Union meetings for prayer and evangelistic work have been held here regularly since the beginning of the year and through divine grace, they have been much blessed. There have been several marked cases of conversion; God's people have been refreshed and quickened and the churches seem to be growing more earnest. While we had these results to cheer us we were not without fears less the ingressing and bustle of the tourist season with bury us again in the world and arrest the good work.
This was again and again made subject to prayer in our meetings and we see now how easy it is for God to dispel the cloud and give encouragement. On the Friday evening preceding Mr Moody's visit to Rothesay there was a meeting which will not be soon forgotten in Oban. Mr Moody having consented to visit the town on his way South from Inverness the news soon spread through Oban and the surrounding districts and a large assemblage awaited his arrival.
The United Presbyterian Church, which was chosen in consequence of having a classroom attached suitable for an inquiry meeting, was literally packed - the passages, pulpit stairs and vestry, being occupied by a dense crowd. Mr Moody, notwithstanding the fatigue of the long voyage and the strain of his energies in presiding at the convention during the preceding day, was wonderfully sustained throughout his address. As he showed from scriptures and by touching anecdote and illustration, that it was Jesus who was seeking his lost sheep and not the sheep Him; and as he pressed upon the unsaved the urgency of accepting the Saviour then and there, the audience was visibly moved and it was felt that the presence of God was in the meeting. How many were savingly impressed is known only to Him; we can speak only of appearances.
Between 30 and 40 waited for the inquiry meeting, several of whom went home rejoicing.
"The Christian," September 17th, 1874.
Now a shop.