Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

^I^SSKS. MOODY AND SANKEY'S I WOKK IN LIVERPOOL. By o-Ir special Commissioner.) I -< vr ■» i c_1_ 7 am yon heard aiooay ana oanitey ■* *&i*ec arf> you going to see Moody and San- f h f; "Well, what do yon think of them?" •"IVJHS S-ve the questions that have been put texsgfisxds of times in Wrexham within the last *«nr..r.:r^t. That the work of the American i in this kingdom has created an intense i-tt.g of Christian hope and thankfulness the majority of good men and women for a moment be gainsaid. The chief ts.dousHi a large section of Chnrchmen and it f.i^e lers has been the services of Messrs. Sankey;—the peculiar and effective i'rsr-^fsr Clsey exercise the immense audiences they ax s.ad the success they have accomplished. .v- ru se, to the more educated class,—that class i loves to talk profoundly on supernatural ■*?-.and discourse on psychological pheno- .J: -the Vatican decrees, and the somewhat Kr-.i fyiug literature that they have evoked, are .< £ .>: aJi-important questions, deserving of the T. attention. These are not the people who ::L. greatest amount of interest in these re- 'Tffvtk, and it is not amongst their ranks that --m. \iad anything more than a tacit, cold, almost :«.tx«rpf:cous, approbation of what is being < $.r: on. But there is a class existing in our chtucheg to whom political polemics, v /^■••.vx*titorj' diatribes, sophistical rej oinders, i.ax: argumentative twistings are as idle as the Aud these are the men who are really the "!t:.tay of religion; and who, without being encyclical epistles and papal bulls, 'h" deep-seated, religious convictions. Few AC. -:&Gm perhaps are versed in theological c&y m-eSr bnf. they know what it is to love Jesus leved by Him. They have experienced .:v.:l'J' of the Father, and they have a longing £ to impart that experience to their fellow- ■rxt^^mr-es. It is to such that the religious ser- <sf Messrs. Moody and Sankey have proved interesting. They feel that an unseen L ti: i in the labours of the evangelists. Re. uare been known before in this country in times, and they have taken place even in ''Las- reighbourLood; but none within living Iiave been attended with such remarkable • .-is-i-. rcl as these which have been conducted by >i- :<J Transatlantic brothers. Tens of thou- i\ to their services; thousands are from the doors. The largest halls in this 2\.3.J; loa. have been found inadequate to meet the of the anxious throng and the excite- £.tLa.t has been caused has been unparalleled. feature in the services has been the •JSrjr r d element introduced by Mr Sankey; and Wailful melodies and stirring hymns he has ■-■fStcay r: ave tended in no small degree to enhance issof the services. The professional —and especially he whose ambition it is ',cl- the "comic"—considers that when his are whistled by every street hobbledehoy, performed upon every street organ, he a lofty perch on the ladder of con- X'&ty fame. If Mr Sankey has similar as- 'i. as, he is certainly in a fair way of gaining desired popularity. The lads in our k:«: r>i;lifares who possess musical ability of a i *ifiy>rfc?.ble order, are beginning to eschew Ii CCLS from Madams Angot and scraps of Hilis Resound," and are substituting < ^ore favourite tunes of Mr Sankey, the chief them being Safe in the Arms of .1rd end Hold the Fort." The sacred songs "{.1:'¡:.ese brethren have been adopted by some of & yjcsl Sunday schools, and it is becoming hear in more than one place of worship c. ■:& £ £ town one of Sankey1 a beautifully-flawing ,f!f. flayed at the conclusion of the service. r apply a demand for information of, it is ? trustworthy character, procured from an iv> -spent source, the writer was despatched A scene of Messrs. Moody and Sankey's pre- • -a tours in Liverpool. Much has been ••'wvavw: about the work, the issues attained, and who have carried it on. Some persons, fly a zeal that lacked discretion, have told *L- -t-:f:«*alotis conversions and marvellous emo- i-iv, 0 n the other hand, we have had the sneer- "deism of cynics and the smart sarcasms of < ;í>Ó,lon8ble religionists, and the abstract un- • To steer clear of each extreme will be 1. "-Sieavour of the writer, in the belief that the observations of one who is not swayed emotion, or inclined to ridicule efforts t CjKi promise vastly to beneftt the people of our ? iray not be unacceptable to the readers of tour; ;e-^rual. ix .K xild be well, perhaps, before proceeding f. give a short sketch of the lives of Mr ;Z5.7 and Mr Sankey. Sir Moody's parents were Unitarians. When man he left Boston for Chicago, where ( :.