MOODY IN CHICAGO
OR
THE WORLD'S FAIR GOSPEL CAMPAIGN
AN ACCOUNT OF
SIX MONTHS' EVANGELISTIC WORK IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND VICINITY DURING THE TIME OF THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, CON- DUCTED BY DWIGHT L. MOODY AND HIS ASSOCIATES
BY THE
REV. H. B. HARTZLER
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY
NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO
Publishers of Evangelical Literature
Copyright, 1894, BY FLEMING H. EEVELL COMPANY.
TO DWIGHT L. MOODY
AND HIS FAITHFUL FELLOW -LABORERS,
AND TO THE WIDELY SCATTERED THOUSANDS IN THE OLD WORLD
AND THE NEW WHO HEARD THE WORD OF LIFE FROM THEIR
LIPS DURING THE WORLD'S FAIR EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN,
THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY AND GRATEFULLY
DEDICATED BY
THE AUTHOR.
c-
A PREFATORY WORD
SINCE the spring and summer of America's memorable Columbian Year all the world has heard about Chicago, the World's Fair, and the evangelistic movement asso- ciated with both, under command of Dwight L. Moody. Fragments of the history of the eventful six months have gone abroad on the wings of the press and by the mouths of the visitors, whithersoever they returned to their homes, even to the ends of the earth. Those who came and saw and heard for themselves could at best see and know only in part, for the colossal whole was too great for compre- hension during the exciting days of a brief visit. Those who did not come had their curiosity still more deeply stirred by what they heard from others and read in the papers. For both classes alike it was desirable to secure reliable and sufficient published accounts for themselves and others. This want has been well met, so far as the city and the World's Fair are concerned, with a variety of publications, pictorial and descriptive.
But nothing has yet been written to answer the numer- ous and multiplying requests for information concerning the extraordinary religious, spiritual movement which ran parallel with the Fair, and which has accomplished more valuable and lasting results for Chicago and the world than the beautiful " White City," with all its surpassing splendor and glory. The demand for some intelligible account of that movement is a reasonable one. There are
6 A PEE TA TOE Y WORD
many thousands of grateful men and women who have come in contact with it and received spiritual benefit there- by ; there are others who participated in it to some extent ; and still other thousands who know of it only from hear- say and from fragmentary notices in the papers. To all of these a brief history of the work would be welcome and useful. It is to meet this demand, in response to special requests, and with the hope of doing good by still further extending the influence of the gospel work herein de- scribed, that this brief record has been prepared.
It is due to the writer, in presenting this volume to the public, to state that its preparation was undertaken, by special request, with the intention of writing, at first hand, a systematic, orderly account of the six months' work of the campaign, from his own point of view, and mainly from his own observation and experience. But on second thought it has seemed more desirable to let the reader have the benefit of the observations and conclu- sions of other capable participants and witnesses also, which were reported when the fresh glow of the move- ment was upon their hearts, even though the same ground be traversed more than once by so doing.
It is due to the several writers and speakers whose material has been thus freely appropriated from various periodicals to say that the writer has ventured to take the liberty to make such corrections, changes, or additions as have seemed to him desirable in adapting it to his purpose, and would herewith gratefully acknowledge his obligations to the respected friends for the valuable help thus obtained.
Still another prefatory word should be said. The reader must not expect to find in these pages a complete account of the manifold details of the evangelistic campaign. Two thousand pages would not suffice to contain such an ac-
A PEEFATORT WORD 1
count. It is believed that this book, as it is, will serve a better purpose than would one drawn up on a larger scale and with a wider compass. In this confidence, with the hope that it may bear the echoes and the lessons of the great movement into the hearts of multitudes*, and multi- ply to them the blessings already made manifest therein, this little volume is trustfully committed to the Hand that guides all things to their destined end.
H. B. HARTZLER.
EAST NOKTHFIELD, MASS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE CITY AND THE EVANGELIST 11
II. THE NEED AND DIFFICULTY 15
III. THE WORK PROPOSED AND PRAYED FOR 19
IV. THE CAMPAIGN COMMENCED 23
V. LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE 28
VI. INTO THE HAYMARKET 31
VII. MORE WORK AND WORKERS 35
VIII. PREACHING-PLACES — MANAGEMENT 40
IX. AT HEADQUARTERS — SPECIMEN MEETING 43
X. IN CIRCUS AND HALL 49
XI. Two SPECIMEN DAYS 54
XII. GLIMPSES OF A MONTH'S WORK 62
XIII. PRESENTED AT NORTHFIELD 69
XIV. A HAYMARKET MEETING 76
XV. IN THE EMPIRE THEATER 82
XVI. FROM EMPIRE TO STANDARD THEATER 86
XVII. GOOD CHEER — PROGRESS — OBJECT-LESSON 89
XVIII. A NEW DEPARTURE 95
XIX. NOTES OF THE FIFTH MONTH 102
XX. AN IMPRESSIVE MEETING 108
XXI. A SPECIAL SOLDIERS' MEETING 112
XXII. IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES 119
XXIII. GLIMPSES OF TENT WORK 126
XXIV. INCIDENTS OF TENT WORK 134
XXV. ONE OF THE TENT WORKERS 138
9
10 CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
XXVI. WORK AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE 141
XXVII. WITH THE GOSPEL WAGON 153
XXVIII. THE CHICAGO BIBLE INSTITUTE 158
XXIX. THE LAST MONTH 177
XXX. THE FIRE ANNIVERSARY SERVICE 184
XXXI. DRAWING TO ITS CLOSE 202
XXXII. SIXTEEN QUESTIONS ANSWERED 229
XXXIII. TORREY'S BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 234
XXXIV. CONCLUDING ESTIMATES.. . 250
WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER I.
THE CITY AND THE EVANGELIST.
FIFTY years ago an English writer characterized the nineteenth centuiy as " the age of great cities." It was true then; it is most startlingly true now. Since that writer's day the comparative growth of city population has been rapid beyond all precedent in the history of the world. Year by year the tributary streams of life pour- ing into the great city centers have been growing deeper, fuller, stronger, draining away the rural population in larger proportion than ever before. It is one of the strik- ing and significant phenomena of our time.
It has always been true that the controlling agencies and influences of civilization have been centered and massed in the cities. It is more tremendously true to-day than ever before. The city, in the language of Dr. Josiah Strong, is "the Gibraltar of civilization." It is "the strategic point" for all movements upon society, for weal or for woe. "It is the mighty heart of the body politic, which sends its streams of life pulsating to the very finger- tips of the whole land ; and when the blood becomes poi- soned, it poisons every fiber of the whole body." In the
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12 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
cities are massed and intrenched in greatest strength the giant enemies that threaten our civilization. These ene- mies more than keep pace with the growth of the cities, and the peril and the menace increase year by year. Among the great perils confronting us everywhere, but concentrated in the cities, and therefore greatly enhanced there, Dr. Strong specifies especially " wealth, its worship and its congestion, anarchism and lawlessness, intemper- ance and the liquor power, immigration and a supersti- tious Christianity." In face of these facts, conditions, and perils the special need and supreme importance of city evangelization need no argument.
The present is not only the age of great cities, it is also the age of Christian evangelism. Never has the open field of the world been so extensively and systematically invaded by evangelistic agencies as now. Evangelistic leaders, lay and clerical, have become a vast army. There is hardly a city or large town in our land, or in Christen- dom, that has not experienced the sensation of concen- trated and continuous evangelistic effort, and hardly a church, or other Christian agency, that has not felt the stimulus and reaped more or less beneficial results there- from.
The ways and means of evangelistic effort have been as various as the evangelists and the conditions under which they have prosecuted their labors. But as the result of years of such labors by hundreds of evangelists, especially in the cities, they have come to an almost uniform general course of procedure wherever an extensive work has been undertaken. The aim has been, first of all, to secure the cooperation of the churches, to revive their own piety and zeal, and, if practicable, unite and prepare their forces for an organized movement upon the unsaved masses. After every such campaign the evangelistic leader would depart
THE CITY AND THE EVANGELIST 13
to other fields, leaving to the revived churches the care of the converts, and any further prosecution of the work, according to their own pleasure. In the city of Chicago, under the peculiar and extraordinary conditions of the World's Fair season, the usual means and methods would not apply. A new line of action had to be taken, for which the history of evangelism furnished no precedent, unless it was in the pentecostal meeting in Jerusalem.
The first evangelistic movement of the present dispen- sation, under immediate divine direction, was started in a great cosmopolitan city center, the capital of the Jewish nation. It was an occasion when vast multitudes of visi- tors, from all parts of the earth, had overflowed the city and doubled its population. It was a time of special in- terest and excitement, and of unusual activity, when the people had eyes and ears for anything that was to be seen and heard. The time, the place, the conditions, all were favorable to the inauguration of the new movement.
After the first blow had been struck in that city center, and the saving impression had been made upon the great multitude, the visiting thousands from other lands and cities returned with the new story and the new sensation to their own homes. Then followed an outward move- ment, directed by the enthroned Christ himself, for the evangelization of the world. In widening circles, rolling out from the city center, the new force invaded the expec- tant nations. Beginning in one great city, it followed a line of movement that struck through the hearts of other great cities, from Jerusalem to Rome. The flame, burst- ing out suddenly in the Jewish metropolis, after the pre- pentecostal pause, kindled successively the cities of Anti- och, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, and Rome. There were the central fires lighted and kept burning for the illumi- nation of the nations.
14 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
The marvelous story of that first Christian evangeli- zation movement is preserved for us in the Acts of the Apostles, that we may see and know, once for all, the divine thought and method working out before our eyes. In grand outline it is the chart along whose clearly traced lines the organized movements of Christian world-conquest are to be conducted to the end of the age. In that genesis of the new dispensation lie the germs and roots of all its development, the principles of its life and action, even to the consummation foreseen and foretold by the guiding Spirit of God. There is an unerring, superintending Providence over all. As there were in the first days, so there are in these latter days, prepared places, opportune times, favoring conditions, divine intimations and tokens, which it needs only the ready, open-eyed, Spirit-guided disciple to see and to take advantage of, in order to realize the same results. God must have his own way still, and the secret of power lies in human cooperation with him. that his will may be done.
CHAPTER II.
THE NEED AND DIFFICULTY.
ALL men everywhere need salvation, and salvation in the gospel is offered to all. The city needs it ; the country needs it. There is no difference. That there are more people in the city than in the country makes no difference as to the need of the individual. But the aggregation of individuals in the cities creates perils on the one hand, and offers opportunities on the other, which call for evan- gelistic efforts on a larger scale, of a more comprehensive character, not alone for the salvation of the individual sinner and the edification of the individual believer, but also for the salvation of society itself. An invasion of a wicked city by bold, aggressive, evangelistic forces, flash- ing the uncompromising truth of God into the faces of the selfish, preoccupied multitudes, piercing the darkness with its startling light of eternity, may save it from cor- ruption and destruction by the very shock of the new sensation. This awakening, alarming invasion is the cry- ing need of the cities in these fearfully intense days, when selfishness, greed, avarice, oppression, lust, vice, and crime are driving on with electric power and speed, regardless and almost oblivious of the ordinary, accustomed Sabbath- day religious services of the churches. The heedless city must be compelled to listen, by assailing its ears from un- accustomed quarters and with new voices. It is a great thing just to secure such an arrest of thought ; to create a
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16 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
diversion in the direction of spiritual and eternal things ; to break the lines and confuse the marching step of the great multitudes of the cities in the awful unanimity of their mad rush for self-gratification, whose issue is self- destruction. This can be accomplished only by extraor- dinary efforts, in extraordinary ways, with extraordinary power.
Now, if this be true of cities under ordinary, every-day conditions, when the currents of lif e and activity are flow- ing on in their accustomed channels, much more is the need of extraordinary religious effort emphasized when those currents are swelled by the inflow of hundreds of thousands of souls, till they rush on with a tumultuous violence threatening an overflow, and drowning the accus- tomed voices of sermon and song in their constant roar, as was the case with Chicago during the time of the World's Fair. It is well known that even under ordinary circumstances this greatest, richest, strongest, most enter- prising city of the West constitutes one of the most ex- tensive, peculiar, and difficult fields for evangelistic work. Its population of more than 1,400,000 souls embraces al- most all nationalities of the earth, and in many cases the worst types of humanity out of those nationalities. A strong irreligious and antireligious foreign and native element is always present and potent. Multitudes there are "who never had any religion, and who don't want any," and who will not suffer anybody else to have any, if they can help it.
An observing writer, considering Chicago as a field for evangelistic work, says : " The city is full of people who once had church relations, but since coming here have neglected to join a local society ; and among the masses there are thousands who have broken their connections with religious organizations on leaving Europe and never
THE NEED AND DIFFICULTY 17
renewed them. Then, too, the location of the city and its character as a commercial center bring in an innumerable host of homeless men who are under little or no moral restraint/ and give pecuniary support to the most de- graded and degrading elements of the community, as well as themselves, constituting a powerful factor toward evil. That infidelity is wide-spread and ignorance dominant is well known. Prejudice on the part of the masses against the church is a natural outcome of the industrial distur- bances of the day and the attendant oppression of the poor. The vast population of the city and the barriers of class and race and tongue enhance the difficulty of evangel- istic work, while the need of such effort is nowhere more urgent."
During the time of the World's Fair, as a matter of course, the need and the difficulty of evangelistic effort were still further increased, not only by the constant ebb and flow of the great tides of respectable humanity, but especially by the influx of the worst elements, reinforcing the idle, the vicious, and the criminal classes of the popu- lation. Add to this the intensified activities in every sphere of life and labor, and the overwhelming, bewilder- ing attractions, distractions, and excitement of the Fair and its concomitants, and it goes without saying that the religious outlook for Chicago was anything but promising. The most experienced and spiritual of the pastors and people of the city looked forward to it with altogether reasonable misgivings and apprehensions. "It was a question," said one of the chief pastors, "what was to become of us during the six months. We knew at best it would be a time of great excitement, and what should become of the spiritual life of the churches we knew not." They did know that even under ordinary circumstances it had been found almost impossible to maintain the full
18 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
life and activity of the churches and the various Christian agencies during the summer season. How much less could they hope even to hold their own, under the extraordinary circumstances of the season, to say nothing of making spiritual conquests and gains of the overflowing multi- tudes from abroad. Chicago people, it was said, would have no time to go to religious meetings, with all their extra work, business and pleasures, entertainment of visi- tors, sight-seeing, and other demands upon their time and attention incident to the season. And as for the people who would visit Chicago, it was concluded that of course they came to see and study the great exposition, and certainly not to attend religious meetings. Indeed, the crowds of pleasure-seekers would be only too glad to get out of sight and hearing of preachers and preaching for a time.
It is to be remembered that it was in full view of all these forbidding and discouraging facts and considera- tions, against the judgment of wise and good men, and without any warrant of precedent, that Mr. D. L. Moody moved forward to do what an eminent minister character- ized as " the boldest and most daring thing that had been undertaken in connection with the Columbian Exposition." It was purely a work of faith, undertaken with the convic- tion that it was of God and for God. Human misgivings and fears were not admitted into the council. If God wanted the thing done, he could get it done. He wanted it done. It was done. And so it has come to pass that the red threads of the great gospel campaign conducted by Mr. Moody have been interwoven with the history of Chicago, the World's Fair, and the Columbian Year.
CHAPTER III.
THE WORK PROPOSED AND PRAYED FOR.
MR. MOODY arrived in Chicago in the month of May, 1893, with his mind fully made up to inaugurate a series of meetings for the preaching of the gospel, which were to run parallel with the proposed six months' term of the World's Fair. He had but lately returned from one of the most extensive evangelistic campaigns of his life, of fourteen months' duration, in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Orient. So far as there was any plan of the pro- posed movement in Chicago, it was laid up in the secret of his own mind. He was not committed to any published program. As always in his work, he placed himself in line with the will of God, ready to do the next thing, whatever that might be.
The thought and purpose of attempting such an un- heard-of enterprise had been formed in Mr. Moody's mind long before the World's Fair itself had become a material- ized fact. He carried the matter on his heart during his long evangelistic tours in Europe and his trip to the Holy Land. It was then that he enlisted the help of represen- tative men of Christian Europe for the prosecution of the prospective work. The only thing concerning the pro- posed gospel campaign which was positively settled in his mind was the conviction that it was the will of God that it should be inaugurated. He could well foresee that the material glory of the Fair would attract millions of people,
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20
a out of every nation under heaven," and his heart yearned and burned with desire to make it an opportunity for the kingdom of God, by having the gospel preached with a world-wide reach of influence and effect. It was enough for him to see the finger of God, "in the signs of the times," pointing that way, and he hesitated not a moment to confer with flesh and blood. In its conception, begin- ning, and progress it was therefore purely a work of faith and a labor of love. When the time for the actual work had come, Mr. Moody entered upon it not only with con- viction of the divine call, and desire and zeal for the sal- vation of men, but also as a man under seal of the most solemn vow, as we learn from the following reference to his memorable experience on his homeward voyage from Europe, given in a public address :
" Just as I was preparing to leave London the last time I was there, I called upon a celebrated physician, who told me that my heart was weakening, and that I had to let up on my work, that I had to be more careful of my- self ; and I was going home with the thought that I would not work quite so hard. I was on the steamer Spree, and when the announcement came that the vessel was sink- ing, and we were there forty-eight hours in a helpless condition, no one on earth knows what I passed through during those hours, as I thought that my work was fin- ished, and that I would never again have the privilege of preaching the gospel of the Son of God. And on that dark night, the first- night of the accident, I made a vow that if God would spare iny life and bring me back to America I would come back to Chicago and at this World's Fair preach the gospel with all the power that he would give me ; and God has enabled me to keep that vow dur- ing the past five months. It seems as if I went to the very gates of heaven during those forty-eight hours on
TEE WORK PROPOSED AND PRAYED FOR 21
the sinking ship, and God permitted me to come back and preach Christ a little longer."
It is to be noted also that in England, Scotland, and Ireland, the year before, Mr. Moody made public reference to the work he proposed to cariy on in Chicago, and asked that God's children should remember the undertaking in prayer. Indeed, he seemed more concerned that it should have the assurance and support of united prayer than anything else. After his return to America he laid the matter entreatingly and earnestly on the hearts of Chris- tian people, seeking a union of fervent prayer in behalf of the work. At Northfield and Mount Hermon he gathered the students and teachers of his schools about him, at six o'clock in the morning, to seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and to pray for the work to come. " If you think anything of me," said he, with choking voice and tear- filled eyes, " if you have any regard for me, if you love me, pray for me that God may anoint me for the work in Chicago. I want to be filled with the Spirit, that I may preach the gospel as I never preached it before. We want to see the salvation of God as we have never seen it before." During the entire campaign there was unusual stress laid on prayer as the indispensable condition of success. It was a campaign of prayer as much as a cam- paign of preaching and of song. In conferences, churches, Christian societies, at family altars, and in the closet, the evangelists and their work were made the subject of spe- cial prayer. By some means an almost world- wide inter- est and sympathy in the movement were created, with a wonderful passion and concord of prayer in its behalf, as if God himself had laid the burden upon thousands of hearts, afar and near. The fact was accepted as God's gracious token and pledge of favor and blessing.
Not only did the leaders in the campaign pray without
22 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
ceasing, but they labored to bring the people into the same spirit. Prayer was the prominent exercise in the meet- ings. Special seasons of prayer were also observed. The first day of the month of August was marked by a meet- ing for humiliation and prayer, which was held in the Empire Theater, and which Mr. Moody characterized as one of the best he ever attended. The afternoon of the 1st of September was signalized in the same way, by a meeting in the Chicago Avenue Church, to which the min- isters of the city and all praying people were invited. A large congregation assembled, and for one hour waited before the Lord in prayer, uniting in spirit with petitions uttered by English, Scotch, American, Swedish, and Ger- man voices. It was as though the suppliants said : " Here we raise our Ebenezer. Hither by thy help, O Lord, we have come. And by thy good pleasure we hope to have a yet more prosperous month in work for thee. We claim thy promised presence, power, and grace. We rest in thee."
CHAPTER IV.
THE CAMPAIGN COMMENCED.
AT the corner of La Salle and Chicago Avenues stands the well-known Chicago Avenue Church, better known as " Moody's Church," which owes its existence to the labors of the evangelist. It is a large, substantial brick build- ing, with a seating capacity of twenty-two hundred in the auditorium, and almost equal space in the lecture-room and class-rooms on the first floor. In the same block, and close to the church, are the buildings of the Chicago Bible Institute, of which Mr. Moody is the founder and presi- dent. It was according to the fitness of things that the opening meeting of the World's Fair Evangelistic Cam- paign should take place in the historic church established by its projector and leader, especially since the entire work was to be inseparably connected with the church and the Bible Institute. It was on the first Sunday in May, a bright, beautiful, auspicious morning. The people came early, and soon the church presented the familiar scene of stairways and aisles, gallery and floor, packed with a solid mass of eager, earnest listeners and worship- ers, with the burly form of Mr. Moody standing well to the front, surveying the throng, and directing all the pre- liminaries of the service, and his not less stalwart co-part- ner, Mr. Sankey, leading the songs.
