1839 Kilsyth Revival

The 1839 Kilsyth Revival was a significant spiritual awakening that occurred in Kilsyth, Scotland, and had a profound impact on the religious landscape of the time. This report, intended for a Christian publication focused on church history, aims to provide an accurate and insightful understanding of this significant event within the broader context of Scotland’s religious landscape. It delves into the history of this revival, exploring the events that led to it, the key figures involved, and its immediate and lasting results.

State of Religion in Scotland Prior to 1839

Before delving into the specifics of the 1839 Kilsyth Revival, it’s essential to understand the religious context in which it occurred. Scotland has a rich and complex religious history, with various forms of Christianity shaping its culture and society¹. To fully grasp the significance of the 1839 revival, we must first trace the historical trajectory of religion in Scotland.

Very little is known about religion in Scotland before the arrival of Christianity. It is generally presumed to have resembled Celtic polytheism, with evidence suggesting the worship of spirits and wells¹. The Christianization of Scotland began in the sixth century, carried out by Irish-Scots missionaries and, to a lesser extent, those from Rome and England¹.

Throughout the Middle Ages, monastic life played a prominent role in Scottish religion. Priests conducted baptisms, masses, and burials, prayed for the dead, and offered sermons¹. The church held significant authority in moral and legal matters, influencing everyday life through rules on fasting, diet, and ritual cleansing¹. The veneration of saints was a central feature of medieval Scottish religion, with shrines dedicated to local and national figures, including St. Andrew, and the establishment of pilgrimage routes¹.

The Scottish Enlightenment, a period of intellectual and philosophical flourishing in the 18th century, also influenced the religious landscape². Many of the leading philosophers of the Scottish Enlightenment engaged in debates and discussions that were framed by the prevailing religious context². Their philosophical and moral arguments often contested or indirectly supported orthodox Presbyterian theological positions².

In the centuries leading up to the 1830s, Scotland witnessed a series of religious movements and revivals. These periods of spiritual awakening can be categorized as follows: ³

• A Nation Awakened (1527-1728)
• The Evangelical Revival (1729-50)
• Highland Awakening (1797-1809)
• The Awakening Spreads (1810-29)
• Thirties Revivals (1830-37)

The “Evangelical Revival in Scotland” started in the 1730s, marked by intense “awakenings” and rapid expansion of congregations⁴. This early revival primarily benefited secessionist churches that had broken away from the Church of Scotland⁴.

The early revival predominantly impacted the Central Belt of Scotland, but it later spread to the Highlands and Islands, reaching its peak in the mid-19th century⁴. Scotland saw the rise of organizations associated with this revival, including Sunday Schools, mission schools, ragged schools, Bible societies, and improvement classes⁴.

By the 1830s, the Church of Scotland was divided between the Evangelicals and the Moderate Party⁴. This division eventually culminated in the “Great Disruption” of 1843, where many Evangelicals, particularly in the North and Highlands, left to form the Free Church of Scotland⁴.

It is within this dynamic religious and historical context that the 1839 Kilsyth Revival emerged. The stage was set for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the town of Kilsyth, with its history of revival and spiritual fervor, would once again become a focal point for God’s transforming power.

Events Leading to the Kilsyth Revival

The 1839 Kilsyth Revival can be traced back to several factors, including a growing desire for spiritual renewal and the influence of previous revivals.

Declining Godliness and a Call to Prayer

In the years leading up to the revival, there was a noticeable decline in godliness among the congregation at Kilsyth⁵. To address this, a heightened focus on prayer for revival began on May 13, 1832, seven years before the revival took place⁵. This included sermons on revival and the reading of accounts of previous awakenings⁵.

The driving force behind this emphasis on prayer was William Burns Sr., the minister at the church in Kilsyth and father of William Chalmers Burns, a key figure in the revival⁵. Burns Sr. frequently spoke about the 1742 Kilsyth Revival, which occurred under the ministry of James Robe, using it as inspiration for a similar outpouring in their time⁵.

The Role of William Burns Sr.

Burns Sr. played a crucial role in preparing the ground for the revival. He reminded his congregation that “God is not dead!” and that “the gospel has lost none of its power!” ⁵ He challenged the congregation, asking if they were willing to let God search their hearts and remove any sin that hindered God’s blessing⁵. This call to repentance and self-examination had a significant impact on many in the congregation⁵.

