We before saw the condition of this parish, as regarded the means of grace, some of which were special, and had a direct bearing on the existing state of religion. We have now seen that preaching of a very unusual kind had been brought to the immediate neighbourhood, and that Mr. McCulloch had taken a deep interest in the work which ensued. It would have been strange indeed, if, nevertheless, the people of Cambuslang had remained wholly unmoved. On the contrary, we are informed that towards the end of the year 1741, there was an observable change in the attention and apparent feelings of the congregation, under the ministrations of the word. Still there was nothing so remarkable as yet to warrant the term 'revival' in its ordinary acceptation. As a narrative of the revival itself was drawn up and attested in May 1742, it will be best for us simply to copy the account given, and Mr. McCulloch's attestation to its accuracy.
A narrative of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang, in a letter to a friend
"Sir, --As the report of the good work at Cambuslang, which has for several weeks engaged the attention of numbers in this city and country in the neighbourhood, is now spread over a great part of the nation, it is no wonder that one who lives at the distance you do should be curious to have a true relation of it. And as I would be glad of any opportunity to serve you, it is very agreeable to me to think that I can gratify you in this matter, especially in what concerns the people in that parish, and some other parishes near it; having had opportunity to converse fully with the minister of Cambuslang, and with many of the people there who are under this special exercise, and also with some other ministers who have several in their parishes that appear to be under the same happy impressions.
"There is one thing, in the entry, I must apprize you of, namely, that I am to confine myself to a simple narration of facts, as the evidences on which the opinion of many concerning the present happy change that is wrought on that people is founded; and this, without entering on any reasoning, but leaving it to yourself to draw proper conclusions from the facts, after comparing them with Scripture rules and instances.
"I must also acquaint you, as it as natural to expect, when, on a singular occasion of this sort great numbers of people from adjacent towns and country came flocking to a place which became so remarkable, that, in such a promiscuous multitude, some counterfeits would readily appear. It was the early care of ministers, who interested themselves most in that matter, to enter into a strict examination of those who appeared to be under a more than ordinary concern; so as to obtain satisfaction to themselves whether the work was solid, being justly apprehensive that the powers of darkness would not fail to employ their devices to bring contempt on what might tend so much to the honour of the gospel.
"In those watchful endeavours, it must be owned that some impostors were found to have mixed with the sincere; but there is reason to bless God that, so far as yet appears, They have been very few; and, as these have been severely rebuked, so the most awful warnings have been given against all such insincere pretensions; which warnings, there is ground to believe, have had very good effect.
"Now, sir, to give you the short history of this matter: The minister of the parish, in his ordinary course of sermons, for near a year 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. And for some months before the late remarkable events, a more than ordinary concern about religion appeared among that people. One evidence of this was, that about the end of January last, a petition was given in to the minister, subscribed by about ninety heads of families, desiring that a weekly lecture should be set up; which was readily granted, and the day fixed was Thursday, as the most convenient for the temporal interests of the parish.
"On Monday, the 15th of February, there was a general meeting, at the minister's house, of the particular societies for prayer, which had subsisted in the parish for several years before. On Tuesday, there was another meeting for prayer in the same place; die occasion of which was a concert with several serious Christians elsewhere about solemn prayer relating to the public interests of the gospel. In this concert, only a small number of people in Cambuslang were engaged at first; but others getting notice of it desired to join, and were admitted. The people who met for prayer these two days apprehended that they had been so well employed, and found so much leisure for it, that they had a third meeting on Wednesday. But, on all these three days, they returned timeously in the evening to their own houses; so far is it from being true that they rushed from some of these meetings to the church, and continued for days and nights, as was reported.
"Previous to Thursday, the 18th February, they had weekday sermons only on Thursdays, according to the above mentioned desire of the parish. And up to this time, though several persons came to the minister under deep concern about their salvation, yet there came no great number together. But on that day (Thursday the 18th of February), after sermon, a considerable number of people, reckoned by some present to be about fifty, came together to the minister's house, under convictions and alarming apprehensions about the state of their souls, and desiring to speak with him.
