REVIVAL IN CENTRAL CHURCH AND STRAIGHT UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS.
W. S. Alexander, D.D.
We have occasion to bless the “Evangelical Alliance,” which, under the Divine direction, introduced the observance of the “Week of Prayer.” It has been with us every year a period of religious awakening. Its coming is anxiously and prayerfully anticipated. Through the month of December our prayer meetings were tender and earnest. The thoughts of the people seemed centered upon the longed-for presence of the Holy Spirit and the “Week of Prayer,” as the gate-way to a glorious experience of spiritual refreshment.
The first week in January was marked by growing earnestness on the part of God’s people, but no real case of inquiry among the unconverted. The second week brought some to the “mourners’ seats,” but no important break in the ranks of sinners. We all felt that the Lord was drawing near. The congregations greatly increased until the audience room was entirely filled. The third week of our continuous services was exceedingly precious. The Holy Spirit came in power. The truth preached in great simplicity was owned of God in the awakening of nearly one hundred souls. On many occasions thirty were on the anxious seats, weeping and calling upon God for mercy. From these seats on two successive evenings nine persons arose and said they felt the assurance of forgiveness and a change of heart. During the five weeks of continuous services 66 professed hope in the Saviour, of which number 25 were students of our University. From our family of boarding students at Stone Hall eleven were brought under conviction, who have joyfully consecrated themselves to the service of the Saviour.
It was a very tender and impressive scene where among the “inquirers after God” were so many of our bright, mature students. We hope most earnestly that they all may be strong for God and everything that is good.
On the first Sabbath in February, 81 were received to Central Church on profession of their faith, and on the two succeeding Sabbaths four more, 35 in all. I mention, as a fact showing the prevalence of infant baptism, that of the 35 admitted on profession only nine received baptism, the remaining 26 having been christened. Our friends in the North will be glad to know that of the nearly 100 awakened and the 66 converted only six manifested any undue excitement, and but one of the number had been an attendant upon our church services. The church is stronger in every respect. The average attendance upon our Sabbath services is larger by nearly 100, and there is every indication of a steady and healthful growth.