4. Means And Circumstances Apparently Employed In Bringing
About The Revival At Cambuslang.
It may be well again to recur, in a few sentences, to the proceedings
of Whitefield, as apparently connected with what we have immediately to
add. We last parted from him in Wales, which was in March 1739. In the
August following he embarked for America, landed at Philadelphia, went
from that to New York, and from this largely over the colonies; and he
was thus thrown among the men who had been engaged in America as he had
been in England. The field preaching, begun among the colliers at King's-wood,
was now practised in the colonies. He learned from the colonial brethren
in some things, and they from him in others; and the work went on between
them to the astonishment of all. Large districts of country were now ripened
for the spiritual harvest. There was little spoken of but religion, and
all who knew the truth were ever saying to their neighbours, "Know
ye the Lord." Ministers, instead of preaching as if engaged in some
professional task, dealt with men's souls in what they said; and hearers
had their consciences so awakened, that they could not listen and remain
indifferent. The power of God was everywhere felt, and the reports of
what in this way occurred were spread everywhere, and especially in the
mother country. Now this was in 1740, and early in 1741 Mr. McCulloch
appears to have been in the habit of bringing the intelligence of these
interesting events before his people. The following is the statement given
of this proceeding in the last statistical account of the parish, and
which, as regards this matter, was drawn up by the Rev. Dr. Olason, now
of Edinburgh: "The Kirk of Cambuslang being too small, and out of
repair, the minister, in favourable weather, frequently conducted the
public devotional services of the parish in the open fields. The place
chosen was peculiarly well adapted for the purpose. It is a green brae
on the east side of a deep ravine near the church, scooped out by nature
in the form of an amphitheatre. At present it is sprinkled over with broom,
fume, and sloe bushes, and two aged thorns in twin-embrace are seen growing
side by side near the borders of the meandering rivulet which murmurs
below. In this retired and romantic spot Mr. McCulloch, for about a year
before 'the work' began, preached to crowded congregations. On the Sabbath
evenings, after sermon, he detailed to the listening multitudes the astonishing
effects produced by the ministrations of Mr. Whitefield in England and
America; and urged, with great energy, the doctrine of regeneration and
newness of life." In a narrative drawn up in 1742, and approved by
Mr. McCulloch, it is said, "The minister in his ordinary course of
sermon, for nearly a twelvemonth before this work began, had been preaching
on those subjects which tend most directly to explain the nature, and
prove the necessity, of regeneration, according to the different lights
in which that important matter is represented in Holy Scripture."
This was the state of matters at Cambuslang during the spring and summer
of 1741. But we must now again return to Whitefield, who, at this very
juncture, appeared, and for the first time, in Scotland. In the month
of March he had arrived in England, and soon after he was invited by many
in this country to visit Scotland. Among these, Messrs. Ebenezer and Ralph
Erskine, now separated from the establishment, and forming with their
brethren of the secession the associate presbytery, were among the earliest
and most urgent. Their wish was, that in coming to Scotland Whitefield
should preach only in connection with their body, and so help forward
the exclusive work in which they were engaged. To this he objected, regarding
himself as an evangelist at large; and out of this difference many things
that were to be regretted seem to have taken rise. But with these it is
not necessary for us at present further to interfere. On the 30th of July
he arrived in Edinburgh. He was urged to preach, but declined till he
had seen the Messrs. Erskine; and he accordingly proceeded to Dunfermline.
Writing on the 1st of August, he says:
"I went yesterday to Dunfermline, where dear Mr. Ralph Erskine hath got a large and separate, or, as it is commonly termed, seceding meeting-house. He received me very lovingly. I preached to his and the town's people--a very thronged assembly. After I had done prayer, and named my text, the rustling made by opening the Bibles all at once quite surprised me; a scene I never was witness to before." The day following he returned to Edinburgh, accompanied with Mr. Ralph Erskine, and preached in the Orphan House park to a large and impressed audience. His text was, "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom. 14:17.) After sermon, a large company, including some of the nobility, came to bid him God-speed, and among others, a portly Quaker, a nephew of the Messrs. Erskine. Taking him by the hand he said, "Friend George, I am as thou art; I am for bringing all to the life and power of the ever-living God; and therefore if thou wilt not quarrel with me about my hat, I will not quarrel with thee about thy gown." On Sabbath evening he preached in the same place to upwards of fifteen thousand; and on the evenings of Monday, Friday, and Saturday, to nearly as many; on Tuesday in the Canongate Church; on Wednesday and Thursday at Dunfermline; and on Friday morning at Queensferry. "Everywhere," says he, "the auditories were large and very attentive. Great power accompanied the word. Many hare been brought under convictions, and I have already received invitations to different places; which, God willing, I intend to comply with." Writing on the 15th of August (that is, a week later), he says: "It would make your heart leap for joy to be now in Edinburgh. I question if there be not upwards of three hundred in this city seeking after Jesus. Every morning I have a constant levee of wounded souls, many of whom are quite slain by the law. God's power attends the word continually, just as when I left London. At seven in the morning we have a lecture in the fields, attended not only by the common people, but also by persons of rank. I have reason to think that several of the latter sort are coming to Jesus. Little children, also, are much wrought upon. God much blesses my letters from the little orphans. [Girls in the hospital.] He loves to work by contemptible means. O my dear brother, I am quite amazed when I think what God has done here in a fortnight. My printed journals and sermons have been blessed in an uncommon manner. I am only afraid lest people should idolize the instrument, and not look enough to the glorious Jesus, in whom alone I desire to glory. Congregations consist of many thousands. Never did I see so many Bibles, nor people looking into them, when I am expounding, with so much attention. Plenty of tears flow from the hearers' eyes. Their emotion appears in various ways. I preach twice daily, and expound at private houses at night, and am employed in speaking to souls under distress great part of the day. I have just snatched a few moments to write to my dear brother. O that God may enlarge your heart to pray for me! This afternoon I preach out of town, and also tomorrow. Next post, God willing, you shall have another letter. I walk continually in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. The love of Christ quite strikes me dumb. O grace! Grace! Let that be my song. Adieu."
