Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-18
THE MOODY MEETING.
nI About Completed for the Great
Revival Two Weeks Hence.
THE EYANGELISTS LIFE WORK.
THOUSANDS Of Souls In Both Continents
Have Needed His Plea.
puInI
CHARACTERISTICS AS A PREACHER.
impressions of virginia Lady Upon Fir-s
nearing Him-The Northneid Schools
His Jealous Co-Workers.


prayerful interest and hope.
The large tabernacle at Fifth and Main
streets, where $500 people may look into
the honest face and hear the earnest
words or this wonderful man of God, Is
now under roof and very nearly ready
Tor occupancy: the choir Of over 800 good
voices is being wen trained by Mr. Jacobs,
assisted by Mr.. W. +. Mercer. and Is
rapidly becoming familiar with the Gospel
hymns that will be sung; Or. Needham
ana Messrs. Bliss and Jacobs are paving
The way for effective work by holding
two or three services a day In different
sections OF the city. and the committees
entrusted with the several matters Of
arrangement are getting things so shaped
that there will be no hitch or friction.
Had Mr.. Moody been able to come next
Iuesday, as was originally expected,
everything would have been ready; but
The two weeks OF time to be gained by
MS delay in getting here will be utilized
10 the best advantage 10 make the pre-
paratons more complete. The Scheduled
and other meetings already held and now
IN progress have aroused the people to a
sense Of their duty. and the prospect is
promising for a great religious awakening.
WHEN HE WILL COME.
1t had not been learned up to noon yes
terday exactly when Mr.. Moody will be-
gin his labors here. Ills meeting in Nor
folk is scheduled TO close on Wednesday
night, the 18th. II he is not too much
iaugued he may preach his opening SER
mon in Richmond the next evening. 1t Is
more likely, however, that he will rest a
few days, and open up here on Monday.
April 2d. 1t is said that he prefers not
TO begin revival in large city on sun
day as such overwhelming crowds at TIE
Opening services have an injurious rather
than helpful effect.
Mr. Moody is expected TO preach here
for two weeks, and possibly longer.
Messrs. Needham. Bliss. and Jacobs VIII
remain throughout his stay. and together
with the city pastors will conduct the
overflow meetings and otherwise assist
their principal. They will continue their
work in different parts Of the city from
now until Mr.. Moody comes. 1t will re-
Quire about sevonty-hvc UsheTs each night
for the tabernacle meetings, and twice
that number Of volunteers have been
called for. Very nearly as many as viii
be needed have already signned their
Willingness TO serve. 1t is expect that
the wonderful preacher VIII hold services
here as in Washington and Norfolk-at )
and 7:5O l.. VI.
Mr.. MoOdy's. Lifc-Work.
The history Of Dwight Lyman Moody's
lfe-work IS brim full of interest. lie mas
preached to millions and seen thousands
-fs,f.s
born in Mortified. Mass, February >. 1881,
and is. therefore just 81 years Old. After
receiving limited education he worked
,lpon his fathers farm. at Mortified, till
lie was Il years Old when he went to
Boston to work as a shoe clerk. He was
converted at the old Mt. Vernon church,
on Beacor Ill., which stands within
stones throw Of the historic State Hous"
Of Massachusetts, and soon after united
with the Congregational Church. Few
years later he went to Chicago. where he
engaged enthusiastically in missionary
work. In less than year he established
a Sunday school. with more than 1000
members. lie was employed 10y the CHRIS
tian Commission during the civil war, ana
subsequently worked as a lay missionary
for the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton of Chicago. \ church was built Tor
him. but was burned in the great IRE or
1871.
He crossed the ocean in 1873 accompanied
by Mr.. Ira D. Sankey, his singing CO.
worker and Immediately his methods took
a firm hold on the multitudes. He preach
ed in the great cities OF England, Scot
land. and Ireland for two years, and one or
the greatest religious awakenings In the
history of these countries. excepting, per-
haps. that which followed the labors Of
John Wesley. resulted.
BACK TO AMERICA.
Returning to America in 1915 he took
nm the work In Philadelphia At that time
none of the cities of the Union had halls
sufficiently large TO accommodate the peo-
pIe who thronged TO see him. and he made
the startling request, with HIS cssaracter-
istic business-manner, that wherever he
went halls should he specially constructed
for him. In Philadelphia the old depot Of
the pennsylvania railroad was utilized for
his purpose 1t Is now the store which Is
accounted by John Wanamaker. AS In
Great Britain his preaching of the Gospel
touched the masses with great power ana
tho sDIrft of conversion spread among his
hearers Ike wildilrc.
From Philadelphia he went to Brooklyn,
where quarters for his meetings were pro-
yided In a specially reconstructed building
that has since become the skating-rink.
Madison Square Garden. In Boston a
,beet-iron building such as was frequently
constructed In those day for temporary
purposes, was placed AT his disposal. After
several years of labor in the large cities
no returned again 10 England. In 1883, and
In London a large building was con-
structed which was moved about the city
from place 10 place, wherever he wished
IN hold his meetings. From that time he
- ra1 in fha nssk
either IN America or in Great Britain. lie
has recently had an invitation to return 10
,s,,land next year In the shape OF
an iYnmene volume containing 5000 sigma
tures. of which 1872 We're the names OF
nrop,incnt clergymen in the Church OF
England.
HIS SCHOOLS At NoRTHFIELD.
prominent feature Of Mr.. Moody s
use.vork which has been cast in the shade
Inv his brilliant evangelistic success, but
will probably be To him more lasting
monument are the two schools he has es-
tsbl,shed at Northfeld Mass, the place Of
his birth. These are a school for boys and
a school for girls. each capable Of accom-
,nodating $40 pupils. There is n large farm
s,rnpected with each. and the scholars are
instructed IN letters and the industrial
arts. All the pupils are poor children, but
they are taught self-relance and fitted for
the arduous duties OF life. 1t is one OF Mr..
Moody's familiar sayings that he don't
want any boy who can't eat soup with IA
one tined fork and fail from four-story
window and land upon his feet
In addition TO the two schools Mr..
Moody holds each summer at Mortified
two conferences Of an educational nature.
Ono OF these is In June. designed for col
lege students who come from all parts OF
the country. Besides the educational IA
cilities which center In Mr.. Moody. there
are many opportunities for athletic con-
tests and for physical exercise. which add
much 10 the attraction OF these confer
ences. The first ten days In August are
devoted to a conference for Christian work
ers, which IL also very popular and fully
patroniEed. Last year an additional con-
ference was held for young ladies from
the various female colleges. and this con-
ference 10 10 be continued as a permanent
feature.
HIS WORK IN CHICAGO.
Mr.. Moody was In Chicago during the
Worlds Fair. and for months held con-
tinveus services In the churches. halls.
ara theatres At times he he'd ~ many
as twenty meetings IN prosress at the
aams hour In various parts OF that great
city. Hs was assisted by a mrge corps