The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-21
MOODY AND SANKEY.
Interesting Account of IN Interesting
RELIGIOUS Meeting I'm Washington.

Washington, ID. c., March 10, 1894.
While the House OF Representatives ma:
moi been able To do its work lor u fortnight
or more for the want OF quorum, and the
senate practically waiting Iur the Tariff bill
10 be reported uy lis finance committee, the
ueople al The capitol have for the past month
bseiI lending their presence TO the series o
revival meetings conducted by the we'll
known evungeIists, Messrs. Dwight l.. Moody
and Ira b. Sankey.
Alter four weeks Of preparation, the series
of meetings begun 0u Ash "Wednesday, and
lasting tor four weeks, closed on Wednesday
night II was by far the greatest religious
gathering ever known IN washington, ano
That WAS more noticeable was the fact that
il was not denomiuatlonal meeting. There
were 45 different congregations represented
ON the general committee under whose con-
troll the meetings were conducted.
The meetings were held at ConVention
Hail. which ~ u block In length and half a
block wide, with just $50 sears. including
the choir stand. and every seat was hlled an
hour before the meetings Wou!d oesih, uuring
the en- tire services, except, perhaps, one day
when u violent snow storm wus raging all
day, and even then, several thousand people
attended The capacity Of the hall was 30
taxed that overflow meetings were held IN
the several different churches near by. 1t re-
uuireu force OF % ushers 10 seat the people,
aud 1t was done with The least possible con-
fusion.
people. Mrs. Cleveland attended, whilst Vice
President stephenson, members or the Saoi-
mel. usIises of the Supreme Court. Senators,
ana Representatives with their respective
families merchants and capitalists, clergy
men and men about the city dotted the gath
erlny sufficiently TO make their presence
noticeable. The delegation OF Esquimaux
from the arctic coast who were Vlslllng tne
city attended the meetings, and an army Of
clerks and mechanics VINO had come To see
and hear, and in many Instances 10 be con-
vinceu OF the cueerfulness which christianity
beg cts In Its believers.
lat.
and being largely composed OF God-lear ing
people, who 90 10 church on Sunday, anu ex-
employing some Of their religion during the
the week days, 1t entered INTO the spirit Of
why Moody and Sauky have been SO success
ful In their campaign in behalf OF christian
ity. They attract the church going people as
we'll as the curious.
grown s0mew hat stouter since his visit 10
Charleston In March 1856. He is by no means
an orator. nor does he speak the best or Eng
lish. but dealing as he does with plain Illus
trations, and presenting them with much ear
ness and simplicity he cop mands The atten-
tiou of his hearers, and his words seem TO
take effect In the hearts OF the people.
Mr.. Sdnky IL gifted with O peculiar style Of
singing, using as he alwa, does, very small
organ that he plays himself. There were
others who sang solos who seemed u touch
chords Of sympathy in the great crowded
hall, but as Mr.. Sanky would sing one OF his
was silence, and one could see readily that
he seemed gifted with that spirit OF rendition
that no others seemed possessed o..
The choir stand contained l,65O seats, and
every one OF them was filled with singer
during The entire series OF meetings. The
choir was led by Prof. Johnson, and In an.
swer 10 the batou the volume OF muhic would
swell forth and fill the hall as none of the
band concerts have ever been able TO NIL il.
The blending Of the voices was excellent, the
clear tones OF the sopranos ansW ering to The
deep roll OF the bases and barltones, filling
the hall on the full chorus and the softer pas.
sayes fioated over the auditorium, and echoed
from the farihest gallery. The singing was
one OF the lriurnps Of the meetings, and peo-
pie would lnger In the hall as long az the
music continued, and 1t could be heard sew
eral blocks away.
Perhaps one of the most Impressive episodes
closing scenes OF the last evening. Mr.. SAD
ky sang with touching pathos: "Where IL
my Wandering Boy To-night?" and while
the refrain yet echoed throughout the vast
with deepest emotions. Mr.. Moody requested
all to bow IN silent prayer for the "Wander-
Ing boys of Washington" Five thousand de-
vout heads bowed before the mercy seat, and
from five thousand swelling hearts arose an
incense of prayer to the throne of God. The
silence WAS intense, aud one could almost
hear the hutter of angels wings In the sane
tilted atmosphere above. When IL seemed
that The surcharged heart could bear the strain
no longer. the great choir burst forth In Joy.
GUS tones Welcome the WHnderer Hone."
The effect was magical.
Mr.. Moody himself said that he had never
before had such an audience or such choir.
The different pastors will carry ON this WORK
for fortnight in their respective churches.
MIR. Moody and MIR. Sanky have both gone
TO their respective homes for a few days rest,
when they will begin series of meetings In
Richmond, Va. j. M. b.