“A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.”
The singing company made the most of it. “The very walls shook,” said my friend in the next seat.
The next hymn selection was that which came from Toplady. This the audience knew well, and sang with affectionate enthusiasm:
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.”
Happy was the surprise which came with the next hymn. Mrs. W. R. Moody, daughter-in-law of D. L. Moody, seated herself at the keyboard of a small instrument which, before it was opened up, looked like a big packing case. Really it was the small organ which accompanied Moody and Sankey during their nation-wide evangelistic campaigns; for the latter always wanted, if possible, to have his own instrument with him. Hence the little organ was made for this purpose. The instrument had been on display in the Moody exhibit at Moody’s boyhood home during the special days of the Moody Centennial. Visitors could there sit in the spacious chair used by Moody himself, sign their names; and, by permission, play on Sankey’s organ. Musicians loved to do so. The Westminster singers now rendered the beloved gospel song:
“There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,