On the platform, at this first meeting, were seated such well-known helpers as Major D. W. Whittle, Rev. R. A.
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Torrey, superintendent of the Bible Institute, Rev. T. B< Hyde, pastor of the church, and an array of singers, in- cluding such leaders as Professor D. B. Towner, H. H. McGranahan, and Mrs. F. T. Pierson, besides Mr. Sankey.
The introductory sermon was preached by Mr. Moody. To the surprise of many he chose for his subject " The Elder Brother/' in the story of the prodigal son. It was not, perhaps, obvious at first why he should have taken such a theme for such an occasion; but he is not often found acting without a motive, and it soon became evident that his desire was to disarm and condemn the prejudices which often excite opposition to the work of reclaiming the lost.
" There are quite a number of such men," he said, " right here in this city to-day ; they are very religious in outward observance, but they do not know how to sympathize with a prodigal, nor help those who try to lift him up." In his own inimitable way, the preacher went on to demon- strate that there is not one of the Beatitudes the elder brother had not violated, thus placing himself quite out- side the sphere of the Spirit of Christ. In short, he was the meanest man in history. Externally he was all right, internally he was all wrong, and yet he resembles many Christians to-day, nearer than they suppose. His father sought that both his sons should be with him ; and that is just what God the Father wants ; he has room for us all. But many people want the benefit of religion themselves while they grudge it to their neighbors, and try to secure heaven without being identified with the Father " through our Lord Jesus Christ." If they cannot get it on their own terms, they " will not go in." " Arise and claim thy sonship, and hear thy Heavenly Father say, 'All that I have is thine.' "
In the afternoon the church was again filled with an
THE CAMPAIGN COMMENCED 25
expectant multitude. Mr. Moody again was the speaker. At this meeting he struck a different note. The hearts of many were, perhaps not unnaturally, turned in the direc- tion of " prayer," but the preacher went further than that, and spoke upon " praise " — praise in anticipation of bless- ing to come during the next weeks. He would have every Christian heart in an attitude of expectancy, warm with gratitude, and strong in the confidence of faith. It was fitting that such a service should consist largely of praise expressed in song. Some of the old familiar hymns rolled forth from two or three thousand voices, and the singers above named, with the Oberlin Quartet, rendered some of the most delightful of the hymns of the heart.
A third meeting of the Sunday was held in the same church in the evening. Mr. Moody's sermon was addressed especially to the unsaved. He pressed upon them the pleading appeal and the sweet promise of Isaiah Iv. 7.
At the same hour the gospel was preached and sung in Dr. Goodwin's Congregational Church, by Major Whittle and Mr. Sankey, and in La Salle Avenue Baptist Church, by Rev. R. A. Torrey, with Professor Towner and Mrs. Pierson. Services were also conducted by numerous stu- dents from the Bible Institute in different districts. These were, of course, all in affiliation with Mi*. Moody's cam- paign, but it was also very gratifying to learn that the churches generally throughout the city were exceptionally well attended — an indication that among the World's Fair visitors there were many whose delight was in the things of God.
In the meetings of the opening Sunday could be plainly discerned the spirit and purpose of the movement of which they were the beginning. During the week following, without special tokens of interest or encouragement, a series of praise services were held in the Chicago Avenue
26 WOELD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
Church, as though the difficult and daring undertaking had already been accomplished. It is probable that even amidst circumstances which to others seemed forbidding and discouraging, Mr. Moody heard " the sound of a go- ing," for he never looked back, nor wavered in the calm confidence and resolute will with which he had come up to the work.
The second Sunday Mr. Moody again preached, morn- ing and evening, in the Chicago Avenue Church, and conducted a praise and prayer service in the afternoon. During the week the meetings were multiplied, the speak- ers being, besides Mr. Moody, the venerable Scotch mis- sionary apostle, Dr. John G. Paton, Rev. Charles Inwood, and Rev. Hubert Brooke. In addition to the evangelistic evening meetings, two daily Bible lectures were delivered at the Bible Institute by Dr. W. G. Moorehead and the two speakers last named. Although a part of the regular daily program of the Bible Institute, these lectures con- tributed no small part toward the sum total of impulse and power by which the work of evangelism was carried forward, for in the Bible Institute were assembled the hundreds of enlisted Christian workers and evangelistic leaders, as well as a host of Christian visitors from this and other lands, who needed the strong meat of the Word there set before them.
Mr. George E. Morgan, of the London Christian, a par- ticipant in the earlier part of the work, says that during the first two weeks of his labors Mr. Moody was occupied in more fully maturing and developing his plans for the wide-spread evangelization of Chicago, as well as for the salvation and edification of the strangers within her gates. The need for such effort was most painfully apparent, not only to the stranger from abroad, but also to those residents who were concerned for the spiritual welfare of
THE CAMPAIGN COMMENCED 27
the city. " There is," says Mr. Morgan, " a general slack- ness as to moral and religious matters with which even London cannot compare. The outward observance of the Lord's Day is reduced to a minimum ; stores and shops are open; work and traffic on the streets and railways going on ; everybody doing what he will in this respect, without let or hindrance. The theaters have perform- ances on Sunday afternoons and evenings ; and the seven thousand saloons with which the city is cursed are prac- tically open, the l Sunday closing ' being confined to the drawing down of a window-blind, while the unfastened doors invite all comers. In short, the ' Continental ' Sun- day prevails in all its worst features."
CHAPTER V.
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE.
FOR many years Mr. Moody had a particular section of the city laid upon his heart, and to this his energies were being especially directed during the first weeks of his campaign. It is the section embracing the Haymarket, Standard, and Empire theaters, of West Madison and Hal- stead Streets, with their saloons, brothels, gambling-hells, murderers' dens, and all kinds of vile resorts. Having first secured a four-storied building, he opened the ground floor as a mission hall, the upper rooms being devoted to sleeping and living accommodation for thirty of his stu- dents, whom he for the time being quartered there. Sit- uate on a busy, main thoroughfare, West Madison Street, near the Haymarket and the Empire theaters, it could hardly help attracting some of the throngs of passers-by. At 2 P.M. each day the hall was opened for singing and conversation, while the neighborhood was visited from house to house by the rest of the workers in view of the evening's work. A gospel meeting, preceded by half an hour's singing, was held from seven to eight, followed by an hour for private conversation with inquirers. At 10 P.M. a second meeting of an hour's duration was held by another relay of workers, who also occupied an hour till midnight in dealing with the anxious and unsaved. By this means it was hoped to reach those whose only even- ing resort is the saloon bar, and the result soon justified
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LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE 29
the hope and the effort. The building is now known as Institute Hall, and is a permanent part of the evangeliz- ing agencies of the Chicago Bible Institute.
An observer well acquainted with Chicago life and work, writing about the band of workers connected with Insti- tute Hall, says : " One cannot help admiring the earnest- ness and courage of these young men and women, who go about their work with an enthusiasm which ought to be, if it is not, contagious among Christians in Chicago. One day, as we were returning by way of Madison Street, we were surprised to see a band of these students with their organ on the sidewalk in front of Institute Hall, one of the headquarters of their work, singing to the immense crowds coming and going along this crowded thoroughfare on Saturday evening, the liveliest of the week. After a service of song on the sidewalk they held their regular evening meeting in their audience-room, which is a store opening on to the street, appropriately arranged with a raised platform at the front of the hall for speakers, sing- ers, and the organ, mottoes or texts upon the walls, with electric fans for ventilation, well lighted and seated, and seemingly as well managed, while the location could not be better, it being on one of the most traveled streets of a crowded quarter of our city."
Another writer thus refers to the same work: "The hall is open every evening at ten o'clock for a rescue ser- vice. Good singing and an attractive room draw in the tired and aimless wanderers of the street. They are a pitiable lot of men, some too drank to control themselves, almost all of them under the power of the drink habit, and, with few exceptions, reduced to destitution and de- spair. It would be hard to find anywhere in the city a more disappointed and hopeless lot of men, and the very fact of their failure in life and their utter lack of any
30 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
bright outlook for the future is the one thing that makes them approachable. The service is full of spirited music ; Scripture and prayer are alike practical and direct ; and after an earnest presentation of the way of salvation the truth is enforced by testimony from redeemed men, who tell how they were saved by the power of Christ from lives of drunkenness and degradation. Such evidence has great weight with the hearers, and a great work is being done among those who have sunk to the lowest level."
CHAPTER VI.
INTO THE HAYMARKET.
AMONG the serious difficulties encountered by Mr. Moody at the beginning of his work was a want of suitably lo- cated places of assembly where the masses of the people could be reached with the gospel. It seemed for a time as if the desirable halls and theaters were all by common consent and " malice aforethought " shut against the evan- gelistic invaders. The most liberal offers were refused. One instance will indicate what is meant by this. Mr. Moody was anxious to secure the use of the Auditorium, a theater located at Michigan Avenue and Congress Street, for Sunday meetings. The immense sum of $18,500 was offered and refused. Offers for other halls met with no better success. But what then seemed barriers became open doors, for there was a providence in the movement that would not be baffled by man.
One of the most desirable places in the city soon opened its doors to the evangelist. This was the Haymarket Theater, located on West Madison Street, a fine building, perfectly adapted for the desired purpose, with seating capacity for about three thousand persons. In this place morning services were conducted every Sunday until the end of the campaign, Mr. Moody preaching on each oc- casion, with the exception of two Sundays, when he was absent from the city. Those Haymarket meetings became as well known to the thronging thousands who visited
31
32 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
the World's Fair as the " White City " itself. A more re- markable series of meetings has probably never been held. It is hardly too much to say that there Mr. Moody and his glorious singers were brought into contact with the Christian world. The echoes of those marvelous sermons and melting songs will go ringing through lands afar and generations yet to come.
When the engagement was first made for this theater, it was with the expectation that it would require hard, persistent work to get Sunday morning congregations. So Mr. Moody told his workers. " You need not think," said he, " that we are going to get an audience down there for the asking. I know the district well, and I know that the working-men don't get to bed till 1 or 2 A.M., and they are not coming to an eleven o'clock meeting without some pressure. If we want an audience we'll have to go out and get it, and that means work. We'll have admission by ticket only, and you'll have to besiege the sidewalk and the back streets, and get the people out."
Then began the work of stirring up the neighborhood, and the Bible Institute workers took hold of it with a will. It proved anything but an easy task. Mr. Morgan tells of one lady visitor who, with a heart full of love for the outcast, was met at one house after another with noth- ing but curses. At last, after a long climb upstairs, she reached the top of a rickety tenement, only to receive more vehement oaths than had been cast at her heretofore. Physically spent and somewhat discouraged, she boldly tackled her assailant thus : " Now look here, I've had nothing but curses all this afternoon, so don't you begin. Please get me a drink of water instead, for I'm done up ! " That " touch of nature " that " makes the whole world kin " had the desired effect, and resulted in a hospitable recep- tion that was as refreshing as it was unexpected.
INTO THE HAYMABKET 33
Each night of the week preceding the first Haymarket Theater service the Institute Hall, near by, was filled, and the workers had a busy time with inquirers at every meet- ing. When Sunday morning came it was a joyful sur- prise to all to see the immense theater packed from floor to ceiling, while the aisles and stage were thronged with those unable to obtain seats. And what of the audience ? It was just such a one as was desired. That there was a good sprinkling of the " respectably dressed " element was at once apparent, but in the main it was composed of the class it was intended to reach. The one feature that struck the observer first of all was the great preponder- ance of men, and a careful computation of row after row in all parts of the house showed that they formed from seventy-five to eighty percent, of the audience, and this in a city where the male element in the churches is repre- sented by a lamentably small proportion. For nearly six months, every Sunday morning, the wonder was repeated — three thousand eager people from all parts of this country and other lands filling every foot of space in the theater, while hundreds were turned away, unable to gain admittance.
Mr. Moody's opening sermon, no less than the succeed- ing ones, made a profound impression. It was a vivid picture of King Herod and John the Baptist, the murderer and the martyr. At its close, as ever after, he drew the gospel net, always expecting and always realizing imme- diate results. On this occasion he invited all who were anxious to meet him in the mission hall, a hundred yards away; and there over two hundred men and women thronged in to leave their names and addresses as anxious to receive a book on regeneration which he had promised. It was a really affecting sight. Side by side stood rough men and fashionably dressed ladies, negroes and working-
34 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
women and gentlemen, all anxiously pressing forward to have their names taken down. Quite a large number were visitors from other States who, passing through the city in pursuit of pleasure or business, were thus arrested by the gospel message, delivered in such terms that the most illiterate could not fail to understand.
CHAPTER VII.
MORE WORK AND WORKERS.
THE week at the Bible Institute and the Chicago Avenue Church was a busy one, the work both enlarging and in- tensifying. The three missioners, Revs. Hubert Brooke, Charles Inwood, and G. H. C. MacG-regor, representing the English Episcopal, the Wesleyan Methodist of Ireland, and the Scotch Presbyterian churches, held meetings three times a day for the deepening of the spiritual life, urging a personal, whole-hearted surrender to the will of God. In introducing the missioners, whom he had invited from beyond the sea, Mr. Moody said : " We cannot lead others nearer to Christ than we are living ourselves, and there is no use working unless we are filled with the Spirit of God. We want to get down on our faces before him, and humble ourselves at his feet. Let him search us and try our thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in us. This is why I have asked these brethren to come amongst us. They have been greatly used of God in many towns in Canada, and a wave of blessing has come to the churches they have visited. That's just what we want right here in Chicago ; and if we get that, then our preaching will be with power, and our work will bear a precious harvest of souls."
The faithful labors of these co-workers were greatly appreciated by Mr. Moody, and richly blessed. To many devout minds they opened new views of truth and Chris-
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36 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
tian privilege and obligation, imparting a decided impulse in the life of faith and service.
The force of workers cooperating with Mr. Moody, in addition to the efficient bands of male and female students and leaders of the Bible Institute, was being constantly augmented by the arrival of invited evangelists and sing- ers, from the first week to the last. Among these arrivals, the fourth week, was one who was to stand side by side with Mr. Moody till the last day of the campaign — Rev. John McNeill, the Scotch evangelist, accompanied by his gospel singer, Mr. J. H. Burke. At a great gathering in the Chicago Avenue Church the new-comer preached his introductory sermon on " David."
After the first four weeks the practicability of a gospel work in Chicago during the "World's Fair had been satis- factorily demonstrated. It now only remained to press forward wisely, steadily, resolutely, from point to point, with ever-increasing power, so as to make the utmost of the grand opportunity. It is not possible here to follow the widening circles of the movement through the succes- sive victorious days, weeks, and months. We must con- tent ourselves with a glimpse here and there of parts of the grand whole.
The force of workers which Mr. Moody, as commander- in-chief, gathered around himself was a large one, remark- able alike for variety of gifts, capacity for varied labors, and power for effective service. It may be well to name the principal evangelists, clergymen, and song leaders whose voices were heard in the various meetings of the campaign. At the first meeting Mr. Moody had by his side, on the platform of the Chicago Avenue Church, Ma- jor D. W. Whittle, Rev. R. A. Torrey, Ira D. Sankey, D. B. Towner, and H. H. McGranahan. To these were sub- sequently added the following, among many others whose
37
names cannot here be given: Dr. A. C. Dixon, Brook- lyn, N. Y. ; Dr. H. M. Wharton, Baltimore, Md. ; George C. Needham, East Northfield, Mass. ; Dr. J. Wilbur Chap- man, Philadelphia ; Dr. A. J. Gordon, Boston ; Dr. "W. G. Moorehead, Xenia, O. ; Dr. J. M. Stifler, Crozer Theological Seminary ; Dr. C. I. Scofield, Dallas, Tex. ; Dr. A. T. Pier- son, East Northfield, Mass. ; Dr. T. L. Cuyler, Brooklyn ; Dr. James H. Brookes, St. Louis, Mo. ; Dr. John Hall, New York ; Drs. P. S. Hensou and J. L. Withrow, Chicago ; Dr. A. B. Simpson, New York; Major-General O. O. How- ard, U. S. A. ; Dr. Joseph Cook, Boston ; Rev. B. Fay Mills, Major Cole, Chicago ; Rev. R. G. Pearson, Asheville, N. C. ; Hon. John G. Woolley, Geo. D. McKay, New York ; Rev. Niclaus Boldt, St. Paul, Minn. ; Evangelists Ferd. Schiv- erea,W. Dalgetty, L. P. Rowland, D. W. Potter, Abe Mulke, H. Openshaw, J. H. Elliott, Col. H. H. Hadley, Rev. G. B. Rogers, R. A. Hadden, A. P. Pitt, A. F. Gaylord, C. H. Stevens, and Rev. C. O. Jones, Tennessee ; Dr. G. C. Lori- mer, Boston ; Mr. Stephen Merritt, New York ; L. W. Mun- hall, Philadelphia ; Rev. D. Breed, H. L. Hastings, Boston ; Merton Smith, Chicago ; J. C. Davis and H. I. Higgins, in charge of the gospel carnage; J. W. Deane, President C. A. Blanchard, Wheatou College ; Dr. H. Clay Trumbull, of the Sunday-school Times; Robert E. Speer, New York ; Rev. A. Skoogsbergh.
From beyond the sea were such men as Rev. John McNeill, Dr. John Riddell, Dr. John Robertson, Dr. Hugh Montgomery, Richard Hill, Rev. G. H. C. MacGregor, J. M. Scroggie, W. Robertson, Lord Kinnaird, and John Currie, of Scotland ; Henry Varley, Rev. Hubert Brooke, Charles Inglis, Rev. Thomas Spurgeon, Dr. J. Munro Gibson, Lord Bennett, J. E. K. Studd, Mr. Davis, Rev. J. B. Wookey, Rev. Greenwood, of London, England ; Dr. John G. Paton, the Missionary Apostle of the New Hebrides ; Dr. Adolf
38 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
Stoecker, ex-court preacher of Germany ; Rabbi Rabino- witz, of Kussia ; Dr. J. Pindor, of Austria ; Dr. Theo. Mo- nod, of Paris; Rev. Charles In wood, of Ireland; Count Bernstorff, of Germany.
Among those who labored effectively in the service of song may be named, in addition to those mentioned in connection with the opening meeting, George C. Stebbins, J. H. Burke, F. H. Jacobs, Chess Birch, F. H. Atkinson, C. Alexander, Mr. Wellicome, Miss Van Valkenburgh, Miss Henton, the Stebbins and the Towner Male Choirs, and the Oberlin, Princeton, Kimball, Institute, Torrey, and Ladies' Institute quartets. The service of song through- out the entire campaign was a magnificent demonstration of the value, adaptation, and power of this department of worship and gospel work. Under able leadership a host of singers could always be mustered on the platform, in any part of the city.
When it is remembered that Mr. Moody himself is not a singer, it is the more remarkable that he should have given so prominent and important a place to the service of song in all his evangelistic work and in the scheme of training provided in all his schools. And never was this service organized and utilized on so large a scale as in this Chicago campaign. This department of the work excited the deepest interest and amazement of some of the foreign visitors. " The service of song," writes one to a foreign journal, "is an extraordinary feature of these meetings. The choir and solo songsters are many, and they really sing for Jesus. Last night hundreds were drawn from the streets to hear the singing. No wonder they come, for it is something to hear indeed. The voice of praise is seldom silent or at rest in this building " (the Bible In- stitute). In order to secure the service of the best singers — solo, quartet, and choir — they were often hurried from
MORE WORK AND WORKERS 39
one meeting-place to another, so that all the principal meetings held at the same hours might have the benefit of their singing.
An immense amount of woman's work entered into the sum total of the gospel campaign. Quietly, effectively, pervasively, like a gracious leaven, the consecrated daugh- ters of the King labored on. through the days and nights, month after month, in perfect accord with the grand move- ment, and under the one masterful leadership. Among those who took prominent part may be named Mrs. S. B. Capron, superintendent of the Ladies' Department of the Bible Institute ; Miss B. B. Tyson, of Washington, D. C. j Mrs. A. J. Gordon, of Boston ; Mrs. E. M. Whittemore, of New York ; Miss Catherine Gurney, of London ; and Misses Emily S. Strong, N. E. McClure. C. E. Waite, Poxon, and Van Valkenburgh, of the Bible Institute.
