The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-10-24


without law" (2)' They were without
the inner experiences Of religion. In
| those times there was no peace 70
him that went out, nor to him tnat
came in (3) They were without
the outward blessings of religion.
"And nation was destroyed OF nation
and city OF city; for God did vex them
with all adversity.,'
Is not this the picture of q church
or an individual processing Christian
ity who is without God? The gospel
may be preached in that church, the
ordinances administered, and the
prayer meeting regularly announced,
but the whole round of exercises
while possessing the form OF godii'
ness, is without the power. There Is
no real power in the lives OF Chris
tians existing in this way, no reailza'
ton Of their standing in Christ, and
! no Joy. or gladness in their testimony
| and service. They come into church
| and go out of it again. as 1t Is said
| of these Israelites, without peace.
! Theirs is a state of moral and spirit
ual adversely"
Now how did the revival come!
There are ten steps of progress indi-
Gated to the finish:
Cd "The spirit of God came upon
Azariah, the son of Oded." verse l.
| The source of every true revival fs
| divine. It can not be worked up or
preached up, but it may be prayed up
| rhon raaoiuoo II hQ-
| gan in this instance in q single inoi-
vidual, prophet, like an ordinary
minister or evangelist Of our own day.
| The spirit of God fell on him, anoint-
ing him for service.
co He went out and said, hear ye
me, the Lord is with you, while ye
be with him; and If We seek him, he
will be found of you," verse 2. what
a simple thing to say. how almost
| childish, and yet what results 1t pro-
| duced! All, it makes great deal
of difference in message whether IL
| comes from anointed lips or not. NOW
| what are we told here? Only this
| self-evident truth, that we can not
| be revived unless the Lord is with
us. But we are told something else
| also. viz, that the Lord Ia with US
while we are with him. And what IS
1t for us to be with him? Only to be
living in obedience to him. that is all.
| ca when Asa (the king) heard
! these words he took courage,
verse 8. The first thing the minister
| or pastor wants in the work OF re-
vival is courage. He must believe
that God is with him and that some
thing is possible, nay, likely, to be &C
complished. The steps of the revival
now follow in regular order.
(4) He put away the abominahie
idols out of all the land"
60 He renewed the altar of the
Lord" same verse.
co He gathered ALL the people to-
gether; for they fell to him out OF
Israel In abundance when they saw
that the Lord his God WAS with him
The revival is now on. The crowds
are coming. The chu 'ch has re-
nounced her worldfiness; entertain
ments and euchre parties have given
place to the prayer meeting. THE
altar of the Lord" has been substi-
tuted for "the abominable idols" and
it has proved "a drawing card" The
news are filling up. The world is
cold and the people are gathering
around the fire of the Lord.
| Gu "They offered unto the Lord the
same time, of the spoil which they
had brought" verse II. Here is a
further evidence of the revival. When
the spirit of God stirs up a people
the Golfers Of the treasury begin to
show it. The people offer willingly
when the spirit of God prompts them
to do it, and he SO prompts them
through the ministration Of his word.
(s) "They entered into covenant
to seek the Lord b. with all their
heart and with all their SOUL" verse
| IL.
90 "And all Judah rejoiced," verse
Is.
(10) And he (the Lord) was found
of them; and the Lord gave them rest
round about" same verse. Thus the
revival came. The preaching of the
word was Wit power. The command
ments Of Cd were obeyed. The as
surance or personal salvation was a
living strength. Peace with God was
accompanied by the peace of God.
| There was boldLess of testimony,
separation from the ungodly and I'M
goodness, power in prayer, flocking
assemblies of the people, liberal Civ
ing. earnest conservation and great
rejoicing because Of the people, liberal
rejoicing because Of the rest and the
presence Of the Lord. This Is super
natural 1t began by the spirit OF
God coming on one man, and the God
of Azariah still lives! Why, then,
should we not ask him to help US as
he helped Israel? Why not beseech
him for the holy spirit to fall On us!
Why not seek this blesEing for one
pastor? Remember the promise. IF
two of you are agreed as touching
anything that We shall ask, it shall
be done for you of my father which
is in heaven (M 1919.