The Life of
Dwight L. Moody
By William R. Moody
THE LIFE OF
DWIGHT L. MOODY
BY HIS SON
WILLIAM R. MOODY
FROM THE
OFFICIAL AUTHORIZED EDITION
(1900 VERSION)
1837-1899
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
DWIGHT L. MOODY
Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody, of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now, I shall have gone up higher, that is all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal — a body that death cannot touch; that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like His glorious body.
I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die, that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.
INTRODUCTION
THE preparation of my Father’s biography has been undertaken as a sacred trust. Early in the spring of 1894 he was asked by an old friend for permission to issue a biography with his approval. This my father declined to do, and, on that occasion, expressed the wish that I should assume the task when his life-work was ended. In reply to my objection that such an undertaking demanded a literary experience that I did not possess, he said: “I don’t care anything about that. What I want is that you should correct inaccuracies and misstatements that it would be difficult to straighten out during my life. You are the one to do this. All my friends will unite on you and give you their assistance. There are many who think they know me better than any one else, and would feel themselves best able to interpret my life. If you do not do this work there will be many inaccurate and conflicting ‘Lives.’”
Whatever diffidence I have felt in executing this trust, it has been undertaken as a filial duty and esteemed to be a great privilege. It would have been my choice to have had more leisure for accomplishing the work, but the announcement of unauthorized biographies has necessitated the immediate publication of the present volume. Otherwise the desire of my father would have been thwarted. At a later date it is intended that a more studied interpretation of his life should be prepared to meet the expressed desire for a fuller account of his career.
I would gratefully acknowledge the kindness of many friends who have contributed important data and incidents. Special acknowledgment is also due to Rev. John Bancroft Devins, of “The New York Observer,” whose valuable assistance has greatly facilitated the early completion of the work.
Father lived solely for the glory of God and for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the earnest prayer of his family that in this record of his career his life’s purpose may be conserved.
William R. Moody
East Northfield, Mass.
April 10, 1900.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 EARLY LIFE — Puritan ancestry — Moody and Holton families —Two hundred years in Northfield — Parentage — Early death of father — Struggle of widowhood — Young Sunday school missionaries — Trust in God — Home discipline
Chapter 2 LEAVING HOME —A child’s adventurous journey — Love of fun— In the country schoolhouse — The pleasure worth the whipping — Ruling by love — A young horse-trader — A bright cent for the new boy — Ambition for larger sphere — Going to Boston — Disappointment — Behind the counter — Boyish pranks
Chapter 3 CONVERSION — Church attendance — Influence of a Sunday schoolteacher — Personal effort — A blessing in return — Admission to church membership deferred — Received later—Business and Christianity
Chapter 4 IN BUSINESS IN CHICAGO —Attraction of the new West —First experiences in the enterprising city — Revival times — As a commercial traveler — Business success
Chapter 5 FIRST ATTEMPTS AT CHRISTIAN WORK — A recruitingofficer for a mission Sunday-school — The “North Market” Mission — Among the hoodlums — Busy Sundays — Novel methods — Muscular Christianity — Visit of Abraham Lincoln — Interesting sketch of extending influence — Unappreciated enthusiasm
Chapter 6 GIVING UP BUSINESS —A large trust — Putting new life into adead prayer meeting — A struggle and a decision — The turning point — A class won for Christ — Increasing zeal — Into the highways and hedges — Praying with the Roman Catholic bishop Abrupt methods
Chapter 7 CITY MISSIONARY WORK —Varied occupations — Smallbeginnings — “Crazy Moody” — Among the waifs — Inspiration from Bible characters— New method of preaching — A friend’s testimony
Chapter 8 THE CIVIL WAR AND THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION
— Outbreak of the War — Mission boys off for the War — Quaker principles — InCamp Douglas — Among Confederate prisoners — Work at the front — In the hospital— Messages from the dying — The text that brought life — A personal experience — Major Whittle — General Howard — The Spanish War — Message to the churches— The new Christian Commission
Chapter 9 SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTION WORK — Sunday schoolmethods — Widening influence — A novel prayer meeting — Numerous calls — A discouraged church — The tide turned — To carry the county for Christ— Uniform lessons — National Convention