Add to these names of preachers, teachers, evangelists, singers, and others, a great host of unnamed workers whose hearts God had touched with holy fire and power — the rank and file of the evangelizing army — some of whom wrought perhaps more effectively even than their leaders, and you have before your mind's eye the human working forces of the campaign. A large part of this force, as elsewhere noted, consisted of the indispensable trained workers of the Chicago Bible Institute — a capable, ready, willing body, always at command of the leader, whether for speech, song, prayer, or to '' serve tables " in any capacity that the occasion required.
CHAPTER VIII.
PREACHING-PLACES — MANAGEMENT.
ONE very important and difficult part of the manage- ment of the campaign, especially at the beginning, was the securing of proper meeting-places as centers of opera- tion. Beginning with the Chicago Avenue Church and the Chapel of the Bible Institute as the central basis of operation, the following places were, occupied, some more, some less, according to circumstances: The Haymarket, Empire, Standard, Columbia, Hooley's, Windsor, Tatter- sail's, and Vaudeville theaters ; the Central Music Hall and the Grand Opera House ; the Endeavor Hotel Tabernacle, the Epworth Hotel Tabernacle, the Columbian Sunday- school Building, the Hall of Columbus, Turner Hall, Ar- cade Hall, Willard Hall, Holmes' Hall, Institute Hall, Peo- ple's Tabernacle, People's Institute, West Side Tabernacle, Pacific Garden Mission, Forepaugh's Circus Tent, the Chi- cago and the Englewood Y. M. C. A. buildings, and the Pullman Hall, with the following churches in the city and its suburbs : Presbyterian — The First, Second, Third, Fourth, Forty-first Street, Woodlawn, Immanuel, Camp- bell Park, Covenant, and Englewood; Congregational — The First, Grace, Union Park, Rogers Park, Ewing Street, Plymouth, Warren Avenue, and Lake View ; Baptist — Im- manuel, Second, Fourth, Bethany, Belden Avenue, Trinity, La Salle Avenue, Langley Avenue, and Englewood ; Meth- odist Episcopal — The First, Western Avenue, Oakwood,
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PREACSING-PLACES— MANAGEMENT 41
Fulton Street, Trinity, Wesley, South Park Avenue, Blue Island, Auburn Park, Union Park, St. Paul's, Evanston, and Wheaton; two Lutheran churches; St. Paul's Re- formed Episcopal; one Bohemian; Noble Street Evan- gelical ; Hebrew Mission ; German Evangelical ; Swedish Tabernacle, Swedish Mission, and Norwegian Bethania ; Christ Chapel, Marie, Erie, and Railroad Chapels, and N. W. University Chapel, Evanston ; also churches at Aus- tin, Raven swood, and other towns.
In addition to these and other meeting-places there were five large canvas tabernacles in constant use, which were moved from place to place, and which proved to be among the most effective arrangements to reach the masses of city residents and visitors. Another effective device was a gospel wagon, by means of which it was found possible to hold a number of open-air meetings in various parts of the city every day, with the happiest re- sults.
By thus massing names of persons and places together on the printed page, the reader may get a more impressive idea of the extent and scope of the work that was carried forward, day after day, through the six months of the World's Fair. But the view is by no means complete or adequate. The management of the enterprise was a gigantic piece of work, and the machinery of organization was a gigantic system of adjusted workers. Never has Mr. Moody been so severely tested as to his organizing capacity, and skill and power of leadership, and probably never has he more fully measured up to the demands of any occasion or crisis of his evangelistic career. His experience was a new confirmation of the precious divine assurance he has learned so well : " My grace is sufficient for thee."
The amount of work and calculation involved in ar-
42 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
ranging for and carrying on the meetings, day by day, is incalculable. Success came not as a matter of course, or by chance, but by downright hard, persistent work. The people were sought and brought to the meetings by keep- ing the one subject before them. The newspapers, street- cars, bill-boards, ticket-distributers, and personal solici- tation were all brought into requisition to advertise the meetings. Nearly one and a half million tickets were printed at one place alone, and the circulars and posters who could count? It was a grand, impressive object- lesson on how to reach the people. The inner history of struggle and victory in providing for the financial part of the colossal and costly enterprise will never be fully known save to those in the inner circle of prevailing prayer who bore the burden.
CHAPTER IX.
AT HEADQUARTERS — SPECIMEN MEETING.
IT was Mr. Moody's habit to meet his tired co-workers every night, in his room at the Bible Institute, to partake of refreshments, report the work of the day, and discuss the important interests of the meetings. As one by one the workers came in from their different preaching-places, churches, theaters, halls, tents, some near the midnight hour, the commander-in-chief had a word for each one, and nothing so cheered his heart and brightened his coun- tenance as reports of souls saved and victories gained for the dear Lord Jesus Christ. Those nightly seasons of fel- lowship will be gratefully remembered by many as they live over again the trials and triumphs of that wonderful time. On Sunday nights, after the exhausting labors of the crowded days, the assembled workers always bowed with Mr. Moody in praise and thanksgiving to God before they retired to their places of rest.
Regular meetings were also held in the Bible Institute, when reports of work from the various preachers were called for. A glimpse of one such meeting, with Mr. Moody on the platform, catechising the workers, is given by a participant, as follows :
" Mr. Schiverea, what progress have you had the last week ! n
"We have held a meeting every night, and children's meetings four afternoons in the week, with an average
43
44
of about 1000 at the night services and 300 during the day. God has inclined the hearts of the people to come, and not a few have decided for the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been in the city for f our summers, and don't know of any season where God has opened the work with such grand prospects. The people are hungering for the simple gospel, and proving it by crowding the tent night after night. We have had some conversions of people who never go inside of church doors."
" What nationality are the people mostly ? " " About nineteen nationalities are now represented in our meetings."
" Mr. Smith, what is the report from your tent ? " " Last night we had one of the best meetings we have had yet. There has been sustained interest, and we have had large children's services Sunday afternoons. They have not been so large on the week-days. It is a hard neighborhood, three fourths of the people being Roman Catholics, but there has been quite an accession of Prot- estants during the last few years. Seventy percent, of our conversions in the past two weeks have been among Hollanders."
" Do you have many working-men ? " " Yes, the back of the tent is filled with working-men night after night. Two men came every night for two weeks and studied the question very earnestly. I missed one of the men and went to the other and inquired for him. I found he had left his companion playing cards and come to the meeting. He decided for Christ. I sent him out for his companion and he brought him, but he did not decide for Christ at that time. However, hG brought in another who did. It is an unchurched neigh- borhood, and it has been our work to bring out those who had no church connection."
AT HEADQUARTERS— SPECIMEN MEETING 45
" Are such churches as are there working in sympathy with you ? "
" All the ministers of the Protestant churches, with one exception, have been on the platform nearly every night. I have received assistance from all the churches in the neighborhood. Our workers from here have been faith- ful, although it has been a long way to go."
" How does the work compare with previous summers ? "
" I never saw better work."
" Do you have many World's Fair people ? "
"Yes, ministers and others often come and introduce themselves."
"Mr. Schiverea, I forgot to ask you if you have the cooperation of the ministers ? "
" Yes, somewhat. The church people come in."
" Mr. Atkinson, what about your tent ? "
" We have a great deal to praise God for. I took the work in fear and trembling, never having been in charge of a tent before. Mrs. Capron gave me my old State Street workers, and the success is due to them through the blessing of God and prayer. The congregations have grown night after night. We have a children's meeting with an average attendance of 200, and an open-air meet- ing, conducted by Mr. Cantwell, where 500 people often hear the gospel. Two young ladies professed conversion, members of a Sunday-school class. They brought in an- other and she was converted, and the next night I saw them pleading and weeping with a fourth, and beseeching her to come to Christ. It is a respectable neighborhood. The churches have been stimulated by the meetings. An elder from a Presbyterian church stated that the previous Wednesday they had had the largest prayer-meeting they ever had had."
" What have you been doing, Mr. Dalgetty ? "
46
" I have only been down in that tent a week. There was much disturbance among the boys. We made it a matter of serious prayer, and there has been an answer. Last night was the largest meeting we have had down there. There was a boy sitting near the front. I shook hands with him and asked him if he had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. He answered, 'Yes.' 'How long?' 1 One minute.' 'Are your sins pardoned ? ' ' Yes.' ' How do you know ? ' ' God says so.' ' Who spoke with you ? ' ' God.' He had decided during the preaching."
" Mr. Smith, will you report from the temperanae meet- ing at Empire Theater ? "
"There is good news from the temperance meeting. Last Saturday night close upon 200 signed the pledge. I don't know when it was ever so easy to get in spiritual work, as well as to have the pledge signed."
"What have you been doing at Institute Hall, Mr. Stephens ? "
" We have been having three meetings every evening. We have an outdoor meeting, and a late meeting is held from ten till twelve every night, to catch the late passers- by."
" What proportion of the audience at the Empire Thea- ter are men ? "
" About two thirds. Most of them are from the crowd which hang about Canal Street — men out of work and drinking men."
" Are any of the drinking men being reached ? "
" Yes, and we have had a song service in several saloons and have been well received."
" Mr. Pierson, we will hear what you have to tell us."
" The meetings at the Sunday-school Building have been going on for several weeks. An intelligent audience — among them are chair-rollers and Columbian guards out
AT HEADQUARTERS— SPECIMEN MEETING 47
of employment and discouraged, so that their hearts are tender."
" Miss McClure, we would like to hear about the wom- en's meeting at Empire Theater."
" We gathered together for prayer. There were several hundred there, and it was an easy meeting to lead, for it went of itself when it was once started. People were there from all over the country. One good woman who had come to Chicago to see the Fair had a son here who was not a Christian, and made up her mind to stay until he was. It seems to me it must have been easy for the evangelists to preach that night, for they were so upheld by prayer in the afternoon."
" What about the police work ? "
" I don't know just how much is done in the city, but the ladies from our department have charge of five sta- tions. They gather for a half -hour meeting before roll- call in the evening. Sometimes it is discouraging. The rooms are close, and the men would rather stay outside, but there are usually from ten to thirty men inside."
" Have you anything to add, Mrs. Capron ? "
" I should like to have Miss Peters report the open-air meetings."
" These are the results of the cottage meetings of the winter. When the winter was over the people did not seem to want to have the meetings closed, so we planned an open-air meeting instead, and went out one afternoon with invitations. We began singing, and many whom I had not seen before began to gather around, and seemed greatly interested. We rejoiced because the meeting was so quiet, as a mission in that place had had to close be- cause of disturbance by the boys. I spoke to the boy who was the leader, and the next time he came, and afterward said, ' Wasn't I quiet to-night ? ' "
48 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
"Is Mr. McNeil! here!"
Mr. McNeil! responded : " We have had very good meet- ings at Englewood Church, an audience of from 1500 to 2000."
The reports, the comments, the questions asked and an- swered, the suggestions concerning work and workers, the spirit of faith, zeal, and enthusiasm, made these meetings exceedingly interesting and profitable.
There is one other item with respect to Mr. Moody's management of the meetings which must not be over- looked. He believes that it is a religious duty and privi- lege, and a necessary condition of health and effectiveness, to rest one day in seven. The writer has repeatedly heard him ascribe his own freshness and vigor and sustained working capacity to his observance of a seventh-day rest. Accordingly, his plan of evangelistic campaign must pro- vide for a seventh-day rest for himself and for all his workers, while the Sabbath is the busiest and most exhaust- ing day of the seven. Monday was the day set apart for this purpose for the majority of the workers, and those who were obliged to work on that day were released from labor on Saturday, or some other day.
CHAPTER X.
IN CIRCUS AND HALL.
AMONG the most notable of the large meetings held during the early part of the campaign were those in the Mammoth Forepaugh's Circus tent and in TattersalPs huge barracks-like hall, on the south side. In the former place two meetings were held, on two successive Sundays in June. The circus tent covered an immense area, with 10,000 seats and an arena capable of accommodating 10,000 more. In the center of the arena a rude plat- form was erected for the speakers and a few of the singers, while the rest of the song corps were massed around them. An observer describes the scene in few words as follows : "The surroundings were the usual circus furniture — ropes, trapezes, gaudy decorations, etc., while in an adjoin- ing canvas building was a large menagerie, including eleven elephants. Clowns, grooms, circus riders, men, women, and children, drinking and betting men, pick- pockets, all gathered, we were informed, into this unique assembly. What a crowd it was ! Men, women, and chil- dren, 18,000 of them, and on a Sunday morning, too! Whether the gospel was ever before preached under such circumstances I know not, but it was wonderful, to ear and eye alike. The sight of the vast sea of faces was at once glad and solemn. By half-past nine the choir took their places in front of an audience already vast in extent, although tickets were available for half an hour, yet be-
49
50 WOBLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
fore that entrance was free to all comers. Be it under- stood, however, that tickets were not in use to keep people out, but to get them in. In other words, they had been placed in the hands of all who would accept them in train or street-car, road or sidewalk, store or hotel, wheresoever the feet of willing workers had been able to gain admit- tance for the purpose.
" After nearly an hour of singing, individual and con- gregational, which swept like the voice of the ocean across the field of heads, Mr. Moody rose before probably the largest audience he had ever been called upon to face, and delivered one of those addresses, burning with earnest- ness, pathos, and love, which, owned by the Spirit of God, have drawn so many not only under the sound of the gos- pel, but also under its power. His text was, ' The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost/ and his address was a pathetic appeal to sinners to turn to God, delivered with unction and tenderness. Profoundly moved by the vast throng before him, he spoke as though realizing that many of his auditors might never again hear the gospel call. The silence became intense. Closer and closer pressed the people. Broken by the power of the Holy Spirit, the tears rolled unheeded and unwiped from faces to which tears were doubtless strangers. Num- bers of young men gave way to their feelings, heedless of who might be looking on. Toward the close of his address there was a slight disturbance, and Mr. Moody found that the cause of it was a l lost child.' He quickly had the little girl brought to the platform, and by hold- ing her up to the audience made an effort to discover her parents. In this he wa.s successful. While the father was making his way to the platform Mr. Moody went on with his address, and when the anxious man reached the preacher's side Mr. Moody placed the child in her father's
IAr CIRCUS AND HALL 51
arms, and said, 'This is what Jesus Christ came to do. He came to seek and save sinners, and restore them to their Heavenly Father's embrace.' This unusual kind of illustration came home to many with much power.
" After Mr. Moody's address, Rev. John McNeill had a turn. He spoke in his own happy, simple style, his fine voice sweeping away back to the farthest corner of the amphitheater, and he, too, in his own characteristic way, presented the truth of Christ from another standpoint, but directed to the same goal. And thus, in the mouths of two witnesses, and by the fervent prayers of hundreds of hearts, was that truth established before a throng which, for diversity of appearance, incongruity of the sur- roundings, but at the same time closeness of attention, stood, perhaps, unique in the annals of gospel work. A similar service, held the following Sabbath, was addressed by Messrs. Moody, McNeill, Schiverea, and Torrey. This occasion, having only been advertised for two days, was not so largely attended, but that 9000 persons should have heard the powerful presentation of the love of God which his servants gave was much to be thankful for."
When Mr. Moody was arranging for this circus-tent meeting, one of the circus men, with an air of incredulity and contempt, asked if he thought he could get 3000 hearers there. The man learned at least one lesson be- fore the day was over. So also did the manager of the circus, who granted Mr. Moody the use of the tent for Sunday morning, but reserved it for the afternoon and evening, expecting to draw immense crowds to his per- formances. It was a revelation to him when he saw in the morning from 15,000 to 18,000 persons listening to songs and sermons, and so few coming to see his perform- ances in afternoon and evening that he had to give up Sunday exhibitions altogether. The manager, moreover,
52 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
frankly stated that Sunday performances were an experi- ment with him, and that he would not try it again. He then asked Mr. Moody for an evangelist to travel with him, offering the use of his tent on Sundays for gospel meetings, and promising to pay all expenses of the ar- rangement.
When Mr. Moody announced the meeting to be held in Tattersall's Hall, with its capacity of from 10,000 to 15,000 people, he said : " We've got something better than Buffalo Bill, and we must get a bigger audience than he does." Concerning this meeting, Mr. Morgan writes : " Consider- able effort was obviously necessary to secure a full audi- ence in view of the multitudinous worldly attractions rife in the city on Sunday and week-day alike. Accordingly twenty men visited the back parts of the city for several hours on the Saturday night and Sunday morning, distrib- uting tickets of admission from house to house, in drink- ing and gambling saloons, brothels, and in the streets. On the whole, and especially considering the low type of places visited, a very favorable reception was accorded, and it was especially gratifying to find the unqualified re- spect in which the evangelist is held even by those whose business suffers at his hands. The individual testimonies to this were quite as forcible as the splendid muster of men of every class who throng every building in which he is announced to preach.
" An amusing incident occurred during this district vis- itation. A saloon-keeper, becoming enraged at the inva- sion of his premises for such a purpose, tore up all the tickets he could grab from the hands of his customers, and summoned a policeman to eject the perpetrator of the outrage. A burly form in blue promptly seized the offender, who, however, by dint of some facetious remark, raised a laugh at the officer's expense. This dispelled the
IX ClliCUS AND HALL 53
solemnity of the occasion, and he followed up his advan- tage by asking the saloon-keeper whether, as he objected to his customers going to the meeting, he would not repre- sent them by going himself. ' Ah/ he said, ' you wouldn't welcome me if I did ! ' ' Indeed we would/ was the reply ; ' see, here's a special ticket ' (writing a pass to a reserved seat on a visiting-card). 'Then I'll go/ he responded; ' that's a bet ! ' And he kept his word. Needless to add, the visitor was allowed to repeat his distribution among the customers, and the policeman, somewhat disappointed, resumed his beat alone. In another saloon the keeper besought the visitor not to make a fool of himself, which gave rise to a discussion between himself and his wife (who, standing behind the bar, had already accepted a ticket), during which the distribution was continued with- out further interruption.
"As to the meeting itself, there was a splendid con- course of 8000 people, who listened with closest attention to an address longer in point of time than is Mr. Moody's wont ; and although the hall did not afford facilities for an after-meeting, about 500 young men responded to an invitation to remain awhile at the close. Many of these proved to be strangers in the city, whom Mr. Moody in- vited to cooperate in or to attend the various services to be held during the summer for their own blessing and that of others. Such an audience as had assembled was the more remarkable, seeing that the evangelist had al- ready addressed 4000 persons in a large theater during the forenoon, and that, to say nothing of other attractions, the Fair was open all day."
CHAPTER XI.
TWO* SPECIMEN DAYS.
WE will help the reader to see the bare skeleton of a single day's work of the evangelistic forces by setting be- fore him, first, a bird's-eye view of the labors of one Sun- day in the middle of the campaign, and, second, a speci- men program of another Smiday in the last month, and the week following it, which will show one style of adver- tising, and also mark the extension and enlargement of the work, as compared with the former.
Sunday, in the evangelistic work, like every other day at the Bible Institute, began with seasons of devotion in both departments, where the workers refreshed themselves with fellowship in song and prayer and the Word of God, girding themselves for their coming labors. Mr. Moody was announced to preach in the Haymarket Theater in the morning. The announcement was the signal for a great rush, and an hour before the time a crowd was at the door. Some 3000 people were packed into the spacious building, while thousands failed to get in. The outside crowd were invited to enter the Standard Theater, three blocks away, and soon 2500 souls filled that building, and still other hundreds failed to get in. Mr. Moody preached with telling effect to the great multitude in the Haymarket. An observer estimates that about 7000 people surged into and about the two theaters at the morning service.
At 4 P.M. Mr. Moody and Major Whittle addressed 2500
54
TWO SPECIMEN DAYS 55
people in the crowded Standard Theater, many of whom had waited there since the morning service to get the opportunity to see and hear the evangelist and his associ- ate. The Word was with power and manifest effect. In the evening Mr. Moody had another service, preaching to an audience of 2200 in the First Congregational Church.
Rev. John McNeill spoke twice in churches too small to contain the crowds that nocked to hear him. In the morning he addressed a congregation in the First Presby- terian Church, when the doors had to be locked against the outside pressure after the service had begun. In the evening, in the large Immanuel Baptist Church, some 2200 people listened to his sermon, while hundreds were turned away.
Dr. A. B. Simpson, of New York, preached with power, morning and evening, to congregations of 1800 in Chicago Avenue Church.
Dr. C. I. Scofield, of Dallas, Tex., conducted three ser- vices ; in the morning he addressed a crowd that packed the Standard Theater from the overflow of the Haymarket ; in the afternoon he spoke to an audience of 2000 at an- other place ; and in the evening in the Forty-first Street Presbyterian Church.
Dr. J. Munro Gibson, of London, spoke in the morning in the Forty-first Street Presbyterian Church to 1200 peo- ple, and in the evening in the Second Presbyterian Church to about the same number.
Rev. R. A. Torrey addressed an audience of all kinds in the Standard Theater in the evening, and many a hard heart was pierced by the truth.
