Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-29
Shall We Have a Revival?

Where? In your own heart. This is
the place where every genuine revival be-
gins 1t begins in the heart of some in
dividual. 1t may be the pastor of the
chuch--it may be some elder or private
member One of the ablest ministers in
our church once remarked. i'll a little circle
Of Christians, e / wish we could get up Il
revival in Bro. c., referring to broth
er minister, who had once been very active
in promoting revivals Of religion. but had
grown cold in the service. Are there not
some Of our brethren concerning whom the
same pious wish might be made? The re-
yival begins in the heart Of the pastor
lie mourns and weeps over the desolation,
Of Zion. He mourn, and wcep@ over his
own unfaithfulness. and want Of zeal and
devotion. and love for Christ and for souls.
This is a revival of true repentance. Then
he looks at the promises of God and
dwclls upon their truthfulness and pre-
ciousness and immutability until there Is
a great revival Of faith for faith is SIM
ply feeling that what God says is true,
and acting accordingly. Then he medi-
tatcs much on the love Of Christ to him.
self as a poor, pcrishing sinner, and while
he is mu-ing, the fire burns upon the altar
Of his heart and there is q revival of love
20 Christ. Again he thinks Of the soul,
and it, guilt and danger of being lost eter-
nally; until there Is a revival Of sympa-
thy for pcrishing men. lie dwcll,, also.
upon the honor Of God and his glory of
which sin i, constantly robbing him He
feels for the honor Of his Heavenly Father,
and cares for IT, and asks, What can | do
to promote it and increase it; and what
more can | do to prevent his being dishon-
ored by sinners" There springs up a re-
yiyol Of zeal for God, glory lie begins
TO feel as David did when he said. rivers
of water run down mine eyes, because they
keep not thy law" He sigh, and cries
for the denominations that are done in the
land He exclaims with the weeping
prophet 90 that mine head were waters,
and mine eyes fountain, of tears. that |
might weep day and night over the slain
Of the daughters of my people I"
Thus may a revival begin in a single
heart but it will not be confined to that
heart. Like the fire it will diffuse itself
its heat will spread. Other hearts will be
warmed by it. 1t will breathe ont il
prayers it will speak out in words, it will
weep out in tears, and sigh out in groans
Shall we have such revival in your heart
my reader whoever you are? Why not
Is not God willing to revive hi, work il
your heart? l. he not able TO do it? i
he not anxious and waiting and be,ecch
ing You to let him come into your hear
for this express purpose? Doe, he moi
promise to give you his Holy Spirit to re
viye all your dropping giaces. if YOU only
call upon him for it? Is he not nor,
willing TO do this than the kinde,t earthl,
parents are to give good gifts to their chill
dren? Why then will younot be revived
Are YOU waiting for God to come and re
viye You Il, he revive, all nature in th
carly spring, without any effort or cooper
alton upon your part? If so, thi, is sin
FIJI waiting. David tells II, how he wait
ed for the Lord he waited crying. en-
treating praying. Wait in the use of al
those means that he has appointed, am
promised to bless But do you really de
sire a revival? | mean such a revival i
your own heart a, have described >
You would like to see persons brought il
to the church, to add to it, numbers am
power; but would YOU like an increase ,
piety in your own heart? more hcavenl
mindedness: more of the very spirit
Christ? 70 desire it is to have it; for
will lead to prayers, and tears and effort
that viii bring the blessing. Cbrisfio
Heroid