The church's best state : or, Constant revivals of religion

Front matter

f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Vv

THE

Chapter I

What is true religion 1 An important question. The Savior tells us. Matt. xxii. 37 — 40. Evidences of love to God. Quotation from Rev. Wra. Jay. Quotation from Rev. Dr. S. S. Schmucker.

16—36 CHAPTER II.

What is a genuine Revival of Religion, considered negatively 1 Not the work of man, but of God's Holy Spirit. Two important inferences from this, viz : men cannot produce revivals, and opposition to them is opposition to the work of God. A genuine revival not a scene of wild confusion and disorder of mere animal excitement. What kind and degree of excitement is allowable. 37—69 CHAPTER III.

What is a genuine revival considered affirmatively? Term is derived from two Latin words, which literally signify to re-live, or to restore to new life. Revival characterized by three prominent features, viz : quickening of christians, undeceiving and bringing in of hypocrites, and conversion of sinners. 70 — 77

CHAPTER IV.

Are genuine revivals the Church's Rest State % A discussion between Mr. A. and Mr. B. 78—89

CHAPTER V.

Constant revivals possible — proven from the nature of a revival, from the fact that we may always enjoy the influences of the Holy Spirit, and from the fact that such a state has been enjoyed

IV CONTENTS.

by the Church and by individual congregations for many years together. 90—103

CHAPTER VI.

" New Measures" — u Old Measures." Means to be employed for the promotion of revivals. 1. Faithful preaching of the gospel. 2. Protracted meetings. 3. Catechetical instructions. 4. Sunday schools. 5. The circulation of tracts and books on Practical Piety. 6. Social prayer meetings and individual effort. 104 — 137

CHAPTER Vn.

How to conduct revivals. When to appoint a protracted meeting, how often to be held and how long continued. Directions during the commencement and progress of a revival. Conducting meetings. Treatment of the awakened. 138 — 154

CHAPTER VIII.

Conclusion and application of the whole subject, with an earnest and affectionate appeal in behalf of revivals. 155 — 170

Preface

The idea of a constant revival, and the design of the following work, were suggested to the author's mind a few years ago, by reading a letter from the pen of Rev. Dr. Alexander, published in a work entitled " Sprague's Lectures on Revivals." He was subsequently appointed to preach a sermon before the Ecclesiastical Body of which he is a member, on revivals, which led him to a thorough examination of the whole subject, and produced the firm conviction in his mind, that constant revivals of religion are possible, and that it is the sacred duty of all true Christians to labor and pray that they may be enjoyed ; and that this would unquestionably be The Church's Best State. A constant revival state in a congregation is certainly vastly preferable to temporary excitements, however deep and beneficial in their results ; and if its attainment is possible, ought not every congregation to enjoy it? It is to awaken attention on this subject, and contribute a feeble mite to the attainment of so desirable an end, that this little work is now presented to the public. The author's object is to do good, and if his labors aid, even in a small degree, to promote genuine revivals and the salvation of souls, he will feel himself abundantly

compensated. He has not hesitated to use any suitable materials that he met with ; yet the principal part of the

O PREFACE.

work is the result of his own experience. He hopes that no one will be able to call him either a sectarian or a bigot from any thing found within these pages, and that these teachings are in perfect accoraance with the Scriptures of Divine Truth. May our Divine Redeemer own and bless this humble but sincere effort to promote his kingdom upon earth ! To Him, and to all true friends of genuine revivals, the work is devoutly and affectionately dedicated by

The Author.

Frederick, Md., March 28th, 1842.

Advertisement to the Second Editioii.

This little work having met with such favor, that in about nine months after its first publication, the entire edition, which was a large one, was sold out, the Author is induced to issue this Second Edition. He has carefully revised the work, and made a few corrections, and added several chapters, on important subjects, in an appendix, which it is hoped will greatly enhance its value. It is again commended to the friends of genuine revivals and to the blessing of the Great Head of the Church.

INTRODUCTION.

