The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-10
By MISS MAMIE BAYS.
FIRST DAY-WEDNESDAY


If any fear fingered III the minds OF
any one as TO the entertainment to be
accorded the North Carolina Baptist
State Convention during its session in
Wilmington, the last vestige of that
fear was dispelIed yesterday by the
cordial welcome accorded the delegates
and visitors upon their arrival in this
city Hospitality of the very best
quality and in the greatest abundance
is being given to every one in at
tendance. The number of delegates
and visitors is already large, and many
more will arrive today.
The fOmai opening of the seventy
seventh annual session Of the cOnven-
tion took place last night in the First
Baptist church. The church was filled
before the hour for opening the con-
vention arrived. The first hymn sung
was How Firm a Foundation" one
of the most popular hymns with all
UNCONVENTIONAL gatherings. The hymn
was led by Rev. Fred d Hale, d. D.,
pastor of the church, without instru-
mental accompaniment and the large
singing, making a very appropriate
opening for such great religious
gathering as the Baptist State cOnVen-
tion will be.
Rev Burton Craig led the opening
prayer.
The opening sermon was the first
real feature Of the convention. Rev.
I Of
Neck He read a part of the second
chapter Of the acts of the Apostles as
the sculpture Lesson of the evening and
as his text he emphasized a few verses
of this chapter, the theme OF his ser
mon being 1.-THE Need of the New les
lament Revival" Speaking of the inn
pOrtance of this subject DR.. Lumpltin
emphasized the following points: a
revival such as the entire church needs
is new testament revival which is
such a revival as will settle all differ
ences, such a revival as will bring all
alienated men here together, such q
revival as will restore a higher type
of christianity in every communicated
is willing to grant tOevery church and
to every community such revival as
this if His people will but let Him do
so, if they will but comply with the
certain necessary prerequisites in or
der that this revival shall come. These
prerequisites are 1, Preparation for the
revival which is found in confession
of sin and prayer for the revival bless
ing. Too often there is too much
emphasis laid upon auditorium, choir,
and preacher, SO as to engrOsS the at
tention at the expense of greater
things. There is the confession of sin
in all true prayer for revival. The
greatest enemies of a revival are self
reliance and wOrldliness, In the church
some members are just as carnal and
just as covetOus as men and women
of the world, and the church need
4 never expect a New Testament re-
yival until these confess sin for the
loss of the Joy of salvation is always
the result of sin. If there is no con-
fessiOn and no humility of heart.
there will be no revival. Prayer is
needful in the preparation and there
will be no revival without it. If we
want a revival it must come by the
golden tongue of prayer rather than
by the silver tongue of speech. When
this condition is met, sinners will cry,
What must I do to be saved?" and
the church will pray Lord revive us. .
The power necessary for the New
Testament revival is IN the Holy Spir-
it and in Him alone Every work Of
grace is from God AS pastors we
can have such power as will convict
men of sin and bring them to confess
sin if we viii but believe the promise
of God and claim its fultillment in Gus
lives. If we claim this promise and
its fulfillment our preaching will con-
yict of sin, of righteousness, and OF
judgment. 1t is necessary for us to
take this precious promise, unfold it
before heaven and claim its fulfill
ment, for without the Holy Spirit,
there can be no revival. Workers are
necessary in revival. The revival of
Pentecost centered around Peter, not
because of his personality, but because
of his conservation. Some are inclined
to think God has favorites in revival
work, but He has not He is willing
to use all who meet the requirements
in personal workers.
Another necessary requirement to
be met in claiming a New Testament
revival is the preaching of the Word of
God, the preaching of the fundamental
facts of the Bible. People are always
pricked in heart when personal sin is
preached against. Preaching of the
same kind as that Of Peter on the day
of Pentecost is needed today. The
Holy Spirit will always honor such
preaching as that Preachers are on
the witness stand to preach as to
cause conviction of sin in their hear
ers. When thev preach Jesus, people