Nobody was more conscious of this fact than the popular revivalist (Evan Roberts) himself. He dreaded publicity. He dreaded newspaper reporters. He dreaded adulation. Many times he withdrew himself from the meetings when he felt that the people were coming to see and hear him only. In meetings where he feared he was the center of attraction, he pleaded with agonized spirit that the people would look away to Christ and Him alone, or else the Holy Spirit would withdraw Himself from the movement. 

At other times, he purposely refrained from speaking in meetings, because he sensed that the people came to see and hear him about whom they'd heard rather than Jesus Christ who had the blessing from them. Though he became by far the most publicized preacher in the world at that time, he repeatedly refused interviews with newspaper men who came from every part of the globe. He refused to be photographed except by members of his own family. He knew this awakening was of God and not from himself, and that if people idolized him, the Shekinah Glory would be withdrawn. Thus, it was that when letters reached him from many different publishing firms throughout the world asking that they might write about him, he felt the Spirit would have him answer none of these, fearing that he would be robbing God of the glory due to His holy name alone. 

Sometimes the revivalist sat among the people, praying silently, and then left without saying a word. Visitors from different parts of the world were astonished to sit in crowded gatherings where people sang, prayed and testified without the young prophet even being there to take part. The saintly F. B. Meyer, a matured Christian leader, upon watching him in the meetings, explained, "He will not go in front of the divine Spirit, but is willing to stand aside and remain in the background unless he is perfectly sure that the Spirit of God is moving him." Then he added, "It is a profound lesson for us all!" 

So evident was it that the movement was a divine work that outstanding British Christian leaders came and stood in awe and bowed in adoration to God. Although famous preachers such as Gypsy Rodney Smith, F. B. Meyer, G. Campbell Morgan, General Booth, and many others visited the scene of blessing, in the majority of cases, they only prayed or said a few words. Sometimes they sat quietly in the meetings while young people, and even children prayed, sang and testified in the Spirit. These great men of God recognized the fact that here was not a revival come through great preachers nor through great preaching, but that it was a supernatural work altogether apart from either. They felt that their very personalities would hinder the meetings. And why should great Christian leaders preach sermons when here before them they saw their sermons fulfilled! Here was the answer to the agony of their prayers for the blessing upon the church of God and the salvation of lost souls. And besides - they could not have taken part unless the Holy Spirit had invited them to do so! 

This is copyrighted material from chapter 1 of James Stewart's book Invasion of Wales by the Spirit through Evan Roberts, available from Revival Literature, PO Box 6068, Asheville, NC 28816