Meeting of Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey — Their first joint
Chapter 10 EARLY EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS — The growth of the“North Market Hall” — Organizing a union church — Extended activities — Faith in early conversions — “Then you must be D L. Moody” — Resenting an insult — Heartfelt confession — Prayer in a billiard hall — How to reach the poor — Ever ready to learn
Chapter 11 CHRISTIAN ASSOCATION WORK —An enthusiastic worker— Noon prayer meetings — First permanent Association building in America — Farwell Hall burned — Rising from the ashes — “The lightning Christian” — Raising funds for Association work — Impressing others into service — Evangelistic effort — Open-air preaching
Chapter 12 YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
CONVENTIONS —
service — A week together in Chicago A permanent engagement — Association hints — Dealing with tramps
Chapter 13 FIRST VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN —Anxious to studyEnglish methods of work — First address in London — Startling unconventionality — Starting the London noon prayer meeting — Visit to Bristol — “Wholly consecrated”— “I will try to be that man” — “I was there” — Warm friends won
Chapter 14 INFLUENCE OF HENRY MOOREHOUSE —A new epoch
— The boy preacher — John 3:16 — One text for a full week — The man of one book — A strong friendship
Chapter 15 THE CHICAGO FIRE AND ITS RESULTS —Biblecharacters — The life of Christ — A question left unanswered — A new resolve — Thirst for spiritual power — Chicago in ruins — A humorous incident — A struggle with the elements — Love wins — Among the ruins — Rebuilding — A sacred experience — Induement of power — Letter to the church
Chapter 16 FIRST EXTENDED MISSION IN GREAT BRITAIN —Apreliminary visit — A wonderful experience in London — Prayer answered — Home again — Urgent invitations to work in England — Left Chicago with Mr. Sankey — A time of testing — Arrival in Liverpool — Startling news — The courage of faith — “Will be in York tonight” — Only moderate success — In the North of England — Rapidly-growing interests — Recollections of Rev. F. B. Meyer — Sunderland and Newcastle — Pressing for decision
Chapter 17 BIRTH OF THE “MOODY AND SANKEY HYMN
BOOK” —Newcastle the birthplace — Scarcity of American hymns — Sacred songs and solos — How the royalties were used — Completing the church in Chicago — A new book for American use — The American royalties — “Singing up buildings at Northfield” — The statement of William E. Dodge — Opinion of an eminent lawyer — Experience of George C. Stebbins — A tribute from James McGranahan
Chapter 18 THE AWAKENING IN EDINBURGH —ConservativeScotland — A noonday meeting established — Hearty endorsement by leading clergymen — Sankey’s “kist o’ whistles” — Opposition withdrawn — The Free Assembly Hall — Sectarian barriers removed — Circular letter to every minister in Scotland — A slanderous letter from Chicago amply refuted — Testimony of Dr. Horatius Bona
Chapter 19 IN GLASGOW AND THE SCOTTISH TOWNS —Preparatory services — Sympathy of Dr. Andrew A. Bonar — Mammoth gathering in the Botanical Gardens — In other Scottish centers — Forty years an invalid — How to meet the tempter — Henry Drummond — Summary of results by W. Robertson Nicoll
Chapter 20 IRISH AND ENGLISH CITIES —In Belfast — A general callto Christians — Hearty union of churches — Londonderry — Christian work in Dublin— In English towns — Testimonies from the ministry— A watch-night service — Estimate of Dr. W. R. Dale — Sermon from the four-leaved book — Appeal for Young Men’s Christian Associations
Chapter 21 THE LONDON CAMPAIGN —Reason for delayed visit toLondon — Use of printers’ ink — Great halls engaged — The great need of the metropolis — Influential helpers — Personal statement from Mr. Moody — Answering objections — His creed — Success from the first — A word of warning — Hand-to-hand work — Strange crowds — Opposition and misrepresentation — Caricatures of the press— Lord Chancellor Cairn’s sympathy — The tide turns — Endorsed by “The London Times” — A letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury — Typical meeting described — Mr. Moody’s regard for the Sabbath — Meeting with Mr. Gladstone — Charles H.Spurgeon
Chapter 22 THE LONDON CAMPAIGN CONTINUED —Greatgathering of children — Busy days — Christian conventions — With Eaton boys at Windsor — Farewell meetings — Summary of the London work — Leaving England — Testimony as to results
Chapter 23 RETURN TO AMERICA —Reintroduced to his own country —Rest at Northfield — Purchasing a home — Besiegedwith invitations — Early plans for Northfield schools — Whittle and Bliss in Northfield— Past experiences and future plans