"From this unexpected number coming in one evening in so great distress, and the necessity of the minister's exhorting them in general and conversing with them separately, you will easily perceive that he behoved to spend that night with them, as he had done most part of two or three more since this work began, which is about twelve weeks.
"After this, numbers daily resorted to that place--some to hear the word, some to converse with people who were under this remarkable concern, and others with different views. And the desires and exigencies of these were such that the minister found himself obliged, without any previous intimation, to provide them with daily sermon, a few days excepted, and after sermon usually to spend some time with them in exhortation, prayer, and singing of psalms; he being especially encouraged thereto by the extraordinary success with which God was pleased, from time to time, to bless his own ordinances, insomuch that, by the best information that could be had, the number of persons awakened to a deep concern about salvation, and against whom there are no known exceptions as yet, has amounted to above three hundred. And, through divine mercy, the work seems to be still making considerable progress every week, and more for some weeks of late than formerly.
"Of the number just now mentioned, the far greater part have already given, both to ministers and other serious Christians, a good account of what they have felt in their convictions and humiliation for sin, of the way of their relief by faith in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and of the change they feel in the prevalent inclinations and dispositions of their hearts.
"As to their devotion, with other parts of their practice, which is what chiefly attracts the attention and regard of this country, there are comfortable accounts given of it, by those who have the best and most frequent opportunities of knowing their daily behaviour.
"The parish of Cambuslang being of so small extent that most of the people live within a mile of the church, and some who have the best intelligence being almost every day with the minister, he and they have abundant opportunities of knowing the practices of such of the people as live within their bounds. And the account which they give is, that they appear to be in a very hopeful way; and the lie good accounts are given by several ministers and others, of such as belong to other neighbouring parishes.
"Among the good fruits already appearing, both in Cambuslang and elsewhere, the following instances seem very encouraging: There is a visible reformation of the lives of some who were formerly notorious sinners, particularly in the laying aside cursing and swearing, and drinking to excess, among persons addicted to these practices; --remorse for acts of injustice and the violation of relative duties, confessed to the persons wronged, joined to new endeavours after a conscientious discharge of the duties previously neglected;--restitution, which has more than once been distinctly and particularly inculcated in public, since this work began;-- forgiving injuries;-- desirable evidence of fervent love to one another, to all men, and even to those who speak evil of them;--and among those people, both in Cambuslang and other parishes, more affectionate expressions of regard than ever to their own ministers, and to the ordinances dispensed by them;--the keeping up of divine worship in families, where it was often neglected by some, and entirely by others;--the setting up of new meetings for prayer, both of old and young, partly within the parish, where twelve such societies are now begun, and partly elsewhere, among the awakened;--and together with all of these, ardent love to the Holy Scriptures, vehement thirsting after the public ordinances, earnest desires to be instructed in private by ministers and others, with commendable docility and tractableness in receiving such instruction.
"This thirst after knowledge is remarkable among those who were formerly more ignorant than others. Some who cannot read, though old, are thus desirous that they may become better acquainted with God's word; and so they have resolved to learn to read; some of the younger having gone to school.
"These good impressions have been made on persons of very different characters and ages; on some of the most abandoned, as well as the more sober; on the young as well as the aged; on the illiterate as well as those better instructed; on persons of a slow as well as quick and more sprightly genius; and what seems to deserve special attention, on persons who were addicted to scoffing at sacred things, and at this work particularly, when it first began.
