Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody, pt. 3

By all means, reach people!

Moody never tampered with the timeless message of the gospel but he was an innovator and a fresh thinker when it came to reaching people. In his early Sunday School work, Moody bought a Indian pony known as his missionary horse. The horse was of special enjoyment with the children and aided him in securing attendance. He also kept his pockets full of oranges, candy, or something sweet.

F. B. Meyer, the great English preacher, said of Moody: “The first characteristic of Mr. Moody’s that struck me was that he was so absolutely unconventional and natural. That a piece of work had generally been done after a certain method would probably be the reason why he would set about it in some fresh and unexpected way. That the new method startled people was the greater reason for continuing with it, if only it drew them to the Gospel. But there was never the slightest approach to irreverence, fanaticism, or extravagance; everything was in perfect accord with a rare common sense, a directness of method, a simplicity and transparency of aim, which were as attractive as them were fruitful in result.”[1]


[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), p. 158.

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody, pt. 2

Press men into the Kingdom!

Dr. H. C. Mabie writes: "I first met Mr. Moody in the fall of 1863, in Chicago…As we passed in prayer meeting for the YMCA there was a stocky, bustling, Simon Peter sort of a man standing at the door and shaking hands with all who entered. He spoke an earnest word to each. At the close of the meeting his same man remained to speak and pray with an inquirer or two who had shown signs of interest during the meeting. This honest man was Mr. Moody, and it made an impression upon me for life. I had never before seen a layman so making it his business to press men into the Kingdom as he seemed to be doing. I had learned to expect that of ministers, but I had never seen a layman so dead in earnest; but I like it.”[1]

“There is nothing novel in the doctrine Mr. Moody proclaims. It is the old gospel…yet always fresh and young as the living fountain or the morning sun. It is spoken with most impressive directness, not as by a man half convinced and who seems always to feel that a skeptic is looking over his shoulder, but with a certainty of the truth of what he says, as if, …he did not speak the very stones would cry out.”[2]

“He preaches as if there never was to be another meeting, and as if sinners might never hear the Gospel sound again: these appeals to decide now are most impressive.”[3]

Moody was a possessed man when it came to the gospel preaching. When he talked about eternal realities, they were fixed in his mind as firm as the ground underneath him. Because of it, he pressed Christ upon people with great earnestness so as to convince the hearer of his or her need. The Chicago fires of 1871 had a tremendous impact on him. On Oct. 8th he preached to the largest crowd he had ever preached to up until then. After finishing his sermon, he urged the crowd to turn the text over in their minds during the week, and next Sunday he would continue and give them an opportunity to embrace Christ. That night Chicago was lit ablaze and many of those in the audience were swept into eternity. Moody was heartbroken over the fact that he never gave them an opportunity to respond. In Moody’s own words, “I have asked God many times to forgive me for telling people that night to take a week to think it over, and if he spares my life, I will never do it again…I want to tell you of one lesson I learned that night which I have never forgotten, and that is, when I preach, to press Chris upon the people then and there, and try to bring them to a decision on the spot.”[4]

Though I think Moody did not have a proper understanding of the doctrines of grace, I believe he got it right in this fiery urgency that weighted his soul when sharing the gospel. I think that is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he said in 2 Cor. 5:11, “Knowing the fear fo he Lord, we persuade others.” It happens when the realities are truly pressed upon us.

[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), 79.
[2] Ibid., 184.
[3] Ibid., 168
[4] Ibid., 145-46.

Lessons Learned from D. L. Moody

Consecrate Yourself for God’s work

During his first trip to England while Moody was recovering from a spiritual depression and fatigue, he heard these words, “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. ‘He said a man,’ thought Moody; ‘he did not say a great man, nor a learned man, nor a rich man, nor a wise man, nor a eloquent man, nor a smart man, but simply a man. I am a man, and it lies with the man himself whether he will or will not make that entire and full consecration. I will try my utmost to be that man.”[1]

“It has been noted that Moody frequently determined upon a course that did not appear wise to his friends. This meant that their perspective was obscured by what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles. Such obstructions never obscured Mr. Moody’s vision, for if once he thought an object worth attaining, he undertook its achievement with an enthusiasm and vigor equaled only by his determined perseverance. It was this last trait that contributed very largely to his success. Many of this enterprises would have been abandoned by a less courageous and persistent character.”[2]

One evangelist of San Jose` describes an experience with Moody that forever changed his life: “One day the leader assigned did not get there in time, and Mr. Moody came to me, requesting that I take charge. I had just arrived from a journey, hot and dusty. ‘Mr. Moody’, I said, ‘I am just in from a long absence and am not presentable. Excuse me, please, and at some other time I will lead the meeting.’ I shall never forget the incident, for it was the turning point in my life. ‘I thought you were a Christ soldier,’ he said, and added, ‘Go forward and we will pray for you.’ As soon as the meeting was over he came again and thanked me. You did well, he said. But it is all wrong this holding back! Your duty is clear; keep in front. Be a minute man.!”[3]


[1] William R. Moody, The Life of Dwight L. Moody, (Sword of the Lord Publishers: Murfreesboro, TN; 1900), 134.
[2] Ibid., 507
[3] Ibid., 120.

D. L. Moody the Evangelist

D. L. Moody was born in 1837 and died in 1899. He was the most influential Christian man in late 19th century to the extent that some would give him the title, Mr. Revivalist or greater still, Mr. Protestant. Understand that he lived at the time of great preachers and the golden age of preaching. Moody was not a pastor but an evangelist. The influence that he had during his life was through an itinerate ministry from city to city for the most part. During those years, however, his oldest son estimated that 1 million souls were saved through his preaching. In addition, he established three schools, Moody Bible Institute was one of them, a publishing business, and Christian conferences held yearly. As a layman, he inspired thousands of preachers to win souls and hold revival services. Many of us grew up in the twilight of revival meetings that churches held yearly as a method of calling the church to holiness and unbelievers to Jesus.

“At Moody’s funeral, Theodore Cuyler estimated that at times Moody spoke to 40,000 or 50,000 people a week, an estimate not at all unreasonable in view of the fact that some single services had 10-20 thousand in the audience. This evidence would seem to indicate that A.T. Pierson’s calculation that Moody brought the claims of Christ by voice and pen to the attention of 100 million people, if anything, errs on the conservative side.”[1]


[1] Stanley N. Gundry, Love them In, (Moody Press of Chicago: 1976, 1999), p. 12.