Rev. F. B. Meyer's Visit to America.

W. R. MOODY.

For some time it has been urged by those who have found it impracticable to attend the Northfield summer conventions that some provision should be made by which Northfield could come to them. The privileges which only a few thousands enjoy, they say, should not be limited by any geographical bounds, but should be extended to the Christian public throughout the land. This demand has partially been met by the annual publication of a magazine, The Northfield Echoes, in four numbers, giving verbatim reports of the principal addresses at the various meetings. But still the personality of the speaker has been needed and every year an increasing number of requests have come for many of the speakers at Northfield to repeat their addresses in other places.

In response to many such invitations from New York, Boston and Philadelphia, Mr. D. L. Moody invited the Rev. F. B. Meyer to deliver a series of addresses in these cities in the month of February, 1897. The results of these meetings far exceeded every expectation and thousands of Christians crowded to listen to the addresses urging a fuller development of true Christian living. Mr. Meyer was not only known by his repeated visits to Northfield, where he had been of great blessing to many Christians, but his popularity as a writer had become so general, both through his books and his frequent articles in the religious press, that his name had become familiar in every Christian community.

The interest that was awakened in this short mission, of less than two weeks, brought in the most urgent requests that similar meetings might be arranged during the present year in some of the leading cities which he had not already visited. It was in response to these invitations that Mr. Meyer made his recent visit to America.

Mr. Meyer found that he would be able to leave his own church work from the middle of January till the first of March and thus devote about five weeks to filling appointments in America.

The arrangements for the mission were placed in the hands of the writer and, as soon as it became known that Mr. Meyer was to come to America again this season, invita

tions came from all parts of the United States and Canada. Owing to his very brief stay in America it was thought best to accept invitations to only a few cities which would prove to be the most available centers to the greatest numbers. The following cities were included on the itinerary: Albany, Bay City, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Rochester, Cleveland and Buffalo.

Mr. Meyer began his work in Albany on the afternoon of January 20th, in the Fourth Presbyterian church. In spite of a heavy rain storm there was a large attendance at the first service; and at all the succeeding meetings the capacity of the church was taxed to the utmost. The same was true in the remaining cities that were visited and it would be largely a repetition to describe the work in each place.

The most cordial support on the part of the ministers was evinced everywhere and their appreciation of Mr. Meyer's work was shown by the invitations for a ministers' meeting in every city he visited, which were always well attended. These ministers' meetings were most informal and were largely occupied in discussing topics suggested by the teaching and in asking and answering questions on special passages of Scripture.

The line of teaching which Mr. Meyer presented in these services was of the same general character that he presented in New York last winter and at Northfield in previous years. Not the least important work that has been accomplished in these meetings, however, has been the influence of Mr. Meyer's style of preaching upon many of the young ministers who attended the services. The addresses were extraordinary for their simplicity. Some familiar Bible story would serve as illustrating a truth or would be shown to be analogous to the spiritual life of some nineteenth century Christians. The impotent man who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking alms of the passersby, was presented as illustrating those Christians who never enjoyed the privileges of an "out and out” life, but live on the spiritual alms of a minister or a Christian friend. To many a minister such preaching must have been a revelation of the attractive power of the Bible when simply taught and expounded.

During the five weeks that Mr. Meyer spent

in this country he accomplished an herculean work. In the thirteen cities visited he gave over eighty addresses to audiences that aggregated more than a hundred thousand. Large as this number may seem in itself, it does not fully represent the influence of the gatherings; for these were audiences that should rather be weighed than counted. They were made up of the leading Christian workers of the cities and surrounding communities and stood for the aggressive Christian work, in their church or mission, of their denominations. In many cases people came great distances to attend the services and took back to their work higher aspirations and a deeper sense of their dependence upon divine guidance. In Mr. Meyer's opinion it was the greatest work that he had ever been privileged to undertake, and certainly there has been many indications already that the results of the mission have been both deep and lasting.

Invitations are already being received by Mr. Meyer to continue his work in America next winter and, should he be able to devote another season in a similar work, there is every reason to believe that the spiritual interest would continue a year hence where the mission closed this winter.

Our English Letter.

