Is The Spirit Of The Lord Straitened?

Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?

A Plea for a National Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Octavius Winslow, 1858

"Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?" Micah 2:7

A voice of more thrilling power than the flash of the ocean's telegraph has crossed the Atlantic, conveying the intelligence that "the Lord is there" — moving among His American church in such wonders of saving power, in such marvelous displays of divine grace, in such extraordinary manifestations of the quickening Spirit, as that land — distinguished for its spiritual and marvelous awakenings — has never before witnessed. Not restricted to one church, city, or state — the whole republic seems moved to its center, by one mighty impulse, on the momentous subject of religion. It is, in truth, a great national awakening on all-important, all-engrossing claims of eternity!

The history of the world, probably, could not supply a parallel to this movement. The day of Pentecost, marked as was its manifestation of spiritual life and wide-spread as was its result, would seem to have been but the faint type of this extraordinary outpouring of the Spirit. That revival of religion counted its thousands of converts to Christ — this, its tens of thousands! In one town the entire population, it is said, without exception, have become converted (Simsbury, Connecticut).

The further progress of this quickened interest in religion has proved this to be by no means a solitary instance of its growing power. Many villages and towns have presented the extraordinary spectacle of the entire adult population hopefully converted to God, and becoming members of the Church. And still the mighty work has not reached its culminating point. It is extending like a prairie fire — the conflagration finding fuel as it spreads. In places where apparently it had not been thought of, certainly where no special efforts had been made to court it — suddenly the holy contagion appears, and in a moment the entire community is awakened and aroused.

Everywhere, in all places and on all occasions — the subject of religion is the common topic of conversation. On the railway, in steamboats, in hotels, in the drawing-room, in the counting-house, and on Exchange — one all-commanding, all-engrossing theme engages the attention, absorbs the sympathy, and employs the tongue of all! A traveler, journeying from the state of Ohio to the state of Illinois, says that he found a string of prayer-meetings all along the way.

The characteristics of this great national religious awakening are all in favor of its being the work of the Holy Spirit. The excitement and extravagance — the sounds of outcry, faintings, and convulsions — which marked and defaced the great religious awakening in the times of Jonathan Edwards, and which gave rise to his masterly work on the Religious Affections — form no features of the present increment. Nothing in its character awakens a suspicion in the most skeptical mind of its genuineness and reality . The high-wrought feeling which in former days associated the term "revival" with exhibitions of wild and unrestrained fanaticism, and which held them up to satire and ridicule — has, in the present instance has been traced by great sobriety, deep solemnity, a calm, unimpassioned, and intelligent presentation of truth, and a fervent, profound, and universal spirit of prayer.

Indeed, if one feature were selected more distinctive and prominent than another as marking the excitement, it would he the solemn and united spirit of prayer with which the whole work is carried on. With prayer it began, and by a deepening spirit of prayer it has been sustained and advanced to the present moment. In fact, this wonderful movement of the national mind has been "baptized in the sea and in the cloud" of the most enlightened, spiritual, and fervent devotion — a taking hold of God, by a nation's prayerful heart.

There is another and not less striking feature of this great revival of religion, which at this stage of our remarks we forbear to enlarge upon. But we must not entirely overlook even here, the total absence of sectarianism which has traced the work — all Christian denominations: Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Congregational, Wesleyan, Moravian, Baptist, and other branches of the one Church of God, not only sharing alike in the largeness of this heaven-descending blessing — but, in the exercise of a spirit of Christian unity, at once an evidence of its divinity, as a result of its bestowment — uniting together in the public religious meetings, from which all attempt at proselytism is excluded, and in which no sectarian prejudices or denominational distinctions are allowed to appear.

Nor should we, while thus glancing at some of its characteristics, pass by the fact that this religious interest has extended into a large portion of the higher classes of society, with a depth and power not surpassed by the interest awakened among the poor. The splendid mansion of the Fifth Avenue, alike with the humble abode of the hard-working mechanic — has contributed to swell the numbers who crowd the midday prayer-meetings, and has resounded with the praises of souls newly converted to Christ.

But at this point of our narrative we suspend for the present our observations on this remarkable movement, and pause to propound the inquiry: Why may not Britain experience a similar baptism of the Spirit? That there have been "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" — periods of religious revival, of spiritual quickening, in which large masses have been simultaneously and powerfully wrought upon, concerning the great concerns of eternity, and have become hopefully converted to God, we freely and gratefully admit. England and Scotland , Ireland and Wales — can tell of the gentle dew and of the small rain, if not of the heavier showers of the Spirit, which have fallen, grateful and fertilizing, upon the churches.

But when or where have we experienced an awakening of the national mind in the transcendent interests of religion equal to this? It is for this we plead, and for nothing less than this. Nor does the pen that traces these pages hesitate to record the sentiment that, in answer to the united "prayer of faith," such a great NATIONAL REVIVAL would be seen!

We proceed to justify the assertion. Our argument and expectation are based upon an inquiry and expostulation which God addresses to His Church, in Micah 2:1. When that inquiry and expostulation were originally spoken — God's Church was in a depressed and languishing condition. National sins abounded, and the witnessing Church had fallen into a state of more than Laodicean coldness. God rises to vindicate His great and holy name from all responsibility in a state so detrimental to their spiritual interests, and so dishonoring to Himself.

He first recognizes the honorable title they bore — "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? " Called though they were after a man of God so distinguished, alas! How had they degenerated! Where was the spirit of the holy patriarch, the wrestling, the expectation which grasped the angel of the covenant, and who would take no denial?

