Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-08-25
The Religious Revival in Ireland.

4uo hCUSlVuS 0CNlbdA III IL O1dnu'
The Belfast correspondent of the New York
Ckrcnicle, of this week, gives the following III
teres.Gg particulars as 10 tie rise and pro
gresS Of the PRESENT religious movement III Ire
land
As I see some statements in relation to the
great religious excitement in Ireland, which
are not very accurate, will devote the whole
d of this letter to that subject aud will lay be-
fore your readers as accurate view of it as
can gather from the published documents with
in nv reach. do this the more readily as it
bg the confession of all, the most wonderful
religious movement in the Churchs history in
modern times. There has been nothing like it
in the past. 1t is changing the social, the men-
tai AID moral aspects Of society where it pre-
walls. and onward the tide of holy influence is
EollI2g with increasing power.
This work at present, then, is confined to
the North Ireland 1t extends over FIVE coun-
ties in that part of the island Belfast, CoIer-
aine and Londonderry are the centre OF its in
huence, though not of its origin, but the small
Ter towns and villages for miles around are un-
der its power There is nothing impassioned,
excitable or sHperStitioCs in the character of
the people Unlike the Celts Of the South and
the West, who are full of these elements they
are the descendants Of the men of the Eng
the pace" aud exhibit many OF the features of
she Saxon character. 1t is the stronghold of
Protestant influence and PresbyteriaulSm is
the prevalent ecclesiastical element among the
the diSSidents from the Church. The latter
has great weight, the churches of the body are
numerous, the ministers men Of mental power
and rich and varied culture. Nothing can be
further from enthusiasm than the ministry
of these men. | only ueed mention the names
of Dr. Cook, Professor Edgar, Gibson,
McCosh, and Others, who have uttered their
solemn convictions that the work is Of G God and
are giving now their whole soul to its guidance
and advancement.
The origin of this movement is of singular
interest. The same agency, in the MAN, as
marked, more or less, the commencement of
your great work, has been employed here
Prayer in both cases was the spring from which
these streams of blesSedness flow. Nothing in
the state of the Church to warrant the eXpec.
tation. Everything was going on as usual
The same usual round of formal services. Min
listers met their people and preached. A few at
tended prayer meetings congregations in many
places small and a cold, dead formality reign
ed more or less in all sects. No special means
were employed to disturb this spiritual repose
no particular Weakening up of minister and
people marked it-God would work in his own
way, showing US that by the feeblest agency
he could accomplish the most marvellous moral
effects, and that he could dignity faith and
prayer. As far as can gather from the print
ed accounts which are before me, the origin
was as follows
In one case pious lady is on a visitto the
North. She becomes deeply interested in the
spiritual condition of a poor old man. She
visits, reads and prays with him. Again and
again she does this. The dark mind at last
opens to the light and the hard heart is toached
by the Savior'S love- He isconver;ed With
in his own heart a deep anxiety springs for the
conversion of bis wife. He cannot repreSS it.
Under the influence of the same truth she is
brought, and her aged spirit rejoices in Christ.
They tell their own new born JOY to others
They invite their neighbors and friends opray
with them and share their happiness. The re-
viyal in that locality was begun. In another
part four young men were converted. The con-
dition of the Sunday school aud the prayer
meeting soon fixed their attention. To pray
for their success and Improvement was their
immediate resolve Month after month, though
anxiously they watched for signs of improve.
p,ent, still they saw none. Delay did not quench
their zeal Faith in the Divine promise sus
tanned them and they prayed on TIL the Spirit
came with power, and Ihe revival began
Everywhere, and by all parties the work, which
is now rolling onward tide Of blessing over
this district, is attributed entirely to this.