The grand and glorious design of the Christian Church upon earth, is the salvation of a lost world, by the regeneration and sanctification of immortal souls. This fundamental truth is so obvious, and so generally admitted in theory, that it might seem unnecessary to state, much less to defend it, did not the practice of so many professed christians contradict their profession in this particular. But while we see those into whose hands the Lord has committed, instrumentally, the work of the world's conversion, contending more for forms and ceremonies, than striving to promote the life and power of true godliness ; more zealous in defending their creeds and confessions of faith, than in preaching " Christ and him crucified;" more anxious to make proselytes, than to gather souls into the fold of the Redeemer ; more concerned about the magnificence and splendor of their churches, and the pomp and display of their worship, than the state of vital piety among the members of their congregations ; — while we see these things, it becomes our duty to go back to " the first principles of Christianity," and endeavor to recall the attention of men to the original design of our holy religion. Nay more; while we see so many acknowledged and ruling members in the churches, who are entirely destitute and ignorant of experimental relU gion ; who have " a name to live, but are dead;" " have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof;" who instead of being " the light of the world, and the salt of the earth," are a dead weight, an incubus upon the vita! 1

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energies of the church, the faithful watchman upon Zion's walls dare not hold his peace. The grand design of the church is forgotten, souls are in danger, and the world is perishing: he must therefore sound the alann, nnd obey God. who bids him. •• Cry aloud, spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." — Is. lviii. 1.

But what is the grand design of the church ? What great object had the Lord in view in her establishment upon earth ? Have we stated it correctly when we said that it is the salvation of a lost world by the regeneration and sanctificaiion of souls ? That this is her most sublime and glorious design, and should be constandy, singly, and most ardently pursued by her, is evident, in the hrst place, from the itatv.re of the case.

The world has apostatized from God, and must be reclaimed or perish. All men are by nature fallen, polluted, guilty sinners, and must be regenerated and sanctified, or be eternally lost. But the church possesses the only means by which this can be accomplished. Hers is the only plan of salvation which the God of infinite love and wisdom has devised: hence it follows incontrovertibly, that her great business is the regeneration and -anctihcation of souls, and that just so far as she fails of •::is object, she falls short of her duty, and thwarts the benevolen: and merciful design of her Founder. The christian church is •• the light of the world ;" but let her iight be obscured and her glory tarnished by the substitution of shadows for substance, and ceremonies and forms for the life and power of vital piety, and her object is not accomplished, the sun is at once blotted from the :noral firmament of the world, and •• darkn?--s again

Covers the earth, and gross darkness the people ;" the world is left in ruins. The church is " the salt of the earth," but if this "salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted ?" — mankind will then be left to rot in their own corruption. The church is the world's only star of hope, but if this star be quenched or its glory concealed, the dark curtain of despair will at once enshroud our wretched guilty race. How important then that christians should ever keep the real design of the church prominently and vividly before their minds, and labor unceasingly for its accomplishment.

But that the conversion and sanctification of souls is the grand design of the church is further evident from the fact, that this is indispensable to the salvation of men. No souls can be saved, unless they are regenerated and sanctified. Of this the Saviour and his apostles do most positively and solemnly assure us. " Verily, verily, I say unto thee," said Jesus to Nicodemus, " except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John Hi. 3, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Heb. xii. 14. " Be ye holy for I am holy saith the Lord." 1 Pet. i. 16. If therefore, the church as the instrument in the hands of God, does not labor for and effect the regeneration and sanctification of souls, what good does she accomplish for the spiritual interests of men ? None at all. She might as well have had no existence. The Savior has said, «• For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mat. xvi. 26. And so we may ask most emphatically, what advantage will it be to us in a future world to have been members of the church here, if our souls are not saved ? It will only add to our misery then to have to say, "Lord,

Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have done many wonderful works ?" if after all we must hear the dreadful sentence, "I never knew you ; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Mat. vii. 22, 23. It will be of no avail to us then, to have been professors of religion ; to have worn the badge of discipleship ; to have had fine churches, eloquent preachers, flourishing congregations, and every thing belonging to the exterior, beautiful and good ; if our souls are not saved, because not regenerated and sanctified. Is it not then, ought it not to be the object and aim of the church, instrumentally, to convert, purify, and fit precious souls for heaven 1 The same important truth becomes still more evident, when we remember, that the gospel scheme is adapted, with infinite wisdom to produce this great end. All the institutions and ordinances of the church, not only declare her design, but are also means of grace used by the Holy Spirit for its accomplishment.