God then proceeds to expostulate with them, "Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?" Is the Spirit of God straitened in His ministers? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened in His word? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened in His means? Is there any degree of limited power and love in the Spirit, that this depressed state of things should exist? "No!" implies the question. It is not the Spirit of the Lord who is straitened — it is the Church that is straitened in herself. There is indeed a straitening, a limiting, a withholding — but it is all on the part of the people, and not on the part of their God. They were straitened in themselves . . . their insensibility to their lethargic state, their cold indifference, their aggravated backslidings, their blindness to national corruption, their false peace and security, their lack of prayerfulness and faith, none stirring himself up to take hold upon God, none believing that the Spirit of the Lord was prepared to make good His promises of special blessing — were the sad and powerful causes of this spiritual and melancholy declension which everywhere prevailed. "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

Predicating our statement upon the unlimited power and love of the Spirit, we proceed to inquire, "Why have we not a national revival of religion? Why are not the Church and the land baptized by the Holy Spirit? Why is there not a general and powerful awakening of men's minds to the great, the solemn, the all-commanding claims and interests of eternity? Why should we, as a Church and as a people — continue in our cold religious formalism, our worldliness and infidelity — when there is no straitness in the Spirit of the Lord, why He should not open the windows of Heaven and pour us out a blessing, so that there should not be room enough to receive it?"

"Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for Your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against You. O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should You be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should You be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by Your name; do not leave us!" (Jeremiah 14:7-9)

Such is the theme which will now engage the reader's devout and solemn attention — the unlimited power of the Holy Spirit — our encouragement for asking and expecting a similar religious awakening to that which is now distinguishing God's American Israel ; the sound of which, as the voice of many waters, has crossed the Atlantic, breaking like its own mighty billows in solemn music upon our shores.

We commence with the proposition that it is utterly impossible, from the nature of the case, that there should be any essential straitness in, or limitation of, the power of the Holy Spirit. To those who admit that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Person in the blessed Trinity, this proposition requires no labored argument in its support. The unbounded love and grace of the Holy Spirit spring from His essential Deity .

His power is what it is — illimitable; His love is what it is — fathomless; His grace is what it is — boundless; His energy is what it is — invincible; because He in what He is — Divine!

If we can circumscribe infinity, or set bounds to Deity, then may we say to the living water of the Holy Spirit's influence, grace, and power — deepening, rising — "Thus far shall you go, and no farther." Were the Spirit of the Lord . . . an influence — and not a Person; an attribute of God — and not God; a creation — and not the Creator; an emanation of life — and not Essential Life, then might we bind Him with the chains of our restrained prayer and atheistic unbelief, and say, "We are stronger than you!" But, because the Holy Spirit is GOD, possessing the Divine perfections of eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence — attributes pertaining of Deity alone — then there is no essential restraint in His power, nor limit to His depthless, boundless, fervent love!

Beware, my reader, how you limit and fetter the Holy Spirit in the blessings He would bestow upon you, by any secret doubt in your mind, concerning His personal dignity. The latent suspicion of His Divine Personality — the nourished distrust of His essential Deity — the slightest withholding of the confidence, the love, and the worship due to His relation to the Godhead — will wither your spirituality, be-dwarf your Christianity, and rob your soul of all that is vital and comforting and sanctifying in religion. In fact, there cannot, in the nature of things, be real spiritual life in the soul where there is the absolute rejection of the Divine Personality of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, then, we plead for a national outpouring of the Spirit on the ground of His essentially deity and illimitable power. There is no straitness in Him, why He should not flood this land with the rain of His reviving, quickening, and gracious influence. Arise, British Christians, composing the one Church of God — the temple of the Holy Spirit — and with united prayer ask the blessing, and expect the blessing, and receive the blessing — since He whom you ask , of whom you expect , and from whom you will receive — is God over all, and is therefore able and willing to bestow it!

Let us briefly illustrate the boundless power of the Spirit of God by a reference to some essential parts of His work in the economy of grace .

Take, for example, His work of CONVERSION . Here the Divine and boundless power of the Holy Spirit is demonstrably established.

What is conversion? We mean not sacramental conversion — baptismal conversion — subscription to creeds — observance of religious rites and ceremonies. All these things you may observe and do, conscientiously and rigidly — and yet remain unconverted; and dying so, be forever lost.

We speak of the conversion taught in Scripture — of that vital, spiritual, transforming state through which you must pass before you can enter Heaven. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again — he cannot see the kingdom of God."

What, then, is this saving conversion? It is a passing from death unto life — it is a new creation — it is the impartation of the Divine nature — it is the renewing of the spirit of our mind — it is the total spiritual renovation of all the moral and intellectual faculties and powers of the soul — it is the implantation in the heart of the germ of holiness — it is to become a child of God — to trust implicitly in the atonement of His Son for acceptance — to love the Savior. In a word, conversion is to be a "new creature in Christ Jesus, old things passing away, and all things becoming new."

Now by what power, other than that of the Spirit of the Lord, is this great change effected? Religious education, moral persuasion, ministerial instruction — are all valuable as aids . But they are powerless as to producing conversion.

"The Spirit gives life — the flesh counts for nothing." The opposition which presents itself in antagonism to this work of spiritual renewal, is too mighty for any other agent to overcome — than an Almighty Spirit.

The enmity of the carnal mind, the rebellion of the human will, the power of sin in the human heart, and the citadel of Satan in the soul — all are too strong for any other power to cope with and conquer, than a power divine.

It follows, then, that what is called "sacramental grace," or baptismal regeneration, is a monstrous fiction — as dishonoring to God, as it is fatal to man. In all true, spiritual saving regeneration — the Holy Spirit is the sole, efficient agent. And all who are reposing in any other renewal than that of which He is the author, are involved in a delusion and a snare!

