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 SOUL TRAVAIL. i ————————-_______a
 SOUL TRAVAIL. i ———————— a J EVAN ROBERTS' ORDEAL AT HIRWAiN AGONY SUCCEEDED BY MAJESTIC CALM. The scene which occurred in Ramoth Chapel, Hirwain, on Wednesday evening last has att.racted mu-ch attention and evoked much comment. Here is one description of it:- Mr. Roberts opened the Bible with trembling hands. Suddenly his face became distorted with pain. Evidently he was in a stubborn contest with his feelings, for every fibre of his being seemed to twitch with agony, and the next moment he was in a lying posture. For quite ten minutes he lay prostrate, and, but for his sobs, there was no indication to show that he was at hand. All eyes were riveted upon him, and when he gob up his face wore a wreath of majestic calmness. He said presently that he had emerged from one of the hardest ordeals he had ever experiencd, and had had a further testimony of Christ's agony in the garden. Sympathisers with the Revival who did not understand what was 'happening said that the incident was a proof that Evan Roberts was breaking down under the nervous strain. Those, however, who are familiar with the history of all great Revivals know that such experiences have frequently occurred to the leaders in those movements—aye, and do occur to many a prophet of the Everlasting Gospel who labours in obscurity. "Travail of Soul," "Travail for Souls, agomsing for the salvation of others! What is it but a fulfilment of our Lord's own word to Hia disciples— I., Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of, and with the baptism that I am baptised withal shall ye be baptised" ? What is it but a realisation of the Apostles' word when they spoke of the followers of the Lord having Fellowship of His sufferings," « Being partakers of Christ's sufferings," Having the sufferings of Christ abound in them ? such sufferings meaning not merely physical pain inflicted upon them by their human persecutors, but the fieocar agony of the conflict crystallised in that trium- phant prophecy, "Ho shall see of the travail of Hia Soul and shall be satisfied." Meanwhile the work of the Revival proceeds apace. It is going stronger than ever. The returns of converts are being added to daily, while there are other momentous results which cannot be tabulated in figures.
THE REVIVAL HYMNSI
THE REVIVAL HYMNSI Life Stories of the Writers. One great secret (humanly speaking) of the Revival is the hymns that are sung and the tunes to which they are wedded. GWILYM HIRAETHOG." m I There is nothing at all surprising that this should be the case with a people at onoe so musical and so devotional as the Kymry. Some of the hymns are very old favourites, indeed, such as 0 gariad" and Dyma gariad," whilst others, such as "Throw out the lifeline," came into Wales in comparatively recent times. Taking one of the older favourites, "Dyma gariad fel y moroedd/' we find that it is one of the very numerous poetical compositions of Gwilym Hiraethog," who stands high in the first rank of Kymric bards, and whose life is otherwise an inspiration, because he came up from very humble things to enjoy a wonderful and well-deserved repu- tation amongst his fellow-countrymen. William Rees was born in 1802, at the foot of Hiraethog Hill, near Denbigh; ihencB his name. He was the son of poor, but respectable parents, and followed the occupation of a shepherd. But beneath the humble garb of the tender of sheep burnt the soul of a poet, and by-arid-bye young William placed his foot ( on the ladder -and ascended step by step till he became one of Wales's most eloquent preachers and one of her sweetest and most voluminous poets. Hiraethog" (who died in 1883) wrote the longest poem ever composed by a Welshman. Amongst his hymns are the one we have just mentioned, which used to be sung to Ton y Botel," but latterly to The Last Rose of Summer," and Cwynfan Prydain," the latter an ancient Welsh strain of great pathos and beauty. Like Christmas Evans, "Gwilym Hiraethog" had only one eye.
