The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-01-28
THE HAsKIN LETTER
GREAT RELIGIOUS REVEALS.
By Frederic J. iIaslsin.

IA ~ ltA 5lts,s atHt oy HEt
The reyiynlist has been an import.
an figure in Christian history from
the time Of JGnn the Baptist to Billy
SUNDAY Each great revival effort
mas left come distinct impression up
on the progress of the church. John
me Baptist prepared the people to
receive Christ. His sacrifical life in
\ tde Wilderness indicated the aban-
tdonment Of temporal affairs required
OF the leader who would guide peo-
pie to spiritual truth. The apostles
emulated him in giving up their vo-
cations to preach Christ's message
to the multitude, who in most cases
received 1t gladly.
st. Francis stands out as the great
spiritual revivalist following next to
the apostles. He and his followers
undoubtedly brought higher spirit
ual life before the minds and hearts
OF the people of the twelfth century.
After the revival OF st. Francis had
fallen into the back ground, Savona-
rola entered upon his great work in
Florence, the influence of which was
felt throughout italy. Thousands
lwho flocked to hear him preach were
inspired to renounce worldly things
and devote their lives to religious
fervor. Women crowded the public
squares flinging down their orna-
ments and snowy clothing before
him. He made huge .bonfires OF
yanities," destroying cards. dice,
carnival clothing, books Of Ncentious
poetry and obscene pictures.
The violence Of Savonarola's de-
nunciatfons did not spare those in au-
thority or even the Pope himself. The
revivalist was charged with heresy,
although offered cardinals hat II
The would renonpce some Of his teach
|ings. He refused this, SO was ex-
communicated and charged with mahy
crimes Of which he was innocent.
His enemies were finally able to have
him put to death with two of ma
disciples, but the gospel he preached
lived after him. 4
/ The Reformation of the sixteenth
century was really the greatest re-
lligious revival OF the world, although
lit was the outgrowth of O number Of
religious efforts extending over most
lof Europe. Martin Luther in Ger
many, Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland
and Tyndale in England were each
working in his own way for spirit
ual awakening. Each converted sew
eral thousand people to experimental
Christianity by his own example and
INSPIRED eloquence. Preceding them
were Wtckliffe in England and Huss
in Bohemia.
The early revivaHsts 1abored -un-
der great physical peril. They vio-
lated the laws Of the government in
announcing the evils of established
religions. Often they suffered penal
ties of persecution, imprisonment
torture and even death. These pen
alties only added to their fervor and
Increased the influence they had oyel
their followers.
During the century following the
Reformation, the English church ac-
!quired so much ritual and form that
the true spirit of Christ seemed hid
Iden. Tho revival of the Wesleys was
needed to bring Christianity once
more before the people as living
issue. The leader OF this revival was
John Wesley, who became associated
with Moravian missionary named
Peter BOILER. Under his influence
Wesley received the revelation Of
conversion and Immediately began tc
give it to the world. His first i'm
portant appearance was at Bristol
England, where he preached out oil
doors to company Of more than 81
900. This was the beginning OF the
great revival which swept over Eng
land like a mighty wave. Wesley's
work extended over half a century
Great crowds would follow many
miles and ten, twenty and even thir-
|lty. thousand people sometimes col
lected and waited on him for hours
He gave himself absolutely to the
work OF soul saving. He preached
lover 10000 sermons during his life.
time in addition to thousands OF ex.
hortations and short addresses. He
travelled at least 250,00o miles or
la great amount Of literary work Sc
THAT his teachings were we'll set be
fore his followers.
Wesley had many followers who ID
their turn did, effective revival worl
in different parts of the world. George
Whitfield was the greatest of these
In some respects Whitfield's work ex'
ceeded even the Wesley revivals il
importance. One of his first grea
efforts was made on whitsnn holi
day at iMoorfield, great playground
suburb OF London where those unac
customed to attend church were won
Ito gather for their sports. Whit
field conceived the idea of taking fol-
God the place which the toughs flat
claimed for their own. Friends ad
yIsed him that he would never ge
away alive. but he had pulpit erect
ed on the ground and was in 1t before
10 o'clock in the morning, gathering
Ia crowd around him and preaching
until exhausted. AT noon and agar
at 6 o'clock he conducted services
A savage opposition endeavored II
drown his voice with a drum. II
break up his audience by rushine
down upon II in columns. and b,
trying to knock him from the pulnli
Whitfield held on and large GROVE
supported him A thousand requests
for PRAYER and /. over three hundred
and fifty converts were the most ap
parent results of the most ktrenuous
revival day on record.
4 n a1.is, ne.