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Page 57
"Dr. Robert Crook took the ground that special evangelistic
agencies are not necessary, and that the work is more permanent and
successful when performed through the regular church channels. Rev. J.
Selleck, of Lexington avenue church, had sent about sixty of his
members as singers and ushers, and had not only received not a single
convert from that place into his church, but had been unable to gather
in the members he gave them, who were still running here and there
after sensations! Rev. J.F. Richmond had received a number of cards,
and could report two or three converts who would unite with his
church, but in connection with Hope Chapel he had not much success. He
had gone to five places indicated on the cards as residences of
converts, but could find none of them. This was his experience also
with many others whom he had sought out. Rev. John Jones had received
many cards, and had found out some direct frauds, and many others
nearly so. He did discover eight persons converted at Mr. Moody's
meetings, six of whom would unite with his church. Rev. C.G. Goss did
not think any one effort or kind of effort was going to convert the
world. We could not measure religious efforts by financial or
numerical measurements. As to the general question, he had the history
of ten city churches always known as revival churches. In 1869 they
had reported one hundred probationers each. In 1870 they reported a
net loss of five hundred, making, with the probationers reported, a
_loss_ of fifteen hundred in one year, in ten churches.
"Bedford street church was an example of a revival church: St.
Paul's the opposite. The former reported, in twenty years, twenty-five
hundred probationers. But the increase of her membership for that
period was only one hundred and twenty-eight. He could not account for
this. On the other hand, St. Paul's reported four hundred and
forty-eight probationers, for twenty-five years, and her increase in
membership has been two hundred and eighty-six. This was to him an
argument in favor of regular church work."
CHAPTER XXVII.
TRUE REVIVALS.
In the preceding pages we have seen that the Church ought
constantly to aim at keeping up such a state of spiritual life as to
render revivals unnecessary.
We have also admitted that, owing to human infirmity,
carelessness, and neglect of a proper and prayerful use of the means
of Grace, the spiritual life will ofttimes languish in individuals, in
families, in congregations and communities; and that, at such times, a
spiritual awakening or refreshing is necessary.
We have further shown, that the modern revival system is
unscriptural and positively injurious in its consequences, and
therefore cannot be regarded or adopted as a part of God's Way of
Salvation. What then is to be done? A revival is really needed. What
sort of a revival shall be longed for, prayed for, and labored for?
In the first place, let there be a revival in each individual
heart. Let there be an earnest and prayerful return to the neglected
Word. Let there be a devout reading and meditation of the Law of God,
an earnest, persevering searching of the heart and life in the light
of that law, until there is a feeling of guilt and shame. Then let
there be a prayerful reading and re-reading of the Penitential Psalms,
the seventh chapter of Romans, the fifty-third of Isaiah, the
fifteenth of Luke, the fifth and eighth of Romans, and the epistles of
John. Along with this private use of the Divine Word, let there be a
like prayerful public use. In case of perplexity and doubt, let there
be an unburdening before the pastor, with a request for instruction
and prayer. This process will bring about penitence for sin and faith
in Christ. Let it continue to be a _daily dying unto sin, a daily
living unto righteousness, a daily putting off the old man, a daily
putting on the new man_--a daily repentance for sin, and a daily
turning to and laying hold of Christ. Such a revival is Scriptural and
efficacious. It will not only put an end to the languor and deadness
of the past, but it will preclude the necessity of future periodic
excitements.
Along with this individual reviving, let there be an earnest
praying and striving for a reviving of the whole congregation, a life
that may abide. Let every service in God's house be a revival service.
Let each worshiper be a mourner over his sins, each pew an anxious
seat. To this end let the preaching of the Word be plain and direct.
Let it be full of "_repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ_." Where hearts are not wilfully closed against such preaching
of "_the truth as it is in Jesus_," they will, through its power,
become "_broken and contrite hearts_," from which will arise earnest
pleadings for forgiveness and acceptance. Faith will come and grow by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Where the Word is truly
preached and rightly heard, there will be a constant and scriptural
revival. Each service will be "_a time of refreshing from the presence
of the Lord_."
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