REVIVAL REVIEWED ✓
REVIVAL REVIEWED ✓ Movement Now Only Beginning." I The services held by Mr. Evan Roberts during last week, in comparatively small and remote places, were in many respects remarkable, and the atten- dance was, compared with the popula- tion. as great w, if not greater than, at the great centres which had been previously visited. The desire to serve those towns and villages en route to the vast iron and steel district of Dowlais was certainly commend-' able, and the arrangements made and carried out must have considerably strengthened and solidified the Revival work which had been going on since the Loughor "fire" was fanned into a, Welsh flame. Mr. Roberta's visit to Cardiff, about a fortnight hence, is looked forward1 to with very great interest, not only by Cardiff people,. but by others who would like to see the Revival, in the aspect in which it has already developed itself in so many parts ofi Wales, "firing" the Welsh Metropolis. The visit will probably date from the second Wednesday in February. Meanwhile, great things are being done in Cardiff. The TabSrnacle and Wood-street meetings, held nightly, are extraordinary. The work in the great mining districts is still going on, and wherever Mr. Evan Roberts has been the Revival is still carried on, or, rather, is moving along of its own accord, with might force, and nearly everywhere prayer and praise meetings are held nightly, with hardly an interruption. From towns and villages alike come reports of hundreds of converts, single Churohee having in numerous instances enrolled from 150 to 300 converts each. The stories of the changed homes and habits of the people have now become so frequent as to be accepted as matters of course, and the i effect upon the tone of a neighbourhood is 1 often greater than it is on the actual number of individual converts made. The under ground prayer meetings have, seemingly, I become fixed institutions, and are increasing in number and in attendance as the weeks roll on. Colliery officials are sympathetic, because it has become evident that the Revival has produced a better feeling between men and officials, as well as among the men themselves, and in quite a number of cases the officials, from the manager down, have come to take a deep interest in the morning services underground. Some managers who, although religious men I themselves, had abstained from active partici- pation in the spread of the Revival, have quite recently thrown themselves heart and eoul into the work. Of course, there are still towns and villages which have scarcely been touched, but as there is certainly no abate- ment in the interest taken, and as the con- verts made are in so many hundreds of cases fired with zeal for the spread of the story of the Cross and Mr. Evan Roberts's Gospel of Love, there is ample ground for the statement, so confidently made by those who know most and see most, that the Revival is only beginning.
I -MR. JOHN PAJSKYN. MR. R.…
I MR. JOHN PAJSKYN. MR. R. LOOKER. MISS WATKINS MISS DAVIS. (Gorseinon),.
"AWAY WITH SELF."1
"AWAY WITH SELF."1 "God Must Have All the Glory." There was a blizzard at Neath on Monday, but full meetings were held all day, and at 5.30 Orchard-pl-ace Chapel was crowded for the evening service. Prayers and hymn-singing were striking in their fervency. It was noticeable th-at the Welsh element certainly predominated, even though it waa the place of worship of an English Baptist Church. How many volunteers are there who will come for a trip in the ship of salvation to-night?" shouted a young man at the top of the gallery, and the response was a rousing chorus of "All hail the power of Jesu's name," with its rolling "Crown Him Lord of all"—and "Diadem" was repeated with enthusiasm over and over again. "0. na aliwn, tra b'awn byw, Rodio beilach gyda. Duw," was then struck up to the tune Aber- ystwyth," while a man in the big pew was giving out quite another hymn, and "Hide me, 0 my Saviour, hide," followed to the same tune. Silent prayer was asked for, and for a few moments this request was complied with, as the large congregation, with bowed heads, remained quiet; but only for a few moments, for there came first one and then scores, if not hundreds, of public prayers simul- taneously, lasting for some minutes. Then the praise of the whole congregation found vent in singing" Diolch, diolch iddo." This, however, did not stop the prayers, for from all parts of the chapel could be heard a number of people continuing in prayer, the Welsh element being evidently too enthusias- tic and fiery to continue in silent prayer. Away with Self It oould not possibly be suggested that it was done to be seen or heard by men, for no one could be definitely singled out in the prayers except one who was seen on his knees in the big pew," and