CHAPTER III SOUL-TRAVAIL

WE READ IN ISA. 66:8, THAT “AS SOON AS ZION TRAVAILED SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER CHILDREN;” AND THIS IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT IN THE WORK OF GOD.
CAN CHILDREN BE BORN WITHOUT PAIN?
CAN THERE BE BIRTH WITHOUT TRAVAIL? YET HOW MANY EXPECT IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM THAT WHICH IS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE NATURAL!
OH, MY BRETHREN, NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SHORT OF SOUL-TRAVAIL WILL BRING FORTH SPIRITUAL CHILDREN!
FINNEY TELLS US THAT HE HAD NO WORDS TO UTTER, HE COULD ONLY GROAN AND WEEP WHEN PLEADING WITH GOD FOR A LOST SOUL.
THAT WAS TRUE TRAVAIL.
CAN WE TRAVAIL FOR A DROWNING CHILD; BUT NOT FOR A PERISHING SOUL?
IT IS NOT HARD TO WEEP WHEN WE REALIZE THAT OUR LITTLE ONE IS SINKING BELOW THE SURFACE FOR THE LAST TIME.
ANGUISH IS SPONTANEOUS THEN.
NOT HARD TO AGONIZE WHEN WE SEE THE CASKET CONTAINING ALL THAT WE LOVE ON EARTH BEING BORNE OUT OF THE HOME.
AH, NO; TEARS ARE NATURAL AT SUCH A TIME! BUT OH, TO REALIZE AND KNOW THAT SOULS, PRECIOUS,
SOULS ARE DYING AND PERISHING ALL AROUND US
THEY ARE GOING OUT INTO THE BLACKNESS OF DARKNESS AND DESPAIR
THEY ARE ETERNALLY LOST, AND YET WE FEEL NO ANGUISH, SHED NO TEARS, KNOW NO TRAVAIL!
HOW COLD OUR HEARTS HAVE BECOME! HOW LITTLE WE KNOW OF THE COMPASSION OF JESUS!
AND YET GOD CAN GIVE US THESE SOULS, BRETHREN THE FAULT IS OURS IF WE DO NOT HAVE IT.
JACOB, YOU REMEMBER, TRAVAILED UNTIL HE PREVAILED.
BUT OH, WHO IS DOING IT TODAY? WHO IS REALLY TRAVAILING IN PRAYER?
HOW MANY, EVEN OF OUR MOST SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN LEADERS ARE CONTENT TO SPEND HALF AN HOUR A DAY ON THEIR KNEES, AND TRAVAILED FOR LOST SOULS
MANY PRIDE THEMSELVES ON THE TIME THEY HAVE GIVEN TO GOD!
WE ARE EXPECTING EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS, AND EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS ARE QUITE POSSIBLE
SIGNS AND WONDERS WILL FOLLOW, BUT ONLY THROUGH EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM.
HENCE, NOTHING SHORT OF CONTINUOUS, AGONIZING PLEADING FOR SOULS WILL REALLY DO
HOURS UPON HOURS, DAYS AND NIGHTS OF PRAYER WILL RESULT IN EXTRAODRDINARY RESULTS.
THEREFORE, “GIRD YOURSELVES, AND LAMENT YE PRIESTS; HOWL, YE MINISTERS OF THE ALTAR: COME, LIE ALL NIGHT IN SACKCLOTH, YE MINISTERS OF MY GOD.
SANCTIFY YE A FAST, CALL A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY, GATHER THE ELDERS AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND UNTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND CRY UNTO THE LORD.” JOEL 1: 13-14.
OH YES! JOEL KNEW THE SECRET. LET US THEN LAY ASIDE EVERYTHING ELSE, AND “CRY UNTO THE LORD.”
“WE READ IN THE BIOGRAPHIES OF OUR FOREFATHERS, WHO WERE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN WINNING SOULS THAT THEY PRAYED FOR HOURS IN PRIVATE.
THE QUESTION THEREFORE ARISES, CAN WE GET THE SAME RESULTS WITHOUT FOLLOWING THEIR EXAMPLE?
IF WE CAN, THEN LET US PROVE TO THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE FOUND A BETTER WAY;
BUT IF NOT, THEN IN GOD’S NAME LET US BEGIN TO FOLLOW THOSE WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE OBTAINED THE PROMISE.
OUR FOREFATHERS WEPT AND PRAYED AND AGONIZED BEFORE THE LORD FOR SINNERS TO BE SAVED.
THEY WOULD NOT REST UNTIL THEY WERE SLAIN BY THE SWORD OF THE WORD OF GOD.
THAT WAS THE SECRET OF THEIR MIGHTY SUCCESS
WHEN THINGS WERE SLACK AND WOULD NOT MOVE THEY WRESTLED IN PRAYER TILL GOD POURED OUT HIS SPIRIT UPON THE PEOPLE AND SINNERS WERE CONVERTED.”
Isa:32:9-20
Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
Isa:32:10: Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.
Isa:32:11: Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.
Isa:32:12: They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
Isa:32:13: Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
Isa:32:14: Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
Isa:32:15: Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Isa:32:16: Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Isa:32:17: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Isa:32:18: And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Isa:32:19: When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
Isa:32:20: Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
(FOR THOSE WHO SEEK.)
- ALL MEN OF GOD MUST BECOME MEN MIGHTY IN PRAYER.
THE SUN NEVER ROSE ON CHINA, WE ARE TOLD, WITHOUT FINDING HUDSON TAYLOR ON HIS KNEES.
NO WONDER THE CHINA INLAND MISSION HAS BEEN SO WONDERFULLY OWNED OF GOD!
CONVERSION IS THE OPERATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PRAYER IS THE POWER THAT SECURES THAT OPERATION.
SOULS ARE NOT SAVED BY MAN BUT BY GOD, AND SINCE HE WORKS IN ANSWER TO PRAYER WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW THE DIVINE PLAN.
PRAYER MOVES THE ARM THAT MOVES THE WORLD.
