Revival

Revival

Religious discussion

[Unknown]

http://addison.vt.edu/record=b1775388~S1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

October 2015

Lemuel L Mathias

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Text

English

Religious Article

LD5655.V8 L4, ser.1, v.2, no.9 (July 1877), p.3

Blacksburg, VA

I am aware of the objections that have been and ever will be raised against revivals by a certain class of persons. They condemn them on account of the excitement which is so frequently created. By some they are thought suitable only for the Methodist, whose religion apparently consists in a long face, and is opposed to all the pleasures of life. But reader never was there a greater mistake. Sure none who attended the one that was carried on in this place, and saw the good which re. suited from it, will ever dare offer such an excuse again. For in this instance it was not confined to the easily excited Methodists, who have no regard for forms or order while in the house of God. Nor to the bigoted Baptist, with their ideas of close communion, believing, as one recently expressed, that no other denomination can possess true religion nor hope for a life beyond the grave without immersion. Nor yet the cold and formal Episcopalian, whose religion in the eyes of the thoughtless and ignorant consists only in form and ceremonies, something of but little depth. In short they consider it a religion entirely assumed. But no longer are such thoughts entertained here, nor would they be elsewhere, could others have seen with what energy all worked together for the conversion of sinners. You did not then see the formal Episcopalian remaining quietly in his seat, but all working together, having but one aim arid object, that of saving, souls from eternal ruin and destruction. The question naturally arises, what has been the result of this cooperation? Has it been to lower one denomination in the eyes of the others?or has it subjected them to any criticism ? Far from it : but it has brought every denomination closer together. It has tightened the grasp and made the love which every Christian feels within his heart for his fellow creatures display itself in every look, and has been more openly manifested than ever before. Regardless of denomination what has been the effect produced on this community by this revival ? It has been the means of leading four hundred souls to Christ. This is a place, as I have heard it said, too hard for the Gospel of Christ to be preached. But never again will such sentiments be uttered, for but few persons here are now left to grope their way in darkness of Divine truth. It has been the means of particularly destroying one of the greatest evils that any community can possess, leaving but one bar-room in our midst. It is always a sad sight to see a drunkard reeling down a street, but how much sadder now when he has but so few companions and so many friends to mourn his career. And in comparison, how few are the oaths uttered ? Profanity seems to have buried itself in the very dust, and God grant that it may never again rise. We cannot fail to recognize the change produced in the college here ; it, indeed, seems as if there were a different atmosphere within its walls.— There were about seventy cadets who professed faith in Christ. And just here we would say for the benefit of the editor of the Christian Advocate and for the public, with the hope of removing the prejudice which Mr. L. has so often tried to arouse in the minds of his denomination, that this is a denominational school, but such it is not. Notwithstanding the fact that the faculty is nearly composed of Episcopalians, and I am proud to say that they encourage religous [sic] feeling among all, yet I defy one to say that there has been any church doctrines instilled in us by any one of them, and how can this be more plainly shown than by this revival. Out of the entire number converted there are only sixteen who propose uniting themselves with the Episcopal church, the remainder expect to, or have already united themselves with the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist churches. So reader, hereafter receive what is put in the Advocate for what it is worth.

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