EVAN ROBERTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE PREPARATION.
We have had occasion more than once to refer to Evan Roberts’s religious life, but it was not dealt with in full. He regards the thirteen years between his entrance into church membership and the beginning of the Revival as a continuous preparation for his work. To find his religious preparation in its beginning, we must go further back than when he was made a full member, as remarked before; but it was at this time that he became conscious of strong religious tendencies. A strange event in his experience during the first few years as a church member was his inability to realise the verity of religion as he would like to do. He longed for this with an anxious yearning. In spite of all that he received in the meetings, there yet remained intense desires unsatisfied in his soul. His religious disposition developed gradually in every direction, owing to the fact that he took care to fulfil the conditions of that development. We may divide the conditions that prepared his possibility in its religious or spiritual aspect into two classes, namely, (1) external conditions; (2) internal conditions.
1. THE EXTERNAL CONDITIONS
They are four in number —
1. CREATION — To Evan Roberts God fills the whole of creation. He is delighted with the flowers, perceiving in them the spiritual blossoms of the love and holiness of God. In the bursting forth of the spring from the bosom of the hill he discerns the streams of the Living Water flowing from the heart of God into the heart of the sinner to quench his thirst for ever. To him the mountains reveal the immutability of the God-head. The endless variety and newness of the nature of the Almighty are brought into his mind by the beauties of Creation. Natures loveliness in spring suggests to him the attractiveness of the Being who produced it. The sun leads his mind to the Sun of Righteousness, and he is often heard to laugh joyously when beholding the king of the day. Fascinating to him are the moon and stars, and he loves to gaze upon them. The extensiveness of Creation leads his thoughts to the infinity and omnipotence of God. Let us ascend to the world of conscious life and we find Evan Roberts is filled with delight as he listens to the carolling of the birds, and watches the lambs frisking in the meadows. These things at once lead his mind to the spiritual. They caught his attention at an early age, and in the manner already referred to, that is, as revealing God. Some of his sweetest recollections are the way in which he looked upon the various parts of Creation as a revelation of God. Hence, we see that Creation was an important condition in the preparation of the development of his spiritual possibility.
2. The Family — in a previous chapter we staled that his parents were truly devout people. Their religious disposition and spirituality vas an effective condition in the preparing of the great spiritual possibility of his mind for the work. We cannot lay too much stress upon this condition, for it begins to show itself early in the life of a child. Whatever Evan Roberts is spiritually today, it must partly be attributed to the faithful example of his parents. Their words, thoughts, feelings, and actions sank deeply into his tender nature when a child, and they could not but develop in him. They were moral seeds falling into his nature, and they grew of necessity. He was fortunate in being the son of parents whose lives in different directions were conditions favourable to his spiritual growth.
3. Reading — This was an important condition in the development of his possibility. Every book that he read contributed a little to this, but to four books only does he attribute an extraordinary spiritual influence.
(a) The Bible. We have before mentioned that this was his chief book. As we have shown, in and out of work he was a continual reader of the Bible. The parts of it that have impressed him most of all are the prophecies that tell of God’s willingness to forgive, and also the Sermon on the Mount. We get continual proof of this in his addresses. Almost every address bears traces of reading these portions. Although he has heard the best preachers of Wales, he has no hesitation in saying that the sermon which has most of all impressed him is the Sermon on the Mount. The strength of his spirituality is easily understood when we bear these spiritual conditions in mind. By continual study of the Bible, and parents who ever kept its teachings prominent in the home, his spiritual life could not remain in an undeveloped state. (b) The Christian Instructor, by the Rev. Thomas Charles, of Bala. From a very early age, this has been one of his favourite books. To get a clear conception of the fundamental principles of religion he could study no better book. In it will be found in a short and concise manner all the chief theological doctrines, with a great number of the richest verses in the Bible to prove them. Those who understand the Instructor well are always strong and firm in doctrinal knowledge. It sets them on the right lines, and keeps them on the right track, as do the rails with the wheels of the steam-engine. When we hear Evan Roberts speak we at once understand that he has a number of theological principles in his mind that always safeguard him when he touches upon Christian doctrines. He is as natural and self-possessed when speaking of God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as if he were long since familiar with the doctrines concerning them. So he is, too, when dealing with the work of the Holy Spirit in it’s various aspects, and he speaks freely and boldly. This is a