The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1852-12-15

ike IRE made OF shaylngs, blaZeS and
scorches and dies, leaving no valuable lnflu-
ences behind" / imagine that the 5000
conversions on the day Of Pentecost, and the
5000 on the day following were rather rapid
TO suit Mr.. Fowler's fancy. And besides
these, many other examples might be addu.
ced ofthe immediate effect Of the Apostles |.
preaching. But will only recommend him
and his adherents, to read the Acts. of the
Apostles for themselves.
If (as Fowler seems to suppose, reviyals
consist Of an excitement OF the animal, orI
even the intellectual passions, then would
the effect always follow to which he adyerts
They would "elate only to depreSS." But
such an uusubstantal effect as excitement is
neither the object nor the result of true and
genuine reyiyals They are, it is true, gen
orally attended by more or less excitement,
but their obiec: is to induce sinners to com.
| ply with the terms of salvation, by withdraw
ing them for season from the perplexing
cares ofIife, and bringing to bear upon their
minds the instrumentality by which it plea
ses God to save those who believe. Il Cor
l, 2l.) And where the object is accom-
pished, where souls are truly awakened to
a sense of their condition, and brought to
cry; "What must we do to be saved" where
they really fee to Christ and receive the
witness of the Spirit that they are b IN Of
God, by means of revivals, their effects are
not transient. In religious experience, there
mHst be astarting point and what's the diff
ference whether man starts at pro;racted
meeting or at home: or whether many are
induced to start at the same line or not?
And if reviyals are found tu afford facilities
to those who are anxious!y inquiring the way
Of salvation, who has any right to objec. to
them? OF what do protracted meetings
consist. but Of such appliances as are per-
lectly scriptural and reasonable, viz: singing,
praying, praising, and preaching the gospel?
IA
quenly attracts number OF ungodIy per-
: SONS who will not ordinarily attend upon the
ministry Of the word. might appeal to the
experience of muItiudes who know that
they 'have passed from death unto life"
. but who in ali probability never would have
yielded to the convictions oftheir consciences,
under any other circumstances; or never
would have even considered the termination
of their career fsin and folly. And by this
means, the most brilliant luminaries of the
church have emerged from the darkness o.
natural corruption and practical wickedness
and the most glorious reformations have
spread their cheering influences over the
hearts of man. Excitement has always at
tended widespread reformation. 1t was SO
III the days of the Savior. 1t is SO now.
Lam as much opposcFto to perio lical reli
gion, as Mr.. Fowler can be- heartily de-
test religious experience which consists
entirely Of impulses, of being devoted dur
ing the continuance Of religious meeting,
and drifting along with the popular current
the next month. Nothing will ever take a
man to heaven, but consistent practice OF
all duties, public and private Christ has
commanded us not only to ''let our light
shine before men," but also to enter cur
: closets and pray in secret to our Heavenly
Father. One is obligatory as the other.
Mr.. Fowler says "th&t al Improvement d
the faculties must be brought about by i'm.
proving the organs" that nothing but con,
tinual, long continued exercise, can essen
TALLY either promote the growth of the or.
gans, or improve the tone or vigor of the
faculties" And if this is the case, ther
verify reviyals are useless; for this utterly
precludes a sudden transformation of the
character, and accordingly, it is not very
! likely that any one would be converted bY
> means of revival meetings. But think
: that Gods Spirit is the agency by which the
soul is converted, and that he does it toe
Immediately and correctly, and without ex.
ercising the organs to bring it about. "The
love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
= by the Holy Ghost given unto u.s." Rom
' V. s. and not by the exercise Of venaratien
See also II Corinthians l. 81, 22) The
fallacy Of his assertion is also apparent from
consideration of the condition OF salvation
We are justified by faith. { St. John Ill, l6
Romans Y, ~ Now when q man exerci
ses faith in Christ, he performs what is re-
: quisite to a pardon Of sins, and is therefor'
Immediately pardoped, the witness Of the
Spirit is given, and he is a new creature. -
And it does not require a long continued
exercise Of the faculties to believe in the Sa
vior. Faith, is the gift God. Ephesian'
! II, g.; Corinthians XII, e.) Therefore i
/, does not require long continued exercise 0
: the organs, to produce radical, perrnanen
u change in the particular dispositions anc
:, general character of man. aaE sa
Finally upon this point, il The exercise Q
' the organs is essential to an improvement Q
= the character, and quick conversions ar,
entirely valueless on this account, then sal
: walton is Of works: for by works are the or
4 gans exercised. But the scripture saitl
y GE-"BY GRA CE ARE YE SAVED, TIIRO