< w,spie a clerk in an immense boot and shoe several hundred dollars a year. Imme- OQ arrival he applied to a Sunday-school < esxitr for a class; but as there was a superfluity ■ -ambers and a scarcity of scholars (a state of < uaxzcgc not common in this country) he was told the streets and collect a class. He 'Sij.r-rty^ied in persuading over 20 boys to join rjzii z. was in this way that for the first time his of influencing others-a power which has fereloped with consequences so extraor- iri:. c-;—became apparent. It was thus that he ws-ce a kind of recruiting officer, and the school ""Zf' idly filled. He next commenced opera- sniongst the destitute inhabitants of the iud paid particular attention to the Germans Subsequently he entirely relinquished (: wcimercial pursuits, and devoted himself to kig souls and it was in consequence of this the worldly-minded of his acquaintances lÜm "crazy Moody." During the war .x vfcc very active, and his labours were much >ú"3 and especially amid the soldiers in the d Tennessee. In 1871, occurred the fire destroyed one-half ef Chicago. Mr Moody, T'Hq, and two children, found the flames ap- their dwelling in the middle of the < and had to flee for shelter to the house of -.oiid, leaving all their furniture and posses- to the destroyer. The school, church, and 7 ;û-, 'kiLldings of the Young Men's Christian As- ration, with which he was connected, also !o:> .ed. In one month, however, an erection '£ ecmpleted which would meet temporary re- substantial structures are i jt i.. erected at a cost of .£20,000. His family Ç" present staying at Bournemouth. ra D. Sankey was born of Methodist pa- jErj..fe?, in Edinburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1840. At c i fa^ntion in Indianopolis, Mr Moody was at- G by his voice and power over a large cou- ••^•/■••^gtion; and afterwards they determined to wi- t o'Tether unitedly for Christ. 1: r; they were invited ta visit this coun- Their first meeting was held at York, but fci-f.j-OTie reason or other they did not meet with warm reception, and the citizens looked .-t.or coldly on the services. They next moved where a wonderful work was car- <cn., and has increased in its dimensions since J»A*Oody left. They reached Edinburgh in the -sr:A £ Le of November, 1873, where for many thousands of people attended their tneet- They have since visited Glasgow, Belfast H i xr eld, and Birmingham, and at this moment -.t* are engaged on the black spot on the Mer- Liverpool. Here an immense wooden tiffviliing has been constrocted at a cost of over .< t. which has been chiefly subscribed nv s in the town. The structure is dia. --=ii d with the appellation of Victoria IIAIlmil is situate behind the new municipal offices in l> fla-street, and on a spot, which before the ".{'7':i:1. of improvement characterised the proceed- iiiirc of the Liverpool Town Council, was covered zLa accumulation of sinks of immorality and iii>city of the lowest, and most debased, type. J. V strange, and yet how suggestive, are the de- vcn-af. of a ruling Providence? At a place which :r,f*-Ten or eight years age was never mentioned l&ci :n subdued tones. are now to be seen daily Jl'^aaeaods of the mectieftpectable inhabitants of ..erpool. The building is not unlike an eis- f>->ivod pavilion, with the exception that it is for.-rytr than those in which eisteddvodau are held, I more substantially built. At one end is a :».rre platform, which is occupied by the choir i the ferl uuate possessors of tickets. In front s. stniU dais, raised a few feet above the plat. ff.V'O! It is railed in, and at one corner is a 1 T desk, on which Mr Moody places his Bible yo.-rfesu preaching. Above, is a rude sounding the better to enable those at a distance to ■J:c—s r. Round three sides of the building are im- 'W.-r^se galleries, and the front of them is covered a crimson—the only material visible to relieve inonotodous colour of the woodwork. Scrip- ?sz. itI mottoes, in large characters, are placed on galleries, and on the walls. The principle _S" Ye must be born again j" "Believe in <¡;<, L-<Jrd Jesus Christ" Be ye reconcilel to God is Love." The seats are long, un- .'•rteed planks, resting on wooden blocks. T: ;»r<3Qgh these run aisles, covered with ftbe This week, there have been three assemblies every day. That in the morning, from twelve to one, is called a .prayer meeting. In the after- noon, at three o'clock, there is the Bible read- ing," and in the evening there is a repetition of the afternoon service. Presenting myself at Vic- toria Hall soon after eleven, I found that a con- siderable number of people had already congre- gatedround the doors, waiting for admission. The do(M^ were opened about h?lf-past, and an an. die? of about five thousand quickly, yet qoi3tly, settled into their places. To assist the congrega- tion to find seats, 20 or 30 stewards, carrying white wands, were ia attendance, and the work they had to perform was of no enviable nature. Some persons would persist, however with a calm decorum, in occupying more room than they were entitled to. A