T II E
~EAR OF G ACE:
A HISTORY OF
THE REVIVAL IN IRELAND,
A.D. 1859.
BY T -IE
REV. WILLIAM GIBSON,
PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN ETHICS IN QUEEN'S COLLEGE, BELFAST,
AND MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN IRELAND.
WI TH
BY
REV. BARON STOW, D.D.
BOSTON:
GO  UD AND LIN CO LN,
59 WASHINGTON STREET.
NEW YORK: SHELDON AND COMPANY.
CINCINNATI: GEORGE S. BLANCHARD.
1860.




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
GOULD AND LINCOLN,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
ELECTROTYPED BY W. E1. DRAPER, ANDOVER, Mrassy
PRINTED BY GREO. a. RAND & AVERY, BOSTON,




INTRODUCTION
TO
THE AMERICAN EDITION.
THE History of Redemption is yet unfinished. Moses commenced
it more than thirty-three centuries ago, and the Inspired Record
covers a temporal period of more than four thousand years. That
Record, supplied through a series of disconnected-and independent
mediums, is fragmentary; and yet the diligent reader fails not to
find in it a continuity of development from the starting-point in
the eternal love and purpose of God to near the close of the first
century after the Advent of the Messiah, when Christianity was
triumphing gloriously in Western Asia, Northern Africa, and
Southern Europe. The Sacred Writings, however, are not merely
historical. They are rich in prediction and promise, assuring all
who rely on the Veracity of the Revealer of still more marvellous
developments along the coming ages. Not only do they chronicle
the Past of the Kingdom of God, like the stern-light of a ship
flinging radiance far back upon her wake, but they project their
illuminations deep into the Future, irradiating the perspective
of the homeward-bound, opening to Faith extended vistas, and
revealing on distant shores a glory to come.
Since the death of the Apostles, the historic record has been
furnished by uninspired men. This, too, is necessarily fragmentary.
We have valuable histories of the Doctrinal and the Ecclesiastical;
but of the progress of Spiritual Christianity we have no connected,
comprehensive narrative. Every century, however, has witnessed




IV                INTRODUCTION.
such progress, and has supplied materials for the History yet to be
written -a History that shall show Prophecy in Accomplishment
and Promise in Realization. The Holy Spirit has been constantly
doing his peculiar work, creating new men in Christ Jesus, and
adding them to the one indivisible Church of which her Redeemer
is the Head. Wherever the gospel has been preached by regenerated men, there the Divine Influence has made it effective, and
thousands have rejoiced in a soul-jubilee, a "Year of Grace."
Revivals, in the modern acceptation of the term, are not modern
novelties. In all their essential elements they have been known
in the churches for more than eighteen hundred years, and have
constituted a normal feature in the- Development of Church Life
and the Triumph of Christian Truth. Differing in some of their
outward manifestations, not only according to the temperament
of the population and various local influences, but also according
to the Sovereignty of the Spirit who " worketh..... dividing to
every man severally as He will," they have ever been more the
rule than the exception in the modes by which'" the Word of God
grew and multiplied." Whatever has been accomplished by the
dews and the gentle rains, an immense amount has been effectuated
by showers, descending at intervals, gladdening by copious effusions
now one and then another thirsty field.
The North American States have been favored with many of these
"times of refreshing;" but they are by no means an American
"institution." Continental Europe was blessed with revivals long
before Columbus thought of the Western World, and Asia felt
their power before any other country was visited by the bringer
of good tidings. Insular Europe, too, has a history in this department equalling if not surpassing in interest the records of God's
gracious dealings with other lands. The British Isles had often, previous to the current century, witnessed displays of Divine Grace,
whose phenomena were startling to a torpid age, and whose resultsbrought good to perishing thousands, and glory to the name of Christ.
The Revival in the North of Ireland, which has now been more




IN TRO D U CTION.                       V
than a year in progress, has attracted largely the attention of the
Christian world. And well it might; for God has distinguished it
by extraordinary manifestations of His own sovereign, mysterious
agency. There were at many points the usual antecedents of
faithful teaching and earnest prayer; but the blessing came in
unexpected forms, lighted down in uninviting places, and produced
unanticipated effects; and few, either of the ministry or the laity,
were prepared to deal intelligently with the cases which were
suddenly multiplied. In almost every place the work commenced
among the less instructed and more degraded classes, and was
characterized, in its incipient stage, by physical accompaniments
that amazed the inexperienced, alarmed the timid, and Inpressed
with an indefinable awe nearly the whole community. But the
changes wrought in character, speech, and conduct, soon became
too demonstrative to admit a doubt as to the TIigher Agency that
had produced them; and when God had made Himself known as
the Author of the moral transformations, and had thoroughly awakened attention toHis claims, He gradually withdrew the physical
operations, and the work assumed a,more:purely spiritual type.
His design evidently comprehended more than the religious improvement of a province, or the salvation of thousands of its people.
He would make a demonstration of His supremacy and power that
should affect Christendom, and bring glory, on a broad field, to the
riches of His grace. Many hundreds, not only from the unblessed
districts of Ireland, but also from England and Scotland, and even
from the Continent, hastened to the scene of the Spirit's wonderworking; and, while many remained longer than they intended,
cooperating with the overtasked laborers, few returned without the
conviction that Ulster was pervaded by the power of the Highest.
In all lands where the Holy Ghost is honored, there were immediately a throbbing of sympathy with the work, and an eager solicitude
to obtain the fullest information of its character and fruits. The
demand was met as best it could be during the earlier months; but
the accounts were necessarily partial, and furnished to inquirers
1*




VI                   INTRODUOTION.
at a distance very imperfect views of the origin, progress, and extent
of the work.
A suggestion from this side of the Atlantic, that a comprehensive
statement should be prepared, including a careful digest of facts
from the entire field, resulted in the preparation of the volume
which, at the request of the American publishers, I am happy to
introduce to American readers. It is the product of great industry,
extensive research, and prudent discrimination. The Author, Professor of Christian Ethics in Queen's College, Belfast, and Moderator
of the Irish General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, has the
confidence of all classes of Christians in Britain, and his facilities
for the collection of facts were all that could be desired. Of these
facilities he has thoroughly availed himself, and from the voluminous
materials, gathered from the best sources, he has produced a narrative that will be read and appreciated.
Commendation of a book, written by such a man upon such a
subject, would be gratuitous, if not impertinent.  But I cannot
withhold my testimony to the eminent judiciousness with which
Professor Gibson has discharged his trust. During my brief visit
to Ulster, in the summer of 1859, I saw enough, and learned from
reliable sources enough more, to convince me that the Historian
of the Great Irish Revival was wisely selected, and that he has
executed the service with signal ability and fidelity. The information here embodied may be accepted as authentic. Where the
Author has given opinions, it will be seen that they are not crude
or one-sided, but are the results of extensive observation, careful
comparison, and a conscientious regard to the honor of spiritual
religion. Believing, on the basis of incontestable evidence, that
the Revival is unquestionably the work of the Infinite Spirit, he has
supplied the facts, that others may believe and give glory to Him
who has favored Ireland with such a " YEAR OF GRACE."
B. S.
BoSTON, 6 JUNE, 1860.




P R E F -A. C E.
IN the month of November last I was solicited, on
the part of an eminent publishing firm in Boston, to
draw up a narrative of the Ulster Revival for the
American Christian public. The application was sustained by such representations, that I did not feel
justified in declining it. Although conversant, from
personal observation, with that great spiritual movement which, about twelve months ago, began to attract
toward the North of Ireland the earnest sympathies
of Christendom, I resolved to furnish myself with
every available information from  other quarters in
the execution of the responsible and arduous trust.




VIII              PR E F A C E.
My official connection with one leading section of
the Protestant community gave me peculiar facilities
of access to its ministers and people; and I soon
found, as the result of the extensive correspondence
I maintained upon the subject, that materials were
at my disposal sufficient to warrant the conviction
that a record might be produced, which, under the
Divine blessing, might prove of abiding interest and
value on both sides of the Atlantic.  HIence this
contemporaneous issue in the Old World and the New.
iiAlthough the. preparation of such a narrative may
seenm to some, as it did- in the first instance to myself, to have been somewhat premature, I cannot but
express my satisfaction that I was led to undertake
the task. The sources on which I have drawn are
of the most authentic kind; and had not the esteemed friends who have supplied so many contributions been urged to it by personal solicitation, and
when the details, in all their vividness, were fill in
view, a vast amount of the most valuable information




PREFACE.                    IX
might otherwise have been altogether lost. It will
be observed that, to a large extent, I have allowed
my correspondents to narrate the movement as they
witnessed it. This I have deemed as due alike to
them and to the interest of the narrative itself, which
thus gains in freshness what it may occasionally lose
in continuity. With the exception of an occasional
incident or illustration, gathered elsewhere, the sum
total of which would not occupy two sheets of letterpress, the matter of the entire volume is original.
For the reason already indicated, by much the
larger portion is occupied with the rise and progress
of the revival in the Presbyterian Church. Under
any circumstances, however, this had been unavoidable.  The impartial historian, of whatever name,
will acknowledge that, while all the evangelical communities of Ulster were watered  by the gracious
grace that fell upon'"the pastures of the wilderness," the Scoto-Irish soil received in amplest measure the shower of blessing.  At the same time, I




X                  PREFACE.
trust, the work has been viewed from no sectarian
stand-point, but from the broad platform of a catholic
Christianity.
To the statistical department, given in the Appendix, I may take leave to refer as one of the most
distinctive features of the present publication. The
results of the movement in that respect, as in every
other, cannot but enhance our admiration of the
marvellous grace displayed in this great work of God.
BELFAST, MAY 10, 1860.




C O NT 1E NT S.
CHAPTER I.
Mjte iten of ite  eoifba.
THE ULSTER PLANTATION - THE EARLY MINISTERS AND SETTLERS - THE FIRST
REVIVAL - ULSTER IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - CHARACTER OF THE
POPULATION - LOW STATE OF RELIGION - TESTIMONY OF LIVING WITNESSES,                                                   19
CHAPTER II.
INCREASING PURITY IN THE CHURCH - A QUICKENED MINISTRY- SABBATHSCHOOL INSTRUCTION - PRAYER-MIEETIEGS - BIBLE-CLASSES - TRACT DISTRIBUTION- PRESBYTERIAL AND SYNODICAL ACTION - MEASURES OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY — INTELLIGENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVIVAL,  80
CHAPTER III.
Glje    ixtik 1ute    of tlj  Aebib al.
DIFFICULT TO TRACE THE MOVEMENT IN ITS ORIGIN AND OUTGOINGS -THE
CONNOR DISTRICT - ITS LONG-CONTINUED SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES - ITS
PRESENT PASTOR AND HIS LABORS-THE TANNYBRAKE SABBATH-SCHOOL
AND ITS PRAYER-M[EETING - THE YOUNG MEN'S FELLOWSHIP MEETING -
SILENT CONVERSIONS -A VISIT TO CONNOR-A SABBATH'S EXPERIENCE
THERE, IN THE MANSE, CONGREGATION, AND PRAYEIt-MEETING,.  36




XII                    CONTE N TS.
CHAPTER IV.
lre  gebiban  @rnttaimh as 1abing  Comb.
VISITS OF THE AWAKENED TO AHOGHILL — A SCENE AMID THE CLOUDS OF
N'IGIIT - "I "'M SAVED " - SPREAD OF THE WORE - THE EAGERI MULTITUDES-THE PHYSICAL AFFECTIONS ON THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE- A
SIMILAR INSTANCE IN COUNTY DOWN-EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITYMEETING IN A COCKPIT.........  50
CHAPTER V.
9rLj jtlii al in its  Rebtopment.
TIIE MAN IN THE MARKET -VARIETIES IN THE PROCESS OF CONVICTION -
PROCEDURE AT THE MEETINGS -- "WHAT'S THE NEWS? - THE YOUNG
MAN AND MIS BROTHER-" I HAVE HEARD OF THESE THINGS LONG BEFORE)"- THREE TYPE CASES - LETTER TO A TEACHER —ABIDING BENEFICIAL RESULTS - STATEMENT OF REV. S. 1. DILL — DESCRIPTION OF THE
PIIYSICAL PHENOMENA - STAGES OF THE BODILY AFFECTION,.  58
CHAPTER VI.
Up  9ibal  in its ptptR ssg TstItjaXs.
BROUGHSHANE - THE SPINNING FACTORY-THE PROFLIGATE NAILER - LOUGHGUILE - THE WOMAN BY THE ROADSIDE - THE " GENTLY DRAWVN  - THE
FIERY BAPTISM - THE STRUGGLE WITH THE EVIL ONE - THE JOY UNUTTERABLE-PROOFS OF A GLORIOUS WORK - THE HIDDEN JEWELS- PRIVATE
EXERCISES AND EXPERIENCES OF MINISTERS - BALLYMONEY - THE WORK
AMONG THE YOUNG - THE MAN WHO " WOULD JUDGE FOR HIMSELF" - THE
DEAF AND DUMB,.                                          75
CHAPTER VII.
COLTERAINE-STRANGE EXCITEMENT TN A SCHOOL-ROOM - THE EVENING OF
SEVENTH OF JUNE- MEETING ON THE FAIR-HILL - THE TOWN HALL, A.ND




CONTENTS.                          XIIT
ITS EXTRAORDINARY OPENING- DAILY MORNING MIEETING THEREE-INTERESTING MEMORIAL-GENERAL RESULTS —TESTIMIONY OF ASSISTANT
BARRISTER - PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF MR. HALTRIDGE - PORTRUSH -
PRAYERFUL COOPERATION OF, THE EPISCOPAL AND PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS -VISIT OF BROWNLOW NORTH, ESQ. - THE " DUNMULL" OPEN-AIR
MEETINGS - ILLUSTRATIVE CASES - THE " OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT' 
- THE RAILWAY LABORER - THE PLOUGHBOY AND HIS MUSE — THE OLD
"WATE RLOO " MAN —THE TWIN SISTERS- THE LITTLE ORPHAN MAID, 91
CHAPTER VIII.
VISIT OF THE YOUNG MEN FROM CONNOR —ITS EFFECTS —THE MOVEMENT
BEGUN- MEASURES TAKEN TO GUIDE IT AND ADVANCE ITS PROGRESS —
UNITED PRAYER-MEETINGS - GREAT GATHERING IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS- DESCRIPTION OF A REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF CONVICTION-THE
MIEETINGS IN BERRY STREET - CASES WITNESSED THERE - VISITS TO SOME
NEXT DAY - THE ARDOR OF A YOUNG DISCIPLE - SANDY ROW EXPERIENCES-EWART'S ROW), AND THE EDUCATIONAL OPERATIONS THERE-A
TOTAL CHANGE -VISIT OF MR. NORTH - HIS SEASONABLE ADDRESSES - THE
WORK IN TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION- THE " UNFORTUNATES "THE CARELESS - THE FORMALISTS - THE BACKSLIDERS - GOD'S CHILDREN
- ESTIMATE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF " CONVERTS:" FOR REVIVAL WORK
- THE " SLEEPING" CASES, AND THE WONDERt-SEEKERS,.. ~  115
CHAPTER IX.
ghe Rkebxiaf around NIfast.
THE VALLEY OF THE SIX-MILE WATER - THE WORK AND THE COUNTER-WORK
- THE REVIVAL IN CARNMONEY - PRAYER FOP. ITS COMING - VISIT OF A
BELFAST MERCHANT —A HUNDRED AT ONCE —" I HAVE PRAYED HIMI
OUT " -THE OLD PENSIONER - THE DRUNKEN TRADESMAN -BALLYCARRY
— HEAVY BLOW TO UNITARIANISM - PASTOR'S WORK AT LAST -BALLYEASTON - THE PASTOR'S LAST COMMUNION - GATHERED FRUIT - EXCITING
NARRATIVE OF THE WORK IN DUNDROD -THE PASTOR'S HOPES AND
FEARS - HIS VISIT TO THE FIRST AWVAKENED - THE STRUGGLE AND THE
VICTORY -THE MEETINGS IN OPEN AIR AND CHURCH - SATURDAY EVENING AND SABBATH IN THE CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD - THE MEN " COMING
OVER " - A YOUNG DEBORAH - ANOTHER, AND HER FELLOW-LABORER -
THE VALLEY OF VISION IN A DREAM - THE FARM-SERVANT IN THE FIELD
- DAGON FALLING BEFORE THE ARK - THE SUBSIDING FLOOD - RIPPLE
ON THE WATERS - THE PHENOMENA OF THE " MARKS,)        148
2




XIV                    CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
Upe gebibal  aur  Qze  (zeurral $asnmB1g
ANNUAL MEETING IN THE IRISH METROPOLIS - CONFERENCE ON THE REVIVAL
- A MINISTER'S STATEMENT THERE - CONVERSION OF FOUR BROTHERS OP
THE MANSE - THE PROSTRATIONS, AND STATEMENT OF A MEDICAL MEMBER
OF ASSEMBLY - SUBSEQUENT TESTIMONY OF THE SCOTTISH BRETHREN
PRESENT - REPORT ON THE STATE OF RELIGION - RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
- MR. NORTH IN THE ASSEMBLY - ADJOURNMENT OCCASIONED BY THE
REVIVAL —THE MEETING IN BELFAST IN SEPTEIIBER —THE CONFERENCE
RIESUMED- HALLOWED CHARACTER OF THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS,  174
CHAPTER XI.
ly r TeD     a I arb i   e srangem n    i.
FORMER CELEBRATIONS OF THE ORANGE ANNIVERSARY- THEIR TUMULTUOUS
CHARACTER -" THE TWELFTH " IN SANDY ROW, BELFAST - NARRATIV:E
OF EYE-WITNESSES - OTHER DISTRICTS OF THE TOWN - THE TWELFTH IN
LURGAN - IN DUNDIOD - THE ORANGE HALL - THE OPEN-A IR CELEBRIATION —TESTIMONY OF MINISTERS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS —A RETURNED
AFRICAN MISSIONARY ON THE TWELFTH IN HIS NATIVE COUNTY - CHlIEF
BARON PIGOTT ON THE EXTINCTION OF PARTY SPIRIT — STRANGE THING
AT A LODGE MEETING, AND ITS LESSON.                      185
CHAPTER XII.
THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE - HIS INTEREST IN THE WORK - ORIGINAL COMMUNICATION FROM HIM - THE REVIVAL IN CASTLEREAGH - THE CRIPPLE
MAN - THE FARMER'S WIFE - "REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE" - COMBER -
GREAT INCREASE - FEW SUDDEN CONVERSIONS - BODILY HEALTH I[MPROVED -THE PHYSICAL iMANIFESTATIONS-ANSWEMS TO SPECIAL PRAYER
— REVIVAL AMONG QUARRYMEN - RILLINCHY - STATEMENT OP THE 1HON.
AND REV. H. WARD - NEWTOWNARDS - PREVIOU8 STATE - THE WORK BEGUN - UNITED PRAYER-MEETING - THE SCHOOLIMASTER TURNED PREACHER
- THE DRUNKEN BELLMAN - THE TOWN MISSIONARY - THE MILITIA SERGEANT - THE CONVERTED SCHOOL-GIRL - OTHER CASES - THE CRY TO HER
FATHER-THE UNBELIEVER IN THE WORIK - TIlE FIRST-FRUIT OF THE
NEW YEAR,.197




CONTENTS.                           XV
CHAPTER XIII.
9i} e-bi  zatt in (ounta Pom n —- (6ntnnuh.
A VISIT TO BOARDMILLS, AND PREACHING ON A SABBATH EVENING - GROUPS
ON THE GREEN- FEW STRICKEN —EVERY ONE MOVED —NO EXTRAVAGANCES -THE CHILDREN AT THE PRAYER-MEETINGS —HAPPY CHANGE
IN SOCIETY — OPEN-AIR COMMUNION -PRECIOUSNESS OF CALVINISTIC
DOCTRINE- BALLINAHINCi    - REVIVAL INCIDENT, AS TOLD BY A SCOTTISIt MINISTER-THE WASHER~WOMAN'S PRAYER- CONLIG —ANSWER TO
PRAYER - BALLYCOPELAND - ILLUSTRATIVE CASES - RATHFRILAND - A
STUDENT'S STATEMENT - BANBRIDGE - STATEMENT OF MR. GREEN, CIVIL
ENGINEER - DROMARA,..                 222
CHAPTER XIV.
CBC   tbtX.nt in t   (!ti  nsd   tonnty  of nt  rtg
rfIlE COMMENCEMENT - STATEMIENT OF THE REV. R. WALLACE- ACCIDENTS
OF PROSTRATION - AGENCIES EMPLOYED- EXTENT OF THE WORK -
" CASES " — " IT'S MY BROTHER GEORGE " - RESULTS - MAGCHElA - THE
FIRST PROSTRATION- " GOD HAS BEEN WITH US THIS MORNING" —NO
LACK OF MEANS - GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE - THE PRAYER-MEETINGS
- RESULTS - THE WORK GOES ON - LINE OF ACTION THAT MINISTERS
SHOULD PURSUE - LECUMPHER - ARREST ON A JAUNTING-CAR - NEWTONLIMAVADY - MR. NORTH, AND HIS DOCTRINE OlF " REALIZATION " - EIGHT
CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY —THE WORK IN OTHER PARTS OF THE
NEIGHBOREHOOD - BALLYKELLY - ADDRESSES AND PRAYERS OF1 THE CONVERTS- CHILDREN'S MEETINGS —DIFFERENT HEARING OF THE WORD -
THE " ELDERS ) MOVED - TEMPTER'S WILES - RESULTS,..    253
CHAPTER XV.
G;.e  iLbi al   in  (Gnntg  drorinc.
TIlE REVIVAL IN THE FAIR OP ORRITOR, AND ITS RESULTS-THE WVORK IN
COOKSTOWVN AND VICINITY -A CASE OF "C PROPHESYING," AND ITS EXPOSURE-RAPT EARNESTNESS ON THE SABBATH-THE MOVABLE TENTTHINGS BROUGHT TO REMEIBRANCE - MOVEMENT AT CASTLEDERG - ITS
ORIGIN THROUGH " COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS  -- WESLEYAN AND PRESBYTERIAN COOPERATION - RESULTS - CHEERING PACT AS TO THE PROGRESS
OF THE WORK - STRABANE - NARRATIVE OF THE WVORK IN A COMMUNITY
~WHERE THERE WAS NO REMARKABLE EXCITEMENTM,            283




XVI                    C ONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI.
alit ILR 61,631 eu duufnt     tAmagg,
THIE WORK IN LURGAN - THE FIRST CONVERT - " NEITHER MIAD, NOR WICKED,
NOR IGNORANT" - FIRST UNITED MEETING - THE WORK IN THE PASTOR'S
ABSENCE - HE IS UMMONED HOME - TEE NEW SCENES HE WITNESSES -
CLASSES AND MEETINGS —THE COUNTY DISTRICTS - AWFUL END OF A
IOCKER - TREATMENT OF TIlE VISIONS - LIFE FROM THE DEAD - THE
TRUE INSTRUMENT -THE RECTOR'S STATEMENT - MAGHERALIN - THE
ARCHIEPISCOPAL CITY -SCENES IN A DAILY AND IN A SABBATH SCHOOL
-FIRST MOVED IN THE CONGREGATION - THE WORK BECOMES PUBLIC -
" CRYING FOR HIS SINS "- THE CONVERT GIRL AND THE SAILOR - SCENE
IN TIIE RETIRING-ROOM - THE YOUTH WHO HAD -HIS PLANS LAID — TEIE
DYING ONE REVIVED - TULLYALLEN - TARTARAGHAN -  EMORIES OF' TMIE
YEAR,.                              238
CHAPTER XVII.
9ije gzimaxl in  lohy a', a. gnagujnn annb 6a3an.
CO U N TY D O N EG ( A L:-MONREAGI - SCENES IN THE CHURCH -IN THE
OPEN AIR —THREE MElIMORABLE SERVICES, AND THEIR EFFECTS- THE
PRESENT AND THE PAST - SAUL AMONG THE PROPHETS- TWO NOTABLE
INSTANCES —THE DOMESTIC ALTAR- ABIDING FRUITS — DONOUGHMOIE.
C O U N T Y M 0 N A G H A N:- STATEMENT OF THE REV. HOPE M. WADDELL
- IMPRESSIONS OF A VISIT IN THE COUNTRY - ON THE SABBATH - NEWBLISS —THE FIRST CASE -THOSE PRINCIPALLY REACHED. C 0 U N T Y
C A V A N: - BAILIEBOROUGH - DRUIIKEERAN - WONDERFUL AWA KENING
AND EXCITEMENT- STATEMENT OF THE REV. F. F. TRENCH, OF KELLS
(COUNTY MEATH) - A MEETING OVER THE BORDERS - HOW THE REVIVAL
HAS BEEN PROPAGATED- ANOTHER VISIT OVER THE BORDER- " SHOOTING THE GOOSE "-A WHOLE FAMILY SURRENDERING TO CHRIST -THE
MIORAL RESULTS -THE MOVEMENT SOUTHWARDS -LEINSTER AND MUNSTER.320
CHAPTER XVIII.
gjte gzbiat ann  tflz Aomarcn  (nthnits.
THE EXPERIENCES OF THE LAST QUARTERP OF A CENTURY — LABOR AND SUCCESS - THE REVIVAL THE MOST POTENT AGENCY- CASES -THE CRIMEAN
SOLDIER —TWO FEMALES AND A MALE CONVERT- AN AGED FEMIALE —
TIHE BOY WHO BATTLED FOR HIIS LIBERTY - THE LOST TOKEN - TIIE




CO N TENTS.                        XVII
DRUNKEN BEGGAR — THE WOMAN WHO HAD MARRIED A PRESBYTERIAN
— THE STAMMERER CURED —THE WOMAN WHO WAS A SINNER —THE
MAID-SERVANT AT THE FAIR — THE " WILD ARAB" TAMED —THE GIRL
OF THIRTEEN - TAUGHT BY A TOMBSTONE..   55
CHAPTER XIX.
EXPERIENCES OF THE LATE AMERICAN AWAKENING —ITS FREEDOM FROM
PIYSICAL EXCITEMENT - CURIOUS AFFECTION OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH IN A
FORIlER REVIVAL -GENERAL VIEW TAKEN OF THE PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE ULSTER MOVEMENT - THEIR ACKNOWLEDGED EFFECT- SUCH
AFFECTIONS NOT THE NECESSARY ACCOMPANIMENT OF RELIGIOUS FEELING
- PROVINCE OF IMAGINATION - DANGER FROM ITS ABUSE - BODILY AGITATIONS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH SPURIOUS EXCITEMENTS- INCREASED
BY BEING ENCOURAGED - INSTANCES - VIEWS OF ARCHDEACON STOPFORD,
AND THEIR EFFECT - MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE QUESTION - OUR EMOTIVE
NATURE, AND ITS MODES OF ACTION ON TILE BODY- OUR DUTY TO HEARIKEN
TO THE VOICE OF SCIENCE -iNO MERELY PHYSICAL THEORY SUFFICIENT
-THE BODILY AFFECTIONS ACCOUNTED FOR BY EXCITED MENTAL ACTION
— BY SYMPATHY- STATEMENT FROM DR. A. ALEXANDER —BY NERVOUS
DISEASE - PROSTRATION NOT CONVERSION - IMPROPER MODE OF TREATING
" CASES " - TIlE PHENOMIENA OF DUMBNESS, ETC. - SLEEPING CASES DEALT
WITH- A PROPHESIER AND A SLEEPER REBUKED -TWO STRIIKING CASES
DETAILED,....   379
CHAPTER XX.
THE REVIEW FITTED TO STRENGTHEN FAITH IN THE OMNIPOTENT ENERGY OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT - TO ILLUSTRATE THE RAPIDITY WITH WHICH GOD CAN
BRING ABOUT HIS PURPOSES OF MERCY-TO SHOW THE XARMIED COINCIDENCE BETWEEN THE NVORKING OF THE SPIRIT IN THE EARLY CHURCH
AND NOW —TO TEACH THE CHURCH THAT THE FORCES SHE NOW POSSESSES
ARE SUFFICIENT FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD - TO ENFORCE THE
TRUE THEORY OlF CHRISTIAN UNION - AND TO CAST A NEW LIGHT ON INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY - CONCLUSION,...  415
2O




XVIII                  CONTENTS.
APPENDIX.
A.
REPORT OF THE PRESBYTERY OF AIIOGIIILL,.                 431
B.
TIHE REVIVAL AND PUBLIC MORALITY,....... 43
TIlE REVIVAL AND INSANITY,.                               437
C.
TIlE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,.                   439
D.
DOWVN AND CONNOR DIOCESE RETURNS,                          4. 443
E.
CONGREGATIONAL IRETURNS,,.                               444




THE YEAR OF GRACE.
CHAPTER I.
Glj  Ztenx  of ijl r &EifaL
THE ULSTER PLANTATION — THE EARLY MINISTERS AND SETTLERS - THE FIRST
REVIVAL —ULSTER IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY - CHARACTER OF TI-IHE
POPULATION - LOW STATE OF RELIGION - TESTIMONY OF LIVING WITNESSES.
IT is now two hundred and fifty years since a new era,
civil and religious, dawned on Ulster. The intestine tumults by which our northern province had unhappily been
distinguished had sunk to rest, and the estates of the rebel
chiefs, which had been forfeited to the British Crown, had
begun: to: be: occupied by:that:enterprising and -hardy race
in whose hands they were destined ere long to become
one of the fairest portions of the kingdom. Although the
early colonists were, for the most part, actuated by a spirit
of wild adventure, and had nothing less at heart than the
interests of vital godliness, they speedily assumed the aspect of an industrious and orderly community; while the
course of providential events, which had brought them
to their new abode, was soon after followed by others of
more than ordinary significance in their bearing on the
spiritual destinies of their adopted country.
The British monarch who was the leading instrument
in the Ulster plantation, by which the foundations of the
social edifice were so securely laid in this part of his do



20           THE SCENE OF THE REVIVAL.
minions, was, at the same time, the abettor of a policy
which was attended by the most disastrous results, alike
to liberty and religion, in other portions of the kingdom.
At the very period when the lands of the revolted earls
were passing into the occupancy of their future cultivators, the hand of persecution was lifted up, under royal
sanction, on our Scottish forefathers; while, of the Puritans in England, a faithfil band had left their native
shores, soon after, to plant in the virgin soil of a new continent those sacred principles which, wherever they are
germinant, are the truest seeds of empire. Ireland, then
little known or regarded at the seat of power, and not yet
recovered from the effects of its late contentions, might,
with impunity, afford a shelter to the expatriated for conscience' sake, and thither a few of them repaired, and
enjoyed, for a season, a safe asylum "under the shadow
of the Almighty."
Of the first seven ministers who settled in the country,
five were from  Scotland, and two from  England. The
earliest arrival was in 1613; and scarcely had they set
foot in Ulster, when they began to labor with apostolic
earnestness; and, though beset with many difficulties, they
were favored with an extraordinary, if not unprecedented,
measure of success. Of one of them (Blair) it is recorded
by a contemporary, "He was a man of notable constitution, both of body and mind; of a majestic, awful, yet
affable and amiable countenance and carriage, thoroughly
learned, of strong parts, deep invention, solid judgment,
and a most public spirit for God. His gift of preaching
was such, that seldom could any observe withdrawing of
assistance in public, which in others is frequent. He seldom ever wanted assurance of his salvation. He spent
many days and nights in prayer, alone and with others,
and was vouchsafed great intimacy with God."  The
others were of like precious faith, and imbued with a
kindred ardor for the evangelization of the land to which
their steps had been directed in its time of need. Nor




EARLY MINISTERS AND SETTLERS.          21
was it long until a signal blessing rested visibly upon
their labors. Not only did a marked improvement manifest itself in the entire habits and demeanor of the people, but a spirit of intense religious earnestness began to
be evinced, which issued in one of the most remarkable
awakenings recorded in the annals of the Christian Church.
It was on this wise that it originated. Mr. James Glendinning, one of the least gifted of the newly-arrived ministers, and who had been advised by Blair to remove from
Carrickfergus, where he had been settled, to some less
conspicuous sphere, had acted upon the fraternal counsel,
and was appointed to the charge of a rural congregation
at Oldstone, near the town of Antrim. " lie was a man,"
says the narrator of the period, "who never would have
been chosen by a wise assembly of ministers, nor sent to
begin a reformation in this land. Yet this was the Lord's
choice to begin with him the admirable work of God,
which I mention on purpose that all may see how the
glory is only the Lord's in making a holy nation in this
profane land, and that it was not by might, nor by power,
nor by man's wisdom, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.
At Oldstone, God made use of him to awaken the consciences of a lewd and secure people thereabouts; for,
seeing the great lewdness and ungodly sinfulness of the
people, he preached nothing to them but law, wrath, and
the terrors of God for sin; and in very deed for this only
was he fitted, fobr hardly could he preach any other thing.
But behold the success! for the hearers, finding themselves condemned by the mouth of God speaking in His
word, fell into such anxiety and terror of conscience,
that they looked on themselves as altogether lost and
damned; and this work appeared not in a single person
or two, but multitudes were brought to understand their
way and cry out,'Men and brethren, what shall we do
to be saved?' I have seen them myself stricken into a
swoon with the word; yea, a dozen in one day carried
out of doors as dead, so marvellous was the power of God,




22          THE SCENE OF THE REVIVAL.
smiting their hearts for sin, condemning and killing. And
of these were none of the weaker sex or spirit, but indeed
some of the boldest spirits, who formerly feared not with
their swords to put a whole market town into a fray; yet,
in defence of their stubbornness, cared not to lie in prison
and the stocks, and being incorrigible, were as ready to do
the like the next day. I have heard one of them, then a
mighty strong man, now a mighty Christian, say, that his
end in coming into church was to consult with his companions how to work some mischief; and at one of those
sermons was he so catched, that he was fully subdued.
But why do I speak of him? We knew, and yet know,
multitudes of such men, who sinned, and still gloried in
it, because they feared no man, yet are now patterns of
sobriety, fearing sin because they fear God. And this
spread through the country to admiration, especially about
that river commonly called the Six-mile Water, for there
this work began at first."
Aroused by the movement that was going on around
them, and which had already extended to their own parishes, the neighboring ministers came to the help of their
weak brother, and concerted measures for the superintendence and extension of the work which had been so
auspiciously begun. About the year 1626, accordingly, a
monthly concert for prayer was instituted in Antrim, to
which the brethren, both lay and clerical, repaired for
mutual conference, consulting, in the words of Livingstone (the John Livingstone of the Kirk of Shotts),
"about such things as concerned the carrying on of the
work of God; and those meetings among ourselves," he
adds, "' are sometimes as profitable as either Presbyteries
or Synods. Such as laid religion to heart used to come
in to those meetings, especially out of the Six-mile Water
Valley, which was nearest hand, and where was the greatest number of religious people; and frequently the Sabbath after the Friday's meeting, the communion was
celebrated in one or other of our parishes. Among all




TIE FPIRST REVIVAL.             23
the ministers, there was never any jar or jealousy: yea,
nor amongst the professors, the greatest number of themn
being Scots, and some good number of very gracious
English, all whose contention was to prefer others to
themselves. lMiany of those religious- professors had been
both ignorant and profane, and for debt and want, and
worse causes, had left Scotland. Yet the Lord was pleased
by His word to work such a change, that I do not think
there were more lively and experienced Christians anywhere than were at this time in Ireland. I have known
them come several miles from their own houses to communions, to the Saturday's sermon, and spending the
whole Saturday's night in several companies, sometimes
a minister being with them, and sometimes themselves
alone in conference and prayer. They have then waited
on the public ordinances the whole Sabbath, and spent
the Sabbath night in the same way, and yet at the Monday's sermon were not troubled with sleepiness; and so
they have not slept till they went home." To the same
purpose is the statement of Blair, who also testifies to the
wide-spread character of the awakening.'The blessed
work of conversion, which was of several years' continuance, spread beyond the bounds of Down and Antrim, to
the skirts of neighboring counties; and the resort of people to the monthly meeting and communion occasions,
and the appetite of the people, were become so great, that
we were sometimes constrained, in sympathy with them,
to venture beyond any preparation we had made for the
occasion. And, indeed, preaching and praying were so
pleasant in those days, and healers so eager and greedy,
that no day was long enough, nor any room large enough,
to answer their strong desires and large expectations."
The wonderful success by which the labors of the Ulster
ministers were attended, is also thus attested by another
witness. "I shall here instance," says Fleming, in his
"Fulfilling of Scripture," "that great and solemn work of
God, which was in the Church of Ireland some years before




24           THE SCENE OF THE REVIVAL.
the fall of Prelacy; about the year 1628, and some years
thereafter; which, as many grave and solid Christians yet
alive can witness who were then present, was a bright and
hot sun-blink of the gospel; yea, may with sobriety be
said to have been one of the largest manifestations of the
Spirit, and of the most solemn times of the downpouring
thereof, that almost since the days of the apostles hath
been seen. Then it was sweet and easy for Christians to
come thirty or forty miles to the solemn communions
which they had, and there continue from the time they
came until they returned, without wearying or making
use of sleep; yea, but little either meat or drink; and,
as some of them professed, did not feel the need thereof,
but went away most fresh and vigorous, their souls so
filled with the sense of God."
Such was the character of the revival which, at that
crisis of its history, *so extensively wrought in Ulster,
talning the lawlessness of the early settlers, and transforming them into a race of sober and God-fearing men. The
gracious rain descended on the pastures of the wilderness,
and the thirsty land became springs of water.
The fruits of that sowing have ever since been gathered
in the soil into which the precious seed was cast in tears.
Ungenial in climate as compared with the other provinces
in Ireland, Ulster has maintained its pre6minence in all
the elements of industrial and moral superiority; and
though in the retrospect of its religious condition, there
is much deadness and formality, and even false doctrine,
over which to mourn, it is impossible to avoid associating
with the prayerful labors of the fathers, the blessings that
have since descended on the children. It is peculiarly
interesting to mark, that in the neighborhood of the very
scenes once hallowed by the pious communings of the
saints, a work has had its rise in the past year, not inferior
in interest and importance to any, even the most striking
manifestations of the Spirit of God, that have been witnessed since the pentecostal period itself.




J ULSTER IN TI-IHE NINETEENTH CENTURY.    25
But fifty years ago the cause of evangelical religion
stood very low in Ulster.  A general indifference and
deadness reigned throughout the Protestant churches;
and though the goodly vine which had been planted in
the seventeenth century, had struck its roots into the place
prepared for it of God, and spread its branches over the
land, it suffered under a withering blight, and was to a
lamentable extent shorn of its foliage and fruitfulness.
Yet was it not forgotten by the heavenly Husbandman;
and now, after having stood the shock of many a tempest,
it has been graciously revisited by the genial influences
of the Sun of righteousness, and multitudes are rejoicing
in its pleasant fruits.
It is well known that the natives of the north of Ireland
bear upon them in their intellectual features the stamp of
their Scottish ancestry. Unlike the Milesian Irish of the
south and west, they are a shrewd, calculating, and eminently practical people. The only period in their history
when some were carried away by violent excitement was
at the rising of 1798; but even then the impulses to which
they yielded were those of genuine, though mistaken
patriotism. Superior in education to the generality of
their fellow-countrymen, and abjuring the superstitions by
which the majority are enslaved, they have ever hcad a
keen appreciation of the strong points of the argument
for Protestantism; and as often as a controversial disputation has arisen between the champions of the respective
systems, they have looked on with eager interest, and
have not failed to honor and reward the victors. The
delusions, under the guise of religion, by which the popular mind in England has sometimes been taken captive,
had no charm for them -their strong sense and logical
discrimination being proof against the impostures of pretenders, and the fervors of enthusiasts.  The last halfcentury, especially, has made them  more than usually
familiar with theological discussion. Questions have fromr
time to time been agitated which have been invested with
3




26           THE SCENE OF THE REVIVAL.
an intense polemic interest.  Of these, by far the most
exciting was that which constituted the occasion of stormy
controversy, between thirty and forty years ago, in one of
the great sections of Ulster Presbyterianism, issuing in
its deliverance from the incubus of Unitarianism, and its
consolidation on the broad basis of orthodox Christianity.
Others, of lesser interest, still remained to exercise the
practised dialectics of the people. The respective claims
of the Calvinistic and Arminian systems, and the old
unsettled account between Presbytery and Prelacy, ever
and again presented themselves as topics of debate, not
seldom of alienation and personal antagonism, between
the leading disputants.
It will thus be perceived that the religious feeling of the
north partook rather of that excitement which is generated
in the heats of controversy, than of that vital warmth and
glow which are the product of spiritual life. The reality
being sadly wanting, it was not to be wondered at that
indifference and formality extensively prevailed.  True,
indeed, there were none of those criminal outbreaks of
lawless violence, so often witnessed in other parts of
Ireland; but many forms of evil had existence in the community, not unfrequently in connection with a religious
profession, and under the very shadow of the sanctuary.
Foremost among all these, and parent of most of them, was
intemperance. At fairs and markets, sometimes even at
funerals, the "whiskey demon" held his horrid carnival;
while party brawls and battles, mingled with fearful yells
and imprecations, often closed the scene.
Of the prevalent deadness in many, even the most
favored parts of the country, where no flagrant immorality
existed, the following statement, with respect to his own
congregation previous to the revival, by the Rev. G. H.
Shanks, may be taken as a faithful representation:
" This congregation, before the revival, was in a most
unsatisfactory state as to religion. The people were not
immoral, nor without a religious profession; but Laodice



LOW STATE OF RELIGION.              27
anismn characterized them. From my first entrance on the
work of the ministry, I believed that the faithful use of
the means of grace should be followed by their appropriate
effects, as certainly as the tillage of a field is followed by a
crop, or as diligence in any profession is rewarded with
success; and bitter, therefore, was my disappointment as
year after year passed and still no fruit appeared. In grief
I wondered at what I considered the mysterious withholding of the Spirit, and set myself to account for it. What
alarmed me most was the disinclination, almost hostility,
of the people to hold prayer-meetings. They appeared,
for the most part, as if they thought they were well enough,
and that I was unnecessarily disturbing them and drawing
them off from their necessary industrial pursuits; so that
I was led at times to think and to say, that they had a
greater desire to win half-a-crown than for all that Godl
could do for their souls. Some whom I had never seen at
a prayer-meeting, and who would have said they had not
time to attend for a couple of hours once a month, have,
since the revival commenced, attended often twice daily,
in some instances with three or four sons, during the best
working hours of the summer day. I knew there were
always a few (very few I feared) praying persons in the
several congregations in the neighborhood, and there were
always attempts made to keep up prayer-meetings in my
own; but, up to the very week of the bursting forth of
the revival, there appeared no general desire nor felt need
for such a thing, nor symptoms of its approach, except
that the Sunday-school had been gradually increasing, and
attendance on public worship improving a little, and perhilps one or two individuals mourning over the general
deadness. I had never been more dispirited and distressed
thlan during some weeks immediately preceding the rushing
mighty wind which so suddenly and gloriously came in
upon us, vitalizing the dead mass. The intelligence of
revival in America, and even in the parishes of Antrim
and in Belfast, seemed to produce little impression, or




28           THE SCENE OF THE REVIVAL.
excite desire. They appeared incredulous and unmovedL
I had nearly begun to cease hoping. I felt as if I were
almost quite alone - no one mourning or praying with me.
I told them that I was appalled at their apparent determination to have no prayer-meetings, and to seek no revival
-rthat the showers were going round and round us, and
not a drop falling our way, - and that we would be left
utterly reprobate, a visible monument of the consequences
of despising gospel privileges. I reminded them that any
little good which had ever come to my knowledge as
having been done to souls through my ministry, was nearly
all in connection with persons not belonging to my congregation. And I asked,'What could this mean, except that
God had given over my people to a hardened and reprobate
mind?'"
The following statement by the Rev. J. A. Canning, of
Coleraine, in regard to the religious aspects of that town
and neighborhood prior to the awakening, may be regarded
as not less applicable to many other districts of Ulster:
1" The great mass of the inhabitants of the city and of
the surrounding country are of Scotch extraction, and are
members of the Presbyterian Church. For centuries the
gospel has been faithfully preached among a thoughtful,
industrious, intelligent, and well-educated people. Churchgoing habits have ever characterized the inhabitants of
town and country. The observance of the Sabbath, and
attendance upon Sabbath ordinances, have long been a
marked characteristic of the people. The doctrines of the
Westminster Confession of Faith have, from olden time,
been preached by ministers, and held by their flocks.
There is no Unitarian congregation in the wide district of
which Coleraine is the business-centre and capital. The
Puseyism of the Episcopal Church has never found favor
among the ministers and members of the Establishment.
There are wide districts in which there are almost no
Roman Catholics. Sabbath-schools are everywhere established, and the religious training of the young' is the rule




TESTIMONY OF LIVING WITNESSES.        29
and not the exception. Coleraine is the seat of a large
Presbytery; and in the churches of which it has the oversight, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper is observed twice
in the year. The population of the city may amount to.
between eight and nine thousand. The staple manufacture
of the locality is that of linen, for which it has been long
celebrated, and the whole district is comparatively rich.
"In disposition and temperament the people are calm,
thoughtful, and far from impulsive, and their habits, amusements, and usages, strongly indicate their Scotch descent.
Among such a people, thus circumstanced, the organization
of Christ's Church has for many years been very complete.
Church-courts have been vigilant, ordinances have been
regularly and faithfully dispensed, and nothing seemed
wanting but a power to bring home an offered gospel to
the hearts and souls of the people. Some of God's children
have therefore been saying of late years, that one of two
things was likely soon to occur, namely, either that gospel
doctrine, preached by ministers and professed by the people,
but apparently without much life, would, like everything
which becomes stagnant, sink into putrefaction, and that
heresy would supplant the truth; or, that a gracious God
would honor His own truth by supplying the power of
the Spirit to impart to it a vivifying energy. That God
has been pleased to shed abroad this power, the wondrous
awakening which has characterized the summer and autumn
of 1859, abundantly proves."
Such, then, was the state of things immediately preceding
the wonderful manifestation of Divine grace which is to be
recorded in the following pages. Such were the leading
aspects in the population of Ulster, — a population, as it
has been well said, " trained to reason, warm in party and
cold in religion - among whom capital crime was rare, true
piety equally so, religious fervor dreaded, and fanaticism
unknown; whose wanderings had been towards Unitarianlism, not enthusiasm, and whose wills are remarkably unyielding."




CHAPTER II.
INCREASING PURITY IN THE CHURCH- A QUICKENED MINISTRY - SABBATHSCHOOL INSTRUCTION - PRAYER-MEETINGS - BIBLE-CLASSES - TRACT DISTRIBUTION - PRESBYTERIAL AND SYNODICAL ACTION - MEASURES OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY - INTELLIGENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVIVAL.
THE great awakening of last year, though it has culininated in a form which has attracted the attention of the
churches, is not in its remoter origin a thing of yesterday.
For many years a purifying and preparatory process has
been going forward, especially in that communion which
has so largely shared the gracious influence. A return to
the "old paths" of orthodoxy was speedily followed by
auspicious indications of returning life; and the Presbyterian Church of Ulster, immediately on the consummation of an ecclesiastical union between its two great
sections, about twenty years ago, at length arose to its
true position as a missionary institute to Jew and Gentile,
— a witness for the truth to all nations. By the good
hand of God a generation of energetic and devoted ministers was raised up, with many of whom the burthen of
their prayers has ever been, "0 Lord, revive Thy work."
At the same time, while there was an unusual amount of
ministerial effort, there was a growing conviction of the
insufficiency of all merely human agency, and an intenser
longing than had ever been evinced before for the descent
of a Divine influence. Often had the watchmen put the
trumpet to their mouth and sounded the alarm, and as
often had they mourned in secret that sinners remained
at ease in sin, and refused to take timely walning. }IMany




SABBATI-SCHOOLS - PRAYER-MEETINGS.        31
a polished shaft from the quiver of the sanctuary was
aimed at heart and conscience, and many a lamentation
was raised that it fell pointless as against an impenetrable
shield. Amid various indications of revival, there were
the ever-increasing proofs of human impotency, —the
accumulating evidences of the necessity of a superior intervention, -even of the power and presence of Him
who quickeneth when He will, breathing upon the slain
that they may live.
"It is right it should be known," says the Rev. S. AI.
Dill, of Ballymena, "that this movement has not come
upon us quite so suddenly as people at a distance might
be led to suppose. I am able to testify that there has
been a gradual but perceptible improvement in the state
of religion throughout this district for some years. Ministers were led to speak to the people with greater earnestness about'the things which belong to their peace.'
Attendance on the public ordinances of religion had
considerably increased.  Open-air preaching was extensively practised. Sabbath-schools were greatly multipled.
Prayer-meetings were growing up in many districts. Sacred music, which had been much neglected, was cultivated with ardor and success. And altogether the people
were in a state of preparation - a state which passed
into one of earnest expectancy, when the glad news of
the American revivals reached our shores."
"I was installed," says a young minister, "as pastor of
my present congregation (consisting of three hundred
and twenty families), in March 1857; and, during the ensuing summer, took occasion to preach on the necessity
of a revival, the agency by which it is produced, and the
means by which it might be promoted. I also established
a Bible-class, whose numbers increased till the names of
about two hundred young persons, from thirteen to thirty
years of age, were upon its roll, and which I met every
Sabbath after public worship, and examined on the sermon just preached, the Shorter Catechism, and a portion




THE PREPARATION.
of Scripture. We also formed a Ladies' Tract Association, whose members distributed fortnightly, among the
families' of all denominations in the district who were
willing to receive them, the publications of the London
Religious Tract Society, and of Mir. Drummond, of Stirling. In the spring and summer of 1858, the news of the
American revival reached us, and for some time excited
an interest among the people; and when our Assembly
met in July of that year in Derry, and engaged in conference on the subject, and it was reported that God had
also.begun a gracious work in Connor, the intelligence
was communicated to our people, and helped to rekindle
in the hearts of God's children a desire for a similar
awakening. During the following winter, however, there
seemed to be a growing coldness, until the news reached
us last spring that the revival had begun to spread rapidly
through County Antrim, and was accompanied by remarkable bodily manifestations."'A visible propriety, as well as spiritual life," says an
aged minister, "was obviously penetrating the great mass
of our people for a year and a half or two years previous
to the revival, from the proper organization and training
we had got into by the establishment of regular prayermeetings and' other kindred agencies. A Young 3Men's
Christian Association had also been established, whose
monthly' meetings for mutual improvement contributed
not a little to inspire our youth with confidence and zeal.
The Presbytery of Omagh also had the subject of revivals before them at their regular meetings for twelve
or fourteen years back, and had not only drawn up and
circulated statements upon the subject among their congregations, but had from time to time appointed presbyterial deputations to address each congregation throughout
their bounds on the necessity of a revival of religion.
Immediately on hearing of the great American awakening of 1858, we resumed our former practice, and revisited
in the autumn the sixteen congregartions of which the pres



PRESBYTERIAL ACTION.               33
bytery is composed. But what is all that man can do till
the appointed, the set timle is come, when the heavens
open, and the dews descend to water and refresh the
thirsty ground? "
In connection with these statements, it deserves to be
mentioned that for a considerable period the state of religion throughout its bounds had engaged the earnest
attention of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, through
its Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assembly.  For
several years some of the synods never separated without
directing the ministers to bring before the people committed to their care the question of the state of religion
- the deity and personality of the Spirit —and the necessity and nature of conversion. In 1858, the necessity
of a revival of pure religion occupied a prominent place
in their deliberations.  The reports that had been presented were afterwards, in several instances, printed and
circulated, and presbyteries were enjoined to meet on a
given day for the purpose of conferring on the means
which should be used for promoting the revival of religion.  Through the report of a standing committee
appointed for the purpose, the same subject had been
regularly brought under the notice of the General Assembly at its annual meetings, and many consultations
were held among the members for the advancement of
the interests of vital godliness. At the meeting in 1858,
it devolved on the convener (the Rev. Dr. Kirkpatrick, of
Dublin) to advert to the extraordinary display of Divine
grace with which the American churches had been visited
during the preceding winter, and the accounts of which
had been already widely circulated throughout the community. On the reception of his report, the Assembly
resolved to devote a portion of its sittings to special conference and prayer with reference to this great spiritual
movement. The season thus set apart was one of peculiar solemnity and sacredness; and when one after another
of the fithers rose up in his place to tender his paternal




84                THE PREPARATION.
counsels, and when the voice of praise and supplication
ascended afterwards to heaven, all hearts were touched as
by a common sympathy, while from the reigning harmony
and fervor many fondly cherished the expectation of a
time of more abundant blessing.  The exercises, which
had before been in private, were resumed by arrangement
on the following evening in the presence of an assembled
multitude, as well as of representatives from the Free
Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church of England, and the Waldensian, Belgian, and other continental
churches. Addresses were delivered, intermingled with
devotional exercises, on such topics as the following: —
Special outpourings of the Spirit  Scripture examples;
the present religious awakenings in America; the duty of
seeking such awakenings among ourselves; the encouragement to seek this great blessing from God. Another
arrangement was nmade by this Assembly before its close,
which eventually contributed to increase the interest
already existing in the American awakening. A deputation, consisting of two ministers, was appointed to visit
the affiliated churches in British North America; and as
the delegates, after discharging their proper mission, had
opportunities of witnessing to some extent the work then
going forward in the United States, their statements in
regard to it, on their return, were anxiously sought for,
and their experiences were rehearsed in various districts
of the north of Ireland. The writer of these pages having had the happiness and honor of being appointed on
that deputation, he is enabled to speak with confidence
upon the subject; and he can testify that, for many
months, indeed during the entire of the winter, he was
occupied, on every available occasion, in satisfying the
demands of brethren, to narrate to their congregations
what he had seen and heard of the great work of God
during his transatlantic visit, and that wherever he went,
his statements were received with the deepest interest.
Never, indeed, has he had a happier time than in declat



INTELLIGENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVIVAL.    35
ing to friends at home the gracious doings of the Mlost
Iitgh among their kindred on the great western continent; while in the wakeful attention, earnest gaze, and
stifled emotion of the listening thousands, he often fancied that he could trace the harbingers of a no less
glorious renovation.




CHAPTER III.
Ulp i VidxQaF      /ie of f"ijet
DIFFICULT TO TRACE THE MOVEMENT, IN ITS ORIGIN AND OUTGOINGS -THE
CONNOR DISTRICT - ITS LONG-CONTINUED SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES - ITS
PRESENT PASTOR AND HIS LABORS-THE TANNYBRAKE SABBATH-SCHOOL
AND ITS PRAYER-MEETING - THE YOUNG NEN'S FELLOWVSHIP MEETINGSILENT CONVERSIONS -A VISIT TO CONNOR —A SABBATH'S EXPERIENCE
THERE, IN THE CMANSE, THE CONGREGATION, AND THE PRAYER-MEETING.
IN attempting to narrate the character of such a movemerit as that to which our attention is now turned, there
are one or two weighty truths  that stand out vividly
before us as we begin. It is well to advert to them in a
sentence or two, that we may understand how much and
how little we can do here.
We cannot fix the beginning of this revival.  The end
of our vision is not the starting-point of God's working.
That which is a germ in relation to one thing is a ripened
fruit in relation to another. It is wisest for us to keep
human agency in its own place, and to aim  at reflecting
all the glory on the Sovereign Lord.  We cannot justly
tell its progress. This is a spiritual work, and we are
earthly. To tell the current story of conversion is easy,
but to trace the outgoings of this new life in the church
and the world is another thing. The under current is
hidden from  our view.  That which lies on the surface is
the greatest which men see, but it is the least which the
Spirit has shown.  We cannot fully describe its fruits.
After all, this is greatly premature. The outward change
of a community is much, but the eternal day shall reveal




TIIE CONNOR DISTRICT.             87
more than this.  Such a great awakening may be the
fruit of the past, but it is the bud of the future.
Yet it is a grateful task, however inadequately we may
execute it, to mark the springing up of the sparkling
fountain after all the darkness of its hidden streams, and
to trace its flow still upward as our poor knowledge leads
us, till the light of heaven breaks upon the bended seekers,
and we find ourselves beside the river of life, which flows
from the throne of God and the Lamb.
In more than one locality in Ulster, notwithstanding
the general deadness, symptoms of awakening began to
indicate the approach of a better era. Public attention,
however, was soon concentrated on a rural district in
County Antrim, which, more than any other, has been
identified with the early history of the movement, and
from which, as a common centre, it spread with unprecedented rapidity over the entire north of Ireland.
The place was one which had long enjoyed the benefit
of an evangelical ministry. Even in days of darkness and
defection, Connor had been a favored district; and, under
the oversight of a faithful pastorate and vigilant eldership,
ever zealous for the purity of communion and the maintenance of a wholesome discipline, the flock were taught,
alike by precept and example, the necessity of separation
firom  the world. Some thirty years ago the venerable
Henry Henry rested from his labors, extending over half
a century, and was succeeded by one who, in the wider
sphere to which he was subsequently called, acquired an
influential position in the Presbyterian Church, and whose
remains have just been followed to the grave amid the
regrets and tears of thousands. For about nine years the
Rev. David Hamilton, late of Belfast, plied his congenial
task among a plain people in that rural region, and sowed
much of that precious seed which has subsequently borne
abundant fruit. His successor, one of the ablest and most
levoted ministers in Ulster, labored for a length of time
with little visible result, expounding and enforcing the old




38        THE BIRTHPLACE OF TIIE REVIVAL.
theology, training the rising generation in Scripture knowledge, using no flattering words with any, and fearing not
to testify of the dread realities of the world to come. His
public ministrations, accordingly, were characterized by
great plainness of speech, insomuch that many for a time
complained of his honest boldness, even when they could
not resist the power with which he addressed them in his
MIaster's name. In the prosecution of his pastoral work
he regularly visited the families of his charge once a year,
and was thus intimately conversant with the spiritual
condition of all his people. To the young especially he
sought to commend the great salvation, sparing neither
time nor toil to indoctrinate them in the truth as it is in
Jesus.  Into the numerous Sabbath-schools under his
care, he introduced important and instructive Scriptural
exercises; while Bible-classes were established, which
were attended by many, who, by reason of their age,
would have shrunk from placing themselves on a level
with those of tender years, who were receiving a mere
elementary instruction in the Word of God. The young
and old were thus alike well taught in the Bible, and
consequently were, to a more than ordinary extent,
acquainted with the gospel scheme. Yet, notwithstanding
these advantages and opportunities, many had little more
than the form of godliness; others, openly careless and
indifferent, were unhappily addicted to strong drink and
other debasing vices. The merely moral and the sincerely
pious mingled together, so far as man could judge, with
little to distinguish them from one another; while the
victim of intemperance, now and then, and as if to annoy
both, appeared among them, to be flouted by the one, and
pitied by the other. For years this state of things continued, until, after many disheartening delays, the longdesired blessing came, and hundreds rose up as from the
dead to newness of life.
For a considerable period the winter Sabbath-evening
service, which was more especially designed for the out



LABORS OF ITS PRESENT PASTOR.         39
lying population, who had no regular church connection,
and who could not find acconlmmodation in the crowded
pews in the previous part of the day, had become unusually
large, amounting to many hundreds, even in the darkest
nights and the coldest weather; "and what they heard,"
says Mlr. Moore, "was very plain, and barren of all attempt
at ordinary pulpit refinements. The terrors of the Lord,
and the free offers of mercy - heaven and hell - these
constituted the almost exclusive theme."  "It is worthy
of notice, also," he adds, "that the revival of religion, and
the reasonableness of expecting such a dispensation, were
not unfrequently dwelt on in the stated ministrations of
the sanctuary.  Extracts were read from  the existing
memorials of the work of God in Wales, under Daniel
Rowlands; in America, under Jonathan Edwards and the
Tennents; and in Scotland, under the many eminent ministers who were similarly honored in other days. The idea
of a great revival accordingly took hold of many in the
congregation, and many prayers were offered in public and
in private that it might be realized in vitality and power."
"Depend upon it," said one of the most intelligent and
prayerful men in all the district to his minister some years
ago, "you will yet see good days in Connor."
It was in the spring of 1855, as I am informed by one
who has been brought up in the district, and is now a
student for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, that
a movement was commenced in faith and prayer, which
was destined, ere long, to spread over the neighborhood a
hallowed influence. At the close of a Sabbath evening at
that period, and at one of his Bible-class examinations,
IMr. Moore was heard addressing a young man present,
and affectionately urging upon him the duty of doing
"something more" for God. "Could you not," he said,
"gather at least six of your careless neighbors, either parents or children, to your own house, or some other convenient place, on the Sabbath, and spend an hour with
them, reading and searching the WVord of God?"  The




40        THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REVIVAL.
young man hesitated for a moment, but promised to try.
From that trial, made in faith, originated the Tannybrake
Sabbath-school, and in connection with it, two years
subsequently, a prayer-meeting, which yielded some of
the first-fruits of the great awakening. In the course of
the winter following, a devoted Christian layman came to
reside in the vicinity, with whose cooperation, in the
spring, the school, which had been closed during the
months preceding, was reipened under more favorable
auspices.  During the summer it greatly flourished -a
marked seriousness and earnestness being discernible, both
among the teachers and the taught.  Seeing the good
effects produced upon the children, the teachers anxiously
considered whether an effort might not be undertaken on
behalf of the parents also. Accordingly, they resolved to
commence a special exercise for prayer and reading the
Scriptures each evening, after the closing of the school, to
which the parents and others were to be specially invited.
"A Sabbath evening, early in August," to use the language
of my informant, "found the expectant teachers engaged
in their new work, with only one solitary visitor 1present.
Nothing discouraged, they resolved to persevere, and a
second meeting showed a more decided measure of success,
for about thirty persons, besides themselves and a few
scholars, attended. From week to week the numbers continued to increase, till at last the house was filled. Prayer,
praise, and reading in the Bible, with plain observations
on the portion read, were the exercises engaged in.
Everything sectarian was strictly prohibited, and promptly
checked as soon as it appeared. Questions that might
have given rise to controversy were not discussed, while
the one great and absorbing topic,'Christ and the cross,'
seemed to occupy the attention and steal the affections of
all present. The Sabbath-school teachers' prayer-meeting,
for it was so called, became more and more interesting, till
the knowledge of its existence spread throughout the neighborhood. Many came to see whether the things they had




YOUNG MEN' S FELLOWSHIP MEETING.         41
heard concerning it were true; and such were the earnestness and solemnity in that little assembly, that strangers
who came once, returned again and again, until they also
caught the hallowed flame. Nor was it with the labor of
the slothful that they entered on the work - it was with
constancy, persistency, and power, and with an intense
desire for the salvation of their friends and neighbors who
were perishing around them.
"Among others who were associated in the Sabbathschool pr'ayer-m.eeting, were the four young men whose
names have been much before the public in connection
with the subsequent revival. These four rejoiced together
in the glorious work, and took great delight also in each
other's society, enjoying sweet communion with each other,
and with their common Lord. But as they were some
miles apart, in their respective homes, and could not come
together so often as they desired, they resolved to meet
at a central place for Christian fellowship, and for this
purpose they chose an old school-house in the neighborhood. of IKells, where, in the month of October, about two
months subsequent to the commencement of the Sabbathschool prayer-meeting in Tannybrake, those exercises
were conducted which have been generally regarded as
the origin of the revival. It will be seen, however, from
what has now been stated, that the first stirrings of life
were exhibited in connection with the Sabbath-school
prayer-meeting. Three, at least, of the converts were born
there, two of whom were scholars, and the third a teacher,
while the gracious answers to the prayers offered on their
behalf, while laboring under deep conviction, gave a
powerful stimulus to prayer itself. From that time the
gracious drops began to fall thicker and faster, until the
rushing shower descended which has refreshed so many,
and left behind verdure and beauty in the heritage of
God."
"For a considerable period," says ]Mr. Moore himself,
"and before any general interest in religion was manifested
4*




42        THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REVIVAL.
by the people, there had been a growing anxiety about
salvation. And some cases had here and there occurred
of an unwonted character: a sinner, anxious about the
state and prospects of his soul, experiencing a sudden,
startling visitation of dread, followed by a peace and joy
unspeakable - a protracted season of perplexity approaching to despair, succeeded by a view of Christ as a Saviour,
fill, sweet, restoring. Such instances had been occasionally witnessed, but they were isolated, and unnoticed by
the generality. About the spring of 1858 a very interesting work began to manifest itself, and to move onwards
over a certain district of the congregation. For mlore than
a quarter of a century the'prayer-meeting' had existed in
that locality, while similar meetings had in other districts,
after many ineffectual efforts to maintain them, languished
and revived, languished again, and died. Once the meeting in question was so far reduced in numbers that only
two came together to call upon the name of the Lord.
Still they continued to pray on, and by degrees the little
company increased, until it became' two bands.' In the
same district, also, it deserves to be mentioned, the Bible
training of the young in connection with the organization
of Sabbath-schools, had been most successful; the class
which had been established there being more promising
than any of the others in the parish."
The "fellowship-meeting" above referred to, was established almost simultaneously with those concerts for prayer,
begun by a similar agency, in America, whose influence
was so extensively felt throughout the great Western
continent.  "The society," to adopt the words of the
Rev. S. J. Moore of Ballymena, "soon ceased to be a
secret one; and slowly one kindred spirit after another
was introduced, on the recommendation of some of the
original members. For a few months they had to walk
by faith. The seed, however, was not long cast upon the
waters till the tide ebbed, and the tender blade sprung up.
They wrestled on. They prevailed. Surely when God's




SPREAD OF THE AWAKENING.             43
set time is come -when He intends signally to answer
prayer, He disposes the supplicant to plead, and, with
growing anxiety, to plead on till the blessing is secured.
The first observable instance of conversion occurred in December following. A young man became greatly alarmed.
After some time, in answer to earnest prayer by himself
and others, he found peace and confidence. Early in January, a youth in the Sabbath-school class taught by one of
those young men, was brought to the saving knowledge
of Christ as his Saviour. Special prayer, about the same
period, was frequently offered in the fellowship-meeting in
behalf of two persons, who, some three months afterwards,
joyfully professed their faith in the Lord Jesus. Faith
grew. Hope brightened.'The power of prayer' began
to be known, and felt, and seen. The spring communion
came on. Throughout the extensive parish, consisting of
some thousand families, it was generally known that,
lately, persons had been turned to the Lord among them
-some moral, and some wildly immoral.  A few had
heard of a similar triumph of Divine grace beyond the
Atlantic. The services were peculiarly solemn. The Master's presence seemed to be recognized, and His call heard.
A great impulse was given to consideration and seriousness, intensifying and extending these general precursors
of conviction and revival. The old prayer-meetings began
to be thronged, and many new ones established. No
difficulty now to find persons to take part in them. The
winter was past; the time of the singing of birds had
come. Humble, grateful, loving, joyous converts multiplied. The awakening to a sight of sin, the conviction
of its sinfulness, the illumination of the soul in the knowledge of a glorious Saviour, and conversion to Him -all
this operation, carried on by the life-giving Spirit, was in
the Connor district, for more than eighteen months, a calmn,
quiet, gradual, in some cases a lengthened process, not
commencing in, or accompanied by, a' smiting down' of
the body, or any extraordinary physical prostration more




44        THE BIRTHPLACE OF THIE REVIVAL.
than what might be expected to result fiom great anxiety
and deep sorrow."
The awakening thus commenced and spread over a district in which there was a good degree of preparation for
its advent. It is a striking fact, that it was not till more
than twelve months subsequently, and in the summer of
1859, when the work was spreading generally over Ulster,
that some of the other districts of the congregation were
blessed with the gracious visitation. Once begun, however, the movement rapidly extended. The great concerns
of eternity were realized as they had never been before.
People, when they met, talked a new language. Mlany
walked about in deep anxiety about the one thing needful;
while others rejoiced in the realized experience of a present peace and a complete salvation. Meetings for Christian converse and prayer began to spread, — in a short
time the community was altogether changed in its outward
aspects, and a pervading seriousness prevailecl; and at the
meeting of the General Assembly in July 1858, Mr. Moore
was publicly requested by the ~Moderator to furnish some
account of the awakening, the tidings of which elicited.
an expression of the deepest interest on the part of the
supreme judicatory of the Presbyterian Church.
During the succeeding months, and throughout the winter, a silent work of grace was gradually extending over
the whole congregation of Connor, insomuch that when
spring arrived it was believed that some hundreds had been
savingly brought under its benign influence. As yet no
physical excitement had appeared; the process was a purely
spiritual one, carried on in the sanctuary of the mindthe Spirit of God acting through the medium of the truth
upon the spirit of man. Conversion work, however, of
the purest type had been going on; a total transformation
had been effected in the hearts and lives of those who
were the subjects of the change; and throughout all the
neighborhood was heard "thanksgiving and the voice of
melody."




A VISIT TO CONNOR.              45
It was early in the month of May 1859, that, having
heard of the great events that were being transacted there,
I resolved to make a personal visit to the scene. Arriving
on a Saturday afternoon at the manse, I found my excellent friend the pastor in the bosom of his family; his mind,
which had for such a lengthened period previously been
strained to the utmost, now somewhat relaxed into repose,
as he was relieved, for the time, from preparation for the
public services of the morrow. I had not long arrived till
an intimation was sent from the neighboring village, from
a little company of praying ones, whose custom it was to
meet on the evening before the Sabbath to invoke a blessing on the ministrations of the sanctuary. They desired,
on that occasion, the presence of their minister, knowing
that he was in a good measure disengaged, and that another
was to occupy his place before the congregation. And so
he soon after joined them in their exercise of supplication.
The place of meeting was, I have no doubt, the same
which, on a subsequent occasion, was visited by the Rev.
Dr. Edgar, and which, with the persons occupying it, he
thus graphically describes: "The place was a butcher's
shop. The butcher, two years ago, did not know A fiom
B. God converted him: he taught himself to read, and
he is now a large tract-distributor at his own cost, and a
chief hand in the revival work.  The secretary was a
working shoemaker - another Carey. Others present were
day-laborers, a stone-breaker, and a blacksmith's boy. The
stone-breaker, who sits on the road-side breaking stones to
earn his bread, is one of four brothers, lately converted.
Their mother was sister to a notorious pugilist, to whom
she used to be a bottle-holder, and when she entered a
shop she was watched as a noted thief. Her sons were
pests, but God's grace has made them vessels of mercy,
overflowing with goodness, for not a few."
On M r. Moore's return to the manse, he was joined by
one of the four brethren, originally in the membership
of the fellowship-meeting, a young man, whose spiritual




46        THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REVIVAL.
attainments so highly commended him to the congregation
that they had set him apart to the work of an evangelist
-a department in which he has been much honored, not
only in that immediate neighborhood, but in many other
districts in the province. He had waited on the minister
to receive his instructions as to the duties of the ensuing
week, and took his leave, after arranging that he should
specially devote himself to a district in which the people
had shown a great unwillingness to attend his meetings,
under a seeming apprehension, as he expressed it, " lest the
Lord should lay His hand upon them."
The services on the Sabbath were attended, as usual, by
an immense.audience. The congregation being one of the
largest in Ulster, and comprising nearly a thousand families, the church, at all times well filled, was thronged by a
mass of devout worshippers. During the service there
were indications of an unusual solemnity, the most intense
earnestness being depicted on every countenance, and
many being melted into tears. The singing of the psalms
was a perfect outburst of melodious sound, the greater
portion of the people having for some years previously
been trained in the practice of sacred music, and their
hearts being manifestly engaged in the enlivening exercise.
The discourse was largely occupied with a setting forth of
the leading characteristics of the American revival of the
preceding year- a subject with which the hearers were
not altogether unfamiliar, as a few months previously they
had been addressed by visitors from Philadelphia - young
men connected with the Christian Association, on whose
labors such a signal blessing has rested in that city. When
the service, which had been somewhat more protracted
than usual, had concluded, the pastor rose and stated, that
in consideration of the period of the day, and of the meetings for prayer throughout the congregation in the evening,
there would not on that occasion be a second diet of worship; but he requested as many as could find it convenient
to remain for an additional half hour, for the purpose of




A VISIT TO THE PRAYER-MEETING.         47
invoking the Divine blessing on the statements which they
had then heard. The greater portion of the audience renained, when, after a brief exposition of a psalm, a general
request was made that some member of the church would
engage in supplication. The call was at once responded
to, and our devotions were led with much appropriateness
by an individual who, as his pastor afterwards informed
me, had not on any former occasion taken such a part in
the public services of the house of God.
In the evening of that Sabbath I took the opportunity
of visiting one of the many meetings for exhortation and
prayer in the vicinity, selecting that (as being nearest) in
the adjacent village of Kells. The exercises had begun
and were going forward when we entered. The house in
which the meeting was held was filled to inconvenience,
the greater portion occupying the available space above,
while the ground-floor was crowded, and the very stair was
occupied in every part. There was the utmost order and
decorum, and for some twenty minutes we sat listening
with much interest, and unobserved by the speaker, who
was overhead, to a very touching address delivered by one
of comparatively tender years, in which he dwelt with
much pathetic earnestness on the necessity of an instant
closing with Christ on His own terms, as the only and allsufficient Saviour. After he had concluded, and prayer had
been engaged in, it was agreed that, in consequence of the
crowded and uncomfortable condition of the apartments,
an adjournment should take place to another house hard
by; which being done, the exercises were resumed —Mr.
Moore himself presiding. There were present many who
appeared to be in deep mental concern, and of whom several would willingly have waited on the minister for his
friendly counsel. He was obliged, however, to announce
that, owing to the number of such, he Was under the necessity of postponing to meet with them, as they desired, for
private conference till the following Tuesday. It was now
nine o'clock, and we took our leave, the benediction having




48        THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE REVIVAL.
been pronounced. We left the majority, however, still in
a state of apparent expectation, and showing, from the way
in which they lingered outside, a disposition to engage
once more in exercises which had manifestly so much in
unison with all their feelings. I have little doubt that they
did resume in the same place the congenial occupation.
A short time after we had returned to the pastor's dwelling, an intimation was made to us that in the course of
the morning service a young man who had for some time
been under -anxiety of mind had obtained "peace in believing; "-" but that," said my excellent brother, "is nothing uncommon, for scarce a sermon is preached or meeting
held in which some such results are not realized;" and then
he went on to mention other similar instances.
Next morning I took my departure. On passing through
the village, Mr. Moore, who accompanied me to Ballymena,
alighted from the vehicle on which we were conveyed, and
entered a respectable-looking dwelling. On his rejoining
me, he said, "'Yes, it is even as we heard last night. That
is a house which is visited by almost,al our younger converts as soon as they have obtained peace. They are all
in Christ in that habitation, and there others are attracted
by the assurance of their sympathy. Late in the evening,
the young man referred to, a holder of land in the neighborhood, had called. He told them that at such a part of
the service his burden was lifted off, and when he came to
them, as they expressed it,, "the tears were trickling down
his cheeks for very joy."
Continuing our drive, we passed soon after two houses
by the wayside  referring to which my friend said, as he
pointed to them, " There are seven in that little nook,"
meaning thereby that these had also through grace believed. Had time and opportunity allowed me to accompany Mr. Moore in some of his pastoral rounds, I have
little doubt that he could have pointed out hundreds of
such cases; but as Mr. Arthur has well expressed it, with
respect to that admirable minister, at a subsequent stage




UNOSTENTATIOUSNESS OF THE WORK.           49
of the movement, and after much attention had been
attracted to it — "Even now Mr. Moore says nothing of
numbers, writes nothing to papers, leaves the numbers to
be learned by the state of the church -the effects to be
found out in the lives of the people. IEe is not so anxious
to trumpet conversions, as to save souls."
In regard to the results of the revival, as witnessed in
the improved state of the district, one or two statistical
facts may be mentioned. Of nine public-houses, two are
closed by the conversion of their owners, and a third for
want of trade; while the quantity of drink now sold by
the six that are open is less than that formerly sold by one.
In 1857 there were in the parish thirty-seven committals
for offences connected with drunkenness; in 1858, eleven;
in 1859, four, of whom two were strangers. And whereas
in 1857 there were twenty-seven paupers in the union,
there are but four at present, while the poor-rates are only
half the amount they were before.
6




CHAPTER IV.
gljt SItexbal   aiAX2~W  ms ljaSxhq tame,
VISITS OP THE AWVAKENED TO AHOGHILL-A SCENE AMID THIE CLOUDS OF
I'IGHT -  I'AT SAVED" - SPrEAD OF THE VORI - THE EAGEItR MULTITUDES- TIlE PHYSICAL AFFECTIONS ON THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE -A
SIMTILARI INSTANCE IN COUNTY DOWN-EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY —
MEETING IN A COCKPIT.
ALTHOUGH, as has been already stated, the work of preparation was going forward in some of the neighboring  congregations, it was not till near the close of 1858 that any
striking results appeared.  On the 9th of December of
that year, an event occurred which was destined, in the
train of causes, to exert a wide-spread spiritual influence.
On that day a young man who had been led to attend the
Connor fellowship-mneeting, was for the first time penetrated with a sense of sin, and induced to cry for mercy.
No sooner had he tasted the joys of pardon and of peace
than he began to bethink hlilself of the state of his relations, resident a few miles off, in the Ahoghill district; and
with all the fervor of a young disciple le solicited some
three or four of his fellow-converts to unite with him  in
prayer on their behalf, that they also miighlt be made partakers of his abounding happiness.  A few weeks after, he
visited his mother and family, to communicate to them his
own experience of the loving-kindness of the Lord, and to
excite them to a kindred earnestness about the "great salvation."  Once and again he came with the *ame anxious
and prayerful aim; nor was it long till lie was glalddened
by the tidings, that after an exercise of conviction, his




A SCENE AMID THE CLOUDS OF NIGIIT.       51
mother had been made a partaker of like precious faith,
and was rqejoicing in the hope of glory. Another member
of the family, a brother, was the next object of his solicitudce.  At the time when he went in search of him, the
brother was at a shooting match, and there, amid the excitement of the scene, fell on his ear the startling words,
"I have a message for you from the Lord Jesus.'   A
strange effect soon followed, and he was brought under
the subduing influence of a Divine agency. It was amid
the clouds of night that after parting from one another,
each for his respective place of habitation, the brother resident at Ahoghill was all at once immersed in the horror
of a deeper darkness, his whole fiame trembling as in the
immediate presence of the Invisible.  In the midst of a
soul-conflict, in which he experienced the pangs of unutterable agony, he found a measure of relief in prostrating
himself before the throne of mercy, and though still much
agitated and enfeebled, made the best of his way home.
Day after day he groaned under the weight of his heartsorrow, and sought deliverance with awful cries and supplications. At length his burden was graciously removed,
and rising from his loom he fell upon his knees, and gave
full vent to his rejoicing in rapturous thanksgivings.
Thenceforward a new life was infused into him, and she
burned with an unquenchable desire to glorify the name
of his Almighty Saviour.  One of his first impulses was
to rush directly to his minister (the Rev. F. Buick), to
whom he communicated his whole soul in the glad utterance, "I am savedl!"  And then, as lie found opportunity,
he wrought unceasingly both night and day, and even to
the neglect of his daily task, in seeking to win others to a
participation in the same immortal hopes. In a short time
several members of the same household had experienced a
gracious change.
An anxious desire having been expressed by Mr. Buick,
that others of the lay brethren from Connor should visit
the neighborhood, a meeting was held in his own church,




52    THE REVIVAL PROCLAIMED AS HAVING COME.
to which they were invited. "It was," as he testifies, "an
earnest, heart-stirring meeting. A holy flarme was kindled.
A strong desire for a gracious revival began to gain ascendency. The brethren from Connor were again invited. The
school-house, where the meeting was to be held, was altogether too small to accommodate the hundreds that were in
attendance. It was accordingly adjourned to the Second
Presbyterian Church, Ahoghill, where similar stirring appeals and prayers of burning fervency moved the vast
assembly. Thereafter, prayer-meetings began to multiply.
The new converts, with other Christians whose hearts the
Lord stirred, engaged in the work of prayer and exhortation with unquenchable zeal. Thus the work spread.
Daily, fiesh interest was awakened. Common houses, and
even large churches, were not able to contain the multitudes that assembled, so that often the highway and the
open field, in the cold evenings of spring, were the scenes
of deeply interesting meetings. So eager have the multitudes been to hear the services of the converted brethren,
that many travelled miles to be present, and, without any
weariness, would they have remained, even all night, if the
services had continued. There has been an uncommon
thirsting for the Word."
In the statements which follow, the physical affections
which henceforward characterized the movement are thus
noticed in their early manifestations:
" At these meetings many convictions have taken place.
From one up to ten and twelve have been arrested by the
Spirit of God, through the word and prayer of these honored brethren. Even strong men have staggered and fallen
down under the wounds of their conscience. Great bodily
weakness ensues. The whole frame trembles. Oh! it is a
heart-rending sight to witness. With wringing of hands,
streams of tears, and a look of unutterable anguish, they
confess their sins in tones of unmistakable sincerity, and
appeal to the Lord for mercy with a cry of piercing earnestness. I have seen the strong frame convulsed; I have




THE PHYSICAL AFFECTIONS.              53
witnessed every joint trembling; I have heard the cry, as
I have never heard it before,' Lord Jesus, have mercy upon
my sinful soul! Lord Jesus, come to my burning heart!
Lord, pardon my sins! oh, come and lift me from these
flames of hell!'
" These convictions vary in different individuals, both in
strength and duration. While some obtain peace in believing soon after their conviction, others do not attain it
for several days. It is after many a conflict, with conviction oft returning, with much prayer and reading of the
WVord, through which spiritual light makes great progress
in the mind, that a settled peace and holy joy take possession of the soul."
While the bodily prostrations above referred to have
been generally regarded as originating in connection with
the awakening in Ahoghill, yet there is reason to believe
there were occasional instances of a similar description, and
at the same period, in other parts of Ulster. Thus, in the
county of Down, in a rural district called Crossgar, the following case, never before published, is narrated by the Rev.
J. G. Thomson, the young minister of the place:
"In the middle of the month of January, 1859, I was
called upon early one morning to see a previously strong,
healthy young manl, who supposed himself to be dying.
On my arrival, I found him lying in bed, and evidently in
a state of great bodily weakness, although his sickness did
not seem to be unto death. Entering into conversation
with himn, I learned that he had been sick of soul previous
to his beino sick of body, and that the former was the
cause of the latter. I-e told me that he had been very
much impressed by a sermon I had preached on the last
Sabbath afternoon from these words, "I have a message
from God unto thee."    Alarmed on account of sin and
the punishment due to it, he could get no rest, day nor
night. Loudly did he cry for mercy, and did not cry in
vain. I-Ie knocked, and the door of mercy was opened for
1 Judge iii. 20.




54    TIIE REVIVAL PROCLAIMED AS HAVING COME.
the outpouring of spiritual blessings. IHe obtained pardon
anc peace after a severe struggle, by which he was left in
a. state of great bodily weakness. IHe was unable to walk
for a number of days, and not until two months bad passed
was he able to pursue his ordinary business. Strange to
say, when affected first, he complained of there being about
his heart, unattended by any pain, a heavy weight, which
he considered in some way to be associated with the idea
of sin. This was removed, as he said, when the Holy
Spirit came into his heart, and produced within him that
faith which enabled him to lay hold upon Jesus, and to fly
to Him from the wrath to come. His features indicated
the gladness of one who had found some great and lasting
treasure. You could have seen the very joy sparkling in
his eye; and more than once did I hear him say, that if
the Lord willed, he would rather depart and be with Jesus.
His case was, in many particulars, similar to that of a great
many I have seen since the great religious movement came
among us. While his weakness remained, I frequently
read the Scriptures, conversed, and prayed with him. In
all such exercises he took, and still takes, the deepest
interest. IHe is still growing in grace, and by his walk
and conversation in the world, gives every evidence of
being a son of the Lord Almighty. This and similar cases
have been like drlops before the shower."
The work in Ahoghill, from the outset, was largely characterized by those physical effects which henceforward, to
a greater or less extent, marked its onward progress. It is
not to be wondered at, that the sudden, singular, and violent conversions which were now so frequent, produced a
strange and startling effect on the community.  Such instantaneous seizures, so different in their character firom the
slow methods to which the church has been accustomed,
were naturally regarded with some suspicion and alarm, as
introducing a new process in regeneration, and it was not
without an internal struggle that many could be brought
to admit their genuineness.  It was impossible to deny,




EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY.             55
however, that the most blessed results were to be found
associated with these affections, and that society in all its
aspects was undergoing a wondrous transformation.
The Synod of Ballymena and Coleraine held its meeting
in the month of lMay, and the report then submitted (see
Appendix A), and which was prepared by the Rev. F.
Buick, is valuable as the first public testimony emitted by
a court of Christ with reference to the awakening.
Many interesting incidents might be narrated, illustrative of the wonderful effect which was produced upon the
public mind in the same neighborhood, as evinced in the
new direction it took, amid scenes where formerly the most
demoralizing practices prevailed. Take the following as
an instance, narrated by the Rev. David Adams:
"I may here quote a statement I wrote some time ao'o
respecting  a meeting at Creaghrock, midway between
Ahoghill and Randalstown, a place where ever since, at
the request of the people, a monthly religious meeting hals
been held in the open air, attended by hundreds.  This
place had become famous, or rather infamous, as a cockpit,
especially on Ahoghill old fair-day, when thousands would
assemble for the degrading sport of cock-fighting, thereby
making  it a scene of lying, blasphemy, drunkenness, and
all manner of profligacy. In these' revival' times a number
of the awakened, some of whom, perhaps, were'cockers'
themselves, resolved on this occasion to make it a ftar
different scene, and therefore invited several ministers to
attend, and address the meeting against all manner of vice,
and for the promotion of all manner of holiness. Tuesday
was one of June's finest days —sky unclouded, sun brilliant, all nature laughing with joy, and'heaven smiling
o'er us.' The meeting was at ten o'clock A. ai., and even at
that early hour, crowds in all directions, and of all characters -in many cases, from a distance of five or six miles
- were seen wending their way gladly to the Rock, and
at one time there could not have been much less than two
thousand p'rescnt. The meeting was earnlestly and usefully




56    THE REVIVAL PROCLAIMED AS HAVING COME.
adcldressed by four ministers, and pious prayers were offered
up by fervent laymen.  A_ most solemn impression was
produced on all, from the gray-haired man of ninety to the
merry child of a few years. Many of the old and young
were deeply and visibly impressed by the Spirit's power;
and altogether such a hallowed scene cannot fail to be engraven on the heart of every beholderl, for many a year, as
it is believed several on that day could there and then look
up to heaven and say of Jesus -' Rock of ages, cleft for me.'"
A twelvemonth has now elapsed since the blessing came
upon the neighborhood of which such things have been
recorded. Have the results disappointed expectation? or
has the impression died away with the occasion that gave it
birth? Let the following dispassionate statement, written
at the close of the past year, supply the answer. It is by
the Rev. F. Buick:
"When Barnabas visited Antioch to see and report on
the revival that had taken place there, it is said in the
sacred history,'When he came, and saw the grace of God,
he was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purlpose of
heart they would cleave unto the Lord.' This is the case
with us. The grace of God is visible in its effects in producing light and knowledge, prayer and praise, attendance
on ordinances, holiness of life, and reformation of manners.
Great gladlness has been obtained by hundreds who have
come to the enjoyment of pardon and peace, and are now
rejoicing in the Lord. Great gladness has been introduced
into families. Men that were coarse and savage, and a
source of untold misery to their wives, are now so altered,
so mild, so pleasant, so God-like, that the change in their
domestic happiness is like heaven on the earth.  The
melody of joy and gladness is now heard in many families,
just because they are families of the righteous. Throucghout this privileged season there has been great gladnesshigther strains of praise in the church triumphant, on the




SERIOUS DEPORTMENT OF THE CONVERTS.       57
return to the Lord of so many prodigals. There is great
gladness in the church militant, because of the increased
attendance in the courts of the Lorcl's house, the lofty
strains of her praise, the deep-toned earnestness of her
services, and the life and power of her devotions, all of
which have largely partaken of the revival.
"It is truly astonishing to witness the deep solemnity
which pervades the whole deportment of many who, before
conversion, were regardless of divine things, and who even
showed a positive aversion to them. Now their real appearance is that of an all-pervading seriousness.  HIow
they have been subdued, and changed, and solemnized!
Their growth in knowledge is rapid; their love of the
Bible is intense; and it is marvellous to hear with what
fluency, unction, and power, they can approach the throne
of grace in prayer. They are called to be saints.
"It is the general impression that a work of grace has
been going on silently, and without observation, on the
heart of hundreds throughout the country, who have had
no bodily prostrations. It is known by the feeling of deep
solemnity that pervades the neighborhood, -by the vast
increase of family religion, -by the absence of hitherto
prevailing sins, - by the keeping up of prayer-meetings in
almost every locality, - by the great increase in the attencdance on the ordinances of God's house, - and by the large
accessions which have been made to the communicants,
roll in all the churches. The three Presbyterian churches
in Ahoghill are full;. and the Second and Third are contemplating large additions to their accommodations."




