Edwards on Revivals: A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, and Thoughts on the Revival in New England

A REVIVAL OF RELIGION is a subject of great interest and importance. The phrase has, by common consent, been appropriated to denote a work of the Spirit of God, turning the attention of considerable numbers in a place to the things of eternity, and bringing many, in a short time, to a saving knowledge of Christ. It is merely the success of the gospel, unusually increased. It is the conversion of numbers of sinners in a short space of time. Whatever interest is attached to the institutions of religion, whatever pleasure is felt in the success of a preached gospel, or whatever emotions arise, on earth or in heaven, at seeing one sinner repent and believe in Christ, all these must be heightened and enhanced abundantly at the multiplication of such results, which constitutes a revival of religion. The Savior himself sees the travail of his soul, and is satisfied, when converts arc multiphed, as trophies of his grace. It is only through mistake or misinfomiation, that any who love our Lord Jesus Christ are grieved or alarmed at a revival of religion.

These seasons are as important as they are interesting. They constitute not only the glory and the rejoicing of the church, but her safety and life. In the darkest periods, the church has been saved from utter extinction by revivals. The first preaching of the gospel was attended with powerful revivals. The book of Acts is a Iiistory of revivals. The reformation from popery was almost everywhere accompanied with revivals. There were extensive revivals in the times of the Puritans in England. The early churches in New England had numerous revivals. Powerful seasons of the same kind were experienced in Scotland and Ireland, in the former part of the last century. At a later period, extensive revivals took place in England, under the preaching of Wesley and Whitefield. The revivals which occurred in Amc rica, under the ministrations of PresidcntEdwards and his cotemporaries, were distinguished for striking manifestations of divine power and grace, lumerous revivals in the United States marked the close of the last and beginning of the present ccntmy, both in the east and the west. And from that time they have been regularly growing more frequent, more nmnerous, more powerful and rapid, all over our country, to the present time. The last year was undoubtedly distinguished, above all that have preceded it, since the formation of the Christian church. Never before has the Holy Spirit been poured out in so many places at once; never before has the Lord Jesus gathered so many mto his churches, in the same space, of time, “of such as shall be saved’

X IxNTRODUCTOKV REMARKS.

There is reason to believe, that these displays of divine grace uill continue to increase, till one general revival shall extend over the habitable globe. We are assured of the universal extension and final triumph ot” the gospel in the whole world. We know, from the “sure word of prophecy,” that what we now sec of the progress and effects of spiritual religion, is only a small sample of what is yet to be seen. And we thence infer, that all the revivals which have hitherto taken place, are only the first fruits of the glorious harvest. It is only by revivals that the work of conversion can overtake the increase of population in the world. It is only by revivals that the ministers and other instruments and means for sending out the gospel can be furnished. It is only in this way that infidelity and the love of the world can be made to yield to the authority of Christ. By no other process can the church gain strength and numbers fast enough, to meet the opposition which will inevitably bo provoked by the growing influence and power of religion.

It is manifest, therefore, that the church is to calculate upon revivals of religion, as habitual events, and to consider the duties and responsibilities incident to revivals as her customary burden. Or rather we may say, that the state of revival, the rapid gathering in of souls to Christ,, by the labors of his people, and in answer to their efficacious prayers, ought to be regarded as the natural and appropriate state of the church. And by consequence, the absence of revivals iujphes something wrong in the church, of declension, neglect of duty, sinning against the Lord Jesus Cluist, destroying the souls of men.

It is incumbent then upon the church, to prepare for such a state of revival as we are thus authorized to anticipate. The subject of revivals must be more studied, and better understood. And the spirit of revivals must be more diligently cultivated. What an impulse would at once be given to the study of the art of war, if it were anticipated that the countiy woidd soon be involved in such a calamity. Why should not the science of revivals, and the course of action required in revivals, become a matter of general study hi the church? Ministers have doubtless much yet to learn concerning revivals, the signs of their approach, the means of producing them, the manner of conducting them, the way to guard against difliculties, and to secure the happiest results. And every Christian ought to understand revivals, because every one has a part to act in relation to tlrem. There is a growing conviction in the church, of the responsibility which rests upon every individual professor of religion, in tunes of revival. In tunes of revival it becomes manifest how much the conduct of each one may help or hmder the effect of divine truth. But without knowledge on the subject, no one can correctly perform his duty in relnvals. And unless one understands the principles that are applicable in them, it is impossible he should hb well prepared to act, in the ever-varying emergencies which a revival docs not fail to exhibit. How great the calamity, to prevent or destroy a revival, from not knowing how to act in regard to it! Or to resist and extinguish a real revival, under a mistaken opinion that it is spurious! Or to encourage and cherish a spurious excitement, supposing it to be a gcuubxc work of the Siurit of God! Or to have the

fruits which might have followed a revival stinted or marred, by any imbecile or ill-judged procedures!

With these views of revivals, and of their importance as a subject of religious study, when th.e publishers of the present volume applied to me, last summer, for advice in selecting a book which would be seasonable and acceptable in the present revived state of things, I could think of no one so appropriate as Edwards on Revivals. I was struck also with the coincidence, when on making iiquiry of several individuals, whose opinion in such a case IS of great weight, they spontaneously, and without any suggestion from me, designated the same work, as one which it was pavticulaily desirable to have circulated in the churches at the present time. If any further evidence were needed, it may be found in the testimonials to the value of these writings, which the publisher has obtained and prefixed to this volume. Coming as they do, from ministers of different evangelical denominations, and men who are known to differ in many particulars, the unanimity of their approbation, and the unqualified terms in which they have given it, are worthy of particuand grateful notice. It augurs well for revivals, that a work so full, effi- *cJent, and thorough, should have united such suffrages in its flivor.

Keep reading