So we're continuing our reading of the reminiscences of the revival of the 59 and the 60s, a book which doesn't have one author, but a book which recalls the amazing revival that took place in Aberdeen and the surrounding places in 1859 and into the 1860s. I lived there in the 1990s and early 2000s and we were looking back then at the events from a very long view. And it was said that there was a time when every single street in Aberdeen had its own street preacher. That's how ubiquitous the gospel seems to have been in that city. Today there are still Christians there, and there is still witness there, but Alas, that city is not what it was in 1859. May God come down to her again and visit her again. Father, bless this reading of this book, I pray, and may we all be fired up with an understanding of the work that you can do when you outpour your spirit, when you come down in power, when you bring conviction of sin and righteousness and judgment by your Holy Spirit. Father, we pray that you would do it again. We pray, Lord, that you'd have mercy upon Scotland, England, Wales, Lord, and other nations as well, Lord, that you would come down and that you would revive us, you'd restore to us your presence and the knowledge of God that it might be once again be disseminated throughout the length and breadth of the land. Oh, Lord, have mercy upon a perishing people, the people who are perishing for lack of knowledge and have no concern for their own souls and very few who are concerned for their souls. Bless those who are preaching your gospel. Bless your ministers, Lord. Have mercy upon your church. Glorify your Son, Jesus Christ. In this land again we pray, and we pray that you bless us as we consider this book now, and this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Mr Radcliffe, aided by Mr Alex Brand and Mr Gordon Furlong, as well as Duncan Matheson, introduced tract distribution to an extent unknown before in Aberdeen. The young people were ready to become distributors, and in connection with that, many developed into active missionary workers. The distribution of tracts at Torrey on the first Sabbath of May, which was then, to the grief of many, a great day for the A great day for excursions to the lighthouse on the girdleness. led to young men starting meetings at the fishing village near the entrance to the harbour. One of them told how on Sabbath, when the bells were ringing for church, only two were seen to leave the village and they did not seem to be going to church. That was enough. Visits were made and never-to-be-forgotten meetings held. On weeknights, if a storm was blowing, some of the lads went down to the village and the sound of the little bells soon filled the hall with an earnest audience. In the summer, these same lads regularly visited the fishing villages along the coast to Stonehaven, and good fruits resulted. Other places were visited regularly, and many of these young people were used as winners of souls. Some good people, of course, were scandalised, but their criticisms were overruled for the good of these workers and their work. Among those who encouraged, but whose names are not mentioned, Actually, we're not mentioned at your June meetings. In addition to Principal Brown, were the Reverend JC McPhail, Principal Lumsden, and Dr. A.D. Davidson. The names of the last two... of the two last may be a surprise to some who survive, but did not know them personally. Dr. Davidson was always wisely sympathetic and many of his sermons were specially prepared with the purpose of guiding the minds and hearts of the people in connection with the revival. Not only did he arrange with his session, as he alone could have done, for the Reverend Dr. Guinness, Mr. Brownlow North and others to preach in his church, but he also, in January 1860, got the Reverend Dr. Fraser, then of Inverness, to come to Aberdeen and preach in his pulpit. He declined to listen to complaints made to him about the goings-on of the young men connected with his church and its mission. To one of these lads, he not only said how thankful he was for all they were doing, but also that they were being well guided by Mr J Elmsley, since the Reverend Dr Elmsley of New Zealand, and added that they could do the work much better than he himself, and that all had his prayers. Again Principal Lumsden, although reserved and logical in mind and speech, had a warm Christian heart and was ever glad to encourage not only his students but all of those young men he knew. On one occasion he urged one of them to become a minister and told him not to hesitate because he might have to go to college because he had arranged with Dr Davidson that they would apply to the Assembly and get permission to admit him direct into the Divinity Hall. He was disappointed that the young man decided to follow a business career in which, however, he has not neglected Christian work since. In this connection, I should further name Mr Neil Smith and also Professor Martin, who I think was a means of bringing Mr Radcliffe to Aberdeen. They each had considerable influence among those who originated and conducted many of the meetings. Many meetings were held in Professor Martin's rooms, and there as elsewhere, Mr Neil Smith carried all with him by his kind and wise Christian judgment. You should not overlook among those who helped in the work, soon after 1859, Richard Weaver and the Reverend Denham Smith, but I must refrain from troubling you with more at present. Thus was the way prepared, while those who were being used never anticipated what they were going to do. They had made no plans and