Lessons from the San Francisco Revival
By Editor
SPEAKING of the "embarrassments" and "possible results" of the revival now in progress in San Francisco under the leadership of Moody and Sankey, the California Christian Advocate gives the following timely hints on future pulpit ministrations: "The work appears to have been hindered by the unthoroughness and generalizing habit of the pulpit. The ministry of San Francisco is exceptionally scholarly and able; but the too prevalent style of preaching has ranged along the summits of abstract thought and unapplied doctrine. Moses has been in the mount, half-deafened by the thunder, half-blinded by the lightnings, while the people feasted and reveled and danced about their golden calves far below. Moses should have descended with the tables of the law, and called all who were on God's side to separate themselves and gird on their swords." "The ministers of this city and this coast, if not too dull to learn, have received a lesson on preaching which ought to need no repeating. The gospel has approved itself 'the power of God.' Shall we ever, ever, ever go back to the weak and pitiable expedients of men? Shall we ever again hear or see pulpits desecrated by themes announced to the ears of an unhealthy curiosity? Is not God's word rich, and full, and varied enough? We have somewhere read a little poem about the devil and a saint going a-fishing. The devil was to furnish the bait, and the saint to haul in the line, and the partners were to divide even. If we remember rightly, the senior partner in the end got all the fish. And so it will always be."