The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-05
REYTYALN

RE VI VALS.
DIR. Herrick Johnson who, sometime
ago, did good work by his Plain Talk
about theatres, has lately issued tract
ate on Revivals, their Place and their
Power" which deserves to be widely cir
culated. The subject is one that init
mately concerns the purity and the pro-
gress of the Church. No history of the
Church could be written without TAKING
into account the influence of revivals.
Genuine revivals, wisely conducted, are
blessed agencies in the onward move
ments of the Church, and so far from be-
ing regarded with suspicion, should be
sought and welcomed as the visitations
OF God to his people. Under every dis
pensation there have been special mani
festations of the mighty power of God
when multitudes were saved, and for such
manifestations the Church cannot too
earnestly pray and labor. Yet there are
some who associate the name of revival
with irregularities and questionable meth
dds to be avoided. We quote the fol-
lowing just and discriminating statements
from DR.. Johnson:
That prejudice, and, in some cases, very
decided prejudice, exists even amongst good
CHRISTIAN men, against what are termed ere
vlvals OF religion" cannot be denied. Ministers
OF the gospel will sometimes express themselves
as II they regarded reviyals as abnormal and
undesirable conditions of church life. They will
speak dlsparagingly of them as questionable
agencies of growth, as attended with varied
serious, and inevitable evils, as spurts of enthu
s!asm born of excitement, as begetting an emo
uonal and spasmodic, instead of principled
and stable piety. They will tell you that the
true and healthiul life of the church is one of
steady growth, that the accessons from the
world should be constant that Gods people
should always be revived
Their position is strongly fortified by the
large measure Of truth that supports it. I'm.
questlonably very serious evils have attended
many OF these seasons of special religious inter
est, evils so manfestly pernicious as to challenge
the thoughtful attention of the church, and to
Justify resoute measures for their repression and
eradication. Just as unquestionably, the people
OF God ought to live at a much higher level of
spiritual life than is reached by the mass of them
In ordinary and actual experience
But with both these points freely conceded.
we think it can still be made clear to demon
stration that revivals of religion have their le-
gltlmate place as an important means of Chris
tian nurture and conquest, that they are, there
fore, not only not to be condemned and avoided
but to be counted among the things for which
every pastor and every church should labor and
pray.
Let us first define our terms and clearly un-
derstand what is meant by the phrase religious
revivals"
They are seasons of special interest and activ.
lty IN religion, Just as revivals of business are
seasons OF increased activity and profit in bust.
ness strictly reylVals can be predicated only
OF Gods people-those who have once known
the life of God, and who by Gods Spirit are now
Tc-V1oed. They are the quickening and the stir
ring to lntenser manifestations, graces, and
activities that have already had place in their
life Conversions from the impenitent world
are rather the fruits of REVEALS in the church
and constitute what might more properly be
termed awakenings. But by accepted and gen
eral usage the term revival" is made to cover
both the quickened spiritual interest and activity
OF Christians and the turning to God of the hith-
erto impenitent"
Among the evils to be avoided in con-
nection with revivals he mentions:
" The recognition of any particular ministers
or class Of ministers reViUaIiStS. There is no
such distinctive class known to the New Tesla
ment. 1t is making an invidious and reprehen
sible comparison. 1t is giving countenance
among the people to the idea that certain min
listers on wheels have kind of monopoly of the |
Holy Spirit, and can command His services on
call. 1t is disturbing and dishonoring to the |
pastorate. EUery pastor should be a revivalist |
should always aim to be in a revived state |
should preach revival sermons use revival
methods, and expect revival results"