The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-09

In our prcOccupation with the critical
situation Of politics we must not forget
the siege Brother MOODY and Brother
SANREY are conducting against the strong
hold Of the devil at Chicago. Never be-
fore have the evangelical captains found
the enemy more thoroughly fortified. lie
seems TO feel that he is impregnnble there
and we dare not say that his confidence is
bascless. While the country has been tor
turcd with anXieties and hopes regarding
the momcutous Presidential election,
Brother MOODY and Brother SANKEY have
been opening their trenches at Chicago.
and managing the grand tactics of the I'M
equal contest. Day 10y day, and night by
night. they have flung the battahons of
their argum,r:s, entreatles, eNhortations,
warnings, prayers, and spiritual songs
against the sin and Indifference Of Chica-
GO How goes the battle;
Doubtless animated by truly good de-
sire to learn the exact facts OF the situa-
tion. ana impelcd by the hope that his
messenger would send HIM glad tidings OF
victory. Deacon RICHARD SMITH of Cincin-
natl has sent to the wicked city under siege
special correspondent, to view the field
/ OF RltTullpll- anu lfll'll VI lllt WIZ. We
avail ourselves Of tho wise forethought Of
our July good friend to study the contest.
| Brother MoODY's plan Of operations Is the
same ~ that he pursued re-ooUperative
Christian workers, daily services Of preach
ing, silent prayer, magnetic songs, and
prayer meetings. His headquarters are in
tabernacle holding from seven to eight
| thousand people. This is kept full. The
! prayer meetings are held in Farwell Hail.
II smaller structure, seating about fifteen
| hundred. Ihi-, also, is always crowded.
The throngs, rs they were III New York,
are largely composed Of seasoned church,
! gOers. The out-aud-out sinners are in
II minority. The main palpable effect,
therefore, is to revive the zeal OF the CON
verted, rather than to bring to conviction
directly great numbers Of the unconvert-
ed. Yet the conversions count up quite
handsomely. The army already enlisted is
fired with new ardor, and some recruits
are brought in. Brother SANKEY 5 singing
pleases the Chicago peonle aud mellows
their hearts. They listen W tn delight To
his solos, and join in his choruses with en-
thusasm The burden OF Brother MOODY S
preaching continues 10 be simple appeal
to the people to lay hold of the means OF
salvation, as expounded by the so-called
evangelical denominations, and he still
counts the mere moralitles as insufli cient,
If the mysterious and almost miraculous
process of conversion is not undergone.
Compared with gaining heaven, the gains
OF this world are "A snare ana n dclusion
aud the business OF elechng n President,
obligatory though it may be on the citizen
i of uhuitesimal importance compared
with the necessity OF deciding whether the
sinner shall serve under GOD or the devil
become a subject Of heaven or hell.
But l. Chicago being transformed moral
ly ana rchgously by Brother MoODY''
ehorisf We regret to say that, so far IA
we are able to discern, the indications are
that IT Is not FIRE burned down their city
FIVE years ago, vet the Chicago people re-
NAMED faithful to their idos-which ARE
greed, sharp practice, chlcaneiy prnctca
| gOdlcssness, and gcneI al mntelialism. Now
Brother MOODY tries with sledge-hn hammer
blows 10 break those idols but they seen
10 be made of adamant-at least we Sc,
Them looming up in the city just as whole