New-York tribune., 1876-03-04
TgE WOPK OF THE REVIVALlsrs.

As our readers learn from our daily reports,
the public interest in the services held IN the
Hippodrome continues unabated. Returns
from England, Scotland, and Philadelphia
bring cheering accounts of the progress OF the
work begun by Messrs Moody and Sankey,
and from many places in this country, yet un-
visited by them, we hear of quickened,
eager interest in religion, extending outside OF
the churches. Now the vital Toint IN this
matter is. why have these two men succeeded
in producing lasting ellectf We have
before now given the reasons which,
TO us, accounted for their remarkable
power in attracting and influencing
great masses of people; we believe it lies IN
their exceptional sincerity and earnestncss IN
delivering their message-a message which
every man in his secret soul knows to be OF
imminent Importance to himself Mr.. Moody Is
possessed by his erTand there is total uncon-
scousness of self in the man while speaking
which gives to his words n tremendous power
But these reasons. while they account for the
throngs which crowd TO hear him, and for his
immediate effect upon them, do not explain
the steady, persistent increase of doyOut zeal
after he il gone, and in places where he has
never been.
1t was predicted that this revival, like many
others dependent wholly on excitement of feel
ing, would end with the outburst of emotion:
vivid, sweeping, and short-lNed as prairie
fire. Our Christian friends of every sect would
find it worth while to consider why the pre-
diction failed. One reason may be found in a
hlnt given by Mr. Moody the other day when
calling the scattered audience closer about the
pulpit ave must bring the sticks together to
"make the fire burn" He has brought the
sticks together Methodist, Baptist, Rit-
ualist, the followers of Cranmer and
of George Fox, have joined in these
meetings and in promoting the work
outside as they Join nowhere else. Very few
Of his hearers, we suspect, know or care to
what denomination Mr.. Moody belongs He
has brought them together simply by thrust
ing aside the whole machinery of dogma and
holding TO view the essence of religious truth,
faith in Christ. Jesus and Him cruci6ed is Il
foundation ON which every sect can stand and
build together. Having brought them thus
together, these preachers do not as other re-
vivalists have done, content themselves with
rousng a momentary fervOr. They are care
tul, on the contrary, that no force shall
De NnSteu III bpaSinoulO emotion lne
cries, shrekings, and shouts which we
are accustomed to associate with intense re-
ligiOus feeling are discouraged in these ser
vices. the prevailing tone of which is cheerful,
and marked by the sound common sense
underlying the teaching. Nor do they slight
the advantages given by organization. MIR.
Moody is q man. IN fact, Of marked executive
ability, and before he begins his work in any
city, brings to his aid the multitude of
Christians about him as singers, preach
ers, exhorters, messengers into tho high
ways and byways TO compel the peo-
pie to come in. These clergymen,
business men, young women and youths,
find themselves probably at work for
the first time, not in bringing converts into a
Baptist or Presbyterian church, but straight to
their Master. They learn unconscieusly the
lesson taught by such directness of work.
Clergymen of all sects have been quick to
learn 1t also. And now we come TO the secret
of the great revival In religious feeling. as it
Is called, which remains after Messrs. Moody
and Sankey have gone, and is extending far
beyond their personal influence. IL have