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South Africa's Forgotten Revival: The Story of the Cape's Great Awakening in 1860
This story tells of the frigid church conditions prior to revival, when there was a dire shortage of pastors and teachers, and semi-literate Afrikaners clung to their home-spun religion based on the Old Covenant. It describes how God prepared the ground by setting the precursors in place and raising up key leaders to help promote and direct the revival. They were Andrew Murray (Worcester & Wellington), Nicolaas Hofmeyr (Calvinia & Stellenbosch) and Gottlieb van der Lingen (Paarl). While the tide of the Holy Spirit swelled gently in some towns, in others ”" like Worcester ”" it broke without warning. It swept through vast areas of farmland throughout the Cape and beyond, convicting Afrikaners, Coloureds and Africans. Overnight, awakened Christians became prayer warriors and mission enthusiasts. Unfortunately, overzealousness led to disagreements regarding the boycott of Sunday trains, while a backlash from liberal pastors led to Andrew Murray having to defend the Dutch Reformed Church in legal battles in the Cape High Court and Privy Council in London. Our story, concludes in 1875 with the victory of the Church over liberal influences, the establishment of educational centres in Stellenbosch and Wellington, and the vision for a Bible translation in Afrikaans emanating from Paarl. How God in his sovereignty prepared the ground for revival. How He drenched Montagu, Worcester, Calvinia Wellington, Stellenbosch Tulbagh, Ceres and Robertson with the first wave of the Spirit in spite of little or no communal prayer. How God sent a special blessing to Paarl on Pentecost Sunday through an aw-inspiring vision experienced by Van der Lingen. How Andrew Murray and Hofmeyr were victorious against the onslaught of liberal theology by wielding the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. How Andrew Murray pioneered women's education, and Hofmeyr evangelized the youth of Stellenbosch.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Olea Nel
11 books9 followers Olea Nel was born in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing her training as a teacher in Andrew Murray's heartland of Wellington, she relocated to Australia to further her studies.
Besides attaining a Ph.D. in Linguistics, she also has qualifications in Information Studies and Theology. She has taught at several tertiary institutions in Australia.
As an active Christian and a pastor’s wife, she is often called upon to speak at women’s groups.
Having recently retired from her secular position as a senior librarian at the National Library of Australia, she is now able to pursue her passion for research, especially within the fields of church history and biography. Her aim is to serve God by sharing her findings with other Christians. She is presently writing the first novel in a trilogy on the life of Andrew Murray.
Besides attaining a Ph.D. in Linguistics, she also has qualifications in Information Studies and Theology. She has taught at several tertiary institutions in Australia.
As an active Christian and a pastor’s wife, she is often called upon to speak at women’s groups.
Having recently retired from her secular position as a senior librarian at the National Library of Australia, she is now able to pursue her passion for research, especially within the fields of church history and biography. Her aim is to serve God by sharing her findings with other Christians. She is presently writing the first novel in a trilogy on the life of Andrew Murray.
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January 12, 2015
154 Years Ago – A review of the book ‘South Africa’s Forgotten Revival’
“How many years have I not served God as a servant? But what a great difference serving Him as a servant and serving Him as a son! I only now understand the freedom” - Van Der Lingen
Olea Nel’s book ‘South Africa’s Forgotten Revival: The Story of the Cape’s Great Awakening in 1860’as the title suggests revisits an important historical moment in the Cape Colony’s history. Under the control of the Dutch East India Company, the land had very few congregations and even less pastors available for spiritual guidance. Moreover the Synod’s insistence on using Dutch as the medium of communication in church at a time when the average burgher spoke Afrikaans, soon led to a poor understanding of the Gospel. This proved even more so for their Coloured and African servants. This hurdle was eventually overcome after the revival had swept through the Cape. As a direct result, the Afrikaans language movement got underway, and the Dutch Bible was translated into Afrikaans.
Having read Olea Nel’s book ‘Andrew Murray: Destined to serve,’ there were a few things that I had come to expect before picking up this book, and needless to say, it left me satisfied on all counts. For starters, it is thoroughly researched and has been able to pack into its pages a great deal of information on this important Christian event. Narrating the story from the points of view of different characters, and showing the progress these pastors made in the lives of so many people, will easily appeal to a wide range of audiences. The various eye-witness accounts, the rapid changes in the field of education, especially with Andrew Murray championing the cause of women’s education and the voluntary movement of youngsters joining the ministry, are some of the other highlights worth mentioning. Olea’s book is full of inspiration and encouragement to the faithful and workers of the Lord to have faith in God to replicate such a revival world over.
“How many years have I not served God as a servant? But what a great difference serving Him as a servant and serving Him as a son! I only now understand the freedom” - Van Der Lingen
Olea Nel’s book ‘South Africa’s Forgotten Revival: The Story of the Cape’s Great Awakening in 1860’as the title suggests revisits an important historical moment in the Cape Colony’s history. Under the control of the Dutch East India Company, the land had very few congregations and even less pastors available for spiritual guidance. Moreover the Synod’s insistence on using Dutch as the medium of communication in church at a time when the average burgher spoke Afrikaans, soon led to a poor understanding of the Gospel. This proved even more so for their Coloured and African servants. This hurdle was eventually overcome after the revival had swept through the Cape. As a direct result, the Afrikaans language movement got underway, and the Dutch Bible was translated into Afrikaans.
Having read Olea Nel’s book ‘Andrew Murray: Destined to serve,’ there were a few things that I had come to expect before picking up this book, and needless to say, it left me satisfied on all counts. For starters, it is thoroughly researched and has been able to pack into its pages a great deal of information on this important Christian event. Narrating the story from the points of view of different characters, and showing the progress these pastors made in the lives of so many people, will easily appeal to a wide range of audiences. The various eye-witness accounts, the rapid changes in the field of education, especially with Andrew Murray championing the cause of women’s education and the voluntary movement of youngsters joining the ministry, are some of the other highlights worth mentioning. Olea’s book is full of inspiration and encouragement to the faithful and workers of the Lord to have faith in God to replicate such a revival world over.
Displaying 1 of 1 review