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The Great Controversy
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.”
2
Corinthians 7:9-11
.
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
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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 God. Such were the effects that in former years
followed seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits, they
were known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the
uplifting of humanity.
But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked
contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days
followed the labors of God’s servants. It is true that a widespread inter-
est is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions
to the churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the
belief that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual
life. The light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the
darkness more dense than before.
Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination,
by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and
startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible
truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless