City Hall, Glasgow - D L Moody (1874)



Perhaps we in Glasgow are at the stage of the movement described in Acts 2:42, “having power with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.’

At the daily prayer meeting on Friday 13th, thanks were given for the most interesting meeting of 3000 men in the City Hall on the preceding evening. Mr Moody's helpful word that day was in regard to the three classes of believers we meet with everywhere - those who have got to the length of John 3:15; another class, who know by experience John 4:14 - they have the living waters springing up in them and the third, and best, who answered to the description of John 7:38, 39 - true believers, and pouring out on others “rivers of living water.”

The evening meetings were held again in the two Barony churches, Established and Free and many anxious remained behind to converse. 

On Saturday the meeting (as usual on that day) was specially for children- a lively and impressive meeting. The church was filled with young people and there have been decided conversions in connexion with these gatherings for the young. At the same hour, the usual prayer meeting was carried on in Ewing Place Chapel, close by and the place was filled.

On Sabbath morning there was another gathering of Sabbath school teachers at 9:00 o'clock. These were not the same company as last week but from another part of the city.  

The City Hall was the place, but it could not contain all who sought admission. The address by Mr Moody, on Matthew 20, 1 to 15, made the privilege of working for the Lord appear so honourable and so pleasant - especially when he called on the labourers among us to leave the Householder to give whatsoever He might think right and not “bargain for a penny a day” - that many felt truly humbled and all were fired with a new desire to win souls, a work and privilege which angels almost envy us. On coming out, it was interesting to notice that a row of outside listeners had stationed themselves close to the building eager to catch at least the songs of praise.

None of the evangelistic services are held at the usual hours of church service, but much prayer went up for these meetings from many congregations throughout the day.

At 5:00 o'clock the City Hall was filled with females only, and so deep was the impression, that about 100 inquiries remained to be conversed with, some of whom were led into light and liberty.

At 8:00 o'clock there was a vast assembly of men only, in the City Hall. They were packed into every corner, and outside were nearly as many in vain seeking entrance. It was like Thursday evening, a memorable time. Mr Moody's subject was “whosoever,’ - salvation absolutely free, all gift; nothing between a sinner and eternal life but his unbroken will. The mass of men listened with intense interest; now and then you could see a tear or the head bent in deep emotion. When Mr Sankey sang the hymn, “I am coming to the cross,” nothing could exceed the rapt silent attention. Not a head in the vast multitude moved, every face expressed deep feeling. At the close, when an invitation was given to those who minded to remain for 20 minutes simply for prayer, about 1000 remained and thereafter a large number waited for conversation, though the hour was late.

In the daily prayer meeting, one of our brethren, Mr Stewart of Ewing Place Chapel, undertakes to arrange beforehand the request for prayer - a most important service, for they mount up from 150 to 200 every day. On Monday the 16th, several brethren stated what they knew or had heard of the progress of the work in our city and elsewhere. From Dundee, it was reported that real Sabbath school work had got an impulse, and one school was mentioned where a great awakening seemed begun. The evening of this day had been appointed as a time for all inquirers awakened during last week should meet for counsel and conversation with Mr Moody and Mr Sankey, assisted by Christian workers in the hall of the Free Barony church. Above 200 came and of these 100 were men, all willing, as far as they could, to tell “what's the trouble?” It was felt by all who took part to be a time of singular solemnity - reapers gathering up sheaves for the Lord's garner. This was indeed an encouraging one week’s prayer, preaching and singing.

Times of Blessing

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I think this is the City Hall mentioned


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