Oh, of what infinite importance is it, my reader, that you should be quite clear as to the nature and reality of your conversion to God! It is for your life! Your eternal destiny hangs upon it — either a state of endless woe, or of interminable happiness. Trifle not with interests so precious; hazard not a destiny so solemn. Lay not to your soul the flattering myth of a sacramental change. The doctrine of baptismal regeneration may do to live upon — but a will not do to die upon.

Remember, that to renew you in the spirit of your mind, and thus to fit you for a Heaven of perfect holiness and of ever-enduring happiness — there are demanded the power and the grace and the love of an unlimited Spirit — a Spirit whose nature and resources are infinite and Divine! Such a provision for the regeneration of our nature being made — there is no case of hardness and obduracy through the power of sin, which He cannot create anew.

There is no impenitence which He cannot soften.

There is no unbelief which He cannot remove.

There is no rebellion which He cannot subdue.

There is no mind which He cannot enlighten.

There is no soul which He cannot convert.

Could this be affirmed by any power other than that to which God refers in His solemn appeal, "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

But here let us pause and inquire, "Is there no straitening of the Spirit of the Lord on the part of the Christian Church — in its expectation of conversions? Are we not looking for individual and isolated cases of conversion only — rather than for the conversion of numbers, of the multitude, of the masses?"

Ascribing all sovereignty to the Divine Spirit, "the wind" of whose converting grace "blows where it wills" — yet, since He is not straitened in His power and grace — then why should we be straitened in our expectations, and so straiten Him in His workings? Why should we not look for conversions as multiplied in number, and marked in their character — as those which took place on the Day of Pentecost — and which at this moment meet the eye and make glad the heart of our American brethren? If the Spirit of the Lord is able to convert one soul — then He is able to convert a hundred; and if a hundred — then why not a whole congregation?

Oh, are not our stinted faith, our low expectations, our languid desire — the causes of the few, the very few, conversions to God which result from the preaching of the gospel in the present day? Jesus "did not do many mighty works there — because of their unbelief." In the face of this declaration, will you assert that it was His secret decree, His Divine sovereignty — which restrained Him? It was the wicked unbelief of the people! By a parity of argument we are justified in maintaining that, but for the unbelief, the restrained prayer, the low expectations of the Church — we should hear multitudes, moved by one common, irresistible influence of the Spirit, exclaim, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved!"

We forget not the electing love , nor the discriminating grace , nor the Divine power of the Spirit — in the great matter of the soul's conversion; yet, remembering that His power is infinite and therefore unrestrained by nothing but His own decree, we unhesitatingly and earnestly ask, "Why should we not look for the spiritual quickening of many — as for a single soul?" We see nothing to forbid it, but our straitness; nothing to prevent it, but our unbelief.

The Holy Spirit, who alone works these great marvels in man, is prepared, in answer to the prayer of faith — the faith that honors Him by asking and expecting great things — to shed upon us an influence so Divine, a power so irresistible, a blessing so far-reaching — that beneath the same overshadowing cloud of covenant mercy — a whole family, a congregation, a city, a nation shall be born again in a day!

Ministers of the gospel, the appeal is to you. The Spirit of the Lord is not straitened! What, then, is to forbid your expectation of like results, from a single, faithful, earnest, solemn sermon — to that which followed the famous Enfield sermon of Jonathan Edwards — when, as Trumbull informs us, "before the sermon was ended, the assembly appeared deeply impressed, and bowed down with an solemn conviction of their sin and danger. There was such a breathing of distress and weeping, that the preacher was obliged to speak to the people, and desire silence, that he might be heard."

Is there anything in the Bible that contravenes the fact — or that discourages the expectation? Why should not conversion be immediate? Is there anything in its nature to lead us to the belief that it must necessarily be a gradual, progressive, protracted process?

Sanctification, we grant, is progressive. But conversion , we maintain, may be instantaneous. Must there be certain stages of conviction — and certain stages of feeling — and certain degrees of knowledge — and certain phases of experience — before a sinner, alarmed by the law — is comforted by the gospel, wounded by one touch of the Spirit, and healed by one look of Christ? We hold to a doctrine opposite of this. We maintain that spiritual quickening may be in a moment. That spiritual life may dart into a soul "dead in trespasses and sins" as quick and powerful as the electric spark!

An individual may enter a sanctuary the slave of Satan and the servant of sin — and believe in the Savior, be wounded and healed, become the subject of repentance toward God and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, through the enlightening, convincing, converting power accompanying a single sermon. The Bible is rich and ample in examples of immediate conversion — let us not affect to be wiser than God's word.

In one moment — Saul of Tarsus was converted.

In one moment — the Philippian jailer was converted.

In one moment — Lydia was converted.

In one moment — Zaccheus was converted.

In one moment — the thief on the cross was converted.

In one moment — the three thousand under Peter's sermon were converted.

All these are examples of the rapid work of grace, which, under the especial baptism of the Spirit and in the exercise of His unlimited sovereignty — may pass within the soul.

The promise, primarily relating to the closing scene of the world's drama, finds yet a partial fulfillment even now: "For the Lord will carry out His sentence upon the earth fully and without delay." Oh, do we not foster in our convinced hearers, rebellion and unbelief — thus keeping them back from the freedom the gospel confers and withholding the glory that faith belongs to Christ — by representing to them conversion as a gradual change — rather than as an immediate and present change; and by dwelling upon the necessity of a protracted conviction — rather than an immediate looking to Christ!

We dare not affirm that all who are truly converted are converted suddenly. We admit the majority of cases are against the idea; that, under the ordinary operations of the Spirit, conversions are ordinary. But what we plead for, is that in the especial and extraordinary baptisms of the Spirit — conversion is, in most instances, of an immediate and rapid character. In proportion to the measure and intensity of the Holy Spirit's presence and power — is the rapidity with which the work of converting grace in the heart is begun and finished.

