The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-19
For the Central Presbyterian.
Thoughts on Revivals.
No. l..

While filled with sadness and dismav
To see the work of God decline.
Methought heard the Saviour saw:
Dismiss thy fear, the ark is mine
Though for time hid my face.
Rely upon my love and power;
Gull wrestle at the throne of grace,
And wait for reviving hour
Take down thy long neglected harp,
I've seen thy tears, and heard thy prayers ;
The winter season has been sharp,
But spring shall all its wastes repair."
Wilt thou not revive us again, that thv
people may rejoice in Thee2 Show us tby
mercy, o Lord, and grant us thy salvation. -
Psalm lxxxv 6, z.
There is no subject having higher
claims upon Christian workers in the
pulpit. Sabbath School, or home circle,
than that of promoting pure and unde
fled religion.
There is a wonderful future in store
for our Church, should her members have
wisdom to discern the situation and take
the tide OF affairs at the flood. In very
influential quarters it is maintained that
the speciality of this hour, is ecclesiologv.
Now the full force of this might be real
lied If heated discussions on the princi-
pies of true ecclesiology would supply
vacant churches, arouse to action in sun
porting the ministry, and sending the
gospel to the destitute.
No one can study the Minutes of the
last Assembly and not be impressed with
the conviction that the great question OF
the hour is, What are the best means of
promoting revivals of religion and Sc
curing useful and permanent results !?
The exlgences of our Church fully Justify
such conviction.
LII some Presbyteries something has
peen done In the way of visitation COM
mlttees. The records of the whole series
OF our Church courts TEEN with measures
to meet the emergency felt to be pressing.
There is a visitation that would re-
move every serious hindrance, and that
Is the presence of Jesus. Could all feel
this and wait in prayer until imbued with
power from on high, the waste places
would be made glad, and in due time
there would be vast SPIRITUAL COM
MoNWEALTH to govern. For the indica-
lions of Gods willingness to revive His
people again, that they may rejoice in
Him, are very encouraging.
In other days, your correspondent gave
patient attention to the chapter in
Hodges History, which treats of the
noted revlvals occurring under the min
lstry of Whitefeld, Edwards, Davis, the
Tennents, and others whose praise is in
all the churches.
In regard to some of these awakenines
OF historic interest, the results did not
meet the expectations entertained re-
spectlng the character and permanency
of the good accomplished. In some more
recent revivals, that cheered so MANY
hearts waiting for time of merciful Wis
ltatlon, it is reported that hopes have not
been realized as to the permanency OF
revival influences. There are those who
say that it would be comforting one of
the greatest Of benefits upon the Church,
If some means could be devised whereby
permanent results could be secured from
revivals.
Some experienced brethren are of the
opinion that protesting Christians are
mainly responsible for such failures; for
the piety of converts rises no higher than
that Of Christians associated with IL EN-
In church relations.
Many other things are spoken of in this
connection, all, however, having refer
ence to what should be done AFTER re-
vival.
From all that the writer has read and
observed on this subject Of REVEALS. it is
his firm and decided conviction, that the
question is not so much as to what should