Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-11-28

THE GREAT EyASGELIsTs OF THE LAST CEN
TURY-TlIE GREATEST IN THIS.

TIE GREAT ENANGELISTS or THE LAST CEN
TURY-TlIE GREATEST IN THIS.
From the Cleveland HeraldI
The three great Evangelists of the last
century were John Wesley, Charles Wes-
lev, and George Whitefield These
world-renowned preachers were natives
Of Great Britain, although all of them
came to this country in the course of their
ministry. John Wesley, the founder of
Methodism, WAS bonn III 1903. His
brother Charles, the hymnologist, was
born in 170S. Whitefield, who was
Calvanist in belief, was born in 1714 All
of these celebrated men were graduated
at Oxford. and all were remarkable for
their piety, earnestness, and wonderful
power in moving the hearts of the people
The biographer of John Wesley says that
from a certain period Of his life he was
moved by an ''unconquerable zeal to de-
clare & free salvation to all men through
simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. "
From this moment he became power i'll
the world He preached in churches, i'll
hospitals, prisons, warehouses;, the open
air. wherever and whenever he could get
men to hear him. As the founder of one
of the most useful and valuable of our
religious sects, his fame Will always be
held in profound reverence. Charles
Wesley was poet by nature. and his
fame rests upon the beautiful hymns he
has given to the Christian world. Had
he written but the one hymn, Jesus,
lover Of my soul, that would have given
him the lasting love and reverence Of
mankind. When the English language
ceases to he spoken, and the songs of
Zion are sung no more, then will this
most comforting and exquisite hymn he
forgotten.
Whitefeld, in 1879, iindingthe churches
closed against him in London, because of
his peculiar religious belief, began to
preach to the people III the open air. His
snccess was marvellous. The multtudes
hocked to hear him, and vast crowds ap-
peared whenever he spoke. He was un-
doubtedlv the greatest and most eloquent
open air preacher the world has ever
known. He was called the rowing re-
vivalist For 30 years he preached to
countless host in Great Britain and
America, and his success was unparal-
lcled. In person he WAS tall and graceful
with regular features and blue eyes Of
singular depth and beauty His voice
was sweet, full of power and pathos, and
he spoke with such cloquence and sim
plicitv that all hearts were moved by his
wonderful gifts He preached during his
life over 5000 sermons. He died at
Newburyport, Mass, and lies buried
under the pulpit Of the Old South church.
Since the death of Messrs Wesley and
Whitefeld. We have had in America no
evaneclists who have taken a stronger
hold upon the popular heart than Messrs.
Moody and Sankey, who are at present
l. ~ 1
Mr.. Moody had no early advantages of
careful training or college culture. He
began his work armed only with faith in
God, patience, hope, and an earnest love
for his fellow men, and II determination
to preach the gospel. His success has
been wonder to himself as well as to the
world. His power certainly does not lie
in his eloquence or learning, but III his
piety, simple trust III his work, and abso-
lutte honesty ofpurposc. In Great Britain
he had great success among the people,
and since his return to this country he
has accomplished as IA revivalist won
derful work. The masses flock daily to
hear him, and his popularity continues
undated In person he is stout Gnd I'M
graceful, with, heavy shoulders. short
neck, well-shaped head, heavy chest, and
ihdlliN bthillg- iiio N'h' ~ HNibllE,
clear, and distinct, hut neither musical
nor of great compass He goes straight
to his work, speaks directly to his au-
diences, never attempts anything like
display, never tres to say fine things,
always illustrates his subject with some
simple or homely saying, and relies for
success Hpon the truths of the gospel and
the blessing Of God upon his labor He
seems utterly unselfish, absolutely free
from pride or thought of self, and has
neither eye nor ear for anything but his
work. Mr. Moody has an invaluable as
sistant in Mr. Sankey lie is a man in
the prime Of life. Of vigorous mold, large,
finely-shaped head, an uncommonly at
tractive countenance. broad, open fore
head, and the faceof athou"htful, refined
gentleman. He is a popular singer, and
his voice, full of power md pathOs, goes
straight to the hearts of the people. He
sings as Moody breaches in earnest
His songs and hymns are known in every
civilized land. and their simple beauty
and religious feryor have made them the
instruments of awakening thousands to a
new life
In our city Messrs. Moody and Sankcy
are doing great and grand work. All
good citizens wish them God-speed III
their noble mission.