Narrative of a Recent Visit to Ireland
Table of Contents
Narrative of a Recent Visit to Ireland: Part 1
Soon after we went on board the steamer at Greenock, we found several passengers, from different parts of Scotland, on their way to the scene of the "Revival'' in Ireland. We moved off at eight o'clock precisely. The evening was fine, but it soon became too dark to trace the bold outline of the beautiful scenery on the Clyde; still, it was sufficiently light to make walking and conversation on the deck very pleasant.
The revival, in the North of Ireland, and in the West of Scotland, was the general subject talked of. All seemed greatly interested in it, and disposed to speak about it. Those who had seen, or read, something of it, were free to communicate what they knew. An important point, immediately connected with the revival, became the subject of an interesting conversation.
It was plainly stated by several, who took part in the conversation, that the pressing need in Ireland, at the present moment, is a calm, clear, full statement of the gospel of the grace of God. Exciting preaching, which acts on the feelings, and leads the awakened one to be occupied with self, is most injurious. A soothing, instructing, peace-giving gospel, is the character of truth needed at present. There is no balm for a sin-sick soul, like the precious blood of Jesus. The Holy Spirit Himself is evidently at work in the present movement. He is awakening many to a sense of their need as sinners, apart from the instrumentality of preaching. And when that is the case, nothing will meet the felt need of such, but the love of Jesus, and the work which He finished on the cross. All other remedies will only increase their anguish. Several other points connected with the work of the gospel, were happily, and we trust profitably conversed upon. By and by the company began to retire, but the deck was not cleared until near twelve o'clock.
By the good hand of our God upon us, we reached Belfast, a little before five o'clock the following morning. We found the sailors quite free to speak about the revival in connection with their own line of things. We spoke to some of them as to their own individual salvation, and gave them some tracts. We then got on to a car for the Ballymena railway station. In speaking to the carman about the meetings in Belfast, we found he had been at some of them, but had little apprehension of their spiritual importance. We spoke to him about the Savior, and gave him several tracts, which he promised faithfully to read.
As we had nearly an hour to wait for the six o'clock train, we had an opportunity of speaking to people at the station. One of the porters on the platform said to us, "There is a wonderful change come over this town, Sir. Where there used to be nothing but drinking, and swearing, and fighting, there are prayer meetings now. And as you go along the street of an evening, you hear psalm singing everywhere." The police told us, substantially, the same thing. We felt it well to avail ourselves of every source of evidence, as to the genuineness of the work. We had no difficulty in introducing the subject of religion to any one. All seemed impressed by what God was doing in their midst. In the railway carriage it was the same.
Through mercy we reached—-about nine o'clock.
After breakfast, and the usual questioning of the children on scriptural subjects, the bell rang at ten o'clock precisely, for the morning meeting. This was to us a deeply interesting meeting. It is composed of the family, farm-laborers, and neighbors. A large room, in the stable yard, has been fitted up to accommodate upwards of a hundred persons. It was well filled every morning, but crowded on Lord's day morning. Then, they meet at eight o'clock, as many who attend have several miles to walk to their different places of worship. The number of conversions in the immediate neighborhood, and the earnest desire of many now to hear the word, have increased the importance of this meeting. The gospel was preached. All were deeply interested. The Lord has wonderfully blessed souls there. It was most refreshing, and gave wondrous joy to our hearts, to hear from the lips of so many, that they were now happy in Jesus, and saved by His precious blood. At twelve o'clock, the children of the Sunday school, met in the lecture hall, to receive their annual treat. This was a most blessed sight, viewing it as the fruit of the love of Jesus in those who were now seeking the spiritual and the temporal good of all around. About two hundred children were feasting very happily on the good things of this life, and waited upon by many kind and godly friends. Oh! what has the Spirit of Christ done here! so many poor, humbly-clad children, thus cared for, thus treated with such kindness. The Lord's own name be praised; His grace has done it. Here, we had an excellent opportunity of conversing with many who had been "stricken;" for the Lord had done a great work in this place, and was still working. Three days after this, in the same room, we were present when three persons were "stricken," besides witnessing many under deep emotion, and the greater part of the large assembly in tears. This lecture hall was fitted up by the same kind friend as the other. It accommodates about one thousand persons. On a Lord's day evening, when the gospel is preached, it is generally well filled; sometimes crowded. After the dear children had partaken heartily of the abundance that was placed before them, they were addressed and questioned on the solemn subjects of the soul's salvation, and on what fitted us to feed on the rich provisions of God's love forever. For many of their answers, we felt truly thankful to the Lord. The Lord bless, a thousand-fold in every quarter, this work of faith and labor of love. Surely this is beginning at the right time. But as a detailed history of even one day's conversation, visiting, and preaching, amongst those dear and interesting people, would fill up more than our space, we will condense our remarks under distinct heads, and endeavor, briefly, to give the substance of our nine days' sojourn in the scene of the revival, and amongst the young converts.