CHAPTER V.
THE MAN IN THE MARKET -VAAIETIES IN THE PROCESS OF CONVICTION -
PROCEDURE AT THE MIEETINGS -- "WHAT'S THE NEW~S? — THE YOUNG
MAN AND HIS BROTHEEt-' I HAVE HEARD OF THESE THINGS LONG BEFORE ")- THREE TYPE CASES — LETTER TO A TEACHER - ABIDING BENEFICIAL RESULTS - STATEMENT OF REV. S. M. DILL - DESCRIPTION OF TIHE
PHYSICAL PHENOIENA- STAGES OF THE BODILY AFFECTION.
BALLYMENA is three miles distant from Ahoghill.  It is
one of the most flourishing inland towns in Ulster, with a
population of about six thousand, and a principal seat of
the linen trade. In this community the work began early
in April. Amid a crowd of people on the market-day,
according to the statement of the local journal, a strange
phenomenon was witnessed:
"A man, apparently about thirty years of age, formerly
of Ballymena, and now resident in the neighborhood of
Ahoghlill, suddenly fell upon his knees, and alarmed the
entire neighborhood by loud and desperate cries, expressive of the most appalling agony.  His despairing shouts
were such as might be expected from  a man who felt
himself suddenly attacked, and sinking under the repeated
and deadly stabs of an assassin. People ran to the spot
from all directions, expecting to find that an unfortunate
sufferer had become the victim of some terrible accident.
The man continued his cries for the space of about ten
minutes, after which interval he became more composed;
and, being in a very weak and agitated state, he was
assisted by some fiiends to the house of a relative in
Bridge Street. On passing down Linen Hall Street he




EFFECTS OF THE OUTPOURING.           59
was repeatedly heard to exclaim,'Unclean! unclean! —
Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!' In the course of the
evening he was visited by some religiously disposed young
men of the town, who prayed with him; but a report of
the result in this case has not reached us."
I shall narrate the progress of the work in the words of
a young friend resident on the spot, who took part in the
movement in his native town, and who has supplied me
with the following impressive statement:
"The week which began with May 17 can never be
forgotten, though it cannot easily be described. When
the great outpouring came, worldly men were silent with
an indefinite fear, and Christians found themselves borne
onward in the current, with scarce time for any feeling
but the overpowering conviction that a great revival had
come at last. Careless men were bowed in unaffected
earnestness, and sobbed like children.  Drunkards and
boasting blasphemers were awed into solemnity and
silence.  Sabbath-school teachers' and scholars became
seekers of Christ together; and languid believers were
stirred up to unusual exertion. There was great earnestness with all, and enthusiasm with some, but little extravagance or ridicule was known. Ministers who had often
toiled in heartfelt sorrow suddenly found themselves beset
by inquirers, and wholly unequal to the demands which
were made. Every day many were hopefully converted:
passing through an ordeal of conviction more or less severe,
to realize their great deliverance, and to throw themselves
with every energy into the work of warning others, or of
leading, them to the Lord.
" All this came suddenly, and many thought it strange.
It was little marvel that the world was astonished, but the
incredulous wonder of many Christians showed how much
we needed a revival. We were astonished that God took
us at our word, and sent at last the quickening grace for
which we'had been dreamily praying so long. The theory
of asking and receiving was common, but the getting of a




60        TIIE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
blessing for which there was no room was rare. The dayspring broke upon sleepers; there were few who could
wait and watch with their unchanging Lord.'Thy kingdom come' was familiar; but the coming kingdom was
the wonder of the day.
" It was in the opening summer that the revival came,
when the darkness lingers so long at nightfall, and the
bright mornings break so soon. TWe can remember how
many lighted windows there were though the night was
far gone, and how prayer-meetings were prolonged till the
day had returned again. Every evening the churches were
crowded, and family worship became almost universal. In
the country, large meetings were held in the open air, and
hundreds were often visibly impressed by strong conviction. Part of the dinner-hour was generally devoted to
singing and prayer, and the sound from numerous groups
of worshippers could be heard far at a distance as it was
borne on the summer breeze. Thousands of tracts were
circulated and read with avidity, and long-neglected Bibles
came into general use. The order of an accustomed formality was gone; and while exhausted ministers were
compelled to leave, the people reluctantly dispersedsome to pray over unimpressed friends, others to feel the
workings of an awakened conscience, and many to rejoice
in their new liberty, and to glory in their King.
"The process of conviction was greatly varied. In the
larger number it was little observed, and not connected
with any bodily affection. On some the conviction of real,
present, terrible danger came like a thunderbolt, and they
were compelled to shout for mercy in total disregard of
place or circumstances. Others were less violently impressed, and the evidence took the milder form of weeping.
As a general rule, however, a deep anxiety was felt for a
longer or shorter. time before the crisis of strong conviction. The most hopeful were generally of the first or third
class. The violent bodily paroxysm was felt usually by
those who had been previously ignorant or openly im



PROCEDURE AT THE MEETINGS.            61
moral. In some cases it might be traced to mere sympathy, or to an exclusively physical agency, and the apparent
reform was only temporary; but in the great majority the
change was lasting and deep. It is not strange that the
reason was occasionally affected for a time by those attacks,
and that the health shared in the mental suffering. M[any
were thus instantly impressed who never attended any
meeting at all, and others at their usual employment. The
great purpose seemingly intended by this special visitation
was the arousing of others by direct appeal to their senses
and it was completely accomplished.
"The order of procedure at the town meetings was
little varied, yet the interest never failed while the summer lasted. Each evening had its own incidents, but one
general sketch may give an idea of all.
"For some time before the appointed hour, many of the
younger converts assemble to sing together some of the
favorite hymns. A little later the people pour in rapidly,
and soon every seat is occupied. We can. see men of
business along with their workers, each in the usual attire
of the day. A large proportion is made up of the scholars
in the Sabbath-school, and of the lower classes, who were
specially visited during the awakening. Some seem very
anxious, and all are sol'emn. On the faces of the recent
converts there is such a beaming gladness that even a
stranger can tell their story at a look.
"A few minutes after the single stroke of the hour is
heard, the minister ascends the pulpit stairs, and reads the
opening psalm, which is sung with thrilling fervency. The
prayer which follows, bears greatly on the three classes of
worshippers, —the converted, the anxious, and the unawakened, - and contains earnest pleadings for the Spirit's
presence, and for the spread of the revival work. Very
often, as the petition passes, there is heard far above the
speaker's voice, andl then sounding in the solemn stillness, the thrilling cry of some who were arrested as they
prayed., And as many a conscience trembles at the arous6




62        TIIE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
ing call, others silently offer a prayer to the Great Physician
of the soul, that the broken-hearted penitent may enjoy
the healing of His grace.
".The addresses which follow from lay members or others
are practical and earnest. The master-truths pressed home
are, the guilt and danger of every unconverted listener,and the full and present salvation of Jesus. By way of
illustration, recent incidents are quoted, and  each is
brought to bear on the pressing appeal. At the close, the
leader usually gives a short summary of the revival progress in the surrounding districts, and then reads the first
line of the favorite hymn,'What's the News?' As the
closing verse is sung, few are silent or unmoved -'And then, if any one should say,
What's the news? - what's the news?
Oh! tell them you've begun to pray -
That's the news! that's the news!
That you have joined the conquering band,
And now with joy, at God's command,
cYou'le marching to the better land -
That's the news! that's the news!'
Then follows the closing prayer, and the benediction.  On
several occasions this had to be pronounced twice, and,
though at midnight, all had not dispersed.
"' Many strange relations are connected with this period,
when thousands were set free from the bondage of evil.
Some have escaped so gently, that they scarce knew when
their chains fell, and the fieedom  came.  Others have
writhed and struggled in their bonds so long, that reason
almost sunk in the strife. We have heard of some who
wandered about in morbid gloominess for months, while
on a brother or sister the light has broken in a day.  One
can tell how he has hardly been saved from his diabolical
enemy, whom a racked imagination made almost visible;
and another can speak of nothing but the story of a wondrous Deliverer, and how He brought light and liberty to
the darkened soul. When the mind has been stored by




TIE YOUNG MAN AND HIS BROTHER.          63
previous training, there is needed only the quickening
life; but when conviction of peril finds no trust to fall back
upon, there is a fearful groping in darkness and in doubt.
This brings us many lessons in reference to the early
teaching of the elements of truth. These life-seeds cannot
perish; they lie till the life swells them, and the springtime of the soul comes round.'God's Word,' says Samuel
Rutherford,'will come to God's harvest.' The psalms
and lessons of the Sabbath-class have been reproduced so
clearly, that many thought the revival miraculous. A
minister was astonished to hear a woman of his charge,
who had been convicted, repeat with great feeling and
striking accuracy the instructions of a communion class at
which he had labored about thirty years before. This
quickening of the memory brings back the truth, when
every nerve is strained in the grasping after safety, and
fits workers for their duty when the need is felt. Sabbathschool teachers! do not neglect this patient, painstaking
labor. Fill the mind with truth. This light from heaven
is the best safeguard against error on earth.
"Another lesson may be inserted here. It is the power
of urgent, personal dealing. We who work for the Master
are too slack and listless with perishing men.
"A young man who had been savingly changed, felt
shortly afterwards a strong desire to visit his brother, who
lived near. This drawing lie could not explain, but it was
too strong to be resisted, and accordingly he set out under
the conviction that there was a work befbre him to be done.
When he arrived, his message was soon told. I-He spoke
of the change which had passed upon his own soul, and
pressed the great salvation on the acceptance of all who
heard. Still his brother was unmoved.'You need not
speak to me about these things,' he said;'I have heard of
them  long before.' But the messenger pleaded on, and
could not return. When the evening drew on they were
tcogether alone, and again the same arguments were used,
but seemingly with little prospect of good. At length,




64         THE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
when the night was far gone, he almost began to despair
of present success, and arose to go; but he could not leave.
Again he returned to prayer and pleading, and before the
morning broke, his brother was convicted by his side.
"Christ has said,'Strive to enter in.'  This is a struggle
for a crown, but the crown gained does not end the
struggle. If you have got the life within your own soul,
it will be commended to the soul of your neighbor too. It
is in the glow of the first love that there is the unwearying
persistence of earnestness. When one is converted in a
family, he becomes a fireside preacher, and is often tlie
means of bringing others to the Lord. It is to this outgoing of love that many owe the safety that is enjoyed
to-day.
"We can see fruits of the great quickening in every
class. This work of the Lord is good, and it is pleasant to
trace out its beauties. WVe insert three type cases, not because they are rare, but that they are common, and so far
the more truthful as examples here.
"The first leads us to a laborer's home. Hle was a rough,
untutored man, of a quiet temperament, but occasionally
falling into fits of intoxication, and seldom  seen at the
church.  The two children who remained at home were
greatly uncared for; and his wife, a delicate woman, busy
in the vexatious striving with her husband's errors, and
the world's demands. This home and its inmates has a
parallel in thousands around.
"It was towards the summer's close that a visitor entered, whose presence brings liberty and life. That )woman
is careworn still, but the world's care is gone.  She has
often said,' The toiling and striving is nothing to me novw;
I am trusting that the Lord will give us all we need; but
it cuts me to the heart when I hear others denying His
name.' One of the children has been hopefully changed,
and one is a burden for the family prayer.  Their father
has become a total abstainer, and, we believe, an earnest,
humble Christian. The home is poor still, for a severe




THREE TYPE CASES.                65
winter has pressed its inmates closely; but they are rich
with God's treasure in heaven.
"The subject of the second case was an occasional Sabbath-school teacher.  IIe was amiable, moral, and well
instructed, fully up to the world's idea of a Christian. He
may stand as a type of that great class of friends and
acquaintances, of whom we hope good things, but for whom
we have sometimes to fear.
"About a year before the revival came, the subject of
personal religion had been brought before him. HIe was
interested for the time, and somewhat alarmed; but the
drawings of the Spirit were overborne, and he became
more regardless than before. The course which branched
off here has been the funeral way of many an immortal.
WVhen Christ is refused as a living Lord, the corruption of
mind and spirit is not long delayed. Whatever bands are
round a young man's heart, if the cords of God's love keep
it not, he will soon fall in with the notion of the fool. To
keep God out of the heart is, in the main, one with saying
there is no God at all.
"It soon came to this, that there was nothling but a thin
veil of profession between the inward infidelity and the
outer world. Still the working Spirit was not gone. Sometimes the old anxiety returned, and there was a week of
apprehension and earnest player.  At length, when the
revival came, the former impressions came back with renewed power. There was a lessened striving once more
with the urgent Saviour; but the time of deliverance was
near.
"The passing word of a minister helped to hasten the
change.  It was a warning against allowing the special
quickening to pass unimproved. A day later, the absorbing feeling possessed the whole mind, and sleep was hardly
known.  The gray dawn of the following morning was
breaking when he rose in restless anxiety, the more easily
to pass the weary hours till another day was gone. Before
the evening fell, that fear was cast away forever.  In a




66        TIIE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
meeting held about mid-clay, peace was found, and. the
struggle closed. HI-Inceforth opened the new life, with the
prospect of ending in the chosen ministry of the truth.
" The third case is that of a little Sabbath-scholarl whose,
heart the Lord touched.  The fact of his conversion is
inserted only to introduce the extract which follows, and
which is part of a letter written to his teacher not long
ago. It speaks much of. the work in the heart, and of the
Worker there:
"'I must now proceed to relate some of my own personal experience, which is the most difficult of all to describe, because, as I said before, I am not accustomed to
writing letters.
"' I feel my heart very deceitful, and desperately wicked.
My love is sometimes very cold.  /Iy faith is often very
weak, and overcome by the temptations of Satan. I cannot
do my duty to God and my fellow-man aright.. Sometimes
I can hardly pray, my thoughts wander so, and I am so
much cast down in spirit. My walk and conversation is
very often not consistent with what I profess;.I do not
walk worthy of the high vocation wherewith I am called.
I am afraid that I am not looking enough to Jesus, who is
the Author and Finisher of our faith; that I am not running the race with patience which is set before mne. I have
made, indeed, but very little progress in holiness; for, so
far, I am only a babe in Christ. To say it in short, I am
nothing but a poor Christian.
"'But I have great reason to be thankful that lIe has
granted some manifestations of Himaself to, me. My faith
grows stronger every day.  I see that the eyes of the Lord
are over the righteous, and that His ears are open to their
cry.  There is one thing which is very strange to me
perhaps it is not so with those who are more advanced in
grace -that when I am meditating on God's.Word, perhaps.on the portion that I have in the morning read, or on
the death and sufferings of Christ,.my heart becomes full
of love to the Saviour, I feel the very earnest of His Spirit,




ABIDING BENEFICIAL RESULTS.            67
which enables me to bear the cross more patiently, and
leads me to hope that I shall yet wear the crown. I do
not trust to my feelings now as formerly.  I see that it is a
very easy thing to trust my soul, into the hands of a loving
Saviour. This is but a short summary of nly experience;
I would like very much to continue it if I could.'
"The teacher to whom this was written, is the writer
now. We thank God that He has given a dclear brother
such glace as we. now witness to the world.  Reader, is
there nothing here for your soul to-day?
-"Filled with such incidents, the summer and autumn
months passed by. As the work progressed, every rankl
felt its powei, and shared in its good fiuits. The laboring
classes were first and largely impressed; but the awakening
seemed as great among the rich and respectable. Among
the young, there has been a decided and special quickening. In a denominational point of view, no church has
been so favored as the Calvinistic Presbyterian, though
sectarian differences have been greatly overlooked. Many
Unitarians and Roman Catholics were convinced of their
errors, and hopefully changed. It would be untrue, on the
one hand, to describe the sudden and complete check
which was given to current vice as a lasting change; and
unjust, dn the other, to consider the reflux of the interrupted current as an evidence of universal defection.
Deep, real, enduring the work has been. A few abuses we
admit, but unnumbered blessings we maintain.  Christ's
credit is in it, and HIe will guarcld is own.
"As we write, 1859 is almost by. Up to this clday therel
is a continued earnestness and growing zeal. Some have
shown that their profession wa-s false, but their number is
small now, and their evidences, in the main, were never
clear. The actual good is less noticed by men, because
the larger proportion of real converts were not openly
immoral before. The greatest blessing is not the blessing
seen, though there is enough to disprove every doubter.
Sabbath-schools have been increased and invigorated. A




68         THIE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
town'  mission has been instituted. Prayer-meetings are
very numerous, and family worship generally observed.
Church accommodation has been almost universally fobund
insufficient, while the off-settin'g resorts of pleasure are
greatly deserted. Though the bursting rush of the lifespring is lessened, its calm, deep flow runs on in a widening stream.
"There are two ways of closing a revival story. On
man's side, the fittest response is a universal doxology;
but the word of the Glorified brings a lesson to the heart.
Gently reproving past indifference, He says,'O  ye of
little faith, wherefore did ye doubt?' Here is another
plea for unfearing confidence. Who will not profit by the
lesson, and ANsWER to the call?"
WiVe have already seen that a peculiar impetus was given
to the movement in another district by the bodily affections, the report of which was extensively noised abroad.
So also was it in Ballymena.
The following, among other instances, is narrated by
Mr. Dill, as having fallen under his pastoral cognizance:
"dJuze 9. On returning home to-day, found an urgent
mn1essage from a respectable member of my congregation,
who wished to see me immediately. I at once proceeded
to his house, and found him  engaged in his daily avocations. Quitting them at once, he came and sat down with
ile in his parlor. In reply to my inquiries, hle gave me a
very full account of the state through which he had passed.'I may tell you,' said lhe,'that from the beginning of the
revival I put no belief in these cases of conviction. I
attributed them to nervousness brought on by fear, or
excitement produced by attending large meetings, and
listening to terrifying addresses; yet I attended every
mneeting within reach, and heard all the addresses, and
sermons, and prayers that were delivered at them, both by
ministers and laymen. I was also witness to a great number of cases in various stages. Still no impression was
made on nay own mind, and I saw no reason to change my




A PASTORAL VISIT.                69
opinion respecting the movement as originating in excitement.  Happening, however, to be acquainted with one
of the young men who had assisted at a meeting on the
previous evening, I invited him to breakfast oil the following morning. Before leaving, I asked him  to conduct
family worship. His prayer was not at all of an exciting
character, but plain and scriptural, and uttered in a quiet,
earnest tone. While I was on my knees, I began to feel
myself oppressed by an overpowering weight crushing me
down to the earth. I tried to pray, but had no heart for
it, and no utterance. I felt as if I was ready to burst.
For a long time I could get no relief; but at length I
found some liberty in player, and was enabled to trust in
Jesus for pardon and salvation. Tears also came to my
relief, although I never remember to have shed a tear
before. This crushing weight and agony of mind returned
upon me once again, but again I found comfort and peace
in believing prayer; and I bless God that I can now take
the Lord Jesus as "all my salvation and all my desire."'
I ventured to ask him if he had seen any visions, when he
replied,'To, nothing of the kind, and I lay no stress on
bocoily affection.  I can't account for it.  Doubtless it
must have been from the hand of God, but I look en tirely
to his dealings with my soul.' —' And what,' said I,'do you
think no'w of all your former professions?' —' All a worthless form. You know how regular I was in attendance 6n
public worship, and the other ordinances of religion. I
was doing all I could, and thought myself a very good
Christian; but I now find that I was going about to establish my own righteousness, and that I had not submitted
myself to the righteousness which is of God by faith.' He
added, with passionate energy,'I never knew  myself
before. I knew well enough when I committed actual sin,
but I never thought of the sin of the heart - of the sin of
unbelief. I never prayed one prayer till now. I never
understood the Word of God till now; I never knew Christ
till now; and though I am not so happy or rejoicing as




70O       THE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
others seem to be, I would not part with my interest in
Christ, no, not for ten thousand worlds!' WYe sang and
prayed, and I left him in a calm and peaceful state of mind."
The subjoined statement by the same hand on the physical manifestations, is valuable as the recorded judgment
of one of the most judicious members of the Presbyterian
Church, pronounced at an early period in the history of
the awakening:
"It appears to me that in all these cases there are tvwo
things to be considered - one, the bolily affection; the
other, the s2piritutl change. The former is more likely to
draw the attention of the curious onlooker, and often to
elicit the silly or heartless comment of those who are
wholly incompetent to give an opinion on the subject.
The latter will be eagerly fixed upon by the children of
God, that, apart from all its accidents or accompaniments,
it may be made the subject of heartfelt gratitude and praise.
For wise and gracious purposes, no doubt, it has pleased' the Lord to come out of his place,' and awaken souls, at
this time, in a very peculiar and remarkable manner. One
of these purposes has been already largely accomplished
before our eyes; and that is, the convincing of an ungodly
world of the truth and reality of Divine influences upon
the soul, and through them, of the conversion of the heart
to God. How many multitudes were uttering the crecdo,
II believe in the Holy Ghost,' without ever thinking of the
meaning of the words! An icy incrustation of formality
seemed to have gathered over the very waters of life, and
it required an almighty power to break it up before the
thirsty soul could obtain a draught. So inveterate was
the practical unbelief of a gospel-hardened people, that one
might have said to them,'Except ye see signs and wondelrs, ye will not believe.' Such signs and wonders God
has been pleased to work, not miraculously, but most
mysteriously.  Of course no enlightened Christian will
regard  a mere bodily affection as any evidence of a work
of grace in the soul. Facts which have come under my




THE PHYSICAL PHENOMENA.               71
own observation, even though the Scriptures had been
silent as to the marlks and graces of regeneration, would
refute such a theory. Still, it cannot be denied that these
bodily affections are connected in some way with the
influence of the Divine truth upon the mind, and are
invariably marked by an uncontrollable impulse to pray..... I do not deny the existence of nervous excitement, or that it is much promoted by the power of social
sympathy; but I emphatically deny that the origin of the
movement is to be accounted for in this way, or that, even
now, these are anything more than accompaniments of it
— the bubbles and foam upon the surface of a deep and
mighty river.
"Further, it is a total mistake to suppose that the agitations, either of mind or body, have been usually produced
by fear. 3y experience is, that alarming truths have not
been the ordinary or most effective instrument in this
work. The story of the Cross, told in the simplest language, has proved itself, as of old, to be the'power of
God.' Again and again have I heard the same account
fiom the penitent's lips. One woman, whose heart the
Lord was pleased to touch, whilst I was addressing a few
quiet words to some persons gathered together in a country-house, afterwards took great pains to assure me. that
she had not been terrified or alarmed by anything I hadl
said.'W ~hat was it, then,' said I,'that so affected you?''I felt,' she replied,'that they were my sins that had
nailed the Saviour to the cross  that "lHe was wounded
for my transgressions, and bruised for mine iniquities."
It was for this I grieved, and not from any fear of punishment.'"
Reserving for the present any discussion respecting the
physical phenomena and the explanations of them, it may
not be out of place, before -proceeding further, to refer to
some of their characteristic features. Others were superadded subsequently, to which we shall necessarily advert
in the course of our narrative.




72         THE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
It may be observed generally, that so far as can be gathered of the great majority of cases, they have been preceded
for a longer or shorter period by an agonizing sense of sin;
sometimes lying dully on the conscience for weeks and
months together, sometimes overwhelming as in a moment
by its intolerable pressure, and violently demonstrative in
its manifestations.  The physical prostration itself has
taken place under every possible variety of circumstances
- at home, abroad, in the church, and in the market-place;
in the crowded meeting, and the seclusion of retirement.
One is stricken as he plies the shuttle or the loom; another
as his eye falls upon some familiar passage, or his ear is
arrested by some oft-repeated invitation of the Word; a
third while he is engaged in secret meditation or prayer.
"I have known the case of a man," says the Rev. John
Macnaaughtan, of Belfast, referring to another class of
instances, after his visit to Ballymlena, " going home from
the market after he had sold his produce, passing along
the road-side, and counting his money to see whether it
was all right, when he sunk down as if sun-struck, and his
money was scattered on the road."
Of the several stages in the experience of those who
have been the subjects of physical prostration, the first is
characterized by an awful apprehension of impending evil,
a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
accompanied by a crushing pressure on the region of the
heart, inducing the loud despairing cry, or the groan of
agony. In this state the sufferer is overwhelmed as by
the billows of the Divine wrath, so that human help is for
the time of no avail, and all that man can do is to awnait
the issue, committing it to Hint who causeth light to arise
in the darkness. Then is the period also of fierce wrestling,
real or imagined, with the evil one, whose personality is
apprehended with terrible distinctness, insomuch that the
soul is as an arena in which a death-struggle is being carried on between the powers of light and darkness.
In the seconcd stage, which is generally very sudden in




STAGES OF THE BODILY AFFECTION.          73
its development, there is a transition from the deep depression before experienced to a calmer state of feeling,
and some object, earnestly desired and longed for, stands
out before the view; —the intensity of the mind's gaze
being such that no human presence, although many may
be intently waiting by, is realized. It is a sort of waking
dream, in which the steadfast countenance and upturned
eye denote the character of the inward exercise.  The
laboring chest no longer heaves under its oppressive burden; there is a subsidence of the sob, the groan, the wail
of lamentation, and the cold damps are passing off the
brow. The arms that tossed about so wildly, are now
stretched forth as if to embrace the prized and cherished
object, and utterances like these drop from the lips in melting cadence:'" 0 blessed Jesus, come! Thou art my hope,
my life, my all! wash me in Thy most precious blood!
take away this filthy garment, and cover me with Thine
own pure righteousness!" Or, more affecting still, as in the
case of that little girl, but eight years old, who exclaimed
imploringly, in her native patois, "0 OChrist, come to me!
and when you come, oh dinna lea' me, but aye stay wi' me."
It is in this stage that images flit before the mind with all
the vividness of reality, and as if possessed of shape and
substance; — insomuch that the person, subsequently referring to his experience, will speak as if he had seen the
dread realities of heaven or hell, although assured on calm
reflection that the objects before his vision have only been
his own thoughts embodied in that form.
And now a third experience ensues. It is that of sensible relief, a lightsome and liberated feeling, of which the
chief ingredient is the assurance of forgiveness prompting to the outburst of rapturous praise. The fountains of
the soul seem to be opened, and forth flows, in unrestrained
exuberance, the gushing fulness of its joy. The bodily
sensations correspond with the inward ecstasy, and even
the plainest features glow as with an unearthly beauty.
The heavy load, the incubus that weighed down all the
7




74'THE REVIVAL IN ITS DEVELOPMENT.
spirit's energies, is lifted off, and there is a buoyancy and
elasticity proportionate to the depressing burden. The
new-born happiness seeks audible expression. The language of the lips is all in unison with the serenity that
reigns within. "Christ and HIim crucified" being once
apprehended, the grand, the dominant desire is to commend Him to all around.  How often, then, are heard
such words as those in which a Sabbath-school girl, some
thirteen years of age, was addressing her little companions,
by her bedside, as she lay in much exhaustion after a season of mental agony, while a gleam of spiritual joy played
over her pale countenance:'0 Annie! 0 Jane, dear! come
to Jesus! He'11 not put you away. Oh, give Him your
heart, give Him all your heart, and He'11 take away all
your sins, and make you as happy as He has made me! Oh
that all the sinners about here would come to Him! He
has room for them all. He would save them all."
To the above may be added a fourth stage in the prostration, namely, the languor and exhaustion which are the
natural reiiction from the intense excitement by which the
frame has been agitated, and by reason of which not only
delicate females, but strong and stalwart men, have often
been for clays unfitted for any manner of work.
Such bodily affections were almost universally associated
with the awakening, when, for the first time, it appeared in
any neighborhood; although in many places the work proceeded most satisfactorily without their presence, and they
generally subsided as it advanced. From their novelty
and publicity they naturally attracted a large share of attention, serving, no doubt, an important purpose, but often
stimulating an idle curiosity, and in the case of the uneducated and ill-informed, leading to a confounding of the
spiritual process with the physiological characteristics by
which it was accompanied. There have been from the
outset unreal cases presenting similar appearances, to
which we shall advert hereafter.




CHAPTER VI.
91p gddtal inIs' rIto ss vrqr   eaoss
BROUGHSH ANE - THE SPINNING FACTORY-THE PROFLIGATE NAILER - LOUGHGUILE - THE WOMAN BY THE ROADSIDE - THE, "GENTLY DRAWN "- THE
FIERY BAPTISM - THE STRUGGLE WITH THE EVIL ONE - THE JOY UNUTTERABLE — PROOFS OF A GLORIOUS WORK - THE HIDDEN JEWELS - PRIVATE
EXERCISES AND EXPERIENCES OF MINISTERS - BALLYMONEY - THE WORK
AMONG THE YOUNG - THE MAN WHO "WOULD JUDGE FOR HIMSELF" - THE
DEAF AND DUMB.
WITHIN about three miles of Ballymena stands the village of Broughshane, the centre of a densely inhabited
and almost exclusively Presbyterian district. At an early
period, the awakening spread in that direction. One
morning a number of young women were affected in a
spinning factory hard by. Immediately intense excitement spread among the workers, and within an hour
twenty or thirty persons, of both sexes, were laid prostrate.  The business of the entire establishment was interrupted, and, as a matter of necessity, it was closed. When
reopened two days after, nearly half the usual hands were
absent. About the same time, a congregation of several
thousands assembled in the open air, in front of the Presbyterian church, and the services were not concluded till
an advanced period of the evening. In the village itself,
and all the country round, such meetings were of frequent
occurrence throughout the summer months, and hundreds,
there is reason to believe, were brought in connection
with them under the power of a Divine influence.
A visitor, at the beginning of the awakening, thus de



76     THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
scribes the presence and address of a Broughshane convert
at a meeting in a quarry pit, at which there were several
thousands in attendance:
" Near the end of the preaching, one old man stood up
to address the multitude. lie was a remarkable-looking
man. I was beside him before he rose. A dealer in rags
would not have given more than sixpence for all the
clothes he had on his person. I-Ie bore the marks and tokens of a'hard liver,' a confirmed drunkard. He spoke
something to the following effect, as nearly as I can remember: -' Gentlemen,' and he trembled as he spoke,'gentlemen, I appear before you this day as a vile sinner.
Many of you know me; you have but to look at me, and
recognize the profligate of Broughshane. You know I
was an old man, hardened in sin; you know I was a servant of the devil, and he led me by that instrument of
his, the spirit of the barley. I brought my wife and family to beggary more than fifty years ago; in short, I defy
the townland of Broughshane to produce my equal in
profligacy, or any sin whatever. But ah, gentlemen, I
have seen Jesus; I was born again on last night week; I
am, therefore, a week old to-day, or about. Ml[y heavy and
enormous sin is all gone; the Lord Jesus took it away;
and I stand before you this day, not only a pattern of
profligacy, but a monument of the perfect grace of God!
I stand here to tell you that God's work on Calvary is perfect; yes, I have proved it, His work is perfect. He is not
like an architect who makes a drawing of a building, and
then he looks at it, and he takes out this line and that, or
makes some other alteration, and frequently alters all his
plan, and even when the building is going on, he makes
some other change; but God drew out the plan of salvation, and it was complete, and He carried it out with His
blessed Son Jesus; and it is all perfect, for had it not been
so, it would not have been capable of reaching the depth
of iniquity of —, the profligate nailer of Broughshane.'"
"It was towartds the end of Miay 1859," says the Rev.




THE C GENTLY DRAWN."               77
1I. W. Carson, " that the first symptoms of the great awakening began to discover themselves in the parishes of
Lochguile, Kilraughts, and Dunaughy.
"The first in these parts deeply moved about her sins
and eternal interests, was a middle-aged woman. After
six years' absence from the house of God, she felt a sudden
inclination to return. The Word of God that Sabbath
proved sharper than a two-edged sword. Her distress of
mind grew deep, and never shall I forget the picture of
misery she presented, as I found her sitting by the roadside wringing her hands, and with upturned, tear-dimmed
eyes, suing for mercy. Her sins were indeed many and
dark, but she never saw them before in the same colors.
Let us trust we can add,' Her sins, which were many, have
been forgiven her.' This woman may be regarded as the
type of a large number who have passed' through fire and
through water into a wealthy place.'
"No doubt the Lord drew not a few gently under the
shadow of His cross. There was a youth of fourteen who
attended a monster prayer-meeting in the village of Cloughnills, when there could not have been less than two thousand present, and when the arrows of the King flew thick,
so that many fell down before Him in penitence; and, as
he afterwards related, he felt his heart opening to Christ,
while tears flooded his eyes. Another, somewhat older,
who has since often told the story of his conversion, and
earnestly invited others to taste the grace that was so
abundant to himself, acknowledged,' Oh, He drew me in
gentleness and love!' The hearts of these youths, and
others like them, opened like the leaves of a rose to the
light of morning. Sitting in the sanctuary ere the exercises commenced, a middle-aged man began to think of the
blood of Christ (to use his own description of his blessed
experience), thought he saw blood, and then his heart, in a
stream, flowe4 towards Christ. He, went quietly home,
retired to thank God for the revelation of His Son in him,
and soon began to experience joy unutterable. His excla7*




78    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
mation, on first meeting me afterwards, was,'Lovely!
lovely!' —' What?' said I. He replied,' Jesus is lovely.'
This was indeed a revival, or a vivid revelation of Divine
things. The man had spoken of Christ, thought of Christ,
but never before had he such a clear and lively impression
of Christ. He was ever to him an historical personage,
but now He is a living reality with him, on the right hand
and on the left.
" But while these were drawn gently, God dealt differently in the majority of conversions. iMost passed through
a terrible ordeal, and received, like Bunyan, a fiery baptism.
Spectral-like, their sins affiightecd theml; millstone-like,
their sills pressed them  down. As the prisoner in the
dock, hearing his sentence, and realizing his awful death,
has been known to shrink and swoon away, so, awakening
to a sense of their condition, beholding the pit opening,
and devils come to drag their souls away, they have
uttered doleful cries, heartrending shrieks.  They have
been carried out from the church; we have followed them
to the green, and marked the writhings of the body, expressive of the commotion within; and we remember,
while standing over the quivering frame of a youth, a convert, turning round to a stout man, a somewhat unmoved
spectator of the scene, and saying,' If sin does that in one
so young, what must it do in the like of you, sir?'
"We do not affirm that all such prostrations were the
fruits of saving, powerful convictions. On the contrary,
in some cases these manifestations were the result of the
workings of natural conscience, excited, as it must have
been, by the awe-inspiring accompaniments of the revival,
like a frozen snake brought near the fire. But, in most
instances, conviction has been the bud which has passed
into the fruit of conversion, - the tide that has floated the
stranded vessel off the sands, - John the Baptist preparing a highway for the Lord. We have now in our eye a
girl, who, while walking in a field near her father's house,
was visited with the Spirit. Hier piercing cries attracted




THE JOY UNUTTERABLE.               79
a neighbor to the spot. He thought some serious accident
had befallen her; but no, the fear of hell. had taken hold
upon her. She was carried home, lay in bed for three days
sobbing and sighing, till light dawned upon her darkness,
and she began to tell her father and mother and friends
what great things the Lord had done for her. I saw in
her haggard face the marks of the trial; but no more were
they to be regretted than would have been the marks of
the angel that hurried Lot out of doomed Sodom, had he
left on his person the evidences of his firm and unrelenting grasp.
"The next stage in the spiritual history of the converts,
as noted by us, has been frequently that of severe mental
struggle with infernal power. Satan, tenacious with his
prey, has contended with the Saviour, and in the rage of
disappointment and mortification of defeat, has thrown
down, as in the days of Christ's sojourn on earth, the sinner coming; yea, has torn him in expulsion. Some do not
believe in a personal devil, but there was strong evidence
from the lips of converts. One told me how he had tormented her repeatedly.'How do you act in such circumstances?' I asked.'Oh,' said she,'I fly to Jesus and
pray.' She knew the secret of victory over her ghostly
adversary. I remember standing over one whose soul
seemed to us the most interesting of battle-fields; for we
had reason to believe it was the scene of encounter between Christ and the evil one. The party lay with closed
eyes, discolored face, and twitching nerves, and, as she
continued in this state, we heard her muttering,'Satan,
Satan,' and as the fit grew less violent, and the struggle
seemed drawing to a close, and a happy issue, her ejaculation was,'Oh, but the light of heaven is bonny!' For days,
for weeks, we have known parties suffering distracting
fears and doubts. At last came relief in the consolations
of the Holy Spirit, - in the sweet whisper of peace. It
was perhaps while singing the 40th Psalm (which was such
a favorite, and into the meaning of which so many hearts




80    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
flew), or while some Barnabas, some good man who went
firom house to house, reading such passages as'Let not
your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in
me!' even then the means were blessed, and souls could
bless God who comforteth in all tribulation. Like the
disciples in the storm, they were agreeably surprised by
Jesus drawing near, hushing the winds, calming the waves,
and diffusing a great calm. Jesus/- oh, how we have
found the mention of that name sufficient to extract the
arrows from guilty bosomns! And then the peace, and joy,
and happiness that took possession of tempest-tossed souls
were unutterable. I have seen the joy sparkling in the
eye, or expressed by clapping of hands, and heard one
say he would not barter his peace for all the crowns of the
globe.
"' It is not, however, mere feeling which distinguishes
these individuals; their spirit, their lives, their walk bespeak the marvellous revolution in their history. Is love
to the Bible a proof of conversion?  There is one who
keeps it at her pillow, another who carries it in his pocket,
for a hurried glance amid the business of the field. The
summer before last, in a bog, were seen, in the hands of
different parties, while resting from the labor of cutting
turf, five packs of cards; last summer there were as many
Bibles their companions in toil. Is fellowship with one
another, another mark of grace?  Numerous are the little
prayer-meetings held in the cottages where neighbors
assemble to read and pray with one another. A minister's
steps, as he travels through the country, are repeatedly
arrested by'the grave, sweet melody' fiom some humble
abode, where'they that fear the Lord speak often one to
another.' Is love of the Sabbath another evidence of conversion? One told me she longed for the return of the
holy day, and Sabbath morning was the pleasantest of the
whole week. Is liberality to missions another token of
grace?  There is a poor farmer who once gave only his
sixpence on a day of missionary contribution, but now he




PROOFS OF A GENUINE WORK.            81
lays down his pound-note, and feels it more blessed to give
than to receive. It was thought this was done out of
gratitude to God for reclaiming a vicious son. This may
have been one reason, but the chief reason is that his own
once niggard heart has been enlarged -his once close
hand has been opened by the Spirit of God. You could
not converse four minutes with the man without finding his
speech bewraying him and marking his dignity. Are daily
communings with the lMost High significant of conversion?
There are fifty houses which a heathen might have visited,
and only discovered their inmates not to be heathens by
the absence of everything like heathen devotion; lo! now
they are'the tabernacles of the righteous, in which is
heard the voice of joy and rejoicing.' Morning and evening, incense arise therein to God. Salvation has come
to these houses. There are swearers whose tongues now
bless, and curse not. There are drunklards reclaimed by
something more potent than the pledge; their burning
lust has been cooled by the blood of the Cross; and not
a few of these lift a warning voice among us against what
they call invariably the cdevil's cuv. So strong is the testimony borne by the Spirit against the use of intoxicating
drinks, that four public-houses in the parish have closed,
and those publicans who remain in the trade find their
occupation almost gone. I know one who, some months
ago, heartily cursed the revival and the prayer-meetings,
for'they had done him up.' The Sabbath, as might be
expected, is a calmer, holier day. Fields and houses where
once was heard unseemly carousal, are now quiet, Sabbathlike. Many who once swelled the daring herd of violators
of the holy day now go with the multitude who keep it
holy, and help to augment the wondrously increased congregations of these parishes.
"Such, then, are the trophies of the revival - the glory
of Christ - the monuments of the Spirit's work. Nor have
we yet told the lhalf of His doings, nor shown forth a tithe
of His praise. There is a host of believers who are quick



82    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
ened afresh. Once they were dull in prayer, but now how
fervent! once careless in meditation, but now how earnest!
once lax in efforts to spread Christ's gospel, but now how
energetic! The holy fire has thawed the icy bonds of
worldliness and carnality, and they are now full of holy
zeal. Once they were like invalids - their religion feeble
and sickly; now they are like patients restored to health
and activity. Once their graces were like drooping flowers
in a parched garden, but now they are invigorated beneath
the genial influences of heaven.  How a minister in a
course of visitations is agreeably surprised by a believer unbosorning his happy experience! One perhaps meets him,
and says,' Oh, sir, I was once complaining, "MHy leanness!"
but now worm Jacob can thrash the mountains.' Another,
he finds, who had been long walking in doubt and darkness, has had the fogs dissipated by the rising of the Sun
of righteousness on his soul. A voice said,'I am thy
salvation,' and he has been delivered out of the jail of
fear and despair. How a minister, too, finds fresh cause
of gratitude in discovering some poor sinner, of whose
conversion there has not been a word, because not affected
publicly, and with striking signs, but who nevertheless is
among the ransomed of the Lord, returning to Zion.
There are jewels of this description hidden in obscurity,
like pearls lying at the bottom of the ocean; and they will
not be fully known till that day when the Lord makes up
His jewels, and when nobles, kings, and queens will give
more than all they ever gloried in to stand in the shoes of
those same obscure weaver girls and servant boys.
" It might be asked,'Has the revival made any inroad
on Popery in these parishes, or in the parish of Loughguile, where there is a large number of Romanists?' The
Spirit of God has been working in the enemy's camp, in
spite of all the charms of the priesthood to exorcise those
possessed of an evil spirit, as it was reported, and all the
nostrums proposed and detailed for what was called the
disease. We heard of a case of prostration in a chapel,




THE HIDDEN JEWELS.                83
which the priest, with callous heart, ordered out of his sight
at once.  Some have actually renounced the errors of
Rome, and embraced the truth in Jesus. One told me she
would never again pray to the Virgin (that God now worshipped on the altars of Romanisrn), and she has been true
to her profession. Some, through the influence of relations,
have returned to the embrace of the harlot, but are still
turning their eyes to the Dayspring; others who were but
partially convicted, may have apostatized forever; for we
grant there are apostates. There have been counterfeits:
the devil, as might have been expected, attempting to palm
off the dead image for the living man. There are men
like Felix -trembling for a while like an aspen leaf; like
Herod, doing many things for John, and afterwards returning to the grossest indulgences. There have been, we do
not deny, some excesses, extravagance, and error, but such
we would deprecate no more than the disorder of the
shroud on the resurrection of a dead firiend. And notwithstanding the numbers who have deceived themselves and
others, we gratefully recognize a great and good work. If
the most powerful testimonies against the gigantic evil of
intemperance; if the lie to the infidel in that Christianity
which has proved itself no effete system, but life and power;
if the death-blow Popery and Unitarianism have received
(for who could be a Unitarian after a multitude of Spirittaught souls praying,' Lord Jesus, have mercy - save?');
above all, if the death-blow the kingdom of Satan has received, in depopulated jails, crowded churches, and purified
society, - if these things are matter of thankfulness, they
are ours.'Eternal Spirit, we confess,
And sing the wonders of Thy grace."'
Of the views and feelings by which the brethren in the
ministry generally have been actuated at this solemn season, we give the following illustrations.  The first is from
the private diary of one in whose congregation, a few weeks




84    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
subsequently, a great work of revival began, and is as follows:
"Licty 24th. — I am beginning to have more hope in
prayer than I had. What I have heard of the Lord's
wonderful doings in America and in this land, and all apparently in answer to believing prayer, causes me to hope
that God will answer my earnest prayers for the outpouring of IIis Spirit here. I do desire it above all things.
God knows I do. I hope for it. I expect it. I think God
is stirring my own soul in answer to prayer; and I feel a
burning desire for the conversion of the souls of my people
to God. I have hopes of them, and believe that many of
them are beginning to feel that there is a reality in religion,
and are seeking the Lord in prayer.  Oh that the Lord
would indeed magnify His name and grace, and by signal
displays of Hiis power here, show the people what conversion is, and what true religion makes men! O Spirit of
the Son! take the gospel hammer in Thine own hand, and
bring it down on their hard hearts, and break them in
pieces!"
The second is from the statement of a country minister,
rehearsing the wonders wrought among his people:
"Our corner of Christ's vineyard appeared to be very
dry and barren until the beginning of June 1859.  A few
weeks previous to that period I was stating publicly to the
congregation that I felt greatly discouraged because I
could not discover almost any conversions as the fruit of
my labors, although I often sowed in tears. But lo! in a
short time I was made glad in discovering the fulfilment
of that sweet promise in the 126th Psalm,'They that sow
in tears shall reap in joy.' On the 3d June the Lord visited
us with a copious shower, and watered all the district
round about with the effusion of the Holy Spirit. At a
meeting in the burying-ground adjoining our church about
two thousand people were assembled —and oh, what a
solemn assembly! About two hundred were stricken down
in the space of a few hours; and, so far as I could learn




PRIVATE EXPERIENCE OF MINISTERS.         85
afterward, every case terminated in real conversion. For
many days subsequently some were similarly affected.
Some time after I was addressing a little Sabbath-school,
when the entire scholars were seized more or less, although
only eight were stricken down.
"I believe that ours was the most remarkable visitation
of any in Ireland, so far as I have yet heard. Were I to
write all I know, there would be no end to my narration.
I may wind up all by saying how much my own soul has
been benefited since this great work began. One day when
writing out a lecture in my own room, having the pen
lifted up in my hand, and studying what I would write on
the last section of the 10th verse of the 3dcl chapter of the
Song of Solomon, the words being,'And in the midst
thereof was paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem,' a thrill of love came into my very soul, and believing it to be a greater manifestation of the love of Christ to
me, I bowed my knees at the chair on which I sat, and oh,
how joyfully I acknowledged such a kind and gracious visitation! And ever since I feel more happy than I did before - believing, as I do, that my loving Saviour has given
me a peace that the world could not give or take away."
"I could state much to you," says another, " of my own
happy experience, which I have made known to very few,
as I have kept my lips sealed in regard to myself. I have
pursued what I regard as the safe scheme, of keeping
strictly to my own congregation, speaking much of the
work of Christ, the grace of the Spirit, and the love of
the Father of all mercies."
To these statements we may add that of an aged and
experienced minister, for upwards of forty years a laborer
in the Lord's vineyard:'"If there be a revival in religion," says the Rev. James
Mlayne, an aged minister, " where must it be expected to
begin? who may be supposed to be the first partakers of
it? The ministers of religion themselves. As the sunbeams strike first upon the mountains, and as the clouds
8




86    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
pour forth their treasures first upon the hills, which often
form a kind of natural reservoir for the valleys; so it may
be looked for that the spiritual rain will descend first into
the pulpit, before it reaches the pews. The influence of
ministers upon their flocks is very great, both for good or
evil.'Like priest, like people,' is a proverb founded on
truth. We are in the midst of our people like central fires,
producing a glowing atmosphere around us, or like icebergs, which chill everything in their vicinity. Should a
revival take place among them, and not extend to us, we
shall not only stop its progress, but undo what has been
done; but if our piety be increased, the influence of it
Will, in all probability, be spread through the church.
"' Before the season of revival, wickedness did very
much abound in our country, and the love of many waxed
cold. Often did I solicit the pouring out of the Spirit to
enliven and awaken; often did I entreat, like the good
John Brown of IIaddington,'for dead Haddington, and
wicked, withered East Lothian.' So did I for dead Ballywatt, and withered, wicked Ballyrashane. I do rejoice to
see the day now when the Spirit has been poured down
from on high, and the wilderness and solitary place to be
made glad, and the desert to rejoice and blossom as the
rose. Yes, my prayers are heard, and I and my people
have enjoyed times of refreshing from the Lord. I have
been strengthened to do more labor with more ease and
satisfaction now than I could have anticipated; and I rejoice in the Spirit's influences being so largely conferred
for the enlivenment and enlightenment of the Church of
God. And now at the commencement of a new year, let
us earnestly beg that this year 1860 may be the year of
God's redeemed to many. We have a good Master. WVe
serve the best of all iMasters, even Christ. His service is
perfect pleasure, and His reward, of all others, the most
ennobling and enriching for time and eternity."
The Rev. Robert Park, for upwards of forty years the




BALLYMONEY.                   87
esteemed pastor of one of the Presbyterian churches in
Ballymoney, writes as follows:
" The revival movement in the parish of Ballymoney has
been to me specially interesting. At nearly the close of a
lengthened ministry to be permitted to see many of my
charge brought to a Saviour, to know that some, over
whom my heart has often yearned, are rejoicing in Jesus,
and to believe that there are others in a hopeful state for
eternity, has been not only gratifying, but greatly encouraging.
"As in other districts, the Divine sovereignty was exhibited here in the conversion of some of the despised of the
people; but the larger proportion of those who have given
evidence of a real saving change were connected with our
Sabbath-schools, either as teachers or receiving instruction,
or were members of families well instructed in Divine
truth, and more or less regular attendants on the means
of grace.  It was not the least interesting fact in the
history of God's work here, that HIe so touched the hearts
of many young men who have since been zealously active
in religious things.
"Of these there were instances where the power of
Divine grace was most marked. Sometimes a word became an arrow to wound the conscience or touch the heart.
Often an observation intended for another was made to
alarm and convert; intercourse with strangers, themselves
affected, was blessed to many; and journeyings, sometimes
of curiosity or of recreation, were made efficient in the
work of the Lord.
"Of these I shall give one out of many, illustrative of
the ways of the Lord. A young man of a respectable
family, accustomed to all the exercises of a religious household, himself the subject of careful early training in God's
book and in God's service, yet without appearance of
serious impression, or of heart anxiety for spiritual things,
was thrown within the sphere of heavenly influences. Intercourse with a beloved brother, himself brought to the




88    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
Saviour, and a young friend recently turned to the Lord,
made some impression on his heart, but without much
outward manifestation. Accompanied by both, he journeyed from the parental roof to a neighboring town, to
judge for himself respecting cases of which he had heard.
Separated from  his companions, he wandered through
different streets, until at length he found himself in one
less frequented than the others.  It is likely that his
countenance indicated seriousness, though he himself was
scarcely conscious of it. He was accosted by a respectable young female at a door -' Was he concerned for
his soul?' He accompanied her through the hall into an
apartment where were a number of young persons, some
in prayer, others crying for mercy, others again declaring
their new-found peace, all apparently much excited. Almost instantaneously he became overpowered, sank on
the floor, and felt as he had never felt before. For three
hours he remained without relief; the young lady kneeling
by his side, whispering in his ear suitable words of Scripture, directing him in prayer, and wrestling with the Lord
for his conversion. God's time came, and it was a time of
love. He arose a new man, with a heart warmed with
divine life, thankful to God, and grateful to one who had
been an instrument of good to his soul. IIe sought his
friends, told what the Lord had done for him, and returned
to his father's house, to gladden hearts there with the
tidings of his change. Of her who had been thus kind,
little could afterwards be known. She had come from
Glasgow to see on this side the Channel the workings of
Divine grace; had felt its power, had been useful to others,
and returned to direct sinners in her own land to the same
precious and willing Saviour.
" There is every reason to believe that that young man
was truly converted to God. His walk since has been
most consistent; his anxieties and exertions for others
have been blessed; and he continues, within his proper




THE DEAF AND DUMB..              89
sphere, to labor for souls, and to urge both old and young
to turn unto the Lord.
"Another most interesting case occurred in one of the
country parts of my district. A man, about thirty years
old, born deaf and dumb, who had been educated at the
institution of Claremont, near Dublin, and who is in attendance on my ministry, was working in the bog, preparing fuel for the winter. I-e was alone, with no exciting
appliance. The Lord touched his heart. He felt the pangs
of sin, and intense anxiety to have it removed. He endeavored to make his way to his sister's house, where he
resided. So prostrated was he in bodily strength, that he
required to lie down and rest twice before he reached his
home.  During the night, and until the family were at
breakfast the next morning, and preparing for public
worship, it being the Sabbath, he was not relieved. The
description of his manner and appearance, as given by his
sister, was most striking. Literally, he jumped some height
from the ground, clasped as if some person to his bosom,
his countenance beaming with delight, and his whole person indicating gratitude and love.
"In my conversation with him afterwards by finger, he
made me to understband that the first text of Scripture that
imlpressed his mind and awakened comfort was Luke xv. 7,'Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth;' the second, 1 Tim. i. 15,' This is a faithful saying,
and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.' And again
and again he labored to show me'how happy he was in
coming to Jesus.' In this, and in many instances that are
before me, I fancy myself with Christ in the days of His
ministry on earth, and almost see before my eyes the miracles that testified that He was the Messiah.
"Happy am I to say that most cheering evidences of
God's work continue in our district. Everywhere meetings
for prayer and Scripture reading -great thirst for hearing
the word - increased attendance on the house of God and
8'*




90    THE REVIVAL IN ITS PROGRESS NORTHWARDS.
at the communion table —and seriousness and anxiety
about the concerns of the soul. Oh that this may be but
the first droppings, to be followed by a full shower of spiritual blessing, and that I may be spared a little longer to see
many, many more brought into the fold of the Lord!'




CHAPTER VII.
p  ARtibib a  in RoXtotjun  gtlrxim
COLERAINE —STRANGE EXCITEMJENT IN A SCHOOL-ROOM- THE EVENING OF
SEVENTH OF JUNE -MEETING ON THE FAIR-HILL - THE TOVN HALL, ArND
ITS EXTRAORDINARY OPENING —DAILY MORNING MEETING THERE — INTERESTING MBEMORIAL —GENERAL RESULTS —TESTIMONY OF ASSISTANT
BARRISTER - PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF MR. HALTRIDGE - PORTRUSH -
PRAYERFUL COOPERATION OF THE EPISCOPAL AND PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS - VISIT OF BROWNLOW NORTH, ESQ. - THE " DUNMULL" OPEN-AIR
R1EETINGS - ILLUSTRATIVE CASES - THE "OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT"
- THE RAILWAY LABORER - THE PLOUGHBOY AND HIS MIUSE - THE OLD
" WATERLOO"  MAN -THE TWIN SISTERS -THE LITTLE ORPHAN MTAID.
THEiRE is one incident so striking in the commencement
of the movement in Coleraine, that it cannot be omitted
in any the most cursory statement on the subject. It is
impossible to present it in a better form than has been
done by Mr. Arthur, in one of his Tracts on the Revival,
in these words. After narrating an impressive scene witnessed by one of his brethren, a Methodist minister in the
town, he says:
"Not far from  the spot where this took place stands a
large school, belonging to the corporation of London, or
that body connected with it, known as the Irish Society,
who are landlords of Coleraine, and of muich property
around. In it a boy was observed under deep impressions.
The master, seeing that the little fellow was not fit to work,
called him to him, and advised him to go home, and call
upon the Lord in private. With him he sent an older boy,
who had found peace the day before.  On their way they
saw an empty house, and went in there to pray together.




92        THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
The two schoolfellows continued in prayer in the empty
house till he who was weary and heavy-laden felt his soul
blessed with sacred peace. Rejoicing in this new and
strange blessedness, the little fellow said,'I must go back
and tell Mr..' The boy, who, a little while ago, had
been too sorrowful to do his work, soon entered the school
with a beaming face, and, going up to the master, said, in
his simple way,'O Mr. —, I am so happy! I have the
Lord Jesus in my heart!' Strange words, in cold times!
Natural words, when upon the simple and the young the
Spirit is poured out, and they feel what is meant by' Christ
in you the hope of glory,' and utter it in the first terms
that come!  The attention of the whole school was attracted. Boy after boy silently slipped out of the room.
After a while, the master stood upon something which enabled him to look over the wall of the play-ground. There
he saw a number of his boys ranged round the wall on
their knees in earnest prayer, every one apart. The scene
overcame him. Presently he turned to the pupil who had
already been a comforter to one schoolfellow, and said,'Do you think you can go and pray with these boys?' He
went out, and, kneeling down among them, began to
implore the Lord to forgive their sins, for the sake of Him
who had borne them all upon the cross. Their silent
grief soon broke into a bitter cry. As this reached the ears
of the boys in the room, it seemed to pierce their hearts,
as by one consent they cast themselves upon their knees,
and began to cry for mercy. The girls' school was above,
and the cry no sooner penetrated to their room than, apparently well knowing what mourning it was, and hearing
in it a call to themselves, they, too, fell upon their knees
and wept. Strange disorderfor schoolmaster and mistress
to have to control! The united cry reached the adjoining
streets. Every ear, prepared by the prevailing Spirit, at
once interpreted it as the voice of those who look upon Him
whom they have pierced, and mourn for Him. One and
another of the neighbors came in, and at once cast them



MEETING ON THE FAIR-HILL.            93
selves upon their knees and joined in the cry for mercy.
These increased, and continued to increase, till first one
room, then another, then a public office on the premises, in
fact, every available spot, was filled with sinners seeking
God. Clergymen of different denominations, and men of
prayer, were sought, and they spent the day in pleading for
the mourners;-sweetest of all the toils that this earth
doth witness, when men, themselves enjoying heavenly
peace, labor in intercession for those who are now, as they
were once, broken-hearted by a sight of their sins, and
striving to enter in at the strait gate, in order to walk in
the narrow way! Thus passed hour after hour of that
memorable day. Dinner was forgotten, tea was forgotten,
and it was not till eleven o'clock at night that the school
premises were freed from their unexpected guests."
The following statement respecting the movement in
Coleraine is furnished by the Rev. J. A. Canning, of that
town:'" Upon the evening of the 7th of June, 1859, an openair meeting was held in one of the market-places of the
town, called the' Fair-Hill.' The announced object of the
meeting was to receive and hear one or two of the' converts,' as they began to be called, from a district some
eight or ten miles south of Coleraine. The evening was
one of the most lovely that ever shone. The richly wooded
banks of the river Bann, which bounds one side of the
square in which the meeting was held, were fully in prospect, and there was not a cloud in the sky. Shortly after
seven o'clock, dense masses of people, from town and
country, began to pour into the square by all its approaches,
and in a short time an enormous multitude crowded around
the platform from which speakers were to address the meeting. After singing and prayer, the converts, a young man
and a man more advanced in years, and both of the humbler
class, proceeded to address the meeting. Their addresses
were short, and consisted almost entirely of a detail of
their own awakening, and earnest appeals to the con



94        THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
sciences of sinners. After the lapse of nearly an hour, it
became manifest that more than one-half of the congregated multitude could not hear the voices of the speakers
on the platform, when it was suggested that the people
should separate into distinct congregations or groups, and
that a minister should preach to each group. This was
immediately done, and some three or four separate audiences were soon listening with most marked attention to
as many preachers, for all the ministers of all the evangelical churches in the town were present.
"I was engaged in addressing a large group of people,
composed of all ages and of all ranks of the community,
from a portion of Scripture, when I became struck with
the deep and peculiar attention which manifestly every
mind and heart was lending to what I spoke. As to manner, my address was very calm; as to matter, it consisted
of plain gospel truth, as it concerns man's lost condition
on the one hand, and the free grace of God, as displayed
in salvation, on the other. I know that the addresses of
my brethren were of a like character. I never saw before,
in any audience, the same searching, earnest, riveted look
fixed upon my face, as strained up to me from almost every
eye in that hushed and apparently awe-struck multitude.
I remember, even whilst I was speaking, asking myself,
How is this? why is this?  As yet, however, the people
stood motionless, and perfectly silent; when, about the
time at which the last speaker was closing his address, a
very peculiar cry arose from out a dense group at one side
of the square, and in less than ten minutes a similar cry
was repeated in six or eight different groups, until, in a
very short time, the whole multitude was divided into
awe-struck assemblages around persons prostrate on the
ground, or supported in the arms of relatives or friends.
I hurried to the centre of one of these groups, and having
first exhorted the persons standing around to retire, and
leave me to deal with the prostrate one, I stooped over
him, and found him to be a young man of some eighteen




THE STRICKEN ONE.                95
or twenty years, but personally unknown to me. He lay
on the ground, his head supported on the knees of an
elder of one of our churches. HIis eyes were closed; his
hands were firmly clasped, and occasionally very forcibly
pressed upon the chest. He was uttering incessantly a
peculiar deep moan, sometimes terminating in a prolonged
wailing cry. I felt his pulse, and could discern nothing
very peculiar about it. I said, softly and quietly in his ear,'Why do you cry so?' when he opened his eyes for an
instant, and I could perceive that they had, stronger than
I ever saw it before, that inward look, if I might so express
it, which indicates that the mind is wholly occupied with
its own images and impressions.'Oh!' he exclaimed, high
and loud, in reply to my question,'my sins! my sins!
Lord Jesus, have mercy upon my poor soul! 0 Jesus!
come! 0 Lord Jesus, come!' I endeavored to calm him
for a moment, asking him to listen to me whilst I set before
him some of the promises of God to perishing sinners. At
first I thought that I was carrying his attention with me
in what I was saying, but I soon discovered that his whole
soul was filled with one idea,   his guilt and his danger;
for, in the middle of my repetition of some promise, he
would burst forth with the bitter cry,'O God, my sins!
my sins i' At length I said in his ear,' Will I pray?' He
replied in a loud voice,' Oh, yes!' I engaged in prayer,
and yet I doubt whether his mind followed me beyond the
first sentence or two. As I arose from prayer, six or eight
persons, all at the same instant, pressed around me, crying,'Oh, come and see (naming such a one) - and - and'until I felt for a moment bewildered, and the prayer went
out from  my own heart,'God guide me!' I passed
from case to case for two or three hours, as did my
brethren in the ministry, until, when the night was far
spent, and the stricken ones began to be removed to the
shelter of roofs, I turned my face homewards through one
street, when I soon discovered that the work which had
begun in the market-square was now advancing with mar



96        THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
vellous rapidity in the homes of the people. As I approached door after door, persons were watching for me
and other ministers, to bring us to deal with some poor
agonized stricken one; and when the morning dawned,
and until the sun arose, I was wandering from street to
street, and from house to house, on the most marvellous
and solemn errand upon which I have been ever sent.
"' Throughout the following day, the 8th of June, scenes
similar to those which I have alluded to continued to occur
in private houses in almost every street. In the evening a
dense multitude assembled again in the market-place; and
again, simultaneously with the preaching of the gospel and
prayer, many more than on the preceding evening sank
upon the ground, and with bitter cries besought the Lord
Jesus Christ to come in mercy to their souls. Profiting
by the experience of the preceding night, elders of the
churches and other Christian people sought now to find
some building, where the many'stricken ones,' as they
began now to be called, from the surrounding country
might receive shelter, and the attention of Christian ministers and others until the morning. Just at this period
the new Town Hall of Coleraine had been completed,
though it had never yet been used for any purpose. Some
one suggested it as a fitting place of shelter. The suggestion was at once acted upon; and in the town a solemn
interest attaches to the beautiful building, fiom the fact
that the first use for which it was ever employed was to
shelter in its halls many, very many poor sinners, whilst
they agonized with God for the pardon of sin.
"I may here mention that our Town Hall has been the
scene and witness, for seven months, of'one of the most
blessed fruits of God's gracious work among us. Early in
June a meeting for united prayer, by members of all evangelical denominations, began to assemble at half-past nine
o'clock, to continue for half an hour. For months the
spacious hall continued to be filled at the appointed hour,
and up to this day (January 12, 1860) a very large attend



INTERESTING MEMORIAL.             97
ance of earnest worshippers assembles for praise and
prayer. In the month of August the writer suggested that
a copy of the %Word of God should be purchased for the
use of this union prayer-meeting, and to serve as a memorial to other times of the gracious work of God among
us. The suggestion was very ardently adopted, and a copy
of the Scriptures, of the largest size, and in very costly
binding, was procured, and now appropriately and impressively witnesses every morning for Him who sent'times
of refreshing.' The following inscription is engraved on
the fly-leaf of this Bible:
"' This copy of the Holy Scriptures, purchased by the
contributions of Christians of all evangelical denominations in Coleraine, who have been attending a union
prayer-meeting in the Town Hall, is intended to be -
"'  st. A memorial of the most gracious and wide-spread
religious awakening, which commenced upon the evening
of the 7th of June, 1859, at an open-air meeting for prayer
and preaching of the gospel, held on the "cFair-Hill" of
Coleraine, when many, with strong crying and tears, were
led to exclaim, " What must I do to be saved? " and when
many more throughout the night, and during the period
which has since elapsed, were led by the Spirit of God to
embrace an offered Saviour and to find peace and joy in
believing.
"' It is meant to be,
"' 2d. A memorial of the first opening of the new Town
Hall of Coleraine, when upon the night of the 9th of
June, 1859, nearly one hundred persons, agonized in mind
through conviction of sin, and entirely prostrate in body,
were borne into that building to obtain shelter during the
night, and to receive consolation from the instructions and
prayers of Christian ministers and Christian people.
"' And this copy of God's word is intended,
"' 3d. To be a memorial to other people, and to other
times, of the blessed spirit of union and brotherly love,
which has been one fruit of God's wondrous work in Cole9




98        THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
raine, and which has found its expression, and its witness,
in the crowded union prayer-meeting, which assembles
daily in the Town Hall, from half-past nine until ten
o'clock.
"'Filled with adoring gratitude to Almighty God for
the gift of His Holy Spirit, by whom many hundreds have
been brought to the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, We,
the ministers of the gospel in Coleraine, presidents of the
union prayer-meeting,:together with the committee of
management, do subscribe our names to this inscription;
expressing our desire and determination, that this copy of
the HIoly Scriptures shall be committed to the custody andl
safe keeping of the chairman of the town commissioners,
or other chief civic authority for the time being, as a token
of our gratitude to God, for the times of refreshing with
which He has been pleased to visit Coleraine, and a witness to other days of "how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity."
"'JAMES O'HARA, Rector of Coleraine.
J. ALFRED CANNING, Minister of 2d Presbyterian Church.
J. MACDONNELL, Minister of 3d Presbyterian Church.
JOHN KYDD, Pastor of Congregational Church.
GEo. VANCE, Wesleyan Minister.
WMa. RICHEY, Minister of the 1st Presbyterian Church.'
(Here follow the other names.)'"Many hundred ministers and other servants of Christ
from  all countries, but especially from  Scotland, have
visited Coleraine during the summer and autumn, and, so
far as is known to the writer, have gone away impressed
with gratitude to God for what they saw  and heard.
Mercifully preserved from some painful and hurtful accidents which accompanied the work of revival in some
other localities, we have gone on to this day reaping its
blessed fruits. The drunkard, the poor outcast woman, the
careless, the godless, the dupe of error, the young, the old,. all are with us to this clay, to witness, by altered habits
and new lives, that a holy power has been among us.  To




TESTIMONY OF A BARRISTER.            99
hear the drunkard and blasphemer pray, whilst by his side,
to right and left, kneel fallen women bathed in tears, and
the mail who lived without God in the world adding his
deep Amen, are sounds and sights which we have been
privileged to hear and see. Full sanctuaries, full Sabbath-.
schools, full prayer-meetings,'brotherly love, increased
liberality, and additions by hundreds to the communion
of the churches, - these are the fruits that remain to witness to the character of the work which will make the
summer and autumn of 1859 to be long remembered in
Coleraine. As I wrote the last sentence, ourI local newspaper was put into my hands, and I close by extracting
from it the following statement from the bench of our local
County Court, by a judge who would adorn any bench:
"' The Barrister, addressing the Grand Jury, said, —
" WVhen I look into the calendar for the last three months,
and in memory look back on calendars that canme before
me, I am greatly struck with its appearance on this occasion. During the entire three months which have passed
since I was here before, I find that but one new case has
to come before you, and one which is in some respects
very unimportant."  After directing the jury as to this
case, his worship continued: "Now, gentlemen, as I said
befobre, I am greatly struck at the appearance of this calendar, so small is the number of cases, when I formerly
had calendars filled with charges for different nefarious
practices, pocket-picking, and larcenies of various sorts.
Now, I have none of these, I am happy to say. How is
such a gratifying state of things to be accounted for? It
mulst be from the improved state of the morality of the
people. I believe I am fully warranted now to say that
to nothing else than the moral and religious movement
which commenced early last summer can the change be attributed. I can trace the state of your calendar to nothing
else. It is a matter of great gratification when we see the
people of this county improving, and I trust that no
temptations of any sort will arise by which they can be




100       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
induced to forsake the paths of rectitude. Now, gentlemen, I would be inexcusable were I to occupy your time
merely for the sake of addressing you; and as there is
nothing to address you on, I need not detain you."' "
Much has been written and published respecting the revival in Coleraine. The place itself was so accessible, and
the work so striking, that hundreds of strangers in the
course of last summer visited it, and carried back with
them the good tidings. Through the medium also of the
Coleraine Chronicle much valuable information was circulated, especially since the memorable day in its history
when its publication was delayed through the agency of
the quickening Spirit touching the hearts of several of the
compositors, and so for the time incapacitating them for
their ordinary avocations.
There is one incident, in the form of a personal narrative by an individual from Coleraine at a meeting in Glasgow, which is so extraordinary that it cannot be omitted
here. I have nmade inquiry into the accuracy of the statements, and find them perfectly correct. The namie of the
narrator is Mr. HIaltridge:
" It was in the year," he said, " when God was pouring
out the vials of His wrath upon the three kingdoms, that
I went to Coleraine. When the hand of God lay upon
the place, many turned to the Lord; but when it was
removed, many turned like the sow that had been washed
to her wallowing in the mire. He who stands before you
was one of the latter sort. I stole my indenture and ran
away to Belfast. I wished to join a body of Christians
there, but they got a letter from Coleraine telling them
not to receive me. One man told me on the Sabbath the
communication which he had received, and wanted me to
go back. I, being of a proud, rebellious spirit, refused to
do this. I was laid upon a sick-bed for six weeks. After
I got better I was going away to the theatre. His brother,
seeing me, came after me. He stopped me, and brougllht
me into his house. He wanted me to pray to God. I said




PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF MR. IIALTRIDGE.    101
I had no call to pray to God - what would I pray to Him
for? He told mie to cry,' God be merciful to me a sinner.'
I went down to my knees and repeated these words, and
rose up and said,'Will that do, now?' He said,'No;'
and made me kneel down by him, and he prayed with me.
After this, I went to the theatre, cock-fighting, horseracing, etc. I wanted to form a marriage connection with
a young woman, the daughter of Christian parents, and
went to church with her, putting on a hypocritical face;
but her parents were very much against her taking this
step. This is a warning to all here, in this respect, never
to disobey their parents. You see one standing before you
who put out his wife to the door, and took her clothes, to
the value of ~20, and burned them. You see one before
you who loaded his gun to shoot his own son. You see
one before you who took a car and drove down three miles
to throw himself into the sea, and was found upon a rock
with the billows dashing at his feet. And you would think
that this was enough; but not so. You see one before you
who was tried for taking away the life of a fellow-creature.
I tried to break the Sabbath-day, in every possible manner.
I took money in my pocket and went away to Portrush
and other watering-places to break the Lord's day. Not
one in Coleraine would speak to me, and I did not give
one in Coleraine the credit of being a Christian but one
woman, who always spoke to me and asked for me when
she saw me. On a Monday I went to my son, who was
cashier, and took charge of my business, and demanded
five pounds. He gave it me in case I should play any
mischief. It onlylasted me that day. I demanded other
five on Tuesday; this lasted me till Saturday. The Reverend WVm. Richey had overwrought himself with hard
work, and was laid upon his bed. The doctor told him he
had only half an hour to live (although he recovered after
a lingering illness), and asked if he had any matters to
arrange before he died. He pulled out a sealed packet
firom under his pillow, and said -' Will you give this to
9*




102       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
Mr. Haltridge?' It was a few days after this the doctor
gave me the package. (By this time I was brought under
conviction.) He said he did not know what it was. I
opened it. It was that little book,' Come to Jesus.' I was
in great distress one day, and I went away from my house
about a quarter of a mile. I leaped over the wail and went
into a summer-house there, in order that the dews of heaven
might cool my fevered brow. I put my hand into my
pocket to pull out my handkerchief, and that little book
came into my hand. I would not give it for all Glasgow.
One thing had escaped my memory. When the revival
broke out, my son, a promising youth of twenty, although
not brought under the grace of God, attended a meeting
held at Market-hill, and was'stricken' down. A good
woman came to me while I was reading the flimsy trash
of the day -'novels'- which I always did: I think it
was -Reynold's Miscellany I had at that time. She said-'Mr. Haltridge, kneel down and give God thanks, your son
is stricken down.' I ordered her to go out of the way, and
went to my bed-room, and shut myself up for eight hours.
They brought him and laid him on the sofa. I heard his
cries. For twenty-four hours no one could tell whether he
was dead or alive; but when God revealed Himself to
him, the first thing he said was -' God be merciful to my
wicked father!' I heard all this. My daughter attended
meetings that were held in the school-house. She was'stricken' down, and cried to God for mercy. The prayers
of my Christian wife were now answered.  She was a
Christian from her youth up. I have seen her often at the
bedside praying. I have taken the pillow and thrown it
at her, at the same time lifting up my arm and defying
God to do his worst. On Sabbath morning I was to go
away to spend the Lord's day in the same manner as before; but my wife came to the door and said,'You will
not go out to day.' I drew back, and was for making my
way out, but she and my daughter laid hold upon me, and
drew me into the parlor, and reasoned with me until I




PORTRUSH.                  103
promised to go to church. I went to the house of God.
A hymn was given out to be sung. It was the same hymn
that was blest to the conversion of an actress. When I
came to the second line, God laid His hand upon me; my
book was trembling in my hands. M1y wife saw me going
to fall, and let my head fall in her lap. I lay there for two
hours. I was not sensible, but they told me I was crying
for mercy. When I awoke I was surrounded by kind
friends, who were praying for me; but the one that prayed
loudest and longest was a boy, fourteen years of age, named
John Hall. He had found the Lord himself, and he was
crying,'Lord, reveal Thyself to IMr. Haltridge!' My son
took the one arm, and a kind friend the other, and helped
me home. I was not able to walk; my feet refused to
carry me. On reaching home I was laid upon that sofa on
which, a month before, my son was laid. My son kept
famnily worship in the house. God opened my mouth that
night to pray. I got peace from that text,'Arise, and go
thy way: thy sins, which are many, are forgiven thee; go,
and sin no more.' I now felt such love to my fellow-men,
that I thought I could stand on a mountain-top and take
the whole world in my arms. And as Christ told His
disciples to begin preaching at Jerusalem, I was called
upon to speak at meetings held in that place which has
been the scene of my former life."
PORTRUSu. - Nowhere, perhaps, was there a more interesting movement than in Portrush, one of the principal
watering-places in the north, a few miles from the Giant's
Causeway, and during the whole season crowded with visitors, many of whom, there is reason to believe, were
sharers in the blessing. I have received a lengthened narrative from the Rev. Jonathan Simpson, from which I give
the following selections:
"By a strange coincidence in the Divine providence,
both the clergy of the parish church and the Presbyterian
minister of the town of Portrush were attracted to Ballymoney in the same week; without any previous concert




104       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
with each other, to see and investigate the remarkable
work of revival going on there in its earliest stages. The
former called on the latter, and proposed an open-air
union-meeting for prayer, into which he cordialily entered;
and the three knelt in prayer in the manse, craving a blessing on the proposed meeting, led by the senior Episcopal
minister. Their hearts were melted by the love of Christ,
and with suffused cheeks they felt that God was about to
give a blessing; and they were not disappointed; blessed
be His name!
"The meeting took place on the 6th June, on the hill in
the rear of the town, and was very large, probably two
thousand being present: the town contains a population
of about nine hundred souls. Short addresses of only a
few minutes were delivered by the local ministers and several persons, usually called'converts,' from Ballymoney;
and a very remarkable scene took place, that will never be
forgotten in the village, nor by many of its inhabitants in
eternity. The first two'stricken' ones were, one a Presbyterian, and the other an Episcopalian, as if God would
lonor the first union prayer-meeting.
"Next morning assembled the first daily union prayermeeting, which was continued with great success till the
close of the bathing season, in September. As many as
one hundred and fifty-one have been counted leaving it,
and in some instances several went away who could not
get in; while a ball-room, erected during the summer,
could get none to dance in it. The two first mornings a
young man, in each case, came under conviction of sin —
one Episcopal, the other a Presbyterian.
" The churches were crowded all summer. The Episcopal church has been enlarged, and the Presbyterian would
require to be double its present capacity, to contain the
anxious applicants for accommodation.
" Brownlow North, Esq., visited most opportunely, and,
by his earnest and thrilling appeals, largely contributed to
advance the glorious cause. He preached twice in the




DUNMULL OPEN-AIR MEETING.           105
Presbyterian church, Portrush, and addressed- two open-air
meetings, one in the town, and the other at Dunmull. The
latter was the noblest meeting ever seen in the neighborhood; the very sight was grand, apart from its bearings on
eternity. Mr. North, accustomed to large audiences, conmputed it at seven thousand; and so- many were stricken
that day, that the people in the neighboring houses never
got to bed the entire night. So many hearts were bleeding under a sense of sin, and weeping over a pierced
Saviour."
I shall here interrupt the course of Mr. Simpson's narration to introduce a statement with reference to the meeting
above mentioned, by the Rev. MSr. Sutherland of Inverness,
who was also present.
"At Portrush, on Sabbath, I had the privilege of hearing Mr. Brownlow North address an overflowing auditory,
and had myself the opportunity of preaching in the Presbyterian church. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Mr.
North, IMr. Simpson, Messrs M'Quilkin and MIAeneely, from
Connor, and I, proceeded to a hill in a central locality,
called Dunmull, a beautiful and commanding object, about
four miles from  Portrush. About six thousand people
were congregated on the slope of the hill, and some hundreds crowning its crest. It was a day of wonders in this
season of wonders, clone in the name of the Holy Child
Jesus. You could almost say before the service began,
judging by the prayerful and devout aspect of the people,'There is the sound ofabundance of rain.' Many ministers,
students of divinity, and Sabbath-school teachers from a
distance, were present in the auditory; also, many tourists,
Zaccheus-like, from motives of curiosity. It is impossible
for me adequately to describe the scenes I witnessed, and
the impression they produced. I witnessed the'smiting
down' in every phase of its development, fiom the simple
swoon to the prostration, accompanied by the most fearful
convulsions of the bodily frame, and overwhelming mental
anguish, venting itself in piercing cries for mlercy or wail



106       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
ing notes of despair. It would be too painful to behold
those extreme mental and physical sufferings, did we not
feel assured that their subjects would have a reaping time
of joy. Instead of there being any organized system of
excitement, the prayers and addresses were calm, simple,
judicious, and strictly scriptural, yet the arrows of conviction flew thick, and fixed that day in the hearts of many
of the' King's enemies.'
"Meneely was directing them to the Lamb of God, and
telling his own experience, and the happy termination to
his own soul-distress, when, like Christian, he got a view
of the cross, and his burden fell from him; and in a monent a servant lad, standing quite close to me, fell down
as if shot, or pierced through the heart by some invisible
hand. A few convulsive movements followed, as if struggling with an unseen enemy; then for about half an hour
he lay prostrate on the earth, with his eyes fixed on the
sky, and his lips muttering some sounds, at first unintelligible, but as his consciousness returned, resolving themselves
into cries to Jesus for mercy. He-I begged not to be carried.away, and within an hour sat up, and for the rest of the
day seemed alternately to be listening and to be absorbed
in silent prayer. Another young man was very violently
smitten, and from his irrepressible agony it was necessary
to carry him out, like the wounded King of Israel, from
the midst of the host. I was directed to accompany him
to a house at a little distance, whither it took all the
strength of four men to carry him. The weight on his
heart was heavier than human nature could sustain, and
his nervous system was completely overborne. I could not
bear the fearful sight, were I not convinced that this terrible struggle would terminate in victory, and that the Divine mandate would speedily go forth'Peace, be still,'
and there should be a great calm. For a quarter of an
hour, during  which I remained with him, it seemed to me
by the varying expressions of his countenance, as if he
were alternately drawn to some lovely spectacle, when an




AN OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT.           107
attractive smile and a supernatural light played on his
features; and again repelled and horrified by some terrific
object, when fearful writhings and convulsions ensued. No
wonder, when relief is vouchsafed from this great agony,
that they take up, and sing with such grateful delight the
words of the 40th Psalm-' He took me from a fearful pit,
And fiom the miry clay,
And on a rock he set my feet,
Establishing my way.'
"There were about a dozen affected similarly, but not
so violently, though, perhaps, it would not be too much to
affirm, that ten timnes that number were brought to a conviction of sin, while some found peace in Jesus. Mir.
North's address was truly admirable. It was directed to
young converts and contained most seasonable and excellent counsel."
From the numerous cases furnished by Mr. Simpson, I
shall select the following as representative of many others:
"An Operation of the Spirit. -On Tuesday morning,
7th June, before going out to the prayer-meeting at seven
o'clock, a firmer called at the manse, wanting to speak
privately to the minister.'What have you to say to
me?'-' Sir, I have got an operation of the Spirit.' Wonderfil spiritual surgery that, that cuts out'the hard and
stony heart out of the flesh,' and substitutes'a heart of
flesh!' Such an'operation' H. C —-- had got. IIe had
gone home fiom the union open-air prayer-meeting deeply
impressed; the burden of sin lay so heavy on his soul he
could not sleep. I-e rose from his partner's side, without
telling her of the tempest of agony sweeping his bosom,
dressed, took the key of his barn, went there to fall upon
his knees, and, like Jacob,'wrestle with the Angel Jehovah-Jesus till the dawn of the day,' and say,'I will not let
thee go, except thou bless me.' Like the patriarch he
wrestled, like him  he sped. HIe got the blessing, and




108       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
became'Israel,' a'prince with God.' He got'an operation of the Spirit,' and, without waiting till his wife was
up, he came away to tell the minister, and to ask him if he
(H. C    ) should tell to others the work of grace on his
soul, as the lines were forced on his memory when he
obtained relief-'All that fear God, come, hear, I'll tell
What He did for my soul.'
(Ps. lxvi. 16, Scotch version.)
I-Ie went to the prayer-meeting, made his statement, gave
out those lines to sing; and while singing, a young man,
some sixteen years of age, turned pale, went out impressed,
and shortly after the meeting closed, a little weeping sister
was for the minister, to say brother Willie was very ill.
That sister, about fourteen years of age, came under deep
convictions of guilt that day, and both seemed to have
found a Saviour.
"The 1cailway Lcaborer. — Next evening, after return
fiom country visits, a man was in waiting for me at the
manse. He is a railway laborer, had been at the Monday
evening meeting, been deeply impressed, and under sore
exercises of a sense of sin ever since —had often, during
the week, left the other men on the line, and gone behind
the fence to weep. At last the proud heart, brought down
by conquering grace, must seek relief in counsel- came
down on a freight-truck attached to a train - literally rcan
from the station to seek the minister. On reaching the
school, and finding from my teacher I was not at home,
the pent-up feelings found relief in a flood of tears. The
teacher, a worthy, excellent young iman, offered all the
counsel he could- came with J. M     to the manse, and
prayed with him- took him to one of the elders, who also
offered counsel and prayer - and sent for the curate, who
kindly came and spoke and prayed with him. Still he
remained; and, when I entered, told his story of guilt,
while he sat trembling like a whipped child, and said he




THE PLOUGHBOY AND HIS MUSE.          109
had broken every commandment of God except the sixth
and eighth. Besides that, he never set foot in a place of
worship, nor bowed the knee to God. On one occasion he
was so drunk he lay down on the rails, and only for some
one passing and hauling him off, he had been, by the next
train, a mangled corpse, and his poor soul in hell; and
then he asked if it was possible such a sinner could get
mercy.'Perfectly so, for God says it-" The blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us fromn all sin."  " Him that
cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."'1 After a
few more words of counsel, prayer was offered, and he
withdrew, greatly relieved. He was a married man somewhere about twenty years, father of ten children - had no
connection with any place of worship. Since then he has
been most regular, has also established the worship of God
in his family, ctnd has a wee/ly prayer-meeting in his.house.  Wife and eldest daughter were both afterwards'stricken,' and the three were among nine pleaders before
my session to dispense with the usual lengthened examination for the Lord's Supper, and admit them at our last
communion. They were admitted, and'go on their way
rej oicing.'
"hDie Ploughboy and his Muse. - During the prayer in
a farm-house one day, there was much emotion. At its
close, a tall, stout, able-bodied young man, twenty years
of age, R. R-, the farmer's eldest son, approached one
of the ministers trembling, and seizing him by the hand
as tears flowed fast:'M Ir. S -., you can't leave.'-' Why, Robert?' —' Oh, you can't leave me in this state!'' Why, what's wrong?'-' Oh, I'm so ill - such a load upon
mny heart' —' But can't you go with your load to the cross,
and Jesus will take it from you?  He says, " Come unto
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.' "-' Oh, but I can't go.' -' Can't you pray Christ
to take you?'-' No, I'm so ill, I can't; will you pray?'
1 1 John i. 7; John vi. 37.
10




110        THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
So saying, he fell on his knees before me, and I had to proceed in prayer. He had just come in from the plough, with
his horses, in time to catch the prayer that, by the Spirit's
grace, enabled him to' put his hand to anzother plough,' and
I thank God he has not' looked back.' The accompanying
piece of poetry by him shows his mental complexion.  It
has found its way into the public prints; and after going
the rounds of the press here, I have seen it in the Sunzctay
School Times, published in Philadelphia, and the weekly
organ of the American S. S. Union.  It is headed,'A
Convert's Prayer,' and the signature at first was,'By a
Ploughboy, near Portrush':'THE CONVERT S PRAYER.'O heavenly Father, hear my cry! oh, let Thy Spirit come
In rich effusion on my soul, and make my heart Thy home!
Imperfect, Lord, are all my ways in this sad vale of tears,
But let my Saviour's promise, Lord, remove my doubts and fears!
Teach me to know Thy holy Word, by inspiration given,
And let Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.
Go forth, 0 Lord, to all the world, touch every heart below,
That when the gospel trumpet sounds, men every note may know.
Oh, let my wild, unruly tongue, that oft blasphemed Thy name,
No more be heard to utter words of folly, sin, and shame.
Create in me a thoughtful heart, both humble and sincere,
And in the mansions of the blest may I fill up the rear!'
"Tlhe Old' Waterloo' 2ican. -  Another remarkable case
arising out of that precious Sabbath. An old soldier of
the Duke of Wellington, whose regiment had been disbanded after Waterloo, and now  seventy-three years of
age, had stood, till late in the evening, watching a poor
Roman Catholic girl whom  some Christian ladies had removed to their house. Next morning early, the old soldier's wife was down for the minister. Having so many
visits to make that day, even with a good steed, it was
afternoon before I reached the old man. He sat up in bed
half dressed, and was in an awful agony of prayer, hands
clasped, tears pouring, without any attempt to wipe them
away.  His attention was diverted for a few seconds by




THE TWIN- SISTERS.              111
my presence, and grasping my hands with both his in iron
grasp, he held me like in a vice; but soon letting go his
hold, which was a great relief to me, he burst out again in
a tempest of prayer, of which this is a specimen: -'O
blessed Saviour of the world, melt this hard heart, this
wretched heart!  It is a hard heart, a wretched heart. 0
blessed Saviour, pour out Thy Holy Spirit on every
wretched sinner like me!  Oh, a heart pressed down!'-'Pressed down with what, Billy?' I interposed. He replies,' Sin - Satan!' and then proceeds in prayer: -- O
Saviour, free me! Oh, wash me in "the fountain opened!"
Oh, plunge me in it! I know Hle'll not "put my soul to
shame, nor let my hope be lost."  0 blessed Saviour, I
won't distrust you one jot! 0 dear Saviour, dear Lord
and Saviour, forsake me not!' When asked what enabled
him to pour out such prayers, he replied,'It is nothing
but the work of heavenly love by the Holy Spirit;' and
catching the idea of' heavenly love,' he interweaves it in
prayer:-' 0 Heavenly Love, subdue me!  Oh, I-e will
be my Friend!' When, according to custom, I asked what
I should pray for when I knelt beside him, he replied,' For the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this
wretched heart, and on all that desire Him.' Be it remembered the old man can't read a word.
"ThIe Twin Sisters. -The following is a case of sisters
who were affected at the Dunmull meeting: — They continued to pray night and day,' Lord remember me' - so
much so, that their mother has informed me she has hearcd
them repeating it through their sleep. A faithful God listened to artless country girls of sixteen years of age, the
only surviving children of their parents, and at the close
of a prayer-meeting in the neighborhood both were'remembered.' And how precious the thought that the God
of love gave both the second birth the same night, as I-He
had done the natural birth!  On our first visit after the'Lord remembered them,' the fountains of feeling were
unsealed, and gave forth their sparkling treasures. It was




112       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
moving to see the girls sitting side by side repeating alternate verses of the 12th chapter of Isaiah. An old gentleman from London, and a rector of Hereford, England,
accompanied me. The latter asked to be allowed the privilege of praying in that house, and remarked, when we
passed out,'I wish my bishop had been here to-day. I
think he would have altered his next charge to his clergy
about the Irish revival;' and the old Londoner, who was
very much overcome, when he had dried his cheeks, lifted
up both hands, and exclaimed,'WVell, if this be hysteria,
God grant that London nmay be soon smitten with it!'
5 The Little Or2haCn  Jiaid. - Only one other case I
mention.  It is that of a fatherless, motherless, orphan
little servant maid. She is only thirteen years of age, and
when about seven was left by a wretched mother in a farmhouse, and she never came back to inquire after the child;
and some time after the poor thing heard all the being
she had for a mother was dead. It was early for the little
creature to put down her tiny hands to work for her bread;
but so it was, and she can say,' When my father and my
mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.' S]NI, by the kindness of her mistress, is permitted to
attend regularly the Presbyterian church Sabbath-school,
and, by the care of an excellent teacher, can read very
well. In the beginning of August, her mistress being from
home, she was left alone in the house, and there came
under deep conviction of sin; and when her mistress returned, she found her (the little girl) lying in bed, weeping;
and she was again stricken while pulling flax in the field.
When I called again on the 18th of that month, in answer
to the question, when this work of grace began in her soul,
her reply was,' Several weeks ago.'-' What brought you
to think?' —'Just felt I was a great sinner, and needed
Jesus.' -' IHave you got Him? --  Yes.' -'I How do you
know?'-'Because my sins are taken away.' —' How do
you know that?' —' God says, the blood of Jesus Christ
His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' --'Are you resting on




THE LITTLE ORPHAN MAID.              113
that word of His?'-' Oh, yes sir.' As additional reasons
of her being forgiven, she said she now loved the Bible,
which she did not do before; loved prayer, felt it sweeter,
etc. She was next asked what she prayed for.'For the
blood of Christ to cleanse my sins away, and the Spirit of
Christ to renew and sanctify my nature, and that He would
be a father and mother unto me.' During these answers
tears fell fast, but at the last allusion to her orphan situation a convulsive sob shook her little breast, and the shower
from her eyes came on heavier. It may be easily supposed
there was no one present unmoved. As a last question,
she was asked,' Was there any particular text more than
another her soul was now reposing on since she found
peace?' --' Yes.' -' What?' She raised her hand over her
eyes — it seeming vain to try to stem the flowing springtide -and in broken sobs repeated, as well as choking
utterance would let her,'"I am persuaded that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor
depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us
from  the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord."'l  One of the' Scots Worthies' departed this life
sitting at his breakfast-table (Bruce, I think), having requested his daughter to open the family Bible and lay it
before him, and place his forefinger on those two verses;
and the priceless passage that formed peaceful anchorage
for the happy spirit of the departing'Worthy' going
home, forms anchorage for the little Irish orphan maid,
stunted in bodily growth by toil and hardship from a child,
yet admitted a daughter, I believe, of the Great King.
"From a journal kept with verbal accuracy, from time
to time, these details are merely excerpts. M[y record
covers over three hundred cases, I dare not say of conversion, but I must say of the mighty Spirit's power to'convince the world of sin.' From contact with this' wonderful
1 Rom. viii. 38, 39.
10*




114       THE REVIVAL IN NORTHERN ANTRIM.
work of God,' and being honored to take some little part
in carrying it on, my spirit has been literally overwhelmed
with a sense of my own deep unworthiness, and yet that
God should'count me worthy, putting me into the ministry' at such a precious time of abounding mercy to perishing men; and I have felt that all earthly honors pale
into insignificance when compared with the highest God
could confer on man, being a' fellow-worker with God, and
with His Christ.' It were worth living ten thousand ages
in obscurity and reproach, to be permitted to creep forth
at the expiration of that time, and engage in the glorious
work of tile last six months of Eighteen hundred and
Fifty-nine."




