Andrew Murray 
The Dearth of Conversions 

THE British Weekly of 10th
December had a leading article with the title, “Mark Rutherford on the Dearth
of Modern Conversions.”

After quoting from the novelist, the writer
endorses his opinion that conversions of the old fashioned type are becoming
rarer: “In churches that are both prosperous and enterprising, and whose praise
is in all the land, conversions, of the old order at least, are unknown.”

In answer to the
question, “Can any explanation be rendered of the fact?” he reminds us of the
influence of the Christian home, as leading men into the Christian life without
any abrupt transition. He speaks of the shadow of Darwin resting upon the
messenger of peace, and leading men to expect more from slow evolution than
from a sudden change. “The spiritual expectations of the Christian Church are
restrained by the accepted idea, or at least the expectations, of those who
give the keynote to the temper and religious enterprise of our times.” Materialistic
views of sin have a share in hindering both effort and expectation.