New-York tribune., 1875-11-25
THE REVIVAL OF PIETY.

WHAT MOODYs SUCCESS Is DUE TO.
PmLADPIPHIA's ATTENTION FULLY ARRESTED -
CLERICAL CRITICISMS - THf CHURCH PEOPLE
ASKED TO ATTEND THE FIRST MEETINGS., ASD TO
STAY AWAY FROM IATPR ONES.
IrROs THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
PHnApTLPHI, Nov. 24.-The revival movement
gives promise of complete success. Ii - now
the talk of all classes. On Change, in busi-
ness circles, in social gatherings, on the street
cars and the trains and in the greetings of friends in
the street. the names of Moody and ssnkey are on
every tongue. The evangelists and their work are
literally the town talk. "Haye you been to hear
Moody !" Sankey's singing is better than ser
mon !" Did you hear the Ninety and Nine ?"
Wasn't that hymn Nothing but Leaves impress
siye 7" Its Moody's eamestness that tells =
what a team they are w--these few of the
thousand-and-one expressions You hear every day.
There are plenty Of sharp criticisms on the methods
Of the reyvalsts. and doubts enough are expressed
as TO the pernanency Of their work but no ope de-
MES that they possess real power unique in kind
and degree, and wonderfully effective in awakening
a new interest in the old doctrines of religion. A
common complaint among the thoughtful people Is
that Mr.. MOody's sermons have no direct applca-
tion 10 the relations and duties of everyday life
that they do not aim to make men less selfish and
cold d-hearted and more charitable. genial,
pose is to induce people 10 accept a certain
form Of faith and to lead devouty religious rather
than moral lives. II should be remembered by
those who make this criticism that the great
preacher is firm believer in the immediate second
coming of Christ. He is looking for the end of the
world and the appearance of the savior every day
aud hour. No wonder, then, that he does not think
it worth while to talk about business and social
morality. He is perfectly consistent Why should
he try to tell people how TO live, when the important
thing is 10 prepare them for death and the last udg-
mentl Why trouble himself about the affairs of the
household the street and the mart, when he expects
every moment 70 see the world rolled up like a
scroll'
With few exceptions the clergy of the city ere
taking a hearty interest il the revival Probably
the MethOdists are more active in assisting 1t than
the other sects but Presbyterans, EpiscOpailans,
Baptsts Luthcrans, and. in short ministers OF all
the Protestant denominations, attend the meetings
in the Depot Church, and participate in the morning
assemblies for prayer. The general feeling among
the clergy is one of qTatfed disappointment at the
character of Moody and Sankey's effort They had
expected to hear something much more sensational
they feared, indeed. that il would be Objectona-
bly, sensatonal-and they are delighted 10 find that
Mr. Moody breaches only the soundest doctrine, and
makes use of of the theatrical devices OF ora
tory employed by many professional reviyalists.
His earnest direct and forcibe appeals, his apt and
familiar illustrations, and his way Of preaching on a
level with the hearts and heads of his hearers, Is
like a revelation Of the possibilities Of pulpit
oratory to many clergymen, whose well-turned
periods and fine theological points have proved pow
eress 10 stimulate the faith Of their congregations
Tomorrow morning the experiment of holding the
early morning prayer-mceting in the great assem-
by-room will be tried. These meetings have al
ready outgrown tine capacity Of any church The
Q o'clock night meeting of the young mcl viii also
have be transferred 60 the place. unless II Is
decided 10 divide il and hold a number If gather
ings simultaneously in different churches. lhis
would lie the better plan. The three large inquiry
rooms in the depot have not yet been put 10 any use
but next week, when the forces Of revival are dl-
rectrd 10 The conversion of sinners, they VIII be
fitted up for meetings. There Is some talk among
the members of the committee having the
movement in charge of holding afternoon meetings
after a week SO. and getting the railroads 70 run
excursion trains to accommodate the people OF the
neigh boring towns. In TINS way II Is thought the
influence of the religious awakening here can be
spread all the surrounding country tributary to
Philadelphia.
This evening the weather was pleasant. and the
crowd was larger than any previous occasion
except Sunday afternoon. The heavy sliding doors
were closed about Z o'clock. shutting out multi
tude OF people who cOmfOrted themselves IN their
disappointment, a. they turned their faces home
ward, by determining to 90 earlier next time.