PREVAILING PRAYER IS NOT EASY. ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE WRESTLED WITH THE POWERS OF DARKNESS KNOW HOW HARD IT IS.
PAUL SAYS THAT “WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.” EPH. 6:12.
AND WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS IT IS “WITH GROANINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED.” ROM. 8: 26
JUST FEW PEOPLE FIND TIME FOR THE TYPE OF PRAYERS THAT WE CURRENTLY TO PRAY AT THIS TIME
THERE IS TIME FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, TIME TO SLEEP AND TIME TO EAT,
TIME TO READ THE WATCH TELEVISION AND BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA,
TIME TO VISIT FRIENDS ANDTIME FOR EVERYTHING ELSE UNDER THE SUN,
BUT–NO TIME FOR PRAYER, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THINGS, THE ONE GREAT ESSENTIAL.
THINK OF SUSANNAH WESLEY WHO, IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT SHE HAD NINETEEN CHILDREN, FOUND TIME TO SHUT HERSELF IN HER ROOM FOR A FULL HOUR EACH DAY, ALONE WITH GOD.
MY FRIENDS, IT IS NOT SO MUCH A CASE OF FINDING TIME AS IT IS OF MAKING TIME.
AND WE CAN MAKE TIME IF WE REALLY WANT TO.
SO IMPORTANT DID THE APOSTLES CONSIDER IT THAT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN WAIT ON TABLES, BUT SAID:
“WE WILL GIVE OURSELVES CONTINUALLY TO PRAYER AND TO THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD.” ACTS 6:4.
MANY MINISTERS ARE BURDENED WITH THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF THE WORK, AND HOW MANY BRETHREN EXPECT THEM TO BEAR IT!
NO WONDER THEIR SPIRITUAL WORK IS OF SUCH LITTLE ACCOUNT !
“AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT HE WENT OUT INTO A MOUNTAIN TO PRAY AND CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER TO GOD.”LUKE 6:12.
SUCH IS THE RECORD CONCERNING THE SON OF GOD;
AND IF IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HIM HOW MUCH MORE SO FOR US! OH, THINK OF IT!–“ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER.”
HOW MANY TIMES THAT COULD BE WRITTEN OF US?
NO WONDER HIS STRENGTH! AND NO WONDER OUR WEAKNESS!
EVEN THE PROPHETS OF OLD FERVENTLY URGE US TO HAVE A LIFE OF PRAYER!
HEAR ISAIAH AS HE EXCLAIMS: “YE THAT MAKE MENTION OF THE LORD, KEEP NOT SILENCE, AND GIVE HIM NO REST, TILL HE ESTABLISH, AND TILL HE MAKE JERUSALEM A PRAISE IN THE EARTH.” ISA. 62:6-7.
JOEL CRIES OUT INJOEL 2:15
“LET THE PRIESTS, THE MINISTERS OF THE LORD, WEEP BETWEEN THE PORCH AND THE ALTAR, AND LET THEM SAY, SPARE THY PEOPLE, O LORD, AND GIVE NOT THINE HERITAGE TO REPROACH, THAT THE HEATHEN SHOULD RULE OVER THEM; WHEREFORE SHOULD THEY SAY AMONG THE PEOPLE, ‘WHERE IS THEIR GOD?’.
AND NOT ONLY DID THEY URGE MEN TO PRAY BUT THEY THEMSELVES PRAYED.
DANIEL SAYS, “I SET MY FACE UNTO THE LORD GOD, TO SEEK BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH FASTING, AND SACKCLOTH, AND ASHES; AND I PRAYED UNTO THE LORD MY GOD, AND MADE MY CONFESSION.”DAN. 9:3-4.
AND EZRA ALSO WIELDED THE SAME MIGHTY WEAPON IN EVERY TIME OF DIFFICULTY. “I FELL UPON MY KNEES,” HE SAYS, “AND SPREAD OUT MY HANDS UNTO THE LORD MY GOD.” (EZRA 9:5.)
THEN FOLLOWS HIS MOST REMARKABLE PRAYER. THE SAME METHOD WAS FOLLOWED BY NEHEMIAH. “AND IT CAME TO PASS WHEN I HEARD THEIR WORDS,” HE RELATES, “THAT I SAT DOWN AND WEPT, AND MOURNED CERTAIN DAYS AND FASTED, AND PRAYED BEFORE THE GOD OF HEAVEN.”NEH.1:4.
SUCH WAS ALSO THE PRACTICE OF THE EARLY CHURCH.
WHEN PETER WAS IN PRISON IT IS STATED THAT “PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM,” AND “MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER PRAYING.”
AND NOW IN CLOSING MAY WE TURN TO THE RECORD OF GOD’S DEALINGS WITH HIS HONORED SERVANTS, AND HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE SECRET OF RESULTS.
AND OH, MAY HE PUT UPON US THE BURDEN OF PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION THAT RESTED UPON THESE MIGHTY SPIRITUAL GIANTS AND FILLED THEM WITH SUCH TRAVAIL!
“JOHN LIVINGSTONE SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT PRIOR TO JUNE 21, 1630, IN PRAYER AND CONFERENCE, BEING DESIGNATED TO PREACH NEXT DAY.
AFTER HE HAD BEEN SPEAKING FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF A FEW DROPS OF RAIN DISCONCERTED THE PEOPLE, BUT LIVINGSTONE ASKING THEM IF THEY HAD ANY SHELTER FROM THE STORM OF GOD’S WRATH WENT ON ANOTHER HOUR.
THERE WERE ABOUT 500 CONVERTED ON THE SPOT.”–LIVINGSTONE OF SHOTTS.
“I ONCE KNEW A MINISTER WHO HAD A REVIVAL FOURTEEN WINTERS IN SUCCESSION.
I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO ACCOUNT FOR IT, TILL I SAW ONE OF HIS MEMBERS GET UP IN A PRAYER MEETING AND MAKE A CONFESSION.
‘BRETHREN,’ SAID HE, ‘I HAVE BEEN LONG IN THE HABIT OF PRAYING EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT TILL AFTER MIDNIGHT, FOR THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY GHOST UPON US.
AND NOW, BRETHREN,’ AND HE BEGAN TO WEEP, ‘I CONFESS THAT I HAVE NEGLECTED IT FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS.’
THE SECRET WAS OUT. THAT MINISTER HAD A PRAYING CHURCH.”–CHAS. G. FINNEY.