And should the Spirit, in answer to our supplications, visit our beloved country with His extraordinary outpouring — this will be the type of conversion which will most assuredly come. Before one breath of the "mighty rushing wind," by one blast of the gospel's all-Divine, all-commanding, all-powerful voice — the strongholds of impenitence and unbelief, of sin and self, of the world and of Satan — will in one instant fall, and Christ will enter, claiming for Himself the throne, the sovereignty, the empire of the soul!

My reader, are you a wounded, convinced sinner? Is the arrow of conviction , winged from the quiver of God's Word, by the arm of the Spirit — transfixed in your heart? Then why demur, reason, or hesitate? We confront you with the cross of Jesus, even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness; and as he said to the wounded Israelites, with a yet stronger confidence we say to you, "Look to Jesus and live!"

Nothing interposes between you and that cross — but your unbelief. The atoning blood is shed; redemption's work is finished; the great price is paid; the ransom is found: "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved!"

Oh, if there descended upon you now the same overshadowing Spirit which moved the hearts of the three thousand Pentecostal penitents, and led them to look upon Him whom they had pierced — then in one moment and by one act of faith in the same Savior, you shall drop your burden of sin and enter into the rest to which Jesus invites the weary and heavy laden. "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

We cite the Spirit's work in sanctification — as affording another illustration of His illimitable power. The work of holiness in the soul is pre-eminently the product of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of all true holiness in the regenerate heart. Now, in carrying forward this work of sanctification in the soul — there is no straitness in the Spirit.

What do we mean by this? That such is the power of the Holy Spirit, He can so far mature the work of grace in your soul — as that you shall become transcendently more holy, more spiritually-minded, more godly, more Christlike than you are now. That He can so imbue you with the mind of Christ, so build up the structure of grace — the foundation of which He has laid in your heart — so purify your affections, sanctify your nature, fill you with the love of God, and seal you unto the day of Christ — that you shall stand "complete in all the will of God."

Oh, why is our personal holiness so defective? Why is our standard of entire and unreserved consecration so low? Why is our spiritual knowledge so shallow? Why are our spiritual attainments so dwarfish? Even because we limit the Holy Spirit in the great work of personal sanctification.

Is there a corruption in our hearts — which He cannot subdue.

Is there an infirmity — which He cannot conquer.

Is there an impediment to our growth in grace — which He cannot remove.

Is there a weight that bears us down, or a sin that easily besets us — over which He cannot triumph?

Oh, no, beloved! Then why limit the power of the Spirit in our deeper holiness? Why fetter, limit, and straiten Him? He is prepared richly . . . to anoint us with fresh oil , to scatter to the winds our doubts and fears, to intensify our desires for holiness, our thirsting for God, our longings for Christ, and to replenish us with Himself, "filled with all the fullness of God."

"Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

In the Spirit's revelation of Christ to us — we find another confirmation of His boundless grace. It is especially the office of the Spirit to make us acquainted with the Lord Jesus, "He will bear witness about Me" is the gracious promise of the Savior. All that we truly, spiritually, and savingly know of the Lord Jesus — is the result of the Holy Spirit's teaching. To Him we are indebted . . . for every ray of spiritual light, for every degree of divine comfort, for every spring of holy joy, for every rill of sacred peace, for every precious glimpse of Jesus, and

for every assured evidence that we are the children of God.

And is He not prepared — is He not able — to show us greater things than these? Oh, what clearer, more comprehensive, and precious views of Christ — can He impart to us! Such views of the Savior as will inconceivably . . . enlarge our knowledge of God, widen the scope of our spiritual perceptions, impart a more vivid realization of eternal realities, confirm our faith in the great salvation, and raise us superior to the assaults of Satan and the self-condemnation of our own hearts.

Beloved, all spiritual blessing flows through a knowledge of Christ. Were you to withdraw your mind from the investigation of every other subject and concentrate your whole study upon this great body of divinity — the Lord Jesus Christ — then the preciousness of the result would reward, as the greatness of the theme would justify — the exclusive attention to a subject that will engage the contemplation of the glorified through eternity!

The measure of your elevation above the region of doubt and fear and cloud — will be the extent of your knowledge of Christ. The more distinctly you see the Lord Jesus as your Surety Head — as entirely forgiven by His blood, as completely justified through His righteousness, and as possessing in Him all strength and grace, sanctification and blessing . . . the more perfect will be your peace, the more deep will be your joy, the more bright will be your evidences, the more simple will be your faith, and the more stable will be your hope of glory.

Oh, who can give you these luminous, enlarged, boundless views of Jesus — but the unlimited Spirit of the Lord? "He will take what is Mine — and show it to you."

A deeper baptism of the Holy Spirit will produce like results to those which followed the descent of the self-same Spirit on the minds of the apostles after the ascension of Christ into glory — when a new revelation of Jesus burst with all its deepening effulgence upon the mind. Never did they see Christ — never had they such clear, spiritual, enlarged views of His Person, work, and kingdom, as they had then — filled as they were with the Spirit.

For similar effects we are to look! Hitherto standing but as on the shore washed with the waves of Christ's love — we shall enter into the ocean and descend into its depths . Hitherto, cherishing dim and crude conceptions of His atoning work — we shall emerge from the renewed baptism of the Spirit with more scriptural, enlarged, and settled views of His great and finished salvation. With more luminous conceptions of its completeness , its freeness , its power . . . to neutralize our doubts, to allay our fears, to sanctify our hearts, and to comfort our minds — we shall . . . walk more happily, live more holily, labor more zealously, and anticipate Heaven with more ardent and restless longings!

We feel no hesitation in attributing all that is . . . erroneous in doctrine, depressed in vital Christianity, low in the spirituality of the Church, lax in the walk of religious professors — to a defective and shallow knowledge of Christ and His work — of the Savior and of His salvation.

