This entry is illustrative of the 1881-2 visit of D L Moody to the United Kingdom. It was not nearly as successful as his 1873-5 visit, but as seen below, there were still a number of salvations.
The Revival in Newcastle.
BY A BUSINESS MAN.
NEWCASTLE, Oct. 31. —The noon meetings of this week have been devoted to the consideration of the best methods of dealing with inquirers in the after-meetings - although they are to be found in the home, in the office, and on the street, if we will look for them, said Mr Moody. Tuesday's meeting was particularly full of striking teaching. Said Mr Moody: All preaching ought to rouse inquiry. John the Baptist's did; so did Christ's. Sometimes his hearers asked Him questions; sometimes He asked questions of them. For example, He once asked after preaching, "Have ye understood all these things?" — a very useful question for modern preachers, only I don't know what answer some preachers would get after they had been preaching about evolution, metaphysics, &c.
There are two classes of people who have not assurance of salvation, continued the speaker; and I do not think they ought to have it, or ever will get it - people who will not give up all sin, and sleeping Christians. For there are Christians who join a church and go to sleep. They can talk — people can talk in their sleep—but they cannot work. Backsliders are a larger and more important class than many people think, and they ought to be the first we should reclaim. The tenderest sayings of God are for backsliders. Jer. ii. 13-19 and 32, and iii. 12-14 and 22 were given as instances of God's words to them. Backsliding often begins with doubt, and doubt often comes of reading the doubts of others. "Well, but," people say, "ought we not to read both sides?" Both sides! If anyone chose to write seven or eight pages of scandalous matter about my wife, am I forced to read it? No! I have known her for fifteen years, and I know her to be true; and when I have known my beloved Master for thirty years, and proved Him true, what have I got to do with any other side? Friends, there is but one side to this question, and it is dishonouring and disgraceful to have the question raised.
The subject on Wednesday noon was "Inquirers who are neither deeply convinced nor deeply anxious." Rom. iii. was recommended as a useful chapter to take them to. On Thursday attention was given to the case of those who are really anxious. Isa. i. 14-18, and Iv. 7-9 were given as passages often found useful. Dependence on feeling was declared to be one of the most serious difficulties to be met with in anxious inquirers, and it was urged that they should be shown that it is better to know a thing than to feel it and that while human testimony is being received day by day, God's testimony ought certainly to be believed.
At the Friday noon meeting the important subject of "Dealing with anxious inquirers" was again taken up in Mr Moody's own racy and luminous style "It is the shepherd's business to look after the sheep, and not the business of sheep to look after the shepherd. Whoever heard of a sheep going after the shepherd if he went astray? A shepherd feeds his flock; his flock don't feed him." This was for the benefit of the numerous class who would like to be Christians, but who fear they will never be able to stand. Texts given for use were, Is. xliii. 25 ;John x. 28; Jude 24.
With respect to instantaneous conversion, Mr Moody quoted Rom. vi. 23, and said a gift could not be received gradually: there must be one moment when it is not yours, and another when it is. At the same time, with many, this time is unknown; with others, it occurs too early in infancy for them to remember it. With quibbling sceptics, he charged us never to argue, on authority of 2 Tim. ii. 23, Titus iii, 9. For honest sceptics he gave John vii. 17. He charged workers to be simple and to keep inquirers to the one point of receiving and trusting Christ, and related how a lady once told him her great difficulty was with the mysteries of Revelation. "Don't trouble about Revelation," he replied in his happy way; "you've got a great deal to learn before you come to the mysteries of Revelation." Another man, after long pressing, and when almost up in a corner, looked up and said, "Who is Melchizedek?" "Never mind Melchizedek; find out all about Jesus Christ first."
