New-York tribune., 1905-01-29
4 RETTTAL OF RETITALS.

One Of the striking manifestations of the
times is the revival in different places and un-
der different auspices, Of religious feeling and
enthusiasm Most remarkable OF these religious
awakenings is the great revival in Wales which
began some time ago and is still in full prog
resS. The leadership of the movement is held
by Mr.. Evan Roberts, and it differs in many
respects from all previous revivals IN Wales.
but chiefly in the fact that it does not seem
to be confined TO any particular church. 1t diff
fers, also. from preceding seasons of spiritual
quickenIng In the fact that there is no fearful
looking forward TO Judgment and punishment
TO come 1t IS a religion of gladness JOY and
peace which has spread over South Wales in
tide OF fervor and enthusiasm. 1t seems TO have
brought happiness to whole villages and COM
munities and TO have absorbed the interest and
attention of the people almost to the exclusion
of everything else, and the ordinary vocations
of life are practically suspended. The fact that
there is no sectarianism in it is much more sig
nificant in Wales than it would be in Amer
lea, for. owing to recent and perhaps continued
Nonconformist bitterness over the new Educa-
ton act, it might be supposed that the present
revival would as one OF its effects, turn the
people away from the Established Church, rs
was usually the case IN preceding revivals. In
Wales however this quickenng religious en-
thusasm seems to know no church lines. but
to pervade whole communities and make them
act as one in spiritual fellowship. This is the
best evidence of it's genuine character and gives
to 1t more than usual significance.
No one seems to be able TO tell why or where
fore this awakening has come about. The stu
dent of history may refer to his Halam and
assert that such awakenings in the past have
usually followed periods Of skeptcism and un-
belief This makes 1t seem not improbable that
the time is ripe for another such season of re-
lgious uprising, opposed TO the materialstic
and scientific teachings of the last half century.
The time may be due for the return OF the high
tides Of faith, as opposed to the age Of reason.
THE Saturday Review suggests that pos
"sibly the country folks have wearied of the
'bitter feuds of rival denominations and of
"the vaporings of the young preacher from the
university college who has been striving to
"IIegellanize Calyinistic Methodism." The sup
position may be true, but if so, this WEAKNESS,
apparently. is shared by city folk as WELL and
not only in Wales, but In London and in New
York. The religious life Of London is now be-
ing stirred as it has not been before for a gem
Grafton by an American evangelist-Dr Torrey
long associated with the late Dwight L. Moody
in his evangelistc work and apparently possess
ing much of that famed evangelist's spiritual
power.
Perhaps the most striking confirmation that
there is probably now beginning a tide of re-
Hgious enthusiasm and inspiration In America
also is furnished by the Congregational Church
AS one result OF the weeks meetings held last
November in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. by
the noted lecturer, author and evangelist DR.
Dawson, and the mission with voice and pen'
conducted in Brooklyn that week by Dr. Daw-
son and DR.. Hills. pastor of Plymouth Church,
DR.. Dawson has been invited by a committee
Of Congregational churches to engage In four
months mission and tour Of the churches of his
denomination In America. DR.. Dawson. in or
der TO do this work. has resigned his London
pastorate, and will enter upon what may prove
TO be a notable evangelistic work In America.
Whether there is to be new and general re-
vival OF Christianity a result of the move
ments noted Ii would be hazardous Ia predict
but the signs of the times certainly are favor
able to that supposltion.