were free from personal ends. Many of them had got it ingrained into their experience that God will work in his own way. Sometimes methods that have been blessed were persisted in because of the notion that they must again prevail with mere formality and defect as a result. After the lapse of 50 years, it is well to remember those times, but it is needful to recognise the altered conditions by which we are now surrounded. Now, as then, we must look to the Holy Spirit for guidance and be ready to cast the net on the right side of the ship. The revival of 1857 to 60, Aberdeen. Another says, it is 50 years ago. Changes mark the restless progress of the world. Back to Christ is the heart's cry of the church. Back to him who never changes. Oh, that I were as in months past, when his candle shone upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness. Return, O holy dove, return, sweet messenger of rest. I hate the sins that made thee mourn and drove thee from my breast. Such are thoughts. the thoughts which arise as we look back upon a wonderful time of blessing, still memorable to not a few. One often wonders why no history of the awakening of 1857-60 has been written. Probably it could be so interwoven with personal experience as to make it almost impossible. But it is written in heaven, Malachi 3.16. Daughter Andrew Bonar used to speak of the joy with which the redeemed would take down the books of remembrance and survey all the way by which they had been led. 1857, four young men in Belfast met for prayer. 1857, Fulton Street, New York, meetings for prayer. 1857, meetings for prayer in Aberdeen. Come, my people, enter into your closets, shut the door, pray to your father who is in secret, and your father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. He is the faithful promiser still. The Jew of heaven came silently upon the city of one here, and another there. It was said, behold, he prayeth. the most unlikely seemed to be awakened, and gradually they drew together and found common joy in confession. I have found him whom my soul loveth, Philip found Nathaniel, and so the company grew and multiplied, of such as should be saved. Aged and experienced Christians were sought out, and distress of soul found relief in prayer. One dear old woman in the midst of earthly poverty, but rich in faith and love to the Saviour, made her little room a Bethel, a meeting place for prayer, and many a young man resorted thither for spiritual instruction. Meetings for prayer, morning and evening, were held all over the city. I see an old weaving shed, where a band of young men wrestled with God for blessing, and together read His word by candlelight. At every meeting there was the hush of the Holy Spirit's presence, deep soul yearnings for others, realisation of the presence of the risen Lord, and a constant re-echo of Thomas's cry, My Lord and my God. And Old Divine has it thus, putting the business out of all doubt. A new song was sung, Worthy the Lamb. One most memorable place of meeting was the vestry of Bonacourt Church. The halo of McChain was felt in the gatherings of young men there when pleading for blessing on the meetings being held or to be held in the church. It was after one of these meetings at the gates of the church that the YMCA really took its first beginnings. Something must be done, said one to another. Union is strength. Gradually, its organisation was formed with its motto after long consideration. A mission of converted young men to young men who are not yet Christians. Young men went out into the highways and byways, and in most unlikely places could be heard the joyful melody of praise, many a courtyard giving an audience from windows crowded with faces. Meetings all around the city were addressed by young men going out two and two, carrying the precious seed and returning to tell what the Lord was doing in answer to believing prayer. Very memorable was the work amongst the fisher population of the cove. There, every Sabbath afternoon, a worthy elder, who had regular meetings there, used to walk from town, accompanied by his daughter. This young lady, entering a strange church on her 18th birthday, heard the text, Ought not this woman, whom Satan hath bound lo these 18 years, be loosed from her bonds on the Sabbath day? The fetus fell, a brief but happy life, and an abundant entrance gave testimony to redeeming love. This example was followed by young men whose meetings were greatly blessed. On one occasion, in a fisher's house, the whole gathering broke down and many were deeply moved. The place became too straight, and of their savings, they bought wood, erected a meeting house in which to worship, and there the blessing God commands, life that shall never end, came to many. Probably to this can be traced the origin of the East Coast mission. But the ministers of the city had not been behind that they had been labouring long for blessing. Foundations had been laid. Doctrine had not been forgotten. Classes for the study of the shorter and larger catechisms were held. Elders had their regular district prayer meetings. The city was singularly favoured with men of power. Alexander Davidson, James Foote, John Thompson, George Campbell, Dr George Smeaton, Dr David Brown, J C Macphail and many more. To these young men flocked for advice. To these, young men flocked for advice, and they were gladly welcomed at any time, and many left rejoicing in a newly found saviour. Sabbath schools flourished, and many young people were gathered in. The teachers met for prayer both before and after school, and again on a weeknight for prayer and preparation. There was an agonising wrestling with God for the conversion of the young, and the new song was sung by many who still survive. Rescue work was earnestly engaged in, also direct and systematic, dealing with both sexes. We remember one young woman taken from the streets to a sheltering home, where sometime afterwards, rejoicing in the Saviour, she passed away to her eternal home. Run, speak to this young man was not forgotten. Two young men would simply select another, make his case a subject of earnest prayer with finger pointing to the promise. