, The hearts of all present we're
wonderfully stirred Old ministers and
young wept ike children for very joy. At
times so utterly overcome were they that
they seemed scarce to know whether to weep
or laugh, and tears and songs were curiously
mingled till one was reminded of the scene
at the rebuilding of the Temple. Venerable
clergymen we're not ashamed to say that they
themselves had been greatly benefited, and
all were agreed as to the coming of bes-
sing to the city such as they had never seen
nor expected to see. As to his theology,
the Rev. Sidney Smith, D. D and exit.
CD, carried the meeting with him when he
declared that it was the Theology of Gods
own word, which he had long loved, and
which he bad been in the habit of associating
with such names as Romano and Matthias
and Henry Irwin Similar testimonies were
borne all around.
GA very profitable hour was spent in the
discussion of the problem, How to reach
the masses The Revs. DR.. Knox, H. M.
Williamson, and J. H. Macintosh of Belfast
were among the ablest speakers. But the
enthusiasm of the meeting reached its climax
during the hour devoted to the consideration
of the question What can be done to promote
the extension of Gods work in Ireland?' The
Rev. w. Fleming Stevenson introduced this
subject with an address of singular power,
in which he set forth whas was wanting on
our part if the kingdom was to be won
When towards the end of his address he ex-
claimed in tones which rung over all the
meeting, ireland can and shall be won for
Christ, an electric thrill seemed to run