In this way he continued preaching very extensively over the country; and early in September he arrived in Glasgow. On the 11th he began in the High Churchyard, and for five days in succession he preached there twice a day, at an early hour in the morning and again in the evening. The expectations were great, not only in Glasgow, but all around, and crowds flocked to hear him. Morning after morning, and evening after evening, that vast churchyard, almost paved as it is with tombstones, was crowded with living worshippers, trembling under the word. But not satisfied with hearing, the pen of the ready writer was from day to day at work, and each sermon was printed by itself, and put immediately into circulation. Eight of the ten are now before us in their original form. On comparing these with the sermons contained in the uniform edition of his works, only three out of the eight appear in that collection. Some of the remaining five will be found in the appendix, as true specimens of the kind of preaching which was so eminently blessed. In these there are specimens of preaching eloquence fitted to impress and to awaken yet is there in them but little of the mere eloquence of intellect or of imagination. They are throughout characterized by great simplicity, as if the language of the preacher merely expressed what he felt; and yet is there so much earnestness and so much closeness of application, as in some measure to account for the effect produced--we mean in so far as that was human. All that we know of that wonderful man from his writings, confirms in us the impression that this was very much the character of all his ministrations; that with the advantage of a thrilling voice and an impressive manner, he was in the pulpit very much what Baxter was in the press. He spoke as a man realizing all that he said, and laying open the feelings of his own heart in addressing the hearts of others. And in this there is doubtless much of the power by which the sympathies of others may be awakened.
The impression produced by these sermons was very great, and they were blessed to not a few. Mr. Whitefield himself returned to England in the end of October, but many letters followed him, detailing the fruits of his labours in Scotland; and one of these was written by Mr. McCulloch. This is important not only as showing the interest which he took in Mr. Whitefield's first visit to Scotland, but also in making us acquainted with the views which he entertained concerning the effects produced. The following is an extract:-
"As it is matter of joy and thankfulness to God, who sent you hither, and gave you so much countenance, and so remarkably crowned your labours with success here at Glasgow, so I doubt not but the following account of the many seals to your ministry, in and about that city, will be very rejoicing to your heart, especially as the kingdom of our glorious Redeemer is so much advanced thereby, and as the everlasting happiness of souls is promoted. I am well informed by some ministers, and other judicious and experienced Christians, that there are to the amount of fifty persons already known, in and about Glasgow, who appear to be savingly convened, through the blessing and power of God on your ten sermons. And there are, besides these, several others apparently under conviction, but not reckoned, as being still doubtful. Several Christians, also, of considerable standing, were much strengthened, revived, and comforted, by what they heard. They were made to rejoice in hope of the glory of God, having attained to the full assurance of faith. Among those lately converted, there are several young people, who were before openly wicked and flagitious, or at best but very negligent as to spiritual things; and yet they are now in the way of salvation. Some young converts are yet under doubts and fears, but a considerable number of them have attained to peace and joy in believing. Several of those who were lately wrought upon in a gracious way, seem to outstrip Christians of considerable standing, in spiritual-mindedness, and in many other good qualifications; particularly in their zeal for the conversion of others, in, their love to ordinances, and in their freedom from bigotry and party zeal. Those converted by your ministry have not been discovered at once, but only from time to time. A good many of them have been discovered only of late. Their convictions were at first less pungent, and through the discouragements they met with, in the families where they resided, as well as from their own feelings, they endeavoured for a time to conceal their state. These circumstances afford grounds for hoping, that there are yet others who may afterwards become known. Besides such as have been awakened through the power of God accompanying your sermons, there are others who have been since awakened, and who have been discovered in consequence of the change observable in their conduct. Young converts are very active in seeking to promote the conversion of others, especially their relations and connections. Sometimes this is done by conversations, exhorting them to flee to Christ, and sometimes by correspondence; and there are instances of such means being blessed. Such converts have all a great love for one another, and for all in Christ; and they have great sympathy with any who are in a state of doubt and fear. Such as have not yet attained to comfort, nevertheless of their deep concern and careful attendance on the means of grace, are sometimes useful to Christians of older standing, by the anxiety which they discover. These, dear brother, are a few hints concerning some of the most remarkable things, as to the blessing which accompanied your labours at Glasgow. May a rich and powerful blessing give a plentiful increase to them everywhere!
With great respect and esteem, I am, reverend and dear sir, your affectionate brother in the work of the gospel.
"William McCulloch."
It may be added here, that many of those who were afterwards brought under the power of the truth at Cambuslang, spoke of these sermons as among the first means of awakening them to concern. Instances of this will be brought out in the cases to be afterwards detailed. |