I. As to the character of the work. We were fully and deeply persuaded, from what we witnessed, that the work is truly divine. That it is directly, and manifestly, a work of God's Holy Spirit. Doubtless, much of human infirmity, acted upon by the subtlety of Satan, may be mixed up with it. But after making large allowance for such things, there still remains a great, a glorious, a blessed work of the Spirit of God. No one can deny it who visits the scene for himself, and we cannot understand how any one can doubt it, that knows the preciousness of Jesus. It is more than a quarter of a century since some of us knew the Lord, and during all that time, we have never tasted such unmingled joy, as in seeing the grace of God shining so sweetly in such numbers of men, women, and children. We had many opportunities of conversing with the converts themselves. Most of them had been " stricken;" but many of them had been awakened, and brought into peace, through deep exercise of soul, without any outward manifestation, or prostration of body. Several were brought to Christ while we were there. Some were " stricken;" but we felt convinced that more were gathered without any outward manifestation. And that a real, deep, blessed work of God, was going on in souls. The morning meeting, which has already been referred to, gave us an excellent opportunity of speaking, from time to time, with those who were exercised.
No feature of this blessed work of God's Spirit, struck us more forcibly, than the uniform testimony from the lips of the young converts, that they were quite happy in the love of Jesus. None of them seemed to have the least doubt on their minds, as to their own, present, personal, salvation. Not that they had much intelligence as to the value of the sacrifice of Christ, which is the alone ground of peace, but they had confidence in Himself, and in the power of His blood to put away their sins. They have, in some quarters, a habit of saying, "one drop" of the blood of Jesus is sufficient to put away all our sins. They mean to put honor on the blood by this expression, although it is not a Scriptural one. To us, who knew something of their state of mind before this blessed awakening, this testimony was the more surprising. We were only the more fully convinced that the work was God's, and, in a great measure, accomplished outside of man's instrumentality. No tongue or pen can adequately describe the joy of heart we experienced, in hearing so many, young and old, confess, with joyous countenances, the Lord Jesus, as their loving, gracious Savior. Their confession, substantially, may be summed up in these beautiful words, " He loved me, and gave himself for me." The name of Jesus is the grand attraction to their hearts. And this universal acknowledgment of Jesus as their one object and delight, proves, beyond a doubt, that they are led by the Spirit of God, whose mission into this world, is to testify of Jesus, glorify Jesus, and lead souls to confide in Jesus. The church is gathered round Christ as its center, and the Holy Ghost is the alone power of gathering to that divine center. " For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt, xviii. 20.) Not, observe, where two or three, " gather" or " meet," but " where two or three are gathered." This beautiful action of God's Spirit in many of the young converts was manifest to us. We could see that Christ was the object of their new life, and the center round which they were gathered. Many of them, alas! had not the knowledge of this blessed truth. The instincts of the new life often go beyond the intelligence of the soul that possesses it. But what an honor and a privilege to be helpers of their faith and joy!
May the Lord lead His precious lambs to receive instruction from the lips of those who are taught, and led by the Holy Ghost!
(To be continued, if the Lord will.)
Narrative of a Recent Visit to Ireland: Part 2
2. As to the fruits of the work, in the testimony and ways of the converts themselves. These are so numerous, and so various, that it is difficult to make a selection. It was manifest to all that the majority were quite decided for Christ. They evidently loved the Savior, and delighted in that which bore the stamp and savor of His name. Their love for each other-their desire for the word, for prayer, and the various religious meetings, was great. Many of them manifested deep concern for the salvation of others, especially for their own relatives, and traveled far to speak to them about their souls. Indeed, this has been one of the principal means used of God for spreading this blessed work. We will give a few select cases under this head, which we met with at Moore Fort, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Newtown-lhnavady, Ahoghill, Ilasharkin, &e.
