Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-13
~HARD TIMES" AND "REvIvALs."

"AARD TImES' AND "RESlNALS."
1t is a historical fact in this country that
what are called "revivals Of religion" fol-
low seasons Of great commercial pressure
and disaster, and with this fact as predi-
cate certain students Of the signs of the
time, predicted, last fall, that the present
season would be characterized with great
"awakenings" such as had been known in
corresponding periods in former times.
And these prophecies have been largely
fulfilled. These religious awakenings
appear to be spontaneous. In some locali-
ties they seem to have been sweeping in
their effects, gathering into their
currents whole communities, and
concerning a number of these reviTals
the press reporters-usually very
cautious and conservative-have tele-
graphed to the world the very significant
and instructive fact that iiquor-sellers have
voluntarily closed their places of "busi-
ness" That is to say, the great religious
awakenings have reached their customers
and either educated and quickened their
consciences or destroyed their appetites.
And these influences, we in'er, have also
reached the liquor-sellers. These revivals
therefore prove themselves to be, at least
for the time, methods of radical reforma-
ton. They save the poor inebriate" and
the man who has made him such at one and
the same time. And the men who
have quit drinking and selling have
quit other vicious habits and practices
have, in fact, become thoroughly reformed
and are leading new and clean lives-a
consummation most devoutly TO be wished
and prayed for.
In some communities. however, the re-
vivals are not so comprehensive or power
full in their work. A revival is in pro-
gress in this city, but it seems to. be abso-
lutely without excitement. Its chief char
acteristic is the thoughtfulness of the per-
sons who are reached by it. Indeed, the
severe commercial pressure, with the per-
- L., hoo ln1 v~aaD1,
to think whether it is really wise to
trust in houses and lands, and
bank accounts, and what are called
earthly pleasures, for happiness-whether
it pays to do this | Whether in all these
things; in the whirl and glitter and dis
play of what is falsely called society" or
in the applause of men-there is any real
and lasting satisfaction this side of the
grave. There is certainly no hope in it
all, of anything better beyond.
We are treating this matter, in the col
umns of a secular journal, from a purely
secular standpoint. That these revivals
exist we learn, as matter Of news, received
BY telegraph or by mail. Here are great
social convulsions and revolutions, yielding
very important results and solving vitally
and immensely important social and
even political problems. Surely the
secular journalist should do something
more than merely make a record
of these events He might even
venture to "let up on tie skating rinks
for few days, to investigate the causes
of ese.:intellectual and spiritual phe-
nomena andrto inspect and discuss the
character of their fruits. We may prop
erly welcome any social condition or
movement which causes men to think.
Too much is done without reflection, or
with too little thought of the character of
the act, or the course of life, or of its ten
dency and final result Men would sue
ceed better in any walk of life or in the
of any business or other enter
prise if they would do more thinking at
the outset and all the way through their
business or professional career. The con-
lition of thoughtfulness implies an investi-
cation into the facts of things, the condi-
ions and avenues of the successful prose-
,ution of enterprises, of all and every kind;
heir commercial, social or moral char
Icter; their probable results, influences
md fruits. Men act too much from inn
,ulse, inclination and outside influences,
ather than from con 'cientious motive and
principle. This is one of the great sources
f trouble and disaster in this or any other
ountry. We should think, and plan, and
effect, and SO far as possible, discover the
ight thing to do and the right way to do it.
hen we should have great awakening
common sense and great revival, no
oubt. of common honesty, with other very |
ood results. !
* 5ss -