The Influence of Previous Revivals

The memory and impact of previous revivals, particularly the 1742 Kilsyth Revival, served as a catalyst for prayer and expectation⁵. The approaching 100th anniversary of the 1742 revival was used by Burns Sr. to inspire prayer for a similar movement⁵. The approaching centenary of the 1742 Kilsyth Revival served as a powerful catalyst, igniting a collective memory and expectation for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Social and Historical Context

It’s important to consider the broader social and historical context in which the revival occurred. Kilsyth had a history of social unrest and conflict. In 1797, there were serious disturbances in the town due to opposition to compulsory military service⁶. These disturbances were often organized by early forms of trade unions and workers’ democratic societies⁶.

Furthermore, Kilsyth had witnessed significant historical events, including the Battle of Kilsyth in 1645 and the Jacobite risings⁷. These events likely shaped the religious and social landscape of the town, potentially contributing to a desire for spiritual renewal and stability.

Events Leading to the 1742 Revival

The 1742 Kilsyth Revival, which served as a significant precedent for the 1839 revival, was also preceded by a series of challenging events. These included a “pluretic fever” that claimed many lives, a destructive hailstorm that destroyed crops and homes, a famine, and a division within the church⁸. These calamities, however, did not initially lead to widespread repentance or a turning to God⁸. Instead, wickedness seemed to increase, with people turning to drunkenness and other vices⁸. It was in this atmosphere of spiritual decline that James Robe, the minister at the time, began to earnestly pray and intercede for his congregation, ultimately leading to the 1742 revival⁸.

The parallels between the events leading up to the 1742 and 1839 revivals are striking. Both were preceded by periods of spiritual decline, social unrest, and challenging circumstances. In both cases, however, these challenges ultimately served as a catalyst for prayer, repentance, and a renewed seeking of God, paving the way for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Leaders of the Kilsyth Revival

While the 1839 Kilsyth Revival was a movement of the Holy Spirit, certain individuals played key roles in its unfolding.

William Chalmers Burns

William Chalmers Burns (1815-1868) was a young, newly licensed minister who emerged as a central figure in the revival⁵. He was invited to serve as an interim pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Dundee while the pastor, Robert Murray McCheyne, was on a mission to Palestine⁵.

Burns returned to Kilsyth in July 1839 to participate in the Communion Season and spend time with his family⁵. It was during this time that the revival broke out⁵.

Robert Murray McCheyne

Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843), the pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Dundee, was another influential figure⁵. Although he was away in Palestine when the revival began, he played a significant role in fostering a spirit of prayer and expectation for revival in Dundee⁵. Upon his return, he rejoined the movement and continued to preach and minister to those affected by the revival⁵.

Other Notable Figures

Other notable figures involved in the revival included Andrew and Horatius Bonar, both young ministers who were close acquaintances of Burns⁵. These men, along with Burns and McCheyne, formed a network of young evangelical leaders who contributed to the spread and impact of the revival⁵. The youthfulness of these leaders likely resonated with the younger generation, contributing to the widespread fervor and enthusiasm that characterized the revival.

Thomas Guthrie, a prominent Scottish minister and social reformer, was also connected to the revival movement through his association with Burns and McCheyne⁹. This connection further highlights the network of individuals who played a role in the revival and its broader impact on Scottish society.

Churches Involved in the Kilsyth Revival

The revival was centered around two main locations: Kilsyth and Dundee.

Kilsyth Parish Church

Kilsyth Parish Church, where William Burns Sr. was the minister, was the initial epicenter of the revival⁵. The church had a long history, dating back to the Reformation, and had witnessed a previous revival in 1742¹⁰.

St. Peter’s Church in Dundee

St. Peter’s Church in Dundee, where William Chalmers Burns served as interim pastor, became another significant location for the revival⁵. The revival spread to Dundee after Burns returned from Kilsyth and shared his experiences⁵.

Other Churches and Prayer Meetings

The revival’s impact extended beyond these two churches. Prayer meetings sprang up in homes and other churches throughout Kilsyth and the surrounding areas⁵. Some of these meetings were even led and attended by children, demonstrating the widespread impact of the revival across different age groups⁵.

