Defying Threats with the Word of God
The following Sunday, he defied them by delivering a sermon based on Matthew 23:37-38: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate.
Introducing the Communion Revival Pattern
Ever looking for opportunities to spur renewal in the hearts of his congregation, James adapted a formula that sparked revivals in Ulster Northern Ireland and Scotland. The greatest of these was in 1742 in Cambuslang. The Reverend McGready called for an annual, multiday Communion service that allowed everyone from the area to come together, hear the Word preached, and then take the sacrament together on the last day. Families from the surrounding area would come to stay with other families in town, and meetings would start on Friday evenings.
A Schedule that United Scattered Communities
Services would continue through Saturday and Sunday, followed by a Monday morning service, with Communion observed around noontime. This schedule proved an effective formula for the sparsely populated Logan County. Scattered settlers were able to come together as a community to receive the sacrament, which was impractical on a weekly, or even monthly, basis, because of the time required for travel.
The Spirit Poured Out Among the Congregations
Again, in James’s own words,
“On Monday the Lord graciously poured out His Spirit; a very general awakening took place perhaps but few families in the congregation could be found who, less or more, were not struck with an awful sense of their lost estate.
During the week following but few persons attended to worldly business, their attention to the business of their souls was so great. On the first Sabbath of September, the sacrament was administered at Muddy River one of my congregations. At this meeting, the Lord graciously poured forth his spirit, to the awakening of many careless sinners.
Through these two congregations already mentioned, and through Red River, my other congregation, awakening work went on with power under every sermon. The people seemed to hear, as for eternity. In every house, and almost in every company, the whole conversation with people, was about the state of their souls.”
The Red River Awakening of 1799
The first Communion service of the summer of 1799 took place in July at Red River. James described what happened in the same letter to a friend:
“On Monday the power of God seemed to fill the congregation; the boldest, daring sinners in the country covered their faces and wept bitterly. After the congregation was dismissed, a large number of people stayed about the doors, unwilling to go away. Some of the ministers proposed to me to collect the people in the meetinghouse again, and perform prayer with them; accordingly, we went in and joined in prayer and exhortation.
“The mighty power of God came amongst us like a shower from the everlasting hills. God’s people were quickened and comforted; yea, some of them were filled with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Sinners were powerfully alarmed, and some precious souls were brought to feel the pardoning love of Jesus.”
Preparing for an Even Greater Outpouring
The following summer, James called for the Red River Communion to take place even earlier in the summer, on the weekend of Saturday, June 21, to Monday, June 23, 1800. Roughly five hundred people attended. His expectations were exceeded…
To Be Continued…
Tale Tuesday 055
Date: 5th September, 2023
Title: : James MacGready
Source: God’s Generals: The Revivalists
Author: Roberts Liardon
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