Peterhead (1874)



Next to Drumblade, the greatest work I have seen has been at Cornhill, in Banffshire, where one night at least two hundred remained for conversation in the Free Church. Some of them had come about eight miles to the meeting, and this after a good day's work. There must be deep concern before men would come that distance. We had to speak with the anxious in parties of twelve and fifteen, and even then could not overtake all.

Besides places already mentioned in former letters, there has been blessing at Culsamond, Oyne, Leslie, Forgue, New
Deer, Peterhead, and doubtless elsewhere in the county; while at Logie Pert, in Kincardineshire, there has been a great and
blessed work.

We had a time of much quickening to believers with the visits of Henry Varley, who came most opportunely after the work of awakening and conversion at the time of the visit of Messrs Daniels, Stewart, and others.

There is a deep and warm feeling of expectancy for the visit of Messrs Moody and Sankey, that is, we trust, a sign of
much blessing coming with them.

JOHN ROSS

"The Christian," May 28th, 1874.

 

One of the ministers sends us the following:-

On Monday last our town was favoured with a visit of Mr Moody with a choir. He held two meetings, one at five o'clock in the Established Church, the other at eight o'clock in the Links. Although the hour in the afternoon was too late to allow those from the country to return by train same night, and the notice of the visit too brief to admit of special train arrangements being made, the church, which holds 2,500, was decently filled. On the Links, at night, there would be some 4,000 or 5,000 people. At the very outset, Mr Moody struck down any mere feeling of curiosity by reminding the audience that too probably he was addressing many of them. for the last time. His address on the new birth was pointed and pathetic, bringing tears to many eyes, and, by the Spirit's power, conviction to many hearts. I shall long see in imagination the look of intensest earnestness and determination for salvation that sat on the face of a dear fisherman who would see Mr Moody at the close. Surely he had a title to a word. He was one of a group who had set out to walk to Peterhead at four o'clock that morning,- had literally left their boats and nets to hear the old, old story.

Notwithstanding a heavy fog which rolled over the land, Mr Moody spoke for a considerable time in the open air, heard well even to the fringe of that great throng, and listened to, as usual, with unfaltering attention by the great body of the people. All classes were there, and heard the rich gospel, from the Lord's departing command to the Twelve.

The large church was quite filled in the after-meeting, some standing in the passages. Mr Moody professedly
addressed his words to the anxious but was led to enlarge to others. In closing, he asked those that knew
they were unsaved but wished to be prayed for to stand up. This being a new thing for Peterhead, it was some
time ere any had the courage. At length one, then another, and another, then twos and threes, rose, till between 30 and 40 stood before that vast audience to be prayed for. It was a solemn moment. They soon got company, however; for no sooner had God's servant requested the children of God who felt the desire for greater spiritual blessing to rise than up stood a throng right decidedly. The front area seats were then cleared for the anxious. Many men on one side, and young women and boys and girls, came forward, and, after the assembly was dismissed, were spoken to personally. I believe great, great good was done by that short visit, an impression made on the town that will not soon leave it; many convictions planted in breasts, and former impressions deepened, and not a few led to Jesus. The children of God, too, have received a blessing indeed. 

"Times of Blessing," June 4th, 1874.

Additional Information

Location unknown

There is no proof of revival here, but Ross infers it, but it is a revival season.


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