Thus then we see that there is abundant provision and opportunity for special seasons of awakening and refreshing, by following the regular Church Year.

We would not, however, claim that, in the present state of affairs, on account of a lack of proper understanding and churchliness and because of the unconscious influence of popular notions, there is no need, occasion, and opportunity for still more marked and general awakenings.  The word of God speaks of “times of visitation,” “times of refreshing,” an “accepted time,” a “day of salvation,” “thy day,” etc.  There are times and seasons when the good Lord draws especially near to sinners to convert and save them; times when His Spirit manifests Himself more fully in the Church than at other times.  In His own wise Providence He brings about and prepares the Church for such time.  Thus, when, from causes noted above, the Church grows cold and languid, He sends afflictions of various kinds.  People are made to realize the uncertainty and unsatisfactoriness of the affairs of this life.  By losses, diseases, bereavements, or bitter disappointments, God seeks to wean them from their worldly idols.  He brings them to reflection.  They “come to themselves.”  They are ready to recall and hear the Father’s voice.  They are willing to hear the long neglected Word.  They go to the house of God.  They listen eagerly.  The Word finds free course.  There is no wilful resistance. It drops as the rain and distils as the dew.  It does not return void.

If now the pastors and people know this “time of visitation,” if they realize that it is a “time of refreshing from the Lord,” not gotten up by human expedients, they will quickly respond to these gracious indications.  Whether such times come in connection with the communion and Festival seasons or not, special provision ought to be made to gather the quickly ripening harvest.  It is sometimes well to make provision for special services.  There may be a series of special sermons.  The preaching must be, above all things, instructive, a plain and direct setting forth of the Way of Salvation.  The appeal must be first of all to the understanding, and through it to the heart.  The exhortations and invitations must be based on and grow out of these instructions.  The great themes of sin and Grace, and the application and reception of Grace, should be set forth with all possible simplicity and earnestness.

This preaching of the Gospel and instruction in the way of life should not be confined to the pulpit.  The wise pastor will give opportunity for all inquirers to meet him privately, or will seek them out to tell them the way of God, as it relates to each individual case, still more plainly.  This will be a true revival.  Only let the churches discern and use the times, when “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”