The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-11-05

to use no means DuC Walt UOu llHIO anu
sometimes they are taught that mere
intellectual reception of Christ will save.
I believe much in the Importance OF
singing into the heart and mind, by the
aid of sweet and tender tunes, as much Cos
pei as possible, so that it will ring in their
ears and they will sing it all their days.
Converts should be greatly urged to
study the Bible. Suitable religious books
and tracts most carefully selected should
be left with every inquirer and convert.
6. The church must be aroused to pray
er and effort. Many little praying bands
among all classes should be started and
kept up. Work must be cut out for the
members. l find the law and gospel as
preached to the unconverted also revives
the church.
7. TIE pastors should viSit much from
house to house, and such members as are
qualified for this work, and Of course con-
tinue after the meeting is over.
8. All the EuangeHcal Churches should
mite
9. Noise confusion, and undue ercite
m,ent should be depressed as uniting the
mind to understand and lay hold Of the
saving truth presented. All means meas
ures, and machinery calculated to pro-
duce this should be excluded, and no re-
lance placed upon anything but the Word
and Spirit of God to impress the soul.
1t is no doubt desirable to separate the
awakened who sincerely desire instruc-
ton and prayer, from the rest Of the con-
gregation, but the anxious seat, as it has
often been used in the past, has done much
harm. l have seen persons almost drag
ged there, no instruction given, but petted,
fondled, Rugged, amid deafening noise
and shouts, till of course some sort of feel
ing was aroused with which however
the spirit of God had probably nothing to
do) and Immediately they were pro-
nounced converted and urged to get up
and proclaim it. What the result of such
work is, many witnesses can tell us.
10. baquirerS should not be pressed to
make profession Of conversion until they
have had sufficient time to understand
thoroughly the marks of conversion
These | have printed in my hymn book,
and insist upon their careful study.
Every argument is used in some meet
ings to induce inquirers to get up and say
e" believe" and they are told if they will
only sag so they do believe. They are
then Immediately pronounced converted.
Others urge all that intend to live
better life to come forward and take the
evangelist by the hand. Numbers Of chill
dren and others will do so. They are
counted converts. Terrible results follow
such work. Let inquirers have plenty
of time to see whether they are changed
or not before proclaiming it to the world.
II. Protested concerts should not be
received into the church during or lname-
diately after revival. Nothing, to my
mind, has brought revival work into dis
favor more than this. could not con-
scientiously labor in meeting where |
thought they would be taken into the
church in less than a month after the
close of the meeting. About the only
test we have now, when it is so reputable
to Join the church, is time. At least let
the devil have few shots at them and
see how they will stand when the help
and stimulus of daily meetings are with
drawn. By neglect of this caution, our
churches are filled with unconverted
souls. In churches where we should lit
tie expect to see it, during the progress
of a meeting, and at the close Of stirring
sermon, such invitations as this are made,
If there is any one here now willing to
confess Christ let him come forward and
take me by the hand" and all who do
this are Immediately received into the
church Multitudes will come forward
when urged to do so, and unite with the
church, who will not deny themselves the
least sinful indulgence to please God. Do
we want any more such in our Church?
During the tour above alluded to, I
took ample time for careful observation
visiting all the meetings especially the
inquiry meetings. In many places | saw
much that troubled me and led me to ex-
pect soon great reaction of sentiment
against revivals. Not to trespass further
on your patience I will only mention this,
In. some Of the largest meetings attend
ed multitudes thronging the buildings, |
heard for weeks hardly anything preach
ed about the nature and consequences of
sin, nothing it seemed to me to trouble
the sinners conscience or alarm his fears,
but Gods goodness, pity, His anxiety to
save men, how easy to become a Chris
tian, and week after week in the crowded
inquiry rooms I did not see a tear shed
or scarcely any evidence Of conviction of
sin. The instructions seemed to be most
ly "accept of Christ, why not and
till finally the soul would apparently ac-
cept of Christ as one who never was sick,
nor ever expected to be would accept Of
l Il 90 70 q