The record-union., 1892-06-07
Those Revival Meetings.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: An article in
yesterdays RECoRD-UNIoN on the COM
ing Mills revival has moved me to write
concerning revivals, not in answer to
your correspondent, but to help those, if
possible, who are In doubt and perplex-
1ty on the revival phase of religion.
| heartily believe in reviyals and know
OF nothing Sacramento needs more. Some
OF the methods, and very much of the
teachlng, concerning them, however.
do not lndorse nor believe. 1t should be
remembered that the New Testament is
not responsible for the vagary notions
ana strange ideas and grotesque expert
ences with which religion is encountered.
Many people suppose that when great
revival breaks out in a community and
men are convicted and converted that it
is by special act of divine Providence.
Now, l heartily believe in revivals. |
enjoy them. | believe in joyful expert
ences, but L account for them on purely
normal laws. When men are caught up
in revival and lifted into a ioyfuI. &C.
static state OF mind, and view religion as
never before and believe as never before
and rejoice as never before, do not for u
moment doubt such experiences, but
account for them on normal and known
laws OF human nature and mind.
Men, especially those not of d positive
nature, move III columns OF thought, or
they are lifted up and cast down and
borne about in great measure by the
people about them. This is true in both
religious ana secular affairs. How men
are influenced by a business revival +:
how general the spirit OF enthusiasm and
enterprise becomes. So when religious
sentiment, through the united effort of
Christian people and the influence of
song and prayer and discourse, moves in
a Il
TO accept Christ, it is reasonable and
scrlptural and i'll direct harmony with
the iaWs OF mind. Men simply give
themselves over to serious thought and
have the mind held 10 the one subject
long enough for it to take possession of
them. The seed which is the word of
God has time TO gerninate.
L would not be, understood as teaching
that the spirit OF God is not in the world.
There is nothing more plainly than that
the Holy Ghost fills the world; that the
spirit is the great yivitying element of
the world, and that it moves upon all
men, everywhere and at all times; that it
Is ever present with and III direct aiiilia-
ton with the race, seeking to draw them
away from the low, vulgar, selfish. SIN
ful, wasteful life into that higher sphere
where manhood really lies.
AS the sun falls upon the earth and
gives to everything alike, so the down
shining influence OF the Holy Ghost falls
upon every sOul and surrounds every
man like an atmospheric garment, but
ali 10 not profit by II alike-One man is
converted, another IS not. Why? Be-
cause it depends upon each one how
much if any, he shall receive G. Just as it
depends upon the farmer how much he
Shall profit by the sun and the rain. To
the active energetic farmer ii means
grain and prosperity, to the lazy, SHIFT
less man 1t means weeds ana poverty.
The occasions Of phenomenal manifes-
tatiOns of the Holy Ghost III the days of
the Apostles were tor the one purpose of
inspiring them to preach the gos pei and
work miracles TO confirm the authority
OF GODS chosen ambassadors, and when
the gospel was thus etauiisliShed these
demonstrations ceased, but as stated
above, we have with us ever the constant
abiding, comforting, helpful influence Of
the blessed spirit, and ii only remains for
man to open the avenues to his heart by
the mind, Will and affections; and just as
surely as the lowing tide fills the bav so
Will the comforting, inspiring, helpful
peaceful spirit How into the soul.
am greatly interested in the coming
revival, and sincerely hope that hum
dredS OF our tOWnSIuen will rest from
business for one week, attend the meet
ing, and enjoy the helpfulneSs of united
heart and prayer, and give themselves
over to serious reflection.
Is. b. BURTON,
Pastor Christian Church