From Banff Mr Turner went to Fordyce, a small village situated in the midst of a wide and important parish of the same name, where he had a meeting in the Free Church a few hours after his arrival. As this meeting had been intimated on the previous Sabbath, the church was so crowded that many were unable to gain admission, for, as he was quite a stranger in that place, there was a great curiosity both to see and hear one who had now become the talk of the district, on account of the great things that God had wrought by him. A very deep impression was made on many hearts on that occasion, and he laboured in Fordyce the two following nights under circumstances that will never fade from the memories of many who were present. After an earnest address on the second night, a lively prayer meeting was proceeding when the same tokens of the Spirit's power as have already been described became manifest. Many professed to experience the saving change, and it may be said that "fear came on every soul." One who was in the meeting says:
"In the midst of all this, Mr Turner seemed to enjoy a more than usual serenity of soul as he moved gently among the people, sometimes raising the song of praise, then charging the undecided to yield up their whole hearts to God, cut every tie and close with a freely offered Saviour, and very frequently he would urge on the people to make sure of giving the glory to God only for these mighty works."
On the following evening, the same power was present. Night fled into early morning like a dream before the multitude left the hallowed spot, for like Peter on "holy mount," the people felt it was good to be there.
During the time he laboured in Fordyce, he slept but little, being engaged the most of the time either at a public meeting, or in dealing with awakened souls in private, and sometimes walking a few miles into the country on the same errand of mercy.
With regard to the result of these labours, the Rev. M. M'Kay in whose church the meetings were held, says—
"I have reason to believe that Mr Turner's visit to Fordyce was the means under God of awakening not a few to a sense of their state by nature, and of their need of an interest in the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus. Several of these cases occurred in my own church, and, by the subsequent life and conversation of not a few, I have good grounds for believing that they have truly tasted that the Lord is gracious."
"The Life and Labours of James Turner," by William Robbie.