The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
MOODY AND sANKEY IN LONDON.

MOODY AND sANKEY IN LONDON.
Last night Messrs Moody and Sankey
the two American Evangelical Revlvalls
missionaries, commenced, at the .Agricultur
al Hall, series of religious services which
bid fair to be as attractive in London as they
have proved in the provinces. They have
been invited to London by an infuentls
committee of ministers and laymen, who
raised large fund to bear the necessary ex'
penses, and the character of the attraction
was not estimated when the very largest
building in the metropolis was chosen for the
opening services. The Agricultural Hall
had been prepared for the occasion by erect
ing two galleries, filled with seats, at the
east and west ends of the main area, or
nave, leading from the floor to the perma-
nent galleries of the building. On the north
side, the hall was boarded in from the floor
to the, spring of the.arch of the root. shut.
ting OUT the gallery ar -.
aisle beneath, except just opposite " thesen
vsancesfrem Barford street, and here3s plaAts
form.:was. erected with accomp ouati for
some 300 people. a plain deal sounding
board over the centre covered the spot oc
cupied by little crimson covered dais,
about two feet in height, and plain Amer
lean cabinet organ which stood close by the
side. Along the front of the partition shut
ting off the northern gallery and aisle ran a
ribbon of crimson cloth, bearing blazoned
in white letters the Scripture texts, "They
shall sing in the ways of the Lord, Be
reconcied to God," "Repent ye, and believe
the Gospel" "The gift of God is eternal
life," Every eye shall see Him." " Ye must
be born again" The whole area of the hall
was covered with chairs, while some hun
dreds in front of the platform were reserved,
and occupied mainly by ministers of all de-
nominations, and with the seats provided in
the temporary and permanent galleries there
must have been accommodation for $4,000
or $4,000 people. The service was an
nounced to commence at 1880 ?. NJ, and
the doors were thrown open an hour before,
after having been for some time besieged by
throngs of well-dressed people anxious to
gain admission. Indeed, the streets about
Islington, from the numbers of persons con-
verging on the Agricultural Hall, were sug-
gestive of one of the busiest days of the cat
tie show. Outside the entrance brisk bust
ness was done by hawkers, of penny sketch
of the life and works of Moody and Sankey,
and by colporteurs who were selling differ
ent editions of the hymns and solos sung at
the services One containing music and
words, sold for shilling; the book of words
alone in large type fetched threepence, and
a smaller edition was penny. The tram
way cars and omnibuses bore placardS with
the names of the great Evangelical Revival
ist, and each brought continual reinforce
ments to the great gathering that was in pro-
gress. Great credit is due to the committee
of management for very excellent arrange
ments. Stewards with long white wandS
were ready all over the hall to usher the con-
gregation to seats, and half an hour before
the time fixed for commencing there were
few vacant places visible. On the platform
there was very good choir of ladies and
gentlemen, and before the arrival of the two
Missionaries tendency to choral manifes-
taton having been exhibited in different parts
of the building, hymn, i hear thy well
come voice, was given out, and sung in uni
son by the choir and the congregation, the
experiment answering so well that two others,
" Tell me the old, old story" and "One
more days work for Jesus" were sung be-
fore the advent of Messrs. Moody and San
KEY. They were recognized from the pho
tographs which have been 80 common in Lon
don for the last few days as they appeared
on the platform, and there was murmur of
welcome broken by the commencement of
applause from some few who did not seem to
be aware that this would have appeared un-
seemly at purely religious service. The
demonstration however, was checked by the
simultaneous "hush" of the vast congrega-
ton, and the two Americans, both men of
fine physique and goodly presence, took their
places, Mr.. Moody on the little dais, where
a little book-stand was prepared for him, and
Mr.. Sankey at the organ. After engaging
for few minutes in prayer, Mr.. Moody rose
and in clear potent voice, with the energet-
c, decisive manner of the captain of a ship
Of war giving orders, and tone that must
have been heard all over the building, said,
"Let us rise and sing Praise God from
whom all blessings fow.' Let us praise God
for what he is going to do in London. Let
every one sing" The response by the whole
congregation was prompt, and the hymn was
sung with fine effect by the many thousands
of voices that swelled the volume Of sound.
A minister on the platform, who was said to
be the Rev. Mr.. Belling, next offered an ap-
propriate prayer, and then Mr.. Moody in
vited the congregation to sing the Tooth
Psalm, "All people that on earth do dwell. i"
Mr.. Sankey here rose, and, asking everyone
to Join in, led off with the organ. When the
audience had resumed their seats Mr.. Moody
said, 81 have received dispatches from near
| ly all the large cities of Great Britain to-day
stating that Christians are praying, and We
have had special prayer to-day for London
let us all bow our heads and unite now il
one prayer that God may answer our prayers
and bless this city. All our expectation
must be from him, or we will be disappoint
ed. Let us pray" In this prayer, and il
the whole of the service, there was marked
avoidance of any approach to matter of dis
pute. He invoked blessing from the AL
mighty on the assembly and on the worl
they were about to undertake, asking tina
all Christians might be quickened, strength
ened. and encouraged to 60 out in this grea
CITY and do great things, and returned thank
for the spirit of unity which had brought to
gether SO many ministers of the gospel TO
one common purpose, and prayed that the
might have the JOY that night of KNOWN
that some sinners had been turned from dark
ness to light, and that pentecostal blessin
might be vouchsafed to London by the D.
| q Ls;.< folt +h.a-.Lont II