The New York herald., 1875-08-19
The Locality in Which the Great
Evangelist Was Born.
A NEW ENGLAND SLEEPY HOLLOW.
How He Was Received at the
Home Of His Early Years.
SKETCH or HIS BOYHOOD AND RIPPER YEARS.


weeks That being the case, it is fair presume that
his wishes will be abundantly grati6ed for he has hit
upon of the most soemnly quiet towns be found
anywhere In New England and 1t is impossible for him
TO do otherwise than TO find happy relaxation free from
the opportunities and invasions OF anxious intruders
And what add TO the charms and pleasures Of his
chosen retreat the fact that he is not only domicled
among his kindred and friends OF early .boyhood,
but also enjoying the and "reminiscences Of that
| same rural home and mansion in which no first the
light of heaven and from which he went upon the
broad world twenty odd years ago. That
''THERE PLACE HOME"
the song goes must therefore be most fully realized
by Mr.. Moody after protracted absence and such
active and eventul career his has been in his
firing and industrious efforts TO evangelize all mankind
As already intmated the town of peculiar soli-
tude and it is impossible imagine the effect which
such sudden transition must have upon who has
been accustomed to the stirring and endless
enthusiasm which have become part of the daily
existence of Mr. Moody during the last years Of his
evenful life It of those charming river towns
which one sees along the Connecticut Val
ley, all the way from Brattleboro down
to Springfield, but is nevertheless wholly differ
ent from the Others The Connecticut River
through the middle OF it, but this natural division
does not draw geographical line, for Norhhed exists
| on both sides of the stream There geographical
divisions within its scope however which are peculiar
for in a twenty minutes ride soGrom the heart of
the village person can find himself in three counties
and in the three different States of Massachusetts, Yer
mont and New Hampshire 1t may also be stated that
while Northfeld itself is place of
ALMOST sEPULcHRAL SOLITUDE
IL is still in the Immediate shadow of three of the most
thrifty and enterprsng towns to be found anywhere in
New England-vz, Greenheld Keene, N H., and
Brattleboro, VT Tho Connecticut River and Central
Vermont railroads skirt it either side
OF the stream, and thus frequent communi-
cation is afforded with the more active outside
world. These modern accompaniments, however of
very little account to the domestcated townsmen Of
Mr. Moody. They are thrifty and Industrious CON-
munty by themselves, and nothing whatever
about the Keely motor the Beecher scandal, tho
price of gold. modest and well kept hotel almost
Lliputan in dimensions, is annually occupied by few
tourists from such cities as Boston, New York and
Philadelphia, but their presence fails disturb the
equanimty and chrome industry Of the rustic North
helders. Even
RETURN OF MOODY
to his birthplace failed to ripple OF excitement
in this taid old matter of fact community Indeed ques
tion than third the people in town knew that
the celebrated evangelist had left his field Of labor
the mother country until he made his appearance in the
village this morning. There were ponderous
mittees of reception and welcome, no display
| of flags and bunting and noisy booming
of TO herald the approach and advent of this
celebrated religious worker of the world He ar.
rived at the depot the any ordinary passenger
and cordially welcomed by of his brothers who
quietly drove him TO the old homestead in rickety
buggy, scarcely less honored by time and
the careful and gentle steed which hauled them Now
and then old neghbor recognized his distinguished
townsman of years ago and there short and cor
dial greeting, but beyond this there nothing 10
signify the presence here of OF the most distin
| guished men Of the period This notable absence OF
Fpomp, spendor and enthusiasm" must have
been highXy gdy gratifying gratifying 10 Mr. Moody, for
| cally opposed to any demonstrations whatever
in honor Of his presence and his past and en-
deayors in Christanzing mankind In New York. il
will be remembered, he ndustriously avoided every
thing looking to an ovation and il the same with
him in Hartford and Springfield, where he delayed
Springfield he became somewhat exasperated at the
perssency with which of his admirers abored to
force a reception upon him.
MOODY HILL FARM
The farm and dwelling occupied by Mr. Moody during
his vacation from labor are the joint property of himself
and two brothers, the two latter Of whom adhere to
their original vocation OF agriculturists The Is
moderately fertile but its products sufficient fur
nish comfortable living for the two brothers OF tho
evangelist both Of whom his seniors II is up from
the valley and forms what is known as 'Moody's
| HILL" name probably derived from Mr.
Moody's paternal ancestor. Around this hill Is
most charming drive, which is often enjoyed by those
who favor the with a visit There is little ira
dtiona history connected with the locality the partcu
lars are furnished by an inscription ON marble monu
ment erected on the roadside informing the by
that that spot Nathaniel Dickinson white man. was
| scaped and killed by Indians about 125 years ago
The Moody homestead where the evangelist and four
brothers and three sisters born, is situated tho
highest eminence Of the farm and commands splendid
view Of the surrounding mountains and the winding
could hardly fail 10 recall the touching lines
which dedicated to it years ago by Lucius Powers
famous Springfield poet:-
| Flow on, loved Connecticut,
| Furnishing shad o Springfield
| And freedom
Everything around the homestead indicates industry
and neatness and even as rode past this morning the
two brothers OF Mr. Moody were engaged in administer
ing needy repairs and tasty ornaments and the women
Of the household were busy engaged in the duties OF
the dairy Farther down the road met the great
gest himself induging In morning exercise in the
shape of lively horseback ride He not dressed in
the exact costume but the skill and speed displayed in
dicated that he might have been experienced jockey
rather than the Christian hero whom he really
| "REMINISCENCES OF THE MODERN PAUL
The Northned people all think well Of Mr. Moody and
the mission to which he seems TO have devoted his
whole life That he has turned out TO be the he
has, though is surprise TO those who associated with
| him in boyhood His education very limited, and
he rather moro remarkable for mischief than for
sentiment Of his schoomates His father died suddenly
when he was quite lad, and the ownspeope say that
his end hastened by incorporate hsbits This be-
ing the fact is trie surprising that his weakness
not inherited by Of his children but fortu-
natey and singulary all of them turned out most wor.
Thy and exemplary ctzens Perhaps u Is the memory
Of his ancestor that renders the ovangesps power in
portraying tho evils OF intemperance irresistible
| At the age of fifteen young Moody lived
with Rev. Dr. Everett, Unitarian minister
then resident In North6ed, and 1t there,
probably that he became first inspired with
the religious enthusiasm which has marked his
since. Al about years age he entered
his unce's boot and shoe store in Boston, clerk
after became deeply interested n religion taking
prominent part the payer and conference meetings OF
Rev DR.. Kirk Of whose church he finally expressed
desire 70 become member. His given 70 the
proper committee who, together with the pastor
cided that owing 70 his sudden conversion youth
! ~ ha had haiti ho nufo
This was too much for young Moody. Ho had become
convinced that his Heavenly Master had called upon
him do work in His vineyard, and before his year Of
probation had expired he from Boston to Chicago.
without money friends but with strong conviction
he often expressed IT, that God would and pro-
vide for him. In Chicago he found q situation as
clerk In a retail boot and shoe store, making agree
ment with his employer that he should DO allowed
10 talk with his customers the subject OF religion
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