The Portland daily press., 1878-03-11
What ism Revival /?

" hns ~ u AeCvAvdAs
Rev. G. Perkins of the Free Baptist
church preached from Psalms lxxxv:6 -"Wilt
thou not revive us again, that thy people may
rejoice in thee?" The word revival is very
common one. We are constantly reading it or
hearing it spoken. 1t is not confined to relig-
ious discourse or writings. We speak of re-
vival Of business, of learning, of patriotism, of
honesty, of temperance. Such revivals are all
greatly needed, and efforts should be made to
secure them. The preacher spoke of the nec-
essity of revival Of business from its present
depressed condition. That the question as to
what has caused it, and what is prolonging it,
is not SO importast as how shall a revival of
business be scared, and that there are thou
sand ways in which the progress of religion de-
ponds upon a healthful and vigorous condition
of business. There has doubtless been too lit
tie prayer over the business depression of the
country. That united praying by the people
of God is more needed now than legislatiog or
discussing fnancial questions by business asso-
Citations, and il may yet be found needful for the
people of this country, in humility before God,
tasting and prayer, and coDfessug sins before
any great improvement in business is made.
The great importance ola revival in spiritual
things has been demonstrated in all history.
That when spiritual interests are carefully at
tended to the interests of man are in the most
foursh'ng condition. Though there is spiritual
deelension in the country as whole, yet here
and there are lively interests but like business
revivals, short.liv+d, or if permanent, within
narrow limits. Feeling the need of genuine
and thorough revival we are the present week
to enter upon a series of religions efforts The
speaker was very earnest and With an invocation
said'm the Lord grant that the speedy result
may be a thoroughly scriptual revival Of such
sguality and extent as We have not witnessed
for mary years. In devising methods, and
with desire to know the exact truth, The ques.
ton arise-, ga revival of what?" What do we
need revival OF? La this as in every enter
prise,we need clear ideas of what it is for which
We are TO aim. The general answer would be,
a revival Of religion, and if we had in mind
Gods idea of religion, the answer would be
correct. As it is the answer is indefinite, for
the peolle ara often confused as to what relg-
ion really is. Much which passes for religion
and many think essential to secure as the re-
suit Of revival, has no connecuon with the
religion as defined and set forth in the word of
God. Wien men speak of religion they do not
all mean the same thing, and thsre Is danger If
DOT careful in laborDg, for revival of religion
should have no uutv OF action. When there is
coldness we say a revival of interest is needed.
Az interest may be awakened in certain men,
and certain methods of WORK, and certain asso-
Citations aud certain results. remotely if at ALL
connected with religion. THIS interest passes
away when the causes which produced it
ceases. All unnatural and uninteligent ex-
element in religion must in every case be
luxurious to individuals and to churches.
From such az interest tho church looses more
than it gains. Ii an interest is all that is
needed methods will be employed for it, which
vii b. sensational and exciting. This is too
much the poDulAr notion of revival, which
very much lower the dignity belonging TO
Christianity 10 the minds OF thiDkiog people,
and lessen confidence 10 the means which God
has instituted and blessed. A revival of inter-
est II what it shoald De will be intense. We
must be careful that temporarily excited feel
iDgs aud emotions are not mistaken for that
deep, genuine work of grace 10 the heart, and
from actual aud personal conservation OF the
whole being TO God. He spoke of revival of hap
piness, such being the result only of healthy
condition of religion. though happiness is not
an evidence of true religion. We nesd revi-
val of religious work But in this we need a
firm basis for revival of something else.
What thea is tn, revival needed ? II is a re-
ViVal of personal piety aud personal cOnSecra-
tioD to God AND when right 10 this respect
enthusiasm aud efficient service will result.
There may be revival of attendance on meet
logs, revival of zeal, revival Of work, but only
by the personal conservation of ourselves to
GOD is the only revival that will result in per-
maneot good and really improve our relations
with God This work is not done in the church
UT in masses; bat each for himself. 1t is USE
less to enter upon the proposed series of meet
ings with hopes of being galvanized into life
oy exUerpal means, such life will cease as soon
as the means stop, as 10 our times much inter-
est awakened 10 revivals ceases when the extra
means is discontinued. Ia connection with
these meetings we will be lifted from cold.
ness and quickened By the forces in the meet
ings ouly as we come IN contact not with the
means of grace only, but by the spirit of God.
The revival that we need is a revival of per-
sona Dlety, of actual godliness in ourselves as
Individuals. When we fully consecrate our
selves to God spiritual living and blessings are
cuIS,