In the summer of that year Stebbins had occasion to spend a few days with Moody at his home in
Northfield, Massachusetts, and during his visit Moody persuaded him to enter evangelistic work under Moody's direction, which Stebbins did that autumn. Stebbins' first work in this connection was to organize the choir for the meetings which Moody and Sankey were to hold in the great building erected for them in Chicago and which were to continue through October, November, and December. During the remainder of the season Stebbins assisted other evangelists, and in the summer following he became one of the editors of
Gospel Hymns and subsequently of the series of
hymnbooks used by Moody during the remainder of his life. Afterward Stebbins became the sole editor of
Northfield Hymnal. Stebbins married Elma Miller before commencing his musical career. When he began his evangelistic work, she became actively involved, assisting him most efficiently in his singing, besides conducting meetings and giving Bible readings for ladies. During the nearly 25 years of his association with Moody, Stebbins assisted Moody and Sankey in their work both in this country and abroad besides working with other evangelists, among whom were George F. Pentecost and Major Whittle. In the autumn of 1890, Stebbins, with his wife and son, went with Pentecost to
India for a season of work among the
English-speaking inhabitants of that country
; and during their stay there Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins and their son gave services of song in several of the principal cities of the country. On their return home they gave services of song also in
Egypt and
Palestine and in
Naples,
Rome,
Florence,
Paris, and
London. From the beginning of Moody's work in Northfield, Stebbins has been one of the leaders of the singing at the summer conferences there and was the only one having official connection with the work at all general conferences for their first 30 years. He was also the last surviving member of the original group of men Moody had associated with him in his evangelistic work including Sankey, Whittle, Bliss, and
James McGranahan. ==Gatherings==