Major D. W. Whittle spoke in the afternoon, after Mr. Moody, in the Standard Theater meeting, and in the even- ing at his tent at North Clark and Roscoe Streets, when salvation came to many.
56 H'OItLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
Mr. Ferd. Schiverea had a full day in his wonderful tent- work at North and Washtenaw Avenues. In the morn- ing he spoke to a crowd of 500 ; in the afternoon he had 1000 hearers, and in the evening 2000, a great wave of human beings that poured in and over and all around his tent.
Mr- Merton Smith had an audience of 1000 in and around his tent at West Fourteenth and Paulina Streets.
Mr. J. M. Scroggie, a Scottish evangelist, addressed an audience of 700 in Iinmanuel Presbyterian Church.
Mr. F. T. Pierson, aided effectively by his wife, who sings the gospel, conducted three services — two in the Columbian Sunday-school Building, with audiences of 700 and 800, and another in Englewood Y. M. C. A. Building, with 500 hearers.
Messrs. W. Dalgetty and Ralph Atkinson had their usual evening tent services, one at Twenty-sixth Street and Wentworth Avenue, and the other at West Chicago Ave- nue and Lincoln Street, both tents filled to overflowing with congregations of 400 and 900.
Mr. Eichard Hill, another Scotch evangelist, spoke with power to a large audience in the Campbell Park Presby- terian Church, and not without effect.
Rev. Niclaus Boldt, a young German preacher from St. Paul, held the closing one of a week's services, in the German language, in Christ Chapel, with a congregation of about 500 deeply impressed hearers.
Rev. A. Skoogsbergh, a Swedish evangelist, preached in his own language, morning and evening, to congregations of 800, in the Bethania Norwegian Church.
An afternoon service in the Bohemian language was conducted, when about 500 Bohemians heard the gospel in their own language.
TWO SPECIMEN DATS 57
In Major Whittle's tent a remarkable meeting for chil- dren was conducted by Miss Bessie Tyson. Abqnt 600 people were present to share in the blessings of the hour.
At Institute Hall, in the heart of Chicago's dark places, three services were held in afternoon and evening, contin- uing till nearly midnight. An aggregate of between 700 and 800 people were there brought under the influence of the gospel.
At Bethesda Congregational Church, one of the Institute workers conducted a meeting. Mrs. E. M. Whittemore, of New York, had a memorable service among the 400 prisoners in the jail. In the afternoon she also conducted an impressive consecration meeting in the Moody Church, attended by about 300 persons.
Some of the Institute workers conducted a meeting of about 600 people at Colonel Clarke's well-known mission.
Throughout the day over twenty mission services were held by other Institute workers, by which nearly 2000 per- sons were reached with gospel influences.
The gospel w^agon, manned by evangelists Davis and Higgins, and part of the time also by Mr. Win. Robertson, of Edinburgh, with a force of trained Institute workers, was employed morning, afternoon, and evening, reaching an aggregate of 1200 people with the gospel in song, ser- mon, and testimony.
About 300 people were addressed in an open-air service held in the evening.
In all these meetings the gospel singers took a promi- nent and very important part, especially in the great theater gatherings. There the strongest forces of singers were massed. Messrs. Towner, Stebbins, Jacobs, Burke, Atkinson, Mrs. Pierson, strong male choirs, four male quartets, and scores of other singers proclaimed the glad
58 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
tidings in thrilling song. Trained Christian workers, male and female, from the Bible Institute, assisted in every service.
It is impossible to tabulate the results of one Sunday's work for souls. Hundreds professed faith in Christ. Many will carry their new life and testimony far and wide into the various places of their abode, and much fruit shall be found after many days.
ONE SPECIMEN PEOGEAM.
BIBLE INSTITUTE.
(80 Institute Place, near La Salle and Chicago Avenues.) Salbath Program, October 8th.
Mr, Moody preaches in the Haymarket Theater, 169 West Madison Street, at 10.30, and in Immanuel Baptist Church, Michigan Avenue, near Twenty-third Street, at 3 and 7. Plymouth Congregational Church, Michigan Avenue, near Twenty-sixth Street, at 8.
Rev. John McNeill, in the Columbia Theater, Monroe Street, near Dearborn, at 11, and in Central Music Hall at 3 and 8. Mr. Burke sings.
Mr. Henry Varley, of London, in Hooley's Theater, Ran- dolph Street, near La Salle, at 10.30. Mr. Stebbins sings. In Standard Theater, Jackson and Halsted Streets, at 3, and in Second Baptist Church, Morgan and Monroe Streets, at 7.30.
Rev. A. T. Pierson, D.D., in Second Presbyterian Church, Michigan Avenue and Twentieth Street, at 10.45 and 7.45, and in Plymouth Congregational Church, Michigan Ave- nue, near Twenty-sixth Street, at 3.30.
L. W. Munhall, in Oakwood M. E. Church, Oakwood Boulevard and Langley Avenue, at 10.45 and 7.45.
TWO SPECIMEN DATS 59
Mr. Chas. Inglis, of London, in Chicago Avenue Church, corner La Salle and Chicago Avenues, at 10.30, and in the People's Institute, Van Buren and Oakley Streets, at 3.30 and 7.30. Mr. Towner sings.
Rev. Jas. H. Brookes, D.D., of St. Louis, in the Second Baptist Church, Morgan and West Monroe Streets, at 10.45 ; in First Congregational Church, Ann Street and Washington Boulevard, at 3.30 ; and in Chicago Avenue Church at 7.30.
Rev. George C. Needharn, in Langley Avenue Baptist Church, Langley Avenue, near Seventy-first Street, at 10.45 and 7.45. Union service in the afternoon at 3; every week-night at 8.
R. A. Torrey (superintendent of the Bible Institute), Bible-class in Chicago Avenue Church at 3 P.M.
Rev. T. B. Hyde, in Model Sunday-school Building, Fifty- seventh Street and Stony Island Avenue, at 10.30 and 7.30. Mr. H. W. Stough sings.
Mr. John H. Elliott, in Belden Avenue Baptist Church, Belden Avenue and Halsted Street, at 10.45 and 7.45.
Major-General O. O. Howard and Major Whittle, Fourth Baptist Church, Ashland and Monroe Streets, at 10.45 ; Standard Theater at 8.
Rev. C. O. Jones, of Tennessee, in Auburn Park M. E. Church, 622 Sixty-ninth Street, at 10.45 and 7.45.
Mr. D. W. Potter preaches in Epworth Hotel Tabernacle, Fifty-ninth Street and Monroe Avenue, at 10.45 and 7.45.
Mr. Robert Speer, in Hotel Endeavor Tabernacle, Sev- enty-fifth Street and Bond Avenue, at 10.45 and 7.45.
Rev. H. C. Trumbull, in First Congregational Church at 7.45.
Mr. Ralph Atkinson, at Blue Island, 111., in M. E. Church at 10.45 ; Y. M. C. A. at 4 ; and in the Congregational Church at 7.45.
60 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
Miss B. B. Tyson, of Washington, D. C., holds a Chil- dren's Service in the People's Institute at 10.30.
R. A. Hadden, of St. Paul, Minn., in Y. M. C. A., 148 East Madison Street, in the evening.
Mr. L. P. Rowland, at Wheaton, 111., M. E. Church.
Week-Day Announcements, October 9-14.
Mr. Moody, at 8 P.M. Monday, in the Railroad Chapel, Thirty-ninth and Dearborn Streets. Tuesday, Epworth Hotel Tabernacle.
Major Whittle, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Railroad Chapel at 8 P.M.
Rev. John McNeill and Mr. Burke at 8 P.M. Monday, in the Model Sunday-school Building. Tuesday, in the Stand- ard Theater. Wednesday, at Lake Forest, 111. Thursday, in Railroad Chapel.
L.W. Munhall, in Englewood, First Presbyterian Church, Sixty-fourth Street and Yale Avenue, at 8 P.M.
Rev. Geo. C. Needham, D.D., in Langley Avenue Bap- tist Church, Langley Avenue, near Seventy-first Street, at 8 P.M.
Mr. Henry Varley, of London, in Willard Hall, The Woman's Temple, Monroe and La Salle Streets, 12 to 1 o'clock daily. Saturday, at 8 P.M., in the Standard Thea- ter. Monday, Epworth Hotel Tabernacle, 8 P.M.
Miss B. B. Tyson, of Washington, D. C., holds children's meetings in the tents during the afternoons.
Central Music Hall, State and Randolph Streets. Mon- day : special meeting, 10 to 2 o'clock. All the preachers will be present. Mr. Moody will preach the sermon he preached the night of the Chicago fire, October 8, 1871. Tuesday to Saturday, Mr. Moody and Rev. John McNeill speak daily from 11 to 1 o'clock.
TWO SPECIMEN DATS 61
Mr. Chas. Inglis and Mr. Towner, People's Institute, every night at 8 o'clock.
Dr. A. T. Pierson, in the Fourth Baptist Church, Ash- laud and Monroe Streets, Tuesday to Friday, at 8 P.M.
Model Sunday-school Building, Fifty-seventh Street and Stony Island Avenue. Meetings every night at 7.30. Rev. T. B. Hyde in charge. Mr. R. C. Marquis leads the singing.
President C. A. Blanchard, of Wheaton College, in the Model Sunday-school Building, on Thursday, at 7.30 P.M.
Institute Hall, 191 "West Madison Street. Gospel meet- ings every night at 7.30 and 10 o'clock. Mr. C. H. Stevens in charge.
The Bible Institute, 80 Institute Place, near La Salle and Chicago Avenues. Lectures every morning (except Mon- day) : 9 o'clock, Tuesday to Friday, Mr. Henry Varley ; 11 o'clock, Tuesday to Friday, Dr. J. H. Brookes, of St. Louis ; 11 o'clock, Saturday, R. A. Torrey.
Standard Theater, Jackson and Halsted Streets. R. A. Torrey speaks every night at 8. Mr. Atkinson sings.
Five Tents, meetings at 8 P.M. :
No. 1. Center Avenue and Orchard Street. Rev. C. O. Jones, of Tennessee, in charge. Mr. F. H. Jacobs sings.
No. 2. Corner Milwaukee and Powell Avenues. Ferd. Schiverea preaches. Mr. Wellicome leads the singing.
No. 3. Paulina and Walnut Streets. Merton Smith preaches. Children's meetings daily at 4 P.M.
No. 4. Archer Avenue and Twenty-third Place. W. Dal- getty preaches. Institute Quartet sing.
No. 5. West Chicago Avenue and Lincoln Street. Major Cole preaches. Mr. Wolf leads the singing.
CHAPTER XII.
GLIMPSES OP A MONTH'S WORK.
AT the risk of some repetition, but with the assurance of gaining a fuller, clearer view, we transfer to these pages two brief summary statements from competent observers and participants — bird's-eye glimpses of the work during one of the earlier months of the campaign. The first is from Rev. A. J. Gordon, D.D., pastor of the Clarendon Street Baptist Church, Boston, who was associated with Mr. Moody in the work during the month of July. Writ- ing for his own paper, the Watchword, Dr. Gordon says, with special reference to the July work :
u A man's work often furnishes the best character-sketch of himself which can possibly be drawn. We therefore give an outline of Mr. Moody's summer campaign in Chi- cago as a kind of full-length portrait of the evangelist himself. Let the reader be reminded that it is in the months of July and August, when many city pastors are summering, that this recreation scheme of Mr. Moody's is carried on after his hard year's campaign in England and America.
" Four of the largest churches in different parts of the city are held for Sunday evenings and various week-even- ing services. Two theaters, the Empire and the Hayinar- ket, located in crowded centers, are open on Sundays, and the former on every week-night, and they are not infre- quently filled to their utmost capacity while the gospel is
62
GLIMPSES OF A MONTH'S WORK 63
preached and sung. Five tents are pitched in localities where the unprivileged and non-church-going multitudes live. In these services are held nightly, and as we have visited them we have found them always filled with such, for the most part, as do not attend any place of Protes- tant worship. A hall in the heart of the city is kept open night after night, the services continuing far on to the morning hours, while earnest workers are busily fishing within and without for drunkards and harlots, Two gos- pel wagons are moving about dispensing the Word of Life to such as may be induced to stop and listen, and the workers estimate that 1000 or more are thus reached daily of those who would not enter a church or mission hall.
" Daily lectures are given at the Institute for the in- struction in the Bible of the students, Christian workers, ministers, missionaries, and others who wish to attend. The large hall in which these lectures are given, seating comfortably 350, is always filled. During July there were thirty-eight preachers, evangelists, and singers, and other agents cooperating in the work, and their labors are sup- plemented by an endless variety of hou>e-to-house and highway-and-hedge effort by the 250 students in residence in the Institute.
" ' We shall beat the World's Fair/ said Mr. Moody good- naturedly, as we arrived on the ground. With malice toward none and charity toward all, this is what he set out to do, viz., to furnish such gospel attractions, by sup- plementing the churches and cooperating with them, that the multitudes visiting the city might be kept in attend- ance on religious services on Sunday instead of attend- ing the Fair. So it has been. Mr. Moody estimates that from 30,000 to 40,000 people have been reached by his special Sunday evangelistic services. This multiplied by
64 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
seven days easily foots up about 100,000 brought weekly within reach of the gospel. The World's Fair has been closed on Sunday for want of attendance, but the religious services are daily growing. Every good opening for the gospel is readily seized. When Forepaugh's great circus tent had been set up in the city Mr. Moody tried to secure it for Sunday. He was granted the use of it for a Sab- bath morning service, but as the manager expected Sun- day in Chicago to be a great harvest day, he reserved the tent on the afternoon and evening for his own perform- ances. Fifteen thousand people came to hear the simple gospel preached and sung at the morning service. The circus, however, was so poorly attended in the afternoon and evening that Sunday exhibitions were soon aban- doned. More than that, the manager said he had never been in the habit of giving performances on Sunday and should not attempt it again, and he offered, if Mr. Moody would appoint an evangelist to travel with him, to open his tent thereafter on Sundays for gospel meetings, and be responsible for all expenses.
" It was the same with the theaters. At first they de- clined to allow religious services on Sunday. Their per- formances on that day not having proved as successful as they anticipated, now Mr. Moody can hire almost any one which he wishes to secure.
"Eulogy and biographical encomiums upon living men are undesirable, and the writer has risked the displeasure of his friend in putting so much into print concerning him. But we may hope that what we have written will awaken serious reflections in the minds of ministers and laymen alike concerning the problem of summer work and summer success for the gospel in our great cities.
"We may also hope that a stronger faith in the divine administration and mighty efficiency of the Holy Ghost
GLIMPSES OF A MONTH'S WOEK 65
may be hereby inspired. We have no idea that the large and extensive religious enterprises which we have been describing are due alone to the superior natural endow- ments of the evangelist. For years in his meetings and conferences we have heard him emphasize the presence and power of the Holy Ghost in the worker as the one and indispensable condition of success. It must be that where the Spirit has been so constantly recognized and honored he has been doing invisibly and irresistibly much of the great work which human judgment attributes to the man who is the chosen agent."
The second statement we quote is from Rev. J. Munro Gibson, D.D., formerly of Chicago, now of London, who spent about a month in Chicago, preaching and lecturing in connection with Mr. Moody's campaign. On his return to his London congregation he gave them a bird's-eye view of what he had seen of the Chicago work, speaking some-' what as follows :
" "While the Fair was deserted on Sundays, the churches were crowded. Of course, wherever Mr. Moody or Mr. McNeill preached there was no getting in, unless you went an hour or more before the tune. But even with only an ordinary preacher there would be a full church, and that not in the morning only, but also at the evening service, which it is specially difficult to keep up in Chicago, as I remember by experience. On week-nights, too, the people would come in numbers. Be it remembered that there was not only the Fair, with its marvelous illuminations, to contend with, but there were likewise the attractions in the city suited to all tastes — from the great congresses on the questions of the day to the lowest variety show. One would think that in these circumstances it would be almost impossible to keep up the attendance on a week- night at a religious service. Quite the contrary. The
66 WOKLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
churches had their prayer-meetings all through the dog- days, and sometimes when it was least expected there would be a crowd. One Wednesday evening I was asked to take a service at a new town on the other side of the Fair grounds. When I got there I was surprised to find that instead of calling the meeting in some small lecture- hall, as I had expected, they had opened the largest church in the place. But the event justified what had appeared to me their unreasonable expectation, for not only was the building crowded to suffocation, but very many had to go away. And lest you may suppose that I had any- thing to do with this, I may say that on comparing notes afterward with one who had been doing the same thing in another suburb, I found that he had had precisely the same experience.
"But the regular services were not all. Mr. Moody had not only done what he could to stir up the churches to special activity during the great opportunity of the Fair, but had made special arrangements for extraordi- nary services. He got possession of some of the theaters in central positions for evangelistic services. Sometimes he himself preached in them, but the success did not de- pend on his presence, for when he was away at Northfield you would find some able lieutenant like Professor Torrey of the Bible Institute, Mr. Scroggie of Glasgow, or Mr. Varley of London, at the Haymarket, or the Empire, or the Standard Theater, preaching the gospel to a full house, and drawing the gospel net at the close.
11 These theater services were, as I have said, in central places ; but farther out, though still in the crowded parts, there were tents, as many as five, where the gospel was preached night after night. I was only able to attend one of these services ; it was in a large tent, holding, I should think, about a thousand people, and so brilliantly
GLIMPSES OF A MONTH'S WORK 67
lighted that the street, with its arc lights, seemed dark in comparison. There Mr. Schiverea, a man who years ago was rescued from evil ways by Mr. Moody, and who is now a preacher of great power with singular adaptation for reaching the common people, was holding forth to a thoroughly interested audience, which almost filled the tent in every part. It was a Saturday night, and the animated appearance of the throng in the tent presented a singular and most encouraging contrast to the deserted look of the saloons and places of entertainment in the street close by. It was the liveliest place I saw that night, and I traveled a good distance along the streets.
" The tent-meetings are held in the evening hours, but when they are closed the work of the day is not yet done, for if you go to Institute Hall on the west side you may be in time for the ten-o'clock meeting there — not a large and crowded meeting like the others, but specially inter- esting in its way ; for to this place the students of the Bible Institute, and others working with them in the streets and lanes, will bring, by ones or twos, some of the very lowest of the people. There is a prayer-meeting earlier in the evening, and now from ten o'clock till mid- night this hard and discouraging but Christ-like work will be going on.
" But, now, is not that enough ? Surely it ought to be ; surely there will be no attempt at morning work in so busy a time. Yes ; there is more than an attempt, for it is quite a success. All through the season there have been held two morning meetings at the main Institute buildings on the North side, one at nine and the other at eleven ; and now, in the month of August, are they closed for the heat ? No ; they are crowded out of the lecture-room, to take refuge in Mr. Moody's large church. They do not fill it, of course, but even the nine-o'clock meeting looks
68 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
respectable in it, and the eleven-o'clock meeting, which is taken by Mr. Moody himself after his return from North- field, nearly fills it, with the exception of the galleries, which are not open. These morning meetings are for the special benefit, first of students at the Bible Institute, and next of the Christian people who wish to have their enthusiasm kindled to take part in the aggressive work, which goes on, as we have seen, in the evening and into the night."
CHAPTER XIII.
PRESENTED AT NORTHFIELD.
PROBABLY nowhere was there deeper interest felt in the Chicago evangelistic movement than in Mr. Moody's home town of Northfield, and by the Christian people gathered there during the summer season. When Dr. Gordon ar- rived there on the 1st of August, fresh from the Chicago work, there was an eager desire to learn all about it, to which he made response by giving a morning address to the Christian Conference, then in session, on " Mr. Moody's Work in Chicago." Some extracts from this address will afford further glimpses of some aspects of the work, and form the fitting prelude of what followed its presentation.
" You will remember," said Dr. Gordon, " that I came to this conference directly from Chicago, where I have been during the month of July assisting Mr. Moody as best I could in the great work he has undertaken for that city in this centennial year. I have no doubt that univer- sal joy has been experienced among Christians through- out this country at the tidings that came two Sundays ago that the Fair was closed. It is closed practically and theoretically, though it was opened last Sunday in a very limited way. Now I do not hesitate to say, having been there a whole month and having observed the work very carefully, that the closing of the Fair is very much related to the church and evangelistic work which has been going on in that city during the past two months. A single
69
70 WORLD'S FAIR CAMPAIGN
statement may make this much of this assertion obvious : The last Sunday I was there the Inter-Ocean gave the largest attendance that could be counted on the Fair grounds as less than 30,000. Mr. Moody estimated that on a recent Sunday there were gathered in connection with his evangelistic services 40,000 people, while the regular church services were also remarkably well attended.
