Difference between revisions of "Dwight Moody" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Dwight Lyman Moody''' (February 5, 1837 - December 22, 1899), also known as D.L. Moody, was an [[United States|American]] [[evangelist]] and [[publisher]] who founded the [[Moody Church]], Northfield School and Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts (now the [[Northfield Mount Hermon]] School), the [[Moody Bible Institute]] and [[Moody Publishers]]. He was the premier evangelist at the center of [[Third Great Awakening]]. His sermons were known to be colloquial, simple, and full of conviction. In his theology he laid stress on the Gospel and not on sectarian opinions, however, he was a "pre-millenarianite," or premillennial revivalist.  He worked, sometimes only briefly, with men such as [[Henry Drummond]], whom he eagerly defended against orthodox attack, and [[George Adam Smith]]. Moody's sermons were sold widely in English, and in German, Danish and Swedish versions.
+
'''Dwight Lyman Moody''' (February 5, 1837 - December 22, 1899), also known as D.L. Moody, was an [[United States|American]] [[evangelist]] and [[publisher]] who founded the [[Moody Church]], Northfield School and Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts (now the [[Northfield Mount Hermon]] School), the [[Moody Bible Institute]] and [[Moody Publishers]]. He was the premier evangelist at the center of the [[Third Great Awakening]]. His sermons were known to be colloquial, simple, and full of conviction. In his theology he was a [[premillennial revivalist]] who laid stress on the Gospel with emphasis on the return of Christ. Along the path of his great revival tours, he worked with men such as [[Henry Drummond]], whom he eagerly defended against orthodox attack, [[George Adam Smith]], and [[Charles Spurgeon]]. Moody's sermons were sold widely in English, and in German, Danish and Swedish versions.
 
==Early life==
 
==Early life==
Dwight Moody was born in the village of East [[Northfield, Massachusetts]] to a large family. His father, Edwin Moody, a small farmer and stone mason, died at the age of 41 when Dwight was but four years old. At that time, he had five older brothers and a younger sister, with an additional twin brother and sister born one month after his father's death. His mother, Betsy (nee Holton) worked hard to maintain her family, sending some of the children off to work at other local farms at times, including Dwight. Amidst all the challenges of raising a large family alone, she continued to send her children to church. Together with his eight siblings Dwight was raised in the [[Unitarianism|Unitarian Church]].  
+
Dwight Moody was born in the village of East [[Northfield, Massachusetts]] to a large family. His father, Edwin Moody, a small farmer and stone mason, died at the age of 41 when Dwight was only four years old. At that time, he had five older brothers and a younger sister, with an additional twin brother and sister born one month after his father's death. His mother, Betsy (nee Holton) worked hard to maintain her family, sending some of the children off to work at other local farms at times, including Dwight. Amidst all the challenges of raising a large family alone, she continued to send her children to church. Together with his eight siblings Dwight was raised in the [[Unitarianism|Unitarian Church]].  
  
 
When Moody turned 16, he moved to [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] to work in his uncle's shoe store. One of his uncle's requirements was that Moody attend the [[Congregational Church]] of Mount Vernon where [[Edward Norris Kirk|Dr. Edward Norris Kirk]] was [[pastor]].
 
When Moody turned 16, he moved to [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] to work in his uncle's shoe store. One of his uncle's requirements was that Moody attend the [[Congregational Church]] of Mount Vernon where [[Edward Norris Kirk|Dr. Edward Norris Kirk]] was [[pastor]].
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==Chicago and the Civil War==
 
==Chicago and the Civil War==
Moody moved to [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] in September, 1856, where he joined the [[Plymouth Congregational Church]], and began to take an active part in the prayer meetings. In the spring of 1857, he began to minister to the welfare of the sailors in Chicago's port, then gamblers and thieves in the saloons.
+
Moody moved to [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] in September, 1856, where he joined the [[Plymouth Congregational Church]], and began to take an active part in the prayer meetings. In the spring of 1857, he began to minister to the welfare of the sailors in Chicago's port as well as gamblers and thieves in the saloons.
  
 
Along with Mr. J. B. Stillson, a business man, who was employing his spare time in the same Sunday school missionary work, he "recruited" or taught in hundreds of Sunday schools in the greater Chicago area.  As a result of their tireless labor, within a year the average attendance at Moody's own school was 650, with 60 volunteers from various churches serving as teachers. It became so well known that the just-elected [[Abraham Lincoln|President Lincoln]] on his way from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C. visited and spoke at a Sunday school meeting on November 25, 1860.  
 
