St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-06
ON REVEALS.
Rev. William Wilkinson Points
Out That There Are Two Kinds.

Out That L here Are Two Kinds.
Yesterday morning, in his sermon at
st. Andrews Episcopal church, Rev.
William Wilkinson had this to say
about revivalS:
Every good man must take deep in
terest in all which concerns the extern
sion of the church. Every honest effort
put forth with this object must CON-
mand respect, even from men who may
see cause to question the wisdom of
some of the methods used. So | am
glad we are to have a series of evange-
list meetings, and trust great good
may come out of them. 1t may.
however, be well to consider
what are the true spiritual conditions
upon which a real revival depends, for
all men should be given clearly to I'M
derstand that the kingdom of grace is
not like the kingdom of trade. Men can
get up railway company or flour So
ciety, but not IN like way genuine re-
viVal OF religion. We may, at our sweet
will. engage singers Of marked power
We may have all kinds of instruments
of music in the hands of those
who can make them discourse
exquisite and catching harmonies, we
may have extensive and adrOit advertis-
ing. and halls brilliant with light; the
meetings NAV be addressed by men of
well-proved elOquence. But this alone
can no more produce revival than an
electric shock can raise to life the
ancient dead. Machinery III religion
has its place of Importance, but it is not
life. The public in this city at
this time should keep this in mind:
The church is subject to Divine law
The servants of Christ who want to en-
gage other meu for him have not to make
the conditions under which hew recruits
may enlist. The regulations and the
instructions are all in the handbook of
directions called the New Testament.
Jesus Christ sent forth the apostles and
disciples TO preach repentance and paI-
don, and told them to baptize men in
the name of the Father. the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, and so they did, but it
was in holy love, in an ardent desire for
the Increase of the saved, in united,
fervent prayer, in singleness of
heart, in full knowledge that,
even with st. Peter to preach. without
the Holy Ghost no good could be
done. Here is the lesson of the ages
for revivalS. Temporary enthusiasm
can do great things, but they are tran
sient and. like the early dew, pass
away, often leaving the church as bad
as, if not worse, than before. In times
like these we are TO have the next weeks
the danger is greatest; men shall look
upon distorted views of God, views
which do Him and those who hold them
a sad injustice. Any prayer or supplIca-
ton which takes 1t for granted, or which
leaves it to be understood that God has
to be persuaded to bless us, to love us,
to desire our good, or that lie desires TO
punish us is entirely wrong. 1t is per-
nicious TO the last degree. Such teaching
has done untold, nay, will say, in
calculable. hurt. 1t has outraged the
best moral sense of the best men who
ever graced the world. And it has
hardened the worst, and driven them
farther away from the true light. 1t is
sure that there Is a warrior side in the
character, aud in the very nature of
God; but it is intended to be exercised
against sin, while he loves the sinner
and wants to bless aud make him happy
by making him holy"