Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-03-21
From the Norfolk Landmark of Sund
March 18TH.
THE EVANGELISTS.
HOW, WHEN AND WHERE MOODY AND
SANKEY FORMED A PARTNERSHIP.

HOW, WHEN AND WHERE MOODY AND
sANKEY FORMED A PARTNERSHIP.
Interesting Incidents in the Lives of These
Famous Men as Obtained by an Interview
Constant Eyange lical Work Since 1873
Have Spoken to a Crowd of Z 900 People
at One Meeting.
About thirty two years ago a young
man, stranger, went to Chicago and
began a work that has since made his
name familiar in almost every hamlet.
village, town and city in this country
and Europe, and yet he is now as un-
pretentious as when he started. The
words of the Scotch poet, Mans inhu-
manity to man makes countless mil
lions mourn" and the constantly re
curing thought, Christ died to save
sinners, has made him O. benefactor to
the world, and although being instru-
mental, perhaps, in pointing more souls
to the throne of heavenly grace than
any other man now living, Mr.. Dwight
l.. Moody is as the humblest servant of
his Maker.
With view of enabling some of tt e
thousands of people who have heard
him to know more of his life's work, ne
was called on for an interview yester-
day at his room at the Atlantic Hotel.
People are so prone for euphony's sake
to say "Moody meetings" that stran-
ger would be led to think Mr.. Moody
was alone in his evangelical work. But
this is very wrong. He has partner.
a companion, who by song has mate
rally aided him during the past TWEEN
ty-five years. This man, whose COM
positions have been sung in almost
every Sunday school in the world and
whose mellow and pathetic voice has
been heard throughout the length and
breadth of this continent and Europe,
is Mr.. Ira D. Sankey, and it is from him
that the following facts were obtained
yesterday:
Mr. Moody was born in Northfield,
Mass, So years ago, and Mr.. Sankey in
Newcastle, Pa. So years ago. The
former started his work in Chicago,
preaching from the steps of buildings
on street corners, in railroad cars and
wherever else he could collect a small
crowd. He was the object of ridicule
and of petty punishments by street
| urchins, but never gave up. He start
ed mission in that city which has
now grown to a large and influential
church with Sunday-school of TOO
scholars,
In Indianapolis, Ind, in 1869, there
was held Y. M. G. A. convention and
| it was while both were in attendance
that Moody and Sankey began a com
partnership which never has since beer
broken. How these men met is best
told in Mr.. Sankey's own words: 81
had from my earliest boyhood been a
Christian and singer, and in my towr
was worker in the Sunday school.
was sent, with three others, as a dele
gate to the Indianapolis Convention
and among others who were in attend
ance was Mr.. Moody. l had heard Of
Mr.. Moody before, but had not seer
him, and l looked on the platform
among the more prominent workers
but failed to see him. One of the dele
gates from my town knew him, but h'
also could not see him. Towards thu
latter part of the convention, one after
noon, the presiding officer announced
that Mr.. Moody would conduct pray
er meeting at certain church at 6 O.
hour meant business, but in company
with the gentleman who knew him,
(both of us missing our breakfast) at
tended the meeting. Mr.. Moody ha
always been very fond of music tina
uplifts, but the gentleman who con
| Quoted the singing on this special oc
casion was an old timer and the musi
seemed to drag. The service had beer
opened some little time when, imme
diately following an earnest prayer o
Mr.. Moody, and after much urgin!
from my friend, started a hymn ant
sang it through, the congregation
joining with vigor.
After the meeting my friend intro
duced me to Mr.. Moody, who said
Are you married?' | answered, Yes
Have you any children?' One 'Yol
are the very man | want to help me il
my work, come down to my hotel AM
take dinner with me tomorrow AM
let's talk the matter over This w
did, and the result you now know"
Mr.. Sankey said that their real evan
gelistic work hogan in London in 1873
at a meeting lasting two years, an
that the largest crowd ever in attend
ance on one meeting was in Agricul
tural Hall, Islington, London, whel
1900 persons were admitted by tickets
The next largest was in Philadelphia
when ZOO chairs were occupied
They have accepted an invitation sign
ed by about 1900 ministers, 1872 of WHOM
belong to the Established Church, t.
hold series Of meetings in Londo
next Fall, and have about completes
their engagements prior to that time
The meetings in this city will clos
Friday night, and they will go iron
here to Richmond to begin a serie
Sunday night. From there they vii
go to Salem, Mass, and thence t.
Mortified, Mass, for the Summer
This latter place is Mr.. Moodys HON
Mr.. Sankey lives in Brooklyn, n. Y.
and here he has his school and con
ventions. They will make no more en-
gagements for this section, their pre-
gramme, as above, having been finall.
determined on. In answer to ques
ton, Mr.. Sankey said that the choi
here was one of the very best, for tn
number, he had ever heard.