6. The revival of this style of religion is best pro-
REVIVALS
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REVIVALS
moted by the inculcation of the fundamental truths of the Gospel, Buch a~ human depravity, natural and ac- quired; the sinfulness ol men in rebellion against God, and in refusing to accept of offered mercy; the certainty of their loss of heaven, and the endurance of eternal punishment, if they do not repent ; the amplitude of the atonement for every one who will deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ, according to the light that is in and around him; the ability of sinners, by
■ o repent and believe as to be saved; and the blessedness on earth .and in heaven which God will be- stow upon all who seek him with their whole heart.
As to the best manner of presenting these truths, there is mom tor difference of opinion. Under ordi- nary circumstances, however, where the Word of God is freely circulated, their earnest, sympathetic, persuasive proclamation is more effective than any attempt to prove them. Many give infidelity too much credit, and spend their time and strength in defending to the un- derstanding what they ought to preach to the heart. They controvert and argue whore they should persuade
and entreat. The people in the circumstances supposed
-in. rally believe the Gospel as really as their preach- ers, but neglect its claims from worldly considerations. These obstacles need to be neutralized or removed. This can be more successfully done by showing their triviality in comparison with the tremendous interests at stake on the side of religion than by the explosion of heretical sentiments which their hearers would lie -lad to have true, but in which they have little confidence.
The most effective suggestion that we can make on this point is. perhaps, that the preacher aim to promote the revival of his Church and the conversion of sinners. Those w ho fail to do so seldom win souls to Christ. Re- vivals are io.i produced by such indifference. Says the immortal Richard Baxter to pastors: "If your heart is not set on the end of your labors, and if you do not long to see the conversion anil edification of your hearers, and study and preach in hope, you are not likely to see much success. It is a sign of a false, self-seeking heart when a person IS contented to be still doing without Beeing any fruit of his labor. ... lie never had the right ends of a preacher in view who is indifferent whether lie obtains them or not; who is not grieved when he misses them, and rejoices when he can see the desired issue."
With this aim, and a proper understanding of human nature and the Gospel, one will not seriously err in the selection of subjects. Nor will he preach so much about the people as to them. Effective efforts have always been characterized by their directness. Said Nathan to David, " Thou art, the man;" and Joshua to Israel. "Choose you this clay whom you will serve.'' When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, "Let the house ol' Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye Imrc crucified, both Lord and Christ," bis hearers were "pricked in their hearts, and said, .Mi n and brethren, what, shall we do?"
lint revivals must not be left alone to preachers, or preaching. Every talent of the Church should be en- listed in all appropriate ways. Testimony as to per- sonal experience is a powerful agency, and should be
■ mployed in private, and often in public. The true of lay instruction, exhortation, and persua- sion. When these means fail, the object may be gained by a tract or /«»,/,-. The printed page has won grand
icci ible to living agencies, and where these
have toiled in vain. Prayer is another powerful means of revivals, which often prevails where everything else
fails. Their history glows with the wonders of its power. Singing Gospel truths in an impressive manner is often effective. It attracts and softens many who •■.are little for preaching or prayer. It has always been prominent in this work, but never more successful than at the present time.
7. Revivals are necessary from many considerations. First, because, as a matter of fact, most Christians do
backslide more or less from their first love. The his- tory of God's ancient people is little more than a con- secutive account of their backslidings and recoveries. The apostolic age was clouded by similar defections, and followed by the "Dark Ages." The slumbers .1 that long night were unbroken until the revival trump- et of Luther wa- heard from Wittenberg calling for reform. Even the Puritans of New England declined. Says Mr. Tracy, in speaking of their condition at the commencement of the great revival under Edwards, Whitefield, and others, ••Such had been tie- downward progress in New England that there wire many in the churches, and even some in the ministry, who were yet lingering among the supposed preliminaries to conver- sion. The difference between the < ihurch and the world was vanishing away, and yet never, perhaps, had the expectation of reaching heaven at last been more gen- eral or confident." That revival changed all this foi the time, but in less than half a century there was an- other sad relapse. When tint Wesleys and Whitefield awoke to the claims of religion in England, the new birth was a dead letter, and conversions were scarcely known; while drinking, gambling, cock-lighting, and every species of popular vice were patronized by the Church and many of the clergy.