11. 1905 Convention - Brokenheartedness for Sin

1905 Convention - Brokenheartedness for Sin In the spring of each year the Punjab Prayer Union holds its annual meeting. But as preparation for this meeting the leaders spend much time in prayers and fastings and all night watching. Then when the Union comes together we look to God for guidance during the coming year. "Early in 1905, at that annual meeting, God laid on our hearts," writes a brother, "the burden of a world plunged in sin. We were permitted to share to some extent in the sufferings of Christ. It was a glorious preparation for the convention in the fall of 1905." At this convention John Hyde was constantly in the prayer room day and night; he lived there as on the Mount of Transfiguration. The words were burned into his brain as a command from God; "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that are the Lord’s remembrancers take ye no rest and give him no rest till he estab- lish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isa 62:6-7).

There can be no doubt that he was sustained by divine strength, for are we not told to "endure hardness according to the power of God,"—not in our own weakness but in his strength? It was not the quantity but the quality of sweet childlike sleep that our Father gave his servant which enabled him to continue so long watching unto prayer. One could see from his face that it was the presence of Christ himself that strengthened his weak body. John Hyde was the principal speaker, but it was from communion with God that he derived his power. His prayer-life was one of absolute obedience to God. I remember once the lunch-bell sounded when we were in the prayer room. I heard him whisper: "Father, is it thy will that I go?" ... There was a pause, the answer came, he said: "Thank you, Father," and rose with a smile and went to lunch. Needless to say, he recognized his Lord as seated at the table with them, and oh, how many hungry souls were refreshed by his talks.

He was leader of the morning Bible readings, his subject being John 15:26-27, "He shall bear witness of me, and ye also shall bear witness of me." "Is the Holy Spirit first in your pulpits, pas- tors?" Do you consciously put him in front and keep yourselves behind him, when preaching ? Teachers, when you are asked hard questions do you ask his aid as a witness of all Christ’s life? He alone was a witness of the incarnation, the miracles, the death and the resurrection of Christ. So he is the only witness!" It was a heart-searching message, and many were bowed down under the convicting power. The next morning Mr. Hyde was not allowed to give any fur- ther teaching. The chairman came down from his seat and declared the meeting to be in the hands of God’s Spirit. How wonderfully He witnessed of Christ and his power to cleanse all who repent. The next morning once again his servant said that he had no fresh message from God. It was pointed out that God would not be mocked—till we had all learned this lesson as to put- ting the Holy Spirit first at all times God would not give any fresh message. Who can forget that day ? How wonderfully those prayers were answered! The watchmen that night in the prayer room were filled with joy unspeakable and they ushered in the dawn with shouts of triumph. And why not, for we are "more than conquerors through him who loves us." At one time John Hyde was told to do something and he went and obeyed, but returned to the prayer room weeping, confessing that he had obeyed God unwillingly. "Pray for me, brethren, that I may do this joyfully." We soon learned after he went out that he had been led to obey tri- umphantly. Then he received the promise that he would be the (spiritual) father of many children —an Abraham indeed. He entered the hall with great joy, and as he came before the people, after having obeyed God, he spoke three words in Urdu and three in English, repeating them three times, "Ai Asmani Bak," "O Heavenly Father." What followed who can describe ? It was as if a great ocean came sweeping into that assembly, and "suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Hearts were bowed before that divine presence as the trees of the wood before a mighty tempest. It was the ocean of God’s love being outpoured through one man’s obedience. Hearts were broken before it. There were confessions of sins with tears that were soon changed to joy and then to shouts of rejoicing. Truly, we were filled with new wine—the new wine of Heaven!

Here is the experience of one missionary: "Hours alone with God, with no one to see or hear but God were customary; but the fellowship of others in prayer or praise, for hours, could it be downright real? On entering that room the problem was solved. At once you knew you were in the holy presence of God, where there could be only awful reality. Others in the room were for- gotten except when the combined prayers and praises made you realize the strength and power and sympathy of such fellowship. The hours of waiting on God in communion with others were precious times, when together we waited on God to search us and to speak to us, together in- terceded for others, together praised him for himself and for his wonderworking power. There was a breadth and freedom during those ten days that I never imagined existed on earth. Surely it was for freedom such as this that Christ has set us free. Each one did exactly as he or she felt led to do. Some went to bed early, some prayed for hours, some prayed all night long, some went to the meetings and some to the prayer room and some to their own rooms; some prayed, some praised, some sat to pray, some kneeled, some lay prostrate on their faces before God, just as the Spirit of God bade them. There was no criticism, no judging of what was being done or said. Each one realized that all superficialities were put away, that each one was in the awful presence of the Holy God." The same missionary referred to John Hyde when she wrote, "There were some who knew that God had chosen and ordained them to be ’watchmen.’ There were some who had lived for long so near Jehovah that they heard his voice and received orders direct from him about everything, even as to when they were to watch and pray and when they were to sleep. Some watched all night long for nights because God told them to do so, and he kept sleep from them that they might have the privilege and honor of watching with him over the affairs of his kingdom."