CHAPTER VIII.
Upt AtfiX-t'lit tlr CAPttat of V11t51
VISIT OF THE YOUNG MtEN FROM CONNOR — ITS EFFECTS - THE MOVEMENT
BEGUN - MEASURES TAKEN TO GUIDE IT AND ADVANCE ITS PROGRESS —
UNITED PRAYER-MEETINGS - GREAT GATHERING IN TIIE ~BOTANIC GARDENS - DESCRIPTION OF A'REMARFKABLE INSTANCE OF CONVICTION -- THE
MEETINGS IN BERlRY STREET -CASES WITNESSED THERE -VISITS TO SOME
NEXT DAY - THE ARDOR OF A YOUNG DISCIPLE - SANDY ROW EXPERIENCES - EVWART'S ROW, AND THE EDUCATIONAL OPERATIONS THERE - A
TOTAL CHANGE -VISIT OF MR. NORTH - HIS SEASONABLE ADDRESSES -' THE
WORK IN TOWNSEND STREET CONGREGATION - THE " UNFORTUNATES:THE CARELESS - THE FORMALISTS - THE BACKSLIDERS - GOD'S CHILDREN
- ESTIMATE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF " CONVERTS ": FOR REVIVAL VOIRK
- THE " SLEEPING " CASES, AND THE WONDER-SEEKERS.
RETURNING from  Scotland in the end of May, in company with the Rev. J. H. Moore, of Connor, after the
meeting of the Free Church Assembly, the conversation
between us naturally turned upon the extraordinary movemlent then in progress in our native land.  Intelligence
received from  honme during the ten days previously had
informed us of its rapid spread over the country; and it
was further announced that some of the young men fiomn
Connor were about to visit the metropolis of the north,
there to make known the great things they had witnessed
in connection with the advancement of the work of God.
I took occasion to express a somewhat unfavorable opinion
of the proposed mission, when my fellow-traveller, interposing, said, "I have so often seen how human wisdom has
been at fault in this whole movement, that I should not
wonder if the employment of such an agency as that inl




116    TITE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
question should be extensively blessed for good, and if the
visit of our friends should be only preparatory to a great
awakening among your fellow-townsmen."
Two days after and it was matter of record in the local
journals that the revival tide had " set in" in Belfast. On
the Sabbath evening previous, a very solemn meeting had
been held in Linenhall-street Church, when the strangers
referred to described the remarkable work going on in
their own neighborhood, and impressed all present by their
simple and touching statements. Near the close of the
service, a female, who, it was said, had gone incredulous
as to the reality of the movement, was affected in a manner similar to what had been witnessed in other places;
while others who had attended, both male and female,
were reported of as being seized with religious convictions
in their own dwellings.
On the evening of Tuesday a meeting was held in
another church, when, after addresses by the visitors fiom
Connor, a strange commotion took place in the audience.
A young woman first, then a young man, cried for mercy.
After the usual dismissal, the people lingered behind in
hundreds, partly in amazement at what had taken place
before their eyes, and partly for an additional opportunity
of engaging in the exercises of devotion. The building
was reopened, and the pastor, the Rev. lHugh Hanna, who
had been engaged up to this period elsewhere, presided.
Next morning groups of interested persons were congregated around the dwellings of those who had been "affected" on the preceding evening. The general impression
was that the great realities which had been witnessed elsewhere had come amongst us, an(l that the gracious rain
which had so copiously fallen in other places, was about to
descend in plenteous effusion throughout our borders.
A week later and the whole community was agitated by
the unusual visitation. In the churches on the Sabbath,
attention had been directed by their respective pastors to
the all-engrossilg theme, while a feeling of deepest soleln



ADVANCEMENT OF THE MOVEMENT.           117
nity pervaded the congregations. In the course of a few
days religious meetings were commenced in many districts
of the town, some of which had not long before acquired
an unhappy notoriety as the scenes of party animosity, and
even bloodshed.  Every available agency was put into
requisition to meet the exigency; and it became necessary
for ministers to beg the cooperation of teachers in Sabbathschools, and other friends, in attending to the awakened,
as they themselves were even already almost worn out with
work.
At an early period in the history of the revival in
Belfast, the ecclesiastical authorities, as might have been
expected, took an opportunity of declaring their judgment
with regard to it. The Bishop of the Diocese, at all times
ready to identify himself with every enterprise bearing
upon the moral elevation of the community, took part in
a series of discourses in course of delivery on the subject
by one of his clergy, and expressed the most generous
sentiments with respect to all, of whatever denomination,
who were engaged in the advancement of this great work.
The Rev. Dr. Miller, vicar, took occasion to insert a letter in the papers, in which he said — " Whatever be the
issue of this movement, one thing, at least, is now evident,
that amongst the people generally there is an awakening
from spiritual death, an anxiety after the soul's salvation,
and a growing desire for the means of grace. All this is
a subject of deep gratitude and thankfulness to the Author
and Giver of all good things. You are, perhaps, aware
that a meeting of clergy, with our bishop presiding, was
held yesterday, at the Clerical Rooms; and, as might have
been expected, the unanimous feeling of the meeting was,
that, with ministerial zeal and faithfulness, but, at the same
time, with a calm. and prayerful spirit, we should continue,
as hitherto, to feel a lively interest in the matter, and avail
ourselves of every available opportunity, at all times and
in all places, to preach and to teach Christ."
The ministers of the Wesleyan and Independent bodies




[118    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
threw themselves into the movement with characteristic
energy; while the Presbytery of Belfast, at its first meeting, unanimously adopted the following resolution: — "The
Presbytery desire to express their thankfulness to God for
the various signs of a religious awakening in this town and
neighborhood, and do urgently exhort the brethren of the
Presbytery to use all diligence in improving the present
serious attention to Divine things, by the use of such means
of religious awakening and instruction as may to them
appear best fitted to accomplish the great end of' the ministry in the conversion of souls to Christ, and the quickening and edifying of the Church of God, and very specially
to plead with the Lord for the plentiful outpouring of His
Holy Spirit."
In expressing their views respectively, the brethren
were of one mind with reference to the reality of the
change then passing over so many of their fellow-men
around them.  Whatever might be thought of certain
well-known accidents by which it was attended, it was
profoundly felt and acknowledged to be a wonderful display of sovereign grace, impossible to be accounted for by
any other than a Divine agency. Their primary duty they
solemnly declared to be to hail its advent, and to seek
that its hallowed influence might be perpetuated and
extended over the whole land. Although little more than
a week had elapsed since it had visited the town, the Aloderator, the Rev. Robert Knox, stated that he had already
visited no less than sixty persons who had been brought
under its influence.
A week later, and a united meeting for prayer —the
first of a series which is continued weekly until this day
- was held in the Music Hall; the Mayor in the chair;
the building being crowded to excess, while nearly a hundred ministers of all denominations filled the platform.
That which was held on the following week was presided
over by the Lord Bishop, and was so numerously attended,




GREAT GATHERING IN BOTANIC GARDEN.    119
that hundreds who were unable to gain admittance engaged in similar exercises in another part of the building.
Toward the end of the month, it having been considered desirable by some to bring together in one place
the friends of the movement in the surrounding districts,
the grounds of the Botanic Garden were thrown open for
the purpose, and an assemblage convened such as was
never seen before in the north of Ireland. I was not of
those who looked with special favor on the proposal to
collect together a miscellaneous multitude whom it might
be difficult to control, and over whom no human voice
by possibility could reach; while the idea of such a gathering seemed rather to suggest that of a " demonstration'
of mere numbers than of a holy convocation assembled for
divine worship. Nor, after the experience of two such
meetings in which I have borne a part, have I seen cause
to form a different judgment respecting them. At the
same time, I must declare that there was that in the
settled demeanor and orderly array of those unprecedented
assemblies which presented to the beholder the finest specimen of true moral sublimity. A fiiend came to me as I
was about to join the moving mass that thronged our
streets on their way thither, one as calmly philosophic as
he is earnestly Christian in all his aims, and said, " Well,
I have been looking oil for the last half-hour on the most
impressive spectacle I ever witnessed. I have seen in my
own country, when a youth, some mighty gatherings, especially during the agitation for Reform, and have stood
by when thousands of sturdy and resolute men were congregated, whose very tramp had a stern purpose in it; but
I have never been so impressed by any such exhibition as
by the calm and earnest look of those plain men and
women, with their Bibles in their hands, who are pouring
on as in an unceasing stream toward the Gardens. I have
not, as you know, been satisfied as to the wisdom of the
course that has brought all these people here, but I feel
that I must join them in their solemn exercises. Come,




120    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
then, and let us go." And so, accordingly, we went, and
found it even as my friend had said. There, in the centre
of that spacious lawn with its shaven sward, and in a
position encircled by noble elms and beeches, —a most
picturesque spot in garden scenery, - we mingled with the
mighty congregation.
Commanding the open space in which they met, the
towers of the Queen's College peering through the trees,
and the Cavehill in rugged majesty bounding the further
view, stood the covered platform, or rather pavilion, which
on that occasion served as the pulpit for the officiating
brethren. From the same position the most extraordinary
of living preachers, the Rev. Mr. Spurgeon, had about a
year before proclaimed the message of mercy to listening
thousands. But now the occasion was not one of preaching, but of prayer. These waiting multitudes had come
together not to hang upon the eloquence of man, but to
fall down prostrate before the throne of God. From the
crowded lanes and alleys of our town - from the lone
hamlets of the hills, and cabins of the villages, all round
for thirty or forty miles, they had come forth that day -
many of them with hearts enlarged and full of ne-w-born
love - having bent the knee before they left their homes,
and fervently implored a blessing on the devotions which
they had sought to share. As they arrived from one and
another region round about, the citizens stood amazed at
their accumulating numbers, many an onlooker being led
to inquire within himself whereunto this would grow. The
great majority were strangers, who, as they passed through
the crowded thoroughfares, took no heed of any of their
attractions. Nothing of holiday abzandon was seen upon
them — nothing of the promptings of mere curiosity, or
admiration of the summer glories of the scene, diverted
them from the grand object for which they had assembled.
And now the thirty or forty thousand - for they were differently estimated -had met under the open canopy of
heaven, the fervors of the orb of day being mitigated by a




REMARKABLE CASE OF CONVICTION.          121
thick veil of cloud; the worshippers now sending up their
conlmmon supplications to the mercy-seat, now filling all
the air with their melodious praise.
It is not necessary to describe in detail the proceedings
of that solemn meeting. The presidential chair was filled
by the then Moderator of the General Assembly, the apostle and patriarch of open-air assemblies for public worship.
During the exercises were heard many cries for mercy;
and although the proceedings lasted for four hours, order
reigned so far as was possible among such a multitude.
Here and there, however, were distinct groups of worshippers — some led by those of tender years, others
addressed by ministers or laymen. In the outskirts there
were occasionally some questionable scenes, as in one
instance witnessed on leaving by myself and a brother
mlinister, which we stepped forward to endeavor to restrain, but the peculiar character of the exercises rendered
it impossible for any one to interpose by rational expostulation.  Such extravagances, however, were comparatively
rare, and there is no doubt that many subsequently traced
their first impressions to that day. By five o'clock the
town was completely cleared of its unwonted visitors, and
in a few hours afterwards those who had come from a
distance were again in their respective homes.
On the way homewards, the engagements of many partook of the spirit of the services of the forenoon. Some
friends who had been at Portrush were returning to town
that evening; and as they met the excursion train with
its freight of seven hundred passengers at Antrim, their
ears were saluted by a loud outburst of melody from the
occupants of the third-class carriages, as with one voice
and soul they sang together the now well-known revival
lyric, " WTlhat's the News? "
Of those who date their saving change from the great
Garden meeting, the following is a pleasing specimen: In
the course of the proceedings, a strong and powerful man,
who went from mere curiosity, was attracted to one of the
11




122    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
side groups where a youthful individual was addressing
those around him. At a certain point in the service a
request was made that all should kneel down in prayer, as
an act of submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. Slowly
and reluctantly our visitor complied. He rose under great
mental depression, and left the ground under an agonizing
sense of sin. He returned to his home in town, and subsequently, in hope of finding some relief, he started for his
mother's house, some seven miles distant; but no peace
for him was there. He sought the prayer-meeting, but
left it as he came, his burthen still unremoved.  That
night upon his bed he had a sustaining view of Christ,
beheld by faith. Next morning, finding a Christian friend
who was at his daily occupation in the field, he asked an
interest in his prayers. They knelt together, and had not
long been in that posture till he sank into an unconscious
condition, and so remained for upwards of two hours.
When he arose, the burthen had fallen off, and he felt light
and joyful in the Lord. Returning home another man,
his first resolve was to give up the spirit trade, in which
he had been engaged, a resolution which he at once carried
into effect. In the full joy of his heart he stood up unsolicited in the face of a meeting assembled for prayer one
evening, and avowed his change, taking as the ground of
his remarks, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." And
ever since he has been enabled to witness a good confession; while God has blessed his conversion and example,
his prayers and labors, as a means of bringing other strong
men like himself to the feet of Jesus.
It was only a week or two before the meeting to which
I have adverted, that I had witnessed for the first time
the physical prostrations to which the public attention had
been so largely turned. Being requested by the Rev.
Hugh Hanna — to whose congregation a signal blessing
has been vouchsafed - to aid him in one of his evening
meetings, it devolved on me, after the introductory devo



MEETING IN BERRY STREET.             123
tional services, to deliver a short address to those assembled, and by whom the church was densely filledas, indeed, it was on successive evenings for months
together. The subject which I selected as the topic of
discourse was the unconditional freeness of the gospel offer.  Anxious to repress any tendency to mere excitement,
I endeavored to set forth in the most didactic and unimpassionedcl strain the way of salvation, avoiding every allusion that might be calculated to awaken mere emotion in
any of the audience. I had not, however, proceeded far,
until there arose from a female voice a despairing and yet
tender cry, accompanied by a sinking of the bodily energlies, insomuch that she had to be borne from the place
of meeting. This case was soon after succeeded by another
and another, until it became necessary to suspend the address in course of delivery, and engage in an exercise of
singing, until all who were affected had been removed.
After this the service proceeded without further interruption to its close, if close it could be called, as after the
benediction the congregation kept their seats, and showed
no disposition to retire. It was necessary, therefore, to
resume, and again address the thirsting multitude. The
benediction was a second time pronounced, and yet they
lingered in the sanctuary. At length the place was cleared,
and I accompanied the minister, anda one or two other
brethren, to the library, to which the affected parties had
been removed.  That apartment being densely filled by
themselves and their attendant relatives and friends, they
were immediately taken into the adjoining gallery of the
church. There they remained, some for a shorter, others
for a longer period, until they were sufficiently recovered
to be removed. All were, to all appearance, laboring under
the pressure of an intolerable burthen - that burthen
sin. One at least, a very interesting girl, about fourteen
years of age, had begun to emerge out of "the depths"
of soul-sorrow, and was speaking very touchingly of the
grace and beauty of the Saviour.  In the case of the




124    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
majority (I think there were from twelve to fifteen - all
females), human help was manifestly unavailing, and we
could only commit them to the tenderness of the Divine
compassion. There was one of the cases which I had no
doubt was hysterical, and nothing more. The young woman was violently vociferous and convulsive; whereas in
the others there was nothing of convulsive movement
whatsoever.
The next day, having taken down their addresses, I resolved to visit at their own houses some of the " stricken"
of the preceding evening. In the first house I entered I
found the girl in bed, conscious and intelligent, but not yet
recovered out of the first stage of her prostration, as I
have described it. By her side sat a sister, who had herself been similarly affected, but who had found relief fiom
her mental anguish, although she seemed to have but a
scanty knowledge of the gospel. Seated in the kitchen,
however, I found, on entering, a young female, in whom I
became all at once deeply interested. She was tidily, but
plainly, dressed, and on her countenance was an expression
of " perfect peace " — it was, indeed, lit up with a look of
radiant joy. She had a Bible in her hand; and in answer
to my questioning, she stated that a short time previously
she herself had undergone, in the same church, a similar
process to that which was now so common, and was rejoicing in God her Saviour. She was employed in a weaving
factory in town, and'" as her web was out," and she had a
clay to herself, she had taken the opportunity of making
the rounds of some of her acquaintances, who had been
undergoing a like spiritual transition.  She had been a
Sabbath-school scholar, and showed a thorough acquaintance with her Bible. She spoke of her "good hope through
grace" with unshaken confidence, while sensible, at the
sanle time, that clouds and darkness might now and then
assail her in the Christian pilgrimage. She cared for little
now - for nothing, indeed, of the earth. Even her daily




MID-DAY MEETING OF MILL-GIRLS.          125
food was scarcely necessary to her. "Christ was her meat
and drink," and she was happy in Him.
The next occasion (I may here observe) on which I saw
this young disciple was a peculiarly interesting one. Being in attendance some weeks after at one of the mid-day
meetings of the mill-girls held in the school-house in connection with Linenhall-street Church, - meetings which
are still regularly maintained, -I was witness to a touching scene. One of the females present, towards the close
of the exercise, was seized with an extreme weakness.
She did not raise a cry, nor did she use any words, but her
downcast look and tearful countenance told of the conflict
that was going on within. Several ministers were present,
one of whom, an Episcopal rector fiom a distance, offered
up an impressive prayer.  By-and-by, when others had
flllen off from her who had excited so mnch solicitude,
one of her fellow-workers, who was in the little meeting,
was seen hasting to her side, and kneeling down amid the
hushed attention of all present, was heard to offer up a fervent and most appropriate supplication for the afflicted
one. It was a truly affecting scene. The offerer of the
consolation I recognized at once as my young fiiend, whom
I had met before on her errand of sympathy with the sisters of the family whom I had first visited. I asked her,
at the close, how matters went with her now; when she at
once replied, that she was quite happy in Christ, and had
"got more love."  I have seen her once and again since,
and have reason to believe that she continues steadfast
and exemplary, and has, in her humble way, proved "a
succorer of many."
But to resume.  Calling at another house adjacent, I
found a young woman seated in the apartment, perfectly
calm and collected, but in a condition of deep and despairing agony. Sitting by her side was one of her own sex,
upon whose countenance was a very different aspect, — the
unmistakable indication of a reigning serenity within. In
the course of our conversation, I learned, in a few words,
1 1




126     THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
her spiritual history. She had, according to her statement,
been broulght up the member of a pious family, but had
not until a short time before known in her own experience
anything of the power of piety. On the contrary, she had
no concern about the one thing needful, and put away
from her all tendency to serious thought. When the revival came, and others were attending meetings every
evening, she resolved for herself that she would resist
every solicitation to be present at them, caring for none of
these things. One day, however, when at her work (she
was engaged in a sewed muslin establishment in town),
she was arrested all at once by a sight of her own sinfulness, and laid her head upon the bench before her, that she
might give herself up to solemn meditation. No sooner
had she so far given way to serious consideration than,
under the prompting of an uncontrollable impulse, she fell
down on her knees and cried imploringly for mercy.
Others of her fellow-workers were looking on, and in the
midst of her distress it came into her mind, at the suggestion, she believed, of Satan, that she was subjecting herself to the imputation of great weakness by such a public
exhibition of her private griefs, and rebuking that instant
the insinuation of the evil deceiver, she cried all the more
earnestly, and ere long had such a view of Christ, and such
a sense of His wondrous love, that when she arose she
could rejoice in the assurance of a present salvation. And
now, she also was making a few calls on those of whom
she had heard as being sought out of the same loving
Saviour who had come to her in such a time as she desired Him  not. As our interview  proceeded, a young
woman entered the place, the same, I at once observed,
whose case I had regarded as mere hysteria the previous
evening, and whose demeanor did not now furnish any
satisfactory evidence to the contrary. On being inquired
of whether she had any evidence of her acceptance in
the sight of God, she answered that the weight was still
about her heart, and that for relief she was about to ie



CASE OF A "'GOOD-FOR-NOTIIING."'9       1
turn to the prayer-meeting in the evening. iMy fellowvisitor, whose case I have narrated, said to mne, when subsequently referring to the experience of this other, that
she regarded it as far from hopeful, as the young woman
in question seemed to be going about after meetings,
instead of going at once to Christ.
I paid a third visit in another part of the town, viz.,
Sandy Row, to a house in which one of the inmates, a
young girl, was laid upon the bed, also in the first stage
of physical prostration.  The old man, her father, who
received me, said he was not sorry, indeed, to see her
there.  She had been borne in in that state from.zhe meeting the previous night, and he hoped that, when she recovered, she would be different froml  what she ever had
been before. IHer temper was in great need of improvement; and if the same result took place with her as with
her sister, who had been affected as she was, it would be a
blessed change for her and them. The next time I called,
he assured me that his expectations had been fully realized respecting his daughter. "And now," saidli he, "there's
not a better girl in the neighborhood."
In company with my old fiiend the father, who said
that he knew at least forty in that neighborhood who were
brought under the same gracious influence, I called on a
young man who had a short time before, as was represented, experienced a wondrous change. He had been a
"good-for-nothing fellow," spending his earnings in the
public-house, fiequenting no place of worship, lounging
about the fields upon the Sabbath, a fearful swearer, and
a dog-fighter.  We visited the miserable hovel, scarcely
eight feet square, which served as the abode of himself
his wife, and three little children, and found that he hadc
not recovered sufficient strength to enable him to return
to his work on the railway hard by, but that lie was making a few calls on some others in the vicinity who had been
brought to themselves as he was. We heard froml his wife,
before lie returned, his striking story. She had herself, slhe




128    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
said, been brought to Christ at one of the meetings; and
though he was very averse to go, she had prevailed on him,
about a fortnight before, to accompany her to Linenhallstreet Church, where an address was being delivered by
some Scottish minister. She prayed inwardly that the
word might reach her husband's heart. Scarcely had she
sought for mercy on his behalf, when, looking round to
observe his looks, she saw him all at once turn deadly pale,
and then, with a loud cry, he fell to the earth, and had to
be removed from the place of meeting. He was in great
agony of mind afterwards, but had found peace; and now,
olh, whata change!  What sometimnes affected him was
his straitened circumstances, and his inability, not yet having regained his strength, to go about his work. The other
day, looking at her and the children in want of bread, he
had burst out into a fit of crying; but she had cheered him
uap, and, handing him the Bible, bid him read a chapter,
for she could not readc herself; which done, he offered up a
prayer, and then was as happy as ever. By this time the
husband had returned, when he confirmed all we had heard
respecting him. "I was indeed," said he, "a drunken rascal - nothing less; and all my pleasure was to drink and
sin. But, blessed be His name! I have seen a sight which
has made me another man."  And then he went on to
narrate, in simple, yet eloquent language, the mode in
which the spiritual transition had been realized. He was
lying on his bed writhing under the burden of sins; and
such a burden! He saw his sins rolling down like mountains of lead upon him, and he felt that they must sink
him to perdition. But presently he saw ("that is," he
continued, "I thought I saw") a glorious Being rising up
before him with sweet countenance, and bearing on him
the marks of being crucified; and as He drew near, the
mountains of sin began to sink down out of view, until
at last they were all gone, and nothing was to be seen but
a loving Saviour. "I [ think," he said, " I see Him still, and
I wish if it be His will, never to let Him out of my sight."




THE WORK IN EWART'S ROW.             129
And then he went on to say how he loathed the practices
he had loved. Whiskey was now his abomination, and he
would not for the world enter the place where it was sold;
and as for profane swearing, he did not feel the least temptati6n to it; and when at any time he saw that an oath
was coming out of the lips of any one, it made his very
bones to tremble. But I must not enlarge. I have once
and again visited this interesting couple in humble life -
on one occasion with two brother ministers from Italy, who
had taken the opportunity when here of inquiring into the
character, and estimating the results of the revival - and
I have every reason to believe that they continue to walk
together in love, and that theirs is, in the highest sense of
the word, a happy home. They have, some months ago,
quitted their former wretched habitation, and are now enjoying the substantial comforts of a commodious dwelling.
Not to dwell longer, however, on individual instances, I
shall here introduce an interesting communication respecting the work in another district in the outskirts of the
town. The place is called Ewart's Row, and is inhabited
altogether by mill-workers. The proprietors of the mill,
the principal of whom is our present excellent chief magistrate, lent every facility to their work-people to avail themselves of the opportunities of religious instruction which
were so abundantly enjoyed, and have had their reward in
the improved habits of their little community. The writer
of the subjoined statement is a young female, the daughter
of a respectable tradesman, whose own spiritual history is
deeply interesting. Up to the 29th of June she was altogether frivolous in her tastes, and fond of gayety and
worldly amusements. She had, however, been importuned by a friend to attend a meeting in the Rev. Hugh
Hanna's church, on the evening of the day in question,
and very reluctantly complied. In the course of the service, a young woman fell down by her side, and in the act
of rising, to follow and render her assistance, she herself
was similarly seized. Having been removed to her own




130    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
home, she was for several days subjected to extreme bodily
weakness, her mind, however, all the while in "perfect
peace." On her recovery, finding that a walk of usefulness was opened up to her, and under the prompting of an
earnest desire to do good to others, she opened a class for
the instruction of her sisters in the "Row," so many of
whom had been themselves the subjects of the merciful
visitation. Although in the subjoined statement she makes
no reference to herself, it is well known that the enterprise
owes its success mainly to her devoted labors:
" Ewart's Row is a manufacturing suburb of Belfast, on
the north side of the town, having a population of about
fifteen hundred souls.  It was visited by the grace of God
at an early period of the revival. Many were brought to
a saving knowledge of Jesus in a very remarkable way.
The change that was thus manifested, and the earnest
entreaties and fervent prayers of the converts for the salvation of their friends and neighbors, by the Divine blessing, awakened the whole locality. There was no district
of Belfast so deeply moved. The whole population crowded
to prayer-meetings and open-air preachings, evincing the
deepest seriousness and concern about eternal things. Every one betook himself to the prayerful reading of the
Bible. Those who could read but imperfectly, or not at
all, bewailed their inability; every one became eager for
instruction in the Word of God. At this crisis the Ewart's
Row school was opened by the district visitors connected
with the Berry-street Church.  Christian friends from
other congregations joined in the good work, and the Lord
has crowned their labor with abundant success.  The
average attendance on three evenings during the week is
about one hundred and fifty. Many of the girls who could
read but very imperfectly at the opening of the school, in
three months had committed the whole of the Shorter
Catechism; others, the greater portion of the Book of
Psalms; and many, portions of the Scriptures. Their memories are stored with the Word of God. Their hearts fondly




EDUCATIONAL OPERATIONS.            131
cherish it, and their lives are beautifully regulated by its
requirements. Useful branches of instruction have been
introduced. Many of the poor girls now write a beautiful
hand.  Some have advanced considerably in arithmetic.
Industrial occupations have engaged the time of others,
who will shortly be better fitted for domestic duties.
"The good done in every direction is incalculable. Scripture classes and prayer-meetings are without end in the
district. The excitement attendant on the earlier stages
of the revival has passed away, but a deep and settled
seriousness remains, the result, it is believed, of the saving
grace of God.  The greatest happiness that earth can
afford is enjoyed-by teachers and scholars in their schools
and prayer-meetings. The teachers delight in the work,
and confess that the hours spent in Ewart's Row have
been among the happiest of their lives. The Lord has
done great things for us. The change witnessed in the
locality is astonishing. The leisure hours were formerly
devoted to boisterous amusements, in which  profane
swearing was practised to a fearful extent; now the name
of God is never heard but with reverence, on any lips.
Both sexes have shared in the grace of God, and Ewart's
Row is now a regenerated locality."
With reference to the changed character of the population in the "Row" above referred to, or rather rows, for
there are three of them running parallel to each other, the
Rev. Joshua W. Collins, who resides in the immediate
neighborhood, and has had abundant opportunities of
knowing the general habits and character of the people,
makes the following very gratifying statement:
"' Much as we all needed this awakening, I know not any
district, in town or country, where a'revival' was more
required than that of which I now write. I am unwilling
to state all I have heard and known of it. The sins of
the times in all their extent were there indulged in. Quarrelling, drunkenness, profanity, Sabbath-breaking, indecent




132     TIIE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
conversation, and indifference to religious ordinances were
universally prevalent.
"You know the process by which a wondrous change
has been effected. Of the' cases,' many, I have no doubt,
were purely hysterical, and I invariably treated them as
such. It was easy for any one who had experience in
the movement to discriminate between these and others
wherein symptoms were evinced that no principle known
to medical science can explain, and which, I doubt not, are
solely referable to the Holy Spirit.
"The first' stricken' here were in the factory; and the
sensation produced when they were carried home may be
more easily imagined than described. The place, so lately
given up, to all appearance, to the Wicked One, was now
filled with anxiety about salvation.' Won't you come into
this house, sir, and pray with us?''Alh, please your reverence, my daughter is crying to see you!''Surely you
will not pass us by, and all of us in such trouble?' These
were the entreaties by which I was met on every side as
often as I went that way, and many a time by night as well
as day had I to visit them. To have their burdens lifted
off, to know Jesus, to be at peace with God, was their
only wish. Some, to my knowledge, were at least fortyeight hours without food. To speak to them and pray for
them was all they wanted.' I commenced immediately an open-air preaching in the
district, in which I was assisted by other brethren. During
three months in the summer, service was held in the Row
and adjoining neighborhood at least three times weekly,
and frequently attended by three thousand persons.
" As to the results up to the present time, I am prepared
to state, from my own knowledge, that while in a few, a
very few cases, there has been a declension from their first
love, yet I do not know of any aggravated declension, even
in a single instance. The large proportion of those affected
cleave steadfastly to Christ, and by their whole demeanor
prove, so far as -we can judge, that they are' born again.'




RESULTS.                   133
The people, generally speaking, are now members of some
church, and frequent it regularly. The children go to a
Sabbath-school, and in every respect'old things have
passed away, all things are become new.' It is pleasant
now to go into these rows. All are anxious to receive
every one who comes to speak to them of Christ and His
salvation. The voice of prayer and praise is heard nightly
in almost every dwelling. God is now honored where His
holy name was blasphemed and Satan was wont to triumph; and there is, as the result of this glorious awakening, deep cause to unite with the psalmist, and exclaim -'O sing a new song to the Lord,
For wonders lie hath done;
His right hand and his holy arm
Him victory hath won.'"
The reports of the extraordinary work of grace going on
amongst us, attracted at an early period ministers and other
Christian friends of all denominations firom England and
Scotland, whose assistance in conducting meetings, and
otherwise countenancing the work, was most important
and valuable. The Scottish brethren were largely encouraged to come over by the generous liberality of Peter
Dlrummond, Esq., of Stirling, who was among the first from
a distance to mingle in the scenes associated with the
awakening, and who on his return supplied the means by
which a considerable number of ministers were enabled to
cross the Channel for the same purpose.
Among those who visited us at this time, none were
more highly prized, either in Belfast or elsewhere, than
{Mr. Brownlow North, to whom reference has been made
in connection with the great meetings at Portrush. The
striking spiritual history of Mr. North himself, his high
social status, and the wonderfill success attending his
labors, especially for the preceding two years in Scotland,
all contributed to concentrate public attention on his evangelistic labors. He came to Belfast in the end of June,
12




134     THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
and did not leave Ulster for two months afterwards. During the intermediate period, he was employed incessantly
in public ministrations, and had most abundant and sustaining evidence that his labor was not in vain.
Having had frequent opportunities of hearing this eminent servant of Christ during his sojourn here, I can bear
testimony to the wonderful power of his addresses — for
sermons, in the usual acceptation of the term, they cannot
be designated; although, however, there was no attempt
at methodical arrangement or rhetorical art, yet such was
the intense and outbreaking energy of the speaker, that
every one felt compelled to listen. Thousands and thousands were gathered around him; and whether under the
open canopy of heaven, or in the largest buildings that
could be thrown open to receive him, he was ever ready to
proclaim that truth which, in his own case, he had found
inestimably precious. His visits to the awakened districts
were peculiarly seasonable. In many cases, those who regarded themselves as brought under saving influence were
disposed mainly to rest for comfort on their own experience of pardon and of the preciousness of Christ. With
reiterated fulness of demonstration he exposed the futility
of relying on such a flimsy and unsubstantial ground of
hope, and the necessity of being fixed immovably on the
"foundation that is laid in Zion."  The young disciple,
burning with all the ardor of a first affection, was thus
taught the necessity of being equipped for work and
warfare, and of providing against the day of trial and
temptation by a familiar acquaintance with the stable and
sustaining verities of the written Word of God.
Reserving for the Appendix the statistical department
of the work in Belfast, I select, from the statements kindly
supplied, the following narrative by the Rev. William
Johnston, of Townsend-street Church, more especially as
the cases detailed are typical in their character:
"The classes in my congregation, I should suppose, like
any other, consist of the profane, the careless, the formal



THE " UNFORTUNATES."             135
ists, the backsliders, and the children of God. These have
all been brought, more or less, under the baptism of the
HIoly Spirit, and effects have been produced, the personal
knowledge of which has created the deep-seated and deliberate conviction, that, however many may doubt or
deride,' this is the finger of God.'
" The Fallen. - The most hopeless class in our community is composed of those who have lost the virtue and the
dignity of women, and who have sunk to the lowest level
of degradation which any human creature can occupy. And
yet, as in the days of our Lord, harlots are entering into
the kingdom of heaven before some of our wretched and
lifeless Pharisees. One humble but devoted Christian
woman, a member of my church, has been honored of God
to rescue, during the last few months, some twenty'unfortunates' out of sin and misery; and one of the most
difficult, as well as the most delightful portions of my ministerial work during the past summer, has been to provide
temporary support and permanent employment for those
who, like the prodigal, were disposed to return. With the
exception of one or two who have relapsed, by the treachery and diabolism of their own relatives and companions
in crime, they are all doing admirably. Some are in good
service; one has been married; and the rest are happy in
active daily labor. Not the least interesting portion of our
worshipping assembly on each Sabbath-day, and at our
weekly prayer-meetings, are these Marys of the church, -
these daughters of the revival, whose simple dress, and
marked attention, and regular attendance, and steady
walk, indicate the dawn of a brighter day, the foretaste of
a better future.
"IThe Careless have been generally awakened; and in
cnany cases, though not in all, or perhaps in most, the
work of deep conviction has issued in saving conversion.
In this class'the bodily manifestations' seem to have been
especially blessed. These manifestations have been far
too niuch talked about, and regarded by many at a dis



136    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
tance as if they formed the whole work, or the principal
feature of it. This is a great mistake. In our congregation, there were not many cases of the kind; but such as
did occur, served, to my certain knowledge, very much the
purpose of' the rushing mighty wind' preceding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They
roused the slumbering mass; they startled whole streets;
they called special attention to the deep conviction of the
person affected; they awed and awakened the minds of
many whom curiosity had brought'to come and see;' and
they were employed and overruled to send many back to
their homes and their closets to think of their own lives, to
cry to God for their own souls, and to look to Christ for
pardon and acceptance as they had never looked before.
Of the many illustrative cases I might quote, I shall give
but few:
" One fine young thoughtless girl, a pupil in the Sabbath-school, was asked to go and sing in the house where
another person was in deep distress. She had not been
many minutes in the room  when the bodily manifestations so impressed her, that she went home to consider
the question,' Have I not as much reason to weep for my
own sins, and pray for my own soul?' For days and
weeks she continued in the deepest anxiety of mind, until,
after a painful and protracted conflict, in which her judgment had well-nigh given way, she shut herself up to closet
prayer with God, until she found peace in the finished
work and perfect righteousness of Christ. She is now a
consistent member of the church, and an efficient teacher
in the Sabbath-school, and these exercises of her mind
have been blessed to the conversion of her sister, who is
also adorning the doctrine of God her Saviour.
" At the first prayer-meeting in my church which returning strength permitted me to attend, when engaged at
the first prayer, one of my petitions was that God would
be pleased to convince and convert some poor careless
sinner present.  Immediately after, there burst forth a




THE CARELESS.               137
most piteous, plaintive cry for mercy. The person was
carried out, and the prayer proceeded, when, shortly after,
another cry was heard, and another person was taken away
by the elders of the church. When the services in the
church were concluded, I went to the school-room to speak
to these persons, and, to my surprise, I found that the first
affected was one of the most hardened and apparently
hopeless cases in the congregation.  She was a grandmother, a strong-minded, active, worldly woman —one
upon whom I had been calling for twelve years, and
trying, without any success, to bring to a sense of sin or
to the house of God. She seemed utterly indifferent to
the salvation of her soul, and twice dead in sin. On the
week before, her daughter had been awakened, and she
had prevailed on her poor mother to come down that
evening to the prayer-meeting, and then and there she was
cut to the heart.'That's me!' she exclaimed, and a sense
of her sin burst upon her mind, under which she felt utterly
overpowered.  Her daughter and she are both rejoicing
in Jesus, and are one with Christ in the fellowship of the
church.
"At our communion in October, one person came forward and asked admission to the fellowship of the church,
who had been for above twenty years a seat-holder. He
was an honest, good-natured, worldly, godless man, and
the father of a large family. His son had been awakened,
and was also asking admission. The work of grace in the
heart of his child had struck home conviction to his own
soul; and with a most ingenuous confession of his sin, and
a powerful statement of the thorough disgust and dread
with which the manifold inconsistences of others professing
religion had often filled him, he told us how the love of
Christ had been shed abroad in his heart, and that he now
unreservedly'yielded himself to the Lord.' With him
were seated twelve others, advanced in years, formerly all
careless and dead, but now humble followers of Christ, andt
seeking, through His mediation, admission to the fellowship
12*



138     THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
of the church. Their deep sense of sin, their humbling
view of self, their strong confidence in Christ, and their
clear views of truth were such that they were all welcomed
into the fellowship of the church, and hailed as blessed
fruits of the revival. Two of the men had been for years
given greatly to drink, but they are now sober and consistent Christians, and stand out monuments of sovereign
grace.
"The Formalists.- Like most of my brethren in the
ministry, I had too many in my church, who, whilst steady
in their attendance on the means of grace, were, after all,
but formalists in religion. Upon many of these the most
marked change has taken place, and, as they themselves
cleclare,' they never knew or felt the power or peace of religion before.' One man up in years, moral in his character,
and well acquainted with the Word, whilst returning from
the prayer-meeting in the Botanic Garden, heard a number
of lads singing one of our beautiful psalms; God ordered
that sound to reach his heart, and the deepest conviction
seized upon his soul. I never saw or met with a more distressed mindc. He had no rest, day nor night, for weeks.
He happened to meet me one day in one of the most
crowded thoroughfares of Belfast, and stopped me to ask,'IWhat must I do to be saved? I have been a hypocrite
and a formalist for nearly forty years; I have been walking
through life with ai veil over my eyes, and I feel such a
burden of sin, that if I do not get relief I must die, and
be damned.' For weeks no promise could give him peace.
He knew his Bible well, but that only added aggravation
to his guilt. Human counsels were utterly powerless. We
could only pray with him, and for him. Nor was this in
vain. We met him one day, and were delighted to see
at once a gladsome countenance, the index of a blessed
change. - He told me God had shown him his mistake. IIe
had wished God to mend his heart but that would not do;
and it was not until, on his knees, he had unreservedly iesigned himself to the Lord, and asked the Holy Spirit to




THE FORMALISTS.               139
renew him in the whole man after the image of God, that
the Lord Jesus had mercy on him, and had pardoned and
accepted him......  It so happened, that a few weeks
after, I began my pastoral visitation for this winter with
my friend John. When seated together at his fireside,
he said,'I think, Mr. Johnston, the ministers are all
prectching a great deal better than they used to do.' —'Perhaps,' said I,'the people are hearing a good deal
better than they used to do.' --  That may be,' he replied;.
but I think they ought to preach a. good deal better.'-'Why so?' I asked.'Because,' said he,'the people are
all praying now for their ministers; and before this revival,
they left all the praying as well as the preaching to them.'
John is now a living stone in the spiritual temple.
"One other illustrative case is that of a young man, who,
like Saul, stands out head and shoulders above most of his
brethren; that fine, manly body is the tenement of a clear
mind and a generous disposition. I-e has maintained an
excellent character, and is a person of very active habits.
He has been for years a member of the church. He has
been engaged in the spirit trade, and managed his business
with all due regard to propriety, and as well as that branch
of business can be conducted. During last spring, a sermon which I preached, on the sin and shame of the trade,
so' nettled' him, that for weeks and months he never entered our church. During last summer, the Spirit began
to work deeply on his mind. The first serious awakening
was at a prayer-meeting in Townsend Street, on an evening
when a noble-minded elder of the Presbyterian Church,
and a leading merchant in our town, was expounding the
parable of the prodigal son. Reflection deepened into conviction, and that conviction, for several days and nights,
was exhibited in agonizing wrestling with God for mercy.
That heavenly Father, who never said to any of the seed
of Jacob,' Seek ye my face in vain,' heard his prayer, and,
after a most anxious ordeal, granted him pardon and peace
through the blood of the Lamb. At one of our prayer



140    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
meetings he came forward and asked liberty to speak a few
words. This granted, he proceeded to give us a most
interesting statement of the rise and progress of religion
in his soul. He told us that for years he had been a professor of religion, but only a formnalist and a hypocrite -
that he had never known what the peace of God was until
within the last few days - and that if all there but knew
the blessedness of religion, they would seek it at once in
and through Jesus Christ, and they would not be disappointed. After an earnest appeal, he resumed his seat.
Many, who had not much faith in the revival, remarked,
that the address was all very well, but they would wait to
see what of the whiskey-shop. They had not to wait long;
the very next week the house was cleared of every vestige
of the whiskey trade; he has washed his hands clear of all
inconsistency; he takes an active part in our religious
meetings; his new business prospers beyond all expectation, under the blessing of God; he has just passed
through a fearful ordeal of illness, rejoicing in tribulation;
he has been the honored instrument of bringing several of
his relatives and fiiends to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ, and he is going steadily forward adorning in his
daily walk the doctrine of God his Saviour.
" The Backslidcers have not been forgotten by our gracious God. Of many we might report with holy joy, but
one case only will we quote. He was a young man of
prepossessing appearance, excellent character, reflecting
habits, and religious profession. He was well educated in
the Scriptures, and much liked. He was a successful Sabbath-school teacher, and a regular communicant in the
church. After some time he was appointed superintendent
of a Sabbath-school, and all went on well under his management. By-and-by a striking change passed over him.
He became dissatisfied with everything, and gave up the
charge of the school, -fell away from the communion of
the church, and finally ceased to attend the house of God.
The secret of all was, he had begun to read infidel books,




THE BACKSLIDERS.               141
by which his faith was overthrown, and he was unfortunately drawn into the darkness of Deism, and openly
avowed his contempt of Christianity. In this state of
mind he continued for several months. When the Spirit
of God visited our town and congregation, the manifestations of His power were treated by him with utter incredulity, and the whole movement was regarded as woman's
weakness and nervous sympathy. The work of grace was
denied; and when on one occasion the conversation turned
on the power of prayer, that power was defied, - ILet any
six men try and pray me down.' One humble fellowworkman — himself awakened at a prayer-meeting, and a
reclaimed backslider, and at that very time anxiously alive
about his own soul - secretly accepted the challenge.
There was one other heart which loved that erring brother
through and through -a friend who had rejoiced in his
rise, and now grieved over his fall, - one who,' since the
day he heard it, did not cease to pray for him, and to desire that he might be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.' Whilst the
prayers were being presented, the last case which we have
detailed occurred, and that address at our prayer-meeting
was reported to him by his companion. It was on a Saturday morning, and the earnest tone of that working-man,
himself a monument of mercy, went to the heart of his
erring friend. He went home that day in silent anxiety,
and reached his home to retire at once to his closet. He
took down his neglected Bible, and opening it at random,
his eye fell on the 51st Psalm, and as he read it he wondered. He closed it, and opening it again, his attention was
*drawn to the 39th Psalm, with all its solemn warnings.
Melted down, he fell on his knees, and casting himself on
God in Christ for forgiveness and acceptance, all his difficulties vanished, he could not tell how, and there was no
objection urged by Tom Paine to which he could not have
given a sufficient answer. The next Sabbath he was at
church both morning and evening; and after the conclu



142    THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
sion of the latter service, I invited any that were anxious
about their souls to meet me in the vestry. About thirty
came, of whom our friend was one. My heart bounded
with joy as I took his hand and brought him into the
vestry, where he told us the history of his fall, and how,
in the bitterness of his hatred of Christ and Christianity
he had gone to school to learn grammar and penmanship'
that he might be prepared to do his best to write down
religion, and how, in the manner above described, he was
brought back to the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul.
After this statement we all knelt together around the
throne of grace, and thanked God that this His son, who
was dead, was alive again; was lost, and was found. He
continues an humble follower of Christ.
" In relation to the Children of God, they too have been
wondrously and blessedly revived. The first case of prostration which occurred in our congregation, was one of my
Sabbath-school teachers, a young man of quiet, consistent
Christian character. I was for some time perplexed as to
the reason of his being' struck down,' but in a short time
I found that with that visitation a most remarkable stimulus had been given to his mental powers and spiritual
graces, - that what Mr. North very properly describes as'the dumb devil,' which possesses too many professing
Christians, was thus thoroughly cast out of him, -that
those lips which shame and fear had sealed, were opened,and that, like Saul, he stood forth a new man under the
baptism of the Spirit, which he was thus led to seek and
receive. He now leads in prayer when asked, which he
would not or could not do before, and is the active superintendent of one of our Sabbath-schools, besides being
generally useful in the visitation of the careless and the
sick. He stands out the type of a large number, whose
dormant energies have been thoroughly awakened and
vigorously enlisted in the cause of Christ.
" Some may deny the work of the Spirit, and some require the test of time. I can only say, that whilst a large




QUALIFICATION OF CONVERTS FOR TIIE WORK.  143
amount of mere emotion has arisen and passed away, and
whilst many have been awakened but not converted,
many, very many, remain to testify to the saving work of
grace which has passed upon them. Not one of those
joining the church has lapsed into carelessness or inconsistenlcy, but all stand fast in the Lord and in the power
of His might."
Having had an opportunity on several occasions of hearing addresses by those who were designated as " converts,"
I may take the opportunity of stating, that whilst fully
sensible of the value of their services, and believing that
they were eminently instrumental in spreading abroad the
holy flame by which both town and country were overspread, I am not less convinced that there was in many
instances a very exaggerated estimate of their competency
and qualifications for addressing public assemblies. So
long as they confined- themselves to a declaration of "the
great things which the Lord had done" for them, simply
narrating their own experience, and testifying to the
wondrous grace and mercy that they found, their statements were invested with a peculiar and even tender
interest, while their importunate pleadings with their fellow-men to accept the great salvation, were fitted to come
-home to the heart with an unwonted power. But when
they undertook to become expositors and preachers of the
~Word, they utterly failed. How could it be otherwise?
Who could expect of uneducated youths, however piously
affected, any other than the crudest statements of the gospel scheme? unless, indeed, they were to be regarded as
the subjects of an immediate revelation, whose speech and
even presence were endowed with all the potency of a
miraculous agency. That some such feeling existed in the
minds of the ignorant, may be inferred from such cases as
the two following, supplied by the Rev. Theophilus Campbell, whose labors have been largely blessed:
"A young woman, of our Bible class, under the influence of the truth for years, went one evening to a




144     THE REVIVAL IN THE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
place of worship where one of these men was expected
to preach. She sat in a pew near one of the aisles. As
soon as it was announced that' the convert' had entered
the house, and was advancing up the aisle, the agitation
among the people commenced. As he proceeded and approached near the spot where the young woman was sitting, she became violently agitated. The extraordinary
man whom God had so signally blessed, and who was to
convert the congregation, was close at hand. She trembled
from head to foot; the Bible nearly fell from her hand.
He passed by, and her agitation subsided. She was all
but' a case.'
"It was perhaps the same individual who in another
place was on a subsequent evening engaged in prayer. The
crowd extended into the street. A young man, a laborer,
was able to work his way to the door, where he could only
hear the sound of his voice.  The man fell completely
stricken down. It was no sense of sin; it was pure excitement, resulting from the circumstances, that laid him prostrate.
"In the employment of these'converts' to preach,"
adds Mr. Campbell, "a principle laid down in Scripture,
with sufficient distinctness, is violated —'Not a novice,
lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnnation of the devil.' The margin of our Bibles explains
that a' novice' is' one newly come (or born) to the faith,'
In this chapter the Holy Spirit enunciates the principles
and precepts that should guide the church in the selection
of ministers, whose office is to teach. Hie forbids the employment of new converts, and assigns as a reason what is
most natural, founded on what we cannot but see happening around us. No principle of God's Word can be
violated with impunity, and this case is no exception."
The awakening had not visited Belfast for many weeks,
until some curious physical phenomena, in addition to
those by which it was characterized at the outset, began
11 Tim. iii. 6.




THE WONDER-SEEKERS.              145
to attract attention. Nor were these peculiar to the movement in any one place — they manifested themselves in
several districts. I allude to the occasional suspension of
the bodily powers, as indicated by the loss of speech, sight,
and hearing; the subjects of them affected as in a trance
- deaf, dumb, blind, and motionless - while they would
frequently fall into a sleep, in which they continued for
hours, and the commencement and termination of which
they intimated beforehand to the bystanders.  The following may be taken as a specimen of this class: —A. B.
(we shall suppose) is a girl in the humbler walks of life, a
worker in a factory. She intimates to her friends around
her, that at such a time she will be silent, and she ceases to
speak accordingly. After some hours she signifies by signs
that at such a period she will awake, and the event takes
place as she has pre-intimated. Then, perhaps, she sings a
psalm, or pours out her soul in prayer. By-and-by she is
seized with blindness, from which she recovers, as in the
other instance. Perhaps, when bereft of sight, she will
seize a Bible or New Testament, and, to the astonishment
of every one, point to some pertinent passage of Holy Writ.
By-and-by she will narrate the wondrous scenes she saw
when locked in the mysterious c" sleep" from which she has
just emerged. At one time she has been transported to
the regions of the blest, and mingled with the rapt choristers before the eternal throne; and then what radiant
visions of the exalted Saviour, and of the surpassing glories
of His regal state and kingdom! She sees and recognizes
some of those who have gone before, and wishes she may
never more be separated firom their blest society. There,
too, she marks the provision made for those who are yet to
join the white-robed company, but who are yet doomed to
the toil and warfare of the earthly pilgrimage.  That
empty niche in the eternal mansions, with its flashing
crown as yet unclaimed, and its robe all pure and lustrous
hanging by — ah! they are laid up there for some dear
saint, mayhap her minister, who is ere long to enter the un



146    THE REVIVAL IN THIE CAPITAL OF ULSTER.
polluted city, and mingle with its stainless denizens. Sometimes, however, she is conversant with far other scenes;
and, visiting the doleful shades, although without partaking
of their misery, she will delineate in vivid coloring the
horrors of the "outer darkness."
It will be readily understood how such pictorial descriptions were caught up by the eager listeners, and how the
uneducated part of the community regarded those who
uttered them with something of religious awe and veneration, so persuaded were they of the miraculous nature of
the affections that had given birth to these unwonted
revelations. Much injury, however, was done by the encouragement of this class of" manifestations." Those who
experienced them were run after as a wonder, and their
announcements treasured up as though they were the immediate product of inspiration. Attention was diverted
from the essentials of the great work to some of its most
painful accompaniments; and there was cause seriously
to apprehend that in some instances the bodily disease
thus generated so far extended its sad influence, as to
overshadow altogether religious impressions. I shall refer
hereafter to cases in which, by the judicious interference
of ministers and others, the "sleepers" were effectually
awoke out of their cherished slumbers. Meanwhile it is
enough to state, that the phenomena in question had
nothing either of miracle or mystery about them, but may
be explained by the laws which regulate the action of the
mental on the material frame. All these deplorable attendants on the movement, however, have long since
passed away; while a healthier state of public feeling in
regard to such affections now happily prevails over the
entire Ulster community.
Respecting the extent of the movement in Belfast, I may
observe, that although many in different districts were
brought under its influence, yet, in a community consisting
of at least 120,000, of whom there were tens of thousands,




EXTENT OF THE MOVEMENT.            147
both Roman Catholics and others, of the lowest grade in
point of intellectual and moral culture, it was not to be
expected that such a change would be effected as would
sensibly elevate the character of the general populationespecially of that class which, in our great towns and cities,
so largely contributes to swell the records of vice and
crime. 1
1 See Appendix B.




CHAPTER IX.
THE VALLEY OF THE SIX-MILE WATER - THE WORK AND THE COUNTER-WORK
- THE REVIVAL IN CARNMONEY - PRAYER FOR ITS COMING - VISIT OF A
BELFAST MIIERCHANT —A HUNDRED AT ONCE-" I HAVE PRAYED HIM
OUT" - THE OLD PENSIONER - THE DRUNKEN TRADESMAN - BALLYCARRY
- HEAVY BLOW TO UNITARIANISM - PASTOR'S WORK AT LAST - BALLYEASTON - THE PASTOR'S LAST CO'MMUNION - GATHERED FRUIT - EXCITING
NARRATIVE OF THE WORK IN DUNDROD - THE PASTOR'S HOPES AND
FEARS - HIS VISIT TO THE FIRST AVAKENED - THE STRUGGLE AND THE
VICTORY - THE MEETINGS IN OPEN AIR AND CHURCH - SATURDAY EVENING AND SABBATH IN THE CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD - THE MEN i" COMING
OVER" - A YOUNG DEBORAH - ANOTHER, AND HER FELLOW-LABORE1 -
THE VALLEY OF VISION IN A DREAM[ - THE EAPARR-SERVANT IN THE FIELD
- DAGON FALLING BEFORE THE ARK - THE SUBSIDING FLOOD - RIPPLE
ON THE WATERS - THE PHENOMENA OF THE " MARKS."
Two hundred years ago, no district in Ulster was so
highly favored as that which lay along the Six-Mile Water
in the vicinity of the town of Antrim.  It is interesting to
notice that the late revival broke out on that side Connor
first, in the congregation of Donegore, and on the very
scene of the ministrations of some of the early Fathers.
There had for months before been an increasing seriousness, but it was not till Sabbath the 22d of AMay that any
decided conversion-change was manifested; while on that
following there was a mighty power at work, prompting
the imploring cry for mercy. Many have been savingly
influenced, as has since been shown by their consistent
walk and conversation.  It is lamentable to think, however, that nowhere did the work encounter more decided
opposition: some who had been regarded as decided fol



REVIVAL IN CARNMONEY.              149
lowers of the Lamb, ranging themselves on the side of
Satan,'and thus throwing a great stumbling-block in the
way of young inquirers after the way to Zion. Although
many stand fast in faith and practice, there is too much
reason to fear that the majority are still high-minded, and
walk under the influence of the powers of this present
world. Some mercy-drops have fallen in this dry valley,
but the shower of blessing is yet to come.
"When the Lord is about to visit a neighborhood in
mercy," says the Rev. Joseph Barklie, of Carnmoney, "He
usually puts it into His people's hearts to pray for it. It
was so here; for, having heard what the Lord was doing
in other places, a deep anxiety pervaded every bosom that
we should not be passed by; and although there were no
formal concerts for prayer, there was many a praying
Jacob, in the fmily and in the closet, wrestling for a blessing. One lady in particular, months before its appearance,
said to a friend,'We shall shortly have the revival with
us.' And on being asked why she said so,'Because,' she
replied,' the Lord has put it into my heart to pray for it.'
Others, I am aware, were expecting and praying for it likewise. The answer was not long delayed, but it came in a
way none of us had anticipated. A Christian merchant
from Belfast, on the first Sabbath in June, felt constraine(l,
as he said himself, though unosolicitecd, to come out and
address us on the subject of revivals, and to tell us more
especially of what he had himself witnessed of the Lord's
doings on the previous night; and although there was
nothing in his address, so far as maln could judge, calculated to produce an impression, yet that evening two females, in their own houses, were in deep distress about
their souls, accompanied by great bodily weakness. A few
evenings after, the same gentleman addressed an immense
meeting in the church, and never, perhaps, was there a
more striking illustration of the words,' Not by might nor
by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.' For barely
had he spoken ten sentences, and these not renmark:lble
1 3 I'




150        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
for power or persuasiveness, or anything of the kind, when
one-and another were'stricken down,' crying to the Lord
for mercy; and then the glory of the Lord so filled the
house that it became a literal Bochim, and before morning
it was computed that not less than fifty souls had found
peace in believing. Never- can that night be forgotten
here. The wail of the' convicted' and the songs of the
rejoicing were heard afar; as in Ezra's time, when the
foundation of the Lord's house was laid, many' wept with
a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for joy; so that the
people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from
the noise of the weeping of the people.... And the noise
was heard afar off.' A few weeks later, our communion
was held; and on the evening following, so glorious was
the manifestation of the Spirit's presence and power, that
upwards of one hundred may be said to have been brought
to Christ from one meeting alone. It was, indeed,'a night
to be long remembered' in this place; day had dawned
before the last of the stricken ones had found peace; and
in the calm of a summer's morning, the songs of thanksgiving were heard for miles, as happy bands of rejoicing
believers wended their way homewards, praising God for
His mercy; and if there was joy on earth, higher far was
the joy in heaven over those repenting sinners returning
to the Lord.
"'Before that week had closed, multitudes of strong
young men and women from among the farming population were gathered to Christ, and for long nothing was
more common than to hear of numbers finding peace in
their own homes, and in several instances the day-schools
had to be dismissed, in consequence of the children being' stricken down;' while, in one case, an entire school, even
while attending to the secular department of the business,
was literally prostrated, one-half of which, say from thirty
to forty, are now rejoicing in Christ. Strong men who
looked upon that scene, wept outright; and few could hear
these children pray, after they had found peace, without




THE WORK PROGRESSES.             151
feeling that the Spirit was poured out upon them  of a
truth.'The work is still progressing steadily, though in a
more silent and imperceptible manner than heretofore.
Rarely a week passes that I do not hear of one or more
conversions; and I am  confident I do not exaggerate
when I say (and to God be all the glory!) that within the
bounds of this congregation alone, not fewer than froln
three to four hundred souls profess to have found peace
during the past six or eight months. It is a cause of much
thankfulness to be enabled flirther to state, that, without
an exception almost, their'conversation is such as becomneth the gospel of Christ.' A marked and marvellous
change is now visible over the entire district. Twenty
prayer-meetings are held weekly, where not one was in existence before.  Mere factory lads and girls are holding
their concerts for prayer. A short time ago, one of the little fellows came to me, saying,'See, sir, this is my comrade
in the mill; I have prayed him out, and he is now rejoicing with me.' Those who have found Christ themselves are
most anxious to bring others to Him; and hence, whilst
teachers for our Sabbath schools could not be had some
time ago, there is no lack of them at present. There is an
air of spiritual beauty now resting on the moral landscape
here that is quite refreshing. Total abstinence is the order
of the day. Even moderate drinking has all but disappeared; while drunkenness, except in the case of a few
old topers, is altogether unknown- and even of the most
confirmed of them we do not despair, as God has already
plucked many such out of the fire. The line of demarcation betwixt the church and the world is now marked and
distinct. Torpor has given place to activity; the stillness
and malaria of the stagnant pool, to the rushing of the
waters of life.' The wilderness and solitary place is glad
for them, and the desert rejoicing and blossoming as the
rose;' but of this the reader may form an opinion for himself, from the following specimen cases, out of a variety
too numerous to mention:




152         THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
"No. 1 is a pensioner, fifty-five or sixty years old, who,
prior to the revival, was addicted to drink and other vices.
At the commencement of the awakening here, he was
brought under conviction, and for long was to be found at
the prayer-meetings'seeking rest and finding none.' The
Lord, however, at length visited him in mercy, and from
that hour he was a changed maln. Like Flockhartt the
Edinburgh street-preacher, he forthwith began to tell sinners what the Lord had done for his soul, and to enlist
them into the service of Prince Messiah, as he formerly
had done into the service of his earthly sovereign. At the
very first meeting he addressed, though he spoke with unlearned lips and a stammering tongue, several persons were
crying for mercy. Since then he has been signally owned
and honored of the Lord; and now, on days when the veterans are reviewed at Belfaist, or attend to receive their
pensions, he may be seen exhorting his old companions in
arms to enrol their names on the list of total abstainers, or
to close with the gospel offers of mercy; while at the meetings for prayer he is ever foremost in'rging sinners to
repentance, and to flee from the wrath to come. Never
shall we forget his address to an aged sinner (since dead)
on the morning after his conversion -' O Robert! now I
have taken Christ, won't you take Him too? He saved me,
the chief of sinners, and IH-e will save you. O man! close
with HIim now; "for now is the accepted time, now is the
lday of salvation."'
"No. 2 is a tradesman, who was regarded by all who
knew him a few months before the revival as a hopeless
and irreclaimable drunkard. He seldom, if ever, went to
a house of worship, but was to be found every Lord's day
either in the taverns, or staggering along the public highway, or lying in a ditch, dead drunk. He was led to attend
a prayer-meeting addressed by a layman, and was more
disposed to mock than to profit by what he heard; but just
as the speaker was about to close, he pointed to a tree
hard by, and said,'That tree will testify at the day of




INSTANCES OF DIVINE GRACE.          153
judgment that salvation has been offered to you, and you
have wilfully and wickedly rejected it.' These words went
like an arrow into his soul, and never permitted him to rest
day or night until he gave himself to Christ. When he
found peace, he said to his aged mother, who had kept up
family prayer,' Mother, many a time you have prayed for
me, and I ran out of the house to get away from you and
your prayers, but they are heard at last.' He is now a
sober, steady Christian man, and may be seen every Lord's
day in his house of worship, sitting at the feet of Jesus,
and clothed, in his right mind. No earthly inducement
could now prevail upon him to enter a public-house; and
already the blessings and benefits of religion are manifest
on his outer man and the exterior of his dwelling; for the
money that formerly went into the till of the publicans is
expended on the purchase of comfortable clothing, and in
making additions to his premises.'Is not this a brand
plucked out of the fire?'
"No. 3 is a young man of property, who delighted in
field sports, and who, from his position in society, had
many hangers-on, —'lewd fellows of the baser sort' —
addicted to almost every vice, and who were countenanced
and encouraged by him in their evil practices, and not
unfrequently supplied with the means of indulging ill
them. A great and blessed change, however, has come
over him. He is no longer the patron of vice, but the
promoter of virtue; and on the evening of the Lord's day
he is now to be seen surrounded by his former associates
in a Bible-class, opened for their special benefit, seeking to
lead them to that Saviour whose power and preciousness
he has felt in his own heart, and inculcating the principles
of truth and righteousness upon them.
"Such are a few instances out of many, of the power of
Divine grace in this congregation."
A few miles distant from the place last noticed is Ballycarry, of which the Rev. John Stuart writes as follows:
"Here was erected the first Presbyterian church in Ire



154        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
land. Here the Rev. Edward Brice, in 1613, unfurled the
banner of Scotland's covenant, and began preaching the
everlasting gospel. Two faithful and godly ministers were
his successors, and then for eighty long years the church lay
under the incubus of Arianism - the frozen zone of Christianity. The God, however, who reserved to Himself seven
thousand souls who had not bowed the knee to the image
of Baal, reserved here a goodly remnant which adhered to
the synod of Ulster when, in 1829, their minister and a
portion of his. flock openly abandoned the faith of God's
people. Since that time, our church, like the house of
David, has waxed stronger and stronger, and' Uitcaianism,' as the heresy is now called, like the house of Saul,
has waxed weaker and weaker. God's gracious' REVIVAL,'
which commenced early in May last, has still more added
to our members. Through the mighty working of the
Holy Spirit on the hearts of sinners, forty souls have been
brought from under that Christless system into the communion of our church, and God has bestowed on some of
them, both males and females, wonderful power of prayer
and fluency of expression.
"After more than seven months' experience, I can boldly
and fearlessly bear my testimony to the blessed fruits and
marvellous results of this mighty movement. I have not
confined my labors to my own locality. I have preached
and delivered addresses in many a town and village, and
in many a country parish, of several counties; and when
I gazed on the hundreds and sometimes the thousands
by whom I was surrounded, I could not but exclaim,'Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to
their windows?' Society appeared to be stirred up to its
lowest depths.
"Amongst ourselves here in this extensive district, God's
right hand and holy arm have won many victories. Never
was there such a summer as the last; never such an autumn; never such a winter, so far as it has gone. Hundreds have been savingly converted to the Lord; some




THE PASTOR' S LAST COMMUNION.        155'stricken' down when the Spirit came upon them like a' rushing mighty wind;' others convinced and converted
whilst he spake to their consciences by the'still small
voice.' The first effect of the revival was, that'fear came
upon every soul.' Then was our church filled to suffocation, and we were obliged to take to the open fields to
declare the message of mercy to a hungering and thirsting
population. The hitherto unoccupied pews were ardently
sought after. All were engaged. The aisles were filled
with forms crowded with anxious hearers, and now preaching became a luxury. I had PAsToR's wolrk to do. I had
living men and living women before me. They came to
the sanctuary on the sole errand of obtaining the'bread
of life.' Every Sabbath was a day of'sweet refreshing.'
On every week-day evening'they that feared the Lord
spake to one another, and the Lord hearkened and heard,'
and' there were added to the church daily such as should
be saved.'  Of all the stricken ones — two hundred in
number- I do not know of one backslider."
In the neighboring district of Ballyeaston, there is a
melancholy interest attaching to the work, for it was while
he was engaged in it that a devoted minister, the Rev. A.
Pollock, fell a victim to his exciting labors. In a letter
written but a few days before his death, he thus describes
his last commwnunion Sabbath with his people:
"The joy of converts, the cry of penitence, the wailing
of friends, reminded me of the building of the second
temple, when some shouted and others wept. Our tokens
were soon all given away, which never happened before.
About one hundred had to be provided for on Sabbath
morning, and we could not persuade the people to disperse. On Sabbath morning the house was filled to overflowing, and, with little preparation, it was no easy task to
ascend the pulpit. I addressed them  from  the words,' Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.' The Holy Ghost was there indeed, as a
mighty rushing wind. Many were removed; and in the




156         THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
evening the green was filled, and no man can tell the number'of the souls which were added to the church. The
young converts wished to go to the first table, and sit
together. We saw their eyes beaming with the light of
heaven; their faces shining like angels'; their hearts heaving with the love of Jesus, and their hands clapping with
joy before the God of Jacob. Such a table! It was a
foretaste of heaven. All was in accordance with order;
nothing extravagant; no extraordinary excitement. God
was there; and all were bowed before Him. To Him be
glory!"
" One of the first-fruits of the revival in our congregation," says the Rev. Henry Leebody, of Ballinderry, " has
gone home to heaven, leaving a blessed and a glorious testimony behind him. I spoke at the house the evening
previous to his interment, and also the day of the funeral.
We had a large attendance of all sects and parties; and
even those who had been most opposed to this blessed
work had come to confess that the young man who had
departed had shown, both in his life and in his death, the
power of saving grace. Before the coffin was closed, his
father, kneeling beside the remains of his son, blessed God
for the work which had been wrought in him who had departed, and fervently entreated that every member of the
family might feel as he felt whom Jesus had taken home."
In no part of the country, so far as I am aware, was
there a more genuine and, in every way, satisfactory work
than in that to which the following exciting narrative refers. Its minister, the Rev. William Magill, was from the
outset intensely solicitous that the community among
whom he labors should be brought under the power of the
gracious influence:
"The revival commenced here on the 10th of June. On
the morning of that day, I rose from my bed impressed
with the thought that something strange and wonderful
was about to happen in Dncndrod. I cannot account for
the feeling; but I had a strong presentiment, not of evil,




NARRATIVE OF THE WORK IN DUNDROD.       157
but of coming good. I had been in Belfast the day previous, and had leaned over the prostrate bodies of men
and women laboring under strong conviction of sin. I had
heard, for the first time in my life, the sighs and groans of
breaking hearts, and witnessed with a feeling of wonder
and awe the mental agony and the terrible struggle of
souls wrestling with' the principalities and powers of darkness,' and' contending earnestly' for life and liberty; and
when the battle was won, I heard with almost equal wonder the shout of victory, like the pealing of a trumpet on
the field from which the enemy had fled. I came home
filled with strange thoughts, cherishing high hopes, and
breathing earnest prayers that the Lord would come over
the mountains and visit my people.
"I expected something, and I was not disappointed.
When dressing on the following morning, I observed a
man approaching the manse, and the thought at once arose
in my mind, This man is perhaps comning fobr me, — the
work is begun. It was even so. I was soon on my way
to his house. He told me as we went, that one of his
daughters, after returning home from the prayer-meeting,
had fallen ill, strangely ill, - that she was up all night,
and had raised the whole family to engage in prayer with
her and for her, - that she had never ceased praying and
reading all night, and when he left her she was worse than
ever, and he feared she was'going wrong in her mind.'
He had done all he could to pacify her, and said to her,
if she wanted to be converted, to take the matter coolly,
and not create an uproar about the house to alarm the
neighbors.
A Novet Group.   "Before reaching the house, I heard
her voice in loud and earnest and continuous prayer.
When I opened the door and looked in, I saw her mother
and two sisters, all on their knees and in tears. In the
centre of the group, the picture of woe, was the' stricken
one,' with eyes upturned to heaven, and face covered and
seamed with tears. Her arms were now extended to their
14




158         THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
utmost length, as if to grasp some distant and coveted
object, and then brought together with violence as she
clasped her hands, as if in mortal agony, whilst from her
lips there burst forth words of fire, as living streams fiom
a burning mountain.'0 Christ, help me! Lord Jesus,
save my guilty soul!  0 Jesus, come; come soon, and
give relief to my guilty soul! 0 thou quickening Spirit,
come! Oh, create in me a new heart, a clean heart! Oh,
take away this hard and stony heart, and give me a heart
of flesh!' Then as her eye rested on me, as I stood
riveted to the spot, witnessing in silence this exciting and
wonderful scene, -for I never had bheard such prayers before, - she exclaimed, without rising from her kneeling posturee,'Oh, here is my minister! I knew I would have no
peace' till he came. Oh, come; come pray for my guilty
soul!' I knelt beside her and prayed, her voice accompanying mine all the time, while her expressions at intervals were so rich, varied, and scriptural, that I had often
to pause, and then to follow instead of lead, as text after
text from Old and New Testament, prophet and psalmist,
Christ and apostle, were changed into beautiful and impassioned prayer. Such asking, seeking, striving to enter the'kingdom,' I never saw before. It was, indeed, Mercy
knocking her loudest knocks at the door of the heavenly
mansion, so that the Lord himself, startled by the peals
which rouse up all the inmates, comes quickly, and with a
smile opens the door, and takes her by the hand and brings
her in.
"The struggle is over.  She rises up, and begins the
song of triumph! What a change - a perfect transformation! The cloud is passed away, and God, like the sun in
his glory, is lifting up on her the light of His countenance.
Her eye, as she sings, is lighted up with strange and unearthly fire. Her voice is no longer tremulous and plaintive, but now rings like a trumpet; while her whole face
is covered with a smile, such as we might suppose an angel
to wealr.




THE  STRUGGLE  AND  THE  VICTORY.                  159
"' Let us sing,' said she again,'the 51st psalm.  Oh! I
bless God for that psalm, and for all the psalms I learned
in the Sunday-school and Bible-class.'  I may here remark,
that the  Psalms  have  been  with  all the  converts  here
sources of great joy.' What would we have done without
the Psalms?' was an exclamation often heard.' Sir,' said
a servant girl to her master, after hearing the 51st, 130th,
and  116th  Psalms,'surely  some  persons long ago must
have felt as I feel, for those psalms seem to have been
written for their use and comfort.'l
"When  the psalm  was sung,'INow,' said our first convert,' father, mother, sisters, down on your knees, and we
will pray for you.  O Lord, save my father, and mother,
and sister,' etc.  At her request I read to the family the
second chapter of Acts, and sang the 60th Paraphrase; and
during the singing another sister, who was standing with
a child in her arms, fell to the ground, and went through
the same process, being, if possible, more violent, rolling
on the floor in agony, tearing her hair, wringing her hands,
and in  heart-rending  tones exclaiming, "Oh, is there no
pardcon for  me?  I am  too great a sinner to be forgiven.
O  God! for Christ's sake, save me, save me!'  Her sister,
now  filled with joy, stands over her like  a ministering
spirit, and cheers her by gospel promises and earnest
1 "Ah, how these rude chants of our ancestors go to the heart at such times!
the Psalms are our epic, but an epic more deep and real than ever was written
or sung by any people; an interminable poem, of which each one of us becomes
in his turn the author; a sacred treasure of personal and individual remembrances, joys, sorrows, desires, heaped up with national associations; not a verse, not
a strophe, but is quite a history or a poem. This was sung by a mother beside
the cradle of her first-born; this other, one of our martyrs sung on his way to
death; this is the song of the Vaudois returning in arms to their country; this
that of the Camisards marching to battle. This verse is one that the balls of our
enemy interrupted; that other is one of which a father, when expirling, murmured
the half, and went to finish it with the angels. Oh, our psalms, our psalms! who
could ever express in human words what your language is to us in our solitudes,
on that soil red with our blood, and under the vault of that heaven from whence
they look down upon us who have played, and wept, and sung before us!  -
3sungener's Ficance before the Revoluition, i., p. 110.




160        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
prayer.'Now,' said she,'I shall have a sister in the
Lord. Who would have thought of it, - two souls converted this morning in this house?'.Effect of the Strange Ticdings. - " The Lord had begun
His work. The strange news spread from lip to lip, house
to house, over the country. Like the' fiery cross,' it roused
the people, and old and young, men and women, husbands
and wives, little girls and mothers with infants in their
arms, ran to witness the strange doings, and hear the wild,
wondrous, but heavenly words that flowed from the lips of
these plain country girls, changed in a few hours, by the
Spirit of the Lord, into'new creatures.' What is this? Is
this conversion?  Is this the work of the Spirit of the
Lord? Has God come down to earth?  Are the'last
clays come?' or have these girls gone mad? are asked on
every hand. The reply is - These are the last days, and
God is beginning to pour out His Spirit on' all flesh.'
" That evening a prayer-meeting was held at this house
in the open air, in the street before the door. It was a still,
fine summer evening, and under the clear, open sky hundreds of all ranks and ages met to unite in prayer, looking
up to Heaven for a blessing. Farmers and farm-servants,
men, women, and little children, Roman Catholics and
Protestants of various names, knelt together on the hard
ground, reviving the recollection of primitive times, and
forgetting or overlooking for the time every mark of distinction in the common awe which all felt, and in the
earnest prayer which all offered up to God. A psalm is
sung, a word of exhortation given, and prayer offered up,
and the benediction pronounced, but the multitude stand
still. Another psalm is sung, and now the converts rush
in among their friends and neighbors, shouting, pleading,
and with heaving hearts, and sparkling eyes, and beaming
countenances, and in strange sweet tones, telling of their
new-born joys. The multitude heaves to and fro like a
ship in a storm; and like drunken men in the streets the
men stagger and fall with a shout or a deep sigh. Tears




GRAVEYARD SCENE.                161
are shed, and groans, as if from dying men, are heard.
Prayer and praise, tears and smiles, mingle together. Husbands and wives are locked in each other's arms, weepingl
and praying together; while those who came to scoff stand
still, and in' fear and trembling' contemplate this strange
thing that is going on before their eyes. The dead are
rising from their graves, as if at the sound of the archangel's trumpet, for the Lord is quickening those who were
dead in trespasses and sins. As the people separated, they
formed into groups, and marched to their respective homes,
some singing, some praying, some mourning,  and some
rejoicing. One or two had to remain all night.
" Each meeting exhibited all the features of the first one,
with some little variety. Some were in the first, and some
in the second stage, some weeping, and others rejoicing,
some calm and still, some again suffering intense agony,
and yet in their agony praising the Lord for not passing
them by. Some were very weak, and for days partook of
no food.'I will not,' said one,'eat nor drink until I have
found peace;' and she kept her word; and then, like
David, when the trial was over, she rose up and washed
herself and joyfully partook of what was set before her.
"On the first Saturday evening when we met in the
church for prayer, the scene was indescribable; the groups
from all the districts to which the revival had spread, and
it spread with amazing rapidity, came literally' walking,
and leaping, and praising God;' and as they rushed into
each other's arms, straining and pressing each other to their
breasts in the fiont of the pulpit and up the aisles, the
people'were filled with wonder and amazement at that
which had happened unto them.'
Church arzcl Graveyacrd Scene. -" On the following
Sabbath the work went on. Arrangements were made to
keep down excitement, and confine the converts to their
own seats, and the public services were not disturbed. In
the evening, for the first time, a neighboring minister came
to my aid, and a layman from Belfhst also joined in our
I 4*




162        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
services. I gave a short address, stating what the Lord
had- done among us, when one of the converts, our first
one, rose, and with beaming countenance and eyes, which
told of the joys within the heart, said a few things to the
people, when here and there throughout the church, parties
rose and went out, laboring under deep conviction, and immediately the graveyard is filled with groups singing and
praying around the prostrate bodies of men and women.
Some are as in a trance, others crying for mercy. Some are
still falling into the arms of friends, and sinking as into a
swoon. Some stagger to a distance, and drop on their
knees to pray over the graves of the dead; and a few rush
to the gates, and fly in terror from the scene. The converts
are flying from group to group, and raise the loud shout of
triumph as one after another, like the jailer of Philippi, is
seen trembling and heard crying out,' What shall I do to be
saved?' Up to this evening the work had gone on chiefly
among the females; soon, however, the men were impressed; and I shall never forget the look and shout of
joy with which one of these females proclaimed the triulmph of the Lord, when strong men were writhing in
agony, or stretched out still and calm, but with clasped
hands and heaving heart, on the graves around. I think I
see her now, -her bonnet hanging behind her head, her
Bible in her hand above her head,  and I hear still her
shout,'The men are comning now!- the mnen are coming2
now!'  For ten days and more the whole country was in
a state of intense excitement.
A Young -Deborah. — "I met one of them when going
to visit a man and his wife. She had visited some houses,
read, exhorted, and prayed.'The Lord,' said she to all the
people in these houses,'has sent me to bring you to Him.
He is waiting for you.  Arise, and follow me.'  And
strange, but true, they'immediately rose and followed
her.' A  widow woman, her sons and grandchildren, a
mother with one child in her arms, and another at her feet,
trembling and in tears, girls and boys who had risen from




A YOUNG DEBORAH.               163
their looms, and men who had dropped their spades and
left' their work in the open fields, all followed her across
the country, while she marched at their head like a general.' Here,' said she, when I met her, pointing to her train of
followers,' is my day's work; is it not a good one? They
wanted me to stay at home, but I would not, for I knew
that the Lord had work for me to do. He has given me
these.' -' RC     dear,' said I,' do be quiet, and don't excite
yourself, or people will say you are going mad.' She drew
herself up in the most commanding manner, and measuring
me from head to foot, exclaimed,'I am astonished at you,
Mr. M.; did you not teach me in your Sunday-school
and Bible class?  Oh, I can teach the children now. I
will bring them to Jesus. Must I not do the will of my
heavenly Father? Oh, I have a Father now. Do you not
remember the words of Jesus, when the Pharisees reproved
Hiim because He did not silence the little children who
shouted Hosanna as He marched into Jerusalem? --'If
these should hold their peace, immediately the very stones
would cry out.' I cannot hold my peace. It is not I, but
the Spirit of the Lord, that is speaking.' I was awed into
silence as I stood before this young Deborah, and in the
meantime fell into the rear, and became one of her followers. It is right to state, that in a few days she calmed
down, and became what she still continues to be- a warmhearted, zealous, and consistent follower of Jesus. The
excitement is gone, but not the Spirit which gave it birth.,She did her work.  She roused the country, and then
retired into private life, and in the quiet home of the
faimily circle she and her sisters are adorning the doctrine
of the gospel by a becoming walk and conversation. Indeed it is pleasing to have to record the same testimony in
favor of all the other converts in Dundrod without a single
exception. Though numbering upwards of two hundred,
no evil things as yet can be said of one of them.
The Work in the Country Roundc. — These things
which I have described took place in and around Dundlrod,




164        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
the church being the centre; but in other parts of the
country the work went on satisfactorily, but especially in
a wide district lying between us and the Belfast mountains.
HIere the progress was truly amazing. Had the French
landed in Belfast, and the news spread that they were on
their march toward us, there could not have been greater
commotion among the people. Many had been stricken
down at Dundrod, and brought into the district, and every
house was a kind of hospital, filled with the wounded,
firom whose wounds arrows were plucked to wound afiesh
those who stood around them. The cry on all sides was,' The Lord is at hand, go ye out to meet him'-' The day
of the Lord is come.' When I visited the district, I found
that all labor was completely suspended, and that all the
people were running in groups from house to house. The
mourning was in its extent, if not in its nature, like that
of Egypt. In some houses, at one time, I counted more
than a score, old and young, more or less affected. The
people here seemed to'take it' with wonderful rapidity.
There was a regular chain of meetings kept up night and
day, each meeting feedling the flame of zeal, and from each,
as from a burning altar, live coals were taken to touch the
cold lips and fire the dead souls of the few' careless ones'
elsewhere.
Another Deborah and her Pellow-laborer. - " One girl
was highly blessed and honored in this district. She had
been at Dundrod, and was there converted: It had the
honor of being, as she said, her birthplace. She was well
acquainted with the Scriptures, and was correct and blameless in her life. She said to me,'I thought I was a good
girl, but I was all wrong. I never was on the narrow way
till now. I knew I was sound in the faith, but I wanted a
quickening.' She got the quickening, and the change was
wonderful. She was all alive, all on fire, and went through
the country from house to house exhorting the careless;
but her chief delight was in comforting those who were
mlourners. She soon found a fellow-laborer. A young 




NEW-BORN FREEDOM.                165
iman in her neighborhood, of wild and reckless habits,
treats the revival with scorn, and forbids his sisters to go
too near, lest they might bring the plague home with them;
for some actually shunned at first, and others fled fiom our
meetings in perfect terror, lest they might'take the revival,' for they were afraid they could not'stand it.' Like
many professing Christians, they had no objection to wear
the crown, but they would not endure the cross; they
would enter heaven, but not through the strait gate, or
along the thorny path of much tribulation. They could
not but envy the joys, but they shunned the sorrows of
the children of God. God had, however, -Iis eye on this
young man, and the Spirit guided the young girl to his
father's house. She is resolved on conquest. She lays a
gentle h]and on his shoulder, and, fixing her eyes on him,
says,'Archy, won't you come?  I know you'11 come.
Come to Jesus. I see it in your eye, you are coming.
Pray, Archy, pray for the Spirit.' And now they are on
their knees together; while father and mother, and sisters
and brothers, stand awhile in wonder, then kneel too, and
all pray for the Spirit of God. Nor did they pray in vain.
The young man struggles, feels a choking sensation in the
throat, and a pressure on his heart; his bosom heaves with
strange emotions. The strong man is bowed down, the
hard heart is softening, the Spirit is striving; and now the
struggle is over, and another Saul stands up, and, rejoicing
in his new-born freedom, asks work, saying,' Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do?' The work is given, and with
all his heart he sets about doing it. In his family he works,
and all the inmates are changed; father, mother, sisters,
and brothers, blessing God for bringing salvation into their
house. Now he flies in breathless haste to rouse his sleeping neighbors and friends. Ite stands up in the midst of
hundreds in the open-air meetings proclaiming the glad
tidings of salvation, and glorying in the possession of a
light, and life, and joy, never felt nor dreamed of before.
IHe seeks his old companions, whom he led in many a revel;




166        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
and on the following Sabbath, in the face of the most
crowded and solemn assembly ever held among us, he
marches up at the head of nearly one hundred individuals,
who, in front of the pulpit, sign the total abstinence pledge.
His mission does not end here. He and others visit from
house to house, hold prayer-meetings, and the revival
spreads around until every family in the district can count
its converts; and in more than one instance whole families'joy in God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom they
have received the atonement.'
"The change wrought among this people was strange
and sudden; it Mwas, indeed, from' darkness to light,' from
death to life. The Spirit of God had done for these sleepers in the valley what tradition says Tell will do some day
for his native land, when, coning' forth from the cave where
it is said he sleeps, he shall sound his horn and raise the
dead, and fill his native valleys with bands of armed men,
ready to unfurl the banner of freedom, and trample tyranny
in the dust. But we need not go to profane history or the
middle ages for traditionary legend for an illustration of
what took place in and around Dundrod, when the Spirit
of the Lord came down upon the people and quickened
them, even as when He came upon the dry bones in the'-valley of vision.'
A  Curious Dream. -" In connection with this wondrous vision, which has been realized almost to the life in all
its parts in the midst of us, I may here relate a strange
dream by one of the converts, a married nman, in mid life -
a plain, uneducated, working man, who told me he never
remembered having read, or heard read, the passage in
Ezekiel to which his dream bears such a marked resemblance. 1Ie was smitten down when going home from one
of our prayer-meetings, and while sitting in his house, had
in his half-sleepy, trance-like state the following dream or
vision:'I saw,' said he,'in one spot, a pile of bones all
in a heap, and in another place a heap of raw flesh. Then
I saw a strange hand from a shadowy form take the bones




THE FARM-SERVANT IN THE FIELD.         167
one by one, and arrange them in their proper order into a
skeleton. Then going to the other heap it took piece after
piece of the flesh, and put them all over the bones, and
then unfolding some thin transparent substance like skin,
it spread it over the body, fitting it to it. Then there was
a rushing as of wind, and immediately the body stood upright, and I started, for it was myself  I had seen God
making me over again. I was a new creature. A table
was set before me, on which was a pipe and a tumbler of
whiskey, to try me, and shotw that Irwas changecl. I could
not touch either, though I was both a drinker and a
smoker.'-'And have you,' said I, when he finished his
narrative, which I have given almost in his own words)'given up the pipe and the bottle?' —'I have,' said he,'and have felt no desire for either ever since.'
"There is life now in the people, a new, a spiritual life.
The Spirit has quickened hundreds who were' dead in
trespasses and sins.' The cry is heard on all sides,' Such
times, such glorious times! the Lord indeed is come.'
Prayers issue from lips that never moved in audible prayer
before; and oh, such prayers! so rich in Scripture language,
so fervent, for icy hearts are melted as if by fire from heaven.
Men and women pray; father follows son, or a sister a
brother, like the gallant leaders of some forlorn hope.
When the foremost have fallen in the track, others passing
behind push on, resolved to take heaven by force, and not
to yield until they themselves, and their friends, stand
within the city of God.
]The Fcarm-servaCzt in the PFielk. -< "Having heard one
day that a young man, a farm-servant, had been brought
under conviction, I went to see him. I called at his master's house, but was told that nothing was known of it;
and I went in search of him to some neighboring houses
in which were converts, thinking it probable he might have
gone there. On my way I heard sounds from a field by
the wayside, and following with my eye the direction of
the sound, saw a number of individuals kneeling at some




168        THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
distance at the back of a ditch, and as I approached I
found they were engaged in prayer. He had been taken ill
in the field, where he had been weeding corn. At a distance
lay the implement of husbandry which had dropped from
his hands. Friends had gathered around him: a psalm
was sung, and now they are engaged in prayer. He prays;
another and another follows, and when I thought all had
ended, I heard the sweet, earnest, pleading voice of a
young girl, who, from the first night, was prominent among
the happy converts; and she rose with a smile, and all rejoiced, for their prayers being ended, the young man stood
in the midst of them, blessing and praising God, and receiving their warm congratulations.
"Prayer-meetings are appointed in the several districts
of the congregation, but wherever there is an earnest seeking soul, the people meet for prayer. The songs of Zion,
the Psalms of David, those glorious Psalms, never so much
prized as now, ascend froml almost every house. And in
the still summer evening, strains of heavenly music seem
to float on the tremulous air. Imagination is busy, and
no wonder, and men pause on the highway to catch the
sweet sounds, now soft and low, rising and falling, and now
ringing like the chimes of church-bells. They thought the
angels were above and around them. They thought they
heard the festive chimes of heaven, the pealing of the bells
in the city of God, as the heavenly host proclaimed the
triumphs which their Lord was achieving over his foes on
the earth.'Hark, how they sweetly sing,
Worthy is oure Saviour King;
Loud let His praises ring,
Praise, praise for aye.'
Closing of a Public-house. -- "There were many delightful scenes witnessed during the progress of the' revival'
here, not alluded to in the above narrative. It would be
impossible to describe them all, or even do more than
mention them. I cannot, however, in this record, pass




DAGON FALLING BEFORE THE ARK.          169
*over one which excited great attention at the time, and
produced most happy results. I refer to the closing of
one of our largest public-houses. The owner did a large
business, and was making money fast. HIe had a wife and
rising family to support. But he had a conscience, and
had for some time felt uneasy and unhappy in his mind,
because he could not reconcile his profession as a Christian
with his trade as a publican. He has told me, that even
before the revival, he could not, with profit, sit undler my
ministry, andl dared not go to the Lord's table while
engaged in such accursed business.  The revival came.
It roused his conscience afresh, and she mounted her
throne, and gave him no rest until her right to reign was
acknowledged. In his neighborhood, particularly in one
house, were many cases of conviction, and many meetings.
HI-e attended them  all; saw, and heard, and judged for
himself. He said to me one morning,'I want to consult
you about this business of mine; I don't like it- I have
long felt unhappy in it - I will give it up. Shall I do so
now - now, or wait until I sell out my stock?' I gave him
ny opinion, and on that same evening every puncheon of
whiskey, and barrel of beer and ale, every bottle and glass,
and every article used in the trade had disappeared; and
on the next morning I saw their vacant spaces filled with
barrels and bags of meal and flour, sides of bacon, etc.
This was a noble triumph. Dagon had fallen before the
ark of God. One fountain of evil - only evil — is closed
forever. Great is the amazement of the traveller, when he
calls the next day for his customary glass, and he opens
his eyes, and stares and wonders; and'Still his wonder grows'
when he steps out of the shop and finds that the signboard
is gone.'"Tis strange, passing strange!' either God or
the devil is here. Some say,' J. T. is gone mad like the
rest. Ile has been bewitchedl; he has taken the revival.'




170         THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
IHe has, indeed, and has therefore renounced the devil and
all his works. In the public meeting, good men heartily
joined in the prayer from the pulpit,' God bless him, and
reward him an hundredfold;' and God heard the prayer,
and he is blessed, and rejoices in the smiles of an approving
conscience, and is thankful for the grace which enabled
him to trample on self and sin. This case gave a great
impulse to the whole movement. Another public-house
soon closed its doors, and the third, and now the only one
in the neighborhood, gets almost nothing to do, and will
soon, it is hoped, pull down its signboard, starved into
surrender.
" All that is related above occurred within a very short
period of time; for the change that took place was truly
wonderfill, sudden, and almost miraculous; resembling the
transition from winter to summer, and death to life, in
some countries of the East. The rain came down in torrents, and at once flooded the earth, and made it bring
forth and bud, giving seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater.' The mountains and the hills broke forth before us
into singing, and all the trees of the field did clap their
hands, for instead of the thorn came up the fir-tree, and
instead of the brier came up the myrtle-tree.'
s" Like the retiring waters of the Nile, the flood has subsided, but it has left behind it a richer and deeper soil.
The good seed, as in Egypt, has been sown, with faith and
hope, in great abundance on the surface of the waters, and
when it sinks into the soil when the flood has disappeared,
we believe it will yield a rich, abundant, and abiding harvest. We have had our years, long years of famine; but
we are now' eating the good of the land,' and hope to live
long on the fruits of the great revival of 1859.
"This was all the Lord's doing, and it was wondrous in
our eyes. No event since Pentecost has so signally displayed the Divine sovereignty, and so illustrated and
established the doctrine of the fiee grace of God.
"During the flood-tide here, but especially when it




DELUSIVE PHIYSICAL PHENOMENA.         171
began to abate, the surface was somewhat ruffled. There
was-a little agitation on the face of the waters. Here, as
elsewhere, narrow-minded bigotry did its worst to plough
up into deep furrows the calm surface which otherwise had
remained smooth and clear. But God has brought good
out of evil. As in the ocean, while the ripples above set
in motion the straws, and create the'bubbles which float
on the abyss,' in the depths beneath there is undisturbed
calm; so the children of God have descended into the
unfathomed depths of God's unchanging counsels, and have
found peace and undisturbed repose in the eternal love of
their covenanted God and Father."
There are many other districts in County Antrim in
which the work exhibited itself at an early period; but for
an account of these I must refer to the Appendix.
Before passing away, however, from the neighborhood
of Belfast, it is necessary to advert to certain physical phenomena of a delusive character, that sprang up under the
shadow of the revival, and by which, for a time, many
were deceived. I allude to what are called the "marks,"
being neither less nor more than appearances on the body,
resembling prilnted characters, impressed thereon, as it was
represented, by a Divine agency.  About the beginning
of September these new developments began in Belfast to
attract attention, and to excite the eager curiosity of the
multitude. A young woman, for instance, who had been
" seized" some three months previously, and who had been
the subject of a nervous disease, aggravated by fits of dumbness and the like, would, in consequence of her repeated
"prophesyings" of the further deprivations she should
undlergo, come to be regarded as in direct communication
with heaven. By-and-by, however, skeptical people among
the bystanders, even in her own humble circle, would begin
to question her pretensions. What, then, was to be clone?
IH-ow were the unbelievers to be put to silence, and the
vaticinations of the pythoness to be vindicated against the
gainsayers? Why, by a notable miracle.  Accordingly,




172         THE REVIVAL AROUND BELFAST.
strange signs would appear upon her person. Unbaring
her bosom or her arm, she would exhibit to the admiring
onlookers a mystic word or' symbol, impressed so legibly
that all might read and understand. What if the lettering
were somewhat indistinct, or if the sacred name were
incorrectly spelled?  For this she was in nowise accountable. She was only passive in the hand of a higher agent.
All the unbelief would vanish before the preternatural
authentication.
The intelligence of this new phase in the movement natuirally produced a wonderful sensation. Hundreds flocked
to witness the extraordinary phenomenon, and though the
more discriminating might shrewdly conjecture that the
" nmarks" could be accounted for without any other than a
very ordinary interposition, there was enough of credulity
in the multitude to yield assent to them as the genuine
operation of a Divine hand. If any questioned their existence, or, in certain cases, could not trace them out distinctly, it was " because they had not been stricken down,"
and therefore had not the visual organs requisite for such
a delicate perception.  MIost of the visitors, it was remarked, were expected to pay for the gratification of their
curiosity. Such instances had begun to increase and multiply to an extent which it was serious to contemplate,
when public attention was directed towards them in a way
that cast a new light on their character. A meeting was
held one evening in the town of Lisburn for the purpose
of hearing from the lips of one of the ministers (the Rev.
WVilliam Breakey) a statement bearing on his investigations into these new physical appearances. After a vindication of the revival as a genuine work of the Holy Spirit,
the speaker entered on an exposure of the phenomena in
question, his testimony being corroborated by other witnesses. I-Ie stated, in substance, that he had personally
visited the parties on whom such marks were found, iand
that he had no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that
they were produced by some clumsy process of manipula



THE " MARKS" DENOUNCED AS IMPOSTURE.   173
tion; and he denounced the whole affair as an imposture,
fitted only to delude the credulous, and bring discredit on
the work of God. Although it required some little courage to undertake this duty, owing to the excited state of
feeling among the common people, the exposure was followed by a rapid return to reason and propriety,theffuror
which so extensively prevailed upon the subject almost
immediately subsided, and "the work," in that district at
least, was saved the imputation of ministering to the excesses of fanaticism.
15*




CHAPTER X.
ANNUAL MEETING IN THE IRISH IMETROPOLIS - CONFERENCE ON THE REVIVAL
-A MINISTER'S STATEMENT THERE - CONVERSION OF FOUR BROTHERS OF
THE MANSE- THE PROSTRATIONS AND STATEMIENT OF A MEDICAL MEMBER
OF ASSEIBLY - SUBSEQUENT TESTIMONY OF THE SCOTTISH BRETHREN
PRESENT - REPORT ON THE STATE OF RELIGION - RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
— MR. NORTH IN THE ASSEMBLY - ADJOURNMEtNT OCCASIONED BY THE
REVIVAL - TIE MEETING IN BELFAST IN SEPTEMBER - THE CONFERENCE
RESUMED- HALLOWED CHARACTER OF THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS.
THE meeting of the General Assembly, which was held
in the city of Dublin, in the beginning of July, 1859, was
one of the most memorable convocations that ever came
together to deliberate respecting the kingdom  and work
of God.  Twelve months before, an unusual solemnity had
prevailed during those special services in which the representatives of the Presbyterian  Church were occupied
in conference and prayer respecting the great revival in
another land; and now that a kindred movement had conmmenced among themselves, and spread so rapidly within
the few months preceding, it was felt on all sides that the
occasion was invested with an unparalleled and pregnant
interest.  A  short time previously, the attention of the
church had been distracted by questions which had led to
painful discords and alienations, and many hearts were
agitated, lest the recollections associated with past discussions should mar the harmony or impede the actings of an
assembly convened at such a momentous crisis.  Happily
the results were such as greatly tended to cheer the hearts
of all the fiiends of Irish Presbyterianisnm.




CONFERENCE ON TIHE REVIVAL.          175
The proceedings of the meeting, fiom the outset, were
so arranged as that a prominent place was assigned to the
revival movement. It was resolved accordingly, that an
early day should be set apart, in the first instance, for private conference, and subsequently for public recognition
of this great work of God. The adoption of this course
was deemed of primary importance, as the awakening was
itself a new thing in the midst of us, and certain of its
attendant circumstances were so peculiar as to demand
the gravest consideration of the highest judicatory of the
church.. It was necessary, therefore, that an opportunity
should be afforded, in the first instance, for a full statement
on the part of those who were more specially conversant
with the work in its characteristic aspects; and, in the
next place, that a mode of dealing with it should be
adopted which could approve itself to the " collective wisdom."  The conference thus entered on, was felt throughout to be an eminently seasonable and edifying occasion.
One after another of the members, for nearly four hours,
rose in his place to contribute to the general interest, either
by a narrative of what he had witnessed in his own congregation, or by the expression of a judgment in regard to
what had been communicated by others. The first who
presented himself was an esteemed brother in a country
district, whose statement was, as it were, the key-note to
those that followed. As there were no reporters present,
it is impossible to present anything like an adequate account of all that passed in that solemn meeting, or, indeed,
to give any idea of its overpowering interest. The minister to whom I have referred, however, has, at my request,
furnished me with the substance of' his address, which I
have much gratification in here inserting, omitting his
name and residence:
"You request me to put on paper the substance of the
statement I made at the Assembly in Dublin, respecting the commencement of the revival in my district.
To this I can have no objection but one, and that is the




176   THE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
simple fact, that as the excitement has entirely subsided,
I feel it impossible to give the narrative with the freshness and fervor I then experienced in uttering a purely
unpremeditated statement.  Still I give you the facts,
leaving you to make any legitimate use of them you may
think proper.
" Our first special meeting for the work of the Spirit, in
connection with what is now known as the'Ulster revival,' was held on the 9th of June. I had monthly meetings all the previous winter, professedly for asking the
Spirit's influence, at which I gave accounts frequently of
the American revival, and endeavored to put the people
into a state of expectancy; and before our first general
meeting, accounts were daily reaching us from Ballymena,
Ballymoney, and Rasharkin, of the remarkable manifestations of the Spirit of God. One or two cases had even
occurred here, where the persons had not been at any assemblage of the kind, and the entire public mind was
deeply and seriously impressed when I announced our first
public meeting. I invited some young converts from Rasharkin, who were known to speak well. Six came, and
after tea in my own house, we had social prayer, and while
I commenced, each followed in turn, till, before we rose
from our knees, five had poured out their supplications for
the rich blessing of God upon the meeting; and so solemn
was the service, and so humble and Christ-like was the
spirit of these men, that my wife, who was in delicate
health at the time, and who, I thought, was incapable of
attending, was among the multitude when I began the
service, assigning as her reason afterwards,' that she could
not stay at home, as she felt God was with us.'
"The meeting was so large, that though it commenced
in the church, it had to be adjourned to the open air. I
never was able to calculate the numbers in attendance.
The addresses of the converts were earnest and searching,
their prayers were full of faith and hope, and the scene
which ensued was awfully soleInn; so that -while twenty



A MINISTER'S STATEMENT.            177
three persons were stricken with a sense of their sins, and
were led to cry out for mercy, remaining for the most part
on the ground all night-the entire congregation were
chained as if by magic to the spot. Before our next I had
thirty hopeful cases in my registry; and months after, I
was told by several converts in other districts that they
were convinced first at this meeting.
" Our second meeting, held in the next week, was still
more full of interest. The speakers for it were selected
by my brother, at my request, for their sound and calm
judgment. They were but three in number. Their addresses were doctrinal and judicious, — addressed more
to the intellect than to the feelings. Nothing appeared
throughout, till I pronounced the benediction, more than
deep, solemn attention. I left to see the strangers off, expecting the congregation to retire too. As we were ascending the hill leading to my own house, the loud and solemn
hymn of praise rose from the immense congregation on the
still air as the Voice of many waters, which told that the
hearts of the people were pouring out their sincere and
grateful homage to God; and that the Spirit of the Holy
One was among them. I returned, and such a scene as I
witnessed! It will ever live in my memory as one of the
most sacred seasons of my life. The church, and several
portions of the green, were both occupied with persons
prostrated, each surrounded by their own friends. Never
did I expect to hear such outpourings of soul. Some were
in fearful agony, as if in very hell, - others breathing out,
in sweet and sonorous accents, the sacred name of Jesus, in
melting tones of penitence, pleading for pardon and eternal life. On entering the gate leading to the house of
worship, the first of the awakened I met with was my
third son, who had already found peace, and stretching out
his arms he clasped me saying,'0 papa! I have found
Christ!' When rejoicing over him, a friend came to me,
and told me that my eldest son was prostrated in another
part of the green, and, taking me by the hand, led me to




178    THE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
him. I-He was calm —perfectly collected — deeply impressed with a sense of sin, and wrestling in prayer with
God for mercy.
"Here he lay for hours, till I got alarmed by his being
so long on the damp grass, and advised him to go into the
church. He did not, as the former, enjoy peace that night.
He considered himself greatly injured by well-meaning
but injudicious friends. He kept solemn and grave all the
next week, till at our next meeting, feeling again deeply
impressed, he retired to the field behind the church, and
spent the night in prayer. The result of this meeting,
with a few held through the country in the same week,
was thirty-eight, - leaving on my book, before our third
general weekly meeting, seventy-eight' awakened.'
"The third meeting was nearly as remarkable for blessing; twenty persons were hopefully awakened, among
whom were my second and youngest sons."
It may readily be conceived that the intensely interesting narrative, of which the above is a condensed statement,
and especially that portion of it referring to the-work of
grace which had taken place in the four brothers of the
manse, touched a chord that vibrated in many responsive
hearts, and that the most profound emotion was stirred in
the Assembly. Nor was this the only instance then related
of a like character. Another senior minister was enabled to
bear a similar testimony respecting one of his sons; and so
the stream of thrilling incident flowed on for hours, intercepted now and then by an interrogation, or some word of
counsel and fraternal exhortation, until it was found necessary, owing to the pressure of time and business, to terminate the conference. I need not say that the subject of
the physical prostrations was fully canvassed.
Among others, a medical gentleman, an elder, present,
who had not, however, witnessed in any the phenomena in
question, stated generally the laws which regulated the
occurrence of these manifestations as they ordinarily came
under the notice of the physician. They might arise, he




A MEDICAL MEMBER S STATEMENT.          179
said, firom. disease in some organ of the body -from strong
mental emotion -from involuntary imitation, as where epilepsy was induced by witnessing an attack upon another -
from intense expectation of these occurrences, as in the
phenomena of biology, or from their previous occurrence in
the same individual. In the early stages of the awakening,
he had no doubt the affections were caused by intense
mental emotion, the result of an overpowering sense of
sin. As the revival proceeded, however, vivid descriptions, in public addresses, of these attacks, by those who
had experienced them, might lead to a general expectation
that conviction of sin would be so accompanied, and thus
awaken an earnest desire to experience them. Thus cases
might be multiplied, till society would be pervaded by
what might be called an epidemic constitution, so that
susceptible persons would come to be affected, independently of mental emotion altogether. The fact of an attack
predisposing to a recurrence of the affection, would afford
a ready explanation of the same person being on more
than one occasion "struck."  These manifestations, therefore, were to be regarded merely as accidents, not integral
parts of the work. They m-ight even take place, as past
experience had shown, in connection with the propagation
of religious delusions, as well as with the advancement of
spiritual religion in the souls of men.
Perhaps the general feeling in reference to the physical
affections cannot be better expressed than by a reference
to a statement made publicly, on his return to Edinburgh,
by Mr. Balfour, an elder of the Free Church, who, together
with several, distinguished members of that body, was present during the entire proceedings. " He believed," he said,
"that the ministers of Ireland were quite alive to this, that
these prostrations were mere accidents, and were seeking
to restrain them. They were called in that Assembly the
bubbles that rose to the surface. I-Ie had suggested to Dr.
Julius Wood, whether some caution in this direction ought
to be thrown out at the Irish General Assembly; but after




180    THE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
listening to the conversation in the private conference,
they felt that there was no need for anything of the sort,
for their brethren in Ireland were themselves quite alive
to the matter; and he must say that he was exceedingly
struck, not only with the spiritual tone which pervaded
the Assembly, but with the wisdom, and judiciousness, and
calrnless of mind with which the members looked on the
whole movement. For himself, he would never forget the
happy day which he spent in that private conference. The
whole tone of the Assembly was so solemn, genuine, and
humbling, and the members spoke with such enlarged.
heart of the wonders of the grace of God, that it was quite
delightful to be amongst them."
At the close of the conference, a committee was appointed to prepare a series of resolutions, founded upon
the conversations and discussions which had taken place,
and to introduce them at an open Assembly.
In the evening of the same day the subject was resumed
in public, in the presence of an immense audience, being
introduced in the report on the state of religion, for which,
with the resolutions adopted, see Appenclix C.
Reference has been made in preceding portions of this
narrative to the visit of lMr. Brownlow North, and the seasonable character of his addresses to all classes of the community. This eminent evangelist, although a member of
the Episcopal Church, had at the meeting of the General
Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland been publicly
recognized as an honored servant of Christ, and had been
formally invited to occupy the pulpits of its ministers.
Having witnessed on that occasion, in company with the
Rev. Dr. Johnston, then moderator of our Assembly, the
very impressive exercises connected with his recognition, I
took the opportunity of inviting him to visit us at the
period of our annual meeting. Although he had many
engagements in Scotland, IMr. North acceded to our solicitations. He had spent a few days in the north of Ireland
before the meeting of Assembly in the metropolis, and, as




MR. NORTH - THANKS OF TIIE ASSEMBLY.    181
far as time and circumstances would permit, had observed
the character of the spiritual movement then in progress.
Iis subsequent experience supplied much mlore satisfactory
evidence of its reality and depth than any he had then
nmet with, as most of those whom he had visited had previously been unacquainted with the truth, and were disposed to lean more on their feelings than their faith. This
serious mistake he publicly adverted to in the Assembly,
tlaking opportunity afterwards to deal with it in almost all
his subsequent addresses while in the country. The thanks
of the Assembly were conveyed to Mr. North in some
such terms as these:
" While it holds good of such a service as that to which
your energies are consecrated - that not many mighty, not
many noble, are called to prosecute it- we rejoice that
upon you this grace has been bestowed - a patent of distinction more gloriously resplendent than any hereditary or
heraldic honors. We esteem it a happy circumstance in
our ecclesiastical constitution that it is so broadly catholic
that we can not only hail you as a brother in the midst of
us, but bid you fiom the heart' God speed' in your evangelistic mission. We would see in you a living illustration of. the great truth, obscured though it may have been
by the conventionalisms of men, that a God-made ministry
is the only ministry, and that the spiritual church is,
strictly speaking, the only church of Christ - the church
for the sake of which all prophecies, promises, types, services, and ministrations, have been given and ordained.
Let me, in the name of this Assembly, return our grateful
acknowledgments for your faithful admonitions and fraternal counsels. Let me also invite you to the cultivation of
a still more intimate relationship, even to the occupancy
of our pulpits and the hospitalities of our homes. You
have come among us at a season of blessed ingathering,
and happy shall we be if you thrust in the sickle, and mingle with us in the reaping-time with its songs.  But
whether you abide in Ireland or return to other fields now
16




182   THE REVIVAL AND THIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
whitening to the harvest, be assured that we shall not
readily forget the hallowed interest which your presence
has diffused; and that among the incidents of this Assemlbly, this shall not be the least memorable, that we have
seen your face and grasped your hand, and been encouraged by your sympathies, your exhortations, and your
prayers."
In consequence of the awakening, and the desire of the
great majority of the ministers to return to their respective
flocks before the Sabbath, it was found necessary to adjourn
the meeting before its business was more than half concluded - a circumstance which was in itself a striking
attestation to the movement. And thus this memorable
occasion passed. It was felt throughout that the deliberations of our Assembly were pervaded by an overawing
solemnity never realized before, filling the soul with a
profound sense of Jehovah's presence, subduing personal
prejudices and prepossessions, and infusing a spirit of mnutual forbearance and generous conciliation. The Lord had
visited His church as a court in His own house, so that,
even in its ecclesiastical procedure, there had been realized
as pure delight, as sweet communion, and as ennobling aspirations, as could be hoped for in the most favored times of
visitation. It is impossible ever to forget those hours
of blessing that flew by on rapid wing, when the theme of
every tongue was the Spirit's wondrous grace and power,
and when every heart was melted, as under the descent of a
heavenly influence. It was with feelings such as these that
the proceedings were suspended, and that the brethren
separated from one another, to return to their several
flocks, and to preside over the blessed ingathering to the
fold of the " Chief Shepherd."
Nearly three months after, their consultations were resumed, not on this occasion in Dublin, but in Belfast. The
great effusion which before had fallen in so considerable a
portion on the field, had nmeanwhile mightily extended in
its range, and many who before had been in heaviness,




THE CONFERENCE RESUMED.              18 
because as yet their congregations had been unvisited by
thile -",gracious rain," were now rejoicing in its abundant
and pleasant fruits. Nor were there any indications that
the clouds of heaven had exhausted their stores of blessing. Other lands had also shared the joy with which so
many had been gladdened, and from the ends of the earth
had arisen songs of thanksgiving for what, in this far-distant
isle of ocean, God had wrought. The period which had
elapsed since the adjournment in Dublin, had furnished a
more extended opportunity of testing its real character,
and of forming a judgment of all its attendant features.
The church, accordingly, having discharged her primary
obligation of dcknowledging the favor shown in this great
work of God, it was now felt that her more immediate duty
was to consider how the work itself might be directed, so
that it might be preserved, as far as human effort could
accomplish that result, fiomr the weakness and fatuity of
man, and fioom the devices of the great adversary.
As on the former occasion, a conference was held, and
various resolutions were adopted — one of which was to
the effect, " That the Assembly appoint a special day for
public worship in all our churches, and for prayer and
thanksgiving to Almighty God for His gracious mercy
vouchsafed in the revival of religion; and that supplication be offered for the extension of this gracious work
to all churches and all lands;" and further, " that our
moderator be requested to prepare an address, including
reasons for the observance of such day, to be printed and
circulated immediately amongst the brethren."
It was in this spirit that the proceedings of the meeting
of Assembly were conducted and brought to a happy issue.
In reviewing them, however cursorily, we should be incredulous and unbelieving, were we not to acknowledge that
God had been among us, and that we had received from
Him the earnest of still greater things to come. We had
lived to see a good and a glad day in our history -a dcay
tong prayed and hoped for, but whlich we hardly thought




184   THE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
ever to witness — brought about by no human power' or
wisdom, but by the grace of Him who is wonderful in
counsel and excellent in working. It was indeed a pleasant
thing to contemplate an Assembly whose members were of
one heart and mind with one another, and the good fruits
of whose uniting love, as we humbly trust, will spread
their hallowed influence over days and years to come.




