A MODERN REVIVAL

The appearance several years ago of a religious cult which incorporates into its system certain methods tending to arouse the emotions has called forth justified criticism. Labelled with the attractive slogan, "How to get real religion", its banner has inveighed many into an active participation. Then, as soon as these innocent volunteers have entered the intricate labyrinth, another's authority is sufficient to compost their personal surrender--their setions and duties, no longer in their own control, are said to be ordained by divine will.

This new type of impassioned revival has swept from place to place, from college to college. Princeton, where the first headquarters were set up, was the first to banish all exponents of the new system. Not long afterwards also suffering from a similar agitation, Oxford students issued a loud and trenchant warning against what they believed harmful to the best interests of the University.

Although thus far Harvard has been free from disturbances of this nature, evidence is plentiful that the cult is still established. Student meetings, held in college dormitories at regular intervals, are presided over by recognized leaders. Within only the last few days, while the founder of the new cult has been paying a brief visit to the University, the organization has received a test of its strength.

When emotional religion is carried to so great an extent, it Borders dangerously upon the fanatical. Manifestations of Providence can too easily be misinterpreted in the light of human pleasure to be at all times a trust-worthy guide. To a college student, moreover, whose experiences are more or less apt to be limited, the camouflaged nature of the revival meetings present an attractive outlook; when, however, all his thoughts become interpretations of divine will, his mind can scarcely be receptive to the more tangible facts of education.