The Superficiality of Modern Revivals
THE superficial character of much of the religious revival work of these times is indicated by the sensational methods of advertising which accompany it. A column of space is given to this subject in a recent issue of the Washington Post. It is stated that in Denver, Colo., “if the present rivalry among congregations in the matter of the conspicuous display of their advertisements is not soon abated, theater managers, who in the past enjoyed a practical monopoly of the billboard privileges, may be called on to pay an advance in the price of space on the boards.” The different denominational Sunday-schools have been taught religious jingles to be shouted in concert after the manner of a college yell. “Stickers” bearing the inscription, “Get right with God,” were introduced in a revival campaign in Colorado last spring by an ex-baseball player evangelist, Rev. “Billy” Sunday. “These were pasted,” it is stated, “on sidewalks, on lamp-posts, on the windows of street-cars—in every place where they would attract attention. One religious campaigner slipped into a fashionable hotel at Colorado Springs one night, and pasted a “sticker” on the bands of all the hats he could find while the owners were at dinner.” The weakness of all such campaigns is that the people are not taught to “get right with God” by ceasing to trample upon his holy law. Modern revival efforts are not based upon a presentation of the immutable character of God’s law. There is sensationalism and superficiality, and no deep penitence based on a sense of the “exceeding sinfulness of sin” as revealed through the law. The characteristics of modern popular revivals do not belie what is said in “Great Controversy” regarding their nature.