Spiritual Revivals
Read By E. White, At Pastor’s Conference, Little Alie-Street, November 30th, 1894
What Church is it which does not pray for and desire a spiritual revival? We want it to come down: not get up a revival. Such are very much like a November bonfire; a blaze, a squib or two, and all is over; only a few ashes remain, and the darkness is more dense by reason of the former light which shot up for a little while. The Church of God is compared to a light, but she does not always burn with a steady flame; the murky atmosphere of superstitious ignorance dim her splendour. Sometimes worldliness, the lust thereof, and the pride of life, makes her light very dim, and God has to snuff her with sharp persecution: sometimes she slumbers and sleeps, things are so peaceful; when the Bridegroom comes, her lamp sadly needs trimming. Are we not fallen in some measure on those days? Our forefathers prized the means of grace, they knew not how soon they might be deprived of them; but we, their degenerate sons, love not the Word as they did. They fed on it, thus they were strong in the Lord, because the Word did abide in them. As good food revives a hungry man, so will the strong meat of the Gospel revive a fainting soul. This is where we must be revived. Let us dip our rod in this honey. History proves that the revival of the Church of God has been preceded by the faithful proclamation and firm adherence to the doctrines of God’s truth. When men’s traditions have been cast aside, and God’s pure unadulterated Word has been taught, He has accompanied it with almighty power. This is building on a rock. Men’s revivals have a foundation of sand, they cannot stand; the first blast of temptation or persecution, down they go.
God the Holy Ghost works by divinely-appointed means; He is the great Reviver of God’s Church. How fervently men pray when inspired by the Holy Ghost. It is not rant and noise, but there is holy solemnity, intense earnestness, with great humility, yet such boldness, that heaven is besieged; the suppliant pleads, and can take no denial. When a number of such holy wrestlers are found together, that Church to which they belong is not far off from a spiritual revival; yea, it has already begun; though “the cloud be no bigger than a man’s hand” it will soon overspread the sky, and down will fall the heavenly rain, which will refresh and fertilise the barren waste, and make it blossom as the garden of the Lord. This is where our reviving must come from. “Wilt Thou not revive us again that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?” We cry with longing hearts; we want a steady, continuous revival. These outbursts of religious zeal leave the Church worse than she was before. We want no flaming evangelist to rouse us up, but we do want the Holy Ghost to kindle our hearts to a fresh glow of love to our dear Redeemer, and those covenant truths which He has ratified with His precious blood.
Brethren, this is a matter which is of great concern to us standing in the position we occupy, and to which we believe God has called us; while we are not reservoirs of spiritual blessing, we are the channels through which God is pleased to refresh His Church. Our people take their tone and character very much from us. Water does not flow up-hill, nor does reviving usually begin in the pew, and flow upward to the pulpit. It was Moses’ outstretched arms on the Mount gave victory to Israel’s hosts in the conflict. Elijah’s pleading on Carmel brought down the copious rain. If we are men of faith and prayer, we may expect the like results. “We will give ourselves to the ministry of the Word, and to prayer,” said the apostles. Let us keep to this apostolic precedent. This method has not become effete through age. God works in the same way as He did centuries ago. He has the same way of refreshing the land with rain from heaven, and He does not alter His plans in regard to the realm of grace. The fulness from whence the reviving came in days gone by is the same as ever; our fathers have not exhausted the Word. We hear of exhausted lands, exhausted mines, but the mine of eternal truth remains the same. The unsearchable riches of Christ are still ours to draw from; those undiminished stores are the legacy of the Church in every age. Let us draw therefrom, and our Churches will not languish with a full Christ and His Gospel to feed them from. We are prone to sigh over former days, and think they can never return. “Is the Lord’s hand shortened, that it cannot save; or His ear heavy, that it cannot hear?”