At an early period of our visit we called to see one who was lying ill. We found her in a very peaceful, happy state of mind. She knew that she was in the Lord's hands, and was happy to leave herself there. Her mind was at rest. A blessed state indeed for a sick disciple to be in. We trust it had its proper effect on our own hearts. After being fairly introduced, we asked a few questions, such as,
" And has the Lord made you truly happy in Himself?"
"Indeed, sir, and He has, glory be to His holy name. I am perfectly happy in Him now. Quite content, I can truly say that."
" But now that you are unwell, are you ' quite content' with what He is doing now?"
" Oh, yes, sir! glory be to Him! If it be His will, I am quite content to be here. I am perfectly happy. He can soon raise me up if it be His holy will."
" Yes, surely, that is quite true, and I suppose we should pray, not so much to get better, as that we may learn the lesson He is teaching us. But now, tell me, what is it that makes you so happy?"
"Oh! it is Jesus, the blessed Jesus! I have nothing but Him. But we don't need any more. He has put away all our sins by His precious blood, and He will never leave us."
"But now, are you quite sure, that He has put yours all away?"
"Quite certain, sir, I have no doubts whatever. He loved me, and gave Himself for me, I have no doubts at all, glory be to Him."
We were truly delighted with our visit. What can be more refreshing to the soul, than to hear a young disciple, meekly, but firmly, expressing her adoring love to Jesus, her perfect confidence in His precious blood, and the full assurance of her salvation in Him. A neighbor, who had followed us in, told us of the Lord's grace to herself, and to nearly every member of her family. In the presence of such wondrous grace, we united in prayer and thanksgiving to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies. We afterward learned, from a dear sister in the Lord, that the sick one we had been visiting, had labored so hard in seeking to lead souls to Jesus, that it was thought she had overworked herself. She had been most zealous, from the time she was stricken, for the conversion of others.
Sometime after, we called to see a carpenter, who had, before his conversion, been a most profligate character. He was w ell known throughout the whole neighborhood as a " heavy drinker," and as guilty of many crimes connected with that dreadful vice. After going on for many years, in different places, in his evil ways, a grief and a pest to all who had anything to do with him, he at length became thoroughly sickened with himself, and knowing well, that every one else was, he determined to put an end to his degraded, miserable life. He wrote a letter, which was to tell the awful tale of his soul's wretchedness, and where his body would be found. He started for the fatal spot, but, oh! what pen can write the riches of the Lord's mercy to his soul! When on his way, an arrow, from God's own quiver, plumed with love, struck his conscience, and he fell prostrate to the earth. Oh! what grace! what pure, unmingled grace! What a rescue! Delivered from the hands of Satan who was leading him straight to the gulf of hell; he is now in God's hands and alone with Him. The fearful guilt of an awfully wicked life is now revealed in the light of an awakened conscience. Oh! what anguish of spirit-what prostration of body! Thus was he found by those, whose feet the Lord directed in that way. Soon after, his eyes were opened to see the Lord's love to his soul, and the cleansing, peace-giving power of the blood of Jesus. But such was the effect on his body, of this great moral change, that he lay in bed, nerveless and powerless, for a week.
When we saw him, he had returned to his work. He spoke to us calmly, and happily about the Lord's goodness. And to several questions which were asked, as to forgiveness, he stated in the plainest manner, that he believed his sins, which were many, were all forgiven, and that he had peace with God. He expressed a desire to obtain some gospel tracts, that he might give them away to others. He told us that his desire now was to spread the truth, and he did not know any way he could do it so well, as by distributing tracts. And as his house was a good distance from the workshop, he had good opportunities by the way.
