The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-03-31
For the Central Presbyterian.
Evangelistic Services in Hous-
ton, Texas.


MeSSrS E'ditorS,-We have lust closed
series of evangelistic services in this
city which have extended through four
weeks, under the conduct at first OF
Messrs. Moody and Sapbey for three
daye and then of Messrs. Sayford and
Tow Hes for three weeks. Messrs. Moody
and Sankey came under the invitation of
the Ministers Association of the city,
and on the recommendation of Mr.. Moody
Mr.. Sayford vas invited to follow him
and continue the services. In prepara-
tion for these meetings daily services
were held for nearly thHae weeks before
Messrs. Moody and Sanbey came, in the
various churches and il 1nion meetings
held alternately at the di erent churches.
These were largely stten led, and doubt
less much good would resulted from
them alone. By thep soirit of expec-
fancy was excited and yna way prepared
for blessing. In my own church a
better spiritual condition had been man
ifest for three or four months, resulting
from the continuous services held after
the General Assembly last spring, and
from the sermons on Family Worship and
Parental Responsibility ordered by that
Assembly. The attendance in the church
services had largely increased, and there
were more ingatherings on profession.
Mr.. Moody held three services each
day after the first, one for Christians in
the morning in the First Presbyterian
church, and two, in the afternoon and
night, at the Armory Hall. Mr.. Say
ford held only two meetings each day,
one for Christians in the afternoon at the
Presbyterian church. and the other at
night in the Hall. All these services
were remarkably well attended. No
such crowds were ever before assembled
In Houston on any occasion. They were
composed of all classes and conditions,
and yet the most perfect order and quiet
ness characterized them from beginning
to end. And from first to last there was
no tagging of interest. Indeed there
seemed to be universal feeling of re.
gIet that they had 10 close.
The preaching of Messre. Moody and
SaYford was good-very good, both in
manner and matter. 1t was character
lied by deep earnestness, strong faith,
true conservation, good common sense,
and great directness. Brought mp as l
have been in the straitest sort of Presby-
terianism, l could object to nothing in
their preaching as far as they went.
They preached Christ and the love of
God to sinners, and pressed the duty of
immediate return to God. / must, how
ever, make this remark, that / think
there was not enough preaching of truth
to produce conviction Of sin, and the plan
of salvation-how God can be lust and
yet Justify the ungodly--was not suGi
ciently set forth.
l believe that great good has been done.
The great subject of religion and It's vast
Importance has been brought to the front,
and has been the talk of the town as, 7
suppose, never before Many were drawn
into these services who have never at.
tended any church, who will most proba-
bly, now attend them. A great many
have been brought under eerious concern,
very many of whom attended the inquiry
meetings held each night after the SER
vices-from these there doubtless will be
many who will ultimately find their way
to Christ and to church membership.
There have been already many hopeful
conversions and quite a number have
been received into the various churches.
But l think the greatest blessing result
ing from these services, and the Que the
churches OF this city needed the most.
was the reviving Of Gods own people. I
can see marked indications of this in my
own church, and I doubt not the same is