Religious Calendar (July 31, 1875)

August.

• Sunday, 1—Tenth Sunday after Trinity.
• Sunday, 8—Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.
• Sunday, 15—Twelfth Sunday after Trinity.
• Sunday, 22—Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.
• Tuesday 24—St. Bartholomew.
• Sunday, 29—Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.

The Rev. Stuart Dodge , a son of the Hon. William E. Dodge and professor in the Beyront missionary college has returned recently from London. In the New York papers is given the following report of his description of the Moody - Sankey revival meetings as witnessed by him and detailed in a recent Sunday morning service at Olive Chapel:

“If you were in London to-day,” said the speaker, “and wanted to attend a morning meeting in Her Majesty’s opera house or in the Haymarket theatre, you would find these vast halls crowded at 8o’clock, and the English in London are not generally early risers. Again, in the afternoon, for the endeavor is not to make these meetings conflict with the usual Sunday meetings, you would find the hall crowded with women perhaps, and in the evening a large audience almost wholly of young men. The large halls are always crowded with from 5,000 to 10,000 persons. All classes are represented at them. On week days, when Moody holds the Bible meetings, long lines of carriages stand before the Haymarket theatre, and sometimes in the private boxes may be seen members of the royal family, and always the Duchess of Sunderland. In Victory hall, in South London, the poorest classes congregate, glad to hear these men talk and sing.

“Some of us,” said Mr. Dodge “remember Mr. Moody as he appeared some years ago. A rather thin, medium-sized, high voiced man. Now, when he arises to speak, we see a large, bradly man, with a deep, commanding voice that can make itself heard in the largest bonding. One characteristic is striking, his self forgetfulness. He seems to lose all thought of self, and stands up joyfully to tell man what they must do to be saved. He is without education but is prodigiously in earnest, full of love, for men, and anxious to lead them to Christ. He seems to thrive on hard work, often speaking for forty five minutes, and many times in one day. When he speaks only two or three times, they say he is resting. Sankey is a medium-sized man, with square shoulders, a magnificent breathing apparatus, and a thoughtful face. He quietly sits down to the little instrument, and saying, ‘I trust that Christian people here will pray that this hymn may be blessed,’ or perhaps before singing he, prays himself, and then sings one of those simple hymns, ‘The Ninety and Nine’ or ‘Hold the Fort,’ his clear voice ringing out through the building amid the breathless silence of the vast congregation, reaching even out into the street further than Mr. Moody’s voice could reach. The people drink it. The music reaches their hearts.

“The great secret of the success of these men is that they speak from the heart, and they don’t speak over the heads of the people. Spurgeon said that there had been many men who came to England to preach and convert the people, but too often their utterances had been indistinct, and what they said was not exactly understood; ‘but when Moody speaks and Sankey sings we know just what they mean.’

“There was a good deal of complaint at first about the inquiry meeting. ‘Protestant confessionals’ they were called. It was Moody’s habit to say. There are souls here that want to be saved. I wish the Christians here would talk to them. Don’t use your own words; use the Bible words.’ Or,’ Are there any here who love Christ? I wish such would stand up,’ A thousand people would spring to their feet. Then he would ask them to talk to those who had not arisen; and in this way the whole assemblage would be made into a vast inquiry meeting. Christians have thus learned the luxury of helping others to find the Lord. Mr, Moody would sometimes say in a meeting,’ we want to consecrate ourselves to Christ. How many will try, with God’s??? to point some souls to Christ this week?’ and then there would be a great uprising among the congregation.

“Mr. Moody has a wonderful control over his audiences. Sometimes he said,’ there are many unconverted people without who cannot get into the building. I wish the Christians here would go out and let them in, and spend the time they would spend here in praying for God’s blessing on the work;’ and thousands would arise and go out to admit as many more.

“This movement is doing much toward breaking down denomination barriers, and clergymen of all denominations are gathering around these men. The whole land seems to feel their influence. At the ??? ??? those who, as is their custom, went to distribute tracts met with a far different reception from that usually given them. Instead of being jeered at and jostled and driven from the grounds, they were almost gladly received, and from the duchess’ carriage to the costermonger’s cart they went unmolested.

“The open air meetings have been very successful, too, ‘there was nothing like an excitement,’ said the speaker, in including, ‘but a great stillness and solemnity, and the felt presence of the Lord permeating the whole city.’”