“At the Heart of the Revival.” — It is distressing to think of the darkness and ignorance of the simplest gospel truths displayed by earnest, sincere, and devoted Christian men, as the following extract from a pamphlet bearing this title recently sent to us reveals.
“A lady attending one of Mr. Evan Roberts’ meetings gives a translation of what he was saying, supplied by a young girl sitting at her side: — “He says that if we would have Jesus save us, we must save ourselves first. He says that we must leave off the drink and all that is bad; he says we must pray, and we must work, we must work hard. He says if Jesus Christ is to save us we must work along with Him, side by side, or, he says, the saving will never be done.”
How this fits in with the teaching of Scripture it would be hard to say. God’s Word says, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).
It is deplorable to think of the utter ignorance of God’s way of salvation displayed in teaching of this nature. But what can be expected when we remember the state of unbelief reigning in the theological colleges of our land? Professors of divinity have their time so fully taken up with rationalistic criticism of the Bible, that they have no time to search into its precious mines of spiritual wealth. In many cases the teachers of the young ministers are themselves unconverted men, selected for their responsible posts upon the ground of classical knowledge, and quite regardless of whether they are saved men or not.
And yet God in His sovereign mercy is saving souls by the thousand in Wales, in spite of all the darkness and ignorance. Will not some who know the gospel well be moved of God to go and preach it? It is a solemn thought that God is using zealous, though unintelligent, Christians, whilst many who rejoice in the light of clear gospel teaching, and believe it to the salvation of their own souls are nevertheless standing “all the day idle.” It is a day of glad tidings — let us not hold our peace. ED.
DEAR MR. EDITOR, — After reading so much about the Welsh Revival, it has occurred to me that some of your readers might appreciate a translation of the hymns which are so much used of God in moving the people. Your readers will overlook much of the rough phrasing which is met with, as this is unavoidable in any attempt to retain the idiom of the original. The first one is called the love song of the Revival. W. R.
Tune — Calvary (New); or, Elwy.
1.
“Here is love like seas abounding,
Pity flowing in full flood.
See the Prince of Life there dying,
Paying for our life in blood.
Who can help such love to cherish?
Who can fail its praises sound?
Here is love, far past forgetting
While the orbs o’erhead go round.
“Bursting open there at Calv’ry,
Groundless depths are fountains seen;
Heaven’s floodgates all are breaking,
Which till then intact had been.
Grace and love now like a deluge,
Pouring forth e’en here their bliss;
Justice, peace with them united,
Join a guilty-world to kiss.”
Tune— Ewing; or, Babel
2.
“A means of cleansing evil,
A place to hide the head,
Is found in Jesus’ wound prints,
Which on the tree once bled.
Exhaustless His compassion,
Untold His sufferings were
While dying for the sinner,
‘Neath nails, ill-treated there.
“There’s come to us salvation
Through Jesus’ blood and cross;
We’re in the land of plenty,
Because He suffered loss.
The holy law was broken,
Atonement now is laid,
And perfect satisfaction,
In death — the price He paid.
“Once and for aye ‘twas ample
The crown of thorns to wear;
Once and for aye ‘twas ample
The quiv’ring spear to bear.
One Offering, great and willing,
Hushed all the wrath of God;
One Jesus, dead and risen,
Spreads healing all abroad.”