Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-27

People are going to church In Nor wich, said Rev. George H. Strouse in his evening sermon at the First Sap tist church. but that alone isn't Cnris- because religion is at low ebb in the city. He spoke upon the theme, The Type of Revival Needed in Nor- wich, having in mind the coming re- vivaI meetings to be conducted by sew en churches of the city with Gypsy Smith, Jr., as the revivalist.
 Rev. MT. Strouse said in part Sun day evening:
 | believe in revivaIs because God S business is of a paramount import ance and should have the main track in thought and life. I can't sanction many things some evangelists feel called upon to do, but that does not detract a single particle from tho pressing need of transacting the Kings business with the greatest possible haste and efficiency. I believe in re- vivals because the church is constant ly in need of a fresh baptism of love and power, and without this baptism, even Christians 1aspe into cold and heartless fornalism which must be nauseating to the great head of the church. l believe in revivais be- cause it means the marshalling and the concentrating of all our forces in one supreme effort and at a definite Christ and His church. I believe in reyivals because God through His people, often is, pleased to create great waves of power and enthusiasm upon which, many who otherwise would never be reached for Christ, are swept into the Kingdom of Christ.
 I believe Norwich needs a revival because religion in Norwich is at low ebb. People are going to church. but that alone is not Christianity. Some people are interested in the great hu- manitarian movements of the day but that alone is not Christianity. Vital Cf nj fC T11 allegiance~to Jesus Christ. We often mistake real Christianity as being loy al to church or denomination or min ister but true loyalty to Jesus Christ is the only kind that will pass heav- ems test. If ever the world is to see better day It will be when Christ has a larger place in the heart of the world. He desires now to reproduce His life in us and then, that we push His claims with the utmost persfs.e1- cy and faithfulness until He becomes the King of n.en.
 We neeS a revival of Bible study and prayer. We have read what men have said about the Bible but we need to study the Bible. Christ never com
 nissioned us to criticize the Bible but to preach the word" We need a re- vival of devotional and practical study of the Word of God. Our nation is great because this book has such large place in the life of the nation. Queen Victoria was right when she as- cribed EnEland's greatness to 7 the Bible If the nat: 1s which are known as Christians lose their grip on the Bible. then our hope for new day is shattered. Christian Science which is either Christian nor scientific. Mi lennial Dawnism and Spiritualism and all the other '.isms' would soon be checked in their blighting course if the Bible were given its rightful place in heart and home and church and state This book alone is the source of mighty power which will cleanse the streams of thought and life which have become polluted by the corrupting fore es Of this age. And we need re- vival of prayer. God is waiting for the intercessors to get busy. la His econ ofny there is large place for prayer
 We need revival of the sancity and sacredness of the Lords Day. To transform the Lords Day into a holi- day or a working day is out of har-