THE MISSION IN GREENOCK.
The circumstances are so diverse in different places that it is very unfair to draw comparisons in gauging the results of a widespread movement such as that which is now in progress throughout the length and breadth of Scotland. God is not to be charged with arbitrary action because less immediate fruit is apparent in one place than in another. The Spirit's working may be hindered by "some little rift within the lute" that does not appear on the surface; some very small hindrance may choke the channel of his inflow in a community. Without setting the Greenock meetings over against those previously held in any other centre, it can, however, be thankfully said that they were full of great good cheer and encouragement to the evangelists. They began on Sabbath week, and the working force was strong -Messrs Moody and McNeill as preaching, and Messrs Sankey and Burke as singing, evangelists, besides other able helpers in both departments not to speak of the local pastors and friends. Ten meetings were held in the town during the day, and it is estimated that on these occasions a grand total of some 17,000 persons must have heard the reviving of the life-giving message. How many effectually responded, it must be left to the great day of reckoning to discover; but it is no great stretch to be assured that the slain and the wounded of the Lord were many.
Mr Moody and his companion had to pass on to another place at the end of two brief days, but Mr McNeill continued his powerful ministry all the week, and will prolong his stay in Greenock this week also, as intimated elsewhere. He has had the happy privilege of gathering many sheaves for the Master, as the outcome of his own labours and those of his fellow-workers, who could do little more than scatter the seed before departing for other fields. As the days and weeks go by, it becomes more and more evident that Mr McNeill has found his niche, and that if health and years are granted him he will prove to be one of the most useful servants of God that this generation has seen; his gifts of clear, piercing vision and of popular address are such that, like Wesley, Whitfield, and Moody, he ought to have the world for his parish.
AMONG THE MINERS.
Scotland is comparatively a small country, but among its people there are to be found plenty distinct types. In their tour from north to south, our American friends have been passing through very varied strata of human society.
They encountered the fervid, superstitious Highlander: the more cultured and, perhaps, more cynical folk of Inverness and Moray; the hard-headed, but by no means cold-hearted, Aberdonian; the shrewd and stolid Fifer; the horny-handed artisan of the banks of Clyde, and many others whose characteristics are not sufficiently marked to allow of classification. The greater part of last week was spent among the miners of Lanarkshire, the places visited being Wishaw, Lanark, and Bellshill. The evangelists must often have been reminded, these bygone days, of Pittsburgh, the great mining centre of the State of Philadelphia in their own country. Tall, black, ugly chimneys are the conspicuous features of the landscape, telling of
Many thousands who toil from week to week in manipulating the mineral wealth of Central Scotland. If report be true, the mining population of these parts are more at home in matters spirituous than spiritual. Facilities for over-indulgence in drink are disgracefully plentiful, with the usual outcome of intemperance, crime, and indifference to the higher interests of the life of the soul. Not that there has been any lack of eagerness to attend the special meetings – far from it. Indeed, the success of the work, from that point of view, has been a drawback. The available places of concourse have been much too small, and the unwholesome air engendered in small churches not well ventilated has caused Mr Moody no small discomfort. He has
SUFFERED GREATLY FROM HEADACHES
on this account. Still, he has gone on bravely, preaching the old Gospel with might and main, and keeping many other friends at work as well. When at Wishaw, Mr Sankey received by cable from America the sad news of the death of his eldest sister. This is the third bereavement that he has had to undergo when absent from his own land on the King's service. During former visits to our shores he had to mourn the loss, by death, of mother, sister, and his father. It has not been easy to sing with this burden of sorrow freshly resting upon him, but strength and grace have been given to go on with work, and this added proof of the nearness of the unseen and eternal world has not diminished the pathos which our friend throws into the tones of his consecrated voice.
From, "The Christian," February 25th 1892
MR MCNEILL CONTINUING THE GREENOCK MEETINGS.
Not so many years ago Mr McNeill was an unknown item in the Greenock community, acting as booking clerk at one of its railway stations. Today he is probably the best-known man in the place, judging from the vast throngs that have been crowding, night by night, to hear his addresses in the splendid Public Hall, he has certainly been the great centre of attraction these past two weeks. His elevation to public fame has been wonderfully rapid, but the abundant entrance he has received into the hearts of Scotch and English communities has been fairly won, and God ought to be praised that this man's natural endowments have been consecrated to such noble ends. Mr Moody, at any rate, is far-sighted enough to recognise the unique qualifications of his Scotch brother, and he deserves the hearty thanks of the entire Christian world for the share he has had in setting Mr McNeill free for the work in which he is now so busily engaged.
