Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-18
Religious Excitements---T h e ir
Rationale and Results.

Religious Excltements---T h I
Rationale and Results.
There are many very good Christian
people who are afraid of religious ex-
elements. In their minds, such excite
ments are always associated with fanati-
cism, and with extravagances which dis
grace the1very name of religion. There
are others, less pronounced in their judg,
ments, yet quite as faithless as these, who
regard religious excilements as useless
in their results. They have general
opinion that those who are affected by
them subside, at last, to the cold sea OF
worldliness from which the wave had
lifted them. There are others, having no
interest in religious subjects, who look
upon these excitements with pity for
their subjects, and who ridicule or con-
denim those who engage in the operation
of their machinery. Meantime, the ex-
elements themselves go on without the
slightest reference to the opinions and
prejudices of the questioners. 1t seems
to US that there is a common sense way
of looking at these matters which may
bring us all 10 a rational understanding
of them.
This subject is suggested by the re-
ligious excitement now existing 10
Springfeld-an excitement that per
vades more and more all classes and con-
ditions of people. Let any observer go
into the lecture rooms of what are called
the evangelical churches on almost any
evening, and he will find them crowded
with people. These people are not
boisterous and extravagant. Most of
them are in tears. There are many
young men among them, and, one after
another, these young men rise and de-
clare their resolution to commence q
Christian life-the surrender of their af
fections and wills to Him who made and
redeemed them. Hymns are sung,
prayers are offered, brief exhortations
are given, and the meetings are dismis-
sed early, yet half the assembly fingers
for conversation. 1t seems impossible to
be in these meetings without partaking
of their influence, and being borne along
by the current of sympathy. Looking
over these congregations, there may be
discovered many hard boy, many al
girl, many cold man, all
absorbed in the one subject Of personal
religion. Seeing these people and hear
ing them talk, it would be very hard toI
conceive how such an excitement as they
are under could result in any evil. Its
certainly better that they should be there
than in the brothel or the dram shop or
in the street, or even ia any place OF
simply frivolous amusement.
The principal and most powerful OBJ
jeaions urged against revivals is that
they are periods of excitement, and thai
theis results can only be counted while
the excitement lasts. 1t is undoubtedly
true that many of those who are num-
bered among the subjects of revival
90 back after it is over, but this is no
objection, until it is proved that all, or
he larger part, go back. This Partially
Of permanent results is inevitable in the
nature of the human mind. There are
always two classes of persons, outside of
he church. affected by religious ex-
element. The first makes religion
personal question, deals with it as such,
ard either adopts religion or rejects it.
The other is composed of those who
ire borne along on the wave of sympa-
by, and who often do not know where
hey stand. They are susceptible TO the
influence of those around them naturally,
md would be as easily led out OF relig
on as they are led into it. II they
,hould live always in religious atmos
,here, they would always be religious