A Startling Interruption

A Startling Interruption

It was a meeting he never forgot.

ASAHEL NETTLETON was a young farmer, born in Killingworth, Connecticut, in 1783. His contentment with his life was shaken when he heard a sermon on regeneration that awakened him to his need for repentance. He thought of himself as a good person and was having difficulty feeling guilty for his sin. “I tried to repent, but I could not feel the least sorrow for my innumerable sins. By endeavouring to repent, I saw my heart still remained impenitent.” Over a period of ten months he wrestled with God daily, praying, crying, and feeling hopeless as he began wonder if he was not one of the elect because his heart was so hard toward God.

One day while contemplating his despair in a field, he was suddenly filled with a calmness he had never felt before. As he examined himself he realized that his resistance to certain Christian doctrines had suddenly passed away and that he had truly repented for the first time—not because he was afraid of the consequences of sin but because his sins were an affront to his Holy God. He experienced joy for the first time in ten months as he suddenly was sure of his salvation.

After his conversion Nettleton left farming to attend Yale. During his postgraduate studies he developed a strong interest in evangelism. He was ordained in 1811 in the Congregational Church and served for over a decade as an itinerant revivalist throughout New England.

The early 1800s were important years in American church history. Revivals had started on the frontiers in 1801 and had spread throughout the nation. Nettleton was an important figure in bringing spiritual revival to New England. Part of his success in convicting sinners was due to the fact he had wrestled so deeply with his own sin and repentance, which gave him uncommon knowledge of the human heart.

During the summer and fall of 1820, Nettleton preached in New Haven and at Yale College at the request of local pastors. A revival was taking place throughout the city, and Nettleton was involved in preaching and visiting with new converts and with those who were still searching. Of the hundreds of meetings he attended, he recalled a particular visit on August 25, 1820, at 2:00 P.M. as “one which will never be forgotten.”

It was a meeting of twenty women, all of whom were distressed about the lack of purpose in their lives. Sensing their spiritual need, Nettleton spoke to them, appealing to their consciences and urging them to repent. Suddenly one named Emily spontaneously interrupted and said, as though talking to herself, “Oh! I can submit, I can love Christ. How easy it is! Why did I not do it before?” The other women were deeply struck by her words. Emily jumped to her feet and began to entreat her friends to immediately repent and submit themselves to God, telling them that their burdens would be lifted just as hers had been. Nettleton remained silent, praying for the women, knowing that at that moment, Emily was the more powerful preacher.

One by one the women either repented and found salvation or left the room. At the end of three hours nine women had given their lives to Christ—their former lack of purpose replaced by unspeakable joy.

Nettleton later recounted the experience: “Suffice it to say, I never saw or heard of such an afternoon visit before. . . . At the close, we began to look about us to see and inquire, What hath God wrought? . . . I said: Is it possible? This is too much! Had I not seen it, I could not have believed it. For nine of those who entered the room in deep distress were now rejoicing in hope.”

Reflection

At the beginning of the meeting the women were experiencing anxiety over their spiritual state. Their misery led them to repentance and then to peace and joy. Have you ever had a similar experience? Are you despairing over your sinfulness? Repentance means turning to God from your sins. If you have never repented of your sins, turn to God and let him bring you his peace and joy.

Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins. Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord.

Acts 3:19-20