Buckie UP Church (1860)
I came to Buckie, and the work was getting quiet. We got up a meeting in the evening, but there did not appear to be much life. Next night we met again, and at first, a little stiffness was felt, but soon the blessing came and the cry for mercy everyone. This was on Saturday night, and the meeting was kept up till about three o'clock on Sabbath morning. A great work of God is getting on there.
How Mr Turner attacked Buckie Mr it is impossible to state from his pen, no extracts from his letters having Mr in the first narrative. One or two, however, written by individuals resident in Buckie at the time, will, for the present, supply the deficiency, while personal narratives given in the sequel of this volume will not merely do so , but also make evident that there be encountered opposition more formidable than at any other point in all his labours, and also that it was so overcome that Buckle forms no break in the chain of the brilliant spiritual triumphs which he achieved in these western coast towns.
"Feb. 15, 1860.-I think it is my duty to acquaint you of the existence among us at present of one of the most wonderful works of God I have ever heard of, so much so that I cannot adequately describe it. This revival has travelled from the east along the fishing villages. I first heard of it being in Portknockie two or three weeks ago. After that in Findochty, and then in Portessie, at which latter village it commenced on Thursday last week, and on Sabbath evening last in BuckieThe number of old and young of both sexes, and of persons in middle life who have been convinced of sin and brought to seek an interest in Christ is very great. Many are struck down, and the greater part cry out for Jesus to come to them with ' groanings that cannot be uttered'. Hundreds of men and women, and boys and girls, after passing through this conflict, have apparently found peace, after which their faces almost beam with joy, indicating the peace they feel within, and they then manifest great concern for the salvation of their friends. The whole work reminds us of the shaking among the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, or the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The people have almost to be forced away from the meetings. It is often two o'clock in the morning before all the anxious ones can be prevailed on to leave, and then only when intimation is made that they will meet again at eleven o'clock. They would remain day and night, if allowed ; and I believe that a good many who have been here for some days from villages to the east of this, have taken but little food since they came."
." Feb. 23.—The inquiry here has not abated, though the people do not now turn out to the forenoon meetings in such great numbers as at first ; of course, that could not last, nor could it have been desired, but the evening meetings are still crowded, and there is still good doing. I have tried to judge of this movement as calmly as possible, and one of its most important features is that almost every individual in this place, old and young, has been brought under concern about their soul's everlasting welfare. This can be seen in conversation with every one in the town with whom you come in contact. There is also a peculiar feature connected with the crowded meetings that I have been frequently struck with, and that is when some sinner is brought to see his lost condition in such a light that he is constrained to cry aloud for 'mercy, his cry is more eloquent than a hundred sermons, for many, feeling that they are in the same condition, are brought to pray aloud also, so that at times, from these meetings, has gone up one great cry for mercy from all present, succeeded perhaps by a universal prayer for the Holy Spirit to be poured out. It will, of course, require time to try the genuine nature of much that we have seen, but while I fear that many have been but temporarily aroused to religious concern and may soon lose their impressions, I am, at the same time, convinced that very many, both old and young, have really been brought to Christ and will go on trusting in Him."
From 'James Turner,' by E McHardie.
Glory be to God, the work still goes on, and I have no hesitation in saying, that along this coast thousands have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, full of heavenly joy and love. I have no sympathy with squeamish persons who speak of the so-called extravagancies, nor with the stiff and precise who cannot see into it, nor with those who are in terror lest they allowed; also taken, nor with thee who, like their masters, are roaring with wild desperation. The Sabbath-school at the U. P. Church, Buckie has increased from 50 to nearly 200; at Portessie, a Sabbath-school has been opened with 180 children. Prayer-meetings everywhere abound herefirst; and in the neighbouring villages. I should mention that Mr. Turner, the prime instrument in this movement, is a man of true humility and piety; full of faith—deals faithfully with all, be they ministers, elders, or people—high or low, rich or poor—and the Lord has greatly honoured him. Nor can less be said of that truly good man, the Rev. Mr. Barras, of the U. P. Church; indefatigable in his exertions, and evidently sent here by the kind hand of his Divine blaster at this solemn and interesting juncture. And what is change in the town at large! Feuds and animosities done, away with—brotherly love and kindly feeling where before were anger and hatred forgot to mention that prostrations have taken place without coming to the U.P..Hall at all, even in private houses, without any pre-expectation; nay, more, boats' crews have come to shore in a converted state. The Spirit has come upon them while at sea, and they have knelt in prayer at the bottom of the boats.
From 'The Revival Newspaper,' Volume ii, p102
Additional Information
They had to move from the Free Church because there were too many 'slain in the Spirit.'