The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-10
FOOD FOR REFLECTION.
amman FRO1 THf RELIGIOUS
ASD GEsERAL PRESS.
IN. moody Meetings In tho H'y""-o'
Theatre. Sbicago-Wtse hor's y"
Religious and Moral Subjects

remember Nftl lliH q AN'''r--f
when a person visited an Art Cal
lery his knowledge was increased IN dir
oct proportion rs his previous information
had been" This is eminently true not
only ~ Art Galleries, but OF any objects
OF interest. Any large center willotieF
every variety Of interesting sights and
enough to satisfy each individual
nste. During my recent visit 70
Chicago / felt that was amply repaid.
Tho great evangelist, Moody came
10 CHICAGO last May expecting 70
spend one month, but as the public in-ec-
est increased. his did also, and he said IN
a recent sermon uat after being there
four months. he could not tell how much
longer he would stay
Tne morning service are held I'm the lay
market Theatre n place which acquired n
year or two ago such an uns2Vofy repnl-
alton through the exploits on the Anii-
cMsts. The theatre VIII seat three ihou-
sand people. and every morning II is filled
10 the utmost. AS early as half-past nine
immense throngs ran the sidewalk and exc
tend out into the street. AZ quarter
inmates later tho ground-Go0r and FIRST
galleries are completely filed. During
the first h0ur-from ten % eleyen-taa
whole time is given 90 singing. Moody
believes ln keeping things going, for in-
stance. ass soon as be goes ON the platform
he win call out some number from Gosne.
HYMNS. which is sulg hoarIF by tnr tI-
tire congregation. The first few pieces are
aiwawys old. familiar ones.
The stage Of the theatre wiil hold as
many as five hundred, and is. for the most
part. occupied by q mammoth choir HEe
music IS under the control " q competent
director.
The most successful ana popular was
Mr.. Stebblns. the publisher OF 40. of the
Gospel hymns. tie is "a man oft command
ing presence. and has a. beautifully strong,
clear voice. AS soon as one SONG is fine
ished Moody Immediately calls Tor an-
other and I'm that way the interest SIS kept
up. When he wishes the congregation to
learn new one. Mr. SteohIus. turns to
the choir. and they VIII sing the FIRST
verse and chorus. He then turns % tne
audience. and in q familiar, conversational
style will say "ld0n0t think we know ms
song very we'll and would Ike for every
body who has mo-, got a book to rails, their
hands" The ushcrs. who ore on the alerr
Immediately supply the deficiency Then
the chorus is sung by the whole conere-
CATION. II IL is not satisfactory, he VIII
say. Now l want everybody ON thr
eround-roor TO sing that chorus alone
Then he viii say "ony those in the lirs.
gallery" then "Ouly those in me sec'."
gallery" "tmrd." and "fomth, taNiht
each ono io turn. py this time the whole
congregation is familiar with the luie
and words. Then De calls on the whole
audience 10 sing The music SIS an Csc
pecial feature az every service. The proc
gramme is varied by quaristtes. duets
and solos,
Promptly at eleven O'Clock SIR Moody
rises reads ~ few verses from tHe Scilpi-
ure. and calls Ou some one ON the stage t0
offer a short prayer. After the first few
sentences OF his address. every one is
thoroughly impressed with the honesty
and deep earuestness Of the man. 1858
descriptive powers are marvellous. ana he
tells I'm the most affecting way personal
incidents of his own experience. he mas
great tact iu turning everything 90 ace
count: FOR instance. one morning there
was mother with her babe there. and
Just I'm the midst OF his sermon me child
commenced crying The ushers tried to
help tho poor w0uan ont of her difeIlty
but without effect Moody stopped boo the
midst Of his discourse. and turning DO
that direction said. III some OF you ladie
who are always talking about how anxious
you are 10 do good and only waiting for
an opportunity and who have every id-
vantage " religious instruction and slime
90 attend religious meetings, wish 90 Dee
really useful. you had better go around
and take care of some of these poor cIiI-
dren and let their mothers come to
church" lie said he had frequently g9t-
ten letters from people I'm the city come
planning OF the fact that the visitors 20
the Fair did not have the gospel preach Is
90 them. and uo effort was made to induce
them to come % church. lie called ou all
who were strangers in the city at Chat
time To rise, and fully three-fourths of ine
audience rose % their feet; which Wa
proof enough that this class, at least were
fully represented.
MOODY Missions" as they are called.
have hired houses az various parts az
the city, and have, in addition. rive Gos-
pei Tents. IL is estimated TINT twenty
five thousand people weekly attend tle
religious services conducted by thea- his-
sions. Tho HaymarCet Theatre. being
nothing Ike large enough t0 accommodate
an the people. Sir. Moody proposed tJ
rent the theatre across the stree. af aY eN-
A'u1E hA N-.N iI". h'.ah+ sAIN'i lII'.lslAlf
this statement be- said ne would cali 0u
all who felt The least inclination % help
on this work t0 make contribution.
Much TO his surprise and delight he stated
tho following Sunday that the collection
had amounted 10 sol, which, with out-
side help. was enough 90 carry on This
theatre. as about tha same amount "as
contributed each Sunday.
The Bible Institute which was built by
Mr. Moody a few years ago, IS doing
grand work towards the education OF
eyangeiists. His plan is 10 have the best
speakers on special subjects who can Doe
obtained IN this country or abroad. Among
those present in Chicago during July We're
Monod, Of Paris; Nell. Of Scotland, and
Pearson. OF North Carolina.
Whatever may be- said I'm regard 20
churches being closed on Sum
day, and general lack OF re-
liglous interest during the sum-
mer II IS certainly not true IN regard
90 Mr.. NOodys work The outlook now
seems 90 bee much brighter and more FAR
reaching than ever before. His influence
IS bound TO spread from the fact that
thousands OF strangers who visit Chicago
during the summer take back 90 their
homes in different parts OF the United
States vivid impressions OF the good that
has been accomplished. not only in the
city itself, but upon themselves
NJ. ID. X, Jr.