The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14
MIR. MooDY,s SCHOOL.
The Evangelst's Great Educational Work
at His Home in Northfield.

Louis j. Rider
Mr.. Moody's work as an evangelist is known
the world over. His influence in educational
lines ought to be as widely known, for he is do
ing here. if we mistake not, some of the best and
most durable work of siDgularly full and fruit
full life His two schools at Nortnfeld, Mass,
are both III their childhood. but it is a remark
ably vigorous childhood. 1t is a most surprising
thing 10 drop down upon the quiet little New
England village and find the bill-tops around
crowned with stately buildings of brick and
stone. which equal in elegance and COM
Ppleteness ~, anything in the United
witnessed the opening of the magnificent new
Frederick Marquand Memorial Hall, the gift of
the reslduary legatees of the Frederick Mar
quand estate, through Mr. D. w McWilliams, of
Brooklyn. The new hall has cost about $67, 600.
1t will accommodate eighty young ladies. Stand
ing on his hospitable porch. one has spread out
before him one of the loveliest views of all this
far-famed Connecticut valley. Down the hill,
narrow stretch of meadow reaches to the winding
river, spanned by numerous bridges Over the
river rise, bench" after bench, the remarkable
terraces that make the valley so interesting to
biologists; and little in the distance one sees
the calm blue tops of the Green noun tains-for
Mortified lies very near Vermont But passing
from the porch and the beautiful environment"
OF the building. into its wide and hospitable
nails, one feels no jar open fireplace greets you
in the ball, over which is carved the legend swell
Befall Hearth and Hall" Walking the length
Oh the nails, we ma tnem expanding al The elluS
into delightful little rooms, where tables and
chairs invite US to sit, and where the eye rests
again on river and mountain outside. The girls
rooms, light and airy, open each side the hall.
Each is furnished with table and chairs large
wardrobe, marble topped bureau and waShstand,
book shelves, and little single beds, covered with
white spreads: and each has steady warmth, and
the most perfect possible ventilation from fur
mace and flue. Could the surroundings do more
to make one happy and goodl Then there is a
am a INNS nd off IN a
beautiful Gothic chapel, that will seat 300: and
we must not omit to speak of the large dining
room, with its sunny windows and the kitchen,
room almost as pleasant as any in the house.
The religious and social tone in the school IS
very high 1t could not fail to be so with such
founder. and offering such advantages But
while it attracts young folks who have had the
best opportunities, Mr. Moody also hopes to
reach many. who, to use his vigorous words
haven't had chance in lifc" those who later
in life than most people are studying, coyet the
advantages of a Christian education. Another
characteristic of the school, Mr.. Moody says lis
that the Bible is the principal thing in 1T. Wen
give our students good general education, but
we'll make the Bible the central study, to which
everything else contributes. Look at my girls"
ne continues, growing enthusiastic. Notice
now many ale mature women. See the self
sacrifice and earnest Christian purpose in their
faces And some of my older boys scour the
country round about to do ovangelistic work"
Mr.. Moody has adopted the whole 300. They
are all lis. Some of them are so almost liter
ally, for he has picked them up here and there;
and even the low sum that is ordinarily asked
for board and tuition, they not able to pay
How Mr. Moody meets his expenses. and the ex-
ira expense that every student in both schools
must bring upon him, hardly imagine
The Lord must surely send him much help.
l have not mentioned the large new recitation
hall being erected for both schools and both rap
idly approaching completion. Nor have | men
toned the religious influences of which North
field is the center, the couvocations that have
been held, and that are to be held in the future
But the more studies the whole situation,
the more one is impressed with the fact that of
all the grand things connected with the enter
prise, the greatest of all the vast possibilities
that lie open before it.