THE BIBLE LECTURES,
given to very large audiences, each day from Tuesday to Friday, in the Brunswick Chapel, were on "Grace." The grace of God appeared in Eden as soon as man fell; but it was not until Jesus Christ came that it was made clear that man was to be saved by the "unmerited favour" of God, and not by the keeping of the law, or by merit of any kind. Jesus Christ was never able to get this truth into the Jewish mind, and He left them at the end of his three years' ministry, believing as they did at the beginning, that they were to be saved by "the deeds of the Law." The hour on Tuesday was spent contrasting the "Law" given by Moses with the grace and truth that have come by Jesus Christ. The address was illustrated by most touching anecdotes. The Law, like Moses, only leads us to Jordan - Death. Grace, like Joshua or Jesus (his New Testament name), leads us right over into the land of promise. The Law kills us at Sinai; Grace gives life, as at Pentecost.
"Grace for Service" was Thursday's subject, continued into and concluded with Friday afternoon's meeting. The appeals to God's children to throw themselves with true, self-denying heartiness into their Father's business, have been terribly earnest; and, thank God! An awakened look and a willingness of heart to work seems to be coming over the disciples of Christ in this town. There have been no more interested listeners in these afternoon Bible lectures than the ministers who have crowded the platform, and who have been the first to catch and note down the innumerable points that bristle along the mighty talk of this man of God.
THE EVENING SERMONS
in the Circus have been delivered with increasing power and effect to hushed and attentive crowds of close upon 4,000 people, and the whole of the seats in the arena and part of the side galleries have been closely filled during the after-meetings with those wishing to be conversed with about their soul's interest.
Mr Sankey's hold of his audiences has been gradually growing more complete. He has been in splendid voice this week, and right bravely, on the pealing notes or melting whispers of his song, does he "tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King."
Mr. Moody read the account of the dumb, unclean spirit whom the disciples could not cast out (Mark ix. 14-29). This, he said, was one of the hard cases. The disciples very likely remarked, "If he had not been deaf, and we could have talked to him, we might have made something of him; or if he had not been dumb, and could have told us how he felt, or if he had not been such a long time in this state, we might have cured him." "Bring him unto Me," is the Lord's direction in all such cases. Some difficult cases were found among last night's inquirers, and the only thing in such cases, said Mr Moody, is to bring them into the presence of Christ as soon as possible.
Sunday morning broke stormily, and although rain early began to fall, by eleven o'clock some 3,000 people had assembled in the Circus. A very large proportion of these were non-church-goers; indeed, many of the tickets of admission had been given by workers to street-loiterers, who all seemed glad enough to come with the assurance of getting in, which the possession of a ticket gave them. The whole contents of a boys' refuge were there, and a number of tramcar drivers and conductors. At no previous meeting has Mr Moody seemed more earnestly led out in prayer for his audience; and so far as the outward demeanour of a crowd can indicate, or one's own personal sensations can be relied on, a deep and solemn spirit of prayer and hearing seemed to rest upon this mass of people. Mr Moody's sermon was on the necessity of the new birth, founded on John iii. He went to work in true backwoodsman-style, clearing away first some of the fatal substitutes for regeneration behind which so many people hide. Going to church or chapel was not being born again, and would not do instead. Bad people went to church. Men have gone to church to cover their rascality. Praying is not regeneration: Saul probably made longer prayers while he was persecuting Christ's loved ones than he did after his conversion. Nor was it Bible-reading, nor baptism, nor confirmation, nor sacraments: Judas betrayed the Lord with the sacramental wine upon his lips. "No one disrespectful word would I say of any church ordinance, especially of Christ's own sacraments." said Mr. Moody, "but I only say that they are of no avail in the matter of salvation in the place of regeneration. It is not sorrow, nor emotion, nor good resolutions, nor good deeds, but it is Emmanuel, God with us, Christ in the heart."
Telling illustrations followed, tender and almost appallingly powerful appeals, and then the meeting was merged into silent prayer. Mr Sankey sang " Almost persuaded," while the congregation bowed their heads, and on Mr Moody giving leave for those to rise to their feet who wished to be prayed for, many rose. In a short after-meeting it was found that many had yielded themselves to be saved by Christ, and had, we trust, been born into his kingdom.
