Morning journal and courier., 1885-12-07
THE RPIsoOPALIAN REVIVAL.
An Interesting DIscourse by Rev. pr.
 Peck-A Remarkable Religious

THE EPISCOPALIAN REVIVAL. An Interesting DIscourse by Rev. Dr.
 Peck-A Remarkable Religious
 Movement in New York City.
 At the Dwight street M. E. church last evening the pastor, Rev. Dr. Peck, delivered interesting discourse, his subject being "The Great Episcopalian Revival in New York" The text was in Psalms S5, 6, "Wilt thou not revive again, that thy people may rejoice in theep' The preacher spoke in substance as follows:
 One of the most remarkable religious move ments of the age is now transpiring in the Episcopal church. It is phenomenall It is a Pentecostal movement hail it an inspir- ation of God It is a powerful organization of that church in New York city for great revival This church that has been thought the most formal and impressive, the most cold and phlegmatic, and opposed to revival efforts is actually pursuing one of the most energetic, typical revival campaigns ever organized in this country. Whatever the results, the movement is vastly gratify- ing. To see the reserved Episcopal church actually leading the other churches of the great metropolis of America in revival work
 
 It marks crisis in the religious life of the country. It is, doubt not, an inspiration of God. If prosecuted earnestly it will stir the whole land. It may be the signal gun of the greatest revival this country has ever seen. It challenges the prayers and good will of all Christians. It is one of the most wisely and vigorously planned revival move ments have ever read of. It is no sudden 11,ka 1a1ih @fa ofey, taken in serious zeal and laborious method It is born of the spirit of Christ, the desire to save the lost. It is the spirit of Meth odism as revealed in her great revival methods.
 The Episcopalians do not use the name trevival," :" but Emission" But it is nothing else than a traditional revival. The Congre- gationalists called the great revival under Jonathan Edwards ''the great awakening." But it matters not whether we name it "mis- sion," revival J awakening" or "reforma- tion" as the movement led by Luther was called so long as it seeks the same end, the conversion and salvation of souls for whom Christ died. It is a mission to the lost; it is arrevival of the church to seek the perishing: it is an awakening of the church and of sin ners by the trumpet of the gospel; it is a reformation of the lives of care less church members and of penitent sinners We hail this revival under the name of s'mission." While other churches call the ministers who lead these revival ser vices 'Erevivalists," ," "evangelists," the Epis- copalians name them ftmissioners." No mat ter "A rose would smell sweet by any other name." The grand fact is that the Episcopal church is in the field with the gen uine revival spirit and methods which have been the secret of the wonderful progress of Methodism. Nay, more. Revivals have been the means which every denomination has employed for it's greatest success in bringing sinners to Christ. The grandest days of Congregationalism were when she was flaming with revivals. The same is true of Presbyterianism. The Baptists have always been a revival church. Just in proportion Congrega tionalism and Presbyterianism have neglected revivals, they have declined in aggressive power. Had Congregationalism kept her al tars afame with revival zeal as in the days of Edwards and the Tennents, she would have maintained her orthodoxy, and not have been threatened with paralysis if not ulti- mate disruption as she is to day, by her lib eralism or thew departure" The Epis- copal church ought to shame into humilia- ton and works of repentance those churches that have discarded the use of the mightiest means of saving men that God has or dained, as proved by his richest blessing. In what church in this city has there been for the past ten years, or fifty years, or more a large ingathering of members with out a revival? Not one Just so long as
 
 live at 6 poor, dying rate. It was the logic of these facts that inaPeiled the Church of Enela1,a first. and now the Episcopal church in this country, to adopt and institute "missions,' or revivals. Their most jealous ministers said that they were not reaching the masses. Souls were perishing all around their churches especially in the great cities, and their ordinary services and methods failed to reach them. Let me quote the Rev. J. w. Bonham of the Episcopal church, sn of EEv,oico revivalists: ''Not many years since the Church of England resemblsd richly orna- mented locomotive, destitute of propelling power. Liturgical services failed to inspire devotion, choristers were irreverent and sermons produced slumber. Some churches, abbeys and cathedrals were almost deserted, and in their vicinity iniquity abounded. At length the cry was heard, 'Awakel Awakel Ye Watchmen of Zion.' One aroused cler- gyman aroused another, and the inspired prayer ascended, o Lord revive thy work and send gracious rain to refresh thine in heritance, now so weary"
 After giving an interesting account of the revival work of the Church of Eng gland and the great success which followed the movement, the doctor said: The success of these revival meetings in England led to the present Advent mission in New York in the Episcopal church. For months the clergy and laity have been preparing for this mission. They have sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit to prepare them for the work. They have called from England, Can ada and all over the United States their most zealous revivalists or missioners. Men, but especially women-many of them the rich and fashionable Episcopalian ladies of New York-were appointed visiting committees to go from house to house every street in the parish and urge the the revival mission. Placards were posted announcing the services Revival tracts and religious literature distributed on the street. On street corners nears.the church, signs are displayed cordially inviting every body to attend the meetings. Handbills are circulated announcing the meetings and ap- pealing to the people to attend.
 Now all this is wise and useful. There is great deal of fastidious nonsense in some Christians and churches. They are so fear ful of being in earnest in religion with the zeal that wins success in worldly affairs. They are enthusiastic and pushing in earthly matters, but in religion are so dry and cold tame and respectable, l" that no wonder
 And their devotion dies.'
 They would be shocked at pastors pIacards handbills, signs and tracts calling the public attention to revival services. The Episcopal church has boldly used these in holy zeal to awaken and save the people. It is proper, respectable, wise, effective. This prudish septimentalism in religion is as bad as sen sationalism. Better be burning weeping enthusiasts than polished ieebergsl Thank God for the zeal and earnestness cur Episco- palian brethren are teaching us For ten days they have consecrated themselves to the most devout and laborious services. In some twenty churches in New York there are services day and night They have four or five services day. The mis sioners preach two or three sermons daily It is the preaching of Christ cruci6ed that must awaken and save sinners. They have meetings for men, meetings for women. meetings for children, meetings for servants meetings for parents, meetings for "all sorts and conditions of men," In one church last Sunday they had services every hour in the dav x # #
 In short, the Episcopal church seems to have begun great revival movement, which promises good results. The churches are being awakened, not for ten days only, but for all days. The formal and careless will be quiekened and the whole membership lifted to higher plane. Non church -goers will be brought to wait on the public worship of God and sinners will be awakened to their need of Christ Probably thousands will be drawn into the communion of the Episcopal church as the fruit of this revival. This, indeed, is glorious forward movement of the Episcopal church. It will be of great good to that denomination and