CHAPTER XI.
FORMER CELEBRATIONS OF THE ORA1NGE ANNIVERSARY-TIIEIPR TUMULTUOUS
CHARACTER-  - " THE TWELFTH " IN SANDY ROW, BELFAST - NARRATIVE
OF EYE-WITNESSES - OTHER DISTRICTS OF THE TOWN - THE TWELFTH IN
LURGAN - IN DUNDROD - THE ORANGE HALL - THE OPEN-AIR CELEBRATION-TESTIMONY OF MINISTERS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS — A RETURNED
AFRICAN MISSIONARY ON THE TWELFTH IN HIS NATIVE COUNTY - CHIEF
BARON PIGOTT ON THE EXTINCTION OF PARTY SPIRIT — STRANGE THING
AT A LODGE MEETING, AND ITS LESSON.
Fon  many years the anniversary of the Battle of the
Boyne had been associated, in the minds of the lower class
of Irish Protestants, with uncontrollable displays of party
animosity and  hatred.  Glorious in itself as was the
achievement of William  of Orange in breaking the iron
dominion of a Papal despot, and in erecting constitutional
liberty on its ruins, that illustrious name had with the
unthinking multitude become a synonyme with ignorant
bravado, and with unreasoning hostility both to the system
and the abettors of Romanism.  With the return of each
successive Twelfth of July there was an ebullition of political and religious frenzy, often provocative of resistance,
and terminating in violence and bloodshed. To the vulgar
gaze there was, no doubt, something imposing in the parade
of the processions of these festal days. The congregated
mnasses, as they marched along in holiday attire, each man
decked with some distinctive badge, a sash or a cockade
of the cherished color, while the superior officers flaunted
in their flowing robes of scarlet, - the entire array marshlalled in semi-military "rank and file," while drums were
16*




186        TIHE REVIVAL AND TI-IHE ORANGEMEN.
beating, fifes discoursing shrilly music, and banners fluttering in the breeze, - presented no mean embodiment of all
those elements that command the admiration of the multitude.
It would be incorrect, however, to state that the Orange
organization universally prevailed in Ulster.  There are
many districts into which it never entered, and for years
past, partly owing to the vigorous enforcement of the laws
against processions, and still more in consequence of the
spread of intelligence and the diffusion of a better spirit, it
has been falling to pieces even in those parts of the country
where formerly it exercised its baneful influence.  HIere
and there, indeed, it is still fostered for political and party
purposes; and the "Orange parson," a genus of which a
few Specimens still survive, figures on its platforms, and
faens anew the dying embers of religious discord. But, as
a system, it is on the wane; and never has it received
such a fatal blow as since, within the last few months, the
Spirit from on high descended on the community of Ulster.
Of this auspicious change there are abundant illustrations, nowhere more satisfactory than in Belfast itself. For
several years there was a certain quarter in that town
which had attained an unenviable notoriety.  As the
Twelfth of July drew near, it had been customary to reinforce the military and police, that they might keep the
peace, if possible, between the turbulent inhabitants of
Sandy Row and the nest of Ribbonmen who occupied a
neighboring district.  Not only had the ordinary street
missiles been flung in plentiful profusion on the scene of
conflict, but deadly collisions had taken place; shots Ihad
been fired, and blood had run upon the streets. For weeks
the magistrates and military were nightly on patrol. The
strong arm of the executive had at length to interfere by
martial law, and by a disarming of the parties who had
shown that they were wholly unfit to be entrusted with
arms. Although a marked change had taken place in the
feelings of the Orangemen towards their Roman Catholic




THEi " TWELFTI " IN SANDY ROW.          187
neighbors prior to the anniversary of the Boyne, the mode
in which that anniversary would pass over was a subject
of iuch anxious speculation. "Wait till the Twelfth of
July," said our good bishop to an English gentleman who
was conversing with him in the end of June respecting the
effect of the revival on party spirit -" wait till the Twelfth;
that will test all."
How the Twelfth came and passed, let the following
statement with respect to the noted district above referred
to testify. It has been furnished by the worthy and intelligent librarian of the Belfast Society:
"In compliance with your request, I hasten to give you
my experience of the revival, more especially with reference to its influence in quelling party spirit on the Twelfth
of July last.  5When that gracious movement reached
Belfast, I joined an organization that had come to the help
of the Lord, and the field assigned to me was that very
fuinous district called Sandy Row, and its adjuncts, where
the people had been taught'to catch the Papist birds by
throwing stones at them.' Yes, the essence of Protestantism, and the conversion of the Romanists in that region,
consisted in the abundant use of brickbats and bludgeons;
but the old war-cries were now hushed by a higher voice,
and in few parts of our beloved land was that short sermon oftener preached,'Believe ih the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved,' than in this very district.  The
cases of prostration were very numerous - at the mill, in
the factory, at their own firesides, in  the neighboring
houses, in the public street, the prayer-meeting, and, in
fact, in every place of human resort.
"When the revival was at its height, Sandy Row was
visited by persons from all parts of the country -indeed,
of the kingdom. Clergymen and pious laymen were constantly holding open-air meetings; and often at these and
other exercises in the hours of release fiom labor, in'the
gloaming,' or under the starlit roof, did many a sweet hymn
ascend far beyond the stalrs. It was on the evening of the




188       TIIE REVIVAL AND THE ORANGEMEN.
Twelfth that I first took part in one of those meetings. I
had been assisting at a temperance meeting elsewhere, and
my dlirect road on leaving lay through some of the most
intensely Popish and Orange districts in Belfast. On the
evening of any similar anniversary I would have performed
no ordinary feat to have passed through those districts,
but I had no fears now. There were no breaking of lamps
and constables' heads - no flinging of the' Macadam' missile nor of the paving-stones. The streets were crowded
with the young of both sexes, but good humor and enjoyment were the distinguishing features of the scene.  I
marked- the improvement. I knew the cause. The sun
will shine even through a wet blanket. But things improved as I advanced. I heard the songs of Zion chanted
by hundreds of voices amid our rocks and dells, in our
green meadows, and also'In streets and openings of the gates,
Where pours the busy crowd;'
but I never heard with anything like the same emotion as
I did on that occasion, the soul-inspiring strains float on
the still, calm air of that sweet July evening. There, where
one of the principal thoroughfares joins the street, were
assembled a large number of young females, and these sur'rounded by men, women, and children. As I approached,
the 23d Psalm was falling in sweet cadence on the gale;
and I do believe that there were not a few in that assemblage who got a foretaste of the time when the redeemed
shall sing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
"Throughout the day none of the usual emblems of the
Twelfth appeared,- no Orange garlands, nor arches flung
over the streets. The only regret I heard expressed was,
that the past was so unlike the present. There was no
military or semi-military parade this evening. The only
peace-preserver was the usual night-constable. He would
have been a bold man who would have attempted to have
broken the peace then and there.




NARRATIVE OF AN EYE-WITNESS.          189
"Seven months have passed since then. Time, that
great- tester, and a winter, one of the most unpropitious we
ever saw, have not seen the revival work arrested. Indoor has taken the place of out-door worship. In a district
where formerly some four or five prayer-meetings could
with difficulty be maintained, there are now, I believe,
twenty-five; and if to this be added the week-evening
services, well attended, in the six different churches,Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Methodist, which like a
chain of fortresses surround the district,- a tolerably fair
conclusion may be arrived at that the good work has stood
the trial.
" God's grace is the real gentleman-maker. I have found
it so in those who have come to this district from off their
cushions and carpets, Bible in hand, to assist in gathering in the harvest. But the same spiritual essence that
was shed abroad within their hearts, I have found in the
humlble garret and cellar. Of the work among the people
who live in our' West End,' I have two genuine tests, -
the presence of many at it, and the promise of more assisting to carry it on.
"My work in that district has been mainly among the
little ragged urchins gathered from the streets. I have a
room  now to myself and my miscellaneous class, whose
members are of every year of age between ten and two -
the elder ones being the care-takers of the younger. I rule
them by the voice -not mine, however, but their own.
Though denied by nature the organs of sweet sound myself, I am at no loss for precentors, and my'chief conductor' is a lad about five years old.  We have but one tune,
picked up during the warmth of the revival. When I find
them getting restless, I commence old' Martyrdom,' and
they become solemnized; and thus I see that Scripture
verified,'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfected praise.' 
In other districts of the town where much excitement
formerly prevailed, there was a similar exhibition of happy




190       THE REVIVAL AND THE ORANGEMEN,
and harmonious feeling.  "I preached," says a Belfast
minister, "on the Twelfth, on the street, in a locality where
the population is of a mixed character. Miy audience was
largely composed both of Protestants and Romanists. All
were attentive, orderly, and respectful."
Visiting, in company with a friend, a short time afterwards, in a row inhabited exclusively by mill hands, and
meeting a number of girls who had been brought under
the influence of the revival, they all exclaimed, referring to
the late anniversary, " It was another sort of Twelfth than
the one before it. None of us would have wrought a turn
on that day; but now we were all at our work as usual.
You would not have known it was the Twelfth at all."
" You may well say that," remarked one of their numbel;
who had been, till a few weeks before, a Roman Catholic.
"Don't you remember how youl chased me, and others of
my sort, through the country for hours that day, till you
nearly fiightened us out of our wits? But now we are all
like sisters of one fiamily, and the head of it is Christ."
"The Twelfth of July had long been a notable day in
Lurg'an," says the Rev. L. E. Berkley, "as elsewhere
throughout the north of Ireland, and some curiosity and
anxiety were manifested as to the way in which it woulcld
be spent. It is to be lamented that flags were, as usual,
streaming from the towers of the national church, and the
tolling of the bell proclaimed that the old spirit was still
alive. But it was subdued and solemnized. At two o'clock
P. M., the Presbyterian church was quite filled with people
met for prayer, conducted by a representative of each of
the Protestant denominations in town. Not a drunken
man was to be seen in the streets. The people continued
in their homes, or at their work, and the language of one of
them — a young man who used to take prominent part in
the fiin and fiolic of the occasion - might doubtless have
been used by multitudes -' It was the happiest Twelfth I
ever spent.'
"Take another illustration. Early in summer, I was




THE " TWELFTH "  IN DUNDROD.         191
called on to give a subscription to the building or providing of an Orange Hall. I refused. The young man, a
member of my own congregation, was much dissatisfied.
The revival came. Soon after, meeting him in the street,
I inquired regarding the progress of the hall.  O0, sir!'
said he,' it would be better for every one to try and serve
God Almighty, and let party work alone!' I believe it is
the conclusion to which many, by the blessing of God, have
been brought."
The following statement, with reference to the observance of the Twelfth of July in a rural district already
mentioned in this narrative, is deeply interesting:
"From the commencement of the revival," says the Rev.
MW. Magill, of Dundrod, "some of the Orangemen had attended our prayer-meetings, and had seen and heard the
strange things which occurred in and around the first
house where the Lord began his work of grace.  The
chiefs of the party lived in the adjoining one. One memnber of their famnily especially, from the first, was deeply
and I believe savingly impressed. His case was a singular
and most interesting one. He is almost deaf, yet gifted
with a wonderful talent of understanding what is said to
him, engaging in all the services of religion, — praise,
prayer, and reading the Scriptures, with the greatest delight, and confessing himself strengthened by thus waiting
upon God. It is wonderful how much of a sermon, or of
the explanation of a chapter, he can understand by following with his eye and finger alternately the written word
and the moving lips and gestures of the speaker. I-Ie has
done good in his family, into which he has introduced the
worship of God, and while diligently seeking salvation for
himself, is anxious for the spiritual welfare of the whole
household.
"It was partly through his influence that his brothers,
and other members of the Orange Society, kept the
Twelfth day of July here as it was never kept before.
"I had never been a favorite with the Orangemen of the




192       THE REVIVAL AND THE ORANGEMEN.
district. I had been instrumental in suppressing a publichouse at the gate of our church, in which they were in the
habit of assembling, and which had long been an intolerable nuisance. This house, and adjoining property, were
purchased in behalf of the congregation, and the manse
now stands where it stood. In revenge for the supposed
injury done by pulling down the public-house, an'Orange
I-all' was erected in the immediate neighborhood as a
rallying-point for the brethren, who, night after night, met
with fife and drum, and noisy clamor, to annoy the quiet
dwellers in their homes in the neighborhood, and especially
myself. But the Lord did not pass over them; and they
too, as well as others, underwent a great change, and we
hope a permanent one.
"Before the Twelfth came, I was asked by those men,
whom I had looked upon as bitter enemies to me, and to
the cause of religion and morality, if I would meet them
on the evening of that day, and hold a prayer-meeting in
their'I-Hall.'  I at once consented to do so, on being
assured that there would during the day be no party
display, and no intoxicating drink used. The morning'was ushered in with no firing of guns, no beatilcng of drums,
and no display of party banners. All was still and calm
as a Sabbath. It was a holiday among the people, all
labor being suspended; and early in the forenoon, men
and women, in holiday attire, here and there were seen in
groups, marching along, not with Orange lilies, but with
Bibles in-their hands, as if going on a Sabbath morning to
the house of God.
"A  deputation, including the master of the'lodge,'
waited on me in the manse, and requested me to go over
to the hall and pray with them, before proceeding to a field
at some distance, where they were to meet others, and engage in religious exercises. I soon found myself in strange
company, and was put in the honored seat, and officiated
as chaplain to an Orange lodge, reading first their printed
prayer (which I must say is a most admirable one), and




TESTIMONY OF MINISTERS.           193
then knelt down in the midst of the brethren, and many
others who came to see and hear this nzew thing, and
heartily blessed God for His wonderful works, and prayed
that the reign of peace on earth and good-will among
men might that day be inaugurated and firmly established
in the midst of us.
"With Bibles in their hands, and peace and good-will
in their hearts,  with no music playing, no flags flying,
ancl with no jar of whiskey to refresh them on the march,
- they walked decently and soberly, and in good order,
to the field, where many hundreds met them, and joined
them in praise and prayer, and other religious exercises.
There could not have been a more attentive and serious
congregation, and the different parties retired to their respective districts, wondering, as they went, at the strange
things they had seen and heard. In the evening about
fifteen hundred persons of all denominations met in the
open air, where I preached to them, after which all went
quietly to their homes; and thus passed the Twelfth of
July 1859 - a day much indeed to be remembered. Here
was another glorious triumph - the name of Jesus was exalted above every other name. The name of the'glorious,
pious, and immortal' William was not heard from a single
lip; the Pope escaped his usual malediction; the publicans and sinners bit theirlips in disappointment, for their'occupation' was gone. Satan seemed to have fallen like
lightning from heaven, and the Prince of peace reigned
throughout the day. Since then we have had no party
strifes, no beating of drums, no' Punch dances,' no drunken
revels- nothing to hurt or annoy the tenderest conscience. We have had a fair trial of the gospel here, and
we find it has lost none of its essence since the times of
Paul. It is indeed'the power of God unto salvation,'
pulling down the strongholds of sin; checking, if not
eradicating, the worst propensities of fallen nature; and
making out of the rudest and most unpromising materials
a moral, peaceful, and happy people."
17




194       THE REVIVAL AND THE ORANGEMEN.
Similar celebrations were almost universally held in
those other parts of the north where Orangeism prevailed.
In regard to the spirit still evinced by the confederation,
the following are striking testimonies:
"The month before the revival in this neighborhood,"
says the Rev. J. Geddes (County Tyrone), "it was in a
ferment - nightly marchings, law proceedings, etc. Since
the movement began, not a drum has been struck in the
bounds, and the leading Orangemen meet and pray for the
Romanists, whom a little ago they hated."
" Party spirit, from the moment the revival became
manifest," says the Rev. John Bell, of Clare (County Armagh), "disappeared.  This is worthy of very special
notice, as it prevailed in this locality to a most pernicious
extent. It was not worse anywhere."
" Newtonlimavady " (County Derry), says the Rev.
George Steen, "was the stronghold of Orangeism. On
the Twelfth of July, the day was spent in preaching,
praise, and prayer; and since the commencement of the
Lord's work in June, I have not heard the utterance of a
party word, nor seen a party emblem displayed."
" There is an Orange lodge in this neighborhood," says
the Rev. J. Elliot, Clarkesbridge (County Monaghan),
"which is composed of some forty young men. They met
monthly, and each contributed a fixed sum at every meeting for the purpose of procuring refreshments, which consisted almost entirely of whiskey. So much as ~13 has
been expended in one year in this way. The name is not
changed, but they now meet principally for religious exercises - singing, prayer, or reading God's Word.  They
continue their monthly contributions, and twice since July
have asked me to expend a very considerable sum in purchase of books for a library which they have established,
and which is likely very soon to contain a large and valuable collection of books. Now they never have any, intoxicating' drinks at their meetings."
The Rev. I. M. Waddell, late missionary oil the west




TESTIMONY OF A RETURNED MISSIONARY.    195
coast of Africa, supplies the following interesting staternent with reference to the decrease of party feeling in his
native county:
"On the subject of Orange lodges, a grave, aged, good
man, an elder of long standing, said that he saw the power
of God in this revival, for nothing else could have put
down the Orange Society. Government had failed to suppress it; yet here we see it dying of itself under the influence of revived religion:
" Party spirit used to run high in the County Monaghan.
I have seen, and confess did like to see, several regiments
of Orangernen, hundreds strong, fine yeomanry and resident gentntry, with bands playing and banners flying, peaceably parading the country on the 12th of July, too strong
to be resisted by the opposite party-though these gat-herings sometimes ended with fighting, bruises, and bloodshed. Elections for Parliament have even lately led to
conflicts approaching civil war, - not, however, caused by
Orangemen, who, since being denounced by government,
have had to stand on the defensive, but by the Romanists,
who have been emboldened to become the aggressors. On
these occasions the regular military and loaded cannon
have been required to keep the peace.  It was in that
county that Daniel O'Connell met his first repulse when he
thought to invade the north,-and gather his monster meetings in its principal towns, as he had done in the south.
Proceeding by Drogheda and Dundalk, both popish towns,
a number of his followers advanced into the southern part
of the County Monaghan, where, bordering on Louth, the
popish population prevails.  But as they proceeded, the
Orangemen mustered in force, armed, at Ballibay, determined to stop the way. And they stopped it, and obliged
him to abandon his intention of invading Ulster. If such
a powerful and united body now yield to religious convictions, and the spirit of the gospel of peace turn their lodges
and gatherings into prayer-meetings, and their collections
for feasting into missionary contributions, as I have heard




196       THE REVIVAL AND THE ORANGEMEN.
of being clone, may we not say that the Spirit of the Lord
has gone forth among the Protestants of Ulster? "
We do not wonder, after such records as these, that
Chief Baron Pigott, himself a Roman Catholic, should
have taken occasion, when sitting on the bench in County
Down, a few days after the great Orange anniversary, to
refer, in the language of the reporters, "to the religious
movement in the north as having extinguished all party
animosities, and produced the most wholesome moral results upon the community at large: " and that he should
have "expressed a hope that it would extend over the
whole country, and influence society to its lowest depths."
Let us hope that the happy experiences of 1859 will be
repeated in all future years, and that the Orange confederacy, if it exists at all, will be found subserving some
better purpose than any for which it has hitherto been
celebrated. There are symptoms in some quarters of a
tendency to resume the practices of other days; and it
may be that there is a voice of warning in the following
incident: — "A strange thing," observes the Rev. Robert
Dunlop, of Newbliss, "occurred a few evenings since, at
the meeting of a lodge. Four men were led to cry for
mercy during the singing of a profane song! It was the
first evening for months that anything had been sung at
the meeting, and the introduction of the song led to the
result which I have mentioned."  It was the incongruity
of the proceeding, I have little doubt, that so affected
those who engaged in it, that they were led to serious
soul concern, and to give audible expression to their distress. The Orangemen of Ulster have been lately taught
a solemn lesson in the revival; who will not hope and
pray that it may never pass out of their remembrance?




CHAPTER XII.
THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE - HIS INTEREST IN THE WTORK- ORIGINAL CORMMUNICATION FROM HIM - THE REVIVAL IN CASTLEREAGH - THE CRIPPLE
MAN —THE FARMER'S WVIFE-i "REMIEMBER LOT'S WIFE" — COMIBERGREAT INCREASE -FEW SUDDEN CONVERSIONS -BODILY HEALTH IMPROVED - THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS-ANSWERS TO SPECIAL PRAYER
— REVIVAL AMONG QUARRYMEN - KILLINCHY - STATEMENT OF THE HON.
AND REV. H. WARD - NEWTOWNARDS - PREVIOUS STATE -THE WVORIK BEGUN - UNITED PRAYER-MEETING - THE SCHOOLMASTEPR TURNED PREACHER
- THE DRUNKEN BELLMAN - THE TOWN MISSIONARY - THE MILITIA SERGEANT - THE CONVERTED SCHOOL-GIRL - OTHER CASES - THE CRY TO HERP
FATHER - THE UNBELIEVEI IN THE WORK - THE FIRST-FRUIT OF TIHE
NEW YEAR.
I CANNOT more appropriately introduce the narrative of
the revival movement in County Down than by inserting
in this place a communication with which I have been
favored  on the subject by the esteemed Bishop of the
Diocese, although part of his ecclesiastical domain lies in
the County Antrim.  It has been already mentioned that
at an early period his lordship lent his countenance to the
work, both by the sanction given to his clergy in their
labors in connection therewith, and by his presence at one
of the first united meetings for prayer held in Belfast. His
correspondence  subsequently with Bishop M'Ilvaine, of
Ohio, in the United States, exhibited his anxious desire to
have the sustaining sympathy of those occupying an inflnential position in the Episcopal Church of America, who
had been familiar with the history of revivals in that land;
while the prominent part he took at the Annuiml  Confer17*




198         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
ence of the Evangelical Alliance at a still later period,
when he bore emphatic testimony to the reality and good
effects of the revival, sufficiently attested his appreciation
of this great work of God. Knowing that in the course
of the season he had directed a communication to be addressed to all the ministers in his diocese, making particular inquiry in relation to the several phases of the movement, and having had abundant experience of that courtesy
and catholicity for which he is distinguished, I took the
liberty of requesting of his lordship a brief statement of
the result; and, further, desiring his permission to avail
myself in the present publication of his testimony. To
the request he was pleased to accede, in the following
terms:
"THE PALACE, HOLYWOOD, BELFAST,
"February 13, 1860.
" MY DEARl SinR: It affords me very great pleasure to
comply with your request to furnish you with the result of
some of the queries which I issued to my clergy in reference to the religious awakening, which, in the good providence of God, has visited this province, making many a
barren spot fruitful, and many a sorrowing heart glad.
"To my queries, I received from my clergy one hundred
and six replies; seventy-five of which bore the most gratifying testimony to the spiritual blessings which followed
the' revivals' in their own parishes, - such as the careless
aroused, the impure made pure, the drunkard reformed,
the prayerless prayerful, and every means of grace eagerly
attended.
"I enclose you a copy of a few of the answers which I
have received to two of mry queries, showing the nature
of this wonderful religious and moral reformation, and the
truly spiritual character of this great work, as testified by
faithful, zealous, and earnest clergymen in my dioceses;
and I feel satisfied that the evidence of the clergy of your
own church, which your high official position will enable
you to procure, will fully corroborate the same. To their




THE REVIVAL IN CASTLEREAGEI.           199
zealous labors, also, in this our day of Igreat things,' I
would, in passing, pay the just tribute of sincere respect.
"I cannot conclude without mentioning the result of my
late confirmations in Belfast, as it marks the deep impression and devotional feeling which the Spirit of the living
God, moving over this portion of our land, has kindled.
The numbers confirmed annually by me in the parish of
Belfast have averaged about two hundred and fifty, but
last year they reached seven hundred and five; and never,
since I have administered that rite of my church, have I
witnessed such solemnity of manner and deep feeling as
was exhibited by all whom I then confirmed.
"And now, my dear Sir, may the word spoken by us all
be blessed by God's Holy Spirit to those among whom we
minister, that, in the true revival of a sanctified life, they
may become'living epistles' of Christ,'known and read
of all men.' Believe me, with sincere respect, yours truly
and faithfully,
"R' OB. DOWN & CONNOn1   & DROMOIE.
"To the Rev. PoFrssoR GInSON,
Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland."
[For the returns referred to in the above communication,
see Ap penidix D.]
Castlereagh is a rural district not far distant fiom Belfast. It was visited by the awakening soon after its manifestation in the latter place.  For six years previously
there was a marked improvement in spiritual things; and
now that the revival has come, a great enlargement has
been experienced, while no case of apostasy or backsliding
is known.
The Rev. Dr. Given supplies the following incidents:
Tkle Converted Cripple.    "Amnong the early cases of
revival within the bounds of my congregation was a cripple
man, who had been in the habit of visiting the various places
to which his business led him, by means of a donkey-cart,
though he could not be persuaded to use the same mode




200         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
of conveyance to bring him to thle house of God. Many a
time as I met him by the way, or found him in his own
house, I had endeavored to prevail on him to attend public
worship, but was usually met with the same stereotyped
excuses, - his lameness, the awkwardness of the thing, the
inconvenience it would cause himself, and the trouble it
might occasion others. In vain did I labor to remove
such pretexts, and urge on him the importance. of making
at least an equal effort to come to the sanctuary as to reach
the place of business. He could attend to the perishing
interests of the present passing world, while to the realities
of a future- and a better he remained utterly indifferent.
Years of carelessness had rolled away. Conscience would
sometimes trouble him, but he soon quieted it. The thought
that God in depriving him of the use of his limbs, had exonerated him from attendance on His service, would from
time to time silence the still small voice within, and confirm
him in his guilty neglect. At length he was apprehended
of Christ, and arrested in his course. He had heard of the
revival in the neighboring county, and talked of it as a
matter of news with others. -Ie had been attending no
religious meeting, hearing no gospel sermon, nor listening
to any stirring address; but one night, on retiring to rest,
the Spirit of God brought his sins very vividly before his
mind, and putting the desire in his heart, and the words
in his mouth, constrained him to cry aloud, and for some
time to continue to cry,' Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!'
He remained under deep convictions of sin till the Sabbath
following, when, to the amazement of neighbors and acquaintances, he was seen approaching the house of God.
The sermon that day was blessed to him; and that samle
Sabbath night, after much wrestling, earnest prayers, deep
agony, and many tears, he obtained the peace that passeth
understanding.  Since then he has possessed new light,
new life, new love, and not one Sabbath since have I
missed him from his accustomed place in the house of God.
Great has been his joy in believing; his conduct and con



THE FARMER' S WIFE.              201
versation also have been most consistent. He loses no
opportunity of testifying for God, and recommending to
others the Saviour whom he himself has found. As his
change was a marvel to many at the time it occurred, so
has his behavior ever since been truly an ensample, and
himself a living epistle, seen and read of all. From Sabbath to Sabbath he is carried in and out of my church,
without ever breathing an excuse, or hinting a difficulty, or
uttering a complaint in regard to his infirmity, but grateful
to the kind friends who are ever ready to attend to him;
and rejoicing in God his Saviour, he goes on his way, feeling
by personal experience, and practically illustrating the truth,
that wherever there is a will to serve the Lord, there is sure
to be a way.
[ike cFacmqne's Wife. -  A second case of much interest
was that of a respectable woman, -the wife of a farmer.
Though not far distant from the church, and though often
invited to attend, she could never make it convenient to
do so.  Light-hearted and thoughtless, she seemed an
entire stranger to the value of the soul, the worth of salvation, and the importance of spiritual things. She had long
neglected the one thing needful, and greatly undervalued
the things that belong to her peace. Her husband was
careless as herself; and so they lived without God, without
Christ, and without hope in the world. She came in early
summer to some of our open-air services, in all probability
from no higher motive than mere curiosity at the first.
Soon, however, her attention was fixed, the word spoken
came with life and power to her soul; she was cut to the
heart, and smitten to earth under the mighty hand of
God. From that time till the present Christ has been
very precious to her soul, the chief among ten thousand,
and altogether lovely in her estimation. She loves much,
for much has been forgiven. Prayer is now her delight,
praise her element; while at the public worship of God,
fronmt which she is never absent, her earnest look and
serious demeanor are observable even amid thoughtful




202        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
fellow-worshippers. She has felt God's love to be better
than life, and from the overflowings of a truly thankful
heart, she utters aloud His praise. Nowhere could you
find a Christian more meek, docile, devout, and in all
lrespects exemplary.
The _Formalist. - " The third instance of the reviving
grace of God, to which I would refer, is that of another
female, but one altogether different from the former, one
who had from early youth attended the house of God with
regularity, and who had often partaken of the Supper of
the Lord. Still she had only the form of godliness, and
wanted the living power. She had never closed with
Christ, though she had united herself to His people. She
had often thought of death, and always with alarm. The
consideration of her latter end, which often forced itself
upon her, filled her with terror. To her those words of
Scripture literally applied -'Throunrgh fear of death' she
had been'all her life subject to bondage.' At length deliverance came. It is a pleasant Sabbath morning in the
month of August; the sky is clear, the air balmy, and the
fields waving with golden grain. Little groups of worshippers are leisurely wending their way to' the church that
crowns the neighboring hill,' and the individual referred to
is among them. What from the mildness of the weather,
the scenery around, the companions by the way, her heart
was lighter, and her thoughts more cheerful than usual.
Arrived in the sanctuary, there was nothing that interested
her more than on other occasions, till the announcement
of the text. It was contained in the words,'Remember
Lot's wife,' and chosen as the groundwork of remarks
which I deemed suitable to be addressed to the many in
connection with my congregation, who, I knew, had been
recently the subjects of a saving change, and whom I was
anxious to warn against looking back after having put their
hand to the plough, or turning back to the old ways of sin
and death. The text at once riveted her attention, and
as the sermon proceeded, her mnemory reverted to the sins




COMBER - FEW SUDDEN CONVERSIONS.          203
and faults of youth, the inconsistencies of riper years, the
hollowness of outward profession without inward principle or corresponding practice. A burden pressed sore
upon her heart. Tears flowed copiously, and, mingled with
big drops of perspiration, wetted the shawl that lay around
her shoulders. She'felt extremely weak, but, anxious to
escape observation, made an effort to get out of the church.
She had only succeeded in leaving the pew when I observed her face become deadly pale, and she sank, apparently unconscious, in the aisle. It was no fainting fit, as.
she has positively and repeatedly assured me since. At
the close of the service, and during prayer with her, she
thought she saw the Saviour, clothed in a white garment
reaching down to the feet, approach her. Be that as it
may, whether it was fancy or fact, one thing is certain, she
has found the Lord, the fear of death has been removed,
the Word of God is understood and appreciated by her as
it had never been before. Her life, at the same time, as far
as I have been able to judge, is in perfect harmony with
the change."
The neighborhood of Comber was the very earliest
visited by the revival in the county in which it is situated.
For about fourteen years previously, meetings had been
held for the purpose of seeking a revival of religion, and
when the Spirit at length camne upon the people, it was
with wondrous power. Hundreds were awakened and
savingly turned to God.
"We have had," says the Rev. J. MI. Killen, "no very
succtden conversions amongst us. True, those under conviction in the course of an hour or two generally got relief
which at first some were wont to mistake for true peace in
Christ, but they mostly soon found out their mistake; and
I had at a very early stage of the work to warn them
against being satisfied with anything short of Christ himself, and to urge them to make sure, first of all, of T-im,
and that then He would give them pardon, peace, antld all
other blessings they might require. The consequence has




204         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
been, that those awakened have not generally found true
peace in less than a week. Many have been several weeks
under conviction before they could say that they were truly
converted, and some, though greatly changed in life and
conversation, will not yet venture to say that they have
found the Lord. The truth is, that for the most part they
appear to be very jealous of themselves, and to be afraid
of deceiving themselves; and the consequence has been,
that the work, when effected, appears to be of a very
thorough and decided character, and I am happy to state,
that from what I am daily witnessing, I believe that the
converts, as a body, are growing very rapidly in humility,
and in the other graces of the Christian character.
" In not a few cases the bodily health has been greatly
improved, as well as the soul saved. One woman, who was
almost blind, has had her eyesight restored to'her, and can
now read the Bible, which she was unable to do for ten
years before. Two others that were almost always confined
to bed for years, are now quite convalescent in body, and
rejoicing in spirit. A boy remarkable for stammering can
now speak quite well: and a little girl, formerly noted for
timidity and nervous weakness, is now fearless and strong.
"By this great revival, ministerial life has to a large extent become quite a new thing. It is now a continued
joy, and, instead of being dispirited by the obduracy of
sinners, and the seeming barrenness of pastoral effort, we
are now daily, I might almost say hourly, gathering in a
great spiritual harvest, and are constantly rejoicing in the
abounding communion of the saints."
The following additional statement by Mr. Killen, of
date 6th April, presents several striking illustrations of the
character and results of the awakening. They are simply
specimens of similar ones which might be adduced:
"And, first, with regard to the physical mncanifestations,
I may mention that some of these were of a very violent,
I might almost say, awful character, comparable to nothing
I have ever read of, save the demoniacal possessions in the




THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS.         205
New Testament. I have seen, for instance, four strong
men quite unable to hold or restrain a young lad of about
eighteen years of age; and I have known parties of this
type, after the paroxysm had ceased, left so weak for a
little that life appeared to be almost extinct; — reminding
me of the individual mentioned in SMark ix. 26, of whom
it is said, that when the unclean spirit' cried, and rent him
sore, and came out of him, he was as one dead; insomuch
that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the
hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.' So also in the
instances referred to, I have noticed that strength soon
returned, accompanied by a spiritual and delightful calm,
which was all the more striking when contrasted with the
moral hurricane by which it had been preceded.
"And here, in reference to these prostration cases, I cannot help remarking, that I do not consider these as features
of the revival greatly to be deplored, or as requiring anything like apology. I am satisfied, from what I have been
continually witnessing for the last ten months, that they
have not only been exceedingly useful in the way of arousing and arresting the attention of both the church and the
world, but I am convinced that they have also been greatly
blessed to the parties affectec. This is a view of the matter to which public attention has not as yet been sufficiently directed, and therefore I am the more anxious that
it should be noticed, as I consider it a very important one.
Am I asked, then, In what way have these prostrations,
which so weakened the body, acted beneficially on the
soul? —I reply, By compelling those so affected to suspend for a time their worldly avocations, and to withdraw
for a little from the world. By being confined a few days
to bed, they were shut out from the world, and shut up
with God. Jehovah, as it were, in this way drew them
aside into the wilderness to talk with them for a time, and
by being thus left alone with God, the work was deepened
in their souls,- a thorough spiritual revolution was accomplished, so that, when they again returned to the
18




206        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
society of their fellows, they returned -like Saul of Tarsus, after his three days of blindness and seclusion - new
creatures, the subjects of a marvellous and mighty transformation, testifying, by their very looks as well as by their
lips, the great things which God had done for their souls.
Now, had there been no prostrations, and consequently no
weakenings of the body, the parties might, indeed, have
been awakened, but as most of them belong to the working classes, who can ill afford to lose time, they would, if
strength had permitted, have continued at their usual employments, and would consequently, when under convictions of sin, have had their minds distracted with worldly
cares, been tempted by ungodly companions, and been
quite unable to give their thoughts entirely for a time to
the matter of their soul's salvation. But by being forced,
through want of bodily strength, to retire for a little from
the world and communicate with God, the work was allowed to go on powerfully and unimpeded; and to these
days of deep, silent, solemn, and uninterrupted communing
with their own hearts and with their God upon their beds,
at the very commencement of their spiritual career, I attribute very much of that decision of character, devotedness of life, and elevated tone of piety which are so conspicuous in many of our converts.
"In illustration of the above remarks, allow me to adduce a single case. An elderly woman, the mother of a
family, who had been a careless, cursing creature, and one
greatly opposed to the revival, was, some time after its
commencement, suddenly and violently prostrated on her
own kitchen floor. When I first saw her she was rolling
on the ground and writhing with agony. Her appearance
was certainly the most satanic I ever beheld. The bystanders were overawed; all felt that influences more
than human were at work. A medical man was sent for,
but he fled at the sight, declaring that it was a case for a
clergyman, and not for a physician. The unhappy wonman
was evidently the subject of a great spiritual conflict. Her




ANSWERS TO SPECIAL PRAYER.             207
cries for about an hour were terrific. She declared that
Satan and all the devils in hell were round about her.
Gradually her shrieks subsided, and as the paroxysms wore
off, she settled down into a sort of despairing calm. For
days she continued weak in body and distressed in soul,
but at length the light broke, her bonds were loosed, she
saw and embraced Christ, obtained peace, and was filled
with a joy unspeakable and full of glory; and she is now
one of the finest specimens of Christian character, and of
a mother in Israel, I have ever known, - distinguished by
her strong faith, her ardent love, and her Christian meekness, her sweetness of temper, and an almost uninterrupted
realization of her Redeemer's presence, combined with a
very profound reverence for Messiah's character, a strong
desire to promote His glory, and a most extreme sensitiveness lest she should do anything to forfeit the enjoyment
of His love.'.0 sir,' said she lately to me,'I am just
watching how I lift and lay down my feet, lest I should
offend Him.'
Answers to Special Prayer. -" I may now mention one
or two cases illustrative of answer to prayer. Soon after
the revival commenced here, a neighboring clergyman
called on me one Saturday, and requested that I and our
converts would pray for the conversion of his two sons,
boys of ten and twelve years of age. I assented, and next
morning, at our prayer-meeting, I proposed to the converts
that we should make the conversion of the minister's sons
a special topic of supplication every morning during that
week. On the following Friday evening this minister came
over to assist me at our usual evening service, and with
tears of thankfulness declared that God had already converted one of his children, and entreated us to continue
our supplications for the other. We did so, and in about
ten days afterwards the same minister wrote, informing
me that his other son was also converted to the Lord.
"Another instance, illustrative of the same fact, is that
of a poor man, advanced in life and unmarried,' who was




208        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
converted in our congregation at the beginning of the
work. As soon as he had embraced the Lord himself, lihe
became most anxious for the conversion of the family with
whom he resided, and of his fellow-workmen in the mill
where he was employed. But all these were most ungodly;
and when they saw the change which had taken place in
him, instead of rejoicing in his joy, they mocked, swore,
snug inpure songs, and did all they could to thwart and
distress him. He saw that remonstrances were vain, and
he resolved to pray for them. I-Ie did so; but for a time
no answer came, and he was sorely discouraged. Still he
resolved to continue his supplications on their behalf; and
suddenly one clay the men in the mill were astonished at
cries proceeding ifrom their homes, which were hard by.
The business in the mill was suspended, and when the men
rushed to their houses to see what caused those cries, they
fobund their wives and daughters prostrated nnder strong
convictions, crying for mercy to the Lord. The hitherto
despised convert was at once applied to, and, with a heart
overflowing with gratitude, he led their supplications and
directed all to Christ. Soon the Lord vouchsafed His
mercy; the weeping penitents became rejoicing converts,
and wives and daughters were that day added to the Lord.
Scene in a Mill. -" C.'s prayers were as yet, however, only partially answered. They were still to receive
a more glorious fulfilment. Some days after the above occurrence, the mill had again to be stopped, but this time
not because of the women, but the men. Husbands and
brothers, whilst engaged at their work, were arrested and
smitten down whilst in the very act of attending the
machinery. Some of the strongest men and greatest scoffers in the whole country fell powerless in a moment under
the mighty and mysterious influence that was at work.
Never had there been such a day in that establishment.
Strong men might be seen prostrated and crying for
mercy; converted wives and daughters bent over them
with tears of joy, whilst they returned thanks to God for




REVIVAL AMONG QUARRYMEN.            209
the awakening of their husbands and brothers, and prayed
that soon all might rejoice with one another as heirs together of the grace of life; and such has been the case.
Poor C.'s prayers have indeed been answered, for he
has just been telling me that the seven souls in the house
where he resides are now all converted, and that about
nine-tenths of the workers in the mill have been visited by
the Spirit of the Lord.
Revival among Quarrymen. - "' Iy space, already wellnigh exhausted, will only allow me to give another instance
of the power and prevalency of the revival in this district.
About two miles firom this, near the outskirts of the parish,
there is a quarry, which was formerly notorious for the
wickedness of those who wrought in it. It was, in fact,
an emporium for all sorts of vice; but when our revival
commenced in Comber, it was such a strange and unheardof thing amongst these quarrymen, that they resolved,
through curiosity, to come and see how it was that people
were so mysteriously knocked down. They accordingly
attended the nightly prayer-meetings in our congregation.
Gradually a change crept over them. Drinking was diminished, swearing was given up, seriousness and anxiety
prevailed. I was requested, as I could not go in the evening, to go and preach to them during working hours in the
middle of the day. I did so. Immediately on my appearance all work was suspended; and, at the very busiest
time, master and men attended for upwards of two hours.
Whilst under the open sky, in a sort of large amphitheatre,
formed by the excavation of the quarry, and surrounded
by the mountain's rocky walls, I proclaimed to them the
glorious gospel of the blessed God. Much good, I understand, was that day effected. Prayer-meetings amongst
the men were immediately established. The occupier of
the quarry and head of the whole establishment soon announced to his men that he himself was entirely changed,
and declared that he had resolved to live henceforth only
for Christ. A marvellous alteration was soon apparent;
18'




210        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
and such has been the effect produced, that Mr. D
the head of the establishment referred to, told me last
week, that out of ninety-six families in his employment,
upwards of ninety have now established family worship.' Drunkenness,' he said, Ihas disappeared, and neither oath
nor improper expression is now heard in that quarry. As
for myself,' continued M1Ir. D,' I now look upon myself as a mere steward, having nothing of my own, and
bound by feelings, both of responsibility and gratitude, to
live for God's glory.'
"Such, my dear sir, are some of the effects of the revival in this quarter. I might mention more, and dwell
especially on its having caused famnily worship to be very
generally, I may say, almost universally, observed amongst
the families of my charge; but your space forbids, and I
must close."
A few miles from Comber is Killinchy, celebrated as the
scene of the faithful labors of Livingstone, one of the
early fathers of the Presbyterian Church. This parish,
during the summer months, was largely visited by the reviving influence. The Hon. and Rev. Henry Ward, for
thirty-five years revered as one of the most devoted ministers of the Establishment, and rector of the parish, cooperated throughout with the Rev. David Anderson, the
Presbyterian minister, "the labor being divided," to use
his own words, "between the ministers of the two denominations, no distinction being made, and the hearts of all
knit together in one holy bond of Christian fellowship."
From a letter, dated March 31, 1860, addressed by him to
the Bishop of Down, I am permitted by his lordship to
give the following statement with reference to the abiding
results in that wide district:
"I am happy to inform  your lordship that, from my
own experience, as well as from the testimony of the Presbyterian minister with whom I have been associated more
particularly in the revival work, most satisfactory fruits
have followed the wide-spread confession of sin and pro



STATE OF RELIGION PREVIOUSLY.         211
fession of repentance which attended the ministrations of
the gospel during last summer in this neighborhood. WVe
might reasonably have expected to hear of many cases of
relapse, and in some quarters of a reaction, during the
winter season, when all extra meetings had to a considerable extent been suspended, and all physical manifestations
had disappeared; but nothing of the kind has reached our
ears. The extreme. vigilance and jealousy of some who
have watched the progress of the work more closely, have
led them to fear the stability of one or two who made a
profession; but this only proves, that if any cases had occurred calculated to throw discredit on the work, it could
not have escaped observation. Weekly prayer-meetings
are very generally held over the whole parish, conducted
by laymen of piety and discretion, and are very well attended, and daily family worship is continued in houses
where, up to the revival movement, utter ungodliness prevailed.
"As soon as the weather improves, we purpose resuming
our extra meetings upon a large scale, which the still
unquenched desire on the part of the people for hearing
the word renders necessary."
In no part of the province, so far as I can learn, has there
been a more genuine work of grace than in the town of
Newtownards. The following statement in regard to it
has been furnished by Mr. MI. Halbison, the intelligent
teacher of the National School in that place, who has had
much to do in connection with the revival, although he
refers to his own labors in such a modest way that it is
sometimes difficult to identify them:
State of Religion Previously. - "Before giving you an
account of the work of the Lord here, it is necessary that I
should tell you something regarding the state of the town
previous to that blessed awakening. Our population is
about twelve thousand, and we are supplied with four congregations in connection with the General Assembly, two
Covenanting, two Methodist, and one Established Church.




212        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
There is also a congregation of Unitarians, and one of
Roman Catholics. The attendance on all these did not
amount to more than twelve hundred persons on an average, and of these a considerable number came from the
country districts around.  From  statistics made out by
our town missionary (there has been one employed for the
past three years), we came to the conclusion that fully onehalf of the population of the town had not even a nominal
connection with any place of worship. You will see finom
this that religion was in a very low state among us, and
you will not be surprised to hear that this town of twelve
thousand inhabitants supported some seventy public-houses,
and more than a dozen pawn-shops. Their necessary pendants, Sabbath desecration, intemperance, and immorality,
were fearfully prevalent. It is right to state, however,
that the town missionary, in conjunction with a few' who
sighed and cried for the abominations' committed amongst
us, established and sustained a number of prayer-meetings,
which were conducted weekly in the poorer districts of the
town.
"Such was the state of things about the first of May last.
Some time previous to this, the attention of many had
been directed to the accounts of the marvellous work that
the Lord was doing in Connor, Ahoghill, and other places
in Antrim. A schoolmaster, a native of that district, went
down to see for himself the wondrous things about which
he had heard so much. The reality exceeded the fame,
and he came back deeply convinced that the finger of God
alone could produce what he had seen. He engaged two
young men — one a teacher, and the other a Scripturereader- to come to Newtownards and give an account
of what the Lord was doing around them. They came
about a week after, and, before a considerable audience,
gave a narrative of the wondrous scenes they had witnessed. Many seemed deeply impressed; others were
skeptical, on account of the physical accompaniments.
They wished for a revival, but were not reconciled to the




THE SCHOOLMASTER TURNED PREACHER.    213
modus op2erCandi of the Holy Spirit. I should state that,
about a week before the arrival of the young men, a united
prayer-meeting had been established on the Wednesday
evening, which was to be continued weekly. It commenced in one of the Covenanting churches, and was
attended by about two hundred persons. This number,
though but small, was looked upon by every one as something marvellous. One of our most popular divines could
hardly have drawn together such an audience on a weekday evening a month previous. This prayer-meeting was
changed from house to house, until it had gone over all
the evangelical churches in the town, the audience gradually increasing. Still, few but church-goers attended. The
vast outlying population had yet to be reached.  The
gospel was yet to be preached to the poor; the lost were
yet to be sought and saved. For this purpose the Spirit
used His own instruments; and, in order that He might
have all the glory, they were weak ones.
The Schoolmaster turned Preacher. -"On the Lord's
day after the visit of the young men, the schoolmaster
(Mr. I.), who had invited them, was much pressed in
spirit by observing the Sabbath desecration which was so
prevalent in the street in which he lived. It was a lovely
evening, and the people were spending it standing idly at
their door, talking about the world and the things thereof,
— their children, meanwhile, playing noisily before their
eyes. Both young and old seemed to have forgotten that
their Creator had ever commanded them to keep His day
holy. Mr. H. went out about half-past six, P. i., and called
on a number of the people, inviting them to come to his
schoolroom at seven o'clock, as he wished to talk and pray
with them. Among others, he visited the bellman of the
town (J. IC.), notorious for his drunkenness and profligacy.
Many of them promised to attend; but, after waiting half
an hour beyond the appointed time, only twoo children
vmacde their cqpearanlce! It suddenly occurred to Mr. I-T.
thalt if they would not come in to hear him, it was his duty




214        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
to go out and speak to them. And although unaccustomed to public speaking, and naturally of a timid disposition, he felt he was moved by an impulse which he could
not resist. He went out to a place where two streets
crossed, opened his Bible, and commenced to sing a psalm.
The novelty of the preacher, who was well known to the
people, drew together in a few minutes more than a hundred persons. Mr. H. addressed them from the parable of
the barren fig-tree.l  The speaker was helped wonderfully,
and all seemed deeply impressed. One heart, at least, was
opened to attend to the things that were spoken, that of
the drunken bellman, who, to the surprise of all, was
present. He did not cry out at the meeting, nor was he
prostrated, but for some days after he could neither eat nor
sleep. He was in darkness and in heaviness; a strange
weight pressed upon his soul; a yearning for something,
such as he had never felt before, occupied all his thoughts.
A few evenings after, 3Ir. H. asked him out to take a walk
with him, and then he told him of the love of Jesus, and
that He had died to save him. The man stopped, and
lifted up his hands in an ecstasy of joy. The darkness and
the heaviness had vanished, and a flood of light, love, and
peace filled his soul. Ten months have since elapsed, but
J. K. continues still steadfast. Although often tempted by
his former wicked companions, he never since has entered
a public-house. Under his humble roof, which once resounded with oaths and imprecations, a family altar has
been elected, upon which is daily offered that sacrifice
which is never despised when presented by our great High
Priest. Instead of abusing his wife and children, as was
formerly the case, he is now a kind husband and father;
and whoever is absent from the church or the prayermeeting, J. K. is sure to be in his place. Such, as far as
known to us, are the first-fruits of the revival in Newtownards.
The Work Spgreads. -- " The open-air meeting, so auspi1 Luke xiii. 6-9.




THE TOWN MISSIONARY.             215
ciously begun, was continued from Sabbath to Sabbath in
the same place. The attendance rapidly increased, until,
instead of hundreds, thousands were present. About three
weeks after it commenced, the Scripture-reader before
mentioned had been appointed to the situation of town
missionary. He was asked to address this meeting. As
he had come from the district where the revival had made
most progress, and as his labors had been greatly blessed,
there was much anxiety to hear him, and the meeting was
a large one. A young woman, whose clothing was so
deficient that she could not go out to the street, heard
him from the window. The Spirit carried the word in
power to her heart, and she was deeply convinced of sin.
She rose from her seat, got down on her knees beside her
loom —for she was a weaver — and cried, in the most
heart-rending tones,'God be merciful to me a sinner!''Lord, save me!' She remained in this position for the
greater part of the night. The house was crowded with
anxious faces. Sin and salvation seemed to be the allpervading subjects of thought with every one present.
I-low to escape the one and obtain the other, was the
inquiry of many hearts. One man present - a soldier, and
a Unitarian - was observed with tears trickling down his
cheeks. The work had now fairly commenced, and during the week it spread rapidly. A considerable number
of similar cases of awakening occurred in almost every
street in the town. Among others, a number of prostitutes
were convinced of sin, and were heard crying for mercy.
The public excitement was great. Every face wore an
expression of awe. In thousands of hearts, and on hundreds of lips, was the question,'What must I do to be
saved?' On Wednesday evening, the largest church in
the town was crowded, ground-floor and gallery, pews and
aisles. Hundreds could not get admission, and would not
go away. The lawn in front of the church was densely
filled; some one in the crowd gave out a psalm; and
prayer and praise ascended to the throne of God, from the




216        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
outside as well as from the inside of the church. More
than four thousand persons must have been present at that
prayer-meeting.
Tze Street fJeetings. - "An incident worthy of note
occurred about this time. On a Monday morning, some of
the very persons who had been invited a few weeks previously to attend the prayer-meeting in the schoolroom, but
did not, called and asked the master to conduct a meeting
in the street, as the people were thirsting for the word.
The missionary complied with their request, and it seemed
as if nearly all the people residing in that street were
present.
"It was found that one meeting in the week was not
enough, so, in addition, almost every church in the town
was opened for prayer, every evening in some cases, and
two or three in the week in others. B3esides all these,
street-meetings became numerous, and were everywhere
well attended. In order to secure an audience at any time,
all that was necessary was to go into the street and commence to sing a psalm, and nearly all the people within
view would be present in five minutes. The effect upon
the entire community was very observable. Drinking was
almost entirely given up, drunkenness almost unknown.
Streets and lanes formerly thronged at certain hours of
the night by strange women and their associates, were deserted. In passing through districts where the'noisy
laughter of the fool,' or the impure language of the profane, was wont to be heard, the voice of psalms caught the
ear in all directions. The 12th of July, the anniversary of
Satan as well as of the Orangemen, came and went, and
left no trace behind.'Not a drum was heard,' not an
arch was erected, not a shot was fired. The prayer-meetings took place as usual - were thronged as usual.
"Not only was the influence of the revival felt in the
assembling of the people for united prayer, but also in the
regular meetings of the churches, which were filled to
overflowing.  Sitting room could hardly be obtained, and




THE CONVERTED SCHOOL-GIRL.           217
in most instances the aisles were crowded. The vacant
pews were speedily let, and in some churches many applicants could not be accommodated. The communionroll, also, in some instances, was doubled; in all, largely
increased; while the candidate class was never so numerolis in the recollection of aged ministers. Young men and
women, formerly careless and giddy, might be seen, with
anxious faces, listening greedily to the tale of that dying
love which it was their desire for the first time to commemorate.
"The sale of religious tracts and books, but especially
of Bibles, was greatly increased. Parcel after parcel was
obtained from Belfast, hundreds of copies were sold, and
hundreds were given gratis to those who were unable to
purchase. A society also was organized for the purpose of
leaving a tract monthly in every house in the town.. Te AwakenedL - "With regard to the manner in which
parties were impressed, I suppose it was much the same
here as elsewhere; perhaps fewer cried out at meetings
with us than in other places. Indeed, such were rather the
exception than the rule. It was generally in their own
houses, often in their beds, that they first began to feel'
anxious about their souls. One man, a militia sergeant,
was arrested while throwing a bullet on a bet for drink.
I-is hand fell by his side, and he was unable to raise it.
Hle has since been one of the most hopeful of the converts.
Another man was awakened at his loom. He had been a
drunkard and a blasphemer, but has become a useful and
intelligent Christian; has assisted in organizing a total
abstinence society, and is forward to every good work.
" One little girl, about twelve years of age, the child of
godly parents, was reading on the Sabbath evening to her
mamma the hymn,' What's the News?' When she came
to the lines,'The Lord has pardoned all my sin,
I feel the witness now within,'
her mamma stopped her, saying,'I doubt yozu can't say
19




218        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
that, dear.' It was a word in season. It reached her conscience, and in a moment she was on her knees crying for
mercy. For some hours she was in awful agony of soul,
using such expressions as,'Oh, what a clreacdful sinner I
am!''Lord, wash away my sins in Thy blood!' After
remaining in this state for about two hours, the light all at
once broke in upon her soul, and she clapped her hands for
joy. She repeated, with remarkable emphasis and expression, M'Cheyne's hymn,'I once was a stranger to grace
and to God.' It seemed the very language of her soul.
A few days after, she requested to be allowed to distribute
Bibles and tracts, and has since been letting her light shine
before men. The teacher of the school that she attended,
on the following morning told the children what he had
heard her say, and immediately about ten of them cried
out very bitterly for mercy. They have since given evidence of a change of heart.
"There were, perhaps, fewer of the converts with us
than almost anywhere else who manifested a desire for
addressing a meeting, so that very little lay agency was
employed. Indeed, they all seemed more anxious to learn
than to teach- -more desirous to be hearers of the word
than preachers of it. Many of them were very ignorant -
could not even read. Several classes on week-clay evenings have been organized for their instruction. Among
others, a considerable number of married persons attend,
who were ignorant of the alphabet when they came.
Their progress is astonishing. Many of them  in three
months have learned to read the Word of God.
The Cottage MJfeetings. - "I must not omit to mention
another means of usefulness, not altogether originated by
the revival, but mightily strengthened by it. I refer to'Cottage Meetings' for prayer, praise, and the reading and
exposition of God's Word. In almost every street in the
town one of these is conducted weekly. About twenty
of such meetings are in existence at the present time,
attended by from thirty to fifty individuals on an average.




THE CRY TO THE FATHER.             219
In this way the gospel is brought into the very houses of
the people. About eight hundred of our population have
weekly the privilege of hearing its joyful sound, many of
whom  are unable to attend upon public worship. The
missionary visits these meetings in rotation; in the -intervals
they are conducted by intelligent laymen.
"The revival is now ten months old among us, so that
we have ample time to test its results. The excitement
has passed away, but the great majority of the awakened
manifest, by a'life and conversation becoming the gospel,'
that they have indeed'passed from death unto life.' Those
who were merely frightened into a temporary sobriety,
have, as might be expected, returned to their old habits,
and, in consequence, the haunts of vice have rallied a
little; but after making deductions for all this, there is
much cause for thankfulness to the Father of mercies for
the abundant shower of Divine grace with which we have
been visited."
Illustrative cases of a deeply interesting character are
supplied by a young lady who has been one of the most
energetic and assiduous in her attentions to those who have
been the subjects of the awakening in her native town.
She mentions that many even of a later date than the last
of the subjoined might have been given. From  a large
number of such I select the following:
The Cry to the dcFather. - "M. M'K, was a merry, lively
gill. She had not attended any meetings. Her case is
the first I have either seen or heard of, that addressed petitions to the Father. She lay nearly an hour unconscious
to all around, pouring forth her petitions in the following
strain:-'Father, dear! look down upon me this night!
Father, mark me with grace! Lord Jesus, take away my
heavy sins! Father, I own I have been a heavy sinner!
Lord Jesus, come to my arms! Father, renew my wicked,
wicked heart! give me a new one, and mark me with
grace!  O Father! for Jesus Christ's sake, come to me!




220         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
Father, dear, relieve me! Have mercy upon me, my God,
have mercy upon me!'
The Uzbeliever in the Work.- "J. W. for twenty years
never entered a church; and for fourteen, never bowed
his knees in prayer, nor read his Bible. He was a drunkard, and did not believe in the work. He was struck, but
went to his work, and got drunk, trying to quench the
Spirit. He was prostrated for nearly a week. A fortnight
after he was visited, he again thought Satan was at his
side wanting him. Next day he came to his pastor to ask
him to pray' for more of the love of God, and for strength
to overcome his besetting sin, drink.' IIe is now a Sabbath-school teacher, and a leader in prayer-meetings, and
is sometimes up for nights visiting the stricken and praying
with them.
Vhe First-fruit of the New v  ear -Jtanualry 1, 1860.
-' S. W. had been a most abandoned character.  She
was noted everywhere for her cursing and immodest language. She had been anxious for months, and had given
up most of her wicked habits —was attending prayermeetings, and was praying to be visited. On Sabbath she
had prayed before going out to a prayer-meeting,' Lord, I
am clear of nothing; wash me in one drop of Thy blood.
(I thought when I got that, I would get more.)' She was
struck under the verse,' Cut it down, why cumbereth it the
ground?'  She found peace next morning, singing the
116th Psalm. She said,'I am the vilest, wickedest, miserablest sinner that ever lived. I am clear of nothingnot even murder. I have murdered my own soul. For
forty years I hated God, and served Satan. There never
was such a sinner. I could take every one in my bosom
now to bring them to Jesus. I will do all in my power
for Him the few remaining days of my life. To think that
Jesus should save such a sinner as me! Now I-le is. my
all in all. My beloved is mine, and I am His.' The neighbors say they are sure any one may be saved after her.




SUCCESS OF THE WORK.              221
She is the first-fruit of the New Year.  Is she not a
trophy?
"We had -not, so far as is known, three spurious cases.
We have had some who have fallen away a little, and some
very much; but we still hope the Lord has His hook in
their nostrils. But I am sure the whole does not amount
to twelve, out of a population of twelve thousand, and
many hundreds of prostrations.  We never had any'trances,' or' sleeps,' and only five cases that appeared for
a time like demoniac possession. No stress was laid upon
visions."
19*




CHAPTER XIII.
OUR giia  l in   it lt o~ ng —- Q    itgnntu.
a VISIT TO BOARDMIILLS, AND PREACHING ON A SABBATH EVENING - GROUPS
ON THE GREEN - FEW STRICKEN - EVERY ONE MOVED - NO EXTRAVAGANCES - THE CHILDREN AT TEE PRAYER-MIEETINGS - HAPPY CHANGE
IN SOCIETY - OPEN-AIR COMMUNION - PRECIOUSNESS OF CALVINISTIC
DOCTRINE - BALLINAHINCH - REVIVAL INCIDENT, AS TOLD BY A SCOTTISH MINISTER-THE WASHERWOMAN'S PRAYER- CONLIG-ANSWER TO
PRAYER - BALLYCOPELAND - ILLUSTRATIVE CASES - RATHFRILAND - A
STUDENT'S STATEMENT - BANBRIDGE - STATEMENT OF MR.' GREEN, CIVIL
ENGINEER - DROMiARA.
IT was on a Sabbath evening in the end of June that I
had an opportunity of witnessing the first-fruits of revival
in the County Down.  I had been requested by the Rev.
George H. Shanks, of Boardmills, to deliver an address on
the American awakening of the previous year.  He had
been laboring under great depression of mind, induced by
a painful apprehension that the showers of blessings which
were falling elsewhere were not to descend on the field in
which he labored. I have in a former chapter introduced
a portion of his statement, in which he refers to this distressing experience.
On my alighting at his dwelling, on the Sabbath evening
to which I have referred, I was met by this excellent minister with a joyous congratulation.  The revival had come
a few days before, and his countenance was lighted up
with an expression of mingled gratitude and joy. The
whole "country side" was now in movement.  I could.have learned what had taken place by the crowds of




SABBATH EVENING AT BOARDMILLS.         223
earnest men and women through which I passed, all moving on with their Bibles in their hands, and indicating that
they were converging to some common place of meeting.
On the morning before, I was informed by Mr. Shanks that
so many as seventy were at the manse by ten o'clock, all
under deep soul-concern, while all night long the house
was filled with persons who had been taken there after the
meetings of the evening. Then, as we walked along to
the church, the pastor pointed to this and that dwelling as
having been the scene of a wondrous visitation within the
last few days, —old things having passed away, and all
things become new.
Arriving at the church, it was almost impossible to effect
an entrance. Never had such an assemblage been collected there, and never had the community around been
stirred by such a profound and general interest.  The
numbers were so great, that it was evident at once they
could not be accommodaited in one place, and so an extra
service was conducted in the school-house by the Rev.
Alexander Dobbin. On ascending the pulpit and seeing
the appearance of the multitude, I gave up all thought of
addressing them on the subject which had been announced.
The American awakening, however interesting in details,
was an event belonging to the past, and the audience before me were all engrossed with the strange realities inow
passing before their eyes. I endeavored, accordingly, to
suit my discourse to their existing state and feelings, opening up and pressing home the unconditional freeness of
the gospel of Christ. As I proceeded, there was profound
solemnity and intense emotion, and one or two occasionally quietly retired; but there were no prostrations, such
as usually were exhibited on such occasions. At the close,
and after the benediction, nearly all remained, and breaking up into groups, fell into earnest conversation, or, gathering around some friend or neighbor who had given signs
of mental distress, engaged in exercises of prayer or praise.
MIany  were there who had found peace on the preceding




224        TIIE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
evenings, and who were testifying to others the overflowing fulness of their joy. A countryman and his wife, both
of whom had been the subjects of the gracious visitation,
had left the place with an enlargement of heart unfelt
before, and as they went, they sung together one of the
songs of Zion. Here was a knot of young women, who
had not seen each other since they had been severally
brought to Christ, and as they met, they literally rushed
into each other's arms. There was a group of boys clasped
in affectionate embraces, while one was saying, "Precious
Jesus!" another, "Oh, that all would come to Him!" a
third, " Ie is the chief among ten thousand, and altogether
lovely! " while another still, in the fervor of his new-born
love, was moving about among those present on the green,
and saying, "Look to Jesus, all of you - look, and live! "
Hard by were some silent weepers, and one or two who
were laboring in sore agony, as though all the waves of
Divine wrath were raging round and over them. It was
a scene to be remembered ever by those who witnessed it
a marvellous manifestation of the love of God the Father,
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of
the Holy Spirit.
These beginnings, so full of promise, were succeeded by
other incidents of like interest; and in no district was the
work more entirely in accordance with that sobriety and
order which are so desirable in a time of general excitement. I shall allow MIr. Shanks himself to continue and
conclude the narrative:- " For some five weeks, without
intermission, a public meeting was held every evening, the
church being frequently unable to hold them all; while at
my own house, at ten o'clock forenoon, crowds assembled
in deep spiritual anxiety. For some days every room in
my house had a'stricken' soul in it, surrounded by a
small group of praying fiiends, no bustle nor noise being
allowed, but all calm, solemn, prayerful, reading God's
Word, or singing a psalm, as the case might require. After
some eight days, the' striking down' and all external man



NO EXTRAVAGANCES.                225
ifestation nearly ceased, except a case at intervals; but
there appeared no abatement of religious concern nor cessation of the Spirit's influence. Whole households were
awakened and brought to seek the Saviour, and have all
ever since'brought forth fruits meet for repentance.'
Everybocly for a number of weeks was moved, and all
seemed to think they should seek salvation, feeling as if
they were on the very verge of the spiritual and the eternal world, and in the immediate presence of Deity.
"I do not say that all who were under serious impressions continued to retain them till they found Jesus; for in
that case I verily believe there would scarcely be a solitary
individual unrenewed in the whole neighborhood; but thus
much I can affirm, that with not more than four exceptions
(if so many), all whom I considered real converts have
continued to give every evidence up to the present moment, and in no single instance that I am aware of, have
done anything inconsistent with a Christian profession.
There has been'an abounding in prayer,' and an insatiable thirst for the Word of God.'Oh! to pray morning
and evening,' one is overheard saying,'would never suffice; we must just pray as we need it.''I had another
cloud come over me,' says another,'but I prayed, and I
got relief, — I prayed while I was at my work, but that
would not do, and I left the workers and went behind the
hedge and prayed.' The Bible is seen on the loom; and
the man in the field can bring it out of his pocket-when a
text is quoted. Catechize or converse with persons, and
you will soon find that they are in the habit of reading the
Scriptures.
"The'striking down,' and other similar manifestations,
always seemed to me to be generally the effect of the
absorbing earnestness with which the soul sought the
Saviour, so as to become, in a measure, unconscious of all
things else, and indifferent to them.
"' 0 fither,' said one,'call it not " taking ill," as if it
was sickness; it is no sickness; it is just the soul taking




226        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
Christ.''There has been sickness many a time in the
country,' said a poor apprentice boy,'but it never sent
people to their prayers.' There have been no convulsive
fits here, nor'sleeping cases,' nor visions, dumbness, deafness, nor marks, etc. All tendencies of this kind were
carefully checked, as decidedly adverse to real religion;
and people were warned that the outward manifestations
were themselves no part'of conversion, although sometimes accompanying it, and that persons should not pray
to be struck down, but just to be brought to Christ. It
was very favorable to the cause here that the ministers
were all perfectly unanimous, - seeing as with one eye, -
throwing their whole soul into the work; and I can easily
conceive what excesses and abuses would take place,
where, from scarcity of ministers, their standing aloof, or
any other cause, the guidance of the movement would fall
into the hands of inexperienced persons, however zealous
and well-meaning they might be.
"' Now I am happy,' says a wife,' and I have got what
I prayed for; my husband keeps worship every day.'
"' My father prayed for me,' said a stricken one,' a nice
prayer, and he has prayed and kept family worship every
day since.'' What made you cry so much when you went
home last Thursday?' I asked a young woman.'Oh,'
said she,'my father spoke sharp to us for staying so long,
and I cannot stand a scolding now as I used -to do. But
what made me cry was this, —if my earthly father had
reason to be angry with me, I thought what provocation I
am daily giving to my heavenly Father.' The only source
of complaint for some weeks, on the part of parents, was
that the children went to too many prayer-meetings, and
stayed too long at them, and I almost always took the side
of the parents in this quarrel.'If you had heard how
little Isabella prayed when their father scolded them for
being out so late, - and she prayed that they might all
obey their parents,' said a mother. Such scenes have
sometimes so melted the father that he was moved, as one




HAPPY CHANGE IN SOCIETY.            227
told me with tears,' that he would never say a word, no
matter how many prayer-meetings they attended.' It was
frequently a contract between parents and children that
they should only go twice a week to a prayer-meeting,
besides the Sabbath.
"' Little Anna is now the happiest child I have,' says a
father;'formerly, she seldom sat down to a meal without
crying, because it was not good enough, and now she eats
with thankfulness whatever she gets.' Families are happy
and industrious.  lMothers and wives are joyful. Little
variances and feuds have disappeared.  The poor are
clothed, and attend places of worship. Shoemakers and
tailors I often meet in the houses of the poor. There is
less poverty than formerly, and even less sickness and
mortality. There is no such thing as cursing. Multitudes
spontaneously offered their names to the Temperance Society and Band of Hope. A public-house has been converted into a haberdashery and book-shop, and a weekly
prayer-meeting is held in it, attended by as many as the
house can hold. A notorious drunkard, whom I saw my,
self in the hands of the police, in Belfast, and whom the
magistrates about Saintfield knew well, has been a total
abstainer for seven months, and gives every evidence of
being a sincere believer; and although now poor, having
gone through much of his property, yet he is respected
and loved by all, the chief hand in conducting two prayermeetings, and the moving spring of several charitable
and religious undertakings. Free classes are taught, not
exclusively for reading the Scriptures, which, instead of
thinning the daily schools, serve rather as feeders to them.
A thirst for knowledge is awakened, and I know several
grown-up persons attending daily schools. A shoe club,
as it is called, were accustomed, in former years, to have
whiskey to celebrate the close of the term when they had
all got their shoes, but this winter they had a temperance
soiree, addressed by several nlinisters and others. I believe family worship is nearly universal.




228        TIIE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
"The attendance on public worship in my church is
doubled, the Sabbath collection doubled, and not much
falling off even in this cold, dreadful weather. At the
c Revival Communion,' in August (a special and extra
one), there were two hundred and thirty communicants,
the congregation consisting, up to that time, of some one
hundred and fifty adherents, and at the subsequent conmmunion in November, there were two hundred and fifty.
The congregation have built a capacious schoolroom, and
are re-seating the church, and making other repairs; and
the kind, paternal regards of the several congregations is
illustrated by the liberal assistance rendered by members
of the two others to my people, and also by the fact that,
at the communion, in August, IMr. Dobbin's flock and
mine proposed to hold the communion unitedly in a field,
which, however, was not done, for fear of undue excitement, but they met together for public worship on Monday; and this is the more to be prized, because circumstances connected with the origin and history of some of
the congregations made them too often have the aspect
of rivalry or opposition. Now they are like one people
with three ministers. During four evenings of every week,
including that of the Sabbath, a meeting is held in one
of the meeting-houses, conducted by one of the ministers,
and there are, besides, on every evening, several prayermeetings, mostly conducted by laymen, a minister attending occasionally.
"The exercise of the gifts of prayer and exhortation by
the people has had no tendency scarcely to generate vanity or forwardness. On the contrary, there is more of
humility, and modesty, and docility; and the ministerial
office was never so much respected. The thorough Calvinistic doctrines which were always preached here from
all the pulpits (although often without interest to preacher
or hearer) give a healthfilness and strength to the revival
in this part. To say'Stick to Christ, and I-He will stick to
you,' would sometimes give but small comfort to soine of




PRECIOUSNESS OF CALVINISTIC DOCTRINES.    229
the converts, who would be ready to reply, in deep despondency,'Oh, I cannot - my bad heart will not let me;
I will give Hinm up, and He will leave me forever, and I
will be lost.' The comfort rather is,'He sticks to me,
and THEREFORE I will stick to Him, and never let Him
go, and be saved forever.''But I think I lhave malice
in my heart against Christ,' said one, who for months had
been in direct conflict;'Well,' it was replied,'it will be
forgiven to you for Christ's sake.' —' Will it?' he exclaimed, in astonishment.'Oh, I see now how it is,' he
said, sonle days afterwards,'if my sins were a million
more than they are, the blood of Christ could washl themn
all away.''Do you know how it is with me now?' said
a very poor man, who had been a drunkard,'I think that
no sin at all is now charged against me;' and when I
quoted to him,'Who shall lay anything to the charge,'
etc., I found him quite familiar with such texts.'I can
read them all,' said he, in his own peculiar manner,' but
I cannot read the gospels, for when I read the doings and
sayings of Christ, a stztn goes through Ame.'
"I would remark, in conclusion, that I now find some
cases of strong conviction and hopeful conversion had
taken place unknown to me, before there was any word of
revival in this district; and also, that, so far as my own
congregation is concerned, the'cases' have generally occurred among those who often heard the Word, either at
public worship, Sabbath-school, or personal interview, and
to whom I had often spoken as pointedly as possible regarding the salvation of their immortal souls; and more
than ever have I been taught the lesson that it is God and
not man who converts a soul; while yet it is man's duty
and privilege to use the means - prayerfully to scatter the
seed of the Word, demonstrating that' God hath from the
beginning chosen us unto salvation through sanctification
of the Spirit and belief of the truth.' "
About the middle of June the revival wave, which had
already set in in County Down, swept on to Saintfield.
20




230        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
There had for some time previously been an unusual earnestness and desire after Divine things on the part of
many of the people. One man, a shoemaker, who had
been visited by his minister, the Rev. J. Mecredy, early in
May, was found with an open Bible beside him on his seat.
Addressing Mr. Mecredy in earnest and affectionate terms,
he said, "I was very angry, as you may remember, when
you refused some time ago to baptize my child because of
my neglect of ordinances; but I have learned to prize your
faithfulness, for it has been the means of leading me to
serious thought about salvation."
The Sabbath before the movement began was a solemn
day. At the close of his sermon,Mr. Mecredy, addressing
his people, observed that he had now been among them for
eleven years, and though he had labored earnestly for their
salvation, he could not lay his hand on one to whom he
could refer as savingly impressed through his instrumentality. He then entreated that prayer should be offered by
those who knew and prized the privilege for the outpouring of the Spirit on the place. In a few evenings aftel, at
a united meeting, held in conjunction with the Rev. Samuel Hamilton, the minister of the First Presbyterian Church,
in which there has been an extensive awakening, the gracious influence began to descend which so abundantly refreshed the weary heritage.
Night after night, as elsewhere, the people flocked in
crowds together, and multitudes were deeply affected and
impressed. The joy of the converted knew no bounds;
they burned with intense desire for the conversion of all
around, and could with difficulty be induced to take their
necessary sleep. On one occasion, far on in the evening,
when the Rev. Dr. Murphy, Professor of Hebrew, was
urging one to go home as the night was advancing, he interposed and said, "But what care I about day or night,
now that my soul is saved? "
It were easy to multiply cases, but it is enough to know
that great and cheering work has been going forward in




BALLINAHIINCH.                231
all that neighborhood. With some, impressions that were
only transient, and the effect of temporary excitement, are
dying away; and others, who were for the time outwardly
reformed, are falling again into their old sins. But the life
and reality of religion have been brought home to many as
they never were before. The dead have been awakened,
and those who were ready to die have been raised up to
newness of life.
A short stage by rail onward is Ballinahinch. The ministers here also waited long, as they imagined, before they
witnessed any decided indications of a gracious work in
their own bounds. In the calm of a summer evening, however, whilst one of them was addressing a number of persons in the open air, and recommending an organization
of prayer-meetings in the district, the audience were all
at once arrested by a piercing cry, which invested the
scene with a new interest; and though many months have
since elapsed, the influence of that meeting is distinctly
felt by many to this hour. It is unnecessary to enter into
details. Enough to say, that every testimoly of the Divine presence, elsewhere vouchsafed, was experienced at
Ballinahinch. Prayer-meetings sprang into existence, and
helpers were raised up on every side. The work was full
of labor, but it was also full of life and joy. It was the
season when visitors, in large numbers, frequent the place
to drink the waters, and many of these entered with the
deepest interest into the movement, and contributed their
best assistance.
Of the many gratifying results, one has been the establishment of a free school in the week evenings, in which,
under a goodly band of devoted teachers, no less than a
hundred and twenty adults are trained in ordinary as well
as in religious knowledge.
The following incident, in connection with a visit to
Ballinahinch, has been kindly supplied, at my request, by
an esteemed minister of the Free Church of Scotland:
"I and my wife went over to Ireland in the month of




232         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
August; and, in the same steamer in which we went, there
were Mr. B ], a brother Free Church minister, andi
his wife. I went a full believer in the revival, as reported
in the friendly newspapers, and hoping to have my belief
confirmed by, personal observation.  IMr. B] ~ went a
strong skeptic, and also hoping to have his skepticism confirmed. When we landed at'Belfast, we parted company,
-I and my wife taking up our lodgings in a hotel; 3r.
B — and his wife, I believe, making, their abode in a
private family.
"After spending some cldays in Belfast, where we saw
many interesting cases of parties who had been converted
during the revival, we resolved, by the advice of a fiiend,
to visit Newtownards, a country town. about a dozen miles
from Belfast, and where we were given to understand the
work of revival had just begun, and was manifesting itself
in great strength. We had just left our hotel, on the way
to the railway station, when a car swept past us. M'r.
B1-  and his wife were on the car. We hailed thenm,
and they stopped.
"'Where are you going?' said Mr. B —.
"'To }Newtownards,' I replied.
"' Come up, then,' said Mr. B-,' and we will drive
you to the station.'
" So up we mounted, and before we reached the station, I
learned that Mr. B's skepticism had been completely
removed, and that, from what he had seen, he had become a thorough believer in the genuineness of the work.
"Mr. B13    was going to Ballinahinch, and fiom what
he told me of the work that was going on there, I resolved
to accompany him, reserving my visit to Newtownards for
a future occasion; and so we took our tickets for Ballinahinch.
" We landed at our destination about six o'clock in the
evening, and took up our abode in a farm-house two or
three miles beyond the town. After taking some refieshmnent, we all set out to attend a prayer-meeting which we




REVIVAL INCIDENT.              233
nncderstood was to be held that evening. The meeting
was to be held in the village school-house; and as we
wended our way along, we could observe the various roads
and by-paths thronged with parties, all moving in the
direction of the prayer-meeting.
"The school-house was full; perhaps about a hundred
would be present.  My friend, Mr. B-, opened the
meeting with praise and prayer, and then gave a short account of what he had seen in Belfast; and concluded by
stating that he had been a skeptic as to the revival previous to his coming to Ireland, but that now his skepticism
had given place to the strongest conviction of its truth,
and that he believed it to be a great and gracious work of
God.
"It was expected that I would say something; but as I
had come to see and to hear, I resolved that I would not
open my mouth. Thereafter, two men - common ploughmen - one after the other, gave out a psalm, read a portion
of Scripture, and prayed; and then both of them, at the
earnest and pressing request of Mr. B    and myself,
gave a plain, simple, and most interesting account of their
respective conversions. Here there was a pause in the
meeting, and again I was appealed to to say a word; but I
would not. I wanted to be a hearer, for I felt I was among
praying people.  There was a gentleman from  Belfast
present, and he was requested to conclude with prayer and
praise. This gentleman consented. But before he offered
up prayer, he requested the meeting to engage in silent
prayer.
"And, accordingly, we all went to our knees, and were
for some little time engaged in silent prayer, when the
stillness and solemnity of our devotions were broken, or
rather, I should say, increased, by the deep bass voice of a
woman pouring forth the following prayer, — a prayer
which I give from memory, but which made so deep an
impression upon me at the time, that I can almost guarantee it to be given verhbc'tim as it was offered up - with
20*




234         TIIE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
this only difference, that in so far as it is not given verbtatimn, it suffers grievous injury:
"'Father! if our hearts deceive us not, we have come
here to-night to call upon Thy name! We-have come here
to seek Thee in the appointed way, and to pour out our
hearts before Thee in prayer.
"'Father! wilt Thou not hear us! Thou hast heard me
before, and I know Thou wilt hear me again. Thou art
the Hearer and the Answerer of prayer. This is the name
by which Thou art known among Thy people. Thou
didst hear Thy servant Moses when he prayed unto Thee
in the wilderness on behalf of the rebellious children of
Israel, and Thou didst spare them. Thou didst hear Thy
servant Elijah when he prayed unto Thee that it should
not rain, and it rained not for the space of three years and
a half. Thou didst hear Thy servant Daniel when he
prayed unto Thee in the lions' den, and the lions' mouths
were shut, so that they hurt him not. And Thou art the
same God still; the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.
Thine ear is not now heavy that it cannot hear, neither is
Thine hand shortened that it cannot save. Hear us also,
therefore, 0 Father! when we pray unto Thee! hear us
when we thus kneel at Thy footstool, and cause our prayer
to ascend before Thee!
"' Father! we pray for unconverted ministers - ministers who are blind themselves, and leaders of the blindministers who ale nothing but finger-posts pointing the
way of salvation to others, while they themselves stand
still, and walk not in that way! Father, give them grace
to hold their peace until they have a message from Thee!
And, oh, have mercy upon them, and make them - oh,
make them ministering spirits, that they may minister unto
them who shall be heirs of salvation!
"'Fatherl! we pray for the new-born babes-those
whom Thou hast quickened at this time, and made new
creatures in Christ Jesus! Wrap them  in the swaddlingbands of Divine love - compal).ss them with Thy fiavor as




THE WASHERWOMAN'S PRAYER.           235
with a shieldl- keep the everlasting arms underneath and
round about them, and cause them to thirst after the
sincere milk of the Word that they may grow thereby!
Hold Thou them up, and they shall be safe. Let not the
enemy triumph over them, but guide them by Thy counsel,
and then shall they have respect unto Thy statutes continually.
"'Father! we pray for unconverted sinners! Oh, have
mercy upon them! Let the earthquake come, with its
terrible shakings, that they may be alarmed; and if the
earthquake pass unheeded, let the still small voice of conscience come and whisper its warning; and if the voice of
conscience be stifled, let a sound fiom heaven, as of a
mighty rushing wind, come; and if still they remain hardened and unmoved, then put the hammer of Thy word into
the hand of Thy Spirit, and break their rocky hearts in
pieces; and if, when thus crushed and broken, they still
hold out, then put them, we pray Thee, where Thou didst
put Thy prophet Jonah of old - put them into the whale's
belly, and keep them there until they shall be constrained
to exclaim, "Salvation is of the Lord."
"'Father! we pray for the Pharisees — those whited
sepulebhres that appear outwardly righteous, but who are
full of all uncleanness within. Our blessed Lord did sLay
unto them, in the days of His flesh, " Woe unto you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites; " but do Thou say unto them, in
this day of merciful visitation, "Turn ye, turn ye from
your evil ways, for why will ye die? " O Father! have
mercy, we pray Thee, upon poor blind Pharisees!
"' Father! hear this our prayer, we beseech Thee; and
hear it, not for our own selves - for, alas, we are vile and
unworthy that our prayer should be heard and answered -
but hear it for the sake of Himl who sits at Thy right
hand clothed in our nature, a Prince and a Saviour, and
who once bowed His head upon the cross, and said, "It is
finished;" for His sake hear this our prayer, and for His
sake answer it in great mercy; and the glory thereof shall




236        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
one God, both now and forever. Amen.'
" Immediately after this prayer was offered up, the gentleman from Belfast engaged in prayer, and then we joined
together in a song of praise. The work of the evening
being now over, Mr. B   rose to pronounce the benediction, but I stopped him, saying,' No, not yet; for after the
remarkable prayer that we have just heard, I feel I can be
silent no longer, but that I mnust say something.' The fact
is, that I felt because of my determined silence I was regarded by the meeting as a revival skeptic, and that I had
been prayed for as an unconverted minister; and so I told
them that from the very first I had been an ardent believer
in the work of revival, and that I had come.over to Ireland, not only to see the work, but with the view of having
my own soul quickened. I told them also how I had been
providentially led to visit Ballinahinch; that I felt thanklful
to God for bringing me there; that I had greatly enjoyed
their prayer-meeting; and that I would have reckoned
myself abundantly rewarded for coming to Ireland though
I had seen nothing but this meeting, and heard nothing
but the striking and impressive prayer that had been offered
up during the time of our silent devotions.
"After the blessing was pronounced I went to the woman
who had prayed, and shook hands with her most cordially,
addressing her thus: —'You are a remarkable woman,
and that was a remarkable prayer you offered up.' —' Were
you angry, sir?' she said. -'Angry!' I replied;' No, I was
delighted.'
"'Having expressed a wish to have some conversation
with her, she told me- that she was a washerwoman, and
had to work hard for her daily bread, but that she could
spare an hour on the morrow. And as I had arranged to
leave Ballinahinch by the ten o'clock morning train, we
appointed the hour of meeting to be six o'clock in the
morning, at her own house. And, accordingly, next morning at six o'clock, I found her awaiting me; and during




CONLIG - ANSWER TO PRAYER.           237
our interview I got her whole history. I found that she
bad had Christian parents, her mother being still alive, and
with whom she lived; that she had been piously trained
up; that firom her earliest years she had been conversant
with the Word of God, and even mighty in the Scriptures;
that she had been a Sabbath-school teacher, and regarded
by all that knew her as a decided Christian, but that she
herself was all the while conscious that she was nothing
more nor less than a hardened sinner, and that it was not
till the work of revival made its appearance in Ballinahinch that she was quickened and made alive from the
dead and brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
"I stayed with her till nine o'clock, and parted in the
hope that if we should never meet again upon earth, we
should meet in the world above, before the throne, to sing
the praises of redeeming love throughout all eternity."
The following' striking incident, out of many, is mentioned by the Rev. S. J. Hanson, late of Conlig, now of
Kingstown. It is here recorded as an encouratgement to
prayer:
"I had gone to Coleraine to witness the movement
there; and having ascertained that that place, so richly
watered by the outpouring of the Spirit, had been made
the subject of special prayer by the Ahoghill converts, I
resolved to request the prayers of those lately awakened
on behalf of Conlig. On the following week I was in
Comber, addressing a meeting for BlMr. Rogers, and during
my address my resolution flashed over my mind. I seized
the suggestion, and then and there besought God's children
to join in prayer for Conlig. I returned home the followingi day; found, on arriving, that there had been a messenger for me. I immediately set out for the place from
which the messenger came, and, to my delight, there
found a soul rejoicing in Jesus. On mnaking inquiry as
to the time aicd circumstances of the merciful visitation, I
learned that, at the very time Mr. Rogers's people were




238        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
engaged in prayer for us, this woman awoke from sleep,
repeating Isaiah lii. 2:' Shake thyself fiom, the dus't;
arise and sit down, 0 Jerusalem; loose thyself forom the
bandels of thy neck, 0 captive daughter of Zion.' Such
was the introduction of the revival work here, as if, in
answer to special prayer, God was encouraging us to climb
more frequently the Mount of Intercession by this token
of assurance, that the prayer of the righteous availeth
much."
Within a short distance of Donaghadee, on the seacoast, is a rural district, called Ballycopeland. The Rev.
Robert Black thus records the commencement of the
awakening in the neighborhood:
"When the revival visited Millisle, the whole village
was moved. Few retired to rest, crowds collected around
the doors of the awakened ones, to hear them cry for
mercy. Such a night was never witnessed here. This
greatly intensified the feeling.
" From that date there was no difficulty in collecting a
large meeting, on any day of the week, with the smallest
notice. I may say that open-air services were held here
throughout the entire summer, on the Sabbath evenings,
with an attendance-varying from three hundred to twelve
hundred of all classes in the district, high and low, rich
and poor, moral and immoral, listening, not only with attention, but with deep earnestness, to plain gospel truths
proclaimed in the name of Christ.
" I cannot enter into details to any extent, but will give
one or two cases which may prove interesting.
"In the course of one week there were over twenty
cases in that locality.
"Mrs. B-, the wife of a respectable farmer, and
mother of a family, felt herself constrained to attend a
prayer-meeting that was held one Saturday evening in her
neighborhood. Her husband had made light of the revival, and she came to the meeting rather as Nicodemus
did to our Lord. I read the 15th chapter of Luke's' Gos



ILLUSTRATIVE CASES.               239
pel -an address was delivered from  the parable of the
prodigal son - the Lord applied the word - she was convinced of her need of a Saviour, and publicly cried out
for mercy.'Oh!' she exclaimed,'I am as the prodigal!
When I was young, at a Sabbath-school, I resolved, if the
Lord would spare me till I was settled in life, I would give
my heart to Him. I got married, but the world filled my
heart.  I had children, and they entwined themselves
around my affections, and I forgot God. I sometimes
tried to become religious, but I found I could not do it; I
had delayed too long; but now, praise to His holy name!
Jesus has put forth His own mighty hand, and pulled open
the door of my heart, and has entered in.' And then, in
ecstasy, she burst into a shout of praise -
"Jesus, my Lord, I know His name,
His name is all my boast;
Nor will He put my soul to shame,
Nor let my hope be lost."
The above is only a bare outline -of her case, as the mental
agony continued for hours. It was Sabbath morning ere
I left her.  I will never forget an answer she gave her
husband that night. He, supposing she was insane, said,'Oh, IL, think of the children; what will become of
them if''Yes,' she answered,'I will think of them.
You know I have wrought hard for their bodies, - from
this time I will seek also the good of their souls.' I believe
she is keeping her promise. Her old father was there;
his heart swelled with emotion; he wept like a child; all
wept; and I, too, wept, though not to weeping given.
"There have been many cases of revivacl, properly so
called, - i. e., Christians quickening to newness of spiritual
life. I will just notice one case. James  - is a quiet,
unobtrusive man, about sixty years old, of that rank in
life which depends on daily labor for support. I-Ie has
been, I believe, in Christ ever since I have known him.
One night his mind was so engaged with religious thought




240        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
that he could not sleep. IIe arose and prayed almost the
entire night. His mind was similarly engaged for many
nights.
"I do not wish to leave the impression that, in this
neighborhood, the spirit of revival has pervaded the mass
of the people; but the Lord has graciously done so muclt
for us, that His people here are encouraged to look for
more abundant showers of blessings, and can pray, with
believing expectation, this prayer,' Wilt Thou not revive
us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?' We can
say, with the Psalmist,' The' Lord hath been mindful of
us, he will bless us.'
" Oh for faith to look up to the Lord, and wait till He
pour out His Spirit on all the house of Israel!"
Among those engaged, in the course of the sumnier of
1859, in the advancement of the work of God, were many
young men in course of preparation for the ministry. A
goodly number of these were themselves quickened into
newness of life, and willingly consecrated their energies to
the holy cause. To such an extent were they thus employed, that when the period arrived for the bestowal of
the degrees and other literary and scientific honors, annually awarded by Queen's University, several of the undergraduates were found to have withdrawn for the time fiom
the competition,  a circumstance which was publicly
noticed at the time both by the Vice-chancellor of the
University and by his Excellency the Lord-lieutenant of
Ireland.  The theological students were especially serviceable in their respective neighborhoods, and the experience they acquired within the few months referred to,
gave them a profounder insight into the mode of dealing
with individual souls than they could have attained by
whole years of academic tiaining.
I have much gratification in introducing here a statemeat by one of the young men who were actively occupied in the work. Mr. James Heron thus describes the
mnovement in Rathfiriland, his native place:




