little company hold on in united, persistent prayer, "nothing wavering," until the windows of heaven are opened.

The disciples at Jerusalem continued in prayer about ten days, before they received the promised power from on high. It does not appear that the meeting, with so many ministers in attendance, attracted much attention, until the disciples were fully anointed, and filled with the Spirit.

They could have accomplished but little had they preached and labored without this preparation; but as soon as it was received, the multitude were drawn to the place in great numbers, and were confounded when they saw the power that rested on those Galileans; a new power attended their preaching. This work commenced with those believers, and spread with great rapidity all over the country.

So it must be with all who would labor successfully in leading souls to Christ; they must tarry at Jesus' feet until they have power with God; ·

then they will have power with men. The gift there received will be with them wherever they go, diffusing its sweet and holy influence, and God's work will be revived, and sinners converted.

I have observed, for nearly forty years past, that the secret of success in promoting revivals of religion is in having our own hearts filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is not enough for those of us who preach, that our sermons be able, sound, and well delivered, or that we preach what are sometimes called revival sermons, and that we also visit and converse with men about their souls' interest. It is not enough that the church be aroused and go to work actively for a revival: all this can be done, and but few souls be saved. Nothing can be a substitute for real “ "power from on high." No amount of study or talent, no effort, however untiring, can take the place of the fullness of Christ's love; "Not by might, nor by power [human], but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”

I have known ministers to preach, and their churches to unite with them, day after day, for weeks together, for a revival, and yet very little to be accomplished.

The failure was not because the Spirit was unwilling to work with them and bless their efforts, nor because a continued meeting is not of divine appointment, but because they had not the needed power with God.

I am often invited to assist pastors and churches in a series of meetings, with a view of gathering in the multitudes, "who are unreached by the ordinary means of grace." Important as it is to reach this class, I have never found any way of doing so, or of reaching the unconverted in the regular congregations, until Christians were filled with the

Spirit, and humbled in the dust in agonizing prayer.

The multitudes flock to the house of God, when Christ's children enjoy the fullness of his love, and no more complaint is heard about small congregations, and little interest in the subject of religion. For this reason, it is usually quite as well to commence a series of meetings with a small assembly, and in unpleasant weather; since, under such circumstances, the church- at least some portion of it

will be more likely to get fully into the work, and have power with God, than when the congregations are crowded, and the surroundings more promising.

So clear has this point been to my own mind for years, I have said to the pastors and churches with whom I have been called to labor, that, if there was not a revival of religion, I should not complain of the church, but take the blame mostly to myself, believing that if I am right and have power with God, others will feel that power, and sinners will be converted: there will be a revival.

Let me say, then, to pastors and to the churches: If you believe the glory of God demands a revival in your midst, and you desire to be instrumental in advancing the work and bringing sinners to the Savior, first see that your own hearts are thoroughly melted and subdued, under a deep sense of the condition of lost men, and that you are filled with the Spirit

and constrained by the love of Christ; then get a few, if you cannot more, to meet with you, and pray with and for one another, until, like those who prayed with Peter and John, you are all filled with the Holy Spirit: then expect a powerful revival of religion. Barnabas was "a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith," and, as a result, "much people was added unto the Lord." Do not seek to produce an undue excitement in the community, neither be afraid of as much interest as was manifest among the people on the day of Pentecost.

In your prayer meetings have a definite object in view. If you desire an immediate outpouring of the Spirit, ask God for that; if the fullness of his love in your hearts, let that be the burden of your prayer; if the conversion of a friend, agonize for that whatever you desire, look for it at once. "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." If you would have a great blessing, ask for it in faith, in Jesus' name. The Father has nothing too

good or great to give for his Son's sake. Jesus is the pledge of all that Infinite Love can bestow, or that we can receive. "How shall he not with him also freely give us all things."

If, in your judgment, you need some one to assist you for a few days or weeks, secure such aid, but

do not rely on any human arm; make any special efforts you think needed, but rely chiefly on having power with God in prayer yourself. Human instrumentalities must be employed in the conversion of sinners, but the excellency of the power is of God.

One of the divinely appointed means for promoting revivals of religion, is, at suitable times, to hold a series of meetings for days or weeks together. Among the other departments of ministerial labor, the Savior appointed evangelists to assist in these meetings, whenever and wherever they might be needed.

In the days of Nehemiah, we find Ezra, the priest, on a pulpit of wood, which had been made for the occasion, engaged in a series of meetings, which continued for many days. Ezra and those who assisted him read and explained the word of God one fourth part of the day, and spent another fourth in prayer and confession of sin; in this way they continued the meeting until there was a great revival of religion among them, and a marked reform in their habits and manner of living. Neh. viii. ix.

The apostles also, after Christ's ascension, held a meeting about ten days, with a large number of ministers present. "These all continued, with one accord [day by day], in prayer and supplication