vain attempt was made to reserve the two seats nearest the platform for the deaf. A steward would perhaps say to a young ladr, Are you deaf?" A prompt answer clearly proved that the tympanum was net defective, and she was politely requested to find room else- where. Others were more obstinate. When spoken to, they would give no reply, and sup- posing that they could hear well, from what I saw subsequently, I could scarcely imagine that anyone would be guilty of a falsehood under the circumstances. They seemed to be so enrap- tured with the preacher who was soon to address them that they were afraid to miss evea a single syllable; and, consequently, they clung to the points nearest the pulpit." This process of clearing the seats continued for a few moments, and finding their efforts of little avail, the stewards made an appeal to their Christian brethren to give way. Eventually, half a row was cleared, but as soon as a prominent steward turned his back they were filled as if by magic. I heard one man ask if they would be asked whether they were deaf when they got to heaven ? I did not catch the answer. However, the majority on the foremost benches were those who were well advanced in years. The gen- tler sex predominated, and the intense earnest- ness by which their features were characterised indicated the soul within, burning with religious fervour. Some of the ladies deposited them- selves upon the stairs leading to the platform, and immediately beneath the spot where Mr Mosdy was soon to stand. They appeared will- ing almost to worship the locality and the evan- gelical story of Martha and Mary was brought with peculiar force to one's mind. A lady in widow's weeds, with a broad, homely forehead, and a countenance suffused by an affectionate smile, was busily engaged in dotting down notes with a gold pencil case, perhaps with a view to publication in a parochial magazine. The prac- tice of taking notes of the proceedings, and es- pecially of striking illustrations, I subsequently observed was pretty general. On the right of the leading bench, is an old man, with iron grey moustache and beard. His eye is keen, his face ruddy and clear, and a bright happiness is ex- pressed in his countenance as his hands rest upon an old veteran stick. Judging from his dress, he is a retired mariner. He never speaks, never sings, but his gaze is fixed upon the cen- tre of the platform. On his left, is an old woman, with shrivelled features, and thin hands. She belongs to the poorer class, and poor woman, she is suffering from a cough that must ere long carry her perhaps to a higher and more perfect assembly in heaven. She tries to stifle the cough, lest she should disturb those around her, and in consequence of doing so her face becomes red, and her eyes start out of her head. She is an indifferent scholar, and experiences great dif- ficulty in following the hymns in the book which a lady has so kindly given her. On her left, is a straight, slim, old man of sixty, with a military moustache. If I mistake not, he has been in more than one campaign, and has deserved well of his country. He is much sharper than his two companions, and sings energetically. Next to me are two old gentlemen, who presently begin to converse with each other as to their respective age. The stouter of the two, observed to the other (whose white, prickly beard on a ruddy skin was a sure sign that no little of his life had been spent in the epen air) that he seemed to be very old. Yes," he replied, I am drawing towards the grave. I am now 83 years. And how old might you be?" Oh, I am older than you; I am 84." "God," rejoined the other, has indeed been merciful to each of us, and we ought to be thankfnl to him for his mercy." I afterwards saw the weaker gentleman of the two, singing Safe in the arms of Jesus" most vigorously, although he had scarcely a tooth in his head, and the upper and lower lips had re- ceded to an unusual degree. Facing these two, was a lady with an ear trumpet, and by her side was an elderly lady, in black, her face pallid as if with sorrow, her eyes downcast, her figure bent. She was apparently alone. Possibly, she alone is left of a large circle now dead—husband, sons, daughters; and it may be that she is longing to join them in that world where death is unknown, and where loving ones are never separated. Be- hind, is a young lady of 25, not without preten- sions to prettiness; but there can be no mistaking the pale hue, the sunken eye, the prominent fea- tures, manifestations of one of the most insidious of diseases; a disease that admits of no remedy and but little palliation, but. which takes the panting soul across the gulf that divides the two states of man without pain or acute suffering. I have noticed these persons as giving some idea of the character of the assemblage. As I have said, females