The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09
MR. MOODY'S EXPERIENCE.
he Evangelist Meets with OppOst-
ton from the Clergy.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
When Mr.. Moody, that greatest of mod
ern revfvalists, was in this city some
months ago, it was known to a good many
persons that he was meeting with some
opposition which came from pastors of
some of the churches of this city.
1t was opposition which caused little fric-
ton. 1t was not outspoken, but it appeared
in the form of insinuation or covert sug-
crowds he did not convert many sinners.
Moody himself realized that there was
such unpleasant feeling for him on the part
OF some OF our clergymen, but he went on
with his work without being affected APP
p%arently in the least by it.
Afterward in Boston the opposition
among the clergy there developed into pub
lie protest, which was echoed privately by
some OF the clergymen of this city. Now
summer meetings in Carnegie Hall the OPP
position of some of our clergymen has
reached the point of open protest.
Severe structures upon Moody and his
methods have been made for publication by
DR.. Madison c. Peters, DR.. Macarthur and
Mr.. Lloyd, and it is understood that other
clergymen are ready to support these men
who are among the more prominent of
New York city pastors.
of which seriously affects the purposes
which are behind these Moody meetings,
while the other questions the results which
flow from them.
One of the pastors feels free to declare
that these Moody ~revivals are money-mak-
ing schemes. That is an old charge. 1t
was made as along ago as when Moody
conducted the marvellous series of meetings
in the OLD Madison-square Garden. There
are some who will believe ii now, as was
the case then, and the accusation will be
as Indignantly denied now as it was in 1875.
There is this difference, however, that to-
day the accusation is made by a clergyman
of one of the most influential churches in
New York. DR.. Peters, whereas twenty
years ago these charges Were made by the
unregenerate. Both DIR. Peters and DR..
Macarthur assert that, although Moody has
great crowds to hear him and seems for
the moment to hold them under his sway,
yet there is no evidence that his services do
any permanent good.
Dr.. Macarthur says his meetings do more
harm than good. DIR. Peters says that he has
never known of/any of Mcody's converts
to stay converted, or of a case where a sin
gle one who has pretended to be affected
whose spirituality has been really deepened.
These protests are really strenuous OBJ
JectionS against the revival methods, rather
than against Moody himself. The clergy
men insist that the revival meeting causes
momentary excitement. which is followed
by a reaction. 1t attracts a class who. in
New York city at least. would find better
Influences in regularly established churches.
The ~clergynlen are coming to take the
view which others who are not in the
church took of Moody earlier revival
methods, and although it will be charged
that this opposition is due TO jealousy and
chagrin at seeing Moody drawing from con-
~gregations which have hitherto worshiped
in these churches. yet it is very likely that
these protests are but the beginning of for
mai opposition TO Moody and his methods
on the part of a considerable number of
influential n1GtnrE i'm thfc gftN-