What, for example, is the design and legitimate tendency of the ministry of reconciliation ? Let the apostle Paul answer : " Now then we are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. v. 20. To bring sinners to the Savior is, therefore, the great business of the ministry. For the conversion and sanctification of souls the faithful pastor labors and prays, preaches and toils, by night and day, in season and out of season. This is the great work to which all his efforts must tend. So the Master has taught by precept and example. When he sent John the Baptist, as his forerunner to prepare the way for his coming, he gave him this text to preach from, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand;" and John preached " the baptism of repentance," calling upon his Jewish brethren "to flee from the wrath to come," to "bring forth fruits meet for repentance : And think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father : for I say unto you, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Mat. iii. 2, 8, 9. As though he had said, no Jewish extraction or privileges, or piety of ancestors will justify you in the sight of God, or save your souls ; nothing will accomplish this but repentance towards God and faith in the coming Messiah ; nothing but a total change of heart and mind.

When Christ himself commenced his public ministry, he took the same text, and called upon all that heard him saying, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and positively assured all," " Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." Mat. iv. 17, Luke xiii. 3.

When the apostles were sent forth, they were commanded to " Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature ;" assured that " He that belie veth and is baptised, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned!" They consequently went abroad and preached every where, "That men should repent." — Hence we hear a Peter on the day of Pentecost, full of the Holy Ghost and heavenly fire, addressing the thousands, who inquired, " Men and brethren what shall we do ?" and saying to them, " Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins : and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts ii. 37, 38. And what was the result? The conversion of three thousand in one day ! Does this not prove the design of the church to be the regeneration and sanctification of souls ? Hence also we hear a Paul standing up before the philosophers and wise men of Athens, exclaim, " The times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men every where to repent." Acts xvii. 30. The apostles evidently understood that the grand design of their preaching and labors, and of the church which they were to establish, was the conversion of sinners and the sanctification of souls.

But again ; what is the design and tendency of the sacraments of the church? Do they not also prove the object of the church to be as stated? What does baptism teach ? Evidently, and in the most forcible manner too, that men are sinners, vile, polluted, and guilty, and therefore need to be regenerated, washed, sanctified, before they can be acceptable members of Christ's church upon earth, or fit to dwell with him in heaven. Does it not show that as water cleanses the body from all natural pollution, so the religion of the Savior, with its blood of atonement, and Spirit of all grace, is perfectly adapted to cleanse and purify our souls ? — And what is the design and tendency of the Lord's Supper, that other sacrament of the New Testament church, which is to be so frequently and solemnly celebrated by christians ? Does it not constantly, prominently, and vividly present the great cardinal feature of the christian scheme, the atonement by the blood of Christ, and the indispensable necessity of being sanctified by that blood ? Does it not always present a Savior crucified, and tell us in a manner much more powerful and affecting than it is possible for language to express it, " He was wounded for our transgressions ; he was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed." Is. liii. 5. The whole atonement is based upon the fact, that man is a sinner, and that he therefore must be regenerated and sanctified.

Thus the institutions and sacraments of the church both teach her design and are means for its accomplishment. Who, after all this, can doubt that the grand design of the church is, the salvation of a lost world by the regeneration and sanctifacation of souls ? To this irresistable conclusion, might be added a number of express declarations of the sacred scriptures. When the Savior's conception and birth were made known to Joseph, the espoused husband of Mary, he was instructed " to call his name Jesus; because he should save his people from their sins." Mat. i. 21. Hence the great work which our Lord came to do, was to " save his people from their sins." For this he came, lived, taught, labored, prayed, suffered and died. For this he arose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and intercedes at the right hand of God the Father. And for this he established his church, and instituted all the ordinances of religion and the means of grace. But he cannot save men from their sins without regenerating and sanctifying their souls ; hence this is the grand design of his mediatorial kingdom. Hence he himself declares, " The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke xix. 10. Many other passages might be quoted, but it is unnecessary ; the argument is complete and unanswerable. The design of the church is correctly stated in the first sentence of this introduction.