"This is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

This is what the Church of God deeply needs in the present day — more exalted views of the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus in His personal dignity and His sacrificial work . Let negative views of these two essential points prevail — and farewell to all vital religion in the land! Then will . . . the gospel lose its transforming power, the Church lose its conservative influence, and the world lose the blessing both were designed to impart.

O God! Forbid such a result! What is to save us — but the outpouring of the Spirit?

Oh, what a quickening power will go forth from the pulpits of this land beneath an outpoured Spirit! Then will the ministers of Christ's gospel become as "new threshing instruments having teeth"; they shall thresh the mountains of error, false teaching, and worldliness — and beat them small! Then they shall "make the hills like chaff." Oh, then, let us not limit the Holy Spirit. Let us ask His deeper baptism, His especial renewing, His copious outpouring, animated by the gentle rebuke of God, "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

Nor must we overlook the teaching of the Spirit, as affording another and conclusive proof of His illimitable power. The Spirit is promised as our "Guide into all truth" — and under His immediate and Divine inspiration, the apostle assures us that the Spirit "searches all things, even the depths of God." A teacher with limited capacities of instruction, could not meet our case. He must not only possess the power of conveying instruction — but also the power of imparting the capacity to receive it.

Such is the Holy Spirit. He Himself is acquainted with all Divine truth — therefore He is able to "search all things, even the depths of God." Who but this Divine Spirit is able . . . to unravel the web of sophistry, to unbind the chain of unbelief, to remove the cloud of ignorance and guilt —  by which the human soul is held? No logical reasonings, nor philosophical arguments, nor rhetorical arts, nor moral persuasions — can divest . . . the skeptic of his doubts, the caviler of his objections, or the humble learner of his difficulties — and induce him to receive the gospel of Jesus as a little child. "The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him." "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."

Reader, are you a sincere and earnest inquirer for the truth that is in Jesus? Do you sigh to burst from the thraldom by which error holds you — and from the perplexing doubts by which unbelief enchains you? Bow yourself as a little child upon the teaching of the Holy Spirit — and He will guide you into all truth. He can . . . unlock the mysteries, harmonize the discrepancies, unveil the beauties, and apply the truth of God's revealed word to your mind, and with such power as to . . . emancipate you from every doubt, quell your every fear, and bring your soul into joy and peace in believing!

It only remains that we make an APPLICATION of the leading truth we have been seeking to illustrate in these pages to the subject which more especially suggested it. The Church of God in this land needs yet to have its skepticism and its blindness removed on the subject of religious revival . It is our decided and solemn conviction that this is the "present truth" which the Great Head of the Church is now forcing upon the consideration of His people, in a way that must command their profound, solemn, and universal attention.

The doctrine of the baptism of the Spirit , though revealed to us in the Bible — is as yet a new doctrine to many Christians in this land. We have had the baptism of fire — the martyrs' ashes have sprinkled our land and floated on our rivers. We have the baptism of water — with a single exception, each branch of the Christian Church recognizes and observes the sacred rite. But we have never had, as a nation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit! To this doctrine God, is now impelling our solemn attention.

He comes forth as from the "secret place of thunder" and by the authoritative voice of His Word, and by the touching, thrilling echoes of His providence as from the distant shores of the Atlantic! He confronts and confounds our ignorance, prejudice, and unbelief: "Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?"

There being, then, no straitness in the Spirit, other than that which His own sovereign will imposes — then why should we not look for such an extensive revival of religion, such a national baptism of the Spirit, as that which at this moment prevails in the United States?

That this remarkable religious movement in America is, in its main features, the gracious work of the Holy Spirit — is now generally acknowledged. The most skeptical and prejudiced — the most worldly and indifferent — the most determined and violent opponents — are compelled to admit that upon no natural causes can they account for a phenomenon so extraordinary, and for results so unmistakable. The secular press, and the pseudo-religious journals — Tractarian and Unitarian — which at the first laughed it to scorn and sought to cover it with ridicule — are marvelously changed, and now speak of it with reverence, vindicate its character, and chronicle its movements.

Oh, it is a mighty work, and God is in it of a truth! "Like a mighty rushing wind" — yet as gentle as the evening gale — the Holy Spirit is sweeping over the land, bearing eternal blessings on His wings. As of old, the Spirit of God is now moving upon the face of the land, and society everywhere is receiving a new and Divine mold — emerging from its cloud and depression, arrayed in all the freshness, beauty, and luster of a newborn creation!

Furnished, as the writer is, both with private and public communications from the immediate scene of the great awakening — he proceeds to cull from these reliable sources a few facts and incidents illustrating and authenticating the character, power, and reality of this remarkable movement. The following extracts are from a letter addressed to him by a relative in New York:

"Thus says the Lord Almighty: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord Almighty.'" This was the word given to the people yesterday at one of the grand and now daily gatherings of the people at the midday hour, in the very heart of this large commercial city. The leader of the meeting held in his hand the telegraphic communication, just received from the city of Hartford, in these words: "Brethren, today we begin in this city our midday hour of prayer . Pray for us."

Then there arose a minister just from Philadelphia, who said, "Brethren, the hallelujahs of thousands seem yet to swell upon my ear, as I heard them in the gathering for the midday hour of prayer yesterday in Philadelphia, when your telegraphic dispatch was received and read in the great congregation, asking for united prayer." He said that thousands were at that meeting, and sent up a shout of praise for such a bond of union between the two cities.