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

The Kilsyth Revival was characterized by powerful manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These manifestations, similar to those seen in other revivals throughout history, highlight the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in drawing people to Himself¹¹. They included:

• Intense emotional responses: Many people experienced overwhelming emotions, including weeping, crying out in agony, and falling to the ground as if dead⁵. One account describes a scene where “many people fell to the ground as if they were dead. Others cried out in agony or wept and wailed.” ⁵
• Conviction of sin: There was a widespread sense of sinfulness and a deep need for God’s forgiveness⁵. During one sermon, Burns Sr. asked the congregation if they were willing to let God search their hearts and remove any sin that was keeping God’s blessing from them. Many people responded by humbling themselves before God in repentance⁵.
• A hunger for God’s Word: People flocked to church services and prayer meetings, eager to hear the gospel and seek God⁵. One eyewitness described people abandoning their normal work to attend church services and prayer meetings⁵.
• Changed lives: The revival led to transformed lives, with many people turning away from sin and embracing a life of faith¹².

Results of the Kilsyth Revival

The Kilsyth Revival had both immediate and lasting results.

Immediate Impact

The immediate impact of the revival was undeniable.

• Large gatherings: Thousands of people gathered for the revival meetings, with estimates ranging from 4,000 to 15,000 at the September 1839 Communion Season in Kilsyth⁵.
• Disruption of daily life: The revival disrupted daily life in Kilsyth, with businesses suspending operations and people abandoning their usual routines to attend church services and prayer meetings⁵.
• Shift in focus: The revival shifted the focus of conversations from worldly matters to eternal concerns⁵.
• Increased prayer: Prayer meetings proliferated throughout the town and surrounding areas⁵.
• Impact on youth: The revival had a profound impact on young people, with many children experiencing conviction of sin and a desire to follow Christ⁵. This led to the formation of prayer meetings specifically for children, where they could gather to pray and encourage one another in their faith⁵.

Lasting Effects

The revival also had lasting effects on the community and beyond.

• Spiritual awakening: The revival led to a genuine spiritual awakening, with many people experiencing a profound change in their lives⁵.
• Increased church attendance: Church attendance increased significantly, and many new converts joined the church¹³.
• Social impact: The revival had a positive social impact, with reports of decreased crime and alcohol consumption¹⁴. This positive social impact can be attributed, in part, to the revival’s emphasis on personal responsibility, moral living, and community support, which helped curb social ills and foster a more harmonious society.
• Missionary efforts: The revival fueled missionary efforts, with some converts dedicating their lives to spreading the gospel to other parts of the world⁵.
• Spread to neighboring areas: The revival’s influence extended beyond Kilsyth, with reports of awakenings in neighboring parishes, such as Banton¹³. In Banton, a missionary named Mr. Lyon played a key role in leading people to faith in Christ¹³.

Relationship to Other Revivals

The 1839 Kilsyth Revival was part of a larger wave of religious awakenings that swept through Scotland and other parts of the world in the 19th century⁵. This period, known as the Second Great Awakening, saw revivals in various countries, including the United States, Ulster, Wales, and England⁵.

The Kilsyth Revival shared similarities with these other revivals, including:

• Emphasis on prayer: Prayer was a key element in all of these revivals, with individuals and groups dedicating themselves to fervent intercession¹¹.
• Conviction of sin: A deep sense of sin and the need for salvation was a common theme¹¹.
• Emotional expressions: Intense emotional responses, such as weeping and crying out, were often observed¹¹.
• Transformed lives: The revivals resulted in changed lives and a renewed commitment to faith¹¹.

These similarities suggest a common thread of the Holy Spirit working in diverse contexts to bring about spiritual renewal.

Conclusion

The 1839 Kilsyth Revival was a remarkable event in Scottish church history. It demonstrated the power of prayer, the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, and the transformative potential of the gospel. The revival’s impact extended beyond its immediate context, influencing other revivals and leaving a lasting legacy of spiritual awakening and social change.

The Kilsyth Revival serves as a reminder that God can move in powerful ways to bring about spiritual renewal. It encourages us to pray for revival in our own time and to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and communities. This detailed account of the 1839 Kilsyth Revival, intended for a Christian publication focused on church history, aims to provide an accurate and insightful understanding of this significant event within the broader context of Scotland’s religious landscape.

Works cited

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11. When God Uses Someone Else: The Great Revival That M’Cheyne Missed | Desiring God, accessed on December 16, 2024, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/when-god-uses-someone-else
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