The Out and Out Club — E.A. Johnston

D.L. Moody’s Total Commitment to Evangelistic Work

There is a story about D .L. Moody, which typifies the man so mightily used of God. It was said of Moody that he depopulated hell by a million souls. Seven years before Moody died, he was diagnosed with heart trouble, and his doctor recommended he take it easy from that point forward.

Moody’s Crisis at Sea and Vow of Service

He decided to call off some of his evangelistic campaigns, and not work so hard, and try to go more slow. Moody was crossing the Atlantic when the ship he was on began to fill with water and sink. He spent a dreadful night awake in his cabin, on his knees in prayer, wrestling with God.

The Call to Be Out and Out for Christ

And as he was praying, he heard the voice of the Lord say to him, Were you ready to let up and go slow? Then I will take you to myself. You are no use to me, unless you are out and out. Moody made a vow to God that dark night of soul that, if God would spare his life and bring him back to America, he would undertake the evangelistic work with all the power God would give him until he dropped.

The Meaning of Moody’s O-O Signature

And after that experience, Moody always signed his name with the letters O-O after it. And one day he was walking down the street with a Boston minister, who asked him, Mr. Moody, I sign my name with the letters DD for Doctor of Divinity, but I see that you sign your name with the letters O-O.

Tell me, what does this mean? To which Moody replied, Because I am on the out-and-out for Christ. And I like that story, friends. It's impacted my own life. I have knelt at Moody's grave in Northville, Massachusetts, and there I have prayed on top of Round Top, and wept for God to raise up a Moody for our generation.

The Invitation to Join the Out-and-Out Club

And I have written the following poem, which is a vow unto God to become a member in his out-and-out club. And I want to read you this poem now, friends. And if you, too, hunger to be a member of this exclusive club, then pray these words with me, to be burned upon your heart by the Spirit of the Lord and the power of the cross.

The Out-and-Out Club’s Call to Witness and Self-Denial

Let me make out the poem to you now and read it to you. It's called The Out-and-Out Club. O Lord, make me out-and-out on the full stretch for Thee. Make me out-and-out until I wear out for Thee.

Out-and-out as a red-hot witness for Thee. Out-and-out as I preach your bloody cross. Out-and-out as I warn the lost. Out-and-out as I die to self and reputation. Out-and-out as I weep over the sins of this careless nation.

Surrendered Prayer and Intercession

Out-and-out in desperate, burdened prayer to Thee. Out-and-out in intercession upon my knees. Out-and-out in a surrendered walk with Thee. Out-and-out in a supernatural life lived for eternity.

A Life Fully Devoted to God

O Lord, make me out-and-out for You and You alone. Allow me to flame out at the foot of the holy throne. Amen.