"The sum of all these facts is, that this work has been begun and carried on under the influence of the great and substantial doctrines of Christianity, pressing jointly the necessity of repentance towards God, of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and of holiness in all manner of conversation. That it came after such preparations as an extensive concern about religion, gradually increasing, together with extraordinary and fervent prayers in large meetings, and particularly in relation to the success of the gospel; that great and successful pains have been taken to discover and discountenance hypocritical pretences, and to warn people against what might have the least appearance of enthusiasm or delusion; that the account given by a very large number of people concerning their inward exercises and attainments; seems to agree with the Scripture standard; and that they are bringing forth in practice fruits meet for repentance, comprehending the several branches of piety, and of the most substantial morality, that can entitle men to the regard of the friends of religion and virtue.
"And now, sir, I have given you a plain and simple account of the most material facts relating to this extraordinary work at Cambuslang, and of such as were awakened there belonging to other parishes, together with the proper evidence by which these facts are supported; in all which I have avoided disputing, and studied brevity. I leave it with you to judge how far such facts make it evident that this work is from God; seeing that to use the words of a pious divine, treating a subject of the same nature, 'He that was formerly a drunkard, lives a sober life; he that was vain, light, and wanton, becomes grave and sedate; the blasphemer praises God; joy is turned into heaviness, and that on account of the condition of the soul; the ignorant are filled with the knowledge of divine things; and the tongue that was dumb in the things of God, speaks the language of Canaan;--seeing that secure sinners 'have been roused with a witness to care for the state of their souls, that those who were ignorant speak skillfully concerning, religious matters, and that even the graceless increase, in knowledge; that swearers stop their oaths and speak reverently of God; that vain persons, who minded no religion, but frequented taverns and frolics, passing their time in filthiness, foolish talking and jesting, or singing paltry songs, do now frequent Christian societies for prayer, seek Christian conversation, talk of what concerns the soul, and express their mirth in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; that they who were too sprightly to be devout, and who esteemed it an unmanly thing to shed tears for the state of their souls, have mourned as for an only son; and that persons who came to mock at the lamentations of others, have been convinced, and by free grace brought over to such ways as they formerly despised.'
I am, sir, yours, etc May 8, 1742."
This letter was published without the name of the author, but with the following attestation by Mr. McCulloch himself: --
"May 8, 1742.
"I have perused the following short narrative, and can attest the facts contained in it; partly from personal knowledge, and partly from the most credible information; but I think it a loss that it is not fuller. I have seen a large paper compiled by different hands; which, besides the facts related in this, contains several useful reasonings, tending to prove that the favourable judgment formed by many, and even by some who, through want of information, hesitated at first about this work, is supported by all that kind of evidence that things of this nature are capable of, in such a space of time and consequently, that there is good ground to hope that, by the divine blessing, the confirmation arising from perseverance will be daily increasing, as hitherto it has been.
The said large paper contained also a vindication of this work from various objections, and false and injurious aspersions thrown on it in print by some who have not yet appeared to own their accusations; which in justice they ought to do, or retract them. But though it has not been thought expedient to publish that large account at present, I understand the compilers of it can easily prepare it for the press, if it shall be thought needful afterwards. For my own part, I desire to join in hearty prayers with the people of God, that he may revive his work in the midst of the years, in this and all the churches, and make it to triumph over all opposition; and I conclude with the words of the prophet Zechariah (4.:6-7): 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace, unto it.'
"WILLIAM McCULLOCH."
We have not observed whether the large paper here referred to was published or not. But there is a collection of not fewer than nine attestations, nearly all by ministers whose nearness enabled them to judge, or who had themselves shared in the work. It is now unnecessary, and would be tiresome, were these to be all copied. But in several cases there is so much of what was actually observed by the writers, that extracts at least from their attestations can scarcely fail to be interesting. And they are all, it will be seen, attesting what had occurred during the same period, namely, the first three months of the revival.
The first which we shah copy is the attestation of Mr. Willison of Dundee, a name familiar among the pious as a household word. His letter is as follows:-
"Glasgow, April 15, 1742.
