IT is with some diffidence that we take up the pen on the subject of the Revival in Wales, as we find it difficult to come to any definite conclusion as to the character of the movement. Some of its fruits are of such a wholesome nature that one is disposed to think that a genuine work of grace may be going on among at least some of the people in that Principality, while other features that characterise the movement are apt to make us conclude that the whole is a wave of pure sensationalism. A true revival of godliness, though marked by some unprofitable mixtures, is the greatest of all blessings that can visit a community, while on the other hand a spurious revival, though it may have some good results, is largely a calamity. A few general remarks on several aspects of the present Revival may not be without benefit to our readers.
One noticeable feature about this movement is that it is on a much more impressive scale than any of the quasi-revivals that have taken place here and there throughout the country in recent times. The demonstrations of feeling have been stronger, and the effects upon towns and districts more marked and widespread. It is evident, however, that these things in themselves prove nothing in a favourable direction, unless other characteristics of a more essential nature are truly good, and such as will stand the test of God’s Word. False religion, as well as true, may be attended with great emotion, and may affect the lives of vast multitudes. The Welsh are known to be a people of excitable temperament in religion, who have been in the habit from time immemorial of giving free vent to their feelings even in the most solemn public assemblies. Excitement in religious meetings anywhere is invariably contagious. Wild, as well as holy fire, is capable of spreading rapidly and widely. The Welsh are more readily stirred than others, and so it is necessary to get the more solid and satisfactory evidence before one is sure that any religious excitement among them, however intense, is a revival of true Christianity.
The most favourable feature of the present movement is the moral reformation that has attended it. Many have given up their drunkenness and crime. Publicans in some quarters are at a standstill; the courts of justice have often a clean ca:d. The attendance at theatres and other places of amusement has decreased. There is a great demand for Bibles. Whole villages and towns appear to be reformed. Where there was formerly little but profanity, now there is nothing but talk about religion. The dishonest person has become honest and paid his debt, while enemies have forgiven one another and become friends. Now, all this is very admirable and promising—and it is our most earnest prayer that it may be the outcome of a vital change among this people—but we feel bound to point a warning. There may be, and there has been, such a thing as reformation without regeneration. Men have renounced drunkenness and other forms of immorality, and become moral and even religious persons, without any solid evidence of a radical change of heart, a new birth. The reformation has often proved temporary; and sometimes the supposed convert has relapsed into a worse condition than before. The unclean spirit has gone out; the house has been swept and garnished; but no heavenly occupant has come in; the Spirit of God has not taken possession; and so the evil spirit returns “with seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Christ also tells us of the stony-ground hearers, who “immediately received the word with joy” and grew up quickly, but who had “no root in themselves,” and so endured “but for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” It is quite possible therefore that notwithstanding so many hopeful appearances the reformation in Wales may only prove temporary, and that, like the case of the stony-ground hearers, the religion of many who are now so deeply impressed, may soon disappear as quickly as it came. Reformation, however valuable in itself, is not enough, and may assuredly take place where there is no permanent or saving work of God’s Spirit.
