Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-02

The labors of Mr.. Moody in this city have
closed He has held here the most remarkable
series of meetings ever known in these parts
Never before have so many public meetings
been held in The same amount Of time in one
place in our State nor has any previous Sc
res of meetings, religious, political, educa-
tional, or other, held here, had anything like
such constant and overlooking attendance, or
aroused an interest 50 general and so strong,
throughout so wide a region of our State.
These thronged gatherings of absorbed and
eager listeners, crowding to the utmost our
City Hall and largest churches, night and day,
day after day, in sunshine and in storm
mostly in the latter-have been sights to
behold. Nothing like them was ever known
in this city.
But this remarkable int crest and attendance
has not been the only or the best thing about
the business. Into the turbid food of our
every day life here-not a muddier flow than
in other places of this size, but soiled by
the earthly and selfish motives and absorb
ing worldliness which characterize worldly
society,-has pushed clear current of
higher origin and purer nature. A halt has
been called in the rush of business and
whirl of pleasure, and thousands of men and
women have been lifted into the light OF
truths and interests as much more impor-
tant than those of every day life, as Heaven
is higher than earth. There are few in our
community, we think, who have not felt, to
some extent. the pervading influence, or
who have not been compelled to give some
thought to the all-impOrtant subject OF
religion This interest has extended in
greater or less degree to the towns immedi-
ately surrounding us, and along the lines OF
the railroads centerng here, to considerable
distance.
1t is a great thing to have a com
munity thus raised, though but for a
time, to the consideration of man :
highest duties and responsibilities. And
for this blessing We are indebted, under
God, to the remarkable man whose fame as
the fearless messenger of Gods truth has
called together these thousands; and whose
words of wonderful directness and power
have found lodgment in so many hearts. Mr.
Moody has gone taking with him the deep
gratitude aud fervent blessings of multitudes
to whom he has been the means of bringing
great good who owe to his expositions of Bib
lical truth, his feryent appeals, his touching
celebrations, and to the counsel and eneour-
agement received from him in personal CONVEX
sations-in which his magnetism, singleness
of aim, intense purpose to serve his Master
and strong common sense, appear quite a:
markedly as in his discoIrses-new and bet
ter purposes in life, and hopes which pas:
beyond the bounds of mortal life, and
which they would barter for no earthly
treasure. But the movement Of which
he has been the human centre, must no
and cannot stop with his departure. The
Christians of our community, reused to new
effort, and strengthened by numerous ac
cessions, will take up and carry forward the
work. The movement has had thus far nc
UNCONVENTIONAL bias or character whatever
There is greater union and harmony among
the churches than ever before and there i.
every reason to hope and expect that the
influences for good may continue, and widen
and deepen with coming months.