10. 1904 - The First Sialkot Convention
1904—The First Sialkot Convention
One of his dearest friends in India writes about the great change that came to John Hyde’s spir- itual life at this convention in 1904. He writes that though John was a missionary and a child of God, for he had been born of God, he was yet a babe in Christ. He had never been compelled to tarry at his Jerusalem till he was endued with power from on high. But God in his love spoke to him and showed him his great need. At this convention, while he was speaking to his brother missionaries on the work of the Holy Spirit, God spoke to his own soul and opened up to him the divine plan of sanctification by faith. Such a touch of God, such a light from heaven came to him, that he said at the close of the convention: "I must not lose this vision." And he never did lose it, but rather obtained grace for grace, and the vision brightened as he went obediently for- ward.
Another missionary tells how John came to this convention to lead the Bible studies. During those days he spoke on the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God. That mighty love seemed to reach out through him and grip the hearts of men and women and draw them closer to God. This brother writes:
"One night he came into my study about half-past nine and began to talk to me about the value of public testimony. We had an earnest discussion until long after midnight and I think until after one o’clock, and as I remember it, quite an interesting argument.
We had asked him on the next evening to lead a meeting for men which was being held in the tabernacle out on the compound, while the women of the convention were holding a meeting of their own in the missionary bungalow. When the time for the meeting arrived the men of us were seated there on the mats in the tent, but Mr. Hyde the leader had not arrived. We began to sing, and sang several numbers before he did come in, quite late.
I remember how he sat down on the mat in front of us, and sat silently for a considerable time after the singing stopped. Then he arose and said to us very quietly, "Brothers, I did not sleep any last night and I have not eaten anything today. I have been having a great controversy with God. I feel that he has wanted me to come here and testify to you concerning some things that he has done for me, and I have been arguing with him that I should not do this. Only this even- ing a little while ago have I got peace concerning the matter and have I agreed to obey him, and now I have come to tell you just some things that he has done for me."
After making this brief statement, he told us very quietly and simply some of the desperate con- flicts that he had had with sin and how God had given him victory. I think he did not talk more than fifteen or twenty minutes and then sat down and bowed his head for a few minutes, and then said, ’Let us have a season of prayer.’ I remember how the little company prostrated them- selves upon the mats on their faces in the Oriental manner, and then how for a long time, how long I do not know, man after man rose to his feet to pray, how there was such confession of sin as most of us had never heard before and such crying out to God for mercy and help.
It was very late that night when the little gathering broke up and some of us know definitely of several lives that were wholly transformed through the influence of that meeting."
Evidently that one message opened the doors of men’s hearts for the incoming of the great re- vival in the Indian Church.