" Now I like the spirit in which our beloved friend and leader undertook this work. Some said, ' Let us boycott the Fair ; ' others said, ' Let us appeal to the law and put in money enough to prosecute its managers and compel them to shut it up.' But our friend, Mr. Moody, said : ' Now let us open so many preaching- places and present so many attractions that the people from all parts of the world will come and hear the gospel/ and that is actually what has happened.
" There are four churches that have opened to the dis- posal of Mr. Moody, three of them among the largest in the city, where meetings have been held Sunday evenings, and they have always been filled. There are five tents placed in the most strategic points for reaching the non- church-going masses, and as I have visited them I have found them always filled, and largely with those who are not accustomed to be found in any Protestant places of worship. Then two theaters, the Haymarket and the Em- pire, have been leased. I was present at the opening of the Haymarket Theater, and the first Sunday the floor was filled and the second gallery. Two Sundays after the Empire Theater was filled and crowded in every part. Last Sunday these theaters were so crowded that the peo- ple could not get in, and in the Empire Theater, at the close of the services, after the gospel had been preached an appeal was made for those who desired to seek the Lord, and 500 people rose to their feet.
PRESENTED AT NOETHFIELD 71
" Now this is what I often found to be true : that these congregations were made up of people from every part of the United States and Canada, and I may say from every part of the globe; everybody that has come up to the World's Fair is represented in these meetings — a great mass of people brought together from every nation and every race in the world, and preachers are brought to- gether who can speak to them in their own tongue. So it is a remarkable movement. I remember that a friend suggested to Mr. Spurgeon that such a great preacher as he ought not to confine his ministry to London, but that he ought to make a tour around the world and preach to everybody; and Mr. Spurgeon replied, <I can just stand in my place in London, and let the world come to me ; ' and so they did, as a matter of fact. And so this World's Fair is a great opportunity because all the world is pres- ent in Chicago, and being there, they come to hear the gospel. I consider it one of the most blessed triumphs of the grace of God that on these Sundays the people are attending church and listening to the Word of God in- stead of going for recreation. Now that is the right way to conquer : not by violence, not by law, not by threaten- ing, but by a counter-attraction, by offering something better.
"I have made this statement in order that we may praise God that such advantage is being taken of this great occasion that will never come again. We shall never again see such an event. I need not say that the Fair is magnificent ; it is a dazzling alabaster city set on the lake. People are there from every part of the earth ; and next to that architectural wonder, and the marvelous display of art and science and beauty of every sort, I con- sider that the most striking thing in that city to-day is the evangelistic work that is going on."
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Having presented the work of the evangelists in con- siderable detail to the deeply interested conference, and knowing its enormous expense and need of support, Dr. Gordon continued :
" I have been here to every conference, at least during some part of the session, since they began. I was here when that first building stood alone, and this field where we stand now was a rough and stony pasture. Now I remember that during these years Mr. Moody has appealed to the people for all sorts of good things, but always re- fused to have any aid for himself in his work ; when it has been suggested he has declined. Now he is absent, and we can take advantage of his absence to-day. I know that this is a very heavy enterprise which he has under- taken, and we know very well that we have struck very hard times financially, when it is very difficult to get money. I am going to request now that you will make an offering for that work, because you know it is a cen- tennial work that belongs to the whole world. We have an interest in the World's Fair ; it is not a local, but a cosmopolitan, affair. I know that every person here, and some that are not here that will come, and some who were here and have gone, when they hear about it, will say : ' I should delight to make an offering as a testimony of my affectionate regard for our leader, who is necessarily absent on account of his work, to assist him in carrying on this magnificent World's Fair enterprise.' I am sure I shall be approved in taking the responsibility of making this appeal."
Mr. H. M. Moore, of Boston, followed Dr. Gordon with an appeal for such an offering as had been proposed. He said : " As I have come up to this convention, I have no- ticed a great many familiar faces here and there, persons whose names I could not always recall, but who I knew
PRESENTED AT NOBTHFIELD 73
had received a blessing at Northfield. Now what do you come back here for year after year f I think you come, as I do, because you said in your very heart of hearts that Northfield meets a felt want in your soul. Like Dr. Gordon, I have had the privilege of being here at every convention from the time the tent was pitched out beyond East Hall and there was only the one building, and I come here because I feel the need as you do.
"Now during all these years, how our minds go back from time to time ! We remember standing here on this platform when John G. Woolley gave that wonderful tem- perance address, and Mr. Moody said that a man who could talk like that ought to be sent out through all this country, and proposed that we raise money enough to send him out. Over $3000 was raised, and since that time God has taken care of him, and we all know what a great work he has done. We also remember how Mr. Shelton stood here, telling us of the needs of the Indians on the frontier, illustrating it with the affecting story of the Indian who came one hundred and fifty miles, asking if some one would not come to his tribe and his people and tell them of Jesus Christ, and how they could not find a man to go ; and we remember how Mr. Moody raised nearly $3000 to plant a mission among the Indians. Then in two years Mr. Shelton came back and Mr. Moody said : ' It is a shame if we cannot take care of our own children,' and so he raised some more money for him. And when Bishop Thoburn was here Mr. Moody raised $3000 and planted missions in India, and the next year Bishop Tho- burn came back and told of 20,000 souls converted that year through the money that had been given.
'• Now, as Dr. Gordon has said, here is a mighty enter- prise, which Mr. Moody has organized with his thirty- three to thirty-six helpers, besides the 220 students who
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are also helping in this mighty work. Men are being touched by the power of the Word through the Spirit of God, and are drawn there, and are brought to know and believe in Jesus Christ.
" The work is not for Chicago alone ; it is a work for this round globe, for there are people from every country and nation and tribe. It seems to me, money given to that work is given direct for foreign missions, for I believe we wiir find that Mr. Moody never has engaged in as great a work (except the organizing of these schools here, which I believe to be the greatest work of his life) as he is doing there in Chicago, because those men, those foreigners that have come there and have been converted, are going back home to be missionaries of the cross ; and I believe in that great day, by and by, when you and I are gathered with the redeemed, there will be many who will gather and sing the song of Him who has bought us with his own precious blood, who will say, ' It was at the World's Fair in '93 that I learned for the first time that Jesus Christ died to save men.'
" Now it does seem to me, when we think of what Mr. Moody has done for others, and never asked for one thing for his own work, that we ought to feel it a blessed privi- lege to help on this work."
It was not necessary to urge the people to contribute to the support of the work of which they had heard such good report. The cause made its own appeal, and the re- sponse was prompt, hearty, and generous. In sums vary- ing from one to five hundred dollars the pledges came in from all parts of the hall, and in half an hour over $6000 was reported. A telegram announcing the good news was promptly sent to Mr. Moody at Chicago. When the telegram arrived it was a time of special need and per- plexity. The finances were unusually low, and $4000 was
PRESENTED AT NORTHFIELD 75
needed to meet present obligations. Mr. Moody, in speak- ing of the experience, said: "I called a meeting of the leaders to consider what was to be done to meet our obligations. I did not like to speak to them of money matters, for they had so much else to attend to. While gathered together the telegram came from Northfield stat- ing that $6000 had been raised to carry on the work, and I cannot tell you how welcome it was, or how grateful I am to those who gave it. I recognize it not as coming from them, but from the Lord."
Several days later the Northfield contribution was in- creased to $10,000, many of the former givers doubling their gifts, while many new-comers contributed gifts rang- ing from fifty cents to five hundred dollars. It was a timely act, for it strengthened the hands of the leaders in Chicago, and cheered them on in the great and difficult work they had undertaken.
CHAPTER XIV.
A HAYMARKET MEETING.
REPEATED reference has been made to the theaters as centers of operation in spreading the gospel. It was well known that the attempt to gather congregations for relig- ious services and for soul-saving in such buildings, in the midst of a very hell of saloons and vile resorts of all kinds, was by many regarded as a daring, if not fool- hardy experiment. But God from the first set his seal of power upon the effort and honored the faith, love, and zeal of his servants. Thousands upon thousands of people, unused to song and prayer and gospel preaching, were in those places brought under the gracious influence of the Word and Spirit of God, and many found there the way of a new life in Jesus Christ. There, too, many were reached and reclaimed who had wandered away from Christ into lifeless formality or heartless skepticism, and heart-sick devotees of worldly pleasure found the abiding joy and peace of the life eternal.
It has been said that the meetings in the Haymarket Theater were in some respects the most remarkable. It is not possible for the writer, by any written description, to convey to a reader anything like an adequate impres- sion of the appearance, the spirit, the movement, the tre- mendous power and cumulative effect of these meetings. It must suffice to give here the merest shadow sketch of one Sunday's meeting, as a specimen of the whole.
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A HATMABKET MEETING 77
All observer, taking his position in front of the theater at least an hour before the appointed time for opening the doors, found himself not a moment too soon to secure a vantage-place in the gathering crowd. From that time on a constant stream of people came flowing toward the building and massing together before the closed doors. By cable cars, carriages, wagons, carettes, and on foot, from the south side, way out near the Fair grounds, from all parts of the city and from afar, they came, filling the large area, packing and overflowing the sidewalk and the street. The eagerness and intensity of interest manifest in the faces and actions of the multitude was something not soon to be forgotten. As soon as the heavy doors swung open the human waves rolled in, and in a short time all the seats and standing-room on stage, floor, gal- leries, and boxes were occupied. Three thousand souls were crowded into the building, and it was estimated that from three to four thousand more failed to gain entrance. As soon as the Haymarket was full, packed from stage to dome, another theater, the Standard, three blocks away, was opened to accommodate the overflow. A number of Mr. Moody's workers went about, calling to the disap- pointed multitude outside the Haymarket, "This way! Overflow meeting at the Standard Theater, three blocks away. This way ! " Only a personal explanation and persuasion could induce many to start for the Standard. Some were unwilling to go anywhere except where Mr. Moody appeared in person.
" Can't we get in to get a peep at him ? " said one man, who had in his charge several ladies.
" We started here two hours before time," said another, " and we are going to see Mr. Moody if it takes all day."
Soon the Standard Theater also was filled, and still an overflow of hundreds remained to drift awav into the
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streets again. The parquet, balcony, and gallery pre- sented au unbroken expanse of faces ranged in semicircles one above another. The stairways were crowded, and on the stage worshipers sat as closely together as chairs could be placed. The scenery was drawn up high overhead, and flies and wings were removed. Every window and door was thrown open, letting in floods of air and daylight, and a continuous meeting was held throughout the day, people going and coming. Some relinquished their places only long enough to eat luncheon, remaining till 4 P.M., when they also were enabled to see and hear Mr. Moody.
The scene in the Haymarket Theater was most striking and impressive. Looking out from the back of the stage, which had been cleared of all obstructions, from the foot- lights to the wall, the eye fell first upon the thousands of uplifted faces on the floor, then swept upward to the three great clouds of witnesses in the boxes and galleries that overhung these, one above another, up to the dizzy height of the dome. In those endlessly diversified faces turned toward the stage, where stood the man of God whom all had come to hear, one could read a varied tale of eager expectation, anxious desire, carelessness, curiosity, quiet, confident expectation, painful suspense, spiritual unrest and struggle, unsatisfied soul-hunger, sorrow and misery, defiant hardness, gloomy despondency, skeptical indiffer- ence, prayerful repose, triumphant faith.
On the stage, massed around and behind Mr. Moody, were several evangelists and other Christian workers, two quartets of singers, Towner's male choir, a large body of male and female singers, and the song leaders, George C. Stebbins, D. B. Towner, and F. H. Jacobs, with a multi- tude filling the stage behind them. About four hundred electric lights cast their glow over the scene.
The opening song-service was conducted with the usual
A HAYMABKET MEETING 79
readiness, promptitude, and tact. Song followed song, from choir, quartet, soloists, and congregation, with prayer in its season, making way for the sermon to follow. It was interesting to see the deepening effect upon the people of the songs, especially the tender, touching solo, " Some Sweet Day," by Mr. Stebbins, and the beautiful, impressive plea by the Towner chorus, " My son, give me thy heart." As these songs were being sung one could see how they won their way into many a heart, stirring them to un- wonted thoughts, and opening the fountain of tears.
After the song service Mr. Moody broke in with an an- nouncement. " We want to keep up these meetings," he said. " We go from the Empire Theater because we can no longer get it, and enter the Standard Theater. We want to reach and save the drunkards, the fallen, the wretched, the lost. We want your sympathy and help. Now," he cried, " all who want the theater meetings con- tinued lift up your hands ; " and all over the building hands flashed up. " That is very encouraging," continued Mr. Moody. "Now put your hands into your pockets. We are going to take up a collection for the support of the work." This sharp turn amused and pleased the peo- ple, for the voters were neatly caught by an immediate test of their sincerity.
After the collection and another song or two, Mr. Moody rose and dashed at once into his subject. He spoke of the triumphant life of the Christian overcomer, the diffi- culties that beset it, and the glorious rewards that await it in heaven, driving home the word with overpowering unction and effect. " I want to speak about the overcom- ing life," he said. " Every one is either overcoming or being overcome. I want to tell you how to overcome and who are the overcomers. You and I are more interested in this fight than in any of the great battles of history.
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Who is it that overcomes the world ? Who is the victor ? He that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.
" When I was converted I thought it was all done, that I could lay the oars in the boat and let the current bear it on. I soon found my mistake. Let none think that the battle is fought when the gift of salvation is received. It is only begun.
" It is folly for any of you to attempt to fight this battle without Christ in you the hope of glory. It is impossible. You must have a new life before you can fight the battle of a Christian life. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Peter, apart from God made wretched failures. They fell at the strongest point of their character. Away from God these strong men were weak as water and were overcome. We stand, we walk, we live, we fight, we overcome by faith.
" It is a good thing to find out who, what, and how strong our enemies are, if we are to fight, and not to underestimate their strength. We have self to overcome. We must overcome it, or be overcome. The greatest ene- my that ever crossed my path was D. L. Moody. Our enemies are within. We must get the victory over self, our appetites, passions, lusts. What we want everywhere just now is home piety. Selfishness crucified, and Christ- likeness formed. What does it all amount to if you go to church and run all the rounds of a formal Christian life, and live a cold, selfish, unlovely life at home ?
" How can I overcome 1 Treat what you call your weak- nesses and infirmities as sins. Confess them to God. Confess to those you have wronged. We must be co- workers with God in this, hate and abhor what he hates, have fellowship with him, then we can overcome in his strength. No enemies can stand before the strength of God, Christ in us. Are you overcoming, or are you being overcome ? Have you gained or lost since you began the Christian life ?
A HAYHARKET MEETING 81
" One of the most damnable sins of the time is envy, jealousy. It is wide-spread. It eats like a cancer, it burns like fire. God deliver us from it ! What we want to-day is a higher type of Christianity. Why don't you say Amen ! [Cries of " Amen ! "] We are a bad lot ! We may as well know it ! Begin now and set yourself right with God. Get victory over yourself. Begin there, at home. Get the overcoming power. Stand for God. Dare to do right ! Dare to be right ! Dare to stand alone !
" Look at the eight l overcomes ' of Revelation. Look at the exceeding great rewards of those who overcome. It is wonderful. Oh, the riches of grace and glory ! It is said of certain New York millionaires that their fortunes are so large they can't tell how rich they are. That's my case ! I am a millionaire ! You didn't know it, did you ? Well, I am ! I can't tell how rich I am. He that over- cometh shall inherit all things, all tilings, ALL THINGS! Think of that ! ' All things are yours ! ' '
The people were profoundly impressed by the truth, and many expressed a desire to be saved. These were invited to the front, where a number of Christian workers met them for conversation, and put into their hands copies of Mr. Moody's book, " The Way and the Word," showing the way of life to the inquiring soul. With prayer and song the service closed, and the assembled thousands, from all parts of the land, dispersed to meet never again in this world.
CHAPTER XV.
IN THE EMPIRE THEATER.
WE have witnessed a specimen Sunday service in the Haymarket Theater, conducted by Mr. Moody. Now we go to a Monday evening meeting in the Empire Theater. We go out West Madison Street. On our way we pass all kinds of places whereunto men and women repair to seek amusement, to kill time, to inflame passion, to feed lust, to breed crime. What sights and sounds and smells are here ! What swarms of poor, degraded, wretched, ruined beings are here, seeking again the fire that has scorched and blistered them, body and soul; handling again the biting serpent and stinging adder; crawling deeper and deeper into viler fellowships and more damn- ing pollutions.
We pause in the blaze of the electric light at the open- ing of the theater. A stream of all sorts of people is flow- ing through its wide, marble-paved hall, into auditorium, boxes, and galleries. We enter. There is no scenery on the stage. The footlights are out. The company of men and women clustered together there are not in stage dress. No artificial, imitation human beings are they, to stand as counterfeits of the mighty or the ignoble dead. Only a company of twoscore Christian singers, with a gospel preacher or two, servants of Jesus Christ, come to bear witness on that stage to the most stupendous facts and realities ever disclosed in this world of shadow and sham.
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Just now a burst of song silences the hum of voices and the stir of restless feet. Beside the organ on the stage stands the gospel singer, Mr. D. B. Towner, pouring forth a stream of rich melody that swells to the roof and rolls out into the crowded street. Every word of the song rings out with enunciation so clear and distinct, and withal so richly musical and true, that he who runs may hear and understand and enjoy. The people stop on the street to listen, and come in to hear more. Song after song follows — solo, duet, quartet, chorus, congregational, intermingled with brief prayers that go straight to the mark. And still the people are coming, some to stand awhile on the rim of the auditorium, to see what it all means, then drift away again to more congenial associations, others to stay for what is to follow.
The conductor of this strange " perf ormance " is Rev. R. A. Torrey, superintendent of the Chicago Bible Insti- tute. He drives through the service with Moody-like energy, losing not a moment nor an opportunity. He rises to preach and leaps right into his subject, rushing on with increasing momentum of thought and energy, gripping the reason and conscience of his hearers with the divine logic of the "Word of God, and bearing them along to his inevitable conclusion. His theme is Repentance. Yes, repentance on the stage, in the theater. It is needed there. Ah, this is more than a play. The " scenery "is visible only to the soul. Its background is the judgment- throne of God, and the white light of eternity plays over the whole scene. The " actors " are not on the stage to- night, but in the boxes and the seats of the auditorium and galleries — sinful men and women face to face with the truth and Spirit of God, deciding questions of life and death for time and eternity.
The preacher drives home the declaration of Acts xvii.
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30, that " God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." He shows that John the Baptist and Christ and the apostles, Paul included, preached repentance, and that the prophets of the Old Testament preached practically the same truth, and concludes that a subject that occupied so much of the attention of the inspired preachers must be of great importance. He defines repentance as simply a change of mind which issues in a change of conduct. The sinner must change his mind about sin, about God, and about Christ, accepting the Bible view in place of his own, turning away from sin, turning to God to obey him and to Christ to accept him. " Anybody in this theater now can repent here and now. He cannot do it without the Spirit of God, but the Spirit is trying now to bring you to repentance, and you can now repent."
Why should you repent ? First, because God commands it. He " now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." Second, unless you do you shall perish. That man there, that woman in the gallery, good or bad, must repent or perish. Third, because you must appear before the judg- ment-seat of Christ. You adulterer, you robber, you swin- dler, you seducer, you Sabbath-breaker, you blasphemer, you rejecter of Jesus Christ, must appear before the judg- ment of God ! Fourth, because repentance brings pardon. When one truly repents God will blot out all his sins. Oh, you robber, you murderer, you drunkard, repent and turn to God and he will blot out all your sins. Thank God for a gospel that wipes out forever all sins of the sad past! Fifth, because God is love. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." The preacher presses the truth upon the conscience with great power, with mani- fest effect.
The faces of the listening people are a study. They make unconscious revelations of what is going on within
IN THE EMPIEE THEATER 85
as the Spirit of God applies the truth to their hearts. Near the stage we see a strong, square, firm face that is darkening with unutterable woe. It makes one shudder. There is one over whose gloom we see the light of a new resolve slowly come to its rising. There is one whose piti- ful soul-hunger moves to tears. There is another racked by conflicting emotions that betray the struggle of a con- victed soul. Not a few tell the tale of awful depravity, almost hopeless hardening, seared consciences, determined hatred and resistance of the truth. But, thank God, a number of convicted ones yield to the better impulse to repent and turn to God.
The sermon closes with a prayer, then Mr. Towner pleads tenderly in song, " Will you not come to Him now ? " An- other hymn follows, another prayer, than an after-meet- ing, when a number of persons arise at the call of the preacher in token of their desire for salvation. A touch- ing duet follows, while Christians silently pray, then a closing prayer for the repentant ones, and another season of song, while the preacher and other Christians pass to and fro among the people to deal with individual souls about their salvation. With this the meeting ends, but some still linger to a late hour, held by the pleading of some loving heart.
CHAPTER XVI.
FROM EMPIRE TO STANDARD THEATER.
