'I HAVE NEVER WITNESSED SUCH OUTPOURINGS OF GOD..'
Asbury College USA 1970
For some time before the revival a small group of students had been involved in a vigorous devotional disciline. It included getting up half an hour earlier than usual each morning for prayer, Bible study and to plan specific ministries during the day. Many of these persons had entered into more meaningful experiences with God, and their witness was having an effect on others.
In addition, various groups, large and small, had been meeting at different times to pray for spiritual awakening. All of this had contributed to an air of expectancy on the campus. A few students were even stating prophetically that a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit was imminent.
February 3, 1970: I sit in the middle of a contemporary Pentecost. A few moments ago there came a spontaneous movement of the Holy Spirit. I have never witnessed such mighty outpouring of God upon His people. The scene is unbelievable. The altar has been flooding with needy souls time and time again. Witness is abundant. Release — freedom. There are tears. Repentance — joy unspeakable — embracing — spontaneous applause when a soul celebrates. A thousand hearts lifted in songs of praise and adoration to a mighty God. Forgiveness — expression of hidden guilt and resentments. God is convicting His children. No sheer emotion. No psychology to get people to the altar. Singing — shouting. The song: "How Great Thou Art."
Two close friends are making their way to the altar. Fill their cups Lord. Give them victory. 12.30 p.m. Pointed toward God. He never fails. A brother and sister at the altar. Friends, couples, room mates at the altar. Thirteen hours have passed. 11.00 p.m. "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." Thirty nine at the altar. Fourteen hours have passed. Midnight. A new day is about to dawn.
February 4: Three hundred — four hundred people present as the new day dawns. Romans 8v38-39. An unusual manifestation of joy right now. Victory. The president of the senior class has been filled with the Holy Spirit. 12.50 a.m.. I'm thinking of Paul in prison at midnight. Fifteen or sixteen hours have passed. I've lost count. How beautiful is the congregation singing of "Blessed Assurance". Jesus is indeed our very own this night. One is saying: "The impossible is possible."
Exactly twenty-six hours have passed. The altar has just been flooded with souls. There is a sweet, sweet spirit in this place. Twenty-eight hours have passed. God is so present that one cannot get around Him. Prayers for a boy who is losing his sight. Forty-one people at the altar, Four hundred — five hundred people here in Hughes. How strange it seems to sit in the middle of so glorious a sight. Human pride is a big stumbling block. A great crowd at the altar.
February 5: 9.50 a.m. Forty-eight hours have passed. Almost 1,500 people here in Hughes, the altar is filled. Several people are waiting to give their witnesses. Some are witnessing to the clear, beautiful experience of God in their lives. A loving God who picks people out of the low places in life. A marvellous sight — supernatural. This is the way God planned it. An amazing sight: forty-eight hours have passed and the altar is still being flooded with weary, souls. Simply amazing... 1 John 4v14-17. The marvellous experience of perfect love.
A word of challenge to the preachers from Dean Reynolds, "Guard your call to preach with holy jealousy." (Ephesians 2v16-21.) Sixty hours have passed. Incredible. We've just sung "All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name." It seems as if we are at the feet of our Lord. There is a spirit of broken selfhood. The Old Ship of Zion is sailing along. Heaven must be in grand jubilee.
We've just sung "Amazing Grace," "Ten thousand years. . ." Such rejoicing. Such rejoicing. Brotherly love abounds. After midnight. Running to the altar. "Blessed Assurance." Electrifying moments. A grand jubilee. We are in the presence of God. Awe — wonder — love — an unspeakable sense of His nearness.
February 6: Revival has its high moments. Moments of exaltation. And its quiet moments when the Holy Spirit hovers over people. On this Friday morning there is a very precious spirit here in Hughes. It is quiet. God is working very beautifully in hearts this morning. There is no fear, no anxiety, the Spirit is working very quietly.
10.30 p.m. "And Can It Be." Forty-two souls at the altar. I have just seen a couple arise from the altar after three and half hours of prayer. They are victorious. The laying on of hands at the altar. Intense sobbing at one end of the altar.
February 7: 8.20 a.m. on this Saturday morning. The altar is flooded with seekers. 106 hours have passed. A report of glorious victory. "When we all get to Heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory."
11.15 p.m. 700-800 people in Hughes. I don't know that I've never seen the altar area so crowded. As Saturday faded into Sunday, I remember the singing from Hughes Auditorium: "All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name."
HE IS BEING CROWNED, HALLELUJAH!
February 8: 12.30 p.m. A great crowd at the altar. I saw a beautiful sight a few moments ago when an entire family made their way to the altar. I see a man who drove all the way from New Jersey at the altar. All is well.
8.40 p.m. The revival goes on and on. Thirteen souls at the altar. 1,500-1,600 people present here in Hughes, people from many states. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, "In Fathomless Billows of Love". Indeed, God has been doing just that since Tuesday morning at ten o'clock.
Source: 'The Asbury Revival — One Divine Moment', by R. E. Coleman, Spire Books, 1971.
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