even his words could not be heard by the congregation. This was the state of things prevailing when Mr. Evan Roberts arrived, at a quarter past seven. Then there was another outburst of Crown Him Lord of all," and Cariad ydyw Duw." The evangelist then rose and began his address by saying, Away with all self. God is to have all the glory. He sways the sceptre. God offers us liberty; God offers welcome—an Infinite welcome—to come to the Throne." What, he con- tinued, did they want? Life? Yes, eternal life; but they must first be bent. It was glorious to see such a congregation, but it was more glorious to have Heaven there. Jesus was present-let them not do anything to drive Him away. They knew the pitiful story of the people of Gadara, who asked Christ to leave them. They also knew that the punishment which everywhere followed His rejection fell upon the people of Gadara 40 years later. 0 Iesu. plyg ni" (" 0 Jesus, bend us") prayed a young man in the gallery, who said that, having seen Jesus, he could not now remain silent. He went on praying passion- ately, and when the singing of an English hymn had drowned the voice of the peti- tioner Mr. Evan Roberts declared that there was a want of liberty in the meeting, and he reminded them that "perfect love casteth out fear." Another prayer asked for a Proper spirit. The great need of our country and age was that of the greatness of God. He had sometimes noticed the creature commanding the Creator. The Church had a duty to perform in teaching, especially the young converts, the proper idea of the greatness of God. There was no need to shout to Him, for He was nea.r-close to them. There had been, J .•uni were still, some light-hearted people, in that congregation who must realise the greatness and the proximity of God. They leeded clean hands and clean hearts. Some people had been attending a place of wor- ship for twenty years, while at the same time nourishing hatred towardB a brother. But no one could worship—and certainly no one ooold expect to go to Reaven-without having forgiveness in his heart. Let them read the Bible. Let them read the Sermon on the Mount. They would then see that without; granting pardon they could not expect to obtain pardon. If there was anyone present to whom that remark applied, they could I not expect to be blessed until they had par. doned others. I The Call for English A man in the gallery asked if Mr. Evan Roberts would oblige the English friends by speaking a little English. Mr. Roberts replied in English that if r moved by the Spirit he would do so, but added that the words and ideas were not his own, and if the Spirit did not give the words and ideas in English he could not comply with the request made. Then Mr. Roberts invited testimonies, and prayer and testimony, the latter in the shape of the recitation of Scriptural verses, followed, singly and simultaneously in Welsh and English, and occasionally a man would literally fulfil the Apostolio injunction by interpreting in English what he had said in Welsh. A few hymns were recited, and among other poetic testimonies given may be mentioned "Hiraethog's" "Pan y gelwid yn y boreu restr enwau ser y nen" ("When He called the Stars of Morning.") Then a familiar voice and a familiar hymn is struck up, and we are once more listening to the great Love Song of the revival. Miss Annie Davies, Maesteg, has to some extent recovered her marvellous vocal powers, and when she sang "Dyma gariad fel y moroedd" the effect was electrical. The congregation began sing- ing, then stopped, and listened spellbound. Later on the congregation sang "Duw mawr y rhyfeddodau maith." Mias Power, a Cornish I MISS MAGGIE DAYIES (Maesteg). I ———————————————————————„——————— lady, delivered a brief and very effective I address, and at its close, taking the cue from a remark contained in the address, the people sang very touchingly, "Looking this way," and when the chorus had been sung a lady in the body of the chapel started the solo part of the same hymn, "Over the river," and the music again swelled out; a second verse was taken up as a solo by another lady, the subdued singing which character- ises some of the best of these meetings being now prevalent. A Scotch friend, rising on the platform, spoke of the Love of the Re- deemer, whose fingers were, he said, "drip- ping with mercy." Mr. Evan Roberts afterwards roee and
THAT WILL BE GLORY FOR ME.…
THAT WILL BE GLORY FOR ME. I That will be Glory for Me.
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STOP pD?QC kjJL'L?JL J.JTMLk3?3 Latest Telegrams. LIE. EYAX EGBERTS BESTING. Mr. E'->V:rts took a rect this in ■••rule; but will ri*cUiiH' W'/rk LVwiais this c-.vui ug. 1U:. EVAN ROBERTS S LNTiAC.ElILMi. 2j t) a i: 20 Ccin. ,.1 :11J. 2ï llv:i~< n'i;, Jaii. 'J I. :J ,,1. .J t ,-J r-thyr.
