Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-02-22
PowERLEss REVIVAL.

There are encouraging signs OF
thoughtful consideration of the re-
l.gious conditions OF the world, among
the leaders and formulators Of public
opinion In that domain. The subject
Of "reylvalism" In being discussed, and
the question Is asked whether the So
called REVEALS have become obsolete,
because they have lost their power to
stir the multitudes to higher life,
The Waterman, published In Boston,
speaking on this subject, points out
that Christianity does not exist In the
world as the product OF natural"
causes, and that II cannot advance
without direct supernatural" impulse,
II suggests that the fault Of the pres
ent may be that the supernatural ele-
ment has been too much ignored I'VE
have says the paper, 80 far fastened
our attention upon second causes that
we have largely ignored the divine
factors. Certainly we have no greater
need today than to realize yividly that
our devices and mechanism, our regu-
lar work and all the rest Of H. are
only channels for power, and they ac-
compllsh nothing unless the power OF
God vltalises them"
This In true and II Is especially not
able because for the last seventy years
the Latter-day Saints, In obedience to
the divine command have testified to
this very fact, that religious forms
without the supernatural, life-glvlng,
moving power are dead, The machin-
cry may be ever so perfect but without
the power that sets II In motion, It IL
useless. The most ingenlously con-
strueted engine might as well be log
on the track, or boulder In the water,
as far as It's usefulness for transporta-
ton purposes goes, It remains station
airy, q hlndranee and danger 70 9TH
ers that may have TO pass that way,
The Waterman very well says
1T Is easy to lmgalne how all this
would be changed under the influence
OF a gracious outpouring OF the Spirit
of God, The change would be like that
one witnesses in California, when the
water from the irrigation sluices Is let
In upon the baked and arid ground.
The desert becomes a garden, Human
nature and the power OF God have not
80 changed within few years that a
revival II no longer possible That Is
what we are to desire supremely, And
the strength Of our desire for II will
measure our faith and our perception OF
the need,
No, neither human nature nor the
power OF God has changed. Human
nature needs now. as formerly tina,
communication with God which made II
possible for His authorized servants q
conquer the world, And God IL not
changed, He has communicated with
man, and established His Church.
The trouble with many is that like
Nathaniel Of old they ask, when they
hear the testimony, Can there any goot
thing come out OF Nazareth" But un,
like that "Israelte indeed" they refus'
TO investigate that very question. ant
80 remain in the old systems. They re
fuse TO listen TO the testimony, tina
Christianity, II II Is to be a force In tn,
world, must have direct communication
with heaven and receive from there
light, heat, power They forget ais,
that the Almighty, when manIfestin,
Himself, never puts new patches on OIL,
cloth. Behold make all things new.
Is the principle on which lie works. I
all understood this, they would no
shrink from the investigation on tn
plea that "the old" Is good enough 10
all purposes. Evidently II is not sine
the religious leaders themselves are al
hitting tina, the ''wheels' will not mcr
without the supernatural impulse,