After a week's rest Mr. McNeil has entered on a campaign in the East End. The evening meetings are now being held in Mr. Charrington's Great Assembly Hall, Mile End Road, to which thousands are resorting nightly. It is the best opportunity the evangelist has yet had of reaching the masses who are sunk in spiritual indifference and neglect, and the course of this part of the mission will be watched with more than usual interest. Midday meetings are also held for business men and others in Cannon Street Hotel and Exeter Hall.

The pulpit of Marylebone Presbyterian church, recently vacated by Dr. Pentecost, on his translation to Yonkers, has at length been filled by the induction of a young Irish pastor, Rev. George Hanson, of Dublin. He comes to London with a reputation already made for ability and earnestness; and judging from his first discourse at Marylebone he seems likely to add a very distinct force to the effective preaching of the gospel in our metropolitan pulpits.

Next to the great English Bible Society, one of the oldest of our religious organizations is the Religious Tract Society. It will celebrate the centenary of its founding a month hence by great meetings in London. The unsectarian character of its excellent work in past years will be evidenced by the fact that leading ecclesiastics from all sections of the Protestant churches, from the Archbishop of Canterbury downward, will take part in the meetings. It would be altogether impossible to estimate the amount of good service that the Society has rendered in furthering the dissemination of Christian and wholesome literature all the world over. A somewhat kindred effort, though on a much smaller scale, is that of the Monthly Tract Society, which forwards by post each month, under cover, to many members of the aristocratic section of our community specially prepared and attractively printed statements of gospel truths. Its work is carried on very quietly, but it is none the less important and valuable on that account.

An extremely interesting and novel experiment has been made by the Exeter Hall Y. M. C. A. during the past month. There has for years past been a youths' section of the Association, but no unusual endeavor seems hitherto to have been made to reach outside

boys as a class. A boys' Mission has been in progress at Exeter Hall thronghout the week. Every evening some 700 or 800 lads from twelve years and upwards have been at these meetings, drawn. largely from the Boys, Brigades in London and suburbs. Light refreshments have been provided and subsequently earnest gospel messages have been pressed home on these young hearts. I have not been able to personally observe the progress of the effort, but I am assured by those in charge that it has been of the most hopeful character. The demeanor of the lads has shown, especially in the after meetings, that the truths of salvation are finding their way into mind and heart so as to excite the hope that the current of many a fresh young life will be blessedly changed. The Boys' Brigades in this country are very popular, and are attracting multitudes of our youth at a critical stage of their development. There have been fears on the part of many good people that the element of military drill may become too obtrusive, to the exclusion of reli

gious instruction and guidance. This purely gospel mission will undoubtedly help to redress the balance, and if it is well followed up on similar lines, it must be productive of untold good among the working boys of our great community.

The work carried on by Dr. Barnardo and other friends, among boys and girls of a lower stratum in the social scale, is, of course, well and favorably known to the readers of the RECORD. About this time of the year a special interest is aroused in Dr. Barnardo's wonderful organization. A few days after the year opens he invites about 2,000 boy and girl waifs, gathered from all the worst and poorest quarters of the city, to a feast in his hall at the "Edinboro Castle," in the extreme east of London. Such a collection of rags and tatters, of unwashed faces and unkempt hair, is probably seen nowhere else. The worthy Doctor needs all his skill in generalship to control his lively guests, but he succeeds wonderfully well, and as a result of the gathering a number of the most needy and most neglected of these waifs are yearly received into the Homes, which have been the means in past years of rescuing so many thousands of lost children and restoring them to paths of comfort, happiness and holy, useful living. The sum total of the good work accomplished by this and kindred endeavors in London and our other big cities can never even be guessed at; they are worthy of the warmest sympathy and support.

Another assembly recently convened in the interests of Dr. Barnardo's Homes is the an

nual gathering of the "Young Helpers' League," which is held in London's biggest auditorium, the Albert Hall. Hundreds of the rescued children who have been completely metamorphosed by the power of education, training and Christian care, are brought to this center of the fashionable world and by their performances delight the eyes and hearts of the members of the League, who all come from comfortable and wealthy homes. In this way a large amount of intelligent sympathy is generated with Dr. Barnardo's work of rescue and restoration, and much-needed additions are made to the resources of his institutions.