In spite of still heavier rain, the Circus was again nearly filled with women at three o'clock. The sermon was on "Trusting." Again a great number rose to be prayed for, and many were found at the after-meeting putting their trust in the blessed Saviour. When Mr Moody asked, early in the meeting, if those who wished him to have a mothers' meeting would rise, nearly the whole body of women rose, and a mothers' meeting was there and then fixed for Monday, Oct. 31, at three o'clock in the afternoon.
At night Mr Moody preached again, the large building being crowded to its utmost extent. His subject was "The Prodigal." In his earnest, tender hands the Lord's wonderful story developed into fresh beauty. Lights and shadows broke across it, and it seemed as new as any sunrise - "that new eternal picture fresh from God." The audience was composed almost exclusively of men, and probably one-half remained either to be conversed with or to give assistance. However gratifying it would be to many to hear of specific numbers, who, so far as human estimates can speak, have passed from death unto life, it is thought better not to say anything about numbers at present. It should, nevertheless, be said, to the praise of the glory of God's grace, that there is a real and mighty work going on, and the day will declare it.
On Monday week, reports were given in by various ministers and friends respecting the work. These were most encouraging. Several town missionaries testified to the new interest in Divine things that had been awakened in their districts. One minister testified to the great and lasting good that had been effected by the last visit of Messrs Moody and Sankey, mentioning some facts illustrative of this.
The same correspondent writes:- The large and well-lighted Circus was again filled to its utmost capacity on Friday night. Mr Sankey's fine rendering of the song, whose only refrain is the word "Eternity," was extremely impressive. Mr Moody's sermon was a singularly vivid delineation of the part memory will take in the judgment-day and in the future world. The stillness of the listening multitude was at times almost oppressive; and when, at the highest pitch of its solemnity, he broke into prayer, as his custom is at the close of his sermons, only a small proportion of the large congregation left. The after-meeting continued until nearly ten o'clock, and great numbers were conversed with about the concerns of their souls.
A steady increase of prayerful interest on the part of Christians was manifested by the throng of earnest worshippers at the noon-day meeting on Saturday, and by the great number of written requests for prayer for individual cases. I omitted to mention that early in the week a request for prayer came to one of the noon meetings "for fifty-four women made widows and 193 children made fatherless by the late storm on the coast of Northumberland." After praying for them with much fervour and the sympathy that finds its way so touchingly into the tones of his voice, Mr Moody suggested that a collection should be made at the afternoon Bible-reading on their behalf, and as a thank-offering for the safety of our own families. This was done and the sum of £25 was sent to the treasurer of a fund for their relief.
"The Christian," 27th October 1881.
The Newcastle Chronicle which has from the first displayed a spirit of truth and fairness in relation to the meetings held in the town it represents, gives over a column to the report of the closing meetings on Sunday (13th). We have thought well to give some lengthy extracts from this report as it may have additional weight with some readers as coming from a secular paper. Speaking of meetings for the converts, morning and evening, in the Central Hall, the Chronicle of Nov 14th says:-
THE FAREWELL MEETINGS.
On Sunday (13th) the labours in this district of the celebrated Messrs Moody and Sankey, were for the time being brought to a conclusion after a mission extending over five weeks. Four services were yesterday held - one in the High West st Chapel, Gateshead, in the afternoon for women only; another in the Melbourne St chapel, Gateshead, for men in the evening and two in the Central Hall, Newcastle, held respectively in the forenoon and at night.
The interest and anxiety of the Christian public may safely be said to have centred in the two last named meetings. Unbelievers and well known Christians were alike denied admittance, and tickets were issued only to those who could honestly avow themselves to be anxious inquirers or young converts. Mr Moody preached an excellent sermon from 1 John v. 4, 5 and other verses which he quoted at intervals.
