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Sounds from heaven

The revival on the Isle of Lewis, 1949-1952

Last revival

SOUNDS FROM HEAVEN
The revival on the Isle of Lewis 1949-1952
By Colin and Mary Peckham
Christian Focus. 288 pages. £8.99
ISBN 1 85792 953 5

The last revival in the British Isles occurred 52 years ago on the Isle of Lewis. This account of it is divided into two almost equal parts.

The first tells the story of the revival. This draws from the records held by the Faith Mission and especially those submitted by the Rev. Duncan Campbell. The second section has the testimonies of 25 people who were converted during the Revival. Mary Peckham's own testimony is included and she has translated several testimonies from Gaelic. Her husband was Principal of the Faith Mission Bible College until he retired.

The events related here occurred in a very different culture from the present. These were rural communities with a long tradition of devout Reformed faith. They were brought up on the shorter catechism and the Psalms. Most were Gaelic speakers. There was a very devout cultural Christianity. And yet before the times of revival, there was a lack of the reality of salvation in many lives. The revival brought a great conviction of sin and a desire to seek the God who was known, but not experienced.

The Peckhams relate some of the more extraordinary things that happened like houses shaking, lights, heavenly music. These do not detract from the emphasis on the great spirit of prayer and the felt presence of God. One chapter explains the controversy that was stirred up about the ministry of Duncan Campbell and the antagonism of the Rev. Kenneth McRae of the Free Church, who could not accept that God would work in the mixed denomination of the Church of Scotland.

This book raises many questions about why God should choose to work in this particular way in these islands. Those interested in Celtic Christianity might want to ponder whether the biblical solemnity of these Gaelic believers is a better pattern than what usually goes under that title. How does culture relate to spirituality? How would God act in London today? It would have been helpful to have notes on the current spiritual situation in these islands. Maps would have been a welcome addition for those of us unfamiliar with the area.

This may not be a book that many would naturally pick up, but it does contain a spiritual challenge that we need to face.

Ray Porter,
OMF International (UK)