We have dwelt somewhat upon this point in our introduction, because we are about to deduce several very important inferences from it, and also because it forms the grand foundation of our little work. Upon it we build our whole superstructure ; and hence we wished to define and settle our position clearly, and lay a solid and immoveable basis.

U

The inferences which we deduce from the preceding argument are the following : —

First, If the regeneration and sane tin ration of souls is the grand design of the church, then it follows, that jut t so far as she fails to accomplish this design, she falls short of her duty, disappoints the expectations of her Pounder, and is gnilrv of the blood of souls in the sight of God. Consequently all those men, ministers and members of the church, who do not employ all the efforts and use every means which God has given them for the conversion of sinners, do, to the same extent,, overlook and really defeat the great object for which the Savior established his church upon earth. They are standing in the way of the kingdom of God; neither enteiinff in themselves nor permitting others to do so, who would. What a fearful account of their stewardship will all such have to render at the great day of the Lord !

Again ; if die conversion and sancdrlcation of soul: the grand design of the church, then that is demrly her best state in whieh the greatest number of souls are regenerated. It is not therefore when she enjoys most peace, possesses most wealth, has the greatest number of learned and popular preachers, the most splendid and costly church edifices, or is externally in the most flourishing condition, that she is necessarily in her best state. No. She may then be in her very worst condition. She may possess all this and not be instrumental in the eonversion of souls, and the filling op of heaven with blessed inhabitant.

Finally, If the grand business of the church is the re-

those measures, agreeing with the spiiit and precepts of

.-? gospel, which God approves and blesses to the conversion and sanctification of the greatest number of precious souls, are the best. The most important measures to be employed, God has prescribed; and these dare not be neglected or crowded out by others of human invention. Such are the preaching of the word, the proper administration of the sacraments, and prayer. But in many things relating to external modes and measures, God has given us no specific directions, and consequently left us to be guided by the spirit of the gospel, in connection with sound reason and experience. In such cases those means or measures are the best which do the most good ; which God blesses to the conversion and sanctification of the greatest number of souls. The dispute about old and new measures among christians and brethren is therefore great folly. In all essential matters God has decided the measures to be used by prescribing them ; and in non-essentials we should have charity for each other, and all employ those means which God blesses most; and which accomplish the most good among the people for whom we labor, and in the circumstances in which we are placed.

THE CHURCH'S BEST STATE.

Chapter I. What Is True Religion?

No question can be of greater practical importance than this, what is true godliness, and do ive really possess it ? At the same time it seems necessary that we should answer it before we proceed to the more general one, xohat is a genuine revival of religion, and is this the churches best state? Because if we have a correct idea of true religion or piety, we shall have no difficulty in understanding and appreciating what is meant by a revival of it. Our blessed Savior has given us the best definition of true religion, doubtless, that can be given. He said to a certain lawyer, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 1 This is true religion ; its very essence and life ; and may be summed up in one word, love : supreme love to God, and subordinate love to our fel-

THE ESSENCE OF RELIGION 17

low-men. This is the religion, not only of all truly pious men in this world, but of all holy and intelligent beings throughout the entire universe. The very essence of that piety, which glows so intensely in the bosoms of seraphs, is love to their Maker and to each other. Love constitutes heaven ; its absence is hell. Without it there can be no happiness in any part of God's universe \ with it in all its fullness and perfection, there can be no misery. No wonder therefore that the Master has said, " On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets !" That is, this is the sum and substance of the religion of the Bible. It follows then, that all true christians and the angels of heaven have the same religion ; except that in the case of the former it is modified to suit their fallen condition. And yet some men affect to deny the truth and divinity of the christian religion ! They might as well deny the existence of the sun shining in his noon-day splendor ! The religion of the Bible, which is love to God and man, must be true, even if no rational account of its origin and promulgation in the world could be given. If that blessed book, which declares that the sum and substance of the system which it teaches, is supreme love to our Maker, and love to our fellows as to ourselves, had been discovered in some cave, or dug out of some mound of the earth, or no person could tell whence it came, it must still be true. It cannot be false, because it is founded upon the character of God and the very nature of things. Deity must undergo an entire change, and the order of his moral universe be subverted, be-