RIATHFRILAND - A STUDENT'S STATEMENT.    241
"Though the late remarkable awakening burst forth
suddenly upon the people of Rathfriland and its neighborhood, yet it did not come unsought for; it came not without many an earnest wish, and many a fervent prayer. It
was generally well known that a great, and, in many respects, unprecedented revival was being experienced in
many parts of America, and especially all available information was procured regarding the progress and firuits of
the revival in our own land, as it spread fiom district to
district, and from town to town.  Interesting narratives
of the good work, as it advanced on both sides of the
Atlantic, were brought from time to time before large andl
deeply attentive audiences. The effect of this soon became
apparent. An intense desire was thus excited to witness
among themselves what they only heard through the testimony of others.  This desire found vent for itself in
prayer. A union prayer-meeting, consisting of the three
Presbyterian congregations of the place, and conducted by
their respective ministers, was commenced and statedly
held in the largest place of worship which the town could
afford. This meeting, uniformly crowded to excess, was
always characterized by the deepest solemnity. But this
is only one among many other meetings gathered for a
similar purpose. I am myself aware of at least four different associations for prayer held regularly in the country
districts. And let it not be forgotten, that the great end
which all these kept steadily in view - the end for which
they were organized, and for which they were conducted -
was to pray for a special outpouring of the Spirit of God;
for a revival of religion throughout the neighborhood.
The attendance on public worship had already increased,
an earnest and prayerful spirit had become diffused among
the people, and an intense anxiety about the realities of
the spiritual world.
"Such, briefly, was the state of things in a religious
aspect when the bodily affections made their appearance.
They were first manifested on a Saturday evening, the 9th
21




242        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
of July, 1859. Only a few persons, however, were I stricken'
on the occasion; but enough to excite the curiosity and
wonder of the whole neighborhood. It was announced
that the young man, whose address had been attended
with such singular results, would appear before the union
prayer-meeting on Sabbath evening.  We should have
observed sooner that the young man in question had been
affected in Belfast, under the address of a Ballymena convert, and had come to relate his experience, and to testify
in behalf of the cause of Christ, to the people of Rathfiiland. The news of the Saturday evening's meeting had
already spread far over the country. Hundreds who had
come from a distance remained for the evening services,
and crowds flocked from every direction, expecting to hear
and to see wonders. So great was the multitude, that it
was soon found necessary to retire to a field in the vicinity
of the town. The exercises of praise and prayer were
conducted by one of the ministers. The youthful speaker
then rose, and proceeded to address the vast assemblage
with the utmost coolness. The discourse had not continued fifteen minutes when the audience began to be
stirred. A venerable-looking old man sank to the ground
close by the platform. Apparently he had swooned, and
he was removed out of the crowd as speedily as possible.
The silence of the multitude became breathless; the feelings were deeply intense. But the solemn stillness was
soon broken by a faint cry which was raised on the opposite side of the platform to that where I had taken my
stand. I had scarcely time to turn myself, when, sudden
as a gunshot, a strong woman sent forth an unearthly
scream at my very side. In a moment she was upon her
knees, crying, as she clapped and wrung her hands alternately in wild'excitement,' Oh, my heart! Oh, my hard
heart!' The crowd was convulsed, and shook like aspens
in the breeze. The voice of the speaker was soon drowned
amid the shrieks; the air was filled with groans and
screams for mercy. Crowds gathered and pressed around




A STUDENT'S STATEMENT.             243
to listen to the lamentations, and here and there to the
fervent appeals of the awakened. It was not till long after
nightfall that a large portion of the helpless mourners were
carried to their homes.
"A tremendous awakening had taken place. During
the week that followed, the meetings were continued, and
the prostrations did not in the least subside. It seemed,
indeed, as if a new era had dawned. Men and women left
their ordinary avocations to talk about their souls, and the
strange sights they had witnessed. The public mind was
pervaded with awful solemnity, and that whole week
seemed a protracted Sabbath.
s" As might be anticipated, the excitement began to subside as the number of prostrations decreased. In proportion, however, as the meetings became less boisterous,
they apparently grew more spiritual. And at present, when
prostration is hardly heard of, there remains an unusually
serious concern about spiritual things.
" Such is a condensed account of the origin and progress
of the awakening at Rathfriland. In reference to some of
its features there is room for a great variety of opinion.
The bodily affections especially with which it was accompanied have all along supplied abundant matter for controversy. On this subject we cannot here enter. We cannot
help observing, however, that the warmest friends of the
-revival have often done it the greatest injury by assigning
to the direct operation of the Spirit what was obviously
the immediate result of mere natural causes.  Human
nature is but human nature under all circumstances; and
as such is uniformly attended by weakness and folly. The
trances, and the dreams, the visions, the markings, and too
often, we must say, the prostrations also, afford deplorable
illustrations of what was merely human. Wild excitement
was perhaps too firequently passed off for zeal; ignorant as
well as impudent fanaticism for deep spiritual earnestness.
But this, though unquestionably a part of the picture, is
by far its darkest side. Nothing but a contemptible nar



244        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
row-mindedness, or a blindfold prejudice, or a feeble but
impious malice, would refuse to recognize in the most
prominent effects of our Irish awakening the hand of a
gracious God. Of a proof of this statement, so far as it
applies to the revival at Rathfriland, the most skeptical
may be fully convinced by only a hasty glance at a few of
the fruits which it has there produced.
"Languishing Christians have been stirred up to vigorous activity, their faith has been made strong, their love
fanned into a flame, their zeal doubly stimulated.  IHuncrecds who were sleeping in their Christianity have been
aroused out of their slumbers, have shaken off their spiritual indolence, and have been quickened to energetic
activity.
"'Professors have been seriously alarmed. Many whose
religion was an outer moral garment, or a mere plausible
sham, have been disturbed in their supposed security, hlave
been brought into deep distress for their sins, and especially for their own loathsome hypocrisy; have been
enabled to present to a heart-searching God the sacrifice
of a broken and contrite heart, have received grace from
on high to cast themselves upon a loving and beloved
Saviour, and are now advancing rapidly in the Divine life!
"But nowhere has such a change been wrought as upon
those whose lives were openly immoral, or who entertained
an utter disregard to the observance of religious duties.
Considering the very low ebb to which true religion had
declined, and, in many cases, the looseness of moral principle before this great awakening wave passed over the
land, and comparing this with the state of religion and
morality which now prevails, one cannot but be amazed at
the magnitude of the change that has taken place. Drunkards have been reformed into sober men, Sabbath-breakers
have been led to respect the Sabbath, profane swearers
have ceased to blaspheme; old injuries have been forgiven,
private animosities forgotten by parties long at enmity.
Flamilies in which the God of all flamilies was never wor



BANBRIDGE.                  245
shipped, where the Word of God was seldom, if ever, read,
where the name of Jesus was only mentioned to be blasphemed, have now the family altar raised in the midst of
the domestic circle, make the Scriptures their daily study
and delight, and reverence and love the sweet name of
Jesus beyond every name. Prayer especially, which used
to be a wearisome duty to those who still clung to religious
forms, has become a pleasant exercise, accompanied with
stronger faith and deeper fervency; and every one now
reads his Bible. God's Book is made the book of reference,
preferred to any other.
"An extraordinary desire has been created for religious
instruction.  Bunyan, and Baxter, and Doddridge, and
Watson, and Angell James, are everywhere in demand.
The preaching of the Word is now valued more than ever,
and attended with greater regularity. The places of worship are crowded.  The people listen with eager attention.
The whole services are characterized with most impressive
solemnity.
" To every statement of the above I could have appended
facts. I thought it unwise, however, to occupy so much
space as those illustrations would require."
The town of Banbridge is one of the most important in
the county in which it is situated. For the last few years
an unwonted interest in religion has been created in the
young men of the locality, mainly through the devoted
labors of a Christian layman. As the result of his exertions, the most important moral and spiritual changes have
been going forward, and the way seemed to be prepared
for a still more extensive spiritual visitation.
The following brief statement of the origin and character of the awakening in Banbridge is interesting, not only
for the facts it contains, but as being contributed by a devoted layman of the Episcopal Church, who, during a
twelve years' residence in Spain, in the capacity of a civil
engineer, applied himself, while constructing some of the
leading railroads in that country, no less assiduously to
21-m




246        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
the preparation of that "way of the Lord," along which
the gospel chariot has even already commenced its onward
progress in that land.
"I returned from Spain," says my esteemed correspondent, Win. Greene, Esq., "towardc the close of 1858.  In
the month of December I was invited to Banbridge, by
a Christian friend, to a mleeting of the Young MIen's Association: we numbered about forty on that occasion.
Several of us spake, and many earnest prayers that the
Lord would pour out His Spirit on that place were offered. The Lord was among us that evening, and we all
seemed to feel His presence in no common way. Towards
the close of the proceedings I felt impelled to say that I
was certain He was about to do a great work in that
town. This was fully six months before the revival was
experienced in this country.
"Prayer-meetings were held from time to time, and
month after. month passed, but no sign was given. At
length I was present at a solemn meeting. I could not
refrain from tears at the earnest spirit evinced by all.
We parted, however, without having witnessed anything
uncommon but intense earnestness. - It was about three
days afterwards, when the same persons were assembled,
that the blessed showers came down to refiesh the waiting hearts of God's people. Such sights as were witnessed
on that night it would not be possible to describe. M!ultitudes had their stony hearts broken under the subduing
influences of the Divine Spirit.
"Soon after I was in the neighborhood again, and went
in the evening with the same friend to a prayer-meeting.
On our way, or about half a mile from the town, we went
into two lowly dwellings; and, in a few minutes, there
gathered around us eight or nine, who seemed to be filled
with joy and peace. We remained but a short time to
pray and exhort, and then went off. Scarcely had we got
to the door of the Presbyterian Church, which was very
fiall, when we met some sin-sick ones being carried, one




THE UNFORTUNATES - THE TRAVELLING CIRCUS. 247
after another, to the school-house adjacent, crying and
sobbing in indescribable agony. Some received peace in
answer to earnest prayer whilst there, and many were
taken to their own homes. I think it was on that night
that a woman of the town, who had been pursuing her
sinful course, standing on the bridge enticing the passers
by as they came from the meeting, was shot by an arrow
from the unerring bow. She was carried to her house, I
was going to say her home. But, what a home! Her bed
of straw was on the cold ground. I visited her with my
friend a day or two after.  But the house of'ill-famne'
was now a house of prayer, and never shall I forget the
lowliness of that poor pardoned soul as she prayed by
her bed of straw. This case attracted the attention of
severall persons of similar condition in the same street;
and I have heard since that as many as twenty had given
up their evil courses, although some have fallen away
since.
"A good man, hearing the story of the'unfortunate'
above mentioned, immediately opened his house to her,
and from that time to this has supplied all her wants.
Such acts as this are worthy to be chronicled for the
benefit of future generations.
"The revival movement was slow in comlling to Banbridge, but it has done a wonderful work; and many facts
prove with what power the Spirit has been working there.
A few months ago, the travelling circus came to the town
one market-day. The Presbyterian minister, knowing the
evil influence that generally accompanies this kind of
show, gave notice of an open-air preaching at the time
of the morning entertainment. Only three people went
to the show, so that it remained unopened. They were
told to come again that evening, but so scanty was the
attendance that the money received did not suffice to pay
the rent of the ground on which the pavilion had been
erected. The company struck their tents the following
morning and decamped, having determined to leave the
~""' "'"""'1`'""'~ """D




248         THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
north of Ireland altogether, as theirs was a losing game
among such people.
"Take another striking fact. A distiller's agent, in collecting his money among the public-houses in one quarter
of the town, found his half-year's receipts from the sale of
whiskey to be ~500 less than from a corresponding period
of the previous year.
" Last winter large sums were subscribed by the inhabitants for the poor, and scarcely a needy person was left
without feeling that the Lord's people were indeed like
the Lord Himself, that He dwelt in them of a truth,clothing, and coals, and food being liberally supplied to
multitudes. The Sabbath-schools here in connection with
the Presbyterian body number nearly five hundred children, and, thanks to the zeal and energy of the minister,
and the devoted life of my friend, ahlready referred to,
together with the successful and self-sacrificing labors of
the Christian young men, a more flourishing school I have
nowhere met than in this place. A variety of other excellent arrangements, such as a temperance hotel, a savings bank, etc., have been put in motion during this celebrated' year of grace,' 1859."
The following account of the revival in the parish of
Dromara, has been supplied by the Rev. W. J. Patten,
minister of the Second Presbyterian Church there:'" On the 25th of July about a thousand persons assembled in Mr. Craig's church for prayer. A deep solemnity
pervaded the meeting. Many sobs were heard, many tears
were shed, and many were the'groanings that could not
be uttered.' The meeting closed, and all separated for
their homes. Shortly afterwards intelligence arrived that
some persons had been'stricken' on their way home.
We started off, and the scene which met our gaze shall
not soon be forgotten. There, on the roadside, with their
backs against the ditch, and their faces toward heaven,
lay seven persons, supplicating mercy. They were all
young and unlearned, yet so scriptural and appropriate




A WEDDING SCENE — THE MEETINGS.        249
were their prayers, that to me, and to the large concourse
who listened, they seemed to be suggested by Him who
has been promised to'help our infirmities.'
" A young girl was heard to assign as a reason why she
had not attended the meeting just described, that she was
afraid of being seized, and thus rendered unable to be
present at the wedding of a friend to which she had been
invited. The marriage morn arrived, and the ceremony
was performed. At the suggestion of some of the party
the feasting and the mirth gave place to praise and prayer,
and this girl and her sister bridesmaid began to sob and
weep, and, in accents which cannot be. described, to call
for mercy in the name of Jesus. Since that time she has
given every evidence of being espoused to Christ. Truly
the player of faith was heard. The Lord and His disciples
were bidden guests. The same Jesus who graced the
marriage in Cana, did not deny His presence to the humble villagels of Dromara.
" On the evening following this- the 29th July -- a
prayer-meeting was held on the green beside my church,
that building being unable to contain the two thousand or
more who were present; and at the same place, on the
succeeding Sabbath evening, there was another meeting,
larger still, attended by not fewer than three thousand.
Those were two evenings long to be remembered. None
who were present can ever forget them. On the first not
fewer than fifty persons, and on the second about seventy,
young and old, men and women, stretched on the green
sward, were heard openly to bewail their sins before God,
and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus. In some few
this was accompanied with strange convulsions of body;
but in most of those affected there was nothing but tears,
and groans, and earnest prayers. One young girl remained
seven hours on her knees.  Another resolved that she
would neither eat nor drink until she had found Clhrist.
I went into the church and looked around. Many were
there attenlding  their firiends.  But others, as well, had




250        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DOWN.
come. In one seat were three girls knelt in prayer; inanother were two others; in another still, were two boys;
and so throughout the house. Coming out, I looked into
the session-room, and there were five or six boys, belonging to my Bible-class, upon their knees. One was praying
—'Lord- Jesus, pardon my sins! they are so great that
crimson and scarlet are no name for them!'- and yet there
was not a better behaved boy in all the country. They
continued there for some hours, offering prayer in turn.
"During the fortnight that followed, many were similarly affected in their own homes, and in the prayer-meetings, which were held in private houses all hours of the
day and the night. For the time being, business was very
much suspended. The whole parish was a place of weeping, and praying, and singing, and reading. There cannot
be a doubt that there were more Bible-readers, more
believing prayers, more loving thoughts of Jesus in our
parish in the month of August than had been in the five&
years previous. A Scotch minister was present one evening, at that time, at our prayer-meeting in the church. As
usual, the house was crowded- every eye was riveted,
and many were in tears. After the service, earnest inquirers were invited to remain. Nearly all sat still, and when
spoken to, seemed to delight in unbosoming the state of
their souls. On our way home he heard the sweet songs
of Zion sung along the road by the people going from the
house of God. When we reached home, he heard that
two persons, who had been enemies for years —who had
fought with fists and fought at law-had that evening
clasped each other in their arms.
"After musing for a time, he said to me,' I have read
through Lardner's great work on the "Evidences," but what
I have seen to-night is a more powerful proof of the truth
of Christianity than all that Lardner ever wrote.'
"The young, from six to twenty-five years of age, were
particularly anxious. They would assemble and pray together.  On such an occasion, when a little fellow was




EFFECTS ON OLD AND YOUNG.           251
praying for all his unconverted playmates, a little girl
began to cry aloud for mercy. The boy arose, clasped
another boy's hand, and said,'Johnny, God sooner far
bears us wee fellows, than He does big men.' I remember
one day, going into a house to see a boy who had been
stricken. The door of the room was locked. When it
was opened, I found three other boys along with him,
reading their Bibles. He was reading and praying with
them, and trying to lead them to Jesus.
"I asked a little girl, whom I had seen sob and pray
some weeks before, if she observed any change in herself
of late.' Yes,' said she,' I do.' -' What is it?' —' Why,'
said she,'before, Christ was no concern to me; and now,
He is never out of my thoughts.' Another, in answer to
the same question, said,' I had not Christ before, and now
I have.'
"In a few weeks from their commencement, the bodily
prostrations nearly altogether ceased. Of the numbers thus
affected I cannot form an estimate.  They amounted to
several hundreds. But the good work was not confined
to them. God's Spirit came to at least as many others in
the still small voice.  Not seldom since, have I met in
their homes, or along the roads, persons who told me they
were led to Christ without outward observation; and I
can truly say that the death-beds I have attended since
July, 1859, have been much more pleasing and hopeful
than those I attended before.
"From the time that thse movement commenced until
the present, the earnestness has continued, though not with
the same excitement. No doubt, some were stricken down
from mere sympathy, and these, as might have been expected, have returned to their former indifference; but the
number of such is comparatively small. The great majority, some in a few days, others in a few weeks, and others
not till months had elapsed, professed to find peace in
Jesus, and their conduct in general has been such as to
become this profession.




252        THE REVIVA.L IN COUNTY DOWN.
"I shall briefly mention a few of the changes which the
revival has produced in the parish. Formerly the Bible
was little read; now there are few families in which it is
not read each day. A man remarked to me some tine
ago,'I have seen more reading and praying in my house
in the last few months than I have done since I was born.'
And how much more attentively it is read!  -'Before this,'
said a little fellow to me,'when my mother told me to
read a chapter, I just ran over it as fast as I could, that I
might get out to my sport.' But now many read it, praying, as another young boy prayed,'Lord, teach us how to
read Thy word, for we have not read it at all - we have
just.scampered over it.'
" Formerly many did not pray in private, or if they did,
it was only as a matter of form. Now, I believe, there are
few who do not, morning and evening at least, and many
more frequently, bow their knees to the God of all grace.
And oh, how earnest they are to be kept from sin! I
once heard a young girl pray — Lord Jesus, who didst look
on Simon Peter when he sinned, and made him go out
and weep bitterly, Lord, when I sin, look on me.' Another
prayed — Lord, keep me from. the devil, and if he does
come, don't let him come as an angel of light. Lord, keep
the devil just like the devil, that when I see him I may
know hin, and may fly fromr him.'
" How many earnest, beautiful prayers I have heard of
late; and how many have ascended up on high!
"Formerly not five out of a hundred observed family
worship; now, I should say, nearly two-thirds of the people do so. In many a house the son or daughter leads the
family devotions, when the father is unable or unwilling.
"I conclude by saying, that any one who knows what
the parish was in January 1859, and what it is now in
April 1860, will have no hesitation in writing of Dromara
what Luke, eighteen hundred years ago, wrote of Antioch
-'And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great
number believed, and turned unto the Lord.' "




CHAPTER XIV.
1jte gtSdXal ila 11e 6ita an  (tounfta of qtrq.
THE COMMENCEMENT - STATEMENT OF THE REV. R. WALLACE - ACCIDENTS
OF PROSTRATION - AGENCIES EMPLOYED - EXTENT OF THE WORK -
" CASES " - " IT'S MY BROTHER GEORGE" - RESULTS - MAGHERA - THE
FIRST PROSTRATION- " GOD HAS BEEN WITH US THIS MORNING  — NO
LA CK OF MEANS - GOOD SENSE OF THE PEOPLE - THE PRAYER-MiIEETINGS
— RESULTS- THE WORK GOES ON - LINE OF ACTION THAT MINISTERS
SHOULD PURSUE - LECUMPHER - ARREST ON A JAUNTING-CAR - NEWTONLIHAVADY - MR. NORTH, AND HIS DOCTRINE OF " REALIZATION " - EIGHT
CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY —THE WORK IN OTHER PARTS OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD - BALLYKELLY - ADDRESSES AND PRAYERS OF THE CONYERTS- CHILDREN'S MEETINGS — DIFFERENT HEARING OF THE WORD —
THE " ELDERS " MOVED - TEMPTER'S WILES — RESULTS.
ABOUT a hundred and seventy years ago, the "Maiden
City" was the scene of an event of thrilling interest, for on
its walls was raised the standard under which mnagnanimnous defiance was hurled against the myrmidons of a
Popish bigot, and a successful blow was struck for faith
and freedom.  Rich in historic associations, it has within
the last few months witnessed a moral revolution in the
experience of hundreds of its population - leaving on the
minds of the community a mingled sentiment of awe and
admiration at the wonders which grace has wrought.
I cannot better introduce the notice of the work in
Derry, than by inserting a letter, with which I have been
favored, from the Rev. Robert Wallace, a highly esteemed
minister of the Wesleyan body, then in that city-at
present in Belfast, and Chairman of the district in which
he now resides.  His relation to the church of which he is
22




254            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
a minister, enables him to testify to the work, not in Derry
only, but in other districts.
"Very early in the year my attention was directed to
some remarkable accounts of what was said to be a great
revival, accompanied by extraordinary manifestations. On
comparing these with what I had read of revivals in England, Scotland, and America, I soon came to the conclusion
that it was a work of God, and, with others, began to look
for the gracious visitation in the city of Derry, where I
was placed at the time. More than three months passed
away, however, before we had anything more than a general spirit of expectation. Early in the summer, arrangements were made to bring down from  Ballymena and
Ballymoney a number of those who had been recently
brought under gracious influence, and it was agreed that
they should take a part in the public services in the Presbyterian and Wesleyan Churches, and also in the open
air at the market-place. At these services great crowds
attended.  The persons recently awakened spoke with
great simplicity of the wonderful change that God had
wrought in them by grace in the course of the last few
weeks or days. A solemn awe rested upon the people;
several were stricken down in the manner we had heard
of, and a still greater number were cut to the heart, and
earnestly sought the Lord. At the commencement of the
meetings, a number of ministers, representing various
denominations, met by request at the house of the senior
Presbyterian minister, and arranged plans for combined
efforts to promote the cause of God; and in this manner
a service was held in the market-place every evening
throughout the summer.  The utmost unity prevailed,
and this greatly tended to deepen the interest among the
people.
"The gracious influence visited place after place in a very
remarkable manner, each town and neighborhood seemingly taken in a regular course. It would be inconsistent
with the brevity I should observe, to go into details,




PROMINENT FEATURES OF THE REVIVAL.    255
although I have had opportunities of observing them in a
great many parts of the province. I have seen strong men
prostrated as if stricken with a ball, — some apparently
in great agony, and others seemingly unconscious, - most
professing to find peace, and some remaining unhappy so
long as the meeting continued. I have seen as many as
fifty in a state of prostration at once. I saw at last sixty
persons who professed to find peace with God at one mneeting. I found the subjects of this awakening to comprise
all ages, and, to some extent, all ranks; except that, so far
as my experience goes, few of the upper, or even middle
classes became subjects of bodily prostration. I have seen,
again and again, that wonderful change of countenance
which attracted so much attention. I had many opportunities of witnessing the extraordinary attachment which
the young converts manifested towards each other. I
know  some remarkable cases of conversion from  gross
wickedness, and several persons who gave up what they
considered an unlawful calling as the result of their awakening. I know several Roman Catholics who never attended mass from the day they were stricken, and some
who can give as intelligent an account of their conversion
to God as you could meet with anywhere. I am not able
to say exactly how many have been received during the
year into our own communion, or placed upon trial; but I
have no doubt that the numbers are larger than those of
any previous year. But as to the people generally, after
examining the facts as far as I could gather them, I judge
that not less than one hundred thousand persons in Ulster
were brought under gracious influence during that time.
Hlow far these have remained steadfast I cannot say. I
have heard of some going back to former wickedness, but
no such have come under my own knowledge.
"The prominent features of the revival, as far as came
under my notice, were -the suddenness of the awakening,
the bodily prostrations, and the great extent to which the
whole people were impressed. The peculiar features were




256            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
that, unlike any former revival, it had the countenance of
almost the entire secular press; that it was not confined
to any one denomination, but embraced all Evangelical
churches; and that, up till the present time, all those have
maintained an unprecedented unity.  I consider it the
most glorious work of God ever known in this country in
so short a time; and, although we have not the excitement
of last summer and autumn, I believe there is a religious
influence upon the people of Ulster surpassing anything
ever before realized."
In continuation of the narrative of the work in Derry,
the Rev. Richard Smith observes:
" At a morning service, conducted by Mr. Smyth, of Armagh, a Roman Catholic in attendance had been brought
under conviction, and the first person in the evening who
was'stricken' was also a Roman Catholic. When the
unearthly cries were uttered, and the name of Jesus
sounded over that dense congregation from the lips of a
sinner who felt herself on the brink of hell, a thrill passed
through every heart that is utterly indescribable. The
whole auditory seemed smitten with a sudden and universal paralysis. They went home, but many were ill at ease.
Religion had assumed a new aspect; there appeared to be
in it work for the heart of man, and multitudes felt that
hitherto they had misunderstood its nature. Some have
told me that they never closed an eye that night, but the'visions of their head troubled themn on their beds.' They
rose and dragged themselves to their business with the
arrow of God fast in their souls, or sat in their rooms communing with distressed hearts. Next evening a meeting
was held in the same church, addressed by a number of
ministers, in calm and unimpassioned terms; and at that
meeting there could not have been less than fifty savingly
impressed. Not more than ten suffered from physical prostration, and these cases did not assume any cataleptic type.
The work had graciously begun, and an earnest had been




AGENCIES EMPLOYED,                257
given of the showers of blessings that have descended
since.
"- " We have had in this city comparatively few cases of
bodily affection or prostration - not one in ten - perhaps
not one in twenty. One of the most trying and really
distressing cases that came under my observation, was that
of a girl who imagined herself in hell for three hours, and
still out of the depths of hell cried to Jesus for mercy.
Her face, during this time, gave one the idea of a lost soul;
there was over it the shadow of a hopeless immortality.
At the end of three hours she fell over into a kind of
trance. Her face resumed its natural appearance; it then
became unnatural once more, but in a different manner;
the radiance of glory overspread it, and for four hours she
seemed to be in the regions of the blest. Of the' visions'
she had during that time she never wished to speak, and I
never encouraged her to do so, for I knew her mind to
have been strung to an ecstatic pitch; but I rejoice to say
that she continues steadfast in the faith of Jesus, and is an
example of humility and love, and all the other graces of
the Spirit. I have much delight in testifying that I am
not aware of one single'stricken' case in Derry that has
turned out to be spurious.
Agencies _Emp9oyecl. -" Except at the first two meetings, we dispensed entirely in Derry with the aid of converts in addressing meetings. Those who were brouglht to
Jesus in the revival were of incalculable aid, at anxious
inquirers' meetings, in praying with the convinced and
distressed, in conversing with the anxious, in directing the
perplexed, and in visiting fiom. house to house; but they
never took part in the public meetings in the city. Miany
of the young men of the city were, indeed, much blessed
in other districts of the country — in Donegal, Tyrone,
Fermanagh, and Cavan. Some of them speak with much
power and fervor, and I can testify (for I took some of
them  with me to meetings in the country) that their
simple and heart-stirring words were acknowledged of
2 2-d




258            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
God to the rousing of many a careless sinner. One young
man who had been brought to Jesus in our congregation,
and whom I knew to be qualified, from his knowledge of
Scripture, to address meetings, was asked by me to go for
this purpose to the country.'Ah!' said he,'cldon't ask
me.' -' Why not?' asked I;' are you not ready to testify
for Jesus?' -' I am ready in one way,' was his reply,' but
not in another. I am willing, but not able.' Then, pulling
a little Testament from  his pocket, he opened it, and
pointed me to Luke xxiv. 49, where Christ says to the
apostles,' But tarry ye at Jerusalem until ye be endued
with power from on high.' I saw the drift of his humility,
and said,''Well, wait a little; God will give you the power.'
And so I-He did. That young man has spoken and wrought
for Jesus; and souls have been given to him as a reward
in the day of Christ. It would have been well if all had
tarried, as he did, for establishment in the faith, and for
further enlargement of the knowledge of Christian doctrine, before becoming so forward in the exercise of their
gifts.
Extent of the Work. -" I am not acquainted with any
locality where the gracious work was more general among
all classes of the community than here. There was an
impression abroad, especially at a distance fronm the revival districts, that it was only the ignorant, and those in
the humbler ranks of life, who were visited with the influence of the revival. I believe that impression to have
been unfounded regarding every locality, and most certainly regarding Derry. From the highest to the lowest,
not only were serious impressions predominant, but the
evidences of saving conversion were afforded. Mlen of ednecation, and men of business talents - women of refined
mental culture were brought to weep and lament over
their unbelieving hearts, and had eventually their sorrow
turned into joy. A young man, holding a most responsible position, possessed of a highly cultivated mind, of
great reading, and of lamentable freedom  in religious




EXTENT OF THE WORK.              259
opinions, whose heaven seemed to be in the present, and
who acknowledged, in effect, no higher God than his
own intellect; whose universe was the circle in which he
moved, and who never scrupled to point a jest at the
expense of the solemnity of truth —attended a revival
meeting, to'study' (as he said)'some phases of fanaticism.' That night a hand was laid upon him, heavier
than he could have conceived anything invisible could
be, and next day he was agonizing under conscious guilt.
Mleeting a minister, he grasped his hand, and with subdued breathings said, II will scoff no more at this; God
is not to be laughed at.' The Lord, who searcheth the
hearts, knows whether his convictions have resulted in
that faith which gives permanent joy and peace. If there
is a film over his eye still, there is no presumption in believing that the good work will be perfected, and that
the path will shine brighter and brighter unto perfect day.
" On the other hand, the Spirit of God reached the most
illiterate; and in many instances, where not a letter of the
alphabet was known, the name of Jesus and His redemption were familiar to the heart and lip.
"All denominations in the city partook of the gracious
shower; the zeal of believers was quickened; and if the
revival had done nothing else save stirring up God's people to greater and more combined efforts for the extension
of Messiah's kingdom, it would have been no mean result
of the holy and grand excitements of the year 1859. I
am not prepared to endorse all that has been said about
the actual number of conversions, for I have seen statements put forward that conversions in this city are to be
numbered by thousands.  That I do not believe; and
nothing is to be gained by exaggeration. It is better for
us to keep within the mark if we venture upon calculations of this kind. No doubt the silent impressions of
saving grace have been made upon many whose names
are unknown to ministers, and who as yet are only known
in the Lamb's Book of Life. But when a considerable




260            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
margin is left for such, I do not think that there were
more than a thousand converts in the whole city. Yet
even this is a mighty host, when we remember that, in the
warfare of the cross,' one of you shall chase a thousand'
— that one sanctified soul in a city will outweigh the feeble efforts of a thousand in the miserable hosts of ungodliness. I find that at the last communion in the First
Presbyterian Congregation in the city there were about
one hundred communicants above the average, and when
I remember that there were perhaps not much less than
a hundred Sabbath-school scholars savingly impressed
who did not come to the Lord's Table, I am free to give
my opinion that in that congregation there were perhaps
two hundred brought into the fold of Jesus. Take this,
along with the revival of God's own saints, and you form
some conception of what God has clone for us. But this is
what has been done in all the congregations in the city,
in, I should say, like proportion, some more and some less.
One peculiar feature of the work here was this, - no one
congregation took any lead as distinguished for revival
spirit. The four Presbyterian, the Reformed, the Independent, and the Wesleyan, seemed all equally favored
of God, and there was no one place to which strangers
were specially attracted. Hence I think I may fairly take
the statistics of our congregation as a key to the whole,
and form an estimate accordingly. It will be found that
my calculation, as given above, is not extravagant, but
is probably greatly short of the real state of things.
"Of the Episcopal congregations I know nothing, as
they studiously maintained an isolated position, at least so
far as clerical recommendations and Episcopal injunctions
could compass that object.
Cases of Conversion. — " A young man, of loose habits,
was walking up the wall of Derry one night about midnight, and, seeing a light in a church, he walked in to see
what was going on. HI-e observed in the church groups
of persons here and there, and one of these specially at



" IT'S MY BROTHER GEORGE."         261
tracted his attention, where about twenty individuals were
gathered round a double pew. He marched up the aisle
to this group, and, with indifferent air, took up his place
among them. A boy had been' stricken' in the pew (son
of a most worthy and respectable sea-captain), and some
nine or ten boys were on their knees around him, alternately praying for the peace of the distressed boy's soul.
Ouir profligate visitor looked on and listened. The scene
was new, and he began to feel his knees smiting against
each other. At last the stricken boy began to pour out
his soul in strains of the most exalted prayer, and then
it resolved itself into thanksgiving and praise. This being over, the boy prayed for unconverted people in the
city of Derry, and wrestled with God, like Jacob beside
the brook. There was one soul in the surrounding group
that was bending like a forest tree. Each word, as it
rose from the lips of the ecstatic boy, fell on the soul of
that other like a coal of fire. At last he gave way, fell
down, and cried most piteously for mercy. Those terrible
moanings are in my ears to this hour. He arose in a
few minutes, but fell down again, like one paralyzed. He
leaned his head on a form, and the tears streamed the
floor. A young man came forward, - one who had himself been brought to Jesus a year ago, - and, not knowing
who the young man was, lifted up his head to see the
weeping face, and tears of joy sprang from his eyes as he
exclaimed,'It's my brother George!' Next day he laid
hold of the hope set before him, and he has since given
all credible tokens of being a'new creature in Christ
Jesus.'
"A man of moral character, who had been a member of
the church for more than ten years, thought himself so
elevated in religious attainments that, as far as he was
concerned, the'extravagances of revival' were quite needless and out of place. In the Victoria Market, one Lord's
day, he was struck with the heartiness of the voice of
praise, as it rose to God from three thousand hearts. He




262           THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
asked himself, in rapid words, the question,' Shall I ever
hear the singing of heaven?  No!'  HIe went home in
an agony. Three days he spent in abounding fears, and
went through a series of mental tribulations that have
rarely been surpassed in the annals of conviction. He
lay sleepless, and went during the day carrying, as he
said himself,  a burning heart.' He prayed, and sang, and
groaned, and wept, and was almost in despair. At last
a text of Scripture gleamed upon him, and he saw the
heavens opened by the eye of faith, and the Son of man
standing omnipotent to save. He now rejoices as much
in Jesus as he had confidence in himself. He has visited
his native Scotland, and I believe has been used of God
to promote the interests of his Saviour's kingdom in that
land.
"Time would fail me to describe the individual marvels
of Divine sovereignty in the conversion of souls. I know
well one most interesting family, where a father, an aged
man, and six grown-up children have all been brought to
Jesus, and are rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God.
"There have been, I believe, but few, if any, objectionable phases in the work here. I know nothing but what
may have been of God. We had no attempts at prophetic
ecstasy; no dumbness, or deafness, or blindness, nor any
clairvoyant gifts. - It is not for me to speak in condemnation of these things, for I have never witnessed them, and
all I have to do is to record that they never were developed here. For what God has done we have reason to
thank HIim every day we live, and I am sure such a spirit
largely pervades the Christian community."
General Results. -" The first and most valuable result
is the delightful spirit of Christian union. In speaking of
Christian union in Derry, I grieve to be obliged to ignore
the Episcopal element in its clerical phases. The clergy
would not unite with'Dissenters,' though the people have
in general exhibited a most conciliatory and charitable
spirit. It is but fair to say that the Episcopal laity at first




AN EXHAUSTED MINISTER'S TESTIMONY.    263
showed every disposition to unite in prayer-meetings, until
their leaders endeavored to infuse into them another spirit.
The rest of the community are one. We know one another
better, and appreciate each other more. There is now that
interchange of genuine feeling which is the characteristic
of true spirituality.'Each one accounts the other better
than himself.'
" We have two united meetings for prayer every day, in
one of which the laity take a prominent part. The ministers are thus at once helped and refreshed.
"In addition to these united meetings, there are Presbyterian meetings, in which the various congregations unite,
and also in each congregation one meeting in the week for
their own members, and others who may join them, all of
which are well attended.
" There is no decaying of interest, and the stability of
professed converts has far exceeded our most sanguine
expectations."
The writer of the foregoing, as well as the Rev. Robert
Sewell, Independent minister, was obliged, in consequence
of bodily exhaustion, induced by incessant toil, to leave
the scene of his labors for several weeks. Writing from
the watering-place to which he had been consigned for
rest, the latter gentleman makes the following statement
as to his engagements during the period of the great excitement: " For seven weeks I had to work at least sixteen hours a day, in addressing meetings in the open air,
town-hall, and my own chapel; in conversing with, and
meeting the difficulties of the anxious, who were flocking
to the vestry daily; and in visiting some in their own
houses.  Though graciously sustained, the brain gave
symptoms at last of overwork. Memory partially failed,
and a nervous excitement supervened, which arrested my
progress, and sent me here for quietness and change of
scene."
Among the congregations first visited in County Derry
by the revival, was that of Maghera, of which a satisfac



264            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
tory and judicious account is given as follows, by the Rev.
Thomas Witherow:
" On Thursday, the 2nd of June, 1859, the first indications of the presence of the revival appeared at Maghera.
On that day a young man, called Thomas Campbell, came
over fiom the County Antrim, to see his friends at Culnady, - a village two miles from this town, on the way to
Portglenone, - and, while describing at the fireside, to his
relatives and neighbors, the strange scenes which, for some
time past, he. had witnessed at religious meetings held
beyond the Bann, suddenly the servant-boy in the family
was affected with all the usual symptoms. YWhile those
present gathered round him in astonishment and alarm, the
servant-girl was affected; and soon afterwards, the brother
of the speaker, George Campbell, a young lad of some
seventeen years of age. The prostrations that occurred
on this occasion could not have arisen fiom excitement.
It was understood that, up to the evening in question,
none of these persons had been under religious concern;
no attempt had been made in the neighborhood to produce
a revival; public attention had not been drawn to the subject further than by a narrative of the work going on at
Connor and Ahoghill, given from the pulpit on the previous Monday by the Rev. Jonathan Simpson, which it is
not probable any of the parties referred to had been present to hear. The place where they were struck down was
the fireside of a farm-house, when they were listening to
the conversation of the friend who, in the district of the
County Antrim where he lived, had witnessed prostrations,
but had never been prostrated himself.  There was no
exposition of Divine truth, no appeal to the passions, no
excitement beyond what the novel and interesting incidents related might be supposed to produce. Word of
what had occurred soon spread through the village; neighbors gathered in; and the whole night was spent in prayer
and singing praises to God.
"Early in the morning a message was despatched for




MAGHERA - THE FIRST PROSTRATION.        265
me, and about ten o'clock I reached the spot, in company
with a friiend. Groups of people, with anxiety and terror
pictured on their faces, were collected on the streets of the
village, waiting our arrival, and discussing among themselves, in subdued tones, the strange things that had occurred. The first case which we saw was a poor woman
the mother of a number of young children, who had tha.t
morning gone to visit those who had been stricken on the
previous night, and who lad instantly been affected herself. She was an ignorant woman of her class, who had
been living an irreligious life, and had not been in the habit
of attending any place of worship. We found her stretched
upon the bed, in her little cabin, in a state of great physical weakness, but talking incessantly about her sinful life,
and about Satan,' that beast,' as she called him, who sought
her destruction, and about Christ, who had saved her fiomr
ruin. She talked in a wild, incoherent way, reminding the
bystanders of one who was'drunk with new wine,' and
quoted so many texts of Scripture as surprised us all, who
knew she could not read, and had not the advantage of
public instruction for many years. The servant-girl, who
had been affected the previous night, was found by us
apparently exhausted, but in a quiet state, and not seemingly disposed to communicate her feelings.  On seeing
me enter, she lifted her head from the pillow of the bed on
which she had stretched herself, and said,'0 sir, God has
been with us this morning!' The servant-man did not say
much, but gave us to understand that the burden of sin,
which he said was pressing on his heart, was not yet removed. It was different with George Campbell, the young
lad previously mentioned. He had enjoyed the advantages
of better instruction in the Scriptures than any of the
others, and now the previous knowledge he had acquired
became available. We found him sitting on his bed, surrounded by the neighbors who had gathered in, and singing the 20th Psalm with a heart and spirit such as I ha ve
seldom heard thrown into a song of praise. After prayer,
23




266            THE REVIVAL IN DERR~Y.
he exhorted the firiends who had crowded in, telling thebm
how God had delivered him from his sins, and made him
a partaker of His grace.'Oh,' said he, in the most'earnest
and impassioned manner,'there was a mountain of sin
pressing on my heart; but God in mercy sent the arrows of
His love, and pierced that mountain through and through,
and it is gone.' Then he warned all against sin, especially
the sin of drunkenness, denouncing'the public-house as
the broad road to hell;' and, striking with great violence
the Bible, which he held in his hand, he shouted, in a voice
of thunder,'Who would dare ask me to enter a publichouse now?' He called on all present to renounce their
sins, else they would be lost, and spoke to them of Christ
with a pathos and energy that drew tears from many eyes.
This address, coming from a young lad who, one day before, would not have ventured to open his lips to any human
being on the subject of religion, evidently made a deep
impression.  The news of these things spread over the
whole district in a single day. As my friend and I returned
home in the afternoon, the people in the fields threw down
their implements of labor, and ran to the wayside to speak
to us as we passed; and to each party in succession we
had to stop and tell the wonderful things we had seen
and heard.  This was the origin of the movement at
Alaghera.
"No means that could be supposed useful in fostering
the revival were left untried. Prayer in the family and
in the public congregation was offered without ceasing for
the outpouring of the Divine Spirit. The instructions of
the Sabbath bore, more or less, on the subject. A weekly
congregational prayer-meeting was started. Large public
meetings were called, and addressed by young converts, as
they were usually designated, from Portgenone, Bellaghy,
Ahoghill, and Connor. One of these meetings was held
in the Presbyterian Church, on the 9th of June, at which
there were a thousand present; another in the Flax-market,
on the 17th; and another in the Presbyterian Church, at




FEW PROSTRATIONS.               267
which Messrs. M'Quilkin and Meneely, from Conmnor, delivered addresses. Two others were held in Maghera, early
in July, and another on the 18th, at Knockeloghrim Hill,
at which it is estimated there were five thousand present,
and where, for a whole afternoon, the Presbyterian ministers of the district spoke to the people on matters pertaining to the great salvation. In the month of August we
brought a young man from Broughshane, who labored
among us for a week, and addressed crowded meetings
every evening.
"The physical prostrations were comparatively few in
number.  In a small number of cases, at most three or
four, the affection resulted in a sort of mental derangemlent, which in every instance passed away in two or three
weeks, without impairing the general health. At first very
many of those affected saw visions —thoughts of Christ,
and of heaven, and of hell, which rose up before their disturbed minds; but at no time did any persons here profess
to prophesy, or to exhibit marks of a supernatural kind
upon their bodies.- Extravagances of this kind would not,
I am confident, have received much encouragement from
the public.
"The first cases of prostration that occurred were in
general the most marked, and at all times there was considerable variety in the physical phenomena - scarcely two
persons being affected alike. Few, -comparatively, happened
at the public meetings. Sometimes they occurred in the
street; but in general the people were affected at their
own homes, while engaged in their ordinary avocations, or
perhaps when sleeping in their beds. A young married
woman told me that, when out tending cattle in the field,
she began to think seriously in regard to her salvation;
sung by herself the 23d Psalm, then passed to the paraphrase,'As long as life its term extends,
Hope's blest dominion never ends,'
and as she concluded the second verse she was struck




268            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
down. She knew of the revival meetings being held, but
up to that time had never been present at any, so that her
affection could not be ascribed to any merely human influence directly brought to bear upon her. From the end of
July, less demonstrative, but no less satisfactory symptoms
appeared among the young. Some of the most intelligent
of the young people, persons whom I regard as the flower
of the flock, became seriously impressed in regard to their
spiritual condition, and, after passing through a season of
darkness, and doubt, and temptation, were enabled to give
themselves to the Lord, and to rejoice in the hope of the
gospel. W.ithout physical affection, or demonstration of
any kind, they were gently and quietly drawn to the
Saviour. After the wind, and the earthquake, and the
fire, came the still small voice; but in our case God was
in them all.
"The people in general acted with great good sense.
For the first six weeks there was, no doubt, some excitement; the novelty of lay-preaching and prostrations drew
crowds of wonder-seekers for a time; the more ignorant
believed at first that every case of prostration was a case
of conversion, and that in order to conversion prostration
was essential; others attached undue importance to visions,
and some imagined that frequent returns of the physical
affection, accompanied, as it was in some cases, with dumbness and blindness, were peculiar marks of Divine favor.
But a little time, along with a little instruction, corrected
these mistakes. The body of the people soon learned that
animal excitement is a different thing from spiritual life;
they lent a passive but a stubborn resistance to the unworthy attempts made by sectaries of various kinds to
draw them  from the membership of their own church;
and they gave marvellously little credence to the lying
wonders which, it was frequently reported, had taken place
at a cdistance.
"So soon as a sufficient number of young men had been
awakened and converted, they immediately showed an in



RESULTS -- TI-IE WORK GOES ON.        269
clination to be active and useful. Prayer-meetings were
established in town and country; Sabbath-schools, which
had been suspended, were revived; and at the various
meetings held in the town and country, the young men attended, and either led in prayer or delivered addresses, as
their capacity enabled them. One of these meetings has
been held every mornirng for the last six months, and is
conducted by the young men of the town; another, attended exclusively by females, is held every Friday evening, at which some twelve or thirteen of the young ladies
of the congregation officiate, each in her turn. Every
country district also has its prayer-meeting. In general
they are all well attended, and have done much good.
" The results so far have been very beneficial. It is true,
indeed, that the awe with which the general community
was inspired at first, and which held vice in check for a
season, is wearing gradually away; but the movement has
left behind it memorials that give fair promise of their
ability to stand the test of time. Our district has not been
so largely visited as others, but there is here a fair proportion of souls which, during the late harvest, have been
gathered to the Lord. In a congregation of three hundred
and fifty families, there are about a hundred individuals
who have benefited more or less; some of them having, for
the first time, experienced a saving change, and others,
who were believers previously, having received a new and
richer baptism of the Holy Ghost. Others may have benefited, with whom there was less outward demonstration,
and whose cases have not come to my knowledge. Making every allowance for such cases, however, there is no
denying that, for so far here, the mass of the community
has been passed over, and the heart of the population has
not yet been touched. The district has only received
some drops of the shower. But even drops have done us
good. The popular feeling is much more favorable to religion.  Attendance on the means of grace has been
improved. Nineteen pounds' worth of PBibles and Test:l23*




270            TIlE REVIVAL IN )DEtRY.
ments were sold during 1859 at our village depository,
whereas the average of other years was no more than six.
Domestic prayer has been commenced in many families
where it was formerly neglected, the young of both sexes
in many instances discharging the duty that is generally
expected from  the father; while drunkenness and immorality are neither so public nor so prevalent as in former times. Greater things have been done for others, but
it is with thankful hearts that we acknowledge He has
done great things for us. Besides, richer blessings may
be still in store for us. While writing this brief narrative,
I have been called out this clay (20th January, 1860) to
visit an interesting young girl, a member of my communicants' class, who was affected on WVednesday evening
last for the first time. She is at present rejoicing in the
Saviour. Other cases have lately occurred in the neigLlborhood, so that even yet the work goes on.
" One main design of history is to enable future generations to profit by the experience of the past. The benefit
which I received from reading, at the outset of the late
movement, the article in the qPrinceton, Reviezo on the'Bodily Effects of Religious Excitement, and also the'Autobiography of Peter Cartwright' was so great, that
I am encouraged to repay it in some measure by leaving
on record mny opinion of the line of action that ministers
should pursue, if it shall please God, on any future occasion, to send on our church and country a similar visitation.
"1. The ministers ought to fall in with the movement,
avoiding the extremes of doggedly opposing it, on the one
hand, or sanctioning extravagances, on the other; and
they should seek to gain such influence with its promoters
as will enable them to foster the good, and check the evils
likely to ensue.
"2. Undue excitement should be discouraged; it may
do harm, it can do no good. If reason and good sense do
not hold the helm, the ship is in danger.
"3. Every reasonable opportunity should be given for




LECUMPIER.                   271
holding meetings; but meetings should not in general continue more than a few hours at a time.
"4. The people should be warned from the first against
proselytism; they should be instructed repeatedly in the
nature of true conversion, and taught not to give heed to
signs and visions, but to the written Word of God.
"5. Laymen of sound principles *and good character
should be afforded every facility for addressing the people
in the neighborhoods where they reside, and where they
are personally known; but persons not well instructed in
religion, even though converted, should not be encouraged
to speak till they have gathered sufficient knowledge; and
strolling orators of all kinds, coming from  a distance,
should not be permitted to aaddress any congregation.
During the present movement some servant-boys have left
their employments, and, though barely able to read, are
now ranging over the province, and striving to earn a living from the public by itinerant preaching. Good can
scarcely result from such conduct, either to the public or
themselves."
"We, also," says the Rev. James Wilson, of Lecumpher,
-' have had most wonderful and impressive scenes, all indicating the sovereignty and gracious character of the work.
We have had convictions, not only in the church, but in
the family, in the absence of all excitement, and not a few
during the silence of the night season. WThile some have
taken upon themselves to account for all these manifestations fiom an overlheated atmosphere, I may state that
they have continued during' the most intensely cold days
in the late storm. So far as I have seen, they have been
attended with good. In one case, the screams were heard
by persons at home at work, and they became convinced
of sin, and cried for mercy. In another case, four persons
were so weakened by their prostration, that they and some
firiends were detained in the vestry till a late hour before
they could be removed. During this time, some members
of an Episcopal family were passinlg the road on a jaunting



272            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
car, and on seeing the light in the window, the oldest, a
girl above twenty years of age, immediately cried out, and,
after proceeding a little way, was so prostrated that the
car-party were detained at a house for some time; and
then, on returning home, a second and third cried out till
morning. The whole family were engaged in prayer. Ate
daybreak all had found peace. On hearing of what had
occurred, a neighbor came to see them, and was similarly
affected. They are, I believe, all maintaining a walk and
conversation becoming the gospel."
In the town of Newtonlimavady, the movement commenced toward the end of the month of May, in pretty
much the usual manner. In a short time the entire vale
of the Roe was the scene of most intense emotion. Business was almost suspended. Nothing was thought or
talked of in every circle but the wonders incomprehensible
on every hand around. "A thrill of solemn dread," says
the Rev. N. M'A. Brown, passed, like an electric current,
from the one end of the presbytery to the other. The
twelve congregations were all assembled, in crowded
houses, in the course of a few days, and multitudes in each
were crying for mercy in screams of agony.
"From  Sabbath the 12th June till the present time, a
united meeting of all the Presbyterian congregations in
town has been held daily; multitudes of converts; young
and, old, being most ready to engage in the religious exercises.
" A wonderful impetus was given to the good work by
the frequent visits and addresses of friends from Scotland
and elsewhere, but especially of Mr. Guinness and Brownlow North, Esq. The former addressed some three thousand persons, in the open air, with effect and acceptance;
but the impression produced by Mr. North was deeper
still, and doubtless will be more lasting.
" He visited this place twice within a week, and preached
- once in the open air and once in a house of worship on
each occasion - four addresses in all. The house he spoke




" REALIZATION "- GOOD EFFECTS.         278
in was literally crammed on both occasions. The first
open-air address was attended by an audience of some
four thousand, and the second by upwards of seven thousand,
- the second-largest audience he had in Ireland. These
addresses were faithful and true, - solemn, searching, and
practical, - and were highly distinguished for fervor, unction, and power. The REALIZATION of the sinner's lost
condition -of the living God just here and looking on -
and of a present salvation through faith in God's Son, was
the theme upon which he specially dwelt. Wacnt of realization of God and of Divine things, he asserted, was practical infidelity, and lay at the root of every sinful, indifferent,
and ungodly life. He held a meeting of those who were
anxious to'renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh,'
and'present their bodies living sacrifices to God;' and to
these he delivered an address particularly suited to their
circumstances. His visit will long be thankfully remembered, and his faithful admonitions produced an effect on
many that shall never be altogether known till'the day
shall declare it.'
"' The effects I shall sum up in a few words: Drinking of
ardent spirits was scarcely known in town for the months
of June, July, and August. Of those impressed, not more
than one or two have gone back to intemperance. Party
spirit and quarreling  are all but dead.  The assistant
barrister has almost nothing to do on the Crown day.
Prayer-meetings are held in every hamlet of the country,
and in every street of the town, almost every evening, and
sometimes twice on the same evening, in differ ent places,
by the same persons. Scarcely a young man, above the
age of fourteen, either in town or country, will refuse to
pray publicly in any meeting; and sometimes little boys,
of nine or ten years old, astonish their grandfathers by the
beauty and fervor of their devotions. The daily meeting
is well attended, and the early zeal appears scarcely aught
abated.  lany thaet were strangers to the house of God
almost all their lives, are now among the most regular




274            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
attendants; and family and private prayer, that used to be
the exception, have now become the rule."
In a conversation with Mr. Brown, since the above was
written, I learned the gratifying fact that, as one of the
happy results of the movement, no less than eight young
men, of whom six have almost arrived at maturity, were
led to commence the work of preparation for the Christian
ministry. They are all now regularly applying themselves
with this view to their studies, while, at the same time,
they lend their assistance, as they have opportunity, to the
conducting of the religious exercises in connection with
the daily meeting for prayer.
The Rev. Thomas Y. Killen, of Ballykelly, after narrating the mode in which the work began among the people
of his charge, thus proceeds to describe its progress and
results:
ThCe Converts - Tleir Adcdresses ancZ Prayers. - " For
some time at first, some of those who had been converted
during the revival addressed the. meetings -relating their
own experience — telling how it was with them in the
days of their unregeneracy - how they had tasted the
pleasures of sin and the world, and found them vain and
unsatisfying - how they had been awakened to a sense of
their guilt and danger, and led to see the uselessness of
those refluges of lies in which they had hitherto trusted,
and how the Spirit of God had revealed- Christ to their
souls as the only Saviour for guilty sinners. These addresses were generally simple, scriptural, and earnestsometimes most touching and beautiful; and coming, as
they did, from the lips of young persons well known to
those present, and who, they were all aware, would have
previously shrunk from opening their lips in the presence
of others, produced a profound impression. Never have I
heard the loveliness and willingness to save of Jesus more
sweetly declared, or sinners more tenderly entreated to
close in with Him at once, than in the addresses of sonme
of these babes in Christ. Always at the close of their




CONVERTS -ADDRESSES AND PRAYERS.         275
statements they prayed; and if absorbing fervency, and
child-like confidence, and deep self-abasement, and powerful pleading, constitute the very essence of prayer, then I
have indeed listened, during the past summer, to some of
the most genuine specimens of true prayer it has ever been
my lot to hear. Very few of the converts were willing to
address our congregational meeting after the first statement of their experience. Many of them, however, are
still ready to lead in prayer, and take their part in conducting district meetings.
"At these meetings, and also at public worship on the
Sabbath, we have had many requests for special prayer, for
individuals, farnilies, and congregations,- sometimes presented by the parties themselves, and sometimes by friends
who took an interest in their spiritual welfare. Above a
hundred and forty such requests have been presented.
"'Besides the prayer-meetings now in operation, which
are conducted by adults, a number of the children of one
of our daily schools remain by themselves twice a week,
after school hours, for mutual prayer. This meeting was
commenced of the fiee motion of the children, and without the knowledge of the teacher. One evening, as his
own children did not follow him home as usual, he became
anxious about them, and, after waiting for some time, returned towards the school-house to ascertain the cause of
the delay. On approaching it, he was met by the children,
in tears, and found that they had already met for prayer in
this way for several days, and that on this clay, while they
prlayed, one of the boys had been stricken, which produced
a deep impression on the rest. Another children's prayermeeting was held for several months in the barn of one of
our elders, with an attendance of about twenty of the
lambs of the flock. It had met several times before he
was aware of its existence, but has lately been discontinued, as the children' could not attend in the dark evenings.'Mamma,' said a little boy of eight years - who
had been left at home one Sabbath to watch the cows




276            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
to his mother, on her return from public worship,'we had
a fine day to-day.''W What were you doing, der?' asked
the mother, expecting to hear of some childish plays.' Oh,'
replied the child,' so-and-so came,' mentioning some of his
young companions,' and we had a prayer-meeting on the
road-side.'
Preaching Easy and Pleasant. — "Formerly it was
almost impossible to make one's hearers feel under the
preaching of the 5Word. While the revival prevailed in
its intensity, preaching was doubtless easier and pleasanter
work than ever before, for the simplest truths, presented in
the plainest form, were greedily drunk in by the hearers;
but, in another sense, more difficult, for there was such
tenderness of conscience on the part of the young Christians, that one could scarcely address a wordcl of warning
to the impenitent, or point out the works of sinners in
Zion, without exciting in their minds the fear that they
were, after all, deceiving themselves, and plunging themt
into the depths of despair. For years I had longed and
prayed to see some evident and immediate results produced
by the preaching of the Word, and have been made to see
that, when wielded only by my hand, the hammer of the
Word, no matter what force of argument, or strength of
expression, or dreadful pictures I might employ, only rebounded harmlessly from the heart of stone. Last summer,
I have seen the mere reading of the words,' Thy heart is
not right in the sight of God,' arouse the fears of a young
woman, and cause her to shriek for mercy.
"At the dispensation of the Lord's Supper there were
deep and solemn feelings, more so than I ever witnessed
here; and I believe God's children felt that they were
seasons of special and real fellowship with Jesus. When
the sessions met for the final examination of the candidates on their knowledge and Christian experience, one of
the elders, seeing among them a child of twelve years,
said,'I have great doubts about the propriety of admitting
any so young.' -'Well,' said I,'we must wait till we have




A BABE IN CHRIST.              277
examined them, and judge of them individually by their
answers.' One after another appealed before us, till it wxas
the turn of that little girl; and when she had replied to
the usual doctrinal and experimental questions, it was an
impressive sight to see the tears trickling from the eyes of
the elders; while the one who had made the above remark
stood up, and, with deep emotion, declared that now he
could say nothing against it. We have agreed to observe
the Lord's Supper quarterly for the time to come, instead
of half-yearly as heretofore.
The P2rostratios. -- "For a time we had, both at the
ordinary service of the Sabbath and the meetings during
the week, a great number of bodily prostrations. They
were not produced by crowded meetings; our church holds
about nine hundred and fifty persons, and there were rarely
more than six hundred present. Nor by heat; many of
them occurred in the open air, in the cool of the summer
evenings; some of them in the fields, and some by the
road-side, as parties were returning home at midnight, and
some in their own houses. There was nothing unusually
exciting in the sermons. They commenced here while I
was preaching an old sermon, delivered years before to my
former charge without producing any visible effect, and to
which, from want of time for preparation, I was obliged
that day to resort. Indeed, many of the sermons I preached
last summer had been delivered elsewhere without exciting
any emotion. I believe that in most cases the prostration
was the result of deep anxiety about the soul, and convictions of sin, which had continued for days, weeks, or
even months sometimes, until they reached the climax of
intensity, and then burst forth in cries and tears, when the
body sank under the excess of emotion.
" Some of those prostrated did not appear to have felt
any particular anxiety before they were stricken. They
had come to the meetings through mere curiosity, and were
not at the time under any convictions of sin. Sometimes,
when I examined them  afterwards on the subject, they
24




278            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
could not recollect that they had ever been thinking either
of their sins or their souls when they were prostrated.
Tile Old Profession but Hypoocrisy. - "Many of those
affected were already, some for many years, communicants;
but they have confessed that they had previously only a
form of godliness, in which they rested, while they felt not
its living power.  E. J-:   is a respectable farmer, of
good moral character, father of a family, and long a church
member, leading, as men would hitherto have said, a consistent life. IHe was stricken in his own house while reading his Bible -came to meeting a few evenings after —
told the people that, as his neighbors, they all knew him,
and were aware that he would not, for any consideration,
have opened his mouth among them before; but that he
felt constrained to speak to them; declared that he had
regarded himself as a very good Christian, but had now
been made to feel that his former profession was only
hypocrisy, and that he had till then experienced no real
spiritual danger; but that he blessed God that He had
given His Spirit, and opened his eyes, and enabled him to
cast himself as a guilty sinner upon the merits of the Lord
Jesus.
Some Stricken who were in Christ before.- "It was not
the unconverted alone who were thus stricken. When
many who had, I firmly believe, closed in with Christ
before, beheld the joy and love of the young converts, so
far surpassing anything they had themselves experienced,
they longed to attain a similar state of feeling, and desired
to be stricken as the most likely means. They came to
regard the prostrations as a mark of God's special favor -
supposed they were being passed by in His day of gracious
visitation, and thought they could not be His children in
reality unless they were affected like the others. 3]Many
of them, in spite of the remonstrances addressed to them,
thus wrought themselves into a state of deep anxiety, and
were actually prostrated.  Sometimes their experience,
while affected, was very similar to that of the uncon



NECESSITY OF THE SPIRIT S WORK.       279
verted.  Frequently, it was almost wholly joyful and
triumphant.
The Tempter's Wiles. —" While some Christians have
received a large accession to their spiritual joy, and were
gladdened by unwonted consolations, others, as well as
some of the awakened, have been assailed with sore temptations. One man was for weeks in a state bordering on
distraction, being tempted to think that he was utterly
forsaken of God, and frequently to doubt the very existence
of Jehovah. A young woman one night had the question,'How do you know there is a Christ?' injected, as it were,
into her mind. It recurred to her again and again. Do
what she might, she could not get rid of it. Even in her
prayers the question would be rung in her ears,' Where is
the use of praying, if there is no Christ?' Sometimes
when she applied to God's Word for relief, she could not
lay hold of a single promise. Sometimes a single text
formed her sheet-anchor. For weeks this continued, till
it was feared her mind would give way under the struggle;
but now, I am thankful to say, she is greatly better, and
able to lay hold of Jesus as her Saviour. We have had
several' such cases, some of them most remarkably resembling the temptations of John Bunyan, as recorded in his
Grace Abounding.'
"At present, we have not by any means the same liveliness which we had some months ago, even among true
Christians; and those who only experienced passing convictions are going back to their old sins. Still, I have
every reason to believe there has been a most genuine
work of grace in many hearts, whose fruits will never pass
away; and on conversing with those who have, I trust,
been savingly impressed, I find that they continue in a
tender frame, and are diligent in the discharge of their
personal and social duties.
"I cannot look back upon the remarkable events of the
past summer but with the utmost thankfulness. We always
believed in the necessity of the Spirit's work, but we have




280            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
now seen the wondrous difference which His presence
makes upon the whole face of the spiritual world. WVhen
He is absent, Christians are cold - ordinances powerless
— sinners immovable and dead — wickedness prevalent.
When He comes in His love, and grace, and power, God's
children are lively, tender, loving, fervent, zealous, laborious - the means of grace prove effectual to the salvation
of multitudes — hypocrites are unmasked - the careless
alarmed and aroused -souls quickened and saved -the
ungodly fly to Jesus'as a cloud, and as doves to their
windows'- and iniquity, abashed, hides its head. May
the experience of the past stir us up to desire a continued
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and to wrestle with a
prayer-hearing God, and give Him no rest until He has
given us not only such gracious showers as we have had,
but pours floods upon the dry ground; yea, until he has
baptized the whole world with the Holy Ghost and with
fire!"
One of the many places early visited in County Derry
was Moneymore, where the work of revival commenced
in the beginning of June. The first case was that of one
who was a noted drunkard in the neighborhood; who, as
often as he had occasion to visit any of the neighboring
towns, was, before he left, confined in the "lock-up" for
his immoderate use of ardent liquor. After being prostrated several hours, he attained true peace, and ever since
he has been a new man in his entire habits and character.
The manner of his countenance is altogether changed, and
it wears an aspect of peculiar sweetness to this day.
Not long after, another, who had been addicted to the
same vice, was stricken, who, during his weakness and distress, was ministered unto by the individual above mentioned; and when he also found the Saviour, he expressed
his sense of the attention shown him, by affectionately
embracing him who had bent over him and spoken words
of comfort during his sore agony.
At an open-air assemblage, one evening, on the "Fair




LETTER FROM A YOUNG WOMAN.            281
I-ill," among those affected was a young woman, who took
the earliest opportunity of declaring her state of mind to
the Rev. Dr. Barnett, in a letter which she put into his
hand, and of which I subjoin an exact copy, with this only
difference, that the orthography is corrected. It will be
seen that the grammatical structure might be also improved, but on this I make no change whatever. The
writer was an Episcopalian.  She is now a member of Dr.
Barnett's congregation:
" JUNE 27, 1859.
" I who have been in darkness and in sin all my life long,
and a rejecter of the Most High and I-is blessed word;
which word, by the preaching of one of these young converts, and the blessing of God, and of His Holy Spirit
accompanying it to my heart, has brought me fiom darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.
When that powerful voice cried,' Stop!' the light of His
righteous law discovered to me my sin, and I saw I had
been a transgressor from the womb. My conduct appeared
bad, and I feared the consequence; but when the hidden
depravity of my heart was revealed, and the fountains of
the great deep pit of corruption were broken up, I died.
Before, I endeavored and strove to do something for relief;
but now all was in vain. All was over; hope expired,
self-despair seized me, misery surrounded me, gloom spread
its horrible wings over me, and despair of mercy looked in
upon me. In this condition I lay at the door of mercy,
like another poor Lazarus, full of sores, panting for a crumb
of mercy, if a crumb might be spared; and in this case I
was when He was pleased to speak pardon to my soul,
peace to my conscience, and joy to my heart. And never,
never can I forget the sweetness of His mercy, but shall
often with pleasure sing -'Sweet was the hour I fieedom felt,
To feel my Jesus mine;
I view his lovely face, and melt
In pleasure all divine.'
24*




282            THE REVIVAL IN DERRY.
"I therefore praise God for giving me to know what it
is to be born of the Holy Spirit, and what prayer is. It is
not words out of a book, but it is the desire of the heart.
It is my desire now to take up the Holy Bible, and pray
that the Holy Spirit may bring it home to my heart with
refreshing streams of mercy. I also pray that all unconverted people, and all Protestant ministers who do not
believe in this blessed work of the Holy Spirit, may be
converted and believe.
"To the Rev. Dr. BARNETT."
The Youzths' Aeeting. - The only other incident connected with the work in the same neighborhood, that I
shall introduce, is a peculiarly touching one, as follows:
A young lad, aged seventeen, who had been brought to a
knowledge of salvation at Coleraine, where he had been in
a mercantile establishment, came on a visit to his friends at
Moneymore. During the seven days which he spent there,
he called together seven others, his young associates, with
whom he regularly spent some portion of every day in
prayer. The last evening of his visit, they met as usual,
and were addressed by him with deep solemnity, when all
at once six of the seven fell down, imploring mercy. It was
not long till they all rose rejoicing, and then, addlressing
him who alone remained unmoved, they appealed to him,
and said, "And are you the only one among us who will
put Christ to shame?" when, overcome by their fervent
expostulation, he also cried out, in the same manner as the
rest had done, for mercy. Of these seven youths, five are
Presbyterians, and have since joined the communion of the
church. The other two are Episcopalians, and, I believe,
have also witnessed a good confession. All are reported
as consistent in their deportment; and he who was the instrument in drawing them to the possession of like precious
faith, has the joy unspeakable of regarding them as given
to his entreaties and his prayers.




CHAPTER XV.
g1ul in ~ibal    at X 1rr on ntS   rant  +
THE REVIVAL IN THE FAIR OF ORRITOR, AND ITS RESULTS -THE WORK IN
COOKSTOWN AND VICINITY —A CASE OF " PROPHESYING," AND ITS EFXPOSURE- RAPT EARNESTNESS ON THE SABBATH - THE MOVABLE TENT -
THINGS BROUGHT TO REMETMIBRANCE-MOVEMENT AT CASTLEDERG — ITS
ORIGIN THROUGHI " COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS " - WESLEYAN AND PRESBYTERIAN COOPERATION - RESULTS - CHEERING FACT AS TO THE PROGRESS
OF THE WORK - STRABANE —NARRATIVE OF THE WORK IN A COMMUNITY
WVHERE THERE WAS NO REMARIABLE EXCITEMENT.
NOT far from Moneymore, the place last mentioned in
the preceding  chapter, is the village of Orritor, of which,
in connection with the revival, there is one notable inci:
dent, which may not be omitted here. It may properly be
entitled
The -Revival in the PFair. - In the beginning of the
month of June, there is an annual fair at Orritor. It is a
kind of Donnybrook in miniature, and( has ever been regarded by the well-disposed as a grievous nuisance, injurions alike to morals and religion. Thither, accordingly, the
idle and the profane have been in the habit of resorting
from year to year, and there they nmet with those attractions which best accorded with their depraved taste and
desire, -the show, the licensed drinking-tent, the gamingtable. It was a scene where Satan held high festival, and
whence a noxious influence was diffused over the whole
neighborhood. The Rev. W. Wray, the Presbyterian minister of the place, resolved, during the period of the revival, when an unwonted seriousness and awe pervaded the




284        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
community, to grapple with this established and gigantic
evil. He took occasion, accordingly, to announce on the
Sabbath previous that divine service would be held in the
church at a period when he knew the fair would be at its
height, and its frequenters would be in the very heyday of
their boisterous revelry. About two hundred persons, at
the hour appointed, assembled for religious exercises, which
were continued in the church till about three o'clock. By
that time, some of his brethren fiom the neighborhood,
whom the worthy pastor had invited to come to his assistance, had arrived. It was then at once resolved to meet
the adversary face to face, and on his own ground. The
congregation was immediately dismissed, and marching to
a field hard by, the ministers in front, they took up a position right in the camp of the enemy, their numbers having
so mnuch increased on the way, that when the service was
resumed, they were as four to one, compared with those
who remained in the fair ground in the pur'suit of " vanity."
The motley congregation thus attracted, were held attentive to the word of truth for houls together; and before
thley separated, some had given way before the higher
power which lighted down upon them, and the noise of
riot and dissipation was hushed before the agonized and
despairing cry for mercy. Many, in other years, had taken
their first step at this country fair on the downward course
of ruin; but a far different experience is associated with
its last gatherings, for there are those in that neighborhood
who will never cease to think of these as marking a new
era in their history; even the period when they forsook the
way of sin and folly, and entered on the path to life and
immortality.
"Among the many individuals of whom I could speak
as dating their first serious impressions from that day,"
says the minister of the place, " there is a man in connection with my congregation who was a notorious drunkard.
On every occasion that could furnish him any excuse, he
indulged in the inebriating beverage; so that he brought




THE WORK IN COOKSTOWN.            285
on his children poverty, on his wife misery, and on himself
disgrace. And such a state of things would, doubtless,
have continued, had not the Spirit of the living God
brought him to see the evil of drinking; for, to use his
own words,'thirty ministers could not have effected the
slightest change. I would have listened to them, but no
sooner out of sight than I went my own way. I saw not
the evil of drinking, and regretted it not, but only the mischief which I did when drunk.' This man is now steady,
- not only so, but is quite an advocate for total abstinence,
— attends regularly on public worship, has prayer-meetings in his own house, and contributes of his substance to
the cause of God."
In the districts adjacent to that last mentioned, there
has been a great awakening, with corresponding results.
"If," says the Rev. J. P. Wilson, "we take a district
four miles round Cookstown, hundreds have been added
to the communion of the church.  Family worship has
been established where it was never observed before;
people come out to the house of God in greater numbers,
and listen with more marked attention; district prayelrmeetings are multiplied; drunkards have been reformed;
and neighborhoods have totally changed their character.
Drunkenness and blasphemy have greatly diminished;
though, as the larger part of the population is Roman
Catholic, and therefore disposed to mock at the revival,
we need not be surprised to find cases of drunkenness
before our magistrates, or to hear the awful oath from
some as they return from market.
"We have had some extravagances here; but the people
have settled down to an earnest, sober, prayerful use of
the means of grace; and, whether we look to old men of
seventy, seeking to be numbered among God's people, or
to the large number of young persons who wait with
regularity on instruction in converts' classes, or to the
numbers whom we know to be diligently and prayerfully
studying the Word of God, I believe that conversion and




286        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
humble walking with God were never prospering more
than they are at present."
To the same effect writes the Rev. J. K. Leslie:
"I am now busily engaged visiting in the country; and
the downright reality of the glorious revival is demonstrated in the extraordinary transformation of character
which I witness in many families, who, from being the
most careless, are now ready for every good work. I
never enjoyed such real pleasure from any former visitation of my people. Nothing amazes me more than the
number of the prayer-meetings that are established everywhere throughout the country. Neither my brethren nor
myself have had anything to do with the formation or
sustenance of them. All false delicacy and shame are
laid aside in matters of religion, and men and boys that
could not be induced to pray before others, now do so
with effect and profit.
"There has, no doubt, been largely intermingled with
the work of God much both of man and the devil's work,
that was calculated to do great evil; but the fears I at one
time cherished on this matter have to a great extent been
agreeably disappointed, and I am now strongly impressed
with the conviction that permanent spiritual good will be
the result. Of the stricken ones, while some have ended
in temporary conviction, I fully believe the great majority
were either cases of conversion, or the 9revival of genuine
Christians.  Many have received much spiritual profit
where no physical manifestation took place, and I am
every,week learning new instances of this sort.  The
mind of one individual gave way under intense conviction, but is now perfectly restored.  The'great fear'
which was upon the general population is now passing
away, but I trust the good work is still progressing. On
last Sabbath evening I was privileged to witness as refieshing a scene as I have yet seen, at a service I conducted
in Lord Castlestuart's private chapel."
Amlong the extrav:agances above referred to as having




A CASE OF " PROPHESYING" EXPOSED.       287
created considerable anxiety at one period in this neighborhood, I may notice
4A case of'Proyphesyinlg," as it' was believed in for a,
time, which, in connection with some others of a like character, was calculated to bring much discredit upon the
work.
There was a young man, of great appearance of sanctity,
who so impressed the common people of the district by
the conviction of his insight into futurity, that they unhesitatingly gave themselves up to his prophetic influences.
It was his practice to announce to certain individuals,
either in person or by delegation, that their days were
numbered, and that at such and such a period they would
cease to live. These intimations, accredited alike by the
unhappy subjects of them, and by the general community,
were calculated, as will at once be seen, to raise an intense
excitement throughout the whole neighborhood. On one
occasion, at a meeting of his adherents, the " prophet" intimated to them, that, to the number of seventy, they were
divinely commissioned to proceed successively to a certain
house, and each was to announce to its occupier that within
a fortnight from that date his life should come to an inevitable encl. The effect of such a visitation, at a period when
the public' mind was intensely roused, was, in the case of
him to whom  the seventy messages, accompanied with
awful admonitions, not unmixed with tears and cries on
his behalf, were addressed, almost enough to bring about
the predicted issue. A meeting was held, at which the
subject of the pre-intimation was, for the last time, to
have prayer offered on his behalf; as, if he did not then
obtain peace and salvation, his destiny for eternity was to
be regarded as irrevocably sealed. The time had arrived,
and all were in grave expectancy, when uprose an intelligent and pious layman, and opening the Bible, he read
aloud the statements therein contained bearing on the
character and exposing the pretensions of fatlse prophets;
and as he read he enforced his argument, mixing up, for




288       TtHE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
an hour together, scriptural exposition with vehement appeal and scathing denunciations of the man who dared to
affect a knowledge of the secrets of the unknown future,
while the auditory were spell-bound by his artless eloquence. When he had concluded, the pretender to the
prophetic gift stood up, and in a tone of deep humiliation
confessed that he had been all the while deceiving himself and others. Those who had been the dupes of the
delusion looked on in blank amazement and dismay; and
on their "chief" making acknowlecdgment of his delinquencies, their eyes were at length opened to the fill
extent of their own folly and infatuation. His prophesyings had come to an untimely end, and Cookstown and
its neighborhood were no more deluded by the pretended
inspiration.
From the many incidents and cases supplied from other
districts in Tyrone, I can only select the following:
".Ra!pt Earnestesss" on the Scabbcth. -" Sabbath, the
17th of August," says the Rev. John MIaxwell, of Brigh,
"was a remarkable day. During the opening prayer, I
felt, myself carried away in a sort of rapt earnestness,
such as I never experienced before, a long continuance of
which my body, a good deal worn at the time, could not
have borne. For a time there was a strange, solemn stillness over the congregation, - there high breathing, and
there a suppressed sigh or groan, there a scream, - and in
a few moments the whole house one scene of indescribable
commotion, with every conceivable manifestation of religious feeling. Respecting that wondrous scene, I will
only say, that almost every member of the congregation
to whom I have spoken about it, described himself as
being the subject of some overpowering emotion, such
as none had ever felt before, and varying in character
according to the spiritual character of the individual."
The _ovable Tent. —" In our district," writes the Rev.
J. M'Askie, of Clogherney, "where a prayer-meeting has
been held since the month of June last, the attendance




TIINGS BROUGHT TO REMEMBRANCE.          289
was so great that no place could be found large enough to
contain the numbers of all denominations who flocked to
it.  They erected a tent, which is movable, and which,
with a barn to which it is always attached, holds about
four hundred. I have seen five hundred crammed into it
on one of the coldest nights during the winter, and standling for three hours, listening with the most intense attention to the preaching of the Word."
Thiings Brought to Renzmenbrance. -" I mention," says
the same minister, "the case of an amiable young girl, as
one of the most striking fulfilments of the promise,'IHe
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,' it has been my privilege to witness. She was
stricken at a meeting in B3-, with some others. When
returning to consciousness, or, rather, when recovering the
use of speech, - for she appeared to be totally unconscious
of the presence of any one, as she lay with eyes turned up
to heaven, and fixed, -for about four hours she continued
repeating sermons and other addresses delivered by myself
during the previous month. In many instances she repeated whole passages of them verbactim. Pausing at intervals, she would exclaim,' Oh, what have I not heard!'
and then she would resume the repetition of some striking
passages, with a fluency and an accuracy that were perfectly astonishing. But what struck me most in her case,
was the readiness with which memory called up those portions of the Word of God most suitable under her own
peculiar circumstances. Not less than one hundred Scripture texts were repeated, and sometimes half a chapter at
once, with the greatest accuracy, and all bearing upon her
own case. I have had frequent opportunities of conversing
with her since, and, what is very strange, many of the passages in the sermons so fluently repeated that night seem
to be quite forgotten, and the portions of Scripture she
could not repeat with the same accuracy. E. J   is one
of the happiest of Christians."
At Castlederg there was a great awakening. From the
25




290       TIlE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
outset, the Wesleyan and Presbyterian ministers co6perated in the movement, especially at the evening meetings
which were held in the open air during the summer months.
Having at a subsequent period had occasion to visit the
place, in connection with the opening of a Presbyterian
church, I had an opportunity of witnessing a pleasing instance of the harmony existing between the members of
these denominations. The church-going habits of the people were so increased by the revival, that, in anticipation of
an attendance at the dedication service beyond what the
new structure could possibly accommodate, the Wesleyan
brethren had made an offer of their chapel, which was also
filled on the day in question by a respectable audience,
while another minister, who had been provided in the
event of such a necessity arising, officiated. Although the
population is chiefly agricultural, the amount raised, so far
as I can recollect, was about ~130.
The revival in this neighborhood had an unwonted
origin, the agents being not the stated ministers or visitors
of the usual class from the awakened districts, but corz-?nercial tracavellers, whose business had brought them to the
village through some of the towns of Derry and Antrim.
"All of these persons," says the Rev. John Crockett, "' saw
and bore witness to the great change wrought in the
hearts of those with whom they were brought into contact. Some of them, who had themselves become the
subjects of this change, were led to stop in our town over
Sabbath, and being of our communion, attending our
services on the Lord's day, and being known to us, an
opportunity was given them to speak to the people after
service, and thus to relate what they had seen in others,
and what they were made to feel in themselves.  This
practice was pursued for two or three Sabbaths in my own
and the neighboring congregations, and contributed very
much to produce deep and serious impressions on one and
all of us. About the middle of the month of August, Mr.
Armstrong, Mr. Love, and myself joined with the ministers




OPEN-AIR MEETINGS AT CASTLEDERG.          291
of the Wesleyan Methodists in holding an open-air service
every Sabbath evening at five o'clock, in -a field, procured
for the purpose, adjoining the town.  The attendance was
large, say from three to four thousand. For a time all that
could be noticed was a deep seriousness, and an unwillingness on the part of many to depart when the service was
over, which was not before the shades of the evening had
set deeply in. On the fourth evening of our service, the
assembly was visibly moved; many cried for pardon of sin
in great bitterness of heart, and some were prostrated and
carried off the field by their friends to some place of quietness; and every succeeding evening, so long as this service
was continued, which was for six or eight Sabbaths, the
power of God was manifested on many. The persons affectedl at the meeting were met with by the pastors of the different congregations at their respective places of worship,
and were ministered unto till a late hour. At none of these
meetings uats there canything saidc particuclarly exciting,
with the exception of two or three occasions, when some
young men who were introduced, spoke, perhaps rather
pointedly, to the feelings, and in a way calculated to produce great terror."
Referring to some who had been the subjects of prostration, Mr. Crockett states that "stubborn and self-willed
servants" evinced subsequently much the same temper as
before. He accounts for this largely by their ignorance;
as, even when anxious for the glory of God and the good
of others, they did not well know how to set about it.  He
states also that he has found a great unwillingness in many
of them to receive instruction. "They are full of a desire
for prayer and singing the praises of God; while, at the
same time, they are careless of contemplating the truth as
it is in Jesus.  Such cases, however, so far as I can judge
of the work generally, are exceptional; the greatest readciness being, for the most part, evinced by those who were
previously ignorant, to be instructed in the gospel.
" It is no exaggleration to say," continues the narrlator,




292        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
"that the attendance at our houses of worship is double
what it was last year, and that attention to the services
of the sanctuary fills every heart. There is a new feature
manifest in our assemblies, - the people evidently come to
hear, and to learn, that they may obey. On the last administration of the sacrament in our congregations, there
was at least one-third of an addition to our communicants'
roll, and this increase consisted principally of ydung converts. Prayer-meetings are in active operation in our
bounds, and there is not anything connected with the
whole movement so astonishing as the fervent, eloquent,
and well-conceived prayers put forth on these occasions
by young converts, whose education and opportunities for
mental improvement have been so limited. A few Sabbaths ago, I made an appeal to my people for some money
to procure a congregational library, that knowledge might
be increased among our young, and I was met in a way I
did not expect: all were inclined to give. Had the subject been mooted among us some years ago, not one in
twenty would have responded to the call. It is true, the
excitement which was manifested some months ago has
subsided, but the work, nevertheless, manifests progress;
and in different families I can detect palpable evidence of
its good effects. For example, family worship is now more
the rule than the exception, and other duties may be said
to keep pace with this; and, happily, it cannot be said that
there is one case of backsliding among all the awakened
in the neighborhood.  In short, let men say what they
may of this revival, or let them believe what they will concerning it, one thing is certain, and that is, that a great and
glorious change has taken place here among the whole
Protestant population. All in their respective spheres are
ceasing to do evil, and learning to do well.
"There is one thing connected with this movement that
I have not seen noticed; it is this - and I say it in no sectarian spirit -that it appears to be very much confined to
the localities in which Presbyterianism abounds. We are




STRABANE.                    293
on the borders of Fermanagh, a Protestant county, but
originally settled from Ellgland, where the principles of
our polity are scarcely known, and other forms of Protestantisml prevail. Now, every effort has been made by our
Methodist brethren, who were very successful among us, to
carry the work into Fermanagh, but hitherto to no purpose.
I mention the fact, because to me it appears somewhat
strange."
The town of Strabane is one of the most considerable
and important in the county to which it belongs. No great
excitement took place among its population, although the
most salutary effects are observable among them. The
narrative which follows, therefbre,, may be regarded as a
description of the work in a community in which there
was an absence of many of those features which usually
characterized it. It has been supplied by Mr. J. G. Clarke,
a licentiate of the Presbyterian Church, who gave his best
assistance to the movement:
"Immediately after authentic reports had reached us in
Strabane of the Lord's work in Derry and Coleraine, a
united meeting for prayer was held in the Town Hall,
which was so crowded on that occasion, that many who
arrived late were obliged to go away, for want of accommodation. After earnest prayer by one of the ministers
present, several addresses were delivered, followed by
prayer; and an account of what was going on in Coleraine was given by one who had been an eye-witness.
Nothing remarkable occurred; but a feeling of deep solemnity and intense interest evidently pervaded the assembly. One or two other meetings of a similar kind were
held in the First Presbyterian Church, after which it was
thought advisable to hold open-air meetings. Accordingly,
about ten days after the first meeting, an open-air united
meeting for prayer was- commenced inl one of the enclosed
market-places of the town. The hour was eight o'clock in
the evening, and the exercises continued usuallly from an
hour to an hour and a half; after whichli an adjourned meet



294        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
ing was held in the Second Presbyterian Church, which was
close at hand, when those who were desirous of it had an
opportunity of joining in devotional exercises for an hour
or more, as the occasion required; but in no case was it
considered advisable to hold protracted meetings, or keep
the people to an unseasonable hour. At the conclusion of
each service, a considerable number of anxious inquirers
remained to speak with the ministers present; but as this
arrangement was found to be inconvenient, it was abandoned for the more convenient one of morning classes, at
suitable hours, for inquirers.
"The open-air meetings were most encouraging. They
were attended by hundreds, evening after evening, without
any apparent diminution of interest, until the shortening
evenings of autumn compelled us to give them up.
"Besides this evening open-air meeting, there was one
held every Tuesday, the market-day of Strabane, in the
same place, from twelve to one o'clock. This was attended
chiefly by the country people, who had come into town to
attend the market, but who gladly snatched an hour from
the busy clay to devote to eternal interests. Man'y were
assembled long before the appointed tine, and it was interesting to see others eagerly gathering around as soon as
the voice of praise proclaimed that the exercise had begun.
All lifted their voices with earnestness in the praise of God,
and silently, but solemnly, joined in the prayers offered up
to' the throne of mercy. This meeting was most numerously attended, as many as seven or eight hundred being
present on some occasions; and it was ascertained that at
almost every meeting some had been awakened to anxiety
about salvation. This meeting was kept up weekly until
near the middle of October, when the inclemency of the
season put a stop to open-air services.
"' Except at two meetings near the commencement of the
revival, the services of converts were not in requisition.
The meetings were in every case presided over by ministers, elders, or other experienced Christian laymen some



RESULTS OF THE MOVEMENT.           295
times leading in prayer. In conducting them, ministers of
different evangelical denominations in and around Strabane - including those of the General Assembly, Reformed
Presbyterian body, and Methodist persuasion — heartily
concurred. I am sorry to add, that I must except the
Episcopalian ministers, who have stood entirely aloof here
throughout the whole movement, though numbers of their
people have taken a deep interest in the revival, and attended the prayer-meetings with great regularity.
" It may be asked, What are the results of the movement
here? This is a question by no means unimportant, as
many have supposed that, because we have had little or no
excitement, there has been no good accomplished; an
inference which is altogether unwarranted, as the few facts
which I now give will show.
"1. The work has assumed a steady, permanent form,
and therefore the more likely to take a deep hold on
the minds of the community. There are now congregational prayer-meetings established in the two Presbyterian
churches in the town, and a union weekly prayer-meeting,
conducted wholly by the Presbyterian ministers.  It is
always well attended, and most interesting from the earnestness and attention manifested by the people. It is
attended by members of the Episcopalian, Presbyterian,
and Methodist communions.
"2. There is a largely-increased and earnest attendance
on the Sabbath-services of the sanctuary. Before this movement reached us, it was no unusual thing to see empty or
partially filled pews in the house of God on the Sabbath.
Now, however, it is quite different. No longer is the
minister's spirit depressed at the desolate appearance of
vacant pews, or his heart grieved by the apathetic appearance of listless hearers. The services of the sanctuary have
evidently assumed a reality and importance altogether
unusual. They are no longer a piece of dull routine, or
cold formality.  In beholding the marked attention of
those assembled in the house of God, one is forcibly re



296        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY TYRONE.
minded of Isaiah's prediction regarding gospel days —' The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears
of them that hear shall hearken.' The interest in missionary operations has greatly increased; a practical proof of
this is afforded by greatly enlarged contributions to the
different mission schemes of the church. A  desire for
God's own Word has been excited. At no former period
were there so many copies of the Scriptures sold at the
Edinburgh Bible depository as during the past year, and
those precious books are not bought for mere show; they
are searched in private, and read statedly in families where
previously the worship of God was unknown.  Family
worship has largely increased.
"3. Many district prayer-meetings have been established:
some in town, conducted chiefly by young men whose
hearts God has lately opened; others in the country, sometimes presided over by ministers, when they can spare time,
but generally by the elders of the district.
"4. There has been much hopefil work among the
young. While we have reason to believe that God has
touched some of the old, yet he has been dealing chiefly
with the young, a considerable numlber of whom, we trust,
have been turned to the Lord.
"Thus it will be seen that we have not been unblessed.
Did we, indeed, estimate the good done here by the amount
of excitement produced by the revival, the sum total would
be small indeed. But we adopt no such criterion. Past
experience has demonstrated the fallacy of such a test.
The Spirit of God works as a sovereign,' dividing t'o every
man severally as He will;' and we see no reason why IHe
should not deal with communities as with individuals,
rousing one'with a voice of terror, and drawing another
with the gentle voice of entreaty. In this latter way may
He not be dealing with us here?  Some among us, it is
true, have passed through deep mortal conflict, and others
are still under sharp convictions; but, except in a veryfeqw
cases near the outset, we have had none of those'physio



CONFIRMATION OF FOREGOING STATEMENTS.   297
logical accidents' which formed such a marked and prominent accompaniment of the revival elsewhere."
The Rev. James Gibson and the Rev. William Russell,
the ministers of the Presbyterian Church in Strabane, the
former of whom was only settled there in September last,
confirm all the statements made in the preceding communication.
I must reluctantly pass over districts in Tyrone, again
referring for details to the Appendix.




