The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-06

Dwight l.. Moody and be moved deeply
with the same enthusiasm of religion that
moved thousands of souls to forsake their
lives of sin and devote themselves TO
right conscience with God under the spell
OF his powerful personality and pleaGinss
for faith. II is refreshing at all times,
and especially in this superficial and artl-
fetal age, to come III contact with a genu-
Inc soul; q nature so sincere, so simple
that 1t seems II mirror of nature herself
fresh, like the spring time; breathing Ter
fumes of flower and grass, yet played
upon and swept by forces of wind and
storm that one may easily compare it with
a summer landscape in the throes OF
tempest.
Doubtless his energies and thrift would
have quickly made him rich man had
he SO desired, but his religious nature be
came so awakened that he spent every
spare moment gathering the waits OF the
streets where they could be fed and
clothed and taught religion. This work
was the turning point of his life BY
and by he abandoned all secular business
and devoted himself entirely to religious
work
He called upon the then Bishop of Chi
cago during these early labors, who said
to Moody:
Your zeal and devotion are most COM
mendable. All you need to make you
great power for good IS to come within
the fold Of the only true Church"
But" replied Moody, Il could no long
er work among Proteatants. The Bish-
op assured him that he could; that he
could pray with Protestants as much as
ever would you, Bishop pray with
Protestant"
Yes l would.
We'll, then" replied young Moody, 81
wish you would pray for me now that l
may be led Alright in this matter"
They knet in the hall where they were
standing and prayed They were life
long friends thereafter.
Many Catholics who knew md loved
Mr. Moody may perhaps have wondered
why so religious a man was never ATTRACT
ed to the Catholic faith The answer is
doubtless to be discovered in many of his
published sermons where he avowed such
strong repugnance 10 all bonds of faith
made by creed or dogmn. He believed
that simple promise to be loyal to
Christ was all-sufficent.
Mr.. Moody had a Catholic friend named
Healy, who painted a valuable portrait OF
him, and when the Chicago fire destroyed
nearly everything he owned, at the re-
quest of his wife this painting was saved
by him. He humorously described his
embarra Ssnent at marching away from
Inc IRE WIFI t!llS picture, ny iitiS'-1-!-iAs@
his friends meeting him and saying Hello,
Moody. I'm glad you've escaped. What's
that you are cinging to so affeCtionately2'
"Oh. I've got my own portrait" The por-
trait now hangs on the walls OF the family
home in Mortified.
In 1872 Mr.. Moody was invited to preach
to some congregations in England There
was begun those remarkable meetings in
halls and Kinks which, in Great Britain ard
America. spread over a period of nearly
thirty years, and enabled him TO exhibit
his marvellous power over the
hearts and wills of men which
has hardly been equaIed in the
history of English-speaking people. 1t
has been said. and there is little doubt OF
the truth of H. that he had preached to
audiences of over one hundred million peo-
pie in those active years. OF course his
audiences We're almost always composed OF
Protestants although his genius Tor pulpit
eloquence drew even jews and Catholics
TO hear what they had so constantly seen
described in the public press
His prevailing qualities were tjreess en-
ergr amazing common sense unGuestOn-
ms faith and :. human sympathy rarely
equallei. These qualities, on fire with en-
thUsiasm and marShalled with the brain of
a military general made him a powerful
leader OF men. Professionalism has lost its
best apostle, and in the death OF Mr..
Moody there is a conscious halt in its
forces.
NJ. Moody in the closing years of his
life, called upon the Archbishop of New
York. He was preaching at Cooper Union
himself. and his large audiences led him
to thnl: that if the Catholic people would
only hold simultaneous services New York
might be shaken with religious fervor.
This was the purpose OF his visit. The
Archbishop explained the system of mis-
sions pursued by the Catholic Church. and
showed him how it was constantly doing
what the Protestant churches did only
occasionally. An hour spent in con-
versation, but the only result was a friend
~ MISUNDERSTANDING World