Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-20
Mr.. Moody Says 1t is for All Who
Will Accept.
THE BIBLESTORY OF THE BLIND BEGGAR
The Immense Throng Moved by the
Preaching Of the Truth.
T H WEIR OF SONG

/
was. as usual. one of the most inter-
esting parts Of the program The vast
choir. from the practice that comes from
continuous work together, has a force and
a swing that are even more marked than
they were at the earlier meetings The
interest in these meetings does not lessen
in the least. In fact, 1t seems to be lust
the other way. Many have come again and
| again to listen to the earnest addresses
OF Mr. Moody, and the singing of his CO.
worker, Mr.. Sankey Many who came the
first time from mere curiosity now come
because they see spiritual rest and comfort
in the words they hear and the great
truths that are spoken. Night after night
one can see the same faces, and this means
that those who would be sure of good seats
must come at an early hour, and many do
come and stand outside for a long time be-
fore the doors are thrown open.
| Mr. Moody Is a simple speaker. That is
to say, he clothes his thoughts in words
| that are Ineligible even to little children.
He never talks over the heads of his audi
ence, but on the contrary, endeavors to
{ talk right down into the hearts of his hear
ers. He has a wealth Of smile at his dis
pcsal, and is never at loss for story or
timely incident TO better illustrate some
point that he is endeavoring to make par
| ticularly clear.
All Who VIII Accept.
Last evening Mr. Moody based his talk
on the fact that salvation was for all who
would accept it and that Christ was will
ing to save all. even unto the uttermost.
He took for the subject Of his discourse the
story of the two men of Jericho. as told
In the gospel of St. Luke, the poor, blind
beggar who called upon Jesus as He was
passing by to restore his sight, and whose
sight was restored to him; and that other
man OF Jericho, the rich chief among
7 ha ppl,
! see Jesus and could not because he was
| little of stature, and SO climbed into a syca-
more tree. These two men represented the
extremes of social gradations, and yet
each found the Christ in his own way. Yet,
Christ, said Mr.. No ody, is seeking for us
] far more than we are seeking for Him. and
the first step in salvation is willingness
| to be saved.
Every seat in Convention Hall was flied
long before the time set for beginning the
service, and, as usual. il was necessary TO
hold an overflow meeting in a neighboring
church. at which Mr.. Sankey pre- sided. The
time of waiting was made pleasant and
profitable by the singing of a number of
hymns by the choir and the regular service
was begun promptly at 80. On the plat
form TO the rear Of Mr.. Moody were seatet,
score or more Of the leading ministers of
the city, representing a number of different
denominations Vice President Stevenson
occupied a seat upon the platform, and was
an interested participant in the exercises
OF the evening, remaining until the close.
we will open the services this evening
| by singing hymn No. 49, said Evangelist
Moody, stepping to the front of his little
| platform. Hymn No. 40. Let all rise and
join in singing this familiar hymn" And
the immense congregation rose. and, under
/ the baton of Mr.. Percy S. Foster. began
/ the singing. of the hymn, There Shall BE
Showers OF Blessing" And such burst of
melody welled up from that great throng
as was almost enough to make the building
vibrate,
Singing Into Their Hearts.
Then Rev. DR.. Rankin was called upon
to lead in prayer, and every head of the
thousands there was bowed white the min
lister asked in earnest tones for a shower of
blessing to come upon the gathering; that
would cause good fruit to grow. Then the
choir sang another hymn.
| Il am now going to ask Mr.. Sankey to
sing hymn No. Ala, Are Your Windows
Open Toward Jerusalem?' said Mr..
Moody. And the man who has work
/ ed for so many years with Mr..
Moody in the cause OF Christ and the
evangelization of the world seated himself
at the little organ. In a clear 2nd ringing
voice he sent the words of adinonition out
over the vast assemblage and deep down
into the hearts of many. Are your win
dows open toward Jerusalem? or, in ether
words, are You looking for the coming of
the King? are you ready for the great day
when ali OF US must answer for our deeds
upon earth?" This was the idea OF the
: Il
needed the word of warning, and so * was
that when at its close Mr.. Moody asked all
to bow for a few moments in silent prayer
the stiffness was profound and impressive.
! From the stiffness arose a voice in prayer
1t was the voice of Rev. Mr.. Stately, the
youthful-looking pastor of the First Bap-
| fist Church. He made an earnest appeal
! to Divine Grace for blessing upon this
and upon the succeeding meetings and upon
the two men who, under the direction of
Providence, are conducting the services.
| Blessed assurance" the blessed assurance
that comes from Gods promises, was the
AS the notes died away Mr.. Moody said
| that he wanted Mr.. Sankey to go to the
overflow meeting. SO he would ask him to
sing once more before he left. Mr. Sankey
sang a pretty little Scotch song, written by
daughter of bonnie Scotland who was llv-
ing in this country, far fra her ain
hame." Its title was My Ain Countree."
suitable, to an eminent degree. to a hymn.
| It was in dialect, and Mr.. Sankey apologize
| ed before he sang, as he told briefly the
history of the hymn, saying that he was
not a Scotchnan, and so would probably
not render it as he should do it, though he
was a great admirer of the Scotch people
and the old Scotch Church.
! Again every head was bowed in silent
prayer. Almighty and everlasting God
bow down and draw us nearer to Thyself,
make us to feel Thy presence and own Thy
power" rose the voice of Rev. DIR. McKim
I'VE know Thee as a God of compassion
]
boundless kindness and endless mercy How
often have we gone against Thee, but Thou
hast been ever mercifui unto us. Grant
/ that all our sins, that are past. may be
biotted out. and give us new and contrite
| hearts. May We turn from our sins and
find in Christ, our Redeemer our solace
and blessing. May Thy holy word 20
straight home to every heart tonight. We
plead Thy cross Thy suffering and Thy
bloody sweat as We ask for forgiveness
and may many heart go out to Thee this
night and say, Father, 1 have sinned
against Thee and in Thee find comfort
and forgiveness. We ask ii all in the name
of Him who hast died for us, Jesus Christ
our Lord and SAVIOR
| Mr.. MOOdy's Talk.
| Another hymn was sung by the choir and
after some announcements. Mr.. Moody read
a selection of Scriptures. beginning with
the eleventh verse of the thirty-fourth chan
ter of Ezekiel, chapter which is fun of
promise to all who believe in Him, and this
! led up naturally to the spirit of the next
hymn, Christ Receiveth Sinful Men" Then
Mr. Moody began his talk.
/ Il want to call your attention this even
ing to one Of the sweetest texts in all the
Bible, from the lips of Christ himself, tell
ing of the purpose of His own mission on
earth, the tenth verse of the nineteenth
chapter of Luke: For the Son of Man is
come to seek and to save that which was
| lost
Many of you think you have sought
1 L. rknr h