. 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 life,--new creatures in
Christ Jesus; not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but
by the faith of the Son of 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."(776)

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."(777)

This is the result of the work of the Spirit of God. There is no evidence
of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. 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