The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-18
The Revival spirit IN England and
America.

by an odd coincidence, our own journals are
interested in the mission of Mr.. Marley, the
English evangelist Mr.. Varley has left New
York, but the impression of his work re-
mains. Whatever we may think Of his efforts
as matter Of faith, we cannot fail to commend
them as a moral influence. So long as these
driving, Jealous men who have mission do
not offend us by advocating polygamy and
socialism in its coarse, sensual aspects; so
/ long as they do not wander into wild fancies
| about the coming of the Messiah and the ne
cessty of awaiting HIM in robes OF white
muslin, their labors must necessarily be good.
/ The true preacher, whatever his faith, will
\ tell enough truth to reform any society, how
ever debased In this sense we look with
\ interest and kindness upon the movement of
Moody and Sankey in London. All we know
of them is that they arc Americans who left
their country humble and unknown and who
have shouted themselves into a worldwide
fame In this Centennial year, when we
celebrate all manner of patriotic achievements
over the mother race, we might find new
pleasure in the thought that American diylnes
were about to drive the devil out of COM
ago. But this felicity will be limited by the
thought that if the Yankees are converting
England one Enehshman is doing large
share of the same work in the United States.
1t would be interesting TO discover the
causes of these phenomena OF revivals which
now and then come SO suddenly What is it
that viii in a night, as it were stir q commu-
nifty to its profoundest depths, like an EARTH
quake, or a storm at sea? People who have
been quietly digging and weaving living their
plain life in the calmest moods, viii suddenly
fall into excitement and grief and abject con-
triton. They find that they have been great
sinners-that they have been worldly, selfish,
hard, neglecting the ordinances OF the Lord.
They seek relief in prayer and singing peni-
tsntial psalms. Churches are formed, socie-
ties are organized, missions are established,
and for season there is an awakening OF
spirit and q general enthusiasm for Christ.
Sometimes the movement falls into the con-
troll of men and women OF more than ordinary
ability, and we have o new sect like the Wes-
leyans and Baptsts. Sometimes it attains
higher significance, and we have reformation
like that of Luther. Sometimes we have the
development of new faith like that of Mo
manned. But they all are OF the same class
Marley in his methods follows out the plan of
Luther and Mohammed. he does not pro-
pose to extermlnate all herehcs but this is
because the evapgelization of the world is
under better police regulations than in earlier
times. But there is the same earnestness, the
same energy OF invective, the same solicit
tude and entreaty TO repent while there is
time. the same melting to nobler aims and
better deeds.
In this aspect these revival movements, no
matter what magnitude they assume, are an
advantage. If man will only be sincere
Mohammedan and obey the prophet in letter
and spirit he will regard more of the moral
laws than are now obeyed in Wall street The
Jesus OF Calvin or Luther or Wesley or Ig-
natius Loyola is not Jesus the preaching of
whom can do any one harm. Now and then
we have frenzies OF dissent between sects on
questions Of baptism and the eucharist, bat
this does not affect the great good that comes
from any religion honestly practised Moody
and Sankey, in London, may not be men OF
the highest intellectual quality they may
lack the eloquence Of Beecher, the pure
scholarship Of Storrs, the erudition of Hall
they may not answer the severest taste or the
requirements of the best society; fashionable
Christians who pay pew rents may despise
them but they tell plain story with zeal and
kindness They feel the Gospel they preach.
They have a. much claim to our respect as
Xavier in the East or DE Smet among our
wild Indian tribes. We question if their field
Of labor is not more difficult than the shrewd
and civilized communities Of Japan or the
ingenious savage Sioux. Our cities show us
the highest aud the lowest forms Of civiliza-
ton, and no city 80 much as London. When,
therefore, We see honest and, to some extent,
gifted men, going into the depths Of London
society and calling upon the ignorant and
poor and lonely to repent, we cannot but
honor them and wish them God-speed. And
when We see thousands rise up in crowded
assembly and profess Christ and His service
we feel that good work is doing.
/ For even if these emotions die away and
the eloquence Of the clergyman loses its
\ power and the revival runs its course, and the
4 WOIlu ~ AL appearances - a. WayWaIu ana
sinful as before, we must not feel that il is q
vain proceeding. In all movements Of this
nature much good is done that does not come
TO light The effect OF a revival is not always
seen in banners and singing and miscellane-
Gus enthusiasm. The influence Of religion is
felt in many unseen ways. The light that
falls from fervid proselytes never utterly dies
wrtf -
When the penitent searches the Scriptures he
finds many things besides the moral laws. A
world Is opened to him-of science and art,
Of enterprise, history and industrial attain
ment. He learns self-reliance and duty. He