Sounds from Heaven. The Lewis Revival of 1949-1952

Colin and Mary Peckham's history of the Isle of Lewis revivals is very comprehensive. Mary's personal experience and contacts make it a unique work of history but, of course, it is much more than that. It is a thrilling and puzzling account of God at work in his own way.

One of the personal testimonies records "I have been puzzled over the years theologically to try and work out what it is that happens when God comes in revival. Is it something that happens within God in His response to us or is it something that happens in us in our response to Him?" (testimony of Rev Jack MacArthur). I am encouraged to hear this response 'from the coal face'. I am personally convinced that anyone who claims to understand revival 'theologically' is missing the whole point. This is God at work in original and powerful ways. There is no biblical model for what we read here and yet there can be little doubt that it is authentic, moving and a powerful provocation to prayer.

Throughout the Peckham's account and throughout the personal testimony of 24 islanders certain 'flavours' are persistent. The cultural separation of the islands created a society that is almost unrecognisable to any other citizens of the UK of that era. The predominance of church attendance, the saturation of scripture knowledge through home and school, is another unique feature of the islands. The fierce contentions of the different presbyterian denominations is faithfully recorded and the sad note of 'those who resisted the revival' permeates the accounts. The strong conviction of sin and the special struggles of a Calvinist people to be assured that they were 'elect' and the sheer bubbling joy of those who came to Christ is another unique phenomena. These converts had no slick gospel meetings and no counelling for decision and yet they received an absolute conviction that God had heard them and brought them to himself. And yet 'in spite of' these unique contexts 'Sounds from Heaven' is a haunting account and one that ought to send the saints to their knees.

The prodigious labours of Duncan Campbell are faithfully recorded as are the long hours of meetings that sometimes resulted in folk going straight from the prayer meeting to their morning occupations, wihout feeling weary. It brings powerfully to mind the phrase in Psalm 110. "thy people shall be as freewill offerings in the day of thy strength;" Psa 110:3. and the wonderful promise of Isaiah, "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Is 40:30-31 KJV

The un-sanitized and untidy testimonies of the 24 occupy more that half the book and are a wonderful testimony to the infinite variety of God's workings. These personal reminiscences add wonderfully to the whole atmosphere of the book;in some ways they are the most valuable part of book representing the unique primary sources of the eye-witnesses.

One of the things that encourages me most is that the evidence of the book itself makes it impossible to use the Lewis awakening as a template for any human imitation. The God who is the origin of all must be allowed, always, to behave origin-ally. Will God 'do it again?'. No, I think not, he seldom repeats himself. Is he ready to pour water on him that is thirsty? always! Can he move in our day and generation in Holy Spirit origin-ality? of course he can. To your knees then, saints!