The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-03-20
ReviYaIs Of Religion.

Revivals Of Religion.
The Christian dispensation is emphati-
calIy dispensaion of the Spirit. The
Spirit. was, indeed, granted under the Jew
ISL dispensation, but in limited measures
The Saviour, previous to his crucifxion,
promised to his disciples, as a compersa-
ton for his departure from them, the COM
ing of the Spirit, and after his crucifxion
and before his resurrection, he renewed
the promise, and told them not to leave
Jerusalem until the Spirit came, until they
were endued with this ''power from on
high" They obeyed him, and while wait
ing for the fulfIlment of the promise, it re-
ceived a signal and glorious realization in
the Pentecostal revival. The Spirit came
down with such power that three thousand
souls were converted, ''turned from dark
ness to light, and from the power of Satan
unto God" The apostle preached on the
occasion a model revival sermon. He
brought out the Distinguishing doctrines of
evangelical religion-the fOre-ordination of
God-man's free-agency aud accountable
ty-the atOning sacrifice of Christian re-
pentance for sin, and faith in the Lamb of
God who alone can take away sin. The
consequence was that they were ''pricked
in their hearts, and cried, men and breth-
! rem what must We do %
Was this first revival under the Chris
tian dispensation preceded by earnest, be-
lieving prayer? Did the apostles. the
brethren and women, continue with one &C
cord in prayer and supplication" for the
descent Of the Spirit ? So in our day, if
we would have the Spirit in copious meas
ure, we must wait upon Christ in prayer
aud supplication for it. He will "shed it
forth" then, and can shed it forth now,
and when inquired of Christians to do it,
may be expected to do it.
Did the apostle at that season ''not shun
to declare the whole counsel of God" but
preached it faithfully and boldly So
must ministers preach now, for it is such
preaching that the Spirit approves and &C
companies and by it oonvinces men of
their sins, and leads them to ask, "What
must we do to be saved %
In a revival Of religion, preaching cannot
be dispened with. Prayer meetings, brief
addresses and short exhortations have their
important place, but are no proper substi-
tute for Well-wrOught evangelical pungent
sermons. Preaching is the Lords ordi-
nance, and he honors it. By it as his ap-
pointed and most efficient fundamentally,
he saves those who believe. The faithful
preaching of Christ, and him crucifed has
ever been, still is, and will continue to be
while the world stands, the poaer and
wisdom of God unto salvation.
It is worthy of consideration whether at
the present time, when the people of God
are becoming more Prayerful and more en-
gagged in his cause, and more of the world
are uneasy in their guilt, we are giving
to the preaching of the gospel sufficient
prominence Are we making enough OF
it? Our fathers who had large experience
and great success in reYiyals of religion,
made far more Of it than we do. During
the recent revival at the Methodist Church
in this place, Rev. W. G. Hensley, our ge-
uld4 pas 1NSf. Il 5llA II. I1lilB anu OF nefSi
preached every evening 10 the week, be-
sides preaching on the Sabbath and as
sermon followed sermon, impression deep
ed impression and scores were "convinc
ed of sin. of righteousness, aud of judg
ment," and gave their hearts to. Christ
We long to behold the like again, to sec
assemblages throngiug the sanctuary DAY
after day, attentive to sermons modelled at
ter Peters Pentecostal sermon. and as the
soul-humbling doctrines Of revelation anC
/ tie solemnities ola coming eternity are ar
rayed before uneonverted sinners, see then
D changed to Christians "by the washing 0
= regeneration and the renewing Of the Hol.
Ghost"
5 Who can be ore desolate lookin!
l spectacle than an cold maid" sitting on al
Il Inverted half-bushel, in a cold kitchen, wit
It her feet on the brim Of a slop bucket, par