Articles
D.L. Moody and the genesis of the Student Volunteer Movement
While he was staying in Northfield in the summer of 1885, a Princeton College student and YMCA member named Luther Wishard found himself at Mount Hermon at the invitation of D.L. Moody. At that first meeting, Moody mentioned his idea of a gathering of YMCA secretaries...
Billy Graham and D.L. Moody: Obedience to the call of God
In the office of Dave Powell, D.L. Moody’s great-grandson, there are a number of documents and pictures in the process of being archived. While flipping through the binders, you might come across a particularly interesting letter written to Dwight’s daughter Emma...
The Legacy of Transformation
Dwight Moody is a compelling character. He travelled the world proclaiming the gospel, started multiple schools and ministries, and set paradigms followed by other evangelists like Billy Graham. Yet, it would be a mistake to put Moody on a pedestal because of his...
Finding comfort in the cross
“…I hope you will look to Jesus for comfort. Go to your closet in secret prayer and there you will find peace to your soul.” – D.L. Moody By all rights, Christians in the United States have reason to be feeling less than comfortable. As cultural values in the U.S....
When prayer doesn’t feel like enough
Hard work in the kingdom of God Over the past couple of years, I have rediscovered the power of prayer. While I have always recognized the importance of prayer, spending time in prayer never seemed productive. The need to be productive As someone a bit more geared to...
Looking up: Finding and keeping perspective as a Christian
“…the world has no charms for me when I look up, but the trouble with God’s children is they do not look up enough.” – D.L. Moody After spending the bulk of my career in biblical higher education administration, I had become a bit jaded. Working in distance education,...
What do you want for your child?
“… God bless you and save you my dear son and I shall be the happiest father on earth.” – D.L. Moody in a letter to his son, William I’ve never been what might be considered “kid friendly.” I grew up as an only child and children, especially babies, were a mystery to...
The D.L. Moody Digital Archives and Historical Theology
Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899) counts among the best-known religious figures of 19th century American history, and certainly among the most influential evangelicals. Part of this celebrity is a familiar set of impressions: he was a man of action, movement, orthodox...
Reading Mr. Moody’s Mail: The Value of the D.L. Moody Digital Archives
While poking around in my fire box looking for my passport last year, I found a letter that my wife had written to me while we were dating. It was still folded neatly in the envelope in which it was delivered. The stamp postmarked on the front and the handwritten...
The Future of Moody Center
When Dwight L. Moody was alive, the Northfield campus was a busy place. Not only was the 2,300-seat auditorium filled with people attending summer conferences, but Mr. Moody was quite hospitable. Before Revell Hall was built, for instance, Moody built an addition on...