Many praying hearts in this part of Scotland had been watching the progress of the work in Edinburgh during the winter months, longing for a share of the shower of blessing which was falling so plentifully there; and great was the joy in many a Christian home when it was known that Messrs Moody and Sankey were to visit the North.
No one who was present at these monster meetings in the Castle park at Huntly will ever forget them. The deep solemnity which pervaded the meetings, the evident impression made on the minds of the people, the sound of the vast multitude singing as it were with one voice, the sight of 15,000 people with bowed heads engaged in silent prayer, - all went to make up a scene to stand out forever on the page of memory. The work was very satisfactory in this district of country although, as a general rule, the inquiry meetings were not so largely attended as in the far North), and in many a quiet farmhouse and secluded village the fruits of these meetings are to be met with.
In one county town there was a good deal of opposition to the work at first, but in the end a glorious harvest was reaped, the enemy was silenced, and many in that town will bless God to all eternity for these meetings. As we proceed northwards the work extends. Nearly a whole week is devoted to one beautiful little town; Bible readings, open-air meetings, women's meetings, men's meetings, workers' meetings all are filled to overflowing. A rich wave of blessing passed over this town (Keith) and neighbourhood. Mr Moody said that the last open-air meeting held in this town was the most blessed meeting for spiritual results which he had ever been privileged to hold in the open air.
In the Highlands, - "the dark, and true, and tender North," - Mr Moody's preaching and Mr Sankey's singing made a very deep impression on the minds of the sons of the mountain. Many who knew the Highlands well were afraid that the style of Mr Moody's preaching would not suit the Celtic mind; while Mr Sankey's sweet songs would stir up a perfect storm of opposition in the minds of the people. Happily, neither of these predictions was verified. Mr Moody's addresses melted the hearts of thousands, while Mr Sankey's hymns have become as great favourites in the Highlands as they are in the South of Scotland. In the remote Highland glen you may hear the sound of hymn-singing; shepherds on the steep hill-sides sing Mr Sankey's hymns while tending their sheep, errand boys whistle the tunes as they walk along the streets of the Highland towns, while in not a few of the lordly castles of the north the same hymns are often sung.
"Times of Blessing," Sep 10th, 1874.
Location unknown