"Reverend and Dear Brother, --Seeing some are desirous to have my thoughts of the work at Cambuslang, I am willing to own that I travelled a good way to inquire and get satisfaction about it. And having resided several days in Mr. McCulloch's house, I had occasion to converse with many who had been and were under convictions there. I found several in darkness and great distress about the condition of their souls, and with many tears bewailing their sins and original corruptions; and especially the sin of unbelief and slighting of precious Christ; some of whom had been in this state for several weeks past. Yet I saw nothing in any tending to despair; but, on the contrary, their exercise pointed still at the great remedy: for oft they would be breaking out in hopeful expressions, such as, Though He slay me, I will trust in him.' Others I found in a most desirable frame--overcome with a sense of the wonderful love and loveliness of Jesus Christ; they were even sick of love, and inviting all about them to praise him. I spoke also with many who had got relief from their soul--trouble, and in whom the gracious work of the Spirit of God appeared, according to my apprehension, in its fruits and effects. Such were ingenuous confessors of their former evil ways, professed hatred of sin, low and abasing thoughts of themselves, the renouncing the vanities of the world and all their own doings, and relying wholly upon Christ for righteousness and strength; expressing great love to Christ, to the Bible, to secret prayer, to the people of God, and to his image in whomsoever it might appear; and also love to their enemies, so that when they heard of some calling the work at Cambuslang a delusion, they showed no resentment, but wished their eyes might be opened; and they earnestly wished they could bring all their enemies and all the world to their dear Redeemer. I conversed with some who had been very wicked and scandalous, but who were now wonderfully changed. Some of them, who had before been rude and boisterous, had now the meekness of the Lamb. When they spoke of their former ways, they blushed and wept, saying that none in all the country round had been so wicked as they; and they earnestly desired to exalt free grace. When I was cautioning them against new temptations, they showed a proper sense of their own weakness, and seemed on this account afraid of going near their old companions, though they would fain have had them brought to Christ. They would rather, they said, die than return to their old sins; and that if ever they should be so left to themselves as to fall into any of them, they would rather leave the country than bring dishonour on the cause of God. Though I conversed with a great many, both men and women, young and old, I could observe nothing visionary or enthusiastic about them. Their conversation was solid, their experience scriptural, and the comfort or relief they had got still came to them through some promise or word of Scripture cast into their minds. And it was pleasant to hear them mention so great a variety of these, up and down the Bible. Some who could not read repeated their words of consolation without knowing well whether they were words of Scripture or not; and on finding that they were, they greatly rejoiced. I had heard much of this surprising work by letters, and from eyewitnesses, before I came; but all that made slight impressions on me when compared with what I saw and heard for myself. On the whole, I look upon the work at Cambuslang as a singular and marvellous outpouring of the Holy Spirit; and I pray that it may be a happy forerunner of a general revival of the Lord's work in this poor decayed church, and a blessed means of union among all the lovers of our dear Lord.
"John Willison."