The Hall in Greenock in which Mr McNeill and Mr Burke have been evangelising for the past two weeks is a magnificent structure, with two galleries and a seating capacity of some 2,500. The afternoon meetings have grown in attendance, interest, and power, and for the closing days there were very large concourses, mostly of the well-to-do section of society. To these the preacher has addressed himself right earnestly, dividing the word of truth with a master hand and an outspoken, faithful tongue...
To speak at these afternoon meetings, Mr McNeill has had to hurry straight away by train from his talks with the Glasgow businessmen. It must be a heavy strain on him, and we trust he will not unduly tax his physical and mental strength, superabundant though it be.
The great Greenock Hall on Thursday evening afforded a truly inspiring sight. Seats and standing room were packed with a crowd that comprised all sorts and conditions of people in the town. Mr J. H. Burke, who has been singing the Gospel in conjunction with Mr McNeill since his arrival, early in the year, from America, is meeting with great public acceptance in that line of service. On this occasion he sang with great feeling and power a most pathetic Gospel invitation entitled "Welcome, wanderer, welcome." One might almost have "heard a pin fall," as the saying goes, while the sweet singer's notes, now rising and now falling with appropriate cadence, rang clearly through the lofty auditorium and the pleading invitation was sounded to the prodigal to "Come home; come home." No 4 in "New Hymns and Solos " - "The Land Afar" - was also beautifully sung as a quartet. In giving out a congregational hymn Mr McNeill said: "Duets and quartets are all very well, but I like to have a hand in it myself" need it be said that he and everybody else sang with a will. These Gospel songs are doing far more good than most people imagine. They get into the minds and memories - we trust also into the hearts of the common people, and continue to witness for God and his truth long after the special workers have vanished from the scene.
Mr McNeill's address on Thursday evening was on the choosing of David as King in place of Saul. The story is one that freely admits of dramatic treatment, and the great gathering was held captive while the preacher passed in review the successive incidents in the old-world narrative, and gave them a very telling
PRESENT-DAY APPLICATION.
His sanctified humour had full play when he described the high looks and swelling pride Eliah, the eldest son of Jesse, with whose fine outward appearance Samuel was so fascinated that he had almost poured on him the anointing oil; and again, as he portrayed the careless indifference of the rest of the seven, whose chances of the kingdom were lost because they did not deem themselves worthy of such a privilege, and were quite contented to jog along at the plough tail all their days. The choosing of the modest and goodly shepherd youth, David, and his ready acceptance of the high distinction, were made the texts for a most powerful Gospel appeal, in which the glories of eternal salvation and Divine worship were set forth as something to be coveted and accepted far before any mere earthly possession or honour. There was a very large second meeting, which Mr. McNeill conducted with great skill and tenderness. A perfect stream of personal requests for blessing on unconverted and other relatives came from the hearts and lips of those present, and a goodly number also indicated anxiety of soul; with these latter the workers, of whom there is a fine band in Greenock, dealt personally for a considerable time. Mr McNeill's special mission in Greenock closed on Friday, and on Sabbath, Mr J. Scroggie was the preacher. He had a crowded audience in the Town Hall in the evening, and much blessing. One deeply interesting fact is that during Mr McNeill's mission over thirty of the men working in one mill in the town have professed conversion. Messrs McNeill and Burke are following up this week at Paisley, where they have the fine George-Clark Hall for the meetings.
From, "The Christian," March 3rd, 1892.
THE FOLLOWING UP
it’s being vigorously sustained at different points. You have no space for detailed notes, but it may be said generally that in the meetings held by Messrs Smith and Bell at Wishaw, by Mr Richard Hill at Lesmahago, by Mr W J Taylor at Larkhall and by Mr J M Scroggie at Greenock, the word spoken has been with power and it is confidently believed that many have been led to the point of true spiritual decision. A large and interesting meeting of converts and workers was held on Wednesday evening last week at Kirkcaldy, despite the fact that that district was in the throes of a hot and many-cornered parliamentary election contest. Some interesting facts are to hand also respecting the work at Coatbridge. Mr Hutchinson of Coats Established Church reports that he has met with a dozen men in his own parish, who trace their conversion to the Sabbath evening meeting in the theatre. Gospel meetings are to be arranged for now in the theatre each Sabbath evening.
From, "The Christian," March 10th, 1892.