The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-26

Vt I should live a hundred years,
yes, a century, could not fulfill
all the enga gements am implored
to make, and yet some of our
bright people say that the work
of evangelists is passing; that it
has had its day and that the
world is tired of 1t. There are
TWENTY-FIVE evangelfsts in demand to-
dav for every one that could be found
twenty-five years ago, and the world
IS better for them. Yes, lots better.
And vet I read last week that an Oak
land critic had said our day was past
However, criticism is one of the di-
versions of life. It is better that We
are criticized because then both sides
Of this question are brought out and
Intelligent people can judge of their
rleri.s for themselves.
1t is very amusing to hear some mar
row minded individual talk of the
beauties of Christianity and of the
manner in which the world is casting
them to one side and rapidly drifting
toward infldelty. This is as funny as
2 comic paper. for certainly no man
Who has not experienced the true in
yvardness of Christian life can talk
{ bout it. although he may be a very
good guesser, and as TO the spread of
inhdelity. there is no such thing.
Occasionally you hear a statement
that there are ten infidels in a certain
section where there was twenty
years ago. That may be true. This
country grows fast and If you care to
investigate you will no doubt find, as
I have found, that in the same sections
twenty years ago there was not a single
Christian. whereas to-day you viii
probably find a thousand.
Speaking for myself, there never was
G time when Dwight L. Moody was in
such demand as he is to-day. You
would not credit the facts regarding the
world wide request for my services.
For many years have never made a
promise to be at a certain place by a
certain day I cannot do it. When
hold a revival in a town, I cannot tell
when It may end. 1t would be folly to
break off a blessed season Of revival
when my Judgment tells me I should
not do so merely because I was due at
some other place, like a train. Even
now I am six months behind some of
the dates that were fixed for me. and
do not know how much longer will
eIapse before they are kept. This goes
TO prove that evangelical, work is as
popular as ever, If may use such a
term.
You may, II you please, introduce into
the world a new form of so-called re-
igion every day. You would find peo-
Ole TO take UP with It and to swear by
IT. This is true in all countries. This
kind Of thing has gone on for centuries,
and vet what do we find when an evan
gelist comes along?
I will tell you what we find. We find
a bigger demand than ever for the real
old gospel, and this demand is actually
increased because there have been so
many sideshows attempting to rob 1t of
It's. beauty. Anybody that has been
forced TO eat crow for twelve months
would relish turkey for a few days, and
this principle is as true in spiritual
matters as in temporal
Since the first twelve evangelists were
sent on their way the number has
steadily grown. There never were less
than twelve Their work also grows,
long after they have departed.
VIII any novelist of to-day be re-
rnenbered, or has any writer Of the
mast nineteen centuries been remem-
bered. as have Matthew, Mark. Luke.
Holm and Paul? I do not think so.
Neither do l think any intelligent per-
son will contradict me. How long 90
YOU think John Wesley and Whlthelo
will be remembered? They viii be re-
membered centuries after every con-
temporary writer has been forgotten
There have been times. Of course.
when the strength Of the hold Of Chris
tianity upon the people has been great
Ok @ = x *. \ = 70 y 9 = {: X
DAVID STARR J(