Mr Moody, at the conclusion of his services in England six years ago, left the records of the work done in this country in the histories of many of the churches and bore with him from the last meeting held in London the oral testimony of ministers of all denominations. Yesterday, the services at the Central Hall were intended to answer a similar purpose here to that of the meeting held in the Mildmay Hall, North London, in 1875; only the testimony; instead of coming from the ministers, was to be borne by the presence of the converted and the influenced themselves. There was a large demand for tickets some days beforehand, notwithstanding the fact that applicants underwent a cross-examination as to their claims to be present. The test was attended with the most surprising results; the number of those who professed to have been rescued and "turned from darkness to light" was very large, and both the morning service and that at night were crowded by those upon whose lives the effective preaching of Mr Moody and the sweet singing of Mr Sankey have made a visible impression.
Mr Moody preached an excellent sermon from 1 John. 4, 5, and from other verses which he quoted at intervals. Respecting those who had become Christ's, he trusted they would identify themselves with God's people, and find some church and people where they could worship. Let them endeavour to get good and give it and as they had been blessed themselves, let them bless someone else. There was not a minister in the town who would not be glad to have them, and he advised them to go and sit right down amongst God's people. The churches were not, of course, perfect, but they were not so themselves, and they need not expect to find anything perfect until they got "home." If, therefore, they found the churches not all that they wished them to be, let them by their influence endeavour to make them better. A great many persons remained for the inquiry meeting.
At the evening meeting, Mr Moody delivered a discourse from the words, "And the Lord said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house into the ark." The discourse was a graphic and powerful description of the building of the ark, of the condition of the antediluvians and their refusal to believe in the judgment of God. The application was that the world would again perish, but the ark of salvation was still offered to all. At Gateshead that night, sixteen men came forward at the conclusion of the meeting and asked him to pray for them. They wanted to get into the ark and he implored all that were present - who were not saved to profess the same desire. The subject was illustrated with a most touching anecdote that deeply affected many persons present, and the sermon which was perhaps the most earnest, the most powerful, the most eloquent, Mr Moody has delivered during his visit, was listened to with breathless attention by all present.
A very great many remained to take part in the after-meeting. Both services, taken as a test of the influence wrought by the evangelists in Newcastle, were exceedingly successful. Upwards of 1,500 persons who professed to be either converts or anxious inquirers were supplied with tickets of admission on Friday and Saturday, while thousands more of the general public who desired admission last night had to bear disappointment. During the morning and evening Mr Moody, at his own expense, gave away 1,000 copies of his shilling work on Heaven, and at the doors, two or three benevolent ladies, unknown to the Committee, distributed free tickets for a social tea to many females as they left the morning service. There is, we believe, no probability of Messrs Moody and Sankey again visiting Newcastlebduring their present tour, but whether they ever do so again or not, it is certain that the memory of their late visit will be long held in remembrance by many people in this town.
ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETINGS.
In point of numbers, the present visit has been characterized by attendances at least three times larger than those witnessed in 1873, even when the record of other meetings held is not taken into account. The aggregate number of persons addressed must have exceeded the populations of both Newcastle and Gateshead put together; but as many persons attended several of the meetings, it is fair to assume strangers coming from the outlying districts taken into consideration - that the number of different persons who heard Mr Moody preach and Mr Sankey sing would reach about 100,000 - the largest number that has ever attended any series of services held in the district.
THE SERVICES AND THEIR RESULTS.