Away with Curiosity."I
Away with Curiosity." ICE-BREAKING AT RESOLVEN. Morning, noon, and night on Tuesday the Resolven Chapels were crowded, and the meetings were of a character that belied any impression which might be abroad outside the "zone of fire" that the religious enthu- siasm awakened by the revival has even begun to show any symptoms of abatement. In a parish where the entire population does not exceed 3.000 souls it was found in the evening that the Congregational Chapel, capable of accommodating 2,000 people, as it did on Tuesday night, was much too small, while in the afternoon the Methodist Chapel was so crowded an hour or more before the service was timed to begin that an overflow meeting became a necessity. Scores, if not hundreds, of people travelled down to Resolven from the neighbouring village of Glyn Neath, and many of them were disappointed to find that they had arrived too late to get beyond the doors of the chapels. Mr. Evan Roberts was expected to attend the morning service, but ho did not leave Neath until nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, and a few minutes after that hour he pressed hia way through the dense mass of people who were packed solidly together at the entrances to the Tabernacle. For two hours or more before his arrival there had been an unbroken series of prayers and testimonies and the singing of hymns, the service being remarkable for the prominent part taken by converts who were known only very recently as men of loose conduct. Religious fervour was at white heat when the revivalist made his appearance, and as he ascended the pulpit it was obvious that the Spirit of Curiosity I was abroad. No one was quicker to realise this than Evan Roberts, and my experience of the revival meetings is that Mr. Roberts finds the conflict with this curiosity growing harder and harder. That there should be such curiosity is only natural, but it is evidently a source of the keenest anxiety to the mis- sioner, whose gospel is essentially one of self-effacement and of true and sincere wor- ship, in which his personality should play only the smallest and least significant part. But, in a large measure, he is powerless to help himself. He is the central figure of the revival, and people will flock to see and hear what manner of man is he who has created and is creating such a stir throughout the land. "Away with curiosity," were his first words, and his impromptu discourse had not been many minutes in progress before he had the satisfaction of feeling that the spirit of devo- tion had returned and had taken a firm hold of the congregation. Following a prayer, of which gratitude for Divine blessings was the key-note, he remarked that it had been the custom in the past to hold thanksgiving ser- vices only once a year, and then those meet- ings were so "cold" that they might just as well have been held in the Polar regions. He urged upon all Christian workers in their dealings with drunkards to speak to them first of Christ's infinite love for erring souls and then ask them to sign the pledge. To speak of religion had been considered too long a breach of etiquette. People forgot that Eternity depended upon it. What they wanted to learn was the art of being natural. At the evening meeting, which was attended by Bishop Taylor Smith (Chaplain-general to the Forces), the Rev. J. Ll. Thomas (vicar of Aberpergwm), the Rev. Mr. Morgan (Ipswich), and numerous other ministers and clergymen from various parts of the country, there was for some time a lack of the real revival "fire," but the ioe thawed long before the end. An interesting additional repeat" to the popular hymn, "Throw out'the life-line," was sung in the words:- "This is the life-line; this is the life-line, Je3us is saving to-day." Ono young miner confessed in his prayer that he had been a poacher of game and fish, but in future he wu going to depend on tht Spirit, i
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THIS WEEK'S MUSIC. The hymns aud tunes published on this page this week- That will he glory for me," and Count your bleedings are re-produced, by special permission, from Songs of Triumph (Ventner and McKeith), published by Messrs. R. L, Allan and Son, Glasgow.
SOUL TRAVAIL. I SOUL !RAVAIL.
