In substance, the following appeal has been made to us from different quarters. “You have ceased, of late, to take any notice of the Revival. We do wish that you would give, at times, some account of the Lord’s work. These accounts do so stir us up.” In reply to the above appeal, we would observe that nothing, save a deep sense of real service to the Lord and blessing to his people, and to others through them, would lead us to comply with the request. But believing that these ends may be served now, as of old, (see Luke 8:38, 39, 4738Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. (Luke 8:38‑39)
47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. (Luke 8:47)) by publishing the great goodness of the Lord to precious souls, we give our impression of what we believe to be the present aspect of the work of God amongst us.
In the back numbers, or in the volume for 1859, a very full statement will be found of the leading features and fruits of the work of God’s Spirit in Ireland during that period. Since then, the work has been more widely spread, and somewhat different in its appearance. Still, blessed be God, the work goes on. Beyond all question, there is a real, deep, and blessed work of God’s Spirit going on, amongst all classes, at this present time in many parts of Christendom; and in many places in our own country, at this moment, a large number of souls are, as it were, waiting, and ready to be brought in through the preaching of the gospel. The evangelist has only to enter the field, sustained by the faith and prayers of God’s people, and a large ingathering must be the result. Many a locality, we believe, is in precisely this state. “The fields are white for the harvest.” Oh! for more laborers! May the Lord increase the faith and expectations of His people—the number and devotion of His evangelists!
Since we last referred to the Revival, we have observed a very distinct and special work of God’s Spirit amongst children and young people, chiefly from the age of nine to sixteen; but, in some cases as young as six. Let us take, for example, the first six months of the present year; and, oh! what a blessed change has been wrought in many families and schools during that period. Many a large family in England, and many a school which commenced this year with scarcely one of their number truly converted, are now, with very few exceptions, savingly brought to Jesus and made happy in Him. We know many blessed instances of His precious grace. The Lord alone be praised!
For the strengthening of the faith, and for the encouraging of the hearts, of those who are interested in children and young people, we give a few instances of the Lord’s marvelous grace and goodness to such; and may many be led thereby to count upon Him in faith, “nothing wavering.” He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.” (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).) Let this precious promise be, as it were, our motto, and the foundation of our faith. It is divine reasoning. He who has given the greater will surely give the lesser blessing. He who, in love, gave up His Son for us, will, in due time, make good His promise and more than answer the prayer of faith. What the human mind intensely desires, it is apt to become impatient to obtain. In the things of God, this spirit is inconsistent with faith in Him. As an affectionate mother has observed, “When feeling particularly anxious and depressed in spirit, on one occasion, about one who was everything to me but the main thing, that word came with great power to my heart, ‘Why art thou cast down, Ο my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance and my God’s (Psalm 43:55Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 43:5).) Oh! that word, ‘I shall yet praise him,’ was sweet and comforting to my soul. Every doubt vanished, and I could praise the Lord even then.” “Have you faith?” we asked a godly man lately, when desiring prayer for a near and dear, but unconverted one. “Oh, yes! I have no doubt,” was his instant reply, “the thirty-seventh psalm stays my heart.” “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.” That word, “And he shall bring it to pass, is enough, He will bring it to pass.” This is God-honoring faith. May it be given to many at this present time!
One of the happy features of God’s present work amongst the young, is its general, as well as its special, character. Not infrequently, when one or two in a family, or in a school, have been blessed, the blessing has spread throughout the circle into which it entered. This has been so generally the case that, when we see two, three, or more affected, especially in a school, where they are all nearly one age, we quite count upon the entire school being immediately impressed, and if there has been any difference in this respect between boys’ and girls’ schools, we would say it has been most manifest in boys. This same diffusive power of the Holy Spirit has been manifested in Sunday Schools also, where there is less knowledge of each other, and less sympathy, than either in families or boarding schools. Take one example, as proof that there is more in this aspect of the work than the mere sympathies of kindred and affectionate hearts.
In a country town, some distance from London, the teacher, who had the eldest boys in his class, was feeling much depressed, one Lord’s day afternoon, because of the dull and lifeless state of things in the school. Having heard what was doing elsewhere, he spoke very solemnly to his own class as to their careless, dangerous state. He then called upon them to repent and to turn to the Lord just now, and He would have mercy upon them. While thus earnestly addressing them, he observed some of them much moved and in tears. In a short time, the whole class was in deep concern about their sins. They turned round, fell on their knees weeping, and cried for mercy. All this, observe, was confined to the one class; the other classes were going on as usual; but the blessed Spirit of God was at work throughout the school, and in a little while the whole school was in a state of great emotion. Many were weeping, praying, and crying aloud for mercy; so much so that their cries were heard outside the school, and people who were passing by drew near to learn what was the matter. About eighteen found peace in believing that afternoon. Amongst the number were three boys, brothers, the sons of a widowed mother. Being a Christian, she felt the difficulty and responsibility of her charge; but the Lord thus wonderfully appeared both for her and them. As she said herself, “They left me, as usual, after dinner for the school, careless and thoughtless about their souls, but they returned to me before tea-time saved by grace and rejoicing in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. The eldest is about fifteen.” The good work continued, more were converted, and some happy fruits followed to the Lord’s glory.