CHAPTER XVI.
91p  AeZibal if n  Gonunta zxmagu.
THE WORK IN LURGAN - THE FIRST CONVERT - " NEITHER IIAD, NOR WICIKED,
NOR IGNORANT " - FIRST UNITED MEETING - THE WORK IN THE PASTOR'S
ABSENCE - HE IS SUMMONED HOME - THE NEW SCENES HE WITNESSES -
CLASSES AND MEETINGS - THE COUNTY DISTRICTS - AWFUL END OF A
MOCKER - TREATMENT OF THE VISIONS - LIFE FRO  THE DEAD - THE
TRUE INSTRUMENT -THE RECTOR'S STATEMllENT - BIAGHERALIN - THE
ARCHIEPISCOPAL CITY -SCENES IN A DAILY AND IN A SA3BBATH SCHOOL
- FIRST MOVED IN THE CONGREGATION - THE WOIRK BECOMES PUBLIC -
" CR0YING FOR HIS SINS "- THE CONVERT GIRL AND THE SAILOR - SCENE
IN THE RETIRING-ROOK - THE YOUTH WHO HAD HIS PLANS LAID - THE
DYING ONX REVIVED - TULLYALLEN -TARTAARAGIAN - MEiMORIES OF THE
YEAR.
I SHALL confine the narrative of the work in this county
principally to the statements furnished by the ministers in
its two principal towns, Armagh and Lurgan, introducing
the latter first, as it was first visited.
"A work of preparation for revival," says the Rev. Lowry
E. Berkeley, "had been in progress at Lurgan, as elsewhere, for years prior to 1859.  Here the Rev. Thomas
Millar, publisher of the  Trcacts for Irelancd, lived and
labored. The' healing leaves' had been scattered on every
side.  Sabbath-schools had done much for the instruction
of the young. A goodly number of earnest Christians
were here, who continued in prayer and supplication, expecting a blessing; and they were not disappointed.
"The Synod of Belfaist met in Mlay 1859.  The interesting statements made there by different ministers, of what
they had seen and heard, were noted, and the substance




THE FIRST CONVERT.               299
of them brought before the people. A feeling of expectation that God was about to visit the land began to prevail.
Soon after came the news of the great revival begun in the
north-west. I shall not soon forget the profound impression produced upon a crowded congregation by the reading of a letter, on a Sabbath about this time, from an elder
in Faughanvale, the congregation to which I formerly
ministered, in which he said,'I have glorious news to tell
you. God has been pouring out His Spirit, night and day,
in large abundance here..... Let the whole congregation
of Lurgan pray for the people of Faughanvale, that God
may continue and increase His blessed work among them.'
The First Convert. - "Early in June, Christian people
of different denominations in town manifested a desire to
come together for prayer, first in the different congregational prayer-meetings, and afterwards in a neutral place,
at the dinner-hour of the working classes. These meetings
were but begun, when a licentiate of our church was one
night called out of bed to see a young man in a lodginghouse, a stranger, who wished to talk with a Presbyterian
minister. The people of the house thought he was beside
himself. It was a case of true spiritual conviction. Next
day he was rejoicing in Jesus, and making Him known, by
writing letters to his friends, and by the work of tract distiibution.
"I was waiting, on the 20th of June, about to enter
that mid-day meeting for prayer, when a member of my
congregation accosted me, and requested that I would visit
his son, who was in much distress about his soul. I went
accordingly, and such agony! ~Would that all who think
sin a trifle had seen it! In a few days he, too, was looking
to Jesus, and beginning to labor for lis glory.
"Neither lc/ad, nor Wickecl, nor Ignorant." -" Some
weeks after, calling on a farmily where correct views were
not held of the nature and necessity of conversion,'the
revival' was the subject of conversation. A lady present
pronounced it all excitement, and,'at any rate, it was




300       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
confined to the lowest and most ignorant of the people.'
I mentioned that the first case I had visited was of a very
different kind, stating the circumstances, without any
name.'iHe must have been very wicked,' said a young
lady present.'No; he was one of the most amiable and
moral young men in Lurgan.''Well, he was mad,' was
the rejoinder of another.' Nay, he was perfectly sober in
his mind, but he felt an awful load of sin.''He must have
been very ignorant, not to know that the "blood of Jesus
cleanseth from all sin,"' said a third.'That will not account for it either,' I said,'for he is one of the best instructed persons I know - well acquainted with his Bible,
and able to teach others also.' Their philosophy was
utterly at fault. The thing was unaccountable to thenm.
When will people, living amid the light and privileges of
the gospel, with the Word of God in their hands, learn
that' except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'?
-First United iMeeting. -" The first meeting for united
prayer in which any of the Episcopal ministers took part,
was held in the Presbyterian church, on the 28th of June.
Hitherto the brethren had rather kept aloof, doubting the
real character of the movement; but from this period their
doubts seemed to vanish. At that meeting, one public
conviction took place. It turned out a case, as far as man
could judge, of real conversion to God. The court in which
the individual who was the subject of it dwelt, resounded
for many days with the voice of singing and prayer. It
had produced a solemnizing effect upon the whole neighborhood, and it became evident that if Satan was working,
it was for the overthrow of his own kingdom.
The Work in the Pastor's Absence. -" I left for the Assembly in Dublin on the 4th of July, having made arrangements for the meetings during that week. On Tuesday
evening the second meeting for united prayer, in which all
denominations were represented, was held. A student of
theology addressed it. There were six cases of public con



HE IS SUMMONED HOME.              301
viction. On their way home, and after reaching it, many
were brought to their knees. The next day the people
were giving way in all directions. No meetings had been
announced for that evening; but the young people, and
others, assembled voluntarily, filled both the school-rooms
as well as the church, and continued till two or three
o'clock in the morning in singing and prayer. On Thursday it was the same. United exercises were almost imnpossible. Every pew was a prayer-meeting. Some were
prostrated under agonizing conviction; others were rejoicing as having found Jesus. As in Israel of old, it was
almost impossible to'discern the noise of the shout of joy
from the noise of the weeping of the people.' It is believed
that hundreds were impressed during those two nights,
and many of them truly converted to God. The labors of
the Rev. Matthew Mlurphy, the licentiate previously referred to, on this occasion and subsequently, were eminently useful and much blessed.
11e is Sumnrmonecl  ]ome. -" From him I heard, whilst
attending the sittings of Assembly, of what was going onl,
and concluded at once that duty called me home. I had
left on Friday morning; before a telegram arrived conveying the anxious wish of some of my people for my
return. They feared that excitement was going too fa'.
They knew the inflammable materials by which we were
surrounded. The enemy would speak reproachfully, if
any occasion should be given.  The multitude came
together that evening as usual. I had gathered up, as fiar
as possible, the counsels of the brethren, as expressed in
the conference at the Assembly, and was prepared to act
upon them. The people were exhorted and prayed with,
and those who had found Christ were advised to'go
home to their friends, and tell them how great things the
Lord had done for them, and how I-e had compassion on
them.' With difficulty they were persuaded to disperse;
and after the church was closed, many assembled in the
26




302       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
school-rooms adjoining,' and continued for a time in devotional exercises.
The 2Vew Scenes he Witnesses. —"The next evening
there was a delightful meeting, composed very largely of
those whose hearts God had touched. Some of the converts prayed. After a short service, those anxious about
their souls were invited to remain for conversation.
Almost all waited.  Every pew  was again filled with
mourning or rejoicing. Those who had found Christ were
inviting others to come to Hirn.  I walked about among
them for an hour, speaking a word here and there, but
specially intent on observing what was passing. It was a
scene over which angels must have rejoiced. Such godly
sorrow!  Such love to Jesus!  Such simple gospelpreaching! Such fervent prayers!  In one pew I observed a man sitting, apparently under deep conviction,
whilst a lad of fifteen or sixteen years of age was standing
with outstretched arm preaching to him Jesus.' You have
only to look to Him, and be saved. Is it possible you
will not trust' in Jesus!'  Out of the mouth of babes
praise was perfected.
"The next day was the Sabbath, and a high day it was.
The courts of God's house were crowded. I read the
second chapter of the Acts.'No,' said a woman to herself, as I read on,'I am not drunken,' and she bowed
down on her knees in the pew, pouring out her heart to
God, and had shortly to be removed.  Another, in the
gallery, cried aloud to God; but the singing of a psalm
quieted the people, and left time for her removal also.
At the close of the service, a young man was helped out,
whom I found shortly after, in the school-room, in a very
agony of prayer, wrestling with God, and asking help
against Satan. IIe continues steadfast in the faith and
hope of the gospel.
Clctsses acd Jlleetings.  " Fromn the first I had classes
for inquirers and, converts, which were greatly needed and
much blessed. At the close of every prnayer-meeting (,and




AWFUL END OF A MOCKER.             303
they were held in the church five evenings each week
during the months of July and August), persons anxious
about their souls were invited to remain, and warning,
instruction, and encouragement were given as might be
required. Many meetings for prayer, conducted by members of the church, were at the same time held throughout
the country. These still continue, to the number of about
twenty each week.  They are well attended, and have
helped greatly to confirm the souls of the disciples.
The Country Districts. -" The movement passed from
one part of the country round here to another, and in
some places, of course, the impression was more marked
and manifest than in others. I remember one day, in the
beginning of harvest, driving out to see a person in a
rural district. No work was being done in' the neighborhood. The people were gathered in groups on the public
roads, literally walking, and leaping, and praising God, or
assembled in their houses engaged in exercises of devotion.
No manner of labor was being attended to, though the
fields were white to the harvest. The concerns of the
soul and eternity were occupying exclusive attention.
Azqfal End of cta ocker. - "While there, I was informed
that a young woman had died suddenly in the neighborhood. The statement, too, was, that she had mocked at
the revival. I went and inquired. She had walked out of
the house in her usual health about two o'clock in the day,
had fallen down a perch from the door, was carried in, and
in a few minutes expired. I inquired of her landlady as to
the truth of the story of her mocking.'Why, sir, I did
hear her say,' speaking of those who had been stricken,'that she hoped if she would fall down, she might never
rise.' This providence produced a very solemn impression
in the neighborhood.
"Yet here, as elsewhere, excitement was often carried
too far. To this I attribute very largely the repeated
strikings down, as well as the dumbness and visions with




304       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGI-I.
which many were visited. There were very many cases of
all these in the neighborhood.
" A young woman- not a member of my congregation
— whom I was called to see, and who had been repeatedly
stricken, gave me a very simple and natural account of the
matter.' I was stricken,' she said,' and then I found peace.
Afterwards I did not live as I ought, and I could not go to
class-meeting and say I had peace, when I had not. So I
wished to be stricken again, to see if the same feeling would
come back.' Is it wonderful if one going, weak in body,
and in that state of mind, to a crowded meeting, conducted
after a certain fashion, should be completely overcome, and
again prostrated?
Trectmenzt of the Tisions. - "The dclubness *and the
visions continued among us for a time, though in hardly
an instance was a Presbyterian thus affected; but as soon as
the people were taught that no reliance could be placed on
such things, -that the former, in particular, was an affliction, and an evident indication that excitement was being
carried too far,- they totally disappeared. These things
were among the chief hinderances to the progress of the
work here. The question with many for a time became-'Is such a one really seeing these visions?' instead of tle
personal question -'What must I do to be saved?' and
the opponents of the work were led to doubt or deny the
reality of the whole movement.
Life fronm the Dead. - " But who that goes among the
people now, and compares their present state with what it
was even twelve months ago, can deny it?  I see places
where all was then dead, cold, and careless, now filled with
earnest, living Christians. I can point to this and the other
family whose home is a Bethel, where formerly no voice
of praise or prayer ascended to God. I see numbers of
young men, formerly given up to sinful pleasures and excesses, or at least stupid and unconcerned about spiritual
and eternal things, now living as disciples of Christ, and
for the glory of God. The cause of temperance has been




TIHE TRUE INSTRUMENT.             305
greatly advanced. Party spirit has much diminished. Religious magazines are circulating in hundreds, and supplanting mischievous'light reading.' Christian liberality
is greatly increased. Believers have been wonderfully
quickened. All that we have seen leads us to look, and
long, and labor, and pray for a larger fulfilment of the
promise,'I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit upon
thy seed, and my blessing upon tbhin  offspring.'
The True ]zstrurnent. - "What we have seen of late
should lead us to have more faith in the Word of God as
the instrument of conversion. I meet a young man on a
Sabbath afternoon going out to conduct a prayer-meeting.
I inquire as to the change that has passed upon him, and
how it has been effected. He says it was just the hearing
of that chapter read about the man who' had his dwelling
among the tombs, and no man could bind.'' When I heard
it,' he says,' I at once said, That is my case; and I went
home and read it again, and prayed to God that i-Te would
bind me; andl. lie has do1ie it.' The truth of God is
mighty, when applied by the Spirit to the pulling dovwn
of strongholds. Let us read it as God's word, and expect
the reading as well as the preaching to be a means of convincing and converting sinners.
"And, above all, let us depend on the Holy Spirit to
give efficacy to the word. Under His power the hardest
heart can be melted, and the proudest spirit subdued. Let
us learn the privilege and the power of prayer, and be
among the number of those who keep not silence, and give
God no rest till He establish and make Jerusalem a praise
in the earth."
Through the kindness of the Bishop of Dowrn, I have
been favored with extracts from letters, in reply to late
inquiries, addressed to some of his clergy, as to the "present effects" of the revival. The following is from the
Rev. Thomas KInox, rector of  llurgan, and is dated 16th
April, 1860:
26*




306        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
" 1st. Congregations, both in church and at cottage lectures, greatly increased. The increase is composed, in a
great measure, of young men and women who were formerly
indifferent to spiritual matters.  2cl. The communicants
nearly doubled, and from the same class of persons. 3c.
Adult classes have sprung up, of persons anxious for
instruction. 4th. A young men's society, established by
the exertions of my curate, the Rev. T. Cosgrove. They
assist in district-visitings, and distributing tracts that we
supply them with. I may also add, that a more religious
tone pervades the entire neighborhood. Drunkenness has
declined, and we have observed n'to case of relapse in those
who had really been affected at the period of the revival,
Two or three Roman Catholics who had then joined our
congregations have been with us ever since, and are daily
studying Scripture and attending the classes. These are
the principal features.  WTe require accommodation for
five hundred more, at least, in the church, which I hope
will be ready for them in about eighteen months."
The following, also dated i6th April, is from the Rev.
Henry Murphy, rector of Magheralin, in the same neiglhborhood:
"It affords me the most sincere pleasure to be able to
say that the effect produced among us answers to tlhe'cause.' There is a hungering and thirsting after the word
of God, as is clearly evidenced by the full attendance on
every means of grace. My church was built to accommodate five hundred; it is full every Sabbath morning (yesterday there were five hundred and thirty-one); and the
evening congregation averages three hundred —(it used
to be forty or fifty). I have two evening services during the week; one in a school-house, which is always
crowded; the other in the church, which is attended by
a steady congregation of between three and four hundred.
Before this religious awakening (about three years ago), I
commenced an evening service in the village; but:after
some tinie I discontinued it, because I could get no attend



SCENES IN SCHOOLS.              307
ance. NTow, had I a service every evening in the week, I
could command a meeting. Besides all this, morality, in
every sense of the word, is the order of the day. The
change, indeed, is a mighty one."
Thie Archiepiscopcdl City. -It was not till the middle
of August that the city of Armagh was visited by the
gracious movement. For at least two months previously,
it had been anxiously anticipated. Mieetings had been
held, and persons from other districts had been specially
brought to narrate something of the scenes in which they
had themselves sharedl; but no appliances of this description seem to have had any place assigned them in connection with the awakening in Armagh. In passing through,
a few days after the " outburst," I found the brethren in the
very midst of the new duties then imposed upon them. It
was on the M3onday morning, and the Presbyterian, W~esleyan, and Independent ministers were met in prayerful
conference with reference to the work in which they all
had shared. I had met one of these friends - the pastor
of the Independent church - about a month before, in our
own town, where he had come to beg a visit of Mr. North,
then in the midst of us; but that eminent evangelist had
his hands too full to admit of his undertaking any additional engagement. But now the set time had come, and
all were encouraging one another in their common Lord.
Among the earliest incidents of the revival in Armagh,
the following is related by the Rev. J. R. M'Alister, respecting a scene of awakenlig in a daily, and also in a
Sabbath school:
"One morning, a little girl, abont eleven years old, entered into m y daily female school, lifted up her hands ancl
clasped them, saying,'Oh! I have found Jesus!  I have
found Jesus!' There was no minister present at first;
there had been no address delivered to children. The
words of the child kindled the flame, and in a few minutes
a wail of sorrow ascended to heaven, that alarmed the inhabitants of the surrounding houses. As I passed along




308       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
the street, a boy came in breathless haste to me, and said,' Come, sir, come! the girls in the school are all crying
for mercy.' When I entered, some were lying on the floor,
some in the arms of the teacher, some in the arms of the
monitor, some in the arms of other children; floods of tears
were flowing; confession of sin was frieely made from little
broken hearts; cries for mercy to God; supplications for
Jesus to come and save them; earnest prayers for the
Holy Spirit to come and take the. stony heart out of them,
and give them a heart of flesh. A similar scene occurred
in mny Sabbath-school.  Miany were stricken down in an
hour or two. It was a solemn, a grand scene. Young
persons of both sexes, from twelve to twenty-two years of
age, awakened, agonizing under conviction of sin; lifting
up their hands to heaven; fixing their eyes upon Jesus;
confessing their transgressions,- one saying,' I am lost! I
am a child of the devil; for I have told lies, and the devil
is the father of lies,' -another exclaiming,'Alh! I have
mocked Jesus! ah! I have mocked Jesus!'- another,'What a hypocrite I have been!' — many from time to
time praying'O Lord! for Jesus' sake have mercy upon
me;' Lord, open the door of my heart and come in!''0
Jesus, wash me in the fountain of Thy blood!' etc., etc.;
the ministers and Sabbath-school teachers moving amidst
them  travailing in birth till Christ would be formed in
them; praying with them; singing over them, and directing their souls to the great Physician; others coming, seeing the wondrous work of the Lord, returning to their
homes to render themselves up to God."
The Rev. Jackson Smyth has furnished me with the following narrative of the work as it came under his inspection:
The First _iMoved in the Congregytion. — "The first
moved in this congregation was an interesting young
girl, whom I met in the street one day, weeks before there
was any public nianifestation in the city. I spoke to her,
on meeting her, and her eyes filled nwith tears.'What is




THE WORK BECOMES PUBLIC.            309
the matter?' I said. Her lips quivered, her chest slightly
heaved, and the truth flashed upon my mind. Whereupon
I added,' Are you in concern about your soul?' -' Yes,
sir,' was said with deep feeling.'I shall visit you in the
evening;' and I did. No one in the house knew her state
of mind, as she did not make it known. Her sister wondered that I had all at once taken to visit the family every
day, when I had never visited in the house before. These
visits continued two weeks, when one day I entered, and
there was a calm, sweet expression in her face, which told
of joy within.'I What account have you to give of yourself to-day?'-' I am  happy in Christ; and, oh! what
happiness!'  The revival has commenced in Armagh,' I
mentally exclaimed, and thanked God. Weeks afterwards,
on calling one day at the house where this interesting girl
lives (it is a business house), I said to her,' Now that you
have tasted that God is gracious, what would you think
of holding a prayer-meeting with your companions every
night before going to bed?'-' We do that, sir,' was the
reply. One after another, the young persons in that house
were brought to the Lord, till no fewer than seven gave
clear indication of hopeful conversion. There was not a
case of prostration in the house at all.
The Work becomes Public. - " By-and-by, the work became more public, though there had been a falling off in
the attendance at our prayer-meetings. There was an impression abroad, that God was not going to visit Armallgh.
One evening, as we assembled for prayer in the church as
usual, the pews were almost empty. I made a few remarks
in reference *to our wonderful position. Like Gideon's
fleece, we were dry, while all around the earth was watered.
But I concluded thus: -' God has already blessed us in a
silent way, and He will further bless us. If there are ten
praying people in the city, God will revive His work; and
I know there are mllore than ten.' A brother minister rose,
ea(d a chapter of Isaiah, commented very briefly on it, and
gave out a psalln. As he sat down, I whispered to him,




310       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
c I see a young man under deep conviction of sin in one of
the pews; he will cry out very soon.' When the singing
ceased, the wail rose up to heaven,'0, Jesus! have mercy
on my soul!' A new thing this, in the city of Armagh;
and the few in the church exhibited strong sensations.
Another voice was heard, in the gallery, crying loudly for
pardon and acceptance with an offended God. The revival'had cone!' That first young man was a Sabbath-school
teacher, but his teaching had been lifeless till then. Now
he teaches with all his soul, and he has been blessed to the
conversion of many.
Crying for his Sins. - " This first-firuit of a ptblic manifestation of the power of God's Spirit, on the following
Sabbath evening held a prayer-meeting in a private house,
out a little distance in the country, where there were two
or three cases of'striking.' Being members of my congregation, I called on Monday to visit them.  Two were
rejoicing intensely -a girl of about eighteen years of age,
and a boy of about twelve. While I sat, a little boy of
five years of age came up and leaned against my knee. I
thought this a very unusual thing, for, having come recently to the city, I was quite a stranger. Taking up the
little fellow on my knees, I said,' Well, my boy, do you
know anything of Jesus?'-' Yes.' -' And what do you
know about Him?' H:I-e paused, and then his mother
spoke.'John (the boy's name) was out yesterday evening in the corner of the adjacent field, when MrI. IH. was
holding a prayer-meeting there. We heard bitter crying,
and thinking John was hurt, I ran quickly out. He was
coming towards the door, screaming piteously. I-Ie threw
himself down at the side of the wall, and continued to
cry very bitterly. In a little, I heard him utter the word
a"Jesus."  No one disturbed him  then.  When he had
cried for a length of time to Jesus to take away his sins,
he paused, rose up, wiped his eyes and cheeks hurriedly,
and ran up to me (his mother) and kissedn me rapturously.
Presently lhe ran out, and entered a house hard by, and




THE CONVERT GIRL AND THE SAILOR.         311
asked a little playmate if he would come and "cry for his
sins."  His companion was indifferent, wondered what it
all ineant, and stayed where he was. John returned, and,
commencing to weep, exclaimed, "T. J. will not come and
cry for his sins."'
" Whilst his mother was giving me this narrative of the
evening before, the little fellow sat on my knee with a settled calm in his face, which spoke volumes for the truth of
Christianity as it is in Jesus. Desirous of ascertaining the
certainty of the boy's conversion, I called on the following
week to make inquiry.'What about John?'-' He has
been very quiet during the week, giving no trouble in the
house as he used to do, but he is very cheerful. He attends
the pirayer-meetings in the houses around, and is very attentive.' -' Does he pray at home?'-' Yes.' —' Is it only
the prayer he used to repeat as a matter of form?'-' No,
he uses words of his own.' By this time all the children
in the house had been convinced of sin, with one exception (a Sabbath-school girl).'Last night,' continued his
mother,'when I was preparing him for bed, he ran away
from me, and knelt down and prayed, "0 Jesus, come and
pardon the sins of father, and mother, and Charlotte."'
That boy has been most consistent in his demeanor ever
since, and is no doubt a trophy of grace, one of those of
whom is the'kingdom of heaven.'
The Convert Girl on the Steamnboat. -   The eldest girl
of this family had occasion to go to Scotland shortly afterwards. On board the steamer she met a sister convert.
They sat down on deck, as the boat cut through the waves,
and the stars of heaven were twinkling overhead, and
commenced to sing a sweet psalm to,,-;the God of the sweet
singer of Israel. They attracted part of the crew, who
assembled round the' hymn-singers,' in that strange place.
One gruff'Jack' ordered them to desist. He hated the
music, because it was sacred. They did desist. But it
was not chance brought them there. M. WV. spoke to the
surly sailor. It was so sweet, so pathetic, so arresting, that




312       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
he did not dare to stop her; nor did he turn away. It was
about his soul and the Saviour she addressed him. He
listened, and became interested, absorbed. His eyes filled
with tears; they flowed.  He spoke; he remembered
days gone by, when he had heard such things before, but
he had long forgotten them. She pressed home Scripture
arguments, heart arguments. The sailor spoke of mercy
and pardon; and hearing there was pardon for such as lie,
for' the blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin,' he drew
a bottle from a pocket in his rough jacket, and flung it
overboard, exclaiming,' What a vile sinner I have been!
Never more shall I take that cursed thing, strong drink.
The Lord enable me to live to Him henceforward and forever!' Probably we may hear no more of the results of
that interview till the books shall be opened. But one
must feel that in the conversation of that young girl, a
wave of influence commenced to flow, which will never
cease till it strike against the shores of an eternal world.
She has been conducting meetings among young persons
of her own sex, ever since, in the town of D  -, in
Scotland.
Scene ina the Retiring-room. -- "The good and glorious
work went on. One day, in the church, when I had terminated the morning devotional exercises, and was about
to commence the exposition of my text, a person cried
aloud for mercy; then another, and another, till about a
dozen left the church, or were helped to leave. When I
left the pulpit, it was to witness a touching sight in the
retiring-room. There were seven of a family all kneeling
together -the father, a godly man, and who had been so for
many years; two dgughters, already Christians, and the
other four crying for mercy. The scene rose to the grandcl
and sublime, when one of the boys arose trusting in Christ,
and the father embraced him as a new-born babe in Jesus,
and then the other immediately afterwards. These boys
have been steady Christians ever since. There was another
group, consisting of two young girls, one only about nine




TIlE YOUTH WHO HAD HIS PLANS LAID.    313
years of age, kneeling together. The younger had said,
on entering the Sabbath-school that morning,'I am just
a week old.' She had been converted the Sabbath before.
Now she was kneeling, preaching Jesus Christ to the distressed soul of a young Sabbath-school companion. In
another part of the room was still another group. Two
girls who had been Unitarians, and had come with their
parents to the neighborhood of Armagh, were convinced
of sin, and found peace in the Lord. Tears must have
gushed forth from the most obdurate to witness the affectionate embrace of those poor girls, now children of God
through faith in Christ Jesus. Their subsequent history
furnishes a memorable instance of the power of prayer.
Their mother had not been regular in attendance on the
public means of grace, and there was no family altar ever
erected to the Lord in their home. These girls forthwith
commenced the blessed exercise of prayer and. readingr
God's Word in the family. They conducted this exercise
in turn - one in the morning, the other in evening. This
continued for some time, till at length the mother became
interested. She came out to attend a meeting in a country
house where I preached. On the following Sabbath she
came to church — was forced to cry out — remained in
distress for hours - at length departed to her home, where
she soon enjoyed repose in Christ, and now is not ashamed
to assist her daughters in their humble yet acceptable service of a kincl and gracious God, through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
Thle Youth Owho had his Plans Lacid. -" There is connected with our Sabbath-school one remarkable monument
of sovereign grace. A young man who had been a lover
of such society as is fearfully destructive and subversive
of the principles of all true religion and morality, became
convinced of sin, and was led to cry,' What must I do to
be saved?' Happy to know it, I seized every opportunity
which presented itself to talk with him. At length, one
day, meeting him in the street, I said,'J, what do
27




314       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
you feel the relation between your soul and God to be today?' —'I am a sinner, but a pardoned sinner,' said he,'washed and redeemed. Oh! truly I am a sinner rescued
fiom destruction, a brand plucked from the fire. I tell
you now, sir, that I had intended shortly to leave the city,
and I not only meant to live a careless life, but I had actually wicked plcans lacid omut for nzyself for life. I had
never true enjoyment on the Lord's day till the last, for I
had the luxury of knowing what it is to do something for
my Saviour in the Sabbath-school.' Since then, he has
been a devoted teacher. During the harvest, he met, one
night, one of his quondam boon associates as he passed
along the street.'Hilloa!' said his old friend,'is it
you?' and proceeded with a volley of raillery, which sobered
down into a reference to former times.' Those times are
gone forever,' said our Sabbath-school teacher. The other
made a reply derogatory to religion.'I am changed,'
continued the convert;' old things are passed away. Come
with me, and through Jesus Christ I will do you good. If
not, we must part, for I cannot go your way;' and they
parted, for they were clearly walking on different roads.
T7he Dlying Oine Revived. -" I might go on multiplying
instances of those who have come under my own observation in this locality, as giving indication of hopeful conversion to the Lord, and many of God's people have been
revivec, in the proper sense of the word. A young woman
was dying of consumption. She was, as I believed, a ripe
and exulting Christian.  She began to talk of the revival
in the city. Every day brought her fiesh tidings of new
conversions; and one morning she said to her mother,'Dear mother, I should like to have a visit from Gocl's
Spirit, like I hear others getting.'-'lMy dear,' said her
mother,' is the Holy Spirit not sanctifying you? Do you
not trust in your Saviour?' That day I was sent for to
see AM. S.' Come quickly, she is ill.' As I was engaged at
the moment, I could not go. In ten minutes a messenger
knocked, entered, and said:'Mrs. S. wouldl be glad to see




GREAT OPEN-AIR MEETING.'315
you instantly. Her daughter is dreadfully ill.' I left all,
and went to the house. I found the young woman sitting
up in the bed, or rather, held up by her mother. Her eyes
were full and red. Her cheeks, before pale and haggard,
were now swollen and livid. She was crying for pardon,
and she cried until she induced hsemorrhage of the lungs.
I spoke to her of the Saviour - His work, His promises
and invitations. She was too weak to answer, except an
occasional word, and this was of her sins. Asking her
mother to lay her down on the pillow, I took up God's
Word and read to her of the Saviour, and then offered up
prayer. She lay calmly for a while, and then a smile
played sweetly on her countenance, and she said,'Oh,
why did I doubt?  Why did I distrust my Saviour?  He
is ever the same. I see Him now to be lovelier than ever.
Oh, to be ever with the Lord!' Why did she doubt? It
was a case of mere doubting - nothing more. She was a
child of God before; but God's Spirit seemed to be working
her sanctification, and ripening her rapidly for glory. In the
course of two days the news came in,' 1. S. is dead.'' Not
dead, but sleepeth.'"
In the month of September a great meeting was held, in
the open air, in the neighborhood of Armagh, at which
fully three thousand persons were present. This meeting
was addressed, among others, by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist
Noel, who made a tour of the greater part of Ulster about
that time.  "Considerable emotion," says the Rev. R.
Wallace, of Tottenham, who was present, "soon began to
evince itself in the meeting, and during the day many (as
many as sixteen came under the personal observation of
my friend and fellow-traveller) men, women, and children,
were struck down, and forced to cry for mercy; in all, there
were about thirty such cases on this occasion. I sat on
the platform, and had a commanding view of the countenances of the people during the whole of the service. The
excitement was at its height during the address of a young
convert, as he detailed God's dealings with himself, and




316       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARMAGH.
earnestly besought all hearing him to flee from the wrath
to come, and lay hold on eternal life. And what struck me
most of all was, not the case of those who were prostrated
and forced to cry out for mercy, but the case of those who
were manifestly struggling to conceal their convictions, and
to suppress the rising emotions of their hearts. In many
cases I saw the big tear roll down the man or woman's
cheek; and I saw strong men seeking to conceal their
feelings by hiding their faces in their caps and hats, and
leaning upon one another, as hardly able to stand before
the preacher's words and appeals. And from what I beheld of this sort, and fiom the general solemnity and seriousness which pervaded that meeting, it is my conviction
that the number of persons struck cdownz bears no proportion to the number of those who were really smitten in
heart, truly convicted of sin, and made to cry out, although
silently,' What must we do to be saved?'
"The speech of ir. Moore, of Ballymena, struck me as
particularly calm, discriminating, excellent, and forcible.
He faithfully warned the audience against trusting in the
mere physical manifestations or effects, and confounding
them with conversion."
flfemories of t]he Year. - The Rev. Jackson Smyth thus
closes his narrative:
" There are many sweet reminiscences of 1859, which a
minister of the gospel can never forget.  How many
expressions of trust in Christ!  How many outpourings
of the desires of the soul for pardon! How many naive
expressions of confidence — gentle, child-like assurances
of trust in a kind heavenly Father, and dear and loving
Saviour!
"I asked one poor Sabbath-school girl, lying in bed
rejoicing in the Saviour, but exhausted in body after her
severe conflict,'V What she thought of Christ regarding
His willingness to save sinners?' Her answer is sublime
in simplicity.'He is just as happy in my eye as I am in
His, that He has saved one other poor sinner.' In asking




THE WORK IN RURAL DISTRICTS.         317
her again whether, in the midst of her soul-agony, she felt
as though she would rather be spoken to and prayed with,
or be left alone, she replied, regarding those under conviction in general,'Just let them and God deal for it.
God will take His own time, though all the world were
there.'
i "Let the world judge as it may, there is a glorious
reality in the revival of 1859.  The effects are visible.
The races here, it is estimated, were not attended by more
than one-fifth of the number on former years.  Women
have been redeemed from the paths of shame and infamy;
the lips of swearers have been sealed; the cup of the
drunkard has been broken; and the churches have been
filled.
" With regard to intemperance, the officer whose duty it
is to fill drunken co-mmittals in the city, told me he did
not fill a single one yesterday, the day after Christmas.
Formerly there were many.'Oh that men would praise
the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to
the children of men!'"
The following brief statement, by the Rev. J. D. Martin,
of Tullyallen, may be taken as a specimen of the work in
the rural districts of the same county:
"On Sabbath, the 30th June, 1859, the Rev. S. J.
~Moore, of Ballymena, came to preach the annual sermon
on behalf of the Sabbath-school Union in this quarter, at
Tullyallen. The services commenced at five o'clock, Pr.M.
The audience was large, amounting to several thousands.
Strong men trembled; faces grew  pale; many could
scarcely reach home, when the services were ended, through
weakness and anxiety; and many, as they went, were disposed to retire to some solitary place to pray. Such was
the state of feeling produced on such a multitude in a few
minutes. This was surely the powerful work of the Holy
Spirit as on the day of Pentecost. That meeting was
kept up for several hours, and was addressed by the ministers of the neighborhood, who were present. Prayer27



318       TIIE REVIVAL IN COUNTY ARIMAGH.
meetings were appointed during the week, and on the
next Friday evening a large number attended. During
the services, fifteen or twenty were impressed, or stricken,
crying aloud for mercy. The work of revival had now
come.
"The attention of the community was quite arrestedl,
and the people spake of little else but the revival. The
business of the- world was, to a great extent, laid aside;
religion seemed to take its proper place — the first place;
the salvation of the soul seemed to be the one thing needful; many almost forgot to take their regular food —
became pale and weak. Their great anxiety appeared to
be' What must I do to be saved?'
"Stated meetings weekly have been kept up in our
church now for six months - well attended - and at most
of these, for months, the cry for mercy was often heard.
The outward manifestations have now nearly ceased, but
the work of the Spirit is going on steadily and quietly.
"To describe the various states of mind of those on
wliom the Spirit operated, would require much time. But
in general these were strong convictions of sin, a deep
feeling of the terrors of the law and of the lost state of
the soul, overpowering frequently both mind and body;
an apprehension of Christ as the Saviour, and an earnest
desire to obtain Him; a spirit of prayer in an extraordinary degree; a willingness to submit to Christ; a trusting
in Christ for salvation; and joy and peace of a high
character.
"In all cases which have been considered genuine conversion of sinners, or revival of saints, there seems to be a
much greater hatred of sin, and guarding against it, and a
delight in and attention to religion. Is not this the work
of the Spirit of God?"
Subjoined is a touching instance of the power of prayer
in the case of an entire household. It is supplied by the
Rev. George Nesbitt, of Tartaraghan, also in County
Armagh:




INSTANCE OF THE POWER OF PRAYER.        319
c A pious mother, in very humble circumstances, began
early last summer to spend an hour daily in prayer for a
revival in her famnily, and in our congregation. Her eldest
boy, about sixteen, one Monday morning in September,
after she had been thus engaged, came off his loom and
went to his knees. A few minutes after, her second boy
was found on his knees in the cow-house. They prayed all
that day and the following night. I heard some of their
petitions:'O Lord, come intQ my hard heart. Put in
Thy hand by the hole of the door, and open for Thyself,
O Jesus! Wash me in the fountain of Thy blood, not my
hands and my feet only, but my heart and my soul. O
Thou that manifested Thyself unto the Hebrew children
in the fiery furnace, manifest Thyself unto us this night as
our reconciled Father.  We have sinned against great
mercies and privileges, and are not worthy to be called
Thy sons; oh, make us as hired servants!' One found
peace on the following day; the other, not till Saturday
night. Three little brothers have been brought to Christ
since. The youngest, who will not -be nine years of age
till March, was on his knees almost incessantly for sixteen
days. His mother has been asked to pray with him three
times after the family retired for the night, and often she
lifted him from his knees to persuade him to take food.
Not one of the five boys was' stricken,' and all had been
in conviction a number of weeks before their distress was
perceived by their parents."




CHAPTER XVII.
aIj At bitauI in  znutgal,  soiujjn, b gahax.
C 0 U N T Y D 0 N E G A L: - MONREAGH - SCENES IN THE CHURCH - IN THE
OPEN AIR — THREE MEMORABLE SERVICES, AND THEIR EFFECTS - THE
PRESENT AND THE PAST - SAUL AMONG THE PROPHETS - TWO NOTABLE
INSTANCES - THE DOMESTIC ALTAR — ABIDING FRUITS — DONOUGHMORE.
C O U N T Y 1N 0 N A G H A N:- STATEMENT OF THE REV. HOPE M. WADDELL
- IMPRESSIONS OF A VISIT IN THE COUNTRY - ON THE SABBATH - NEWBLISS - THE FIRST CASE - THOSE PRINCIPALLY REACHED. C O U N T Y
0 A V A N: - BAILIEBOROUGH - DRUMIEERAN - WONDERFUL AWAKENING
AND EXCITEMENT - STATEMENT OF THE REV. F1. E. TRENCH, OF KELLS
(COUNTY HEATH) - A MEETING OVER THE BORDERS - HOW THE REVIVAL
HAS BEEN PROPAGATED - ANOTHER VISIT OVER THE BORDER —  SHOOTING THE GOOSE " - A WHOLE FAMILY SURRENDERING TO CHRIST - THE
MORAL RESULTS -THE MOVEMENT SOUTHWARDS — LEINSTER AND MUNSTER.
SPACE will not admit of a prolongation of this narrative.
And in the case of the three counties which yet remain to
be noticed in connection with the progress of the movement, I must select, out of the materials at my disposal,
only a slender portion, referring, as before, to the Appendix
for a condensation of many similar contributions.  The
subjoined account of the awakening within his own bounds,
is written with much simplicity, and yet with a vividness
that invests it with a genuine interest, by the Rev. Andrew
Long.  The place is Monreagh, a rural district in Donegal,
a few miles from the city of Derry.
"In no congregation in this district has the Lord wrought
more marvellously. The full tide of the river of God, which
was passing over our land, reached us about the middle of
June.  We had most interesting meetings, in the open air,
on June 14th and 21st. Anotlher, in our church, on the 24th,




SCENES IN THE CHURCH.            321
when about twenty souls were savingly impressed. An
infidel would have seen that the Holy Spirit alone was
working there. One young lad had gone a few yards from
the church, when he stood, and said to his mother,'Mamma,
I cannot go further; I must turn back and speak to Mr.
Long.' 1-Ie remained in the vestry with the others, for a
considerable time wrestling with God in deep distress. As
yet, however, it was the day of small things with us.
Scenes in the Ch)urcl. -" On the following Lord's day,
June 26, we enjoyed showers of blessing. The scene
which took place baffles description. The church was
crowded to suffocation. I preached from  the words,'Thou restrainest prayer before Godl  especially with
reference to the outpouring of the Spirit in answer to
prayer.2 God strengthened me as HI-e never did before, for
the services of that memorable day; but I know it was in
answer to many prayers, and especially those of some of
our new-born souls who were heard pleading for me during
the day. I never witnessed such deep solemnity. The
exercises had almost closed, when one person fell out of
her pew upon the aisle, the door being open, and shrieked
loudly for mercy. In a few moments about twenty were
prostrated, in different quarters of the house. And then,
what a scene ensued! Relatives, in groups, carrying their
stricken ones into the adjoining vestry; multitudes weeping, and the whole congregation moved and excited, as if
the judgment day had come. I came down from the pulpit in order to keep the passage to the vestry clear, when
just behind me, a young female, a member of the congregation, whose heart the Lord had touched in Derry, lifted
up her hands, and in an unearthly voice addressed the
assembly, thanking God that the flood of God's Spirit had
not passed us by unvisited - telling of her love to Jesus,
and entreating those who were looking at salvation from
afar, to come to the precious Saviour and be reconciled to
God. She would not take ten thousand worlds for Jesus.
1 Job xv. 4.           2 Luke xi. 13.




322       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
I- not knowing what to do - permitted her to address
the congregation for a few minutes. The heavenly light
which had been imparted to her mind beamed through her
countenance. And she who, a few days previous, would not,
and could not, have ventured to speak one word for Christ,
was not ashamed now to lift up her voice like a trumpet,
and, out of the abundance of her heart, to urge the thoughtless sinner to fly from the wrath to come. Her simple address was certainly the most- touching and telling appeal
to which I have ever listened; and the entire scene was
unlike one of earth. Many a stout and stubborn heart, that
had hitherto resisted the Holy Ghost, was compelled to
yield. I had often read of the prostration of the convicted
leper, but I never witnessed a ftac-simile of it until that
day. A strong young man was on his knees, in deep mental agony, refusing to be comforted, pressing his very face
upon the dust of the vestry floor; and in this position he
remained for several hours. In every part of the church
there were broken-hearted penitents on their knees, pleading for mercy; and at the same time, not a few hardened
sinners were looking on and wondering. But at length the
feelings of many gave way, and the big tears rolled down
many a wrinkled cheek.
In the Ope)n Air. - "In the evening I held a meeting
in the open air, about a mile from the church, and addressed an assembly of two thousand, from Acts xvii. 30.
There were three converts from Derry present,- a porter,
a tailor, and a sailor. The former said, in his own tender,
simple, touching manner:'I am but a poor porter, earning
nine shillings a week, for drawing my handcart through the
streets of Derry; but I would not change my situation for
that of the richest among yez, if you have not got Christ.'
The tailor, in offering up a short prayer, said,' Lord, have
mercy on those poor sinners who do not care one happorth
about their souls.'
1ll the Church again. - "At this meeting a few were
awakened; and at its close, a great number flocked to the




INTERESTING MEETING.              323
church, though it was now nine o'clock, and remained there
till next morning. There was one great-grandmother present, and several grand-parents were rejoicing over their
penitent offspring. And, oh, the burning words of some
who had obtained peace, as they addressed God in prayer!
It was a joyous time. The countenance of one girl was
truly angelic, as, looking up, she poured forth her gratitude
to God, and gave Him the glory, crying,' Precious Jesus!
lovely Jesus! sweeter to me than honey and the honeycomb!' Similar expressions might have been heard ringing
through the sanctuary at intervals, as the parties found
peace and joy in believing. One person, aged fifty-five
years, arose, and said, in a loud voice, that he never had a
family altar in his house, but he would go home and erect
one, and keep it up till he would die.  It is now nine
months since, and he is still faithful to his vow. One little
girl of eleven said she would not take a hundred guineas
for her interest in Christ; no, nor a thousand; for Christ
was better to her than them all. Another girl, on obtaining peace, offered up a sweet prayer, in the presence of a
multitude. She first gave God the glory for what He had
done for her soul, and then pleaded earnestly for me; and
many others have done in like manner. I have frequently
overheard them wrestling with God on my behalf.
"On the following Tuesday evening, June 28, I held a
meeting in the church, and chose as the subject of my
address Luke vii. 36 —50. At the close of the service,
about seventy were on their knees praying, as in an agony
-some of them the vilest of the people.  Next day, I
addressed about three hundred, in the open air, at Molenan,
from the text 1 Kings xviii. 21. Fifteen persons, who were
in deep distress, retired to an adjacent house, and prostrated themselves on an earthen floor.  I was greatly
struck inl witnessing the love which young Christians
manifested for each other. Often did I see girls embrace
each other on obtaining peace, and unite in prayer for
those who were still in spiritual distress.




324       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
"On Friday, July 1, a most interesting meeting was
held in the church, which would not contain the numbers
that repaired to it. Many had come from a great distance,
so that the like was not seen here in the memory of the
oldest inhabitant. Upwards of seventy were brought to
cry,'What must I do to be saved?' A powerful, athletic
man, on obtaining partial peace, at the close of the service,
arose, and, in the midst of that vast assembly, said, in a
stentorian voice:' I cannot get peace with man or God till
I tell you what I have been. I cursed my father, threw
stones at my mother, profaned the Sabbath, and committed
every crime but murder.' His wife then clasped him in her
arms, and his aged mother, who is on the verge of the grave,
clung by his neck, kissed him, and wept with joy. Soon
afterNwards, his partner in life was brought to the Saviour;
and all are now rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Before the congregation was dismissed, I announced that a
meeting would be held next evening, at Carrigans, in the
open air. Although the notice was short, upwards of one
thousand of the surrounding population assembled, and
among the multitude I saw a few of the aristocracy of the
district, who belong to the Established Church. There
were many violent prostrations, which created a wonderful
sensation in the minds of those who had not previously
witnessed such manifestations. At this meeting a little girl
was stricken in the fields. She was praying earnestly when
I came to her. I encouraged her to continue wrestling with
God until she obtained the blessing, reminding her of some
portions of God's Word to incite her to importunity.'And,' said she,'that's another nice toee promise, " Draw
nigh to God and IHle will draw nigh to you."' —'Yes,' I
replied,' IHe has said, for the encouragement of the young
especially, " I love them that love me, and they that seek
me early shall find me."'-' I Oh, yes!' she cried, in rapture,' Christ loves wree weanzs, for He has said, "Suffer little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of
such is the kingdom of heaven."'




THREE MEMORABLE SERVICES — THEIR EFFECTS.  325
Three _fremorable Services.-" On the following day,
Sabbath, July 3, I arranged to hold three meetings -two
in the church, and one at Drumennon, in the open air, about
three miles distant. Although the notice was very short,
more than one thousand individuals were present at the latter place, and the entire audience was deeply affected. At
the close of the sacred exercises there, I drove hastily to
MIonreagh for the evening service; and it was most interesting to see little flocks of men running from Drumennon
to the church, through fields, with coat on arm. Many of
these had been hitherto living as if there were no God;
and yet this was the third service on that day to which
they were hastening, without having returned to their
homes.  I was told that one of them  actually fainted
from  hunger by the way. When I reached the church,
accompanied by three worthy young men, who rendered
me efficient aid throughout the day, we found the sanctuary and vestry densely thronged in every part, and many
could not obtain admittance. Anxiety was pictured on
every countenance, and the entire scene was such as I
had never witnessed.  The meeting was continued till
midnight, and I could not but remark the wondrous
change that had passed over the land, when the attention
of such a vast multitude could be enchained till that hour.
"The Divine influence came down upon the people at
each service throughout that interesting day. There were
many physical manifestations.  Upwards of one hundred
persons lay prostrate in the pews, and agonized in prayer,
till three o'clock next morning. Many of the cases were
quite unusual. One young female continued to sing a
sweet, mournful air, apparently her own, to words that
occurred to her at the moment, all about Jesus, and all as
beautiful as if arranged by the finest poet. She seemed
unconscious, and sat in her pew all the time with her eyes
steadfastly gazing upwards. Never did 1, or any of that
awe-stricken audience, listen to sounds so unlike those of
earth. It was like an angel's song. Her voice seemed to
28




326      THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
be attuned by some celestial power; and its clear, sweet,
symphonious tones, led us all to feel that that place was
like the very gate of heaven.
" Towards the end of July, bodily prostrations became
less frequent, yet God did not cease to work mightily
among the people. From time to time dead souls have
been quickened; and among those who found the Lord
Jesus, the most intense earnestness continued to be manifested. Their new life became apparent by a new obedience, and a diligent waiting Upon God in all the ordinances
of His grace.
Tlie Present and the Past. -" Since the beginning of
the great awakening, we have had congregations on weekdays, during the autumn, varying from five hundred to one
thousand; whereas, about twelve months ago, it would
leave been very difficult to have collected two hunndred
persons even on any occasion. Formerly I was under the
necessity of giving up a monthly congregational prayermeeting, the attendance was so miserable; and the only
way in which I could maintain the semblance of it was by
holding district meetings, and thus itinerating through
our bounds; and even then very few came together. But
no sooner did the Holy Ghost breathe on the dead bones,
than eight weekly and two bi-weekly district meetings
sprang up spontaneously. And in addition to these we
lhave one week-day and two Lord's-day union prayer-meetings, which are numerously attended. Formerly I was
obliged to abandon a second service on the Sabbath in
summer, and substitute a kind of double service without
intermission. Now, the attendance at the evening lecture
is frequently as good as in the morning; and, notwithstanding the firequency of our meetings, none are saying,'What a weariness is it.' Nay, some do not leave the
church fiom morning till the close of the evening service.
" A short time ago I was visiting from house to house in
a distant district of the congregation, and in the evening
called upon a respectable family to pay my last visit that




SAUL AMONG THE PROPHETS.           327
day. In a little while after I entered, the voice of psalms
in the distance fell upon my ear.  On inquiring what
meaneth this, I was informed that it was a little prayermeeting in the other end of the house, attended by five
young men who are members of the district meeting, and
assemble weekly besides, to pray specially for a more
abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the land. I
at once joined the little band in the small' upper room.'
One of the young men, whose duty it was to engage in
prayer, modestly declined doing so in my presence; saying, he was' but a babe, and weak.' I encouraged him, and
at length he poured forth a sweet, simple prayer, in which
I was not forgotten.
Saul among the Prophets. -" There are many notable
instances of conversion in this district —many whose
hearts have been renewed, and whose lives have been
reformed, but whose previous history I need not at length
describe. At the commencement of the awakening, and
at the close of a service on one of our most memorable
evenings, a man was observed in the church gazing at a
multitude who were on bended knee pleading for mercy.
Hie moved along from pew to pew, surveying the prostrate
suppliants, with a look of indifference on his countenance.
-le was questioned regarding his spiritual state, and exhorted to join the praying band, and seek the Lord while
lie is to be found; but he refused, and left the church,
rejecting the great salvation. But as he journeyed alone
toward his home, his heart became impressed by -what his
eyes had seen and his ears had heard. With difficulty he
reached his cottage, and as he entered, he staggered and
fell upon his knees, and in the most earnest cries besought
God to break his stubborn, flinty, wicked heart, and make
hinm a new creature. Now I do not know a more humble,
cevoted, earnest Christian in this neighborhood. HIe has
forsaken all his old ways. He spends a considerable portion of every night in reading the Scriptures; he worships
God in his fimily twice each week-day, and thrice on




328       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
Sabbath; he is a laborer, and on some occasions has not
time for breakfast and family prayer; he worships God,
however, and goes forth to his daily labor without food;
he now loves me as his pastor. At one of our union meetings he engaged in prayer, and some were led to exclaim,'Is Saul also among the prophets?'
Twoo NMotacble lizstcazces.  - "Another man was notorious
for drunkenness and Sabbath-breaking. His mouth was
full of cursing and bitterness. lie frequently ill-treatecd
his wife, and sometimes has she come to me to complain
of her husband, with undeniable marks of his brutality
upon her visage. Seldom did he bow his knees in private
prayer, and in the sanctuary his seat was usually vacant.
But now the family altar is erected, the house of God is
attended, and his wife and others say that he is the kindest
of husbands. Another strong man, in middle life, was
gathered into the fold of Christ in the month of July. He
was prostrated in his own house, and was deaf, dumb, and
blind, for several hours. His relatives sent for me to visit
him, and when I reached his bedside, he had regained his
strength, and was rejoicing in Christ Jesus. His eyes resembled balls of fire. He stretched forth his strong arms
in an ecstasy, and clasped me to his iron frame, as if he
would crush my very bones. He expressed his love to
Christ, his love to me, and said, from his inmost soul, that
he'would willingly die if he could bring one sinner to
Jesus.'
The dlomnestic Altar. - "Formerly, family prayer was
much neglected throughout this entire district; now,
there are few households in which God has not an altar.
There are some instances in which mothers and daughters
have established the worship of God in their families, when
the father has refused to conduct the service. Even menservants, in the absence of their masters, not unfrequently
keep the sacred fire alive on the altar. About twelve
months since, some of my people, whose education has
been altocether neglected, supposed that this exempted




ABIDING FRUITS.                329
them from the discharge of the duty, and peremptorily
declined observing it. Now, some of these worship God
in the family twice each day, and occasionally pray in the
district meeting. TUntil lately, I never heard the voice of
one of my people in prayer; now they are not ashamed to
engage in this exercise in my presence, and regard it as a
privilege to be called on to pray at our union meetings.
At one of our district meetings, twelve boys prayed successively on the same night; and it is not unusual for some
to take advantage of a leisure moment to wrestle with
God when alone, and at work in the fields. At the earnest
request of the congregation, a special communion was observed in Monreagh, in August, and it is now the desire of
the people that henceforward the Lord's Supper be celebrated quarterly.
Abidcinzg Fruits. - "I am happy to say, also, that in so
far as known to our session, committee, and myself, there
has not been one case of backsliding. There may not be
that intense ardor which was apparent on'the day of their
espousals;' yet I believe there is no real diminution of
love to Christ, but an accession of higher and deeper feelings. The change in the moral aspect of society here is
truly marvellous. Formerly, a party of strolling players
were in the habit of occasionally visiting the village of
Carrigans, in this neighborhood, and realizing some pounds
weekly from the people during their stay. During last
autumn they visited the village as usual, but were obliged
to leave. Only one individual entered the miniature theatre, and the manager returned his money, and moved
away, denouncing the revival, and cursing the inhabitants
for their stinginess. These are the'wonders of the right
hand of the Most Htigh.''Instead of the thorn has come
up the fir-tree, instead of the brier has come up the myrtletree.' There has been no distinction of age or sex. The
Lord has had mercy on many who were' far off from rilghteousness;' and we cannot witness the reformation thlus
effected on society to its very centre without'seeing the
28*




330       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
arm of the Lord,' and saying,' This is the finger of God;''I believe in the Holy Ghost."'
In Donoughmore, in the same county, there was a great
awakening, followed by an entire change in the moral
aspects of society- a change not confined to those who
were themselves brought to a knowledge of the truth, but
extending to almost all residing in the locality.
"The work began," says the Rev. Alex. Caldwell,
writing on the 24th April, 1860,'"on the 29th of June,
at the annual meeting of our Sabbath-schools. On the
former Sabbath there had been a case of conviction, and
on the evening of that day a female had been stricken,
and forced to cry aloud for mercy, while reading the Bible
in her own house.
"On the 29th  of June, the Rev. Richard Smyth, of
Derry, kindly came to our meeting, and delivered a very
powerftl and effective address. I never saw an audience
so deeply moved. Every person with whom I have since
conversed seems to have experienced the same deep, solemn feeling pervading the mind. H-Ie was followed by
two young men from Derry, who gave a statement of their
experience. The meeting was next addressed by the Rev.
WV. A. Russell, of Strabane, and during his address three
females present were stricken, and cried aloud for mercy,
in the congregation. There were persons present fiom all
the congregations around, and all being deeply impressed,
the revival spread at once through the surrounding districts. On that night I was called to see a young man, il
one of the most distant parts of the congregation, who was
stricken in his own house, and whose case produced a great
impression in his own neighborhood. And on the evening of the following Friday, three persons were prostrated,
on leaving a prayer-meeting in Castlefin. The case of
these young men, whose cries for mercy were heard at a
great distance, had a powerful influence on the whole (istrict. But these cases were as nothing to what occurred
in the mneeting-house on the following  Lord's day, and




ALL CLASSES AFFECTED.             331
again on Monday evening. The number of those forced
to cry aloud for mercy was so great, that it was difficult
to proceed with the service, and to preserve order in the
meeting.
" With respect to the outward manifestations attending
the revival, there have been comparatively few cases of
bodily prostration. There were many more cases of persons simply forced to cry aloud for mercy. And the numlber of those silently convinced of sin, and brought to
believe, was much larger than the two former classes combined. In this district I find, among all these classes, as
subjects of the revival, persons of all ages, fiom threescore
and fifteen to ten years of age; persons of all degrees of
intelligence, from the best educated to the most ignorant;
persons of very different physical constitution, from  the
most intrepid and resolute men to the most timid and nervous female among us; and persons of every shade of
character, fiom the most amiable and blameless to the most
profane and reckless in the community. Again, I find a
very great difference existed in the state of mind previous
to the revival in different individuals. Some were forced
to cry for mercy, after having had conviction of sin for
months together; while others, again, were brought under
conviction, and forced to cry for mercy in a moment.
Some, again, have experienced conviction on account of
the neglect of some particular duty, or from having committed some particular sin; and others, again, fiom a sense
that they were sinners, without reference to any particular
transgression. And when in agony of mind, I have invariably found that whatever might be said to them, nothing
brought relief but the pure Word of God quoted verbatim.
" I have been much surprised at the outpouring of
player resulting from  the revival.  How  different the
prayers from those of former times! how original the
ideas and the language in which they were expressed! I
was deeply moved on one occasion by hearing a female, in
a public meeting, use the following words: 60 Lord, I




332       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY DONEGAL.
know the devil is no stronger now than he was, but Thou
well knowest he is a thousand times busier with me than
he ever was. O Lord, for my Saviour's sake, command
him to leave me, that I may have peace.'
" The relief experienced after the mental agony was very
remarkable, and at the same time a feeling of love to all
manifested itself. I once asked a woman, the dclay after she
was stricken, how she felt, and her reply was,' Oh, sir, my
heart is all love to everything and everybody.' And many
who had taken offence at others could have no peace till
they were fully reconciled.
"The foolish, pernicious habit of smnoking tobacco prevailed
here very generally. I felt it my duty to call attention to
it several times, but without success, until the revival began.
Since that time I know so many as forty individuals who
have given it up. One clay, a middle-aged man took me
aside, after preaching in Strabane, and said to me,'Sir, I
wished to say to you, that I have given up the use of
tobacco altogether; and I have resolved, by the grace of
God, to give every penny it would have cost me to the
missions, and to spend every moment I must have spent in
smoking in reading my Bible.'
"With respect to the permanency of the work, thank
God, I am able to say that, out of more than two hundred
cases which have come under my observation,  I do not
know one who professed to be savingly converted who is
not still maintaining a consistent walk and conversation.
I know persons who were not only stricken, but heavily
prostrated, who seem more hardened and wicked than ever.
There are only very few of these, and not one of them
ever even professed to be converted.
"In reference to the lay agency employed with so much
success in promoting the revival, I have observed that
when a person gave a statement of his own experience,
those impressed by it belonged to that class similar in mind
and disposition to the speaker, and whose experience, I
believe, would correspond to his.  I have also observed




COUNTY MONAGHAN.                 333
that when the person went beyond a simple statement of
his own case, and attempted to explain Scripture, or exhort,
no good result followed.
"During many weeks I had fears for the result of the
revival. Now, however, thank God, I have no fear whatever that even Donoughmore shall be, in my day, in the
same state in which the revival found us. The change
upon so many fine young persons of both sexes is so great,
that I have every hope they will become the agents, under
the Holy Spirit, in extending this glorious work still more,
until the whole district has become leavened by it. Instead
of supposing that the revival has ceased, I look upon it as
only beginning, and I know it is still making rapid progress
here."
COUNTY MONAGHAN.
I2npressions of a V isit. - The Rev. }I. Mi. Waddell,
missionary, first in Janmaica, and subsequently in Western
Africa, in referring to his unwillingness to traverse the
revival districts, lest too many visitors should prove injurious, to the young converts, adds, "But when I heard that
it was making progress through my native county, XonaZghan, which tourists and travellers seldom visit, where I
could see old friends and fulfil old promises, by preaching
for some of the over-worked ministers, I thought that I
might, in the way of duty, go and see that great thing
which the Lord has brought to pass in our days."
1-n the Country. -- After narrating several interviews
with ministers and others, Mr. Waddell proceeds to state
that he went among the hamlets and small farmhouses in
"an out-of-the-way" rural district, there to converse with
some of the families in which the revival had appeared with
some of its more remarkable effects. "At one place," he
says, "seven young women hastily came in from their field
labors to meet me, one running to call another. They had
all but one been struck, though at different times and in
differ ent places; an(], as usual, after a period of prostration




334      THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY MONAGHAN.
had found peace and comfort by that greatest and best of
all names, the name of Jesus. One of them was a recent
case, and she was still weak. They gave a simple account
of what had happened to them: sudden and uncontrollable
emotion, with fears, and faintness, and depression; a load
at the heart; their sins and their souls; recovery, after
hours of anguish, by faith in Jesus the Saviour. It did not,
for so far, seem unintelligible. They had all been Sabbath
scholars, and some of them communicants. The Spirit of
the Lord made short work with them. The experience of
years was compressed into hours; and their conversion,
like the outburst of a tornado on the African coast after a
long calm, was the explosion of accumulated and condensed
forces, brief and violent, breaking down all before it.
"One of them, I have said, had not been struck, and
she was the only one who did not seem happy. Indeed,
she was in deep distress about her salvation, and wept
abundantly for fear the Lord had passed her by. She
knew the truths of the gospel, and could assent to its
invitations and promises, but not lay them to heart, nor
take the comfort of them. These young women were just
such as any true gospel minister would like, to have in
his advanced Bible-class - anxious inquirers, and young
Christians setting their faces Zionward.
"In another place, I found a mother- a grave, elderly
woman - and three young daughters, two of whom, with
herself, had been stricken. They gave a similar account
with the others, and all others, as to the way they had been
affected, and were in a similar state of happy peacefulness.
The one who had not been stricken was not careless, but
gave a good account of her faith in Christ, and was in a
hopeful state.
"Elsewhere, we found a middle-aged single woman, who
had been several times stricken; as had also a young
woman, her neighbor, who came in at our call. The entrance of her minister and me unexpectedly, seemed to
excite some nervous affection, and, after a vain attempt




A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY —THE SABBATH.    335
to compose herself, she sank powerless on the floor, and
went into a fit of violent tremblings. We supported and
comforted her, while she, perfectly conscious, whispered
prayelrs to the Lord Jesus to keep her and save her;
and comforted herself with the assurance that He would
never forsake her, for He was'a loving God.' The last
words were uttered with ineffable tenderness and confidence, as a child would repose itself, in felt safety, on its
mother's bosom.  The trenlbling terminated in a rigid
contraction of form and feature, a violent spasm or cramlp,
for a few moments, distressing to behold, which, however,
soon relaxed; and then the other, sitting beside her, exclaimed,'INow, sister - now is your time; now pray.' And
we all bent our knees in supplication to the Lord, with
blessing and praise; after which she arose refreshed, andl
sat down composedly beside the door, engaging in cheerful conversation, the tenor of which showed her love for
her Saviour and devotedness to Him. NTeither of these
women had ever been subject to nervous attacks, or fits
of any kind, before the revival began. And I learned
flrom them that the latter attacks differed fiom the former
in being short, and unaccompanied by any fearl; whence
I concluded that the repetition of them was the consequence of increased nervous excitability and bodily weak-,ness.  MIy companion dissuaded the one who had just
suffered fiom coming to meeting on the morrow, as too
wveak to bear the excitement. Time failed, or we might
have gone to many other families in which the spirit of
revival had taken effect in the same way.
On the Sabbath. - "Next day, Sabbath, I preached in
two places of worship, some miles apart, to very large and
serious congregations, perhaps eight hundred each. During the forenoon and afternoon services, ten or twelve persons were struck, and removed as quietly as could be; some
insensible, others only deeply affected to groans and tears;
some with outcries, unable to restrain themselves, whom
I had observed contending with their feelings a long time




336      THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY MONAGHAN.
before they gave way, and took help to retire. Some
of these had been struck on former occasions, and now
soon recovered themselves, and returned into the church.
Others in the congregation prevailed to keep their sealts,
though greatly agitated, even to sighs and tears. Some
men, I was told, had enough to do to keep quiet, and were
pouring with perspiration fiom the violence of their emotions. So we might expect. A stroke may only stagger
a man which suffices to prostrate a woman.
"At five o'clock that evening I preached to a. great union
prayer-meeting. A number of persons, eight or nine I was
told, were struck and carried out, some of them, I noticed,
after prolonged self-conflict. Of these, some were insensible; some agitated to strong crying. One person was
neither the one way nor the other; but under emotions so
powerful, and so powerfully restrained, that the heaving  of
the breast was quite remarkable, and almost audible.
"Such a movement was really very affecting, and neither
pleacher nor hearers could be untouched while that mighty
power of conviction and conversion was abroad in these
congregations. But I felt bound to restrain myself, lest, if
I should give way to my feelings, confusion might ensue.
The subjects on which I preached were not of an exciting
character, nor delivered in any exciting manner. In both
respects, I might say they were rather the oppositesimple gospel sermons. For I had heard that cases of
striking were not unfrequent in both places, and I purposely avoided whatever might provoke such occurrences,
that I might the better judge of what was going on. I
had preached the same discourses in Scotland, without seeing any unusual effect produced. I must, therefore, attribute the effect on this occasion to some other cause than my
preaching. What the'proper hysteric tone and gesture'
may be, which some hostile or frivolous writers allude to, I
know not. Certainly mine, on these occasions, whether
bad or good, were just what they usually have been, and
in themselves, I presume, as ineffective as- ever. That




TIHE FIRST CASE.              337
evening congregation assembled midst heavy rain, and
under the rain many went home singing psalms as they
walked in company; and I thanked God for what I saw of
His power and grace displayed among them."
The town of Monaghan shared in the blessing; and the
Rev. John Bleekley, the much-respected pastor of the
Presbyterian church, has been refreshed, after a lengthened
ministry, by the happy results that he has witnessed. In
the course of about five months after the commencement
of the revival, he preached no less than a hundred and
thirty times!
A few miles distant from the county town, is Newbliss,
in which the movement began in August. The immediate
occasion was the visit of two lay-agents from County
Antrim. "In their addresses," says the Rev. R. Dunlop,
who supplies the information, "there was not the slightest
attempt to arouse an undue excitement, or produce a
merely temporary enthusiasm.
DiTe Figrst Case. - " On the morning of the clay following their first visit, I was summoned to attend a young
woman, a member of my congregation, who was under
deep and awful convictions of her sinfulness and danger.
She had been carefully and religiously trained, had fiequently communicated, and was looked on by all her
acquaintance as sincerely and unaffectedly pious. When
I entered her room, she was lying on her bed in a state of
great physical weakness, but wrestling most earnestly in
prayer. Her language was almost entirely scriptural, and
strangely appropriate to her condition. Her utterance was
most fluent; she never seemed at a loss for either sentiments or words; and, although naturally of a shy, retiring
disposition, she did not feel the least diffidence to pray
before a large number of strangers. What most astonished
me was, that thouolh she knew little or nothing of the features of the revival movement, the physical and mental
characteristics in her case were almost exactly similar to
those which had been exhibited in County Antrim.  Hers
29




338      THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY MONAGHAN.
was the first case I had attended; and I shall never forget
the sensations of solemn awe which I experienced as I
stood by her bedside, witnessing her soul-agony, and listening to her supplications for mercy. It seemed a renewal
of the scene of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the
Covenant. WVe had all deemed her religious; but in that
season of trial, when she was brought face to face with
God, the mask of profession fell off, and her soul appeared
all filthy and naked, in need of the cleansing of Christ's
blood, and the clothing of Christ's righteousness.  Her
strugglings after spiritual peace were severe and long-protracted. But gradually the light of heaven shone in upon
her, and she is now rejoicing in the light and liberty of the
children of God.
"Two or three other cases of conviction occurred during
that and the following week. In the second week in August, the great outburst of religious feeling began, and
spread with unexampled rapidity fiom house to house and
from district to district. From Newbliss to Drum, there
was scarcely a townland where there were not several
families some of whose members had been under deep convictions of sin, and had been led to put their trust in the
alone Saviour. On the northern side of the village, towards
Monaghan, the movement was much slower in developing
itself. It was several weeks after the first outburst before
more than two or three cases could be quoted. But now,
there is not a district where more hopeful cases can be
pointed out, where greater changes have been wrought in
the moral and religious life, where greater anxiety continues
to be manifested, or where prayer-meetings are more numerously attended.
Those Principally Reached. —" As to the parties mainly
reached by the movement, I should say that those who had
received a good religious training in early years form the
most influential class. The number of women converted is
greater than that of men, but not to ally very marked degree - not more than might be expected from the well



COUNTY CAVAN.                 339
klnown fact, attested by the attendance on all religious
assemblies, and by the communion-roll of almost every
church, that women are much more religiously disposed
than men. The number of young persons brought to experience an interest in Christ's salvation is very much
larger than that of the middle-aged and old; and while I
rejoice to say that many old people in the neighborhood
are giving evidences of a saving change having been
recently wrought on their souls, the statistics of the movement here confirm the solemn fact, that the difficulties of
conversion, and the chances against salvation, are increased
in direct proportion to an increase in years, from youth
upwards. Some who lived wild, reckless, godless lives,
are now walking in the beauty of holiness; but most of
those who have been led to rely savingly on Christ, were
previously distinguished for their moral purity, which they
felt, however, to be a feeble reed to rest bn in the hour of
the soul's trial by God's omniscient Spirit.
4"The sermons most blessed to the conviction and conversion of souls, were not those which are naturally most
alarming - such as God's wrath against sinners, the danger
of eternal torments, etc.; on the contrary, they were those
which spoke of a Saviour's love, of the Father's unmerited
mercy, of the Spirit's gracious influence, of the joys of the
righteous, and of the glorious inheritance of heaven.
"The revival movement has produced a very decided
improvement in the public morals of at least the Protestant
portion of the community. Intemperance has been largely
checked; tippling at markets and fairs has been to a great
extent discontinued.  The only member of my congregation who kept a public-house, has, at great personal sacrifice, closed his shop, and betaken himself to another line
of business."
COUNTY CAVAN.
It was about the middle of the month of August when
this county, one of the most distant fromn the centre whence




340        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
the work of revival radiated forth in all directions, was
visited by the gracious influence. Several of the principal
towns, as Cavan, Killesandra, Cootehill, and Bailieborough,
felt its power.  In the neighborhood of the last-named
district there was a very extensive awakening. The circumstances were briefly these:
On the 8th of August last, two young men, now students
in divinity in connection with the Presbyterian Church,
visited the congregation of first Bailieborough, of which
for many years their father has been the respected pastor,
and addressed a meeting there. IHaving intimated that
they would narrate, on the evening following, what they
had witnessed in the north, they had an unusually large
attendance, when the usual results were witnessed. A
few evenings later, and the green around the church was
thronged by groups of persons, now returning thanks for
some near relative or friend who had found the Saviour,
now in earnest supplication that light might break in upon
the darkness of some distressed soul, and peace be found
by some troubled conscience.
Special meetings were immediately established in the
Presbyterian churches, and the neighborhood was deeply
moved.  The hands of ministers were so full, that Bad
they not received timely aid, they must have been altogether overborne.  Happily a Young Men's Society,
which had met for some time for religious purposes, came
to their aid; while the two students found abundant occupation throughout all the adjacent districts.'In the congregations of Baihieborough, there are few
houses in which family worship is not maintained.
Throughout the district generally there is a marked improvement. Meetings are held for prayer and Christian
fellowship, sometimes in the houses of those who formerly
neglected gospel ordinances altogether, and several such
meetings are also held among the female members of the
church. Two congregational libraries are being organized;
while in the town itself a public library and Christian




DRUMKEERAN.                  341
Literary Society are being formed. Scripture commentaries, and such books as' Watson's Body of Divinity,'
are in growing demand among the people. Two publichouses have been closed, one for want of trade, the other
for conscience' sake,- its former proprietor being now a
steadfast and devoted supporter of every good cause.
"There is a district not far from Killesandra, in the
same county, named Drumkeeran, of which no notice has
ever been taken in any of the reports of the revival, and
where certainly a most extraordinary, and, in some respects, unprecedented movement has taken place.  The
young minister of the Presbyterian  church, the Rev.
Samuel Patrick, has been so enfeebled by excessive labor,
that he has been unable to furnish any statement on the
subject. During the first week in October, about which
time the place was visited, he never laid himself down to
sleep. The meetings which were held nightly in the
church were so exciting, and the interest of the people
such, that they could not be prevailed on to disperse till
the following morning; while, during all the day, anxious
inquirers and others demanded the incessant attention of
the pastor.
"It was on the evening of Sabbath, the 1st of October,
that a meeting had been announced in the church, at five
o'clock. Before four it was completely filled; and when
the time of service came, it was found necessary to hold
the meeting in a field adjoining, there being about 1500
persons present. At an early period in the devout exercises, a wild cry was raised, the first of many following,
that almost drowned the preacher's voice. Those who
were thus affected were removed into the church, in which
there were eventually no fewer than three hundred! Then
the manse was filled; and many more, who could find no
other place of shelter, were lying among the trees.
"The work was progressing satisfactorily for some
months subsequently, when the spirit of proselytism was
raised, and painful results ensued. Yet there is every
29*'




342        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
reason to believe that a good work has been wrought extensively in the neighborhood, and that many are rejoicing
in that liberty wherewith Christ has made them free."
Among the earliest visitors to the north of Ireland,
after the commencement of the revival, was the Rev. F.
F. Trench, prebendary of St. Patriclk's, Dublin, and rector
of Newtown, near Kells, in the province of Leinster. For
many years the name of this devoted minister (the son
of the last Archbishop of Tuam) has been well known in
connection with every evangelistic movement in the Episcopal Church. After his visit northwards, he took the
opportunity of publishing some account of his impressions
in the public newspapers, thus spreading an interest in the
movement in many quarters in the south and west of
Ireland. During the winter he has been called to take a
part in conducting meetings in some of the parishes in
County Cavan, adjacent to his own in Meath; and from a
statement issued for private circulation, which I have his
kind permission to use, I select the following cases as still
further illustrative of the character and progress of the
work in the former county:
"There are many residing in the province of Leinster,
who are and have been praying that'the revival' may'reach even unto them;' and it will be deeply interesting
to all such to know that this unprecedented movement, in
its full force and power, is at their doors. I have extreme
gratification in being able to state, that, within an easy
morning's ride from my own house, I have witnessed as
interesting scenes, and have heard of as remarkable cases
of conversion, as any of those which I witnessed or heard
of higher up in the north.
" Very lately, I spent a Sunday in a neighboring parish
in the County of Cavan, for the purpose of ascertaining
facts. I had heard that several persons had been struck in
Presbyterian churches, and in the parish church, some at
open-air meetings, many more at their own houses, in the
fields, and while engaged at their ordinary occupations.




A MEETING ON THE BORDERS OF MEATI.    343
On visiting this parish, and making inquiry from  the
curate, and also from the Presbyterian ministers, I found
that the facts were quite as remarkable as had been stated
to me, and that the awakening had not been confined to
the lower classes, but that men of wealth and respectability, and considerable education, had been led to feel
their sins, as well as persons in the lower class; and of the
most abandoned character, male and female. I found that
a large and lucrative business in the sale of spirituous
liquors had been renounced for conscience' sake, serving as
a strong testimony of the sincerity of the merchant who
did so. I found that persons had been convinced of their
sins in an over whelmning manner in all sorts of places, -
churches, meeting-houses, parlors, shops, bedrooms, and in' byres' or cow-houses. And I also ascertained that these
conversions had been attended with a great; variety of the
most remarkable circumstances, and the best moral results.
A JXeeting on the Borcders of  ecath. - "At the request
of the rector of the parish of, on the borders of
Meath, I preached in a densely-crowded school-house, in
which about three hundred persons were assembled. I
had preached for upwards of an hour to this congregation,
listening not merely with what is called'breathless attention,' but listening in that indescribable way which is sure
to draw out from the preacher the very best he has in him.
Having heard that there had been much of bodily affections in connection with other religious services in this
neighborhood, I felt thankful for the quiet and happy manner in which'the Word' had been received. After the
sermon a hymn was heartily sung, and the meeting was
being concluded by prayer, offered up by the incumbent
of a neighboring parish, when some persons, unable to
restrain their feelings, began to cry. Kneeling beside me
there was a stout, elderly, farming man, who was crying,not in such a way that any advocates of the'hysterical'
theory could think of claiming him as their' patient,' but
the tones were such as in a boy would be called' blubber



344        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
ing.' There was no screaming; but the number of persons
who cried and sobbed increased rapidly; - perhaps onefourth of the congregation was more or less affected in this
way, and ten or twelve persons, perhaps, either swooned
or fell from their seats, or needed support. If any encouragement had been given to outward manifestations, either
by loud or exciting prayer, or by loud preaching, I have no
doubt that three-fourths of the congregation, if not more,
might have been brought into this excited state. The object of the wise and good rector of the parish, who conducted the meeting, was, of course, to calm the people,
without saying anything which could be construed into a
rebuke of what was manifestly involuntary, and mixed up
with so much of what was inestimably precious, and what
most ministers of Christ from Sabbath to Sabbath labor (I
fear often in vain) to promote, namely, any degree of
proper feeling of religion.
REow the Revival has been Pro~agated. -" I am no advocate for forcing religion upon those who are unwilling to
receive it. In my judgment, we have had far too much of
that in Ireland already. I do not think the gospel can be
propagated by storm. But I think that the legitimate and
inoffensive means of' revival meetings' should be used in
every neighborhood to call attention to the subject. It
has been by these means, and through a chain of Presbyterian churches - and'let their own works praise them in
the gates'- that the revival has come so near to us; and
may we not hope that the experience which the church
has acquired during the past year may enable it to conduct
such meetings with fewer drawbacks to their utility? As
to the legitimacy and expediency of availing ourselves of
the assistance of recent converts at such meetings, and
more especially of those whom the Lord may have converted in a remarkable manner, I entertain no doubt. In
fact, the movement is a movement of the 2,eople. It seems
to be a plain and unquestionable matter of fact, that' converts' have been God's chiefly honored instruments in




ANOTHER VISIT OVER THE BORDERS.       845
extending the work in the north; and such being the case,
it can scarcely become us to forego their assistance in
endeavoring to extend the work to the south. As an
instance of blessing attending the efforts of'converts' I
quote the following words from a letter from an experienced and devoted clergyman in these parts. He says: —'Since revived persons visited my parish, several persons
have been awakcened in a very remnarkable macnner; meetings are held every night, except Saturday, besides my
Wednesday meeting, which is well attended, at three
o'clock, and the congregations on Sunday are greatly increased. Last night there was a large meeting of persons,
young and old, who had been, awcakenere.... Notwithstanding some mental visions and dreams, there is no
dreanzing or visionary conduct in their every-day life.'
Another Visit over the _Borders. -" On the 27th of last
Ddcember I received the following communication from
the minister of two united parishes, one in the county
of Cavan, and the other in the county of Meath:'At
Sunday-school, yesterday (Christmas) evening, one of the
young men proposed that I should announce Friday, the
6th of January, as a day of thanksgiving for those who
have been awakened in this parish; — will you kindly
come and help us on that day? The idea suggested itself
to a young farmer over his spade in the field. The young
men propose to make contributions on the thanksgiving
day for any object I recommend.'
"I gladly acceded to the above request. The meeting
was held in a school-house, and though the day was severe
the house was crowded; the congregation was composed
almost exclusively of small but independent farmers. The
minister of the parish having opened the meeting with a
hymn, and the litany of our church, and having alluded to
the occasion of the meeting, called upon eight persons in
succession to offer up prayer, and address the meeting.
Of these eight, the first seven who were called upon were
laymen. Six were farmers, or farmers' sons, all of whom,




346        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
with one or two exceptions, have been'revived,' or) to
speak more correctly,'awakened,' within the last few
months. The prayers were fervent and simple; the addresses earnest and scriptural; the singing not only general, but very unusually good; but what appeared to me the
peculiarity of this meeting, was the marvellous propriety
of both the matter and manner of the newly-converted
speakers. There was no affectation, -nothing to offend
the most fastidious ears. In proof of this, I may mention
that, when on my way to the meeting, in company with
two well-educated young men, one an undergraduate of
the University of Cambridge, the other of Dublin, I said:'It is probable some persons who have not had your educational advantages may address the meeting, and you
must put your good taste in your pocket, and not be surprised if you hear some expressions to which you are not
accustomed.' At the close of the meeting, these young
men assured me that there had not been any occasion
for my caution, as nothing had been said that could have
offended the politest ears. The nearest approach to anything of the kind, which I can recollect, was when one of
the speakers assured the meeting that the present was the'handiest time for turning to the Lordcl.
"Shooting the Goose." —" Some very strange things
were stated. One of the young men said, that on the
Christmas day before last, he had been' shooting the goose,'
instead of being at church. He alluded to a cruel custom
which had been in this parish, of tying a goose by the leg
to some fixture; a penny a shot was charged for firing at
this goose, and the goose became the property of whoever
shot it dead. The distance of the shooter was such as to
prevent this occurrence taking place very speedily, and the
poor bird generally lay with broken wings and broken legs
long before it was actually killed. This young man told
us-that he had had a long look-out for such sport this year;
for that on Christmas day 1858, he was aware that Christmas day 1859 would fall on a Sunday, and he knew that,




A WHOLE FAMILY SURRENDERING TO CHRIST.  347
for decency's sake, they could have no shooting the goose
on that day; but that he had comforted himself and his
companions with the thought that the goose might be fired
at on' old Christmas day,' that is, the 6th of January; yet,
marvellous to relate, on that very day, which he had so
looked forward to, there he was, instead of shooting the
goose, standing up before that large congregation, thanking God for the wondrous change that had come over him,
and almost the whole parish. Another of the speakers
told us that he had been a C red-hot' Orangeman; that on
a certain Romish festival, he was returning on horseback,
drunk, from the market; that a bonfire in honor of the
saint was blazing in the middle of the road, through which
he endeavored to force his horse, using at the same time a
wicked and vulgar expression respecting the Pope; but
now he loved his Roman Catholic neighbors, and would
not willingly offend any one of them.
A WVhole _Fctmily zSurrendering to Christ. -" The head
of a family at whose house a meeting had been held, was
reading an account of the'revival' elsewhere. One of the
daughters went away, and throwing herself on her bed,
lay there for an hour in an agony of prayer. This was a
decidedly' stricken case,' and the young woman has since
exhibited all the marks of the'new creature in Christ
Jesus.' A few perches distant from this house there lives
a brother's family. When the young men of their house
(four in number) heard of the happy change which had
taken place in their cousin, they went to visit her, and
on their way knelt down to pray; but when they reached
the house, and while there, they felt their hearts as cold as
ever, although religious exercises were going on all the time,
and they returned unimpressed. On their return home,
they had their own family prayer, after which, all, except
one boy who remained at prayer, went to their beds. The
boy who remained at prayer soon experienced great distress of mind, on perceiving which, his mother went and
knelt beside him, and then the father. The other sons,




348        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
who had retired, on hearing unusual prayer, came one by
one from their beds, only partly dressed; the youngest
boy, his father told me, came with nothing on but his shilrt,
and that he covered him with his own coat; in this condition they all simultaneously engaged in prayer, and at
that time the whole family was, as they believe, enabled to
surrender themselves to Christ. The heads of these two
families (brothers) had been on bad terms, and quarrelling
about land for three years, but now are on the happiest
terms with each other.
The foral Results.- " The following occurrence took
place between three brothers, two of whom had been for
eight years on bad terms with the other, because of his
having taken a farm which they conceived they had a right
to.  (Those who know the murderous results Which so
frequently attend agrarian quarrels in Ireland, will know
how to estimate it.) The man who had taken the farm,
while engaged in family worship, became unhappy, and on
his wife asking him the cause, he turned to Matt. v. 23, 24
-' If thy brother hath aught against thee,' etc., and, pointing to the passage, said,'That is the cause.' His wife
replied,'Then why don't you act upon it?'-'Will you
come with me?'-'I will;' upon which they both rose,
and went with the literally open Bible to their brother's
house, which was close by. He met them at the door. His
brother then said, that since the grace of God had reached
his heart, he could not be happy whilst on bad terms with
him, and pointed to the above-mentioned passage in the
open Bible which he held in his hand. On1 reading it, his
brother was affected to tears, and kissed him. He then
asked him if he would like to make friends with the other
brother, and that if he would, he would send for him. The
other brother was accordingly sent for; the same Scripture
was shown to him; he, also, was affected to tears, embraced his brother, and a similar reconciliation took place
with him on the spot. These three brothers have since
continued on good terms; two out of three now partake




THE MOVEMENT SOUTHWARDS.             349
of the Lord's Supper, which only one of them did before,
and all three have commenced the practice of family worship. The following is, perhaps, a less perfect example:
A convert said, after returning from the first fair he had
been at after his conversion, that'he never was so hard
put to it as to sell the cow without telling a lie about the
milk.' Several Roman Catholics, living in Protestant families, have been deeply'affected.' I conversed with one
most intelligent convert, now regularly attending the
church; and impressions tending to good have unquestionably been made on many others. For instance, the
following conversation relative to certain young men who
had been converted, under the most remarkable circumstances, occurred between some Roman Catholic laborers
in the employment of a farmer, who repeated it to me:
_, didn't you say the revival was the devil's work?'-'No, I didn't.' -' Then, what did you say?' -'I said I
could n't understand it at all.' -' Then, some of you said
it was the devil's work; and I say it can't be, for see —,
and others, - the devil would n't bring such a change over
them; and what's more, even we ourselves, when toe see the
change in themz, can't sin as we used to do; and, signs o n
it, we have nt't the penance toe used to have!" The respectable farmer who heard this conversation, told me that he
was so affected by the testimony to the power of religion
which these Roman Catholics gave one to another, that he
was obliged to leave them."
Here we must close this portion of our narrative of the
progress of the movement in Ulster. There is reason to
believe, however, that it has not been altogether confined
to our northern province, but has, to a greater or less extent, been taking a direction southwards. In the county
of Longford, which is in Leinster, there are not wanting
indications of its presence; and there, too, the brethren
report that some of a higher class in the community have
been brought under the gracious influence.
In the metropolis itself there have been evidences of an
30




350        THER REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
unusual interest in the things of God. Meetings for prayer
and fellowship, on a scale unknown before, have been lately
held; and in the minds of the Protestant community there
is a growing anticipation of better things to come. In
Kingstown and its vicinity some have been already gathered in, and the laborers are rejoicing in the prospect of a
still more abundant harvest.
In Munster, too, although there is not a plenteous rain,
yet drops of the shower are falling- upon the pastures of
the wilderness. In the city of Limerick, in particular,
there would seem to be the commencement of a time of
hallowed visitation. In the Presbyterian church, under
the ministry of the Rev.. David Wilson, there have been
delightful evidences of a deepening spirituality; and,
especially at communion seasons, there has been. sweet
and refreshing Christian fellowship.. An evangelical union
for prayer, into which the ministers of the Independent
and Wesleyan churches have cordially entered, is in efficient operation, and the best impression has been produced
on the public mind by the edifying spectacle. On the
second week in January last, when the concert for prayer
was general, the several congregations, with their pastors,
were seen to flow together to one place at special services,
and to meet for prayer and praise as one body in Christ.
In the Independent chapel there are held nightly and protracted meetings, at which many are represented to have
been brought to the enjoyment of perfect. peace. And so
this ancient city is opening its gates to that Celestial Visitant, who, in whatever heart or home He finds an entrance,
brings with Him a satisfying and abiding joy.
Are we not warranted in the belief that the light of a
better day has dawned upon our country, and that the
period is not far distant when the whole land shall be
illumined by its hallowed radiance?
[For full congregational returns from all the counties of
Ulster, see Appendix E.]




PRAYER-MEETING ON THE PIER.           351
As these sheets are passing throutgh  the press, I have
received, firom the Rev. J. Denlhamn Smith, of Kingstown,
a little volume (just published), in which he narrates the
progress of a remarkable work of revival, not only in
his own flock among persons of all ages, but among a class
of men who have too often been unhappy wanderers from
the fold, -the sailors of the port. The crews of the express boats Telegralph and Ccmbrita, plying across the
Channel, are especially alluded to as having become the
subjects of a gracious influence. The following extract is
deeply interesting:
"' It would be impossible to describe all the happy scenes
on board these boats.
"Lord's Day, December 3, will be long remembered.
It was the day when Roman Catholic Kingstown was assembledl in sympathy for the Pope. There was within
sound of that meeting one in the open air, convened for
prayer. There, on the bended knee, and beneath the chill
skies of December, the newly-awakened and. converted
were pouring forth their warm, loving prayers, that God,
in mercy to us, would send forth His own Spirit into the
hearts of all - Protestant, Nonconformist, and Romanist
alike. This meeting was held at the New Pier. There
was no preairrangement.  Providence,alone had driven it
to the open air. At the usual hour for divine service on
board, it became evident that hundreds could not avail
themselves of the ordinary accommodation.  For long
months the saloon, passages, and stairs of the steamships
have been too strait for the crowds that assemble. By
request, the whole mass of the people resorted to the
deck, which was partly covered and partly open.  The
scene on board and on shore was one of great interest.
There was no noisy excitement, no declamatory violence,
no cold formality, no pharisaic sense of sect or party, but
one calm and continued manifestation of the Spirit of God
in prayer. An earnest and solemn appeal was made by
one of the speakers, on the value of the human soul, the




352        THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
brevity of time, the nearness of eternity, of heaven and
hell; on the value of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the preciousness of its present experience, as
well for life as for death. A letter to the captain was
read, and a short sermon preached. At the call for prayer
for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on Kingstown, Dublin, and the towns and villages around, one after another,
sailors and landsmen, in calm and orderly succession, commenced to pray. Some who prayed were the newly-converted. Never were more earnest supplications uttered,
under similar circumstances, in Kingstown..
"On the 11th of the same month a still more remarkable day was given to the friends of prayer on board the
Llewellyn city of Dublin steamship, as she lay along the
quay, near the railway station. The service on board this
boat commenced about three o'clock. The fore-deck was
filled, and a large company, of all ranks and creeds, ranged
themselves along the pier, who listened with marked attention to the addresses and prayers. A Roman Catholic
priest was present during the sermon, on the words,' Ye
must be born agcin.'  This service concluded at four
o'clock, when the llewellyn crew joined the crew of the
express boat, and sang hymns together, one of the _Llewellyn sailors bursting forth into prayer. The weather was
peculiarly favorable for this open-air service, and many came
away rejoicing at what the Lord was doing. A minister of
the Established Church offered up prayer at the close. It
was mentioned at the noon prayer-meeting, by the president of that meeting, that he had seen more of the dcistinct
mzanifestation of the Sp9irit's work in  ingstozon, since the
previous Sabbath, than he had seen in his whole life before, excepting the last three months, when the revival
may be said to have commenced there.
"The happy condition of these sailor-brethren is thus
characteristically referred to by one who was lately crossing with them - an observant palssenger - the Rev. C. H.
Spurgeon, in his discourse, J.anuary 26, 1860:




MR. SPURGEON'S TESTIMONY.           353'C The most pleasing thing I have seen is this. I-ervey
once said,'Each floating ship a floating hell.'  Of all
classes of men, the sailor has been supposed to be the
man least likely to be reached by the gospel. In crossing over from Holyhead to Dublin and back, I spent the
most pleasant hour that I ever spent. The first vessel
that I entered, I found my hands very heartily shaken
by the sailors.' I thought,' What can these sailors know
of me?' and they were calling me'brother.' Of course
I felt that I was their brother too; but I did not know
how they came to talk to me in that way. It was not
generally the way for sailors to call ministers brothe r;
and when I made the inquiry,' What makes you so
kind?' —  Why,' said one,'because I love your Master
the Lord Jesus.' I inquired, and found that out of the
whole crew there were but three unconverted mlen; that
though the most of them hadcl been before without God,
and without Christ, yet, by a visitation of the Spirit of
God, they had all been converted. MIy heart was lifted
up with joy, to think of a ship being made a floating
church - a very Bethel for God. When I came back by
another ship, I did not expect to see the like; but it was
precisely the same. The same work had been going on.
They told me a story of a gentleman who stood laughing
when a hymn was being sung, and one of the men proposed that they should pray for him. They did; and
that man was suddenly smitten down, and began on the
quay to cry for mercy, and plead with God for pardon.'Ah, sir!' said the sailors,'we have the best proof that
there is a God here, for we have seen this crew marvellously brought to a knowledge of the truth; and here we
are, joyful and happy men, serving the Lord."'
In the Irish metropolis itself, there have not been wanting unusual indications of spiritual awakening.
"For some months past," says a Dublin paper, "a meeting
has been held in the Dorlset Institution, at which Mr. Smith,
of Kingstown, has presided. The place soon became too
Q th"~




354       THE REVIVAL IN COUNTY CAVAN.
strait; and a gentleman who frequented the meeting offered
one hundred pounds for defraying expenses which may be
incurred by assembling in the Metropolitan Hall. The result
already has been tlruly astonishing. A correspondent writes:'At the first meeting, more than a hundred souls were
brought under the arresting and convincing power of
Divine truth. At the second meeting, the same; and the
third day a greater number. The hall, which holds three
thousand, was filled. Men, women, and little children were
weeping in anxiety for salvation; and many went away
rejoicing, having found Christ. One day last week the
meeting lasted until the lamps -of the hall were being
lighted for the evening service; and on another day it did
not terminate until past six o'clock in the evening, when
many went away reluctantly, being stricken and miserable
in mind on account of sin. The meetings at St. John's
Church (Rev. Mr. Marrable's) and at Kingston (Mr. Smith's)
have.become overflowing."'
"Such, then," to adopt the language of Mr. Smith himself, "is the beginning of this time of awakening; its end
is not yet. The cloud is increasing on every hand, and
some riper day may indicate the result. Meanwhile, these
are but parts of a great whole. The spiritual awakening
in New England, the United States, and Canada; in North
and South Wales, in parts of England and Scotland, together with the green verdure dimpling over here and there
a spot amidst the arid wilds of Connaught, Labrador, New
-Zealand, and the Hebrides, portions of France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, Russin,
India, Italy, and even Rome itself, are all the work of the
God of all grace, and are parts of the one great scheme in
which are united, according to the everlasting counsels, the
blessing of man and His own supreme glory."




CHAPTER XVIII.
THE EXPERPIENCES OF THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY — LABOR AND SUCCESS - THE REVIVAL THE MOST POTENT AGENCY - CASES -THE CRIIEAN
SOLDIER - TWO FEMTALES AND A MALE CONVERT — AN AGED FEMALE —
THE BOY WHO BATTLED FOR HIS LIBERTY —THE LOST TOKEN —THE
DRUNKEN BEGGAR —THE WOMAN WHO HAD MARRIED A PRESBYTERIAN
-THE STAMMEIER CIlTED —THE WOMAN WHO WAS A SINNER —THE
IMAID-SERVANT AT THE FAIR - THE " WILD ARAB"  TAMED-THE GIRL
OF THIRTEEN -TAUGHT BY A TOMBSTONE.
Forn the last quarter of a century the several Protestant
churches in Ireland have been engaged in earnest efforts
for the evangelization of the Rtoman Catholics of that
country. At the period of the famine, about fourteen years
ago, when the hand of the Almighty lay heavily on the
land, a door of access was opened to those districts which,
in the south and west, had suffered so severely from the
calamitous visitation. Agencies were thenceforward employed, and enterprises undertaken, some of them  on a
large and expensive scale, for the dissemination of Protestant truth; and there is reason to believe, that for sorne
years subsequently, many were led to renounce the system
of Romanism,, and to embrace the tenets of a purer faith.
Of late there has been comparatively little to report of
success in this department, except whatever may have been
realized among the youthful portion of the population,
through those industrial and educational appliances which,
especially in Connaught, have done much to elevate the
general community.  The great awakening, however, by




356    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
which a merely nominal Protestantism has been made to
glow with a new life, has brought Divine truth into vital
contact with the minds of many who have heretofore been
immersed in Romish ignorance, and has guided along the
upward path many who were groping amid the thickest
darkness. Some of these are noble specimens of Christian
consistency and steadfastness, who, amid many trials and
seductions, have already proved that they count all things
but loss for the excellenicy of the knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
It is impossible to compute the number of this most
interesting class of converts. In many cases, as stated in
the returns with which I have been favored, individuals
have been spirited away from their respective neighborhoods, and placed out of the reach of all those influences
under which they had given hopeful evidence of being
brought. In others, - and these, perhaps, the majority of
instances, - the first transient impressions were speedily
effaiced, and the parties so affected returned to their former
spiritual allegiance. The practice too generally adopted
of making public every case of secession from RPome, inspired its votaries with fresh vigilance, and alarmed the
priesthood into the employment of all their artifices by
which they will back the neophytes, and to assert over
them their own exclusive jurisdiction. To this it is to be
added, that, knowing little of gospel truth before they
become alive to the importance of eternal things, even the
best of those who "came out" from the old system by
which they were enslaved, required much training and
instruction before they could be admitted to the parti6ipation of Christian privilege.
It is wonderful, however, how, notwithstanding the operation of such varied and adverse influences, so many were
intelligently enabled to relinquish their ecclesiastical relationships, and to embrace the simple truth as it is in Jesus;
how all at once they turned away from human mediators,
and, with loud cries for mercy, did homange to the only




THE CRIMEAN SOLDIER.              357
name by which the sinner can be saved; how, in despite
of social ties and petty persecutions, they persevered in
waiting upon God in a form  and mannel which not long
before they would have utterly abjured; and how so large
a number have been enabled to witness a good confession
before many witnesses, and, by the quiet force of an exemplary demeanor, to stop the mouths of gainsayers.
In the returns alluded to, I have received the most satisfactory assurances, after making full deduction for all
dubious cases, of the genuine conversion, so far as man
can judge, of several hundreds of Roinanists, and that
only in connection with a single section of the Protestant
Church. The following selected instances are taken from
the several communications with which I have been furnished:
The Crimean Socldier.-The first case is that of one
who gave good evidence of genuine conversion, both in
life and death. It is supplied by the Rev. Joseph Barkley,
of Carnumoney, county Antrim. "He was a soldier, who
lost his health by exposure to cold in the trenches at the
Crimea, and was discharged in consequence. He returned
to his native place an enfeebled and broken-down man,
though still in the prime of life, but without pension, or
other means of support. Two years ago he was supposed
to be at the point of death, and was told by both doctor
and priest that he had but a short time to live; on which
the poor fellow burst into tears, and besought the Lord to
spare him a little longer,' to make his soul,' as he expressed
it. His prayer was heard, his health in a measure restored,
and his soul saved in the following manner: A young'
man, who had himself been brought to Christ during the
revival, set his heart on his conversion to Jesus.  He
spoke to him about his soul; and, as the soldier had never
learned to read, he spent night after night instructing him
out of the Scriptures in the way of salvation, and uniting
Nwith him in prayer for a blessing upon it.  The other
converts were also exceedingly attentive to him, meeting




358    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
almost every night in his little cabin, which consisted of a
single apartment, for prayer, and supplying him, out of
their own scanty means, with all the necessaries of life.
They loved him as a brother, and it was a very beauteous
spectacle to see the deep interest they took in his welfare.
God at length crowned their efforts with success.  The
Spirit was given in answer to prayer, and he was now
enabled to rejoice in God his Saviour; and seldom has it
been our lot to witness, even among Protestants, deeper
piety, or more unfaltering faith in the finished work of
Christ, than was exhibited by the Crimean soldier prior to
his death. I-Ie wore away gradually, and at last fell asleep
in Jesus; charging his wife, before his departure, not to
permit the priest to visit him, and to embrace the faith that
he died in, if she would meet him in heaven; and leaving, as
his parting legacy to his kind Christian instructor, the appropriate and expressive words, though he knew not where
to find them, having never learned to read,' Let him know
that he who converteth the sinner fiom the error of his
ways, shall save a soul from death, and shall-hide a multitude of sins.' That poor soldier, no one who saw him in
his last moments can doubt, is now before the throne."
ATwo Fezmales and a  Icale Convert. -These cases are
supplied by the Rev. F. Buick, of Ahoghill, in the same
county. "Several Roman Catholics in this district who
felt the revival, are keeping firm to Christ, and are growing in Divine things. Solle of them, who were bigoted in
their former faith, hostile to the truth, and far from what
they ought to be, are now amongst the loveliest specimens
of a living Christianity. With the change of their hearts,
their views and characters, there is a most pleasing change
in their outward person. The love of Jesus, of His Word
aind ordinances, is now intense. One of the same persuasion, brought up in the glens of Antrim, was dark, and
ignorant, and gloomy indeed.  She was brought under
conviction, and led to Jesus. Forthwith she was severed
from her former faith, and light gradually began to cast its




TWO FEMALES AND A MALE CONVERT.         359
bright radiance on her features. She felt very powerful
bodily manifestations, being unable to speak for several
days; but during this period she made rapid advances in
knowledge.  When directed to Jesus, -- when she got
glimpses of his love, - when persuaded of his willingness
to save even the chief of sinners, - and when assured that,
in believing on Him, she should not perish, but have everlasting life, her countenance assumed a heavenly appearance of light and beauty, filled with joy unspeakable, and
full of glory.  She is now an earnest worshipper in a
Presbyterian church, and of the reality of her change her
neighbors entertain no doubt.  Another woman of the
same persuasion, who was a regular bigot in her way, has
been converted in the revival. Her hold of Rome has
been broken; and her prayers for her former guides are
most earnest and special. She is in terror lest her people
should force her to return home, well knowing that they
would confine her, in order to compel her to go back to
her former faith; but against this she seems fully determined. A young man, brought up in the same religion,
happened to attend worship in our church on a Sabbath
when there was a powerful movement among the congre-.gation. Many were stricken, and most of the worshippers
on that day were moved to tears. After his return from
the house of God, and when in a family where the revival
hlad entered, he was stricken'; and, when visited, he was
found pouring out a stream of holy and earnest prayers to
Jesus, as the Saviour of sinners. On a Bible being put
into his hand, he said he would 6 never let it go.' Thenceforth he has been an anxious inquirer. His progress in
Divine things became astonishing. His gifts of prayer,
and praise, and of exhortation, are truly wonderful; and
his delight by night and day now  is in continuing to
exercise them, and in trying to win sinners to the Saviour.
His path is like that of the just, shining more and more
unto the perfect day."
An Aged Female. —  The next case is one which also




360    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
occurred in the county Antrim. Going to visit one dclay
with a brother minister, Mr. Simpson, of Portrush, was met
by a young woman, who thus accosted him:
"Mlr. Simpson, when are you going again to visit the
Widow S? 2"
"I am just on my way there; have you any message for
me? "
With quivering lip and tearful eye she walked along, and
made no reply. The two ministers followed in silence
after the weeper, not wishing to interfere with the sacredness of her grief. By-and-by Mr. Simpson came up, and
addressed her:
"Please, who are you? and have you anything particular
to say to me? "
" Oh, I am wife to A. C-, and the old woman was very
uneasy in her mind since she heard you at Widow S-'s
house, and wants you to go back again."
The "old woman " referred to was so wedded to the
Romish system, that she had been known to rush out of a
house in which a Presbyterian minister was about to kneel
in prayer.
"You don't mean to tell me that she wishes to hear me,
do you?"
"It's true enough, sir. She bade me call on you, and
inquire when you would be up; but I did n't know how I
could even go to your door after what I have done."
" Why, what's the matter? what have you done?"
"Oh! I was once a Presbyterian, but married a Roman
Catholic, and have gone to mass with him, and had my
child christened by the priest."
"Bad enough."
"Yes, very bad; but of one thing I'11 assure you; if God
spares my health and life, my foot shall never cross a masshouse door again."
A fresh gush of tears came, and she sobbed convulsively.
After a little quiet, Mr. Simpson, who himself was not a
little moved, invited her to come over with her aged




THE BOY WHO BATTLED FOR HIS LIBERTY.    361
relative to the house in question, to which she readily
assented. The place was filled, as usual when a minister
was seen to enter any house on such an errand.  The
portion read was the 103d Psalm; and in the remarks
made, it was particularly urged that each should be led to
ask that he might be enabled to say, " Bless the Lord, O
my soul."  The exercise in due time terminated, and the
minister retired.
Calling, after nightfall, at another house in the neighborhood, Mr. Simpson found that its principal inmates had
gone to pray with the Roman Catholic old woman who so
earnestly desired to hear him in the morning, as she had
been very unhappy. In the after-part of the day she was
outside her little cottage, when a perfect flood of light, as
she imagined, bathed the dwelling; and, rushing in, she
raised a wild cry for mercy, and fainted away. It was not
to the Virgin that she poured forth her plaint, but to Him
who alone can hear and give deliverance.
At eleven o'clock that night, the foot of the Presbyterian
minister crossed her threshold, and as soon as her eye fell
upon him, she exclaimed, "Oh! I can say, sir, before I
sleep,'Bless the Lord, O my soul.'"  Beside her on th-e
bed lay an open Bible, the symbol of her new faith and
hope, though she could not read a syllable. The 103d
Psalm, at her request, was again read, and thanks were
offered to Him from whom she had obtained mercy.
The younger woman, who had borne the message of the
morning, seeing the change so divinely wrought, especially
on the unhappy temper of the aged female, was convinced
also. "Both have since been received," says Mr. Simpson,
"into the communion of the Presbyterian Church, and are,
so far as man can judge, walking in the commlandments and
ordinances of the Lord blameless."
The _Boy who -Battled for his Liberty. - This case is
thus introduced by the Rev. James White, of Carrickfergus:
"We have had some interesting cases of awakening
31




362    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
among }Roman Catholics. One young lad, who had been
brought under conviction while a servant in the employment of a hearer of mine, has been spirited away I know
not where. Poor boy! I fear it has been made impossible
for him to follow the convictions of his own awakened
conscience.  Another boy, after braving a storm before
which many an older head would have quailed, has battled successfully for his liberty, and is now prosecuting his
studies at the R. B. A. Institution."
The latter case here referred to is one of peculiar interest.
The name of the lad is Costello, and the circumstances are
well known in Ulster, through the public press, as brought
out in a judicial investigation; as the result of which, his
own mother, who had grievously maltreated the youth,
was obliged to give security to keep the peace towards
him. IHe had been a subject of the awakening in his native
place, and had received such treatment as is too often
shared by those who assert their independence of the
yoke of Rome.  In his evidence before the bench of
magistrates, and in a letter subsequently. in a Liverpool
publication, Costello made, in substance, the following
statement:
"On the evening of the 3d of July, my mother having,
along with others, taken me home by force, they all began
together to try to influence me. One said I should be put
behind the fire and burned; others attempted also to put
me in bodily fear. A person who was stopping in the
house, more reasonable than the rest, said to them,'You
cannot resist the Almighty. If the boy desires to go to
meeting (the Presbyterian worship), let him; if he wants
to go to chapel (the Roman Catholic), let him  go.' But
they would not consent to that at all.  Searching my
clothes after I had gone to bed, they found a little hymnbook in my pocket, which they burned. My mother came
into the room in which I lay, not yet asleep, but pretending to be so, and sprinkled me with holy water. When I
awoke in the morning, I began to sing little hymns which




THE BOY WHO BATTLED FOR HIS LIBERTY.    363
I had learnt out of the book they burned. lMy mother
bade me desist, but I persevered until she gave me my
own way.  I then got a New Testament, and began to
read in bed; whereupon, one of two ladies who had come
in said that it should be burned too; the other said, No;
she would rather bury it. Again, when they had left, I
sang some hymns; whereupon my mother seized a heavy
stick, and began to do as she had been instructed by the
priest, who, when sent for the day before to see me, did
not come, but sent a message to them to beat me with a
stick, and throw a bucket of cold water over me. I strove,
as well as I could, to defend myself; but after a struggle,
I sank resistless on the bed. I was sorely hurt; but I
blamed the priest, not my mother.
"After a while my strength recruited, and the priest
came. He began to laugh, and mock, and scoff at the
revival, - speaking of a mustard blister and the asylum as
the best cure for it. I quoted part of the New Testament
in the second chapter of the Acts, when he immediately
said:'HI-ow do you know that that is the word of God? If
you prove to me that any part of the Bible is the word of
God, I'11 give you ~200.' -' Well, sir,' I said,'I can't prove
anything; but since you don't believe the Scriptures, I
need not talk to you.' The holy water being run out, my
mother asked him to make some more; and then he spent
some fifteen minutes at the holy water at the bed-side. So
I got rid of him.  Others coming in, one asked me to say
my prayers, which I said on till I came to the' Hail, Mary!'
which I skipped, and came to the apostles' creed.' Hail,
Mary!' cries the other.'No,' said I,' no Hail Mary for
me;' and with that my mother began again with the
stick, at the bidding of this woman; but I forgive her, for
she acted as she was told. In the scuffle, the candle was
blown out, and on its being lighted again, the person before
mentioned drew me towards her, and made me say the
Popish prayers.  If I had not salid them, they would have
all but killed rue; and with this I conclude. I have not




364    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
penned half of the things against them, for they have gone
out of my mind."
And this scene was enacted in the middle of the nineteenth century, not in Rome or Naples, but in the north
of Ireland, and within a distance of only seven miles of the
capital of Ulster! It is gratifying to know, as stated by
Mr. White, that the victim  of such cruelties has escaped
out of the hands of his tormentors, and is now receiving
the benefit of instruction in one of our principal educational institutions.
Thle Lost Toeenu is thus stated by Mr. Matthew Patteson,
of Edinburgih, to whom it was communicated when on a
visit to his native country at the period of the awakening:
"'A  Roman Catholic woman returning from the town
of B:, in the County Antrim, on a Saturday evening,
saw something shining on the road. She had never seen
anything like it before.'I don't know what it is,' said
she;'but it is for luck any way,' and she put it in her
pocket. Next day she looked at it, and read,'This do in
remembrance of me.'"  She thought on these wordswhat could they mean?  It must be something about
Christ. On Tuesday night she was prostrated in her own
house, under deep conviction of sin, and cried to the Lord
Jesus to have mercy on her soul. Her husband proposed to
send for the priest.'No, no,' said she;'no one can do me
good but Jesus Christ.' Her husband still persisting, she
said,'If you send for any one, send for the Presbyterian
minister.'  He was sent for, and on arriving, he saw in a
moment what was the matter, and said,'The blood of
Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us firom all sin.'' Neither
is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name
under heaven given among men whereby we must be
saved.'' Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast
out.' He offered up a short and simple prayer, and left.
Some days after, he saw her again. She was quite composed. He asked her,'Had she been at any meeting?' —
1 Luke xxii. 19.