SOUL TRAVAIL. I SOUL !RAVAIL. A Striking Scene at I H i rwai n. Hirwain. a village with a population of about 3,000 inhabitants, was visited by Mr. Evan Roberts on Wednesday. The place is distant nearly thre-ø miles from Aberdare. while about nineteen miles to the north are the famous Brecon Beacons. The "fire" was never more intense than at this village, not only within a couple of days of Mr. Roberts's arrival, but also since the time j of the first Loughor meetings. As an indication of the fruit which has attended the revival in the locality, no fewer than 307 persons have enrolled themselves as members of the various oh a pels. The little place presented a most animated, aspect throughout Wednesday. Besides the big crowds which arrived by each train from AJberdare, as well as those who walked from the neighbouring villages, there was a num- ber of visitors from distant parts of England and Wales, together with a few persona from Australia and India. Contrary to the original arrangements, the evangelist did not arri e till the balf-past twelve o'clock train. With him were Miss Maggie Davies (Maesteg) and Miss Mary Davies (Gorseinon). Notwithstanding the disappobiune" r<:reated by the delay in the missioner's arrival, however, moraing meetings were held at each of the chapels, all of which, to avert the eventuality of undue overcrowding, had besn tnrown open. As was the case in the morning, meetings took place at the different placas of worship in the afternoon, and were one and all imbued with deep spiritual feel- ing. Owing to the great secrecy to which his movements were subjected, Mr. Evan Roberts's intention to attend Tabernacle Welsh Con- gregational Chapel was known only to very few persons, with the result that the building was far from being full at two o'clock, the hour at which the meeting had been annouuead to begin. Mr. Evan Roberts quietly made his appear- ance at five minutes to three, and asoended. the pulpit. No sooner had the missioner arrived than an elderly farmer engaged in prayer, which was interrupted by .'1 sportanoous outburst of song an the part of the oongregation. Prayer and song were now simultaneously heard, till a coloured gentleman, named Mr. Franklin. who had been an actor for seven years, took the lead in singing Arglwydd dyma fi." Prayers were subsequently offered for Mr. Franklin", and the meeting, whieM had attained to a singularly animated pitch, was, after an inspiring address by Mr. Roberts upon the attributes of a Christian, brought to a. close with a worthy rendering of Gawn ni gwrdd yn y nef ?" I SOUL TRAVAIL It got abroad that Mr. Roberts would be at Ramoth Chapel in the evening, and the place was filled to overflowing shortly after five o'clock. The revivalist arrived at 745. The audience had in the meantime passed the time in prayer and eong. Mr. Roberts spoke, and the congregation sang Wrth gofio'i riddfanau'n yr Ardd." Scarcely had the last note died away than Mr. Roberte opened the Bible with trembling hands. Suddenly his face became distorted with pain. Evidently he was in a stubborn contest with his feelings, for every fibre of his being seemed to twitch with agony, and the next moment he was in a lying posture. For quite ten minutes he lay prostrate, and but for his sobs there was no indication to show that he was at hand. All eyes were riveted upon him, and when he got up his face wore a. smile of MISS MAY JOHN. I majestic calmness. He said presently that he had emerged from one of the hardest ordeals he had ever experienced, and had had a; further testimony of Christ's agony in the garden.
"A Beaming Smile." I
"A Beaming Smile." I CALL FOR SELF-SACRIFICE. I As was the case on Wednesday, Hirwain received on Thursday a stream of visitors to I
"O! MARVELLOUS LOVE! HE DIED…
"O! MARVELLOUS LOVE! HE DIED FOR EVAN ROBERTS! DYMA GARIAD MWY NA'R MOROEDD." (Here is Love greater than the seas.) see the revival, among them being those persons who were present the previous day from London and elsewhere. Though it was known that the evangelist (who in the morn- ing went for a walk as far as the "Old Tower," a deserted stack of stone quaintly built on the side of the mountain) would not continue his mission till the afternoon, the various chapels were the rendezvous of vast congregations at an early hour. Among the people at Bethel Chapel were a number of converted Jews, one of whom prayed with ardour on behalf of a relative. The meeting at Nebo Chapel, however, was in every respect marvellous. Naturally, the congested state of the edifice may be explained in some measure by the fact that the missioner was expected there some time during the day. Many prayers flowed simultaneously from men and women, in both English and Welsh, and the harmony which solemnly blended with those declarations was. so thrilling in ¡ its effect that the scene was one of great animation. In the course of a brief address the Rev. J. Morgan (Bryn Seion, Trecynon) exhorted the audience to resort more to prayer and less to eong. Mr. Evan Roberts arrived at half-past three o'clock, to the accompani- ment of the strains of "O! dwed gawn i gwrdd yn y Nef?" the refrain of which was repeated again and again, the evangelist con- fronting the vast audience with a beaming smile. Other favourite hymns followed, during the rendering of which the missioner engaged himself in silent prayer in the pulpit. In a few moments the missioner pro- ceeded to speak upon forgiveness. There were, he