“PREVAILING, OR EFFECTUAL PRAYER IS THAT PRAYER WHICH ATTAINS THE BLESSING THAT IT SEEKS.
IT IS THAT PRAYER WHICH EFFECTUALLY MOVES GOD.
THE VERY IDEA OF EFFECTUAL PRAYER IS THAT IT EFFECTS ITS OBJECT.”-CHAS. G. FINNEY.
“IN A CERTAIN TOWN THERE HAD BEEN NO REVIVAL FOR MANY YEARS;
THE CHURCH WAS NEARLY EXTINCT, THE YOUTH WERE ALL UNCONVERTED AND DESOLATION REIGNED UNBROKEN.
THERE LIVED IN A RETIRED PART OF THE TOWN AN AGED MAN, A BLACKSMITH BY TRADE, AND OF SO STAMMERING A TONGUE THAT IT WAS PAINFUL TO HEAR HIM SPEAK.
ON ONE FRIDAY, AS HE WAS AT WORK IN HIS SHOP ALONE, HIS MIND BECAME GREATLY EXERCISED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND OF THE IMPENITENT.
HIS AGONY BECAME SO GREAT THAT HE WAS INDUCED TO LAY BY HIS WORK, LOCK THE SHOP DOOR, AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON IN PRAYER.
“HE PREVAILED, AND ON THE SABBATH CALLED ON THE MINISTER AND DESIRED HIM TO APPOINT A ‘CONFERENCE MEETING.’
AFTER SOME HESITATION, THE MINISTER CONSENTED, OBSERVING HOWEVER, THAT HE FEARED FEW WOULD ATTEND.
HE APPOINTED IT THE SAME EVENING AT A LARGE PRIVATE HOUSE.
WHEN EVENING CAME MORE ASSEMBLED THAN COULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE HOUSE.
ALL WERE SILENT FOR A TIME, UNTIL ONE SINNER BROKE OUT IN TEARS, AND SAID IF ANYONE COULD PRAY, WOULD THEY PRAY FOR HIM.
ANOTHER FOLLOWED, AND ANOTHER, AND STILL ANOTHER, UNTIL IT WAS FOUND THAT PERSONS FROM EVERY QUARTER OF THE TOWN WERE UNDER DEEP CONVICTION.
AND WHAT WAS REMARKABLE WAS THAT THEY ALL DATED THEIR CONVICTION AT THE HOUR THE OLD MAN WAS PRAYING IN HIS SHOP. A POWERFUL REVIVAL FOLLOWED.
THUS THIS OLD STAMMERING MAN PREVAILED, AND AS A PRINCE HAD POWER WITH GOD.”-CHAR. G. FINNEY.
‘I HAVE PLEADED WITH GOD THIS DAY FOR HOURS, IN THE WOOD, FOR SOULS: HE WILL GIVE THEM.
I KNOW HIS SIGN. I SHALL HAVE SOULS TONIGHT.
YOURS, I TRUST, WILL BE ONE.’ NIGHT CAME, AND WITH IT SUCH A POWER AS I HAD NEVER FELT. CRIES FOR MERCY RANG ALL OVER THE CHAPEL.
BEFORE THE SERMON WAS DONE, I, WITH MANY OTHERS, FELL UPON MY KNEES TO IMPLORE SALVATION.”–ONE OF THOS. COLLINS’ CONVERTS.
“I WENT TO MY LONELY RETREAT AMONG THE ROCKS. I WEPT MUCH AS I BESOUGHT THE LORD TO GIVE ME SOULS.”–THOS. COLLINS.
“I SPENT FRIDAY IN SECRET FASTING, MEDITATION, AND PRAYER FOR HELP ON THE LORD’S DAY.
ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE SERMON A MAN CRIED OUT; AT THE CRY MY SOUL RAN OVER. I FELL TO PRAYER, NOR COULD WE PREACH ANY MORE FOR CRIES AND TEARS ALL OVER THE CHAPEL.
WE CONTINUED IN INTERCESSIONS, AND SALVATION CAME.” –THOS. COLLINS.
“HE GAVE HIMSELF UNTO PRAYER.
WOODS AND LONELY WAYSIDE PLACES BECAME CLOSETS.
IN SUCH EXERCISES TIME FLEW UNHEEDED.
HE STOPPED AMID THE SOLITARY CRAGS TO PRAY, AND HEAVEN SO MET HIM THERE THAT HOURS ELAPSED UNCONSCIOUSLY.
STRONG IN THE MIGHT OF SUCH BAPTISMS, HE BECAME BOLD TO DECLARE THE CROSS, AND WILLING TO BEAR IT.”–LIFE OF THOS. COLLINS.
“IT LOADED ME DOWN WITH GREAT AGONY.
AS I RETURNED TO MY ROOM I FELT ALMOST AS IF I SHOULD STAGGER UNDER THE BURDEN THAT WAS ON MY MIND; AND I STRUGGLED, AND GROANED,
AND AGONIZED, BUT COULD NOT FRAME TO PRESENT THE CASE BEFORE GOD IN WORDS, BUT ONLY IN GROANS AND TEARS. THE SPIRIT STRUGGLED WITHIN ME WITH GROANINGS THAT COULD NOT BE UTTERED.”–CHAS. G. FINNEY.
“I PROPOSED THAT WE SHOULD OBSERVE A CLOSET CONCERT OF PRAYER FOR THE REVIVAL OF GOD’S WORK;
THAT WE SHOULD PRAY AT SUNRISE, AT NOON, AND AT SUNSET, IN OUR CLOSETS, AND CONTINUE THIS FOR ONE WEEK, WHEN WE SHOULD COME TOGETHER AGAIN AND SEE WHAT FURTHER WAS TO BE DONE.
NO OTHER MEANS WERE USED FOR THE REVIVAL OF GOD’S WORK.
BUT THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER WAS IMMEDIATELY POURED OUT WONDERFULLY UPON THE YOUNG CONVERTS.
BEFORE THE WEEK WAS OUT I LEARNED THAT SOME OF THEM, WHEN THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO OBSERVE THIS SEASON OF PRAYER,
WOULD LOSE ALL THEIR STRENGTH AND BE UNABLE TO RISE TO THEIR FEET OR EVEN STAND UPON THEIR KNEES IN THEIR CLOSETS;
AND THAT SOME WOULD BE PROSTRATE ON THE FLOOR, AND PRAY WITH UNUTTERABLE GROANINGS FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
THE SPIRIT WAS POURED OUT AND BEFORE THE WEEK ENDED ALL THE MEETINGS WERE THRONGED; AND THERE WAS AS MUCH INTEREST IN RELIGION, I THINK, AS THERE HAS BEEN AT ANY TIME DURING THE REVIVAL.”–CHAS. G. FINNEY.
“I HAVE OFTEN SEEN HIM COME DOWN STAIRS IN THE MORNING AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL HOURS IN PRAYER, WITH HIS EYES SWOLLEN WITH WEEPING.
HE WOULD SOON INTRODUCE THE SUBJECT OF HIS ANXIETY BY SAYING,
‘I AM A BROKEN HEARTED MAN; YES, INDEED, I AM AN UNHAPPY MAN; NOT FOR MYSELF, BUT ON ACCOUNT OF OTHERS. GOD HAS GIVEN ME SUCH A SIGHT OF THE VALUE OF PRECIOUS SOULS THAT I CANNOT LIVE IF SOULS ARE NOT SAVED.
OH, GIVE ME SOULS, OR ELSE I DIE!’ “–LIFE OF JOHN SMITH.
“GOD ENABLED ME TO SO AGONIZE IN PRAYER THAT I WAS QUITE WET WITH PERSPIRATION, THOUGH IN THE SHADE AND THE COOL WIND.
MY SOUL WAS DRAWN OUT VERY MUCH FROM THE WORLD, FOR MULTITUDES OF SOULS.”–DAVID BRAINERD.
“NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON GOD ENABLED ME TO WRESTLE ARDENTLY IN INTERCESSION FOR MY FRIENDS.
BUT JUST AT NIGHT THE LORD VISITED ME MARVELOUSLY IN PRAYER. I THINK MY SOUL NEVER WAS IN SUCH AN AGONY BEFORE.
I FELT NO RESTRAINT; FOR THE TREASURES OF DIVINE GRACE WERE OPENED TO ME.
I WRESTLED FOR MY FRIENDS, FOR THE INGATHERING OF SOULS,
FOR MULTITUDES OF POOR SOULS AND FOR MANY THAT I THOUGHT WERE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, PERSONALLY IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES.
I WAS IN SUCH AN AGONY FROM SUN, HALF AN HOUR HIGH, TILL NEAR DARK THAT I WAS ALL OVER WET WITH SWEAT.–DAVID BRAINERD.
“I WITHDREW FROM PRAYER, HOPING FOR STRENGTH FROM ABOVE.
IN PRAYER I WAS EXCEEDINGLY ENLARGED AND MY SOUL WAS AS MUCH DRAWN OUT AS I EVER REMEMBER IT TO HAVE BEEN IN MY LIFE.
I WAS IN SUCH ANGUISH, AND PLEADED WITH SO MUCH EARNESTNESS AND IMPORTUNITY, THAT WHEN I ROSE FROM MY KNEES I FELT EXTREMELY WEAK AND OVERCOME I COULD SCARCELY WALK STRAIGHT; MY JOINTS WERE LOOSED;
THE SWEAT RAN DOWN MY FACE AND BODY; AND NATURE SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD DISSOLVE.”–DAVID BRAINERD.
“PRAYER MUST CARRY ON OUR WORK, AS WELL AS PREACHING. HE DOES NOT PREACH HEARTILY TO HIS PEOPLE WHO DOES NOT PRAY FOR THEM.
IF WE DO NOT PREVAIL WITH GOD TO GIVE THEM REPENTANCE AND FAITH, WE ARE NOT LIKELY TO PREVAIL WITH THEM TO REPENT AND BELIEVE.
PAUL GIVES US FREQUENTLY HIS EXAMPLE OF PRAYING NIGHT AND DAY FOR HIS HEARERS.”–RICHARD BAXTER.
“SEVERAL MEMBERS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS’ CHURCH HAD SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT IN PRAYER BEFORE HE PREACHED HIS MEMORABLE SERMON, ‘SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD.’
THE HOLY GHOST WAS SO MIGHTILY POURED OUT, AND GOD SO MANIFEST IN HOLINESS AND MAJESTY DURING THE PREACHING OF THAT SERMON,
THAT THE ELDERS THREW THEIR ARMS AROUND THE PILLARS OF THE CHURCH AND CRIED, ‘LORD, SAVE US, WE ARE SLIPPING DOWN TO HELL!'”
“ALMOST EVERY NIGHT THERE HAS BEEN A SHAKING AMONG THE PEOPLE; AND I HAVE SEEN NEARLY TWENTY SET AT LIBERTY.
I BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE SEEN MANY MORE, BUT I CANNOT YET FIND ONE PLEADING MAN.
THERE ARE MANY GOOD PEOPLE; BUT I HAVE FOUND NO WRESTLERS WITH GOD.
AT TWO OR THREE SMALL PLACES, WE HAD CRIES FOR MERCY; AND SEVERAL WERE LEFT IN A STATE OF DEEP DISTRESS.”–WM. BRAMWELL.
“WHERE THE RESULT WHICH HE DESIRED DID NOT ATTEND HIS OWN MINISTRY,
HE WOULD SPEND DAYS AND NIGHTS ALMOST CONSTANTLY ON HIS KNEES, WEEPING AND PLEADING BEFORE GOD; AND ESPECIALLY DEPLORING HIS OWN INADEQUACY TO THE GREAT WORK OF SAVING SOULS.
HE WAS AT TIMES WHEN HE PERCEIVED NO MOVEMENT IN THE CHURCH, LITERALLY IN AGONIES; TRAVAILING IN BIRTH FOR PRECIOUS SOULS, TILL HE SAW CHRIST MAGNIFIED IN THEIR SALVATION.”–LIFE OF JOHN SMITH.
“IF YOU SPEND SEVERAL HOURS IN PRAYER DAILY, YOU WILL SEE GREAT THINGS.”–JOHN NELSON.
“HE MADE IT A RULE TO RISE OUT OF BED ABOUT TWELVE O’CLOCK, AND SIT UP TILL TWO, FOR PRAYER AND CONVERSE WITH GOD; THEN HE SLEPT TILL FOUR; AT WHICH TIME HE ALWAYS ROSE.”–LIFE OF JOHN NELSON.
“BE INSTANT AND CONSTANT IN PRAYER. STUDY, BOOKS, ELOQUENCE, FINE SERMONS, ARE ALL NOTHING WITHOUT PRAYER. PRAYER BRINGS THE SPIRIT, THE LIFE, THE POWER.”–MEMOIR OF DAVID STONER.
“I FIND IT NECESSARY TO BEGIN AT FIVE IN THE MORNING AND TO PRAY AT ALL OPPORTUNITIES TILL TEN, OR ELEVEN AT NIGHT.”–WM. BRAMWELL.
BUT MUST WE GO BACK TO THESE MIGHTY MEN OF OLD? ARE THERE NOT SOME TODAY WHO WILL ASK GOD TO BURDEN THEM?
MAY WE NOT EVEN IN THIS GENERATION HAVE A REVIVAL IN ANSWER TO FAITHFUL, BELIEVING, TRAVAILING, PREVAILING PRAYER? OH, THEN, “LORD, TEACH US NOT HOW TO PRAY,
BUT TO PRAY.” CHAPTER IV – THE ENDUEMENT OF POWER THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ABLE TO MAKE THE WORD AS SUCCESSFUL NOW AS IN THE DAYS OF THE APOSTLES.
HE CAN BRING IN SOULS BY HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS AS WELL AS BY ONES AND TWOS.
THE REASON WHY WE ARE NO MORE PROSPEROUS IS THAT WE HAVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH US IN MIGHT AND POWER AS IN EARLY TIMES.
“IF WE HAD THE SPIRIT SEALING OUR MINISTRY WITH POWER IT WOULD SIGNIFY VERY LITTLE ABOUT TALENT.
MEN MIGHT BE POOR AND UNEDUCATED, THEIR WORDS MIGHT BE BROKEN AND
UNGRAMMATICAL; BUT IF THE MIGHT OF THE SPIRIT ATTENDED THEM, THE HUMBLEST EVANGELIST WOULD BE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THE MOST LEARNED OF DIVINES, OR THE MOST ELOQUENT OF PREACHERS.
“IT IS EXTRAORDINARY POWER FROM GOD, NOT TALENT THAT WINS THE DAY.
IT IS EXTRAORDINARY SPIRITUAL UNCTION NOT EXTRAORDINARY MENTAL POWER, THAT WE NEED.
MENTAL POWER MAY FILL A CHAPEL BUT SPIRITUAL POWER FILLS THE CHURCH WITH SOUL ANGUISH. MENTAL POWER MAY GATHER A LARGE CONGREGATION.
BUT ONLY SPIRITUAL POWER WILL SAVE SOULS. WHAT WE NEED IS SPIRITUAL POWER.”–CHAS. H. SPURGEON.
“LET THE SPIRIT BE LACKING, AND THERE MAY BE WISDOM OF WORDS, BUT NOT THE WISDOM OF GOD; THE POWERS OF ORATORY, BUT NOT THE POWER OF GOD;
