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AND MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY AND TO THE Ministers, Office-Bearers, and Members OF THE CANADA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. BY A MINISTER. MONTREAL : Printed by John C. Becket, i8o St. James Street. 1874. — FOR — SYSTEMATIC SVANQSLISTIC WORK. --—noi^o e . filad tidinusof " Tliiips of Hefrcshinji" reach us from many lands. God hearing prayer: The old words are having a new iulfilnient : " And it lall come to passs, that bofore they call, I will answer ; and while they are 3^et speaking, 1 will he.jr." Unbelieving cavils are receiving an unlocked for ftnd glorious answer ; and all the faithful are glad. The ehurch rejoices in fultitudes born into the Kingdom of (Jod. The hearts of God's people in Canada are stirred. Hope and expectation rule the hour. Wo ask, why should not we also rejoice in the " plenteous rain" wherewith God's heritage is revived in other regions? Can we do nothing to bring this about, ^v'e can pray. We have access to the same ■ource of infinite blessing. Our prayers can reach the same ear. And we have the same sure promises which invite and encourage our supplications. * Can we do nothing else ? Arc there not invaluable lessons taught by the methods pursued in the work of grace in Britain ? Methods, which have beeu, and are now, bo distinctly owned and ble,<»sed of (jod. Can we not give qurselves to more earnest andeao„se in the world And yet people make themselves believe they are buiU^mg the church ot God, when they know nothing at all what they are about, and are utterly unable to give a reason why they are doing as they do, or why one thini' should be done rather than another. There are multitudes in the church who never seem to suppose that the work of promoting revivals of religion \* one that requires study, and thought, and knowledge of principles, ami skill in applying the word of God, so as to give every one his portion in season. And so they go on, generally doing little or nothing, becaust! thev are attempting nothing — and if they ever do awake, go headlong to work, without any system or plan, as if God had left this part of our duty out ot the reach of sound judgment and good sense." These are somewhat hard words. But they are spoken in love by their «iingle minded author. They did, and do yet, characterize a too prevalent I'ault ; one which our discussion may fcelp to correct. The finst thing we have to say in favour of Systematic Evangelistic work \> IT IIA.S IJEEN TRIED. The General Assembly's Scheme of the Free Church of Scotland, whicL has been in operation evtr since the disruption, is just a scheme of sys'ematir Evangelistic work. It might form a model for work in Canada. Th* ministers of the church arc sent two and two to appointed localities, tc spend about three weeks in daily Evangelistic labour. The scheme arose in this manner : In the Assembly of 1544-, Dr. Charl.'^ J.Brown preached a memorably impressive sermon. Deep emotion, even to tears, pervaded the whole Assembly, An interesting conversation en- sued ; and then the following motion was unanimously passed. " The General Assembly being deeply impressed, as in the sight of God, with a sense of the sins and .shortcomings of the ministers and elders of the churcli in their holy callings, and recognizing the voice of the great head of tho church in his providential dealings with her, and in the spirit which he has been pouring out on her, whereby ho has been pleased to awaken some measure of concern as regards the past and present fruits of the ministry, as well as longing prayers for the revival of vital godlinesss in the church and land, do desire, with profound humiliation, and in reliance en the great strength cf Almighty God, solemnly to devote, dedicate, and consecrate anew themiSelves and their fellow-laboureis to the service of God, and his holy purpose of glorifying his great name, in saving gouls through tho preaching of tl'C truth, and the operation of the Holy Ghost." Seldom has the power of divine truth been more signally manifested than during Dr. Brown's sermon on that Tuesday. Under the solemn impression produced, the Assembly agreed to this motion. But it was needful that something practical should follow. That some work should be done. To work, then, the Assembly addressed itself. The W^ than another, hen anything low not what and know as how to build in the world he church oi 1 are utterly :iy one thint: n the churcli I of religion is •inclples, and is portion in because tlioy ong to work. • duty out ot love by their too prevalent :olistic work '\> fchcmc for systematic evangelistic effurt was