I heard James Turner first in Banff. He began his meetings by singing—
'What's the news?'
Thinks I, if that be a Revivalist he's a gey queer-like man. But he had not prayed many sentences ere I felt the power emanating from him- I had spiritual perception enough to discern this, for I had been brought to Christ before, but the life I was living in Him was na very full.
One night in Portessie, he preached from the five foolish virgins. The meeting wasna very lang opened ere several were struck down, and some were crying for mercy.
Old John Macintosh stood up and cried,
"You that are against the work, come and see if this be chloroform," for whenever James Turner began to speak they tumbled down like sheep round about him, and all through the meeting.
A few days after the meetings began, we left for the other side (of the Moray Firth). We were sorry to leave, but our men began meetings in our own sheds. One of them who had been convinced in the meetings, was led to the Saviour, and found rest to his soul on the way.
The people began to flock to our meetings (on the Caithness coast) till our places would not hold them. Then we got the Established Church School, then when it was too little, we got the Free Church of Dunbeath, and also the Established Church of Berriedale. In the first meeting in the Established Church, there were about forty crying out for mercy. Mr. M___ led the meetings, while we fishermen spoke and prayed. In our first meetings in the Free Church there were 700 people. Some of my other brothers will likely tell you some of the results.
"James Turner, or how to reach the masses," by E McHardie, page 153.