CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

  { PT.  4 } - The ignorant mob persecuted them. But the movement of these few evangelists went on and made itself felt in every part of the land. People were moved and awakened to think about religion. Many were shamed out of their sins. Many were restrained and frightened at their own ungodliness. Many were gathered together and compelled to profess a settled and heartfelt trust in Jesus Christ. Many were converted. Many who at first disliked the movement secretly desired to be part of it. The little sapling became a strong tree. The little creek became a deep, broad stream. The little spark became a steadily burning flame. A candle was lit, and we are still now enjoying the benefit. The feeling of all classes in the land gradually took on a completely different attitude about true religion and morality. All this, under God, was accomplished by a few unsupported, unpaid adventurers! When God takes a work in hand, nothing can stop it! When God is for us, none can be against u...

  CHAPTER  1  -  ( CHRISTIAN LEADERS OF THE 18TH CENTURY )  -  { PT.  15 } - I do not say this boastfully. I know we have many things to regret, but I do say that we could be worse. I do say that we were much worse a hundred years ago. The general standard of religion and morality is undoubtedly far higher now. Nevertheless, in 1868, we are awake. We see and feel evils to which people were indifferent a hundred years ago. We struggle to be free from these evils. We want to change. This is a vast improvement. With all our many faults, we are not sound asleep. On every side there is stir, activity, moment, and progress--and not stagnation. As bad as we are, we confess our wrong. As weak as we are, we acknowledge our failings. As feeble as our efforts are, we strive to improve. As little as we do for Christ, we do try to do something. Let us thank God for this! Things could be worse. Comparing our own days with the middle of the eighteenth century, we hav...