TO give some idea of the extraordinary scenes that are taking place daily all over Wales, we subjoin an extract taken from the South Wales Daily News, not as approving of all that is said and done, but to place on record an account of the most remarkable movement of our times, which from letters constantly received from all parts of England seems likely to break out all over the country, if not the world.
When we remember that this has gone on without intermission since November of last year, and that similar meetings are taking place every day of the week in many towns and villages, and further that the changed lives of the converts bear witness to the reality of the work, it fills us with awe. Let us pray that wisdom may be given to all who in any measure take a lead in the work.
All the trains arriving at Nantymoel on Thursday were packed with visitors to the mission meetings of Mr. Evan Roberts. There were men and women from all parts of the United Kingdom, the broad Doric of Scotland mingling with the rich brogue of Ireland, but the liquid language of Wales, of course, predominated. Other lands also sent seekers after the influence of the Welsh revival, among them being a party of evangelists from France.
Mr. Evan Roberts rested in the morning and afternoon, being fatigued after his opening meeting on Wednesday night, which lasted until half-past eleven. A well-attended meeting was held at Bethel Welsh Congregational Church in the morning, which was wonderfully fervent, many testimonies and confessions being made. There was another meeting in the afternoon at Saron Baptist Church, which was crowded. Mr. Evan Roberts was half expected to be present. He did not, however, put in an appearance, but the service did not lack warmth and earnestness. Numerous testimonies were given by Scotch and English visitors. Some of the prayers delivered by the Welsh converts stirred the listeners to the depths of their souls, and the scenes of emotion were at times most remarkable. A pathetic incident was when a little boy walked into the “big pew” and asked for the big Bible in the pulpit. He was given the book, and after reading a passage he knelt, and, with ministers and church leaders grouped around his small figure, he offered an eloquent prayer.
EVENING MEETING.
The doors of Saron Chapel, a spacious building, were opened for the evening meeting at 5:30. So large a crowd was waiting admittance that in a quarter of an hour there were very few vacant seats. By 6:15 every inch of standing room was taken up, and a crowd of people was still trying to push in through the open doorway. The gallery was almost wholly taken up by rows of colliers in their Sunday black. An elderly collier in the gallery prayed that every obstacle should be removed to the full manifestation of the Holy Spirit, and that the fear of man should be taken away. An English visitor returned thanks to God for these Pentecostal times.... Mr. Evan Roberts... arrived at 7 o’clock, almost unnoticed, as the congregation were singing, seated, “I will believe, I do believe.” Mr. Roberts had to push his way to the front of the crowded pulpit, and there was barely room for him there. The congregation changed the singing to “O, anfon Di yr Ysbryd Glan,” and then “Dewch heu ac ieuanc, dewch.” The missioner sat gazing at the people, letting them sing again and again. Now and then he bowed his head in prayer, and his expression was less troubled, more serene than the previous night. Another Welsh hymn was struck up, and as the missioner sat gazing around at the many faces his eyes glistened with tears and he bowed his head upon his hands. The singing ceased, and while an English prayer was being offered by a collier at the back of the chapel, Mr Roberts rose and turned over the leaves of the Bible, with a smile playing over his expressive features. Again he sat down and buried his head in his hands, and when he rose his face was sad and wet with tears.
A prayer in the Welsh hwyl was offered by a man that the Spirit should come with power on that meeting, and the wail of a woman in anguish of soul rose above the murmured “Amen.” The tension was relieved with the singing of “Diolch Iddo.” “Turn the faces of those present towards Calvary, O Lord,” pleaded a deacon in the big seat. The congregation were again about to burst into a hymn when the missioner rose, and with his hands uplifted, commanded “those who have not received Christ should not sing. God wants to get hold of the voice, and have the singing from the heart.”
OVERCOME WITH EMOTION.
He stopped, and struggling with his emotion, bit his lips to suppress the rising tide of agony. He attempted to proceed, broke down, and throwing himself on the reading desk of the pulpit, sobbed, and sobbed in anguish. The sight of the bowed head, shaking with emotion, touched the hearts of many, and sobs broke out in many parts of the chapel. The missioner fell on his knees in the pulpit out of sight of the congregation, sobbing as though his heart were breaking, and prayers for the removal of all indifference and the influence of the Holy Spirit were offered by strong men in voices broken with deep feeling. The missioner presently stood up, apparently with his feelings under control. “You were almost led to the Saviour last night,” he said, “but the Spirit told me you could not have the blessing last night, but you will have it to-night. The Spirit has come. Don’t be cold. The heart of the Lord is always warm towards you. Christ died for all of us. He died for me.” Here the missioner was again seized with a paroxysm of grief, and throwing his arms over the Bible he bowed his head and groaned aloud in anguish. “O lesu Mawr,” he moaned again and again. “O Father, take this burden from off Thy servant,” pleaded an old man in the congregation. Soon the missioner became calmer. “You seem to think this is weakness,” he said, “but I wish you could prove what I am proving now. How can we be cold when God hath done so much for us? He gave us His only-begotten Son.”
Proceeding with a catch in his voice, but now comparatively self-controlled, the missioner dwelt on the duty of complete obedience to the Spirit. As the meeting proceeded, his face was suffused in smiles, and it was now evident that he was happy. “Those who have received Christ, stand up,” he commanded. The vast majority stood. “Those who have accepted Christ, raise their hands.”
CONVERSIONS.
All those standing raised their hands. “Who will accept Christ?” he asked, looking round. There were soon two responses from the gallery, where the colliers were, and “Diolch Iddo” and “Songs of Praises” were sung. The missioner led the singing with a glad face. Then he bowed his head in prayer, and when he looked up his face was serious. “There are some on the gallery who have refused Christ,” he said. At his request the meeting engaged in silent prayer for those who were “almost persuaded.” A Bristol visitor rose to give testimony. He had scarcely commenced when Mr. Evan Roberts announced another conversion, and then another, and it was some time before the Bristolonian could resume his address owing to the conversions and songs of praises. The meeting was far warmer than that of the previous night, and it was evident that the missioner derived much joy from this fact.