Then up rose a young brother of our church, secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, and said, "I hold in my hand letters from ten different cities received today — ministers, parents, friends — telling of the good work going on in their midst, and requesting our Christian care, and visiting of sons and brothers, who have come to this great city to seek the gold that perishes — entreating us to tell them of the gold which shall never canker! The fields are white unto the harvest. Truly it seems, as my beloved pastor said, 'You had but to place your finger here and there and everywhere — the touch reveals springs ready to gush forth from the Fountain of Divine love and life. We live in the dawn of that day, the meridian splendor of which shall cover the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Assuredly this Dayspring on high has visited us!' It was remarked of at the midday prayer-meeting yesterday, 'We believe that the first use of the ocean telegraph will be the transmission of such a telegraphic dispatch as this which we hold in our hand, only dated, London — Paris! '"

"Every day we have an hour of prayer at our church (the Church of the Puritans, New York) for females. There Christians of all denominations meet to pour out their heart's agony for husbands and sons, for brothers and friends! It is often an hour of weeping and strong supplication, and we do feel these prayers have gone up before the throne of God — perhaps to be answered when we are entered into our rest."

"A young man, seeing our church open for a week-day meeting, strolled into it, and yesterday called upon my dear pastor, and said, 'If ever Satan walked this earth incarnate — it has been in my form! But I am convinced of my sin, and wish to lead a new life.'"

"Yesterday our female prayer-meeting was one of praise — for God was doing such wonders all around, that we could not but praise Him for His goodness to the children of men. And truly it does seem as if the very stones would cry out if we held our peace."

"Yesterday was a day indeed to be remembered. A theater was opened as a place of noonday prayer. At twelve the place was filled, there being no more standing room. The venerable Dr. Lyman Beecher, aged about eighty-two, was the first to take his place on the stage, and soon it was filled with ministers and zealous laymen. The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the worthy son of that most worthy patriarch, led the meeting. First, was the reading of the Word and singing. Then a touching request from a widow was offered for her son religiously trained, but having gone far astray. Mr. Beecher himself followed this petition, with a few warm, solemn, loving words of prayer. One or two others succeeded with strong cryings and supplications for the widow's son. Then came a father to thank God in the great congregation, for the birth of a son of fourteen into the kingdom of Heaven. Then a dear youth stood up, and looking around at the hundreds or youthful earnest faces gazing upon him — thanked God for a praying mother, and besought his companions also to declare

themselves on the Lord's side. An aged man of eighty then arose, and, in tremulous yet distinct tones, heard throughout that mighty assemblage — said for sixty years he had served the Lord, and had never seen cause to regret it one day, and he could recommend this God to all around. An inexpressibly touching incident took place. In the pause of a moment, we heard the faint echoes of a hymn. Mr. Beecher came forward and said, 'Hush! Listen! Do you hear that sound? That voice of praise to the Most High God comes from the former bar room!' In an area of a quarter of a mile, some four or five thousand were at the same hour, in the heart of this mammon-loving city, holding up holy hands in prayer. Oh, what a thought!"

"The Lord is doing great things for us, whereof we are glad. The work goes on calmly, steadily, powerfully — without excitement, but like a mighty rolling river. And truly we had need of it."

From published documents which have been forwarded to the writer, the following incidents of the revival are gleaned, without any particular reference to their classification. As an evidence of the elevated point in society, to which this extraordinary feeling has extended — it may be remarked that many members of the New York legislature during the sittings of the body, have been holding meetings for prayer in the capital at Albany, which have gradually increased in number, as they have deepened in profound and lively interest.

Oh, what a sublime spectacle would present itself to this nation, what untold and far-reaching blessings might result — were the members of our Parliament, professing the religion of Christ, to assemble each day in one of the rooms of that magnificent structure, for the purpose of united prayer and praise to the God of this great nation! Why should it not be? God hasten it in His own time!

"In this city (New York) the ground was prepared for a rich harvest, by the systematic visitation of families, conducted under the auspices of the New York Sunday School Association. The religious needs of the city were thus brought distinctly into view, and the prayers and efforts of Christians were directed toward these. But the most efficient agencies in the present work of grace have been the prayer-meeting, and personal conversation with the impenitent by private Christians. No grand machinery of effort at revival has been set in motion; no professed revivalists have been employed; no combinations for union have been formed — but Christians have come together, with one heart, for prayer and praise. Those who have heretofore labored for Christ only by proxy — have begun personal efforts for the salvation of souls. This new development of Christian activity, and of the resources of the churches in the piety and zeal of their individual members, must be of lasting benefit. Indeed, if these efforts shall continue in the spirit of humility and faith — we see not why the scenes of New Testament Jerusalem and Samaria and of Antioch should not be renewed in New York.

"One of the most cheering indications in this wide-spread reformation, is the resemblance which it bears to similar scenes in the early history of the Christian Church . It did not arise, nor is it carried forward, by the agencies which have often been regarded as indispensable. There has been no great movement of the popular mind by the fervid appeals of an eloquent preacher, whose fame might attract thousands to the sanctuary, and thus bring them under the influence of the gospel. But, from the first, it has been sustained and carried on, almost solely, by the power of prayer . The hearts of all Christians seem to have been drawn to the place of supplication, where their united cry might go up for the descent of the Spirit — who alone could save their children, friends, and neighbors. And even the impenitent have not evinced so much a desire to hear stirring sermons from the pulpit, as to assemble with those who will pray for them — that they may have grace to do what they have so long known to be their duty, and yet have so wickedly neglected.

"The more fully this spirit is manifested by the members of our churches, the more nearly will they resemble the primitive Church, and the better will they accomplish the glorious work for which the Christian Church was established. To it, Christ committed those great truths for which He laid down His life, to be nourished in the hearts of His followers, and to be extended by them to all those under the dominion of sin. And it is by understanding and complying with this design of the Redeemer, that Christians will acquire that spiritual power, which is the only true life of the Church. This, fully realized and practiced by all who bear His name — would insure a perpetual revival of religion in our own and other lands, and as a consequence, the speedy coming of that day when Christ shall reign supreme from shore to shore!"