Along with Mr. J. B. Stillson, a business man, who was employing his spare time in the same Sunday school missionary work, he "recruited" or taught in hundreds of Sunday schools in the greater Chicago area.  As a result of their tireless labor, within a year the average attendance at Moody's own school was 650, with 60 volunteers from various churches serving as teachers. It became so well known that the just-elected [[Abraham Lincoln|President Lincoln]] on his way from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C. visited and spoke at a Sunday school meeting on November 25, 1860.  
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==English and American Revivals==
 
==English and American Revivals==
The trip to [[England]] in the spring of 1872 would cement Dwight L. Moody's reputation as a world-renowned evangelist. He would preach at almost one hundred revival events over a period of several months. His preaching had an impact as great as that of [[George Whitefield]] and [[John Wesley]] within Britain, Scotland and Ireland. On several occasions he would fill stadiums of 2,000 to 4,000 capacity. A meeting at the Botanic Gardens Palace was reportedly attended by between 15,000 to 30,000 people. Government leaders, including British Prime Minister Gladstone, complimented and endorsed Moody after some initial distance.
+
A trip to [[England]] in the spring of 1872 would cement Dwight L. Moody's reputation as a world-renowned evangelist. He would preach at almost one hundred revival events over a period of several months. His preaching had an impact as great as that of [[George Whitefield]] and [[John Wesley]] within Britain, Scotland and Ireland. On several occasions he would fill stadiums of 2,000 to 4,000 capacity. A meeting at the Botanic Gardens Palace was reportedly attended by between 15,000 to 30,000 people. Government leaders, including British Prime Minister Gladstone, complimented and endorsed Moody after some initial distance.
  
 
Such great turnouts continued throughout 1874 and 1875, with crowds of thousands at all of his meetings. During his visit to Scotland he was helped and encouraged by [[Andrew A. Bonar]].  
 
Such great turnouts continued throughout 1874 and 1875, with crowds of thousands at all of his meetings. During his visit to Scotland he was helped and encouraged by [[Andrew A. Bonar]].  
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==The World==
 
==The World==
[[Image:Open Air Preaching WB.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Missionary preaching in [[China]] using Moody's version of [[The Wordless Book]]]] Moody greatly believed in the work of cross-cultural and world evangelism. He actively supported the [[China Inland Mission]] and encouraged many within his congregation to volunteer for service overseas. He also actively promoted "[[The Wordless Book]]," a teaching tool that had been invented by [[Charles Spurgeon]] in 1866. In 1875 he added a fourth color to the design of the three-color evangelistic device: gold - to "represent heaven." This book has been and is still used to teach uncounted thousands of illiterate people -  young and old - around the globe about the Gospel message.<ref>Austin (2007), 1-10</ref>
+
[[Image:Open Air Preaching WB.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Missionary preaching in [[China]] using Moody's version of [[The Wordless Book]]]] Moody greatly believed in the work of cross-cultural and world evangelism. He actively supported the [[China Inland Mission]] and encouraged many within his congregation to volunteer for service overseas. He also actively promoted "[[The Wordless Book]]," a teaching tool that had been invented by [[Charles Spurgeon]] in 1866. In 1875 he added a fourth color to the design of the three-color evangelistic device: gold - to "represent heaven." This book has been and is still used to teach uncounted thousands of both young and old illiterate people around the globe about the Gospel message.<ref>Austin (2007), 1-10</ref>
  
 
==Death==
 
==Death==
Dwight Moody preached his last sermon on November 16, 1899 in Kansas City, KS.  Becoming ill, he returned home by train to Northfield.  During the preceding several months, friends had observed he had added some 30 pounds to his already ample frame.  Although his illness was never diagnosed, it has been speculated that he suffered congestive heart failure.  He died on December 22, surrounded by family.  Already installed by Moody as leader of his Chicago Bible Institute, [[Reuben Archer Torrey|R. A. Torrey]] succeeded Moody as its president.  Ten years after his death, the Chicago Avenue Church was renamed The [[Moody Church]] in his honor, and the Chicago Bible Institute was likewise renamed [[Moody Bible Institute]].
+
Dwight Moody preached his last sermon on November 16, 1899 in Kansas City, KS.  Becoming ill, he returned home by train to Northfield.  During the preceding several months, friends had observed that he had added some 30 pounds to his already ample frame.  Although his illness was never diagnosed, it has been speculated that he suffered congestive heart failure.  He died on December 22, surrounded by family.  Already installed by Moody as leader of his Chicago Bible Institute, [[Reuben Archer Torrey|R. A. Torrey]] succeeded Moody as its president.  Ten years after his death, the Chicago Avenue Church was renamed The [[Moody Church]] in his honor, and the Chicago Bible Institute was likewise renamed [[Moody Bible Institute]].
 +
 
