Missouri Valley times., 1901-11-07

Cle3, pFaCtlC6 Ain. nltteb lnat appear
to some of the social instincts
Of our nature aud are given promi-
nence in thought and plan. But wouln
you condemn them in unqlaliiied
terms? This paper is not q criterion.
1t is u survey of Conditions with which
the church has to deal III its work
revival effort. Tho simple
truth is, insofar as these societies are
however commendable in
themselves considered. just so far do
they contribute greater complexity to
conditions aud these have
their natural bearing upon the aggres-
sive work the church seeks to effect.
When the time has come for special
religious effort, the night to onight war
{ .re aga nit lniq lity AMI indifference
and spiritual inactivity, the series OF
meetings will certainly run foul of
ones obligations to their organizA-
tions. Some Of their members prompt
ly wheel INTO line in the religious work
and Tor the time lay aside the minor
duty to the orders. Some do nothing
nf the kind but seek to attract their
interest or OScilinte in their allegiance
To say nothing about the third class OF
members of order who do not attend
the revival services at all, it Is the sec
ond source" that compiicate the situ-
alton If the individual shall seek l."
divide his time between the services
at the church aud the meetings of the
other organiz atoms to which he be-
longs his presence at the former is
more that of visitor than a cn-work-
or, and the visitors, for tina at least,
constitute the inertia to be overcome
by the onW ard tide of the meeting
But the etfecs does not stop with this
The loss of that Individual active Co
operation is marked, because others
can be and doubtless are influenced by
his example.
But it is not only upon the exact
ions upon ones time that these organ
Iizations alter the conditions for reviv-
al work but also in the cDmplace
with which many of their members re-
gard their own lives. If it be the lodge
that is under consideration it is the
noble sentiments expressed in the i'm
pressive ritual, and the principles of
brotherhood and good fellowship
if it is literary organization, it is the
commendable intellectual improve
ment and worthy effort at mutual cul-
ture- these good principles and senti-
ments are they which conduce to the
state of quietitude of spirit and self
satisfaction that quite obscure percept-
ion of the abiding mind of unacqusin-
tancs with the personal God in Jesus
Chrirt and the life of faith and wor-
ship. In consequence not a few OF
such people conclude that the church
and its services are good enough for
those who cannot or do not accommo-
date themselves to the fellowships OF
retinements they represent, but are
quite unnecessary to those who can
and do. There are more of their or
carnations and more widely extended
than formerly.
4. Another competitor for the at,
tention and attendance of people OF
many communities is found in the
series of entertainments furnished
with recurring regularity. Each win
ter season witness the placing of spec
ial attractions in the nature oflectures
and concerts, frequently organized
under the management of lecture
bureau. In addition to this there viii
probably be a number of other and
similar entertainments at the instance
of local societies and churches. Some
of them will likely fall upon some Of
the revival evenings. Now Imay sup
pose that we'll established Christian
people should be able to dlgress for {
single night from the highly spiritual
employment of the revival to the more
passive experiences of the lecture OF
concert hall and return on the follow
Ing evening with equal zest anG
promptness to resume the briefly in
terrupted evangelistic work. 1t may
be supposed that they pass from wei
defined spiritual atmosphere wher,
prayer and exortation and hear
searching truth are being employed b!
the Holy Spirit to convict, convinc'
and persuade reluctant or rebelliou
souls, to the atmosphere of wit ane
pleasantly and intellectual stimulus
and then return to the first named con
ditions without any appreciable low
ering of spiritual temperature. A.
matter of fact, however, the averag
revival audience will not succeed will
the experiment. For it is composed
not only of we'll grounded Christians
but the partially established, the wsv
erlng, those who are on the line of de
cision, and those who are approaching
1t. When the interruption occurs, al
adverse use of influence sets in and i
,s found when the meetings are reviv
ed that a loss has been sustained. Con
viction will not be SO strong. Inclina
tion to renonnce the life of sin is les
urgent and even those who are entire
ly committed to the work experience
distinct lowering of intesest and influ
ence. The tide of spiritual power may