Clifford Denton reviews ‘Scotland Ablaze’ by Tom Lennie (Christian Focus Publications, 2018).
A resident of Orkney, Tom Lennie has carefully researched and written much on the history of Christian revivals, especially those in his native Scotland.
This, the latest in his series of books relating to Scotland’s spiritual heritage, covers the 22 years from 1858 to 1879, a dramatic period in which virtually every region of the country experienced a spiritual awakening.
Ebbs and Flows of Revival
Lennie proceeds chronologically, charting the origins of the 1859-61 revival and its ‘after-waves’ that continued through the next two decades. He then looks in depth at the ministries of many revivalists, including well-known names such as Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey.
For many of us, it will be a surprise to discover the ebbs and flows of the revival that occurred in Scotland, although it is not widely known, especially compared with the simultaneous moves of God’s Spirit from 1859-61 in Wales and some parts of England, as well as in other parts of the world.
This book should be considered a foundational document for anyone seeking to understand God’s work in Scotland in the 19th Century.
In 595 pages of meticulous detail, supported by an extensive bibliography, Lennie seems to have left nothing out. Indeed, this weighty volume should be considered a foundational document for anyone seeking to understand God’s work in Scotland in the 19th Century.
Timely Contribution
The book is especially timely considering the way in which humanism has penetrated every area of national life in the UK, and Scotland in particular is contributing much to our political turmoil.
Anyone interested in past revivals will benefit from having this book on their shelf, as well as those calling our nation to repentance in these difficult days, when remembrance of God’s deliverance in the past is of great importance and encouragement for the future.
‘Scotland Ablaze: The twenty-year fire of revival that swept Scotland 1859-79’ (paperback) is available from Amazon for £14.99. Previous books in this series include ‘Glory in the Glen’ and ‘Land of Many Revivals’.