devised, and at once set in i(|)p«ration. Solectinj; those who were deemed fittest tor the service the ,iphurch sent them abroad over all the land. Summer after summer these icn went forth into the towns and villages ; some to the southern borders, ind some to the Ultima Thule of Scotland, the Shetland Isles; some to the 'agricultural regions, and some to the mining districts ; so that all the needy parts of the land uiii,'ht be penetrated by this peculiar and stimulating agency. The fruit of these summer evangelititic excursions has not been imall. Much of the awakening which has been manifested subsequently, in many different places throughout the land, lias been traced to this ^iBvangelistic work as the ^iced and beginning. For thirty years now this •^eheme has been in operation. Sometimes as many as eighty diflferent 'Reputations have been sent out in the course ot one summer. The field %nd the labourers were prepared and ready for the great work of grace now |iolding on its majestic course. ■i The kindred churches at home have now also begun to give their attention to this evangelistic work, and to c!«.rry on systematic operations. The testimony last year, with respect to the Presbyterian Church in England, is altogether in favour of these special effort.?. It was to this etfect. In ilmost every instance they have met with the most marked success. In ithe large cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, and others, they were accompanied and followed with-the richest spiritual blessing. In London jtland, whicli of systematic lanada. Th* localities, tc ,Dr. Charl.^ motion, even versation en- ssed. " The God, with !i of the churcl; head of the which he ha,< iwaken some he ministry, the church en the great d consecrate od, and his through the Seldom has during Dr. on produced, That some itself. The ;they are carried on largely, and with the most encouraging results. Again, ^e hear that the Presbjterian Church in Ireland, have now also begun, with ''lomc vigour and system, to use this means for the furtherance of the interests pi religion. And that, at the very outset of their operations, they have ^cen favoured with nothing short of a revival of religion in Belfast, and in ipome country region.s adjacent. All this was before the manifestation of '^he present wonderful work of grace. But what a special preparation for it -%his persevering and systematic evangelistic work formed. ;| Now, these are simple facts. And they surely indicate our course in t^auada, and •iucour-ige us to enter on it. Even here, in isolated instances, the same work has been followed with the most blessed results. Wo have purselves seen, repeatedly, an era of more abundant blessing, open before a |oogregation, in connection with such a special elTort. The body of the People raised to a higher standard of spirituality, and entering on a more ctivc and fruitful christian course. I We plead for the church giving her.solf to tlii.s work, because, by so doing, ;^lie takes advantage of the constituted and appropriate means to produce a Ifcvival of religion. What is it that we aim at in Systematic Evangelistic fork ? Specially to gain a more earnest and continuous attention to the truths the gospel. ^Vo count on this beiug secured by the series of closely ollowing services, and that tiic truth, having a i'air and full hearing, .shall ave its proper power and influeuco. We aim at — CONTlNUOfriNES.S OF 1M1'11Ee>SU)N, Wo, are not much in love with tiiat phrase, but it may do for want of a otter : Impressions are often made in the ordinary services of the sanctuary Ivhiyh fade and die because not spiicdily renewed and followed up. We ti have thouaands of intermittent impressions, thousaDd.s of cases where the heart is touched and softened on the Lordi^ day, and hardened again during the working week. Now, might not special and Systematic Evangelistic work enable us to avoid this grief and loss ? The very aspect of the times seems to call for this work. It is a time ot immense earnestness and pressure in all things. Busincds is a greater tnx on every physical and mental power than ever before. Never before has there been such keen and restless competition in every department. Even among the multitude of working men, the steam engine makes our great establishments scenes of the most absorbing activity. There can be uo thought except of work, work, amid the rush and din of the heaving factory. But while the de uand of worldly business on body and brain nears its maximum, there is a tendency abroad, to abridge to a minimum, the oppor- tunities of the preacher of the gospel to recall the minds of men to higher interests. We would not dare, in these