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven. Often, often was this put to the test and seldom failed. The wanderer came home to his father's house and to his father's love. Should any brother grow lukewarm or worldly, his case was taken to the throne of grace first of all, and then he was directly and affectionately spoken to. The correspondence of the time was brimful of love, confession, experience, or tales of this one and that one born again. They that feared the Lord spake and wrote often one to another in heaven-sent earliness. The reading of the time was not that of today. Eternity was too near and real. The word of God claimed and had the highest place. Books such as John Angel James' Young Men's Guide Through Life to Immortality, McShane's memoirs, Hoare's communicants' companion, Samuel Rutherford's letters, Winslow's works, Spurgeon's sermons, and lives like Headley Vicar's and Martyr's stories were sometimes read at meetings. Then came the noble band of evangelists, Radcliffe, Brownlow, North, Gordon of Park Hill, Grant of Arndilly, Richard Weaver, Grant and Guinness, and last, not least, Duncan Matheson. The Lord himself did give the word. The word abroad did spread. Great was the company of them, the same who published it. The songs of Zion were joyful utterances. Hymns were not so much in use as in later revival work, except Duncan Matheson's small hymn book, and afterwards Richard Weaver's. There was no difficulty in finding suitable song in the Bible. The 68th Psalm was often used. O God, what time thou didst go forth before thy people's face, and when through the great wilderness thy glorious marching was, that at God's presence shook the earth, then drops from heaven fell. Duncan Matheson used to say we had a rich master, and the drops were as big as half-crowns on the pavement. The 45th Psalm was a great favorite. Oh, the pathos of it. There is a fountain filled with blood, was often sung. The after meetings for prayer and the inquiry meetings were solemn times. Souls were passing from death to life. The new song was sung by many. He took me from a fearful pit and from the miry clay, and on a rock he set my feet, establishing my way. And that was written by W. Martin. Chapter three. The following vivid sketch is from the graphic pen of the veteran revivalist, the Reverend John McPherson, late of Dundee. A slight sketch of the revival. The awakening 50 years ago began in a revival of faith, in the efficacy of prayer. Here and there, in town and country, groups of people gathered around the throne of grace. This was not due to the call of the church. It was not planned by human wisdom. It was the secret inspiration of God, who was pouring out the spirit of grace and supplications. The movement expanded. The gale from heaven blew down the fences that separated the churches, and prayer unions were formed. It was a great step in advance, and this manifestation of brotherly love was a Pentecostal sign. The noonday prayer meeting followed, and many, leaving their business at the busiest time of the day, hastened to spend an hour at the mercy seat. A new thing took place. Requests for prayer were presented, and thousands of petitions bearing on every phase of human misery and need were laid before God. Notable answers came to light. A woman requests prayer for a scoffing husband, and on returning to her house she finds a scoffer on his knees. A wandering youth, long lost to sight, is prayed for, and shortly afterwards the prodigal is converted in a foreign hospital and reappears at home a new man. A widow asks for prayer on behalf of her son at sea. And one night the sailor lad, as he paces the deck, is suddenly seized with the pangs of conviction, and then and there he gives himself to Christ. Prayer is offered for a notorious drunkard, and to the amazement of the community, he is suddenly arrested in his evil course and becomes a miracle of grace. A Sabbath school teacher requests prayer for her scholars, who are in revolt against her councils, and not long thereafter one and another is converted, till at length the whole class joins the happy band of the saved. A country minister of my acquaintance, fearing lest in that day of gracious visitation his congregation should be passed by, spent five hours in prayer one Saturday. Next day the church became a scene of revival and the work of grace progressed till every soul in the parish became an earnest enquirer. A city pastor who lamented the barrenness of his ministry visited a distant scene of revival, but was disappointed. Before leaving the place, he was led to visit a little girl who had lain for years suffering from spinal disease. Struck with the spiritual wisdom of the child, he said, tell me how I should preach in order to win souls for Christ. And after a pause, she replied, Sir, your master alone can teach you that." To the minister, this answer came as light from heaven. He had read and studied and preached and prayed, but he had never thought that he needed special direction from God how to preach. On his