Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-21
MOTIVES OF PEOPLE
Mr.. Moody Tells Why Some Peo-
pie Go to Church.
A VAST TnRONG OF EAGER HEARERS
The Divine Command, Seek First
the Kingdom Of God.
BY CLERGYMEN

ADDRESSES BY CLERGYMEN
There was tremendous crowd in at
tendance at Convention Hall last evening,
and Mr.. Moody evidently felt inspired by
the great throng which faced him, for he
was unusually effective in oil he said and
did, and the effect of his work was most
apparent So great was the crowd that
hundreds were compelled to stand during
the entire service. The music rendered
was especially enjoyed. The quartet of the
First Presbyterian Church, Messrs. w. D.
Mcfarland, H. o. Simmonds, G. F. John
ston and c. w. Moore. sang Jesus, Take
Me as I AM and also God is Love-"
Choir Leader Percy Foster sang There is
Calm" and Mr.. Sankey rendered in his
touching voice, THE Handwriting on the
Walr' and "A Sinner Like Me-" Prayers
were offered by Bishop Penick, Rev. DR..
PitZer and Congressman Morse Of Massa-
chusetts.
The Introductory service Of song and
prayer concluded. Mr.. Moody stepped into
the little pulpit and announced that there
would be services at and 80 today, to-
morrow and Friday. but none on Saturday.
The subject tomorrow, he stated, would be
Heaven" and that for Friday, "How to
Get There" Then, after reading the Scrip
ture lesson from the first chapter OF st.
John, he began his sermon.
Mr.. MOOdy's Talk.
MY text tonight" he said, will be
question, an exhortation AMI a command.
The question is. What seek ye" Those
were the first words John heard from his
Master, and, my friends, he never forgot
them or the time. the tenth hour. When
asked by His disciples. Where Eve We?
He told them to come and see. They went,
they saw. and were SO impressed that they
never left Him. but followed Him every
Him. for they found in Him all that they
had hoped to find. Yet. my friends, some
did not follow Him to the end. They turn
ed back, for those were the kind who fol-
lowed Him for what they could get out Of
Him. They were the kind of people who
breakfasted with Christ, but did not wait
to sup with Him. And, my friends. there
are great many of those about In the
world today. A great many, / guess, are
right here tonight
These kind of people follow Christ for
what they can get out of Hin. When He
was on earth many followed Him out of
curiosity, the same reason that has brought
many of you here tonight. Many went be-
cause they wanted to see Him cast devils
out. They wanted to see the particular
kind of devils they We're. Then. many went
because they thought He going to set
up earthly kingdom. They wanted to
be on hand when He did that You people
here in Washington know the Kind of folks
they were They wanted an Office. But
when they found out that the kingdom was
to be a spiritual one they turned their
backs on Christ and left Him. But if they
had gotten an office or anything like that
they would have sung 'Hosa lnah To the
Son of David in the loudest voice imag
Unable. ..---..
The Loaves aud Fishes.
Il tell you, my friends, there are lots and
lets of people who follow Christ simply tor
what they can get out of Hni-not for what
is in Him. They are after the fishes and
loaves, and so are lots of you. Lots of men
go into the church for what they can get
out of 1.-THE lawyer for clients, the doctor
for patients. the storekeeper for trade.
But such people, my friends. Will be dis
eppoir ted, sooner or later. God knows n
hypocrite wherever He sees him, and those
who follow Christ for what they can get
out of Him soon fall out with Him. But
there are many of just such folks around.
Right here In Washington, too. Why, sup
pose 1 should knock at the door of every
body's heart here in Washington tonight.
l tell you | would see many. strange sights
When the doors were opened.
New, what brought that man here to-
night? TO hear the music Re would
probably say. And that one, maybe, came
to please his mother. Thank God, he thinks
enough Yet of the dear old soul to try TO
please her Here is one, perhaps. who came
because his wife persuaded him to come.
Thank God for that, too. / know of a man
who came very early to one of my meet
ings that he might look at ll.ooo empty
benches. But he saw more than empty
benches He saw Christ. So. my friends.
don't care how mean or selfish your mo-
tives were III coming here tonight, you can
take Christ home with you If YOU only WILL
You can find salvation here. Oh, my
friends. what seek you? Seek We the Lord.
Call upon Him now, here, before you
leave"
Seeking God In Earnest.
The eNhortation of the text, exclaimed
Mr.. Moody, was an entreaty to seek the
Lord now while il was yet not too late Il
once asked man, Dc you want eternal
Efe?' Well. he replied, 4 don't object
Now, my friends. there are lots of people
like that here in this world but | tell YOU
you'n never ind God unless you seek Him,
and seek Him earnestly. Do 1t with all
your neart. Leave no stone unturned IN
seeking Him. Go to the politicians if you
would know how TO work for salvation.
Work for t like they work for party sue
cess. That is, | mean. with all their earn
estness and thoroughness
why. suppose L should tell you / had
lost a very valuable diamond here in this
hall tonight. and that | would give $4,000
to the one who found it. Do you think /
could get any other idea into you tonight?
Not much. Why, every man of you, and
every woman and child, too, would get
down on the floor searching for that dia-
mond, and not all of the police here in
Washington could get you out of the hall
until 1t was found You laugh at ii, but
1t is 50. Now. my friends. isn't eternal life
worth more than $4,000?
The Gift OF Eternal Life.
ooh, ny friends, if / could only tell you
of that life. But cannot. No one can pic
ture its glories and its Joy. See how we
strive to retain this poor earthly life
What would we not give for it? Yet it is
roth!ng but d life of pain and suffering In
the life eternal there is no sorrow no tears.
no pain, and how little we care for it.
Christ can give 1t to you if you but seek
Him. Oh. my friends, seek Him now, with
all your hearts, before you leave this hall
tonight. You won't have to go down to
pull Him up; you won't have to go up to
pull Him down. He is right here Ask
Him row, and you will receive this Divine
gift
You don't have to know how to use fine
words. He will understand your heart, II
you really want Him, and say so. Remem-
Der the little boy who prayed by saying his
alphabet over and over. He knew God
would spell out all he wanted to say. So
He Will spell out all you would say to Him.
But let your prayer come from the heart.
That is all"
The command in his text, explained Mr..
Moody, commanded people to Seek first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
and all other things shall be added unto