ONLY "A LOVELY FACE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

ONLY "A LOVELY FACE."

STINGING ATTACK ON WELSH REVIVAL LEADER.

The talk of the hour iu Wales is the attack made upon Mr. Evan Roberts, the young revivalist leader, by the Rev. Peter Price, a prominent Congregationalist, of Dowlais. His outspoken remarks have created a sensation in the principality, and considerable curiosity is" exhibited as to what course Mr. Roberts will take regarding this attack on his methods. Amongst other shafts levelled by the cleric at the young preacher is the alleged quotation from the gossip of his female admirers that he has "a lovely face," a potent argument, apparently, to some of them in favour of his apostlcship. The Rev. Peter Price makes his attack through the medium of the Western Mail. He states that there are two so-called revivals going on among them. The one undoubtedly from above—Divine, real, intense in its nature, and Cvmric in its form. "But there is another revival in South Wales— sham revival, a mockery, a blasphemous travesty of the real thing. The chief figure in this mock revival is Evan Roberts, whoso language is inconsistent with the character of anyone except that of a person endowed with the attributes of a Divine Being. Is Evan Roberts, then, a Divine Being, or is he not? If not, what is he? Are there four persons in the Godhead, and is Evan Roberts the fourth? If so, I would call him 'the Commander of the Third Person,' or 'the Master of the Spirit'— the following are words which I myself heard from him on Monday night last at Bethania Chapel, Dowlais. The Spirit being somewhat reluctant to obey him. he said: 'He must come,' but the Spirit (of whom he talked most glibly, just as a child speaks. of its toy, but somewhat more off-handedly) would* not obey the orders; then he "told the congregation to sing." *" Oh, send Thou the Holy Ghost,' etc.

r FROTH AXD TRTjMVERY." "This froth, this vain trumpery which the visitors see, and the newspapers report," continues the critic, "is very harmful to true revival. With much effort, Evan Roberts, together with his co-operators, managed by means of threats, complaints, and incantations, which reminded me of the prophets of Baal, to create some of the false fire. But never in my life did I experience such agonythe whole procedure being utterly sacrilegious." The Rev. Mr. Price adds: "I have heard people say: 'Evan Roberts is led by the Holy Spirit.' I say, * No 'quite the contrary. Judging from his behaviour and talk, the Holy Spirit is led by Evan Roberts. My honest conviction is this : that the best thing that could happen to the cause of the true religious revival amongst us would be for Evan Roberts and his girl companions to withdraw into their respective homes, and there to examine themselves and learn a little more of the meaning of Christianity, if they have the capacity for this, instead of going about the country pretending to show the Way of Life to people many of whom know a thousand times more about it than they do. Why, we have scores of young colliers in Dowlais with whom Evan Roberts is not to be compared either in intellectual capability or spiritual power."

SEARttII.VG QUESTIONS. Mr. Price concludes by putting a series of searching questions: —(l) He said that there was someone in the lobby who was accepting Christ, but no one did. What spirit told him this lie? (2) When requested to speak in English he has repeatedly said that he is not prompted by the Spirit, and that when thus" prompted he would do so. Why did he not tell the straight truth and say, "I don't know English," which I • am told is the fact? And what about the Spirit on tin. day of Pentecost? Has He changed? (3) Why does he wait until the meetings attain the climax of enthusiasm before he enters? If help is valuable at any stage, is it not mostly so at the commencement in order to kindle the fire? (4) Why does he visit places where the fire has been burning at maximum strength for weeks and months? Would it not be more reasonable for him to go to places which the fire has not reached? (5) What spirit makes him bad-tempered when things don't come about exactly as he wishes? (6) What spirit makes him say, "Ask God to damn tho people if you don't ask anything else?" "Yes, but he has a lovely face'and a beautiful smileso some women say. This is the last resort." Mr. Price adds that he has made his criticism in the interests of tho religion of Jesus Christ. Mr. Evan Roberts is now stated to be suffering from an attack of nervous prostration. The strain of conducting two services daily has told upon him, and now ho needs rest. The greatest disappointment was felt at Nelson owing to the postponement of Mr. Roberts' visit. It is probable that Mr. Roberts will henceforth attend only one service a day.