days, to attempt the thorough, well- rounded discourse, to which a past generation could listen with patience. Some thirty minutes is now considered the orthodox time fur a sermon. Many are impatient when we exceed that narrow limit. But all this goes to deprive us of a fair and ade(|uate hearing for our message. That one half hour in the week, — and with many one service represents their whole usual attendance on the means of grace, — that one hall hour affords but a meagre opportunity for all we need to do : and even that is subject to fatal abatements. For, what can we expect to do in such ;i space of time when, for six days before, the minds of our hearers have been made a common thoroughfare by the concerns of worldly business. When we have them before us there is a worldly attitude of mind to rectify, an earthly crust to be broken through, before we can fairly reach them Humanley speaking, how certainly must many un impression made before the close of that one service, be swept helplessly away by the return of the worldly tide, and bring our hearers before us again at the week's eid as ill prepared as ever to hear with profit. Under this system the preacher of the gospel is at a disadvantage, it goes directly to foster that worldly absorption, to strengthen that grasp ol the world on the soul, which he strives to undo. What can we do to help ourselves, and to help our hearers ? Can we not break in, now and then, on this hardening worldly routine, and insist on a fuller and more thorough hearing and consideration of our message? If we cannot have this on one day, let us have it on successive days, when our hearers can come with impressions still fresh, or which may be renewed by a word. The impression that the might of becomes continuousy not intermittent ; and then we see gospel which is the '< power of God unto salvation." " A revival of religion," says Finney " is a purely philosophical result of the right use of the constituted means, — as much so as any other effect produced by the application of means. The means which God hath enjoined for the production of a revival, doubtless have a natural tendency to produce a revival. Otherwise God would not have enjoined them. But means will not produce a revival, we all*know, without the blessing of God.' This idea is a favourite one of his, and he presses it home most earnestly. He will have it that Systematic Evangelistic work is no more than the proper ynd |esult id van 1>igh. lacs where the again during Evangelistic X is a time of a ;;reator ttix or before has mcnt. Even kes our great 'e can bo uo aving factory, •ain nears its m, the oppor- iieu to higher lorough, well- rvith patience, or a serniOD. iariug for our ^ one service -that one half ind even that lio in 8Ueh h era have been ness. When to rectify, an reach them. njadc before return of the k's eid us ill vantage. It that grasp of ve do to help and then, on )re thorough this on one n come with \c impression light of that ical result ol' other efifect lath enjoined y to produce t means will iod." Thi> nestly. He the proper nd most effective use of the constituted means to secure the desired insult. It is ours to use these means in circunintances of the greatest Advantage, and where nothing may hinder tlieir native influ nee. Wo must Aonsidor the ordinary rules of cause and effect, and with a sound judgment ,*uide ourselves by thos'o, looking above, always, for tiie bles&ing from on ■* TUE PROFIT TO MINiSTEUS. This is another reason wherefore we plead fur the ehureii entering cm a bourse of system;* ,10 evangelistic work. It is an advantage lor a minister to be thrown off the track of ordinary routine, and to be called to exerei.se his ministry in circumstances different from those of his usual course. We lire apt, in the course of ordinary work, to fall into a prolessional jittitude of mind, and to work only according to rule. There is an attitude :,Df mind in which we deal with divine truth in the abstract. Even when We preach on such practical topics as conviction of sin, rej)entanee toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we may deal with them abstractly, us doctrines; discussing them before our hearers, yet not touching them personally. It is a different thing when we try to deal, let us say, with conviction of sin, not as an abstract doctrine, but in the concrete form of H burden of trouble and lear on an awakened soul. There is then both an expansion and correction of our ideas. When we deal with it not as a .doctriiiey but as a /act, we are wonderfully helped in giving the truth its lull practical power. % ^«ow, the ordinary routine of ministerial work tend.s, somewhat, to fostor ^he