THE DEMONSTRATION OF ARGUMENT AND THE LOGIC OF THE SCHOOLS, BUT NOT THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
THE ALLCONVINCING LOGIC OF HIS LIGHTNING FLASH, SUCH AS CONVINCED SAUL BEFORE THE DAMASCUS GATE.
WHEN THE SPIRIT WAS OUTPOURED THE DISCIPLES WERE ALL FILLED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH,
THE MOST UNLETTERED TONGUE COULD SILENCE GAINSAYERS, AND WITH ITS NEW FIRE BURN ITS WAY THROUGH OBSTACLES AS FLAMES FANNED BY MIGHTY WINDS SWEEP THROUGH FORESTS.”-ARTHUR T. PIERSON.
“THE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL MUST NEEDS HAVE THIS POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, BECAUSE OTHERWISE THEY ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE MINISTRY.
FOR NO MAN IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY BY ANY NATURAL PARTS AND ABILITIES OF HIS OWN, NOR YET BY ANY ACQUIRED PARTS OF HUMAN LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE, BUT ONLY BY THIS POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; TILL HE BE ENDUED WITH THIS, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL HIS OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HE IS ALTOGETHER INSUFFICIENT. AND THEREFORE THE VERY APOSTLES WERE TO KEEP SILENT, TILL THEY WERE ENDUED WITH THIS POWER; THEY WERE TO WAIT AT JERUSALEM, TILL THEY HAD RECEIVED THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT, AND NOT TO PREACH TILL THEN.”
“IF THEY HAVE NOT THIS POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY HAVE NOT POWER AT ALL.
AND THEREFORE, SEEING THE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL HAVE NOT POWER FROM BENEATH, THEY MUST NEEDS HAVE POWER FROM ON HIGH;
SEEING THEY HAVE NO FLESHLY POWER, THEY MUST NEEDS HAVE SPIRITUAL POWER;
SEEING THEY HAVE NO POWER FROM EARTH AND FROM MEN, THEY MUST NEEDS HAVE POWER FROM HEAVEN AND FROM GOD:
THAT IS, THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMING ON THEM; OR ELSE THEY HAVE NO POWER AT ALL.”–WM. DELL.
BUT WHO IS IN THE ANOINTING TODAY?
WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE? IT IS PROMISED; IT IS INDISPENSIBLE, AND YET WE LABOR ON WITHOUT IT, WORKING IN THE FLESH LIKE THE DISCIPLES WHO TOILED ALL NIGHT AND CAUGHT NOTHING.
AND JUST SO WILL IT BE WITH US. AN HOUR’S WORK IN THE SPIRIT WILL ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN A YEAR’S WORK IN THE FLESH. AND THE FRUIT WILL REMAIN.
“IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH; THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING.”JOHN. 6:63
“THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.”JOHN. 3:6.
IT IS HOLY SPIRIT FRUIT WE WANT, PURE GOLD WITHOUT ALLOY, AND NOTHING LESS.
NOT THE KIND THAT COMES UNDONE, BUT THE GENUINE ARTICLE THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME AND ETERNITY;
THE KIND WE FIND AT THE PRAYER MEETING AS WELL AS THE SUNDAY SERVICES.
IS THIS THE KIND OF FRUIT WE ARE BEARING?
IS THERE CONVICTION, AND DO SOULS COME THROUGH INTO THE GLORIOUS LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD?
BUT HAVE WE THE ENDUEMENT OF POWER? I DON’T MEAN HAVE WE “CLAIMED IT” AND GONE FORTH RECKONING IT OURS, BUT, HAVE WE THE EXPERIENCE?
IF THERE IS NO OUTCOME, WE CERTAINLY HAVE NOT.
IF WE ARE SPIRIT-FILLED THERE WILL BE HOLY SPIRIT FRUIT. MEN WILL BREAK DOWN IN OUR MEETINGS AND SOB OUT THEIR SINS TO GOD.
LET US SEE THE FRUIT IF WE ARE TO BELIEVE IN THE ANOINTING.
“YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER.”
AND WHEN PETER GOT IT, 3,000 WERE SAVED. AND SO WITH JOHN SMITH, SAMUEL MORRIS, CHAS. G. FINNEY AND OTHERS–THERE WAS FRUIT.
THIS IS THE EVIDENCE; THIS IS THE TEST, AND ONLY THIS.
IF I AM A MAN OF GOD ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH
SOULS WILL BREAK DOWN UNDER MY PREACHING;
IF I AM NOT, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY WILL TAKE PLACE.
LET THIS BE THE TEST FOR EVERY PREACHER. BY THIS WE STAND OR FALL.
“I WAS POWERFULLY CONVERTED ON THE MORNING OF THE 10TH OF OCTOBER, 1821,” WRITES CHAS. G. FINNEY.
“IN THE EVENING OF THE SAME DAY I RECEIVED OVERWHELMING BAPTISMS OF THE HOLY GHOST THAT WENT THROUGH ME, AS IT SEEMED TO ME, BODY AND SOUL. 1 IMMEDIATELY FOUND MYSELF ENDUED WITH SUCH POWER FROM ON HIGH THAT A FEW WORDS DROPPED HERE AND THERE TO INDIVIDUALS WERE THE MEANS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE CONVERSION. MY WORDS SEEMED TO FASTEN LIKE BARBED ARROWS IN THE SOULS OF MEN. THEY CUT LIKE A SWORD.
THEY BROKE THE HEART LIKE A HAMMER. MULTITUDES CAN ATTEST TO THIS.
OFTENTIMES A WORD DROPPED WITHOUT MY REMEMBERING IT WOULD FASTEN CONVICTION AND OFTEN RESULT IN ALMOST IMMEDIATE CONVERSION.
SOMETIMES I WOULD FIND MYSELF, IN A GREAT MEASURE, EMPTY OF THIS POWER. I WOULD GO AND VISIT, AND FIND THAT I MADE NO SAVING IMPRESSION.
I WOULD EXHORT AND PRAY, WITH THE SAME RESULT.
I WOULD THEN SET APART A DAY FOR PRIVATE FASTING AND PRAYER, FEARING THAT THIS POWER HAD DEPARTED FROM ME, AND WOULD INQUIRE ANXIOUSLY AFTER THE REASON OF THIS APPARENT EMPTINESS.
