The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-04-12 00:00:00

IRVINGITE REVIVALISM.

In London, the other evening, a densely-crowded
meeting, composed mainly of the members and priesta
of the Apostolic Church founded several years aince
by the Rev. Edward Irving, ami known as the sect of
Irvingites, wan held at Exeter Hall. The object of the
meeting may be gathered from the following extract
from the bills and advertisements convening the
meeting :

" The -message from the Lord Jeans Christ to all Christian
people of every denomination by his restored Apxstleship
(that Elias Ministry which Chrtat promised should precede
this second Advent concerning the immediate coming of
tha Lord, the approaching great tribulation, the reign of
anti-Chriat and the neap° of a remnant from that day will
be declared at Exeter Hall This message will be delivered
by an Evangellat moving under the Lord'. Restored
Apostles."

Precisely at eight o'clock the Evangelist, Mr. Wells,
accompanied by several elder, of the Church, eanari upon
the platform. Mr. Wells said he was there that. 4iebt
with a message to Chriatians of all denominations, and
he was the messenger appointed by the Apostles of the
Lord. This message was to announce that Jesus
Christ, the son of God, was about to return to this
earth, to take his place among men. Just before that
time there would be a period of great tribulation, anti-
Christ would appear, but there should be a deliverance
on the coming of the Lord. He was there to announce
the coming of the Lord, the same person who warn taken
up into Heaven. He then proceeded to justify his
statement by quotations from the Salpture. which fore-
told the second coming of the Lord He contended
that the great tribulation was now in existence, as
ehown in thecontentious now going on among the various
Christian sects, and the convulsed state of all the nations
of the earth, which was all the work of anti-Chriat.
He stated that three wire came out pure and undefiled
horn under this great tribulation would be the remnant
who would be saved by the Lord on his second coming.
He then referred to the acts and powers of the Lord'.
12 Apostles, as detailed in the Scriptures, and said
that the 12 Apostles of the present day, whose mop
'stinger he was, were endowed with the same powers as
those p fees-seed by the Apostles of Old, and their act. ,
roust be accepted in full faith without question. This I
statement was received with great hissing from a con-
siderable number of the audience. Mr. Wells then
proceeded for some time in the same strain, taking no
notice of the interruption, and concluded an address ,
lasting over one hour and a half, by asserting that now I
was the accepted time, and three who did not embrace
the opportunity would be judged without mercy by the
Lord on his second coming.
At the conclusion of tile. Well's address, several
persons on the platform and in the body of the ball
raid they wielied to put some queetions to the speaker.
Mr. Wells, however, said he was not there to enter
into any discussion, and must decline to answer any
questions whatever. He then retired from the plat-
form with his friends, and a scene of considerable con-
fusion rimmed, Mill • dozen persons addressing the
'fencing at one time in opposition to the view, eet forth
by Mr. Wells. The assembly ultimately separated
amid much excitement and confusion.