As Jonathan Edwards walked down Main Street, Northampton, he was greeted by practically every person passing him. This little town in Massachusetts, New England, with a population of around 2,000, was on fire for God. Jonathan, as their pastor, could see it in their faces. The revival had started in 1735 and was later fanned into flame again with the arrival of George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards’ friend and colleague in the work. George had already seen a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit back in England, working with John and Charles Wesley.
Such was the impact of the Holy Spirit, that it was unusual
to see someone who did not believe in Jesus Christ. Jonathan records it as
follows:
The town seemed to be full of the
presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor of joy, and yet so full of
distress as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of God’s presence in
almost every house….
The bulk of the young people have
been greatly affected; but old men and little children have been so now. Many
of the last have of their own accord formed themselves into religious societies
in different parts of town. A loose careless person could scarcely be found in
the whole neighbourhood; and if there was anyone that seemed to remain
senseless or unconcerned, it would be spoken of as a strange thing.
And there it is…. A strange thing to see someone who was
unconcerned about their spiritual condition.
The revival brought an expectancy, an anticipation that God
would continue to move and continue to save souls. I'd say that's what we're
seeing right now in Leicester. If people without a faith in Jesus Christ don't
come forward in the meetings, it's regarded as a strange thing. If we don't see
anybody finding salvation in Jesus Christ, it's a surprise to us. If people are
not healed, it's considered unusual.
These are remarkable days. Just last week, 37 students found
new life in Christ at our evening meeting.
We continue to work and worship with an expectancy that God,
through the Holy Spirit, will continue to work as well. One of our new songs
declares that we are ‘living in the land of revival.’ That's true historically.
And it's true today. There is such expectancy!
