THE LIFE &
WORK
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Chapter 15 - The Northfield Conference and the Student Volunteers | |
Various Bible
Conferences - The Pre- Eminence of Northfleld - The Beginnings and the
Growth of the Conference – The Student Volunteers - Missionary Interest
Awakened.
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This is a day in which God is using
in a very remarkable way what is known as the Bible Conference. In many parts
of the country there are annual summer gatherings of Christian people for the
study of God's Word. The number is rapidly increasing, and the growth of some
of these conferences is really remarkable. In a sense, at least, the Northfield
Conference which came out of the heart and the deep study of D. L. Moody, is
responsible for them all.
VARIOUS BIBLE CONFERENCES
There has been annually, until within the past two years, a gathering of earnest,
active Christians at Niagara, on the Lake, and some of the most widely known
Bible students in the country have gathered there to consult together concerning
the things of the Kingdom. The teaching at this conference has been largely
along dispensation lines, and the prominent truth presented in all their services
has been the return of the Lord, while the majority of the teachers at Northfield
have not only accepted, but strongly advocated the truth known as the "blessed
hope". Still Mr. Moody had one characteristic which impressed itself on
all his associates. He would not exalt one truth at the expense of another,
and so Northfield has not been known as the place where any particular line
of truth was promulgated. If any exception could be taken to this statement
it would be in favor of those truths which contribute to the deepening of the
spiritual life.
Another widely known Bible Conference, which is certainly in existence because
of the influence of Northfield, is the Winona gathering at Winona Lake, Ind.
For five years the Christians of the Middle and Western states in increasing
numbers have gathered there for the same kind of work that was done at Northfield.
Mr. Moody has ever contributed to the effectiveness of the Conference by sending
such speakers as the Rev. G. H. C. MacGregor, the Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, the
Rev. F. B. Meyer, and the Rev. J. G. Cunningham. The gathering has increased
from thirty-five, the first year, to more than 1,500 at the last annual meeting.
I desire personally to say that Winona owes to Mr. Moody more than it can ever
repay.
THE KESWICK MOVEMENT
One of the most celebrated conferences abroad is that which meets in the early
summer at Keswick, a town of Cumberland, England, on the south bank of the Greta,
twenty-four miles from Carlisle. The first convention was held in July, 1875,
and was only for the purpose of experiencing a fuller spiritual life. It has
been thought by many that the Keswick movement stood for the promotion of the
doctrine of "sinless perfection". This is most untrue. It does stand
for the very highest type of Christian living, and in every way stands for the
exaltation and manifestation of Christ in the life. There are six successive
stages that ought to be indicated in connection with Keswick, for they have
widely influenced the Northfield teachers, especially those from abroad. They
are named in the order of their importance.
1. The definite and immediate abandonment of every known sin or hindrance to
holy living.
2. The abandonment and renunciation by faith of the self-life, or the life,
that centers in self-indulgence and self-dependence.
3. The immediate surrender of the will in loving and complete obedience to the
will of God, separation for the purpose of consecration.
4. The infilling of the Holy Spirit, or the claiming of the believer's shave
in the Spirit's Pentecostal gift of power for service.
5. The revelation of Christ as an indwelling presence in the believer's soul
and daily life, and as his actual Master and Lord.
6. Beyond these there is always a sixth and last stage of teaching the privileges
and victories implied in this higher or deeper life, such as the rest life of
faith, power over sin, passion for souls, conscious fellowship with God, growing
possession of promises, and prevailing prayer and intercession.
THE PRE-EMINENCE OF NORTHFIELD
The basis of all this teaching is, as is very apparent, the conviction that
the average Christian life is too often grievously destitute of real spiritual
power and is essentially carnal; and that it is the duty and privilege of every
child of God to enter at once into newness of life, and to walk henceforth in
the power of Christ's resurrection.
But Northfield is pre-eminently, in the judgment of many people, the most important
gathering of Bible students in this country, if not in the world. Thousands
of lives have been transformed, by the power of the Conference, and one of the
most notable gatherings in its history was that of last year when the entire
Presbytery of New York met and were assigned to quarters in Weston Hall, attended
regularly the services, and came back literally filled with the Spirit of God,
the result being that the whole city of New York has seemed to feel the touch
of the power that rested upon them and there is scarcely a Presbyterian Church
in the city that has not had remarkably large additions as either a direct or
indirect result of this last summer Conference.