1-8 IS LOVE TO GO» AND MAN,

jtove it could prove false. So true is it, that "■ we hare sot believed cunningly devised fables." Securely established upon this eternal and immoveable rock, let the infuriate waves of infidelity roll and dash until their violence is spent, we cannot be harmed. But let christians be careful never to belie their religion, or forget what it is. Let them remember that " God," and their religion u is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 u He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love." 2 " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha." 3 O let them remember these solemn and interesting statements, and they will no longer be content with ceremonies, while their hearts know nothing of love to God and each other ; they will no longer grasp the shadow and miss the substance, or rest in the form, but deny the power of true godliness.

Should any one here inquire, how we may knoic that we love God, or w T hat are the evidences of true piety, we reply by asking another question, viz. how do you know that you love any person or object in this world ? Your answer to my inquiry, will also be an answer to your's: because love in its principle or essence is the same in all cases. It is a feeling, an affection of the heart, and its existence must be known to us, and will be manifest to others, always in the same manner. Now take the case of an absent friend whom you ardently and tenderly love. How do you know that you love him? You will perhaps say,

'John iv. 16. 2 Ibid. v. 8. 3 1 Cor. xvi. 22.

EVIDENCES OF LOVE TO THE REDEEMER. 19

\feel it; my soul is drawn out in affection towards him ! Well, just so, if you love your God and Savior ; you must feel it too, if you possess this love ; and your soul will be sweetly drawn out in warm affection towards Him. If you love your absent friend you will often think of him. He will be in all your thoughts, especially in moments of retirement and meditation. You will often speak of him to others, especially those with whom you are intimate, and who are also friends of the beloved absent one ; " for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." 1 You will be pained to hear him or his friends slandered, blasphemed, or abused ; or his cause and interests opposed or neglected ; and you will be always ready to defend him. You will be anxious to hear from him, and to commune with him by letter or otherwise, so that you can make known to him the thoughts and feelings of your heart. You will be anxious to be with him, to enjoy his company, and to see him as he is. Thus you know, and thus you give evidence to others, that you love your absent friend. Now Jesus is your absent friend ; apply the same tests, and you will at once ascertain whether you truly love him or not. Do you often think of him and all that he has done, and is doing for you, with pleasure and delight ? Do you often speak of him and his love to others, especially his friends, and thus show that your heart is full of the subject? Especially do you delight to commune with him by prayer, and in the ordinances of his house? O does your heart burn

20 EVIDENCES OF LOVE TO THE REDEEMER.

to meet him in your closet, at the social prayer-meeting, in his house, at the sacramental board, and whereever he has appointed to dwell with his people? If not, you have no reason to believe that you love him, or possess true religion.

But the Bible has not left us in the dark on this subject. " If ye love me, keep my commandments," 1 saith the blessed Savior; and his beloved apostle John tells us, " This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 2 Every true christian, therefore, will strive to keep God's commandments ; not from dread or slavish fear, or as a burdensome duty ; but out of love to Him. It will be his chief delight. He cannot be a wilful rebel. Like the child, who loves his parent, it will be his greatest pleasure to do his will, and he will be greatly pained and grieved when he falls into sin, or is betrayed into disobedience.

Again; he that truly loves God, will also love his brethren, particularly all true christians. " For if any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar : for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen." 3 And a by this," saith Jesus, " shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." 4

He that loves God, must also feel deeply concerned for the salvation of souls and the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom. He cannot be an idle spectator, but will be an active, zealous laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. The cause of God will lie near

'John xiv. 15. ' 2 l John v. 3. : M John iv. 20. 4 John xiii. 35.

CHANGE OF HEART NECESSARY. 21

his heart, and he will not only pray, " Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ;" but he will also exert his influence and give of his substance that this prayer may be answered. In whatever sphere of life he may be called to act, he will always show by his conduct, that he loves God.