The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-10-20

---<s---===--=>===s2=>z reVivals becauSr
solne are spurious. 1t would not b
wise to refuse all money because W.
had seen few counterfeit bills. but il
would he wiser to learn the difference
between the genuine and the counter.
felt. Even so 1t may be profitable to
consider what genuine revival of re-
ligion Is, why it Is often necessary and
what can be done to promote 1t.
A revival is simply a renewal of spir'
itual life which has : own dormant.
Strictly speaking it applies only to
Christians for those who have no Spir-
itual life cannot have IL renewed. You
can revive a dropping plant, but not
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 to be converted.
though this Is by no means the prin
cipal benefit.
That the spirit does move upon a
church or community at times In an
unusual manner cannot be denied. In
place of apathy and Indifference We
behold attention and interest. Gods
word seems attractive. Gods house il
thronged night after night regardless
of the weather or the season of The
year. Old feuds are forgotten, old
enemies are reconciled, and everybod!
feels that they ought to settle up with
nd who inUnlyQS 81
hearty confession, or the paying Of
debt or the restoration of what has
been wrongful1y taken. The atmos,
phere Is favorable to the confession OF
Christ, and those who have long fell
it TO be their duty are now emboldened
to do it. If all this makes better mel
and women, more considerable parent,
and more obedient children, happier
homes and more peaceful neighhor
hoods. who shall say that 1T is not az
unmixed blessing? Anything wLici
makes people more reverent and pray
erful, more honest and truthful, l.
good and good only. and this is precise
iy what a revival of religion does.
objection l. 1t awakens excitement
What If it does? Excitement is a goo'
thing If the object be worthy on'
and the conversion of lost men an
women Is certainly worthy obiec'
business men try constantly to inter
est people in their stock of goods, the
work night and day to get crowd I'M
their store; politicians flood the couI
try with literature, parade the stree
with bands, and no one questions til
wisdom of it because we know 1t i
necessary to arouse the public to til
Importance of voting Alright. but whtf
Gods people put forth special effor
to arrest the attention of the though
less, the cry of excitement is sure (
be raised.
Objection 2. 1t does not last lon
That may be true in some cases, bu
the merchant does not stop boonin
his business because he knows tn
boom will not last long. nor the pol
tician though he knows the campai%
will be short. 1t is not to be expect
that special meetings will cOntin't
many weeks, but if the work is genuin
the results will abide for years. Til,
Reformation lasted only few years
but Europe and the whole world feel
it's effects to this hour. PentecOst last
ed but a day, but it changed the Who'll
face of til" world religiousiy.
Why Are Revivals Necessary?
Why does dying plant need watei
and sunshine? Because it hasn't
strength enough to hold its head VI
and must have outside help. So Their
are many Christians who are not sell
sustaining. They do not pray enough
nor feed on the word enough TO keep
them in good spiritual condition. The
consequence is they steadily lost
ground until they are in danger Of los
ing all hold Oh 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 it and love it, and
become self-sustaining Christians, able
to help others into the way OF life.
In all ages God has found it neces-
sary to say to his church, Awake.
awake, put on thy strength, o Zion.
put On pSdulILdi EGlA iAAtiiIs, ~ a NJ ~
salem"
When May a Revival Be Expected?
When Gods people desire q revival
and are willing to comply with the con
ditions. God is always willing but his
people are not. IF my people which
| are 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 will heal their land"
| III Chron. I I'D.
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, il | will
| not open you the windows of heaven
| and pour you out a blessing, that there
| shall not be room enough to receive
| it." (Mal. 3 :10).
These two passages seem to teach
clearly that Gods people can have n
revival whenever they are willing to
do their duty as the word requires
and claim Gods promise. Oh for a
I