St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-03-12
The Evangelists in st. Louis,
BY REV. C. L. GooDELL, d. D.

Forty ministers met Messrs. Moody
and Saukey in conference the day after
their arrival in st. Louis. The city
was divided into five districts, group
ing the churches thus, for months
work in each district. No tabernacle
was desired, the object being to work
in and with the churches, and to quick
en- the churches themselves into more
active effort and higher spiritual life /;
keeping the interest in them, and not
drawing it away to outside centers.
The arrangement was made after the
plan in Baltimore, which Mr.. Moody
regards as an improvement on the ia
bernacle method, putting especial hon
or on the churches and the established
ordinances of God. There was perfect
harmony among the ministers and
churches, and the plan has been i'll sue
cessful operation up to this day, the
work daily deepening in interest and
power.
The second service they held here
was blessed by the special presence Of
the Holy Spirit. The pool was opened
sinners were washed and made clean in
its healing blood and from that hOul
to this, there has been no service in
which thara hauA- -.t-i--.->-.-
and conversions in constantly increas-
ing numbers. A great many cold
Christians have been quickened. Per-
sons formerly Christians in other plao-
es, but hiding the fact on coming here,
and living apart from the church, have
appeared in great numbers, making
confession of neglect, and handing in
their letters. They all bear testimony
that their remaining outside to save
time and money has resulted in loss
Only,-lOss of money and social enjoy
ments, and, above all things, of their joy
in the Lord. They had become barren
fg-trees. One man made the state
ment, when he handed his letter to his
pastor, that that letter had cost him
$35, 900. Chow can that be?" said the
pastor. The answer was, 'When l
came to this city was worth that sum,
but hid away from God and his peo-
pie and service, to make money. But
l lost it all, and became estranged
from God, and very unhappy. l have
the feeling that if had taken my stand
for God, as l ought, when ! came here,
l should have had my money still, and
the peace Of God in my soul. Now |
come to begin all over again, starting
with God"
Attendance on church service
throughout the city has been greatly
enlarged. The Bible schools have been
increased very much, especially in the
addition of adult members. Mission
work in the waste places and suburbs
has been extended in a remarkable de-
gree. All kinds of Christian work in
the city have been vitalized and multi
piled many fold. The colored church
es have received new life, and the
great German population has become
awakened and interested in persona
religion as never before in the history
of this city.
A revival German preacher, once {
famous infdel, but marvellously con
verted, Won Schluembach, is preaching
every day to thousands of Germans, in
their own tongue, with most gratifying
results. Business men are filling, ev
cry afternoon, the largest hall in the
city, and many remain at the aftel
meeting for inquiry, and are converted
The towns about the city, in all thii
region, are afire with Christian zeal
and moved upon by the Spirit. Th,
GlobeDemccrat, having the larges
circulation in the Mississippi Valley
prints every day a full report of the
services and sermon, giving Mr.. Moody
an audience of fifty thousand people
and the blessing resulting from this i,
most manifest. Backsliders are re-
claimed, and souls are converted, il
this way, to an extent 1 have neve
seen before, showing the vast power O
the press for Christ. We feel that
blessing from God has come on tn,
city, and on the multitudes so mucl
needing it in the wide interior of tn,
country and we look for create
things still during the two comm.
months. Mr.. Moody is discreet, cour
ageous, effective, powerful workin,
day and night, month after month
with an energy and perseverance ant
wisdom only less remarkable than hi
love of souls, and his constantly fresl
amounting from God for service. Th
work he does is prOdigious, but NOR
conspicuous even for its spiritual quail
ity-humility, modesty, ,meekness, an,
selfforgetfulness-than for its quaint
ty.
Mr.. Sankey maintains his part witt
equal ability and fitness. The singing
draws very greatly, and impresses al
it attracts. The evangelists are bot
the tools of God, tempered in his owl
fires of discipline and love, for tn
greatest work of this generation.
/ heard the evaBgelists week afte
week five years ago, when the wor
was in its height in London, and bea
testimony that there has been a gal
in them since then, of breadth, con