This revival happened in Holland, Michigan, in the winter of 1865-66. One Martin J Clapper, a stone mason who belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, had arrived from the eastern part of the state in 1859, and settled down a few miles north of Holland. His outward appearance was unattractive, and his loud voice was abrupt and snappy in its utterance. This lay preacher's "Amen" was the first introduction to a sedate, Holland audience of the sign of revivalistic fervor. Such vigorous expressions sounded offensive in the ears of a solemn Dutch audience 75* years ago.
It is not surprising the "elder Clapper," as he was called, met with little respect among the older members of Dr. Van Raalte's church while the youth of the colony were inclined to ridicule. They attended the meetings of Clapper to have fun. These meetings were held in a vacant hall over a saloon. Clapper, who had come "to save Holland," as he said, spoke, his coat off, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his collar cast aside. After his address, he invited the audience to sing a Holland psalm or two which he enjoyed as much as they. Then he would invite those who desired prayer on their behalf to come to the front while the audience sang: "Come ye , sinners, poor and needy," etc., an old revival hymn.
After a few gatherings the hall could not contain the audience any more. The Town Hall in the marketplace (now Centennial Park) was then granted him. When this hall proved too small, a request was presented to the consistory of Van Raalte's church for the use of their church building.
The consistory refused. This fact does not surprise us. But the general discontent was so great and so strong that Van Raalte had to take things in hand. What was the case? The older people had become deeply interested and the young people not less than the parents.
In the consistory meeting, "chips were flying around." Said Van Raalte: "Are you blind to what is happening here? Do you not see the hand of God in it? That He has something to tell us all, consistory, congregation, people? Shall we resist the Spirit of God? When will the consistory of Holland learn to understand its duty? I should have had another consistory long ago!"
How could he speak that way to his elders?
Here are the facts as recorded in an official manuscript. taken from eye witnesses. People came from outlying places, riding in their sleighs over the snow and ice. Men and women of every age broke down in tears and went home, singing and thanking God for his mercy. The young people came in scores to confess their sins and pray for God's mercy and grace. Confirmed drunkards and worldlings were changed to testifying Christians wherever they had opportunity and some of these became beacon lights and leaders in the church for the rest of their lives.
The old minutes do not state much except that so many were received on confession, etc., in many successive consistory gatherings. But nothing else is stated concerning some striking cases. That could not be expected, perhaps, from the stated clerk who functioned at the time.
But this is what Dr. Van Raalte said at a communion table: "Twenty years I have worked among this people. But where are the fruits? And now, God sends to us a Methodist to reap where we have sown. And such a Methodist! But I lay my hand on my mouth and worship!"
And before he departed for his visit to the Netherlands, he sent this information to the Classis which was in session while he was on the way to Europe.
"On the right hand and on the left, incomers where it was not expected, there arose a need of the soul, a wrestling with God in prayer for salvation, or there was joy for the hope in God through Christ. Nearly all God's children were revived. Many of the youth of the congregation were brought nigh, even some of the very aged shared the warming fire of God's love!"
"We rejoice all the more in this gracious visit of God since we had been conscious of our hopeless state unless the almighty, sovereign intervention of God's re-creating Spirit would save us from sinking back into worldly and carnal darkness. We rejoiced as it became plain that the truth of God could only be continued with our people by rebirth and by spiritual life in the Holy Spirit, in the joy of the Holy spirit and his power in the life of faith and inner fellowship with God in their daily life."
"God has rebuked the devil, has glorified truth and caused an impression, of which we hope that it will be continued influence in giving direction to our people after us and will give birth to a desire of more preparation for the ministry of our growing population."
These undeserved, surprising, mighty works of God and His blessed presence, make us laugh and weep for joy. And in view of the value of one soul, in the terrible plight of spiritual death, how valuable is the spiritual life in communion with God and which never dies -- this, dear brethren, urges us to invite you to share with us in God's praise, to the glory of His Name, with a complete consecration to the service of love and to ask more abundantly of His fatherly love."
And in De Hope of March 23, 1866, and of April 4, 1866, there occur two statements at that time, editorials of the Rev. P.J. Oggel, of which we quote only the second part: "The prayer meetings are still being held every evening. They are still being marked by continued liveliness. We also hear from surrounding congregations that the Lord adds sinners and revives His people. It is remarkable that this happens in various places, simultaneously, and that, without having been in communication one with the other! It is one and the same Spirit, who works in all the children of God!"
*the article must have been written sometime in 1940