professional feeling, and beget that attitude of inind ; kcuping us a )ittle way from our hearers. A series of evangelistic services tends directly to correct that, bringing us nearer to our hearers. The work begets the Jeeling that our preaching is a matter of business, wherein Wo transact, or fcicek to transact, the most momentous business with each hearer personally. As the late Kev. J. Milne, puts the matter very well. •' There is, at such ^imes, a fervour kindled by a distinct grasp of its object as present and Immediately attainable. The hearer comes expecting that we shall call on him to repent immediately and turn to God ; conversion is in the mind both of preacher and hearer.'' This change of feeling, and attitude of mind, is Jan immense help to any minister in reaching the true style of preaching, and in enabling him to give it the true tone. '■ One sign of this is the felt unsuitableness of written and read discourses at such services. We should almost as soon expect to see a physician come ito the bedside of a fever-patient, and take out a carefully studied and fully iwritten thesis on the disease, and begin to read that as his instructions what |to do. The circumstances will not suffer this. He must deal practically with |the particular case. He must be able, by considering the symptoms of the ipatient, to say what is best to be done tor him. He linds a considerable I difference between studying the matter in books, and at the bedside of the Msick. And so is it with a preacher in the experience of evangelistic work. f There may be some topic which wo find must be taken up. We may have f'-^n carefully prepared discourse upon that topic, the fruit of study, and a . large use of books, >'ow, it is almost certain that we shall feci dissatisfied 8 with the diucourw,, and be reluctant to deliver it to tlic |»coplc, word for word. Points which eost us prcat labour wo shall I'eel inclinod to drop as nccdlosH ; others, formerly overlaid, shall come out into prominence. IJkc the clinical experience to the physician, so is this to the minister of the i;ospel. Moreover, the true topics of the preacher begin to bulk more largely in our view, when we fjjrapple so directly with our real work. We are apt to lorRct that all ofher departments of our work are Kubordinate to that of tho ambashatior, when v c come in Christ's name, beseeching:; men to be reconciled to God, and not cointing our work done until wo see this business comple- ted, and have them at peace with God. In our ordinary ministerial work there is ro m for the cxpo>ition of the scriptures at larj^e, and for the inipjirtinjr of an immense fund of information, historical, social, or scientific. \n this way whole books of Scripture may be taken in course, and all tiie various matters on which tney touch receive a due consideration. But, in ( vangelistic work, vou take your place, specially, as an ambassador for Ohrist ; and you feel constrained to i^ive yourself wholly to the ambassador'.s lunction and work. This takes its place as the work of the hour. The concentration of mind and heart on this, the peculiar function of the gospel minister, has the l»e>t uf all effects in cxaltini; in your esteem the special work {^iven you to du uiid iu bei^ettiuj^ within you tlie true spirit and mind of one who comes to men as the mini.stcr of Christ. In bbort, evangelistic work uivcs a thorouj:,hly practical turn to all we do. ^)ur labour instead of beinjj; mere professional duty, becomes a matter of bu.sinet.H, to be settled if possible then and there. The etfeet of this cannot but be marked and beiioticial on the whole tone and spirit of our mini.sterial work. A di.stinct aim gives force and power. AVe begin to dit'Cern a new meaning, or at least new depths of moaning in the design of the office we hold and the function wc discharge. We discover a new power in that great instru- mentality we U.SC. The preaching of the gospel appears now, in very deed, as the power of God unto salvation. We learn to love more to proclaim that livintr word, whereby it is well pleasing to God that men s^hould be saved. There is nothing better to give us i.' more thorough knowledge of the intrinsic power of this means of grace, or to beget the true tone in all our preaching, than a course of earnest, and .svstematic evangelistic work. THE .