D D A V I 7 A D 13 l ? \ T T\ J A T In the Church of Christ, Local, i lY /\ I F U K iYll/ V1VA L National, and World-wide HOW THE GREAT REVIVAL OF 1857 BEGAN (A s told by Rev, E. W igle in his book. “ Prevailing Prayer," published in 1891 by the Stanton Printing Co., Grand Rapids, M ich.) H N 1857, a city missionary in New York, bending low before God in prayer for the perishing souls about him, pleadingly cried: ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ He daily reiterated the cry. . His earnestness became intense. ;His faith took hold of the promises, and he rose to the expecta tion that hundreds and thousands would be converted to God. He had no idea how this would be brought about. He resolved on a noon-day prayer-meeting. On the twenty-third of September he was found in a room connected with the Fulton Street Chapel. He waited half an hour, when one person entered; shortly after another came in; then three or four others. With these six persons the prayer-meeting pro ceeded and ended. . One week after, in the same place, another ineeting was held, at which twenty-four were present. The Holy Ghost was present, too It was resolved that a meeting be held the next day, at which a large number Were present. .This was the beginning of the Fulton Street Daily Noon-day Prayer Meeting. The room soon became too small, and they moved into the middle lecture room. God moved upon the people, and soon the cry of the penitent was heard. The fire spread Men felt impelled to pray, as by an irresistible impulse. Christians, without respect to denominational distinctions, rushed into and filled all places opened for prayer. The union of Christians, engaged so intensely in intercessory prayer, struck the world with amazement. It was felt that this was prayer indeed. A love for* souls sprang up. Sinners felt that it was awful to trifle in the place of prayer. It was felt that Christians ob tained positive and direct answers to their prayers, and when they united to pray for any particular person that person was sure to be converted. The spirit of prayer increased, and in the fifth month from the beginning prayer meetings were held in churches, theaters, court rooms, public halls, workshops and tents, where crowds attended and filled the places. The interest rapidly spread to other cities— Boston, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, etc.,— until the whole land re ceived the rain. The most hopeless and forbidding were brought under ■its mighty power and saved.” Revival was needed in 1857. It was given in answer to prayer. It is more needed in 1922. It will be given in answer to united (Matt.‘ 18:19, 20), perservering (Luke 11:5-10; 18:1), believing (Heb. 10:23-25; 11:6) PRAYER! Let prayer bands be formed everywhere to pray for revival. Let nothing hinder! Observe Watch Night and the Week of Prayer. Pray in private, at .the family altar, in the public congregation, everywhere, for revival in the body of Christ! , “ Revi ve Thy work, 0 Lord! : Thy mighty arm make bare ; Speak with the voic'e that wakes the dead, AND MAKE THY PEOPLE HEAR!” GREAT COMMISSION PRAYER LEAGUE 808 NO. LA SALLE ST.— CHICAGO
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