A Greater Revival

Did you know that in 1858, conversions were reported in towns and cities all across the state of Pennsylvania, USA? Within four months, the Methodists alone reported ten thousand conversions in Philadelphia. Revival spread quickly from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. In Atlantic City, not more than 50 unconverted people were reported to be remaining in a population of sixty thousand. In Schenectady, New York, all evangelical denominations joined in prayer in evangelistic rallies, and the revival movement continued for months.

About a thousand businessmen met in Atlanta to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On November 2, in an unprecedented way, stores, factories, and offices closed at noon for prayer. The Supreme Court and even saloons closed so people could attend prayer meetings.

In simultaneous meetings in Louisville, Kentucky, there were fifteen hundred inquirers, and one thousand joined the churches at once. Soon the press reported, “the most remarkable revival ever known,” with four thousand recorded conversions in the city. Fifty-eight leading business firms closed at noon for prayer meetings. In Danville, Kentucky, all businesses closed, and management and employees attended services as a body. In Paducah, Kentucky, Southern Baptists reported that God sent “a great Pentecostal revival” that lasted for five months. One church alone added one thousand new members.

Haggai 2:9 tells us; ”The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former.” Let’s pray and trust our God to give us an even greater revival in our cities and nations.