However much Mr. Moody's friends may have to say of him in meetings in other
places, it is certainly true that he was at his best in Northfield at the Conference.
There was no more interested listener in all the audience than he. He was quick
to notice the impression the speakers made upon the people, and while he was
never what could be called a flatterer, yet when those whom he had invited to
be present helped the people he was the first one to express his appreciation.
As a rule he was at all the gatherings.
THE BEGINNING OF THE CONFERENCES
A description of the Northfield Conferences necessitates referring once again
to the Round Top services, one of which is described in another chapter. These
meetings were held in the evening, at the sunset time, and the influence upon
all who gathered there was simply profound. I question if there is any work
that Mr. Moody was engaged in throughout the world in which he was more interested
than the Northfield Conference, a brief story of which ought to be given.
The Northfield Conferences began in 1880. Early in September the buildings of
the Seminary were thronged with three hundred visitors. Among those who came
was a delegation from Great Britain. The first conference continued for ten
days. The spirit of the meeting was largely devotional, the doctrine of the
Holy Spirit being largely dwelt upon; and the result was very impressive. There
was at that time no large auditorium in which the various meetings could be
conducted, so a large tent was pitched behind Last Hall, and there the exercises
were held. The culmination of the conference was Pentecostal in its power, and
the spiritual refreshing which came at that time to many believers is still
manifest in whatever they do.
In October, 1881, the second convocation began, continuing through the month.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Bonar, of Glasgow, Scotland, was the principal speaker,
and among the others who participated were Dr. George F. Pentecost, Dr. A. J.
Gordon, Dr. James H. Brooks, Dr. E. P. Goodwin, Mr. George C. Needham, and Major
Whittle, besides many others whose names have since come to be especially associated
with Northfield work. There was great variety in the services. The spirit of
the second conference was less devotional than the first, but was given more
to doctrinal and practical study, Most of the meetings were held in East Hall,
but in the afternoons the conference met in the Congregational Church of the
village, and occasionally in the open air. The interest deepened throughout
the month.
HOW THEY HAVE GROWN
Shortly after this Mr. Moody went to England, and in his absence no summer conferences
were held at Northfield for three years, and it was not until August, 1885,
that the third convocation was held. Mr. J. E. K. Studd of Cambridge University,
England, gave a fine impetus to the meeting, and Mr. John B. Gough delivered
during this month one of his last addresses. Dr. A. T. Pierson and Dr. A. J.
Gordon also helped to make the meetings signal in their influence.
And so, year after year, the Northfield Conferences have grown in interest and
attendance. The new buildings which, from time to time, have been erected for
the educational work of the Seminary have much increased the facilities of entertainment
for visitors, and the new auditorium makes it possible to assemble a great throng
under cover. Still there are many who think that the open-air services have
been more stimulating and helpful than any of the others. The speakers have
been drawn, as formerly, from the best, and it is a privilege indeed to receive
through association with such men the best fruits of their own experiences.
It has always seemed to me that the genius of Mr. Moody shone more in his management
of the summer conferences than in any other detail of his York, and his earnestness
and his devotion were ever so impressed on all the services that no one could
go away from a meeting without carrying with him a blessing Mr. Moody's educational
ideals, which in their practical forms are visible to the visitor to the conferences
in the noble buildings which crown the Northfield hills, were epitomized in
the work of the summer conferences.
THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Some time in the spring of 1886, with his customary foresight and intuition
in regard to what might advance the Kingdom of Christ, Mr. Moody called to his
Sidle Mr. L. D. Wishard, then college secretary of the International Committee
of the Young Men's Christian Associations of the United States and Canada. As
a result of the conference between these two men, Mr. Moody invited each of
the College Young Men's Christian Associations of the country to send, a delegate
to spend a month at Mt. Hermon in July of the same year, to study the Bible
and methods of Christian work adapted to college students. This invitation was
accepted by 250 students, from about ninety different college associations.
