Lockerbie Free Church (1860)



A series of meetings was held last week in the Free Church for the Revival of true religion, addressed by the minister, and by two laymen from Glasgow, Messrs. Munroe and M`Luckie. For the first two nights there was great solemnity, but no signs of awakening. On Saturday night the first droppings came. After the prayer-meeting about forty remained to be addressed, one half of whom seemed to be truly awakened. Then came Sabbath—a Sabbath that will be memorable in the history of many a soul in this place. After the usual forenoon service, the whole congregation resolved itself into a prayer meeting, and was addressed by the two laymen as well as by a young lad, a na­tive of the town, recently brought to Christ elsewhere. Great solemnity pervaded the entire audience, and there were few dry eyes while the youth related how, in spite of himself, ho had been led to close with Christ. Then came a meeting for the anxious, when a scene ensued which will never be effaced from the memories of those who witnessed it. About 120 remained behind, and the work of conviction went on so powerfully that weeping, sobbing, and occasionally loud bursts of wailing arose. "Oh, I am laden with sin," cried one. "Oh, I would give the world for Jesus," cried another. Those who were trying to point the eye of the convinced to Jesus, were themselves over; come, and mingled their tears with those of the anxious—tears of sympathy with these who were agonising to enter in at the straight gate—tears of joy for the great things the Lord was doing—and tears of supplication that He who had begun the good work would carry it on. After an hour's interval, the anxious met again at five o'clock, and at six o'clock the evening prayer meeting was held. The church, capable of containing about 700, was crammed to the door, and hundreds who could not obtain admittance adjourned to the U P. Church. The inquirers' meeting began about nine o'clock and continued till eleven. At first, about 200 remained and were addressed. Then we requested that all would go away, except those who were deeply distressed, and were determined. to find Christ that night. After this purging, still about 150 remained behind, of whom probably (for it is impossible to give exact numbers) from fifty to sixty were under the deepest conviction. There were at least some twenty or thirty young men, most of them intelli­gent and outwardly moral, and some of them connected with the most respectable families in the place. The distress of some of these was terrible, and would ever and anon burst out anew in weeping. We have reason to believe that a few found peace, but those who were seeking to counsel them were more con­cerned about their truly finding Christ than finding peace. Indeed, the character of the work, so far as it has gone, is depth and thoroughness.

"Now blessed be the Lord cur God,

The God of Israel,

For he alone cloth wondrous works,

In glory that excel.”

—Correspondent of' the Scottish Guardian

And in Lock­erbie, ten miles from Annan, and twelve from Dumfries, a very great work has begun. A large portion of this important county is at length aroused, and though we would not look too much to man, we cannot but feel the importance of having men whose labours the Lord may be expected to bless. Of Mr Hammond it is impossible to speak too strongly. His faith in God, his pointed addresses, his conciliating manner, his pecu­liar lovableness,—all conspire in. contributing, with God's blessing, to his wonderful success. I am, dear sirs, ever yours truly,

E. YOUNG, Independent

From the 'Revival' Newspaper Vol iv, page 43.

Passing down the Caledonian Railway, and coming to Lockerbie. There has been a very remarkable work of the Lord There were some very wonderful conversions in that congregation, and all done quietly and orderly - the minister telling me that between 200 and 300 people had undergone a saving change, so far as man could judge, and of these fully 100 belonged to his own congregation.

"The Wynd Journal," April 20th, 1861.

 


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