The visit of this evangelist to the ancient capital of East Anglia will long be remembered by thousands of citizens. The invitation was promoted by the local committee of the Evangelical Alliance, who carried out all the arrangements. The Agricultural Hall was selected for the place of meeting, which, when fitted, was found to be a splendid place for assembling mass meetings. Seats were provided for 4250. At every meeting these were not only occupied, but hundreds more attended who had to stand. During the three days, some 36,000 were gathered into the building. Mr Moody arrived from Boston on Thursday, Oct. 20, in time for the afternoon meeting, and drove direct to the hall, where a crowded audience was gathered to hear him. His address was founded on Gal. vii. 6-7, and the Christians of the Cathedral City had a taste of some "plain talk," as one of the local papers described it. The evening meeting was crowded to overflowing by an audience who listened with rapt attention to a discourse on "Regeneration."
At the Friday afternoon meeting the address on "Rest" came home to hundreds of hearts with refreshing and comforting effect, as well as stimulating power.
The Friday evening meeting was intended specially for men. It was a strange sight in Norwich to see at a religious meeting the body of the hall filled to its utmost with a dense mass of men only. No political meeting could have been more awake. The pictures of Herod and John Baptist were vivid, and seen to stand for men living in our generation. The audience moved with intelligent and lively sympathy with the preacher, and they once burst Into a cheer at some plain speech about seducers. It was immediately hushed by the speaker, who, with emphasis, expressed his dislike to it. Many anxious ones sought the inquiry room at the close.
On Sabbath morning there was an eight o'clock meeting for Christian workers. The morning was cold, with showers of sleet. Fears were entertained that the weather would spoil the attendance, but by eight o'clock nearly 4,000 had assembled. They were well repaid for any sacrifice made in order to be present by an address on "The Holy Spirit." By consent of the ministers, a meeting for non-churchgoers was held at eleven, when the hall was again crowded. In the afternoon Mr Moody rested, and a large meeting was addressed by Mr Charles Inglis.
It was expected that there would be a crush at the closing meeting in the evening. It was announced for 8.15, but by 6.30 the hall was full. A chapel near, capable of holding 1200, was opened a bout 7.30. It, too, was immediately crowded, as was also a hall adjoining it, seated for 800. It was calculated that over 12,000 was gathered inside and outside these buildings. Mr Moody's address was on "The Excuses." No true idea can be conveyed on paper of this meeting and the address. From beginning to end there was poured forth an irresistible stream of striking truth, flashing wit, unanswerable argument, pathetic appeal, and spiritual force. The impression on the audience was visible and profound. The Assembly Room, used as an inquiry room, was close-crowded with inquirers at the close. "It was a night to be remembered.". "The like has not been seen" in Norwich.
Universal regret was felt that Mr Moody could not prolong his stay, which regret was shared by himself when he saw the field and its ripeness. The singing of Mr. Stebbins and Miss Rose, as well as a fine choir of over 300, was a powerful aid in the meetings, and gave point and force to a remark of Mr Moody's at the Sabbath morning meeting, viz. that singing the Gospel had not got its proper place in Christian work. All the evangelical ministers heartily co-operated in the mission. It has been to many of these and other Christian workers a season of refreshing, and a time of "bracing up," as one brother expressed it. Fervent thanksgivings were and are rendered to the Lord of the harvest for thrusting forth such a capable reaper as Mr Moody, and for sending him through the churches to teach his servants how to win men to Christ.
On Monday evening, after Messrs Moody and Stebbins had left, a praise and a prayer-meeting was held in the hall, which was attended by some two thousand people. Mr Charles Inglis gave a Gospel address, and Miss Rose sang solos. Numbers went into the inquiry room, and a busy time was passed in leading the anxious ones to decision.
From, "The Christian," October 27th, 1892.