Crovie - James Turner (1860-1861)
In Crovie, as in other places, his days were spent in. conversing with anxious souls, and in visiting from house to house. One old man received him kindly, and after talking for a little, proposed a game of cards or draughts. But when the proposal was declined and his soul made the subject of conversation, he at once understood that his visitor was no other than "that blackguard Turner," and ordered him out. I do not know how it was with the old man, for he died soon after, but most of his family were brought to a knowledge of the truth, and are now consistent followers of the Lord Jesus. Many other fruits of his labours in the district yet remain especially young men, many of whom, like their spiritual father, labour much in the Lord's service. Two of them in particular, having passed through the ordinary course of study, are now "fishers of men." An individual residing in Gardenstown thus describes the change:—"Some have been raised from ignorance, vice, and wretchedness to respectability, influence, and happiness. They have changed their obscene language for the sweet language of Canaan—their profane songs for the songs of Zion— the dance for the prayer meeting—and the time and the means which were formerly spent in the dram shop beckoning in seeking to promote the interests of religion. In short, the general aspect of the community is changed for the better. Drink was the besetting sin of those places, now it is ashamed, hiding its face in the streets. There is not now half the number of public houses in this district that there was formerly, while in the village of Crovie not a drop of spirits can be had. Before Mr Turner came into this district, family worship was a thing unknown in Crovie, while in Gardenstown it was little attended to. Now there is scarcely a home but has its altar, while the prayer-meetings commenced. by him are kept up with life in both villages."
From 'James Turner or how to reach the masses,' by E McHardie, page 33.
The Banffshire Journal of Tuesday (10th inst) says:— Revivals of a character similar to those in Portknockie and Buckie, in the west of the country, have occurred in the fishing villages of Gardenstown and Crovie, in the extreme eastern part of the country. The population in Crovie is exclusively, and in Gardenstown almost entirely, composed of fishermen. The Rev. John Munro, minister at Gardenstown, says: The chief immediate cause in developing more strongly the deep religious feeling in the hearts of the people has been the visit of four fishermen from Portknockie, zealous revivalists. The men who were at Crovie from Portknockie report, that at the Thursday meeting, in the forenoon, nearly the whole assemblage were "struck down" at once. The Portknockie men said they had seen nothing equal to it in the west. Some of the persons lay prostrate till five o'clock in the afternoon. The people again met in the evening and did not separate until midnight—more prostrations occurring, and the Portknockie men had to separate into pairs and officiate in two different houses, in order that all who came might have the benefit of their services.
From 'The Revival Newspaper,' Volume ii, page 125.