The New York herald., 1875-09-19
The Coming Revival.

nloouy ana Sankey nave begun ther Work
In this country in good earnest. They say
they are led in all their movements by the
answers which come to prayer, and if this
be true MIR. Tyndalrs prayer test has been
put to practical trial with very important re-
suits. Whether we stand ready TO admit or
deny their claim that they are wholly gov
erned by suggestions which come from be-
yond the veil, we cannot help conceding the
point that they are ruled by common sense
Instead of entering our large cities with
great flourish of trumpets and proclaiming
beforehand the victories they proposed to
achieve, they have gone quietly to work in
some of the smaller villages to find out how
much the average North American citizen
wants, what is called in ecclesiastical Ian
guage, a change of heart. 1t is safe to re-
gard these smaller meetings as a fair portent
Of the future as barometrical indications of
the state of the spiritual atmosphere
20 be sure there are people who cavil and
criticise in surly mood This fact is, per-
haps, a favorable symptom. Some people
cannot see and others will not. There are
men who are born with constitutional an
gularity which destroys the focal point Of
every picture. The general effect is to them
blurred and marred. They foreordained
to find fault with everything, and they fulfil
their mission in way that is very compli-
mentary to the peculiar and original mole
cule from which they were evolved. 1t is
not surprising that even Northfeld, quiet
and unobtrusive village, in which the great
revivalists held a monster meeting, should
be supplied with its share of this element of
society, Wise heads were shaken and omi-
nous predictions were uttered to the effect
that very little good will be done in this
country by either Moody or Sankey or even
the Lord, in any attempt Of this kind. The
respectable and well-to-do people did not 60
to the meetings and the poor people would
not. Still the house was crammed TO over
flowing, which proves conclusively that the
middle class at least has neither lost any
thing in sense or numbers.
Now it is perfectly plain to all critical OBJ
servers of men and things that these evange-
lists are good, honest and earnest laborers,
and that their sole aim is the spiritual well
polished in utterance as some city orators,
not quite golden-mouthed like Chrysostom,
not always correct in their conceptions Of
grammar, but they are true and self-sacrific-
ing, and have worthy purpose in all their
efforts. That conceded we can forgive many
blunders
New York needs q revival, and the Church
will undoubtedly give it warm welcome.
The pulpit has never yet equalled its own
idea of excellence It has been timid and
timeserving 1t has not rebuked the evils of
the day in bold and chivalric fashion for
fear that some of its broad aisle pews would
be for sale on Monday morning. If preach
ers are in the pay OF rich parishioners that
is one thing, and in that case we advise great
caution and the eloquent use of glittering
generalities but if preachers are in the pay of
the Lord let the people hear from them. What
ever evils exist in the community, whether
they are of political or social character,
let them be rebuked in tones not made timid
by fear that the salary will not be paid.
These evangelists will, we believe, wake
up the ministry, and that is equivalent to
waking up everybody. There is no compro-
mise in downright revival discourse. Wher-
ever it hits it hits hard. The great body of
the people respects that kind of work, and
looks with contempt on the trip hammer that
is padded with velvet. If Moody and San
key come to New York this winter give them
full swing and help them in every possible
way. Put the muscle of the combined clergy
into their arms, and the eloquence of all the
city pastors into their lips, without a cavil,
or quarrel or a criticism.
We have no doubt that this will be done.
Scores of churches have already been offered
to these gentlemen, and the clergy, as a
whole, stand ready to further the movement
in every legitimate way To our minds the
spirit of the Church will be thoroughly
tested by its reception of this bold, manly
preacher, and this sweet-voiced singer. The
Evangelical Alliance Will have its best con-
clusion in the generous hand-shake with
which Moody and Sankey Will be welcomed
when they come this way