Chapter 24 BROOKLYN, PHILADELPHIA, AND NEW YORK —Mr.Moody’s influence with men of affairs — The campaign opened in Brooklyn — Influential endorsement — Supported by the press — Philadelphia — Old Pennsylvania Railroad Depot — Work among inebriates — The passing of the year — The venerable Dr. Plumer as instructor — Mr. Moody as an inquirer — New York — A strong committee — A remarkable Sunday morning service — The great evening throngs — A vivid portrayal — Estimates of the work — Thurlow Weed — Where are the converts today
Chapter 25 CHICAGO AND BOSTON —Welcomed in his old home city —Death of P. P Bliss — Large accessions to Chicago’s churches — In cultured Boston — Testimony of Joseph Cook — Missions in other cities — Later campaigns in difficultfields — Value of the individual — Objection to counting converts — Various missions compared
Chapter 26 SECOND EXTENDED MISSION IN GREAT BRITAIN— Visiting former fields — Illustrated sermons for the young — A Scottish tour — InEngland and Ireland — The crowning work in London — Extensive preparations — Great portable tabernacles — Hymn-book royalties — Reaching all classes — In Satan’s strongholds — Closing convention — A brief rest — Origin of Drummond’s “Greatest Thing in the World” — A mutual testimony
Chapter 27 LATER MISSIONS IN AMERICAN CITIES —Manycenters moved — Interesting incidents — How a jailer was caught — On the Pacific coast — Too much reputation — Celebrating his sixtieth birthday — Refusing to grow old — Bearing a governor’s pardon — Invitation to Australia
Chapter 28 NORTHFIELD SEMINARY —Influence of his brother Samuel— Henry F. Durant and Wellesley College — Purchasing a school site — Dedication of East Hall — The plan of the schools — Study and recreation — Twentieth anniversary
Chapter 29 MOUNT HERMON SCHOOLS —First purchase of land — Agenerous gift — Original plan for young boys — Nominal fees— Manual labor — The school routine — Various courses — Religious atmosphere — Temptation Hill — An international gift — A former student’s testimony
Chapter 30 THE BIBLE INSTITUTE FOR HOME AND FOREIGNMISSIONS — Application entered for grandchildren — “Gap-men” training school— Tent work — Bible institutes — Permanent abode — Thorough organization — Continuous terms— Systematic Bible study — Training for the service of song — Record of ten years’ work
Chapter 31 AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS —The spirit of collegestudents — Occasional visits to American colleges — Notable visits to Cambridge and Oxford — Cambridge students make sport of the meetings — Discouragements — “Some mothers’ sons” — Changing sentiment — Deep impressions — Student opposition repeated at Oxford — “Playing with forked lightning” — Fair play for an invited guest — Apology and support — A positive stand and a complete victory — College students’ conferences — The Student Volunteer Movement — Widespread influence
Chapter 32 NORTHFIELD CONFERENCES —The Christian Workers’Conference — Early informal gatherings in Mr. Moody’s home — An inspiration and the outcome — The first general call — A modern Pentecost — Three thousand requests for prayer — Conservation, common sense, and caution — Pointed suggestions — Grace to bear rebuke — Frank retraction — Wide scope of the conference themes — Mr. Moody’s last conference call — Attendance of the New York Presbytery — Y. P. S. C. E
Chapter 33 VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND —Kind invitations — Touchingresponses — Few real holidays — Final acceptance — With St. Paul in Rome — The Pope’s money not good in Rome — In the land of the Pharaohs — Off for Palestine — Carriage ride to Jerusalem — On holy ground — Preaching on Calvary — Hebron — Bethlehem — The Mount of Olives — Making friends with native children — Backsheesh — Easter in the Holy City — Return to Egypt, Italy, and England — Working while resting
Chapter 34 CAPACITY FOR WORK —Magnificent constitution — Genius ofgeneralship — Desire to visit Australia — Disappointment — Invitation to Scotland accepted — Christmas day meetings — Visit to Ireland — A trying schedule — Almost exhausted — Medical examination and a warning
Chapter 35 IN PERIL ON THE DEEP —Sailing from Southampton — Afine steamer — Bright prospects — A terrible shock — A broken shaft — A sinking vessel — Terrified passengers — An awful night — Seven hundred souls awaiting their doom — Gen. O. O. Howard — Steamer in sight — Rescue — Eight anxious days — Safe in port — Thanksgiving — A new start — Welcome home
Chapter 36 WORLD’S FAIR CAMPAIGN —A great opportunity — Theman for the hour — Planning ahead — A vow taken — Burning zeal — Great generalship required — Strange meeting-places — In the theaters — The great circus tent— Wonderful financial support — World-wide prayers — Marvelous interest — Great results
Chapter 37 THE USE OF THE PRESS —Appreciating its power — Attituderegarding its criticisms — Personal statements — No compromise with Sunday papers— The Gospel in print — Convention reports — Bible notes — Printed sermons — Ingersoll and Moody — Dearth of religious literature in small cities — Country districts worse — A heroic plan — The Colportage Library — Far-reaching effects — The Gospel in the prisons — Definite results
