Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03

burning words. To what shall we credit
the marvellous power OF Spurgeon. as he
filed Surrey Gardens and Exeter Hall for
years with weeping thousands? To what
shall we credit the wonderful works OF
Dwight L. Moody and others, and, as a last
illustration, how explain the gigantic evan
gelistlc movement of DIR. TORY. who three
years ago. while pastor of the D. L. Moody
Church, Chicago, after persistent season
sof prayer for a worldwide revival, in an
swer to request to go to Melbourne, Aus
tralia, and conduct evangelistic services,
he went and his meetings In that great
island resulted in 5000 conversions, the
mightiest evangelistic movement the world
has ever seen. From here DR.. TORY went
to Cardiff. Wales. where 1923 surrendered
to God. His work is now being carried on
In this land. with great power, and the
Holy Spirit is speaking through this man,
as He did through His servants in the days
of old. 1t is the enemy of souls that tries
work now as He formerly did, and so the
church does not expect It,
Again we may upon close inspection lay
to our own doors-the door of the ministry
the cause OF spiritual decline; we preachers
are too often what the people want us to
be, rather than what God would have us
be; unless we are on our guard. we be-
come men-made, rather than God-made
preacher that will draw" that will take"
that will ALL the church not with sinners,
but with sitters. not with prayers, but with
payers; how often we find sensational topics
announced that are designed to draw men
to church, instead of Scripture that will
draw them to Christ. / am glad to believe,
however, that the men who yield to this
temptation are the exception rather than
Gospel method is very apparent when we
measure the result of the Pentecostal days
work. and remember that we cannot i'm
prove upon 1t. Peter and the disciples
Joel, and the prophets of old and they
applied that to existing needs and circum-
stances. Yes! Peter directed them to the
words of Him. who said: 'I came that
they may have life, and may have it album
dainty" Every word was made to ring
with no uncertain sound It was Christ
crucified, Christ risen, Christ enthroned,
Christ the forgiven of sin, and the savior
of men. That message came to them with
such power. that men did not applaud him,
but censured themselves; they did not say:
What great preacher" but rather.
What a great sinner am" If Peter were
In Washington today, and should preach a
trial sermon. his chances for election to
a pastorate would be small, but who dare
gay that the congregation that had the wis
dom to make such choice would not be the
most blessed of all others. 1t is said of
Hugh Latimer that he was ordered by
Henry VIII to apologize for a too plain
sermon he preached. But he was sent by a
higher King and repeated the sermon.
Dear reader, herein lies the weakness of
the church, and pulpit and pew must
awaken to Pentecostal ideas OF religion,
and pray nightly to God for the milling
of the Holy Spirit; with this accomplished.
no man will substitute the sermon in the
Sunday paper for the living Word; IL you
are guilty my dear friend, then hear me
through; permit this sermon to be a
preparation for true worship not sub
stitute; cast Off your Indifference, hasten
to your place OF worship; IL you do not
have such a place. seek one OF your own
choosing; prayerfully hear the living
mon coming from the heart of the minister
aname with a passion for souls; then will
the church not languish; then will the COM
ing of the kingdom draw nigh.
A closing thought to the faithful: Let
not your hearts be afraid He who has prom
ised to be with His church and His chill
dren always, even to the end of days, He
is present with us yet in and through His
shirt; no matter what the dangers that
vex or perplex us. we have ground for the
certain hope of final victory in the Pente-
costal promises Let US therefore prayer
fully. hopefully and joyfully join In the
petition:
.'oh Holy Spirit, descend we pray;
Abide with US from day TO day;
Thy temple deign TO make
Let Thy bright beams Thou heavily Light
Dispel the darkness OF the night
To Joy and gladness wake u.s.