Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-07

iHNN9 a. SOullf IAdllOH. l dhS tl0 pm
lars that have stood SO long in the
churches throughout New York State,
the goodly and Cody men who have
for score Of years let their light
shine. and it would probably be sur
prise 70 many to find how large pro-
portion of them were fruits OF re-
yivals, and what numbers date their
new life from the mighty awakenlngs
| under Charles G. Finney."
Finney says "all denominations OF
Christians When religion prospers
| among them. hold protracted meet
ings." Compare these testimonies
| with this statement, recently made:
And dare to say that the desire for
denominational ACKNOWLEDGEMENT has
more to do with revival services than
! the regeneration Of mankind" and
draw your own conclusion" And this
statement, But deep down in the heart
of all sects there is a selfshness to be
found greater than at any time IN the
history of Christianity" | pause to
ask, Who said so? These are some OF
the criticisms of revivals.
Never in the history of the wolI
were reviyals more believed in by all
denominations than at the present
time Never have the manner ana
means used in revival service been
above just criticism more than now.
That the human element enters into
the work no one will deny. 1t enters
into all phases of the work carried on
by the church. But that by no means
condemns reyivals. The Rev. John
Gordon, ID. D., says: Many years aSc
yrrbO haiIauod q
vival was a miracle, hence human
agency was as powerless to procure
one as to procure tempest or sunshine
Few Christians of the present day
will accept this theory; for the history
of reviVals demonstrates that spiritual
results as a rule are according 70 the
right use Of appropriate means. Gou
has been pleased to appoint, direct
and bless human fundamentally IN
his service" This is by no means an
argument that reVivals are mere
matter Of human device anud machln-
cry. for they are born of God. But the
word Of God plainly declares the great
importance of human instrumentallty
in the salvation of men. He that
winneth souls is wise They that
turn many TO righteousness shall shine
AZ the stars forever" Let him know
that he which converteth the sinner
from the error of his way, shall save
soul from death and shall hide
multitude OF sins"
AS to the manner of revivals, many
people have the notion that any eX-
element whatever is pernicious, and
is therefore to be studiously repressea.
This is a false notion. Being a young
minister however, | will not attempt
to convince you with my own logic
that this is a false notion; but on this
point, as on all other points discussed
in this discourse. / am happy to give
you acknowledged theological author
ity as well as the word of God, in sup
port Of my position. DR.. Johnson, the
leading Homiletical teacher of our
church to-day, says: MANY a minis
ter has failed Of the precious fruits Of
revival because of having spread over
every meeting a great blanket OF care
fitness. We Presbyterians, as class.
are too much afraid of emotions. We
seem to be in constant dread OIL little
Methodist enthusiasm" Then, alter
speaking of the bad kinds Of excite
ment, he says: 'All excitement is .iot
bad. The mind is the national Toad
to the heart If the truth excite, the
excitement is based upon national
grounds. and is good and only good.
TO deprecate this is to deprecate just
those effects of divine truth which 1t
should and must produce, where II mas
anything like appropriate powers
For d minister to report concerning
revival Of religion that it was all very
quiet and unattended by any excite
ment, is either to belle the facts or to
make out tie work most shallow and
superficial, touching only the merest
surface of human nature. A sinner I'M
der conviction of sin, asking what he
must do to be saved, and settling the
momentous question by at least be-
lieving in the Lord Jesus Christ, ought
to be deeply excited. If he is not, 1t IS
because he has seen precious little,
either Of his sin or his Lord
President Edwards, in speaking of
the great interest aroused in the re-
yival Of 1875, says:
Now. if such things are enthusl-
asm and the fruits of a distempered
brain. let my brain be forever more
nossessed of that happy distemper. II
this be distraction. pray God that the
world of mankind may be all seized
With this benign, meek, benificent,
beautifcial, glorious distraction"
During the recent revival at the
Third Presbyterian church in this city,
people came into the inquiry room to
Ask prayers and help in coming to
God. who were trembling, like leaves
Az their own lost condition. 1t was a
deep excitement, born of the truth OF
God Moody says: Il do not see how
anv one who reads his Bible can say
one word against revivals. Look at
The great revivals in Moses time, and
those under Joshua and David and
Josiah. Think Of the great gathering
that Ezra had when all the people
stood in the street all day for a re-
vival meeting" Coming down to the
New Testament times, see the great
Pentecnstal revival, when 5000 We're
converted, crying out, Men and
brethren. what shall we do?" Read
about the revival Of Ephesus, under
PauI. when Fear fell on all and the
name of Jesus was magnified," and
MANY dealers in magic brought their
books together and burned them before
all men. Johnson says: 'Revivals
have marked the history of Gods peo-
Me throughout the whole period Of
Gods dealing with them" And after
answering or freely conceding every
possible objection, he says: I'VE think