PAISLEY
Last week began with a visit by Messrs Moody and Sankey to Hamilton and Bothwell, the great centre of the iron and steel industries in Scotland. Here, as in many such districts, religious indifference largely prevails, and hence the general interest awakened by the great meetings of Sunday and Monday is regarded by many as a token of much hopefulness. From Hamilton, the Evangelists went on to Paisley for Tuesday and Wednesday.
THE WORK IN PAISLEY.
Many were the pulpit references on Sabbath to Mr Moody's expected visit; and these brought together on Monday evening a large and representative company, who filled the beautiful Margaret Brough Memorial Hall. Mr Wilson, of the Evangelical Union Church, New Street presided, and after prayers had been offered up by Rev J. M. Sturrock, of the Free High Church, and Rev Mr. Farquhar, of George-street Baptist Church, the meeting was thrown open, and then several engaged in prayer. The hour went past on flying feet, for all present felt that it was good to be there. In the prayers, allusions were made to Mr Moody's previous visits to the town, which were accompanied and followed by marked blessing. At the close, those who volunteered to form a choir for the special services remained to sing over the hymns which Mr Moody had selected; and their enthusiasm and efficiency were so evident that the members of the arrangements Committee were satisfied that the praise part of the coming services would be all that could be desired.
Tuesday turned out to be a mild spring day and by two o'clock people began to gather at the gate of the Free High Church, though the service was advertised to begin at three. Mr Moody gave his
BIBLE-READING ON "THE BLOOD."
At the close of the service a prayer-meeting, attended by several hundred, was held, which was very solemn and refreshing. By half-past six a large crowd surrounded the gate of the church, which was crammed shortly after the doors were opened, and Mr Moody began the service half-an-hour before the advertised time, announcing that an overflow meeting would be held in Free St. George's, a neighbouring church. This. became known to the people outside, who at once made for the other church, which was soon closely packed. Although many were disappointed that Mr Sankey was not present, yet all felt that it was but fitting that one of the evangelists should be present at the funeral of Mr Spurgeon, the greatest preacher of this generation. Mr Moody gave a very powerful address, which contained many impressive counsels and appeals to three classes, Christians, backsliders, and the unconverted. At the close the anxious were dealt with by earnest Christian workers in the adjoining hall while Mr Moody made his way to Free St, George’s Church, where with great animation, he spoke on repentance, from the familiar text, Is. lv. 7: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts." Many inquirers remained and were spoken to by ministers and others, most of whom departed after professing faith in Christ.
One of the most interesting cases dealt with was that of a man, who was found by
A YOUNG LONDONER
standing in the dark outside the door of the inquiry room. He was speechless and trembling violently, whilst the tears rolled down his cheeks. With clasped hands the two stood for five or ten minutes, the teacher kindly and plainly explaining the way of salvation, when the strong man, who had become like a little child, heaving a deep sigh, at length said, "I see it all clearly; here and now I give myself to God, and accept Christ as my Saviour." He had been for some time separated from his wife, who had joined the Salvation Army, and, on announcing this, he added, "Though she came not to me, yet I will go to her, and tell her that I now love her Saviour whom I once despised."
Wednesday was bright and genial, and by three o‘clock the Free High Church was again filled by an audience, whose deep interest in the present revival movement was evident in the singing of the hymns and the rapt attention given to the speaker. Mr Moody was in his best form, though he claimed a headache due to the overcrowded meetings of the previous night, and delivered a pointed and powerful address on
"THE NEW BIRTH."
