THERE is a call for a religious revival. It is not alone those who believe that we are living amid the evils of the last days, who are sounding this call. The realization of the world's downward trend is felt not alone by those who believe it is near its end, and who are accused of speaking with a “pessimistic” bias. This is evident from such statements as the following, which is taken from the leading editorial in The Independent (N. Y.) of November 5:—
No close observer of social affairs in America or in the Old World is able to believe that at this moment “all's well with the world.” If physical comfort, or even luxury, were the chief object of life, we might be fairly well satisfied with the present condition of mankind. If national power and splendor could satisfy the human spirit, the spectacle of half a dozen nations, each more powerful than Rome in her most glorious days, would be superb and inspiring. If mere intellectual activity, divorced from the peace that wisdom gives, could sustain the soul, we could say that our age is exalted above all others. But if none of these things is sufficient either to establish social order or to fill the individual heart with an unfailing sense of “the joy of living,” this busy generation in which we have our part is too much restless and adrift.
It needs no close scrutiny of the churches to discover that much which our forefathers regarded as vital faith has perished beyond hope of resurrection. Theological dogmas no longer hold or even interest the people. Clergy and laity alike frankly confess their disbelief in one or another doctrine, or apologetically defend it, as if half ashamed of being known to confess it. As an organization of social and philanthropic activity, the church was never more alive and successful than now; but its most devoted priests would hardly claim that it is burning with ardor or toiling without rest for the saving of souls.
It is not power, it is not wealth, it is not magnificence, it is not scientific achievement, that can fill the world's great need. The world has all these to-day in a greater degree than ever before since time began; yet it is painfully apparent that all is not well with the world; it is apparent, indeed, that things are all wrong, and going from bad to worse. With all its power, all its wealth, all its marvels of scientific discovery, the world was never more controlled by selfishness. That is the trouble. An antidote for selfishness,—that is the one great need. And this is why there is such need felt for a revival of religion; for Christianity—the new birth—is the antidote for selfishness, and the only antidote that has ever been or can be found.
Formal Christianity is not enough. There is more of this in the world to-day than ever before, yet the world is perishing. It is life, life, that is needed. True Christianity is the religion of life, a message to the soul from the Life-giver, which, when it is received, makes alive the one that before was dead in trespasses and sins, and makes him active in extending the kingdom of God. To quote further from The Independent:—
Every religion worthy of the name has made the awakening, the saving, and the upbuilding of the soul its persistent aim; and when this aim is forgotten, the religion is for all practical purposes dead. It may persist as a social cult, an imposing ritual, a formal assent to authority, but at best it is only a beautiful shell from which life has gone. We need to-day in this great wealth-making country, in this land of power and success, in this age of comfort and physical enjoyment, a revival of that religion which takes hold not only of social masses and their problems, but of the individual man. No madness of emotionalism, no running after the strange gods of faith-healing or of mysticism, will achieve this supreme work.
There is a message from God for this generation, a thrilling message which would bring the strongest revival of religion if it were only heeded. But the churches missed this message; and because they missed it, the world has missed it; but it is to go to all the world in this generation. Every call for a revival of religion is a call for the proclamation of this message. Nothing else can take the place of this message in the world to-day. Then let the hands be strengthened, and the steps hastened, of those to whom the proclamation of this message to the world has been committed. L. A. S.