The Russellville Democrat., 1885-07-23

Revival Methods.


godly i.s.s.sssslnent, the most favorable
season for SPECIAL meetings. Usually
| have found the opening of the new
year and the week of prayer the
most desirable.
SECOND. Having decided on the
set time, clear the desks for action.
Plan for the opening of the work.
See that no concerts, lectures, fairs,
nor other distractions are admitted
for this period. Suspend all young
peoples associations, lyceums and
literary societies for the time. Give
the revival the right Of way. Give
notice of all this.
THIRD. / have no evangelist or
helpers, but the local church. The
pastor and his church, WITH God, are
sufficient. If they BELIEVE this, they
will have the victory. If.they have
not this faith, all is vain.
FOURTH. Let the pastor lead the
movement with inspiration and cour-
age If he is afame with zeal and
confidence, the members will take
fire and burn with his spirit. Let
him be sure that "the spirit of the
Lord is upon him, for he hath anoint-
ed me-" and then they will follow
him, as their pillar Of cloud and fire.
He will tell his discouragements to
God, and his hopes to the people.
Do rot scold them, but electrify them
with holy confidence in God. Appear
on the field as general, confident OF
his cause and of his men. Inspire
the Church with courage and faith.
FIFTH. Employ the members in
the revival. Do not wait for the
ideal condition, when all shall have
the armor on for the battle. Begin
with the faithful, the "old guard y
and you will muster more. A revival
comprises both the quickenlng OF the
Church, and the conversion OF sim
ners. The best way to get the
Church quickened is to give them
something to do. They will soon
End out where they are spiritually,
and begin to seek the amounting Of
the Spirit. Get them to praying fer
revival, and they will get revival.
Get them to speaking, and the un
faithful will soon be confessing their
sins and barrenness. Urge them to
talk with sinners, and they will soon
feel their need of more grace. The
Holy Spirit and conscience are al
ways at your side. Aim all arrows
at the conscience. AT the same time,
instruct them in methods of work
for Christ. They feel awkward.
Drill them. Set them on picket du
ty, to speak to strangers, to seek ont
the wandering, to talk with their
families. Produce a conviction Of
personal responsibility.
SIXTH. Seek ut once the conversion
of sinners. A few souls converted
lntensifies the flame of revival. Seek
out those most easily to be reached
first. They are the tinder TO kind.e
the fire. Nothing arouses the church
like the actual conversion Of sinners.
There are always some who can be
reached quickly, by seeking them
out, in every parish. These first
fruits thrill with JOY and hope, and
zeal, the church, and tend to awaken
seriousness in sinners.
SEVENTH. Preach directly at the
conscience. Sinners know their du-
tv. The Spirit conyinces them of
their condition. Preaching should
be aimed at the conscience and will
to induce decision. The first and
imperative point to be reached, is
unconditional surrender to God.
Motives urged should be scriptural
and pungent. The word of God is
the chief instrument But this
preaching must be red-hot; search
ing and simple; pressing on the con-
science as the dentists instrument
on the nerve. Penitential pain should
follow the preaching. Not elaborate
sermons, but short, sharp, searching
exhortations are most effective.
During the revival meetings the
preacher must forget his reputation
for preaching.
EIGnTH. Vary the services night
by night. Largely use the mem bers
In prayer and speaking. Get them
to tell sinners what led them to
Christ, what they did to find peace,
what evidence they had Of conver-
sion. 1t is surprising what interest
this has TO the unconyerted but