TIHE DRUNKEN BEGGAR.              365
No.' -  What, then, led you to think of your sins?' She
mentioned the above particulars, and drawing something
from her pocket, added,' It was this that did it all.' Looking at it, he said,'This is one of my communion tokens;
some one returning from the Saturday sermon must have
dropped it.'  He explained its use as a sign of churchmembership, and that they were returned by the parties
when seated at the communion-table, adding,'WVe have a
limited number of them, and are anxious they should not
fall into wrong hands; and as it is of no use to you, I will
feel obliged to you for it.' -' Oh, no,' she replied,'I cannot
give it you. I will never part with it till I put it into your
own hand sitting at the communion-table.'
"Are not God's ways very wonderful? The losing of a
token the finding of a soul! What a powerful preacher is
that bit of lead! and what an exciting sermon the words,'This do in remembrance of ME,' when they are blessed
by the Spirit of God!"
The PDrzunlkez  Beggar is mentioned in a very few words,
by the Rev. J. M. Rogers, of Kilrea, County Derry:
"One of our converts was a Papist, a beggar, and a
drunkard. HIe persists in attending most regularly our
public services and prayer-meetings - though, in principle,
we have not givenl him, till now, any congregational aid.
HIe never takes intoxicating drink of any kind, though
offered money to use the smallest quantity. He is proof, as
I believe, through grace, against ridicule, temptation, and
persecution."
One owho hacld tcrriecl a Presbyterican, finds a narrator
of her interesting story in the Rev. Alexander Miinniss, of
Saltersland, County Derry:
"Sarah Kennedy was married to a dissolute man, whose
name she bears, some years since. Her husband was a
nominal Presbyterian, but by his godless habits gave melancholy evidence of the utter absence of all religion. His
wife was brought up a strict Roman Catholic, to which
system  all her connections belong. After her marriage,
31'




366    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
she occasionally attended public worship in our congregation. Her presence there did not result from any love to
the truth, or any change in her religious views, but merely
from  a slavish fear of her husband, by whom  she was
sometimes constrained to attend. This was still further
evinced by the fact, that when I sometimes called at their
house, I could easily observe that she had very little regard
either for me, or my religious principles. MIatters went
on in this way for a year or two after their marriage, when
eventually they gave up all connection with us, and sunk
into a state of absolute heathenism, both alike neglecting
all ordinances; and the husband, in particular, becoming
addicted to the vilest habits.
"Early in June last, she who is the subject more particularly of the present notice, was stricken down at a
meeting in the neighborhood, though not conducted by me.
I had not seen her for two or three years before that timle.
It seems that when visited in this way, those who were
about her offered to send for a priest, or any clergyman, of
any denomination she might desire. She stated that her
wishes were that I should be sent for. With as much
promptitude as possible, I visited her habitation, and found
her weak in body, and much distressed in mind. After a
considerably lengthened interview, I left her in an improved condition, not only in relation to peace of mind,
but even apparently in regard to bodily strength.
"From  that time forward, she began to attend, with
the utmost regularity, our Sabbath services, our evening
meetings, and our classes for the instruction of the young.
She was grossly ignorant, not having been taught even to
read. Her desire for knowledge appeared very earnest,
and her progress satisfactory.
"Matters went on in this way until about the end of
August, when, apparently in great anxiety, she came to me
one Sabbath morning, to say that she desired to speak
with me. The object she had in seeking an interview, was
to narrate to me a dream that she had on the previous




AN INTERESTING CASE.              367
night.  She dreamed that four angelic-looking beings
came into the room where she was, and sung a portion of
the 40th Psalm, and elljoined her to persevere in the
course she was pursuing. I gave her what instruction on
the subject I considered salutary; telling her, that although we are not to regard dreams as prophetic, yet God
may even in sleep superintend the imagination for good
and useful purposes, and endeavoring practically to apply
the truth in her case. On the Wednesday following she
came to me again, and stated, that during the preceding
night she had a vision similar to the other, in which she
was enjoined to come to me, and desire to be baptized.
She also imagined that statements of an encouraging
character, such as have been already mentioned, were
made to her. To specify these particularly, would, however, occupy too much space here. In some cases, she
imagined that these supposed visitants read portions of
Scripture; in other cases, that they sang certain psalms;
in other cases, that they conveyed salutary admonitions on
the subject of prayer and other duties. In all cases, however, the adjunction in regard to baptism  was repeated.
lFrom that time she became intensely anxious to receive
the ordinance of baptism. Her views on the subject were
perfectly correct. She often stated to me, that it was not
owing to a belief that it would save her soul, that she
desired to be baptized; but owing to the fact, that having
had the ceremony administered according to the form of
the Church of Rome, she had never been scripturally baptized.  As the baptism of a Roman convert was a new
thing' in our church, before giving her any promise on the
subject, I consulted a distinguished Father in the neighborhood, and some of my brethren in the ministry. They
all agreed, that when I was satisfied with her profession
and attainments, I should administer the ordinance. For
some weeks she waited carefully on instruction. I was
pleased, and even astonished at her progress. At length
I examined her in the presence of the session, after our




368    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Sabbath service, and having received their approval, on the
succeeding Sabbath, in the presence of the assembled congregation, administered the solemn rite. After that, at our
communion in the month of November, I had the peculiar
gratification of admitting her for the first time to the
Lord's table, in company with a considerable number of
the young of our charge, who make a consistent profession
of having received a saving change.
"It is with great gratification that I am able to add,
that the profession of this woman is still marked by the
most unswerving consistency.  I believe she bears the
most unmistakable fruits of genuine godliness.  I shall
mention some of the more prominent:
"love to the People of God. - Her affection for them
seems to be of the most genuine character, and their society and converse appears the source of the utmost gratification. I cannot express the satisfaction I have myself
felt in visiting her humble home.
"U sefulness. -Her husband, who was one of the most
reckless men in the whole community, has now been completely changed.  He also was aclmitted to the Lord's
Supper, for the first time, on the last occasion. I believe
the influence of her example and admonitions were blessed
by God as the instrumentality in leading to this change.
"Sterling Integrity. - Owing to imprudent habits dcluring past years, they had contracted debt. Their creditors
were disposed, I believe, to give up their case as hopeless.
Since this change, however, by great self-sacrifice, they
seem determined to act honestly. It would be injustice
not to add, that, with all this outward pressure and straitened circumstances, I have been astonished at the liberality
they seem disposed to exercise in the cause of God.
"Regulcarity of Attendactce on the leCans of Grace. —
During the past winter, notwithstanding all its extreme
severities, her attendance at the house of God has even
surpassed what might have been expected. Though but
thinly clad, the most inclement days did not keep her




A REMARKABLE CASE.                369
away from the sanctuary. She seemed to be present also,
not in form merely, but most truly in spirit.
"A Spirit of' Forgiveness.- In the population of this
district there is a considerable Romish element.  11er
friends and neighbors bitterly opposed her, and chiefly in
regard to the matter of her baptism. Not a few of the
careless belonging to all denominations were disposed to
scoff. In all cases, when speaking of this cruel treatment,
I never saw anything like the existence of a vindictive
spirit on her part.
"Prayerfulness. - Her intimate acquaintances testify
how much she delights in prayer. When the imperfect
accommodation of her humble home may not have been
able to secure her from intrusion, she has been known to
retire to some secluded place outside, that there she might
more uninterruptedly hold communion with God. In such
a situation as this she has been accidentally met with,
prostrated before a throne of grace.
" Such, together with many others that we might specify,
are some of the fruits that attest the reality of a change
effected by that God who is'wonderful in counsel, and
excellent in working.'"
The Stammerer Cared. - This is the very remarkable
case of a young man, David Creswell, respecting whom
I have made the fullest inquiry, and whose history is as
follows:
HIe had come to Moneymore from Derry, his native
place, in very sad plight, seeking work as a stone-mason.
Calling at the house of a kind-hearted Wesleyan, his miserable appearance bespoke the sympathy of its owner,
who first supplied him with a little food, and afterwards
found him suitable employment. Although he had been
addicted to intemperance, which had reduced him to his
deplorable state of destitution, he conducted himself with
much propriety during his sojourn in the place, and there
became the subject of a spiritual change, which gave a
new direction to his entire fiture life.




370    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Nothing is more remarkable in the case of Creswell,
after his change, than the removal of a natural inmpediment, which at times deprived him of the power of intelligible utterance. So painful was it to witness his ineffectual attempts at articulation, that when he has called
at a house to deliver a message, the person whom he addressed has been known to retire to some other apartment
on the pretence of business, only to find the messenger on
his return still laboring to announce his errand. With
this constitutional defect he was also unhappily addicted
to the use of profane language; interlarding his discourse,
so far as his stammering tongue permitted it, with words
of blasphemy.  When Moneymore was visited by the
awakening, he would attend the meetings, but only to
lhang about the outskirts, and indulge in mockery.
On the night of Sabbath, the 19th of June, he was passii)g, at a late hour, the open door of a private house in the
village, and heard a voice engaged in fervent supplication;
and the name of Christ was used in it so impressively and
tenderly, as to arrest for the moment his errant footsteps.
He felt constrained to enter; and in a short time found
himself among the domestic group, and uniting with them
in the outward form in prayer. When the exercise was
ended, and the Rev. Dr. Barnett, by whom it was engaged
in, rose to depart, he left along with him, -keeping at a
distance, to avoid the possibility of personal communication, but resolved to follow him to another dwelling where
his presence was desired by some of its anxious inmates.
Just then the arrow of the Almighty pierced his spirit; a
strange, bewildering terror took possession of him, and he
sank prostrate on the earth.
It was now one o'clock on Monday morning, and he was
carried into an adjoining house, where he was violently
affected for several hourts. At five, he was able to walk to
his own lodgingl; and there, for nearly a fortnight, he was
the subject of many alternations of hope and fear, - his
bodily weakness incapacitating him for any manlner of




THE WOMAN WHtIO WAS A SINNER.         371
work. On the 2d of July, he was struck clown a second
time, and, after a deadly conflict, lie was led, as he believes,
to the enjoyment of "perfect peace."  Before his change,
he had been given to the immoderate use of tobacco, as
well as strong drink, when he could procure it; but, ever
since, he has lost all taste for both; while the removal of
his physical infirmity came contemporaneously with his
spiritual deliverance. From the first moment when he felt
himself in the grasp of' a higher power, he refused all
priestly aid, and, renouncing the religion of the crucifix
for that of the cross, put himself into the hands of Him
who, by his own marvellous intervention, had rescued him
fromn temporal and eternal ruin. I-He has ever since continued to walk worthy of his new-born freedom, and is at
this moment at a seminary in England, where he has been
placed by the kindness of friiends, that he may be educated,
and trained for some department of active usefulness.
The Rev. John Knox Leslie, of Cookstown, relates, in
the following terms, the case of.The TVomnaz whoo was a Sinzner.  "At the close of one
of our prayer-meetings, in sumnmer, a woman I had never
known or seen before came up to me, weeping, and expressing an anxious desire to speak to me, as she felt that
she was very ignorant of the way of salvation. In company with one of our students, I went out to the country
to see her; when I had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with her strange history. She had been cohabiting with a man, whose wife is still living, for nineteen
years, and had nine illegitimate children. Some weeks
before the outburst of the revival, she told me, she felt a
dreadful weight upon her spirits, which she could not at
first understand, but found at last that it was connected
with her sin. Her distress of mind became so great, that
she could neither eat nor sleep; and in the paroxysms of
her grief, she would rush out of the house, and falling
down on her knees behind a hedge, she would call on the
Lord for mercy. One day she said to another Rornanist




372    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
woman, that she was so distressed, that she must go to the
priest.'You need not go,' said the other,' for he will not
listen to your confession, as you are living with a strange
man.' —' Well, if he does not receive me, I will go to God
Almighty.'  The poignancy of her grief continued to
increase for weeks. To obtain relief, she had recourse to
every Popish expedient; but all in vain.  She resolved
to pray night and day to the Virgin; but still she received
no relief. She then began to draw off from Rome, conversing freely with Protestants on matters of religion,
and attended prayer-meeting. She began also to have
some obscure glimmerings of the more excellent way of
peace and salvation through Jesus Christ. She was groping
on in darkness, and the Lord led her by a way that she
knew not. She told me that one day, when overwhelmed
with agony of soul, she lifted up her heart solely to Christ,
when immediately she found relief, and her joy knew no
bounds. In the presence of many of the neighbors assembled, she told the man she had so long lived with that her
Saviour would not allow her any longer to live with him
in sin; that she was yet very ignorant of what she should
do, but that she was prepared to do whatever the Lord
Jesus would require. Her attendance at prayer-meetings
and public ordinances in our church has been unremitting.
She cannot read; but she is growing rapidly in religious
knowledge, and her character and entire conduct so
changed, as to exhibit a perfect contrast to what she once
was. She continues steadfast and consistent in her religious profession. I said to her one day,' Could you not be
induced once more to pray to the Virgin?'-' No,' she
said;'God has taught me in the school of affliction how
vain it is to trust in any creature for salvation.' She is
now a member of the Presbyterian church."
The Jlfaic-Servant at the PFair. - I have already described the country fair at Orritor, near Cookstown, at
which the ministers of the neighborhood so successfully
contested the day with the frequenters of that scene of




THE " WILD ARAB" TAMED.            373
riot and dissipation, holding a religious meeting of three
hours' duration. Among those there impressed was a Roman Catholic maid-servant. The statement which follows
with respect to her, is furnished by the Rev. J. P. Wilson:
"She had gone to the fair, after having heard much
about the revival; and when she saw the meeti,  she
resolved to be one among others. She came, heard, and
was convinced.  A  severe ordeal awaited her.  Kind
friends provided a conveyance, and took her to her master's house; but scarcely had she been laid upon a bed, and
friends began to console her, when her mother and other
relatives burst into the house, rushed to her, and would
haul her out of bed. By-and-by the mother saw the utter
helplessness of her daughter, and thouglht proper to desist;
but she returned again the following day with a cart, and
would force her daughter to go home with her. The poor
girl has since recovered from her bodily weakness, and has,
we trust, found also healing for her soul. She has been
obliged lately to leave this neighborhood and go to a distance, that she might avoid the persecution of those who
thought themselves her friends."
The "V Wld Aracb " TCmned. - Of the cases above given,
none are, perhaps, more interesting than the following, furnished by the Rev. William J. Patten, of Dromara:
"In this parish lives a man, named William  Gilmore,
who earns a livelihood by gathering rags through the
country. In all the district there was none more notorious for wickedness. Every penny he could get was spent
in drink; and often has he pawned the clothes off his back
to buy whiskey. Swearing was so familiar, that scarce a
word escaped his lips without an oath. Frequently has he
been seen lying on the road in a fit of epilepsy, drunk, and,
after the fit was over, heard to swear so awfully as to make
the bystanders tremble lest God should strike him dead.' "When under the influence of drink, he was always disposed to fight, and many a time had his poor wife to bear
the brunt of the battle. Right well she knew, from hard
32




374    THE REVIVAL AND THIE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
blows and worse usage, what it is to be cc cunlcczrci's wife.
}His own account of himself is, that there'was no bad practice of which he was not guilty, except theft and murder;' and, indeed,' he said to me,'I didc rob and murder my
children, for I starvedl them.'
"He was a Rtomanist, and a very bigoted one, - the
more so, perhaps, that his wife was a Protestant, - and he
had never been in a Protestant place of worship in his life.
lie was, moreover, as ignorant as any priest could desire,
- not able to read a word.
"Such was this ignorant, Popish, drunken, swearing,
fighting, wife-beating ragman.
"-When the revival began here, he mocked, as might
have been expected. Speaking one clay of a person who
had been affected, he said, with an oath and a sneer,'It
has not touched mne yet.' But soon after God's Spirit clid
touch him.
"It was one Sabbath night, in the beginning of August.
HIe had ordered his children that day to go to school at
the Popish chapel. Their mothel, however, unknown to
him, had sent them to the Presbyterian school. When
they came home, learning somehow that such had been
the case, he cursed, and swore, and raged, and threatened; and thus the Sabbath evening was spent.
" So angry was he with his wife, that he vowed he would
not occupy the same room with her, and went and lay
down on the kitchen floor. During the night he awoke,
and felt himself trembling from head to foot. He tried to
rise, but could not —his side seemed benumbed.  He
attempted now to speak to his wife, but his tongue refused
to move. And so he lay, trembling and praying, all night
on the floor.' In the morning he found himself able to rise and. speak;
and when he got up, he said to his wife and children,'With God's help, from this time forward I will lead a new
life.'
1"During the day he went to the priest. lHe was greatly




TIIE ".WILD ARAB " TAMED.            375
afrighted by what had occurred, but ignorant of what he
should do, and so he went to the priest for advice. But
from him he got no comfort. Some of the converts, meeting him, advised him to go home and pray. He did so,
and from that time began to attend our prayer-meetings,
though once or twice after he went to the chapel. For
the next five or six weeks his mind was in this doubting,
anxious, inquiring, prayerful state, seeking rest but finding
none.
"At last God fulfilled to him the promise,' Then shall
ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lordc.' The truth
wras made manifest to his conscience. li- He saw himself to
be a sinner, and Jesus to be the one M[ediator; and his
weary soul found rest in Christ. To use his own words,
he'gave himself up, soul and body, to Jesus, and trusted
Hilm with all.'
"' Since that time he has continued steadfast. No more
has he gone, and no more, lie says, will le go, to the chapel,
but regularly attends the Presbyterian church and prayermeetings. Every night he gets his children to read the
Bible aloud, and he conducts family worship. He has a
prayer-meeting in his house, in which he sometimes takes a
part, pouring out his thanks and wishes and wants to God,
in language very homely, but very expressive. Often, in his
travels through the country, gathering rags, does he meet
with cursing and reproach.'You deserve to be hunted out
of the country, for turning,' said a Romanist to him one
day.'It was not me that turned,' was his reply;'it was
Christ that turned me, or I never would of mlyself.'
"As far as human eye can see, he is now a meek and
lowly follower of the Lord Jesus.
"Yesterday (3Iarch 15), I saw him lying on the bed of
sickness, dangerously ill with inflammation of the lungs.'Now,' thought I,'is the time to test his sincerity and
faith.'' WvTell, W]illiam,' said I,' how do you feel in mind?''Oh,' said he,'I am quite resigned to whatever is the will
of God. I always prlay to be able to say, " Thly swill be




376    THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
done."'-' Would you be afraid to die, if it pleased God to
call you away now?' —' No, sir,' said he,'I would not. I
have given myself, soul and body, into the hands of Christ.
I do this every morning and every evening, and often
during the day; and I have not a doubt or fear.'
"I left him, adoring God's grace in having changed this'Wild Arab' into' an Israelite indeed.'"
The two following instances are supplied by the Rev.
Andrew Long, of MIonreagh, whose thrilling narrative has
been already given. The first is that of
A Girl of Tzhirteen. - " She was stricken at one of the
open-air meetings. I asked her a great many questions
about the way to salvation. I found she was looking to
Christ alone. I said, to try her,'Why don't you call on
the Virgin Mary now?' She replied,'Sir, I want none
but Christ.' —' What!' said I,' surely some of the saints or
angels will come to your aid in your difficulty?'-' Oh, no,
sir,' she said;'none but Christ can do me any good.' No
saint or angel could meet her wants. Her grandfather
threatened to send her away, if she would not go to the
priest'to get the devil put out of her.' She told him,
respectfully but firmly, that it was Christ she had got, and
she would not part with Christ for any one - no matter
what they would do to her;. I gave her a Bible, which she
read as often as she could do so privately. She kept it
under her pillow at night. She commenced our Shorter
Catechism, also, and composed some beautifully simple
verses of poetry. Her parents, however, came from Scotland, and immediately sent her to a Roman Catholic
school. The girl resisted as long as she could, but was
at last compelled by a tyrannical mother to comply; and
I have not now the privilege of visiting her.
Thie Scoffer Silenced. -" The numerous groups on the
field that were either praising God or praying, produced a
deep sensation among Roman Catholics, and scoffers, and
those who neglect the great salvation. One strong man
fell in the crowd, in Carrigans, while returning home. IHe




TAUGHT BY A TOMBSTONE.             377
was carried to the house of one of my people, and, as the
procession advanced through the, village, the poor fellow
cried vehemently,'Christ have mercy on me!' A brownfaced woman, a Roman Catholic, was leaning over her
half-door, listening to the sounds, -for it was now dark,
and she could not see, - and in reply to the stricken man's
prayer, she offered the wicked response,'The devil take
you!' It so happened that, like a beam, she capsized over
the half-door; her face came in contact with the flags
outside, and the blood gushed very freely for a considerable time. Many concluded it was a judgment from the
Almighty; but be this as it may, it had the effect of stopping her mouth, and caused the Roman Catholics of the
district to stand in awe."
Tatgc/ht by a Tombstone. — The following statement is
communicated by the Rev. I-H. P. Charleton, County Donegal: "The circumstances which led to the conversion of a
Roman Catholic, a small farmer, residing three or four
miles from Londonderry, are somewhat remarkable. Some
months previous to the'revival' reaching the neighborhood where he resides, he was earning a livelihood in
England. IIis attention had been attracted by a small
house on the wayside, overgrown with ivy, and approached
by a gate. He seems to have been curious as to the use to
which the building was put - whether it was inhabited or
not. One evening he paused in his walk, and looked over
the gate, when his eye fell upon a tombstone, bealing a
rude inscription in verse, the purport of which was, that
those who die out of Christ must perish everlastingly.
The rude and simple verses sent the arrow of conviction to
his heart. For months a wakened conscience kept him
uneasy. He returned to Ireland. About June, 1859, a
wave of the sea of grace, then rising in our land, swept
over the neighborhood where our convert then resided,
and where he is still residing. One day he was at his
devotions, and, I believe, entreating God to have mercy
on him, when lie was seized by one of those sswoons so
32*




8378     THE REVIVAL AND THE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
peculiar, and so common during the season of revival.
This seems to have been the turning-point in his life.  He
has abandoned the communion of Rome, -is regular in
his attendance on the Presbyterian church of Burt, and on
each  Sabbath  evening renders his aid in  conducting a
prayer-meeting  in a hamlet in  the neighborhood of his
residence.  His prayers are very earnest, and remarkably
scriptural, and he evidences both the gift and grace of
prayer.  His life is most consistent."
Such are a few cases, out of many, in which there is
good reason to believe a change has been effected, not
only in the religious profession, but in the entire spiritual
history of those who have experienced it. In this great
awakening, Rome has encountered a new adversary; and,
although all her arts have been resorted to - too often
successfully —for the purpose of arresting  inquiry and
stifling conviction, the power with which she has contended is too mighty to be baffled by her machinations.'
in the liberation of so many of her unhappy votaries without the immediate interventervention of any human agency, may
we not see an earnest of that day of triumph, when her
knell shall be rung out in the hearing of exulting Christendom, and when  heaven  shall reecho back to  earth the
shout of jubilation that shall arise over her irrevocable
doom?
I "The priests," says the Quarterly Review, in an interesting and favorable
article, evidently furnished by one who has had opportunities of judging fiom
personal observation of the movement, " denounced the revival. Many advised
their flocks against this' new work of the devil,' and represented it as an alarming contagious disease. They blessed charms, and bottles of holy water, and sold
them to the people to prevent them from' catching it.' We know of one priest
who realized ~5 in a month, and of another who made ~17 in a few weeks. A
poor servant lad bought a bottle for Is., stole into his master's room while he was
at prayer, and shook the bottle over his head, to prevent him from taking the' prevailing epidemic.:'




CHAPTER XIX.
&Iz Stibal ual t1j ta' @atIltot.oital tffettxnns.
EXPERIENCES OF THE LATE AMERICAN AWAKENING —ITS FREEDOM FROM
PHYSICAL EXCITEMENT -CURIOUS AFFECTION OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH IN A
FORMER REVIVAL -GENERAL VIEW TAKEN OF THE PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE ULSTER MOVEMENT-TIHEIR ACKNOWLEDGED EFFECT —SUCI-I
AFFECTIONS NOT THE NECESSARY ACCOMPANIMENT OF IELIGIOUS FEELING.-PROVINCE OF IMAGINATION - DANGER FROM ITS ABUSE -BODILY AGITATIONS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH SPURIOUS EXCITEMENTS- INCREASED
BY BEING ENCOURAGED - INSTANCES - VIEWVS OF ARCHDEACON STOPFOLID,
AND THEIR EFFECT - MEDICAL'ASPECTS OF THE QUESTION - OUR EMOT1VE
NATURE, AND ITS MODES OF ACTION ON THE BODY- OUR DUTY TO HEARKEN
TO THE VOICE OF SCIENCE —NO MERELY PHYSICAL THEORY SUFFICIENT
- THE BODILY AFFECTIONS ACCOUNTED FOR BY EXCITED MENTAL ACTION
— BY SYMPATHY - STATEMENT FROMI Dr,. A. ALEXANDER — BY NERVOUS
DISEASE - PROSTRATION NOT CONVERSION - IMPROPER MODE OF TREATING
" CASES " - THE PHENOMENA OF DUMBNESS, ETC. - SLEEPING CASES DEALT
WITH - A PROPHESIER AND A SLEEPER REBUKED -TWO STRIKING CASES
DETAILED.
THE pathological phenomena which at an early period
were associated with the awakening record in the preceding pages, have been the theme of much perplexed discussion.  I approach this part of the subject, therefore, with
some degree of diffidence, especially as I am  convinced
that nothing can be more out of place than a tone of
dogmatism  in dealing with a question which demands
for its solution a nice acquaintance with our complex constitution, and with the laws that regulate its wondrous
mechanism.
In the course of the year immediately preceding that in
which the outburst of religious fervor engaged the universal interest at home, I had enjoyed the privilege of wit



380         TILE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
nessing, to some extent, the course of that great revival by
which the churches of the New World had been visited,
and which has been regarded by them as one of the most
memorable displays of Divine power and mercy. Especially had I remarked its noiseless character, and its entire
freedom  from  those tumultuous agitations which have
sometimes signalized the progress of kindred movements
in that land. I was well aware, too, that the ablest theologians of America, warnedlby the experience of the past,
had, both by word and deed, discountenanced the physical
concomitants of the awakenings by which their country
has been so often favored, and that their absence on the
occasion of the late effusion of the Spirit was a theme of
general congratulation. Accordingly, when a numerous
and influential meeting was convened, for private consultation, soon after the first appearance of the revival in
Belfast, I took the opportunity of referring to such experiences, especially as enforced by Dr. Hodge, of Princeton, than whom America can boast no greater master in
Israel. Others also made similar representations.
The pathological affections that were developed at an
early period in the Ulster movement, although presenting
some points of resemblance, were not identical, in all respects, with those delineated in the narratives of' the
American. revivals of other days. In the latter case, they
were the voluntary muscles of the system that were called
into violent action, as in the well-known instances in Kentucky and other places; in the former, the symptoms were
those of physical debility, and of a total sinking of muscular energy, often amounting to insensi-bility. It was felt,
therefore, that the phenomena in question should be
judged of according to the phase under which they actually appeared; and as they were a new thing in our experience, a committee was appointed to inquire into their
peculiar character, and into the movement generally, and
to report to futture meetings. These meetings were held
for some time, and were unuder the oversighllt of the late




THE SCOTCH-IRISH IN A FORMER REVIVAL.    381
lamented Dr. Wilson, Professor of Sacred Literature, -
one of the soundest intellects in connection with any
church. I regret that no formal statement of his views on
the subject was ever published, as it might have done
much to guide others, at an early stage, in relation to a
department of such exciting interest. There is no doubt,
however, that our departed friend was thoroughly convinced, from  the beginning, of the reality of the work,
although he made little account of its unusual accompaniments.
In adverting to the peculiar character of those physical
affections with which we are now familiar, I may here introduce an extract from a letter, lately received by the
Bishop of Down and Connor, from Bishop M'Ilvaine, of
Ohio, in which he states their similarity to those observed
in the beginning of this century, in Kentucky, among the
same race of people, namely, the Presbyterian settlers from
the north of Ireland:
"'As to the cases of'striking,' which have appeared so
often in connection with the work in Ireland, I have recently become acquainted with some singular facts. I was
conversing the other day with the grandson of a very intelligent and prominent man among the early settlers of
Ohio, who said, that when those accounts from Irelandl
were first read among his friends, they exclaimed,'Why,
that is exactly what occurred among the Scotch-Irish in
Kentucky, 1804.' The older counties of Kentucky were
settled from Virginia, and from a part of Virginia which
was peopled by the posterity of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who originally went thither from Ireland. It was
that Scotch-Irish posterity that settled KIentucky, — a
Presbyterian people, - chiefly an intelligent, hardy, industrious, brave, and quiet set of people. In about the year
1804, there occurred a great revival among them, spreading over several counties, under the preaching of certain
faithful men. They met by thousands, in the forests, for
worship, -the few houses of worship being too small and




882         THE PATtHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
scattered. The revival was followed by very permanent
and marked spiritual blessings. It left its impress in the
very decided Christian character of its subjects. The
grandfather of my informant was one of them. Afterwards he moved to Ohio, and his son was Governor of
Ohio.
"Thebcharacter of the people was precisely that from
which you would least expect a mere excitement. They
were the very ones to suspect and resist all attempts
to produce excitement.  But among those Scotch-Irish
strangely appeared precisely such cases of striking as the
same sort of people, in the very region whence their
fathers came, have been now  exhibiting. Infidels and
scoffers went to see and ridicule the work, and instantly,
without conscious preparatory states of mind, were stricken
down. All the phases mentioned in Ireland took place in
KIentucky, except that I cannot say anything of the visions
(a peculiarity in which I see nothing of imlportance).
These strikings were preached against, and not sought to
be promoted; the temperament of the people was averse
to them, and still they appeared; and, what is very remarkable, since the days of Jonathan Edwards, and the
great revival in New England in his day (1735 and 1740),
such manifestations have not appeared among any other
people. We have heard of bodily effects of various kinds
among some very ignorant, disorderly sects in our frontier
settlements; but they were not connected with gospel
truth, and were directly sought and promoted as religion,
and were ludicrous as well as strange. These curious
coincidents, in regard to a people who have been amongl
the very best of our populations, I mention only as matter
of fact."
The first and general view taken of the phenomena in
question by the religious portion of the public, was, that
on whatever theory they might be accounted for, it was
a great thing if. under any circumstances, men  were awakened from the almost universal death-sleep into which they




THE BODILY AFFECTIONS.              383
had. fallen. That might be zeal which was not beneficial;
and as in the growth of a plant there is a development of
lnuch which does not effloresce in blossom or ripen into
firuit, why might there not be certain associated developments even in connection with religion, the highest work of
God, which, though not of the nature of true godliness,
has yet some relation to its production? So reasoned the
calmest and least excitable among us. Nor did they think
it wonderful that persons who had been unfamiliar with
the experiences of the higher life, and wholly untrained
in spiritual things, when suddenly overborne by Divine
influence, should find an outlet for the expression of their
soul-agony through other than the usual, and, as we say,
legitimate channels; and that, tossed upon the stormy
billows, they should not well know how to carry themselves, and drift almost uncontrollably away.  Better,
sure, to breast the roaring surge on the live ocean, and
speed on before the favoring gale, than lie becalmed and
motionless amid the stagnation and putridity of the waveless sea of death.
From the beginning, too, as has once and again been
indicated in this narrative, there was a general impression
that the strange excitement by which, in almost every
district, this great impulsive movement was ushered in,
might have a profound moral significance. So insensate
are the generality of men, that nothing can exceed their
indisposition to realize the spiritual and invisible; and
why should not the quickening Spirit, through the medium of strange and startling things on earth, arouse the
dormant intellect to the contemplation of the far stranger
things in heaven? Mlight not these unwonted incidents,
in the case of a people naturally impassive, and who, although familiar with the gospel-scheme, had practically
rejected it, be regarded as an alarm-cry fiom eternity, of
awful import - a trumpet-call to arouse the sleepers fiom
their so fatal slumber? Were they not at least entitled
to rank with those inscrutable visitations of disease and




384        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
famine which have proved the divinely-commissioned messengers of nercy as well as jucdgment, and by which men
have often been arrested in their unconcern, and led to
flee from the wrath to come?
Whatever may be the solution of these visitations, there
is no doubt that by their suddenness they surprised and
awed the minds of the community. A sensible and solemn dread, not unmixed with superstition, fell even upon
the most hardened and abandoned, when, on this side and
on that, so many were passing through such agonized experiences; and those who before had mocked, were seized
with mortal terror, like criminals whose hour had come.
No wonder that profanity and profligacy cowered in their
awful presence, and looked reverently on, when such tempest heavings of emotion were almost rending asunder the
mortal tabernacle. And when the hurricane had spent
its force, and the scene of such wild commotion was lighted
up by the calm sunshine of an untroubled heaven; when
one and another who had lived long years in utter disregard of all that an immortal being should most diligently
seek to realize, had, after having been bowed down like a
bulrush, risen up to newness of life, the entire bent of
mind and character transformed, and the chambers of iraagery, so dark before, irradiated as by a celestial brightness;
and when the witnesses were the everyday acquaintances,
and in many cases the intimate connections, of those who
had experienced the marvellous transition, - how could it
be otherwise, than that the new-born wonder of the moment
should give place to the intelligent and admiring contemplation of the astounding moral revolutions that were being wrought?  A single transmutation of this description,
with its attendant circumstances, was a-no less convincing
attestation to the presence of a Divine agency, than if one
had risen from the dead, — it brought near to every one,
and almost forced upon the senses of the beholder, the
dread realities of the world to come.
Such were the impressions, for the most part, produced




BODILY AGITATION NOT NECESSARY.          385
on serious men by the peculiar character of the religious
movement and its accessories in the north of Ireland.
That the latter were always wisely treated, it would be
contrary to evidence and experience to assert; for there
were those who seemed in every case to regard them as
due to a direct influence of the Spirit of God.  Had
such views prevailed extensively, it is not difficult to say
what excesses would have been committed, and what occasion would have been given to the adversary to speak
reproachfully. It was well for Ulster, and for religion,
that throughout the country there was a body of educated
and enlightened ministers, who, from the outset, set themselves to repress extravagance and excess, and to eliminate
from the scenes they witnessed those spiritual influences
which were so manifestly at work, though frequently commllingling with baser elements. The disorders that have
taken place in some quarters'are largely to be attributed
either to the lukewarlmness of those who might have been
expected to direct the movement, or the too ardent temperament of others, who allowed themselves to be borne
along, irrespective of the course it took, upon every outflow of the tide of excited feeling; or to the peculiar position of a third class, who, though favorably affected to the
new state of things, were not in circumstances to render
much efficient service in guiding and directing it.
It has been stated in an early part of this volume, that
in the neighborhood of Connor, where a gracious work
had been in progress eighteen months before public attention was concentrated upon it, there were no violent agitations such as were elsewhere subsequently witnessed.
Hundreds were led to serious consideration, and passed
through a spiritual crisis, under the silent operation of the
truth; nor were there any outcries or prostrations in all
the district. That apprehension of things spiritual which
arises from Divine illumination has nothing in it which
of necessity violently deranges the bodily organism, although instances are on record in the Bible, in which
33




386        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
gracious affectionswould seem to have been accompanied
by much physical depression; nor is there anything in the
Word of God to countenance the idea that "bodily exercise" of this description must be the legitimate effect of
religious feeling. We do not find such results attendant
on the personal ministry of our Lord and His apostles, -
not even on that solemn day when the awful truth flashed
on the bewildered and confounded listeners — that He
whom  they had crucified was both Lord and Christ.
Doubtless, the depths of moral feeling were then profoundly stirred; and conscience, with its self-reproaches,
was doing its proper work, when, from that mighty minltitude, "pricked to the heart," there arose the agonized
and imploring cry, — "Men and brethren, what shall we
do?"
Nor is there any stress laid in the Scriptures on such
feelings as are excited through the medium of the imagination.  This faculty, like every other, has an almost
boundless field presented to it, over which to expatiate in
the system of revealed truth. As on a seraph's wing, it
may soar afar into the regions of ethereal light and purity,
and take its stand upon the sapphire pavement of the city
of the great King. At one time it may scan the heavenly
hierarchy, as waiting they attend the " throne and equipage
of God's almightiness," or cast their crowns before that
radiant form, once marred more than any, now clothed
with unearthly splendor. At another, it may take a downward plunge, and hold converse with every existent spirit
in the doleful shades, recoiling at the imagery with which
it has itself invested the realms of the outer darkness.
From  such materials it may conjure up many a wondrous
spectacle; now rapt as in Elysian bowers, now racked as
in intolerable and endless torment. But while the imagination has its legitimate province in relation to the things
of God, there is danger that it rest on what is merely figurative, to the comparative neglect of the solid and stable
truth which figure is intended to convey. And "when an




IMAGINATION - ITS PROVINCE AND DANGERS.  387
affection," as Edwards has it, " arises from the imagination,
and is built upon it as its foundation, instead of a spiritual
illumination or discovery, then is the affection, however
elevated, worthless and vain...... When the Spirit
of God is poured out to begin a glorious work, then the
old serpent, as flast as possible, and by all means, introduces this bastard religion, which has, from time to time,
brought all things into confusion...... The imagination, or phantasy, seems to be that wherein are formed all
those delusions of Satan, which those are carried away
with who are under the influence of false religion, and
counterfeit graces and affections. There is the devil's
grand lurking-place, the very nest of foul and delusive
spirits."
It is further to be borne in mind, that bodily agitations,
visions, and trances, in their varied modifications, have
been associated in their history not only with genuine
revivals, but with kindred excitements, in all countries
and ages. "' That they are all alike attributable to the
same cause," says Dr. Hodlge, "is probable, because they
arise under the same circumstances, are propagated by the
same means, and cured by the same treatment.  They
arise in seasons of great, and especially of general excitement; they, in a great majority of cases, affect the ignorant rather than the enlightened, those in whom  the
imagination predominates over the reason, and especially
those who are of a nervous temperament, rather than
those of an opposite character. These affections all propagate themselves by a-kind of infection. This circumstance
is characteristic of the whole class of nervous diseases.
Physicians enumerate, among the causes of epilepsy,'seeing a person in convulsions.' This fact was so well
known, that the Romans made a law, that if any one
should be seized with epilepsy during the meeting of the
comitia, the assembly should be dissolved. This disease
occurred so frequently in those exciting meetings, and was
propagated so rapidly, that it was called the nzorlbts




388             THE  PATHOLOGICAL  AFFECTIONS.
comitialis......          Sometimes  such  affections  become
epidemic, spreading over whole provinces. In the fifteenth
century, a violent nervous disease, attended  with  convulsions  and  other  analogous  symptoms, extended  over a
great part of Germany, especially affecting the inmates of
the  convents.   In  the  next century, something  of the
same kind  prevailed  extensively in the  south  of France.
These affections were  then  regarded as the result of demoniacal possessions; and, in some instances, multitudes
of poor creatures were put to death as demoniacs."'
It is a characteristic  circumstance respecting the physical affections thus referred to, that in those places where
they have arisen, they have rarely appeared, or, at least,
they have not long continued, when  not approved  or encouraged.   Thus, says I-lodge, "in  Northampton, where
Edwards  rejoiced  over  them, they  were  abundant; in
Boston, where they were regarded as' blemishes,' they had
nothing  of them.  In  Sutton, Massachusetts, they  were'cautiously guarded against,' and consequently never
appeared, except among  strangers from   other congregations. Only one or two cases occurred in Elizabethtown,
under President Dickinson, who considered them  as'irregular heats,' and those few  were speedily regulated.  There
1 With regard to the peculiar character of the affections that attended the
Western revivals in America, at the beginning of this century, Dr. Hodge quotes
the following testimony of an intelligent physician, who had many opportunities
of personal observation, as given in the Biblical Repertory for 1834: - " Different
persons are variously affected. Some rise to their feet and spin round like a top
- [one case, at least, of this description, occurred in a certain district in County
Antrim] - while others dance till they fall down exhausted. Some throw back
their heads with convulsive laughter; while others, drowned in tears, break folbrth
in sighs and lamentations. Some fall from their seats in a state of insensibility,
and lie for hours without consciousness; while others are affected with violent
convulsions, resembling epilepsy. During the convulsive paroxysm recollection
and sensation are but little impaired; a slight stupor generally supervenes. The
animnal functions are not much interrupted; the pulse is natural; the temperature
is that of health throughout the paroxysm. After it has subsided, there is a soreness of the muscles, and a slight pain in the hlead, which soon pass away." -Constiteitioncl lHistory of the Protestant C'hu1rch   i the United States, Part ii. p. 73.




BODILY AFFECTIONS MAY BE RESTRAINED.    389
was nothing of the kind at Freehold, where William Tennent set his face against all such manifestations of enthusiasm. On the other hand, they followed Davenport, and
other fanatical preachers, almost wherever they went. In
Scotland they were less encouraged than they were here,
and consequently prevailed  less.  In England, where
Wesley regarded them as certainly from God, they were
fearful, both as to their frequency and violence. A physician, already quoted, says,' Restraint often prevents a paroxysm.  For example: persons always attacked by this
affection in churches where it is encouraged, will be
perfectly calln in churches where it is discouraged, however
affecting may be the service, and however great the mental excitement.'  1
I have thought it right to introduce these striking testimonies from one who, though himself one of the most eminent and experienced of theologians, is not less remarkable
for his saintly grace, and for his surpassing tenderness.
Often, as I am assured, when he is addressing his students
at those Sabbath conferences, in which they meet together
for edification as well as instruction, the venerable divine
of Princeton is overcome by deep emotion, and his overflowing heart finds vent in tears. It is from no want of
genuine sympathy, therefore, either with the distress of
awakened, or the joy of delivered souls, that he records
such a decided judgment on the subject of those physical
developments which in his own country have been the
occasion of much anxious consideration.
As showing the strange and unreliable character of such
affections elsewhere, I may here introduce a brief statement
with reference to their appearance among the Camisardls
of France, as supplied by Herzog, in his "Encyclopedia,"
p. 539, (Edinburgh Edition):
" In 1688, many persons in the Dauphinee, mostly females,
commenced, in sleeping, half-walking ecstasies, to exhort
people to repentance and faith, speaking fluently and cor1 tlist. p. 78.
33



390         THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
rectly, though, in common life, theirs was a provincial
brogue. In these exhortations they showed an extensive
acquaintance with the Bible, wanting to them when awake.
Before long, children began to fall clown during the meetings of the reformed, who would warn them of traitors and
enemies, that proved them  to be really at hand.  The
number of prophets increased rapidly - all Dauphinde and
Languedoc were full of them. Thus, the reformed were
strengthened; but the fire of persecution also grew in the
same degree. When these real supernatural manifestations
gradually began to fail, impure, fictitious, and even demoniac
prophecies took their place, especially as the persecution,
too, assumed so malignant a character."
In connection with these statements, I may here allude
to the production of an eminent dignitary of the Irish
Establishment, who, at an early period, gave the world the
benefit of his views of the revival movement, as well as his
experience of hysteria. I refer to the Rev. Edward Stopford, Archdeacon of Meath. There can be no question that
he wrote with a benevolent purpose, and that he wrote
well. It is greatly to be regretted, however, that while
warning against the "counterwork," he did not give due
prominence to the "work" itself.  So-far as appears, he
made a visit for a short period to Belfast, going the rounds
of some congregations where there was nightly an intense
excitement; and not, as it would seem, having sought out
any other localities where he might have had an opportunity of learning at least as much, and among a more intelligent class of the population, of the real character of the
movement. He heard from some of our pulpits - whether
from their stated occupants or others we are not informed
- harangues which he regarded as a specimen of the style
of address then prevalent in town and country, and which
he represents as made up largely of coarse and harrowing
appeals, "prolific of hysteria;" while the prayers were of a
like character, and "offered with the most fienzied excitelnent and gesticulations."  Iowever excellent his aim, and




TESTIMONY OF PHYSIOLOGY.            391
admirable his exposure of many things that needed to be
severely dealt with, he left, unhappily, a false impression
on the minds of multitudes who were satisfied to follow
without inquiry in the wake of such an able writer and
distinguished dignitary.  The disproportionate attention
which he gave to the purely physical concomitants of the
work created a not unnatural irritation in those who kneow
much better than any casual visitor its real character; and
while his statements were eagerly caught up by its opponents, they were, for the most part, set at naught by the
very parties to whom  they were more immediately directed; and who, had he exhibited a more sympathizing
spirit, would have given him a willing audience.
On the medical aspects of the question under consideration I shall not largely enter. It is right to state, however, that the highest authorities, such as the recognized
organs of the faculty in London and Edinburgh, take substantially the same view of the physiological features of
this movement as the Archdeacon of lMeath; regarding
them, if not as decidedly hysterical, as yet of the nature
of" irregular hysteria," - a morbid condition, produced by
some emotion seeking for itself an outlet denied through
its natural channels of activity, - the pent-up force producing a paroxysmal fit proportionate in severity and
duration to the original strength of the feeling, or to the
exhaustion resulting from efforts to repress it; the movements occurring in no fixed order, so that the presence or
absence of "globus " (the ball in the throat) is not conclusive with regard to its existence. 1
In medical disquisitions, such as I am adverting to, the
connection between our emotive nature and its physical
manifestations occupies a leading place. There are, according to the physiologists, in the human system, three
grand centres of nervous influence. In the higher region
there is the brain — the seat of thought; in the inferior,
1 See Journal of Psychological Miedlicine for Janualy 1860.




392         THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
the sensorium (as it is popularly named) -the seat of
feeling, whence downward extends the spinal cord, the
source of motion; and as each of the changes, whether in
the superior or inferior organs, disengages "force," it is
averred that we have in this a solution of the effects of
strong emotion on our corporeal frame.
Thus, then, according to physiology, as expounded by
its ablest investigators, such as Drs. Carpenter and Cartelr,
emotive force will manifest itself in outward effect, now
operating downwards, if unduly excited, on the automatic
nerves, in which case its action will be seen on the physical
energies; now operating upwards on the brain, and influencing reason, will, and conscience; or, again, taking both
an upward and downward direction at the same moment,
when a complex result may be evolved. The phenomena
produced, in so far as they are the effect of action on the
sensorium, are regarded as manifestations of a disordered
state of the nervous system, - to which the general name
hysteria is applied, though under that designation many
anomalous cases are included, not witnessed by the physician in his ordinary practice, but sufficiently analogous to
others that are familiar to warrant their being referred
to a common cause, - namely, the excitation of those emotions which, when in their normal state, are regulated and
controlled by the higher faculties. All nervous affections,
we are further assured, have an extraordinary power of
self-propagation, either by sympathy, or by that " expectant
attention" which, in periods of great excitement, and even
in some of the more alarming epidemics, such as cholera,
operates frequently as a predisposing cause. And for illustrations in abundance, we,are referred to such works as
that of " Hecker on the Epidemics of the Middle Ages," in
which, among other similar instances, he gives a full account of the French convulsionnaires, and of the enthusiasts who frequented the tomb of the Abbl Paris, in the
beginning of the last century.




PHYSIOLOGY AND THEOLOGY AT ONE.          393
Medical science thus claiming to be heardcl on one leading
department of the question, why should any be jealous of
its testimony? To refuse or undervalue it, were wilfully
to close our eyes in a case into every phase of which we
are required, by a regard to the high interests involved, to
institute a most sifting scrutiny.  Others may seek to
arrest inquiry by the assertion of miraculous intervention;
but such a course is alien to the genius of Protestant
Christianity.  If certain of the accompaniments of the
revival can be accounted for on natural principles, let us
by all means so dispose of them. To call in the aid of the
supernatural for the solution of any ordinary phenomenon,
is a serious error, alike in logic and theology.
Is it possible, however, even with the aids of science in
its present state of advancement, to account for all the
pathological phenomena by any purely physical theory?
And even if it were, would this remove them from under
the Divine superintendence and control? May not every
one of them  be capable of solution by the known laws
that link together our mental and corporeal organisms,
and yet be charged with a most important and specific
spiritual mission? Does not the Moral Governor rule by
law in everything, and yet who will deny His ever-present
agency amid the constancy and uniformity of nature?
Granting, therefore, that a satisfactory explanation, on
physiological principles, could be given of the phenomena
under review, that would not sever the connection between
these manifestations and the finger of God in them. Some
such concessions, it is gratifying to find, are made by the
highest medical authorities themselves. Thus the EycinburLgh iledical fourncl for January writes:'The anti-revivalists are quite in error if they imagine that when they
have proved the'cases' to be hysterical, they have disposed of the whole case. It is quite possible, that even in
these instances salutary impressions may coexist with the
ebhullitions of emotional feeling and the symptoms of actual
disease." VWhile the reviewer, in Dr. Winslow's rfouracl




394        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
of Psychological lMeldicine, introduces the element of " Demoniac Agency" as one of the perverting causes in a time
of " visitation."
May we not, then, arrive at a solution of both the spiritual and the physical phenomena that will not traverse
any of the known laws of our constitution? I do not
know that we have sufficient data, or that it lies within the
range of our knowledge fully to solve this question. Nor
is it, perhaps, for practical purposes, needful that we should
do more than disentangle the higher process from that
which has no necessary connection with it, discountenancing all tendency to rest' in anything but what is spiritual' as an evidence of a saving change. At the same time,
it is desirable that -we should reduce the cases, of whatever
description, under their proper heads; and these, I humbly
submit, are the three following:
I. Those in which the bodily effects are traceable to
strongly excited mental action. Under this class will fall
to be ranked by far the greater number ordinarily witnessed. The mental action, I am persuaded, as a general
rule, is the immediate and invariable antecedent of the
bodily affection. It cannot for a moment be supposed that
the phenomena in question demand a specific theory, as
though a new mode of the operation of the Divine Spirit
directly upon our corporeal organism, and irrespective of
the laws of mind, had been introduced among us. I am
aware that here and there a few cases are reported, and
some in the preceding pages, in which the parties affected
are represented by themselves as wholly unconscious of
any mental impression anterior to the physical prostration.
But such representations are too loosely made to be of
much real value. Who does not know that there are states
of consciousness that evanish almost as soon as they arise,
and leave no trace behind? Especially when violent emotion ensues, how difficult for the subject of it to analyze or
even to remember the antecedent operation of the intellect? May not a dominant idea produce its appropriate




EFFECTS OF SYMPATIY.              395
effects, without leaving any distinct impression on the
mental tablet, whether we adopt the theory that there
are mental states of which we have no consciousness, or
that, in certain cases, the mind, though conscious of its own
operations, gives them too little attention to imprint them
on the memory?
I am aware, also, that there are some sudden and characteristic cases of persons being "stricken" in their own
houses, on the road or'in the field; and some, more peculiar still, in which resistance to the work has shown itself
by mocking and deriding it; and the popular opinion in
regard to these is, that they came without any premonition friom within. But though the state of mind in such
cases may have appeared to an onlooker to be one only of
impervious hostility to the work, may it not be as readily
accounted for by the attempt to drown conviction and stifle conscience, under the transparent guise of an unseemly
and unnatural levity?
II. There are other cases, of which the only satisfactory
solution that can be given is, that they are attributable to
the principle of sympctAhy. I need not here descant on
the peculiar character or extensive influence of this principle, as one of most important application for good or
evil. Let me rather supply a case in illustration of its influence, in a time of religious excitement, in Amnerica, as
narrated by the Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander, of Princeton, in his admirable volume "On Religious Experience;"
showing sufficiently that spiritual convictions are not necessary to create physical manifestations, and that, in a season
of awakening, there may be those who are even violently
agitated, whose consciences give all the while no evidence
of being quickened by a higher agency.  HIe justly observes, that ministers cannot prevent the impressions
which alise mainly from sympathy; neither should they
attempt it; but when they are about to gather the wheat
into the garner, they should faithfully winnow the heap.
"Being in a part of the country where I was known,




396        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
face to face, to scarcely any one, and hearing that there was
a great meeting in the neighborhood, and a good work in
progress, I determined to attend. The sermon had com1mnenced before I arrived, and the house was so crowded
that I could not approach near to the pulpit, but sat down
in a kind of shed connected with the main building, where
I could see and hear the preacher. His sermon was really
striking and impressive, and in language and method far
above the common run of extempore discourses. The
people were generally attentive, and, so far as I could observe, many were tenderly affected; excepting that, in the
extreme part of the house where I sat, some old tobaccoplanters kept up a continual conversation, in a low tone,
about tobacco-plants, seasons, etc. When the preacher
came to the application of his discourse, he became exceedingly vehement and boisterous, and I could hear some
sounds in the centre of the house whi6h indicated strong
emotion. At length a female voice was heard in a piercing cry, which thrilled through me, and affected the whole
audience. It was succeeded by a low, murmuring sound
from the middle of the house; but in a few seconds one
and another arose in different parts of the house, under extreme and visible agitation. Casting off bonnets and caps,
and raising their folded hands, they shouted to the utmost
extent of their voice; and in a few seconds more the whole
audience was agitated, as a forest when shaken by a mighty
wind.
"The sympathetic wave, commencing in the centre, extended to the extremities, and at length it reached our
corner, and I felt the conscious effort of resistance as necessary as if I had been exposed to the violence of a storm.
I saw few persons throughout the whole house who escaped the prevailing influence: even careless boys seemed
to be arrested, and to join in the general outcry. But
what astonished me most of all was, that the old tobaccoplanters, whom I have mentioned, and who, I (am persuaded, had not heard one word of the sermon, were




POWER OF MERE SYMPATHY.             397
violently agitated. Every muscle of their brawny faces
appeared to be in tremulous motion, and the big tears
chased one another down their wrinkled cheeks. There I
saw the power of sympathy. The feeling was real, and
propagated from  person to person by the mere sounds
which were uttered, - for many of the audience had not
paid any attention to what was said, - but nearly all partook of the agitation. The feelings expressed were different as when the foundations of the second temple were
laid; for while some uttered the cry of poignant anguish,
others shouted in the accents of joy and triumph. The
speaker's voice was soon silenced, and he sat clown and
gazed on the scene with a complacent smile.
"When this tumult had lasted a few minutes, another
preacher, as I suppose he was, who sat on the pulpit steps,
with his handkerchief spread over his head, began to
sing a soothing and yet lively tune, and was quickly
joined by some strong female voices near him; and in less
than two minutes the storm was hushed, and there was a
great calm.  It was like pouring oil on the troubled
waters. I experienced the most sensible relief to my own
feelings from the appropriate music, for I could not hear
the words sung; but I could not have supposed that anything could so quickly allay such a storm; - and all
seemed to enjoy the tranquillity which succeeded. The
dishevelled hair was put in order; the bonnets, etc., etc.,
gathered up, and the irregularities of the dress adjusted,
and no one seemed conscious of any impropriety. Indeed,
there is a peculiar luxury in such excitements, especially
when tears are shed copiously, which was the case here.
But I attended another meeting, in another place, where
there had been a remarkable excitement, but the tide was
far on the ebb; and although we had vociferation and outcrying of a stunning kind, I did not hear one sound indicative of real feeling; and I do not think that one tear
was shed during the meeting."
III. There is a third class of cases, which, either in




398             THE  PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
whole or in  part, may  be  ascribed  to  the  operation  of
nervous  disease.   That such  a  disease, call it by  what
name we may, and by whatever means originated and
propagated, has in most places been running parallel with
the spiritual movement, does not admit of question. To
be aware of its existence, is the first step in the process
towards  its  proper treatment.   That it may  be  either
checked  or stimulated, past experience, especially in  the
case of the  American  awakenings, has sufficiently established.  It requires, no doubt, a measure of discrimination
and decision to deal aright with such manifestations, which,
wherever they exist, are generally encouraged by the common  people, who take pleasure in  all strong excitement.
Still, it is all-important, for the  sake of those whe are the
subjects of them, as well as for the  character and  credit
of the work  with  which  they may be accidentally associated, that in so far as they are merely corporeal, they be
kept in their own proper place of relative insignificance.l
Judging by the past amongst ourselves, there is a ten1 I think the following statement, by the Rev. Theophilus Campbell, from
whom I have received it, worthy of insertion here, as tending to guard against
placing any stress on mere corporeal indications:'" As soon as the violence of the attack has passed away, the eye exhibits a peculiarly happy expression, lighting up the countenance with a radiancy that must
attract the notice of every beholder. At the same time, a sense of relief is experienced which is too often mistaken for the peace of the gospel. I visited a young
woman at this stage of the attack. On entering the room where she was sitting,
she rose and grasped my hand with delight, saying that she had found peace,
and was so happy. She introduced me to a young man, whose' happy eye' at
once revealed the fact that he too had been affected. We sat down. Quietly I
spoke to them of the way of salvation, and proposed a few questions. They were
very ignorant of the Scriptures, and almost even of the work of our Lord on the
cross. After about half an hour's conversation, they themselves perceived their
ignorance. The excitement under which they were laboring calmed down-a
total change ensued - the brightness of the eye faded - and the peculiarity adverted to passed away. Instead of it, an anxious expression marked the countenances. When I arose to depart, after prayer, the young woman, with earnestness, requested me to specify some portions of the Scriptures for her to read in
private, remarking that' others had visited her, but had not spoken to her as I
had done.' From that time she has attended my classes for scriptural instruction.17




REPREHENSIBLE TREATMENT OF THE "AFFECTED." 399
dency, prevailing however but to a limited extent, to
cultivate the "prostrations," as though they were the
starting-point in the process of conversion. How necessary, therefore, that enlightened views upon the subject
should be diffused, and that the public mind should be
drawn off from these, at best, incidental accompaniments
of the works of God! "The apology made in Corinth,"
says Dr. Hodge, speaking of similar affections, "for the
disorders which Paul condemned, was precisely the same
as that urged in defence of these bodily agitations.' We
ought not to resist the Spirit of God,' said the Corinthians,
and so said all those who encouraged these convulsions.
Paul's answer was, that no influence which comes from God
destroys our self-control.' The spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets.' Even in the case of direct inspiration and revelation, the mode of communication was
in harmony with our rational nature, and left our powers
under the control of reason and the will.  The man,
therefore, who felt the divine affection, had no right to
give way to it under circumstances which would produce
noise and confusion."
In the case of those who have been physically affected,
whether at the period of the spiritual change or subsequently, nothing surely can be more inconsiderate or
reprehensible than to subject them to the likelihood of a
repetition of the affection, which, as often as it is reproduced, tends to exhaust the frame and to induce permanent
disease. It is most distressing to hear of young females
being fifty, a hundred, and, as in one case of which I am
advised, two hundred times "stricken."  Wherever there
is a predisposition to this tendency, it were alike a duty
and a kindness to isolate the individual as much as possible from all exciting causes; to resist, as an intrusion, the
presence of every curious visitor; and to draw off the mind
from its own exercises by some suitable occupation. This
course has been followed in many instances, and with the
happiest effect.




400         THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
Account as we may, however, for the complex phenomena which have presented themselves in connection with
the movement under consideration, one thing is certain,
that no possible combination of mental or material elements could leave behind it, irrespective of a higher agency,
the residuum of renewed souls. With the vast majority
of the "affected," the secret of the matter was, that one
over-mastering sentiment took hold of them, and carried
them away, sometimes they knew not whither. It was not
so much a sense of danger as a sense of sin that crushed
them down, — an apprehension of the awful holiness of
God, and a more than ordinary realization of the evil of
offending Him. And what if; before the astounding disclosures then opened up in all their terrible distinctness, any
should have given away, - the sympathetic feeling intensifying the impression, - till, all unused to restrain the
natural outflow of emotion, they should break forth in the
wild cry of horror and despair! Was it a time to look on
with scrutinizing or censorious eye, when the heavens were
rending and the earth was shaking at the presence of the
Lord?  And though we may congratulate the district or
the community in which a wide-spread spiritual interest
has been awakened, in the absence of tumultuous excitement; yet, shall we refuse to recognize the presence and
the power of the Eternal, even although some strange
things should have happened, and here and there a few
should have been disordered by unhealthy stimulants and
injudicious treatment? Is not the process of conversion,
under any circumstances, the result of a superhuman
agency? and why should it be thought extraordinary if,
when a whole community is stirred, there should be a proportionate increase in its abnormal accompanimnents?
I shall only add, with reference to the affections so frequently referred to, that there is no ground to believe that
they have conducted those who were the subjects of them
along a higher pathway than has been trodden by others,
in whom the momentous change was wrought without any




DEAFNESS, DUMBNESS, BLINDNESS.        401
experience of them; while, in many cases, they have developed some peculiarity of temperament or character
which has called forth, on behalf of the "affected," a more
than ordinary solicitude on the part of such as have been
interested in their spiritual progress.
With reference to the cases of dumbness and the like,
which were, for a time, an occasion of much stupid wonder
to many, I cannot better express the view entertained of
them by all who are intelligently informed, than by quoting
the following passage from the able and most seasonable
paper presented by my excellent friend, Dr. M'Cosh, to
the Annual Conference of the Evangelical Alliance, at its
meeting in Belfast, in September last:
"From  an organism weakened by repeated excitement,
proceed cases of blindness and dumbness, and of persons
who can bring on sleep at a particular time, and awake at
an appointed hour. I have found, in a vast number of cases,
that the deafness and blindness have appeared, not in persons who have been struck the first time with a conviction
of sin, but in persons who have been struck a number of
times. It is a warning, given in God's natural providence,
that in that particular district the bodily excitement is
being carried too far, and is in danger of overriding and
oppressing the spiritual work. All such persons should be
put under the care of a kind Christian physician; they
should be encouraged to pray that their bodily weakness
may be relieved as speedily as possible; and to seek to
come under the influence of faith, and confidence, and
love, which, instead of weakening the body, have a tendency to soothe and strengthen the frame. As to the
sleeping cases, every one who has studied the subject
knows that mesmerism is full of them. A trained traveller can fall asleep when he pleases, and rise at any hour he
fixes; and people in a mesmeric state can anticipate and
regulate their mesmeric slumbers. If there be any persons
so preposterously foolish - I hadc almost said blasphemous
- as to ascribe such cases to the Spirit of God, I would




402          THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
remind them that the Hindoos can produce far more wonderful cases than those in Ireland; for, in India, individuals
who have acquired this mesmeric power allow themselves
to be buried for days, and tell beforehand the precise time
when they are to awake, and their friends are to open the
ground to allow them to rise. When such cases appeal',
Christians should by all means discourage them. They
were just beginning in a village with which I am acquainted, when a Christian physician, who had been the
main earthly leader of the movement in the district, reasoned with the people, and they immediately disappeared.
Great mischief arises from such persons being visited by
ministers, neighbors, and strangers, as if they were objects
of admiration; whereas they are rather objects for our
commiseration and our prayers. I have often seen that
the people who go wondering after such cases, are of all
persons the least likely to wish to become partakers of the
spiritual work. Nothing, in my humble opinion, is so
much fitted to grieve the Spirit, as to find persons gazing
at the weakness of man, as if it were the power of Gold.
The only thoroughly conceited converts I have seen in this
movement, are those who have got into such a state of
physical weakness that they see visions and predict events.
The predictions, I may remark, have all the characteristic
marks of clatirvoycance, which has so often been exposed.
I may add, that while the cases of this deception have
hitherto been very few, yet we have already evidence that
if encouragement were given, especially of a pecuniary
kind, deception is ready to appear, and Satan would triumph."
Let me here also introduce a statement illustrative of
the good effects that are sure to follow when such cases as
those referred to are judiciously treated. The narrator is
the Rev. Alexander Field, of Dervock, a highly intelligent
young minister of the Presbyterian church. It will be
seen, fiom  the introductory sentences, that he warmnly




TRANCE CASES.                 403
entered into the movement, and that the results in his
congregation were most encouraging:
"It is unnecessary for me to enter into a minute detail
of the blessed movement as it came under my notice. It
was distinguished here by the prostrations, and those other
features that characterized it elsewhere, and with which
you and the public are so familiar.  Suffice it to say, that
great good has been its result in this locality, and the surrounding district. A greater prayerfulness, and a greater
love of God's Word, are prevalent among God's people;
also a greater interest in each other's spiritual welfare.
While the tone of the general community is much changed,
religion is more respected; religious conversation is easier;
and the minister of the gospel, as he goes his rounds, finds
that he moves in a more wholesome religious atmosphere.
I am happy to be able to say that the trance ccases, which
were so prevalent in some quarters, were not numerous
within my bounds; I believe there were only three such
cases.  Two of these came particularly under my cognizance, and I shall briefly inform you how I dealt with
them.
"In the first case, I was specially sent for by the gilM
herself, to see her fall into the trance state. She had been'ill' on the previous night, and had been told, she said,
among other revelations from the spiritual world, that she
was to be in the same condition three times more, and on
the following evening at a certain hour. I was with her
at the appointed time, being anxious to see a case of the
kind, and to try whether I could do anything in the way
of prevention. There was no watch nor clock in the house,
and I forbade all reference to time by the inmates. However, at the predicted hour, she became strangely ill. I
took her outside, thinking that the fresh air might remove
the affection, and kept up a brisk conversation, eliciting
replies to my questions, that thus I might, if possible, ward
off the threatened dumbness. I succeeded for some time,
but at length she signified her inability to speak. I then,




404        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
in a determined, but kind manner, told her that I believed
she could speak, if she chose to make the effort; and
reminded her that she had read of Jesus, when on earth,
always opening the mouth, never of making people dumb,
and that lIe was the'same Jesus' now that He was in
heaven; and also that it was her duty to glorify God by
exercising the faculty of speech with which He had blessed
her. This had the desired effect, and she spoke, and con-'tinued to speak during the remainder of the evening. I
acted in a similar manner in reference to her eyes, which
she had persisted in keeping shut; and at last I left her
quite well, possessing the power of all her faculties. She
never afterwards had a return of the attack; and so the
predictions of the previous night came not to pass.
" The second case was that of a young woman, not then
connected with my congregation. I was going my rounds,
visiting those of my flock who had been'stricken,' when I
was met on the road by her mother, who earnestly solicited
me to go into her house and see her, stating that she was
then in the trance state, and had intimated that her state
was to last for seventeen hours. I went with her to please
her, not expecting that I would be of any service;- my
experience in the former case not warranting me to conclude that I could bring a person out of the trance state,
but only that I might be able to prevent her falling into it.
On entering the house, I found her daughter lying on a
bed, and apparently unconscious, deaf, dumnb, and blind.
I engaged in devotional exercises, and then proceeded to
deal with her as in the other case, firmly and kindly telling
her to open her eyes, and to speak, and expressing the
conviction that she could do so if she chose to make the
effort. This not having any effect, I then opened her
hands, which were clenched like a person's in epilepsy, and
lifted up her eyelids. Gradually consciousness returned,
and she evidently both saw and heard me. I -next got
her mouth opened, and, on looking in, observed that her
tongue was tucked back, so that she could not speak; but,




TRANCE CASES AND THEIR SOLUTION.       405
by means of water, and the friction of her own finger, her
tongue was unloosed, and the low voice of prayer announcecl that her power of speech was regained. After a
little, she arose from her bed, dressed, and accompanied
me to the house, a little way off, whither I was proceeding
when her mother met me. The recovery was complete.
For eight weeks previous she had been seldom out of
these trances; her health was much impaired; her physician had been tried in vain; and her parents had been
exceedingly distressed. But since that day there has been
no retuln of the state, and her bodily health has been
completely restored.  I leave you to draw your own
conclusion from these cases. WMy own theory was, that,
somehow or other, her will had become dormant, and
imagination and desire had got control of the mental system. In my treatment, my object was to reinvest the will
with its proper authority, in the hope that, having once
regained its place, it would retain it; and in this I was
not disappointed. The effort of the party to resist the,
disposition to the trance state so strengthened the power
of the will, that neither imagination nor desire could afterwards overcome it.
"'There were no more cases of this kind within my
bounds after these two.  My success in treating them
brought them  rather into disrepute, and consequently
they ceased."
The explanation given by the Archbishop of Meath of
such cases, is worthy of being introduced here:
" The dumbness is perfectly accounted for by the hysteric
action of the nerves of the throat. The blindness may be
accounted for, either on the same ground, or by hysteric
action extending to that part of the sensorium which receives the nerves of sight. The visions and revelations
are due to the hysterical suppression of the powers of will
and reason, leaving the operation of the cerebrum and
sensorium as uncontrolled as in dreams..... It does not
seem impossible that hysteric affection of a portion of the




406        THE PATHOLOGICAL. AFFECTIONS.
sensorium should cause temporary deafness; but twhen so
unusual a phenomenon becomes prevalent, a knowledge
of hysteria suggests another solution..,.'The pleasure
of receiving unwonted sympathy,' says Dr. Carter,'once
tasted, excites a desire for it that knows no bounds; and
when the' fits have become familiar occurrences, and cease
to excite attention, their effect is often heightened by the
designed imitation of some other disease.'.... If they hear
of deafness in others, they will be deaf. I cannot look on
this as ordinary imposture. It is the diseased moral action
of hysteria..... The foretelling of the duration of dumbness, etc., or the time of recovery, is easily explained. The
desire does itself induce the hysteric action, and can equally
determine its cessation."
The following is a somewhat amusing instance of the
way in which a prophet and a sleeper were both arrested,
and a real service rendered to the neighborhood in which
the scene occurred:
In a country parish of County Down, of which a decided
work of grace has been recorded in this volume, and in
the bounds of his own congregation, which received so
largely of the blessing, the Presbyterian minister happened
one day to call at a house where several of the inmates
had been awakened, taking with him two Scottish brethren, who were anxious to be informed, by personal observation, of the real character of the work. Scarcely had
they been seated, when two country-looking young men,
one of whom was only some eighteen years of age, entered
the house, and, without any ceremony, seated themselves
in the apartment. The younger immediately intimated,
with much show of importance, that his comrade wouldfall asleep in ten minutes after, and would not awake for:
two hours. He was at once challenged by my friend the
minister, who asked him to produce his credentials substantiating his claim to the prophetic gift. When he was
dealing with the young man in question, and charging him
either with being an impostor or the victim of delusion,




A' PROPHET" AND A SLEEPER BAFFLED.    407
the breast of his companion began to heave, and he closed
his eyes as if to induce the approach of his wondrous sleep.
The pastor loci, however, continued his admonition, exhorting his reluctant auditor quietly to go home, to mind
his proper business, and ask forgiveness for his presumption. He reminded him that even the gift of prophecy,
supposing he were endowed with it, was no evidence of
grace; referring to the case of Balaam, who, though he
had uttered true predictions, fell fighting against Israel,
and to the protestations that, at the great day, shall be
made by many who will in vain appeal, in arrest of judgment, to their having prophesied in the name of Chl'ist.
IIe enforced especially upon him the duty of humility, as
the becoming ornament of the Christian profession, rating
him  soundly for his unceremonious intrusion into the
presence of several ministers and others, to whom he was
an entire stranger, and who had other things to mind than
sleeping cases and their prophesiers.
The brethren who were present joined in the objurgatory
strictures, and addressed themselves with great earnestness
to the older visitor, as to the inutility, either to himself or
any other, of his falling into the state announced; while
my friend also remonstrated with him on the unseasonableness of such an operation in such a place, and the absurdity of imagining that any good purpose could, under
any circumstances, be served by it. The sleeper and the
seer were alike nonplussed by this unexpected reception,
and left the house, but not till more than twice ten minutes had elapsed after the announcement of the "prediction." It was cause of congratulation that this, the first
attempt to import the sleeping fits into the neighborhood,
was so successfully resisted, as, hearing of such things
around them, the people might otherwise have fallen into
like disorder and extravagance. It was the only case of
the kind within the district, and the mode in which it
was met and put to shame called forth an expression of
unmingled satisfaction from the entire community.




408         THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
I shall conclude this chapter by a statement of two
cases, each of thrilling interest.  The subjects of both
were stricken; but the first, instead of being the better,
only became worse; while the second emerged from the
fiery trial through which he passed, a conqueror, and more
than conqueror.
The Rev. Thomas Y. Killen, of Ballykelly, narrates the
following:
"One class of cases we had, resembled, more than anything else I can think of, the demoniacal possessions in
our Lord's day. The whole bodies of the persons affected
were convulsed in the most frightful manner, so that it
required five or six strong men to hold them, while their
cries were of the most piercing kind. These frightful cases
were comparatively few in number, and, I regret to say,
have not generally turned out well. Several of those who
passed through fearful struggles have gone back to their
old ways, and, instead of getting better, seem rather to
have grown worse. Take one remarkable case: Mi. H. is
the son of a widow in respectable circumstances. He was
always wild, reckless, and passionate, and, during five years
at sea, seemed to have imbibed infidel opinions. On a
Sabbath morning he travelled home from Belfast, where
he had been staying some weeks, to the great grief of his
mother, who had tried diligently to imbue the minds of
her children with a sense of the Sabbath's sanctity. IHe
declared his utter disbelief in the whole movement, but
came, as usual, with the family to public worship.  A
number of persons were stricken that day, and when the
first cry was uttered, he felt a cold tremor come over him,
and left the house. His mother thereupon turned up the
Bible, and pointed her daughter to the account of Jonah
flying from the Lord, and how the Lord laid hold of him,
notwithstanding. He came in again, and quietly sat out
the service. That evening and the next forenoon he kept
ridiculing the revival, and laughing at the stricken ones;
declaring that he would warrant them  he would not be




MELANCHOLY CASE OF A SKEPTIC.         409
stricken; but, if he were, he would have the sense to keep
his mouth shut, at any rate. A friend, who dined with
them that day, tried to reason with him on the subject;
but he persisted in his skepticism, until his mother requested them to let him alone;'for,' said she,'he has
broken my heart already; and unless the Spirit of God
lay hold of him, man can do nothing with him.' His
friend, however, continued to argue, and he to resist, till
his sister interfered, and entreated, if he would not himself believe, to hold his tongue, and not to do harm to
others; adding, that there was no use talking to him.
Upon this he got enraged, and said,' My sisters are turned:'
against me; nobody will speak to me now!' - rushed to
the kitchen, and then exclaimed, with an oath,'They're
always preaching at me!' - got into a perfect fury; tore
his cap, and threw it into the fire; and in the midst of
his rage was, in a moment, laid prostrate on the floor.
His friends heard his cries, and came out and found him
writhing on the ground; and for three-quarters of an hour
he was dreadfully convulsed, while it required several
strong men to hold him. His first cry was,'A knife! a
knife!' then,'It's too late! it's too late!' then,'He's
dragging me down! he's dragging me down!' and at
length,'Lord Jesus, have mercy on me! save me!' After
some time, he became quiet, but lay in an unconscious
state. I had been sent for, and when I arrived, I found
a friend praying over him. In a little while he opened
his eyes and stared vacantly round. When I first spoke,
he did not recognize me; but when told who it was, he
held out his hand to me. I said,'Were you afraid Satan
was going to get you?' He replied, I-Ie had me.' One
of his fiiends said to him,'Did you see Jesus?' —  Yes,'
said he,'and He told me I had a black heart, but He
would give me a new one.' When he got somewhat better, he said that Satan coiled himself round him, and was
dragging him down to hell, which seemed like the crater
of a great volcano; and as he was dragged towards it, it
3q




410        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
appeared to be growing still larger and more dreadful, till,
when he was brought very near, he' felt almost suffocated
by the sulphurous vapor. He said that Jesus then appeared to him, and delivered him; and he saw heaven, -
a most beautiful place, with many in it whom he did not
know, but that he had recognized two friends who had
died some years before. When I talked to him, I could
not see that he had the slightest conviction of sin, or felt
any need of a Saviour; and though he appeared to be
sober for a little, and had two other attacks like the preceding, no change for the better appeared. In a few days
he refused to pray, and would scarcely ever open his Bible. The family emigrated in autumn; and I regret to
say, that the last account I had of him. from his sister,
when in London, awaiting the sailing of the vessel, was
to the effect, that he seemed now to be regarding himself
as belonging to Satan, and that God had nothing to do
with him. His was certainly the most melancholy case
we have had."
The other is one of peculiar, and even sublime interest, and is to be recorded in connection with the movement
in Armagh. Two of my correspondents in that city have
referred to it, and from the statements they have supplied,
I am enabled to present it in the fullest and most authentic
form:
There was a youth, of seventeen years of age, the son
of a widow, who was attending the praver-meeting one
evening, and who remained behind, along with a number
more, to converse with the ministers in regard to the
great concerns then pressing heavily on many souls. Restless and agitated, he rose, after a short period, and left the
church. He repaired, in the first instance, to a service in
another place of worship, but soon after turned homeward.
Arriving at the door, he found that the key, which had
been left by his employers for himself and companions,
was not to be found; and turning to the street, he met a
young man of the city, whom he knew to be a serious




HAPPY CASE OF THE WIDOW'S SON.        411
Christian, to whom he said, abruptly, " Oh, what am I to
do?  My heart will break; I am forever lost!"  His
fiiend urged him to accompany him to the church.'L I
was there already," he replied; "but all in vain."  He
complied, however, with the invitation; and, arriving, sat
down. The auditory had all dispersed for some time,
except some dozen individuals, with whom the ministers
were holding earnest conversation, eliciting their doubts
and difficulties, and of whoml several that night were led
to profess their faith in Christ, and to "go on their way
rejoicing."
"We were in the act of bringing this meeting to a
close," says the Rev. William Henderson, " when we were
surprised and startled by words of earnest prayer from a
young man in the adjoining pew, who was bowed on his
knees in supplication. I shall never forget the scene that
followed. For about two hours that young man continued
pleading with God, and wrestling with Satan; and he
ceased not till he rose a conqueror, exulting in the blood
of the Lamb. It is now seven months since this occurrence, and during that period I have had frequent opportunity of observing this youth, who is engaged in business
in town, and I have not yet known him to falter in his
burning love to Jesus, nor to waver in the strong hope
which God gave him that night.  His prayer was the
most wonderful one that I ever listened to. Many of his
utterances are yet vividly impressed on my memory.
Aided by some notes, which were hurriedly taken by a
brother minister at the time, I subjoin a few of the petitions, as well as expostulations with the enemy, which fell
from his lips:
"....' Satan, thou enemy of my soul, begone! - thou
deceiver of the world, leave me! Come not near me,
Satan, for Jesus is here! O Jesus, save me! Thou didst
smite Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Thy Church, and
Thou hast smitten me, an enemy of Thy Cross, an enemy
of Thy Bible, an enemy of Thy Sabbath, an enemy of




412         THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
mankind.  O  Jesus, heal my wounded heart!  Jesus
Christ, the righteous One, save my soul!  Satan, thou
father of lies, I have served thee long. I have been a
subject of thy kingdom; but now thy chains are breaking.
Keep back, Satan!... 0 eternal Son of God, have
mercy! O Spirit of the living God, draw near to me!...
O Jesus! Thou didst come to Bethlehem's manger, - Thou
didst come to Gethsemane's garden, - Thou didst come to
Calvary's cross, - Thou didst love pool' sinners.... O
Thou Saviour of the lost! save me. Thou hast arrested
me in the broad road which leads down to hell. I see my
companions hurrying downward. Oh, have mercy on my
poor soul!  I see my sin as a great mountain, — wash it
away! O Spirit! thou hast smitten; but, Jesus, do Thou
heal the wound. My sins are like a thick, dark, dismal
cloud, - oh, shine over it, and take it away!... Oh,
human nature, sinful, vile, polluted, hell-deserving! Holy
Spirit, I thank Thee for Thy glorious work.          0
Saviour, Thou art here. I see Thy face. It is shining, it
is radiant; it is radiant like the sun, yea, like millions of
suns.  Little wonder that Satan is confounded before
Thee!... Jesus, Thou didst say to the raging sea,
"Peace, be still," and there was a great calm. Let it be so
here!... Thou hast taken me away from my past life;
it is all a blank —it is a black catalogue of sin....
O Saviour —thee Saviour — the Saviour, help me! Oh,
let Thy glory be advanced in this smitten soul!... Oh for
faith! Faith is the wanting grace.... Oh, the conflict
is sore! O Jesus, gather in all my wandering thoughts,
and cluster them on Thy cross, and take and purify them
from sin!... Satan, it is hard to baffle thee. Oh, come
not near this poor, naked, wounded soul! Say not there
is no mercy! Ah! there is mercy for the chief of sinners!
Satan, thou knowest thy kingdom is being shaken, and
to-night thou hast lost a subject....0 Church of the
first-born in heaven! Admit me, Jesus, to be a member
of it....  Satan, thou alt hanging on long, for thou hast




BEFORE AND AFTER THE CHANGE.          413
had a strong hold here. Thou didst reign here from
infancy. Oh that thou wert dethroned in my heart! for
thou hast swayed me too long. Jesus! Thou didst conquer on Calvary - come and save me!... I come to
Thee as a sinner, that I may be saved. I have nothing to
give Thee in return, but a broken heart. And, oh! it is
hard, for it was long subject to Satan. Do Thou soften
it.... O sin! sin! sin! thy weight is very heavy.
Oh, the mountain is very high, -wash it away! It is
very lofty, - cast it behind Thee!... Oh, this wounded
soul!... Light! light!... I see faith coming under
the door!.. I see the red river of Emmanuel's blood!
I see the eternal river that flows from the side of Jesus.
I.. see the top of the mountain is gone!  Blessed
Jesus! Thou hast begun a work. I trust to Thy name
Thou wilt carry it on, till our feet shall stand in the
streets of the new Jerusalem. "Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but Thy word shall never pass away."'...
"These are but fragments," adds Mr. Henderson, " of the
prayer; but truly the kingdom of heaven suffered violence
that night, and the violent took it by force. None that
witnessed that spiritual conflict will ever forget it. What
a reality it imparted to the solemn truths of God's Word,
which, from our very familiarity with them, we too often
fail to realize to their full extent! I should say that the
young man who was the subject of this remarkable work
had received nothing more than the rudiments of an
English education. Ile had been a moral-living youth,
and a regular attender at the Sabbath-school, and at public
worship. Naturally he is of a retiring disposition, and not
till this occasion had he ever offered a word of prayer before others. He would have been ashamed to have spoken
of Jesus. I found, in conversation with him  afterwards,
that his mind was fully conscious during the great struggle
through which he passed. There have been cases in which
prayers were uttered by persons when under prostration,'
and were not remembered by them. It was different with




414        THE PATHOLOGICAL AFFECTIONS.
him. He was never unconscious of anything that passed.
The ministers present spoke to him at intervals, mentioning suitable texts of Scripture, and these his soul grasped
at with wonderful avidity, and he would say,' That is a
promise. Oh, the sweet promises of God! Oh for faith to
rest upon them!' At other times prayer was made for him,
and he seemed to be encouraged thereby, as he exclaimed,' Thou wilt hear the prayers of Thy faithful servants.' He
mentioned to me afterwards, that when on his knees at
prayer, the thought rushed into his mind that the moment
of his salvation had come, and that it should be'now or
never.' It is interesting to know that his mother had experienced the blessed change the preceding night; and
when he spoke to me, some days afterwards, of God's
mercy towards him, he exclaimed, with streaming eyes,' Ah my mother was praying for me!' At the same time,
he thanked God for the Sabbath-school.' O blessed Sabbath-school, how much do I owe to you!'
The Rev. Jackson Smyth states of this youth, that,
meeting him lately, he said to him, " Well, HI —-, do you
still feel that lightness of soul, and glow of love, which you
did some time ago?"- " "No," was the answer; "sometimes
Satan tempts me; he is casting a gloom across my soul
at times." —"And are you, then, afraid?"   "Oh, no."
"Wherefore?" - "I know that Jesus lives; and when I
come to Him in prayer, He teaches me that He does." —
C' And, except at these times when a cloud flits across your
vision, is your love to Him as strong as ever?"- -" Oh,
yes; increasing and growing. You know His promise,' I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' "




CHAPTER XX.
Vjz orbixa t aun  ifs   essonus.
THE REVIEW FITTED TO STRENGTHEN FAITH IN THE OMNIPOTENT ENERGY OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT - TO ILLUSTRATE THE RAPIDITY WITH WHICH GOD CAN
BRING ABOUT HIS PURPOSES OF MERCY —TO SHOW THE MARKED COINCIDENCE BETWEEN THE WORKING OF THE SPIRIT IN THE EARLY CHURCH
AND NOW —TO TEACH THE CHURCH THAT THE FORCES SHE NOW POSSESSES
ARE SUFFICIENT FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD -TO ENFORCE THE
TRUE THEORY OF CHRISTIAN UNION -AND TO CAST A NEW LIGHT ON INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY —CONCLUSION.
Tb the record presented in the preceding pages it cannot be necessary to append any corroboration.  Authenticated as the great awakening of 1859 has been, by those
who, from the outset, had the most abundant opportunities
of estimating its real character and results, nothing further
can be requisite to commend it as a genuine and wonderful work of God. Its origin and progress unequivocally
attest it as divine.  In startling acnd impressive grandeur
it burst forth in a comparatively sequestered region; and
scarcely had the new-born flame, drawn down by the few
earnest watchers there, begun to burn, when it spread, in all
directions, over an entire province. All classes and all ages
caught the heavenly fire. Witkhin? the church, a cold formality, an apathetic and unimpressible decorum, were exchanged for a living and vigorous piety; w:ithout, the
ignorant and unreclairned were seized as by a resistless
power; and firom  the ranks of the abandoned and the
profligate, as well as of those who had been brought up
under the droppings of the sanctuary, thousands and tens




416         THE REV-IVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
of thousands were made to realize the possession of an
endless life.
In reviewing the course of this great spiritual movement as here narrated, there are many reflections which
cannot but suggest themselves; and to some of these we
may not unseasonably devote this concluding chapter.
I. Is not a narrative like the present fitted in an eminent
degree to revive the faith of the church in the omnipotent
grace and energy of the iloly Spirit?
How else is it possible to account for such an extraordinary movement upon the souls of men, than by referring it to that almighty Agent, by- whom alone the dead
are quickened into newness of life? Or what other solution can be given of the strange phenomenon, than that it
is the operation of the same power that wrought the pentecostal wonders? Although a recognition of the personality
and w9rking of the Holy Spirit is a findamental article in
the creed of every true church of Christ, yet how ipadequate has been the apprehension of this grand truth! and
how low the standard of the church's hopes and expectations! Forming her calculations rather on the slow rate
of progress with which she is familiar, she is affected with
an almost incredulous amazement, or surprise, when a
wide-spread interest in religion is evinced, and a whole
community is shaken as by the voice that shakes the wilderness. Professing to believe in the descent of the Spirit
upon all flesh, she is yet startled and awed when here and
there an earnest of future increase shows itself, forgetting
that the partial shower of blessing is but the forerunner
of those rushing floods that shall, ere long, descend to refresh the weary heritage, and cover the face of the world
with fruit. But, let a great awakening come, and how
does she stand abashed because of unbelief, and rise to an
anticipation commensurate with the glorious fillness of
gospel promise, and with her own predestined future on
the earth! Lifted up into a new position, and mightily
advanced in living and abiding power, she looks forward




THE WORK AN EARNEST OF THE FUTURE.    417
at such a time to a greater enlargement still, when,
through the instrumentality of her new-born sons and
daughters, she shall break forth on the right hand and the
left, clothed with an immortal energy, and arrayed as in a
divine panoply, for the conquest of the world. The arm
of the Lord has been revealed, and she can say, with a new
emphasis, and with something like an appreciation of its
profound significance, - "I believe in the Holy Ghost."
Thus apprehending this great truth in its intense vitality,
Rhe learns to regard any, the most stupendous, manifestations of the Divine power that have ever yet been witnessed, as but the prelude to those greater marvels that
shall be wrought when, with an energy of influence, of
which but a few transient glimpses have as yet flashed
on the beholders, the quickening Spirit shall transform a
very chaos of malignant elements into a fair and happy
moral world.
II. What an illustration is presented, by such a movement, of the rapidity with which God can bring about, in
accordance with the sure word of prophecy, HIis purposes
of mercy to the world!
But a short time ago, and the prospect, whether in a
temporal or spiritual sense, seemed dark for unhappy Ireland. But what a rapid change! Within the last twelve
years, our country has been emerging, with unprecedented
progress, into a condition of extraordinary temporal prosperity; and now, through this great revival, she has been
lifted up to the gaze of universal Christendom. Visitors
from many lands —from Continental Europe, Asia, and
America - have come to admire the wonder-work which
has been wrought among her people; and the spiritual
change produced within her northern province has given
a new impetus to the cause of truth and righteousness,
even to the ends of the earth. The toiling pioneers among
the distant heathen have been quickened by the glad
tidings; the worn and weary watchers at every missionfield have seen, in what has come to pass in Ireland, an




418        THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS
earnest and an augury of the blessed time when they shall
no longer go forth weeping, bearing precious seed; but
when, their patient toil rewarded, they shall have a reaping-time of joy in the great world-harvest of ransomed
souls. Every living church has been revived and stimulated by the record; and from this far-off isle of ocean
has gone forth a hallowed influence, that has told with
thrilling power upon the hopes and aspirations of the
world.
And why may not all this be but the commencement of
that mighty wave of life that shall sweep on in swelling
majesty till it has laved the shores of every continent, and
carried, as in a spring-tide of salvation, its healing waters
over the wide earth? We know that the Lord will make
a short work in the earth, and cut it short in righteousness;
and why not now?
Exception has, however, been taken to this spiritual
movement, because of the very rapidity of the progress
by which its transformations have been wrought. But
what is there here to excite astonishment, if we really
believe the past, or forecast the prophetic future? Does
not all that we know of the early church, especially as associated with the day of Pentecost, attest a rapid, powerfill conversion-work, when multitudes, as in a moment,
were renewed? And though those were the times of
miracle, yet renovation of heart is never ascribed to any
such agency, but to the Word of Truth as the sole instrument, and the Spirit of Truth as the sole power exerted in
effecting it. These mighty spiritual forces are the same
now as ever; and if they once converted men by thousands
in a day, in a single city, what may they not be expected
to achieve when the promise, long delayed, is realized in
all its plenitude of grace and blessing? It is true that
heretofore, except in special seasons of awakening, the
transition has been slowly made, by individual souls, from
darkness unto light; and governed, to a great extent, by
the traditions of the past, we are astonished when this




IN HARMONY WITH THE PROPHETIC RECORD.   419
stereotyped and stealthy process is supplanted by an immediate and unfaltering decision on the part of many to
be the Lord's. But is this state of mind and feeling in
harmony either with Scripture precept or prediction?
What is there in either to encourage the imagination that
the case of one who all at once throws down the weapons
of rebellion, and surrenders himself to Christ, is more
to be desired than if the individual, after many struggles
with temptation, and long delays, submitted himself, accepting, with but an indifferent grace, the overtures of
mercy, and hesitating to the last whether he will believe
and live?
And when at any time we witness an instantaneous reception of the gospel tidings, - when the light that has
broken in upon the darkened intellect is welcomed as the
harbinger of endless day,-when thousands and tens of
thousands, hearing of free mercy, grasp the offer, and experience the unclouded sunshine of a settled peace, —
when, on a great scale, there is a turning unto God, and an
exuberant delight proportionate to the marvellous transition, -when the call has come with such attending power
that the most stout-hearted are bowed at once, and the
gracious result is visible in every varied form of manifestation, - why, is not this just what we should expect, as the
most reasonable fulfilment of Divine prediction,- a gladsome foretaste of the golden day, when the glorious things
spoken of the city of God shall be realized, and the abundance of the Spirit, long withheld, shall be poured out
upon all mankind?
III. In contemplating the present awakening, it is interesting to observe the marked coincidence between its
leadcing features and those which characterized the working
of the Spirit in acpostolic times.
And here let us briefly advert to the experience of the
early converts, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles,'
1 Chapter ii. 42, etc.




