tions of our nature, and while it thrills the Church on earth with gladness and rapture, it has such an affinity for the skies, such a congeniality for the atmosphere of the angels' home, that it adds to their joys also.

CHAPTER XXIV.

HAVE FAITH IN REVIVALS.

REVIVALS SCRIPTURAL-THEIR SPIRIT FLOWS IN THE PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE, IN THE PROPHECIES OF THE BIBLE, IN THE PROMISES OF THE BIBLE, AND IN BIBLE HISTORY SECULAR HISTORY OF REVIVALS - REVIVALS AND METHODISMA SOLECISM.

THE word revival implies its beginning-place. It intimates the existence of some religion, and the means of its promotion. It intimates the existence of spiritual things, though they may be ready to die. It intimates that the revival must commence in the Church, and may exist even without resulting in the conversion of souls. The word is Scriptural. And yet there are those who look upon revivals as not a necessity, view them as a kind of abnormal condition. Such brethren do exceedingly err, and they will be seldom favored with revivals for their want of faith in them. We would, if it were possible in this chapter, say something that would increase the confidence of all in revivals, and that would induce Christians continually to work for them, to work out not merely their own salvation, but,

as it were, the salvation of the Church, and others. If we glance at the history of revivals, we will find them of Bible origin, and that they breathe in the prayers of the Church; that they murmur among the strings of the prophets' lyres, and make up a large portion of the burden of Bible promises. What means such praying as this? "Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee? Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation." Again: "Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself." Again, hear the prophet Habakkuk: “O Lord, revive thy work. In the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."

Now, let us consult the prophets of the Bible concerning revivals. If we talk with these holy men, they will tell us stories of revival transformation, and rise before us in revival transport. Here is a description from Joel, of Pentecost, eight hundred years before it occurred: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and

your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit."

With all this the promises of the Bible harmonize. "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them: and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice, even with joy and singing the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

the ears of the deaf shall

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

The above glowing description of revival triumphs has, in all probability, been as yet but imperfectly realized. And from its teachings we may be justified in the inference that infinitely greater revivals are yet to occur in the Church before the millennium, than ever have yet occurred. We are encouraged, then, at the beginning of every revival, to expect great things. Brethren, let us have faith in revivals.

If we consult the Bible historically, we will find many striking instances of revival manifestation and reformation. Reference might be had to the reigns of David and Solomon, Asa and Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah. Look, also, at that great revival under Ezra, and then, again,