Who was D. L. Moody?

There is a well-known story of D.L.Moody, the great American evangelist. In the early stage of his career he was asked after a gospel meeting if he had got any converts. He replied, “I got two and a half.” The remark was said, “I suppose, Mr. Moody, two grown-ups and one child have confessed the Lord.” “No,” replied Mr. Moody, “I mean two children and one grown-up. The grown-up has only half his life left before him. I only call him a half. These two children have their whole lives before them, and I call them two.”

There is a good deal of common sense in the way Mr. Moody looked at things. And so, we look at you young folks with real solicitude, and wonder how you will shape your lives. You cannot shape them aright but in the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

It is interesting, too, to know that while in Chicago on one occasion Mr. Darby was invited by D. L. Moody to give a series of Bible readings in Farwell Hall. These were attended by many lovers of the Word of GOD, but unfortunately suddenly came to an abrupt end as the two clashed over the question of the freedom of the will. Mr. Darby held to what Mr. Moody considered extreme Calvinism on this point, affirming that so perverted was man's will he could not "will" even to be saved, and he based his contention largely on the texts "Which were born not … of the will of the flesh … but of GOD"; and "It is not of him that wills … but of GOD that shows mercy." Mr. Moody insisted that man as a responsible person was appealed to by GOD to turn to Him and would be condemned if he did not. "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life," said JESUS to those who refused His message. "Whosoever will" is the great gospel invitation. The controversy became so heated one day that Mr. Darby suddenly closed his Bible and refused to go on, thus losing one of the great opportunities of his life, as it will seem to many.

Separating from Mr. Moody, Darby did not hesitate to condemn Mr. Moody's work in his characteristic way. In his letters he warned his followers against it as likely to bring a great increase of worldliness into the Church. It is a striking instance of how prejudice can blind and mislead an otherwise great man. Were he alive to-day how surprised he would be to see the work begun by the great warmhearted evangelist a veritable bulwark against both worldliness and apostasy. Mr. Moody ever confessed his indebtedness to the writings of the Brethren for much help in the understanding of the Word, but it was C. H. Mackintosh and Charles Stanley who had the greatest influence. The writings of the former he always highly commended. Still no unprejudiced mind can deny that there has been a drift at Northfield since those days.

I was struck with a little incident I read the other day. The well-known D. L. Moody, the evangelist, of America, returned from a preaching one night, and he was asked, “How many converts did you get tonight?” He replied, “I got two and a half.”

The person, to whom he said this, replied, “I suppose you mean you got two grown-ups and a child?” “No,” said Mr. Moody, “I got two children and one grown-up.” “How do you make that out to be two and a half?” “Well,” replied the great winner of souls, “you see the two children have got a whole life before them, whereas a grown-up person has only got half a life before him.”

A story is told of that wonderful preacher, D.L.Moody of America. Returning from a service he had conducted, he was asked, “How many converts were there tonight?” He replied “Two-and-a-half.” “You mean then that two grown-ups and a child confessed the Lord.” “No,” he answered, “there were two children and one grown-up.”

p257 Dear Walter Wolston, — I have read R.'s account of what is going on in Edinburgh. I rejoice, am bound to rejoice, in every soul converted — must do so — and saved for ever. Nor do I doubt Moody's earnestness, for I know the man well. I see too that God is using extraordinary means to awaken His sleeping saints and the different systems are so steeped in darkness, that it is only by such means they can be roused up a little. But I am not carried away by it: as to the result of it as a whole, it will not last. If a soul is converted, it is converted, and that is a great thing, and will last, but no work it produces will last. I fully judge it will foster worldliness in saints; it will foster heresy and false doctrine. This may surprise you, but I am satisfied it is so. And beside this, the work will be superficial. I do not trust myself in my natural dislike to what is excited and dramatic in religion, but I cannot conceal from myself what I have just said. Already I notice in R.'s paper what I believe to be mischievous false doctrine; stated as if it were very good, without any comment.

Besides the prayerful study of the word of God, the Brethren were most zealous in preaching the gospel to sinners; and from their increased knowledge of the finished work of Christ, and the riches of divine grace, it was preached with a clearness, fulness, and power, unknown since the days of the apostles; and many in different places were brought to know the Lord. So zealous were they in spreading the glad tidings that in some places almost every brother became a preacher. Teaching, or giving lectures on scripture to Christians was also greatly practised by the better instructed. The important distinction between preaching the gospel to the unconverted and teaching Christians, as thus enforced and illustrated by the Brethren, was altogether new. The gift and work of the evangelist are perfectly distinct from those of the teacher; but the distinction has, always excepting the apostolic ace, never been acted upon in the church generally until very lately. Special gospel services in public rooms began to be held soon after the great Revival in 1859, and they have never since ceased. The gospel mission of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to this country in 1873-5, was an offshoot of the American Revival; but, strange as it may appear, this mission took more the form of evangelising the denominations than the outside lower classes.

