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.