We have much cause to thank the Lord for the rich blessing he has bestowed upon our city during the past week. Mr Moody and Mr Sankey arrived in Carlisle on Saturday the 15th and as we look back over the week which has now elapsed, the involuntary thought is, “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvellous in our eyes.” As in other places, the meetings have been crowded to excess; the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr Christie is the pastor, proved altogether inadequate to accommodate the throngs and the large Wesleyan Chapel close at hand was also thrown open, both buildings being completely filled. The power of God was present in the most marked degree; the solemn and magnificent songs, seeming now to bring Jesus of Nazareth right down into the streets of our own city or again to take us right up to the gates of heaven, prepared the way for the word of life from the lips of Mr Moody: that word was with power and many were the anxious souls pressing forward to know the way of life. Jesus has become precious to many; souls have been born of God and tears of contrition given place to tears of joy.
This much as to the blessing bestowed on the unconverted; but what shall be said as to that which has rested upon the Christians? It has been a time of drawing together such as we have not known anything of before. Ministers of the different denominations have thrown themselves heart and soul into the work and the close of the week finds us recognising, not in theory but in fact, that we are all one in Christ Jesus and banded together, that by our union in Him we may honour his blessed name.
The noon meetings have been times of feasting; The first was held on Tuesday and from that hour we knew the Lord would bless. The evening meeting was a truly glorious one; the power of the Lord was present to heal and souls found peace in Jesus.
May the Lord continue his work here and by the love and union of the brethren may the world believe that the Father said the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Our beloved brethren have today left for Edinburgh; we know the Lord will bless there, for prayer is constantly ascending from the widening circle of towns where their labours have already been so largely owned of God, as well as from faithful co-workers across the ocean, who constantly remember England before the throne of grace.
“The Christian”, November 27th, 1873.
"Glory to God in the highest!" Our hearts are full of praise for the great things the Lord is doing here. It is about seven weeks since Mr Dunn came, Mr Scroggie following a little later. Carlisle is not like many places they have been to, which they have taken by just compassing "the city seven times," as it were; but here they have had to fight for every inch of ground they possess, and to storm the citadel by heavy bombardment, but praise God! conflict is ending in victory. Many a triumphant "Hallelujah" rings from our beloved brethren's hearts, overcharged with joy as they see the dear souls coming to Jesus.
At first, the meetings were held in the Rev W. Wrigley's Chapel, where there was blessing; but to reach the mass of people you must go down amongst them, so now every night we preach at the Market Cross for an hour, and the people, instead of being counted by scores as at first, may now be guessed at hundreds, for they are past numbering.
The young lady converts give us the right hand of fellowship and though they do not preach, they sing the gospel as joyfully and heartily as young converts can.
We could tell of strangers passing through Carlisle, and how God, in his unerring wisdom, has led to the meeting and to Christ. In one instance a young woman missed the train, and then, with her burden of sin and sorrow, went to hear in the hall that which proved the word of life to her soul.
It is the same grand old story--hardened sinners broken down under the sweet power of Jesus' love. Religious ones giving up their religion for Christ and his Salvation; indifferent ones aroused to their need; and little children, with all this apparent innocence, weeping because of their sins. But there is a precious individuality in every case and each newborn and brings out a new note of joy in the presence of the angels of God.
There is a daily prayer meeting, too, which is held for three to four in the afternoon, and in the little "upper noon," "where prayer is wont to be made," some fifty or sixty praying ones daily gathered. There, and on our knees at home, and over the blessed Word, we get our strength and go out strong to fight the enemy.
"The Christian," July 9th, 1874.
Founded in 1821, now no more.