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Andrew Murray
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 A Ministry dedicated to preserving the truth and accuracy of the infallible Word of God. |
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| The Revivals Page 23 | |
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Return to Revivals Main Index >> The Revivals "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" Psalm 85:6 Before they had finished, from the far end of the seam came the strains -- in a rich bass voice -- of "Guide Me, 0 Thou Great Jehovah" In a moment everybody present was singing this beautiful hymn. Never did it sound so impressive as deep down in the bowels of the earth that morning. A dozen colliers of all ages testified at once, and prayer followed prayer in quick succession, when in a truly "encircling gloom," the men sang "Lead, Kindly Light," many of them swinging their lamps; one marveled at this great change that had come over these men whose usual occupation before starting work was singing comic songs and indulging in coarse jest and vulgarity. The ponies walking between the curve lines on their way to the workings seemed amazed at the strange sounds and scenes. A brief address in Welsh was delivered by one of the men, who appealed for those who were on their way to glory to show lamps. Hundreds were hoisted aloft, and a few remained on the ground. The owners of the latter were immediately objects of pity and prayer. All went on their knees and sang, "For you I am praying," and as it was time to commence work, the Benediction was pronounced, the men marching to their work, singing "Throw Out the Life Line." Mr. David Davis, the manager of this pit, told me he had not heard one of the men swear for over three weeks -- a remark-able thing indeed. This scene is only one, typical of many that are daily taking place in South Wales coal mines, and at which many men are being converted. Help From The Established Church As to the Welsh revival and its results, our Cardiff correspondent telegraphs that the movement for removing friendly society gatherings from public-houses to other premises has resulted in definite action at Treorky. At Six Bells, in the Valley of Monmouth, the converts under Mr. Sidney Evan's ministry, include the captain of a tug-of-war team, who rose and said that he had been a "waster" for sixteen years, and that people now said he was mad. "Thank God, I shall have heaven for my asylum, and Christ for my keeper," he replied. A Pontypridd student has gone to Worchester to conduct a mission. Pembrokeshire is also being leavened with the same spiritual intensity, and at a Pembrok Dock service a father was so affected by the surrender of his son that he also joined the converts. In Cardiff the work continues, and a converted gambler thrilled all hearts by his account of how he was about to cast himself into the Thames when thoughts of his mother checked him. The Established Church is daily becoming more closely linked with the revival. One of those who has aided Mr. Roberts is the Rev. F.T. Webster, of All Souls', Langham Row, London. Beyond question, the Church and Nonconformity in these counties have got into closer and kindlier contact since the revival. This week it was a unique sight to see the clergyman of a parish voluntarily take second place at a burial service, the whole of the service within the church being conducted by a Baptist minister. Mr. Jones, pastor of Moriah Chapel, Loughor, where the revival fire first kindled, has resigned, practically as a protest against the late hours of the services. Mr. Jones believes the services should be shortened. For the sake of the young people they should not, he says, go beyond 9 or 10 p.m. The most remarkable mission seen in the Potteries for many years has concluded at Hanley. Gipsy Smith announced that during the mission 1,500 people had been converted and over 600 temperance pledges had been taken. Reports By Ministers In British Weekly
Rev. G. Penar Griffiths, "I must confess that I find my-self amazed at the great and glorious change which has come over my dear old land and nation in such a short period, because change it is, with the Divine Hand effecting it. For some time I kept a watchful eye, and felt rather doubtful of the spontaneity of the movement; and not until I had spent two hours in one of the most inspiring meetings at Gorseinon did I come to believe that it was from above. I spent four more hours in that wonderful meeting, leaving the chapel and the crowd at one o'clock in the morning, never to question for a minute who had kindled this fire in the heart of my dear people. Divine! Yes, like the rainbow in Revelation. Think with me of the results in this order. "1. General Aspects. We have very much more quiet in our streets, homes, works, and public places. The language of the people is greatly improved. To compare with what we had been accustomed to,we seldom hear foul language, where nothing but the foulest of it was used a few weeks ago. A tone of sincerity and great seriousness has possessed the people, as if they had at last realized the importance of life. At the same time, it is not sadness that reigns. There is a deep sense of joy -- real joy -- to be found where frivolity and indifference prevailed before. "2. Christian Spirit. In this we have witnessed things which are miracles of grace. I personally know people who had been con-firmed enemies, and for many years, to have sat down prayerfully to write letters seeking one another's forgiveness. Enemies have embraced each other in public services. People remembered their old debts to tradesmen, and hasten to pay them. The fever heat of worldliness has ceased to burn on the brow in the coal pit and in the market. Severe masters talk to their men, and deal with them more kindly. Conscience asserts itself more decidedly in capital and labor. "3. Conversions. All over our land is spread abroad news of hundreds upon hundreds being saved. The scenes which we have witnessed baffle all description. "4. Church Life. Here the influence is quite as strong, to say the least. People throng to chapels on Sundays and week days. There is the greatest readiness to take part in the service. No one need be asked to pray or speak; people get up uninvited. But, sir, what amazes me as much as anything is the wonderful aptitude displayed by each. Men and women, young men and maidens who had never before en-gaged in any public service, pray and speak with wonderful propriety. This is really a thing to won-der at; and the new ideas -- ideas that were never expressed before --they could be quoted by the dozens. Oh! it is wonderful. Lend me your good old British Weekly to say that I thank the Lord for being spared to see it. We have all ceased to be shy for Jesus Christ. We have passionate interest in men." Will the results be lasting? Yes. Because (1) it is the young man's revival; (2) the Bible is resorted to more than ever; (3) it has given us the very thing we were eagerly searching through all the years --joy. It is sanctified joy. At last we have had it in its highest form.
Rev. H. Cernyw Williams, In reply to your inquiry, I can say that, so far as the revival has affected our church, it has been a great blessing. The same may be said of other churches in the town and district. It is a common sight now to see the chapels crowded at a prayer-meeting. The absent Thomases are once more in their places, where they meet the risen Saviour with His benedictions. The slow of speech have become eloquent, and the timid have grown bold. Those who have been praying in secret for some time venture to pray in public, and the careless and indifferent have been thoroughly roused. Some of us have been expecting a revival for some time, and had predicted when it came that it would affect the young people, and so it has, so that much latent power has been developed. Many pledges have been taken, and it is largely a temperance reformation. I believe the utmost care should be taken to guard against the perils connected with the movement. Meetings should not on any consideration be prolonged until very late, and we ought to see to it in time that this new force should be utilized for righteousness and truth. Converts must be directed to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby. |
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