I was hardened against criticism, and only wished that my criticizing friends could show me a more effectual way of working, and a way in which God’s glory might be advanced, without giving offence.

The very remembrance of these times warms my heart as I write; and though I do not know whether I am still young enough to enter into such things in the same way, yet I am sure that the manifest presence of the Lord, under any circumstances, would still stir and rejoice my spirit.  My friend Mr. Aitken used to rise above it all most majestically, and shout as loud as the loudest.  It was grand to see his great soul at full liberty rejoicing in the Lord.  He was quite at home in the noisiest and stormiest meetings, and no doubt he thought me a promising disciple, and a very happy one, too.

Oh, what tremendous scenes we witnessed whenever Mr. Aitken came to preach at Baldhu.  The church, which was built to hold six hundred, used to have as many as fifteen hundred packed into it.  Not only were the wide passages crowded, and the chancel filled, even up to the communion table, but there were two rows of occupants in every pew.  The Feat man was king over their souls, for at times he seemed as if he was endued with power whereby he could make them shout for joy, or howl for misery, or cry aloud for mercy.  He was by far the most effective preacher I ever heard, or ever expect to hear.  Souls were awakened by scores whenever he preached, and sometimes the meetings continued far into the night, and occasionally even to the daylight of the next morning.

To the cool, dispassionate outside observers and the newspaper reporters, all this vehement stir was very extravagant and incomprehensible, and no doubt they thought it was done for excitement; certainly they gave us credit for that, and a great deal more.  They did not esteem us better than themselves and consequently we had the full benefit of their sarcasm and invective.

Cornish revivals were things by themselves.  I have read of such stirring movements occurring occasionally in different places elsewhere, but in Cornwall they were frequent.  Every year, in one part or another, a revival would spring up, during which believers were refreshed and sinners awakened.  It is sometimes suggested that there is a great deal of the flesh in these things—­more of this than of the Spirit.  I am sure this is a mistake, for I am quite satisfied that neither Cornish nor any other people could produce revivals without the power of the Spirit, for they would never be without them if they could raise them at pleasure.  But, as a fact, it is well known that revivals begin and continue for a time, and that they cease as mysteriously as they began.