One of the most important and necessary inquiries to be made in connection with any apparent revival of religion is, whether the truth as it is in Jesus is preached to the people. It is by “the word of truth” that Christ convinces and converts careless sinners, and nourishes and edifies living souls. Sinners are “born again of the incorruptible seed of the word,” and being born, “desire the sincere milk of the word” that they may “grow thereby.” It is difficult to find out by the reports of the present revival as to whether any satisfactory measure of solid truth is being cast into the hearts of the hearers. In fact, the reports point to the conclusion that the doctrine preached is neither in quality nor quantity up to the Scriptural mark. As to the quality, it does not appear that Evan Roberts, the leading revivalist, preaches a very sound gospel. It is stated that his gospel has terrors for nobody, but that all are called upon to look up to God as their Father, Christ as their Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as their Sanctifier. The true gospel of Christ has its terrible as well as its gracious side. Its rejection involves the unbeliever in aggravated condemnation and inevitable destruction. Mr. Roberts’ gospel seems to be a gospel of love only. Nothing could be better fitted to soothe immortal souls in a fatal sleep for eternity. Indeed, this kind of gospel has been the foster-parent of spurious revivals in the past, and it is to be feared that Satan as an angel of light has not ceased his activities. But neither as to quantity is the doctrine preached up to the right mark. In fact, the spirit which prevails tends to exclude almost all preaching whatsoever. The audience take matters into their own hands; one person starts a hymn; another commences a prayer; while a third rises and delivers a testimony concerning his or her conversion. The scenes, it would appear, are often quite disorderly. Now, these proceedings are not like the work of Him who is the Spirit of truth and order. In former times, when people were much moved under divine influences, they could not get enough of the Word preached. Congregations were frequently known to refuse to disperse; and we have heard of a preacher who was under the necessity of conducting as many as four services in succession before the people retired. The more they heard of the glorious gospel of Christ, the more they desired to hear of it. But whether it be a good or a bad gospel that is presently being preached in Wales, the people do not appear to want much of it. In the present movement also, a great deal is made of the singing of soothing and assuring hymns by ladies with fine voices. This is one of the common methods of modern revivalists. The feelings of ignorant people are by this means readily stirred; they appropriate the language of the highest assurance of faith before they come to know that they have a soul, and they drink in words of comfort that were never intended for an unbroken heart. Thus they are filled with a false joy and find it easy to believe that Christ is their Saviour, and that all is well with them for eternity. Fine music has at all times a powerful influence over the human mind, and the devil knows this well. It is one of his active schemes to allure people on with syren strains along the pathway of false religion to a lost eternity. Joy, as may be expected, is the prevailing emotion among the Welsh converts. Far be it from us to depreciate true spiritual joy, that joy which is in the Holy Ghost, and which flows from a peace founded upon righteousness. This joy has godly sorrow, evangelical repentance, as its constant companion. But a joy that is not attended by sorrow for sin is to be feared and dreaded as a delusion. It bears too close a resemblance to the joy of the stony ground hearers. Observers make a special point of remarking that the present revival in Wales has far more joy in it than the great revival of 1859 in the same Principality.
Is it to be concluded, then, that this revival is all a delusion from first to last? We are very loth to come to such a point about it. There is some chaff in the very best revivals; and there may be some wheat even in the least satisfactory. As long as the Bible is used and valued, there is hope that the Spirit of God may be doing here and there His saving work. Besides, it is possible that there may be embedded in the minds of many in Wales truths which they have learnt from other sources than the present revivalists. Wales was very highly favoured in past times with great preachers of Christ’s gospel, and the doctrines they taught and disseminated may still have a place in the thoughts of the people. These may act as a counteractive in a measure to the unwholesome influences that are presently at work. May the Most High grant that He would purge out the false leaven and cause His work and power to appear in manifest, self-evidencing glory among the people of Wales!
There is much need of a day of God’s power among these lands of ours. Spiritual death, moral corruption, pernicious error are spreading almost everywhere. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of the years, and in wrath remember mercy!
An Eminent Sabbath Breaker.
“The Prime Minister,” says the World, “now spends his week-ends at Dover, thence motoring over to Hythe or Deal for the golf course. It is,” adds the journalist, “a very pleasant way of spending the Sunday.” We beg to differ from this finding. We do not think it a pleasant method of Sabbath observance at all. A Prime Minister should have some regard to the law of God. The frame of mind indicated by this holiday programme of Mr. Balfour, and the complacent survey of it by the newspaper man who reports it, show what a length the worldlings of the twentieth century have travelled towards the goal of complete apostacy and ungodliness. Without a qualm they commit excesses which a former generation would shudder at. Nevertheless the God who shook Mount Sinai still rules the world, and He has not changed His principles of moral government. The authority of His Fourth Commandment has not lapsed although they have laughed it out of court. We expect therefore that if Mr. Balfour and the generation of like-minded press writers and golf players who attend his motions do not find a way to change their habits that the result will be a collision between their lawlessness and God’s righteousness, and the same doom shall befall the brilliant politicians and social lights of the twentieth century as passed upon a generation of common-place sinners long ago—“their carcasses shall fall in the wilderness.”
Communions.
Edinburgh and Lochgilphead, 2nd Sabbath of month; St. Jude’s, Glasgow, 4th; Wick and Greenock, 5th; Oban and Kames, 1st Sabbath of May.