The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-01
MISSIONS.

The Moravian missionaries on the
Moskito Coast write of remarkable
awakening. The accounts read like those
of early Methodist revivals 1t began
at Magdala some months ago Mr.. c..
A. Martin writes from Blewfelds that
"it is spreading along the whole coast, -
and from all sides calls come for assist
ance. At Blewfelds over a hundred
persons were received into the church
the previous week, and cat the evening
services there is such crowd that we
cannot kneel down for prayer" Mr.
Martin goes on to say that on the previ-
Gus Sunday, while on his way to visit a
parlshioner, a woman met him and begged
him to come to the church, where her
husband had been praying three days
and could not "obtain peace. He found
the man PROSTATE in the church, prayed
with him, and sent him home rejoicing.
Just before the public service he was
summoned to another man, who lay pros
trate on the ground. The public service
was followed by second and third.
Mr.. H. Pepper writes from Magdala that
previous to the revival there prevailed
in that place terrible degree of gross
immortality and godlessness." 1t was the
worst town in the country Now" he
says, "all is changed. The most violent
drunkards, who were objects of general
dread, are now, like lambs, sitting at the
feet of the Good Shepered. 1 have never
heard such prayers as here, they appear
to proceed from the lowest depths of
hearts that are deeply touched by Divine
Grace Every dwelling seems to be a
house of prayer" Mr. Pepper gives the
following account of the origin of the
revival:
"The third of July was the memorable
day, which can never be forgotten. l
was preaching on Luke V Ill and the
church was as full as it could be. Many
appeared to have kind of presentiment
that the Lord was about to do something
special in our midst Nothing unusual
occurred during the service, but when
at the conclusion, we were singing the
hymn, beginning O could we but love
that Saviour, who loves us so ardently,
etc., (Mor. Hymn Book, No. 471), one
man could not repress his emotion, and
began to pray aloud % Lord Jesus, have
mercy on me, etc. Thereupon the whole
assembly prayed with deep earnestness,
some kneeling, some standing, raising
hands heavenward While several cried
for mercy and pardon, others looked up
ward with faces beaming with Joy. A
few stood in perplexity, looking round
amazed and utterly at loss to under
stand what was going on. We united in
earnest prayer and then sang a verse
While thus engaged, the excitement
Gained down. But when I was about to
dismiss the congregation with prayer an
aged brother could not help speaking in
praise of the great love of God our Sa-
viour, begging all present to give them
selves to the Lord with body and soul.
This led me to speak again in great Joy
fulness of spirit. Then we prayed once
more and sang a verse, and the congrega-
ton dispersed with great Joy in almost
every heart for the rich blessing which
had been enjoyed. In the following days
the movement continued everywhere
you heard singing and praying. On my
return to Blewfelds, early in August, l
found the revival rapidly spreading
Last Wednesday august 3D., although
on this day there is no morning service,
VIC hCIO oil OuSCu Wy JuS ringing Vi Tie
church-bell, and by daybreak the place
was crowded We have now service
every evening, to meet the requirements
of the many souls who are hungry for
spiritual food. Almost every hour per-
sons come to us who are seeking comfort
or who wish to Join the church. We are
often called to pray with individuals in
their houses. 1t is singular to observe
how those who are strongly moved by the
Spirits influence do not move from the
spot, but cry aloud for their pardon,
trembling in every limb. Generally they
kneel, sometimes with the forehead to the
ground and seem unable to rise. Ere
quently peace does not come until they
have confessed their sins and made peace
with their enemies, and this may be a
matter of several days, during which
they neither eat nor sleep and partake of
no refreshment but water. On finding
peace, there is great joy in their whole
demeanor and they break forth in warm
hearted utterances, which display consid-
cradle scriPtural knowledge. "-Indepea-
dent
From the report of our Presbyterian
Mission to the Chinese in California for
tba yoar 1901 - s.--