D. L. Moody was a leading evangelist of his day, the founder of the Moody Bible Institute, and was well known on both sides of the Atlantic. R. A. Torrey was a close associate of Moody's and his successor as the director of the Institute. Torrey succinctly and compellingly presents the seven reasons why God used D. L. Moody: 1. He was a fully surrendered man; 2. He was a man of prayer; 3. He was a deep and practical student of the Bible; 4. He was a humble man; 5. His entire freedom from the love of money; 6. His consuming passion for the salvation of the lost; 7. He was definitely endued with power from on high. He then explains clearly what "power from on high is" and how Moody received and valued it.
A valuable guide to the Christian life.
FROM TORREY'S INTRODUCTION:
Eighty-six years ago (February 5, 1837), there was born of poor parents in a humble farmhouse in Northfield, Massachusetts, a little baby who was to become the greatest man, as I believe, of his generation or of his century--Dwight L. Moody. After our great generals, great statesmen, great scientists and great men of letters have passed away and been forgotten, and their work and its helpful influence has come to an end, the work of D. L. Moody will go on and its saving influence continue and increase, bringing blessing not only to every state in the Union but to every nation on earth. Yes, it will continue throughout the ages of eternity.
My subject is "Why God Used D. L. Moody," and I can think of no subject upon which I would rather speak. For I shall not seek to glorify Mr. Moody, but the God who by His grace, His entirely unmerited favor, used him so mightily, and the Christ who saved him by His atoning death and resurrection life, and the Holy Spirit who lived in him and wrought through him and who alone made him the mighty power that he was to this world. Furthermore: I hope to make it clear that the God who used D. L. Moody in his day is just as ready to use you and me, in this day, if we, on our part, do what D. L. Moody did, which was what made it possible for God to so abundantly use him.
The whole secret of why D. L. Moody was such a mightily used man you will find in Psalm 62:11: "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this;
that power belongeth unto God
."