Gilpin observer., 1899-12-28
DWIGHT L. MOODY
CAREER OF THE EVANGELIST
Noted for His Energy, Common Sense and
Belief In the Bible-Had Great Infiu-
ence Over Rich Men.


Dwight Lyman Moody, the evangel-
ist, was born in Northfeld, Franklin
county, Massachusetts, February 3,
1887. He received n limited educa-
ton, and worked on farm till he
was II years old, when he be-
came clerk in shoe store in Bos-
ton. He united with n Congregational
church soon afterward, and in 1856
went to Chicago, where he engaged
with enthusiasm in mission work
among the poor, and in less than year
established n Sunday school with
more than 1000 pupils. During the
Civil War he was employed by the
Christian Commission, and subsequent.
ly by the Young Mems Christian Asso.
ciation of Chicago as n lay mission
ary. a church was built for his con.
verts, and he became its unordained
pastor. In the fire of 1871 his church
and Mr. Moody's house and furniture
We're destroyed, but Il new and much
larger church has since been erected.
In 1873, accompanied by Ira d. San
key, he visited Europe and instituted
a series of weekly day religious SER
vices in England, Scotland and Ireland,
which resulted in great religious awak-
enings in the principal cities in these
countries. The evangelists returned to
the United States in 1875. and organized
similar meetings in various parts of
the country. In 1883 they again visited
Great Britain, and since that time have
been engaged in ,evangelistic work
there and in their own country.
Bishop IL. w. Warren says of Mr..
Moody: 49,,
",rhe first thing that strikes one in
thinking of Mr. Moody is the
prodlgious extent of his influence. In
the field of authorship his books by
the dozen are in such demand that
newsboys on nearly all trains carry
them. AS speaker, on both sides of
the Atlantic, he had addressed audi
ences limited only by the size of the
auditoriums and armeries. And this
not few times, but month after
month, year after year. AS an educa-
tor his three schools at Mortified,
Massachusetts, and one in Chicago, are
amazing successes. For seventeen
years he has brought scholars and pro-
fessors from all parts of the learned
world to his summer conferences and
Bible lectures. His influence over mon
of wealth was extraordinary. At his
request men gave up large accumula-
tions of life time for philanthropy
and religion.
He would be n very distinguished
man-author, professor, lecturer, lit
erary, scientific, historical or humor-
ous-Who could have a moiety of this
mans influence in any one of his de-
partments.
1T must be remembered that this
man rose out of humble life, received
very meagre education, worked on Il
farm till he was II years of age, and
never went to school thereafter.
What is the secret of his success?
Aside from the push of his strong will
and the clearness of his common sense,
what of the influence of the environ
ment to which he related himself?
He spoke the language of the COM
mon people. AS Luther largely made
the German language by unweariedly
seeking the speech of the common peo-
pie and embodying 1t in his translation
of the Bible. so Mr.. Moody so spoke
that, like his Master. "the common peo-
pie heard him gladly
'IIe must have uttered what ap-
pealed to the human heart as true and
adapted to meet its needs to have Sc.
cured the Endorsement of such a hear
ing. His utterance of truth compelled
many Il mans conscience to say, That
means me-
But especially, above all other
things, two reasons for Moody's influ-
encc must be stated.
"First-He believed thoroughly and
emphatically in the Bible as reliable
record of Gods dealing with men, past.
present and future. He was troubled
by no doubts, entangled by no higher
criticism, appalled, by no impossible
ties. He thought what was impossible
with man might be possible with God,
in the Word as in the world.
''Second-He believed that God was
as really helper of his humble and
obedient Instruments to-day as ever in
the past"