For several days previously, it had been made known throughout the neighborhood, that there would be a field-preaching at Tullyreagh, a country place, about five miles north of Ballymena. The place selected was close to a farm house, and about a quarter of a mile off the main road. When we arrived, a little past seven o’clock, we found the people gathered, and most orderly seated, in a small sloping field. It was thought that there were present about five hundred. A stranger would be surprised to see so large a congregation in such an out-of-the-way place. There might not be a dozen houses within sight. Many of the poor people had traveled several miles after a hard day’s work. On asking how they could make it so widely known in so short a time, we were informed that one way was to make it known in schools, and the children carried the tidings home. The news of a preaching soon spreads.
In passing down the side of the field to where we were to stand, the sight was very touching. Nearly all have Bibles with them. They look serious and in earnest, like people bent on a purpose. The soul’s preciousness—heaven’s blessedness—hell’s wretchedness, together with the love of Christ—the value of His blood—the grace of God—and a present Holy Ghost: all rush into the mind at such a sight, producing deep exercise, and often real conflict. Relief under such felt-responsibility can only be found in looking up. The work is God’s. He only knows the condition of souls before Him. We are ignorant, and must be cast upon Him for what to say, and how to say it. And if it be really so with us, He will give the word, clothe it with power, and make it effectual in blessing. At the bottom of the field, we found a kind of table, or stage, conveniently placed for the speaker to stand upon, so that he could easily see every corner of the field.
Part of the fortieth Psalm having been sung and prayer offered, the preacher took for his text, Luke 18:37,37And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. (Luke 18:37) “Jesus of Nazareth passeth by,” in connection with the cry of the poor blind beggar, “Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” The willingness and readiness of Christ to hear the cry for mercy, from whatever quarter of the multitude it came, had not been long dwelt upon, when a woman near to the speaker became affected, and began to cry out. Several spoke to her, and she soon became quiet. But in less than half an hour, numbers were weeping—several were stricken in different parts of the field, and crying aloud for mercy. There was now something like a general movement in the congregation. Every affected and stricken one requires attention, but they generally receive more than they require. Their touching, pitiful cry to Jesus for mercy creates a sympathy in others, and melts all hearts around them.
It now became evident that a change in the service should take place. Sometimes a psalm, or a hymn, has the effect of soothing and quieting the distressed ones. The noise and stir are too great for audible prayer. We then sang, with the chorus, the well-known hymn commencing with
“There is a fountain fill’d with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains.
I can believe, I do believe,
That Jesus died for me.
Upon the cross, He bowed His head.
Yes, Jesus died for me.”
The effect was what we had anticipated, most happy. A second speaker now addressed the assembly, on the deeply important subject of a present salvation—on believing the truth—receiving Christ—knowing the forgiveness of sins—and rejoicing in a full salvation just now. This is a point of immense importance in preaching the gospel. It has been blessedly revived during the present Revival. “All things are now ready.” There is no need for farther waiting. The first look, or touch, of faith is salvation. The moment that the finger of faith touches the hem of the Redeemer’s garment, divine virtue flows forth from Him and fills the sinner’s soul. There is no virtue in any of us. It is all in Him. So that whosoever toucheth Him, if it be only the touch of faith, it goes to the Saviour’s heart, unlocks its treasures, and immediately a healing, saving, heavenly virtue flows forth, and the fountain of the soul’s disease is dried up. The very source of sin is reached, and every transgression of the life forgiven. All, all-source and stream, root and branch-are forever put away, in virtue of the atoning blood of the heavenly Lamb. “Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace.” (Luke 8:4848And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:48).) “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43).
Numbers of anxious hearers were now gathered closely around the speaker. At some little distance, and in different parts of the field, there were still souls in distress, and praying to the Lord for pardon. The first speaker found his way amongst them, and spoke with them individually. This was deeply interesting work. We heard from their own lips how they were affected both in body and soul. All of them were in a lying position. Some had been stricken before. Some, we found were lamenting, and confessing their past coldness to the Saviour. And so deep were their convictions, that the more tenderly we spoke to them of the unupbraiding love of Jesus, the more deep and piercing were their cries. The heart was like to break. “Oh, I have been ungrateful—ungrateful,” they exclaimed, and, “Oh, my Jesus—my Jesus!” Others were crying for mercy—and some had found it, and were rejoicing.
But in every case, as it was last year, physical prostration seemed to accompany this character of impression. We questioned some particularly, who were not very ill, and they told us, that whenever they were affected, whether when sitting or standing, they were inclined to lie down. Sometimes they fall suddenly. We have observed it begin with rapid loud breathing, the face flushing, the chest heaving very much, the tears flowing plentifully, and, in most cases, with evident internal agony. Some become utterly speechless, and apparently unconscious of all that is passing around. Others express great agony of mind—the hands clasped and raised, and crying earnestly according to what may be experienced within. “Oh, Jesus! Jesus!” precedes almost every utterance of their lips. We observed the same thing both in men and women.
The shadows of the evening had now begun to gather over the field, but the bright beams of God’s boundless grace had gladdened many a heart, and there was no desire to separate. The speaker had concluded his discourse, and all stood up for prayer; towards the close of which, the emotion became more general than before. It was as if a fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit’s power had fanned all hearts into a flame. The speaker’s voice became indistinct. The loud and hearty “Amen” of some—the screams, and the weeping sounds of others, were uppermost. For a few moments we stood silent—overcome, and could only in heart, breathe, “O God, bless this congregation, save every soul in this field by thy grace. Let the balm of Gilead be applied by the Physician there. Let every heart be healed, and all mouths filled with Thy praise.” Two men came forward, and begged of us to give out the fortieth or the twenty-third Psalm, which all the people knew. “By all means,” we said, “if you wish, but we must get in amongst the people.” It was now so dark that we could only distinguish each other when close together.
After speaking with the most of them and giving away a large number of tracts, we parted, reluctantly, with the dear people, about ten o’clock. But, blessed be God, not forever. We shall meet again in heaven, around the person of our Lord, to part no more forever. A bright and cloudless morning will soon dawn. Numbers gathered around the car after we were seated for our journey, and again we joined in praise to God. Eleven long Irish miles now lay between us and home, which we reached, through the good providence of our God, about one o’clock.
This will give our readers some idea of the laborious work of carrying the gospel into these country parts. It can only be done by means of car-traveling at night; the poor people can only be gathered together after their day’s work is over. And the invitations are so numerous and urgent, that those who have a heart for the work will find plenty to do. But the day is near at hand when the Divine Master shall reward “every man according as his work shall be.” “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: verily, I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37).
The following verses, written by a young convert near Moore Fort, after her conversion, in the summer of 1859 will be read with interest, chiefly on account of the circumstances. She fell asleep in Jesus last June.