THE LOTHIAN CAMPAIGN
Wednesday afternoon and evening were given to Musselburgh; both meetings were held in Northesk Parish Church, of which Mr McGill is the energetic pastor. The ministers of the town, without an exception had united in desiring a visit from the evangelists. Perhaps the most notable feature of the Musselburgh meetings was the prayer meeting at the close of the afternoon service. It had a good, old-fashioned Methodist ring of fervour and reality about it, and many spoke out their heartfelt longings for deeper consecration or for blessing on unsaved relatives.
On Thursday, the evangelists proceeded somewhat further afield to Haddington - "the Lamp of the Lowthians," as it is termed. It has the distinction of being
THE BIRTHPLACE OF JOHN KNOX.
and is commonly associated in modern days with the name of Dr Brown, the Bible commentator. The Corn Exchange, where the two meetings were held, does not furnish a particularly suitable auditorium. The room is long and narrow, and the platform being at the side, a section of those at each end can only hear with difficulty. The afternoon prayer meeting, following on Mr Moody's powerful address on Deliverance, was a season of much refreshing, while some anxious ones were led into conscious peace. The after-meeting at night would have been more fruitful if the supply of workers had been equal to the need.
On Friday, the evangelists were driven some nine miles to the pretty and popular watering-place, North Berwick, one of the most famed of Scotland's golfing grounds for jaded senators and city men. An afternoon meeting was held here in the Free Church, and was remarkably well-attended. Mr Moody and Mr Sankey were then treated to another carriage drive of eleven miles to Dunbar, for an evening meeting.
The day, from the weather point of view, was simply delightful, and gave the first real indication we have had in these northern parts that "Spring's delights are all reviving," and the voice of the sower will soon be heard in the land. The Dunbar meeting was in the spacious and ancient parish church, which cannot boast of gas illumination, and had to be lighted up for the occasion with lamps. Mr Moody's hoarseness had not altogether gone, but he kept the great audience riveted as he unfolded the wonders of the Divine love. The story of how the late. Harry Moorhouse preached in Chicago from John iii. 16 on seven or eight consecutive evenings, and how Mr Moody's own preaching underwent a revolution in consequence, was narrated with telling effect. Many remained for the second meeting and for personal conversation. That service closed the working week, and a very "working week" it had been. The exclamation that one often hears from pastors of "two-sermon power" is, I can't understand how Mr Moody gets through so much without breaking down!" No man in these isles more surely earns and deserves the Saturday's respite from mental toil.
THE MUSIC OF THE GOSPEL.
The physical strain on the singing evangelist is of course not so great as that on Mr Moody. But even greater care is needed to keep Mr Sankey up to the point of efficiency; inasmuch as hoarseness or other affection of the voice would be fatal to his working capacity. He has passed through the severe winter unscathed, and was in capital voice all through the week. He has sometimes sung three Gospel songs at one service, besides a couple more at an overflow, with sundry small addresses thrown in. His homely illustrative talks at the overflow meetings are much appreciated, and most helpful in leading up to spiritual decision.
The singing of these sweet spiritual songs continues to be a vehicle of blessing to many. One of the speakers at an overflow meeting in Dalkeith was Mr George Macfarlane, president of the Glasgow Y.M.C.A. In his address he made a happy reference to the Gospel songs, comparing them to angel visitants whispering messages of peace and hope. The refrains of many of them, he said, linger in our minds and hearts, and we wake up in the morning to find ourselves humming them.
INSTANCES OF DISTINCT BLESSING
in connection with the singing of the hymns during former visits of Mr Sankey, now and then come to light. A striking example of this was related to the evangelists last week by one of the persons chiefly concerned. A godly wife attended some of the
meetings and received great benefit, but her husband was hotly opposed and told her that he thought she was becoming crazed. He could not for some time, be persuaded to hear the evangelists. Saturday night came, and it was wholly spent by this woman in prayer for her husband. Early on the Sabbath morning she laid out his "go-to-meeting" clothes, much to his surprise. However, he donned them, this time to his wife's surprise and delight. He accompanied her to the early Sabbath meeting, and one of the hymns sung by Mr Sankey was "Hold the Fort." The man's heart was melted, somewhat strange to say, for this rousing battle song is not one that would be expected to soften a stubborn hearer. At any rate, the man was convicted and on the evening of the same day was soundly converted. The story came from the lips of the wife herself last week. A hymn, the singing of which has been known to carry comfort with it last week, was the beautiful one in "New Hymns and Solos," "Sometime We'll Understand."
At West Calder, Dalkeith, and Musselburgh, some of the singing friends from Carrubbers Mission were present to assist in the praise. the last-named place Mr Sankey had the very efficient aid of Miss Darling and Mrs. Barclay; while at Haddington, he was helped by a lady member of the local choir.
MR MOODY'S HELPERS
during the week have embraced among others Mr Robertson and Mr Barclay, of Carrubbers Mission, Mr L. D. Wishard, Mr J.M. Scroggie, and Mr Macfarlane, of Glasgow; beside, of course, the local pastors in the different places. It has already been hinted that in some of the places there was a scarcity. Of workers for the after-meeting. This want, indeed has been felt in greater or lesser degree throughout the entire mission. Here and there one or more pastors in a place have entered heartily into the work of the inquiry meeting; but it is only telling the simple truth to say that far more often they have been willing to sit on the platform and to offer up prayer, but not to enter on hand-to-hand dealing with those whose spirits had been wounded by the preaching. Occasionally, Mr Moody has asked a minister to take some case in hand, and has had the disappointment of receiving a decided refusal. Such facts as these go far to explain the Laodiceanism that characterises so many of the Christian Churches in the present day.
THE DRINK CURSE
Keeps intruding itself on the notice of the evangelists. At West Calder, a man under the spell of liquor interrupted Mr Moody during his Scripture exposition and was conducted from the meeting muttering words that showed he was not unacquainted with the Bible. Mr Moody stopped the flow of his exhortation to comment on the incident and its lessons for the Christians in the neighbourhood. There are a number of oil mines around West Calder, and the miners are credited with being a very rough set. The condition of the place on a Saturday night is reported as being disgraceful for its scenes of bestial drunkenness. In Musselburgh, the evils of gambling and betting are sadly prevalent and militate greatly against the spread of the Gospel. In this as in other parts of the country the game of football is engaged in on Saturday to such a degree that its abuse is becoming a source of demoralisation, and quite unfits its votaries for any proper observance of the Day of Rest. Local pastors and workers have to contend against these hindrances, and it is difficult to know how best to cope with them effectually and permanently. There is great need for an awakened and purified public opinion with respect to them. In compliance with the urgent desire of the Edinburgh friends, Mr Moody has consented to have an all-day meeting in the city on Thursday next, March 31. The gatherings will be in the Free Assembly Hall, and it is expected that Mr Moody will give addresses, chiefly to Christian workers, morning, afternoon, and evening, Mr Sankey singing on each occasion. These services will conclude the present Scottish campaign. When it terminates the evangelists will take a period of rest, and their future movements will be duly notified.
From, "The Christian," March 24th, 1892.