The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-05
MO0DY'S WORK CRITICISED.
Rev. DR.. Macarthur Thinks the Evan
CYCLISTS Methods Do Harm.

NEW YORK, May 4-Dwight L. Moody
trapped the ministers hard" as he ex-
pressed it at his revival meetings in Carne-
gle Hall last winter. Now the ministers are
hitting back, and while he spoke of the
lack of results from their work in gener-
alities only, they give figures that show,
they say, that he did but little good and
much harm in this city. Rev. DR.. r. S. Nc
Arthur. of Calvary Baptist Church, which
is almost opposite Carnegie Hall, in Fifty
seventh street. is acting as spokesman FOR
the ministers of churches in that neighbor-
hood. He says no one can question Mr..
Moody's piety, and that it is his methods
that should be criticised. L can substan-
tate every statement l make" said DR..
Macarthur last night, as he referred to a
letter he had written for a Boston denomi-
national paper, and in which he expressed
his views. In the letter he says:
But Few pastors-l know OF but one,
after a careful inquiry of more than twenty
can testify THAI those VINO attended the
meetings brought any warmth and increas-
ed ACTIVITY INTO tnelr own churches. To-
ward the close OF the meetings the names
ana addresses or those VINO were preSuma-
by lnqulrerS or converts were secured.
Lists OF these names were given to a num-
Der of pastors, who promised TO visit and
instruct those h had been committed to
their care. 10 one pastor several hundred
names were gwen. he committed the WIS.,
itations to a careful CHRISTIAN worker, and
a careful analysis was kept OF the f1rst lUO
persons VINO were sought.
''Of this number it was found that sixty
four were members OF white churches, and
some of them were the most prominent
workers in the churches to whicn they be-
ionged. OF the remaining thirty-slX some
were colored persons, who aIso were work.
erS in the city and in neighDorlng towns.
In q number of cases there were given,
either designedly or accidentally, vacant
lots representing the addresses. In other
.,a1a - mo-. FAtInI fhnf ~ nAHrncCnG Vapn
in towns at a considerable distance from
the city, and calls could not be made.
Out of the entire hundred there was not
one who was likely to become a member
of Il church. When asked why they gave
their names when they were members of
churches their answers were various. Some
did not know their names were taken;
others gave their names because a book
was promised those that did so; others
hearts; still others could assign no definite
reason. The result was unsatisfactory in
the extreme. Out OF the remaining nun
dreds some were found who may eventually
identity themselves with some church. Ac-
cording TO the present estimate, there may
as many JON chu n ! as 'nere were nun
Regarding the harm he believes to have
been done by the Moody meetings. pr. Nc
Arthur SAYS: These meetings did much
TO disorganize ordinary methods OF church
work and to disintegrate various bodleS or
church workers. They interIerea seriously
with Bible classes of young men ana young
women" He added that young persons
drifted from church homes to become ush-
ers and choir singers at the big meetings,
and saws ii is doubtful if all can be brought
back. Regarding the money spent for the
revival meetings, DIR. Macarthur says they
cost for the few weeks as much as the
eVnense for an entire year of a vigorous
and t~horough-going mission known TO him,
with services throughout the year, sunday
school kindergarten cooking Schooi, sew
ing school and other forms of practical
Christian work. He adds: y do not hesi-
tate to say that if half the effort had been
rSada in close connection with the churches
Which was made in rivalry 20 the churches.
the result in the increased consecration OF
Christians and in the conversion Oh sinners
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