The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-07

methods pursued in the remarkable re-
ligious revival which has swept over
| Wales, and an English revivalist OF note
has come to this country TO assist in
arousing a similar feeling here.
Another tfttt- VERY extraordinary
| phase Of this movement TO inhame re-
ligious emotion is exhibited in Phla-
delphia, where many churches of the
so-called Evangelical order have united
to pray for the spiritual quickening of
the Mayor of the town, Mayor WEAVER.
Their theory is that he is too tolerant Of
wicked ways which prevail in Philadel-
! phia. Let us pray, said one Of the
pastors last Sunday, that the protection
OF sin by the authorities be stopped and
as the head of those authorities il Mayor
WEAVER it is for his reformation espe-
cially that he supplications are sent up
Another of the pastors Of the town com
pared Philadelphia to Sodom and Go
morrah and at least indirectly held the
Mayor responsible for the terrible situa-
ton. The prayers for his religious con-
version particularly are sent up in the
hope that, beginning with him, the re-
generation of the whole town will be
brought about. Let us pray is the
appeal, that we may have q revival of
true religion among us, that we may be
moro sincere and earnest in fighting
evil but the conviction prevails that
until Mayor WEAVER secs the error of
his ways the town will continue sub
merged in sin.
The Mayor himself, however, does
not seem to be disturbed about his spirit
ual condition. He gives no signs that
the prayers directed az him are awaken
ing in him any peculiar sense of guilt.
1t is not as if he was areprobate and an
infidel, AS an active member of Bap-
fist church he looks on all the praying
against him as instructed. and appar-
emily his own pastor is Of the same mind.
for in that particular church such pray
ers are significantly omitted.
Undoubtedly, however, Philadelphia
needs reformation. Politically it has
been in very bad way for long time
past. 1t is dominated by a ring which
remorseless than was ever Tammnny in
its worst days. Relatively, too, social
vice seems to be more rife there than it
is in New York, or, at least, it is not 50
well oloaked. Mayor WEAVER may be
a good Baptist, but he is tool of that
ring and therefore praying that he may
be emancipated from the thraldom is a
justifable proceeding in those who be-
lieve in the efficacy of applications to
Heaven to interfere in human affairs.
If there is a town anywhere which needs
a religious revival it is Philadelphia,
and undoubtedly the reconversion of
Mayor WEAVER would greatly stimulate
the spiritual workings for which the
churches of the town are praying so
earnestly.
This whole movement for revival OF
the methods Of spiritual quickening Of
past periods when religious faith was
most ardent and unqucstioning is OF eX-
traordinary significance at time when
a nominally orthodox minister like DR..
LYMAN ABBOTT substitutes an immanent
and panthcistic Energy for a personal
GOD, and profoundly religious spirits
like Mr. GOODWIN SMITH grow more and
more doubtful OF a personal immortality
for man, grievous as seem to them the
moral consequences which must come
to human society if that belief shall be
lost