NEED OF REVIVALS by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 14, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 24.

NEED OF REVIVALS.

By Editor

THE Christian Advocate begins an editorial in the following words:—

"A contemporary which still occasionally treats religious subjects remarks that if less has been heard during the last year of 'revivals,' it only shows that the church has outgrown them. Whether that conclusion is warranted depends on what is meant by 'revivals.'"

After speaking of a certain kind of revival that is not wanted, the editor forcibly presents the need of a true revival constantly, and thus concludes:—

"Every church not now in a state of revival, or busy garnering the fruits of such a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, should humble itself and do its first works over again.

"How blessed the work! Let an extract from a personal letter received at this office inspire every Christian, lay or ministerial, with zeal:—

God has graciously poured out His Spirit upon us. Fifty-nine persons up to the present time have turned their feet unto the testimonies of the Lord. The work continues; my heart rejoices; the people are entering into rich and blessed experiences. Twenty-six young men thus far, ranging between seventeen and thirty years of age, have been reached. For these young men I am specially solicitous. I wish to hold them to Christ and save them to the church. Splendid fellows they are, and full of promise. I can not bear the thought that one of them shall stray. I love them every one, and my heart is drawn toward them with an unusual affection and solicitude. In your judgment as a pastor and an observer, what is the very best course for me to pursue in their training and development for the largest usefulness and greatest service to the church?

"The candlestick of the church that has outgrown such revivals and such a spirit as this, is ready to be removed out of its place; and if the angel of the church sympathizes with the church, the star that represents it in the hand of the Ancient of Days is in danger of being left to follow the candlestick into outer darkness."