Take one other family example of the spreading power of the Holy Spirit in blessing. On the Friday evening, the eldest of seven attended the preaching of the gospel. She had been a believer before that time, but not quite happy. The Lord gave full liberty to her soul, that evening, through the knowledge of the work of Christ for her. A younger member of the family also was present, and got blessing. They both left the building happy in Jesus. This new joy in the Lord, and the knowledge of a present salvation, were carried by these living witnesses into the family. On the following evening, other members of the family were present at a meeting, and became decided for Christ. They left, trusting in him. On Lord’s-day afternoon, when the young were addressed, another of the family was brought to the knowledge of Christ, and went home rejoicing. In the evening, the seven were present. They all remained to the prayer meeting after the preaching. At the close of the meeting, we found that five out of the seven had found peace with God, and were quite happy in Him. But, the other two, what about them? There they stood, both young, and evidently concerned, but had not yet seen Jesus as the Lover and Saviour of their souls. What was to be done? Were they to be left outside, as it were, unhappy? “Oh, no,” said a brother, “let us continue in prayer, and cry to the Lord for these two dear boys, and He will give us the whole seven. We must have the perfect number.” Prayer was recommenced. The five were exhorted to plead in silence for the two. We all kneeled down. It was a touching scene, never to be forgotten. There was much deep feeling and earnestness. Much might be said about it; but, enough. The Lord heard and answered prayer. The complete number confessed their faith in Christ, amidst much joy of heart and praise to the Lord. To His name alone be all the glory!
We shall now look at some instances of the same character of grace to schools. Several young person’s belonging to one school were much impressed one Lord’s day afternoon under an address to the young, but did not show much feeling at the time. There was no opportunity for prayer and conversation after the address, and they left without giving expression to what was passing within; but the work was of God. Their impressions deepened. On Monday morning, when all were assembled, nearly thirty in number, two or three gave way to their feelings. They could suppress them no longer. Much weeping and the confession of sin commenced. The chords of many hearts were easily touched; and so general was the awakening, that in a short time the whole school was in a state of deep emotion. Nearly all of them were weeping and praying to the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins and the salvation of their souls. About fifteen confessed to have found peace the same morning. On conversing with them individually twenty-four hours after this scene, nearly the whole school confessed to be resting in Christ alone for salvation. Six or seven of the number were believers before this, but even to them it was like a second conversion. Such are God’s ways in grace and love amongst the young at this present time. Oh! for more faith to count upon Him for their conversion and more believing prayer when we lead our children and young people to hear the gospel, or to the place where prayer is made for them.
On another, and a similar occasion, when several schools and families were congregated in a large Town-hall to hear an address to the young, it was observed that many were affected. Several, both boys and girls, belonging to different establishments were weeping, and in concern about their souls. Being in the afternoon on a Lord’s day, and having very little time for conversation, it was proposed to leave that until the following day. The most convenient time having been named, the various establishments were visited. Jesus—His love—His grace—His cross—His salvation—His glory, was the theme of conversation; and just as we had seen it elsewhere, the work was not partial, but general. Nearly every individual in the entire circle, including teachers in some instances, and the entire household in others. All impressed—all concerned—some rejoicing in the knowledge of Christ and the forgiveness of their sins, others peacefully resting in Him, some seeking—but all, more or less, interested. So deep and real was the work in many hearts, that an earnest desire was expressed for individual, private conversation about the things of God. In the course of the day, about fifty were conversed with in this way, besides many who were spoken to in the presence of others; and of all that we spoke with we desire to cherish a good hope before God. The good work has been begun in many hearts; and, although it may be through any ups and downs, yet of this we are sure, that “Finish, He will, the work begun, and grace in glory end.”
There can be no question, we think, but that the Lord is at present doing a great and blessed work amongst children. As a whole, the work is a real one. Of course, there will be questionable cases everywhere, but that has always been so in connection with every great work of God’s Spirit. The following extracts are encouraging, and may serve as a stimulus to many boys. They are taken from a letter written by a resident teacher in one of the schools where there had been a blessed work:— “The work is marked in all; most manifest in several, their conduct in every particular evincing it. Every boy, too, confesses Christ as the One who has put all his sins away forever.... They met at an early hour for prayer amongst themselves. It has been continued every morning since.....The change in the house is marked by all. Each is so steady, so free from excitement, so happy, so ready to obey. At play, all so free from everything boisterous or unkind that, leaving everything else out of the question, it is a perfect pleasure to be in their company.”
Many details might be given, of the most touching and interesting character, but we forbear. Merely the broad facts are given, that the Lord’s name alone may be exalted, and that the faith of many parents, teachers, and others, may be encouraged, increased, and strengthened.
May the Lord’s own people be kept from either carelessness or unbelief in this matter. Most blessed indeed is the work that He is doing. We may well ask, why is God gathering children so young to Himself now, and in such numbers? We have seen little boys of five and six years crying and sobbing about their sins, and anxious to know if Jesus had saved them. “It seems,” observed one who has been many years in the Lord’s vineyard, “as if the Lord were coming so soon, that He could not wait until the little ones grew up, and He is taking them just as they are.” Blessed Lord! may not a hoof be left behind! AMEN AND AMEN.