The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-03-19
An Old Fashioned Revival.

as strange to hear rectors of Episcopal
churches proclaiming their wish for an
old-fashioned revival and to see the
efforts put forth to accomplish that
object. The Episcopal Church has
always been conservative in its meth
ods and has trusted to the steady in
culcation of its doctrines, the growth
of population and its splendid organi-
zation to increase its numbers, rather
than to revivals and special efforts to
make converts. This has made its
growth slower than that of most
churches, but it has probably held
better the gain it has made. It's
growth in large cities in recent years
has been great, but this has been
largely at the expense of other denom-
nations and not as the result of un-
usual efforts.
But now, apparently, the old meth
ods are to be abandoned and the
Episcopal Church is to enter the field
as proselyting sect. The season of
Lent, which has been regarded as the
time for penitence, is also to be re-
garded now as a season for revival.
An English preacher, who has made
a wide reputation at home as a reviv-
alist, is in this country working among
Episcopal churches. His methods do
not vary much from those employed
by revivalists of other denominations,
except that he does not attempt to
awaken excitement, and trusts more to
sympathetic words than to appeals to
the emotions. His sermons are SIM
pie, earnest and intended to touch the
reason as well as the hearts of his
hearers. At times he will discard his
priestly robe and stepping down among
the congregation will offer counsel
and advice to whoever may ask it.
By these and other methods he is
awakening revival spirit in the Epis-
copal churches he has visited.
But the efforts of this English cler-
gyman are only one phase of the stu
alton. The home clergymen have
shown as much zeal, earnestness and
sympathy as their English brother and
have been fully as successful. Lenten
weekday services have been crowded,
and no more powerful and searching
sermons have been heard than those
preached by American ministers. A
few years ago it was found that a
MONDAY service for men could be
made to succeed in old Trinity Church,
New York City, and when the late
Phillips Brooks occupied the pulpit the
edifce was filled to its utmost capacity.
Similar services in churches in Phia-
delphia, situated in the business dis
trict of the city, have attracted crowds
of hearers, and it has been demon
strated again what power the Gospel,
when simply and directly preached,
has over the minds and hearts of men.
This new spirit in the Episcopal
Church is not sudden manifestation,
but gradual growth. 1t is like the
effort made in other churches to
adapt their methods to the growing
changes of the time. All the great
movements in religious life during
recent years have been in the direc-
ton of exchanging form for reality.
The world has demanded of the
Church that it give an account of its
stewardship, and that it show itself to
be vital force in society. The
Church has responded by stepping
out into the field of active work and
showing by results that the time,
money and effort it spent were well
employed. This spirit has infected
the Episcopal Church as well as
others. The success of voluntary
religious organizations is another
reason why Episcopal clergymen are
asking for an old-fashioned revival.
To cite one example only, the rise
and progress of the Christian Endeavor
Society has been a revelation to the
churches. 1t has shown what wonders
voluntary effort when directed by the
right spirit can accomplish.
The latest statistics of the Episco-
pal Church placed its membership at
6a6,a9o, with 1919 churches and
1850 ministers. This is an increase
of about $1,000 in membership, of
$40 in churches and of $50 in
ministers in the past five years.
Gratifying as this increase is, it will
probably be exceeded by the growth
made in the next five years as a result
of the new revival spirit now anima-
ting the Church. -PHiLadeLbhia Press.
Prof. Hendricks, who has been one
of the familiar figures at the Normal