The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-25
MOODY AND BOB 1NGERsoLL.
Their Lives and Work COntrasted by
Rev. 4. j. Smith.

Rev. A. j. Smith.
Moody versus IngersoI' was the sub
ject Of Rev. A. ]. Smiths sermon at the
First Presbyterian Church last night. AS
an Introductory passage of scripture Mr..
Smith read the first Psalm.
Two men with regulations Worldwide,
Mr.. Smith said, have passed away near
the close of the nineteenth century. One
was the apostle and defender of that
which the Christian holds dear. and the
other was the bitter opponent OF the
same.
i speak," said Mr.. Smith, "of Dwight
Lyman Moody and of Robert Green In
gersoll. They both had about equal adj
vantages. They were born in the coun-
try - Nearly all men who exert an infiu-
ence that reaches the world are children
of tillers of the soil. They were chilir n
Of pious parents. Ingersolrs father WAS
clergyman who is spoken of very highly
by the people who knew him. They were
poor. This was an advantage. Their
abilities, which seemed to be eXtraordi-
nary. were about equal If we may judge
by the success each achieved in his chos-
en- sphere. Their opportunities were equal.
They lived in the same old world
where could be found heart aches, sorrows,
and despair"
Mr.. Smith contrasted the work done by
the two men. He said he could not COM
pare it. 1t must be contrasted. The one
was so Numerically opposed to the other.
IngersOlls chief work was 10 tear down,
to destroy, while Moody endeavored 10
build up and perpetuate.
Mr.. Smith repeated the story that Is told
of meeting between Ingersoll and Henry
Ward Beecher Friends of the unbeliever
were endeavoring to get them into con-
troversy. Mr.. Beecher did not seem 10
boaA hat fI,ox, e,fI , last
pecially sharp taunt he said he was think
ing of what he had seen while coming to
the hotel. An old man was crossing the
street on crutches, picking his way be
tween the drays, cars and busses and
trying to avoid the slush. He had nearly
reached the pavement when a brutal fell
low knocked one of his crutches from I'M
der him. The men all cried shame. Mr..
IngersoI among the number. Mr.. Beecher
said as quickly almost as a fash of light
ming, Mr.. Ingersoll, thou art the man. So
it was a poor man with weak faith pick
ing his way through life, aided by one sort
of a crutch or another has the crutch
knocked from under him and down he
goes into the river.
who ever heard of a suicide being
found with a book of Moody's sermons"
in his pocket" asked MIR. Smith. yet
many have been found with Ingersolls
tract on suicide in their pockets. What has
pure, happier and better? Echo answers
what Take the other man. AS an evan
gelst he has brought sunshine and joy
into many a heart and life. Ills
coming was a benedicton to any
community. Only eternity can reveal the
results of this part of his lfe's work. by
the sermons he has preached and by the
sermons he has written. he has reached
an almost countless multitude and has
made them better for it. AS an educa-
Tor he has accomplished much. HIS
schools at Mortified for girls and Mount
Hermon for boys, and the Bible Institute
in Chicago for the training of both men
and women as lay workers. speak for
themselves 1t would be difficult to esu-
mate the amount of money invested It
is said that in the young ladies seminary
at East Mortified alone about half
million dollars Is invested. The influence
that goes out from these Christian schools
is very great. These institutions speak
of his generous self-sacrihcing spirit. Had
he retained all the money he received for
his own selfish indulgence he would
have been very rich man. AS 1t was he
gave the money to the schools which are
governed by trustees. About six hundred
young men and young women are in at
tendance at these schools. They pay one
hundred dollars each year. 1t cost Mr..
Moody $50 to keep them there. The money
had to be procured.
HAS IngersoH ever organized ana sup
ported a work of such extent?" asked Mr..
Smith. Where are the schools he has built?
Where are the hundreds of young people
he has made happy by his self-denial and
sacrifice.
The secret of Moody's life was then
spoken of at some length by Mr.. Smith.
He said Mr. Moody knew he was saved
man and that was a great help to him.
He was consecrated and gave up all for
Christ He had passion for souls that
consumed him. If it had not been for his
great love for men he would not have I'M
dertaken the Kansas City meetings in con-
nection with his active work. Some think
the over exertion fastened his death. He
laid down his life for his friends, for all
men were his friends.
Mr.. Smith announced that the last two
sermons on Death and the Future Life
would be preached Sunday evenings, Dec.
81, and Jan. Z.
The Sunday School Christmas celebration
will be held on Tuesday evening in the
church.