A parcel of tracts has since been sent to him. He is now received into Christian fellowship. Oh! " is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?" To the Lori alone be all the praise and glory given. Reason may speculate, but faith can only worship in the presence of such mercy. What a monument of the grace of God to the chief of sinners! When Egyptian pyramids, granite columns, and brazen statues shall have crumbled to dust; the brand plucked from the fire, washed in the blood of Jesus, and made whiter than snow, shall stand on the plains of glory, throughout the countless ages of eternity, the monument of redeeming love. These are the only monuments that shall never decay. May the Lord raise up many more such, to shine in His grace, and to reflect His glory, forever and ever.
Within a stone's throw of this man, there lived another, a coachbuilder, whom we visited. His character was very similar to the one described, with this difference, however, that his circumstances were better, and his power of evil thereby increased. He was in the habit of blaspheming the Revival, and mocking even those of his own family, whose hearts the Lord had turned to Himself. After a week's hard drinking and rioting, during which, he had squandered about ten pounds, he reached home on Sunday morning, having been refused admittance by more than one public house, on the same morning. The time for the evening meeting came on. He had not been in a place of worship for many years. His wife and child intreated him to accompany them to the evening service. " I thought," he said to us, " I would go just to please them, for my wife, I am sure, was broken hearted with me. When we were sitting there, something came over me, I trembled, and was deeply impressed-I lost all power over myself, and fell down; but being next to my wife, she caught me, and my head fell into her lap. I was taken out, and brought home, and from that day to this, I have been a completely changed man."
" You believe then, Mr.-, that the Lord met you that evening, in the riches of His own grace, and saved your soul?" "
" I do, indeed, sir. I have no doubts. If you knew what I was before, and what I have been since, you would wonder."
" You have no doubt, then, that your sins are all forgiven -that you are saved now, through the blood of the Lamb?"
" Thank God, I am very happy in Jesus. I believe He is my Savior. 1 trust in Him; but I know I have a great deal to learn."
Thus did this once-desperate character quietly talk with us, in his own counting house, about the mercy of God, and the love of Jesus to his soul. AH seemed reality. We could only bless and praise the Lord, and heartily wish God speed to the beloved lambs of His flock. Surely, if they are dear to the heart of Christ, they ought to be dear to ours. O, that we bore them more on our hearts before the Lord, and prayed more earnestly that He would preserve them from the numerous temptations that are in this present evil world.
In a neighboring town we visited two blacksmiths and a tin smith. They had all been " stricken." One of the blacksmiths, while speaking of the Lord's mercy to his soul, turned round, and, pointing to the middle of the smithy-floor, said, " I was stricken there, while going about my work. No one was speaking to me at the time, but I had been at a revival meeting the evening before, when a great many were stricken. I felt much, impressed, and wondered what all this could be. I could not get it out of my head all the evening; and when I awoke next morning, it was the first thing I thought of; and in the forenoon I was struck down myself."
This, we found, was the experience of many. Having been deeply impressed and solemnized at a meeting, especially by others falling down and crying for mercy, they continued to be filled with the scene until they were themselves stricken. The three smiths, who live within a few doors of each other, expressed to us, the fullest confidence as to their present, complete salvation in Christ. It was a strange, a new, a glorious sight—passing from one smithy to another, and hearing that class of men speaking warmly and affectionately about the love of Jesus, His precious blood, the goodness of God, and the wonderful change that had taken place in their habits of living. We could only exclaim, What hath God wrought? Who but Himself could turn a smithy into a sanctuary!
One of these smiths said to us, in the course of conversation, "Were it not for my family, sir, I would go and preach to sinners everywhere about the love of Jesus. A very little would serve me, and I could trust Him for that. I am thankful for my family too, out they tie me to this place."
" That is quite right,-; but you may have many opportunities of preaching the gospel here, in your own town, and in your own shop."
" Yes, indeed, thank God; and I think I have spoken to nearly every one that has entered my shop since I knew Jesus for myself."
Surely, these are happy and blessed fruits of this great Revival-this great work of God's Spirit. Many more might be given, but these will so far prove the reality and genuineness of the work. Such a class of men are the least likely of any to be affected by influences short of the direct agency of God's Holy Spirit. Surely the fruits thereof are to His glory. May He ripen such by His grace, and add to their number a hundred fold.