said, plenty of people who were in need of forgiveness, not only those who were classified as men of the world, but a per- ceptible proportion of professing Christians. The moment was opportune for the exercise of the whip of cleanliness, and it would be well to start at home. As he was expatiating upon the question of absolute freedom in worshipping and the necessity of self-sacri- fice one of the lady evangelists drowned his voice in melody by singing "Dim ond Ieeu." A striking prayer came from a woman in the body of the congregation. People, she said, frequently said that they were willing to embrace the faith, but were they pre- pared? She had known what it was to be mistaken as to the state of the heart. Before her conversion she had had to make great sacrifices, among which was the failure to eat or sleep. There were people who were at a loss to know how she could attend a., the revival meetings, and leave the children at home, but such people forgot that God cared for the little ones. At this stage the MISS S. A. JONES. big crowd which was ontside began to sing the touching hymn, "Tell mother I'll be there," in which those who were incon- veniently packed in the chapel joined. For fully a quarter of an hour music appeared to swim in and out, till an elderly woman broke its march by giving a short address. Fourteen-year-old Boy Testifies. Mr. Roberts spoke briefly upon salvation, the best proof of the poseession of which, he said, was the readiness on the part of one person to save others. But the rcil source of salvation ought to be the Church, which was the medium given by God, though it was true that He could save direct. It was, however, imperative not to interfere with the ope& tion of the Spirit through the introduction of sectarianism, which had been too preV'W' lent in religious circles, with the result that the propagation of Christianity had bezll materially impeded. For an interval of sou1* twenty minutes the audience gave way to song. Following this a boy of fourteen yeartJ of age affirmed that he could no longer b8 silent, for the "fire" within him ha-d failed to remain dormant any more. Among the audience was a local converted Jew, whose "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" had already been heard. But at this juncture h8 proceeded to lead the throng in singirlgl "Saviour, don't pass me by," and it is need' less to say that his leadership did not lad followers. After an inspiring address by th* missioner upon the baptism of the HoV Spirit, every voice-and there were no feet than 1,000 voices under that roof—united ill concluding the meeting (which had lasted from nine o'clock in the morning till nearlf half-past five in the afternoon) by singing hymn. Prior to the evening meetings a nuU1* her of people congregated in one of the prin- cipal squares, and conducted a service. Bethel Chapel, where Mr. Eva.n Roberts bad arranged to be present in the evening, waS literally packed with an expectant crowd a-S early as half-past four o'clock, which was principally comprised of visitors, who had, whilst the afternoon meeting was in progress, flocked into the precincts of the other build* ing in order to have an opportunity of liear" ing the evangelist. The inevitable conse* quence was that hundreds of people who bad arrived in the villago were doomed to dO appointment, for the fact cannot be gaiB" said that those living elsewhere were moillj3r attracted to Hirwa,in through their desire to find themselves under the same roof as tb" missioner. So dense was the throng that t-he heat was suffocating, and it was not an 11 Ii" common spectacle to see women and childrell being escorted out into the cool air. It wa$ nearly half-past seven o'clock when Mr. EvO Roberts arrived. The people were singi "Mae drws trulgaredd heb ei gau." The various meetings did not close till late hour.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. I
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. I Count your Blessings.
"AWAY WITH SELF."1
delivered an English address. At the outset he declared that only God could give the "fire," but the baptism of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel was being fulfilled; but everyone must do his best. Everyone must have his share in the spreading of the flame; and G-od must have the glory. It must be "songs of praises I will ever give to Thee" day and night. But there was no night once they had the Spirit in their "hearts. They must pray-pray wherever they were—open all their heart to God, and then all was well. The clouds must go. Now, let them ask the Lord to fill them with faith—for without faith they could not do much--fill them with love and with wisdom. Were they ready to receive the baptism of the Spirit? It was said that it would be poured out on all flesh —but all flesh must be prepared to receive the outpouring of the Spirit. And to get into that condition they must be clear on the four points:—Be clear with God as to their own condition, be imbued with the spirit of forgiveness, obedience to the Spirit, and make a public confession to Christ. Then, revert- ing to Welsh, Mr. Roberts emphasised hie points. Further testimonies and spontaneous hyttra- singing followed. The meeting lasted until a late hour, and one of the features connected with it was the splendid singing of Dyma ga-riad fel y moroedd which took place in the streets and at the railway station at night when people were leaving the town for other places. «