The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-15
For the Central Presbyterian.
Time to Expect a Revival

Zion, the set time being come. Revivals
come at Gods appointed time, and if we
are wise to discern the signs of the time,
we may know when to expect a revival.
Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon
Zion, for the time to favor her, yea, the
set time is come. For thy servants take
pleasure in her stones and favor the dust
thereof" The set time is that time when
the people of God are deeply moved for
the desolations of Zion. Gle will regard
the prayer of the destitute.) The time
may be one of restitution, and it may ap-
pear as if she were utterly forsaken, but
If her people feel their souls moved by
her condition till they are like the exiles
of Israel by the rivers of Babylon, God
will arise and have mercy on Zion.
Revivals then, like the break of day
may be expected in the darkest hour. as
then the people of God are most deeply
moved to seek God. And "man's ex-
tremity is Gods opportunity. Thus it
ever was under the judges, when bad
grew to worse, till Gods people saw that
unless Jehovah arise and bless Zion all
must come to desolation. Thus while
God has set time, it is like his set time
to send rain upon the earth. Rezivals
are as truly subject to spiritual laws as
are the rains to physical laws. When
these laws have brought about a certain
condition of the moral atmosphere, God
will pour out his blessing upon his
Church. Yet this does not interfere with
Gods sovereignty, for he can sit in mo-
ton or alter any one of the many agen-
cies which necessitated blessing.
What are some of the causes necessary
to secure a blessed revival? (a) On
Gods part, the presence of his HOLY
Spirit. Neither will there be revival
in the Church, nor conversions from with
out, till Gods Spirit is manifested at
work. Ministers may have protracted
meetings, crowds may flock to hear the
truth, eloquenee may thunder, sympa-
thetlc appeals may create an excitement
galvanic life may be awakened, and many
added to the Church; but take away the
sympathetic battery and all is dead as
before. The sword is that of the Spirit.
And the most skilful man may WELD it,
but if Gods Spirit do not hold his hand
all will be vain. Paul may plant and
Apollos water, but God alone giveth the
increase. And when God moves in a
community there will be mighty deeds
wrought, though it be by some youthful
David with only a sling and few
smoothe stones. A church in Arkansas
failing to get ministerial help, had a
blessed revival conducted by the elders
And the history of all the great revivals
shows that then, sermons which at other
times were powerless, produced most
profound impression. The reading Of the
word the singing of a hymn, then pro-
duces a proiounder impression than the
ablest appeals at other times And if
the writer's experience is a criterion, the
Holy Spirit seldom uses a sermon to save
a sinner unless at the same time the min
lister is conscious Of a marked influence of
the Spirit on himself (5) On mans part
there is much to be done to secure a re-
vival There must be zeal for God s
house, such as represented by favoring
her stones illustrated by the Jews in
their mistaken zeal for Zion, kissing the
stones in the old temple wall at Jerusa-
lem and weeping over her desolations
This zeal must lead to discipline, to purge
the church from unworthy members
God will not dwell in a polluted church
An Achan may cause Him to withdraw
His influence 1t would be violation of
that law in Gods kingdom, "Them that
honor me I will honor, and they that de-
spise me shall be lightly esteemed, were
God to bless such church. Among the
seven churches blessing is only prom
ised the faithful two-threats against all
the other five. There must be deep re-
pentance before Cod. Peter preached to
the Jewish Church" Repent We, there
fore, and be converted, that your sins may
be blotted out when the times Of refresh
ing shall come from the presence Of the
Lord This preceded every revival. It
went before the rising up of each Of the
Judges to deliver Israel. On the part Of
Ezra, it preceded a revival among the
Jews returned from the Babylonish cap
tivity Ezra, chap 9TH; and under Ne
hemiah (chap 9TH similar scene was
witnessed on the part Of the ruler and
people. Tn the time of John the Baptist
"yepcnt' was the note Of preparation for
the great revival in Gods Church when
the restorer Of all things appeared.
Every reformer has been a man able to
shake sinners with the thunders OF wrath