Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-24
MOODY AND SANKEv.
How the American ReyIvaIisis ia En-
gland are Regarded.

How the American ReyIvaIisis in En-
gland are Regarded.
Considering it as Opportuue to the pres
| ent religious situation we publish the fol-
/ lowing article from the NeJy York TriJ-
/ Jne Of April p.
The English papers Of this month come
TO US filled with attack and defense Of the
American reyiyalists, Messrs. Moody and
Sankey, who are now holding "a sta,iOnN
in Exeter Hall. Their critics appear no
bettera able to class these preachers or to ac-
count for the fury Of religious zeal which
has followed them over England, than If
they were dealing with a species Of sp-iJ-
ual "wbat is it, One journal asCribes
the immense COuClurses which have as
sembled daily TO greet them in London to
paltTy curiosity, "Which is rewarded by
commonplace arguments favored with an
ecd0tes and Americanisms-in short, vul-
gaIity." Another, reluctant to credit these
causes with the enthusiasm Of audiences
which, it asserts, are largely composed of
the higher classes, declares that the phe-
nomeuaI excitement is due solely to the
singing. The roll of rhythmIcal sound
from several thousand voices is quite suf-
iicieut, 10 alleges, to produce the tactitiOus
feryOr, miscalled conviction or conversion.
The Spectator, after admitting with a good
deal Of chagrin shat the aristOcracy Of the
West End crowd Exeter Hall to hear these
men, scOlds Moody and Sankey rOundly
for presumiug 70 instruct hearers aCCus-
toned TO listen 20 men whom they cannO.
approach in depth or manliEess Of religious
teaching, and advises them to betake
themselves 60 East London or StGiles, where
the wretched and criminal classes are ac-
cessible. Other papers TEEN with accounts /
Of the increase Of melanchOli2, or religious
mania, in towns where the wave Of excite
ment is subsidug, while still others assure /
us that the temporary agitation once pass |
ed, no effect whatever is perceptible.
The plain fact remains that Massrs.
Moody and Saukey still attract the people, |
and we cannot see for our part why any |
beat or discussion need be provoked by il. !
No dOubt the audiences are at first largely |
composed Of church-gOing people, who |
wish % test the value Of this new religious !
force. and Of the inevitable shifting crowd |
that from the days Of the AJhenians until |
now have followed the thing that is new. !
Is people Of culture are offended by Amer |
icauisms and vulgarity, their culture dOub,- |
less viii defend them from serious harm. |
But tie fact that such people 90 TO Exeter |
Hall rather th y their own churches GER
tainly implies that Messrs. Moody and /
Slukey, vulgar or otherwise, have some /
thing 10 give them which they lack and do ]
not receive from s'better teachers The |
London Times perhaps reaches the solu- |
ton Of the mystery when il says that their |
power lies in certain hone truths concern /
ing our relation to God, and life and It's |
uses, spoken by very sincere and earnest |
men. If these home truths are brought /
home to English titled or untitled classes /
by "Bible stories told in Chicago dialect" /
OF by Americanisms, or by rythmical chants /
by thousands Of voices" we, with all other i
rational men, shall be heartily glad, and 4
consider the good taste Of the m ans by I
which it was done a very small matter in
deed II man is reused from sleep to be /
told that but a short day lies between him /
and death, and hastens to fill that day with /
necessary good work, it concerns him little |
whether he vas awakened by solemn music 4
OF the crOwirg Of the baru-yaid cock. We |
shall be Glad If Blessrs. Moody and Sankey i
come home as sincere and earnest men as
they are now said % be, and waken rs
unto dideren. lives by any means they
choose.