New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-02

During the great financial panic Of
1888 God was pleased to pour out
HIS Holy SPIRIT, and turn the hearts
of the children of men to seek His
favor. Mans extremity is Gods OPP
portunity. The history of the church
shows that her grandest revivals have
occurred during or Immediately sue
ceeding some great calamity. "Before
was afflicted I went astray," was the
experience of King David; and as a
rule it is the experience of nearly the
whole church. In the days of pros
perity men forget God, and it is only
when He humblos their pride with ad-
versity, and blights their worldly
hopes with Affections that they remem-
Der the rock from which they were
hewn and the pit from which they were
dug.
The calamities which have befallen
us as a people are well calculated to
humble us in the dust and lead us to
repent of our sins. Our worldly hopes
have been broken to pieces like pot
tors vessel; our dearest friends have
been borne to the silent dormitories OF
the dead, and misfortune has uncov-
cred to us the utter emptiness Of all
earthly good. In our distress we
should turn to the Lord. He is calling
us by the stern voice of adversely, we
having UNDECIDED the gentler tones Of
His mercy. Nor will he cease to
ohastise us till we turn unto Him. In
their distress men are daily asking,
"What does it mean :" They are with
out God and hope in the world. Con-
scious of void within they seek not
the peace Of mind which God only can
give, and convinced of their own weak
ness they go not to Jesus, who is
mighty to save. There are some, how
ever, who are tender under their attic
tions and ever grateful that God has
spared them from destruction, yet they
come not out on the Lords side.
In such an hour as this, the church
should wait upon the Lord till He pour
out His Spirit upon the people. The
church is Gods medium through which
He works upon inc hearts of i Il tho pscc-
pie, and hence the church should arise
and shine. In all our city churches
and everywhere throughout our confer.
ence, the pastors should take the lead
Call the people together; unfold &c
them their duty in this supreme hour
and instruct them in the nature anG
necessity Of arevival of Gods work il
their own souls and in the hearts of the
people. And to this call the church
should at once respond and come VI
to the help Of the Lord; to the help O
the Lord against the mighty. There
should be no Achans in the camp of thl
Captain Of our salvation; no laggardl
in the heavenly race no drones in tn,
celestial hive. Every man, woman
and child should inquire, Lord, wha
wilt thou have me to dol" And whel
the Lord replies, I" Arise, shine,
should stand forth like city that i
set upon bill, that can not be hid"
There arc three scperate dutie
which Christians should do at once
First. Seek to be thoroughly reolaimel
from all your own heart backslidings
What idol Of the soul has usurped III
throne Of jesus What secret sin ha
gone unoonfessedg What darling
pleasure il inanlged in contrary to Tia
win Of Jeaasl Oh, Christians, searcl
your heaEta a. with lighted candle
and sing WITH Cowper
The dearest Idol / h4ve known.
Whate'sf that id0s he.
Help ne 30 t<aE L from thy throne.
And worship enly thee-n
II. The next important duty il 10 re
fsain from whatsver nay inteffere viii
she progress Of Gods work. BE var,
careful that you are not an obstacle 4
this work, neither BY your oonvsraa