"In Cincinnati , every hour in the day has its prayer-meetings, commencing at sunrise, and ending at bedtime. At a prayer-meeting held at the First Presbyterian Church in that city, a few days ago, Rev. McIlvaine, of the Episcopal Church, said 'My official duties have prevented me from being present at any of the meetings until this morning. In my experience in religious matters, including the great revival of the present century, I have, perhaps, the advantage of the great majority of this vast assembly, extending back, as it does, about fifty-five years. I must say that the present revival is essentially different from all others that I have witnessed in that time — because in them a large amount of human machinery was manifest; while in this revival, human agency seems to be entirely ignored, and the Spirit of God alone, it would appear, is the moving power.'"

We have in these pages ventured some observations upon an immediate work of grace in conversions — as the result of an especial and enlarged outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are fully and solemnly convinced that, when the Holy Spirit shall descend upon our ministers and congregations, as we most devoutly pray, conversion-work will assume a far more characteristic, impressive, and decided type — than that which marks the faint and sluggish work of grace in the present day. The following facts in the American Revival will sustain this view:

"A young man, who had not previously been in a Church for nine years, was induced, a few days ago, to attend the prayer-meeting held in the Thirty-Fourth Street Church, in this city, where prayers were offered for his conversion. In the evening of the same day, he attended a similar meeting in the North Presbyterian Church, Ninth Avenue, where his case was also mentioned, and he was made the subject of special prayer. On the following day he again attended the meetings held in both these places — and on that evening experienced conversion.

"A young man, in a store in Park Place, was met by a stranger, who asked him the question, 'Are you a Christian?' to which on his replying 'No' — the stranger said to him, 'If you will pray tonight, I will pray for you.' Next morning the stranger met him in the same place, and after a salutation, was surprised to learn that he had been converted since the previous day.

"A young man attending a Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn received a copy of the tract-circular of the Young Men's Christian Association, accompanied with the printed card of invitation to the John Street prayer-meeting. A day or two afterward, at this meeting, he introduced himself to a member of the Association and stated that he had experienced conversion through the instrumentality of that tract.

"A law student in this city was handed a tract, by a person before unknown to him, who also gave him a card containing his address. Shortly afterward, the distributor received a note from the student, saying, 'I feel very serious on the subject of religion, and I hope I may be soon converted. Pray for me.' His conversion took place immediately afterward.

"A young man, formerly a Sunday-school scholar, recently received a tract from a gentleman, who enclosed in it a note, with a request to attend someone of the noon payer-meetings. Shortly afterwards he wrote, 'I received your kind tract. I have been often warned of the dangers of city life, and have been trying to come to the Savior. I hope I may soon be changed in heart.' In a day or two afterward he called upon the person who sent him the tract and said, 'I have found God.'

"A resident of New Haven, formerly a clerk in a bank in New York, while on a temporary visit to this city, was converted through the agency of one of the mid-day religious meetings. On his return to New Haven, he interested himself in the spiritual condition of a younger brother, who within a week was also converted. They are sons of a prominent minister in that city.

"A gentleman who is greatly interested in the progress of the revival recently called at the store of a friend to whom he wished to present the claims of religion. His friend was not in; yet he, being unwilling to go away without having accomplished some good, spoke to one of the clerks — a young man about eighteen years of age — to whom he was a stranger, on the same subject, and after a few days was apprized of his conversion through the instrumentality of this conversation.

"A New York merchant, residing in a town in the vicinity of the city, on returning home recently after having attended a crowded prayer-meeting, determined to make an effort for the spiritual good of some of his friends and neighbors. One of these was a man who called himself an infidel. A prayer-meeting was organized, to which this man, with others, was invited; and after several days' attendance, rose on one occasion, and requested that prayer should be made in his behalf. To the surprise and almost astonishment of his acquaintances, he shortly afterward renounced infidelity, embraced the Christian religion, and is soon to become a member of a church. The cousin of this man was recently converted in this city, through attendance at the prayer-meetings, and two brothers and two sisters in the same family have followed his example.

"A young man stated at a prayer-meeting, some weeks ago, that he had just experienced conversion. On being asked what had first arrested his attention on the subject of religion, he replied that it was the reading of the account of the general revival of religion contained in the Tribune of of last Monday."

"Two or three weeks ago, a returned foreign missionary from the Syrian mission made an address to a Sunday-school in Pittsburgh, Pa., in which he said he would put into the hands of the superintendent a little box, made of the wood of a 'cedar of Lebanon,' to be given to the scholar that should commit and repeat in Sabbath-school the next two Sabbaths the greatest number of verses from the Bible. The prize was taken by a little girl, thirteen years of age. About the same time, two members of her class were converted and united with the church; and the ceremony of their admission made such an impression on her mind, that she said that she ought to have been with them. In a few days afterward, she was converted, after which she was suddenly attacked with scarlet fever and died."

The Telegraph and the Revival

The employment of the electric telegraph, as a sanctified agent for transmitting the glad tidings of the work of grace from one city and from one state to another, is not the least striking and interesting feature of this mighty movement. Never was the electric spark converted to a more appropriate or sacred end. Why should not science be the handmaid and auxiliary of religion? Our beloved and honored brethren in America are teaching us a lesson on the use of this the most marvelous discovery of modern science. Let the following facts testify:

"It is not surprising, perhaps, that many of the large number of conversions every day occurring should be reported by telegraph as well as by letter to the friends and relatives of the persons on whom the revival has wrought a spiritual change. At many of the telegraph offices in this city, as also in other places, messages have been sent to all parts of the country, announcing conversions, and that many of them have been exceedingly tender and touching. Some have been as follows:

'Dear Mother, the revival continues, and I, too, have been converted.'

