Dwight L. Moody
Would you be free from the condemnation of the sins that are past, from the power of the temptations that are to come? Then take your stand on the Rock of Ages. Let death, let the grave, let the judgment come, the victory is Christ’s and yours through Him.” – D.L. Moody
Early Days
Dwight L. Moody was an American evangelist, preacher, and publisher. Born in 1837 in Northfield, Massachusetts, he was the sixth child of Edwin and Betsy Holton Moody. After his father’s death when he was four years old, his mother struggled to make ends meet for here nine children. Some were sent off to work for room and board including Dwight. But his mother made sure they all attended their Unitarian church.
When he turned 17, he moved to Boston to work in an uncle’s shoe store. He converted to evangelical Christianity in 1855 which launched his interest in becoming an evangelist. In 1862 he married and had a daughter and two sons.
Doing the Lord’s Work
He started a church in Chicago, the Illinois Street Church but the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 burned down the church, his house, and that of most of the congregation. After the fire, he moved back to Massachusetts and bought a rural country home near his birthplace.
He held summer conferences in Northfield which became important to evangelical Christian history. Attendees included prominent preachers and evangelists from around the world including Jonathan Edwards and C.I. Scofield. He founded two schools which later merged to become the Northfield Mount Hermon School.
Moody became known as an evangelist during a trip to the UK in 1872. He drew crowds of thousands and tens of thousands throughout his travels and became known as the “greatest evangelist of the 19th century.” He was also known as a great influencer of cross-culture Christian missions in countries as far away as China, and his popularity among Swedes became known as “Moody fever” until 1880. His last sermon was held in Kansas City, Missouri. Soon after, he died on December 22, 1899 with his family around him.
Recognitions
Moody has published many works including Heaven, Secret Power, and Prevailing Prayer – What Hinders It? The Chicago Avenue Church was renamed the Moody Church in his honor ten years after his death. The Chicago Bible Institute was also renamed the Moody Bible Institute. Moody had the honor of having a World War II liberty ship named after him, the SS Dwight L. Moody.
One of his most famous quotes:
Faith makes all things possible… Love makes all things easy.” – D.L. Moody
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