Year: 1875

PHILADELPHIA, Nov 2o.-Elght thousand people
at prayer-mecting is spectacle this " wicked
world" does not furnish very often. There at
least that many at the o'clock gathering this
morning in the great Depot Church. 1t was a simple
prayer-meeting. too. the exercises differing in no
respect from those occasions which call to-
gether few dozens of worshipers in the
churches every week, except that Mr..
sankey thrilled all hearts with that wonderful
hymn. "The Ninety and Nine' The few words
said by Mr.. Moody. and the prayers and remarks of
the other clergymen, were by no means extraordi-
nary. and vet there is doubt that thousands left
the hall feeling a spiritual life and with ther
faith quickened as it had not been by all the ser
they had heard for years. II is wonder that
many theoloyians believe in peculiar "outpourings
of the Holy Spirit" when they great effects
flow from such small and familiar causes.
Rationallsts viii account for the phenomenon by
their theory of influence Of animal magnetism,
and will cite from history instances without number
of the rise and spread of great religious movements
which had no basis except in popular superstition.
1t Is not the province Of the secular journalist to
take sides in the discussion or 10 seek for either
natural OF supernatural causes for this sudden out
break of plOus zeal He may describe all its phases
and results. however. and whatever his views
NAV be as to the truth of doctrines advanced the
wisdom of methods employed he cannot fail TO see
the Possibilities of good in agency that power
fully stimulates the dormant religious impulses in
the hearts of multitudes of and women who
seldom have their thoughts directed beyond the mar
horizon of their everyday needs, and petty am
bitiOns and desires.


Moody and Sankey do little more than to break
up the ground and SOW the seed TO raise the plants
and gather the harvest VIII be the task Of the regu
lar ministers and public teachers. Most Of them SEE
this and are putting their shoulders earnestly to the
revival work. Those who hold alOOf do so in many
cases from miscOncept0n of the character ot the
meetings, fearing that there may be theological
dovmas enunciated which they cannot commend. or
me lhoG- used 20 excite and alarm Of which their de-
nominations do not approve. Ii ought to be under
stood by this time that Mr.. Moody never SAYS any
thing about disputed points in theology.
Nothing in his sermons indicates whether
he is a Baptist Methodist, OF a Presbyterian. he
may be either OF neither Orthodox Christians will
find no point in his discourses upon which to hang
a doctrinal argument. There is, however. large
class of Christians who conscientiously take ex-
ceptions to the whole scope and purpose Of the re-
vivalsts work. This class includes the Universal
ists who do not relish talk about Gods anger and
everlasting tOrments; the UnitariaIs, to whom
there is bat God, the Father aud who DO not
believe that the DEITY appeared on the earth IN
the form Of a man. and numbers of people,
in orthodox as well as liberal cOmmunions, who in
sst on practical religion. and look upon Christianity
a. designed to make better in this world rather
than as a scheme of salvation 10 enable them to
escape Divine wrath in the world 10 come But even
these directors must acknowledge that in one
respect the tendency of Moody and sankey's labors
is a good one. They tend powerfully to break down
dcnominational barriers and TO unite sects that are
standing aloof from each other, account Of differ


fttraa .1frft4 afrQ yl fn
nobody but theological professors knows anything
about nowadays


! was struck by remark made By Methodist


minister to-day. in conversation about the revival


He said: If we had hundred Moodys and san
keys in this country. all the orthodox Protestant


sects would unite within ten years. We should have
an entirely new system of organization and work.


Instead OF our numerous little churches, half sus


tained and half filled on Sundays we should have


vast buildings Tiyang the old cathedrls OF Europe
in size and crowded with wOrsbipers- Each Of


these great temples would DO the center Of the re-


Hgious life of a large district and for parish work


we would have numerous mission chapels containing


a library, readingIoOm. prayer-mecting room, and


the offices Of the working charitable soceties.' Ar


Moody himself sees that the natural consequence o.


his work is to bring the secs nearer together and


no man reioces at il more than lie. Ia his talk at
the monster prayer-meeiing this morning he said
thar there were no MethOdstS Presbyterans


and no Baptsts in his meetings in Brooklyn. All
were Christians. During the whole month be spent


there he heard nothing about those denominations.
1t would scarcely be supposed that anybody would


look for an effect upon politics to come from the re-
viyal, unless it were the fortunate one of making
few Of the politicians more piOus However, met
a man yesterday who predicted that Moody and


Sankey by stirring mp the Pr0tcstants OF the coun


Try TO more vigorous assertion of their faith would


intensity the growing hostility to the Catholics, and


make it easy for the Republican party managers TO


delude people into the notion that the school ques
ton is vital issue III national politics. he prphe-
sled a widespread revival and, as a consequence,
bitter feeling toward the RoInish Church, which
would enter TO some extent into the Presidential
campaign next year.


There is nothing new to chronicle in the course Of
the revival here except the organization OF move


ment among the w0mcn-a duplicate in the main Of
the vouug mems movement The meeting tonight


was as large az it could be. IN fact night meet


ing is lust like another in point Of attendance. The
hall is always packed and the doors locked some
time before the hour for beginning the services.
Last night MI Moody showed ms presence of mind


and his control Oyerthe audience ia striking manner
IN the midst Of his seruOH O cOlOred woman began


screaming and praying in camI-mec ing style, and
an over tho hall people began 70 get up to see
whence the disturbance proceeded III. 3l0ody


stopped short and said The ushers viii take that


person cut Of the room Immediately. Let Us al rise
aud sing Rock Of Ages.' AZ o wave OF his hand


the congregation rose and instantly joined Ia the
I hvInn The shouts Of the wOInan as she was taken


out were of course drowned in the torrent OF song.
When two verses had been sung. Mr. Moody waved
his hand again, the audience resumed their seats


Il .ie oh mt Ig N