DEAR SIR, As soon as the Evangelistic Committee in Glasgow had decided that Mr Moody should visit Port Glasgow, Christian workers were invited to meet together for conference and prayer. A considerable number responded to the invitation. Arrangements were made, and night after night God's believing people met to pray for a blessing on the work. When Mr Moody came, on the afternoon of Friday, June 30, the parish church, which accommodates over a thousand people, was about three-fourths full. An hour afterwards a meeting was held in the large Town Hall, which was filled to the door. At the close a number remained to be spoken to, and some professed to accept Christ as their Saviour.
On Sabbath evening, at eight o'clock, the Town Hall was not only filled to its utmost capacity, but hundreds were unable to get in. The Hamilton Free Church was thrown open for an overflow meeting, which was addressed by Mr Graham, of Drums, and one of the ministers in town. At the after-meeting, a great number remained behind to hear more of the way of salvation, and all the workers were fully occupied speaking to the anxious till after ten o'clock.
On Sabbath evening the cheering announcement was made that Dr Pentecost and Mr and Mrs Stebbins were to carry on the work which had been so auspiciously begun. And last week a new thing in the experience of your correspondent was witnessed in Port Glasgow. Out of our hard-working population, many of them going out at five and six in the morning, working overtime in prospect of the holidays, between seven and nine hundred came night after night to hear the Gospel preached.
Dr Pentecost addressed no fewer than four meetings in our town yesterday, one in the Town Hall at 9 a.m., another in Newark Free Church at 2 p.m., young converts at 5 p.m., and a meeting crammed to the door, in the Town Hall, at 7 p.m. Perhaps the most impressive meeting was that held at five o'clock, with the young converts; nothing could exceed the heartiness with which they declared themselves on the side of Christ. Some of the converts have not been inside a church for years, but they are now telling their neighbours of the Saviour they have found, and inducing them to come with them to hear the Gospel.
The singing has been found a great attraction to the meetings; indeed, a happier idea could not have been conceived than to send out such honoured servants as Dr Pentecost and Mr and Mrs Stebbins to follow up Mr Moody's work. Many of God's children here have been devoutly thankful for the way in which they have been enabled to present the truth. Many who have been in spiritual bondage for years have been liberated, the bowed down have been raised up Christians have been refreshed, and, as far as man can judge, not a few have been savingly changed. It is the first time I have seen Dr Pentecost and Mr and Mrs Stebbins leave a town where they have been labouring, but if what I saw on Sunday night be a sample of the scenes witnessed on all such occasions, they must pass through many a trying ordeal, for they had literally to tear themselves away from many to whom they had proved a blessing, and whose hearts were too full to find expression in language.
—Yours most sincerely,
ALEX. BAIRD.
Newark Free Church Manse, Port Glasgow,
July 3, 1882
"The Christian," 18th July 1882.
A REVIVAL IN PORT GLASGOW.
THE religious movement which has brought light and joy to many a home in Port Glasgow began with Mr D. L. Moody and Dr Pentecost in the month of July. When our American brethren left us a contingent of the Salvation Army came, which has since, in its own way, been making war against the indifferentism and irreligion in this place. Meantime Mr J. M. Scroggie had arrived in Greenock, and night after night for eight weeks drew together great crowds to hear the Gospel preached. Some of our young men went to these meetings, found themselves in the inquiry room, and came back rejoicing in the Gospel of the grace of God. A strong desire on the part of many Christians here was expressed to secure the services of Mr Scroggie. He was invited by the United Evangelistic Committee, and kindly responded to the invitation.
United prayer meetings were held in Newark Free Church, and when Mr Scroggie entered on his work unmistakable evidence was given that a special work of grace was going forward in our midst. Large meetings were held during week evenings in the Parish Church, Hamilton Free Church, and last week in the Town Hall. The meetings held in the latter place on Sabbath evening were exceptionally large. Numbers waited to be spoken to (at the close of each meeting, and many left in possession of a newborn joy.
Some incidents of the work are worthy of notice. One lad had been to the meetings and gone home in deep concern for the salvation of his parents. "Oh, Mother," he said, "if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" She came to the meetings, and was savingly impressed; then they unitedly brought their influence to bear upon the father. He came to the hall on the distinct understanding that he was not to wait to the after-meeting. He found a seat near the door, rushed out to the street when he thought a Christian worker was approaching to speak to him; but conscience was aroused, for he came back, passed into the inquiry meeting, and went home seeking rest but finding none. That night he could not rest; next day he left his work, and in the evening the blessed simplicity of the Gospel dawned upon his soul. Now the whole family is rejoicing in Christ.
Two sisters came to the meeting one evening. One waited to be spoken to; the other went away, but when she reached her home became greatly distressed about her soul. The thought which had been blessed to the awakening of the late William Burns, missionary to China, "Are all the members of the family to be received into Christ's kingdom and you alone left out?" pressed itself upon her mind. That night, by the help of a Christian worker, who was sent for, she professed to find rest by accepting Christ,
Men have come to the meetings and gone away seemingly as they came, but have come under deep conviction of sin while at their work or while walking along the street. Numbers of men who for years had not darkened the threshold of a place of worship are now waiting with regularity upon the stated ordinances of God's house. In our shipbuilding yard, workmen to the number of about thirty meet daily for prayer and Bible-reading during the meal hours. Old residents, foremen in works, and the Captain of Police now bear testimony to the changed conduct of many of the men with whom they are familiar.
Yours very sincerely,
Port Glasgow, Nov. 21.
A WORKER.
"The Christian," 30th November 1882