The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-07
The Religious Revival.

late fall and present winter would he
incomplete without reference to the
silent and transformations but, never
theless, perceptible influence exerted |
by Mr.. Moody in his Gospel talks to
Christians of different denominations
at uptown churches. Strictly speak
ing, this great lay preacher has not !
addressed himself as yet to the
masses who are without the mem
bership of any religious organiza.
ton, and who thus stand out of the
ordinary reach Of the appliances and
instrumentalities of the Christian
religion. Mr.. Moody thus far has
taken it for granted that his hearers
at least acknowledged the primary
essentials of the Christian dogma,
such as the inspiration of the Bible,
the doctrine of the AtOnement, and
a belief in ''the resurrection of the
body and life everlasting" But such
is the earnestness of the man and the
strength of his homely arguments
that not few infdels have been led
to think that, after all, there may be
something more in Christianity than
they suppose, and in several au-
Khenticated instances such persons
have commenced t0~study the Bible
for themselves and otherwise shown
a sOlicitude to discover if they were
really living in error and following
false system of philosophy.
A good many who have never heId
religion as subject Of much conse-
quence-matter of-fact business men
who felt that the faithful and honest
performance Of the avOcati0nS of
their daily life, according to accepted
principles Of human morality, was
Of greater importance than any the
orectical plan of reliance upon in
visible spiritual aids, and who re-
garded preaching and churches as
goo for women and children alone
have gone to hear Mr.. Moody, NOV
ed by varying motives, and cases are
known where they have shown a
complete change Of mind on this
question. If nothing more, they
have acknowledged that, viewed
from a practical standpoint, the con-
scientious practice Of almost any form
of Christian religion makes life
sweeter and easier, and sorrow and
death less dreadful to meet, or even
to contemplate. The consequence
has been, to use the words ola prom
inent furniture dealer on Charles
street, who expresses himself freely
on this subject, that "a great many
men have got into the habit of going
to church on Sundays who used to
think it bore, preferring to stay at
home and s0mke and read the pa
pers."
! The fact Of their going to church is
not of so much importance as the fact
that their minds have been moved
to religious inquiry, although there
are very few who will deny that
simply attending divine service is
elevating, and very good thing in
itself. 1t must not be supposed, how
ever, that Mr.. Moody has failed
utterly in reaching the class of per-
sons called unregenerate in contra
distinction to actual professors OF
religion.
Friends Of the great evangelist
refer to the fact that one who has
been in politics nearly all his life has
undergone bona fide conversion
and change of heart through attend.
ing several of the Gospel meetings.
As Mr.. Moody expressed it in speak
ing of this particular case, she was
completely broken up" and in the
opinion of his friends is "a changed
man." Although Mr.. Moody would
not reveal the name of the penitent
politician or give any particulars
about him, his identity wa1 establish
ed in other quarters, and there is nc
mistake about his bei"g greatly
stirred up on the subject of salvation
For the benefit of those who
know nothing about this stirring
up" that Mr.. Moody brings about in
50 many instances, it may be ex-
planned as something very different
from the excitement attending most
of the s0-called revivals. The person
affected shows great anxiety to &C
! to churches and to talk with minis
tiers and with religious friends about
spiritual affairs. They usually com
mence reading the Bible most as
siduously. They proceed to break of
drinking and swearing, and such
habits, and show a disposition to
curb their temper. They form a
whole string of good resolutions, and
if the testimony of the Rev. DR.. Ley.
burn and others as reliable who have
given this subject much investigation
is to be taken, generally keep them
Young ladies affected in this way