PEOPLE often ask and wonder wherein ties the secret of the power and success which attend these meetings. First, the hymns are a great attraction. It is not merely that the tunes are lively and pleasant to the ear, but the sentiments and truths which they contain prepare the way for the preaching which is to follow. The gathering of a large choir of Christians at once interests a number of families, in addition to those who have arranged the meetings; then, whatever may be said by high art critics, Mr Sankey's method with the choir and his own solos please the people, so that many attribute the success attained, and the good accomplished, entirely to the singing and music, especially as Mr Moody's preaching often occupies less time than the musical part of the meeting. Some think that this is a mistake, that too many hymns are sung, and that it would be better if Mr Moody took more time for his address. It is evident, however, that he attaches great importance to bringing the audience into a receptive attitude; and by occupying a considerable time in singing by the choir, by the congregation, and by Mr Sankey alone, attention is secured, and the mind is freed from distracting thoughts, outside the purpose of the meeting.
But, with an abrupt manner, and with no arts of oratory or rhetoric, dealing with simple elementary truths, and often preaching from well-worn, if not, as some think, worn-out texts, how is it that this plain man rivets the people from the beginning to the end of his discourse, and leaves them surprised, and sorry when it is done? We think one reason is that there is in Mr Moody an unusual combination of the most practical common sense with very tender human sympathy. There is enough of sentiment without a shadow of sentimentalism. His brief and definite prayers show how direct and immediate are his transactions with Him that sitteth on the Throne of Grace. He is like Barnabas, on the one hand "a good man"- a kind, tender-hearted, sympathising, benevolent man; on the other, he is "full of faith and of the Spirit." He has the touch of nature which makes the whole world kin, and this gives power with men, and he has the trust and truthfulness which give power with God. Then anyone who has observed the head of this man is not surprised at his faculty of organisation and power of will and perceives that he is a born leader of men.
Mr Moody's first appearance at Bristol on Tuesday evening was characteristic. He had missed his train and arrived only just in time to give his address. Instead of making any allusion to or apology for his being late, he immediately proceeded with his sermon, in the course of which he laid emphasis on the importance of heeding and obeying the written Word rather than the experiences of others. He had seen by the time-table that the train left Paddington at three, but noticing an official, who ought to know, to assure himself he asked what time the train left. "Quarter-past three," was the reply. He took his word, and missed the train, for the book was right and the man was wrong. Always go by the book, not by human experience. The timetable itself is fallible, but God's Word is absolute truth - trust in that alone.
On Friday evening, a little baby's crying attracted the attention of the audience just as the address was to begin. Mr Moody took the opportunity of saying that it would not disturb him in the least, but it was very embarrassing to a mother to have 1,400 people turn round and look at her. He would a good deal rather preach to those mothers who cannot come except they bring their babies, than to the ladies who had servants to leave them with at home, It would be a kind and considerate thing for a lady to go down to a poor sister a home and nurse the baby while the mother came to the meeting. At Aberdeen, a mother anxious about her soul wanted to go into the inquiry room, but having her baby in her arms she was afraid of disturbing the others. A tall man, however, standing by, said he would nurse her child, and he walked up and down with the little one in his arms until the mother returned, having received the peace she sought.
Mr Moody has been assisted by the arrival of Mr Scroggie from Scotland, who has taken the overflow meetings and has preached with great simplicity and directness. The principal meetings are held at the Colston Hall, which seats about 2,500, the overflow in Lodge-street Chapel, nearby, and when that becomes too small, at the Drill Hall, which seats more than Colston Hall. Mr Bliss, of America, has also arrived from Plymouth, where he remained to carry on the meetings after Mr Moody had left. He is holding meetings of young men, and will probably remain after Messrs Moody and Sankey have gone.
