Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-10-19

sel;>iblies, and to cil;ce sense of our r;ccouu,-
ability to God am aware that there is IN in
clinatinn to paiate the neglect of this duty, be-
cause meetings have been sometimes so con-
Quoted in certain sections, rs to be Il departure
from Paus Injunction to have all things done
dcccutly and in order But shall We deprcriatc
the end, because we censure the means? Be-
sides, can this in any wise release Us from Il di-
vine obligation to employ our efforts in the con-
version Of sinners? And We should also re-
member hat it is rs much our duty TO labor for
the cor -son of sinners ut home, as nj the house
of God.
In regard to The Importance of human agency
in this work, we may learn something from OBJ
servation, and our experience. We believe that
nearly all our Churches have had at times rcv-
vals of vital religion. And it has generally been
VIXEN the meetings were protracted. But God
did not convert sinners, merely because preach
ers and people were assembled there; but It has
been when Christians have had their hearts pre-
pared for united and un'iring individual effort.
During our protracted meetings, sanctited effort
is employed and reviyals follow rs the result {;
but when the meeting ceases, our efforts cease,
and the revival ceases rs the result. Hence we
generally have revivals but once year! And
i have wondered that God permitted us to nave
as many revivals as We have. when rs Churches,
we NJ Ike an effort but once Il year for ii
But why not have revival for mhole gear
yes, A WHOLE YEAR? Is it impossible! Is it
opposed TO the divine will? The writer was
once in revival for about six months, carried
on by private cffnrt-amost unseen by the world
-no extra meelngs-no general out bursts OF
feeling, but yet the work was deep and told
loudly for the cause of Christ. Like the unseen
fires of volcanic mountain, it was known by
its effects upon the trembling earth. II lfareviva
of six or eight days causes the candle OF the
Lord 10 shine upon us and our hearts TO sing
for iOy, would not one of three hundred and
siyty-iive days give us more joy, more OF the
sunshine of the soul? more of the luxury of
Divine Grace? know that we cannot and we
should not meet ut our Churches every day, as
God requires us to meet only one day out OF the
week; but this is not Il reason why we should
not have Il confined revival. Let US for Il mo
ment look into this point. Two points consti-
tute the utility of protracted meetings. l. An
opportunity for prutraclcd effort. 2; Drawing
the mind from temporal things, and placing it
for days together upon spiritual thugs. This IS
necessary, in order that y permanent Impression
be made For "the longer aud more intensely
we contemplate an object in that relation, which
is calculated TO draw out the affections. the more
deeply will the impression be upon the mnd and
the memory."t Now as regards the first, is it
necessary that Christians should assemble at
their houses of worship, in order that individual
effort should be employed, or that God should
hear prayer? None will say that it is. And us
respects the second, may we not, by d.ily con-
versation and prayer, lead impentent souls to
consider the Importance Of eternal thingse We
may find ample material for our efforts in ouT
own families or in those of onr neighbcrs, tot
unceasing effort and prayer Most of us are
with impenitent souls most Of our time, how
easily would it be, then. to direct their minds tc
Christ, the Saviour of sinners? And then or
Lords day how well would their minds and ours
be prepared for the gospcl! Now and then
sinner would be brought TO the knowledge OF the
truth-their conversion would awaken others
Christians seeing Gods work prospering in the
hands, would take fresh courage. Gods houat
would become hallowed and an attractive place
and all would there feel heavenly atmosphere
Every minister knows full well, that more car
now be done out of the pulpit than in it. Mel
look upon preaching as matter OF course ahe
seem to think that to hear preaching, ana g
away and forget it, carries but little or no guilt
In the pulpit we often deal in general; out OF Il
Fuller.
rs Philosophy of the plan of Salvation"