An Old-Fashioned Revival at Cedar Lake, Mich.
By C. F. McVAGH
THE week of prayer was the beginning of a most remarkable movement in the Cedar Lake church. The interest was such that Prof. J. G. Lamson felt obliged to continue the meetings, and the last reports tell that seventy-five have decided for the Lord and the message, and the end is not yet. It is a pleasure to come in contact with these new Sabbath keepers and to mark their enthusiasm for the truth, and their zeal to join in giving it to others. One is impressed at once that it is not superficial emotion, but the deep movings of the Holy Spirit. In view of the situation in the world, this is just what we should be expecting to see in many places; and I have no doubt that many will be interested to know how it all came about, in order to know just how to proceed in starting a similar work. The process is very simple. There was no special advertising of the beginning of this big revival, no brass band, no tabernacle building, no sending away for a big revivalist, nor anything of the sort. Professor Lamson presented the truth for this time, and the people and the Lord worked with him. I quote from his report: “From our experience, we know that the way to get to work is to clear up all the old grudges, confess all the sins, and begin to pray for definite results. In our prayer bands we made it our business to ask the Lord to give repentance to the very persons we wanted to see yield, and we kept praying until the answers came.” Professor Lamson had to take care of his school work during the day, but the united church distributed literature, did house-to-house work, and the people began to come. Then the prayer bands took the names of these persons, and prayed God to save them. Professor Lamson presented the truth in simplicity and power, and God touched the hearts until they cried out, “What must I do to be saved?” I quote again from Professor Lamson’s report: “Night after night large sleigh loads come from four to six miles. The academy building is wholly inadequate to hold the congregation. We are praying for wisdom to know how to lead this people on in the way of truth.” Let us join in this prayer, and also ask God to start such a revival in our own churches. C. F. McVAGH.