^ItV.VNTAGE TO TIIE CHRISTIAN i'EOl'LK. For their sakes we plead for .'systematic evangelistic work. There arc many among them who desire to see the work of God revived, and the church cmbucd >vi»h a new life and energy. Indeed, it is not in the heart of anv man, possessed of vital religion himself, to bear patiently to sec a .spirit'of slumber or apathy as a characteristic of the church, lie will be constrained to cry to God to revive his work. This holds true of every living christian soul. A true spiritual instinct leads to this. But the prayer, *' wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee,"' is often offered up in a very general and formal mannor, with little hope or expectation of being immediately heard and answered. iSow, if, at such a time, special evangelistic work is begun to effect, by God's blessing, the very end for which they arc accustomed to pray, a groat 1 •'if i i 9 )Ic, Word for 1 to drop as lonce. IJkr lister of the >rc largely in 'c are apt to ) that of the bo reconciled ncBd comple- iiSterial work md for the or scientific. , and all tiie 9a. But, in Dassador for imbassudor's hour. The A' the gospel I the special •it and mind to all we do. a matter of this cannot r uiini.stcrial t>cera a new ffice we hold rreat instru- deed, as the II that liviuir d. There is iiLsic power cliiut^, than There ;mc cd, and iho 1 the lieait y to see a lie will be ue of every Bat the ^e in thee."' [tie liope or eflfect, by ray, a greal chnnce is at once perceptible in the ppirit of their prayer.^. ['A]\>rt i.s now f combined with prayer : n bcconiini; and blessed combination, Instead of hindering prayer, this helps to give it point and fervency. On the effort put forth the heart is fixed, and the earnest cry for the divine blessing upon it is drawn forth. When prayer is thus concentrnted, and directed on or« point, if it is true prayer at all, with faith in the power and willingness of (Jod to grant what we seek , then u high degree of hope and expectation \a begotten. And this repcts on our prayers to make them more earnest and importunate. We cannot imagine a more certain, or more beneficial result, of th«» simple initiation of an evangelistic effort in any church o" congregation, than the impulse and concentration which it must give to the desires and prayers of God's people. The gift of spiritual blessintr, the refreshing of his heritage, and the conversion ofsinncrs, are just tho.se I' '• rs which God delight.^ • to bestow. Thc.sc are given in the use of the niea of grace. When we have such faith in God as to set about the n ore diligent u.so of the means appointed to convey the blessir. the very '■"'ort is a '^■- constant prayer. Hope ne^w begins to stand vxpectant raith grows. ;y Fleaits gifiv with a new fervour, kindled by a distin* grasp of the object as present and immediately attainable'. I I "ssibly, our want of preparation, is one grent luudrance to the revival ' of religion. Unbelief stands in the way. But when we begin to work v'ith the distinct and definite purpose of reviving the church, when »ve f"ki* /^ steps to stem the tide of prevailing worldliness, and break in on spiritual % :ipathy, we eat do nothing better for the purpose of bringing God's pe(>plc into the proper frame to receive a blessing from on hlgli. When they arc j^ prepared to receive, God is ready to bestow. We arc ii<^t -straitenid in ,: liim. Evangelistic work, initiated in any church or congregation, would be ;, nbundantly repaid in its effect on God's people, in preparing them for tl)t' i blessing. When they ore awakened to more anxiety and desire on behall' I of the unconverted, and made to realize more clearly their responsibility I in connection with the matter, that is a revival. And it will not stop there. \, When water is poured on them that are thirsty, it is certain to overflow „ upon the dry ground. As an appeal, then, to the hearts of God's people. I as a means to draw zvt their desires, and give concentration to tlieir I prayers, and as a help to awaken hope and expectation of an inimediatc I blessing, we plead for evangelistic work. Many a time it has d'ne for a I church or congregation more than all this. Besides, it is often in connection with such work, that christian men and women realize their personal responsibility to labour for Christ, and perma- Inently rise to a higher standard of duty. Work for Christ, the personal ef- ort to win sou's, exerts the most beneficial influence. This matter is brought ; before members of the church in a more distinct and practical form thaji ' usual, in connection with an evangelistic effort. Their minds are directed 4 specially to this aspect of their duty as Christ's people. Blessed results v have often followed. Sometimes they have been raised up, not only to a i higher standard of duty, but to a higher measure of spiritual life and ' enjoyment. They have become, as they ought to be, like the springs ol" ^(T 10 water in the nud: ^ of the people, a source of new life and refreshing to all' around. THE INFLUENCE ON