Washington telegraph., 1849-10-03
OF "REVIVALS OF RELIGION" 4"

We hear these words used to describe
a religious excitement, produced by some
enthusiastic preacher. If an event of un-
common and fatal termination happens,
an adroit .'revivalist" can turn it to good
account in increasing the number of his
followers. We have for many years been
witness to many ''revivals" in differen
parts of the country. There was no per-
ceptible difference i'll the mode of their
production, nor in the course of their
progress, The only difference was in
the results. Some fevivals produced only
small crop; others, where the operators
were more fervid, Jealous and eloquent,
gathered a more hountif4l harvest. But
in every case much of the fruit was worm
eaten, and perished in short time. 1t
had been so ':forced" that there was no
vigor or substance in it. And the "revi-
vals," like the quieting Of the sea after a
storm, soon subsidized into motionless
calm-the calm of indifference!
This was perfectly natural. Men who
have been excited by wine, or other
'strong drink" are sullen and lurpid when
the stimulus has expended its force, they
are indifferent to every thing but more
stimulus: and so it is with religious con-
gregations. The minister who encourages
"revivar' makes for himself a vast
amount of labor for after years. He must
task all his powers necessarily, and sum-
mon to his aid strong coadjutors, or the
work viii. languish, and his people
gradually "cool off, until the common
ordinances of religion are neglected. and
he finds himself preaching to bare walls.
| And it is known, that another "excite-
ment' is much harder to be 'gol up, %
and expires in much less time.
The effect of these mental stimuli re-
sembles very closely those ministered to
the body. The ancient topper requires
several and strong doses before he rises
up to his natural state of mind and body
and much more to produce the desired
full enjoyment. While the organ Of his
body and mind. and the sensibilities of
| his soul-if I may use the expression
are daily declining. have seen some
who had no more energy left than a
"sloth," the most inert of all animals.
And so it is with religious excitement,
Every time it is resorted to larger and
stronger dose is required. After which
the apathy is the deeper and more con-
frmed; until after several Of these sex
periments" the whole "society' will re-
sen}ble field of grass burned over by the
| fire, have seen some societies which
| made me think Of those toads discovered
in the midst of blasted rock They
may, by their sudden introduction to
|
| perhaps hop once or twice, but expire IN
! short time,
And I may add, that where the love of
excitement has once been kindled and
enjoyed, there remains an Unsuitable de-
sire to "experience" again its exhilarating
influence. And, when the original doses
fail of effect, a stronger kind is resorted
to by the experienced practitioners. And
this is the cause why the pastor who has
built up society by such means, can
never have any confidence it its perma-
nency. His flock are continually RUM
ing at large, and leaping the fences; seek
ingly (mainly) that plquant food for which
they have acquired taste. If he strives
to procure or produce it, he is worn out
in the effort. If he calls in the aid OF
more fervid shepherds, the flock is scat.
tered by following after him. And, if
seeing his error, he attempts to lead them
back to the still sweet pastures of pprel
and more rational faith, few are left capa.
BILE of relishing and enjoying the change
He is accused Of falsehood 70 his Original
vows, and probably, dismissed 10 make
way for some more stringent professor.
Such is the end of all deviations from
that true faith which reason approves
and which the Bible enjoins. OF all the