Revival at Acadia

Acadia, 1931

I have been interested in the topic of revival at Acadia for quite some time, and have prayed for it as well for over a year. At our IVCF large group on Friday night, the speaker of the evening read and account of a revival that happened here in 1855, during which many people were baptised and even classes were suspended for some days to allow for this spiritual awakening. When I heard about this, I wanted to do more research. I knew Acadia had strong Baptist roots, but that was about the extent of my knowledge. My limited research on the spiritual history of Acadia has revealed some VERY cool things.
Today I got a book out of the library called Memorials of Acadia College and Horton Academy for the Half-Century 1828-1878. It was published in 1881 so it is a very old book.
In it is a section titled "Sketches of the Religious History of Acadia College and Horton Collegiate Academy" by the Rev. J.M. Cramp, D.D.
I have taken the liberty of copying some of that here, because I thought it was really remarkable. Italics are of the author; any other highlights are mine.

The year 1839 and the two following were prosperous years in the Church at Horton. The Lord blessed the preaching of the Gospel, and two hundred persons entered into covenant with His people in those years. A time of dearth followed, such a season as is very rarely experienced in Baptist communities. The seed continued to be sown, but there was no visible growth. No "blade," no "ear," no full corn in the ear." It was the time of the Irish famine; but it was a worse famine than that, it was a famine of the word of the Lord. When it came to an end, it was suddenly, almost like a surprise, as the Spirit descended in the day of Pentecost. And yet it was not a surprise; for some Christian women who mourned the four years of declension, and saw with grief vice stalking unblushingly among the people, established a prayer-meeting among themselves, and especially singled out desperate cases, which were prayed for by name. They expected to be heard, and they were heard. A strange seriousness began to prevail. "God's people were roused up, brother talked with brother, and together they bowed before the Throne in confession and supplication. Emphatic entries were made in the 'book of remembrance.' The unconverted were sought out, reasoned with, exhorted and entreated to repent and believe. The preachers preached with new power and unction. Crowds gathered night after night in the places of meeting, none caring to hide their feelings, or ashamed of manifesting them. God was present in His might and in His mercy. Strong rebels were subdued. Flinty hearts were softened. Those who attempted to mock were compelled to mourn. The laugh of the careless was exchanged for the tear of penitence. The proud and stubborn became 'poor in spirit,' One after another yielded, till at length, when the Church reported to the Association an accession of one hundred and forty-four members, it was found that every student in the College was ranked among the followers of Christ, not one was left."