THE WORLD. This i.s another reason why we plead for Systematic Evjn> it is the preaching of the gospel. The earnest and eager prosecution ol that work, becomes us well, as the ministers of Christ. Worldly men cannot but see that we are only attending to our special business, and seek- ing, without hope of fee or reward, for their good. Would it not be :i strength to the ministry to take up such a position before the world ?. The effect on worldly men cannot but be good. The very novelty of any special effort, of a series of evangelistic .services, draws the attention of the many living in carelessness. A certain amount of interest is excited '". thf community, in which they share. They may scoff' about making such .1 to-do. But we have an ally in every human conscience, more or less sensitive to the appeal these services make, that men should attend to the things which concern their eternal peace. Should there be some amoni: them, and we believe there are always many, who under a smilinsr, careless exterior, cover up within the canker of a mind ill at ease, these meeting- have a voice which can hardly be suppressed or resisted. In numberles- instances they have been drawn to hear, and to receive the truth in the love of it, to the saving of their soul. These special services, besides, form a distinct ground on which God .- people may plead with their unconverted neighbours. It may be, it should be, their grief, to see them utterly given over to the world, perhaps they have neither the courage nor tact to bring spiritual and eternal things fairly before them. They fear to try. Will, here is an effort made to reach tho very objects of their anxiety, and to Min them from sin to God. How easy to give the invitation to come, even to press them. How few could say that it was beyond their power to make the attempt to bring to the place ot meeting some worldly, unconverted neighbour 1 There is this, at least, to be said. If hitherto you have shrunk from direct dealing with such an one, an evangelistic effort makes the duty as easy as possible, and gives you thi best of all openings to begin the work. There can be no mistake about th duty I Bi shall desisrn of such services. An invitation to attend them has all the signifi 11 freshing to all ijcllstic VV^ork. iire, to careless ; tO}2;ether, and is likely to ht- liey can hardly ring loeling' in Our for otliff roll, or for the Sod with every combine morf for the defenct' ic work is not ^'ith respect tn fpecial busine!-> prosecution ol Worldly men noss, and seek- uld it not be :i world ?. novelty of anv tention of the excited '•. the making snch ;i more or le^s attend to the some amoni; lilingr, carelesr* hese meetings n numberless ith in the love ! eance of an entreaty to attend to ibe business of their eternal salvation. Thus, by such an effort, the cliiMren of God are not merely quickened to iuty with respect to the world, but the way is made plain to do something, it gives them their opportunity. I But, enough. We hope this plea may gain serious consideration, which Ihall result in faithful action. Last year an earnest, thoughtful writer, in Jtingland, di-cussed the ni.ittor of Systematic Evangelistic Work. After describing the services, detailing a;lvantai:es, and reciting many encouraging facts, ho closed with this sentence. " The church that acts on this plan fiiithfuUy, energetically, and perscvcringly, loill he the church of the future.^' ; Doubtless it shrill be so. For, notwithstandir^g the talk of the present day about the church of Christ not being sufficient fur the aire, and the gospel becoming effete, there is, after all, no power in tlie earth, at tliis inoment, which can work with such effect on the minds of men, and produce such marvellous results, as the preaching of Christ, the wisdom and j)Ower of God unto salvation. The church, whose ministers and members are most thorouglily pervaded with the Evan;re!isiic spirit, is the church which shall take its place first of all in every element of true power and progress. This spirit pervading a church can laugh to scorn the depre- ciation of unbelieving men ; and, in the conquests which it must make, it can more than answer all their unbelieving cavils. New, would that our own beloved church in Canada were wiSe to mark the time. Would that phe might take the place that befits her; and, with all tne piwer of her .^admirable organization, concentrate her energy to become the great Evange- listic agency for this wide Dominion. which Gods f be, it shouldj perhaps theyj I things fairly i 3 to reach the^ d. How easy could say that the place ot- at least, to bei jch an one, anj gives you tliei ake about the ill the signiti-