The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-20
[To BE Continued
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
90 LORD, REVIVE THY WORK" {"

We live in remarkable times, and strange
wants are of no unfrequent occurrence
Important issues have beginning and are
accomplished almost in twinkling. Rev.
olution after revolution sweeps over the earth,
and one sometimes feels disposed to tremble
lest the very foundations should give way
and crumble In our day and generation,
how active and inventive is the human mind,
how restless and reckless!
And as have looked out upon the world,
and seen the energy and activity of men in
the pursuit of an earthly object, / have al
most involuntarily exclaimed, "Help Lord ;
for the godly man ceaseth." And l have
asked myself the question, many time,
does the Church keep pace with the world
in her schemes to lengthen her cords and to
strengthen her stakes? Is she fully abreast
with the times in which we live? Is she
faithful to the trust committed to her? Is
she likely to be so in time to GOMEZ
Watchman, what of the night? Watch
man, what of the night p
am not one of those to croak and la
ment because of the evil times upon which
we have fallen. 1t is, doubtless, true that
we have fallen upon perilous times-times
that have tested and will test the faith and
integrity of Gods people. But, blessed be
his name, he has even now vastly more than
remnant left to serve him. o. it is a
blessed and cheering thought that there
are vast multitudes who have not bowed the
knee to Baal. and will not! Never, within
the memory of the writer, have there been
more self sacrificing, devoted followers Of
the Saviour, than may be found here and
there on the hills of our Southern Zion.-
Among few of Gods elect, there is self
denial and even suffering for Christ's sake,
that would bring tears Of pity to the eyes Of
many who now laugh at the children of Zion
and mock at the religion of Jesus. But
they are the few hidden ones of Christ
Their works of charity and deeds of self
denial are quietly and even secretly per-
formed. 1t is my blessed privilege, as a
minister, to know some who do really deny
themselves and take up their cross to follow
the Saviour.
But it is not all who are thus disposed
no, not even majority; no, hardly is it a
respectable minority. The love of many
has waxed cold. "Ephraim, he hath mixed
himself among the people; Ephraim is a
cake not turned" Where is the remedy for
these things? Whittier shall we 60, in our
straits, for relief?
The prophet, Habakkuk, reveals sove,
reign remedy for all the evils that afflict the
world and the Church of the Redeemer-
so Lord, revius thy work." This is what
we need. We too often forget where are
all our springs and whence all our help must
come The dispensation under which We
live is emphatically the dispensation of the
Spirit. When his gentle influences are fell
there is a shaking among the dry bones, and
the barren wilderness becomes the garden Of
the Lord. For months and years, had
been preaching about the love of God and
the compassion of Christ, and no blessing
came down. One day, l preached about oul
need of "the Spirit that quickeneth." And
the strong man bowed himself and the mait
wept for her sins. And it was not long
before the presence of Father, Son anC
Holy Ghost were seen in power and glory
among us. "Lord, revive u.s."
p II. D.