AFTER HUMBLING MYSELF, AND CRYING OUT FOR HELP, THE POWER WOULD RETURN UPON ME WITH ALL ITS FRESHNESS. THIS HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.
“THIS POWER IS A GREAT MARVEL.
I HAVE MANY TIMES SEEN PEOPLE UNABLE TO ENDURE THE WORD. THE MOST SIMPLE AND ORDINARY STATEMENTS WOULD CUT MEN OFF THEIR SEATS LIKE A SWORD,
WOULD TAKE AWAY THEIR STRENGTH, AND RENDER THEM ALMOST HELPLESS AS DEAD MEN.
SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS BEEN TRUE IN MY EXPERIENCE THAT I COULD NOT RAISE MY VOICE, OR SAY ANYTHING IN PRAYER OR EXHORTATION, EXCEPT IN THE MILDEST MANNER, WITHOUT OVERCOMING THEM.
THIS POWER SEEMS SOMETIMES TO PERVADE THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE ONE WHO IS HIGHLY CHARGED WITH IT.
MANY TIMES GREAT NUMBERS OF PERSONS IN A COMMUNITY WILL BE CLOTHED WITH THIS POWER WHEN THE VERY ATMOSPHERE OF THE WHOLE PLACE SEEMS TO BE CHARGED WITH THE LIFE OF GOD.
STRANGERS COMING INTO IT, AND PASSING THROUGH THE PLACE WILL BE INSTANTLY SMITTEN WITH CONVICTION OF SIN AND IN MANY INSTANCES CONVERTED TO CHRIST.
WHEN CHRISTIANS HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND CONSECRATE THEIR ALL AFRESH TO CHRIST, AND ASK FOR THIS POWER,
THEY WILL OFTEN RECEIVE SUCH A BAPTISM THAT THEY WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN CONVERTING MORE SOULS IN ONE DAY THAN IN ALL THEIR LIFETIME BEFORE.
WHILE CHRISTIANS REMAIN HUMBLE ENOUGH TO RETAIN THIS POWER, THE WORK OF CONVERSION WILL GO ON, TILL WHOLE COMMUNITIES AND REGIONS OF COUNTRY ARE CONVERTED TO CHRIST. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE MINISTRY.”
WHERE IS THE SOUL ANGUISH OF BY-GONE DAYS,
THE WOUNDED CONSCIENCE,
THE SLEEPLESS NIGHTS,
THE GROANS AND CRIES,
THE AWFUL CONVICTION OF SIN,
THE SOBS AND TEARS OF THE LOST? WOULD TO GOD WE MIGHT HEAR AND SEE IT IN THIS GENERATION! AND WHO IS TO BLAME, THE PEOPLE?
DO WE ATTRIBUTE IT TO THEIR HARDNESS OF HEART? DOES THE FAULT LIE THERE?
OH, NO, MY BRETHREN, THE FAULT IS OURS; WE ARE TO BLAME.
WERE WE WHAT AND WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE, THE SIGNS WOULD STILL FOLLOW AS IN THE DAYS OF OLD. THEN SHOULD NOT EVERY FAILURE, EVERY SERMON THAT FAILS TO BREAK THE PEOPLE DOWN, DRIVE US TO OUR KNEES AND RESULT IN DEEP HEART SEARCHING, AND HUMILIATION. LET US NEVER BLAME THE PEOPLE.
IF OUR CHURCHES ARE COLD AND UNRESPONSIVE,
IT IS BECAUSE WE ARE COLD.
LIKE PASTOR LIKE PEOPLE.
OH HOW MANY THERE ARE WHO HAVE BEEN ROBBED OF THEIR TESTIMONY OR WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR WORK!
THEIR SERVICE IS INEFFECTIVE AND THEIR WITNESS BEARING NULL AND VOID, WHILE THEY ACCOMPLISH LITTLE OR NOTHING FOR GOD.
OH, YES, THEY GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE VERY ACTIVE, BUT IT IS ALL IN THE ENERGY OF THE FLESH, AND NO SPIRITUAL RESULTS FOLLOW.
SOULS ARE NOT SAVED NOR ARE BELIEVERS EDIFIED AND BUILT UP IN THE FAITH.
THEIR PREACHING PRODUCES NO FRUIT AND THEIR MINISTRY IS A GHASTLY FAILURE.
OH, WHAT A DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE! BUT, THANK GOD, THIS NEED NOT BE, FOR “YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER,” IS HIS PROMISE, AND, “TARRY YE UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH,” HIS COMMAND.
THE PASSAGE IN ACTS 1:8 LITERALLY READS: “YE SHALL RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT COMING UPON YOU,”
SO THAT THE ANOINTING OR ENDUEMENT OF POWER IS THAT EXPERIENCE WHICH IS THE RESULT PRODUCED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT COMING UPON THE BELIEVER AND EQUIPPING HIM FOR SERVICE.
SUCH ANOINTINGS ARE ONLY RECEIVED IN THE SOUL-AGONIES OF DEEP TRAVAILING PRAYER.
THE NIGHTS AND DAYS OF AGONIZING PRAYER FOR THE SOULS OF MEN,
THE COUNTLESS HOURS OF INTERCESSION THAT WE FIND IN THE LIFE OF DAVID BRAINERD,
THE MIGHTY WRESTLINGS WITH THE SPIRITUAL POWERS OF DARKNESS UNTIL THE BODY IS WET WITH PERSPIRATION THAT WERE SO COMMON TO JOHN SMITH–THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN PRESENT-DAY TEACHING,
BUT IT IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL PRODUCE THE FRUIT, AND DO THE WORK OF WHICH WE ARE SPEAKING.
IT IS FROM THESE HOURS OF PREVAILING PRAYER THAT WE GO FORTH TO OUR WORK IN THE ANOINTING TO WIELD THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT WITH DEADLY EFFECT. PRAYER IS THE SECRET.
THERE CAN BE NO SUBSTITUTE.
AND FOR EACH SPECIAL WORK THERE MUST BE A SPECIAL ANOINTING.
IT IS NOT MERELY A MATTER OF YIELDING AND BELIEVING NOW.
AH, NO! THE GLORIOUS SUPERNATURAL RESULTS THAT I AM TALKING OF ARE NOT OBTAINED SO EASILY. IT COSTS AND COSTS TREMENDOUSLY.
“‘THEY CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION.’
PRAYER EARNEST, PRAYER UNITED, AND PRAYER PERSEVERING,
THESE ARE THE CONDITIONS; AND, THESE BEING FULFILLED, WE SHALL ASSUREDLY BE ‘ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH.’
WE SHOULD NEVER EXPECT THAT THE POWER WILL FALL UPON US JUST BECAUSE WE HAPPEN ONCE TO AWAKE AND ASK FOR IT.