good instance of the result of mastering the Instructor, though it is only an outline of the principles of theology. By a careful study of this, Biblical truths became a kind of system in his mind. When he refers to some of the subjects of the Instructor, he can quote verses freely to prove them. (c) The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan. This is a work which he read through carefully. He is fond of the subject matter of the Pilgrim’s Progress, the way the subject is treated, and Bunyan’s language. The reading of this book was a powerful condition in the preparation of his spiritual possibility. In it we get a minute and vivid description of Christian’s journey, from the time of his regeneration until he reaches the city bright and fair. The way he escaped from the City of Destruction is pointed out, and how he triumphed over hindrances. It gives a dramatic description of the nature of the difficulties, the feelings, and temptations of Christian in meeting with them, and the victories over them. Who can realise the depth of the impression made upon the mind of one, subject to such flights of lively imagination as Evan Roberts? We cannot think of him reading the Pilgrim’s Progress without weeping much and praying for the same grace as that described therein. The effect of reading it is often very plainly seen in his language and phraseology. (d) The Calvinistic Methodist Hymn-Book. There is no need to ask whether this was a field of study with Evan Roberts. To hear him sing the hymns off by heart and repeat them in his addresses at once proves it. He knows by memory a great number of the richest hymns in the language, and can without difficulty recite them. In these we shall find the origin of many of his sublimest ideas. Hymns of such depth and sublimity must needs produce a number of thoughts in his mind. The Hymn Book was undoubtedly the means of cultivating the poetical element which is so strong in him. Several hymns of his own composition, found in this volume, could not have been produced by one who had not read and carefully meditated upon hymns previously. Every inclination in a man must have the proper condition before it can be developed, and in this, Evan Roberts is no exception. His poetical inclination was cultivated by the study of the Hymn Book. The importance of learning hymns in his history shows the great duty of parents to teach their children similarly.
4. Society — This condition divides itself into two, namely, the society of friends, and the society in the Church. The young men whom he associated with were the best in the neighbourhood; and the purity of his nature would not surfer him to associate with any one low or of a bad character. The same applies to his elders; he only came into close touch with the most godly and faithful of them. He of necessity received a great deal of the material for his spiritual growth from these chosen companions. The influence of good people is a powerful factor in the development of intellectual, moral, and spiritual life. The Creator meant the society of such people to be an effective condition of spiritual perfection. Again, the society of the Church was a condition in the same direction. If possible, as we have before mentioned, he never missed a single meeting at the chapel. He was an attentive listener, was not forgetful, but one that took everything in. His life and peace were in the chapel and its doings. Hence, it would be impossible to estimate the important part played by the religious society in the spiritual preparation for his Revival Work. Every Sunday School, every prayer meeting, every church meeting he attended, and every sermon he heard, contributed to his culture and spiritual advancement. They did this on a larger scale, because he was such a zealous and mindful observer. He grew in these things unknown to himself, for every meeting deposited something in his mind that contributed to his growth. In the various social spheres in which he turned, he heard a great deal about George Muller of Bristol, and this exercised a powerful influence upon him. He did not read the life history of that wonderful man, but to hear about the heroic work done by his faith was always a great inspiration to him. His history made him strongly desirous of being able to rest completely through faith on God. The narration of Muller’s faith was undoubtedly an important element in the development of Evan Roberts’s trust in God.
II. THE INTERNAL CONDITIONS
The above conditions in a general way comprise all the external ones. We could dwell much on them in detail, but that would be unnecessary, as the reader can see the trend of them from the above. The internal conditions, like the external ones, divide themselves into four, as follows —
1. His Spiritual Desire — It was in this desire that the external conditions found place to work. He had an intense thirst continually for spiritual subjects, and when understood he took them in at once, turning them into spiritual food for his soul. We have heard him relating of this desire, and the ways in which he tried to satisfy it. He never felt that he had had enough to satiate the craving of it. This is the foundation of his spiritual success. Through it the spiritual life derives its nourishment. The stronger it is, the more powerful it is to draw things into the mind that will aid its development. We doubt whether the soul could develop spiritually without this. It would be difficult to find it in a higher degree than it is in Evan Roberts. We could almost call it in him spiritual voracity. He longed and Iongs now for spiritual food, as does a man who is famishing for want of natural food.
