The 1860 revival in South Africa Compiled by Bennie Mostert

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Many people think the revival that started in the Western Cape in 1860, marked the first stirrings of the South African revival. But it started earlier, in 1858, in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Some missionaries that experienced the 1857 revival in New York, came back to resume their work in Zululand and amongst the Xhosas. Alan Grout wrote from Zululand: "We are witnessing a shaking of the dry bones in the Esdumbini Valley ... several young men came to say ... your preaching has touched our hearts, we have decided to abandon heathendom and serve the living God." Joseph Jackson, a Methodist reverend testified: "...the Spirit fell upon them in such an overpowering manner that they could not depart, but continued in prayer till the break of day."

The revival amongst the Zulus resulted in extraordinary praying, tremendous conviction of sin, immediate conversions and enthusiastic evangelistic outreach.

In 1856 a 12-year-old Xhosa girl started to prophesy that all animals must be destroyed and all food be consumed. On 18 February 1857 a miracle will happen: cattle will come out of the ground, food pits will suddenly be filled, dead warriors will arise and all the tribes of Africa will drive the Europeans into the sea. The Xhosas acted on these prophesies and the result was mass starvation and many died. Families killed one another for food. Clans of thousands of people were nearly wiped out. This situation created an openness for the gospel.

It was in this period of time that revival broke out in Grahamstown. All churches were affected. Large crowds came to church every night. Soon the whole area, even up to Port Elizabeth and East London were affected. People of all races were impacted. If there was not a building available, people met in the open. Missionaries in the Transkei reported that thousands of Xhosas turned to the Lord. One mission reported 600 new members within one month and crowded church meetings.

The 1858 revival amongst the Xhosas and the Zulus were brought to South Africa by Reverend William Taylor, a man that based his ministry on the ministry style of John Wesley. He was born in Virginia in 1821 and came to South Africa in 1858 after ministry in other continents. He travelled on horseback from town to town and God granted revival. Rev. Taylor used a Xhosa interpreter by the name of Charles Palma and travelled through the Transkei and Zululand to preach the gospel. When Taylor left, Palma took those sermons and preached them from kraal to kraal. As a result, revival came to those regions, especially amongst the Xhosas. Through these two men revival came to many places in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. The news about the revival in the Eastern Cape spread and thousands came to meetings. Many came under deep conviction of sin, followed by joyful praise when they broke through in deliverance and assurance of salvation. There was no manipulation in the meetings. Under the preaching, people would simply fall on their faces in the meetings and start to cry out for mercy. One of the results of this revival was a strong interest in missions. Missionaries travelled as far as the old Rhodesia and Zambia to preach the gospel. Revival fires also started to burn in Botswana.

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