THE second theater which Mr. Moody succeeded in en- tering with the gospel was the Empire, not far from the Hayinarket. For five weeks, every evening, and thrice on Sundays, the building was made to ring with song, prayer, sermon, and testimony. In this, as in the other places of similar character, the masses of the people were found accessible to a remarkable degree. The work was greatly blessed. Many striking cases of conversion came to the knowledge of the workers during those meetings. Stran- gers from afar, men caught in the rapids of dissipation, and tossed about in saloons, gambling-dens, and other vile resorts, miserable prodigals far and long from home, despairing wretches on the verge of hell, drifted into the theater meetings and there heard the sweet gospel story, and found salvation from sin and death.
After five weeks the owner of the Empire Theater de- clined to extend the lease to the evangelists. The closing meeting was held on Saturday evening, August 19th, con- ducted by Evangelist Merton Smith. A special effort was made to reach the intemperate with songs, testimonies, sermon, and appeal. The Scotch evangelist, Rev. John McNeill, delivered the principal address. He was in his happiest mood and at his best, playing at will on the re- sponsive heart-chords of the multitude before him. He gave a fascinating bit of autobiography, in language, spir- it, style, and manner simply inimitable. With a few sim-
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pie master-touches he set before our often tear-dimmed eyes an exquisite picture of the home of his childhood, one of those typical Scottish homes which are the seed- beds of all manly virtues and womanly graces, the glory of the better Scotland whose magnificent contribution to the world has been a galaxy of godly heroes that shine as the stars forever and ever. As he spoke of the cheery, happy home life, the strong, noble, godly father, and the sweet, gentle mother, and turned it all into an overwhelm- ing plea for happy homes, many a face was wet with tears and lighted up with new resolve for the better life. Re- peating Burns's " Cotter's Saturday Night," he said that what the poet pictured was a reality under his father's roof. When the scene stood complete before us, the speaker broke into a tender, touching appeal that went irresistibly to the heart. "Come back to your father's God ! " he cried. The people were profoundly moved, and in many cases emotion ripened into holy resolve and res- olute decision for Christ. The simple story of his own conversion at a railroad-station deepened the impression as this unreportable address drew to its close.
The next day, Sunday, the meetings were transferred from the Empire to the Standard Theater, a building capa- ble of accommodating about 2500 persons, located in one of the darkest spots in Chicago, in a solid block of vile resorts, where abominable iniquity ran riot to the damna- tion of multitudes.
The first service in the new place proved the wisdom of the choice. The house was packed, and hundreds had to go away disappointed. Rev. Dr. C. I. Scofield, of Dallas, Tex., preached with power. Another meeting followed at 4 P.M., addressed by Mr. Moody and Major Whittle, with service of song by Towner, Stebbins, Jacobs, Atkinson, and the Kimball Quartet. So great was the desire of
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many strangers to hear Mr. Moody that they remained over from the morning service in order to secure places in the crowded building, from which so many had to go away disappointed. A third meeting was held in the even- ing, addressed by Rev. R. A. Torrey. In all these meet- ings the influence of the Holy Spirit rested manifestly upon the people, and it seemed as if a visible divine seal were being stamped upon the enterprise.
Evening after evening during this opening week the work continued with a deepening sense of God's presence in the meetings. One evening, after a sermon of convict- ing power by Mr. Torrey, while the preacher was pointing many inquirers in the auditorium to Christ, Mr. Towner, the song leader, was doing the same thing on the stage, where a number were converted. On another evening, after addresses by Colonel Hadley, the well-known mission worker of New York City, and Mr. Torrey, about three fourths of the congregation remained for the inquiry- meeting, and many came into the light of a new life.
On Thursday evening Mr. Moody spoke on the loving tenderness of Christ with divine power. Himself most deeply moved by the truth he preached, his tears fell like rain and his voice choked and thrilled with emotion, as his yearning heart went out toward the poor lost souls for whom Jesus died. The power of God came upon the people. All over the house were faces wet with tears, and hard hearts melted like wax at the presence of the Lord in the tenderness of his love. The promise of the open- ing week was amply fulfilled in the weeks that followed, for the meetings in the Standard Theater, from that time to the close of the campaign, were among the most suc- cessful held anywhere'. From two to four times every Sunday, and every evening of the week, the gospel was preached with saving effect to multitudes of people, many of them the worst and most wretched of their kind.
CHAPTER XVII.
GOOD CHEER — PROGRESS — OBJECT-LESSON.
IT is well known to all who are acquainted with Mr. Moody that he is a Christian optimist, or, rather, a man of luminous faith, cheery hope, intrepid courage, and un- quenchable enthusiasm. He has learned the beautiful Pauline lesson of "forgetting those things that are be- hind, and reaching forth unto those things which are be- fore." He believes that in order to succeed in Christian work the workers must be " of good courage." All this was most manifest in the most trying times of the cam- paign. Always looking on the bright side — that is, the God side — of things, he not only inspired others with his own contagious faith and courage, but took every oppor- tunity to encourage, cheer, and spur them on by word and deed. To his clear view the successive days grew better and better, even when some of his friends failed to dis- cern the signs as he did. " I believe this is the best day Chicago has ever seen," said he, again and again. And he knew the Chicago he spoke about. " Before the World's Fair closes," he confidently declared, " we shall have great blessing." He had an assurance that could not fail. " Think," said he, as his glance swept over the thousands of eager faces that looked into his, " think of the people from these meetings carrying the sacred fire with them into all the places where they go, throughout this country and in other lands ! Never have I seen such eagerness
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to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ as in these days. I think I have not seen in America anything that has been more encouraging than the work in Chicago in the last three months."
" I believe," he said, on another occasion, " that we shall see signs and wonders in these days. It seeins as if there is a wave of salvation about to flow over this land. It seems to me that the country is ripe for one of the great- est religious awakenings it has ever seen. In our great prosperity many of us have forgotten God, and the pres- ent time of business depression, disappointment, and suf- fering is bringing men to realize their need of Jesus Christ. I am looking for a great movement throughout the coun- try the coming fall and winter. If the Church of God would only wake up, we should certainly have the greatest revival the world has ever known. We are surely going to win this battle if we hold on long enough. Let us see to it that we ourselves are quickened and filled with the Spirit, that we may be ready for our God-given 'opportu- nity to do our part in the great work."
Again he said : " The year 1890 was a good year, but 1891 was better, 1892 better still, and 1893 best of all, and if I live to see 1894 I expect that year will be better than 1893. ' The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.' I be- lieve we are living in the grandest days this century or this age has seen. Some one in Chicago recently said that the Sabbath is a pest, and must be wiped out. Instead of the Sabbath being wiped out, I don't know but God is going to turn all the week-days into holy Sabbaths, and give us days of heaven on this earth." It was with this trustful, hopeful, cheery, fore-looking spirit that the great and difficult enterprise in Chicago was commenced, con- tinued, and completed.
GOOD CHEEK— PROGRESS— OBJECT-LESSON 91
At the beginning of the fourth month, August, the evangelistic forces occupied about ten churches, seven halls, two theaters, and five tents, the latter being moved from one strategic point to another, as occasion required. Up to this time the north, the west, and the south sides of the wide-spreading city, with its suburbs, were reached with a succession of attractive, powerful, and effective meetings. From two to three hundred workers were in active service, under the capable leadership of the experi- enced lieutenants whom Mr. Moody had called to his aid. At this time an aggregate of about 120 gospel meetings, exclusive of many gatherings for prayer and counsel, were held weekly, fifteen on week-days, and from twenty-five to thirty on Sundays. From 30,000 to 40,000 persons came under the influence of the gospel on Sunday. On several occasions all-day meetings were held in the tents, with at- tendance and sustained interest that were simply amazing. It seemed almost incredible that two great theaters on the same street, nearly opposite each other, should be filled to hear the gospel, while some 500 more people tried in vain to enter.
The last Sunday in August surpassed all preceding days in the extent of the work done. About sixty-five meet- ings were held, in thirty-five different places throughout the city and suburbs, including fifteen churches, two thea- ters, five halls, five tents, and in the open air, with the gospel wagon, and elsewhere. About thirty-six ministers, evangelists, and song leaders, with from two to three hun- dred other Christian workers from the Bible Institute and elsewhere, officiated. An aggregate of over 51,000 people heard the gospel in these various meetings, many of whom were brought to a knowledge of the truth and acceptance of Christ as their Saviour. In the face of the fears that had been entertained of a decrease of interest and conse-
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quent falling off in attendance during the month of Au- gust, this triumphant record was especially cheering.
This Sunday also marked the close of a ten days' ses- sion of the International Conference of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, which, under the presidency of Rev. A. B. Simpson, of New York, had been held in the Chicago Avenue Church. The conference was more or less inter- linked with the plan and movement of the evangelistic campaign. Its morning sessions were devoted exclusively to Bible study. From nine to twelve each day large audi- ences occupied the church to listen to such eminent Bible teachers as Dr. Scofield of Texas, Dr. Chapell of Boston, Dr. Oerter of New York, and Dr. Stearns of Philadelphia. The afternoons and evenings were occupied by addresses on such themes as Practical Holiness, Divine Healing, and the Evangelization of the World. Devotional meetings occupied the intervals, morning, noon, and night, between the main services, and contributed largely to keeping the interest of the meetings at white heat. The Alliance has between 200 and 300 missionaries in the foreign field, and hopes to send many more abroad during the coming years, having important stations in China, India, and Africa. Many returned missionaries wrere in attendance at the convention, and gave frequent addresses on the different phases of their work.
The two daily Bible lectures in the Bible Institute had been continued up to this time with increasing interest, and some of the most eminent Bible teachers and preach- ers of Europe and America were there heard with great delight and profit by thousands of Bible students from all parts of the world. After the close of the Alliance Con- ference, in order to secure more room and to make the service more popular in character, the lectures were trans- ferred to the large auditorium of the Chicago Avenue
GOOD CHEER— PROGRESS— OBJECT-LESSON 93
Church. There for one week the lectures were delivered to larger congregations, the services being diversified in various ways by Mr. Moody. Himself being one of the lecturers, he sometimes displaced himself by calling upon other ministers to open the word in his stead. On three successive days he invited several of the recently arrived speakers to introduce themselves in short addresses, and also to give specimens of Scotch and English expository preaching, which was greatly enjoyed.
The day preceding the close of the Alliance Conference, the last hour of the forenoon was set apart on the program for a lecture on the Bible by Mr. Moody. This afforded him a double opportunity to hold up and magnify the Word of God, and at the same time give a most inspiring and impressive object-lesson on the elements of successful evangelism. It was the only one of the scores of services on the program of the conference which was thoroughly advertised and for which special efforts were made by circulation of tickets, after the approved fashion of the Moody evangelistic meetings. The result was a revela- tion to many, when they found that even at such an hour as eleven o'clock on Saturday, the big church rapidly filled up till auditorium and galleries were occupied.
There was another revelation when the meeting opened in Mr. Moody's characteristic way, with his prompt, swift, electrifying movement, sweeping through a song service of about twenty-five minutes that roused, thrilled, and kindled all hearts, in preparation for the discourse that was to follow. It was glorious, and full of the spirit of devotion. In this devotional service four songs were sung by the congregation, led by a well-trained, power- ful chorus choir, with instrumental accompaniment ; two beautiful solos, by ladies, in the chorus of one of them the great congregation and choir joining with thrilling
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power ; three impressive and affecting songs by quartets, two male, one female ; and one magnificent hymn by a strong male choir. Three prayers were intermingled with the music. The service was so arranged and ordered that it had the effect of an upward movement, like the swell of a wave, carrying the worshipers away from their dis- tracting thoughts into the waiting-place of devotion, with minds and hearts opened to the word that was to follow.
When the entire service of seventy-five minutes came to its close, embracing ten songs, five prayers, a lecture on the Bible by Mr. Moody, full of fire and energy, and concluding remarks by Dr. A. B. Simpson, that fell like heavenly dew upon 'the hearts of the audience, it seemed as if but half the time had passed.
After the opening song service Mr. Moody remarked that some of his hearers had doubtless been wondering why they had so much singing before the preaching began. "We had so much singing here this morning," said he, " to show you how a live, spirited, attractive gospel ser- vice can be made. There is no excuse for dull, spiritless, unattractive gospel meetings. It is a mistake to regard the sermon as the only important thing in a meeting, or even as the main thing. There is often more gospel in such songs as we sing than in the sermon. The song may carry the gospel into many hearts that the sermon does not reach. And it prepares the people for the ser- mon. Wake up ! Wake up the people ! Get them out to your meetings. Advertise your meetings. Let the peo- ple know about it. Compel them to come. Press things. Why preach to a few when you might have hundreds ? Why have poor, dull, sleepy meetings when you might have them full of life, enthusiasm, and power? If we believe the gospel is the best news that ever came to this world, then let us publish it to everybody we can reach."
CHAPTER XVIII.
A NEW DEPARTURE.
AFTER careful consideration of the hazard and the ex- pense involved, an important new departure was taken, by securing the use of the Central Music Hall for daily meetings, during the last two mouths of the campaign. It was arranged to hold one or two services each Sunday and a two hours' service each week-day, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M., with Mr. Moody and Mr. McNeil! as the princi- pal speakers. The building was admirably located and adapted for the purpose, its central place in the business portion making it the best strategic point in the city for a continuous gospel work. There were some to whom it seemed an ill-considered movement, and at least a very questionable and hazardous experiment to push into the very business heart of the city, to solicit a hearing for the gospel of Christ in the midday hours of the busy days. But faith takes not counsel of human fears or improba- bilities. A glad surprise awaited the doubting ones, and the wisdom of the choice was demonstrated in the first service.
The opening meeting in the new place was assigned to Rev. John McNeill on the morning of the first Sunday in September. After a delightful service of song and prayer the preacher poured out his heart in a sermon of wonder- ful beauty and grace, that held the vast audience in glad- some captivity of mind and heart to the close. There was
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no more question as to the feasibility of Sunday meetings in the Music Hall. The preacher had won his audience and assured himself a welcome and a hearing from that day forth.
At 4 P.M. of the same day a meeting of special interest was to take place. Mr. Moody had sent repeated and urgent invitations to the Rev. Dr. Adolf Stoecker, ex-court preacher of Germany, to join his forces in a special effort in behalf of the German people of Chicago, and now the famous German was expected to make his first appearance on the American platform. The announcement caused considerable excitement, as well as genuine interest, and the Hall was filled to overflowing with an immense audi- ence of the flower of Chicago's German population, includ- ing a large number of ministers and representative Chris- tian workers.
But a disappointment was in store for the congregation, and not less so for Mr. Moody, who had charge of the meeting, for the expected speaker had been delayed on the way hither, and could not reach the city in time for the appointment. Mr. Moody explained the embarrassing situation as best he could, declining to respond to the call of the audience to preach himself, and called upon Rev. Niclaus Boldt, a young German evangelist of St. Paul, who preached a short, timely sermon.
As it was known that some of the daily papers had in- dulged in ungracious criticism of Mr. Moody for having invited Dr. Stoecker to Chicago, utterly misrepresenting the object of the German preacher's mission, and as there were some misgivings in the minds of many who were concerned for the success of the evangelistic work, Mr. Moody took occasion to state his reasons for his action. " I will tell you," said he, " why I tried to get Dr. Stoecker here. Because he is a man of God who is giving his life
A NEW DEPARTURE 97
for the welfare of the people, and has been greatly used of God. He is trying to do in Germany just what I am trying to do here — to reach the non-church-going masses with the gospel of Christ for their salvation. He has institutions in Berlin somewhat like our Bible Institute here, and is doing the same work. I have great respect for a man who comes out of the royal court to do the work that he does. He is a man after my own heart. I want him here to speak the word of life to his own fellow- countrymen in this great city."
These timely words, nobly spoken, had their effect, show- ing at once the unselfish, generous motive that prompted Mr. Moody's call of Dr. Stoecker, and his unshaken confi- dence in and high esteem for the man.
The third meeting of the day was held in the Hall in the evening. At an early hour the place was crowded, hundreds were turned away, and still they continued to come and go until near the close of the service. Mr. Moody preached the sermon, his theme being his favorite Daniel, which always kindles the speaker's soul and sets the souls of the hearers aflame.
On Monday many a Christian worker went to the Music Hall with serious misgivings, to see the outcome of the first experiment of a two hours' midday meeting. The day seemed an especially unfavorable one for the begin- ning in that place. It was Labor Day, the streets were thronged with great processions, and the air was filled with a tumult of sound, musical and otherwise ; yet the large hall was filled, and the two hours of the meeting were made glorious with song and sermon and prayer. The whole service seemed like a mighty burst of inspiration. The power of God came down upon the people. An un- seen hand seemed to guide the meeting from first to last. Song after song rolled forth with the musical waves of
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the big organ, and prayer after prayer rose up to God like sweet incense of hearts aglow with love divine. Mr. Moody prayed especially that the last two months of the meetings might be the most blessed and fruitful of all, and memorable to all eternity in the experience of many. He cried to God with tender pleading for Heaven's great- est blessing on the preachers* who had lately arrived, and on those who had already so faithfully labored and borne the heat and burden of the summer's work.
Before proceeding with the service, Mr. Moody made some statements with reference to the new departure, say- ing, among other things : " We have been working for four months in various parts of the city, and now we have secured this Central Music Hall for two months, to reach the business center with the gospel in the middle of the day. We have got the help of a number of eminent min- isters from home and abroad. We want a little Scotch fire here, a little English fire, and a little German fire. We have distinguished speakers to speak to us every day. These meetings will accommodate the many World's Fan* visitors, and the business men in this central part of the city who are anxious to hear these men of God. Many who come here to listen to the word of life will be quick- ened and renewed, as they go away from here into all parts of the land and the world, and they will carry this fire to their own towns, churches, and homes, and set them on fire for God. That is what we want, that is what we are praying and laboring for."
The London evangelist, Henry Varley, being called up- on, arose to speak, but he had hardly begun to open his subject when the delayed German guest, Dr. Stoecker, entered the Hall. Mr. Moody arose, exclaiming, " Let us receive the court preacher of Germany," and the people stood up to welcome him with hand-clapping and happy
A NEW DEPARTURE 99
smiles. Then Mr. Varley proceeded with his discourse, setting forth the glorious Lord Jesus Christ as "God's center of gravity," pleading with commanding power for the recognition and acknowledgment of the Lord as the center of the individual life, of the family, of the home, of the city, of the nation, of the world. The sermon was a triumph of sacred oratory, bearing the vast audience along as on the crest of a mighty wave.
The sermon ended, the congregation poured out their hearts in the exulting words and strains of the majestic old hymn,
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word.
Then short addresses were made by Rev. John Robertson, of Glasgow, and Dr. H. M. Wharton, of Baltimore, Md., holding forth Jesus as the only Saviour and hope of men, and commending the old gospel of the grace of God in all simplicity and truth.
After more song and prayer, with special supplication in behalf of Dr. Stoecker, Mr. Moody introduced his hon- ored guest, who made a very judicious and pertinent in- troductory address, which was interpreted for English ears by Rev. Niclaus Boldt. He expressed his appreciation of the kind reception given him. He disclaimed the mo- tives and purposes which hostile papers had attributed to him in coming to America. " I came not to attack the Jews," he said, with a fine thrill of indignant feeling. " I came to preach the Word of God to my German brethren. I came not to see America or the World's Fair, but to take part with dear Mr. Moody in his work of evangeliza- tion in your great city. I had a desire to come before, but as court preacher I was under orders, and could not come. Now I am no more court preacher of the German
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Empire. I am a preacher of the people. I am no longer under orders, but free to come and go. It is in my heart to testify of my glorious God to the thousands of my countrymen who are here, and who will come from all points of the compass to visit the World's Fair. I would bring them a message of tender remembrance and love from their brethren in the old fatherland. I would strengthen their love and loyalty to the new fatherland they have found. And I would constrain them by the love of Christ to seek a home in the everlasting father- land above, where our loved departed ones abide.
" Our generation has come upon one of the great crises of world-history. This is felt everywhere, in the intellec- tual, the spiritual, and the physical realms. This is pre- eminently the time of separation, of judgment, of decision. The wheat and the tares must be revealed. The beginning of the end is at hand, when the kingdom of God and the world will meet in the awful collision of the final battle. In the great conflict of the present crisis Germany seems to feel the shock first. There the forces are marshaling and massing for the onset. As the clouds are gathering fast and ominously over our dear old fatherland, we look up to God for help, and we pray that he will not forsake his people in the land of the Reformation. Brethren, I implore you all who bear the name of our blessed Master, do not suffer your eyes to be blinded and your hearts deceived by the worldly riches and glory of material pro- gress and prosperity. The things which are seen are temporal ; the things which are not seen are eternal and abiding. In the great conflict let us take sides with our God, and stand for truth and right, for the welfare of man and the honor of Christ."