But are there not causes which restrain in a measure His hand? Let us search and see. I think there is, on behalf of both preacher and people. Is not our preaching in the present day, much of it, more showy than solid? Those soul-stirring truths of man’s entire ruin by sin, God’s absolute sovereignty in salvation, His eternal and immutable choice of His people, the personal and particular redemption of every one of them by Christ, their certain and effectual calling, their perseverance and eternal glorification, the everlasting punishment of the finally impenitent. These are the truths which were clearly preached in times past. We are not unfaithful in dealing with these truths, but are we so clear, outspoken, and fearless as we should be? These truths were the battering rams which brake down the power of Satan in sinners’ hearts, and melted them down at the foot of sovereign mercy. These truths built up believers, made them intelligent, spiritual, firm, lively stones in God’s spiritual temple. Flowery preaching will not make fruitful Christians. A half-hearted ministry will make lukewarm professors. Do we insist sufficiently on the marked and evidential difference there should be between the Church and the world, in faith, walk, and conduct, in every way? separate the precious from the vile, the chaff from the wheat ? A faithful ministry will confirm, feed, and gladden the hearts of real believers, while the mere professor will be exasperated thereby. They will go back, while the true child of God will cry with intense feeling, “Lord, to whom can we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” Do we dwell in our ministry as we should on the Person, doing, dying, merit, power, triumphs of our exalted Lord? When Christ is the theme the heart grows warm with holy fire, our hearers catch the heavenly glow. When the Scriptures are opened up concerning Him; when Moses, psalmist, prophet all contribute to show His dignity, His offices, His sufferings, and the glory which is to follow. There was great power when the apostles preached these truths; hearts were pricked, great grace was on the people, great joy was in the city. They were of one heart, of one mind in love, liberality, in the bond of the Spirit, concord, peace, and devoted service in the cause of God.
The people are not what they ought to be. Some are lovers of the truth, liberal, godly, prayerful; but not all, and these are drags on the Church by their worldly, carnal spirit, and they infect others. Even as a gracious spirit is contagious and spreads its savour abroad, so is the reverse. The Church needs a revival on this account. There are some who are not firmly attached to the doctrines of grace, God’s house and ordinances. Their indifference is a greater clog than opposition; for this would stir up others into warmth and vigour to defend the truth if it were openly assailed. Then some think their supreme mission is cold criticism of every person and method in the cause and service of God. Oh that their hearts were melted down into one glowing mass of holy love! Then would a spiritual revival come right speedily.
We have sketched out some of the causes why we need it, also hinted at the way we must obtain it. It is of supreme importance we should give this matter due consideration, and feel anxious that God would pour His blessing down. What reason have we to expect that God would revive His work in our hearts and Churches? He has promised it; He is deeply interested in His Church’s welfare; He loves every member; His honour is engaged for the maintenance of His Church. It reflects His glory. The more she shines the more He is glorified. He delights to give out of His fulness, that she may receive rich supplies from His gracious hand. His Church has a mission in this world, and that work requires that His people should be vigorous, active, for their foes are. God will not let them gain the victory over His Church. The cause is God’s; therefore He will revive the hearts of His people to carry it on. The Holy Spirit has been given; the times of refreshing have come from the presence of the Lord. He has revived us many times in the past when our hearts have failed, gloomy doubts have depressed our souls, darkness has filled our mind, He, with His love, grace, and favour, has shone upon us, fears and doubts have vanished, courage has inspired our breast, hope has led us on with alacrity, joy, and confidence in His ways and service.
Moreover, we are on the lines of Gospel truth. We may expect His blessing on that. We dare not expect the Lord to bless what He has never commanded. When He gave His last commission, He added, “Lo, I am with you alway, unto the end of the world.” Where Christ is manifestedly present with His ministers, His people, His Word, no Church can be cold, lethargic, or worldly, All these things die before His cross, His matchless love. We are crucified to the world, and only wish to live for Him. May that baptism of the cloven tongues of fire rest and abide upon us, a live coal from off the altar touch our lips from time to time, that we may speak the messages our Lord gives us to convey to His much-loved people. May his zeal fill our hearts, a determination that by His help we will wage war against every sin. May He make us very tender in dealing with the souls of men, all alive to their sufferings and needs, as those who can enter by experience into their sorrows and woes. May He give us often bright prospects of that fair country where our labours end, our conflicts cease. This will revive our hearts by the way, to press on with unfaltering step until we see His face from whom all our reviving comes, “for all our springs are in Him.” May He feed our souls continually from the streams until we drink from the fountain-head of bliss above.
Edwin White (1846-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. His first pastorate was with the church meeting at Orphington (1877-1879). After two years, the communion question cropped up, the majority of members deciding to throw the Table open. He forthwith resigned his office. His second pastorate was with the church meeting at Clare, Suffolk (1881-1887). After six years of blessed ministry, he resigned the office due to health reasons. His third pastorate was with the church meeting at Woolwich, Enon Chapel (1891-1919). In 1911 was elected president of the Metropolitan Association of Strict Baptist Churches.
