This mighty movement must be seen to be understood. A sense of awe came over me again and again as in a large chapel, on a weekday afternoon, I saw a large, deep gallery surrounding the chapel literally packed with men. They were manly, intensely earnest faces, not looking around or talking one to the other, but with one consent utterally taken up with God. The body of the chapel was also crowded with men and women of all classes, with but one purpose — TO MEET GOD.

There was no opening of the meeting; the hearts were full, and burst with prayer and praise to a God felt to be in our midst. One gentleman who had come from Oxford to see the work, said: These men are not praying to be heard of man, it doesn’t matter to them what people think of them; they are thinking about the answer, not about the hearers; and it was true. At times a wave of power, without any human instrumentality, or anything external to cause it, would sweep over the mass of the people, and spontaneously almost the whole company would pray aloud, no one heeding the other, and without the slightest confusion. Everyone was absorbed with God; but in the midst of it, no one dealing with them, a man here, a woman there, would yield to God, and in a few minutes stand up and give praise that they had found the Lord. Sometimes singing and prayer would go on together, but there was no real confusion — the praying was not to man, and the singing was not to man But such singing is rarely to be heard. It was perfect time and perfect harmony; often the same hymn (never given out, but started spontaneously), sung in English and in Welsh at the same time, and sung over and over, until it penetrated. There was no organ, nor need for one, when men — for the women were too few to make much impression — sing unto the Lord in this way, an organ is out of place. It was heart-singing, singing with melody in your heart to the Lord Eph. 5: 19

I was present at three meetings in which Mr. Evan Roberts was not present, nor yet either of the young lady singers who help in some of the meetings. But God was there; and though Mr. Roberts was expected in the afternoon, not a murmur of disappointment was expressed — God was present, and He satisfied. In two morning meetings where I had the privilege to be, the same spirit reigned; as the people gathered, the prayers and hymns burst forth — no one led but the Spirit Himself, One and another entered the place, knelt down, and in a few minutes an intense prayer, or as intense a chorus or verse of a hymn was sung, or a text of Scripture or a chapter read — but all in the most perfect harmony and intensity. Mr. Roberts himself is as simple and natural as a child, he comes into the meetings, and in no way interferes with what is going on, and no one stops in prayer, singing, or testimony because he appears. He waits until there is a moment’s pause, and then speaks a few strong, simple words, with no apparent oratory, but an intensity which calls forth earnest responses from the congregation. Sometimes he asks a question, and they answer. He opens the Bible, but there is too much singing at the moment, and he quietly closes it, sits down out of sight, and remains in silent prayer. He has a real belief in the leading of the Holy Spirit, and knows how to wait on the Lord and wait for the Lord.

The proceedings were mostly in Welsh, but a kind man of God, or some kind sister, would translate for me, or put me in the way of understanding what was going on. There was prayer made in a little group close to me for a man in the gallery; it was quiet — a group kneeling while others were standing and singing around. Shortly that one in the gallery, knowing nothing of the prayer, got up and said he was saved. In the singing of the lady revivalists there is much power, and the same following of the Spirit. No one announces them; they simply await the opportunity. This is indeed the mighty hand of God.

Man is at a discount. ‘The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.’ We are reminded of that day when the Holy Spirit came down upon the hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. No intellectual treatises, no trained choirs needed, when God the Holy Ghost can find yielded, obedient hearts to occupy, and tongues through which to speak. Drunkenness, swearing, stealing, quarrelling, flee before the presence of the Lord in His people. What is the secret of this movement? On mans part, believing, persevering prayer; on God’s part, the promised answer. — The Eleventh Hour.