Smyrna times., 1858-04-29
HTha Great Revival" "

Which we have noticed from time to time, as
prevailing through our country, still continues
with unabated fervor. 1t is computed by some
that more than sixty thousand persons have be-
come, in the last two or three months, subjects
Of converting grace. AS many as seven thou
sand have been added to the several leading
denominations of the country in one week. In
two or three towns in the New England States,
1t is said that every adult person has gone into
the church and become avowedly Christian
Beginning at New York, Boston and Philadel-
phia. it has spread from Maine to California, and
has begun, indeed to show itself also in Europe
Prayer meetings are held for business men, irc-
men, policemen and (wonder of wonders y for
lawyers; and that, too, in Albany. 1t is not
confined to the land. Ships hail each other at
sea to speak Of prayer meetings and conver-
sions. And all this is neither by miracles nor
mysteries. 1t is all in perfect accordance with
the laws of mind and the common course of
Divine Providence. In it there is not the
slightest violence done TO mans moral and spir-
itIal constitution. Though having its origin in
the supernatural, it possesses, at the same time,
nothing unnatural. Revivals, religious revi-
vais, are constantly occurring in the history of
man. But the present has some pecularities
to which we call attention.
1t is not dependent on any great leaders,
The great revivals which have occurred in the
history of Christianity, in the first centuries
in Germany-in France-in England-in the
early history of this country-were usually led
oil by some great pulpit orator-a revivalist.
Bat it is not SO now. The most noted preacher
of the age-the present star of the pulpit--is.
c. Spurgeon, of London; he, however, has had
nothing to do with it; it seems to be a spon-
taneous outgrowth Of the Divine Spirit.
Again: 1t is unmarked by any special Eccle-
siastical machinery. 1t was led off by the peo-
pie; it grew out of the conscious want of the
people. deep, earnest religious feeling took
possession Of the hearts of the people; it spoke
out in call for prayer meeting in business
locality, at a business hour, and for business
men. There it spoke out in the earnest prayer,
the deep sigh of contrition, the warm exhorla-
ton. Heart was brought in contact with heart.
The attendants multiplied, the meetings multi
piled, the successes multiplied.
Further This revival is marked by won-
deiful CathOlicity. 1t is not a revival of de-
nominatioBal prejudices,-not of sectarian pe-
culiarities. The lines of sectarian demarkation
are obliterated, denominations differences are
swept aside. "The sacramental host " are en-
gagged in common cause,-all united 10 press
forward the triumphs of our common Christi
anity. This is just as it should be. We can
not, perhaps, help these differences in faith and
creed, but it is high time we had stopped quar-
reiling over them.
Finally: This revival is devoid of extrava-
CANT excitement, which has too often proved the
bane of such works. Excitement in religion
aroused, animated by profound emotion, holy
fervOr, quenchless zeal, and active, restless
faith but the baleful extreme is enthusiasm
and extravag agance. Of this, the present revival
is happily free it is to be earnestly hoped il
will SO remain.
And we see no reason why this revival should
not continue, and cover the entire land with its
fruits. There is nothing in the ways of Provi.
dence or the exigeDcies of mans condition tc
prevent this; nay verify, these both consI ire
to produce this desired result. Let processing
Christians follow up the advantages thus gained
Let them, in humble trust upon God, bend the
energies to the holy work. Let the heart
warm and throbbing with Christian love, 60 ou
after the strayin0 heart. which is perchance
yearning for sympathy. In word--let all thu
means and appliances for the promotion of spir
iiual life, the development of Christian charac
ter, and the inculcation of Bible doctrine. b
diligsRuy used. and they cannot fail of thei
appointed end.