3. As to the results of the work in general. A thousand witnesses might soon be found in any of the districts we visited, ready and willing to testify to the happy and blessed results of the movement in many ways. We found the unconverted as free as the converted to acknowledge this. All say that there is a wonderful change on the face of society. The public houses are greatly deserted, and the town halls and meeting houses, are crowded daily, with anxious inquirers after the way of salvation. So that the results are positive, as well as negative. Not only are bad habits given up, but good ones are followed.
As it is universally admitted, that intemperance is the fruitful source of crime, suffering, misery, and disorderliness, of all sorts, we will give a few facts on this point, which prove a great deal. We were informed by a medical gentleman of long standing in the neighborhood, and whose information was from the first source, that drunkenness had greatly decreased since the Revival commenced. In proof of this, he stated the results of his own observations in the course of his professional visitations, and also, " that there was a deficiency of four hundred pounds, in the excise duty, on the sale of strong drink, in the Coleraine district, during the month of June." Surely this is a great and glorious fact as to the social improvement of the district. Such a deficiency in the revenue, proves a decrease in the consumption, of nearly one thousand gallons. A public house keeper, in Coleraine, stated to a person connected with the press, " that on Saturday, the first weekly market day, after the revival commenced, there had not been a measure wet in his house the whole day." Others, we know, were in a similar condition about the same time. These facts speak for themselves. It is the Lord alone that can empty the taverns, and fill, with thirsty souls, the tabernacles of His grace.
4. As to the effects of the physical features of the work. The features themselves have been so much spoken of, that we need not say anything on that point. The effects of these physical manifestations in many instances, have been of the most blessed kind. They have been felt in the assembly and neighborhood, as the voice of God, the blowing of the silver trumpets. The loud, piercing cry for mercy, of the stricken one, has a most touching, thrilling, solemnizing effect. Preaching, exhortation, or familiar discourse, fail to affect the heart, and alarm the conscience, as does the piteous wail of a soul in anguish, under a deep sense of sin. True, the Spirit could use the former as well as the latter, but such has not been His way in the late Revival. But it will be said that mere nature will sympathize with the cry of distress. That is true, happily true, thank God. But He has used the cry of the stricken ones to reach the consciences of others, and awaken them to a sense of their need, as sinners in His sight. So that numbers are brought under the deepest convictions of sin, when preaching is completely interrupted. Then an unmoved person, or a tearless eye, could hardly be seen in the whole assembly. Generally speaking, when the neighborhood has been thoroughly aroused, and a deep interest awakened in spiritual things, the cases of striking have decreased in number, though the real work of God may be deepening and spreading. The end has been gained by means of striking, and like the "sign gifts" in apostolic times, it passes away.
But O, dear reader, has the blast of that silver trumpet no other sound in our ears? What, if it be sounding, at the same time, the solemn midnight cry, " Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." (Matt, xxv.) Are we ready? Are we longing and watching for our Lord's return? Are our lamps trimmed and burning brightly? The mere lamp of profession will not do in that day; there must be the oil of heavenly grace in the heart.
Soon, soon, that cry may indeed be heard, "Behold, this Bridegroom cometh." " It is high time to awake out of sleep......The night is far spent, the day is at hand."
What meaneth, think you, this new, this strange work in our day? Since this year commenced, The Lord Himself has entered the gospel field, in the majesty and power of His own Spirit. Whole districts have, as it were, sprung into new life-have put on Christ, and are rejoicing in Him. Thousands of hearts and tongues are this day celebrating His worthy praises, who, but a few months ago, scarcely knew His name. And by what means, you may ask, has this wonderful work been accomplished? Without means, we answer, in the ordinary use of that word; excepting, that in most cases, it has been accompanied by a spirit of real, earnest prayer. The Lord has done it Himself. The tardy and cumbrous machinery of man, suits not the speed of His Spirit now. He it: rapidly gathering out His own, perfecting His body, the church; and surely, ere long, He will be here Himself. " Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Lord Jesus, come!
Nor let us longer roam
Afar from Thee, and that bright place
Where we shall see Thee face to face.
Lord Jesus, come!
Lord Jesus, come!
Thine absence here we mourn;
No joy we know apart from Thee,
No sorrow in thy presence see.
Come, Jesus, come.
Lord Jesus, come!
And take thy people home;
That all Thy flock, so scattered here,
With Thee in glory may appear.
Lord Jesus, come!
(Continued from page 197.)