The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-01
ARE WE WAITING FOR MOODY AND
SANKEY?

well be called in America the year Of ex-
pectation." While in the political world
great changes have been expected, and in
the financial world great revival of bust
ness has been looked for, the greatest change
has been expected in the religious world Of
America. The Christian Church begun this
year with strong hopes of great religious
revival. AS months 60 by, that feeling in
creases. Nor is it limited to the Church Of
Christ; the secular world is expecting re-
viyal of religion, and doubtless many one
not Christian now looks with longing to
the time when this revival shall begin, with
the hope that he may be among its fruits
And the secular press ia sharing in this feel
ing, even adding to it, by reporting the great
revival in Great Britain, by giving full &C
counts of the two men who took SO prOmi-
nent part in that awakening, and By hope
ful and kindly prophesies of near revival.
For years the Church of Christ in Amer
lea has looked and prayed for the general
awakening now expected; and somehow
prayer and faith seem to point to the near
future as the time for the answer to those
supplications. All over the country are pa
rents who for years have prayed and hoped
for the conversion Of their children children
for their parents; wives for husbands and
husbands for their wives; sisters for broth
ers and brothers for sisters; and pastors who
amid strong cryings and tears have looked
for an awakening among their people; these
are all hoping that now the long sought
blessing is at hand.
In the meanwhile, what is the Church do
ing? Still praying no doubt, yet a great
part is waiting, simply waiting! And for
what? We all would say, for the outpour
ing of the Spirit. But how far would it be
from the truth to say, we are waiting for
Moody and Sankey Not only are New
York, and Philadelphia, and Chicago, and
Cincinnati waiting for them, but all over
the country is the feeling that these evange-
lists are to be the chief instruments in be-
ginning this revival.
Thanks to God for giving US these faith
full men. May their work be blessed thou
sand times more in America than it was in
Eogland, Bot even if our most sanguine
reasonable expectations be, through Gods
grace, fulfilled by these men, what will be
the result ? They will 60 to our largest
cities and towns and, by the power Of the
Holy Spirit, thousands, through their work,
will be brought to Jesus. But years will
pass before they have preached and sung the
gospel in one half Of our cities.
In the very cities where for months they
have told of Jesus there may remain thou
sands, yes, hundreds of thousands, who never
heard the voice Of Moody calling them to
repentance, or of Sankey singing the sweet
songs of salvation. Almost in sound of
their voices will be many thousand who never
heard of Jesus at ALL Who will win these
souls to Christ ?
And who will 60 to the lesser towns aud
villages; who to the country churches; who
to the churchleas little hamlets; and who to
the scattered families, far away from church
and lecture place, living back in the fields,
hidden in the woods, or dwelling amid the
mountains Who2
Surely Moody and Sankey cannot do all
this work. A thousand Moodys aud San
keys could not. Must then the revival ex-
tend only to the large towns, and reach per-
haps less than one.tenth Of the people?
If the revival is to spread over our whole
country more evangelists must be working for
it, There must be a gospel worker every.
where; as many are needed as there are places
where there are men who do not hear the
gospel In short, every Christian must be
an evangelist.
Doubtless we all mean to do our share in
the work, but We are waiting for NJ 'ody and
Sankey to begin When the revival has
fairly begun, then we will step forward and
help it on. We do not feel just ready yet
we are waiting to catch the enthusiasm Of
the eVangelists. Some Of US are trying to
get it from them direct; others through
those who have been aroused by these men.
How long will it take before all the Chris
tiaus in our land become thus ready fol
work? Those around Brooklyn are already
at work. Soon the evangelisss will arouse
others around Philadelphia; but then they
return again to continue their work in New
York city. When will Cincinnati, and Chi
cago, and St. Louis be visited by p
When will the revival spirit reach the South
or the far West When, if We wait to catct
the fire from their hearts, will our Who'll,
Christian Church in America be on fire fol-
Jesus and souls
While many Christians are not waiting
for these men of God to arouse them, ye
many very many are, it is to be feared
waiting for nothing as much as for Mood.
and Sankey. 1t is a sad spectacle that suoI
Christians present. They are on the battle
field and face to face with the enemy. Th
fight is going on, men are falling arOun,
them. The foe does not stay the progres
of the battle, but urges his legions forward
they come sweeping 90, capturing and kill
ing as they come, fighting all the more bold