WHAT KIND OF REVIVAL?

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 23, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 51.

WHAT KIND OF REVIVAL?

THE religion which Jesus Christ propagated and exemplified; the religion which He bequeathed to His apostles, and which they propagated and exemplified, was a religion which did not seek State-aid. Neither Christ nor His apostles ever sought the aid of Caesar, financially or otherwise. The principle advocated by the Lord Himself was, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” The religion of Christ made its most decisive progress during the first century, when it was not only unaided, but was bitterly opposed, by the civil government. When, in later years, the personnel of church membership had materially changed, and the predominant element believed State-aid expedient, and had sufficient influence to obtain it, the result was the Dark Ages.

Now that all the churches admit that there is crying need of spiritual revival, and are looking to all quarters for powerful men to work up a revival spirit in their ranks, it is pertinent to ask what kind of revival would be the most effectual in the salvation of souls? Would it be a revival with the Holy Spirit under it, or a revival with the State behind it? Would it be a revival of power to move legislative bodies to enact favorable legislation, or would it be a revival of power at the throne of grace to secure a greater measure of the Holy Spirit? The difference in principle between Spirit-power and State-aid is the difference between Pentecost and the Dark Ages.