p. 144 | An Acknowledged Want by Editor

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 18, 1858

An Acknowledged Want.

By Editor

The American Messenger of January, 1858, under the heading, "The Great Want of the Church," has some thoughts worthy of attention. After stating that a great work remains to be accomplished before truth will become "universally diffused" and the "earth be filled with the knowledge of the Lord," it concludes that the great want of the church for the accomplishment of this work is not a more numerous, able and devoted ministry, that it is not larger church room; for what already exists is as yet only partially filled; that it is not an army of colporteurs, nor more numerous, better organized, and more energetic societies. It then states what the great want is, in the following language:

"What then is it, but the gift of the purchased and promised Spirit—the Holy Spirit—as a spirit of revival, wide-spread, all-pervading, mighty? This we verily believe is the one want of the church. Oh, if the promise, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon you,' were fulfilled upon us, as it was upon the early disciples, when 3,000 souls were converted under one sermon, and when there were added daily to the church of such as should be saved; as it was in the days of Livingston, and Whitefield, and Wesley, and Griffin, when thousands were seen flocking to the cross; if every sermon preached and sacrament administered, and personal appeal made, were accompanied by the mighty power of the Spirit, how soon would this earth be redeemed from the power of sin! This, this is that for which every believing one should plead incessantly at the throne of the heavenly grace: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.' 'O Lord, revive thy work.'"