JAMES MacGREADY (Part 3)

His Expectations Exceeded

His expectations were exceeded when the Holy Spirit showed up with great power. As James reflected that summer. In June the sacrament was administered at Red River. This was the greatest time we had ever seen before. On Monday multitudes were struck down under awful conviction; the cries of the distressed filled the whole house. There you might see profane swearers and sabbath breakers pricked to the heart, and crying out, “What shall we do to be saved?”

Children and Youth Seeking Redemption

There were frolickers and dancers crying for mercy. There you might see little children of 10, 11, and 12 years of age, praying and crying for redemption, in the blood of Jesus, in agonies of distress. During this sacrament, and until the Tuesday following, ten persons, we believe, were savingly brought home to Christ.

An Unexpected Outpouring

The eruption at Red River was truly unexpected from the outset; the first three days had passed with few remarkable happenings. The services had been reverent and orderly.

A Powerful Monday Service

During the service on Monday morning, however, as William Hodge preached a moving message on Job 22:21-“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee”-a woman who had been seeking assurance of her salvation for some time began to shout and sing.

The Hymn that Stirred Souls

Then, after a short intermission, John McGee rose to speak and came to the pulpit, singing: Come, Holy Spirit, heav’nly Dove, With all Thy quick’ning pow’rs; Kindle a flame of sacred love In these cold hearts of ours. At the sound of this hymn, at least one more woman cried out, probably also coming into a sudden knowledge of saving grace. McGee descended to congratulate these women, and as he did, the glory of God seemed to break out over the people. Some fell to the ground; others were screaming for mercy; some prayed, and others began praising God at the top of their lungs.

The McGee Brothers Under the Spirit’s Power

William McGee, who was sitting nearby, rose to go to the pulpit, but he fell on the floor, apparently under the power of the Holy Spirit. As John McGee turned to him, he felt the power of God fall so heavily on him that he nearly crumbled beside his brother. John later recalled, I turned to go back and was near falling; the power of God was strong upon me. I turned again, and, losing sight of the fear of man, I went through the house shouting and exhorting with all possible ecstasy and energy, and the floor was soon covered with the slain.

Leaders Unsure How to React

McGready, Hodge, and Rankin wondered if they should intervene. Never before had their preaching caused people to collapse, and they were unsure how to interpret and deal with what was happening. But John McGee, a “shouting Methodist” himself, assured them that this was the work of God, so they decided to let the service run its course. Rev. Rankin later reported, On seeing and feeling his confidence, that it was the work of God, and a mighty effusion of his spirit, and having heard that he was acquainted with such scenes in another country, we acquiesced and stood in astonishment, admiring the wonderful works of God.

Reflection and Anticipation

When this alarming occurrence subsided in outward show, the united congregation returned to their respective abodes, in contemplation of what they had seen, heard, and felt on this most oppressive occasion. James then decided to have another Communion the following month at the Gasper River Meetinghouse. That summer, the McGee brothers spoke at various locations almost every weekend, and such meetings caught on like wildfire. The word spread quickly, and momentum gathered toward the Gasper River Communion. As Rankin remarked…