God loves to be praised. He demands the glory due to his name. And why does He say by his servant David, "Publish it, publish it; make mention that his name is exalted?" It is because "praise is comely." would have his doings declared among the people, that through the thanksgivings of many praise may redound to God.
Dr and Mrs Palmer have been labouring at Walsall about four weeks. Over 300 persons of all grades of society, rich and poor, high and low, young and old, professed to have derived benefit from the meetings. Surely it has been a time of the passing by of the Son of God! The greatest wonder is that so many old people are having a renewed call to close in with the offers of mercy. One evening, an old gentleman of eighty was brought to the chapel. The way of the Lord is in his sanctuary. Before the service closed he bowed among the penitents a humble, earnest seeker. In less than an hour from the time he came to the altar of prayer, he was rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Among those who sought and obtained mercy, a gentleman, nearly 70 years of age, who is newly born into the kingdom of Grace. How wonderful, the long-suffering of God. None need despair!
Within the past four weeks, the Lord of the harvest has raised up numerous evangelists. There have been many most blessed helpers from among the ministry and the laity, but we know few more blest in their efforts to bring souls to Jesus, than many of these young converts. They go about among their friends and neighbours diffusing the joy of their espousals, and as they give the gospel invitation, many are brought to the house of God and hear words whereby they are saved.
A young lady, one day sent in a request to the midday meeting, which reads thus: “E.C. requests the prayers of God's people for some persons she is going to visit this afternoon, that God may incline them to come to this evening's service, and when there, deeply convince them of sin.” The same evening it was found that four for whom prayer was offered were induced to go to the House of God and while there were convinced of sin, came forward as penitants and ere the service closed, found the Saviour. A youth about 17, who was among the converts was observed coming evening after evening, bringing his friends with him. His practice was to take one after another on his mind as subjects of special prayer, and then go and invite them to the services. Eight, one after another, have been saved of those he had brought to the house of God.
A lay preacher who walked daily some miles to the meeting, always bringing others with him, said, “the Lord has given me everyone I have brought.“ His meaning was that he had taken these souls to his heart to pray for, and then having brought them in the arms of faith to Jesus, each and all thus brought had been given him, showing that it is still true, “whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out“ – “He that asketh, receiveth.“
If only a few Christians of any town or hamlet would unite, in asking that the place might be favoured with a time of the “passing by of the Son of God,“ and believe, when they ask, that they do receive, and then, acting on the principle that they do receive, go at once to work, bringing their friends to Jesus, there is not a place in England but that might be favoured with a revival; and in less than a month, thousands and thousands might be brought to “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.“ It is precisely on this principle that so many have been brought over from the ranks of sin to the service of “the Captain of our salvation“ in less than a month in Walsall.
"The Revival," February 26th, 1863
One thousand one hundred and thirty souls have joined our ranks in this circuit alone in this awakening, and every week the number increases, and the trophies of the Cross are multiplied. Young men and maidens are becoming valiant for Christ; they sing, pray, and exhort with great power and effect. Last Sabbath the word of the Lord was quick and powerful in the awakening and conversion of sinners. The stout-hearted quailed before the word. Amongst the cases of conversion was a fallen young woman, the daughter of a clergyman. Several of this class of persons have been saved lately whose lives are now
adorning the doctrine of Christ their Saviour. One of our preaching stations is an old public house. We have taken it and turned it into a house of prayer. The large clubroom is filled to overflowing at the services, and many precious souls have there found the Saviour. The work is going forward with power in this locality. If we had funds sufficient we could, by the blessing of God, extend our efforts of usefulness in every direction, and I have no doubt with greater success than ever, and win many thousands to the Saviour. This is the time for gathering in a great harvest of sinners. Will those who are anxious to spread the Redeemer's kingdom help us in this matter? Some of the sinners saved are very rough, but no
doubt the great Master will polish them as He has done others before. Many of them who were before their conversion to God like ferocious beasts of the forest, have become meek as lambs, and a little child may lead them; many a wretched home has been made happy, and many a sorrowful heart glad; mothers' hearts have danced for joy over their converted children, and wives have rejoiced at the salvation of their ungodly, and, in many instances, brutish husbands. Willenhall, where the lock trade is carried on, is to be the next place for special effort. We have taken the large market hall for our preaching place. I trust that great success will attend the services to be held. We ask an interest in the prayers of God's people. At Wolverhampton the slain of the Lord are many. Sabbath after Sabbath souls are being Every available place, either for sitting or standing, is filled and numbers unable to get in. Many that were not accustomed to weep have shed floods of tears, and with strong crying have sought and found the Lord. Songs of deliverance have resounded through the spacious hall, and praises loud and long
have gone up to heaven over many repenting sinners.
"The Revival," April 28th, 1864.
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