It was full of telling hits and touching stories. On seeing two mothers leaving the church because the babies they carried had become restless. He entreated them to remain and threw out a hint that ladies who easily get to church all this year round might find a sphere of practical usefulness by renting a room and taking charge of the children of working men's wives, who often find it difficult because of home duties to get out on Sabbaths. He made good use of this incident and then returned with fresh vigour to his proper subject. Speaking of culture as a substitute for conversion, he said it reminded him of a man expecting a crop in autumn, by simply ploughing the field over and over again without putting in any seed. He also questioned if there was more than one-tenth of any existing congregation who could give a personal testimony, and said he would count it a greater honour to be called "an out-and-out Christian” than if all the universities of the world were to tack on all their titles to his name. It was a stirring Gospel address, which will be long remembered and spoken about in Paisley.
In the evening both churches were crowded an hour before the advertised time, and service was at once proceeded in both places. Mr Campbell White, of Glasgow, giving the address in Free St. George's. Mr Moody's subject in the Free High was "Sowing and Reaping," and most powerfully did he explain and illustrate the law which operates in the moral as well as the natural world, "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." Particularly impressive was he in enforcing his third proposition, "that a man reaps more than he sows,” and this part of the discourse was listened to with deep emotion. It was here that his power to get at the hearts and consciences of men was best manifested, and it was not at all to be wondered at that at the close the inquiry-room, capable of accommodating three hundred, was at once filled by the anxious and Christian workers.
Arrangements have been made for continuing the special meetings in the Free High until Sabbath the 21st inst., when the Rev John McNeil will carry on the work for the other four days in the Clark Town Hall. His visit is being looked forward to with great expectations, as his voice will be new to the people of Paisley.
RENFREW AND BARRHEAD.
Thursday was devoted to Renfrew, a thriving town at the junction of the Cart with the Clyde, and largely peopled by intelligent mechanics and engineers. Short as the visit was it had been well prepared for by united services, Both afternoon and evening great throngs assembled, the keen, shrewd men being largely represented in the audiences.
On Friday two services were held in Barrhead, a busy manufacturing town. At the first the U.P. Church was filled. Mr Moody's address was on "Prayer," and referring to "the greatest preacher of this century," Mr Spurgeon, he said that his prayers were even more remarkable than his preaching. In the evening the Established Church was crowded. Mr Moody spoke from Mark xii. 34, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of God"- enforcing the danger of allowing any one sin to keep us without the kingdom from the case of Herod, of whom it is written (Mark vi. 20) that at a certain period of his history he "feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." Some talked of their intellectual difficulties, but he believed that nothing but sin kept people from receiving Christ, and if they went on neglecting their soul's salvation they would come to "refuse" and ultimately to "despise." A large number remained to the after-meeting, and were conversed with throughout the church.
A CONVERT'S LETTER.
One of the hardest evangelistic workers now in the Scottish field, and one of the most earnest, is Mr MERTON SMITH, late of Chicago, the tragic story of whose conversion in that city, several years since, has been published by Mr H. Pickering, of 180, Buchanan-street, Glasgow. Mr Smith recently conducted a fortnight's mission in a town in the south-west of Scotland, and among those who were won over to the side of the Saviour was a man who had been a confirmed and outspoken infidel. He now rejoices in and proclaims the truth that he formerly sought to destroy. The following extract from a letter he recently wrote to Mr Smith is an admirable testimony, and one that ought to encourage all who labour for the souls of pronounced unbelievers: —
DEAR Mr Smith, - I am praising God all the time for that ever blessed "Friday night, at 1 o'clock in the morning," when his light broke on my darkened soul. I never expected to experience such a sense of complete rest and peace of mind as I have had ever since. My poor thanks to God seem so inadequate that I must ask you dear friend, to thank Him too for me. My wife is fairly, at her wits' end with joy. I can assure you the prayers of us both will follow you wherever you go.
My wife is a member of the … Mission and I arranged to join them. On Sunday night I took your advice and openly confessed Christ in the hall. I was greatly pleased to hear two or three others stand up and say they had been born again that same Friday evening. I think that the devil must have been off watch that night. He knows what an energetic servant he had in me, and he has been pulling at me from time to time since then, but Jesus is giving me strength to resist. Of course, I expect to have to stand a good deal of sneering from the world, but as the same people would probably sneer as much if they met me in the street and I were drunk, I do not see that their opinion matters a great deal. "Let them laugh who win."
