A Test of Faith
Three and a half weeks later, on Wednesday, May 16, 1855, Dwight sought membership at Mount Vernon Congregational Church. He testified that he had been saved. However, he knew too little about the tenets of their faith, so the deacons who interviewed him rejected his application.
For example, when they asked, “What has Christ done for you, and us all, that especially entitles Him to our love and obedience?” Dwight replied, “I think He has done a great deal for us all, but I don’t know of anything He has done in particular.”
Although Edward Kimball sat on the interview panel, the members felt that Dwight’s testimony lacked solid evidence of his conversion. They therefore deferred his application and placed him under the mentorship of Edward Kimball and two other deacons.
Kimball and the two deacons encouraged and coached Dwight for his next interview, which they scheduled for nearly a year later.
A Second Chance
The minutes of this interview read as follows:
No. 1,131. March 12, 1856. Mr. Moody thinks he has made some progress since he was here before at least in knowledge. Has maintained his habits of prayer and reading the Bible. Believes God will hear his prayers, and reads the Bible. Is fully determined to adhere to the cause of Christ always. Feels that it would be very bad if he joined the church and then turned. Must repent and ask forgiveness, for Christ’s sake. Will never give up his hope, or love Christ less, whether admitted to the church or not. His prevailing intention is to give up his will to God.
Admitted to the Church
This time, Dwight’s willingness to remain under the mentorship of Kimball and the two deacons worked in his favor. His sincere desire to repent also influenced the group, even though little seemed to have changed in his life since the first interview.
As a result, the church admitted Dwight as a Congregationalist. He signed the church registry on May 3. Dwight would later testify frequently, “I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856.”
READ ALSO: WILLIAM AND CATHERINE BOOTH (PART 19)
A Wise Decision
According to Dwight’s son in The Life of Dwight L. Moody, others criticized the examining committee for refusing to admit young Moody at his first interview.
However, Mr. Moody himself always recognized the wisdom of their decision. In later years, he strongly emphasized the importance of preparing young converts to give a reason for the hope within them.
A New Path
Around this time, Dwight fell out with his uncle for a reason no one in the family could truly discern. When his cousin, Frank Holton, announced that he was going West, Dwight decided to join him until he found a place to settle.
When Dwight returned from his trip, his strong, impulsive personality began to resurface. He spoke outspokenly during church prayer meetings and tried to lead and teach when others felt he should listen and learn from more experienced believers.
Eventually, the elders and deacons told him to sit quietly. They also largely barred him from speaking during these meetings. Yet Dwight’s zeal remained irrepressible, and he soon gained a reputation as a troublemaker among the church leaders.
A Dim Future
Dwight’s future in his uncle Samuel Holton’s shoe-selling business also looked dim. His coworkers increasingly found him a nuisance.
Although Dwight was a successful salesman, he remained brash when asserting his opinions and lacked tact when dealing with others.
Dwight later confided to a friend that he “felt like a caged bird. The settled and finished condition of everything around him was a constant constraint. There seemed to be no room for him anywhere.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Tale Tuesday 072
Date: 23rd January, 2024
Title: : Dwight L. Moody – The Greatest Layman (Part 4)
Source: God’s generals- The Revivalists
Author: Roberts Liardon
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