Chapter 38 PREPARING SERMONS —Professor Drummond’s estimate —Early attempts at public address — First “Bible readings” — How sermons were prepared — Topical study — Should a sermon be repeated? — Envelope compilations— Three necessary books — Mr. Moody’s Bibles
Chapter 39 ASKING AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS —Learning aswell as teaching — Other men’s thoughts — The temperance problem —What can a layman do? — The “after-meeting” — The use of the stereopticon — “Would you advise one to go into the ministry?” — Elocution — Too many churches — How to reach strangers — Unconverted church members — How to reach young men — How to overcome nervousness — Aiming at the heart
Chapter 40 LATER EXPERIENCES WITH THE YOUNG MEN’SCHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS —
Lifting financial burdens — Zealous for evangelistic effort —$150,000 secured for Brooklyn Association, $200,000 for New York — A wise investment in St. Louis — Saving the Philadelphia Association from collapse — Use of hymn-book royalties — Securing a building for Richmond, Va. — $84,000 raised for San Francisco — Hisinfluence in Albany — Personal experiences — Examples of enthusiastic effort — With a railway president — A good story — Helping British Associations — Memorial tribute
Chapter 41 THE INQUIRY ROOM —Mr. Moody’s idea — Personal dealing— Authority from the Scriptures — No set rules — Peculiar cases — Not a confessional — Cautions and suggestions — How to become a worker in the inquiry room
Chapter 42 HIS BELIEF AND PRACTICE —Standing by the Book — Amutilated Bible — Christianity vs. infidelity — “I stand by Jonah” — No new remedy for sin — The Northfield platform — Mr. Moody’s church membership — A statement of the church’s position — Methods of work — Independent but devoted — Abnegation of self — The paramount object
Chapter 43 TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS —A character that couldbear rigid examination — “This one thing I do” — Consecrated common sense — Often standing alone — Modest simplicity — “I am a most overestimated man” — Abhorrence of show — A hero worshipper — Determination — Intense conviction — Avoidance of “lobbies” — Judging human nature — Firm friendships — Mr. Sankey’s tribute — Professor Towner’s personal testimony — Faithful in rebuke — Among his own townspeople — Bravery tested and not found wanting — Quick perception — Always himself — As a father confessor — A Chinese estimate
Chapter 44 IN THE HOME CIRCLE —Love of country life — In thebarnyard — Early rising — Affection for his mother — As a grandfather — Characteristic letters — A true husband and father — Tender and loving to the end — The loss of his grandchildren — His touching tributes
Chapter 45 WITHIN THE GATES —“Were you ever homesick for Heaven?”— Tribute to his mother — “Comforted to comfort” — Kansas City — Great gatherings — The collapse of strength — Letter to a dear friend — His last sermon — A prophecy — The last plea — The homeward journey — Messages by the way — Back in Northfield — Days of anxiety — “Ready for either” — Last messages — “Within the portals of Heaven” — Death is not hard — No valley here — Thinking of others to the last — Conscious to the end — An abundant entrance — His own testimony
Chapter 46 AT REST ON ROUND TOP —A victor — Absence of crape —Triumphant mourning — His own plan — Natural in death — The funeral services — Exultant victory — Heartfelt tributes — A call to larger service — A remarkable incident— A token from the skies — A face illumined — Laid to rest — Round Top — Victory
Chapter 47 MEMORIAL SERVICES —Meetings in London — Boston —Brooklyn — New York — Northfield
Chapter 48 TRIBUTES FROM ENGLISH FRIENDS —Rev. F. B.Meyer — Rev. G. Campbell Morgan
CHAPTER 1
Early Life
“NEVERmind the ancestry! A man I once heard of was ambitious to trace his family to the Mayflower, and he stumbled over a horse-thief. Never mind a man’s ancestry!”
In this democratic spirit Mr. Moody disposed of the history of past generations, taking no credit to himself for their achievements, and feeling in no way responsible for their failings. It is nevertheless of interest that for two hundred years his ancestors lived their quiet lives in the seclusion of their farm homes in the Connecticut Valley. Beyond the limits of local politics they do not seem to have figured much in public affairs. Among the number there were a few professional men, and in the early struggles for independence, representatives of the Moody and Holton families were among those who counted their lives not too dear a price for those rich privileges of religious and national liberty which they sought to insure to their posterity. But for the most part their careers were bounded by a limited horizon, and they served their day and generation in the simple station to which they were called.