HARRY CHAMPNESS by Harry Champness

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1902

HARRY CHAMPNESS

By Harry Champness

England

LONDON.—The revival which has been going on in northeastern London for four weeks has spread to our other companies in different parts of the metropolis. A week ago last Sabbath we had some remarkable meetings at Balham, South London. Confessions of sin were made. Those who had wronged others arose, and with tears in their eyes promised to make restitution as far as they were able. The Spirit of the Lord came into the meeting, and hearts were melted to tenderness.

At East Dulwich is a small company of Sabbath keepers to whom God came very near. Sins of the past were brought to light, confessed, and put away. One sister broke down in the meeting, declaring that she must make a confession to her husband, and asking for prayers that God would give her grace to do so. Then one after another confessed, and we fell on our knees, and besought God to give them complete victory over every besetting sin.

After a very powerful prayer season, in a small room in Croydon, a brother arose, and walked across the room to his wife, and asked her forgiveness. This example was followed by others, and hearts were united in the bonds of love.

The Spirit of the living God is visiting his people, and uniting their hearts in such love as they have never known before. The love of God is being shed abroad in the hearts of his children, so that the reality of their Christian experience is emphatic. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.”

At Forest Gate, East London, where we are holding public services each Sunday in a large hall, we have seen some remarkable scenes. We determined to

set apart one Sunday as a day of prayer and humiliation before God. The same spirit that has been manifested in the church pervaded our public meetings. We spent the day in seeking God, and he was indeed very near us. Brethren O. A. Olson and E. J. Waggoner were with us part of the day. Strangers arose, and publicly confessed their sins. Some claimed the promise for the healing of the body. The evening meeting was one never to be forgotten in my experience. The solemn hush in that crowded hall, the earnest pleadings of God’s Spirit, the moistened eyes and quivering lips, the determination on the part of so many to put away all sin and be a holy people for his indwelling Presence,—ah! in such moments as these one rises by living faith to catch a glimpse of the power of the Holy Spirit that is awaiting the demand and reception of God’s people. The lower we get, the greater is the power. We are determined to press the battle to the gates. “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Herein lies our encouragement. “There is no limit to the usefulness of one who by putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”—“Desire of Ages.”