A Great Revivalist
Charles Finney, a revivalist of several years ago, once wrote of one of many experiences he had from his close walk with God as a preacher. He was a man who was sold out to God’s work early in this century.
Charles Finney wrote, “I once preached, for the first time, in a mill town. The next morning, I went into the manufacturing establishment to view it’s operations. As I passed into the weaving department, I saw a large group of young women, some of whom, I observed, were looking at me, then at each other, in a frivolous spirit, that they knew me. I, however, knew none of them.
“As I approached nearer to those who recognized me, they seemed to become more silly and giddy. Their levity made a peculiar feeling in me; I felt it in my heart. I stopped short and looked at them, with what expression I do not know because my whole mind was absorbed with a sense of their guilt and danger.
“As I steadily looked at them, I observed that one of them became very agitated. A thread broke. She attempted to mend it, but her fingers were trembling in such a manner that she was unable to do it.
“I immediately observed that the sensation was spreading and had become universal among the group. I looked steadily at them until one after another gave up and paid no more attention to their looms. They fell on their knees, and the influence spread throughout the room. I had not spoken a word, and the looms would have prevented my being heard if I had.
“In a few minutes, all work was abandoned, and tears of lamentations filled the room. At this moment, the owner of the factory, who was himself an unsaved man, came in, accompanied, I believe, by the superintendent, who was a professed Christian. When the owner saw the state of things, he said to the superintendent, ‘Stop the mill.’ What he saw seemed to pierce him to the heart.
“‘It’s more important,’ he hurriedly remarked, ‘that these souls should be saved than that this mill should run.’ As soon as the noise of the machinery had ceased, the owner inquired, ‘What should we do? We must have a place to meet where we can receive instruction.’
“The Superintendent replied, ‘The mule room will do.’ The mules were run up out of the way, and all the hands were notified and assembled in that room. We had a marvelous meeting. I prayed with them and gave them instruction as they could bear at that time.
“The Word was with power. Many expressed hope that day; and within a few days, as I was informed, nearly every person in that establishment, together with the owner, had hope in Christ.”
Do you think God wants to use people today like He did then? Of course, God hasn’t changed His mind about the lost. It’s up to people who truly want more of God than anything else in their lives. This kind of divine move is needed in America now more than ever.
God has already chosen each of us to do something great for Him. You have a place; maybe you are the mill owner, just a mill worker, or maybe you are like Finney. Regardless, he was called to touch lives for Christ and so are you!