Michael Marcel shares the story of someone who brought revival wherever he went.

The next morning a local vicar came to see him to persuade him out of his madness. Getting nowhere, the visitor left saying he would oppose him in every way he could and declared, "God stop the man who is wrong!" A week later a blood vessel burst in his throat and he never preached again!

Most of the clergy in this area opposed him, as they could not accept what the Holy Spirit was doing. Sermons were preached against him and people were warned about attending his meetings.

As Haslam was not allowed to preach in local churches, he preached to thousands in the countryside with many becoming 'born again'. He often brought revival to an area, but just as often the Anglican vicar rejected it. Be wary saints, how many pastors will reject the coming revival?

Despite his tremendous successes, Haslam was concerned because many would slip back into their old ways. He felt there had to be something more. Crying out to the Lord for help he realised that he had not been teaching the whole Gospel and he had an encounter with the Lord, that I believe was the baptism of fire and a revelation of sanctification, which he started to preach.

In 1857 Haslam moved on to Hayle, also in Cornwall, which was a spiritually dead, rough area, but as usual revival came. One day, walking down a street he saw lights on in nearly every house, with the sound of praying and rejoicing all around. Quite a change!

At the end of his three-year contract the whole parish was alive, but the rector who appointed him, would not renew his contract, as he did not want revival! He said, "These converted people are not churchmen!"

He then went to Bath where he ministered to the poor. It was hard work and his health was not good, so he went on holiday a few times, but he got little rest as revival broke out each time.

After three years he moved to the country for his wife's health this time and the Lord sent him to two tiny parishes east of Norwich, Hassingham and Buckenham. There were no more than 25 houses in total. On arriving, he asked the Lord what He could do in such a small place and revival broke out the first Sunday and went on for the eight years he was there.

As usual there was great opposition, particularly from clergymen and their wives. Soon Haslam's wife began to preach and the opposition became much worse. A Rector's wife wrote to him saying that she and her husband had been praying for revival in Norfolk for years, but "If this is a revival, it has come in such a way that I cannot thank God for it."

This was how his life was for many years. After taking over the prestigious Curzon Chapel in London, he became an itinerant minister, dying in 1905, aged 86.

Haslam was a revivalist down to his boots. We can learn from him the need to persevere in God's work, no matter what opposition comes from the Church.