were greatly in excess of the stronger sex, and I perceived that most of them were in black, and therefore, in all probability, their hearts were sorrowful and deeply distressed, mourning for those who were dearest. A gather- ing of persons in genuine trouble always has a soothing effect upon those who thus are thrown in contact, and have an opportunity of unbur- dening their sorrows to sympathetic listeners. Persons too, who are sorrowing usually are most susceptible to religious influences, as clergymen and ministers well know; and this explains why people so circumstanced assemble in such numbers at these revival services. Socially, the congregation was made up of mem- bers of the lower middle classes, the larger pro- portion being connected with the tradesman" order. Here and there were to be seen the white ties of ministers and clergymen, whilst a few working men, attired in their Sunday clothes, were scattered in the galleries. Work- ing men there were too who looked as if they were out of employment, but I did not see the slightest approach to anything that was sneering or scoffing. The silence that prevailed was exceedingly im- pressive. Six thousand people were gathered together, and scarcely a sound. The congrega- tion was chiefly engaged in reading the hymn- books, and others, with heads bowed, were in the attitude of prayer. Presently, someone gave out a hymn, and the young ladies who comprised the choir led off, and the tune was soon picked up by the audience, who kept their seats. There were bat few who had not hymn-books, and those who were without were soon supplied. One busy lady, with spectacles, and a rough-and-ready manner, had a satchel full of books, which she ran about distributing until there was not one remaining, with the exception of that in her hand. This she presented to the representative of a Roman Catholic newspaper, and then she looked over the book of another worshipper. Many persons, however, had learnt the hymns, and re- quired no book. It was not yet eleven o'clock, and Messrs Moody and Sankey had not made their appearance. Meanwhile, a group of stewards were holding a consultation in a corner with reference to a man who had been attending the services, and whose mind had become affected. He was described as being dressed in a light overcoat, and as having grey whiskers and a bald head and it was further intimated that he had been seen that morning loitering about the building with a knife in his possession, which he had hinted he intended to plunge into the breast of Mr Moody the next time he as- cended the platform. Orders were therefore given that the doors were to be watched; and as I neither saw ner heard of any attempt upon the life of the revivalist, it may be presumed that the lunatic was secured and removed to appro- priate quarters. The hymn concluded, the choir started another, but it was not generally parti- cipated in through the tune being more difficult. Then hymn 16 was sung, the chorus of which is— Joyful, joyful, will the meeting be, When from sin our hearts are pure and free And we shall gather, Saviour, with Thee, In our eternal home. This was rendered with greater effect, the melody being simpler. There was now ample proof that the ladies were very numerous in the fact that sharp, clear trebles were in excess, the bass voices being almost lost." The intermediate alto and tenor voices, if there were any, could not be heard. Nevertheless, the singing was deeply inspiring, and the vigour that was im- parted was remarkable. Indeed, in one or two instances, if the vigour had been sabdaed, it would have been much pleasanter to those within a short distance. In particular, a young fellow of the labouring class sang with a voice which, whilst loud, was provokingly" raspy," and caused a considerable strain on the nerves of others. He could not have had the faintest notion of harmony, for he sang at least a note lower than anybody else, with an efisct that was very irritating to those with more cultivated tastes. However, it must be admitted that he thoroughly appreciated the sentiments expressed in the words, and was possessed of what seemed to be a sincere fervour. Several ladies next started spontaneously the 5th hymn, which is a great favourite, the tune being one that a large e t assembly may soon acquire, as it presents no difficulties that the merest tyro cannot overcome. The words are- Go bury thy sorrow, the world hath its share Go bury it deeply, go hide it with care. Go think of it calmly, when curtained by night; Go tell it to Jesus, and all will be right. Go tell it to Jesus, He knoweth thy grief; Go tell it to Jesus, He'll send thee relief; Go gather the sunshine He sheds on the way; He'll lighten thy burden—go, weary one, pray. Hearts growing a-weary with heavier woe Now droop 'mid the darkness—go comfort