Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1902-05-31
Tbs Discovery Of Moody,

The Rev. J. B. Stillson of Rochester,
N. Y, 1.-The man who discovered
Moody" gives the following account Of
his first meeting with the great evan
geIist, who was then a mere lad:
THE year 1857 was a year of great
revivals all over this land and Chicago
was sharing in the impulse. God was
preparing the fathers and the young
men of this country for the civil war.
81 myself was eager to do something
in an evangelistic way for God and the
opportunity came to me through an
acquaintance which I formed with
Lockwood Brown, who was then con
Quoting the Bethel mission. I asceE-
tanned from him where lay the worst
quarter of the city, and l began to de-
vote my spare time to visiting among
its residents. talking with them when
ever the opportunity afforded.
81 had been at this business for
three or four weeks when one Sunday,
having followed the river up as far as
Van Buren, street, / turned into the
lumber yard, just about noon. There
ran across a young fellow dressed in
grayspun, with brogans on his feet,
but clean, every inch of him. He, too,
was engaged IN distributing papers.
What is your name2" said 1.
6" d. L. Moody was the reply.
What's your name?'
81 told him and then asked him
where he came from.
SO eF'aom Boston, said he. Where do
you come frQm?'
He was back at me like fash with
avery question which l asked of him,
and seemed determined to know IS
much about me as l should concerning
h;7,.
81 told him that ! came from Ro-
chester, Il. Y, and inquired how long
be Esd been in Chicago.
&c fEpoaf IsDntT1s. now long have you
been haSsT
q 1--WE months. said I, and what are
Feu doing, If may aslz.'
I'm working Tor 2 shoemaker
hamed Henderson, said he. What are
Feu doing?'
house., I replied. Then asked him
who he knew in Chicago.
Z don't know nobody he replied,
but Mr.. Henderson. Who do you
kraw?'
It vas hard work for. me to keep my
| lace straight at these counter ques-
tons, but he was too sincere to laugh
1t, so l replied as best [ might, and in
luired if his parents were living.
Mother is-father's dead was the
laconic response. Your folks liVin'?
81 asked him where his mother lived
lad he replied, In Mortified. Mass
81 asked him If he knew how far il
was from Chicago to Boston, and
Moody replied that he had no idea.
eWen,' said 1, you're just about q
thousand miles from your mother.
Fhen the thought came to me with
J. rpowering force hat if I had boy
! thousand miles from home and
mother, I'd be mighty thankful if some
Christian man would pay little atten-
lion to him in city like Chicago.
invited the lad to accompany me in my
walk. When we reached my hotel, on
| Franklin street, invited Moody Ia
tome in and have dinner with me.
"He glanced down at his rough
hOmespun and hesitated.
Come in urged; IN be glad TIC
save you
with that his reluctance vanished
md we went up to my room. Sug-
| rested that since we had been about
| The Lords work we might kneel down
Ind ask His blessing upon our euoFts
The prayer over, we went down to tbs
lining room. After dinner. and while
| We were in the room again, told
| Moody that had an Invitation te
speak that night at Bethel mission.
Mr.. Stfllson, said he. in the slew
fashion that characterized him, 'F6
kinder like to so with yon to thai
meeting Kinder like was a favoritt
/ expression with him.
Well, we went together to the mis-
] sion and when the meeting was Over
| be accompanied me back to the hote
| and into my room. After sitting
lujetly for a few moments, he bIurteC
| sUt:
Mr.. Stillson. I'd rather like II
| Iorlz with you
g replied that possibly such a join
| short might be productive OF seme
seod-that the Lsrd was accustomed
70 send out his disciples two and two.
Such was the beginning of Mr.. Still
pms connection with the great evan
Eellst.-Rechester Post-Express.
Soft China or tussore silks, pafternei
nth Quaint garlands and sprays o
kcses. Daasfes and other flowers. an
lowered Eaus11us and taHotas, are auzs
-