'My dear parents, you will rejoice to hear that I have found peace with God.'

'Tell my sister that I have come to the cross of Christ.'

'At last I have faith and peace.'

Many young men engaged in business in this city have sent such news to their homes in New England. Many of the dispatches mention that letters, containing more full information and details, will follow by mail."

Revival in a Printing Office

"Prayer-meetings have been held daily at one of the large printing offices in this city since the 6th of March, with increasing interest. At the commencement of the meetings there were but four or five converts, with very few participants in the exercises, and now the number ranges as high as twelve or fourteen. The interest manifested at these meetings is very event. One of the recent converts says, 'What are we to expect when printing offices are converted into religions chapels? It is, as far as my knowledge extends, unprecedented in the history of any country, and will, no doubt, astonish many a reader.' As the meetings are held between the house of 12 and 1 o'clock, some of the men go without their dinner for the sake of attending them."

The Revival a Promotive of Temperance

"We have mentioned the revival in New Bedford, Mass., which has resulted in over 600 conversions. As one of the effects of this work, one of the converts, who had been a liquor dealer, stated in a recent meeting that he had renounced the liquor traffic, and had resolved neither to sell nor to drink a drop of liquor. A gentleman said he knew of a distiller in this city, who, a day or two ago, became uneasy as to the condition of his soul. He went to his minister and asked him what he must do to be at peace with God. 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,' was the reply. 'I cannot; I am a distiller,' was the response. 'Well then,' said the minister, you must give up your salvation — or your distillery.' He went home, slept, and in the morning informed his partner that he must give up his distillery and save his soul. This man is now living a different life, believing in God, and trusting in Him to supply all his needs."

Conversion of a Prize Fighter and Trainer of Boxers

"We dropped into the John Street meeting on Friday noon, and enjoyed the pleasure of hearing a few simple, earnest, fervent remarks from the converted boxer, Gardner. He made an unaffected reference to his own recent experience of converting grace, which had so suddenly transported him, while riding in his wagon, from the horrors of conviction to a blissful view of Jesus, that he instantly cried out, 'Hallelujah!' in a tone so loud as to frighten his horse and nearly to have produced a disaster. Said he, 'Yes, I shouted hallelujah then; I shout hallelujah now; I expect to die shouting hallelujah; and by God's grace I hope to shout hallelujah to all eternity!'"

Another: "It seems that the present revival of religion is reaching all classes of the community. I noticed few days ago that 'Awful Gardner,' the celebrated prize fighter, was among the converts, and could scarcely believe it. But what was my surprise last evening, on entering the Baptist Church in this city, to find among the seekers after grace, Old William Harrington, one of the most notorious prize fighters of the day. The man had been here on a visit, and was induced to attend the meetings for several evenings previous, and last night I am happy to say that he professed justification by faith, before the meeting closed. He was heard to say, 'I have fought with men all my life — the rest of it I will fight for Jesus.'"

An Old Man's Prayer Answered

The Rev. Taylor of Newark, N. J., at one of the meetings, related the following thrilling fact as an encouragement to parents to pray for the conversion of their children:

"Many years ago, an old man, a devoted Christian, started a prayer-meeting, which is still continued, having resulted in many and glorious fruits. As a pastor, it was my privilege to be with him, particularly during his last illness. In several visits made to his house, I found him on the mount, looking over on to the Land of Promise. Finding nothing seemingly to mar his comfort or interrupt his joy, one morning as I went to his dwelling (he was a poor man and lived in straitened circumstances), I determined to satisfy myself whether there was nothing that gave him any trouble of heart. On entering his chamber I asked him in simple terms, 'How are you this morning?' 'Oh, Sir,' said he, 'I am well; why should I not be well? I am near home . Yes, I am near home — near Heaven.' I took the opportunity to ask him, 'My dear Sir, has there been nothing of late resting upon your heart as an occasion of trouble?' He spoke not a word, but turned his head over to the wall, and lay so for some fifteen minutes; then he rolled his head back upon his pillow, with his face toward me, and I saw the tears streaming down his cheeks.

'Oh yes, Sir,' said he, 'there is one great trouble.' 'What is it?' I inquired. 'Speak your whole mind to me freely.' 'Well,' said he; 'I have ten children, and I have prayed to God for more than thirty years that I might see one or more of them converted before I die; but He has denied me. They are grown up, as you know, but are not yet Christians.'

'How do you get over that trouble?' I asked. 'Ah,' he replied, 'I get over it as I get over all other troubles — by rolling it over upon Christ. I know that God means to answer my prayers, but He means to wait until I am gone. But He will do it; I know He will; my children will be converted.'

"This man has been in his grave for fifteen years, and I have watched over his children ever since his death; and now today I am able to say that seven out of the ten have been born into the kingdom of God, and that the eighth has also just experienced conversion. This is the answer to his prayer! God did not forget; He only waited; and in like manner He will answer the prayers of all parents who pray in faith for the conversion of their children. Let us, therefore, take courage, and lay hold upon the precious promises of God!"

Young Men's Christian Association — to Parents in the Country

"The Committee on Devotional Meetings of the New York Young Men's Christian Association have issued a circular addressed to parents in various pits of the country, who have children in business in this city. The object of the circular is to gain from the parents the address (either business or residence) of young men who are not connected with the Christian Association or with any of the churches of the city, and who would be profited by a friendly call from some member of the Committee, for the purpose of religious conversation. If any father or mother will send a letter giving the necessary directions, the petition designated will receive a personal invitation to attend the daily noon prayer meetings, and similar meetings held at other hours of the day in various parts of the city, for the benefit of young men. The committee say in their circular, 'Information from any of our friends at a distance, as to what is being done among them, sent to the above address, will be gratefully received by us as tokens that we are remembered, and will much increase our zeal.'"