NOR HAVE ANY COMMUNITY OF CHRISTIANS A RIGHT TO LOOK FOR A GREAT MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT,
IF THEY ARE NOT ALL READY TO JOIN IN SUPPLICATION, AND ‘WITH ONE ACCORD,’ TO WAIT AND PRAY AS IF IT WERE THE CONCERN OF EACH ONE.
“IT IS ONLY BY WAITING BEFORE THAT THRONE OF GRACE THAT WE BECOME ENDUED WITH THE HOLY FIRE;
BUT HE WHO WAITS THERE LONG AND BELIEVINGLY WILL IMBIBE THAT FIRE, AND COME FORTH FROM HIS COMMUNION WITH GOD, BEARING TOKENS OF WHERE HE HAS BEEN.
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER, AND, ABOVE ALL, FOR EVERY LABOURER IN THE LORD’S VINEYARD,
THE ONLY WAY TO GAIN SPIRITUAL POWER IS BY SECRET WAITING AT THE THRONE OF GOD, FOR THE BAPTISM.
“IF THOU, THEN, WOULDST HAVE THY SOUL SURCHARGED WITH THE FIRE OF GOD,
SO THAT THOSE WHO COME NIGH TO THEE SHALL FEEL SOME MYSTERIOUS INFLUENCE PROCEEDING OUT FROM THEE, THOU MUST DRAW NIGH TO THE SOURCE OF THAT FIRE,
TO THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB, AND SHUT THYSELF OUT FROM THE WORLD–THAT COLD WORLD, WHICH SO SWIFTLY STEALS OUR FIRE AWAY.
ENTER INTO THY CLOSET, AND SHUT TO THY DOOR, AND THERE, ISOLATED, BEFORE THE THRONE, AWAIT THE BAPTISM; THEN THE FIRE SHALL FILL THEE, AND WHEN THOU COMEST FORTH, HOLY POWER WILL ATTEND THEE, AND THOU SHALT LABOUR NOT IN THINE OWN STRENGTH, BUT ‘IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT, AND OF POWER.’ “–WM. ARTHUR.
THERE ARE MANY IN A FALSE EXPERIENCE WHO THINK THEY ARE IN THE ANOINTING WHEN THEY ARE NOT.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THE EVIDENCE, THE PROOF IS LACKING.
IF THEY WERE THERE WOULD BE THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN THAT THOSE WHO WERE TRULY ANOINTED ALWAYS WITNESSED.
IF ALL THE PROFESSED BAPTISMS AND FILLINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE MODERN CONVENTIONS WERE REAL THE WHOLE COUNTRY WOULD BE ON FIRE.
NAY, IF JUST ONE MAN OR ONE WOMAN RECEIVED THE ANOINTING, THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES FOR MILES AROUND MIGHT BE SWEPT BY A MIGHTY REVIVAL, AND THOUSANDS BROUGHT UNDER DEEP CONVICTION OF SIN AND MADE TO CRY FOR MERCY.
THE PROOF OF THE ANOINTING IS THE OUTCOME. THE EVIDENCE THAT THE SPIRIT OF ELIJAH HAD FALLEN ON ELISHA WAS THE FACT THAT HE, TOO, SMOTE THE WATERS OF JORDAN AND THEY DIVIDED. “WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET?” YOU ASK. WHY?
BECAUSE GOD WILL NOT POUR HIS SPIRIT ON THE FLESH.
HE MUST DO HIS WORK IN US FIRST, AND GENERALLY IT TAKES A LONG TIME, FOR WE WILL NOT LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY WITH US.
THE SAVIOUR OF OUR OWN NAME, LOVE OF PRAISE, OR SOME SUCH SINFUL OBSTACLE BLOCKS HIM AT EVERY TURN.
HE CANNOT HUMBLE US; HE IS UNABLE TO BREAK OUR HEARTS BECAUSE WE WILL NOT YIELD.
OR ELSE, BECAUSE HE CANNOT TRUST US WITH SO GREAT AN HONOR. HE KNOWS WE WILL ONLY MAKE SHIPWRECK OF IT.
OH, THE SAD, HEART-RENDING INCIDENTS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE ONCE USED IN MIGHTY REVIVALS, AND IN THE ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF SOULS TO GOD,
WHO LOST THAT CHERISHED BLESSING AND WORKED IN THE FLESH EVER AFTER, ACCOMPLISHING LITTLE OR NOTHING!
THEY COUNTED IT TOO LIGHTLY; THEY BECAME PUFFED UP AND PROUD; THEY ALLOWED SOME LITTLE SIN TO COME IN;
THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GRIEVED AWAY. AND THEY FOUND THEMSELVES, LIKE SAMSON OF OLD, SHORN OF THEIR STRENGTH.
AT ONE TIME WHEN THEY PREACHED SOULS CRIED ALOUD FOR MERCY UNDER AWFUL CONVICTION. NOW THEY BEG AND COAX;
THE MEETINGS ARE DEAD AND COLD, WHILE ONLY A HANDFUL RESPOND AND EVEN THESE ARE NOT HOLY SPIRIT FRUIT.
IT REMAINS ONLY TO INSERT THE TESTIMONIES OF SOME WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE ENDUEMENT OF POWER TO CONVINCE US OF THE REALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE.
AND IF GOD COULD GIVE IT TO ONE OR A DOZEN HE CAN GIVE IT TO ALL.
“FOR THIRTEEN YEARS,” WRITES EVAN ROBERTS, “I HAD PRAYED FOR THE SPIRIT; AND THIS IS THE WAY I WAS LED TO PRAY.
WILLIAM DAVIES, THE DEACON, SAID ONE NIGHT IN THE SOCIETY: ‘REMEMBER TO BE FAITHFUL.
WHAT IF THE SPIRIT DESCENDED AND YOU WERE ABSENT? REMEMBER THOMAS!
WHAT A LOSS HE HAD!’ “I SAID TO MYSELF: ‘
I WILL HAVE THE SPIRIT;’ AND THROUGH EVERY KIND OF WEATHER AND IN SPITE OF ALL DIFFICULTIES, I WENT TO THE MEETINGS.
MANY TIMES, ON SEEING OTHER BOYS WITH THE BOATS ON THE TIDE, I WAS TEMPTED TO TURN BACK AND JOIN THEM.
BUT, NO. I SAID TO MYSELF: ‘REMEMBER YOUR RESOLVE,’ AND ON I WENT.
I WENT FAITHFULLY TO THE MEETINGS FOR PRAYER THROUGHOUT THE TEN OR ELEVEN YEARS I PRAYED FOR A REVIVAL.
IT WAS THE SPIRIT THAT MOVED ME THUS TO THINK.”
AT A CERTAIN MORNING MEETING WHICH EVAN ROBERTS ATTENDED, THE EVANGELIST IN ONE OF HIS PETITIONS BESOUGHT THAT THE LORD WOULD “BEND US.”
THE SPIRIT SEEMED TO SAY TO ROBERTS: “THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED, TO BE BENT.”
AND THUS HE DESCRIBES HIS EXPERIENCE: “I FELT A LIVING FORCE COMING INTO MY BOSOM.
THIS GREW AND GREW, AND I WAS ALMOST BURSTING.
