It All Began at a Tea Party

In 1856 James McQuicken from Ireland was invited to a tea. There was a women there who unabashedly spoke on the condition of the soul. All this talk made Mr. McQuicken very uncomfortable. She openly told him that she didn't believe that he had ever known the Lord Jesus".

Mr. McQuilken later wrote, "I knew that she spoke was true of me. I felt as if the ground were about to open beneath me and let me sink into hell. As soon as I could, I left the company. For two weeks I had no peace day or night. At the end of that time I found peace by trusting the Lord Jesus."

The Lord was working on hearts of many around northern Ireland at the same time. Many prayer groups were started, all praying for a revival. Despite their burden for the lost, widespread revival did not come. In 1857 they saw their first soul saved...and the next nineteen months were uneventful! Through all this they did not give up, because God had called them.

On March 14 1859, McQuilken's prayer group was invited to a prayer meeting. There church was so crowded and there was a mighty movement of God. The response was so large that it was moved into the streets, into the rain. The Ulster revival began with this group of people and grew to one hundred thousand people saved.

As a result of changed lives, in 1860 the police had an empty jail with no crimes to investigate. Pubs closed and alcohol consumption fell so much so that whiskey distilleries were sold.

Over one hundred thousand souls were saved and it all stemmed back to one lady unashamed to speak the truth over a simple tea!

I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. - Psalm 40:9-10

I read about James McQuilken in "The One Year Christian History" devotional. This story was so amazing to me. The Lord wants to use us and we have to make sure that we don't keep this good news hidden!