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
Dwight L. Moody proved to be a major catalyst for the early growth of [[Young Men's Christian Association|YMCA]], of which for a time he was president. The rise of the movement in Great Britain as well as the parallel organization, the [[YWCA]], owe much to Moody's support and energy. In the wake of his many sermons and revival tours, Moody has also left behind [[The Moody Bible Institute]] and [[Moody Publishers]].
+
Dwight L. Moody proved to be a major catalyst for the early growth of the [[Young Men's Christian Association|YMCA]], of which for a time he was president. The rise of the movement in Great Britain as well as the parallel organization, the [[YWCA]], owe much to Moody's early support and energy. In the wake of his many sermons and revival tours, Moody has also left behind [[The Moody Bible Institute]] and [[Moody Publishers]].
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==

Revision as of 16:27, 29 September 2007


Dwight Lyman Moody
Dwight Lyman Moody c.1900.jpg
Preacher , evangelist and publisher
BornFebruary 5, 1837
Northfield, Massachusetts
DiedDecember 22, 1899

Dwight Lyman Moody (February 5, 1837 - December 22, 1899), also known as D.L. Moody, was an American evangelist and publisher who founded the Moody Church, Northfield School and Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts (now the Northfield Mount Hermon School), the Moody Bible Institute and Moody Publishers. He was the premier evangelist at the center of the Third Great Awakening. His sermons were known to be colloquial, simple, and full of conviction. In his theology he was a premillennial revivalist who laid stress on the Gospel with emphasis on the return of Christ. Along the path of his great revival tours, he worked with men such as Henry Drummond, whom he eagerly defended against orthodox attack, George Adam Smith, and Charles Spurgeon. Moody's sermons were sold widely in English, and in German, Danish and Swedish versions.

Early life

Dwight Moody was born in the village of East Northfield, Massachusetts to a large family. His father, Edwin Moody, a small farmer and stone mason, died at the age of 41 when Dwight was only four years old. At that time, he had five older brothers and a younger sister, with an additional twin brother and sister born one month after his father's death. His mother, Betsy (nee Holton) worked hard to maintain her family, sending some of the children off to work at other local farms at times, including Dwight. Amidst all the challenges of raising a large family alone, she continued to send her children to church. Together with his eight siblings Dwight was raised in the Unitarian Church.

When Moody turned 16, he moved to Boston to work in his uncle's shoe store. One of his uncle's requirements was that Moody attend the Congregational Church of Mount Vernon where Dr. Edward Norris Kirk was pastor. It was at this time, in April 1855, that Dwight Moody converted to evangelical Christianity.

Chicago and the Civil War

Moody moved to Chicago, Illinois in September, 1856, where he joined the Plymouth Congregational Church, and began to take an active part in the prayer meetings. In the spring of 1857, he began to minister to the welfare of the sailors in Chicago's port as well as gamblers and thieves in the saloons.

Along with Mr. J. B. Stillson, a business man, who was employing his spare time in the same Sunday school missionary work, he "recruited" or taught in hundreds of Sunday schools in the greater Chicago area. As a result of their tireless labor, within a year the average attendance at Moody's own school was 650, with 60 volunteers from various churches serving as teachers. It became so well known that the just-elected President Lincoln on his way from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C. visited and spoke at a Sunday school meeting on November 25, 1860.

After the Civil War began, he was involved with the U.S. Christian Commission of the YMCA, and paid nine visits to the battle-front, being present among the Union soldiers after the conflicts of Shiloh, Pittsburgh Landing, and Murfreesboro, and ultimately entered Richmond with the army of General Grant. The growing Sunday school congregation needed a permanent home, so Moody started a church in Chicago, the Illinois Street Church.

In June 1871, Moody met Ira D. Sankey, former internal revenue service agent, then famed Gospel singer, with whom he soon partnered. (A few years later, in 1875, together they would publish the popular Gospel Hymns). In October of 1871, Sankey and Moody were in the middle of a revival meeting when the Great Chicago Fire broke out. The two men, along with those assembled, barely escaped the conflagration. The fire however, destroyed Moody's church, home, the YMCA, and the dwellings of most of his members. His family had to flee for their lives. Within a few weeks he and his members sprang into action and rebuilt a new building, the Northside Tabernacle, turning it into a relief center that helped feed and clothe the thousands who had lost their homes. His church was rebuilt within three months at a nearby location and renamed as the Chicago Avenue Church.

