按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
quickened。 The 〃light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world〃
illumined the secret chambers of their souls； and the hidden things of
darkness were made manifest。 Deep conviction took hold upon their minds and
hearts。 They were convinced of sin and of righteousness and of judgment to
come。 They had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and felt the terror
of appearing； in their guilt and uncleanness； before the Searcher of hearts。
In anguish they cried out： 〃Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death？〃 As the cross of Calvary； with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of
men； was revealed； they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could
suffice to atone for their transgressions； this alone could reconcile man to
God。 With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God； that taketh away
the sin of the world。 Through the blood of Jesus they had 〃remission of sins
that are past。〃
These souls brought forth fruit meet for repentance。 They believed and were
baptized； and rose to walk in newness of lifenew creatures in Christ
Jesus； not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts； but by the
faith of the Son of
462
God to follow in His steps； to reflect His character； and to purify
themselves even as He is pure。 The things they once hated they now loved；
and the things they once loved they hated。 The proud and self…assertive
became meek and lowly of heart。 The vain and supercilious became serious and
unobtrusive。 The profane became reverent； the drunken sober； and the
profligate pure。 The vain fashions of the world were laid aside。 Christians
sought not the 〃outward adorning of plaiting the hair； and of wearing of
gold； or of putting on of apparel； but 。 。 。 the hidden man of the heart； in
that which is not corruptible； even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit；
which is in the sight of God of great price。〃 1 Peter 3：3； 4。
Revivals brought deep heart…searching and humility。 They were characterized
by solemn； earnest appeals to the sinner； by yearning compassion for the
purchase of the blood of Christ。 Men and women prayed and wrestled with God
for the salvation of souls。 The fruits of such revivals were seen in souls
who shrank not at self…denial and sacrifice； but rejoiced that they were
counted worthy to suffer reproach and trial for the sake of Christ。 Men
beheld a transformation in the lives of those who had professed the name of
Jesus。 The community was benefited by their influence。 They gathered with
Christ； and sowed to the Spirit； to reap life everlasting。
It could be said of them： 〃Ye sorrowed to repentance。〃 〃For godly sorrow
worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of： but the sorrow of the
world worketh death。 For behold this selfsame thing； that ye sorrowed after
a godly sort； what carefulness it wrought in you； yea； what clearing of
yourselves； yea； what indignation； yea； what fear； yea； what vehement
desire； yea； what zeal； yea； what revenge！ In all things ye have approved
yourselves to be clear in this matter。〃
2 Corinthians 7：9…11。
This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God。 There is no evidence of
genuine repentance unless it works reformation。
463
If he restore the pledge； give again that he had robbed； confess his sins；
and love God and his fellow men； the sinner may be sure that he has found
peace with God。 Such were the effects that in former years followed seasons
of religious awakening。 Judged by their fruits； they were known to be
blessed of God in the salvation of men and the uplifting of humanity。
But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked contrast to
those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days followed the
labors of God's servants。 It is true that a widespread interest is kindled；
many profess conversion； and there are large accessions to the churches；
nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief that there
has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life。 The light which
flames up for a time soon dies out； leaving the darkness more dense than
before。
Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination； by
exciting the emotions； by gratifying the love for what is new and startling。
Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible truth； little
interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles。 Unless 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；
464
church fairs； fine houses； 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 the false； that is well
adapted to mislead。 Yet none need be deceived。 In the light of God's word it
is not difficult to determine the nature of these movements。 Wherever men
neglect the testimony of the Bible； turning away from those plain；
soul…testing truths which require self…denial and renunciation of the world；
there we may be sure that God's blessing is not bestowed。
465
And by the rule which Christ Himself has given； 〃Ye shall know them by their
fruits〃 （Matthew 7：16）； it is evident that these movements are not the work
of the Spirit of God。
In the truths of His word； God has given to men a revelation of Himself； and
to all who accept them they are a shield against the deceptions of Satan。 It
is a neglect of these truths that has opened the door to the evils which are
now becoming so widespread in the religious world。 The nature and the
importance of the law of God have been； to a great extent； lost sight of。 A
wrong conception of the character； the perpetuity； and the obligation of the
divine law has led to errors in relation to conversion and san