The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-10-13

/W people deprecate,
but 1t Is foolish
a. to condemn all
revivals because
some are spurious. It would not be
wise to refuse all money because we
had seen few counterfeit bills, but IL
would be 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 1t Is often necessary and
what can be done to promote it.
A revival Is simply renewal of spir-
itual life which has grown dormant.
Strictly speaking 1t applies only to
Christians, for those who have no spir-
itual life cannot have it renewed. You
can revive dropping plant, but not a
dead one. So those in whose hearts
Christ dwells may have their love for
been converted cannot be revived,
However, when Christians are revived
the unsaved are sure to be converted.
though this is by no means the prln.
eipal benefit.
That the spirit does move upon q
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 Is
thronged night after night regardless
of the weather or the season Of the
year. Old feuds are forgotten, old
enemies are reconciled, and everybody
feels that they ought to settle up with
God and man, whether 1t involves
hearty confession, or the paying Of
debt or the restoration of what has
been wrongfully taken.
Objection /. 1t awakens excitement
What If 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 1t because we know 1t Is
necessary to arouse the public to the
Importance of voting 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. 1t 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. 1t Is not to be expected
that special meetings win continue
many weeks, but II 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. Penteeost last.
ed but day, but It changed the whole
face Of the world rellgiously.
Why Are Revivals Necessary
Why does dying plant need water
and sunshine? Because it hasn't
strength enough to hold Its head ur
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 1t and love 1t, and
become self-sustainlng 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 Expected
When Gods people desire a 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; thea
will hear from heaven, and will for
give their sin and will heal their lands
Gil Chron. 7:14).
Bring We all the tithes into the
storehouse, that there may be meat 10
mine house. and prove me now here
with. saith the Lord Of hosts. II win
not open you the windows of heaven
and pour you out blessing. that there
shall not be room enough TO receive
It." (Mal. 3:l0).
These two passages seem TO teach
clearly that Gods people can have
revival whenever they are willing N
do their duty as the word requires
and claim Gods nromise