A somewhat similar account is given by Mr. Matthew Connel, minister of East Kilbride, a neighbouring parish; but as it does not contain much additional information it may be omitted. The third is by Dr. John Hamilton, minister of the Barony parish of Glasgow, and who was himself also honoured of God. He speaks in his attestation of some who belonged to his own parish, and who had been benefited at Cambuslang. We shall, therefore, communicate an abstract of his statements. Writing on the 20th of April, he says: " I understand it to be expected that I should declare my sentiments concerning the extra-ordinary work at Cambuslang especially as good many of my parishioners have lately been awakened there to a great concern about their souls. As soon as I was informed of their condition, I made it my business to wait on them. And I found a good many persons under the deepest exercise of soul, crying out most bitterly of their lost and miserable state, by reason of sin; of their unbelief, in despising Christ and the offers of the gospel; of the hardness of their heart; and of their gross carelessness and indifference about religion. And though some of them said that they had regularly attended the preaching of the gospel, yet they acknowledged with much regret their misimprovement of it; that they had heard many sweet sermons without benefit, and had come to church only to see and be seen. I have heard them express great sorrow for these things, and seemingly in the most serious and sincere manner, and this not so much, as some of them told me, from fear of punishment as from a sense of the dishonour done to God and the blessed Redeemer. Though I have seen some of them in great distress, I could never observe any disordered in mind, and their complaints were always suited to their circumstances; Neither did I observe any of them in a state of despair, but all of them seeking relief according to the gospel method of salvation--through an interest in Christ. When speaking of prayer, they have told me how much they had formerly neglected that duty, and how coldly and. lifelessly it had been performed. But now they had much sweetness in it. Their love for the Scriptures was great. They spoke of them as very precious, and as an invaluable treasure. They seemed surprised how they could have so slighted them before, and they wondered at the discoveries which they were daily making in them. They had great love for the public ordinances, and felt unwilling, they said, to retire even when they were over. They are also very desirous of being instructed in private. Some of then came to my house; and I never saw persons more docile. Some were at first but little acquainted with doctrinal knowledge; but their progress was rapid. I have been surprised to observe how readily and even judiciously some, who had but lately been ignorant and unconverted, spoke concerning the most important points of practical religion, and with how much facility they adduced passages of Scripture suited to the subject in hand. I have often heard them express very strong desires for the conversion of others; and they discover great love to as many as are in Christ. The persons I conversed with had been different from one another in their previous character and conduct. Some had all along been sober and regular, and in the habit of attending public ordinances; whereas others had been careless, and addicted to many sins. But even the more blameless declared, that till now, their hearts had never been touched with the word; that they had never till now felt the influence of religion, but were altogether unconcerned."
Other attestations are afforded by the Rev. William Hamilton, at Bothwell; the Rev. William Hamilton, at Douglas: the Rev. John McLaurin of Glasgow. Whose name is in all the churches, and others in the neighbourhood; but passing over these, we shall further quote only from a letter by the Rev. William McKnight, minister of Irvine, and father of Dr. McKnight, well known as a critical commentator. And we furnish an abstract of his letter all the rather that, like Mr. Willison's, it describes the impressions produced on his own mind when at Cambuslang. Writing on the 6th of May 1742, he says
"As I had, by information from letters, conceived a good opinion of the extraordinary and surprising work at Cambuslang before I went thither, so my opinion has been much confirmed by what I saw and heard. While I joined with your congregation in public worship, I observed among the vast number assembled to hear, not only serious looks, grave deportment, and close attention but also weeping eyes, and other indications of deep distress. In conversing with some after the public services were over, I found that their convictions were deep touching the evil and demerit of sin, both original and actual, particularly that of unbelief. On directing them to the words of Paul, as addressed to the Philippian jailer, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house' (Acts 16.:31), their answer was, ' Lord, help me to believe; gladly would I believe, but I cannot.' Yet I observed that, even in these circumstances, they expressed ardent desires after Christ. I conversed with others, who had been under deep and piercing convictions of sin, but who had also found in the blood of Christ a sufficient remedy; and these were ever exalting free grace, saying, with the apostle Paul, ' It is by grace that we are what we are; and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.' When I conversed with them, they declared distinctly how their convictions began, and wrought, and how they got relief. They discovered, also, how gracious that work was, in their confession of sin with shame, sorrow, and blushing; in their professing so to hate it as to loathe themselves on account of it; crying out, 'Behold we are vile; we abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes:' also in their love to God and his ordinances, in renouncing their own righteousness, and relying wholly on Christ for righteousness and strength; in their high esteem and ardent love for their dear Redeemer; in their charity and love for one another, and for all who are Christ's; in their affectionate concern for such as fall under distress and anguish of spirit on account of sin; and in their endeavours to relieve them, whether by suitable exhortations, or by comforting with the consolations wherewith they had themselves been comforted. These are a few of the good fruits which I observed among some of those with whom I conversed at Cambuslang. "WM. McKNIGHT. Irvine, May 6, 1742."