The meetings continued from July 7th to August 2nd. The program of each day
was as follows From eight o'clock in the morning the men considered informally
for an hour some phase of College Association work. At ten o'clock all met and
listened to addresses from noted speakers from abroad. Some time was also given
to those who desired to ask practical questions, and these were answered by
Mr. Moody in his usual clear, direct manner. In these meetings, as elsewhere,
Mr. Moody was able to exercise his wonderful ability to associate with himself
a corps of prominent Bible scholars and teachers.
A large number of Christian students were present who had decided to devote
their lives to the work in foreign missions. These naturally met together in
a common fellowship, and their earnestness and devotion made from the outset
a deep impression on all. Their appeals on behalf of the claims of missionary
work on educated Christian young men also made a profound impression, and many
students were then and there led to express a willingness and a desire to enter
upon work in the foreign field.
MISSIONARY INTEREST AWAKENED
The interest awakened was fostered by two young men, Messrs. Wilder and Foreman,
who were led speedily to devote a portion of their time as students to deepening
and widening this work among the students of the colleges not represented at
Mt. Hermon. This in brief, then, is how the Student Volunteer movement was born;
it came into being in connection with the first Christian Student Conference
ever held at Mt. Hermon, where Mr Moody's school for boys and young men is situated.
Like many another thing for which Mr. Moody opened the way, if he did not actually
originate it, the Student Volunteer movement has grown almost beyond comprehension.
It assumed organization in 1888, and has become a recognized factor and power
in the missionary life of the Church throughout the world, as possibly no other
single movement. Briefly stated, the four-fold purpose of the organization is
First, to awaken and foster among all the Christian students of the United States
and Canada, intelligent and active interest in foreign missions. Second, to
enroll a sufficient number of properly qualified student volunteers to meet
the successive demands of the various missionary Boards of North America. Third,
to help all such as pledge themselves to foreign missionary work to prepare
for their life work, and to increase the co-operation of these young workers
in developing the missionary life of home churches. Fourth, to lay an equal
burden of responsibility on all students who are to remain as ministers and
lay workers at home, that they may actively promote missionary enterprise by
intelligent advocacy, gifts and prayers.
The Volunteer movement is not a missionary board. It never has sent out and
never will send out a missionary, for it is simply a recruiting station. As
in so many other ways, the wisdom of Mr. Moody in calling to his side such men
as L. D. Wishard, C. K. Ober and John R. Mott, of the International Committee
of the Young Men's Christian Association, was soon manifest in the progress
of the movement, and these men have had much to do with the rapid increase of
the work during these last years.
THE GROWTH OF THE WORK
Some conception may be gained of the prodigious strides which the organization
has made when it is known that it already has made itself felt in more than
1,000 institutions of learning. Then it should be remembered that in many of
these, perhaps more notably in state, professional and independent institutions,
the subject of foreign missions was dealt with for the first time when the representatives
of the student volunteers began to extend their efforts. It is safe to assert
that where one student gave this subject careful consideration before the movement
began, scores and scores have felt and thoughtfully considered the claims of
the world-wide missions since and through the ministry of this work. It is said
that the student attitude of many colleges, both denominational and state, has
completely changed, and certain it is that no other subject has ever taken such
a deep hold on the convictions of college men, or has called forth from them
such unselfish devotion.
There are on the roll of the movement at this time about 4,000 students. Of
this number about one-third are women and two-thirds are men. Forty-eight denominations
are represented. Nearly 1,200 of the volunteers have already gone to the foreign
field. The number of students who now are planning to become foreign missionaries
is five times as great in the colleges of the land, and twice as great in the
seminaries, as it was before this movement started. The Student Volunteers have
also afforded substantial aid in assisting to raise money, for whereas the colleges
formerly gave about $5,000 a year to foreign missionary work, they now give
more than $40,000.
SOME INDIRECT EFFECTS
It must be plain to any thoughtful person that the reflex influence of this
movement in the institutions of learning themselves is simply incalculable.
For every student who has offered himself to go abroad, certainly one or more
have been influenced to take up a more aggressive Christian life at home. Development
in Bible study and in personal work for the salvation of their fellows on the
part of the students, as a secondary influence of this movement is without any
doubt one of the great evangelistic tendencies of the century. At least indirectly,
it may be traced to Mr. Moody.
