Revival of 1859

Revival of 1859

Encouragement for God's People in the 21st Century

Search Your Heart

What is the earnest desire of your heart as you consider the lukewarm state of professing Christianity today? Do you yearn to see God glorified and exalted? Is your heart broken that the churches of the Lord Jesus have become complacent and lack even the slightest indication of sincere love for Him?

I believe that every true Christ-follower yearns to see revival. How does God choose to bring such revival among His people and awakening among the lost of this world? The Scriptures and history testify that there is generally one way which seems to be our Lord’s primary means… What is it? It’s very simple, yet very uncommon… Here it is: A group of people begin to actually trust God, they believe what He has written in His Word, and they obey it. That’s it. Armed with this faith in Him and a passion for Him, they begin to pray in faith to God with the promise of Jesus that they can ask anything in His name and He will do it (John 14:12-14). They steadfastly share the precious Gospel of Christ, they magnify the Lord, and the Spirit of God begins to stir the hearts of individuals.

The following account has been written to encourage you to seek revival for the glory of God. It is my prayer that this account will stir your heart to true faith in the Living God. It is my prayer that your life will be utterly changed and you will enter a life of full surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Fellowship

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Proverbs 27:17

In November of 1856, an Irishman named James McQuilken surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith. Soon after his conversion, he heard about how God had blessed a minister named George Muller in mighty ways simply through consistent, believing prayer that was focused on the glory and will of God. Living in a time when lukewarm religion was commonplace, James greatly desired to have spiritual fellowship with another true believer. Soon after he began to pray for this companionship, he met another young man who truly loved the Lord. These two young men began meeting for spiritual fellowship in a room at the local parish in Connor, Ireland. It was not long before they met two more young men who seemed to know the Lord. Now with four young men, the meetings for Bible study and worship continued. Desiring to join with others, these men sought to reach more people and shared the Gospel of Christ as a normal course of their lives.

Looking to God

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray…”

2 Chronicles 7:14

In the fall of 1857, after a year had passed, word began to spread about how the work of God was being so greatly blessed in the United States of America. James McQuilken was encouraged and knew that God was also willing and able to do a great work in Ireland. James proposed to his three friends that they should begin to meet on Friday mornings for the purpose of seeking the Lord’s blessing upon their evangelism efforts. The other men agreed and they began to meet in a small schoolhouse every week. The four did not invite others to this particular meeting, but rather, reserved it only for those who had truly committed their life to the Lord Jesus Christ. During these special prayer meetings they would read portions of the Bible, discuss the passages, pray for God’s guidance in ministry, and ask God to move in the hearts of men for His own glory.

Answers Come

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”

Galatians 6:9

These four young men saw no visible answer to their prayers for several months. Then, in January of 1858, God blessed them with one convert. Now with five, these men continued steadfastly doing the Lord’s work coupled with persistent prayer. It was not long before these men were blessed to see another convert – now there were six. James and the three men who had initially begun meeting together were greatly encouraged. Their faith in God increased. They knew that God was hearing their prayers and was using them to do His work on earth. With this encouragement they began to serve Him more diligently and prayed more earnestly with the confidence that God would answer. As a result, they saw more people genuinely converted. The number of those who regularly met to pray increased. They began holding additional meetings for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

Doors Opened

“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.”

Revelation 3:8

More than a year after James and his friends began to meet and pray for the success of God’s work, a new avenue for sharing the Gospel opened up. A young man from another city moved to Connor, Ireland and was converted through the witness of this small group of believers. He returned to his home for a visit and told them of the activity of this Christian assembly. The people from his hometown became curious, so they invited James McQuilken to come and speak to them at a church meeting.

In February of 1859, James and two of the original four went to this city to hold a meeting. Initially there was very little response and much skepticism about these young men; however, many of the church members desired to have them come for another meeting. Two weeks later, a second meeting was held. During and following this meeting, souls began to be truly converted. Some of the converts went to other cities and began to prayerfully share the Gospel of Christ. Christ was exalted, God was glorified, and the Spirit of God worked in thousands of hearts.

In April and May of 1859, James McQuilken was given the opportunity to hold meetings at churches in a few additional cities. In each city they were blessed as the people began to be convicted of sin. During the time following these visits by James McQuilken, more people began to be truly converted. The work of the Lord had begun afresh as God’s people received a renewed passion for the glory of God and the souls of men.

The Impact

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Psalm 27:14

In this simple yet God-ordained way, the fires of true revival had begun. A few Christians had read the Word of God and believed it. With a desire to exalt the Lord Jesus and glorify God, they began to seek God in prayer and they proclaimed the message of Jesus to a lost and deceived world. The results which came were not immediate. These young Christians were taught of God to endure in believing prayer and to wait upon the Lord for the sure answer. The result was not the formation of a large congregation that stands to boast of its numbers. The result was the genuine conversion of souls who went in true faith and prayerfully spread the glorious message of the Lord Jesus to others. This movement of the Spirit of God, which began so humbly, soon spread from Ireland to England, Wales, and Scotland. The impact and effects of this revival were felt for many years to come. Many thousands were converted. The account still blesses many hearts such as mine until this day. Praise be to God!

Surrender to God

“For I am the LORD, I change not…”

Malachi 3:6

In 1859, the world population was around 1 billion people. Today, the world population is around 7 billion. There are more lost people in the world today than there has ever been at any point in history. Do you think God was any more desirous to save souls in 1859 than He is today? Of course not. God “is not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). There is much to be done and we are in the midst of an abundant field of harvest. But, before any harvest, there is a period of sowing and cultivation. We must begin to prepare our fields with prayer and the Word of God. Dear Christian friend, God desires to use YOU to do a mighty work in this world for His glory. God does not need your ability, eloquence, or wisdom (1 Cor 1:17-2:5). God simply requires that you believe Him and surrender your life to Him in faith. Read His Word, believe His Word, and live His Word. If you are not among a group of true, prayerful, earnest believers – find some. Ask God for some. Seek God in prayer. Seek His guidance, His blessing, and His glory. Ask Him for great things for His glory and wait expectantly for His definite answer. Let that be your life. Live each day so that you will not be ashamed at the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And be encouraged dear friend….our Lord reigns.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20