In the years after the fire, Moody's wealthy Chicago supporter J.A. Farwell attempted to persuade him to make his permanent home in Chicago, offering to build Moody and his family a new house. But the now-famous Moody, also sought by supporters in New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere, chose the tranquil farm he had purchased next door to his birthplace in Northfield, MA. Northfield became an important location in evangelical Christian history in the late 19th century as Moody organized summer conferences which were led and attended by prominent Christian preachers and evangelists from around the world. It was also in Northfield where Moody founded three schools which later merged into today's Northfield Mount Hermon School.

Marriage and Family

In the early days of the Civil War, on August 28, 1862, Dwight Moody married Miss Emma C. Revell, with whom he would later have a daughter Emma Reynolds, and two sons, William Revell and Paul Dwight. Emma Revell had for some years been a helper in his mission in North Chicago.

English and American Revivals

A trip to England in the spring of 1872 would cement Dwight L. Moody's reputation as a world-renowned evangelist. He would preach at almost one hundred revival events over a period of several months. His preaching had an impact as great as that of George Whitefield and John Wesley within Britain, Scotland and Ireland. On several occasions he would fill stadiums of 2,000 to 4,000 capacity. A meeting at the Botanic Gardens Palace was reportedly attended by between 15,000 to 30,000 people. Government leaders, including British Prime Minister Gladstone, complimented and endorsed Moody after some initial distance.

Such great turnouts continued throughout 1874 and 1875, with crowds of thousands at all of his meetings. During his visit to Scotland he was helped and encouraged by Andrew A. Bonar. In Scotland one day he reportedly addressed an estimated 50,000 people outdoors from a buggy. He and Sankey next moved on to Ireland, preaching in Belfast, returning again back to London. There he was promoted and helped by the famous London Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon. Overall, it is estimated that crowds along the tour route exceeded 2.5 million.

Subsequently, Moody began to outline a tour for an American revival. When he returned to the United States, crowds of 12,000 to 20,000 became just as common as they were in England. In Philadelphia, on January 19, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant and members of his cabinet sat on the platform with Moody. His revival meetings were held from Boston to New York and throughout New England. Campaigns followed in Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Cincinatti, Richmond, Denver, Colorado Springs, and St. Louis. In the West, he went to San Francisco and then traveled to many other cities and towns from Vancouver to San Diego.

The World

Missionary preaching in China using Moody's version of The Wordless Book

Moody greatly believed in the work of cross-cultural and world evangelism. He actively supported the China Inland Mission and encouraged many within his congregation to volunteer for service overseas. He also actively promoted "The Wordless Book," a teaching tool that had been invented by Charles Spurgeon in 1866. In 1875 he added a fourth color to the design of the three-color evangelistic device: gold - to "represent heaven." This book has been and is still used to teach uncounted thousands of both young and old illiterate people around the globe about the Gospel message.[1]

Death

Dwight Moody preached his last sermon on November 16, 1899 in Kansas City, KS. Becoming ill, he returned home by train to Northfield. During the preceding several months, friends had observed that he had added some 30 pounds to his already ample frame. Although his illness was never diagnosed, it has been speculated that he suffered congestive heart failure. He died on December 22, surrounded by family. Already installed by Moody as leader of his Chicago Bible Institute, R. A. Torrey succeeded Moody as its president. Ten years after his death, the Chicago Avenue Church was renamed The Moody Church in his honor, and the Chicago Bible Institute was likewise renamed Moody Bible Institute.

Legacy

Dwight L. Moody proved to be a major catalyst for the early growth of the YMCA, of which for a time he was president. The rise of the movement in Great Britain as well as the parallel organization, the YWCA, owe much to Moody's early support and energy. In the wake of his many sermons and revival tours, Moody has also left behind The Moody Bible Institute and Moody Publishers.

Quotes

"A good example is far better than a good precept."


"A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian... and most of all, his family ought to know."


"Faith makes all things possible... love makes all things easy."


"God never made a promise that was too good to be true."


"If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of me."


"The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible."


"We talk about heaven being so far away. It is within speaking distance to those who belong there. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."


"Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me."

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Moody, Dwight L. Heaven. Diggory Press. ISBN 978-1846858123
  • ______________. Prevailing Prayer - What Hinders it? Diggory Press. ISBN 978-1846858031
  • ______________. Secret Power. Diggory Press. ISBN 978-1846858024
  • ______________. On The Ten Commandments. ISBN 978-0802417787
  • Hanson, J. W. and Thomas, H. W. The Life and Works of the World's Greatest Evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Kessinger Publishing (June 30, 2005). ISBN 978-0766198609
  • Austin, Alvyn. China’s Millions: The China Inland Mission and Late Qing Society. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (March 5, 2007) ISBN 978-0802829757

Notes

  1. Austin (2007), 1-10

External links

See also

Horatio Spafford - Spafford, a friend of Moody, wrote the words to the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul"

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