them, go Go bury thy sorrows, let others be blest; Go give them the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest. It was now twelve o'clock, and Mr Moody and Mr Sankey had taken their posts—the former in the pulpit, and the other at the American organ. After spending a few moments in prayer, Mr Moody said, without any further introduction, Let us open the service by singing the 24th hymn. Let us rise and sing." The congregation having risen, Mr Sankey said: "Lat us all join in singing these verses." The first verse and chorus are as follows— Whosoever heareth," shout, shout the sound, Send the blessed tidings all the world around Spread the joyful news wherever man is found, Whosoever will may come." Whosoever will, whosoever will," Send the proclamation over vale and hill; 'Tis a loving Father calls the wanderer home: Whosoever will may come." Next came the requests for prayer, which are somewhat of a novelty at religious services. They were read by the Rev. T. McPherson, who asked his hearers to pray whilst he read. The requests were :— For a young minister and his wife who leave this day to labour in Palestine. For Oxford, and especially for the under- graduates studying there—that it may become wise unto salvation. By seven young men for themselves—that pre- sent conviction may lead to conversion. By thirteen ladies for themselves and their households. By friends for sailors who have promised to attend the meeting this evening. For four sceptics, who are asking what they must do to be saved. For three mentally-afflicted, that reason may be speedily restored. For fathers, mothers, and sons—that the love of strong drink may be destroyed. For five widows in trouble—that they may be- lieve in Jesus. By Sabbath school teachers for themselves and their scholars. By eleven, who have given themselves to Christ, for a fuller sense of their interest in Him. By feeble Christians, that they may have strength to confess Christ and work for him. By tempted ones, that they may be kept from falling. By two mothers, for very amiable sons—that they may become Christians. For young people in Chester who have lately de- cided for Christ. For sons who have been disobedient to parents, but are now convinced of sin. By a mother in Woolwich, and others, that their children may be saved. For sons in India, that they may be protected and brought to Jesus. By many members of families, for the conver- sion of friends very dear to them. For drunkards, scoffers, sceptics, and others, who will be present in the hall this evening—that God may meet with them. For the mother of six helpless children, that she may be spared to them. Earnest prayer is also requested on behalf of two sons of a widowed lady (now deceased), who are a prey to habits of excesssive drinking. The Rav. John Jones (the same minister who delivered a capital speech in Messrs. Jones and Rocke's building two years ago) next offered prayer, in which he referred specially to the prayers for Oxford and Cambridge, and asked God to shake the town of Liverpool. Since twelve o'clock the doors had been kept closed. Hymn 72 having been given oat, the doors were opened whilst it was being sung, so that persons who wished might retire, and those out- side might be admitted. The doors were then closed, and Mr Moody opened his Bible and read from the 9th to. the 13th verse of the 11th chap. of Luke. Mr Moody is a man of middle height, and dark complexion. The lower part of his face is covered with a black beard and moustache. Sternness and determination are written in his countenance. Whilst he was speaking, not the faintest indication of a smile was visible but his face is lit up by a sparkling, restless eye, which now fixes upon a group before him, then upon a particular seat in the gallery, and next looks, as it were, into the inmost recesses of some poor sinner sitting beneath him. As he warms his arms and body twitch convulsively, a burning fire seema to take possession of his soul. His gesticulations are appropriate, not at all passing beyond the line of propriety. His vojee is clear, but not musical; and his utterance is so rapid that persons sitting at the far end of the hall can scarcely understand a word. His language is meagre, bare, tautological, weak, lacking variety, excepting the variety afforded by slang terms, de- livered with a nasal accent that grates harshly on English ears. Grammatical construction and continuity are entirely absent. Sentences are jerked out with much physical effort, and not many of them completed. He rambles from one point to another without any regard for the dis- advantage which follows as a natural consequence. Not a spark of eloquence was discernible in his discourse, although at times his voice quivered with intense earnestnesss. He was listened to with the most rapt attention the gaze of