New-York tribune., 1876-01-21
THE REVIVAL CONTENTION.
(,UOIRS. THE BIBLE, AND THE PEOPLE.


CHOIRS, THE BIBLE. AND THE PEOPLE.
ADpRE-s Sis by MIR. sASKEY. MR.. MOODY. DR.
rYNG, JR., DIR. HALL AND DIR. yINCENI-ThL
LARGE AUDIESCES-GRRAT GOOD ACCOMPLISHED
ITROM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 20.-At Moody and
Sankey's Christian Convention this morning the hrst
subject considered How Shall the Music be Con
Quoted in the Lords workt" Mr. Sankey very properly
had the Goor. The most important thing. lie Thought
was to have "A converted choir The traditional quarreis
i'm chors arise from the presence Of nonChrstian ele
ment lie said It IL bud arrangement 10 have the
singers back Of the church, where people cannot
see them lie would have them in front OF the congre
CATION, by the side Of the preacher As TO the music
there should be fancy pieces People do not 60 10
church to hear opera The good old tunes should
be used and the best OF the Sunday hymns
In the Sunday there should be ameOdcon, but
in prayer meetings he would recommend that no nsrr
ment be used FOr evangelical services there should DE
combined choir. made up from different churches and
thoroughly trained, and they should, II possible, all be
earnest prayeri people lie docs not object to ali or
gan hut thinks a small instrument better Long preludes
and inerludes Objectionable. Two measures OF the
time 10 be sung should played beforehand Solo sing
ing he would use carefully and with discretion, aud
frain from making IL hobby
great number Of questions were asked of Mr.. sankey
by the ministers present, the replies to which might
him nng and hs leading Of the choir at the
revival meetings
At the expiration OF tho hour devoted TO the SUBJECT
Mr. Moody stepped up and cut the discussion short by
giving out hymn. The next topic was How 10 Eh-
pound and Illustrate the scrptures" The Rev. DR. Hall
Of NewYOrk delivered the opening address III Is not
necessary sad that minister should have all itea
ture AT his fingers ends but it h disgrace II he does
not know Bible All biblical works should be made
use Of the main thing In TO have perfect familiarity
with parts scripture IA to be able To take
large portions Of the Word instead Of picking out bit
here and there IL Is the weaknesses OF the church.
that the preachers neglect the Old Testament lie spoke
the minor prophets tho great unknown heart OF the
Bible that needs expounding
The Rev Dr. Vincent of NewYork followed. ana spoke
OF the prevalent baenness In church life ms owing 10 the
fact little Importance Is placed In the WORD of
Cod There be faith In tho translation OF the Bible
close study OF Word. and faith that the Spirit that
inspired would enlghten the intellect of the student 80
as to enable him to lay hold OF the meeting.
The morning session closed at IL o'clock Most or the
audience remained TO the nOon-lay praycrmccting'
which lasted nm hour longer. The afternoon session
began at 2. with singing and prayer.
How To get hold Of tho non church goers" was tho
theme frrt discussed. An address OF great force and
point was delivered by Rev Dr. Stephen H. Tying IT,,
of New-York. To prepare the bOuse for the newborn
souls is the first essential he said Let them not he
frozen 10 death want Of oOngenal warmth Develop
the active sympathy of the congregation for all new
comers. Then when all Is ready, preach nothing but the
Gospel The speaker worry In his rdicule OF
the eatchpenny topics which preachers think they
must take to draw audiences Those who hold tho non
church going people spel-bound are always men who
cling to the simplicity OF the Gospel They do not talk
about science mental philosophy or try Ia explain the
mysteries of the Book OF Revelations or 10 answer the
arguments Of iuidels The language OF the sermon
should pure Saxon to reach the people, and
OF this there Is better master than John Bunyan
when people got to come to hear your preaching the
recommended a bu'ton-hOe committee 40 there would
always be somebody ready u take hold of man soon
~ lie showed an interest III religion . .
Moody told of the yoke-ellows band In his church
in Chicago. who out into the streets and persuade
people the church, and after the services labor
with them 10 make them Chrstians. Every church
ought he said, Ia live in q revival-o have one so
was to p II them them; they they
are He recommended women missionaries as
better than men, because hey visit the families during
day, when men are AZ their work Cheap hymn books
That people take home with them were good helpers
There should bo good sinGng Of kind that everybody
could understand lie Old not believe In big pipe organs
that drown the words. Shaking hands with people often
dd great deal Of good They ARE toashed ned by the
OF palmer churches, ~ as to Keep out OF debt People
e ssery ny ey sS sarc They n the
purpose Is TO get their money and not to save their souls
we do ThemP' Brief addresses were delivered by
Geo H. stuart Of Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. Grammar OF
Rev. DR. Hatfield OF philadelphia aud others.
Nearly 1000 people attended botn Of the Con
vention to-day. 1t closed at O'clock. Tho ministers
who took part speakers and lecturers large
part from the city chul ehes, but there many from
country churches in Pennsylvania, and from differ
ent paris OF New7Jersey, Eew-York, Delaware:
states. They have obtained many valuab.e hints aud
suggestions the methods of arvusng interest
An the Gospel work Mary ~ them are old In the mn-
istry but they glad " learn Of who has never
taken holy orders but who has Uncovered TO reach
the theological schools do not teach This
evening Young Mems Christian Association of Pha-
delpha celebrated in the depot is anniversary. Mr.
sankey conducted the singing. and Mr.. Moody Ice
ture Daniel"