The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 464

If he restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, confess his
sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that
he has found peace with God. Such were the effects that in former
years followed seasons of religious awakening. Judged by their fruits,
they were known to be blessed of God in the salvation of men and the
uplifting of humanity.
But many of the revivals of modern times have presented a marked
contrast to those manifestations of divine grace which in earlier days
followed the labors of God’s servants. It is true that a widespread interest
is kindled, many profess conversion, and there are large accessions to the
churches; nevertheless the results are not such as to warrant the belief
that there has been a corresponding increase of real spiritual life. The
light which flames up for a time soon dies out, leaving the darkness
more dense than before.
Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to the imagination,
by exciting the emotions, by gratifying the love for what is new and
startling. Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to Bible
truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets and apostles. Unless
a religious service has something of a sensational character, it has no
attractions for them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned reason
awakens no response. The plain warnings of God’s word, relating
directly to their eternal interests, are unheeded.
With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal
things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular churches
of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not
renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing
to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus,
than before their conversion. Religion has become the sport of infidels
and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its
principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from many
of the churches. Picnics, church theatricals,

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