Reference; Spirit of Grace Ministries McKinney, Tx. Writing by Dennis Pollock.2014.
Several years ago Linda and I visited Wales in the United Kingdom and specifically Moriah Chapel in Loughor west of Wales' main city Cardiff. We had always heard of the 1905 Welsh Revival and this was our chance to learn more about this significant event in church history. In the immediate previous message Rees Howells participated in this Revival having just arrived home from America.
Beginning in 1904 the Revival had its roots in Moriah Chapel, the home church of Evan Roberts, who became the central figure in the Welsh Revival, "...one of the purest, classical Holy Spirit outpourings in the history of the church." Upon the illness of his father Evan went to work as a coal miner at age twelve. During his teen years he began to attend every possible church gathering. At age 25 he underwent a magnificent occurrence, that was preparing him for his future work. This lasted every night for three months. Roberts related, "I found myself with unspeakable joy and awe in the presence of the almighty God...I was privileged to speak face-to-face with him as a man speaks face-to-face with a friend." They were divine visitations!
What eventually occurred at a small meeting was "...a mighty baptism in the Holy Spirit." He was transformed from "...a somewhat gloomy personality..." to one, who "...radiated tremendous joy." He began to speak with great confidence and had the goal of preaching throughout Wales. At his first Moriah Chapel prayer meeting with seventeen in attendance he spoke about the Holy Spirit in its totality which encompassed, "Confess all known sins to God. Put away all doubtful habits. Obey the Holy Spirit promptly. Confess Christ publicly." All seventeen confessed belief in Christ. That began his anointed ministry! The Revival fire was lit all over Wales. Churches began to be packed with services lasting for hours.
Very shortly Wales underwent an incredible transformation! Crime ceased to exist. Policemen formed singing quartets. The "pit ponies" in the mines ceased to obey commands because they were much more pure than the previous curses yelled at them! Pubs had reduced patronage. He spoke from his heart. "His experience with the Holy Spirit had left him deeply emotional. Tears flowed freely at times and joyous, unrestrained laughter at others."
The results of this outpouring had international consequences far and beyond the possibly 150,000 souls born again in Wales alone. Its impact went international, sweeping Europe, Canada, America and other parts of world. Unfortunately, after that year of intense ministry Evan Roberts was never the same. He suffered a nervous breakdown. His personal reach and impact was all in one year, but, it had immense consequences worldwide. America's own Azusa Street Revival in California, inspired by the Wales Revival, lasted from 1906-1915.
The teachings of Even Roberts will be continued in another book I am reading, War on the Saints, wherein he collaborated with Jessie Penn-Lewis.
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