Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

3 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

The Revival in Wales.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

The Revival in Wales. Mr. EVAN ROBERTS' STORY. The Revival in Wales continues to spread, and in an attempt to gauge its effect some of the South Wales papers have proved that the addi- tional membership to the various churches in South and North Wales are to be counted by the thousands. This week Mr. Evan Roberts and his band of supporters have continued their mission in West Glamorgan, and as soon as the arrangements are completed the Revivalist will take a tour round Cardiganshire, and possibly pay a visit to North Wales. The story of Evan Roberts' life is published this week, and his narrative as to how he received the Spirit is very vividly given from the pen of the Rev. T. Francis, Gorseinon. During Christmas-tide Evan Roberts spent a few days at home. On Wednesday afternoon, December 28th, in the course of a conversation with Mr. Francis, the revivalist told the story of his baptism," in Welsh, and Mr. Francis at once wrote it out I have never seen nor heard the Rev. F. B. Meyer. For thirteen years I have 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 absent ? Remember Thomas What a loss he had I then said to myself, 'I will have the Spirit.' And through all weathers 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 to be faithful,' and on I went-prayer meeting Monday evening at the chapel; prayer meeting Tuesday evening at Pisgah (Sunday School branch); Church meeting Wednesday evening; Band of Hope Thursday; class, Friday evening; to these I went diligently throughout the years. "For 10 or 11 years I have prayed for a revival, I could sit up all night to read or talk about revivals. It was the Spirit that moved me to think about a revival. On Friday night last spring when praying by my bedside before retiring, I was taken up into a great expanse—without time and space it was communion with God. Before this it was a far-off God I had. I was frightened that night, but never since. So great was my shivering that the bed rocked under me, and my brother being awakened took hold of me, thinking I was ill. After that experience I was awakened every morn- ing a little after i o'clock. This was most strange, for previously all through the years I slept like a rock and no disturbance in my room would awake me. From that hour I was taken up into the Divine fellowship for about four hours. What it was I cannot tell you except that it was Divine. About 5 o'clock I was again allowed to sleep up till about 9. At this time I was again taken up into the same experience as in the early hours of the morning until about 12 or I o'clock. They questioned me at home. Why didn't I get up earlier, &c., &c. But it was too Divine to say anything about it. This went on for about three months. When I went to school to Newcastle-Emlyn, oh I was afraid that I would lose the com- munion with God. I had set aside half an hour daily for it. And for the first week I did the school work very well. But after that all the time was taken up. I had four days in bed with a serious cold, but day and night there was nothing for me but prayer. The last night of the four I was bathed in perspiration-the result ot the cold and of communion with God. I got up Sunday. The Rev. Seth Joshua was there. Tuesday evening there was a prayer meeting, and Sidney Evans and others came to see me, and asked if I would go to the meeting. At that moment I felt the Spirit coming upon me, and so irresistible did He come that I rushed to the chapel without my overcoat. The influence begun, I was ready to pray-to pray for power to the young women who were there from New Quay, lest the people should rely upon them. I had prayed for them in the house on Monday night. I was not allowed to pray publicly Tuesday evening. That day I had asked where was the devil ? I was hard. I could look at the Cross without feeling. I wept for the hardness of my heart, but could not weep for Christ. I loved the Father and the Spirit, but I did not love the Son. On Wednesday I went to Blaenannerch. In the morning, on my way I met the railway guard at the house of the Rev. E. Phillips, and told him I was like a flint. I was as if someone had swept me clean of every feeling, and my conviction was that I must either be cast on a bed of affliction or receive the Spirit mightily. Mag Phillips came to me. There was a prayer meeting going on at the house. I had two reasons for not going in—one was lest they might talk about me because I ventured out, the other reason was I wanted to speak to Mag about the state of her soul. You pray for me and I'll pray for you,' said I to her, and the tears burst forth from her eyes. (Both of us were blessed the same day, I in the morning and she in the afternoon.) I remember nothing about Wednesday except that I received something about half- past three, and' I asked Mag if she was praying for me at that time and that she told me, I was praying for you all day, Roberts bach.' When returning Wednesday night the young woman from New Quay tried to influence me, but nothing touched me. And said they, We can do nothing for you.' No,' said I, 11 have only to wait for the fire. I have built the altar, and laid the wood in order, and have prepared the offering. I have only to wait for the fire.' About half-past nine next morning the fire fell, and has been burning ever since. We started for Blaenannerch about 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, now joyful, now sad, now hard and cold-so my feelings varied on the journey that morning. We sang in the break- and my feelings were very varied, now high, now low. The 7 o'clock meeting was devoted to asking and answering questions. Rev. W. W. Lewis conducted. The Rev. Seth Joshua prayed at the close of that meeting, and said, Lord, do this. and this, and this, &c., and bend us.' He did not say, Oh, Lord, bend us.' It was the Spirit that put the emphasis for me on the words bend us.' 'That is what you need,' said the Spirit to me. And as I went out I prayed, '0, Lord, bend me.' At the breakfast table in the house of the Rev. M. P. Morgan, Mag Phillips offered me bread and butter. I refused, as I was satisfied. At the same moment the Rev. Seth Joshua was putting forth his hand to take of the bread and butter, and the thought struck me Is it possible that God is offering me the Spirit and that I am unprepared to receive Him, and that others are ready to receive but are not .offered ? That enlightened me On the way to the 9 o'clock meeting the Rev. Seth Joshua remarked. We are going to have a wonderful meeting to-day.' To this I replied, I feel myself almost bursting.' The meeting having been commenced was handed over to the Spirit, I was conscious I would have to pray. As one and the other prayed I put the question to the Spirit, 'Shall I pi ay now ?' Wait awhile said He. When others had prayed I felt a living force coming into my bosom, it held my breath, and my legs shivered, and after every prayer I asked, Shall I now ?' and the living force grew and grew and I was almost bursting. And instantly someone ended his prayer my heart was over- flowing, I would have burst if I had not prayed. What filled me was that verse, God commend- ing His love. I fell on my knees with my arms over the seat in front of me, and the tears and perspiration freely flowed. I thought blood was gushing forth. Mrs. Davies, Mona, New Quay, came to wipe my face. On my right was Mag Phillips and on my left was Maud Davies. For about two minutes it was fearful. I cried, Bend me bend me bend me Then Mrs. Davies said, '0 wonderful grace.' 'Yes,' said I, '0 wonderful grace.' What bent me was God commending His love and I not seeing anything in it to commend. After I was bent a wave of peace came over me. The audience sang, I hear Thy welcome voice,' and as they sang I thought of the bending at the Judgment Day and I was filled with compassion for those who would be bent 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 allowing me to go. A plan was agreed upon and eight of us were to go through Wales, and I was to pay all expenses. One Saturday after- noon a few of us went to New Quay to confer about the idea. I had only about two hours' stay there. I had promised to go back to Newcastle Emlyn for the sake of one soul. The others remained there and prayed over the plan, but no light came. After the wonderful experience at Blaenannerch I had prayed God to fire six souls in the church at Newcastle Emlyn, and six were fired, and straightway I was commissioned home to Loughor. The leading was given me in the Sunday evening service just before the Rev. E. Phillips began to preach."

Adennill y Gemau Coll.

Enwogion Cymreig.—XV!. Yr…