420         THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
as compared with that of those in Ireland, who have been
lately added to the church.
What holding fast of their profession! During the
period that has elapsed since the commencement of the
work of grace in the north of Ireland, many have been
tempted to forsake the course on which they entered, and
to relapse into their old sins. Yet they have continued,
in all good conscience, until this day; and, though the
fervor of the first love may have subsided, they have sustained their character for consistency, and have been
enabled to maintain an edifying deportment, often amlid
many provocations.
What steadfastness " itn doctrine"! for this is the secret
of all continuance in well doing. What thirst for God,
and for His truth; what meditation in His law day and
night; what diligent attendance on catechetical instruction; what relish for that theology of which Christ is the
Alpha and the Omega, the all and in all!
What steadfastness " in fellow-ship"! To talk with one
another of the preciousness of Christ, and of the great salvation; to strengthen each other's hearts, help each other's
infirmities; to stimulate each other to a still greater readiness to work for their blessed Master; and, as they travel
on to their eternal home, to lighten the toil and trial of the
pilgrimage by speaking to one another in psalms, and
hymns, and spiritual songs; and, ofttimes with hearts too
full for utterance, to pour out their common supplications
before the throne,- these are the delightful and abounding
evidences that the new children of the covenant are knit
together in an endearing and indissoluble alliance.
What inexpressible delight in the " breaking of bread"!
The communion is now a holy festival —a very feast for
gladness. Such sacramental seasons as have been witnessed when the young disciples have commemorated, in
presence of their brethren, the dying love of Jesus! What
tears of joy have freely fallen even in the prospect, as on
that touching occasion referred to by a minister (the Rev.




EXPERIENCE OF THE EARLY CHURCH —- COINCIDENCE. 421
J. R. Dill, of Dromore, County Tyrone), when forty, all of
whom professed to have found the Saviour, could not contain for weeping! " On the Sabbath morning of the communion, a wonderful scene took place in the vestry, where
they had met for prayer. Such a deep influence of the
Spirit came down upon their hearts, that they were utterly
unable to proceed with singing the words,'My broken body thus I give.'
Nothing was heard but sobbing." And what an accession to
the membership of the churches, when, even in connection
with some three hundred congregations in that section of
it to which most firequent allusion is made in the foregoing
narrative, upwards of ten thousand have lately been enrolled in membership!
What continuance " in prayer"!  From first to last, the
work has been, to a great extent, a record of answered
prayer. Let the revival of secret and domestic worship, -
the new-born gift poured out alike on old and young, male
andl female, -the heaven-directed aspirations presented at
those brief seasons snatched from worldly occupation for
spiritual converse, - the many social gatherings now sanctified by the word and prayer, - and the distinctness,
importunity, and expectancy exhibited by those who have
been divinely taught to pray, bear witness to the extent
to which the Spirit has been given as a Spirit of grace and
supplication.
Of the "fear that fell on every soul." Wherever this
visitation came, innumerable instances are noticed in the
preceding pages. Doubtless this "fear," in so far as it
operated merely on the great mass of society, has now
largely passed away. Old habits have resumed their sway
in the case of those to whom no spiritual renewal came,
and who were seized only by a dread of consequences
which, for the time, had fallen upon them. Yet nothing
was more characteristic of the movement -than the circum36




422        THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
stance that, wherever it extended, "great fear" pervaded
the whole community, so that the most thoughtless and
irreverent of every creed were constrained to say, "The
finger of God is here."
What a oneness of interest among the subjects of the
awakening! even as when in the early time "all that believed were together, and had all things in common."
How have the promptings of natural selfishness been overborne by the love of Christ and of His people! How
have the homes and hearts of many been freely opened to
welcome those who came among them to observe the works
and wonders of the Loiid! And if no great outflow of
Christian liberality is yet to be recorded, it is to be borne
in mind that "not many rich" have been the subjects of
the gracious influence, - the Divine sovereignty being conspicuous in giving most to those who needed most, while
the great majority of the converted have been among the
younger members of the families into which it has found
an entrance. Yet many an unseen offering has been laid
already upon the altar of the Lord for the advancement
of his cause, - the spontaneous prompting of hearts which
had been opened to hearken to his word, - and many a
toil-worn pastor has been encouraged by the considerate
gifts presented in their Master's name by those who count
themselves His spiritual children.
And what shall we say more, or how more adequately
characterize their whole deportment, than in the remaining
words of the same passage of inspired history?  "And
they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and
having favor with all the people."  Till the revival came,
we had no adequate conception of such a social state as is
here delineated. But we can now, in some measure, understand it. A state of things in which the difficulty is,
not to bring the people together to the sanctuary, but to
induce them to retire from its cherished precincts,- an




NO OTHER GOSPEL NEEDED.             423
abounding and pervasive joy manifesting itself in openhearted hospitality ancl welcome given to the brethren in
Christ, the very countenance irradiated as by a gleam of
the heavenly glory, - the everyday life a psalm of praise,
-the habitual converse the outflowing of a fount of perennial gladness, - and the "6 adorning of the doctrine of
God our Saviour " so palpable and attractive as to win all
hearts, constraining even the impenitent and the unbeliever
in the work to accord the tribute of esteem and admiration,
- these are the indications of a higher tone, and a holier
brotherhood, than have been ordin'arily exemplified in the
church. And what though, in the first outburst of the new
life, some temporary excesses and extravagances have appeared, yet who, at such a time, will harshly criticize, or
grudge to these new-gathered souls the overflowing fulness
of their joy?  Is it not refreshing in this cold world, and
amid the formalism which insinuates itself into the very
church of God, to mark in any the artless and enrapturing
expression of their gushing sympathies, and their brave
indifference to times and places, ceremonials, and all outward things?  Irregularities, if such we call them, will
correct themselves; and the serenity of the horizon will,
alas! too soon be clouded by the storms and trials with
which these new-born children of the Lord will have to
contend till the strife is ended, and the life-battle won.
IV. May we not learn from. such awakenings as that
under review, that, for the conversion of the world, we do
not need another gospel; and that the forces which the
church now possesses, always including, over and above
machinery, the presence of the life-giving Spirit, are a2mply
suffcient for the great ends of her existence?
There has been manifested, in certain quarters, of late,
an undefined but unmistakable impatience with the old
and familiar modes in operation for the extension of the
cause and kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Symbolism
has done its best to supersede the simple gospel, by overlaying it with forms of curious device and tracery, and by




424         THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
the introduction of ritualistic novelties, by which, althou,-h
the taste of the aesthetic man may be regaled, the free
spirit is only hindered in its efforts to ascend to the sure
region  where it ought to worship and adore.  And a
mystic school, the spawn of rationalism, in religion has
arisen, which, under a fair and bland exterior, and using a
few plausible generalities of discourse, seeks to veil under
its airy form the central and surpassing glories of the cross.
Thus do the'patrons of gilded toys and baubles, on the
one hand, and the abettors of a vague, unmeaning intellectualism on the other, fondly cherish the imagination,
that by their respective nostrums they will introduce a
better era for a languid church and a revolted world. And
even in the true church itself, and among those who retain
a hold of the old doctrine of the apostolic and reformlation
age, there has been, to a lanmentable extent, a want of faith
in its divine energy and efficacy; so that the word has but
seldom pierced as a dividing sword, and its testimony has
filed proportionately, to pass as God's own emissary friom
the speaker's tongue to the hearer's heart.
But when a spirit of revival comes, away with pictorial
playthings and mystic shadows! the necessities of man's
moral nature demand a better and a more enduring substance. Then none but Christ, and Christ without any
other! and every tendency to idealize anything as a substitute for His finished work, dies within sight of the
shades of Calvary. Then, too, the church of God learns,
as she had not done before, that she is in possession of that
mighty secret, would she only use it, by which the whole
earth is to be subjugated to her Almighty King. She
finds that all the glad results she witnesses have sprung
from the felt and prized experience of those truths which,
in their divine hamrnony, have been exhibited in her distinctive symbols, and handed down fiom  generation to
generation of her children.  She realizes the conviction,
that for all the ends of her establishment she needs no
other instrument, and no other organization, by which to




THE THEORY OF CHRISTIAN UNION.        425
carry it over the habitable globe. She comes to know, if
not before, that what she ought to aim at with intenser
earnestness than ever, is to bring the truth, in its native
force and divine simplicity, into direct and immediate contact with the hearts and consciences of men; and thus she
is sustained and strengthened in the anticipations of the
period when the rebuke of her people shall be taken away
from off all the earth; when all that prophecy unfolds to the
eye of faith shall be a grand reality; and when there shall
be a voice of much people in heaven, as it. were the voice
of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and
as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, " Halleluia! for
the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
V. We learn, from such a work of grace as that which
has taken place in Ulster, the true theory and solution
of theproblem of Christian Qenion.
Is it not to the church an instructive, and to the world
a convincing sight, which is exhibited at such a time of
spiritual renovation?  How often do we hear, on platforms, of " sinking of minor differences," and the like;
and yet how rarely do we practise it, or make it manifest
that we are one with all who hold by the Living Head
in faith, and hope, and charity!
But let a baptism  of the Holy Ghost be given, and
what before was a pleasing theory, beautiful to conternplate, impossible to realize, becomes, without an effort, an
actual reality. Let the disperser of confusion rend the
heavens, and come down to do things that we looked not
for, and the mountains flow down at His presence. Separations that threatened to last forever, yield to His glad
advent, and the perpetual hills bow before Himn  whose.
ways are everlasting. The different sections of the one
great spiritual community then find that they have so
much to do with anxious, inquiring, and converted souls,
that they have no time, no taste, no spirit, for aught
beside.  Thus is accomplished a result that no senimechanical agencies, however well intended, could possi369




426         THIE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
bly achieve. When we find others beyond our own pale,
and whom, it may be, we have been accustomed to regard
with jealousy, blessed with a shedding down upon them
of the same gracious influence, how can we, in the face
of such heaven-descended tokens, be found perpetually
trumpeting forth vainglorious assertions of the preiminent
value of our own systems and usages; and how can we
refuse to say, combining the temper of the dove with
that of the eagle, and looking from on high on the wide
circle of divine mercy, " Grace be withall those that love
the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity"?
And has not this spirit, to a large extent, been manifested among the brethren of the various denominations
that have shared the blessing in the north of Ireland?
Wherever they have been like-minded in regard to this
great work of God, have they not, as by a resistless force,
been drawn into fiaternal sympathy and united action?
Wyhen the conference of the Evangelical Alliance was
held in September last, ill the metropolis of Ulster,-a
convocation that was attended by unusual blessing to ll
engaged in it, as well as great advantage to the revival
itself, as tending to obviate misapprehensions and correct abuses, —was it not felt by all that the interest
awakened by this spiritual movement constituted a new
and peculiarly tender bond of brotherhood?  What can
be more apparent than that it is not by dint of controversy (although we must not recede by a hair-lbreadth
from any article we hold important, either pertaining to
the doctrine or the polity of the church) that we shall
attain to uniformity of belief? And even those conventions that may be held as an annual or local demonstration
of unity, what are they but the cover, not the removal, of
division - a superficial virtue drawn over a deeper vice?
The conclusion of the matter, therefore, is, that for the
healing of the wounds of a distracted church, and for
the melting down of sectarian jealousies and alienations,




CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY AND  DUTY..    427
there is but one sovereign remedy —the baptism  of the
Holy Ghost.
VI. This great awakening casts a new  light upon the
duties and reslponsibilities of individucal Christians.
In this respect, it has called forth into harmonious development a new power in the church, even  the power of
prayerful effort among its true-hearted  and devoted members.  What is it that has long  been  for a lamentation
among the faithful ministers of the gospel in this land?
Has it not been that their labors were not seconded by
the prayers and efforts of their own people? —the great
bulk of whom  seemed to regard themselves as in no way
responsible for the state of religion, either in their immediate  neighborhood,  or  in  the  world.   For  want of
Christian  sympathy and cooperation, have not the hands
of ministers  hung  down, and  their  spirits  often  sunk
within them, as they contemplated the low  condition  of
the professing church of God?
Happily, this hinderance is being taken out of the way.
In many a district, there are those who have begun to say
unto their brethren, "Know the Lord,"  and are thus showing that they are living unto Christ, and working for Him
in the world.  Sloth, worldliness, selfishness, in their various forms, are being  practically rebuked, and  a state of
preparation is going forward for putting the church in a
position in which her energies shall be increased a thousand fold.
1 While full scope should be afforded for the exercise of the varied gifts and
graces of the members of the church, respect must be always had to the divinelyconstituted ordinance of a standing ministry, which none may take upon themselves, unless duly qualified and called thereto. " The sending out of unlearned
men," says Mr. Tennant, in a letter to President Dickenson, Feb. 12, 1742, " to
teach others, upon the supposition of their piety, in ordinary cases, seems to
bring the ministry into contempt, to cherish enthusiasm, and bring all into confusion. Whatever fair face it may have, it is a most perverse practice. The
practice of singing in the streets is a piece of weakness and enthusiastical ostentation." " As to lay-preaching," says Hodge, " it found little favor with any but
the openly fanatical."




428         THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS.
The times are pressing, and many who had lingered long
in the doomed city of destruction have been arrested by
the angel of the covenant, and led forth into a wealthy
place, and are now exulting in the glorious liberty of the
sons of God. Who can tell but that a season of trial may
soon follow, and that even now the cloud is blackening in
the heavens that shall, ere long, burst forth in floods of
thundering ruin and devastating fury upon the earth?
Is not the voice that has broken in upon the security of
so many sleepers, a trumpet-call to "God's elect" to gird
the armor on and prepare for battle? Of those who have
been lately added to that " consecrated host," many, the
greater number, may, in the estimate of man, be a feeble
comnpany, - striplings, unpractised in the art of war. But,
in this conflict, the feeble may be as David, and may smite
down, with sling and stone, the giant forms that have defied the onset of more experienced combatants. Let us
welcome into the field these new companions in arms, - it
may be in tribulation, too, - and assign them their true
place in the decisive struggle, even the serener heights of
prayer and observation, whence they may penetrate into
the invisible, and draw down that holy fire that will consume every adversary.
How can we better conclude than in the language of a
devoted minister of the English Establishment, who witnessed for himself the work of grace in Ulster, and on
more than one occasion stood forward in its vindication, -
the PRev. Flavel Cook, of Millbrook, Cornwall:
c "We cannot expect, with any confidence, that the power
now working in this revival will continue to exert the
same energy, although we may trust that the effects of
what is already done may be abiding. There seems, fiom
analogy, or rather from precedent, reason to regard this as
being to the church what the inundation of the Nile is to
Egypt; let us do as the husbandmen of that land, - dig
channels, open all sluices, remove obstacles, small and
great, that the fertilizing water may flow over every foot




SIGNS OF THE TIMES.              429
of parched ground. We ought not to reckon on its being
high-water for long.
" Some green things are left beside the brooks; but, as a
land, we are drooping, for lack of spiritual moisture. As
in Joel's day, so now, —'The field is wasted, the land
mourneth; for the corn is wasted; the new wine is dried
up, the oil languisheth."l What avails it, then, to'pull
down our barns and build bigger,' to multiply and perfect
the ploughs and harrows, or even to increase the number
of laborers? Rain, rain is what we need; and welcome
tempest and storim, welcome thunderings and earthquakes,
if they bring us rain.
" Deeply interesting it is to study this movement in connection with other remarkable stirrings which are taking
place simultaneously in many parts of the world, such as
(to say nothing of England and Wales) America, Sweden,
Italy, Spain, the Turkish dominions, and even among the
dispersed of Israel. Are not these things -to which may
be added the greatly increased activity and results of missions to the heathen - enough to remind us of the words
of the Lord,'Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees; when
they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves
that summer is now nigh at hand'? 2 What if these shootings forth of spiritual leaves on the withered fig-tree of
Israel, and on (all?) the trees of the Gentile churches, be
the herald of the summer of the kingdom of God?;' THY KINGDOM] COIME.'' EVEN SO, COiME, LORD JESUS.'"
1 Chap. i. 10.         2 Luke xxi. 29, 80.








APPENDIX.
A.
PAGE 55.
REPORT OF, THE PRESBYTERY OF AHOGHILL.
THE following is the substance of the report of the Presbytery of
Ahoghill, presented, after the commencement of the revival in that district,
to the Synod of Ballymena and Coleraine, May 17, 1859:
"It is the privilege of the Presbytery to have to record on this, more
than on former occasions, glad tidings of great joy. The Lord has been
pleased to visit a large portion of our bounds with the genial showers of a
gracious revival. Our churches have experienced an awakening the most
cheering in its character and holy in its fruits. Shortly after theMeginning of the present year, the Lord was pleased to convert a family near
Ahoghill, and to bless their conversion in a large degree for promoting
the conversion of others. An extraordinary interest began to be awakened; prayer-meetings multiplied; crowds flocked to these refreshing
streams; nor were ordinary houses able to accommodate the eager multitudes that assembled to hear the burning prayers, and to listen to the
plain but heart-stirring addresses of the converted brethren, and those
ministers and laymen whose hearts the Lord moved to engage in this
important work. The open field or the public wayside, even in the cold
evenings of spring, were the scenes of deeply interesting meetings, over
which angels hovered with joy. The prayer-meetings held in the First and
Second Presbyterian churches were crowded to excess, although held on
the same evening, and at the same hour. For several miles around multitudes flocked to these meetings for prayer and exhortation. Our lay
brethren from Connor, at the first, gave, and continue from time to time
still to give, a powerful impetus to the good work.




432                      APPENDIX.
" Never, in these localities, was there such a time of secret and public
prayer. In all directions prayer-meetings have sprung up, and that without number. They are conducted in a manner of deepest solemnity, and
with a burning earnestness for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and for
the conversion of souls. These meetings have been signally honored of
the Lord. The Spirit has descended in power. Through the instrumentality of the Word and prayer, convictions, often the most powerful -
even to the convulsing of the whole fiame, the trembling of every joint,
intense burning of heart, and complete prostration of strength —have
been produced. The arrow of conviction pierces the conscience; the
heart swells nigh to bursting; a heavy and intolerable burden presses
down the spirit; and the burdened-burning heart, unable to contain any
longer, bursts forth in the piercing cry of distress, saying,'Lord Jesus,
have mercy on my sinful soul!' This is alike the experience of the old
and the young - of the strong man and the delicate woman. Under such
convictions, the heart finds relief in pouring out its cries and tears before
the Lord. These convictions are followed by hours of kneeling before the
Lord, crying, confessing sin, begging for mercy, and beseeching the Lord
to come to the heart. This is done in tones of deepest sincerity, and in
utterances of the most impassioned earnestness. It may be days, or
weeks, or even months, with convictions returning more or less powerful
in the constant exercise of prayer and the reading of the Word, ere a calm
and settled peace in believing is enjoyed. There does not appear to be
any fanaticism manifested, any heresy broached, any self-righteousness
exhibited, or any sectarianism shown.
"'A few interesting cases of the conviction and conversion of Roman
Catholics have occurred. It is worthy of note that, under the light and
power of this movement, they love the Bible, pore over its sacred pages,
pray through the prevailing name of Jesus alone, place reliance on Christ
only for their salvation, and, in the exercise of their civil and religious
liberty, join the worship of a purer church. Two great truths take fuill
possession of the mind- namely, man is a sinner, under judgment, unto
condemnation; and Jesus is the Almighty Saviour to deliver, and faith in
Him the way of obtaining that deliverance.
" Convictions have taken place on a large scale, and conversions have
followed. Many —even hundreds —are giving the most pleasing evidences of being in Christ. Of drunkards, blasphemers, card-players, Sabbath-breakers, neglecters of ordinances, and the wicked in general, it may
be truly said,'They are now in Christ new creatures.' With them old
things are passed away, and all things are become new. This is not an
appearance put on, but, as far as yet known, a deep and abiding reality.
Sin - besettin'g sin - is crucified.
"On this revival work, so far as it has as yet developed itself, there is




APPENDIX.                           433
written,'Holiness to the Lord.' - Even upon that portion of the public
who make no claim to be religious, a deep, solemnizing influence has been
exercised. Many of them are thoughtful and inquiring, attending the
prayer-meetings with evident interest, and, it is to be hoped, with profit.
But among the awakened and converted, other delightful fruits are growing up with rapidity to maturity. Prayer has received a powerful stimulus
- not only secret, but family and public prayer is one of those heavenly
fruits.
"It is truly astonishing the liberty that many, very many, both male
and female, have got in public prayer. It is most refreshing to hear the
holy, earnest, edifying prayers which many babes in Christ are now offering at the family altar, and at the public prayer-meeting. It is nothing
uncommon to hear the voice of prayer wafted on the wings of the wind
from the adjoining field. The Bible is studied, and prized, and loved, more
than it ever was before. It is felt to be'more precious than gold, yea,
than much fine gold,' and to be' sweeter than honey, yea, than the honey
that droppeth from the comb.'
"Several that were lying out, from various excuses, from the ordinances
of a preached gospel, have been moved to the house of God, in whatever
attire they could command, though it were poor; while others have been
stirred to obtain decent clothes, who are now to be seen reverently worshipping in the house of God, where they had not been for years before.
Many, too, have been moved to keep the feast of the Lord's Supper, in
obedience to the dying command of the Lord. Our congregations never
had such an appearance before of hearty, earnest worshippers. There
are thousands of the surrounding Christian population who are revived
and refreshed as the parched corn, in the long drought of summer, after
the descending of the cooling and invigorating shower. There is a quickening to duty, to spirituality in communion with God, which is manifest
and delightful. Never, in this locality, was there such holy, and importunate, and believing prayer offered up by members, in the name of the
holy child Jesus, for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
"This gracious revival has extended from the parish of Connor to that
of Ahoghill; then to Portglenone, and round by Tully, Largey, Grange,
Straid, Slatt, Galgorm Park, Cloughwater, Clough, and Rasharkin; nor is
it yet showing any symptoms of decline; on the contrary, it is moving on
with amazing power. Every day, and almost every hour, is bringing
tidings of conviction. The interest is more and more awakening and
extending.
"As to the human agency by which this revival has been begun, and
continues to be extended, it is not through the ministers of the churches
alone, or even chiefly. The earnest. and faithful preaching of the Word
37




434                      APPENDIX.
may have been the preparation in some degree; but the chief and honored
agents in the work are the converted themselves.
"We pretend not to understand or to explain all the bodily effects by
which this revival is accompanied. There are mysteries connected with it
which are incomprehensible. Still, we cannot believe that it is all the result of mere human sympathy, or the effect of bodily disease, or the result
of Satanic agency. In the awakening of slumbering souls - their agonizing cry for mercy - in their repentance and forsaking of beloved sins --
their acceptance of Christ —their admission of Him to sit enthroned on
the highest and best seat of their affections - in their love to Jesus - their
earnest, believing prayer —their entrance on newness of being, and their
persevering endeavors to win sinners to the Saviour -we see the grace of
God, and are glad."
)B.
PAGE  147.
THE REVIVAL AND PUBLIC MORALITY.
An attempt has been made, in certain hostile quarters, to depreciate the
character of the revival, by a series of statistical statements affecting the
moral status of Belfast. It has been stated, for example, that drunkenness has been considerably on the increase since the commencement of the
movement in that town. Before adverting more particularly to this representation, I may be permitted to give a few detailed statistics, in relation
to crime in the province of Ulster, during the year of the revival.
The number of prisoners for trial at the Quarter-Sessions for County
Antrim, October 1859 - that is, six months after the commencement of the
revival - was exactly one-half that of the previous year; the figures
being, October 1858-14; October ~1859- 7.
At the Ballymena Quarter-Sessions, held before John H. Otway, Esq.,
Assistant-Barrister, in April 1860-that is, when the revival had been
above a year in existence, in that neighborhood, which had been its central district - there was not a single case of indictment upon the record.
On this subject, the following extract from a letter to the Bishop of
Down from the Rev. Edward Maguire, the lately-appointed incumbent
there, is valuable:
" I met, a few evenings ago, a number of gentlemen connected with this
neighborhood. Among them there were three magistrates. Their unanimous testimony was, that since the revival, the public morals were vastly




APPENDIX.                             435
improved; and though, as we might expect, there were some cases of
drunkenness and other vices, yet they said these were quite exceptional.
I asked various and independent parties —the barrister (Mr. Otway),
magistrates, and grand-jurymen, all at different times and in different
places, to what cause, in their opinion, was this absence of crime owing,
and they each and all at once replied,'To the revival.' 
At the Quarter-Sessions in Coleraine, a place which is second in interest
only to Ballymena, as one of the earliest scenes of the revival, the testimony of the assistant-barrister, to the same effect as given in the preceding part of this volume, was voluntarily emitted in presence of the grand
j ury.
At the Quarter-Sessions, Belfast, in April 1860, the assistant-barrister, as
reported in the local journal, said: " Gentlemen of the grand-jury of this
division of the County Antrim, I have been enabled, in the first two towns
of the county in which I held the Sessions, to congratulate the grand-jury
upon having nothing at all to do. Gentlemen, I cannot exactly offer to you
the same amount of congratulation, because you have three cases to try;
but still I think we can congratulate ourselves on having such a small calendar, all of a trifling character."
At the March Assizes, 1860, for the county of Antrim, there were but
five prisoners for trial; and for the county of the town of Carrickfergus,
none.
At the Quarter-Sessions for Londonderry, in April 1860, held before Win.
Armstrong, Esq., assistant-barrister, there was no crim7inal business, and his
worship was presented with a pair of white gloves.
An official connected with the county prison of Down, says, in a private
letter, " As to the criminal business of the county, the late assizes (March
1860) had an average amount; but at the Quarter-Sessions, on several
occasions, not a prisoner for trial appeared on the calendar, though some
were out on bail."
One of the most important and decisive facts - as illustrating the moral
results of the revival over the face of a whole county - is the following:
The number of committals for the county of Antrim had decreased from
3281 ini 1858, to 2784 in 1859! It is well known that Antrim is predominantly Protestant in its population; yet the Protestants committed during
the past year were only 1002, while the Roman Catholics were 1069, exhibiting a decrease of 99 Protestants as compared with the previous year, and
an increase of 53 Roman Catholics.
These are a few facts which are undisputed, and they ought to go far,
even were there no other testimony, to settle the question of the moral
tendencies and results of the revival.
A leading newspaper in Ulster, however, has attempted to show that, so
far from promoting morality, the revival has actually fostered crime and




436                       APPENDIX.
increased immorality. The charge is serious; but what is its exact extent?
It is stated, on the authority of certain police statistics, that drunkenness
had increased during the year of revival beyond the proportion of anterevival years. The cases were, - for 1858, 2539; for 1859, 3112 - increase,
573. But the question arises, What have these statistics of drunkenness
to do with the revival? Might it not be as well and as wisely said, that
drunlaenness caused the revival, as that the revival caused drunkenness?
The two things lie contemporaneously within certain months, but it is a
logical fallacy to represent them as connected by relations so intimate as
those of cause and effect. If it, had been asserted by the advocates of the
religious movement, that every individual of the 120,000 or 130,000 inhabitants of Belfast had been brought under the influence of the revival, these
statistics of drunkenness might be legitimately appealed to in the case.
But it is a fact, which admits of no dispute, that no person has, during the
year in question, been before the police court of Belfast, on a charge of drunkenness, who had ever been broughlt under i'eligiozts influences. According to the
logic of this objector, the towns of Ballymena and Coleraine ought to be
the most immoral and drunken in Ireland.
With regard to the increase of drunkenness in Belfast - as indicated by
the police statistics - I do not see that the friends of the revival are under
any obligation whatever to account for them. It is well known, however,
that the majority of the " drunken " cases are persons who make no profession of any form of Protestantism, and who constitute the lower stratoum
of the population of Belfast. There is reason, indeed, to believe that the
immense majority of them are nominally Roman Catholics, who constitute
about one-third of the inhabitants. But to whatever denomination they
may belong, they are of that degraded and criminal class which, in our
large towns and cities, have never yet been reached by any of the appliances of evangelization.
It is gratifying to state that Ballymacarett, an almost exclusively Protestant suburb of Belfast, containing about ten thousand inhabitants, is
undistinguished by this disgraceful inebriety. The police-books of Belfast
testify that from Friday morning, 23d December, 1859, till Wednesday the
28th December, including the Christmas holidays, only three persolls were
taken into custody in that whole district.
With reference to all such charges as are now alluded to, the following
statements, by Bishop M'Ilvaine, of Ohio, are suggestive and appropriate:
"I have been struck with the fallacy of the argument against the work
in Ireland, founded on alleged increase, in some towns, of police committals, an evidence of increase, or, at least, of no decrease of crime. Suppose the increase proved, and that it is evidence, not merely of more
sharpness to arrest, but of more crime, - drunkenness, for example, -
which has not appeared, it is very supposable that it may be the indirect




APPENDIX.                            437
consequence of the reality of the revival. Satan's kingdom is not exterminiated, nor his enmity, nor his people quenched in any town. Where a
real work of grace is mighty, a great impression is produced; hundreds
are converted, many others are impressed; but there remain those who
resist, and scoff, and hate the work, and, for defence, as well as enmity,
will only plunge deeper into sin. It is very conceivable that, among such,
there may be such increased wickedness as to give to the common eye the
aspect of a more prominent and outbreaking spirit of evil. My idea is,
that until Satan is finally bound, we must expect to see, in proportion as
the gospel gains power and draws its lines nearer his citadel, an increase of
the manifestation of that enmity which dwells in the hearts of all that are
his; an increased array of his force; a larger mustering to the field of multitudes that otherwise would be in a measure as unenrolled militia- really,
but not so manifestly, his; and thus it will seem as if iniquity were~ more
abounding, and the kingdom of darkness putting on more strength, while,
in reality, it is only the beleaguered fortress, in the consciousness of impending destruction, summoning all its available strength, and calling up
every woman as well as man to stand forth and man the guns. But these
are results which only they who know the two kingdoms of Christ and
Antichrist can appreciate."
THE REVIVAL AND INSANITY.
Akin to the charge just adverted to is the averment which has been put
forward, that the revival has promoted insanity to a degree fearfully in
excess of all ordinary averages. The most exaggerated representations
have been published on the subject, and have been caught up with great
eagerness, and reproduced in the leading Popish, Tractarian, and antiEvangelical journals of Britain.
It was stated, for example, in a Belfast j6urnal, that " seven individuals
had been admitted into the Belfast Lunatic Asylum within the last two
weeks, whose aberration of mind is distinctly traceable to the excitement
consequent on the religious preachings! "- (July 12, 1859.) An inquiry
was immediately instituted into the truth of this statement, when it appeared that two of the " cases " were women who had been in the asylum
before, and had relapsed into insanity from the effects of the religious
excitement; a male patient had been ill since the previous November —
several months before the revival commenced —and no allegation was
made at the time of his admission that he had come within reach of the
revival excitement; another male patient was found to be afflicted with
"acute mania," -.-quite a different thing from religious insanity; a female
patient, admitted during the time specified, had been present at a revival
37*




438                       APPENDIX.
meeting, where a woman seated near her was prostrated, but she herself
had not fallen. No account has been given of the seventh case.
In the month of September, 1859, the same journal published a paragraph, headed "Insanity of Revivalism," which was to the following
effect: "We have it on good authority that, since the commencement of
the revival movement, there have been lodged in the Belfast asylum and
county jail no fewer than twenty-two cases of insanity, from Lamrne and
that neighborhood alone."  This was an astounding allegation, but it was
promptly met by the following statement of facts: As regards the Belfast
lunatic asylum, only ONE case of insanity " from Lame and that neighborhood alone " had been admitted, but it was a transfer from the county jail.;
so that, in reality, the lunatic asylum had none at all to account for. As
regards the county jail, there were admitted, since the commencement of
the revival, only five insane persons, from Lame and its neighborhood,
whose aberration was attributed to religious excitement. The precise
nature of this aberration — as connected with religious excitement - is
not stated in any document, and may have been wholly unconnected with
the revival, for aught that is shown. Of these five persons, one, as I have
said, was transferred to the lunatic asylum; three had recovered, and one
was still in the county jail on the 15th of September, 1859.
I have obtained, from  an official connected with the Belfast Lunatic
Asylum, a list of all the cases admitted into that institution, classed under
the head of religious excitement, during the year ending March 31, 1860.
They are exactly sixteen, and include, of course, nearly all the cases
already referred to. My obliging informant says, in regard to these sixteen
cases: — "You will perceive that a number of these cases come from jail,
and in all such, the particulars we receive are very imperfect. Several
others, I believe, are represented very much according to the feeling of the
medical man who visits the patient before admission, and it is he who
gives the character to the disease, stating in his certificate the species of
insanity with which the patient is afflicted. I may mention that there were
eight cases admitted here last year, under the head of religious excitement, before
there was any talk of revivals in the country." It follows from this statement,
that as there were -sixteen cases in all, during the official year, only eight
cases can be fairly attributed to the excitement of the revival - and this
proportion is not in excess of the ordinary average!
So much for the cases in the Belfast asylum. In that of Armuagh, which
was erected for the three counties of Armagh, Monaghan, and Cavan,
there were only nine cases admitted last year, whose insanity was traced
to religious excitement; of these, six were discharged cured, and three
relieved.
I believe that we should have heard little of the "insanity caused by
the revival," had it not been for two or three melancholy cases, in which




APPENDIX.                            439
the religious excitement led to great physical exhaustion, and ultimately
to untimely death. I am somewhat surprised, indeed, that there were not
more of this description; for individuals were often in the habit of sitting
up, night after night, engaged in religious exercises, and in a heated atmosphere, in defiance of all the laws of health; and it was not to be expected that, in the case of persons of morbid temperament, or predisposed
to insanity, the exhaustion of nature, and the operation of moral causes
of highly-wrought intensity, should not lead to mental derangement. Still,
it is important to remark that all great crises in the history of the world,
political as well as religious, have swelled the numbers of the insane; and
I believe that the revival in Ulster has led to fewer instances of the kind
than any similar movement on record.  Sir Alexander Morrison, late
physician to Bethlem Hospital, says:-"The predominant ideas of the
times, whether religious or political, have great influence in the production
of insanity. Thus, at the time of the Crusades, many cases of disordered
mind occurred. The celebrated novel of Cervantes was written expressly
to ridicule the insanity of knight-errantry prevalent about the time he
wrote. There were also, it is said, many persons afflicted with religious insanity at the time of the Refornmation." I am not aware, however, that any
section of the anti-Evangelical press has opposed or condemned the Reformation on the same ground that the Ulster revival has been so unscrupulously vilified.
C.
PAGE  180.
THE REVIVAL AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The following is a portion of the address delivered at the opening of
the Assembly:
"We meet, as you well know, in circumstances of unusually solemn
and tender interest. While on the European Continent the nations are
astounded at the rapid movement of those colossal powers that are.
arrayed in deadly conflict, we, in the prosecution of another warfare, have
been arrested by a higher force, which has come down upon us with
unwonted energy, and whose onward march has filled us with amazement
and admiring awe. But a short time ago, and who among us would have
anticipated such a day of wonder and of power! Mlany a time and oft
the watchers on our highest hills have sought to descry its gladsome
advent, but as often have they been constrained to report that they had




440                      APPENDIX.
watched in vain. It has been reserved for us of this Assembly to come
together at a time which has been longed and waited for by prayerful
hearts for many generations. And, as we scan the tokens of new life that
everywhere present themselves throughout our borders, we are instinctively
reminded of the marvels of the Pentecostal jubilee itself.
"The scenes with which we are now happily familiar are without a
parallel in our historic records. They call up vividly before us the memory of the early time of Presbytery in this land, - a land then dark and
desolate,- and lead us to associate the labors of the fathers with the
blessings that are now descending on the children. They have affected all
of us with such a strange surprise that we know not whether more to welcome or to wonder at the gracious visitation. Convened at such a period,
may we not say that we enter on our deliberations, not only under the
sanction of our Living Head, but in the manifested and special presence
of that Spirit who has supplied us with such a demonstration of his sovereign grace and power?
"Let the pervading tone of this Assembly only be in harmony with the
occasion on which we meet, and, while its actings will bear the impress of
a higher wisdom, the form of polity which we administer will at the same
time receive its noblest vindication; for it will prove itself as alike adapted
to the transaction of ecclesiastical affairs, and to the edifying of the body
of Christ. Our own spirits shall thus also be refreshed, and who can tell
but that, assembled in the metropolis of the country at such a crisis, our
meeting may, in the sight of the whole community, elevate us to a higher
platform, from which we shall not willingly descend, and on which we
shall cultivate as we have never done before the noblest impulses of piety
and patriotism!
"Of those who would in other circumstances have taken counsel with
us at this meeting, some are employed in what is the more incumbent and
congenial task of nourishing the tender plants that are beginning to exhale
their fragrance in the vineyard, and of guarding them against the ravages
of the destroyer. We shall miss their presence, while, we doubt not, they
will aid us by their prayers."
Subjoined is that part of the report of the committee on the state of
religion with reference to the revival, as presented to the General Assembly,
July 1859. "The grand distinctive feature of our spiritual history during
the past year has been the outpouring of the Holy Spirit over an extensive
district of our church.... Some of the prominent characteristics of
this remarkable awakening may be briefly noted:
"1. Persons of both sexes, of all ages, of different grades of society, of
various denominations of professing Christians, including Unitarians and
Roman Catholics, have been at once convinced of sin, and apparently converted to God.




APPENDIX.                            441
"2. These spiritual emotions have been accompanied, in a very large
number of cases, by physical impressions producing bodily infirmity, and
continuing, in some cases, for hours, and in others for days, and usually
terminating in peace of conscience, and sometimes in joy unspeakable and
full of glory.
"3. The two great truths on which the converts prominently, and
almost exclusively dwell, are, the sinfulness and utter spiritual helplessness of man, and the all-sufficiency of Christ as a living personal
Redeemer.
"4. No heresy has been started in this new and unusual state of religious excitement. The whole movement, in its various aspects, tends to
give striking and vivid illustration of the great doctrines of the gospel, as
they are set forth in our Catechisms and Confession of Faith.
" 5. The effect produced by this awakening on the life and character of
those who have experienced it, is decidedly evangelical: a deep sense of
sin, especially of the sin of having neglected the great salvation, fervent
love of Christ, intense brotherly kindness, earnest desire for the conversion
of sinners, habitual communion with God, and delight in His Word, worship, and service —these attributes of character are assuredly the fruit of
the Spirit, and those are the characteristics of multitudes who have lately
declared themselves the servants of Christ. The drunkard has been made
sober, the libertine chaste, the blasphemer and Sabbath-breaker devout,
the worldling constrained to think deeply and penitently of his sins, and
to flee from the wrath to come. These are surely trophies of Divine grace,
and many such trophies as these have been raised to the honor of God
since the commencement of the present revival.
"6. The work has been carried forward in many districts by the agency
of the converts themselves. As many as have been brought to know
Christ, have taken delight in telling to all around them what a precious
Saviour they have found. The fear of man is completely taken away;
and uneducated persons, of humble station, are heard to offer up prayer to
God, with fluency, propriety, and fervor, in the presence of multitudes, and,
without embarrassment or trepidation, to call on their assembled fellowsinners to repent, and believe the gospel.
" These are some of the features of the present movement in the north
of Ireland. They are such as we cannot contemplate without wonder,
thankfulness, and joy. A visitation of Divine grace, so sudden and so
unusual, has naturally provoked the contemptuous ridicule of some, and
the fierce hostility of others; but their opposition has been overruled for
good. It has led many persons of matutred Christian wisdom and experience, fiom various sections of the Protestant Church, to examine and to
judge for themselves; and we have now an overwhelming array of witnesses to testify, with one accord, that the work is undoubtedly of God. It




442                      APPENDIX.
is true that the ordinary operation of the Holy Spirit is slowly progressive,
and almost escapes observation. Yet who shall venture to say that it may
not also be immediate, public, powerful, and extensive, at His sovereign
will?.Why should we. deem it strange if the Holy Spirit, especially in
times like these, when men are so much occupied and engrossed with material objects and pursuits,- when the boundary between the church and
the world is so dim and so little discernible, - when such exaggerated importance is attached to mere office, and order, and outw'ard ceremonial, -
why should we deem it strange if the Spirit of God come forth in power,
and send such a peal of awakening through the hearts of careless,
worldly, self-complacent professors of religion, as shall effectually rouse
them from their slumbers, and enable them at once to discriminate between truth and error, between right and wrong, between shadow and
substance, between the form of godliness and the power thereof? Furtheir,
we find that, in point of fact, the history of the church of God, both
before and since the Christian era, has been marlred by signal and extensive manifestations of Divine grace; and that in the community of His
people, as well as in the individual believer, the life of religion has been
forwarded by impulses rather than by continuing progress."
The following were the resolutions subsequently adopted:
"First, That this Assembly desires to express profound thankfulness to
God that it has pleased Him to pour out His Spirit on so many of our
congregations; that it recognizes with reverence and awe, and at the same
time with inexpressible joy, the sovereign and infinite grace which, notwithstanding our many provocations, has bestowed on us such evident
and abundant tokens of the Divine favor.
" Secondly, That in the new and unprecedentedly solemn circumstances
in which this church is placed, the Assembly deeply feels the need of being directed by the wisdom of the Most High; and would, therefore, call
on Him who giveth liberally and upbraideth not, to bestow the Spirit of
power and of love, and of a sound mind, and to know what we ought to
do in these times of special visitation.
"Thirdly, While the Assembly leaves the ministers to deal in Christian
wisdom with individual cases as they arise, it would earnestly remind the
brethren of the need of guarding, on the one hand, against cherishing
undue suspicion of the reality of the work of the Holy Spirit; and, on the
other, of adopting any course of procedure whereby our people may be
led to mistake bodily impressions, or even deep conviction of sin, for
genuine conversion to God.
"Fourthly, That the Assembly, while cordially recognizing, as one of
the most marked evidences of the genuineness of this work, the facts
stated by all the brethren, that it has been originated and promoted by
means of the system of setting forth the truth in the standards of this




APPENDIX.                           443
church, nevertheless earnestly entreat all the ministers and members to
watch the introduction, from any quarter, of error in doctrine or in practice, lest Satan should get an advantage over us, and the Spirit of Truth
be provoked to withdraw."
D.
PAGE  199.
DOWN AND CONNOR DIOCESE RETURNS.
Subjoined is a selection from the answers received to the queries addressed by the Bishop of Down, Connor, and Dromore, to the clergy of
his diocese, and referred to in the communications from his lordship.
I. "How has the revival operated in reference to your congregation —the
attendance at the Lord's Table - or at your school-house or cottage lectures? "
"1. I formerly had about twenty at a cottage lecture; for the last ten
weeks there has been an average of 700 every Thursday evening at an
open-air service.
"2. My congregation, which, before the commencement of the religious
movement, averaged eighty, now numbers one hundred and twenty, the
attendance at the Lord's table in proportion; increased attention and devotion very remarkable; all religious meetings crowded; necessity obliges
us to hold meetings in the open air.
"3. Hundreds leave my church unable to get in. Communion three
times the former average.
"4. The effect of the attendance on every means of grace has been
almost miraculous.  The Sunday-morning service more than double;
the evening service has been increased six-fold, and the communion
quadrupled.
" 5. Congregation increased. School-house lecture everflowing. A most
solemn feeling and deep-seated earnestness characterizing all.
"6. Several persons of the humbler class have lately been observed in
church, who were not known to attend any place of worship.
II. " Since the appearance of the revival, have you observed any improvement
in the habits of your people? "
" 1. Decidedly less drunkenness - less violation of the sanctity of the
Lord's day.
"2. A most marked improvement. Drunkenness and other notorious
vices have almost disappeared. In one large establishment, the business
of each day is commenced and cended with prayer.




444                     APPENDIX.
"3. A total change for the better; and the police have confessed they
have little to do.
"4. It is most gratifying to observe the habit of reading the Bible
among families, where it was before totally neglected, now becoming so
prominent.
" 5. A reverence for religious subjects, and willingness to converse upon
them.'f 6. The habits of the people completely changed. Formerly drunkenness was the prevailing habit, now sobriety. There had been a total neglect
of family worship; it is now very general.
" 7. In almost every house, and by the hedges, I find the Bible read.
" 8. My parochial census of 1857 exhibited only seven families who had
family worship; and, up to this date, I have given 314 forms of prayer for
family worship to the heads of families soliciting them, and now, I believe,
using them.
" 9. Religion is the universal topic of conversation.
"10. The general aspect of the place is changed. "
It may be here stated, that, of the Episcopal ministers of the north of
Ireland, the Rev. Charles Seaver, of St. John's, Belfast, was among the
most earnest and successful in connection with the revival movement. At
an early period he came forward, in his own pulpit, with a vindication of
its own genuineness; and subsequently, at the meeting of the Evangelical,
Alliance, his admirable statement produced a deep impression. That
paper has since been widely circulated, and has, doubtless, told with happy
effect throughout the entire kingdom. Mr. Seaver has throughout been
joint-superintendent of the weekly union prayer-meeting, conducted by
the brethren of all evangelical denominations in Belfast. His visit to
London, at the request of the committee of the Evangelical Alliance, did
much to commend the movement in the metropolis and its vicinity.
PAGE 35 0.
CONGREGATIONAL RETIURNS.
The following tabular statement contains the substance of returns from
three hundred and six out of four hundred and sixty Ulster congregations
in connection with the General Assembly (there are five hundred and




APPENDIX.                            445
twenty in all, north and south), in reply to a circular issued in the month
of December last. At that period, in most of the congregations referred
to, there had been only one communion season subsequent to the revival.
In such cases the returns do not by any means show the full extent of increase to the membership of the church consequent upon the movement.
In a few instances only, in which an unusually large accession is recorded,
as in some of the Belfast congregations, the additions to the church are
reckoned up to the 1st of April, 1860. The names of some congregations
are reluctantly omitted, no definite numbers being specified in the returns
received from them. It is a striking attestation to the extent of the movement, and the deep interest evinced in it, that such a mass of valuable
statistics as the following table exhibits was furnished by ministers of the
Presbyterian Church, not in obedience to any official requirement, but
solely as a contribution on their part to the present publication, for which
it was notified that the information was desired.
With reference to the cases of individuals formerly connected with the
Roman Catholic Church, of which between three and four hundred are reported, it is to be observed that none are given but those of which a hopeful opinion is entertained in the several neighborhoods with which they
are connected.
The following abstract shows the comparative number, both of congregations visited by the revival, and of individuals added to the church in
connection with them, in the several counties of Ulster:
Antrim,.. 81 Congregations.  4353 Additional Communicants.
Down,.. 68          cc       2107;'
Derry,.. 36        "         1258           "
Tyrone,.. 42        "         1189    "
Armagh,.. 27         "          625           "
Donegal,.. 23         "          502           "
Monaghan,. 18         "          412           "
Cavan,.. 10         "         169            {
Fermanagh,.  1         "          21
306       "       10,636
In all the congregations throughout the Church, many who cannot be
reckoned in the above statement, inasmuch as they were nominally in
communion, have, after a long neglect, been reiinited in the fellowship of
the church. The increase above the average, frequently stated below, is
largely to be attributed to the accessions from this class, and amounts to
several thousands.
38




446                        APPENDIX.
[NOTE.- Thefollowing portion of the Appendix, in extended tabular form in the English edition,
and containing some details of mere local interest, unimportant to the American reader, has been
somewhat condensed for this edition. - p. m. indicates the number of prayer-meetings held in
different parts of the parish; ad. the number of communicants added to the church.]
COUNTY ANTRIM.
1st Ahoghill- 30 p. m.; 127 ad.; 280 communicants above the average;
202 added to the church in 1859; 700 hopefully awakened; 8 Roman
Catholics impressed, 5 of whom joined the church.
2d Ahoghill- 65 ad.; 6 Roman Catholics now connected with the congregation.
3d Ahoghill - 34 ad.; 56 above average; one Roman Catholic has joined
the church.
Ballycarry —70 ad.; prayer-meetings universal; 1000 in attendance in
the several districts.
Ballycastle - 13 ad.
Ballyclare - 7 p. m.; 20 ad.
1st Ballyeaston —19 p. m.; 65 ad.; 170 above average; attendance on
public worship increased one-third.
2d Ballyeaston - 40 ad.
Ballinderry - 22 ad.; a publican estimates his loss at ~40 yearly by the
revival; another took down his signboard, 27th June.
Ballylinney - 30 ad.
1st Ballymena — 64 ad.; 90 over average.
3d Ballymena - 160 ad.; 200 above average; only 3 per cent. of the
awakened prostrated; prayer-meetings pervade town and country; 10
Roman Catholic cases.
1st Ballymoney- 67 ad.; 120 over average; several Romanists.
2d Ballymoney- 38 ad.
3d Ballymoney - 81 ad.; 150 over average; scarcely a family which has
not experienced a revival; 6 Romanists added to the church.
Ballynure - 50 ad.
1st Ballyrashane - 70 ad.; 50 brought under the influence of the revival
at the first meeting; several families, once living in practical heathenism,
now amongst the most regular, prayerful, and pious in the congregation.
2d Ballyrashane - 9 p. m.; 30 ad.; 65 above average; all the members of
the church now observe family worship, except 20; 2 Roman Catholic cases.
Ballysillian- 80 ad.; 100 above the average.
Ballyweany- 4 p. m.; 20 ad.; 2 Romanists added.
Belfast- 4 new congregations and churches in progress. At a meeting
lately held of the agents of the town mission, 11 in number, licentiates of
the Presbyterian church, it was reported that all who had been hopefully




APPENDIX.                           447
impressed in their respective districts continued steadfast, save a very
few.
Albert Street - 10 p. m.; 17 ad.; average at communion increased 850
per cent.; 2 Romanists added.
Alfred Street -12 p. m.; 25 ad.; few families left unblest.
Ballymacarrett — 15 p. m.; 70 ad.; 100 above average. Of the 70 added
to the church, many are converts, and some far advanced in life.
Berry Street- 80 p. m.; 350 ad.; 1500 at the Sabbath schools; 21 Romanists hopefully awakened.
College Street - 2 p. m.; 17 ad.; 45 above average.
Eglinton Street —6 p. m.; 42 ad.; the church enlarged by addition of
400 sittings; 1 Roman Catholic, very decided.
Fisherwick Place- 65 ad.; the weekly prayer-meeting, with difficulty
sustained before, has an increase of from 300 to 500; 200 cases of hopeful
conversion, chiefly in daily and Sabbath schools, among the young, who
have prayer-meetings among themselves; 2 members of the church have
set agoing the erection of new churches, by donations of ~1000 each and
upwards.
Great George's Street —7 p. m.; 200 ad.; the communion-roll doubled.
Linenhall Street - 160 ad.; about 100 families have joined the congregation.
May Street- 40 ad.
Rosemary Street- 40 ad.
Sinclair Seaman's - 40 ad.
Townsend Street - 70 ad.; 140 above average; 6 or 7 Romanists.
York Street- 33 ad.; 80 above average; great awakening, but no excitement. In the Independent, Wesleyan, and Baptist churches of the
town, similar results were witnessed.
Billy - 7 p. m.; 51 ad.; 80 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Broughshane- 140 ad.; an additional church in progress; fresh appearances of awakening in March, 1860; 20 Roman Catholics.
Buckna - 18 p. m.; 70 ad.; 200 above average.
Carncastle- 4 p. m.; 40 ad.; 80 above average. Of about 200 awakened,
only 2 have gone back.
Carnmoney - 20 p. m.; 80 ad.; 100 above average.
1st Carrickfergus- 90 ad.; the men at the saltworks meet for prayer
700 feet under ground.
2d Carrickfergus — 20 p. m.; 140 ad.; 60 of the communicants married
persons; 3 Roman Catholics.
Cloughwater - 36 ad.
1st Coleraine- 51 ad.; 77 above average.
2d Coleraine-j60 ad.; 100 above average; sale of Bibles and religious
books wholly unprecedented.




448                    APPENDIX.
3d Coleraine- 75 ad.
Connor - 127 ad.; a network of prayer-meetings over the whole district.
Croaghmore- 10 p. m.; 37 ad.; 2 hopeful Roman Catholic cases.
Cullybackey - 41 ad.; 4 hopeful Roman Catholic cases.
Dervock — 41 ad.; 60 above average.
1st Donegore - 12 p. m.; the young communicants under examination
for a year; hence no report of additions, as yet.
Drumreagh- 6 p. m.; 30 ad.; 2 Roman Catholic cases.
1st Dunboe - 105 ad.; 200 above average; 8 Romanists have joined the
church.
Dundrod - 10 p. m.; 100 ad.; no whiskey or wine now presented in any
house in the congregation.
Dunean -7 p. m.; 35 ad.
Dunloy - 53 ad.
Dunluce - 14 p. m.; 50 ad.; 80 above average; inquirers' class attended
by 150.
Finvoy- 14 p. m.; 35 ad.; the work more prosperous than six months
ago; 2 Roman Catholics, one of whom is a communicant.
Glenarm - 30 ad.; a few Roman Catholics, all most exemplary.
Glenwherry — 6 p.m.; 50 ad.; 140 above average.
1st Islandmagee -40 ad.; 80 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
2d Islandmagee- 4 p. m.; 100 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Kilbride- 29 ad.; 40 above average.
Killead -6 p. m.; 40 ad.; 100 above average.
1st Killymurris- 32 ad.
2d Killymurris- 18 ad.
2d Kilraughts- 8 p. m.; 51 ad.
1st Larme - 16 p. m.; 90 ad.; 156 above average; not a single backslider,
out of hundreds hopefully converted; a few Roman Catholics. In the
town of Larne a missionary is maintained by John Getty, Esq., a Christian
gentleman, a native of the place, now a retired Belfast merchant, who has
also erected two commodious mission-houses, superintended by the missionary.
Lylehill - 20 ad.
Malone — 3 p. m.; 30 above the average; 2 Roman Catholics, and 1
Unitarian family, added to the church.
Maragal- 3 p. m.; 30 above the average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Mosside — 20 p. m.; 90 ad.
2d Portglenone- 20 ad.; 40 above the average.
3d Portglenone- 2 p. m.; 8 ad.
Portrush - 18 p. m.; 22 above the average.
Raloo- 80 ad.; 120 above the average; 2 Roman Catholics.
Ramoan- 25 ad.; 40 above the average; 2 Roman Catholics.




APPENDIX.                           449
2 Randalstown- 4 p. m.; 13 ad.
Rasharkin - 23 ad.
Roseyards — 15 p. m.; 22 ad.; 40 above the average; 3 Roman Catholics.
Templepatrick -4 p. m.; 10 ad.
COUNTY DowN.
2d Anaghlone-8 p. m.; communicants attend two sessions before
admission.
Anahilt- 64 ad.; 152 above average.
Annalong -8 p. m.; 54 ad.
Ardglass -8 ad.
Ballygowan- 54 ad.; 175 above average; the entire neighborhood
transformed.
Ballycopeland -8 ad.; 25 above average.
Ist Ballynahinch- 7 p. m.; 70 ad.; 200 above average.
3d Ballynahinch- 10 p. m.; 66 above average; several Roman Catholic
cases.
Ballydown - 20 ad.; communicants doubled.
Ballyblack - 16 p. m.; 36 ad.
Ballyroney — 42 ad.; 165 above average; 6 Roman Catholics, of whom
3 regularly attend.
1st Ballywalter - 11 ad.
Banbridge- 30 ad.; 100 above average.
1st Bangor- 18S ad.; 50 above average; 2 Roman Catholics.
2d Boardmills - 4 p. m.; 10 ad.; 30 above average.
Brookvale - 16 ad.; 57 above average.
Carrowdore - 30 ad.
Cargycreevy — 40 ad.; 140 above average.
Carryduff- 4 p. m.; 31 ad.; 70 above average; measures for additional
church accommodation in progress; within two miles of the church 4
public-houses closed through the revival.
Castlereagh -42 ad.; 100 above average.
Clonduff — 6 p. m.; 16 ad.; 50 above average; 3 Roman Catholics.
1st Comber-7 p. m.; 152 ad.
Conlig - 40' ad.
Donacloney -50 above average.
Donoughmore- 24 p. m.; 30 ad.
1st Dromara-20 p. m.; 50 ad.; 136 above average; several cases of
Roman Catholic servants, and one whole family.
2d Dromara — 52 ad.; 150 above average; 6 Roman Catholics; 1 publichouse closed.
1st Dromore -8 p. m.; 100 above average.
38



450                      APPENDIX.
Drumbo - 60 ad.; 100 above average; some Roman Catholics.
Drumbanagher- 10 p.m.
Drumgooland- 15 p. m.; 40 ad.
Drumlee -9 p. m.; communion greatly increased; 1 Roman Catholic.
Drumlough —6 p. m.; 31 ad.; 120 above average.
Dundonald —11 p. m.; 50 above average in communicants' class; at
present (April, 1860) 102.
Garvaghy - 12 p. m.; 20 ad.
Gilford - 50 above average; 1 Roman Catholic most steady.
Glascar- 23 ad.
Groomsport- 5 p. m.; 40 above average.
Kilkeel - 15 ad.; 30 above average.
Kilkinamurry - 15 p. m.; 12 ad.
Killyleagh - 100 above average.
Killinchy - 16 p. m.; 67 ad.; 200 above average; 2 Roman Catholics.
Kilmore — 12 p. m.; 56 ad.; communicants nearly doubled.
Legacurry - 50 above average.
Leitrim - 12 p. m.; 27 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics, most satisfactory.
Lissara - 9 p. m.; 16 ad.; 70 above average.
Loughachray - 15 p. in.; 103 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic family.
Maghera hamlet -10 ad.; 24 above average.
Magherally - 22 ad.; 60 above average.
Millisle- 3 p. m.; 25 ad.
Moira - 10 ad.
Morne - 12 p. m.; 69 ad.; 150 above average.
Newmills - 8 p. m.; 15 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
1st Newry -30 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
2d Newry -7 p. m.; 30 ad.; 50 above average.
1st Newtonards - 6 p. m.; 150 ad.
Regent Street, do. - 36 ad.; 100 above average; 5 Roman Catholics.
4th Newtonards - 17 ad.
Newtonbreda - communicants for first time doubled.
Portaferry - 10 p. m.; 16 ad.; 40 above average.
Raffery —15 p. m.; 75 ad.; 200 above average; 70 families added; 1
Roman Catholic, very decided.
1st Rathfriland -30 p. m.; 17 ad.; 70 above average; 1 public-house
closed, 2 about to close; 1 Roman Catholic.
2d Rathfriland - 10 ad.; 20 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
3d Rathfrilandl- 18 ad.; 36 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
1st Saintfield - 108 ad.; 300 above average.
2d Saintfield- 24 ad.; 50 above average.
Scarva- 16 ad.; 28 above average.
Ryans- 11 p. m.; 20 ad.
Tullylish - 25 ad.




APPENDIX.                           451
COUNTY DERRY.
Ballyarnet - 6 p. m.; 25 ad.; 85 above average; 4 Roman Catholics.
Ballygoney - 4 p. m.; 3 ad.
Ballykelly - 21 p.m.; 71 ad.; 3 Roman Catholics seeking instruction and
attending services.
Ballywillan- 8 p. m.; 92 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
Banagher - 14 p. m.; 14 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic.
Bellaghy- 30 ad.; 61 above average. "You have heard of Bellaghy,"
says the Rev. Hugh Hunter. "It has long been notorious as a hot-bed of
vice and sink of moral filthiness; its people - with many honorable exceptions, no doubt —an outlawed, at least a lawless, rabble; cockfighting, party rows, drunkenness, profane swearing, Sabbath desecration, neglect of ordinances, and such like, being the order of the day. There is
now an amazing decrease of crime. Many have, so far as man can judge,
undergone a saving change, and a very large number, probably the majority, have been brought to the Saviour without any physical suffering;
while in the case of most who have never been brought under the Spirit's
influence, great reformation of character has taken place, and many, formerly stout-hearted in their sins, are now evidently afraid to indulge in
their former evil practices. The Romanists are also much more accessible
than before."
Boveedy - 33 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
Boveva - 6 p. m.; 29 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic.
Castledawson- 7 p. m.; 70 ad.; 120 above the average.
Churchtown - 3 p. m.; 50 ad.; 3 Roman Catholics.
Claggin- 6 p. m.; 27 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic, keeping steady.
Cumber - 15 p. m.; 30 ad.; 100 above average; 150 families observing
family worship; several Roman Catholics.
1st Derry - 50 ad.; 100 above average; several Roman Catholics.
2d Derry-26 ad.; many prayer-meetings, both congregational and
united, in town and country.
3d Derry -28 ad.
Derramiore - 8 p. m.; 12 ad.; scarcely a family but has been made a
partaker of the grace of God; 1 Roman Catholic.
Draperstown -2 p. m.; 26 ad.
Drumachose - 7 p. m.; 28 ad.; 1800 Bibles, etc., disposed of; 8 Roman
Catholic cases.
2d Dunboe- 25 ad.; 5 Roman Catholics.
Faughanvale- 20 p. m.; 50 ad.; 150 above average; church greatly enlarged.
2d Garvagh- 14 p. m.; 32 ad.; 70 above average; family worship all




452                     APPENDIX.
but universal; 2 persons baptized who were dissatisfied with the Romish
baptism; 2 other Roman Catholic cases.
2d Glendermot -22 ad.
Gortnessy -8 p. m.; 40 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
Largy- 9 p. m.; 26 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
1st Kilrea - 9 p. m.; 30 above average. The converts here evince a desire to "learn in silence." No prostrations in the public services, although
many such elsewhere; Roman Catholics steadfast so far.
Lecumpher -6 p. m.; 48 ad.; the congregation so much increased that
the church requires to be enlarged; district prayer-meetings, embracing
the whole extent of the congregation, held in the houses of the rich and
cottages of the poor; 3 Roman Catholics.
Macosquin - 24 ad.; 3 Roman Catholics.
Maghera - 10 p. m.; 40 ad.; greatly increased sale of Bibles, etc.
Magheriafelt - 26 ad.; 50 above average.
Moneymore - 42 ad.
Myroe- 12 p. m.; 80 ad.; persons attending worship who have not
done so for years; 2 abandoned women stood up before the congregation,
and voluntarily confessed their sins; 2 public-houses closed; 5 or 6 Roman
Catholics.
2d Newtonlimavady -7 p. m.; 60 ad.; 100 above average. For three
weeks, every night was spent in public prayer, more than 1000 often in attendance, and sometimes morning dawned before the ministers could
leave; the converts continue steadfastly to hold on their way; 5 or 6 Roman Catholic cases.
Ringsend- 20 ad.; 50 above average.
Saltersland — 23 ad.
Scriggan- 18 ad.; 3 Roman Catholic cases.
Tobermore - 40 ad.
COUNTY TYRONE.
Albany - 2 p. m.; 12 ad.
1st Ardstraw- 27 ad.; 60 above average.
2d Ardstraw - 6 p. m.; 18 ad.
Aughnacloy -4 p. m.; 54 ad.; Sabbath-school trebled; several hundreds
of Bibles and religious books sold; 2 Roman Catholics.
Ballygawley - 35 ad.
Ballymagrane - 4 p. m.; 34 ad.; attendance on public worship doubled.
Ballyreagh - 8 p. in.; 26 ad.
Brigh -7 p. m.; 90 ad.; many awakened who were not physically
affected; 6 Romanists.
Castlecaulfield -- 56 ad.; greater increase than for the last twelve years;




APPENDIX.                           453
several Roman Catholic cases, but the majority coerced by persecution; 4
steadfast.
Ist Castlederg- 40 ad.
2d Castlederg- 4 p. m.; 20 ad.
Claggan- 10 ad.; 57 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Clenanees, Upper- 56 ad.
Clenanees, Lower - 13 ad.
Clogherney- 20 p. m.; 60 ad.; family worship increased fivefold; 1
Roman Catholic.
1st Cookstown — 31 ad.
2d Cookstown - communion increased one-tenth.
3d Cookstown -40 ad.; above average about 60.
Crossroads — 2 p. m.; 25 ad.
Douglas - 28 ad.
Ist Dungannon- 5 p. m.; 27 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics.
Dromore - 10 p. m.; 58 ad. "The awakening," says the Rev. J. R. Dill,
"has effected a most marked and marvellous change in this parish."
Drumquin - 40 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic.
Eglish - 4 p. m.; 30 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics. " The whole aspect of the
country changed; people serious, solemn, temperate, and generally awakened in regard to their spiritual condition."
Fintona — 10 p. m.; 17 ad.; 30 above average.
Gillygooley -3 p. m.; 11 ad.; 50 above average.
Glenelly -15 ad.; 56 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Gortin - 15 p. m.; 18 ad.; 45 above average; 5 Roman Catholics; 250
added to the abstinence list. The inn-keepers have almost nothing to do.
Almost all have abandoned the use of tobacco, as well as ardent spirits.
Killetur —8 ad.; 30 above average; 2 Roman Catholics.
Leckpatrick - 7 p. m.; 10 ad.; 50 above average.
Minterburn- 10 p. m.; 75 ad.; 100 above average; 7 Roman Catholics.
1st Newtonstewart- 9 ad.; 20 above average; no backslider known.
2d Newtonstewart- 12 ad.
Orritor -19 ad.; 39 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.
Pomeroy - 7 p. m.; 4 ad.
Sandholes -9 p. m.; 46 ad.; 78 above average; several Roman Catholics steadfast amid bitter persecution.
Six-mile-cross - 16 p. m.; 40 ad.; 67 above average; 1 Roman Catholic
very hopeful.
1st Stewartstown -7 p. m.; 35 above average; a publican has given up
the trade; 1 Roman Catholic.
2d Stewartstown- 28 ad.
1st Strabane -10 p. m.; 35 ad.; 70 above average.
2d Strabane - 10 p. in.; 16 ad.; 30 above average.
Urney -4 p. m.; 20 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic.




454                     APPENDIX.
COUNTY ARMAGHO
Ahorey -2 p. m.; 14 ad.; 4 cases of Roman Catholics converted.
2d Armagh — 30 p. m.; 15 ad.
3d Armagh — 30 p. m.; 50 ad.
Armaghbrague - 3 p. m.; more additions to the church than during the
five previous years.
Bessbrook- 7 p. m.; 34 ad.; 3 Roman Catholic cases.
Cladymore -7 p. m.; 20 ad.; 3 Roman Catholic cases hopeful.
Clare- 3 p. m.; 53 ad.
Clarksbridge - 10 p.m.; 17 ad.
Cremore - 2 p. m.; 20 ad.
1st Drumbanagher —12 ad.; more good done in the last few months
than during a ministry of half a century in ordinary times; 1 Roman
Catholic.
Drumhillary - 16 ad.
Drumminis - 8 ad.
1st Keady- 9 p. m.; 50 ad.
2d Keady- 6 p. m.; 22 ad.
Kingsmill - 6 p. m.; 22 ad.; 4 Roman Catholic cases, steady.
Knappagh - 4 p. m.; 12 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics believed to be savingly
converted.
Lurgan - 20 p.m.; 70 ad.; a town missionary and colporteur employed,
and a new Presbyterian church about to be erected.
Markethill —5 p. m.; 36 ad.
Middletown - 7 ad.
Mountnorris - 15 p. m.
Portadown - 6 p. m.; 36 ad.
Poyntzpass- 9 p. m.; 15 ad.
Redrock - 12 p. m.; 27 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic girl, who has endured
much persecution.
Tandragee - 10 ad.
Tartaraghan - 5 p. m.; 17 ad.; of the many hopefully impressed very
few stricken. The majority found peace in their own homes.
Tassagh - 4 p. m.; 7 ad.
Tullyallen- 25 ad.; 6 Roman Catholics, 3 of whom are steadfast.
COUNTY DONEGAL.
Alt- 3 p.m.; 16 ad.
Buncrana —5 p. m.; 16 ad.; in a congregation of only 55 families, 40
persons are regarded as savingly impressed, 12 being heads of families;
between 20 and 30 others under concern, one 80 years of age; ~400 subscribed for a new church.




APPENDIX.                          455
Burt — 70 ad.; 3 Roman Catholics, all remarkable cases.
Carndonagh - 20 ad.
Carnone —9 ad.
Convoy - 7 p. m.; 38 ad.
Crossroads - 8 p. m.; 13 ad.; four-fifths maintain family worship; 1
Roman Catholic hopeful.
Donoughinore - 18 p. m.; 45 ad.; 100 above average; 2 Roman Catholics; missionary collections and contributions to Bible Society doubled.
Fahan -6 p. m.; 4 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics; 1'went to Scotland, to
escape persecution.
Farnet — 6 p. m.; 30 hopefully converted; no prostrations.
Kilmacrenan -15 ad.; the awakening commenced;immediately on the
minister's return after the meeting of Assembly.
Knowhead - 8 p:. m.; 31 ad.; 1 Roman Catholic.:
1st Letterkenny - 17 ad.; 50 above average; 1 Roman Catholic.:
2d Letterkenny -20 above average.
Malin —3 p. m.; 25 ad.; persons awakened from 10 to 83 years;' 6 Roman Catholics.
Monreagh -12 p. m.; 51 ad.; young females; and boys sometimes conduct family: worship; 4 Roman Catholics.
Newtoncunningham - 3 p. m.; 27 ad.; 50 above average.
1st Raphoe- 10 p. m.; 22 ad.
2d Ramelton -33 ad.; upwards of 100 hopefully awakened; the services
conducted almost exclusively by ministers; very few cases of physical
prostration. Almost all who had great joy passed subsequently through a
state of mental darkness. The convertedchiefly among the young,
especially members of the Bible-class;' all who entertained good hope
continue steadfast unto this day.
3d Ramelton- 7 p. m.; 18 ad.
1st Ray- 8 ad.
2d Ray - 24 ad.; 60 over average.
Trenta — 8 p. m.; the congregation not: very large; 38 cases of conviction of sin, all hopeful; one remarkable, being that of an aged female,
who for 23 years was never in a house of worshipi and a great worldling.
She continues to adorn her profession.
COUNTY MONAGHAN.
1st Ballybay -30 above average. The power of the Spirit most marked
among the careless, the profane, and the intemperate; young men known
as "wild," have been turned from the error of their ways. The work
most manifest amongst those whose ages range from 15 to 20, also among
the poor, and those lying beyond the influence of ordinances. One was at




456                     APPENDIX.
public worship lately who had not been seen there for 20 years. Those
awakened continue steadfast.
2d Ballybay —4 p. m.; 8 ad.; 75 above average; a very beneficial
change observable in the habits of the community; 2 Roman Catholics.
Broomfield - 2 p. m.; 3 ad.; the communion dispensed when the revival
movement had little more than commenced.
Cahans - 6 p. m.; 26 ad.
2d Castleblayney - 10 p. m.; 16 ad.; 50 above average.
Carrickmacross —5 p. m.; 6 ad.; 20 above average; family worship
general; attendance on ordinances doubled; " incalculable good " effected.
1st Contibret - 11 ad.; now rare to see a person intoxicated.
Corlea - 2 p. m.; 15 ad.
Crieve- 4 p. m.; 6 ad.
Derryvalley —3 p. m.; 8 ad.; the revival, though "young " here, has
accomplished a happy change.
1st Drum —3 p. m.; 43 ad.; 2 Roman Catholics; the prayer-meetings
often thronged to inconvenience in the rural districts.
2d Drum —20 p. m.; 84 ad.; 100 above average; family worship observed by 40 families for one before; 1 Roman Catholic.
Drumkeen -5 p. m.; 55 ad.; 4 Roman Catholics, out of a number impressed, remain steadfast.
Glennan- 5 p. m.; 16 ad.
Monaghan -7 p. m.; 30 ad.; few prostrations, and these the least promising, though some satisfactory. Several young men have already commenced to study for the ministry as the result here, and are making great
progress.
Newbliss —30 ad.; tippling at fairs and markets given over to a large
extent by Protestants.
Smithborough -4 p. m.; 15 ad.; 30 above average.
Stonebridge- 4 p. m.; 40 ad.; 100 above average.
COUNTY CAVAN.
1st Bailieborough- 7 p. m.; 48 ad.; gread demand for religious books.
2d Bailieborough- 7 p. m.; 18 ad.; 40 above average.
Ballyjamesduff- 6 p. m.; 17 ad.; attendance on public worship fourfold.
Ballasis - 6 p. m.; 5 ad.; 20 above average.
Cavan- 3 p. m.; 4 ad.; greater increase in family worship than during
last 8 years.
Ist Cootehill - 2 p. m.; 40 ad.
2d Cootehill- 20 ad.; 40 above average.
Drumkeeran - 6 p. m.; 17 ad.
Killesandra - great awakening in this district.




APPENDIX.                             457
Shercock - whiskey-drininkin and accompanying vices greatly decreased.
Pettigo, County Fermanagh -4 p. m.; 21 ad.
The following statement, dated 26th April 1860, by the Rev. Archibald
Robinson, with respect to the important district of Broughshane, in
County Antrim, although it came late for insertion in its proper place, is
too valuable to be omitted. It is the only paper which Mr. Robinson has
ever written on the subject, and in explanation of the delay of its transmission the following will be regarded as sufficient:-" My time is almost
wholly occupied with congregational work. You may have some idea of
this when I tell you that, irrespective of other duties and labors, I have
visited over six hundred families since the beginning of the present year.
Besides, I have a feeling, perhaps a wrong one, against writing or speaking decisively on the particulars and details of the revival movement. I
deem it wise to let the rough and trying duties of life grate upon the new
surface, and bring out the characters of men a little before we lift a note of
triumph about their conversion. There can be little doubt that many have
had but the white-heat of religion, and have only endured for a season."
After such a preamble, the narrative which follows will be perused with
special interest:
"The first case of awakening here was of a very peculiar and solemn
kind. It was in 1858. It was that of a man who had been a drunkard.
IIe was drunk the week before. In the middle of the night he awoke, and
roused the family out of their beds; said he had had a dream; an angel
came and told him to be up and busy praying for mercy, for he would die
at one o'clock, or, if not at one, decidedly at four o'clock, next day. He
dressed, and gave himself up entirely to reading and prayer. People
thought he was mad - in delirium tremens. He refused all solicitations to
induce him  to drink; went about, wringing his hands and entreating
mercy, till about one o'clock; went to his bed, and died happy about four!
"It was not, however, till May 1859, just before the meeting of Synod,
that we were visited with a most gracious and abundant outpouring of the
Holy Spirit. We had been praying for and expecting some such precious
blessing, but were, notwithstanding, taken by surprise, so sudden, powerfill, and extraordinary were the manifestations of the Spirit's presence.
Persons of every shade of temperament and character were mysteriously
affected, overpowered, prostrated, and made to pour out the most thrilling,
agonizing cries for mercy. Most of those, thus impressed and awakened,
found peace and comfort in a very short space of time, and then their
countenances shone with a sweetness and glory beyond description. Very
many of them received a marvellous fluency and power of prayer. A
hatred of sin, a love for the Saviour, a zeal for His cause, an affection for
39




458                      APPENDI X.
one another, and an anxiety about perishing sinners, took absolute possession of their healrts, and literally ruled and governed their actions. For
about six weeks, almost all agricultural operations, and, indeed, every kind
of secular employment,' were suspended, no man being able to think of or
attend to anythinwg but the interests of his soul. Night and day the sound
of praise and prayer never ceased to float upon the air. An overwhelllming sense of awe and terror held in check the boldest sinners, while thousands, who till now had lived as if eternity were a priestly fiction, seemed
for the first time to realize its truth and presence, and to feel as if the
and of all things was at hand. I should say about one thousand people
were suddenly, sensibly, and powerfully impressed and awakened. Fully
one half of this number, if not more, have profited by their experience,
and are now as fair and hopeful cases of conversion as one could well
desire; while not less than five hundcrecl were silently, gradlually, and
without observation, brought, I may say, from death unto life, or fiom a
state of stupor and coldness into a state of activity and warmth, and
are now rejoicing in the peace that passeth understanding. Not less than
twenty Roman Catholics came under the power of the truth, and were
made to acknowledge the errors of the Church of Roume. Three of these
were rebaptized, at their own urgent request, and afterwards admitted to
the Lord's Supper. The others still attend the prayer-meetings, andl now
and again the public worship of the sanctuary.
"In one district of country almost all the matrons within an area of
more than two miles were graciously visited and converted in the most
satisfactory and conclusive manner, if we can so speak about another's
conversion at all. These women have exercised a mighty influence on
their families and neighborhood; and if one wishes to see the religion of
the Cross in her loveliest features, in the simplicity, beauty, and power of
primitive times, he has but to pay this district a visit, and see and hear for
himself. I have no doubt he will return saying, as the Queen of Sheba,
that the half has not been told him.
"The gift of prayer bestowed on these matrons is beyond conception,
and certainly it is not left to rust. They have a prayer-meeting of their
own, —none but females being admitted, —the exercises of which are
praise, prayer, and reading the Scriptures without note or comment. This
meeting has tended greatly to fan the flame of love in their own hearts,
and kindle it in others who come. We have many such female prayermeetings, and I am satisfied of their utility.
"About the month of August the physical features of the revival, in
a great measure, passed away; but we had abundant evidence that the
work of the Lord was still going on, mlore silently, but as progressively
as ever. The Holy Ghost, we rejoice to say, has not been as a wayfaring
man with us. His gracious operations have not as yet ceased. From




APPENDIX.                              459
time to time we have been constrained to note unmistakable signs of His
presence and power. Seldom does a week elapse without some groping,
hoping, praying soul finding Christ, and pardon, and peace, in a way more
or less marked and visible. Frequently our prayer-meetings have experienced a sudden, mysterious, and overpowering impulse, swaying the whole
assembly as one man, and leaving all weeping', praying, rejoicing. Men
lhave felt as if the Lord had breathed upon them. They were first affected
with awe and fear; then they were bathed in tears; then filled with love
unspeakable. Such a scene as this occurred about a month ago, in the
midst of the ordinary services of the Sabbath.
" True and undefiled religion has received a mighty impetus here by the
revival. Since May 1859, it has been progressing in the most satisfactory
and cheeringf manner. Never, in the experience of the oldest members of
our church, were the spiritual interests of the people of this parish so far
advanced and so promising. Without any fear of exaggeration or disappointment, I may say we can count true and decided cases of conversion,
not by tens, not by fifties, but by hundreds. The house of God is filled,
Sabbath after Sbbath, by an overflowing congregation of anxious worshippers. Temporary seats occupy the passages, and these are crowded,
and many are content to stand at the door during the whole service. The
very countenances of the worshippers declare the anxious and the happy
feelings they possess; some seeming to say,' Sir, we would see Jesus;' and
others,'We have tasted, and are now come to drink; we have found Him
whom  our souls love, and He is indeed precious.' The thirst of the
young for Sabbath-school instruction is intense and insatiable. Not less
than fourteen hundred children attend, every Salbbath morning, desiring
the sincere milk of the Word, while my own class averages some eighty
young men and women. We are reading the'Confession of Faith,' and
have circulated through the congregation some two hundred and fifty
copies of it, with about an equal number of'Patterson's Shorter Catechism.' Social meetinos for prayer, reading the Scriptures, and exhortation, are held throughout the parish, each district having its own prayermeeting, and each prayer-meeting its own staff of conductors. No person is allowed to engage in the services unless approved of by this bench
of managers. These meetings are attended by the whole population, with
very few exceptions; —young and old, rich and poor, Episcopalian and
Roman Catholic, taking pleasure to listen to the simple prayers and
earnest exhortations of their Presbyterian neighbors. The interest in
them is still well sustained; and in the darkest, fiercest nights of winter,
and now, in the busiest days of seed-time, the number of those who meet
together to thank and praise the Lord has not diminished.
"Previous to 1859, the voice of family prayer was seldom heard. Urgent
appeals from the pulpit to erect a fatmily altar were unheeded. Now, fam



460                      A P PEND IX.
ily worship is rather the rule than the exception. There is a marked
improvement in the.public morals of the community. Men are ashamed
of doings that formerly were considered as things of course. Two publichouses have been obliged to close. The owners of others have assured me
their trade is gone, and two more intimated their intention not to renew
the license. One of them said it was unsafe to himself and injurious to
others. A deceased publican told him, he said,'that it was a cursed trade;
that he knew many in it; and, with two exceptions, he never knew one but
the devil got a hold of; and these two had to give up and run, or he would
have gotten them also.' Sabbath desecration, profane swearing, drunkenness, uncleanness, unseemly strife, and such-like sins, are much abated
and decreased, - not one instance for every five we had in previous years,
- while temperance, meekness, brotherly kindness, a holy reverence.for the
name of God, have started into new life, and are putting forth new vigor.
The Bible is the book of constant study. Many carry it about with them,
and read it by the way-side, or at intervals in their labor, and refer to it for
the settlement of every disputed point. Two of our National School-houses
have been enlarged, in order to malke them capable of accommodating
the prayer-meetings, and we have subscribed about ~550 for a new church.
"It has been said that God employed lay agency as the instrumentality
for introducing the revival; and some, assuming this as a fact, have attributed much, if not all, of this movement to the heated atmosphere and
the exciting addresses and prayers of revival meetings. In opposition to all
this, I can testify that on one evening, in three distinct localities, miles separated from one another, and by three distinct methods of operation, the religious awakening of 1859 manifested itself among -us, and but one of these
had any connection at all with revival speakers or meetings; while weeks
and months previous to this, before lay agency was heard of, either here
or elsewhere, there were three instances of awakening as extraordinary,
serious, and hopeful, as any that have since been noticed that I am aware
of. The history of these is interesting, but too tedious to relate.
"It has been said that lay agency has done more harm than good in the
successful promotion of revival. work. My experience is the reverse.'I
have seen indisputable proof that the Lord greatly honored and blessed
the zealous self-denying efforts of the Christian people. He touched their
hearts, opened their mouths, and then rewarded their labors. Here they
were most useful auxiliaries to the ministry, and through their aid tin
amount of work has been undertaken which no half-dozen ministers could
have performed. These young men deserve the highest praise, and I bear
this testimony, that I have seen literally nothing of' that overweening conceit and spiritual pride, so natural, and so much feared by some good men.
"It was said the church would be inundated by a very deluger of heresies, as the frluit of such plromiscuous and uneducated exhortation. I




APPE N DI X.                           461
know of no place where exhortation by uneducated men (but men with
warm, glowing hearts, who had received the truth in the love of it, who
were fresh from the agonies of conviction, and, in many cases, from the
throes of the new birth) was more encouraged and practised than here, and
yet we have been troubled with no heresies; but are much more conversant
with the Bible, much more orthodox and Calvinistic, than ever we were."
Now for a few facts:
" On the 12th of July, the Orangemen of the district asked me to preach
them a sermon. About four thousand assembled, in the open air, without
beat of drum, or any insignia of their order; and, after engaging in religious exercises, returned peaceably to their homes; no drink and no disorder appearing among them. On the Broughshane June fair-day, a band
of strolling players, as usual, made their appearance; a prayer-meeting was
immediately convened opposite their showy platform. The players had
hut two visitors, in the persons of two Roman Catholic policemen. The
business of the fair was summed up by a prayer-meeting of not less than
five thousand people.
" I saw a young girl, in great distress about her soul, weeping bitterly;
her mother stood by, and said,'Oh, dear, why do you take on so?' The
girl threw the shawl from her shoulders, dug her long bony fingers into
the flesh of her naked bosom, and cried out, with bated breath,'It's sin,
sin, sin! cuirsed sin, here!' The mother:' Oh, no; you were always a good
girl.'-' Mother,' said the girl,'don't talk that way to me! I'm tempted
sorely enough to think I'm not so bad; but oh, I am bad - very bad! Oh
dear me, what a great sinner I am! Lord Jesus, have mercy on a poor,
wicked, guilty wretch!' A young woman was forbade by hler employer -
a minister of the Church of England - to go to the prayer-meetinhg, but,
if she was very anxious, she might go down the back way and listen to
what was said, through the wall of the churchyard, when the meeting was
held. That night she was awakened, and found peace. Next day the
minister rebuked her, saying,' How's this? Did I not command you not
to go there?' She replied,'Yes, sir; but you said I might go clown the
back way; and God found me by the back way, as well as if I had gone by
the front way!'
"A lady remarkled, that she thought the presence of the Lord was very
near to her; she almost felt as if God was in the air beside her. A man,
at the close of one of our prayer-meetings, asked us to remember a poor
stranger from Dungannon who was in the midst of us, and anxious about
his soul. Next night he came back, and told us that he came to see the
work of the Lord, and had found the Lord Himself;'and this,' said he,'was the way I found Him: I went up to my own little room, and tools my
Bible, and then went down on my knees, and played over what I had read;
and then read again, and then again prayed; and this is what I said in my
3i —*'l




462                      APPEND IX.
prayer: Thou art a great God. and I'm a poor sinner. I would come to
Thee, but I have no offering to bring, no sacrifice to present, and Thou
wilt not accept me without a sacrifice. O Lord Jesus, Thou hast a sacrifice. Thou hast offered Thyself a sacrifice. Oh, present Thyself before the
Father for me, and take me by the hand and lead me to Him, and malke
peace between us by the bloo~d of Thy cross! And then,' said he,'I felt
a movement in my soul, and the Saviour came and took me near, and I
found there was peace between me and my Father; and now I'm so happy!'
" A young man was passing along the way one day, and heard voices
on the other side of the dike. He looked and listened; three children were
there, and one was in the exercise of prayer. When one finished, another
began. The third boy said he could not pray, and, when urged, burst into
tears. His two companions formed his hands together, and said,'Pray,
mon! Try it, if it be only the publican's prayer! Say, God be merciful to
me a sinner, and that will do.' The boy repeated the words, when one of
the others said,'There now! may be that was the best prayer of the three!'
" A social tea-party met one night in a farmer's house. His wife, a
very zealous Christian, felt that one of the guests had not right feelings
about his precious soul. Something said to her she must not let this man
away without faithfully warning him to seek the Lord. She retired to her
closet, and inquired of God what He would have her to do; but no plan
was suggested to her. There was family worship; she felt the prayer was
cold, and not sufficiently pointed to warn her friend, about whom she was
so suddenly interested.  Just as they were all rising up from their knees,
she could restrain her anxious feelings no longer, and, though contrary to
her notions of female delicacy and duty, she burst forth in the most earnest and impassioned supplications, throwing out such warnings and
imploring such mercy for the careless, thoughtless ones of the number,
as not only relieved her own breast of a burden, but sent a thrill to the
heart of him for whom she felt so strongly.
"A poor man, after finding peace, said,'Yesterday I was a poor, lone,
desolate, friendless creature, caring for no one, and no one caring for me;
without father or mother, house or friend; this day I am rich and happy,
and would not exchange places with the queen on the throne; for God is
my Father, Christ Jesus is my Brother and Master, Heaven is my home,
and all God's people are my friends."




A HISTORY OF THE IRISH REVIVAL.
The following communication, touching Professor Gibson's "YEAR OF
GRACE " in Ireland, 1859, friom  the correspondent of the "New York
Observer," will be read with interest.
BELFAST, MAY 6, 1860.
Mlessrs. Editors:  Your Dublin correspondent remarked, in a recent
number of your journal, that the history of the Irish Revival had never
been written. I am happy to inform you that this great religious movement has at length found a historian in the person of the Rev. Professor
Gibson, of the Presbyterian College, Belfast, - the gentleman who occupies this year the honorable position of Moderator in the Irisli General
Assembly, and who enjoyed the privilege of visiting  the American
churches, in conjunction with the Rev. WV. McClure, of Derry, some
eighteen months ago. The work, which will be published simultaneously
in America and in England, is entitled " The Year of Grace: a History
of the Ulster Revival of 1859. By the Rev. William  Gibson, Professor
of Christian Ethics, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland."  The American publishers are Messrs.
Gould & Lincoln, of Boston; the Scotch, the Elliotts, of Edinburgh; and
the English, Hamilton, Adams & Co., of London. The book will be in
the hands of the public in a week or two.
The idea of writing a formal history of the Revival movement originated
in the following way: An application was made on behalf of the Boston
publishers, through a literary friend residing in Scotland, to have something prepared for the American public; not in the shape of narrative, or
sketch, or pamphlet (of which great numbers had already appeared in this
country), but in the form of an elaborate history, which would treat the subject in the spirit of a Christian philosophy, and at the same time supply
everything that was needed in the shape of original and trustworthy narrative. Professor Gibson was the gentleman to whom the application was
made, and I have no hesitation in saying that the work catmld not have
been committed to more competent and judicious hands. I question much
whether any other minister of the General Assembly could have gained
access to such a mass of original information as his book supplies; for,
besides being Moderator for the present year, he is a gentleman of great
personal influence in the church, highly esteemed for his talents, eloquence,
and piety.
I have had an opportunity of knowing something of the mode in which
the Professor has got up his book. He addressed a circular, in the first
instance, to every minister of the General Assembly into whose bounds
the Revival had reached; and, as the result of such general correspond



464           LETTER  FrtOM   IREI AND.
ence, he obtained about three hundred comlnenications, full of most
important information, as to the rise, progress, and results of the Revival
in every part of Ulster. The mass of information was so great, and the
statistics so multitudinous, that it required the work of months to reduce
them to order and historical form. I understand that,.in many instances,
the author has allowed the brethren to narrate the worl for themselves;
but, lest the continuity of the history might be broken, he has, most
judiciously I believe, transferred to his appendix an -immense mass of
condensed narrative, and of congregational statistics, arranged in the
tabular form. This is the more valuable, as we on this side the Atlantic
have not yet adopted the American-system of congregational returns.
The book is divided into twenty chapters. The author commences by
giving us a view of " Ulster, the scene of the awakening; " and takes
occasion to refer to the early plantation of Ulster in the time of King
James, and to the great awakening that took place immediately after that
important event, under the ministry of Blair, Livingston, and Cunningham. Coming up to modern times, he takes a rapid review of the Presbyterian Church during the last quarter of a century, which has seen a.
remarkable development of spiritual earnestness and activity,- the preparation-work, in fact, of the great Revival which has changed the whole
spi'itual aspect of the evangelical churches of Ulster. The author then
gives the history of Connor, the birthplace of the Revival; the development of the work in County Antrim, including the capital of Ulster, Belfast; its spread to other counties; the interesting proceedings of the " Revival" General Assembly, as it is called, which met in Dublin last year;
the effect of the movement upon Orange processions and party spirit; the
conversions of Roman Catholics, specifying, I believe, three or four hundred genuine cases out of. the returns be had received from about as many
Presbyterian congregations; some interesting statistics of the work amongst
the Episcopal churches, furnished by the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor; and many other things, of which I can give you no account. I may
mention, as a somewhat interesting fact, that the returns of about three
hundred congregations show an increase in the membership of the Presbyterian Church of at least eleven thousand persons. Of course this vast
increase refers to the Presbyterian body alone. Other communions, I
believe, have been similarly blessed.
I believe that the most elaborate chapter in Professor Gibson's work
is on the " Pathological Affections of the Revival; " in which he discusses
the " physical manifestations " with great judiciousness and ability. The
view he takes of these extraordinary phenomena is substantially similar
to that of Dr. Hodge, of Princeton, in some of his publications in regard
to the external concomitants.of the work in America.
It is unnecessary for me to say more. I believe that "THE YEAR OF
GRACE " will be an acceptable work for the American churches, and I
trust it may be the means of effecting much good on both sides of the
Atlantic.
T. C.




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59 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON,
Would call partlcular attention to the following valuable works described.
in their Catalogue of Publications, viz.:
Hugh Miller's Works.
Bayne's Works. Walker's Works. Miall's Works. Bungener's Work.
Annual of Scientific Discovery. Knight's Knowledge is Power.
Krummacher's Suffering Saviour,
Banvard's American Histories. The Aimwell Stories.
i4ewcomb's Works. Tweedie's Works. Chambers's Works. Harris' Works.
Kitto's Cyclopadia of Biblical Literature.
WMrs. Knight's Life of Montgomery.   Kitto's History of Palestine.
Whewell's Work. Wayland's Works. Agassiz's Works,.
Williams' Works  Guyot's Works.
Whompson's Better Land. Kimball's H1eaven. Valuable Works on Missions,
Havens  ental Philosophy n.ofSci ucha.an's  odern  theism
Cruden's Condensed Concordance. Badie's Analytical Concordanace.
The Psalmist  a Collection of eymns.
Valuable School B:ooks. Works for Sabbath Schools.
Memoir of Amos Lawrence.
Poetical W         orkso n       of it on, Cowper, Scott.  Rlegant Miniature Volumes.
Arvine's Cyclop. dia of    AneBdotes.
Ripley's Notes on Gospels, Acts, and Romans.
Sprague's European Celebrities. iarsh's Camel and the Hallig.
Roget's Thesaurus of BEnglish    Words.
Hackett's Notes on Acts. lic'W horter's Yahveh Chris t.
Siebold and Stannius's Comparative Anatomy. Marcou's Geological Map, 1'. SO
Religious and Miscellaneous Works.
Workn's in the v       ariou tments eavof Literature, Science and Art,