The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-02-21


If we are to believe the half that is pub
lished in regard to the wrecking influence
of religious revivals, the verdict very likely
would be against Mr.. Moody and evangelists
generally. Butin looking around, the conclu-
sion is arrived at without special difficulty
that the danger of setting the world crazy
with religion is not alarmingly imminent.
Messrs. Moody and SankeY have been in the
religious revival business for some time, and
wherever they have pitched their tents or
reared their temples have created more or
less excitement, but so far we
hear of only two persons who have
lost their reason in consequence, and
to make the matter somewhat more favora-
bic to Messrs. NJ. and s., it is not known
that the two persons alluded to we're ever
of sound mind. One of them is reported
to have shot himself while singing
Sweet by and by" and the other wanted
to battle in a snow bank to cool down a re-
hgious fever. There may be other cases,
but so far we have not met them in our late
readings. The objection seems to be to
is the kind that upsets the mind balance
and sends its victims to the insane asylum
What is wanted are religious revivals in
which no emotion shall aSpear-singing,
but no shouting; listening to the recital of
Christian triumphs, but remain cold as an
iceberg and as silent as a paving stone
Have faith as strong as holy writ
that with loved ones gone there
shall be meeting by and by, but don't get
enthusiastic over the prospect Keep still,
or you may become as crazy as loon and as
mad as March hare. Realize beyond ques-
ton that you are to have a mansion as bright
as palace of stars, but, as you value your
intellectual equilibrium, don't feel glad,
don't say anything about it, or
you may be declared a lunatic. Your
emotional nature may get the better
of your judgment and interfere with your
earthly prospects. 1t is believed by great
many that religion is purely an intellectual
matter, and it is just here where Moody and
Sankey make the fatal mistake. 1t is
claimed that they do not address
common sense of the people, but appeal to
their passions, their consciences and to their
emotional nature, until they become bewil-
dered, so much so as to join the church and
go to praying. In many instances they go
to work, provide for their families, send
their children to school and do a great
many really prudent things. In some
cases they stop stealing, and in all things
lead lives, at least for a time, above re-
proach. In Chicago Moody and Sankey
worked wonders, if we may believe the secu-
lar press, and in Boston, where they
are now holding forth, considera-
BILE emotion has already been discovered.
In view of the requirements of that sort of
religion Boston capitalists have erected a
temple costing $4,000, capable of seating
5000 people, but still it is not large enough.
How many will go crazy is not estimated,
but the people of the "hub," renowned
for their clear headedness, il seems are
not afraid to take the chances. Boston and
Chicago are quite dissimilar in their moral
make up. Boston is called sometimes ''the
modern Athens''-all intellect and learning,
schools, colleges, books and authors. Chi
cago measures her intellectual elevation
by her elevators, and writes her his
tory with pig-pens in invoice books.
But Moody and Sankey are equally at home
in both cities. They find human nature and
speak to it in the same language, and mold
the masses into unanimity upon the subject
of religion. II now and then some one be-
comes more enthusiastic than prudence
would dictate or good sense approvs, lei
| it be remembered that similar occurrence.
transpire sometimes in meetings not called
for religious services When the orator Of
the day in fervid eloquence tells of the tri-
umphs of party or party measures, the audi
ences not unfrequently become terribly emo
tional, and evidence their enthusiasm by
repeated huzzas, and toat, too
without specially compromising their
standing as persons of common sense
For many weeks past revival meetings have
been going forward in this city. There ha,
been, according TO published reports, goot
deal of emotion. A large number have
joined the various churches but SC
far we have heard nothing OF men
| tai derange ments, and we conclude
| that society is not in special danger of hav-
| ing too much religion OF any standard va
riety, and that the world is being made
better instead of worse by its Moodys and
! gankeva