The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-13
mission WORK Reviewed
Great Good Wrought by the Gospel
Tent Meetings in Scranton.
REVIVAL SPIRIT is GENERAL
There Is Need, However of Some United
Agency That VIII Carry on the Good
Work and Not Let Its
Effects Die Out.

viewing from their own standpoints
the results and benefits of this prolong-
ed attack upon the Prince Of Darkness,
in which such a noble army Of earnest
men OF God were engaged. The galaxy
of talent represented by Moody, Steb-
bins, Schiverea, Bliss and Weeden and
the cultured pastors OF this city have
surely not labored in vain.
But when even experienced men who
have been trained for, and have for
years been engaged in the highest call
ing of saving the souls of men, aver,
but with much caution, that revivals
are transient in their beneficent re-
suits, it is not only desirable. but an i'm
perative duty, to ascertain whether
such fears are honestly founded, and,
are in any probability, correct. With
this object review of the mission
should be instructive and of value.
Benefits Are Manifold.
There is a preponderance of opinion
that the observed as we'll as the unseen
benefits Of the revival are more than
manifold and as it is claimed that re-
vivals have inaugurated mighty works
in Christianity, such as the Methodist
church following the revival of Wesley
and Whitfield. and latterly the incalcul-
able blessings of the work of that great
modern revivalist-Charles Spurgeon--
and numerous convincing examples
throughout the history of the Christian
world, it is asked with reasoning and
logic which cannot be assailed, why
should the revival in Scranton, not
produce the wonderful blessings re-
corded in other instances as the results
of similar agitation?
To bring the question down to a finer
issue, they quote with unerring truth
the aptitude of revivalists for this par
ticular work and a brief inquiry into
the methods of our recent visitors will
produce interesting facts. Mr.. Moody
urged upon his audiences that his mis-
sion in Scranton was to quicken the
churches" while Mr.. Schiverea ex-
pressed completely opposite intentions,
by declaring that he wanted to reach
the Masses" Although their objects
were so vastly different they had many
points in common, the most striking one
being that they told the bare, plain and
unvarnished truth without fear or fa-
vor. How often Is the charge made
that regular ministers tied to their con-
gregations and who preaching to the
same people Sunday after Sunday,
hlIuNlllb lllc VI lutlI
flock, their little sins and favorite weak
nesses, wrap up the truths of the Cos
pei in neat theology, that the lesson
shoots over the head" of their people
and misses the heart?
One Impressive illustration.
Take the recent bold and manly ut
terances Of Rev. j. A. O'Reilly at the
Cathedral as an illustration, and OBJ
serve how his straightforward and con-
demnation of the abuses of the liquor
traffic were received. What a con-
sternation it made. He preached the
truth. The truth cannot be shirked
and the plain fact is that the evangel-
lists are independent" and care not
who they offend, while the etiquette of
the pulpit of many years standing has
developed a different custom and style
of preaching.
The results of plain-speaking in the
revivals has been established, truths
were uttered which affected almost ev-
cry one of the thousands assembled.
Then again an inquiry might well be
made into the question as to how the
interest of the thousands was so Won
derfully maintained, for such lengthy
period, right up to the last meeting
mot curiosity, that must have worn
out" The garb of many present indi-
Gated that they were not regular church
attendants. Who were they? They
were the much-discussed masses
and here comes in the great success Of
Schiverea's work. He came to reach the
masses" He succeeded.
How? He went to the masses" He
is the man for the masses. His natural
humor in preaching has been con-
demned by prudish church-goers, but in
opposition to the terrible earnestness'
nnita os effoc+iva of Snina a,naot etAoo ~
the hearts of the people. Mr.. Moody
came to quicken the churches, and
preached in the churches, but he often
caused q peal of laughter by his grim
sarcasms. Schiverea came to reach the
masses, and this Is his strong point. he
went to the masses. preached TO them
in a tent where they felt more at home
and more at ease than in a magnificent
church, thus establishing cordial rela-
lions with and securing the willing and |
constant ear of his audience.
He went to the county tail. the Rescue |
mission, the Florence mission. the ma
chine shops, the car shops. the Dickson
works. anywhere he could aCcOmDliSh |
rood That he was successful can ha |
proved by the fact that fallen girls are
being sent home TO their narents swear-
ng has become n thing of the nast and
ard pIaylng has ceased In nlaoes where |
ne has preached. There are innumera-
,le instances on record of henafciai ra-
yults but 10 ouote them is unnacessary |
IS every one is comnelled IN admit tbat |
;chiverea among the masses was s,,ol
,ess whether great or small transjent
~ nermanent
Musical Aspects Reviewed.
Turning for a moment 10 the musical
lspect Of the ouestion n great hIessing
viii ensue from tbe nonnie riying of the
IosneI hvmns which contain co NAV
gems" of asneo,ai value 70 tha -, assnS
Seorge q stehhjns tbe en,inent oo,,,
,oser devaioned the bidden hao,,t,oo -,
many Of those sweet songs which ~ ~
nee made vivid in,nreas,or and ~
sweet ann expressive voice |
u singer Weeuen VIII ring Tor time to
'ome IN tne ears Oh many recalling