The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-01-03
HOW MOODY MET sANKEY.
"A STORY OF GREAT INTEREST.

MASS, many oil our readers may be In
terested In knowing the circumstances
under which Mr. Moody first became
acquainted with the celebrated singer
OF Gospel Songs" Rev. Ira ID. Sankey, |
who subsequently, became associated |
with him in his life's work. In the |
Philadelphia Press Charles +. Dor |
worth writes Of the meeting thus:
In the year 1870 two young men |
journeyed to lndianapo is, Ind, to at |
tend the international convention OF
the Young Mems Christian Associa- |
tion. The one was Dwight l..
Moody, who came from Chicago ILL.,, |
and the other was Ira ID. Sankey,
whose home was at New Castle, Pa.
They had heard OF each other, but had
never met Moody had already gain, |
ed some reputation as q speaker, and
Sankey for his ability to win souls by
his singing OF HYMNS, but neither fig
ured very prominently as leaders of
the exercises at the convention.
AT that time Sankey was govC rn-
ment officer in Pennsylvania, holding
Is commission in the internal revenue
service, a position paying him some
thing like 81 800 per year His relig-
ious work, until that time, had been
conducted during leisure hour. Sank
ey had heard enough of NJ OOdy TO make
him curious to rec him and hear him
talk, and when he went to the Conven-
tion he Immediately com enced to look
for the young mar from Chicago Ar
irving at the Academy OF Music, where
tho convention was being held, he took
seat near the rear OF the hall. He
waited and listened for an hour or so,
but was compelled to leave the place
without ever hearing anybody mention
the name Of the man for whom he WAS
hunting.
Few people seemed to know who
Moody was or anything about him.
Afterwards it was learned that Moody
occupied Is seat near To the door and
close to whore Sankey was on the open
ing day OF the convention. Neither
took any very prominent part in the
proceedings, the greater portion OF the
program being occupied by the more
important speakers
The first meeting Of the two men
did not occur until day or two after
they had arrived at indianapolis, and
then under rather novel circumstances.
Mr.. Moody, from Chicago was an
nOunced to conduct q prayer meeting
on certain morning at o'clock in q
little room some distance away from
the Academy of Music. NOtwithstaud-
ing the early hour for the service,
Sankey determined to take advantage
OF the opportunity to see and hear the
man whom until that time he had been
unable to find.
The distance to the little room where
the prayer meeting was to be held was
much greater than Sankcy had antici
pated when he arrived. He found a
seat, as he expressed il, in he "amen
corner and sat down,
He had scarcely heen seated when
somebody touched him on the ELBOW,
and turning around, he discovered that
he was sitting beside the Rev. R)ber.
McMillen, whom he happened IL KNOW
quite well. McMillen asked Sankey
to take charge OF the singing at the
service, explaining that there seemed
to be nobody present who could lead
AT the conclusion Of very lengthy
prayer, McMillen nudged Sankey, and
told him to starr right in and sing.
Without waiting for any further invi-
tation, young Sankey arose and sang
with wonderful feeling the words:
"There is fountain filled with blood
Drawn from lmmanuel's veins:
And sinners plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains"
The congregation forgot to Join in
on the chorus, and Sankey finished the
hymn by himself
Moody was we'll pleased with the
singing during the remainder Of the
service. When the meeting was
brought to a close McMillen asked
Sankey to step forward and be would
introduce him to Moody. A process
sion was formed which slowly made its
way to the front of the room, where
Moody was standing.
AS Sankey drew near Moody stepped
out and took him by the hand.
Where are you from ?" Moody ask
ed
"Pennsylvania," replied Sankey.
Married or single ?"
Married. l have a wife and one
child"
What do you do for living when
you are at hOme?'
Il am in the government service"
All this time Moody had been hold
Ing Sankey's hand. Looking down
into his face with his keen black eyes
he said
"Well, you'll lave to give it up"
Sankey stood amazed and was at a
loss to understand just what Moody
meant by telling him he would have to
give up what was to him a good posi-
tion and one atfording him a very COM
Portable living.
He was so taken back for o few Sec
onds that he could make no reply
Moody, however, explained what be
had meant.
L Ou IL nave W give up your govern
ment position and come with me. You
are just the man | have been looking
for for long time. | want you to
come with me. You can do the sing
ing and Pll do the taking
Sankey had by this time partly re-
covered from his surprise, but the
thought Of giving up good position
for an uncertainty was too much, and
he begged for time in which to con-
slider the matter Moody asked him ii
he would go with him and pray over
the question, and out OF politeness
Sankey consented. Moody prayed that
Sankev would see his way clear to do
rs he had asked, and Sankey argued
with himself agninst the proposition.
The two finally parted and Sankey re.
turned to his room impressed by
Moody's prayer, but still undecided
->.n That was on Sunday. All that day
and night Saukey thought over Moody's
words, but the next morning found
him still inclined to stick to the gov
ernment position with its salary assur.
ed every month. Just at moment
when he was more inclined to be
wavering than anything else card
was brought to him. He examined 1t
and found it was from Moody, and ask
ing him to meet him at n certain street
corner that evening at O'clock.
Without knowing what he was want