New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-20
TILE uOODY NEETINGS.

| 1t IL evident that Mr. Moody has lost none or
his power as an evangelist. Sincere Christians
| Of every name listen with absorbing interest
to his stirring and Inspiring appeals. The phe-
nomenally large attendance at all his meetings
! this last week Is q religious phenomenon that
must be taken into account Mr.. Moody. OF
course, Is a famous nan, whose repute as me
greatest evangelist OF his time would naturally
attract many people to hear him. But his hold
on the masses Of plain Christians cannot be ok
planned on the ground Of mere curiosity. BE
hind the man, and even greater than The man.
IS the message which h has to deliver. And
that message still has power over the hearts
and conscicncps of mon and women in spite
Of all the tendencies In modern Christianity that
make for other conceptions Of religion. This
is the simple fact, and it would be idle to deny
or ignore IT,
Yet. on the other hand. It would be equally
idle to deny that an increasing number Of Chris
tans are to-day irresponsible to Mr. MoOdy's ap-
peas. Indeed, he himself has virtually admitted
as much. though he would not admit that such
Christians are in right relations 10 the vital
truths Of the Gospel. In every Protestant
church to-day there are men and women who
have drifted away from evangeclSm, and while
they are In cordial sympathy with the ethical
side Of Mr.. Moodys preaching they reject
either in whole or In part. his Theological be-
liefs Naturally. such Christians refuse TO take
any active part in his meetings; for their views
Of the Bible. and even OF Christ would be con
demned in every utterancc Of the evangelist.
who, among his many virtues possesses in
high degree that OF courageou honesty. 1t IS
also a fact that some regular pastors are not
enthusiastic over the Moody meetings. because
they look on them disintegrating influences
They would rejoice If Mr. Moody would gather
together great audiences Of mont Christian. non
churchgoing people. But they say that no good
purpose Is served by attracting the active
church-worSers OF the various parishes On the
contrary. the regular pastors and their churches
thus hlndered in doing the work that they
a-e set to do. While not much is said in pub
lie about this aspect Of the case those who are
behind the scenes know that the feeling exists
But when all Attachments are made these
great religious meetings are a striking evidence
OF the continued vitality of religion The thou
sands Of earnest men and women who listen
with rapt attention 10 the words OF the evan
gelist represent n tremendous influence for
good. the results Of which are felt daily in the
,lvlr and social life of the community No man.
however remote may be his sympathy with Mr.
Moody's old-fashloned theology can fail to re-
joce when his appeals lead men into the paths
Of righteousness. Men NAV not and perhaps
cannot. all agree In their view Of ecclesiastical
dogmas But to-day more than ever before
there Is coming TO he a substantial agreement
as TO the fundamental ethical teachings Of re-
lgOn. HE hath Showed thee. man. whit
Is good said the Prophet Micah, "and what
doth the Lord require CT thee but to do Just
"ly, and 10 love mercy, and to walk humbly
with thy Ciod| In the last analysis this must
be the burden Of all true preaching And the
rca strength Of Mr.. Moody lies In the fact that
1t Is the vital factor in every one Of his appeals
70 men.