At the conclusion of Dr. Stoecker's address Mr. Moody arose with a glowing face, and exclaimed : " I thank God
A NEW DEPASTURE 101
for this day. I thank God for the coming of this dear man of God. We don't regard the papers that speak against him. I am exceedingly gratified to note that nearly every German church here has been thrown open to him. I don't know of any man in Christendom that I would rather have stand in the pulpit of our church than this dear brother." Then, turning to Dr. Stoecker, Mr. Moody continued : " We give you a warm welcome ! God bless you ! We don't believe the newspapers. We believe the Bible. We have confidence in you. We love you ! " A brief address by Mr. McNeill, witty and wise, closed this remarkable initiatory meeting of the midday series. There remained no doubt of the wisdom of the new de- parture. It was a fair beginning, with promise of better things yet to come, whereof all were glad in the anticipa- tion of faith. It was a striking object-lesson set before the eyes of the hurrying thousands on business and plea- sure bent — two hour£ out of the heart of each, day devoted to the consideration of things unseen and eternal, while the foaming waves of worldly traffic beat upon the walls within which the worshipers waited upon the Lord. It was a daily standing protest against the mammon worship of the busy mart, and an appeal to the unsatisfied crav- ings of the soul that cannot live by bread alone.
CHAPTER XIX.
NOTES OP THE FIFTH MONTH.
THE occupancy of the Central Music Hall for daily meet- ings was not the only advance step taken at the beginning of the fifth month, although perhaps the most important. The fair promise of the opening days in that place was more than fulfilled during the first week, in the surpris- ingly large, constant attendance of World's Fair visitors, business people, and others, and the increasing and deep- ening interest in the services. Two days of the first week were especially memorable on account of the overwhelm- ing, power of the Word of God and the awfully solemn sense of the reality and presence of the unseen and the eternal.
The principal addresses of the days were given by Mr. Moody and Mr. McNeill, supplemented by Drs. J. W. Chap- man, H. M. Wharton, and John Riddell, Revs. John Rob- ertson and A. C. Dixon, and Evangelist Henry Varley. The service of song was given a prominent place, repre- sented by such singers as Sankey, Stebbins, Towner, Burke, Jacobs, Atkinson, the Princeton and the Ladies' Institute Quartets, and a strong chorus choir.
Among the principal new places secured as centers of operation at this time were two theaters, in addition to the three already in use, namely, the Columbia and the Windsor, in the heart of the city. At the South Park M. E. Church about twenty different churches were united
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NOTES OF THE FIFTH MONTH 103
for a grand, combined effort, under the leadership of Dr. H. M. Wharton and the singer, George C. Stebbins. The Third Presbyterian Church united with a half-dozen other churches for a forward movement, with Dr. J. W. Chap- man in charge. The first service in the Columbia Theater was in the hands of Rev. John McNeill and his singing companion, Mr. Burke. In the Windsor Theater Major Whittle and F. Schiverea conducted the first meeting. Ira D. Sankey, who had just returned from Northfield, sang the gospel at not less than eight different meetings during the Sunday. Rev. A. C. Dixon, fresh, vigorous, and strong, preached five times during the day, in the Model Sunday-school Building and the Epworth Taber- nacle, at the Fair grounds, where the congregations con- sisted of World's Fair visitors, of whom hundreds were ministers of the gospel, teachers, and students. D. B. Towner conducted the service of song in all these meetings. The work in the five tabernacle tents reached perhaps its highest point of interest and success during the fifth month. Many thousands of people, of whom large num- bers were strangers to church services, there heard the gospel from the lips of some of the best people's preach- ers in the laud. Evangelist Schiverea tried the experi- ment of holding two successive all-day meetings in his big tent, embracing sixteen different services, beginning at 9 A.M. and closing at about 10 P.M. These were remark- able meetings, blazing with enthusiasm, full of power, and marked with glorious results. Prayer, praise, and song filled the intervals of the addresses. The speakers who preached the Word during the two days were, in their order, Dr. John Riddell, Rev. A. C. Dixon, Evangelist Schiv- erea, Rev. John McNeill, Dr. H. M. Wharton, Merton Smith, Henry Varley, J. H. Elliott, Rev. Dr. Stoecker, and Rev. John Robertson. Two children's meetings were conducted
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by Major D. W. Whittle and Miss B. B. Tyson. The sing- ing force consisted of Messrs. Stebbins, Burke, Jacobs, Atkinson, and the Kimball, Oberlin, Institute, and Ladies' Quartets.
At the Bible Institute the daily morning lectures were delivered by Dr. John Riddell, and multitudes of visitors continued to share with the students the invaluable op- portunity of searching the Scriptures under such masterly teaching. Mr. Moody, in addition to the burden of the management and his daily sermons at Central Music Hall, also preached and labored in various churches during the week evenings, including in the number one of the Bohe- mian churches. Dr. Stoecker preached a series of week- night sermons in the Chicago Avenue Church, to which were invited the German people of the city. He con- cluded the week's teaching by taking his hearers into the Book of Revelation for a look into eternity and a view of the millennial age of the world, when the socialistic dream of an earthly paradise shall be realized, not in the wisdom, power, and achievements of man, but in the grace and power of God. The series of sermons culminating in this were admirable for their simplicity, clearness, scriptural- ness, adaptation, and heart-warming application. They made a most wholesome and beneficent impression on the scores of ministers and thousands of people who heard them.
The first announced appearance of Dr. Stoecker, on Sun- day afternoon, before an immense multitude of represen- tative German people in Central Music Hall, was an im- portant and critical occasion for the speaker and for the cause he represented. Deeply realizing this, the preacher came up to it with the calm confidence and trained powers for which he is so remarkable, and in the name of his Lord he turned the opportunity into a sublime triumph.
NOTES OF THE FIFTH MONTH 105
It was a scene and an experience seldom repeated. The orator was at his best — alert; keen, aglow with intellectual and spiritual ardor, enkindling thought, and restrained emotion. His discourse was a masterpiece of sacred ora- tory, from a preacher greater than his sermon, and the effect was profound and overwhelming.
The meetings of this month were characterized by a widening scope, increased working forces, more thorough organization, and more manifest results. But perhaps the most remarkable, and certainly the most striking and gratifying, feature of the whole movement was the almost incredible extent of its constituency as it became manifest week by week. Tributary streams of sympathy and aid came flowing into that great reservoir from every part of our land and other lands beyond the seas. Living nerves of close connection between that center of prayer and effort and millions of praying people constituted a prayer union in evangelistic labors the like of which has never before been known. Thousands of churches, Christian As- sociations, Endeavor Societies, Sunday-schools, and other Christian organizations were constantly being drawn into the mighty fellowship of the movement. The results of blessing coming from such a world-wide fellowship of sympathy, prayer, and effort are simply incalculable.
Gratifying reports from near and from far-away places brought cheering testimony to Mr. Moody and his associ- ates, assuring them of rich blessings received from the evangelistic meetings. Souls newly revived and fired with godly zeal for the work of Christ's kingdom had gone away from the Chicago meetings to their homes and churches to take up neglected duties and to stand forth as living witnesses for the Christ whom they had dishon- ored by silence and neglect. Thus already had it come to pass, as Mr. Moody hoped and prayed, that souls there
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converted and Christians quickened, "from all parts of the world, were carrying the fire back with them to their homes."
Mr. Moody had repeatedly heard it said that the World's Fair visitors were not reached by his meetings to any great extent. Accordingly he put the matter to a decisive test on several occasions, as did also some of his workers, with surprising results. It was found, for instance, that of a congregation of about 3000 in the Haymarket Theater, all save about 200 were visitors ! A similar test in one of the largest churches showed that about 1900 out of a congregation of 2000 were "World's Fair visitors. Further tests by Dr. Munhall, Dr. Dixon, and others revealed the astounding fact that nearly every State of the Union was represented in the congregations, as well as lands beyond the sea.
Sunday, September 17th, was a memorable day of the campaign. On the evening of that day, as the evangel- ists, one by one, came into the headquarters office at the Bible Institute, and with shining faces reported the work of the day, Mr. Moody broke out with thanksgiving. " Thank God ! thank God ! " He said it was the best day of all the four and a half months' campaign, and the best Sunday he had experienced in Chicago. " It was a day of great grace and blessing. There was more melting divine power in eveiy one of my meetings than ever be- fore. The people just melted down under the power of God." Others spoke of unusual blessing in their meet- ings, the constraining power of the gospel, the deeply affected congregations, the many decisions of penitent hearts for Christ. As usual, in some of the places the overflow of people was great enough to have filled other large halls with hungry-hearted hearers. Not less than sixty-four different meetings were held during the day,
NOTES OF THE FIFTH MONTH 107
with a carefully estimated aggregate attendance of from 62,000 to 64,000 hearers, which is about 10,000 more than any previous Sunday. Among the places occupied during the day were nine churches, five tents, five theaters, six halls, various mission-houses, and a number of places in the open air where the gospel wagon gathered the drifting crowds together. "Well might the company of evangelists at the close of such a day of blessing fall upon their knees together, while Mr. Moody poured out his soul with them in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord for his grace and goodness.
CHAPTER XX.
AN IMPRESSIVE MEETING.
THE midday meetings in the Central Music Hall con- tinued to be a daily joy and triumph. No more powerful, impressive, and effective meetings were held during the entire campaign. Every day the speakers seemed to have given them just the word for the hour, as no program or prearrangement could possibly have brought it to pass.
For three days the meetings were transferred to the Columbia Theater, without decreasing the attendance or abating the interest. Mr. Moody, in conducting these daily meetings, called upon various speakers for short addresses, in addition to his own and those of Rev. John McNeill, who spoke every day. Among the additional speakers were Mr. Henry Varley, Rev. John Robertson, Drs. Dixon, Wharton, Riddell, and Chapman, and Major Whittle. The short, spirited, pointed addresses thus de- livered were models of evangelistic preaching. During ten consecutive days Mr. Moody spoke on the subject of prayer, presenting one of ten elements of prayer each day, and recapitulating and newly enforcing the points already presented.
One of the meetings which seemed especially marked by its spiritual warmth and moving, melting power was that of Saturday, September 16th. Mr. Moody was the first speaker. His heart was almost too full for utterance. The burden of souls was heavy upon him. The despair-
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AN IMPRESSIVE MEETING 109
ing cry of Chicago's perishing thousands was in his ears. He spoke with a passionate yearning for the salvation of the lost, and an almost uncontrollable emotion that bowed all hearts into tearful sympathy with the burning utter- ances of the speaker. He began by reading from the Book of Daniel the words : " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever." After picturing with a few graphic touches the godly old states- man to whom the angel spoke the quoted words, and pointing to the exceeding rewards of service in soul-sav- ing, the speaker said :
"I have taken this theme to-day to encourage us to take hold of the great work that lies at our hands in this city in these wonderful days. I thank God that I am liv- ing in this day and in Chicago. The opportunity of a lifetime is before us to do a work for God that shall make all heaven to sing for joy.
" Let us not spend time splitting hairs in theology and wrangling about creeds. Let us go to work and save lost souls. Our gospel is the only hope of the drunkard, the gambler, the harlot, the outcast, the despairing, the lost on the streets of Chicago. Oh, let us go and save them ! Let us stretch out our hands and keep them from rushing into the pit ! All over this city are souls just hungry to hear the gospel of hope, just waiting for a loving Chris- tian heart to lay hold on them. Mr. Varley tells us that during the week about five hundred men have been blessed in the Standard Theater meetings. I would rather save one soul from death than have a monument of solid gold reaching from my grave to the heavens ! I tell you the monument I want after I am dead and gone is a monu- ment with two legs going about the world — a saved sinner telling of the salvation of Jesus Christ.
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u I don't know that I have ever seen a time in Chicago for over thirty years when men seemed to be as ready to be talked to about their souls. Talk to them ! Tell them of Jesus, who can save them from their sins and wretch- edness! Tell them on the streets, in the cars, in their homes, in the meetings ! Speak a word of hope and help and life to those poor, hungry hearts ! I believe more can be done in this city during the next six weeks than at any time before, if we all go to work and keep at it. It is our harvest time. It is the day of the Lord. It is the ac- cepted time."
Certainly no more successful soul-saving work was ever done in Chicago than that in the theaters, halls, and tents. It was simply astonishing how the " lapsed masses " and the " lost masses " could be laid hold of in those places. Many a poor castaway was there brought to the refuge and peace of God.
The number of meetings held on the last Sunday of September exceeded the highest record yet made, num- bering seventy-five. Recent additions to his working force, such as George C. Needham, Major- General Howard, Charles Inglis, Lord Bennett, and Lord Kinnaird, enabled Mr. Moody to extend the scope of the work. Although so large a number of places were occupied by the evangel- ists, the demand was still greater than the supply, and a number of open doors waited in vain to receive invited workers.
During the last ten days of the month there was held, by invitation of Mr. Moody, a conference of missionaries, superintendents, and officers of the American Sunday- school Union laboring in the Northwest. Discussions of every phase of the work occupied the conference during each afternoon, while the mornings were given by the mis- sionaries to attending the lectures at the Bible Institute,
AN IMPRESSIVE MEETING 111
and the evenings to the evangelistic services held under Mr. Moody's direction. The purpose of the conference was fourfold : first, to secure the advantages of two weeks' Bible study at the Institute ; second, to learn from the methods of other workers how to reach people with the gospel invitation ; third, to consider every phase of the work of the American Sunday-school Union as the mis- sionaries were doing it, and to consider new plans for ad- vance movements, and then to become acquainted with one another ; fourth, to give the missionaries a rest by changing entirely their form of labor from the country to the city, and from the private study to the public lectures at the Institute. The coming of that army of about one hundred zealous, devoted workers proved a blessing to them and to the evangelistic movement, with which they came into close relations of sympathy and helpfulness during their ten days' stay in Chicago.
CHAPTER XXI.
A SPECIAL SOLDIERS' MEETING.
General Howard's Story.
ONE of the interesting and impressive special services in connection with the evangelistic movement was for the veteran survivors of our Civil War and their families. Cards of invitation were issued to all soldiers, Union and Confederate, who would accept them. This embraced Grand Army posts, and soldiers visiting the "World's Fair from all parts of the land. The meeting was held in Cen- tral Music Hall on Sunday afternoon. A pressing call had been sent to the old, one-armed veteran warrior, Ma- jor-General O. O. Howard, to come and address this meet- ing, and aid in other services of the campaign. It was just like that noble Christian soldier to respond, as he did, with generous kindness and soldierly promptitude, to the call of his old army friend, Mr. Moody, and his former staff-officer, Major D. W. Whittle.
At the appointed hour a large congregation of veterans, with mothers, fathers, wives, children, widows, orphans, and friends of soldiers assembled in the great hall. On the platform with General Howard sat Major Whittle, the eminent evangelist, who had been on the general's staff during the Atlanta campaign and the march through Georgia, also Major Cole, another evangelist, Colonel Sex- ton, and others, including a representative of the British
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Army, Lord Bennett, of London. Major Whittle presided with characteristic tact and grace.
When the gray-haired major-general appeared on the platform, with the significant empty sleeve dangling at his side, the whole audience rose and greeted him with a storm of hand-clapping. Professor George C. Stebbins conducted the song service, and was assisted by Lord Bennett, the Princeton Quartet, and a chorus choir. In addition to solos and quartet songs, the hymn "America " was sung by the congregation with deep feeling and thrill- ing effect. The dear old hymn, ringing out from the lips of men and women who had given all they held most dear for their country, took on new meaning as they sang it. At General Howard's request, the congregation sang also that stirring song, "Hold the fort," before he began to speak.
As the general rose to speak, visibly affected, looking every inch the true soldier of his country and of his Lord, we remembered that he stood before us as the representa- tive of a great army of heroes rapidly passing away, and soon all to be gone. The thought seemed to touch every .heart, and there were tears in many eyes and sobs in many throats before a word was spoken. We knew the old hero's history. He is the only surviving officer of the five illustrious generals who commanded the Army of the Tennessee — Grant, Sherman, McPherson, Howard, and Logan. He was appointed to command after the death of McPherson at Atlanta. He participated probably in more of the prominent battles of the war than any officer now living. He fought with McClellan in the Peninsular campaign, losing his arm at Fair Oaks. He was on the bloody fields of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Antie- tam, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga ; went through the At- lanta campaign with its numerous battles ; led the Army
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of the Tennessee through Georgia and the Carolinas ; and was an active participant in the last battle under Sher- man in Fayetteville, N. C. He was honored with the thanks of the country through resolutions passed by Con- gress for his services on the field of Gettysburg.
The pronounced Christian character of General Howard was well known during the war, and has been so stead- fastly maintained that he holds the confidence and love of the Christian people of the country, both North and South. General Sherman regarded him as the Stonewall Jackson of the Northern army, and gave him his confi- dence and affection to a very marked degree. Mr. Moody became acquainted with General Howard while in the Christian commission work connected with the soldiers, and then* friendship and fellowship in Christian work has continued unbroken from the days of the war until now. They were companions in the memorable experiences on the steamship Spree last year, and were drawn yet closer together by the common danger shared and the mutual help afforded in the imminent peril through which they passed.
Major-General Howard commenced his address by say- ing that he had intended to speak of the loving-kindness of the Lord, but at the suggestion of his friend, Major Whittle, he would relate something about his experience in entering on the Christian life. " Perhaps," said he, in his modest way, "my simple story may help and cheer some one in the Christian way. My thoughts go back to the days of my youth. Oh, how much I have to be thank- ful for ! We had bright, happy Sundays at my home, pure, good, uplifting days. When I left home to go to school my good mother always followed me with letters of motherly love and counsel and quotations from the Scriptures. Her favorite word for me was, 'Seek first
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the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.' I knew not what it meant. But the words followed me and troubled me.
" You know there is a time in a man's life when he is affected with the measles of unbelief. It was so with me also. I spoke, as did others, slightingly of the Bible and of religion. One day a dear friend said to me, with mild and loving rebuke, ' Otis, if I were you, I wouldn't speak against the Bible, but just be a Christian.' These words, spoken in season, have been in my heart for forty-seven years. They brought me under conviction of sin.
" I had naturally a very ugly temper, quick and fierce. Major Whittle will hardly understand that. He has prob- ably not found it out. I have tried to conquer it, by the grace of God, and get self-control. Mother continued to write to me, and I always wanted to please my mother. And I tried hard. It is only a short time ago that she passed away to her rest, not far from here. I am glad she lived to see her son a follower of Christ, according to her desire."
The general went on to tell of his life at West Point, and how he braved the ridicule of the cadets by going to religious services and doing work in the Sunday-school. He said it cost him more to take his stand and run the gauntlet of their scoffs and sneers than it did later to face the cannon and musketry of the battle-field. " But," said he, " I gripped my Bible, shut my teeth, and went, for mother's sake."
After the general had a family he read every morning a portion of Scripture before them, but did not pray pub- licly, until a time came when duty called him away from home. That day he read the Scriptures, and then fell on his knees and committed his loved ones to the keeping of God. But all this time he did not profess or claim to
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be a Christian. But one day he sat in a'little church, on a back seat, in uniform. A little colored boy sat beside him, who fell asleep, and rested his head on the general's breast. He was proud and sensitive, and did not like the situation, but he always had a tender heart for children. The preacher soon came up to him, as to others in the congregation, with a personal appeal. " Which side would you rather be on — the Lord's side, or the side of those who mock Christ?" the preacher said. Promptly and resolutely the general's heart answered, "The Lord's side," and he rose, buttoned up his military coat, and marched down the aisle to the altar, where he knelt and committed himself to Christ. No change was experienced and no light received at the time of his committal, and he was in much perplexity as to how he might know of his acceptance by God and the pardon of his sins. This came to him the same night, while alone in his quarters.
A friend had sent him a copy of " The Life of Hedley Vicars." He read it with deep interest. He could not understand what was meant by the saying, so often re- peated, " The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." He knelt down and asked God to show him what it meant, and God did it. " My soul was so happy," continued the general, "when God revealed to me the way of salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ, that I re- joiced with an unspeakable joy. That hour the gift of eternal life was consciously mine. Oh, the preciousness of that gift ! There's no counting the value of it, and there's no discounting it !
" After this experience I wanted to be a chaplain, to seek the souls of men. But the war came. I responded to the call of my country, and went as conscientiously to the field of battle as to a prayer-meeting. On the eve of
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my first battle I became pale and weak at the sound of cannon and musketry and the roar of conflict. God was there, and I cried to liiin to give me strength to do my duty, and, quick as a flash, my courage and strength came, and I never faltered again in the face of any peril. I went forward with the confidence that I was doing God's will, and he never forsook me.
