LOUISIANA.
Revival in Central Church—English Evangelists.
W. S. ALEXANDER, D. D., NEW ORLEANS.
In my last letter the hope was expressed that we might have good tidings to send you. God has graciously and marvelously answered our prayer.
The month of November was a blessed month in Central Church.
The week of prayer in January has in other years been the beginning of real, earnest revival effort. The revival seasons of blessed memory have dated from this holy week. But the coming of two English Evangelists, James Wharton and Richard Irving, during the last days of October, called for immediate action, and we decided at once to open revival meetings, and to engage in a united and earnest effort for the salvation of sinners.
While these dear brethren were resting from their voyage, the church came together and re-consecrated themselves to God. There was a quick and deep apprehension of the necessity of personal holiness and of self-denying service for Christ. Indeed the entire month of October had been a month of prayerful preparation for the movement. Printed notices were widely distributed, and Christians went from house to house and invited people to come and seek the salvation of their souls. From the opening night the meetings were marked by deep seriousness and the evident presence of the Divine Spirit. The method of the Evangelists was simple and honest. No artificial means for exciting emotion were used. The Gospel was preached in its simplicity, its purity, and its power. The sermons were heart-searching, faithful and tender. The law in its exactions and the Gospel in its provisions and promises, were presented night after night. Brother Irving stayed with us ten days, and Brother Wharton three weeks. After the sermon the Pastor took charge of the meetings, and called the inquirers to the “mourners’ seats.” Special appeals and prayers were offered. Inquirers were directed one by one how to find the Saviour, and to obtain peace in believing. At some meetings Christians were permitted and encouraged to speak of the love and preciousness of Jesus; and such a volume of testimony! We could truly say, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” As I recall the sheaves that were gathered in this glorious harvest I find much to thank God for. In two instances both the husband and wife—all young people—were converted, and standing side by side took the vows of the church upon them. Women who had struggled with manifold temptations, and around whom the wildest storms of sorrow had gathered, found in Christ a refuge from the storm and the tempest. Young men with the hopes and possibilities of Christian manhood before them, humbly, heartily, and I believe, forever, took their position as the disciples of the Son of God. When Brother Wharton was compelled to leave us to meet an engagement in another church, the Pastor continued the meetings for another week, assisted by Rev. A. N. Wyckoff, of the Canal St. Presb. Church, Rev. Dr. John Matthews, of the M. E. Church, and two able colored preachers. The fire burned brightly to the last.
The first Sabbath in December, thirty-one were received to the Central Church on profession of their faith in Christ. We hope forty-eight were converted in this revival. Some joined other churches and more will yet unite themselves with us. The meetings were thronged as never before. Crowds of young men attended constantly. Some of them were won for God—others were impressed—and with very many, let us hope and pray, the truth they heard and the scenes they witnessed will prove to be “bread cast upon the waters,” to be gathered in some future day to the glory of God.
I think I see a quickened and deepened consciousness of right as they read it in the light of His word, upon the part of professing Christians a painful and unyielding anxiety with those who have not submitted their hearts to God, and with many, a sincere longing to come into the fellowship of the Gospel. If this judgment be true, then how great things has the dear Lord done for us!
The Church now numbers 210 members. My impartial judgment is that they represent a good deal of vitality, and are beginning to realize the infinite willingness of God to bless them, and to enlarge their borders.