Scotland Ablaze

Many today may be discouraged by the condition of Christianity in Scotland, while unaware of its powerful legacy.

Following on from Glory in the Glen and Land of Many Revivals, Scotland Ablaze continues Tom Lennie’s compelling historical series on Scottish revival movements. Lennie here focuses on the inspiring period from 1858–79 in which much of Scotland was spiritually awakened, affecting every Scottish county.

In three parts, Lennie guides us meticulously through the origins of the 1859–61 revival and each area affected, then goes on to chronicle a series of little–known revival after–waves that continued through the 1860s and early ‘70s, and finally the remarkable evangelistic campaign of Moody and Sankey, in which many have discerned the holy breath of authentic revival.

Through this deeply encouraging and fascinating read, may we not only see the power and impact of God’s work in our history, but may we excitedly anticipate His miraculous work in our future.

Endorsements

You will find that this is a book you will be reluctant to put down. … Tom Lennie’s latest book is candid about the difficulties and controversies which arise in revival but the overall effect is to challenge us to pray for the valley of dry bones to come alive again as a great army.
David Meredith, Mission Director, Free Church of Scotland, Inverness

Reading about God’s Spirit in action is always an encouragement. Tom Lennie delves into Scotland’s rich history and assesses the numerous accounts of revival that set people on fire for the gospel in the second half of the 19th century. These stories embolden us to live out our faith with the assurance that the same God is at work today. Read and be inspired!
R. T. Kendall, Previous minister of Westminster Chapel, London

They say that history is boring – but what makes it interesting is when you get to the details. If that’s the case then Tom Lennie’s Scotland Ablaze must be one of the most interesting books on Scotland ever written. It is packed full of well–researched and evidenced detail. This is a book that will be used for decades to come as a source on the state of Christianity in Scotland in the 19th Century. You can dip in and out of it, but most of all it reminds us of a glorious time in Scottish history. Scotland Ablaze leads us to cry ‘Lord, do it again!’
David Robertson, Pastor, St Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee & Associate Director of SOLAS, Centre for Public Christianity

Scotland was deeply affected by revival during the two decades following 1858. Many people turned from nominal Christianity or even outright scoffing to deep personal faith. In this carefully documented book, Tom Lennie shows that the revival movement of 1859–61 broke out in every Scottish county and that the Americans Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey roused Edinburgh and Glasgow to a high pitch of spiritual enthusiasm. Scotland was far more ablaze than we have previously known.
David Bebbington, Professor of History, University of Stirling, Stirling

As we read what God did in our past, I pray this book will do the same for a new generation, and stir us to cry to God to do a similar mighty work again. May Scotland be set ablaze for His glory once more!
David Strain, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

Lennie’s historical grasp of the national and local context of the mid–Victorian era provides an insightful and scholarly grasp on what God was achieving during those years. In covering areas as geographically and culturally diverse as rural Aberdeenshire, industrial Lanarkshire, the borders and the north of Scotland Lennie has provided not only a scholar’s understanding of the times, but he also describes the significance and importance of: passionate prayer, the role of the local church, itinerant preachers, and the impact of the Spirit on entire communities. Lennie’s writing, however, should come with a ‘health warning’; it is difficult to put it down once you begin to flick through its pages.
Richard Gibbons, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, South Carolina

On reading this book, on the back of his two earlier volumes, I am left with a deep impression of the overwhelming vastness of the grace, mercy and favour of God towards our land in times past; but also with a deep sense of sadness at the way in which, as a nation and as churches within it, we have squandered and neglected these abundant mercies. Lord, have mercy upon us!
Hector Morrison, Principal, Highland Theological College, Dingwall