The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-25
Religion in Brooklyn.

Why this sudden termination of the at
tempted revival in Brooklyn? There were
great preparations for it, and great efforts
to secure lis success; but how little has IL
accomplished, II brought out some things
that should not be lost sight of. Ii showed
thai popular interest in religion can easily
be stirred up in Brooklyn, and that sin
ners are anxious to hear about salvation
and the way of life. 1t showed that there
is no sort Of opposition to revivalism in
any quarter there, ana that all the ortho-
dox Protestant churches can be united in
its support. These things have been made
evident by MOODY and SANKEY; and
though MooDy and SANKEY have gone.
they ought to be taken advantage of.
We became particularly interested i'm
the Brooklyn religious movement. We
are especially DESTROYS, for many reasons,
that there shouldb all effective, thorough,
practical. fruitful, genuine, manifest revi-
val there. II is n hopeful field for such "A
revival. 1t il greatly in need of such an
one. We should like TO do something
toward setting it in operation. holding it
in the right direction, aud turning il to the
best advantage. We therefore put out II
suggestion for the consideration Of those
concerned.
We must premise that Brooklyn is well
supplied with clergymen who would like
to cooperate in the work of revival.
There are one hundred and twenty
eight churches there. of which over one
hundred are Protestant, not including the
Rink. These churches are located all over
| the city, and so are the clergymen who
take charge of them. The population of
Brooklyn is rather less than half IA Million
so that there is about one clergyman for
every four thousand people But we must
at present count only the hundred Protest.
| ant clergymen, though neither the Roman
Catholic priesthood nor their fiocks have
attempted 10 thwnrt the revival, but have
allowed it 10 run its course without inter
| ference.
We propose, then, that this great force
of one hundred Protestant clergy men shall
unite upon some practical scheme for
! bringing their full combined power 10
bear upon Brooklyn. aud turning lis peo-
pie from their evil ways. We propose
that, after studying the question, survey
ing the HELD, apportioning the work, and
providing fer it, direction. they shall make
earnest assault Oh the wickedness Of the
city. Wcpropose that this extraordinary
campaign against the devil and all his
works against vice and sin of every kind,
shall be begun Us soon rs the necessary
| preparations can he made and we say
that they ought TO be made very quickly,
before the present state Of feeling dies out.
No one will deny that such formidable
array of clcrgymon rs exists in Brooklyn
ought to be able 10 do "A great deal more
than they have yet done. They should
certainly have power TO utilize the i'm pres
sion that has been made on the mind of
the population. They must he quckened
| They must realize their duties TO mankind
| They must get out of their ruts. Ii is time
for the clergy to show that they compre-
bend the situation ana believe in their own
doctrines-becve in them not merely pro-
fcssionally or perlunctorily, but ms the
prophets and apostles did. Suppose that
hundred such men rs st. PAUL were
preaching to the Brooklynites year in and
year out, don't you think we would sec
greater results from their work than any
that are now visible? What comment
airy such comparison suggests on the ser.
moniZing of the day.
MOODY and SANKEY have shown that tho
clergy can be united ana work together
for common end, without regard to see
tartan differences. They were assisted by
Presbyterians, Methodists. EpscopalIans
Congregationalists, Baptists and Quakers
Now, this sort Of thing need not disappear
with their departure, but must continue
through the proposed revival, which
should be far greater deeper, and more
practical than that of the past month.
Moody and SANKEY have also shown
how to draw and interest the multitudei
who are not ohmch-goers. They have
shown that sinners are ready to listen tC
the voice of the preacher though it may
De plain. Thee are clorgymcn who sup
/ pose thai most men are habiuauy ma sta''