One perceptible result of Messrs Moody and Sankey's visit has been to augment to a considerable extent the company of worshippers at the noonday prayer meeting in the Central Hall, and as the work has been carried out again under unsectarian influences, it is believed that not only that institution, but the various places of worship in Newcastle and Gateshead, will benefit by the work that has been going on. Praise, prayer, thanksgiving, and a liberal religious platform, have been the characteristics of the services, but one element usually seen at religious meetings has been wanting. It is recorded concerning two sailors placed in great peril on the deep, that one asked the other to pray for deliverance. "I cannot pray," replied Jack. "Sing a hymn then," besought his companion. "I cannot sing." "Give us a verse of Scripture then," implored the other. "I cannot even do that," despairingly replied Jack. Then seizing his hat, as if struck by a sudden thought, he exclaimed, "Hold on! I can do something religious; I can make a collection." This important, and no doubt ofttimes essential, accompaniment to religious worship has been exercised only twice during the late mission. On the first occasion, it was for the benefit of the Eyemouth bereaved, and on the second in aid of the Newcastle hospitals, when upwards of £50 was contributed. Mr Moody does not believe, generally speaking, in collections, unless they be collections of "anxious souls waiting for and desiring the peace that passeth under-standing." The Gospel has consequently been preached free. It has been offered without money and without price to all who would receive it; and poor men and women have been enabled to participate in the services without the mortification of having to pass the plate on, unhelped by them, to their next neighbour. Expense, and that to a great extent, has of course been incurred in connection with the services, but it has been met, we believe, by those who, with a love for the work, have willingly contributed their means towards it, and who are extremely satisfied with the results. The inquiry meetings have been attended by some hundreds of persons nightly, many converts have been made, and yesterday's meetings demonstrated to a great extent that the evangelists have left an influence behind them which, from a religious aspect, should be attended with the most beneficial results.
The campaign so auspiciously begun in Newcastle will be continued at other parts of Great Britain. Invitations from all parts have flowed in upon the evangelists.
RESULTS AND PROSPECTS.
BY REV. RICHARD LEITCH.
Friday. - Dear Sir, - Our dear brethren Messrs Moody and Sankey have left us. I am glad, however, to be able to state that the results of their labours are highly satisfactory. Many members of Christian churches are showing greater earnestness and zeal in the Lord's work. Town missionaries and Bible-women are feeling a new delight in their labours, for those whom they visit are, in many instances, more open to conviction than formerly. Several hundreds of persons profess to have undergone the great saving change, and amongst the number there are many who have had no church connexion.
On Wednesday night I had the pleasure, along with several other dear friends, of addressing a large company of young converts (about 300 in all) in the "Central Hall." It was a deeply interesting meeting. It did one's heart good to see so many bright, happy faces. The eagerness with which every word was listened to showed that they were longing to know all we had to tell them about Jesus and his love.
In my rounds of pastoral visitation, I am often coming upon those who have got saving impressions at the meetings. This morning I saw two - a man and his wife - who are rejoicing in the forgiving love of God. Both of them were converted at the Circus. This afternoon I met with another - a young man whose case is very decided and encouraging. He was living a careless, Godless life before the meetings began, but he is now giving most pleasing evidences that his heart has been renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. I know of several others who were far gone in sin. who have, so far as man can judge, been turned from darkness to light. One gentleman told me the other day that twenty of the young converts had joined a class that he holds every Monday night. I am glad they have done so, as l believe he is well able to instruct them in the things of God.
A record has been kept of the names and addresses of many of the young converts, and these are being given to different ministers, with the view of their being looked after. I have no doubt that a very considerable addition will be made to the membership of most of our churches if as ministers we are as faithful in the discharge of our duty in attending to the converts as we ought to be.
Saturday. - I have just returned from a most important meeting. It was one of ministers to hear a report of conversions. No fewer than 1,238 have given in their names as having yielded their hearts to God. A considerable proportion of these belong to the surrounding district, but by far the greater number are connected with Newcastle and Gateshead. Of this number of professed conversions, 460 belong to no church, showing that Mr Moody's well intentioned effort to reach the non-church-goers has been very successful. Of those who profess to have a church connection, 76 belong to Brunswick Wesleyan Chapel, 37 to St Nicholas Church, 26 to John Knox Presbyterian Church, and 30 to St. John's Church. Nearly all the other churches are represented by persons ranging in number from thirty down to three. Of course, many are not included in the above list, some of whom are known to ourselves.
"The Christian," 24th November 1881.
I do not know where the Circus was or the Central Hall.