Geo. B. Ide. - Edward N. Kirk. — Robert Turnbull. — J. D. Clark. S. D. Phelps.-H. Harvey. - Wm. Hague.— Trials. - Much of the Time away from Home. - Distrust and Prejudice. - Necessity of saying "No." - Parting with Instances of such Meetings. - Churches prepared to receive 239 BRINGING IN SHEAVES. CHAPTER I. "HOW CAN I BEST PROMOTE A REVIVAL?” ANY pastors, who have been unable to secure the needed help in holding a series of meetings, write me, requesting an answer to this question : "How can I best promote a revival of religion?" Others, with whom I meet, are saying, "It has been many years since we have had a revival in our town, and I am half discouraged I know not what to do." — Frequently the remark is made, "Our congregation is small, and but little interest is manifest in the subject of religion; if you can come, do not be in a hurry to leave us this is a very hard field." For these and all other laborers who desire to know my views concerning the best means of promoting revivals of religion, and with whom I can not converse in person, the thoughts, in this brief chapter, are specially written. A revival of religion, like a fire, must begin somewhere: "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" A fire often begins with a little match, and works its way through the combustible material about it until it has swept over a wide region. The great fire in Portland originated with a fire-cracker. So a work of grace often commences with a single Christian never with the whole church. As soon as that one Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, he goes after others, to lead them to the Savior, or to induce believers to join him in efforts for a revival. Jesus fulfils his promise, "Lo, I am with you;" and others are soon moved and melted, and the work begins to widen. So that whoever would promote a revival of religion should begin with his own heart, and pray, and confess, and believe, until he feels his heart all subdued and melted by the Holy Spirit, until his love to Christ is glowing, fervid, burning, and until he finds himself groaning over the lost condition of men, and, like Jesus, being in an agony, prays more earnestly. --- Then, when his heart is in this state, let him get a few, if he cannot many, to join him in special prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit. Let that |