Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-16
THE EVANGELEsTS AND THEIR
WORK.


While We do not pretend to edit re-
ligious journal, and have ever carefully
abstained from the expl ession of views
savOring in the least of sectarianism,
we feel more than passing interest in
al movements calculated to elevate the
moral and spiritual tone of our CON-
munity. Such a movement we con-
slider that inaugurated by the Evange-
lists who are about closing their labors
in this city. The news of the wonderful
results accomplished by their mission to
Kentucky had reached the ears Of our
church people, and upon an invitation
from many Of the ministers Of
Nashville, Mr.. Bliss, accompanied
by the Rev. DR.. Brooks. Of St.
Louis - whom he accidentally
met on his journey-came frat.
During the brief stay of DR.. Brooks,
those who heard him enjoyed an in
tellectual treat Of rare excellence with
displays Of splendid oratory. A speaker
of noble and commanding presence,
deep piety, thorough culture, and con-
vincing power, he went straight to the
heart of the listener, and his short, ef-
! fective illustrations will be long re-
membered. OF Mr.. Bliss it may be
said that, while his style is thoroughly
finished, he sings with his whole soul,
and never fails to touch the tenderest
chords Of feeling, as well by the pa
thetic melody Of his voice, as by his
evident conscientiousness and deep hui
mility.
Mr.. White was delayed in reaching
Nashville, and when he did arrive he
found the city fairly aroused. Going
almost directly from the train to the
Exposition building, he proceeded at
once to work. The audience soon per-
ceiycd that q man out Of the common
order was speaking to them, whose
powers Of argument were common
surate with the work before him.
Taese two laborers IN the harvest Of
sOals did not come to us in the interest
of any particular church or denomina-
ton; they have been simply preaching
the Gospel Of salvation, in the plainest
and most earnest terms, taking for
their text that Christ was crucifed,
that he died on the cross, that be shed
his blood for sinners, and that they
who believe on him shall be saved and
have eternal life.
The great mistake made by most
ministers is that they are prone TO
preach elaborate sermons Of a merely
doctrinal character; IN talking above
mems heads, they fail to reach their
hearts. On the other hand, the Evan
geIists have appealed to the human ma
tire Of the people, who have been won
not by eloquence, but extreme simplici-
ty, direetness and a plain, common
sense way Of dealing with sinners. First.
they selected aneutral place Of worship.
The Exposition building answered the
purpose admirably. Here, on common,
rough benches, gathered the rich and
the poor, the educated and the ignor-
ant, the good and the bad; silk skirts
came in close contact with the faded
caGooes of poverty. and the humble cay
laborer sat next the prosperous mer-
chant OF banker. Ali distinctions were
ignored; the people met on one COM
m5u level, to hear the Gospel preached
as they had never heard it preached be-
fore. The attendance increased
steadily until even that vast building
seemed too small Christians who had
grown rusty for want Of interest,
church members who were not true to
their faith, back-shders, sinners and
sc1ffers felt that an influence was at
work which they could not resist. The
glad tidings were announced to them
IL way that charmed tcem by It's
very simplicity. The whole commu-
nifty was aroused, an interest was man
Tested heretofore unparalleled. All
other reyivals pale before this great
awakening. May its results be as per-
mauent as its manifestations have been
extraordinary.