The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-03-08
MH. EDrron :-one of the most enoourag-

Mr.. EDITOR One of the most encourag
ing features of the times is the attention
given by the daily papers to the religions
awakening In our large cities and elsewhere.
That they should give space and encouraging
remarks to topics of this character should moi
be remarkable when we consider how large q
class of their readers are interested in them,
but it is remarkable when compared with the
former prevailing attitude of some of them
toward religion and especially SO when their
discussion of the subject shows, as it often
does, deep appreciation of its nature and
Importance. The New York Tribune has
been especially noteworthy in this regard and
the editorial remarks of that paper If March
4th are SO excellent that take the liberty of
offering them for the perusaI of such of your
readers as may not have seen them:
THE WORK OF THE REyIvALIsTs.
AS our readers learn from our daily reports,
the public interest in the services held in the
Hippodrome continues undated. 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 quickeDed.
eager interest in religion, extending outside
of tile churches. Now the vital point in this
matter is, why have these two men succeeded
in procuring a lasting effect? We have be-
fore now given the reasons which, to us, &C.
counted for their remarkable power In attract
ing and influencing great masses OF people
we believe it lies in their exceptional sincerity
and earnestness in delivering their message
Ia message which every man in his secret
soul knows to be of imminent Importance to
L. T.. /. n
rand there is a total unconsciousness Of self
in the man while speaking which gives to his
words a tremendous power. But these rea-
sons while they account for the throngs
which crowd to hear him, and for his imme-
diate effect upon them, do not explain the
steady, persistent increase of devout zeal
after he is 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 vito the outburst OF emotion :
vivid, sweeping, and short-lived as q prairie
fire. Our Christian friends Of every sect
would find it worth while to consider why the
prediction failed. One reason may be found
in a hint given by Mr.. Moody the ether dag
when calling tho scattered audience closer
about the pulpit: I'VE must bring the
sticks together to "make the fire burn" He
has brought the sticks together. Methodist
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 de-
nomination Mr.. Moody belongs. He has
brought them together simply by thrusting
aside the whole machinery of dogma and hold
ing to view the essence of religious truth, faith
in Christ. Jesus and Him crucitied is f,un-
dation 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
r0nsing momentary fervor. They are care
full, on the contrary that no force shall be
wasted Ia spasmodic emotion; the cries,
shriekings, and shouts which we are acciis.
toned to associate with intense religious feel
ing are discouraged in these services, the pre-
walking tone of which Is cheerful, and marked
by the sound common sense underlying the
teaching. Nor do they slight the advantages
given by organization. Mr.. Moody is man,
in fact, of marked executive ability, and be-
fore he begins his work In any city, brings to
his aid the multitude of Christians abouthim
as singers, preachers, ,exhorters, messengers
into the highways and hvways TO compel the
people to come in. These clergymen, bust
ness men, young women and youths, find
themselves probably at work for the first
time, not in bringing converts intola Baptist
or Presbyterian church, but straight to their
Master. They learn uuconscously the lesson
taught by such directness of work. Clergy
men of all sects have been quick to learn it al
so. And now we come to the secret of the
great revival in religious feeling, as it is call
cd, which remains after Mcssrs. Moody and
Sankey have gone, and Is extending far be-
You'd their personal influence. az have
learned" said one eminent preacher " that
my work in the pulpit is not literary effort,
but by whatever means to compel them to
come in"
II this effect be lasting, If ministers and lay
men of whatever sect will cease to waste both
zeal and faith in the outside organisms of
minor doctrines and church government, and
present religion as did their Master, in the
simple shape of love to God and to their
brother man, 1t will be as In His day, n real
living force to rcvolutionize the everyday
world. The secular press for years has pro-
tested against the burial of Christianity under
sectarianism. 1t is not one powerful preach.
er or sweet singer that can roll away the stone
from the sepulchre. Every village clergy
man, every humble believer can do his part,
and we trust in God the day will soon come
when they will do it,
A Philadelphia despatch says that the