2. His Spiritual Meditation — Spiritual desire is one thing, spiritual meditation is quite another. They differ as much as desire for food, and the process by which the food is turned into nourishment for the body. The want of food makes the man eat, and after eating, other powers turn the food into physical vitality. So it is here, the spiritual desire makes the soul take in spiritual food, and spiritual reflection makes that food aid spiritual development. Evan Roberts was wont to deeply meditate upon religious things. He often does so to such a degree as to forget everyone and everything around him. Anyone associated with him will know this. Sometimes we lose him suddenly — he has drifted away into meditation on some spiritual matter. This habit of contemplation is the result of at least fourteen years. When but very young, he used to meditate in this direction while at work, and his being received as a church member at once set him thinking seriously on the things of God.
3. Spiritual Communion — This is another internal condition which took an important part in the preparation of his spiritual possibility. We shall again have occasion to point out how his desire and meditations made him one of the most wonderful men of his time in prayer. He fulfilled the requirements of the New Testament in connection with prayer, namely, Pray without ceasing, and Praying always with all manner of prayer and supplication. He blessed his Heavenly Father for His goodness, and besought Him to sanctify his soul and save the world. Often on arriving home he would have to turn aside into his library to pray, and that before speaking to the family or taking his meal. This was the result of his intense thought while at work. His desire for a closer and more continual communion with God made him exceedingly fervent. In prayer he felt that it was on his knees that he derived the greatest pleasure, and often would forget time, place, and everything else when in communion with his Creator. As we ascend from condition to condition, we can easily see that they develop in spirituality. Communion with God in prayer is the most spiritual of the three that we have dwelt upon.
4. Spiritual Work — Without spiritual work, the conditions already named would be insufficient to truly prepare spiritual possibility. This is the down of the conditions. His life was not that of the ascetic. He believed with all his heart that to desire spiritual things, meditate upon them, and hold communion with God in prayer, was not enough without work. He regarded all as a preparation for doing God’s work. With every religious movement he assisted. On one occasion, it was not too much for him and some of his young friends to white-wash Moriah Chapel. Many are willing to work in the highest circles of religion, but take offence when asked to do so in the lowest circles. Not so Evan Roberts, it gave him much happiness, and he would rejoice to labour in any direction that the church asked him. He would have to be engaged in some task or other continually, for it was a precious privilege to him to be able to do anything for Jesus. One of his chief standpoints is to be active with religion. The importance he attaches to the necessity for the church to be alive to its work is one of the most powerful elements in his mission. That his ministry has taken this direction is only the result of having lived up to it himself. He knows from experience the effectiveness of work in destroying the evil of the heart, in developing purity, in strengthening and extending the powers of the mind, and influencing others for good. Hence, nothing is more loathsome in his sight than inactive church members. He realises the great fact that no one can consecrate himself except through spiritual work, and is terrified at the thought that some people profess religion and yet do nothing. In him there was a perfect equilibrium between praying and working. He was as great in religious work as in prayer. He was powerful on his knees, but quite as influential on his feet. His desire, his meditation, his prayers and his work were not out of proportion to one another. We often see men who are great in one or two of these, but possessed of none of the others. In our subject the proportion is as fine as we could expect. The reader will understand that we take the work of the Holy Spirit on Evan Roberts’s heart for granted throughout the chapter. Without the Divine Spirit the four conditions already named could not be spiritual ones. Their quality is the fruit of the Spirit.
In this preparation, through the above conditions, Evan Roberts grew to be king in the household, all unconscious to himself, his parents, and his brothers and sisters. His piety had a silent influence upon them, and, eventually, his word was law in the house. The younger children testify that they feared him much more than their parents. When they saw him approaching the house, they would say one to another, ‘We must be quiet, Evan is coming.’ There was no need for him to utter a word, a glance from him would ensure silence. He sits, book in hand, before the fire, and if anything is said of which he disapproves, he has only to take his eyes from the book and Iook at the speaker. The cause of this was the influence of his pure life. He never said harsh things to his brothers and sisters, neither was he severe in reproaching them. It was the weight of his character that spoke, and not his lips. This silent influence reached his parents, and they looked upon his word as final on any subject. For this reason, they scarcely ever crossed or advised him. His mother affirms that there was no need to reprove nor advise him when a child, for he endeavoured to do everything right then as he did when older. To threaten is strange to Evan Roberts, as we shall again see. His customary manner is to be gentle and kind, and the fear which possesses some in his presence arises from his personality and the purity of his character.
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