In this as in all evangelistic work, there is, of course, much that cannot be recorded. It could not be told without betraying confidences which must be held sacred. We can but speak in general terms of incidents the particulars of which would be of deepest interest. For instance: A Government official is on business in a provincial town. He strolls at night and finds the circus on one side of a square and Moody and Sankey meetings on the other; he goes with the stream into the latter and is led to Christ. A lady goes from her country home into the neighbouring town and inquires what entertainments are going on; is told by a tradesman of the meetings and decides to go; remains to the after-meeting, apparently out of curiosity, has no intention of being converted; but all the time the Spirit, unconsciously to herself, is acting upon her heart, and eventually she is saved.
A Major, with his wife and daughter, comes from a distant town to Paris. After one of the first addresses, he says to Mr Moody, "Ah, you spotted me today! " "How so?" Why, you said we could not be forgiven if we refused to forgive others. I have had a quarrel with my brother-in-law, and I am going to write him a letter at once, that we may be reconciled." He wrote the letter and was reconciled to God as soon as the hindrance was removed.
Two trustees differ as to their trust, and the more awkward-tempered of the two determines to throw the affair into Chancery, against the wishes of the other. But one day he comes to retract and apologise - he has been converted. His co-trustee thinks that if believing in Christ can make such a change as this he will seek Him too, and he also is saved.
The aged woman mentioned in our last as having travelled all night to be at the Paris meetings, was awakened at ten years of age by a New Testament given her by an Englishman passing through her town. At twenty-five she married, both being unconverted. Her husband's family made her very unhappy, and she cried to the God of whom she had read in her New Testament. At last, one day she went out of her house into a retired spot and besought the Lord to have mercy upon her. He heard her cry and gave her perfect peace. She was the first convert in her town; the neighbours thought she had become insane, and asked her husband what he was going to do with her. But she lived the Gospel. Now there are three of Mr M' All's meetings in that town.
Now and then a representative of the press gets blessing. They go to observe and to report, not expecting personal good. A Spaniard came to the American chapel, and on being spoken to, said, "Oh, I am a journalist." The necessity of the new birth was pressed upon him, but he replied, "I am a political man. I am the editor of such a newspaper, I shall be glad to receive information about this work." He was willing to report for the information of his Spanish readers but had been so accustomed to attend public meetings as an observer that he had no idea of any other attitude than that of a looker-on.
It was painfully interesting to meet at Miss De Broen's the mother of Fenayrou, whose trial for the murder of his wife's paramour has recently caused so much excitement in Paris.
The mother was converted seven years ago, we believe through "the M'All meetings," and Miss De Broen did a kind and considerate thing in searching her out and bringing her to her house, to find Christian consolation in her affliction and sorrow.
Bristol has been specially privileged during the past year. In January, the town was greatly stirred on the subject of temperance by fhe visit of Mr R. T. Booth. Many thousands signed the pledge and put on the blue ribbon; not á few confirmed drunkards were delivered from the power of their habitual enemy. Recently Rev. Thomas Cook, Methodist Evangelist, has preached in the city and suburbs. Several hundred persons it is believed were converted to God. Then followed the Mission by the Rev. W. H. Aitken, whose instructive Bible readings, earnest Gospel expositions, and stirring appeals resulted in the salvation of many more.
Messrs Moody and Sankey are now paying a long-promised visit. During the past week, Colston Hall, the largest public building in the city, has been crowded twice a day with "an eager, anxious throng." There have also been large overflow meetings. During the week, hundreds, by rising for prayer, or going into the inquiry room, have expressed their desire to become Christians, and large numbers of them have professed to rest in Christ. The past Sabbath day was a high day. At 9 a.m. Mr Moody gave an address to workers; very few of the great audience were unmoved to tears. At 11 o'clock Colston Hall was packed with "non-churchgoers," and in the afternoon with women. At night it was again crowded with an audience of men. The Drill Hall was also crowded, afternoon and evening, with general audiences of about 3,000, the services being conducted by Mr Sankey and Mr Scroggie, Glasgow. addition to these, open-air meetings were held outside.
Fifteen hundred orphans were present at the meeting on Monday afternoon; two overflow meetings had also to be held, though the day was pouring wet. Mr Moody's address to the children will be given next week in our Column for the Young.
"The Christian," 2nd November 1882.