Modern Revivals
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a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has
no attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned
reason awakens no response. The plain warnings of God’s word,
relating directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.
With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal
things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular churches
of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not
renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing
to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus,
than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport of infidels
and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its
principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from many
of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals, church fairs, fine houses,
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personal display, have banished thoughts of God. Lands and goods and
worldly occupations engross the mind, and things of eternal interest
receive hardly a passing notice.
Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there
are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation
of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of
the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed
since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out
upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from
those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for
God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly
accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at
this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming. The enemy
of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a
movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a
counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive
power he will make it appear that God’s special blessing is poured out;
there will be manifest what is thought to be great religious interest.
Multitudes will exult that God is working marvelously for them, when
the work is that of another spirit. Under a religious guise, Satan will
seek to extend his influence over the Christian world.
In many of the revivals which have occurred during the last half
century, the same influences have been at work, to a greater or less
degree, that will be manifest in the more extensive movements of the
future. There is an emotional excitement, a mingling of the true with