I regret to have to record the recent loss by death of not a few who were active and useful

workers, both in the church-world and the business world. One of the best known men among educationalists in the Wesleyan Methodist body was Dr. Moulton, Principal of the Leys School, Cambridge. He died a few weeks ago, very suddenly, and his decease makes a large blank in the circles wherein be moved. An equally noted man among the Congregationalists was Dr. Samuel Newth, a professor in one of the independent colleges, 1 who was lately taken home. Both these gentlemen were members of the Committee of Revisers of the New Testament; this will show the position they held in the world of letters. The Church of England also suffers by the deaths of Bishop Selwyn and Bishop Billing. The latter, when plain Rev. R. C. Billing, was one of Mr. Moody's most ardent helpers at Telington during the first mission held in London by himself and Mr. Sankey.

Two notable men have been taken from the ranks of commerce. No man was perhaps more highly esteemed amongst us for his Christian character and his devotion than Mr. Hugh M. Matheson, of Lombard street. He was an active worker in the Presbyterian church, and was specially interested in Chinese missions. His remains were followed to their last resting place by a large and representative body of business men and members of different religious organizations. The other to whom I refer was equally notable in his way— Mr. E. M. Drysdale, of Liverpool. His great forte was personal dealing with individuals about matters of salvation. He was truly instant in season and out of season, addressing himself impartially to all with whom he came in contact in his travels and seeking to lead them to a conscious knowledge of Christ. For many years he was an active and successful evangelist as well as a man of commerce. Both he and Mr. Matheson were deeply interested in the missions of Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey. The latter also took a part in arranging for the present visit of Mr. McNeill to London. Both now rest from their abundant labors and their places will not be easily filled. London, England.

The Chicago Bible Institute.

The yearly report of the Chicago Bible Institute has recently been received and we would call attention to the practical work

which this school has accomplished during the last nine years. In this time there have been enrolled over 2,300 students, most of whom have been young men.

A school is always measured by those who go out from it, and we believe that the following extract from the report speaks for itself:

"Of those who have passed through the institution, 195 are in city rescue and home missions, 165 are in evangelistic work as preachers or singers, 277 are pastors, pastors' assistants and church visitors, 41 are Sunday school missionaries, 23 are Christian Association secretaries, 21 are colporters, 117 are in foreign lands, 21 are in educational and philanthropic work, 67 are superintendents of city missions and other responsible institutions in the largest cities on the continent.

"Many others have returned to secular occupations, equipped for better service in connection with their home churches by the training received at the Bible Institute."

The institution is a growing one and during the time covered by the report hardly a year has past that it has not been found necessary to enlarge the accommodations for the students, either in the ladies' department or in the building used by the men. The following extracts from the report give interesting facts regarding the present condition of the school: Number of students enrolled:

8 are colporters.

16 are in educational work.

22 are college students and others who came for special courses.

18 are foreign missionaries in China, South and Central America, Africa, Japan, Persia, Corea, West Indies and Mexico, and one is under appointment.

The Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip.

The last half century has seen the birth and development of many of the most efficient channels through which the church is working for young men and women. One of the youngest of these is the Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip. This organization has for its specific object the binding together of Christian young men in the church for systematic and aggressive work. Beginning ten year sago, in a single church in Reading, Pa., it has spread all over the land. It is found in nearly every state from coast to coast, and from Maine to the Gulf. Over four hundred chapters or branches are in active operation, and it is estimated that nearly fourteen thousand men are enrolled in its ranks.

The largest chapter, probably, is the one in Bethany church (Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman's), Philadelphia. It has nearly five hundred men, who are busy every Sunday from early morning till late at night, holding meetings in missions, on wharfs, distributing invitations, acting as ushers, and doing special detailed work assigned by the pastor.

No where is the activity of the local chapters displayed to greater advantage than in the preparation and distribution of the printed matter required by the local church. Parish papers, circulars, topic cards, orders of service, etc., are always improved in appearance and effectiveness when entrusted to some bright young men.

Hotel committees, designed to specially invite transient guests, are at work in many cities. In one or two places, a special part of the church is designated, and the chapter tries to fill its pews.

The central point of Brotherhood work, around which all else revolves, is the prayer meeting for men only, which in almost all cases is held on Sunday morning. A system of topics, issued under the authorization of the Federal Council, is largely used.

The Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip is found in the Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist, Baptist, United Brethren churches, including eighteen evangelical churches in all. The president of the Federal Council is the Rev. Rufus W. Miller, D. D., and the general secretary is the Rev. C. E. Wyckoff, Irvington, N. J., who will gladly furnish information regarding the work to any who may wish particulars.