National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-09-25
THE EvAKeE11srs, MOODY AND sANKEY.

The reason why Moody and Sankey are
called eyangelists is because they do not
have charge of any particular church, but
60 about from place to place preaching the
word of God and creating revivals of re-
ligion. They will soon be In Washington.
Facetious newspapers have already noted
this fact pretty extensively, and have
coupled it with the idea that Washington
stands in greater need of the presence OF
Moody and Sankey than any other Ameri-
can city. Though the evsngelists will be
welcomed all the same, this is not the case.
Our regular population is church-going
and understanding one, and its stand
ard of morality will compare fayorably
with the very best communities in the
world. We have in the District of Colum-
bia nearly one hundred and thirty edif1ces
for Christian worship, and church accom-
modatlons for seventy-fve thousand per-
sons; one hundred and ten of the churches
arein the city of Washington, and more than
fifty of them will unite in sympathy with the
labors of Moody and Sankey; so it is not ex-
actly heather settlement they are coming
to. And yet there is room here for re-
ligious revival, and most every one seems
to take it for granted that there is to be one.
Why such an event is not likely to take
place unless Moody and Sankey come is
significant inquiry. They cannot change
the terms OF salvation, nor modify in any
way the judgments of Heaven. They will,
in the main, preach the same doctrines
heard from all evangelical pulpits, and the
hymns they sing are, in literary sense,
inferior to most collections. In point Of
learning and eloquence they are far behind
q score of preachers in Washington who
might be named. Now, what is the secret
of their power? Why is it already felt?
Why are the minds of thousands
now made up to go and hear them?
Why is it that many have, in fact, already
made up their minds to be converted by
them2 The answer to all such questions
as these comes forth from great mystery.
1t is bound up in truth that will yet dan'
zle the world with its brightness and set
tie all doubts as to the sublime doctrine of
Immortality. The thoughtful student of
human affairs sees from one point of view
the civilized world adorned as q bridegroom
going opt to meet new truth. We have
seen the spectacle of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain, Ireland and Scotland for
saking temples, cathedrals, mitred bishops
and doctors of divinity, and assembling in
common halls and in the open fields to the
number of five, ten, fifteen and even
twenty thousand at time for the purpose
of assuaging their hunger and thirst for
living, tangible evidences of eternal life
and the way to obtain it. At the same
time we have seen the absolute monarchy
of Russia appropriating large sums of
money to gather at st. Petersburgh the
celebrated seers, clairvoyants and mediums
of the world, in order, if possible, to estsb.
lish by them the evidence that the portal of
the tomb is but the gateway, ION golden
hinges turning, into world Of higher and
more beautiful life. We have seen the old
cradles of civilization, lands long locked up
in darkness and superstition, open their
doors to let in the light bursting from
the cross, and is not all this in proof
of the yearning Of the people everywhere
for a revelation that viii satisfy Immortal
loDgings" for that knowledge which alone
can make them happy Why is it, it is
often asked, that the face of the dead man
is still3 It is because he has solved the
great problem, his mind is at rest, and no
fear, or trouble or anxiety disturbs himH In
the light of the facts referred to, and by
the aid of the philosophy they teach, We
are better prepared to examine the secret
of the power these new evangelists have.
They believe in themselves. They stand
firm and resolute in the conviction that they
are commissioned from Heaven to call men
to repentance. In their heart of hearts
they have faith in the Bible as the record of
inspiration, and consequently act upon its
promises and precepts with an absolute de-
pendence upon their fulfillment. They see
with the eye of faith and pray with the
voice of faith, and when their prayers are
answered they humbly acknowledge the
source from whince the blessing comes.
Filled and overlooking with faith, they i'm
part it to others. But of the multitude at
tracted to them, as the needle is attrarted to
the pole, many look up. In doing so they
catch a new vision; they feel an exsltation
of all the capacities Of the intellect and soul,
and resolve then and there to wed forever
the conviction that sin is hateful, and that
righteousness is the key to reconciliation and
and happiness, and this is the new birth, the
conversion, the revival, the resurrection
from moral death, the one proof out of a
thousand to follow to the steadfast that su-
preme joy in this and in the world to come
is the sure gift of God, and then follows an
understanding of the meaning of the words,
Faith is the substance of things hoped
for" Now, what are the churches doing
for the reception of these messengers of
glad tidings? Where do they expect them
to preach2