This revival included an emphasis on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. Although the revival mainly involved laypersons, the preaching of pastor John McLeod Campbell (1800-1872) heavily influenced them. His teaching wasn’t like the strict Scottish Calvinism of the day which helped people feel unworthy but rather he emphasized the Father’s love for all which was shown through Jesus. This teaching had a profound and freeing effect on the community in the Rhu parish.
His assistant A.J. Scott (1805-1866) also contributed to stirring faith for supernatural gifts in the people. He emphasized a need to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Edward Irving (1792-1834), even though he had a pastorate in London, came to the Rhu and Roseneath parishes and emphasized Christ’s second coming. This Scottish minister was also key in preparation for this revival.
Twin brothers named James and George Macdonald (1880-1835, they died the same year) were laypersons, ship builders, who lived with their sisters in the area, in Port Glasgow. They frequently ferried across the Clyde to hear John McLeod Campbell speak in Rhu. The family also knew A.J. Scott and Edward Irving. In 1830, the brothers’ sister Margaret, while she was experiencing an illness, prophesied to her brothers that there would be a great baptism of the Spirit that same day. Her brother James said that he already had it and with that, he walked over to her bedside and pronounced in the name of Jesus that she get up and walk. As she arose, she was immediately healed.
This ship builder was still inspired to continue moving in God’s Spirit. He wrote a letter to a family friend named Mary Campbell (1806-1839). She had already lost her sister (at age 20) to terrible illness and now at this time she was also bedridden with lung disease and near death. A couple months earlier (Feb.1), she had experienced a deep spiritual experience (“trance”), which was followed March 28th with the gift of tongues. These experiences increased her faith yet didn’t affect her physical condition. She received a letter from James Macdonald on April 15, 1830. In his letter he wrote about how his sister was miraculously healed and then wrote for Mary to get up and walk. In fact she did.
Soon after, she jumped on a ferry to visit the Macdonalds to share the news. They rejoiced together and then began to hold prayer meetings in their home. April 18th, the twin brothers both received the gift of tongues. In another one of their meetings which didn’t end until 6am, 4 people got converted. The gifts of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation were in the meetings. Mary went home a few days later and started having services in her house (in Gareloch). As news spread of these two women’s healings, both Campbell and Macdonald families opened their homes to the interested people. Similar prayer meetings opened up in nearby towns. Mary had so many visitors that her little home was too small and she had to find a larger place for gatherings.
Edward Irving, though in London, heard about the Gareloch revival and sent people to investigate. They came back with positive reports. Personal letters from Mary Campbell also influenced him. In early morning prayer meetings at Irvin’s church, the spiritual gifts first began to come out. They spread to the Sunday services and because he refused to censure the spiritual gifts being displayed, he was kicked out of the pastorate. Many followed him and he started his own church where he sought to recover Spirit baptism, the gifts, and signs and wonders.
This is based on the article by D.W. Dorries, “West of Scotland Revival” found in The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements: Revised and Expanded Version (2002) edited by Stanley M. Burgess
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