Humble Upbringings as a Virtue.

In reading Moody ad Sunday there is a certain earthen quality to both of them. Ellis writes that Sunday was "trained in God's school." Referring to his low upbringing, hard work ethic which led him to be one of the best evangelists the world could hope for. Similarly, Moody won't allow his children to be taught Latin or Greek, seemingly because it would make them lose touch with their roots; and because book learning in way for the devil to poison your mind with things like higher criticism. As we have said before, post revolutionary America had a love for the simple, austere upbringing which led to resounding success: the rags to riches scenario. I wonder if there is another aspect of these men and others success in the pulpit that is generally only learned on the so-called, "mean streets": the ability to read people well, and give audiences exactly what they are looking for. Charisma is definitely a part of this, but is seems for than simple charisma. Rather these men demand respect from the way that they look, but also by how they carry themselves. At the same time simple, plain, and approachable, while still demanding the respect and attention of audiences before they say a word. There is an awareness among these men that many would classify as "street smarts." They can berate people, and yet still garner their admiration and love. They have a skill that no Victorian could understand; a maddening genius that enables them to manipulate an audience for their own purposes, or perhaps God's. Paul said that he had become all things to all people, I think these men and others like them harnessed that same power that comes not from books, at least not any at the time for How to Win Friends and Influence People hadn't come out yet, but through a life beset with turmoil, loss, and hardship, and the ability to harness that power into something that can catapult one to the top of any field.