And now, may God strengthen your heart and assist your labours wherever you are.
Attack the infernal drink traffic without mercy: it will kill our nation if it is not checked, I know something about it, for I have been in the depths there too,—Your sincere friend,
THE WORK OF FOLLOWING UP.
A most gratifying and hopeful feature of the present movement is the way in which the permanent church workers have been stirred to seek a widening of the area of blessing. In a circular sent out to Free Church pastors throughout the north by Principal Rainy, Rev J. M. Sloan, and Rev John Burnett, as conveners of three leading Free Church Committees which are co-operating, these brethren say:-
On two successive Committee days there has been special conference among brethren in reference to the work of religious awakening which appears to be going on in various parts of the country. Strong testimony has been borne to the existence of a widespread desire for plain and earnest dealing with souls concerning the things that pertain to their peace, and encouraging reports have been made of the apparent fruit in connection with the means used in various places. A Committee has been appointed, which has secured from various brethren promises of help in the work in any places where these services may be required, and they are now anxious to ascertain in what congregations and districts there may be an opening for efforts in this line.
We shall be glad to learn whether, in your opinion, it would be desirable to have special meetings and services in your congregation and district, with a view to awaken religious interest and inquiry, or to extend and deepen these where they have been awakened. The Committee would endeavour to provide assistance on the part of brethren of the ministry willing to be so employed, We believe many persons in almost every district have lately been led in some degree to serious thoughts; that many more might, with God's blessing, be so led; and that we might cherish the hope of a signal ingathering in connection with the earnest and prayerful use of fitting means. We beg the earnest prayers of yourselves and of believers around you, that the work of the Lord may go on without hindrance and without offence; that the Spirit may be graciously poured out from on high, and that all the churches may be enabled to use wisely and successfully the opportunities which appear to be opening at this time.
It seems a thing incredible that such an invitation, sent out with the highest imprimatur of the Free Church, should receive anything but a glad welcome and a promise of cordial co-operation from all to whom it was addressed. It ought to be known that a very different reception has been accorded to it by Rev Messrs Mackenzie of Inverness and Mackaskill of Dingwall. The reserved attitude of these two, however, throws into a pleasant relief the action of others who have entered most heartily into the proposals made. In a recent letter to our correspondent from Rev Alexander Lee, of Nairn, some deeply interesting details are given as to the past, present, and future arrangements for keeping alight the torch of special Gospel testimony at this season. Mr Lee says:
"Meetings have already been held at Findhorn, Burghead, Lossiemouth, and Grantown, with excellent results. The movement in Grantown is most remarkable.
From, "The Christian," February 18th, 1892
Mr McNeill and Mr Burke have been valiantly holding the fort at Paisley for the afternoons and evenings for the past week. “Paisley bodies,” to use the curt and rather contemptuous outside designation, are said to regard their town as the pivot of the kingdom, if not as the hub of the universe. At any rate, they are being drawn in their thousands to the splendid George Clarke Townhall, where Mr Burke has been ringing out the gospel music and Mr McNeill has been preaching as only he can preach. At first the people were stiff to show what they must have felt, but the later meeting showed more of the Spirit’s melting and softening power. The Sabbath gatherings and the closing up meetings for the first half of the current week are sure to be seasons of great interest.
Messrs McNeill and Burke had a busy day at Paisley on Sabbath, the George Clark Hall being crowded with the audiences of 2,500 souls three times, at 9:30, five and seven. At the last of the three, for men only, quite a number indicated that they had received blessings since the mission began. It was to close, so far as Mr McNeill is concerned on Wednesday evening this week. After a fruitful stay of a few days in Greenock, Mr J M Scroggie began on Sabbath a fortnight‘s mission and Rutherglen.
From, "The Christian," March 10th, 1892