Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-07
THE EVANGELIST.
Mr.. xooDrs GREAT SUCCESS.

Mr.. X0ODYS GREAT SUCCESS.
Large CsBsresssisn YESTERDAY Afserssss
Despite . Heavy Rain-Bix Crowd Last
Nishs-The sernsns.
The pouring rain and sloppy streets
would have broken up almost any other
meeting, religious or political. especially
one appointed for 8 o'clock, the most
inconvenient hour Of the whole day for
Richmond audience. but not so with
the Moody meetings, for they 20 on re-
gardless of weather.
There were on the platform at this
service probably larger number Of
ministers, representing all denomina-
tions, than have yet been present. while
number we're scattered through the
congregation. Mr.. Moody seems very
anxious that all of the ministers,
whether of the city or visitors, shall
take seats on the platform, in order that
he may have their influence and CO.
operation. During the devotional ex-
ercises Rev. DR.. Curry and Rev. DIR.
Hoge led in prayer, and the singing was
very sweet.
Mr.. Moody announced as his subject,
"The Work of the Holy Spirit" He
made the following points
j. He must convince Of sin. II this
house was packed with people and the
angel Gabriel were here to preach no
man would be convicted unless the Holy
Spirit did the work. and we are utterly
helpless without Him, and powerful
with His aid.
2. 1t timparts the love of Christ. This
is the great want Of the world.
8. 1t imparts hope, which is abso-
lutely essential to success. The
preacher without hope will fail. The
Sunday-school worker without hope
will fail, and so with any other.
4. 1t imparts liberty. Where the
spirit is there is liberty. 1t is not
always the fault Of the pulpit that there
is not "liberty" in the preacher, but
more frequently it is the fault of the
cold, critical congregation, who go away
to forget the good things in the sermon
and criticise any "slip" they can find.
5. 1t testifes Of Christ. 1t bears
witness Of the truth.
6. 1t teaches ali things, but it teaches
through the Word of God. He had no
confidence in dreams and visions and
table-turnings and - spiritual manifesto
tions." The old Bible was new enough
for Him.
I. He is the comforter whom Jesus
promised to send.
8. The Holy Spirit not only dwells
with Gods children and abides in Z" the
temple " of the body, but He is also on
His people, to give them power to work
for Christ.
He wildly illustrated the difference
between the working Christian and the
dull. lifcless one by contrast between
Nicodemus, who was secret disciple.
and the woman at the well. who, when
she found Jesus, went and told the
whole town.
He earnestly insisted that what is
needed is to be - filled with the Holy
Ghost" so that We may stir not only
the whole of Richmond, but the whole
of Virginia. A ministerial friend of his
had said that the reason he could not
find out and supply the "hungry and
thirsty" of his congregation was be-
cause I" he carried an empty bucket ";
and he .feared that this was the case
with many Of our preachers and work
ers.
The disciples were converted by the
power Of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus
breathed on them and said, Receive
ye the Holy Spirit" On the day of
Pentecost the Spirit fell upon them with
even greater power, and again and again
they were similarly blessed with an out
pouring of the Spirit. And so he in
sisted we may look for, expect, and
have outpourings of the Spirit which
shall make this place solemn because Of
Gods presence. and which shall convict
and convert our children. neighborS,
and friends.
lie told with inimitable power the
story of the translation of Elijah. and
of how Elisha clung to his Master until
he received the promise Of "a double
portion Of his spirit" Elisha "got
what he went in for,' and so may We.
If we shall have faith to ask that we
be "filled with the Holy Spirit" the
blessing will come, and this whole
town will be blessed.
He closed with an earnest appeal to
the praying people present to ask for
this power.
THE "AFTER-MEETING-"
Mr.. Moody is accustomed at the close
of each sermon TO dismiss the congrega-
ton. or rather to give opportunity TO
all who prefer to retire, and then to
have an after-meeting Of half an
hour. This meeting yesterday after
noon was one of the most tender and
profitable of the whole series. The
special subject of prayer appointed by
the Evangelical Alliance " was " Our
Children" and this was the subject in
the after-meeting.
Special prayers were offered by Rev.
DR.. W. +. Hatcher. Rev. William p.
Wright, Rev. DR.. Read. and Mr.. Moody.
and in these prayers ''our children
were specially remembered.
Mr.. Moody made very tender talk
on bringing our children to Jesus. 4
large number of the congregation made |
requests for special prayer for sons,
ard young children, and
there were few dry eyes in the congre-
CATION.
Last Might.
The people begun to file into the hall
at G:30. at it was full, and soon
after that hour it was packed to its |
while crowds were turned
away unable to get inside of the build
Ing. ID is interesting to watch Mr..
Moody and see what splendid gene
ralship he displays in marshal