A GREAT REVIVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 14

A GREAT REVIVAL.

SWEEPS OVER BRITAIN* INTENSE ENTHUSIASM SHOWN. The great religious revival, for which thousands of men and women iiave been looking during these years following the war that threw the world into chaos, has come at last, says a London paper. Mrs M'Pherson, the young Baptist minister who, a month ago, held remarkable meetings at the Surrey Tabernacle, South London, which could not hold the crowds that thronged to hear her twice a day, returned to London on Easter Monday, and during the next few days conducted a revival campaign. It is significant that no fewer than 32,000 people were present at three religious gatherings on Good Friday. On Blackhealh the clergy and choirs of 15 churches, both Anglican and Nonconformist, held a simple service at George Whitefield, the eighteenth cenGcorge Whtefield. the eighteenth century evangelist, frequently conducted open air meetings there. The service was very impressive, (lie great congregation joining heartily in Lhc singing of several well-known hymns. Then, at the Congress Hall, Clapton, General Booth conducted a day of devotion, and 13,000 people clamoured to hear him. At tlie Crystal Palace the audience, also numbering 13,000 joined with wonderful effect in the singing of the choruses of sacred works. At the Regent Theatre, King's Cross, the Bishop of London conducted a service which lie said was the finale of a Gospel mission in the coming round to say about the Gospel, “Give us that —there is none like it.” Packed Churches. A Sunday Chronicle representative who niado a tour of London and the suburbs on Good Friday found churches packed to overflowing, and abundance witness to (lie fact that Hie religious revival is by no means confined to the evangelical churches. At St. Saviour’s, Ealing, a typical Anglo-Catholic church at which, on great festivals, it is necessary to arrive half and hour before llic time to gain admittance, there was a congregation of about 15,000 people, who remained for the whole of the three hours’ service. At Westminster Cathedral, in the evening, an enormous congregation tilled the widest nave in England for ttie two hours’ service. At neither of these services is there the slightest ritual appeal. No ono would attend them unless tie or slie was vitally enthusiastic about the cause of Christ. At Richmond, Surrey, one of the largest kincmas was packed to the doors for a service conducted jointly by a Church of England clergyman and a Congregational minister. Thousands of Letters. If proof were needed of tiie revival of interest in religion it is to bo found in the thousands of letters that have readied the Sunday Chronicle from readers who arc interested in its invitation to them to express their views as to liow the church could be made more popular. It is important to note that recruits arc now coming forward for ordination in the Church of England in increasing numbers, and a new training scheme has been prepared in London which will trap a fresh source. Many young men engaged in their occupations have a leaning towards Church work, hut have been prevented by financial reasons from becoming ordained.* Tlie new scheme is for the training of such candidates in the evening, while slill carrying on their ordnary work. It lias been prepared by Itio Rev. Colin Kerr, rector of Spifalields, and lias been approved by tlie Bishop ol' London and tlie four suffragan Bishops.