These attestations are, we doubt not, sufficient, and therefore we shall now only add the account which Mr. McCulloch himself gives of what had taken place. Writing to Mr. Whitefield, on the 28th of April 1742, he says: --
"Rev. and very Dear Sir, --I have been so much employed daily for so long time in the Lord's work in this place, that I have not had leisure to write to you half so often as I inclined; but I cannot forget you one day, and would gladly hear more frequently from you, if your more important work will permit you now and then to employ a few minutes that way. It is matter of great joy to hear that our Immanuel is making such quick and amazing conquest in New England, and that his work still goes on and prospers with you. May he continue more and more to strengthen and furnish you for that great and extraordinary work to which he hath called you; and may he abundantly bless and promote your labours for the good of multitudes of souls, who may be as so many jewels in that crown of glory that our Lord will give you at his appearing! For my part, I cannot but often cry out, with wonder and astonishment, Whence is this to me, that the great God our Saviour should put so great and extraordinary a work into my hands--a work relating to the interests of his kingdom, and the bringing of souls to him--and that he should give any countenance at all, especially to the worthless endeavours of such 'a poor sinful creature in this work? How well' does it become me often to say and to sing, 'Not unto me, O Lord, not unto me, but unto thy name, O Lord, be all the glory, for thy mercies sake, and for thy truth's sake!'
"Help us, dear brother, to praise him for his goodness, and for his works of mercy to perishing sinners, that are everywhere made to taste of his distinguishing goodness, and particularly in this place of late. To the praise of his own mercy and grace be it spoken, I believe that, in less than three months past, about three hundred souls have been awakened and convinced of their perishing condition without a Saviour, more than two hundred of whom are, I believe, hopefully converted and brought home to God, and have been at times filled with joy and peace in believing; and the rest are earnestly seeking for Jesus, and following on to know the Lord.
"We have had several glorious days of the Son of man since this work began. Last Lord's-day was a remarkable day of divine power amongst us. The Lord was with us of a truth. The arrows of conviction flew thick among my people, and though there were but a dozen persons that had been awakened that day, who came to my closet to talk with me at night after sermon, yet I am informed that a considerable number besides these were wounded in spirit, and either could not get into the house for the crowd, or went away wishing to conceal their distress as long as they could. Some have computed the number present hearing, the last two Lord's-days, at nine or ten thousand. Mr. Willison came from Dundee about three weeks ago, to see the Lord's work here, and he returned much pleased. I believe his sermons, while here, were blessed to many. Our dear brother, Mr. L--n, has been very assisting and encouraging to this work. We continue still to have a sermon here every day. I long much to see you here. Let me how by the first opportunity when you think to be with us. Cease not, dear brother, to pray for the continuance and spreading of this blessed work, and for your poor and unworthy, but affectionate brother in the Lord, Wm. McCulloch."
After hearing so much of the power experienced at Cambuslang, one naturally feels desirous of having some specimen of the preaching, and especially of Mr. McCulloch's. Eleven of his discourses were published by his son. But they had generally been revised, remodelled, or, it may be, in some cases written out for the first time, after they had been delivered. During the pressing season of special duty, his discourses were, it may be, generally rather the fruit of meditation than of written compositions, and not therefore to be had. Two only of the eleven published sermons however, are said to have been delivered during the revival, and one of them during the period just reviewed. But even these, though faithful manifestations of divine truth, were not the actual sermons, as delivered on the occasions referred to. Of the one, his son says: "The sermon which he preached, he afterwards altered, particularly in the improvement, when, about twenty years after, he again wrote and preached on the same text." It would, therefore, lead only to mistake, were these to be given as actual specimens of the preaching so eminently blessed. Many of the passages remembered by the awakened, as having been the most effective, are not likely ever to have been written, but spoken, in addressing the persons whose hearts had thus been touched and awakened. |