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FOREWORD

It shall be my purpose in this book to focus attention upon mass evangelism, and to make a candid appraisal of its spiritual values.

I am fully aware that evangelism is a term with many facets. Its over-all meaning has to do with the spread of the gospel of Christ. There are several approaches to this divinely appointed task. Widely used techniques have evolved over the years. But it is an indisputable fact that practically all of the methods used today were used by Jesus and the early Christians. Paul expressed the attitude of the early Church when he wrote, To all men I have become all things, to save some by all and every means.

In well planned revival efforts all known methods are used. In a significant sense a genuine revival marks the climax of the desire of Christians to win others to Christ.

It is my purpose to follow the revival stream from King Josiah to Billy Graham, and to discuss in chronological sequence, the great revivals that have moved the souls of men and kept the church on the march. In my rather extensive reading in this field, I have not seen a book that treated this important subject as I have attempted to do.

It is my belief that a summation of spiritual revivals of all times, given without excessive detail, will broaden the understanding and deepen the appreciation of all who will read the record. It is crystal clear that if the revivals cited had not occurred, our religion would not have the prominent place in the thought and life of men it has today.

I do not pretend that what this book contains will have the attraction of novelty, but I believe it will have reader appeal for all Christians who desire a fuller knowledge of revivalism as it has been expressed over the years.

Deep inside me has crystallized the conviction that the basic concept of revivalism belongs to the divine economy and that it is a fruitful means of keeping religion alive in the souls of men and in the life of the world. This conviction did not form while I was dwelling in an ivory tower. It came while I was in the midst of spiritual conflict. I was converted in a revival. I have closely observed the results of revival efforts in churches. I have served as minster over the years, and I have witnessed the conversion of sinners, as well as the inspirational boosts given to the churches.

I am sending this book forth with the earnest hope that all who read it will re-think and re-appraise revivalism, and that they will become vigorous supporters of this time honored method of making converts to Christ and His kingdom among men.