The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-10-12

TeNlNulS DeNuuhe
some are spurious. II would not be
wise TO refuse all money because we
had seen few counterfeit bills, but II
would he wiser to learn the difference
between the genuine and the counter
felt. Even so II may be profitable to
consider what genuine revival of re-
ligion is, why II is often necessary and
what can be done TO promote II.
A revival is simply renewal OF spir-
itual life which has grown dormant. |
Strictly speaking II applies only to
Christians, for those who have no spir-
itual life cannot have II renewed. You
can revive dropping plant, but not a
dead one. So those In whose hearts
Christ dwells may have their love for
him increased. but one who has never
been converted cannot be revived
However, when Christians are revived
the unsaved are sure 10 be converted.
though this is by no means the prin-
cipal benefit.
That the spirit does move upon a
church or community Mt times In nm
unusual manner cannot be denied. In
place of apathy and indifference we
behold attention and interest. Gods
word seems attractive, Gods house Is
thronged night after night regardless
of the weather or the season OF the
year. Old feuds are forgotten, old
enemies are recOnclled, and everybody
feels that they ought to settle up with
God and man, whether II involves
hearty confession. or the paying of a
debt or the restoration of what has
been wrongfully taken. The atmos-
phere is favorable to the confession of
Christ, and those who have long felt
II to be their duty are now emboldened
to do II. If all this makes better men
and women, more cOnsiderate parents
and more Obedlent children, happier
homes and more peaceful neighbor-
hoods. who shall say that It is not nm
unmixed blessingf Anything which
makes people more reverent and pray
erful more honest and truthful, Is
good and good only, and this is precise
ly what q revival of religion does.
Objection l. 1t awakens excitement.
What II 1t does? Excitement Is good
thing If the object be worthy one,
and the conversion OF lost men and
women is certainly worthy object.
Business men try constantly to inter
est people In their stock of goods, they
work night and day to get crowd into
their store; politicians flood the coun-
try with literature, parade the street
with bands, and no one questions the
wisdom of II because we know II is
necessary to arouse the public to the
Importance OF toting Alright, but when
Gods people put forth special efforts
to arrest the attention of the thought
less, the cry OF excitement is sure to
be raised.
Objection 2. It does not last long.
That may be true In some cases, but
the merchant does not stop booming
his business because he knows the
boom will not last long, nor the poll
tician though he knows the campaign
will be short. II is not TO be expected
| that special meetings will continue
many weeks, but If the work is genuine
the results will abide for years. The
| Reformation lasted only few years,
but Europe and the whole world feels
its effects to this hour. PentecOst last
ed but day, but II changed the whole
face of the world rellgiously.
Why Are Revlvals necessary
Why does dying plant need water
and sunshine? Because II hasn't
strength enough to hold its head up
and must have outside help. So there
are many Christians who are not self
sustaining. They do not pray enough
nor feed on the word enough TO keep
them In good spiritual condition. The
consequence is they steadily lose
ground until they are in danger of los
ing all hold on Christ, and special
measures must be resorted to to revive
them. Frequent doses of Gods word
must be poured into them until they
begin to respond to II and love it, and
become self-sustaining Christians able
to help others into the way of life.
In all ages God has found 1t neces-
sary to say to his church, awake
awake, put on thy strength, O>Zion
put on thy beautiful garments, o Jeru'
salem."
When May Revival Be Expeeted7
When Gods people desire revival
and are willing to comply with the con
dltlons. Colds always willing but his
people are not. "If my people which
ure called by my name shall humble
themselves and pray, and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways; then
will hear from heaven, and will for
give their sin and viii heal their land.
III Chron. 7:1d).
Bring ye all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat In
mine house, and prove me now here
with, saith the Lord of hosts, If will
not open you the windows Of heaven
and pour you out blessing, that ther,
shall not be room enough to receive
it." (Mal. 3:10).
These two passages seem to teach
clearly that Gods people con have q
revival whenever they are willing I,
do their duty as the word requires
and claim Gods promise. Oh for {
revival In every heart and home. ant
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