A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE
was one of the interesting items of the week. It was not in the original programme, but Lord and Lady Aberdeen were so importunate in their entreaties to Mr Moody and Mr Sankey to help in the public opening of a new hall, erected close to the family mansion, that they at last consented. The only condition exacted was that the Aberdeen meetings should not be interfered with, and, through the generous arrangements of the Earl and Countess, this was carried out. The evangelists left Aberdeen by special train after the close of the Music Hall meeting on Wednesday evening and were driven from the Udny Station to Haddo House, where they rested for the night. The snow drifts had blocked up the country roads, but Lord Aberdeen was equal to the emergency; he had a gang of his men out with the snow plough at three o'clock on Thursday morning, and before dawn the principal roads for many miles around were passable, either for foot or vehicle traffic. Thursday was a glorious day overhead though bitterly cold, and soon after eleven o'clock a large company had come from far and near to be present at the inauguration of the beautiful hall which his lordship has erected under the shadow of his own residence for the holding of religious, social, and other meetings among his tenantry. A contingent of the Aberdeen choir went out to help in the song and were hospitably entertained by Lord and Lady Aberdeen. The Earl introduced the speaking by one of his hearty and neatly-expressed speeches. Mr Moody preached the Gospel with great unction and charm of manner, and Mr Sankey made the rafters ring with his melodious song. The evangelists returned to town by carriage and special train, just in time to be at the opening of the three o'clock meeting in the South Parish Church. They will retain very happy memories of this flying visit. On the previous Sunday evening Lord Aberdeen had given an interesting detailed account, at a meeting in his private chapel, of the leading facts in Mr Moody's career and of the work of his schools at Northfield and Chicago.
From, "The Christian," January 7th , 1892