June 3, 2010

• Love for the brethren (Evan Roberts & the Welsh Revival of 1904-05)

  In my last post I wrote on my struggle to love my brothers and sisters in Christ as I ought.

  During times of revival, differences on nonessential matters seem to grow strangely dim in the light of God’s glory and grace. The true oneness we share becomes more visible as the Holy Spirit falls and works to purify believers and impart a greater love for our God as well as for one another. (How can we say we’re part of the family of God if we’re not loving the other family members as our heavenly Father loves them?)

  I’ve been reading “An Instrument of Revival: The Complete Life of Evan Roberts, 1878-1951″ (Brynmor Pierce Jones, Bridge Publishing: South Plainfield, NJ, 1995). Evan Roberts was used by God in the Welsh Revival of 1904-05. He had a God-given desire for the brothers and sisters in Christ to love one another as Jesus Christ has loved us. Here are some excerpts from the book (boldface, mine).

       Perhaps the greatest sensation occurred on 22 December when Evan gave time and opportunity to a Turk and then to an Armenian whose people had suffered at the hands of the Turks. He wanted to illustrate one of his personal burdens: “If you do not love the brethren there is no unity. If you have received the Savior you should be one with each other.” Evan often rebuked those who prayed for only their own chapel, denomination or country. One of his finer sermons, based on the Archdruid’s call at the National Eisteddfod, advocated peace and unity at every level of life.
  
       It seems sad, therefore, that the freedoms given to English and European visitors caused discontent. Giving them the best seats was bad enough; now they were given time to make platform speeches instead of being content to join in the prayer and praise. To ministers like Dr. Morris and William Evans, it seemed an abuse of the spiritual liberty that Evan Roberts had advocated. Another prominent Welsh preacher, Dr. Cynddylan Jones, sent a letter to the Western Mail (December 22nd) to warn off the eloquent professional evangelists. Even the friendly journalists, Awstin, said these outsiders’ long speeches were embarrassing. Evan Roberts never really solved that problem. How could one say, “You all have full liberty in the Spirit to speak as you are prompted, but you are not to make speeches which trespass on the liberty of others.”

  (61-62)

       The last night of this visit to Aberdare was like a pageant of praise, prayer and testimony. The formerly closed frontiers of age, sex, language and social background were crossed time and again. At length, Evan Roberts stood up in the big seat, a pew usually reserved for deacons. Then he opened his New Testament and slowly and emphatically read the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. In a quiet and solemn voice he emphasized the words, “If I have not love I am nothing––nothing––NOTHING,” and then he sat down. That was all, but it was enough.

  (46)

       On Thursday morning, which happened to be free, a small group accompanied Evan to the snow-clad Rhigos mountain above Hirwaun. Mr. H. Roberts, his walking companion, recalled:
  
  

  We were all on pleasure bent and each one of us enjoyed the morning in a different way according to each one’s temperament. It was a fine morning in January. Snow covered the mountains round about and we longed to be as pure as the white flakes that lay thickly at our feet…[The description of the climb continued ...]
  
  When we made our way to the top, the scene was magnificent. We bowed our heads in prayer to Him who made us all. Evan and one other person made public supplication to the Throne of Grace. . . . I have omitted to tell you that on the way up, Evan Roberts wrote on the snow a word which denotes the key to this revival: L-O-V-E.

  (77-78)

  James 2:1  My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
  
  Romans 15:5  May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6  that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7  Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
  

  Holy Father, Send the Spirit of Your Son to work in me the love for You and for Your children that I ought to have as Your child.
  May I not grieve, quench or limit Him.
  

  
  
  

  ---

  Related:

  • How can we say we are unified when … ?
  • we are a wilderness and a desolation today (lack of love in the Church | Isaiah 64:10-11)
  • “Lord, please send a brother or sister to help me.” (The Good Samaritan parable redux)
  • What kind of pony are you asking for for Christmas?
  • How do we know if we’re speaking the truth in love?
  • I can’t keep walking on eggshells here (more on Revelife, Calvinism, the Body of Christ and self)
  • May the mind and word of Christ dwell in us so we might arise as one man
  • forgive us for dividing Your Son, our Lord
  • ALL God’s people singing, “He reigns” (Letter 28 on assurance & joy)
  • Behold, how good and pleasant it is when we dwell in unity!
  • One Lamb died for the flock . . . How can we . . .
  • an “ici” good-bye | a lesson in warm catholicity
  • The Gospel and the Lord’s table
  • Happy 500th Birthday John Calvin (some thoughts from John Wesley)
  • Lent IV.-”If you love Me you will love the church”

  Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • 11:19 PM
  • 5 Comments