Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-03-08
The Great Need of the Times.

A general revival of religion would
do this whole land more good now
than anything else. 1t would coun-
teract Satan's effort to distract and
divide the Christian people of the
country by fomenting the impa-
thence and intolerance which magni>
fy all existing differences, and which
create trouble where none had exis-
ted before. In the light of such a
revival all matters of general con-
Germ would be revealed in truer pro-
portion and relation Standing on a
higher plane, and acting from loft
er motives, the Church would not
echo the war-cries of political par
tisansr nor be swept on with them in
the muddy current ofpolitical excite
ment that seems likely soon to feod
our country. Let the potsherds of
party strive with each other, but
let Christians pray for and with each
other, remembering that the wea-
pons Of their warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to thelpull-
ing down of the strongholds of evil.
Let mere partisans look to Congress,
Christians will look to God for deliv-
erance from prevalent abuses and
impending perils. Instead of repeat
ing with greater intensity the watch.
words of this or that party, let the
Church cry mighty unto God. A
genuine national revival would bring
national salvation, for hatreds,
s%trifes, envies, and .jealousies would
be consumed in its holy fires. The
conditions ofsuch a revival are with
in the reach of every Christian con-
gregation within the bounds of the
circumlocution of this paper.
The first condition of such a reviv.
al is the realization of the need OF it
A thoughtful survey of the situation
IN estimate of the number, power
and s%ubtilety of the allied forces o
evil 70 be overcome; the shadow o
possible Calamities that can only bC
averted by the wisdom that cometf
from above, which is pure, peace
able, without Partially, and without
hypocrisy, full of mercy, and goot
fruits-these considerations will fore,
upon any intelligent Christian minC
the solemn conviction that a univer
sal revival of religion is our one para
mount necessity.
Another condition of such a reviv
al is the recognition of the fact tina
Il genuine revival OF religion is thu
work Of God. This truism goes deel
into the matter. To act upon it vii
be to exclude all reliance upon mer'
sensationalism, or the clap.stral
methods of the mechanical evangel
ism against which ever good mel
need to be warned. God is the au
thor of every genuine revival. Tn,
manifestation ofhis presence and pow
er is revival. What displeases him
therefore, prevents the revival. T,
bring together a mob to hear novel
ties or to enjoy sensations is on,
thing; to bring God down into tn,
midst with awakening and convert
ing power is another thing. TIL,
revival we need must be Gods worl
from first to1ast. Every effort tina
does not start here falls short O
being a genuine revival of religion
The condition of a revival is be
lieving prayer. Believing prayer
what sort of prayer is that? yol
ask. 1t is that which takes God a
his word. Ask, and ye shalt receiUe-
this is your charter. This nipple
the sense ofneed, earnest desire, ant
faith in the present tense. This i
the way in which the blessing ha
always come to the Church. Tn
praying Church is already revived
Every praying soul is a channel int,
which flows the river Of God. Be
lieying prayer pleads the promises O
the Lord and obtains present fulfill
ment Of them in gracious and might,
nutpourings of the Holy Spirit
Prayer and its answer in the presen
tense is a revival of religion. Thinl
over these last words. The answe
in the present tense always come