" When my dear friend, Captain Griffith, was shot down on the field of Gettysburg, we bore him to a house in the town to die. I went to see him once more, and read at his bedside the sweet words of Jesus, ' Let not your heart be troubled. ... In my Father's house are many man- sions : if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself ; that where I am, there ye may be also.' At these words Griffith lifted his great, black eyes, looking into mine, and said : ' General Howard, I am not afraid to die. I am ready to go.' I bent over him and tenderly kissed his white forehead, bade him a last, loving good-by, and left him to die. I shall see my comrade again ! " With a touch- ing appeal to his hearers to be time soldiers of Jesus Christ, the general closed his affecting address.
At the close of the address Major Whittle bore a fellow- soldier's loving testimony to his comrade and to their common Lord. "I was privileged," said he, "to be with General Howard on his staff six months. I knew him well. All who know him as I do will feel that he has been very modest in speaking of himself to-day. I never saw General Howard when he showed any weakness in character. But of all the scenes where I was privileged to be with him, those errands of mercy among the sick and the dying, in hospitals and camp, most deeply im-
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pressed me. I remember one affecting case where a dying Confederate soldier was brought to Christ by the general's kind ministry.
" I want to add my testimony to that of General How- ard, that the religion of Jesus Christ is a blessed reality, the greatest reality of life. I thank God that many of our comrades can also unite in this testimony. I com- mend unto you, comrades and friends, the verse that brought comfort and life to General Howard, " The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." I don't know why, but it is a soldier's verse. I could tell you of one and another who found peace in that word. Oh, my hope is in that precious truth and fact of the death of Jesus Christ; for me."
After several more songs and prayer, and the relation of the story of his own conversion by Lord Bennett, the meeting was closed by Major Whittle, and the soldiers pressed forward to clasp once more the hand of their beloved commander and friend.
General Howard rendered very efficient service in a number of meetings in the Standard Theater and other places, pleading effectively with unsaved men and leading them to Christ for salvation. He greatly enjoyed his visit and labors in Chicago.
CHAPTER XXII.
IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES.
WHEN Mr. Moody began his World's Fair gospel work in Chicago he had it in his heart to bring the gospel mes- sage also to the ears of other various nationalities repre- sented there, as well as to the English-speaking multi- tudes. Himself could not do this. His own preaching, by word of mouth, is confined to one language only — his strong, simple, lucid, limpid, terse, graphic English. But his heart yearned after the tens of thousands of Germans, French, Poles, Bohemians, Swedes, and other nationali- ties, and he rested not until they also heard the gospel at the mouth of evangelists in their own language.
Dr. J. W. Pindor, the eminent Polish scholar and preach- er, of Silesia, was secured to preach to the Poles and the Germans. He came in May. He found it difficult to gain access to the Poles, who are mostly Catholics, but among the Germans the way opened more readily.
Mr. Joseph Rabinowitz, the Russian Hebrew apostle, came and preached the word to his Jewish brethren. He had meetings in the Chicago Hebrew Mission, the Ewing Street Congregational Church, and in other places. The presence and preaching of this remarkable Jewish Christian awakened much interest.
Rev. A. Skoogsbergh, known as "the Swedish Spur- geon," preached in the Swedish language, with great ac- ceptance and success, to large audiences, week after week.
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His services were held in the Swedish Mission Church, the Bethania Norwegian Church, the Swedish Tabernacle, the Chicago Avenue Church, and other places. Thou- sands of Swedes listened to the gospel preached with eloquence and power by their countryman, night after night and week after week, with unabated interest.
Rev. Pasteur Theodore Monod, from Paris, an able and eloquent French preacher, held special services for his countrymen in Chicago, preaching to them in the French language. He also preached sermons and delivered Bible lectures in the English language in various churches and in the Bible Institute.
Among the 60,000 Bohemians of the city a great deal of evangelistic work was done by various zealous workers, some of them from the Bible Institute. One of these evangelists, a young Bohemian from Kansas, labored among his countrymen with great zeal and patient en- durance, in the face of insult and abuse, and even bodily injury. He preached in the open air, going from place to place, sometimes giving five-minute talks in as many as fifteen different places in one evening, with great crowds following him. Sometimes they stoned him, beat him, tore his clothes, threatened to kill him, and once his enemies had him arrested. Then the saloon-keepers hired ruffians and boys to drown his voice by all sorts of noises. But the work went on nevertheless, and the testimony of the gospel was given to many.
Dr. StoecJcer among the Germans.
Among the German people a very fruitful work of evangelism was done. It was begun by Rev. Niclaus Boldt, of St. Paul, who with his devoted sister labored several .months with good results. Services were held for
IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES 121
some time in Christ Church, then transferred to Holmes's Hall. The evangelist was assisted by Professor Jacobs, who led the service of song. Later came Rev. Dr. Stoecker, former court preacher of Germany, and Count Bernstorff, who united their efforts in behalf of their countrymen. The coming of Dr. Stoecker especially was an event of much interest and importance. It was at the -urgent request of Mr. Moody that the busy preacher, statesman, and reformer broke away from his work and came to take part in the Chicago campaign. He recognized in the voice of the American evangelist a Macedonian call in which the will of God was expressed. He conferred not with flesh and blood. It was another striking illustration of how the Lord of the harvest, to whom belong all the workers in the great world field, has given to his servant authority in the service of his kingdom to " say to one, Come, and he cometh ; and to another, Go, and he goeth."
When it was known that Dr. Stoecker was coming to Chicago at Mr. Moody's call some of the secular press, East and West, took occasion to assail not only him and misrepresent his motives in coming to America, but also to reflect upon Mr. Moody for inviting him, and they pre- dicted that his cause would suffer injury in consequence of it. Some of Mr. Moody's friends also were alarmed at the prospect of a conflict when the redoubtable German warrior, agitator, and reformer should join his forces. But Mr. Moody never wavered in his conviction, nor yielded his faith in the man he had called. He knew his man-. He stood up bravely for him and stood loyally by him against the hostile press and the misgivings of friends. On the platform of the Central Music Hall, before an assembly of 3000 people, he said : "I thank God for the coming of this dear man*of God. He is a man after my own heart. I don't know of any man in Christendom
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that I would rather have stand in the pulpit of our churches than this dear brother."
This decided attitude of Mr. Moody and his warm, hearty, brotherly recognition and indorsement of his guest as a man of God had a most happy effect. Dr. Stoecker honored this confidence of his friend by giving public assurance that he had not come to Chicago as an agitator, but as a preacher, to proclaim the gospel to his brethren. His first public address, which was eagerly awaited by both friends and foes, soon set at rest the fears of the former, and silenced the voices of the latter, while it vindicated the wisdom and sound judgment of Mr. Moody.
During three weeks Dr. Stoecker went in and out among us, as a man of God without guile and without reproach, preaching the gospel in beautiful simplicity, sweetness, and power in various churches, halls, and tents, and addressing immense audiences in the Central Music Hall, on four memorable occasions, with surpassing elo- quence. Indifference, prejudice, and opposition alike bowed beneath the conquering spell of his magnetic per- sonality, his clear, keen, luminous, wide-reaching thought, and his captivating, triumphant oratory. Some of his hearers will not soon forget how he brought them face to face with the highest and noblest ideals of life and char- acter, and with the overawing realities and solemnities of eternity; how he appealed to the German heart by all that is best and most inspiring in the old national life, character, and history; how he touched with masterly skill and power the mystic chords of memory that bind every true German heart to the old home-land beyond the sea ; and how faithfully, as with the ken and courage of a prophet, and the wisdom of one taught of God through the lessons of history, he set forth the evils and dangers
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that beset the path of this great republic in its career of development, and pointed out the only security for per- sonal, individual, social, and national life in the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some will long remember how persuasively he appealed to the sons of the old fatherland to show themselves worthy of the new fatherland to which they had come, by seeking the highest good of the places where they dwelt, and to aspire to the better Fatherland in that unseen world toward which all men haste.
Some of the most deeply impressive meetings addressed by Dr. Stoecker were an immense gathering in one of the tents, on a week-day afternoon, and two remarkable mothers' meetings in Holmes's Hall, when from 500 to 600 German mothers listened with overwhelming emotion to the burning words of the speaker. Of these meetings Dr. Stoecker has spoken in terms of praise and thanks- giving to God.
The last address of Dr. Stoecker, before an audience of 3000 in the Central Music Hall, was his crowning triumph on the Chicago platform. His soul was all aglow with the contagious emotion of high and holy thought, which diffused itself through the immense multitudes like an electric atmosphere, in which the speaker's words had free course to run and be glorified.
Such a discourse was never before heard in Chicago. It was unreportable. There was in it an undertone of irresistible pathos, and breathing through it the irrepress- ible yearning of the speaker's heart for the salvation and highest welfare of his brethren, and the peace and pros- perity of the city and the land wherein they had found a home. It was as though the spirit of the old fatherland itself had found an embodiment and a voice to speak to its emigrant children on the shores of this New "World.
It is interesting to notice what estimate the German
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secular press has formed of Dr. Stoecker in his noble championship of Christianity in Chicago. A fair speci- men expression will be found in an editorial of one of the ablest and most influential German dailies of the West, which has no sympathy with the religion of Jesus Christ. The article is remarkable for its recognition of the high character and abilities of the illustrious preacher, and of the work he performed in Chicago. Among other most appreciative and laudatory things it says: "For Dr. Stoecker's three weeks' work in Chicago he certainly de- serves the warm appreciation of the German- Americans."
In taking leave of Mr. Moody and his co-workers, Dr. Stoecker was deeply moved, and responded with full heart to the brotherly kindness of which he had become the recipient.
He went away with a strong desire and earnest hope to return again within two years, if God permit, to help his brethren in their upward striving after the best and high- est things for the lif e that now is and for that which is to come.
Mr. Moody himself visited the meetings of the various nationalities, although unable to understand their lan- guages, and also preached once for the Swedes, for the Bohemians, and for the Germans, many of whom could understand and enjoy his racy English, and all of whom could understand the spirit with which he spoke.
The impression made by the meetings throughout the city on other nationalities from non-Christian lands was by no means limited to the languages in which the word was preached and sung. As an indication of the general interest in the English services, the following note, ad- dressed to Mr. Moody, will serve as a sample of many which were daily received at his office. The note runs thus:
AY VARIOUS LANGUAGES • 125
" DEAR MR. MOODY : Please send me twelve tickets to your meeting in the Haymarket Theater, on next Sunday morning, for a company of Japanese gentlemen, repre- senting their country at the Columbian Exposition. They say they greatly desire to attend the services. They would be pleased to have seats together."
CHAPTER XXIII.
GLIMPSES OF TENT WORK.
IN this rapid survey of the six months' work in Chicago a very prominent place should be given to what might be called the tent brigade. Reference has already been made to the tent work, whose value can hardly be over- estimated. It has furnished an answer to the oft-re- peated question, " How shall we reach the masses with the gospel ? "
The uninformed reader, who has never attended one of those meetings, will appreciate a little outline sketch of a typical tent meeting, such as have been held for seven summers in various parts of Chicago, under the Chicago Evangelization Society, of which the Bible Institute is a part. During the World's Fair season five of these tents were in constant use, accomplishing an incalculable amount of good.
A Specimen Evening Service.
A participant thus describes an evening service in one of the tents :
After supper in the men's department of the Bible In- stitute about one hundred men are on their knees for a few moments. Brief, burning, pointed prayers ascend. God is counted on to stand by them in their work. Then, rising, they scatter to mission and tent, going in some
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GLIMPSES OF TEST WORK 127
cases four, five, and even six miles, each with his Bible and little package of tracts, those containing plenty of Scripture being preferred. Meanwhile, in the ladies' home, fifty young women have been making similar prep- arations. One party is going to the big tent on Milwau- kee Avenue, where Mr. Schiverea is holding meetings. On the street-car no time is lost. A young woman oppo- site speaks to the tired shop-girl at her side, opens her Bible, and points her to Him who said, " Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ;" but the girl must get off at the next block. She slips the tract " God's "Word to You " into her hand with a kind pressure, and asks her to read it. A pleasant smile and a good-night, and the seed is sown. Meanwhile the young men are not idle. A tract is handed to a fellow- passenger, a kind word is spoken, and soon they, too, are talking of that wonderful Saviour. A man on the platform has secured the attention of the conductor, who seems under conviction. But we have reached our desti- nation, and step from the cars.
Before us is the tent, brilliantly lighted. "We enter, and overhead is a great arch of canvas, supported by three center-poles and smaller ones about the sides — an audi- torium accommodating 1300 people, and seated with can- vas benches.
The little party kneel in prayer for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Then some take their places upon the platform to sing the gospel, some stand ready to welcome and seat the audience, and others go out upon the street, with cards of invitation to bring in passers-by.
From our seat on the platform we watch the audience come in. First, a hesitating group of ragged little ones, then some young " toughs," with mischief in their faces, are passed from one usher to another, who will keep his
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eye upon them. Next a mother with a baby in her arms, a laboring-man in gingham shirt and no collar, fathers and mothers with their little ones— so they gather — largely an audience of respectable working-people, for this is the character of the neighborhood ; but the " tough " element is not wanting also. The blue coat of a policeman seen at the door makes it easy to preserve order. The police of Chicago have proved .good friends of this work, and some of their hearts have been found tender as well as brave.
A gospel hymn opens the meeting, and how these peo- ple sing ! A solo from an Institute lady, full of the gospel message, more hymns, a duet, prayer, and the evangelist begins to speak. Tenderly, lovingly, he deals with the people ; unsparingly he deals with their sins. The trace of the actor still lingers in his graphic illustrations, largely drawn from his own experience ; but so anxious is he that all be to the glory of God that he uses these with more and more care every year.
The address is short, and a hymn of invitation to Christ is sung by the same soloist as before, and then the speaker begins to ask those who wish to turn from a life of sin to God to rise. Here and there they rise to their feet, the Institute workers marking them carefully. Then the leader says that all may go who wish to do so, but that a short after-meeting will be held for those who choose to remain. A large part of the audience stay, and the work- ers thread their way among them, sitting down by those who have risen, and trying from the Word of God to show the way of salvation, often finding among those who lin- ger deep conviction of sin, without the courage to rise and manifest the interest felt. At a late hour the party are once more on the cars, singing the Lord's songs as they take the long ride home,
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A Specimen All-day Meetitig.
A World's Fair visitor who witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of one of the enthusiastic all-day meetings in Evangelist Schiverea's big tent gives this vivid picture of the scene :
All day, from nine o'clock in the morning till eleven at night, the tent was crowded with working-people singing gospel hymns and hearing vigorous, common-sense talk- ing by the leading evangelists of the day.
It was a singular spectacle. The vaulted ceiling of the church was replaced by the swaying folds of tent-cloth ; the clustered pillars were exchanged for leaning tent- poles; there were canvas-bottomed benches in place of cushioned pews ; a cabinet organ was substituted for the stately instrument of the church ; instead of a velvet car- pet there were shavings strewed on the ground, and in place of colored windows the sides of the tent were all open, so that the daylight streamed in and the songs of choir and people echoed out on the busy streets.
It was no dress occasion for the audience. They came in their every-day clothes — hard-working men, out-of- work men, old men and young boys, strangers in the city, neighbors of the tent, women with crowing babes in their arms and little children clinging about them, and young girls in gay bonnets ; while here and there were the stu- dents of Mr. Moody's Bible Institute. The day was warm, but the audience was patient and attentive, though the tent was so crowded that many were obliged to stand out- side. Some even mounted lumber piles and looked over the heads of the audience.
Fifteen hundred people attended the morning services. At nine o'clock Mr. Schiverea conducted a praise service with song, testimony, and prayer, closing with numerous
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requests for prayers. At ten o'clock the Torrey Quartet sang, and after a solo by D. B. Towner, R. A. Torrey gave a practical talk on Christian service and growth. After an intermission the next hour was begun by a hymn by the Oberlin Quartet, then Mr. Moody took the platform, and began his address by saying that he was going to talk about a promise. He spoke in substance as follows :
" Christ left so many promises and such good ones you can't tell which is the best. Some people don't believe them, some think they are too good to be true. Some think they were never meant to be believed, and some think God can't fulfil them. Most of the promises are on conditions, but the promise of Jesus was not on condi- tions. Nothing on earth or in hell could have prevented his coming. Some promises were to the Jews, and not to us ; but this promise is to all alike. If we don't appro- priate it, it isn't worth anything to us. The promise is this: 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' The want of the human heart is rest : theaters, saloons, and pleasures mean the search for rest in pleasure.
"Men are doomed to disappointment if they try to drown sorrow in pleasure. If I wanted to find men who had rest I would not go among millionaires, or fashion- slaves, or politicians. When God made your heart and mine, he made it too big for this world. The world can't fill it. We need two worlds. I'll tell you where to find those who've got rest. Go among the disciples of Jesus. Come to Jesus, and you will get rest. That's my experi- ence. You will find it at the cross. Come, and you'll get it.
" I'm not going to tell you what ' come ' means. I used to work hard to make people see what it was to come ; but I don't do that any more ; I've gone out of the busi-
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ness. The first thing a baby learns is to come — nothing mysterious about it ! The Bible is full of it. As you follow it through, the voice grows louder and louder. Thank God for the call ! Come with your sins. Your sins may keep you out of heaven, but they can't keep you from Christ. Why don't you come, chains and all ? Jesus can set you free from your sins. Jesus can destroy even the appetite for drink. He means not you goody people, but you sinners.
"Now, to Christians. Christ is not only a sin-bearer, he's a burden-bearer. Let the Christians corne too, and get rest. People don't do that. People embalm their sorrows. Cast your sorrows on him. People drop their sorrows while they listen to a preacher or a singer, and then they pick them right up again. Cast your care on him. He says, ' I'll give you rest.' May God write this on the heart of every one here ! "
An hour's intermission gave time for dinner, and neigh- borly friends entertained those who had come from a dis- tance. At one o'clock a consecration meeting was held, and then the assembly was addressed by " Abe " Mulkey, the Texas evangelist.
During the next hour a children's meeting was held by Major Whittle. Mr. Jacobs's solo was followed by a sweet duet by two little golden-haired girls. Then Mr. Jacobs stood a little six-year-old baby on a chair and she sang a solo, to the delight of the audience. After a trio by girls and considerable congregational singing, Major Whittle gave an illustrated talk. What the major said was so forcible and clear that it reached the older people quite as effectually as it did the children.
After a quartet by the Torrey singers the Scotch evan- gelist, Rev. John McNeill, made an address. He began with some pleasantry at the expense of his own nation-
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ality, and then announced as his theme the story of the man with the withered hand, taken from the third chapter of Mark. In substance he said :
"The Saviour's -interest centered in the man with the withered hand — in him of all the crowd of the synagogue. The Lord loves a fellow that's down. Jesus said, ' Stand forth.' Then he said, 'Stretch forth thy hand.' Two words did the business. The man stood forth. Play the man if you're going to be a Christian. You're brazen- faced enough as a sinner. You don't care who sees you going into the saloon, but you're ashamed to be seen coming to Jesus.
" You go to the devil without a blush ; don't be ashamed to be a Christian. May God give you courage. When the man stood forth Jesus made short work of the with- ered hand. They may scoff you into hell. They can't scoff you out. Mind you, if I'm saying sharp things, my heart's warm. God's gospel works not to cut to pieces, but to cut out the evil. Stand forth in the midst. Don't try to sneak into heaven. Resist the devil and he'll flee from you. He's a bigger coward than you are, and that's saying a good deal. One man with Jesus is a splendid majority. The man with the withered hand might have thought Jesus an impostor. Look to Jesus — don't look at your sins. Taking Jesus at his word saves me for- evermore.
" Now, I want to follow the man home. There is an old tradition that the man with the withered hand was a stone-mason spoiled for stone-cutting.
" Imagine the scene when the man went home to his family with his withered hand restored ! The explana- tion was all in one word — Jesus. My God, what a family blessing salvation is ! And God let the man live on to prove his restoration. God doesn't whisk a man away to
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heaven as soon as he's converted. He keeps him alive to let him work. Then that man works to the glory of God.
" The sermon's preached. Now it's to do it. We can't be born full-grown, but we may be born now. Now, away home and confess Jesus."
Another splendid audience spent the evening with Mr. Schiverea. The evangelist spoke on Peter's attempt to walk on the water, his faithlessness, failure, and rescue. The text was, u Lord, save me ! " — the earnest cry of an anxious soul. The preacher emphasized the fact that Peter cried in time of danger. Many a man is led within the Saviour's reach by force of circumstances. Again, Peter cried when he was just beginning to sink, instead of waiting, as most men do, till he had sunk altogether. It was a cry of utter helplessness. The sooner a man realizes his own helplessness the sooner will he lay hold of God's almighty help. Moreover, Peter's ciy was ear- nest, and not only earnest, but personal : " Lord, save