MY BOSOM WAS BOILING. WHAT BOILED IN ME WAS THAT VERSE: ‘GOD COMMENDING HIS LOVE.’
I FELL ON MY KNEES WITH MY ARMS OVER THE SEAT IN FRONT OF ME; THE TEARS AND PERSPIRATION FLOWED FREELY.
I THOUGHT BLOOD WAS GUSHING FORTH.” CERTAIN FRIENDS APPROACHED TO WIPE HIS FACE. MEANWHILE HE WAS CRYING OUT,
“O LORD, BEND ME! BEND ME!” THEN SUDDENLY THE GLORY BROKE.
MR. ROBERTS ADDS: “AFTER I WAS BENT, A WAVE OF PEACE CAME OVER ME, AND THE AUDIENCE SANG, ‘I HEAR THY WELCOME VOICE.’
AND AS THEY SANG I THOUGHT ABOUT THE BENDING AT THE JUDGMENT DAY, AND I WAS FILLED WITH COMPASSION FOR THOSE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BEND ON THAT DAY, AND I WEPT.
“HENCEFORTH, THE SALVATION OF SOULS BECAME THE BURDEN OF MY HEART.
FROM THAT TIME I WAS ON FIRE WITH A DESIRE TO GO THROUGH ALL WALES, AND IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, I WAS WILLING TO PAY GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF GOING.”
SUCH WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF EVAN ROBERTS, GOD’S HONORED INSTRUMENT IN THE GREAT WELSH REVIVAL.
NOW LET US LISTEN TO THE TESTIMONIES OF JOHN WESLEY AND CHRISTMAS EVANS:
“ABOUT THREE IN THE MORNING AS WE WERE CONTINUING INSTANT IN PRAYER, THE POWER OF GOD CAME MIGHTILY UPON US, INSOMUCH THAT MANY CRIED OUT FOR EXCEEDING JOY, AND MANY FELL TO THE GROUND.
AS SOON AS WE RECOVERED A LITTLE FROM THE AWE AND AMAZEMENT AT THE PRESENCE OF HIS MAJESTY, WE BROKE OUT WITH ONE VOICE, ‘WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEE TO BE THE LORD.’ “–JOHN WESLEY.
“I WAS WEARY OF A COLD HEART TOWARDS CHRIST AND HIS SACRIFICE, AND THE WORK OF HIS SPIRIT—OF A COLD HEART IN THE PULPIT, IN SECRET PRAYER, AND IN STUDY, FOR FIFTEEN YEARS PREVIOUSLY, I HAD FELT MY HEART BURNING WITHIN, AS IF GOING TO EMMAUS WITH JESUS.
“ON A DAY EVER TO BE REMEMBERED BY ME, AS I WAS CLIMBING UP TOWARDS CADAIR IDRIS,
I CONSIDERED IT TO BE INCUMBENT UPON ME TO PRAY, HOWEVER HARD I FELT IN MY HEART, AND HOWEVER WORLDLY THE FRAME OF MY SPIRIT WAS.
HAVING BEGUN IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I SOON FELT, AS IT WERE, THE FETTERS LOOSENING, AND THE OLD HARDNESS OF HEART SOFTENING, AND, AS I THOUGHT, MOUNTAINS OF FROST AND SNOW DISSOLVING AND MELTING WITHIN ME.
“THIS ENGENDERED CONFIDENCE IN MY SOUL IN THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
I FELT MY WHOLE MIND RELIEVED FROM SOME GREAT BONDAGE; TEARS FLOWED COPIOUSLY,
AND I WAS CONSTRAINED TO CRY OUT FOR THE GRACIOUS VISITS OF GOD, BY RESTORING TO MY SOUL THE JOYS OF HIS SALVATION;
AND THAT HE WOULD VISIT THE CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS, AND NEARLY ALL THE MINISTERS IN THE PRINCIPALITY BY THEIR NAMES.
“THIS STRUGGLE LASTED FOR THREE HOURS: IT ROSE AGAIN AND AGAIN,
LIKE ONE WAVE AFTER ANOTHER, OR A HIGH FLOWING TIDE, DRIVEN BY A STRONG WIND, UNTIL MY NATURE BECAME FAINT BY WEEPING AND CRYING.
THUS I RESIGNED MYSELF TO CHRIST, BODY AND SOUL, GIFTS AND LABORS–ALL MY LIFE—EVERY DAY, AND EVERY HOUR THAT REMAINED FOR ME; AND ALL MY CARES I COMMITTED TO CHRIST.
“FROM THIS TIME I WAS MADE TO EXPECT THE GOODNESS OF GOD TO CHURCHES, AND TO MYSELF.
IN THE FIRST RELIGIOUS MEETINGS AFTER THIS, I FELT AS IF I HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE COLD AND STERILE REGIONS OF SPIRITUAL FROST, INTO THE VERDANT FIELDS OF DIVINE PROMISES.
THE FORMER STRIVING WITH GOD IN PRAYER, AND THE LONGING ANXIETY FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS, WHICH I EXPERIENCED AT LEYN, WERE NOW RESTORED.
I HAD A HOLD OF THE PROMISES OF GOD.
“THE RESULT WAS, WHEN I RETURNED HOME, THE FIRST THING THAT ARRESTED MY ATTENTION WAS THAT THE SPIRIT WAS WORKING ALSO IN THE BRETHREN IN ANGLESEA,
INDUCING IN THEM A SPIRIT OF PRAYER, ESPECIALLY IN TWO OF THE DEACONS, WHO WERE PARTICULARLY IMPORTUNATE THAT GOD WOULD VISIT US IN MERCY,
AND RENDER THE WORD OF HIS GRACE EFFECTUAL AMONGST US FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS.”
NOW, APPARENTLY STRENGTHENED AS BY A NEW SPIRIT, WITH “MIGHT IN THE INNER MAN,” HE LABORED WITH RENEWED ENERGY AND ZEAL; AND NEW AND SINGULAR BLESSINGS DESCENDED UPON HIS LABORS.
IN TWO YEARS, HIS TEN PREACHING PLACES IN ANGLESEA WERE INCREASED TO TWENTY, AND SIX HUNDRED CONVERTS WERE ADDED TO THE CHURCH UNDER HIS IMMEDIATE CARE.–CHRISTMAS EVANS.

UNCTION

OH, FOR THE SPIRIT’S MIGHTY POW’R,

THE UNCTION FROM ABOVE!

OH, FOR A GRACIOUS HEAV’NLY SHOW’R,

THE FULNESS OF GOD’S LOVE!

THIS, ONLY THIS, OUR ONE GREAT NEED–

NAUGHT ELSE CAN E’ER PREVAIL;

THUS FOR THE UNCTION NOW WE PLEAD–

IT ONLY CAN AVAIL.

OUR SINS TO GOD WE NOW CONFESS; TO HIM WE YIELD OUR ALL,

BELIEVING HE WILL SURELY BLESS

AS ON HIS NAME WE CALL.

AND SO WE GIVE OURSELVES TO PRAY’R

THAT GOD MAY MAKE US MEET;

FOR HE MUST FIRST OUR HEARTS PREPARE–

HIS WORK IN US COMPLETE.

THEN SHALL MEN TURN TO CALV’RY’S STREAM

WITH BURDENED HEARTS OF WOE;

SALVATION THEN SHALL BE OUR THEME,

AND EARTH BE HEAV’N BELOW.

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