Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-23
D. |. MOODY DEAD,
The Famous Evangelist Passes
Away at His Home,
DEMISE DUE TO OVERWORK.
II Follows General Physical Breaking
Down.
THE GREAT PREACHERS CAREER,
His Last Words the Following; 81
See Earth Reccding. Heaven il
Opening. God is Calling Nellie is
Conscious TO the Last.

Der dwight l.. Moody. the evangelist,
whose fame was worldwide, died at his
home, here. at noon to-day. His family
We're gathered at his bedside, and the
dying mans last moments were spent in
comforting them.
Early in the day. Mr.. Moody. realizing
that the end was not far OFF, talked with
his family at intervals. being conscious
to the last, except for a few fainting
spells. He revived, and with wonderful
display Of strength in his voice, said in
a happy strain: whats the matter.
What's going on here?
One of the children replied: Father,
you have not been quite so well, and so
we came in to see YOU
HIS AMBITION.
A little later, Mr.. Moody talked quite
freely to his sons. saying:
Il have always been an ambitious man,
not ambitious to lay up wealth, but TO
leave you work to do, and you're going
to continue the work of the schools in
East Mortified and Mount Herman. and
OF the Chicago Bible Institute"
As the MONDAY hour grew near, the
watchers at his bedside noted the APP
proach OF death. Several times his lips
moved as If in prayer, but the articula-
ton was so faint that the words could
not be heard.
Just as death came Mr.. Moody awoke
as if from slUmber and said with much
joyOusness: Il see earth recedingi
Heaven is opening; God is calling me,
and moment later he expired.
DEMISE RATHER SUDDEN.
1t was not expected until yesterday oy
the members OF MIR Moody's family, and
his immediate circle Of friends, that
death would bee the result Oh has illness.
The cause Of death was general break
ing down. due to overwOrk.
afr Moodys heart had been weak for
long time, and eXertiOns put forth in
connection with meetings in the West
last month brought on a collapse, from
which he failed 10 rally.
BREAKDOWN IN KANSAS CITY.
The Evangelist broke down in Kansas
City. Mo, where he was holding SER
vices, about a month ago, and the serl-
BUSINESS of his condition was 50 apparent
10 The physicians who were called To- at
tend him that they forced him 10 aban-
don his work and return TO his nome
with an possible speed. After he reached
Northheld eminent physicians were con-
suited, and everything was done TO pro-
long his life.
A bulletin issued last week communl-
Gated the udings 10 the public that Mr.
Moody was very III, but that little inn
provement was noticed. This week the
patient showed u steady gain, until yes
terdav. when he showed symptoms OF
nervousness. accompanied by weakness,
which caused the family much anxiety.
This morning the weakness continued,
and al o'clock Mr. Moody called MS
wife and children telling them that the
end was not far off. The family remained
close by the bedside all the forenoon.
just before II o., Jck the watchers saw
that the end was approaching, and AT eX-
actly noon the great preacher passed
away.
BROUGHT Up on a FARM.
Mr.. Moody was born IN Mortified,
Franklin county. Mass, February D. 1881
He was brought up on farm until he
was 10 years old, when he went to Boston
and was employed in store Tor seVeral
years lie became a professor of re-
Heion under the preaching OF Rev. Or.
Kirk. and soon afterward became sue
cessful salesman in large wholesale
shoe store in Chicago.
While thus engaged, he spent his eve
nlngs In missionary work among the
poor and destitute OF that city. Ihls
work grew to such proportions that finally
he was induced TO give up his bus
| mess engagements and devote all his time
10 religious work I'm connection with the
local Young Mems Christian Association,
of which he became president
lie soon became known as one Of the
most acceptable public speakers of the
country. and was in constant demand az
religious conventions throughout the West
and South. During the war between the
| States he Joined the work Of the Chris
uau Commission and spent much time
looking after the sick and wounded Of
both armies.
At the close of the war be returned 20
Chicago and resumed his work there. soon
having "a large and fOurishlng ndepen-
dent church. which IS now known as
the Moody church aud is presided over
by a regular pastor.
NEVER REGULARLY ORDAINED.
He never became regularly ordained
minister.
After the fire OF 1871 Mr.. Moody made
ARRANGEMENTS for rebuilding bis church
and I'm June 1873. went with Ira ID. Sankey
| 10 Great Britain on an eFdhgelsuc tour,
which continued for over TWO years and
was one Of the greatest evangelisrc
movements Of the age
He founded TWO schools az NOrthneld.
one for young women and enc for young
men. with an average attendance Of 500.
He also founded a large school in Chi
cago. known "a tho Bible Institute. where
| from 300 70 40 men and women are train
ed each year for various departments In
| Christian work, both at home and abroad.
BE was the author OF a number OF
| books. Of sermons and addresses, which
have had a very wide circulation. Mr..
Moody IS supposed TO have spoken 10
more y)ple and addressed larger audi
ences Fan any man of this generation,
and will be known as the leading evan
genst OF the nineteenth century.