about, is the miserable
stone of prejudice. Many people have a great prejudice against
revivals; they hate the very word. I am sorry to say that this feeling
is not confined to ungodly or careless people; there are not a few
Christians who seem to cherish a strong dislike both to the word
"Revival" and to the thing itself.

What does "Revival" mean? It simply means a recalling from
obscurity--a finding some hidden treasure and bringing it back to
the light. I think every one of us must acknowledge that we are living
in a time of need. I doubt if there is a family in the world that has
not some relative whom they would like to see brought into the fold of
God, and who needs salvation.

Men are anxious for a revival in business. I am told that there is a
widespread and general stagnation in business. People are very anxious
that there should be a revival of trade this winter. There a great
revival in politics just now. In all departments of life you find that
men are very anxious for a revival in the things that concern them
most.

If this is legitimate--and I do not say but it is perfectly right in
its place--should not every child of God be praying for and desiring a
revival of godliness in the world at the present time. Do we not need
a revival of downright honesty, of truthfulness, of uprightness, and
of temperance? Are there not many who have become alienated from the
Church of God and from the house of the Lord, who are forming an
attachment to the saloon? Are not our sons being drawn away by
hundreds and thousands, so that while you often find the churches
empty, the liquor shops are crowded every Sabbath afternoon and
evening. I am sure the saloon-keepers are glad if they can have a
revival in their business; they do not object to sell more whisky and
beer. Then surely every true Christian ought to desire that men who
are in danger of perishing eternally should be saved and rescued.

Some people seem to think that "Revivals" are a modern invention--that
they have only been known within the last few years. But they are
nothing new. If there is not Scriptural authority for revivals, then I
cannot understand my Bible.

For the first 2,000 years of the world's history they had no revival
that we know of; probably, if they had, there would have been no
Flood. The first real awakening, of which we read in the Old
Testament, was when Moses was sent down to Egypt to bring his brethren
out of the house of bondage.