Edward Irving, "Charismatic Pioneer"

I found this article, that I thought was rather interesting, in one of my old newspapers. It comes from "The Daily Chronicle", from Philadelphia, PA. This newspaper is from December 19, 1831. It concerns an episode of 'tongues' that took place in Edward Irving's church, and the resulting confusion. These are not my words, this is taken directly from the 1831 newspaper article. There is also a link, with more information about this man.

http://catchlife.org/edward_irving_charismatic_pioneer.htm

My question, I guess, is what do you make of this description in the newspaper? What do you think happened here?

"In the London Morning Herald, of October 20, we notice this subjoined account of a curious scene in the church at which the celebrated orator, the Rev. Edward irving, officiates: -
On Sunday, the Rev. Edward Irving delivered two sermons on the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, on each of which occasions the congregation were distrubed by individuals pretending to the miraculous gift of tongues. During the sermon in the morning, a lady (a Miss Hall) thus singularly endowed, was compelled to retire to the vestry, where she was unable (as she herself says) to restrain herself, and spoke for some time in the unknown tongue, to the great surprise of the congregation, who did not seem prepared for the exhibition. The Rev. Gentleman resumed the subject in the evening, by discoursing from (or rather expounding) the 12th chap. of the 1st Corinthians. Towards the conclusion of the exposition, he took occasion to allude to the circumstance of the morning, and expressed his doubts, whether he had done right in restraining the exercise of the gift in the church itself, and compelling the lady to retire to the vestry. At this moment a gentleman in the gallery (a Mr. Taplin, who keeps an academy in Castle-street, Holborn) rose from his seat, and commenced a violent harangue in the unknown tongues. The confusion occasioned was extreme. The whole congregation rose from their seats in affright. - Several ladies screamed aloud, and others rushed to the doors. Some supposed that the building was in danger, others, that there had either been a murder, or an attempt to murder some person in the gallery; insomuch, that one gentleman actually called out to the pew-openers and beadle to "Stop him, and not let him escape." On both occasions the church was extremely crowded (particularly so in the evening), and it would be impossible to describe the confusion produced by this display of fanaticism. - There was, indeed, in the strange unearthly sound and extraordinary power of voice, enough to appal the heart of the most stout hearted. - A great part of the congregation standing upon the seats, to ascertain the cause of alarm, while the Rev. Gentleman, standing with arms extended, and occasionally beckoning them to silence, formed a scene which, perhaps, partook as much of the ridiculous as of the sublime. No attempt was made to stop the individual, and after two or three minutes he became exhausted and sat down, and then the Reverend Gentleman concluded the service. Many were so alarmed, and others so disgusted, that they did not return again into the church; others formed themselves into groups in the entry of the church, and discussed the propriety of the Reverend Gentleman suffering the exhibition, and altogether a sensation was produced which will not be soon forgotten by those who were present."