INCIDENTS OF FIRST REVIVAL

First Revival -- Justice of Peace Makes Disturbance -- Eggs, Rocks and Pistols -- Brave Willie -- Infuriated Mob Destroys Tent -- Opposer Slain under the Power of God.

 

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. Ps. 3:6.

     The real work of God always provokes opposition: such opposition may not assume an open attitude, though this is preferable, as it discovers the enemy's strength. Sometimes the devil works above ground and then again he seems to quit the field, when the fact is he is working underneath, hoping to suddenly knock the props out and let the whole thing cave in. It is always good right after every victory to be ready for a new attack from an unexpected source. As a rule, the revivals that prove the most lasting are those in which the "ones and twos" have been saved at a time, instead of a great "landslide."

     I well remember the first meeting in which I assisted. At the age of nineteen, I felt that I could no longer be caged up inside the old stone walls of Wheaton College, and accordingly joined a company of three young men at Atwood, Illinois. Souls were getting saved and interest was running high when the devil made his appearance in the form of the Justice of the Peace and other lewd fellows. Their first attempt was to cut down the tabernacle, but they succeeded in getting it only half down when we intercepted them. The next night we remained after service, but well for us that we extinguished the lights, for we were shot at and missed but a few feet: we thanked God in that instance at least for "darkness rather than light."

     Another night we received a shower of stones and eggs while pronouncing the benediction. No one was hit but the daughter of the man who threw a large stone weighing two or three pounds.

     We had just retired when another shower came against our house, the rocks coming through the windows and the eggs painting and staining the outside. For the time being there was nearly as much racket on the inside as on the outside, for one of the dear boys jumped out of bed and, after brushing a lot of old shoes, baskets and valises aside, succeeded in finding a safe place under the bed, far back against the wall. After a moment's silence, he shouted out in an unmistakable tone, "Hallelujah!" I was trying to locate our disturbers, and said, "Willie, what are you doing under the bed? Get out of there and show your bravery another way." But no, he was too secure to run any risks.

     The meeting ran on and, along with others, the railroad agent at that place was blessedly converted and afterwards entered the ministry. A barber gave up his sins and opened up business each morning with prayer. This seemed to infuriate our opposers the more, and accordingly they banded together to burn down the tent. We remained inside and, when the mob arrived, met them at the entrance with lighted matches, but were overpowered with brickbats, revolvers and dynamite. The tent was cut down and blown to pieces, but we were still determined to get souls. No hall or other building could be rented for services as any such place was likewise threatened. So we took to holding street meetings, but even here we were assailed with eggs thrown high up in the air from the back part of the buildings; they spattered all around, but failed to hit the mark.

     Finally, an aged widow opened her house for the meetings and the crowds filled the rooms and yards. Some were seeking, others shouting and still others cursing. One man said that were it not for the crowd he would put a stick of dynamite (which he then had) under the corner of the house where Shelhamer was preaching, and blow the whole house to atoms. The power of God was so manifest that a cursing young man was struck down, and when he was able to speak he began to seek salvation and said he would never oppose the work again. One young lady, who had been converted, fell under the power and lay as one dead, so that some questioned among themselves if it were genuine; in order to test it, a wicked young man procured a long rod from a tree and, reaching through the uplifted window, twisted a wad of hair from the back of her head, but she never flinched.

     God was surely in the place, and it was not due to masterly sermons, but rather to simplicity in prayer, testimony and fiery exhortations. From this revival a class was formed, out of which four or five good workers and young preachers came. It meant the destruction of our tent, showers of eggs, bullets and brickbats, but what of it, since the influence of that meeting is still sweeping on and will continue to all eternity?

     A Commission With Courage

     "And thou son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and THORNS be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them whether they will hear or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious." Ezek. 2: 6, 7.