every- one was fixed upon him and his pointed illustra- tions told startingly on his hearers. He laid par- ticular stress on the words Ask and it shall be given seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you." ° He divided the church into three classes. First, there was the asking kind, who were all the time asking, and who did not always wait for an answer. They ran away before God could give them an answer. Just like a little girl, who, after playing with her toy, said to her mother, I want something to eat." The mother took no notice of her, and she continued rolling the hoop or playing with her toys or marbles. The child was not really hungry, and did'nt want anything to eat very much. By-and-bye, however, she took hold of her mother's dress and pnlled her towards the pantry, and then the mother satisfied her. But there was a better class of Christians,—the seeking kind yet their prayers were not always answered because of iniquity in the heart. But the best kind was the knocking Christians. We wanted knocking 'Christians. One knocking Christian in a church was worth more than a whole church and the best gift that Ged could give was the Holy Ghost. A good many people kept the best thing they had under lock and key. So it was with God, and we could only get it by knocking until we were really hungry. Many people complained that their prayers were not answered, but the sixth and seventh vrerses of the 1st chapter of James, threw light on the matter- For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." After showing that we should be like children in faith, he told, as an illustration, of a child in America, whose father had been killed in the war. The landlord threatened to tarn the mother out of the house because she could not pay the rent. The mother was almost broken-hearted, and fell weeping into a chair. Bat the little daughter had more faith and went into her little room and prayed, Oh, God, my father's been killed in the army, and mother's got no money to pay the landlord, and he is going to turn us out, and I shall have to sit on the door step and catch cold, and die; and wont You get us a house to live in?" That child's prayer was answered because of her faith, and the mother had paid no rent ever since that day, as the Lord had opened the heart of some- one in the neighbourhood. He showed the great love God had for us, love so great, that he had counted the hair of our heads. Was not a mother passionately fond of her baby ? but did a mother ever count the hairs on her baby's head ? Re- verting again to the question of prayer, he said we were always praying for temporal things rather than spiritual. God was not likely to answer such prayer, because if he did it would be to our own injury. Moses had power with God, but when he came to pray for himself he didn't I know how to pray. He prayed that he might enter the land of Caanan, but God said to him,. N4w, Moses, don't speak to me anymore bout that matter; I aint a-going to let you go." God did not answer the prayer, but did He no: God Moses ? Elijah was a man of prayer, but he did not know how to pray for himself. He prayed that he might die under the janiper tree, but God loved him too much to answer him. What should we have thought of the bold man of Carmel, who, being scared by a woman, had died under a juniper tree ? Paul did not know how to pray for himself. He asked God to take the thorn out of his flesh, but the Great King said to him, "Now, Paul, you don't talk to me any more about that, I aint a-going to take the thorn out of your flesh, but I will give you more grace." And then Paul gloried in the thorn, because by it had come grace. Bringing his observations to a close, the speaker said the leison to be learnt was to let God choose for us our temporal blessings. A friend of his was shaving when his little boy, four years old, came up to him and wanted the razor, which he said he wanted to play with. And because the father would not let him have it, he sat down and wept, as if his heart were breaking, thinking that his father did not love him. But his father loved him too much. We prayed for razors, and because we did not get them we tbooght God did not love os; but He loved us too much to answer our prayer. Mr Sankey then sang the 50th hymn as a solo, accompanying himself on the American organ. His clear baritone voice reached every nook and corner of the structure. The principal feature of his singing was the distinct articulation. He sang very slowly, almost painfully slow but the effect was impressive in the extreme. He imparted such pathos and expression into the music, the senti- ment of the song was so vividly brought to the mind, that the audience was as if entranced. The tunes to which the hymns are sung are of a simple style. They are easy, flowing, soothing, mellifluous