Revivals in Caernarfonshire by Iolo Griffiths

Author:Iolo Griffiths
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Iolo Griffiths
Published: 2022-06-26T00:00:00+00:00

The Rev Thomas Philips of Hereford summed up his verdict on the 1859 revival (which though it was a very recent phenomenon, which started in Cardiganshire slightly over 12 months before, and rather more recently elsewhere, had already had very obvious results), that it had been a season of blessed awakening of the church. Under its influence, divisions were healed, old feuds made up, and the “devils” of discord, envy and strife were cast out. A higher standard of Christian experience was attained. Many aged disciples felt as though their youth was renewed by the glorious sights that they beheld, the heavenly music they heard and the inward joy they experienced. The revival even brought unity among the denominations. At one time it was thought a great matter of union and co-operation in the simple but holy work of circulating the Bible, without note or comment; and when ministers and people of different creeds met in one place and spoke on the same platform, on a subject about which there is hardly room for doubt, it was regarded as a great virtue, and a considerable stretch of Christian liberality. But in the 1859 revival there were united meetings for prayer, held in churches and chapels, where clergy and lay-members of the establishment, ministers and office-bearers of the various nonconformist bodies alternately engage in prayer. Where there had been much bigotry, bickering and unpleasant feeling between parties, which had been present for years, there was now only co-operation, love and zeal, all appearing anxious to rival each other other in their efforts to save the few who remain unconverted.

The following statements had been made in the columns of a Welsh newspaper, by one who had frequent and extensive opportunities of becoming acquainted with the facts of the revival in different parts of the principality:

“1. The additions to the churches amount to many thousands, far greater than has ever been known in Wales within the same period of time.

“2. I have gathered from inquiry that not one person in every fifty of those who have assumed a profession of religion within the last four or six months, has relapsed into the world.

“3. The people generally have been solemnised and brought to think of religious things. I asked an individual near Machynlleth whether the morals of the people had improved; he replied, 'Oh, dear, yes, entirely'; and then turned to his wife for confirmation of his statement. 'Yes.' she said, 'they are; every day is a Sunday now.'

“4. A missionary spirit has taken possession of the churches. There is no limit to their desire to save the whole world.

“5. The ministers and preachers are anointed with fresh zeal, and are animated with a new spirit. The churches and their office-bearers are filled with the ardour of their 'first love.'

“6. There is a great increase of brotherly love amongst professing Christians, and more cordial co-operation amongst the various denominations in their efforts to do good, and to oppose the common enemy.

“These are undoubted facts;

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