Published in Windlesora 07 (1988)
© WLHG
“No incident has occurred for a very long time in the towns of Windsor and Eton which has caused so much excitement and warmth of feeling as the visit of Messrs. Moody and Sankey.” This was the commencement of the leading article in the Windsor and Eton Express of Saturday, June 26th 1875.
Dwight Lyman Moody and Ira David Sankey were two evangelists from the United States of America who had held a series of successful revival meetings in America and England. Landing on our shores in 1875, they were to find themselves the subject of discussion in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. This was due to their proposed visit to Eton in order to hold an afternoon service on South Meadow for the pupils of Eton College.
The Daily Telegraph sketched the debate in the House of Lords: “The intention of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to preach in the vicinity of Eton College this afternoon has reached the dignity of a
political event; for it had a debate all to itself in the House of Lords, and it was discussed with much heat as if it had threatened the peace of Europe. The Marquis of Bath scarcely allowed the House to assemble before he asked with fervid earnestness whether the authorities of Eton College had given the boys leave to attend the services of the American evangelists, and whether steps could still be taken to prevent their young minds from coming into contact with the unlicensed vendors of religious wares. Lord Lyttleton, who is one of the Governors, could do no more than read some further correspondence, and promise that the question should be brought before the Board of Governors today. Lord Overstone broke a long silence by an eloquent protest against the idea of allowing the Eton boys to attend any service unauthorised by the Church of England.” Gallantly rushing to the rescue of his evangelistic friends, Lord Shaftesbury vehemently insisted that so important a subject should not have been discussed without notice, and it needed all the firmness and tact of the Duke of Richmond to bring the House to the proper business of the evening.”
Another protagonist was Mr. Knatchbull-Hugesson, who raised the matter in the House of Commons; he obtained the signatures of seventy four members on a letter of protest to be sent to the Moody and Sankey’s tent at Eton as shown in the Christian Herald, June 30th 1875
Headmaster (Dr. Homby). Many of the signatories were old Etonians or had sons there. In the meantime, a letter of protest had been drawn up by some of the pupils:
“We the undersigned boys of Eton College disapproving of the proposed visit of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to Eton, do strongly protest against it.”
Some 300 boys signed. Later, a notice was posted in the window of Ingalton Drake, bookseller and stationer, of Eton High Street: “The gentlemen who signed their names against the visit of
Messrs. Moody and Sankey, are requested to sign again, as the original protest has been lost.”
The service on South Meadow had been arranged for the afternoon of Tuesday, June 22nd. A tent to hold 1,000, together with platform, rostrum, sounding board and seats had been constructed. By noon that day, a committee supporting the evangelists had arrived in Eton. After visiting the College and hearing that the Chief of Buckinghamshire Police would not accept responsibility for any disturbance caused, they decided to abandon the venue. The reluctance of the police to afford any protection was possibly due to problems caused in the past by some of the pupils. A window in the royal train had been shattered and it was suspected that an Etonian had discharged a catapult. A past headmaster (Dr. Hawtrey) had once said: “Everybody who knows what Eton boys are, must be aware there are circumstances to induce boys to throw stones when carriages are going rapidly by.”
Frustrated in their attempts to use South Meadow, the committee visited Windsor, and it was here that Mr. Caley, linen draper to Her Majesty, offered to help. He was given permission by the Mayor (Mr. Underhay) to use the Guildhall but whilst preparations were being made permission was mysteriously withdrawn. Application was made for the use of Bachelors’ Acre; this was also refused. A Mr. W. R. Harris was approached for use of his meadow in Alma Road which would have been obtained but for the evangelists’ insistance that the service would be conducted for Eton boys only. Entrance was to be by ticket only.
Crowds at this time were thronging the High Street. Mr. Caley, who lived on his shop premises, offered his large garden, at the rear and this was accepted. It would seem that Moody and Sankey relented, and allowed the public, as well as the Eton boys to attend the service. Customers of Mr. Caley and about 300 Etonians, including some Masters, entered through the shop while others entered the garden through Acre Passage.
The service commenced at 4 pm. with a congregation of about 1,000, among whom was the Count and Countess of Cavan. With a mixed choir of some thirty voices, accompanied by an American organ, the congregation sang the opening hymn, All People that on Earth do Dwell. This was followed with a prayer, said by the Count of Cavan. Bible readings were given by Mr. Moody, from St. Luke Ch. 4 and 1 Corinthians Ch. 15. A solo followed with the singing of the hymn There were ninety and nine, by Mr. Sankey. Standing on a chair undemeath a chestnut tree, Mr. Moody preached the sermon, taking as his text, St. Luke Ch. 2 vv 10 and 11. Other hymns sung during the service were Think of the Home over There, What means this eager throng? and There’s a land that is fairer than day. The service ended with the singing of Praise God from whom all blessings flow. The evangelists and choir left Windsor at 6 pm.
The Windsor and Eton Express suggested a reason for so much opposition to the pair: “It is possible that these American gentlemen do not fully appreciate the supreme contempt with which some members of the Establishment treat all outside religious efforts.”
The Governing Body of Eton College had the last word: “We rely on your assurance” they told the Headmaster, “that these Revival Meetings will not be repeated at Eton.”
Fred Fuzzens
Windsor Local History Group 