A well known instance of this is the late Charles Stanley, a Sheffield manufacturer, and author of the "C.S. Railway Tracts." His autobiography is published under the title of "Gospel Incidents," a thrilling narrative indeed. Divine guidance and blessing were vouchsafed to Charles Stanley in no ordinary degree. He was the first man for whom D. L. Moody enquired when he landed in Britain. He was truly a God-sent evangelist.

<52203E>p327 Dear Walter (W T P Wolston?), - We must look Moody's work, and Pearsall Smith's, in the face. It is one of the phases of the kingdom of God, like the revival in Ireland and Scotland some years back: the brethren went on all the same - some took part in it - nor did the work in result hinder or affect their testimony. A popular testimony such as theirs never could be deep or extend its influence (save in its general effects) in Christians many years, and in this respect it does good. One rouses Christians from their slumber, and in respect of the poor dying world; and the other, as regards the state Christians are in, In this, I doubt not, God's hand is in it. But M.'s work, to say nothing of false doctrine in details, avowedly mixes up Christianity with the world and worldly influences, and uses them because it tells in favour of his work, and fosters worldliness and the evils of Christendom. And P.S.'s, while it recognises the deliverance of Christians from the bondage of Romans 7 to the liberty of Romans 8, which Christians greatly need (and in this respect will be useful), mixes it up with the lowest doctrines, man's power and ability. Both do this, though I hear M. has got on. And it does not even possess the true ground of abiding peace with God. There is much evil teaching mixed with both; and man's power for good being their basis, all is based on experience, not really on Christ's work - and, I think, poor experience where searched out, though beyond the state of Christendom, but tending to fix them at this low point. But if the brethren are devoted and unworldly, so that there is a practical testimony, their testimony remains where it was. They have to bring in-these fuller elements of truth, and truer ground of peace. And if they are possessed really in faith, the rousing of heart and conscience will open them to them. If they have nothing better, it is no matter their being dropped in God's hand. They have; but they must possess it really, and have heart to use it for the saints of God.

For the States we must look to the Lord to raise up labourers. I am thankful three brethren have gone to Canada. I have no doubt that a considerable number have been converted through Moody, but I still judge there were more outside than in. For conversions, one must be thankful they are saved, but the effect will be to make Christians worldly, and to produce, what is the pest of the United States, the substitution of work for Christ. I said fifty years ago, when I thought more, and believed perhaps less, that awakenings in Christendom were like water poured out upon the ground, fresh and clear, but after a while it made mud. I think those not exclusive were in a state prepared for this, this mixture. There is, I think, a difference as to brethren in this, that what really characterised that work, besides the stirring up devotedness, was the bringing in a mass of biblical truth long hidden, some I believe never current in the historical church. This, since I reflected on the movement, I have always felt, and as to the substance of it said so: that as the cross and justification by faith were brought out at the Reformation, so the coming of the Holy Ghost uniting us to Christ in heaven, and His coming again, were brought out now: the three positions of Christ as a Saviour - Christ on the cross, Christ at the right hand of the Father sending the Holy Ghost, Christ coming again to complete the result - and so the mystery, throwing back immense light upon the value of the cross. But this blessed unfolding of light spreads, and if there be not devotedness in brethren they become mud like others, and that is the great question now. "To him that has shall more be given," otherwise it is just current truth and no more; and indeed that is what Satan is at now, to deaden devotedness among brethren while he spreads truth known at any rate among others. It produces exclusivism so-called, but exclusivism will not do the work. Christ who is all - this must be all. Activity is all right, but activity instead of Christ - and that is Moodyism and United States religion - is a most deadening and worldly-making principle. The stir gone, the worldliness remains, and the world despises it. Kindest love to all the dear brethren. I shall be glad to see them all again, and most thankful for many prayers.

As to the work at Edinburgh, I dare say there may have been conversions, and one must bless God for that. But Moody before he came to England denied openly all work of grace in conversion, and denounced it as diabolical in his own pulpit. I hear he has got on in this subject, that M.'s tract did him good, which is in a great measure a résumé of brethren's teaching; the author not concealing in his intercourse with others where he learned it. But some of Moody's false doctrine was taught in his public ministrations at Edinburgh, according to R. and M.'s account, which no doubt is correct, for we discussed it at Chicago, and he held it there, namely, that no man is condemned for his sins, but for not coming to the refuge — sins are all borne and put away for everybody.

I am quite satisfied that the Scotch revival will make Christians more worldly and godliness more superficial than ever where it works. It takes means and avows principles which make unworldliness and spirituality impossible, and will make indifference to Christ's will, and to evil in the church, more powerful than ever. But then poor souls, stirred up by what was going on, and brought to hear that there was salvation, and that they needed it, may have been met by grace, and have found life and Christ, and that is joy. All the rest will, I believe, be positively evil. It has stirred up Christians, but to throw them on what is routine, not personally on Christ, and what will not really meet their need, and on working — which is all right if flowing from Him, but not as replacing Christ for peace and blessing. Next year I will tell you the rest, and shall always rejoice in every converted soul, and so will the Lord. I know the effect of the system in America and under Moody's own care. Here it is new, and may awaken.