Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1875 — Moody and Sankey in Brooklyn. [ARTICLE]

Moody and Sankey in Brooklyn.

The New York Tribune, m its account of the opening of the Moody revival in Brooklyn, says: It was early evident to the coldest and most skeptical person present at yesterday’s services that tho revival spirit was thoroughly aroused, and the people ripe tor a great and enthusiastic religious demonstration. This feeling was manifested at the very beginning of the services, during the prayer of the Rev. Dr. Budington. Many familiar with the gentleman’s manner thought that his selection for this duty was an error of judgment on tho part of the managers. Dr. Budington has never made any claims to being a magnetic speaker. He is logical in style and his manner of delivery is polished, but cold. His words would, probably, by their logical force, always keep for him the close attention of an intellectual assemblage, but they would not on any ordinary occasion arouse deep feeling or enthusiasm. On yesterday, before lie had uttered half a dozen sentences of the prayer, fervent “ Aniens” came from many lips, and there were other signs of profound emotion in the great throng. The next opportunity which was offered for the display of this fervent and reverential enthusiasm was during the singing of the 120th hymn by Mr. Sankey. Mr. Moody had said, immediately after reading from the Bible, “I am going to ask Mr. Sankey to sing the 120th hymn alone”—a sharp emphasis on the last word. The instant hush of expectation as the great audience settled back prepared to hear something that should appeal to their hearts was very marked, but as Mr. Sankey’s magnetic voice and wonderful Inexpressive singing filled the great auditorium the sympathy among his hearers grew and increased until it seemed as if, had he continued the sweet melody and earnest supplication, every person in the wfiole audience would have risen and joined with him in a grand musical prayer of mingled appeal and thanksgiving. The effect he produced was simply marvelous. Many responses, such as “ Amen” and “ Glory to God,”Xvere heard from all parts of tlie vast assembly, and at the close a great many men as well as women were in tears. Mr. Sankey’s voice is a marvel of sweetness, flexibility and strength. There is a simplicity about his vocalism which disarms the criticism which would apply to it any of the rules of art. It has a charm purely its own, which attracts and holds one with a power that is gentle but irresistible. Mr. Moody’s appearance during the delivery of his sermon was as ohe man standing iq a sea of men and women. On all sides, and even in rear of him, were the assembled 5,000 persons, nearly all on a slightly lower plane than himself. Every one’s attention was closely directed to him, and, in moments of intense utterance or emphasis of some religious truth, fervent responses came from every part of the room. And when, toward the close of his sermon, he told his hearers tliat they must lay aside the world, its vanities, pleasures, parties, festivals, and its other gayeties, if they would “go up at once and take the land,” the responsive “Amens,” “.Yes, yes,” Glory to God,” and “Aye, aye,” were very numerous, and came from every quarter of the auditorium. Mr. Moody’s manner in the pulpit was not such as a trained elocutionist would use. He is evidently a man who in his diligent search of truths has made little study of forms. He is quick in his movements and so rapid in speech tliat the swiftest stenographer present yesterday could not reproduce his language literally’. He is earnest and vigorous in enunciation and gesture and wholly without studied art. But as one listens he becomes irresistibly convinced that an intense earnestness and unquestioning faith in the saving power of Christianity inspire the ruggeu, sinewy oratory of the speaker. Often neglecting a syllable and sacrificing a sound, not always correct in grammar or fluent in speech, he appears to the amazed listener a man who feels more than he can express, whose brain is big with great thoughts which speech—earnest and eager as Mr. Moody’s language is—is incapable of expressing, and which, in their rapid delivery,, tread so fast on each other’s heels as to more or less mar each other’s form. \— - - \ Access to God.—However early in the jmorning you seek the gate of access, you jflnd it already open; and however deep the midnight moment when you find yourself in the sudden arms of death, the winged prayer can bring in instant Savior; and this wherever you* are. It needs not that you should enter some aw ful shrine, or pull off your shoes on some holy ground. Could a memento be reared on every spot from which an acceptable prayer has passed away, and on which a prompt answer has come down, we should find Jehovah-shammah, “ the Lord has been here,” inscribed on many a cottage hearth and many a dungeon floor.— Dr, James Hamilton. When we are least moved by heavenly love we sympathize least with human infirmities ; so, also, when we are fullest of heavenly love, we are most compassionate to human misery, and best fitted to cope with the troubles and infirmities that beset us.

Better have .God for your guardian than the Bank of England for your possession. You might spend the wealth of the Indies, but the infinite richness of God I you can never exhaust.