New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-07
AMERICAN EVANGELISTS.
LETTER FROM THE REV. DIR. JOHN HALL.

WHAT SHALL THEY DO IN AMERICA
TO the Edttor Of Ths TrtSurs
SIR: Eight months ago you were good enough 70
print letter from me Nov. H. 1874 the subject
Of the American Evangelsts Moody and Sankey.
At that time the Associated Press" did not furnish
the information that has recently been given.
There was little knowledge of the movement then
in progress, in Great Britain, and Of course little In.
terest felt in it. The statement then ventured
that enough had been effected to teach the churches
such lessons as the power and value OF simple
Bible TRUTH higher estimate OF nOn-clerca religi-
Gus effort the need Of coming nearer to the people
than we commonly do. il to do them good,
and the truth of Gods word as the effective nstru-
mentality by which only the putrid regions can BE-
disnfectcd.
great change has been wrought in the public
mind regarding these men and their work during
the past eight months-a change produced by the
communication Of knowledge. The past history Of
the men, their preparation for tho work they have
been doing, the style of approach they make to
the people, the nature Of their communications,
the methods by which they proceed-thess
things have been presented and freely dis
| cussed among those who feel an intelligent
interest in religious affairs. Some. indeed, dislike
the whole subject. Some are suspicious OF ting
agency and the results Many, let us be thankful
70 record ucVeutiy praise OOu IoT wHat oco"
DONE and pray for the extension of the movement.
Very few indeed, claiming to have any trustworthy
views % to religious forces afford to ignore the
facts whatever the construction they put upon them.
Messrs. Moody and Sankey have not escaped criti-
csIn. Had they notable weak points we should have
seen them. They thought by some to b
fanatcal. But sOmO of the most sOber-mnded and
influential men engaged with them in the work and
gave to it hearty and public commentator. Every
Presbyterian church in Scotland-where slow and
sober conviction is supposed to predominatc-gave
approval more or less pronounced. There was moss
grateful mention made of the results of their labon
on the floor Of both General Assemblies when year
had tested their efforts in Scotland In Ireland tho
most Jealous and devoted ministers, the men whs
come in contact with the people and know THEN
wants corroborato this testimony. while theii
proceedings in the publicity Of London secured
the cordial and even enthusiastic approval
of men like Mr. Sturgeon, Mr.. Gladstone.
Dean Stanley, and Lord Chancellor Cairns
men who are neither fools nor fanatics.
1t has been suggested that they only appealing
to the passions of the low and vulgar but hundreds
of well educated cergymen Of all denominations OF
Protestants have owned the obligations Of their par
i,hioners to their teaching, and often avOwed them
selves to DO profted and ediied by the services.
This mputation having been removed by the notice.
able element of the titled and influential in tho con-
gregatOns it was suggested that they were tOady-
ing to the rich" But happily to the very last, the
modesty and humility of Mr.. Moody and bis associ-
ate have furnished sufficient reply to the insinua-
ton.
1t has been suggested that they were makinga
good thing" of their mission in pecuniary point OF
view 1t ia significant that this innuendO has never
once-so far az | have seen-been thrown out in
~ Dat II b,a haan iyav an
suggestion. Now, it is unfortunate that we should
be the first to charge sordd motives country
men 80 engaged abroad. Unbappily we have put
many things an English market more creditabls
to our ingenuity than integrity, and which have
brought little profit to our British cousins; but 1t u
satisfactory to know that in this instance not sim
gle act arrangement, return has tended to the Pc
cunary gain of representatives, and the posi.
tive evidence of Observation-Disclosures it has
been no part of their policy to parade-has
done much to attach and impress those who, BY
their position, could not escape being cognizant OF
| it. The expenses of new buildings of great meet
ngs and of institutions suggested by the Evange-
ists have been promptly furnished on the spot by
Christian men who had the eansOf judging Of the
Influences exercised and who expressed their ap-
prevail in the most emphatic of methods, namely. BY
subscribing many thousands of pounds to provide for
crowds without parallel the religious history Of
Great Britain.
The results of the Winters abOrs in Manchester.
Liverpool, Sheffield, and finally in London, 50 far a.
the time permits estimate of them, may be briefly
summed up as follows new and unprecedented
interest in the of the soul with the future
has been awakened. Hundreds of thousands not
used to hearing the gospel, praise, or prayer have
been earnest hearers. Newspapers commonly ndif-
ferent to religious movements have been full and 70
spectful in their notices Clergymen OF various de-
nominations, alas! too generally running only in par
alle lines, if not indeed, in collision, have prayed
and worked together. Divine TRUTH in sermon and
hymn has been sent down into strata of society
not yet penetrated by it. Men and women claim
ing to DO religious have had their zeal
as they affirm. wonderfully stimulated.
and their benevolent activities increased. Sys-
tematic efforts for the ignorant and neglected have
been organized and provided for. Many thousands
of such persons Join the Church " here i'll New
York in twos and threes at quarterly intervals in our
churches have, according to their respective
methods, been received into the churches. in some
instances as many a hundred at time. And AL
this has been done without making any new party.
setting up any sect, proclaiming any novel and
distracting ISM but by the earnest, forcbe pre-
scntation of what among lis is called " the old
Gospel" to the people. Z" in their own tongue IN
which they were born"
| Men ask "wll this last r Will what lastf Mr..
Moody's preaching! OF the religious fervcrf Did
Pentecost last The effects of il did. The " fruS
remained" Did the ZEAL personal power, and heroic
courage of the Reformers last The effects dds
| and they would have been more permanent aud ex-
tensve as far as we see, but for the unbeliei
selishncss and cowardce of those who ought 10
| have perpetuated thor work. To churches ana
to communities il is as 10 notwithstanding 70
| their faith SO is it unto them.
| And this leads to the question: Now that the
cyangelists close their labOrs in England. and hnd