The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-08
For the Central Presbyterian,
ReViValS.
money.

Reviva1S.
There was never greater need Of re.
vlval of religion in the. churches than
now. The cry comes from earnest souls
from North and South, Of the need of
revival. West Chester Presbytery in
New York City, recently spent three and
a half hours in fervent prayer for re-
vival DR.. Hoge, of Richmond, is quoted
as saying: "All is changed now; so that
North, South, East, West, there is but
one thing men want, money, to be made
not by healthy trade or profession, but
by speculations and men are in
tensely excited about things that are to
perish in the using, and have no wish to
be otherwise, or to do OF get the right
eousness of God. If we could keep this
out Of the Church we can not. The
members Of the Church have caught the
contagion, and it has acted and reacted
on them, and with what consequences?
Why the Church is more worldly than
was ever known in this country"
And 1T is not seen in money getting
alone. 1t is a0orldlinesS in every form.
Some souls seek wealth, some pleasure,
some vice. But everywhere there is
sad neglect OF spiritual duties and priv
leges, and of deep religious interest or
principle. Secular papers take too much
of Gods day. Railroads run and Chris
tians travel. Letters come and CO.
Street-cars pass crowded. Prayer meet
ings are dull places, but public entertain
ments are very entertaining Growth in
grace among Christians is exceeding lit
flo + hn ,o,l Il
ligious activity in missions and other
wise. There are, it is true, many active,
devoted, Christians, but how many among
the seven million church members
True our contributions to Gods cause
grow apace, but not to compare with the
increase in the wealth and numbers OF
the Church. Some of the wealthy mem
bers are devoted servants of Him, who
though he were rich, yet for our sakes
became poor. Yet how few are there
whose aim in business, whose motive in
life, is to advance the kingdom of God
to live for Christ Sanctifed and conse-
;rated Christians could be counted on the
fingers in any congregation. This reacts
on the world, and the number OF persons
converted to Christ has for several gears
OeSIt on o. SJeUUY OecLGne.
The report from all churches is the
same, a decrease of conversions. In the
Northern Presbyterian Church the num-
Der added on profession has steadily de-
creased for several years. In 1877 there
were 5,172 less than in 1876 In 1878
there were 1921 less than in 1877 In
1879 there were 3,061 less than in 1878.
In 1880 there were 1888 less than in
1879. In 1881 there were ,494 less than
in $780, And this in an increasing pop
ulation. 17,724 less additions in 1851
than in 1877, and 1886 less than in
1876.
The Methodist Church shows great
falling off also, think.
The Protestant Episcopal Church, ac-
cording to Whitaker 8 Church Almanac,
has not gained as much in 1881 as in
previous years. There is a decrease OF
5000 In baptisms for one year.
A recent meeting of ministers in Chi
cago reported serious failure of the
churches In that city to grow with the
And reports from our own Church in
II cities show but small increase, and
III ~ Cu CuGo III JlSSGJ Ule membership
is less than it was five years ago. In
1876 our Church added on examination
1893 in 1877 they numbered 6,3O2; in
1878, added 6,375; in 1879, added 6,351 !
in 1880, added 1920; and in 1881, add !
ed only 1889. While the decline has
not been invariable or very great some
years, it is less in 1881 than 1876 by
3, 1854.
The Baptist Church in New Jersey
shows a decline in actual membership for
the past year.
We need a revival IN our churches to
save those outside our church. Says DR..
Juyler Our churches have got to do !
great deal Of snbsoiling as well as pray
ing for showers, before conversions to !
Christ will become general and abundant. !
The votaries Of this world are not likely |
to embrace religion which is so pre- |
5ented to them as to have no power and |
no attraction They don't see enough of |
Christ in it. When Christ is lifted up in |
the hearts and prayers and lives Of his |
people, He will dra1O men unto Him.
,a) God will not honor worldly Chris !
tians by sending His Holy Spirit to work |
through them for the salvation Of sinners. |
% The moral power Of Christianity to
draw sinners is Christ, and usually Christ
is seen in the human book-his followers
lives 1t is not the doctrine of a cruel
fed Jesus, but it is the crucifed Jesus