In the Early Nineteenth Century.
(Continued from page 27.)
In the spring of 1813, this awakening, however, began to decline, and ceased very soon after; but those who were truly Christians, continued to enjoy, both in secret duties and at public ordinances, renewed and manifest tokens of the divine presence and favour. This was especially the case on sacramental occasions; at which they were favoured with the assistance of some of the most pious
ministers of the day. Most of these having now departed this life, I am enabled to name the greater part of them, without making any reference to the living. The late Rev. Messrs. Bayne of Greenock, and Robertson of Kingussie, formerly of the chapel at Rothesay, assisted here constantly for many years. The late Rev. Dr. Love of Anderston assisted here occasionally, about the time of the revival; and the late Rev. Mr. McKenzie of Gorbals, formerly of the Gaelic Chapel, Duke Street, Glasgow, assisted also occasionally, but chiefly before the commencement of this work. These, along with the late Mr. McBride himself, were considered, and I believe justly, among the most pious ministers of their day; but they have ceased from their labours, and their works do follow them. The more regular or occasional labours of these men were often blessed as seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. It is doubtless true, that, as the awakening declined, some of those who appeared at one time much affected, and much engaged in religious pursuits, began to grow cold and remiss in spiritual duties, to fall into divers temptations, and to slide back into conformity with the world. Like the stony ground hearers, the religious impressions of many were slight and transitory—their convictions were not of a spiritual or abiding nature; and, having no root in their hearts, they soon withered away, without bringing forward any fruit to perfection. But although many did thus turn, as the dog to his vomit, and soon got rid of their religious impressions, a considerable number of the subjects of this work continue, to the present day, bringing forth fruit meet for repentance, and manifesting their faith by their works. It is due, however, to acknowledge, that, even in respect of the best of us, the zeal, fervour, and liveliness, manifest during the time of our revival, have suffered some decay; and that, instead of these, coldness, deadness, and formality in religion, are now too prevalent among us. We have, therefore, much need to be earnest in our supplications for another season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord—to pray, with the devout Psalmist—“Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to
cease. Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee? Show us Thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us Thy salvation.”
As some inquiries have been made respecting the bodily agitation and outerying which were observable during our revival, I may now state, that these did not always accompany cases of conversion. There are some among the subjects of that work, whom I consider serious Christians, who, as far as I know, never cried out; but such cases were rare, after the excitement had fully set in among us. The outerying also ceased, with the greater number, after a certain period, but not with the whole; for there are a few who still continue to be occasionally affected in the same way, though not to the same height as formerly. Then, as to the opinions of the people themselves, I am not aware that there are any of the truly pious in this place, who consider bodily excitement as necessary to a gracious operation of the Spirit; but there is no doubt that some lay too much stress on powerful bodily feelings; and they are thus very ready to conclude, that the Spirit of the Lord is at work when such effects are produced. Still I do not think that any hold such effects to be necessary to true conversion, or that there can be no saving change without them. And they have at least seen and heard much to convince them how erroneous such an opinion would be.
The influences of this revival was felt in other of the Western Islands, and particularly in the Isle of Bute. Having conversed with those who have recently passed summer weeks in the Isle of Arran, it is very comforting to learn from them that the saviour of its blessed days has not yet, at the end of twenty-three years, expired. Some aged people still live to tell of what the Lord did for their souls at that happy time; and the descendants of others are made partakers of like precious faith. One peculiar habit of the inhabitants of this island took its rise at the period of the revival, and exists to this day. When the fishermen are out in their boats, and have set their nets for the night, they engage in the duty of family worship with as
much regularity and composure as they do when on shore. How consoling to the wife and daughters at home, to know that the husband and brothers have committed themselves to the keeping of Him who holds the waters in the hollow of His hand. How sweet the harmony when the strain of praise and thanksgiving mingles with the music of the billows that have tossed themselves from the far Atlantic, and the scream of the sea-bird who has made her home upon the waves. Not only does Kedar’s wilderness lift up her lonely voice, but the wildernesses of old ocean send up their strains of joy to God. O when shall all the world become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ! How many acts of rebellion have been the sins of the sea! How many whom the Ruler of the waves has carried in safety to their desired haven, have blasphemed His holy name in their precarious dwelling-places! But the time is hastening, when not only the poor fishermen of Arran, but all men who do business on the mighty waters, shall send up their hearts in prayer to the God of all the promises.