Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-15
Mr.. MOODY'S WORK.
EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS.
Ciess or the Evsusefisrs Labsrs Here
Crest sseeess Attending Them = Large
Crowds Yesterday.

good congregation bad assembled, and
Revs. r. A. Reid and Thurman led in
prayer.
| The first topic under discussion was
"How TO Promote Revivals in the
Churches"
| Mr.. Moody, in opening the topic, said
that we needed not spasmodic revivals
Though periodic awakenings are taught
in Gods Word), but to be in constant
state Of revival.
He insisted that every denomina-
tion had originated in revivals--those
claiming to be "apostolic having come
from Pentecost if their claim is just.
lie met the objection to revivals that
there is "too much excitement" by
saying that men get excited about other
thlngs--e. a., a horse-race, a change in
stocks, &C.; and he did not see why
men should not be interested or Gf you
please) excited about religion. But he
denied that he had ever gotten up any
" excitement " in his meetings which
would prevent men from intelligently
accepting Christ.
lie then met the objection that con-
verts in these meetings will not hold out
by showing that they do hold out as
well as those who profess at other times
and make among the most useful Of our
members.
MIR. GEORGE C. NEEDHAM
was the next speaker, and proposed to
consider
/. The Divine Side;
9. The Human Instrumentality.
He showed from both the Old and
New Testament Scriptures how the
Lord sent revivals in answer to the
prayers and in blessing upon the efforts
Of his people.
lie insisted that there must be per-
sonal effort; that, as in the days of Ne
hemiah, the people must :" have mind
to work ~; and as John the Baptist
had pointed out Jesus and encouraged
the disciples to follow him, as Andrew
brought Peter to Jesus, and as the
woman at the well went to the city as
a personal evangelist, SO we must imi-
tate their example, and put forth indi-
yidual effort for the salvation Of men
and the revival of Gods work.
REV. w. w. LANDRUM
said that a revival takes place i'll the
hearts of the people. All denomina-
tons believe in revivals, and he believed
that most of those brought to Christ
came in during some series Of special
meetings or during the "Lental pc
Rod"
lie called on all who professed con-
version at such seasons to rise, and
nearly the whole number of preachers
and profcssed Christians present rose to
| their feet.
Mr.. Landrum said that the endorse
ment of these workers was the highest
testimony to the truth Of what he had
said. The preachers should be pungent
in their pulpits :. the laymen should go
to work. There ought to be more and
better discipline in the churches-re-
pressiye discipline, which shall keep
church-members from going astray
correctivc discipline, which shall bring
the wandering ones back, and when
necessary, discipline which shall cut off
from church-fellowship unworthy mem
bers of the churches. He quoted as
model the report Of pastor who said
he had had a great revival, resulting in
"ten exclusions, five restorations, three
additions by conversions and baptism"
THE QUEsTIoN-BOx.
Mr.. Moody next proceeded to read
and answer such questions as had been
sent him.
/. How to lift the Sunday school up
into the Church and congregation?
The pastor can do this by having
something in his sermons for the chill
dren, and being kind and patient with
them.
2. How can we develop workers in
our churches?
Let the pastor and the church officers
put the young converts to work. Many
men will give money for church work
who will not give their time or talents.
3. Are young-cOnverts' meetings de-
sirsble, and how should they be pro-
NOTED?
He believed in "drawing-room "
meetings, such as they have in London.
They had 600 converted policemen in
London. At these meetings they have
Bible readings, &C., which instruct and
put the young converts to work.
4. How may this work of grace be
continued in the city?
lie recommended special meetings in
the churches.
5. Best way of taking care of young
converts?
Put them to work.
6. Should church-members play
cards?
Yes, if they can do it to the glory |
Of God. No, if they cannot.
I. How should we instruct man
who has no conviction
Bring the warnings of Gods Word to |
hear on him, and ask Gods spirit to
convict him. Do not give up a man
because he is not interested.
s. How are we to reach drunkards! |
Do not condemn him. Treat him |
kindly. Pray for him, and get him on
his knees. God must do the work, and |
cast out the devil " of rum. Throw |
around him the best influences, and help |
them by every means in your power.
lie gave very interesting account of
tie work among the drunkards of Glas-
gov. large number of whom were con-
verted and put to work.
10. How to reach those who don't
come TO church?
Put more snuff into your sermons
and more life into your services. Ad-
vertisc; send out circular-inyitations
TO the meetings go after them; adapt |
ourselves to the needs and surround
ings Of the masses. He would make
more of the singing, and have less of
''high-toned singing. He believed
that We have 10 more right to sing in
an unknown tongue" than to preach
or to pray in an "unknown tongue"
lie told several very touching incidents
Of tho powar of sonu and hnw mon