One of the most wonderful things about the Student Volunteer influence has been
its effect upon the students of other lands. Ten years ago the organization
for the United States and Canada was the only student movement in the world,
employing the volunteer methods, but now there are student volunteers in Great
Britain, Scandinavian countries, Germany, France, Australasia, South Africa,
China, India and Ceylon. All the organizations express their indebtedness to
the American branch for the helpful and practical influence it exerted in the
formative periods of the work. It is exceedingly significant that even the students
of mission lands have joined hands with the students of Christian lands in a
determined effort to preach the Gospel to all mankind.
In August, 1895, there was formed in the historic Vadstena Castle, on the shores
of Lake Vettern, in Sweden, a World's Student Christian Federation. There were
present official representatives from America, Great Britain, Germany, Scandinavia,
and Mission lands. Mr. John R. Mott, in his "Strategic Points in the World's
Conquest," says, " Never since the Wartburg sheltered the great German
Reformer, while he was translating the Bible for the common people, has a mediaeval
castle served a purpose fraught with greater blessing to all mankind."
A FEDERATION FOR THE WORLD
Since the formation of this federation it has been entered by the representatives
of five other countries, India, Ceylon, South Africa, China and Japan, so that
practically all the countries, having anything like a student volunteer movement,
are now banded together.
The first convention of the World's Student Christian Federation was held in
the United States, in July, 1897, in conjunction with the annual conference
of the American and Canadian Intercollegiate Young Men's Christian Association,
at Northfield. In addition to the 600 students who had come together from 136
universities and colleges, there were present students and Christian workers
from twenty-five other nations or races. Special meetings were held on Round
Top, the spot which is now especially consecrated to Mr. Moody's memory. Round
Top is not less sacred because it is the place where more students have dedicated
their lives to the extension of Christ's religion than any other place in the
world. Says Mr. Mott, "Day after day at sunset, the hundreds of delegates
from the ends of the earth met on this sacred mountain to lift their eyes and
look far beyond the beautiful Connecticut valley and the distant green mountains
upon the great harvest fields of the world, and linger and listen to burning
messages from their fellow students, telling of the triumphs of Christ among
their own people, and the need of more men in the regions beyond."
PRAYER IN TWENTY-ONE LANGUAGES
The Federation delegates attended not only the large special meetings over which
Mr. Moody presided, but also the conferences for the discussion of methods.
One afternoon a pilgrimage was made to Mt. Hermon, which, as the reader will
remember, is several miles from Northfield on the other side of the river The
groves and hills and river banks about Mt. Hermon are sacred, for it was here
that the Student Volunteer movement came into existence in 1886. Some who had
attended that first wonderful meeting were present to recount the experiences
of those first days of blessed surrender. Before. the delegates left Mt. Hermon,
Mr. Moody called them together for the consecrating of the ground that had been
set apart as a site for a chapel. In a representative meeting this plot was
dedicated to God's service. Then the delegates offered prayer in twenty-one
different languages, and yet there was no confusion of tongues, for all were
brought together in their common love of the Master.
What will be the result of this movement we can only conjecture, for it is yet
in its infancy, but it is significant to note that already it has brought together
Christian students in all the world as never before. It has made the various
student movements acquainted with one another. It has organized six great national
student movements, and has facilitated the organization of two others. The last
conference of the Federation was held in Eisenach, at the foot of the famous
Wartburg, in Germany, and was attended by students from twenty-four countries.
Nearly 400 years ago, in the castle which still crowns that storied mountain,
a monk made a consecration of his talents which blessed the world as it had
not been blessed before for many centuries. When Martin Luther came down from
that sacred hill he brought with him a Bible for the people. The perverseness
of the generation did not lead him to dash his tablets to the ground as he descended,
but instead they went out through the land and gave men almost for the first
time an insight into the true teachings of our Lord. How fitting it is that
on this spot, hallowed by the memory of the great reformer, the flower of the
young men of to-day should pledge themselves to devote their lives to carrying
to all the quarters of the globe the blessed Gospel!