compositions, and are easily learnt; and Mr Sankey's manner of rendering is so graceful and pathetic, albeit somewhat lacking in finish, that they cannot fail to touch the hearts and affections of those who are listening. Con- trasted with Mr Moody, his measured style is more calculated to prove acceptable to those who are located a long way from the platform. Other hymns and prayers followed, and two short addresses were delivered on revival work. The benediction was pronounced by a Church of England clergyman, after which the proceedings closed, having lasted an hour. Some hundreds, nevertheless, lingered round the platform for some time. AFTERNOON SERVICE. I The second service was at three o'clock in the afternoon, bat six thousand people were seated an hour before that time. I noticed a great many persons from Wrexham and district, and other parts of Denbighshire and Flintshire, at this ser- vice. At the door leading to the platform there was a crash, and I heard one lady beseeching the door-keeper to admit her without a ticket, declaring that she had come all the way from Carnarvon to be present at the service. I had little doubt that a large proportion of those who attended the services had come fron. a distance. In fact, special railway arrangements were made for passengers from parts of Lancashire and Cheshire who desired to hear Messrs. Sankey and Moody. There was again a scramble for the seats nearest the platform, and some persons had almost to be forcibly ejected from places which were reserved. One man stood up between two rows of benches, and wanted to stand there daring the service. He sternly refused to move, al- though it was shown that he would interrupt the view of those behind; and it was not until the stewards threatened to call in a policeman that he did as he was directed. A similar argument was used in the case of two or three ladies, who per- haps justly resented the rather harsh manner in which they were directed to do certain things by the stewards. They claimed to be spoken 0 to in a milder and more christianlike way, and with less of the ofifciousness of a parish beadle. Still, it must not be forgotten that the task of the stewards was exceedingly arduous, and few know the difficulty of so controlling a mass of people as to convenience everyone. The hour preceding the service was occupied as before, and the first hymn was given with great power. As this is one of the favourite hymns of the collection, we give it in extenso Ho, my comrades see the signal Waving in the sky! Reinforcements now appearing, Victory is nigh Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still; Wave the answer back to heaven, By Thy grace we will. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on: Mighty men around us falling, Courage almost gone See the glorious banner waving Hear the trumpet blow In our Leader's name we'll triumph Over every foe Fierce and long the battle rages, But our help is near: Onward comes our great Commander, Cheer, my comrades, cheer Mr Sankey opened the services by singing the hymn 35 (" Whiter than snow") which he did in a very effective manner. Mr Moody chose for his subject, Blood." He began by saying-We have for our subject this afternoon the blood." I have received some biiter letters to-day on account of the sermon last night, making out that I made the plan of salva- tion too easy to some people, and that it is a folly to teach that men can be saved without work. Now I don't want anyone here to believe what I say if it ain't according to Scripture, and the best way is for you to bring your Bibles with you and just look into the word of God and see if the teaching is according to the Word of the Lord. Now we are told by the Bible to give a reason for the hope that is within us: bat I don't believe that man lives who can give a reason that will stand the light of eternity for the hope that is within him if he is a stranger to the blood. A man may do a great many good deeds, and he may work all his life, but if he be ignorant of the blood he will be lost.—He then went on to speak of the symbolic use of blood in Old Testament worship. Any religion that made light of the blood, they might know it was the devil's own work. He spoke of the sprinkling of the blood on the lintels of the Israelites, and said it was not put on the threshold to be trampled upon, as was being done in these days. Some men said, It ain't the death of Christ; it's His life and he had letters asking him to preach the life of Christ. He might preach it until the judgment day, and it would not save a man without the death of Christ. They did not get salvation by works, but they got salvation first, and the works followed. A little child behind the blood in Egypt was just as safe as Moses. The tiny.fly in the ark was just as safe as the elephant. It was not the