Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

6 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

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Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

-n_ WE are glad to note that the heat- wave of emotion at Trecynon shows signs of abating. The reign of passion is at an end. There was no need to go back to 1859 to find a parallel. We saw something similar in 1901. People were then war-mad, last week they were revival-mad. Then the public emotion was fired by patriotism, now by religion. Then as now there were midnight revelries, dislocation of trade and unseemly excesses, and the few who kept their heads were scorned and and abused. The white-heat of the revival has now cooled to red, but even yet we are afraid it is rather soon to argue with our Trecynon friends. Ac- cording to their admission, they are drunk, and an intoxcated person, with whatever brand of spirit he is imbued, is not amenable to reason. We shall patiently wait for the promised good results of the movement, and see whether emotionalism will be tran- slated into character, for that, we repeat, is the only true test. To crowd into chapels, and burn the midnight gas in invoking the Holy Spirit, denouncing the evil spirit and swelling the roll of coerced converts is no test of the divinity of any movement. In the event of another such outbreak we would advise the ministers of Trecynon to believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." By their fruits ye shall know them. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are, among other things, love, peace, gentleness, meekness, temperance." Yet we are told that the Holy Spirit prompted one deacon at one of those meetings to refuse salvation to a certain section of Christians because they disagreed with him on a point of doctrine. Then we are told that the Holy Spirit inspired one convert-whose conduct would not be tolerated anywhere outside a Fijian carnival or a Trecynon revival meeting —to hurl the arrows of personalities steeped in venom, at persons whose opinions regarding the "revival" did not coincide with his own. It should be stated that at the outset of the meet- ing the Rev. J. Grawys Jones had ruled that no one was to veto the speech or the action of anyone at the meeting. Whatever would be said or done would be of the Spirit, even if it were not in harmony with civilised notions, and he emphatically implored those present not to say Hush to the Spirit. Soon afterwards Mr Jones himself led off with a reference to the attitude of Aberdare society and the Aberdare local press towards the re- vival. Some time after midnight, in the same meeting, the inspired con- vert referred to took up the cue and acted the maniac. We are not pre- pared to make a suggestion as to what spirit moved him, but in the New Testament men under the influence of the Holy Spirit are described as clothed and in their right mind," whereas those who tear their clothes and foam are said to possess another spirit. And yet this man has been held up publicly ever since as an ideal convert! Where have we any Scriptural proof that symptoms similar to those observed at the Trecynon meetings are indicative of the working of the Holy Spirit, and that divine influence is to take the form of a holy hysteria ? Inspired writers tell us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, and ask us to do all things decently and in order." It is not necessary that persons should lose their senses in order to save their souls. If your religion is not such as is prepared to be a joint tenant with reason, then give the former an ejectment notice. The meetings held in 'other places, such as Siloa, Bethania and Seion chapels in Aberdare, we observed, were far superior in tone to those we have referred to. They kept rationai hours, and checked rowdyism, but the religious Anarchists from Trecynon, who came there to disturb these meetings, went away disgusted with the order that prevailed, declaring that it was Satan, and not the Holy Spirit, that presided therEr. Many curious sightseers also kept away because there were no scenes there. When the leaders of this movement will regain their heads, and find time to search the Scrip- tures once more, will they give us one quotation-just one-to prove that the descent of the Spirit is to be attended by the chaos which we have witnessed at these revival meetings ? We are still sceptical with regard to the utility of the revival. A great capital is being made of the many doubtful. conversions that form its assets. But let us have a glance at the debit side. Set off against the the high score of professed converts, the paralysis of trade and consequent poverty; the physical, mental and moral detriment that must result from all- night sittings, mental strain and inflamed passions the suspension of moral and spiritual agencies that were doing good before the genesis of this transient flash, and will, we hope, continue to do so after its exodus. Add again the number of sane men of intellect and character who have been hardened and embittered towards religion by this craze — who declare they will have nothing to do with a religion that fills hell with men, earth with demons, and heaven with slaves." Then strike the balance.

A Visit to a Boys' School…

-------- --------__-----Aberdare…

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