The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-26

WI NUS VI InO OuuICn dIc praying
revival" Ifany number of Christians are
really thus praying, then to that extent
religion is not dead. There may be many
more praying Christians than we know
OF. The prophet on one occasion thought
he alone was left of all the myriads of
Israel; yet God showed him that there
were more than seven thousand who had
not bowed the knee to Baal.
It is the old puzzle that presents itself
to us now. 1t has always been difficult
for the people of God to estimate the
state of religion in their own day-just
as 1T has always been impossible for any
man, however thoughtful, to discern the
contemporaneous current of history. 1t
is more difficult for the Christian than
for the philosopher, to form right con-
ception of his own time, because the facts
are more hidden and the principles more
reconcile. Then again, while to both, hui
man nature and divine Providence pre-
sent battling enigmas, the Christian must,
In addition to these. seek to discover the
subtle influence of the Holy Spirit. Now
of all agencies at work amongst men, this
most eludes human observation. He
works how and where He will-through
means and above them The infinite and
secret resources of this power are invoked
by the prayers mentioned above. AS we
can never tell in whose hearts He may be
operating, we cannot determine the ex-
act state OF religion at any given time
1t is curious to notice that he who thus
reports religion dead, predicts that there
will soon be great revival If So then
1T would be more accurate to say of reli-
gion-" She is not dead, but sleepeth. :"
But upon what is based the confident ex-
pectation of a revival of religion? Pro-
tessedly upon the past history of the
Church. 1t is said that these periods of
apparent deafness have always been fol-
lowed by a great outburst of light If
this were true, yet it is important to know
at what interval they followed. The de-
cadence of religion has sometimes con-
tinued for long period. 1t lasted for
centuries, during what are called the
Dark Ages. A long period of spiritual
dearth followed the Stuart Restoration in
England. Two centuries have elapsed
since France lost her best religion by the
expulsion of the Huguenots; and is Just
now giving signs of returning life. Many
ages have passed since the candles of the
Lord were extinguished in the seven
churches of Asia, and with one or two ex
ceptions they have not been rekindled-
and even in Smyrna the feeble taper
barely reveals the surrounding gloom.
Who can say that we may not be plung-
ing into a long, black night? May not
the Church be entering upon one of those
severe and protracted trials which have
marked her past history? In subse-
quent issue this question may be consid-
cred. We cannot resolve in advance
we DO not presume to predict the course
OF divine Providence only to ad-
dress the hopes and fears of Christian
people, and thus stimulate them to re-
newed prayer and faith, repentance and
labor. Neither do we intimate any doubt
of the final triumph of Christ. 1t is only
OF the ways by which he may lead us,
that we propose to speak. He said
Fear not, little flock, for it is your
Fathers good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. But He also said, Never
theless, when the Son of Man cometh.
shall He find faith on the earth?"
Nashv'tte, Tenn, Jan. II.