New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-03

II
missionaries. to a friend. Tomorrow morning Or
Wilton Merle Smith. Of New-York. VIII SPEAK dSS
notice. In The afternoon Dr. R. A. Torrsy will
speak on "Prayer and in re evening Dr. Mayor"
When asked for material for sketch of his lie
Mr Moody said:
Il was born Of the flesh in 1887. was born OF the
Spirit in 1856 That which is born Of the flesh may
die That which is born of the Spirit will live Tor
ever"
Mr.. MOODY'S EARLY LIFE.
Z This autobiography reads somewhat like the first
ehapter Of Genesis, and is characteristic or the
man. who prefers deeds 10 words. 1t Is good as
Tar as II goes hut many friends of Mr.. Moody may
like 10 know a few particulars regarding the ro-
mantle life Of the New Englander who has achieved
a world wide reputation. His father died when
ne only four years old, and a few weeks later
twins were born, leaving the widow with nine
children 10 care for. The little farm upon which
they lived was also encountered by a mortgage.
Mrs MOODY whose birthday was the same as his
own died in 1906. at the age OF ninety Her heroic
struggles 10 keep roof the heads Of her largo
family greatly appreciated by her children.
The noble heart If the evangelist never shows it.
self more plainly than when ne refers to the brave
woman who struggled against privations that
would have made many persons break up their
families and send their children charitable insi
buttons When Dwight was seventeen years old.
with his motherS permission he went 10 Boston
20 seek employment. His mothers brother
shoe merchant in that city. and he gave his
nephew work two conditiopS--that he should he
governed by his advice. and attend regularly the
Sunday school and Church service Of the Mount
Vernon Congregational Church.
After his conversion he applied for membership
;n the church. but kept waiting for year
being accepted in 1856 II Is Interesting 10 know
what was thought ~ his future AT that time. His
teacher said he very unlikely ever to become
"a Christian Of clear and decided views Of Gospel
truth still less to m any extended sphere of public
usefulness"
In the fall Of 1876 Mr. Moody went to Chicago and
became salesman in the shoe trade He also
tered the Plymouth Congregational Church, and
showed his earnest spirit by renting four pews,
which he kept filled with young and boys. He
also wanted 10 take part ir. the PRAYER meetings
but suggestions were given the effect that he
could best serve the Lord by silence. He asked If
ne might become a Sunday school tea cher, and he
was told that he could ~ he would bring his own
scholars. The next Sunday he marched into the
schooroon the head Of eighteen ragged boys.
whom he had collected during the week. Later he
started A mission Of his own in empty tavern
in North Chicago. His school grew so much that
North Market Hall was occupied and John V Far
we'll supplied benches for the scholars and became
It's superintendent Largely under Mr.. Moody's
personal canvasSing sixty teachers were obtained.
and the average attendance of scholars was kept
up to $50.
GAVE UP BUSINESS IN 1850
In 1870 he gave UP his business that he might give
all Of his time TO religious work. He reduced his
expenses minimum by doing without a home
and sleeping upon a bench OF the Young Mems
Christian Association. In short time he became
city missionary. and was able TO assist others. In
August. 1852. Mr.. Moody married Miss Emma g.
Revel a sister of Fleming II. Reve. the publisher.
OF Chicago Besides his army services. Mr.. Moody
worked hard for his mission. and In 1853 A church
building was erected. Two years later he was
elected president Of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION. Of Chicago. short time afterward Far
well Hall was erected. and when this building was
destroyed by fire within few months a second edi-
fee was reared the same site.
Mr. Moody went abroad for the first time in
1857 and again In the spring OF 1873. After the
great Chicago Are he erected a large frame Taber-
nacle, which served supply storehouse and
also as a church edhce. Scotland claims TO have
discovered Mr.. Moody. but the Chicago people
think that they had known him for time
previous to his remarkable series Of meetings in
the mother country. The great Hippodrome meet
ings in New-York. the Boston campaign. tho
Cleveland services and those in Brooklyn. Chicago,
San Francisco. ST. Louis and other American cities
are too well known 10 need more than passing
aiusion.
IN addition TO his evangelistic efforts which
would quickly exhaust man not made of iron.
Mr.. Moody is carrying a greater burden than the
average college president assumes. Four distinct
Institutions. not 10 speak OF the confer
ences. which are virtually summer schools, are
under his direct supervision. In 1879 the Mortified
Seminary for Girls was started. primarily for the
daughters OF the farmers in the Connecticut Val
ley, who could not afford 10 10 the SCHOOLS and
tcminaries then In existence
SPLENDID INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS.
The seminary opened with eight girls studying
In tho addition built upon his own house. Soon
the number OF girls increased 10 twenty-five. and
a building especially for the students was erected
To-day there are more thar $50 girls in the insti-
tuition. with It's dozen buildings, which sends its
graduates TO Wellesley Smith. Mount Holyoke and
other colleges and into mission work at home and
abroad Every year nearly as many students are
refused admission as are taken.
Two years after starting the seminary Mr. Moody