elephant's strength that saved him; it was the ark. And so it was Christ saved us. Apply- ing the illustration of an English writer, he said that when a man purchased a railway ticket, and the guard came to examine it, he did not look at the man, but at the ticket, which was the token and so too he believed the blood was the token of a believer. He illustrated how it was better to obey than to sacrifice and observed that al- though there were a great many people who were said to have worked themselves to death, there were a great many people who didn't (a remark that caused some laughter.) He concluded his address by speaking of the intense love of Christ, to illustrate which he introduced a very affecting story of a mother risking her own life for that of her son. The proceedings closed in the usual way, and those present were requested not to attend in the evening, because exactly the same discourse would be delivered. I THE EVENING SERVICE Was advertised te commence at half-past seven, bat at six there* was not a vacant place in the building. It was indeed a grand, brilliant, and soul-stirring scene. There could not have been fewer than 10,000 persons crowded in the hall. There was more of the working-class element present than at the previous two services, and there was a large number of girls, apparently em- ployed in factories and other places of business which close early. The same intense earnest- ness prevailed, the same religious fervour cha- racterised everyone. Now, indeed, we had a capital opportunity of judging of the effects of the singing. Let the reader try to imagine 10,000 voices starting almost spontaneously to sing Hold the Fort." The volume of harmony was sublimely glorious. Faces glowed with ex- citement, females fainted and had to be carried out, tears were seen to flow from many a cheek. And yet there was no noise, no disorder; all was sabdaed, calm. At the ordinary meetings of one or two of our Dissenting bodies, we hear per- sons ejaculating, Amen," Glory," &c.; but here there wu scarcely a word. Overflowing breasts were serdfie and tranqnil anul thanks to the Almighty for mercy, and prayer. for the descent of the spirit, were wafted above in silence. The service was truly affecting, and hard indeed most have been the heart that could leave the hall without being deeply impressed. At the close of Mr Moody's address, which was listened to with great attention, the hymn There is a Fountain filled with Blood," was sung, and prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Lowe. The audience then passed a minute or two in silent prayer, after which the hymn I am coming, Lord," was sang. Daring the singing of this hymn, Mr Moody retired to the inquiry room, where he and a number of local ministers and lay- men had interviews with a number of inquirers. | The service in the hall was continued for a short time, and afterwards a prayer meeting was held. The question arises, what are the causes that have promoted to such an extent the success of this revival? Most people to whom I have spoken do not think highly of Mr Moody as a preacher, although acknowledging that his dramatic powers are great. But all agree in the opinion that the singing of Mr Sankey is a source of attraction before which other sources pale. No one can listen to the beautiful way in which he emphasises his songs, and see his noble, earnest face, full of pleasant points, without feel- ing that he has been chosen of the Lord. Never- theless, it is felt that one man would not be so successful as the two; for the striking manner in which the sentiments of the hymns chosen ac- cord, and follow up, the lessons of Mr Moody's discourses is a potent aid to religious influences. And, above all, the association of so many thou- sands under one roof, with a common object and desire, endued with a deep fervour, and joining in the rendering of hymns that touch every heart, is not the least important agency in the accomplish- ment of the immense good that has already flowed from these services. A correspondent says:—" A pressing invita- tion was sent to Messrs. Moody and Sankey, when in Ireland, requesting that, on their journey to England, they would make a brief stay in Anglesey, Mr Richard Davies, the member for the county, who is a prominint member of the Cal- vinistic Methodist denomination, offering to de- fray all expenses. The reply was in the negative. Mr Davies, upon the opening of the services in Liverpool, invited the ministers connected with the various Dissenting denominations in Anglesey to spend a week in Liverpool as his guests, he de- fraying their railway expenses. This kind in- vitation, it need scarcely be added, has met with a very general acceptance, and the majority of the Nonconformist ministers in Anglesey have been present at the services in Victoria Hall during the week."