THE effects which followed Berridge’s preaching were certainly most remarkable and unusual. The very fact that people flocked in thousands to hear him, proved that there was a strangely attractive power either in the man or in his ministry. At times, his field congregations numbered from ten to fifteen thousand persons.
But large congregations were not the only result of his preaching. There were also what were called “physical manifestations,” that is, the bodies of some of his hearers were strangely affected; some, those convicted of sin, suffering severe bodily pain and contortion ; others, believers, falling into trances, during which their enjoyment of the love of God was deep and full. It was to this Berridge referred in his letter quoted in our last paper, when he speaks of the violent outcry made by those convicted of sin, and of the man of Wybersley who was so filled with the love of God. These strange effects were not confined to the sphere of Berridge’s labours; they accompanied, for a time, the work of others who took part in that great revival. In no place did they continue long; they were present during the early part only of the revival, and then passed away. Perhaps the simple explanation is this: that at a time when the outward profession of religion had become such a cold, lifeless thing, God allowed these extraordinary signs to accompany His Word as a proof of its power, but when the stronger witness was given by the changed lives of those who were converted, unusual signs ceased.
It was in 1759 that these “manifestations” most frequently showed themselves in Berridge’s district. On one occasion in Everton Church, about two hundred men were crying for mercy. Women and children were also affected, but chiefly men. At Harlston, Berridge was in great weakness of body, and so fatigued and dejected that he said, “I am now so weak, I must leave off field preaching.” But counting on God’s help, he stood up to preach, there being nearly 3,000 hearers. At first, he could scarcely speak, but God so graciously strengthened his body, and refreshed his spirit, that he spoke with great power in every respect. The cries, groans, and wringing of hands were incessant. Berridge afterward had the joy of rejoicing over some who found Christ. At the close of the preaching he was lively and strong.
He went to Stapleford, in which place he felt a very tender interest. For six years he had been curate there, but during that time had never preached the Gospel. About 1,500 persons met in a field to hear him, a great number having come to mock and jeer. This they did and expressed in no gentle terms their contempt of those who either sought for mercy or rejoiced in God. During the sermon, the ringleader of the gang was himself reached by the arrows of the Word. At first, he rushed about like one mad, but at last fell to the earth crying, “My burden! my burden! I cannot bear it!” He had been threatening to horsewhip out of the field those who cried to God; he now took up their language, and his followers turned round and threatened to horsewhip him, till they saw that he was lying on his back like one dead. The only signs of life were the violent working of his breast and swelling of the veins of his neck. This lasted some hours, then he was eased in soul and body.
Believers were affected in a different way. They were overpowered with love and joy, and became insensible to things around them, not like the others, suffering pain, but simply lying calm and unmoved, with hardly a sign of natural life. An eye-witness talked with some of them and wrote― “What they all agreed in was: (1.) That when they went away as they termed it, it was always at a time they were fullest of the love of God. (2.) That it came upon them in a moment, without any previous notice, and took away all their senses and strength. (3.) That they were in another world, knowing nothing of what was done or said, by all that were round about them.”
Of course it was easy for persons to mimic this, and it was mimicked. But if what was real was of God, it was a serious thing to pretend to be affected. Similar occurrences took place about twenty-five or thirty years ago in the north of Ireland; persons fell to the ground like dead men, “stricken,” as the people called it. In a certain place; four or five young men saw a preacher approaching them, and at once formed a wicked plan to joke at his expense. They arranged that as soon as he was within hailing distance, one of them should fall down under pretense of being “stricken,” the others were to shout for help, that they might laugh at the preacher’s confusion when he discovered that he had been tricked. Their plan was speedily carried out; one fell, the others shouted, the preacher hastened to them, but when they lifted up the fallen man, they found that he was “stricken” in a way they had not looked for―he was dead! “God is not mocked.”
But, strange as all these “manifestations” were, it was still stranger to see those who had lived only for themselves, and for their pleasure, perhaps in sin, turned from it all to God to serve Him. This was the greatest proof of the power of God, and the most blessed result of the preaching, that the entire bent of a man’s life should be changed, and that he should no longer live unto himself, but unto Him who died and rose again. Yet this was true of thousands. It is thought that during the first twelve months only of the joint itineracy of Berridge and Hicks, above two thousand persons were awakened. Berridge began to write down the names and addresses of those who sought spiritual help from him, but when they reached in number about a thousand he had to discontinue the practice. W. J.