This Week in Christian History: D.L. Moody, Charles Wesley, NRB

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, December 17, 2017

Dwight L. Moody Dies – December 22, 1899

A photo of nineteenth-century American evangelist Dwight L. Moody, (1837-1899). | (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

This week marks the anniversary of the death of one of the most influential American evangelists of the nineteenth century.

Dwight L. Moody, a native of Northfield, Massachusetts whose formal education did not go beyond fifth grade, became a widely respected preacher, known to preach in cities and universities.

"Moody was a visionary who always seemed a step ahead of the status quo. From training women, to reaching out to lost children, to bridging the gap between denominations, he was unlike any other," explained the Moody Bible Institute.

"Moody was a man of great discernment. He had an innate ability to find capable, godly people to put into positions of leadership and bring his ideas to fruition. This enabled him to continue his evangelistic outreach while his ministries flourished."

Moody passed away surrounded by his family. Reportedly his final words were "I see earth receding; heaven is opening. God is calling me."