return, he began to pray as he had never prayed before, and in subsequent years, he was able to say that he had been instrumental in winning some 500 young men for Christ. With the revival of prayer, there came a wonderful thirst for the word of God, and the gospel was preached with saving power in church and hall, on the field, at the seaside, in the noisy street, and amid the hubbub of the fair. The multitude of the awakened rendered the inquiry meeting a necessity. The inquirers came from every quarter, from east end and west end, from drawing room and scullery, from the plough and the public house, from foundry and factory, from shop and slum, from the college and the gutter. They were, for the most part, characterised by a pungent sense of sin and a solemn dread of the wrath of God. And when, through grace, they passed from death unto life, there was a marvellous outburst of joy and song. The time of the singing of birds was come, and everywhere the air seemed to resound with the voices of prayer and praise. Whole communities were moved, and the only topic of the day was the revival and the more recent conversions. Many thousands were added to the company of the saved throughout the land. Many of the converts became office bearers in churches, Sabbath school teachers, mission workers, while not a few studied for the ministry and became pastors at home or missionaries abroad. The effect on home mission work was such that whole congregations were gathered out of the slums and many of the most degraded classes became burning and shining lights of grace. A remarkable feature of the movement was the prominent part taken by laymen, title lords, officers of the army and navy, professional men, businessmen, and men of every occupation and grade, down to the butcher, the fisherman, and the sweep, stood up to tell the story of their conversion and testify to the grace of God. The voices were many and varied, but the testimony was one. Brownlow North reasoned with resistless force. Reginald Radcliffe pled with melting tenderness. Grant of Arndilly counselled with the calmness of right wisdom. Duncan Matheson thundered with awful solemnity. Richard Weaver appealed with burning earnestness. Henry Morehouse moved the sinner with saintly grace. Many others, less noted, raised their voices for Christ and entreated sinners to flee from the wrath to come. Frequently, those who took part in the work felt as if their own hearts were as hard as stone and that the heavens were as brass. But after hours and sometimes nights of agonising prayer, the work began afresh and the Holy Spirit fell suddenly on the assembled multitudes and many conversions followed. Whether by prayer or preaching, it was the voice of God calling the dead to life. I wish we could live through something like this. I really wish we could in this country. of the ministers who took a leading part in the work in the northeast of Scotland, I will mention only two, namely Henry M. Williamson of Huntly and your own George Campbell of the Free North Church, Aberdeen, who, who that heard them can forget the rare incisiveness with which Williamson pierced the conscience and exposed the hypocrisy of the unrenewed heart and the tremendous energy with which Campbell compelled the attention of his hearers to the vital business of salvation. Many ministers and churches, sharing in the new and joyous life of the revival, threw themselves with enthusiasm into the movement, and a rich harvest of souls was garnered. Of this work of grace, who can estimate the blessed results in time, or imagine its glorious issues in eternity? That was Jane McPherson that wrote that. After 50 years, another article. Next to personal participation in times of blessing, the memories of the outpoured spirit and of the living gospel preached in power are fragrant and exhilarating beyond description. The revival of 59 was not without learning, but it was not by learning or human contrivance and enterprise. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4, verse 6. Should these words seem tame and commonplace nowadays, or be regarded as a mere matter of course, there is a why and a wherefore. The central funds of the churches are needed, but they do not make the fund that is central. All our revival sources were divine in immediacy, in availment, and in effect. Humiliation, confession, and prayer, secret and united, are indeed the ways to obtain life and more life, and we know it. Do we believe it and live by it in practice? But ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1.8. Again, the revival was not by ordination of the church courts. The preachers who came among us in 59 were sent of God, both ordained and unordained, and with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4.33. They were divinely chosen, appointed, and sent to bear fruit, abiding fruit, yes? And the fruit of the revival of 59 abides to this day after 50 years. There was, as there always is, a time of preparation. God had his men in training, and this and other covenants in the working out created an atmosphere, such as were receptive in mind, heart, and will, were drawn by and into the heavenly current. They were born along with a will, a joy, and a rejoicing. Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power." Psalm 110, verse 3. thy people, thy power, thy day. It is all there, it is altogether there. Hence their character and their testimony was such and so much that they became blessed by contagion. Mr Radcliffe had had a wonderful experience before he was invited to come to Aberdeen. He was moved himself, else he could not have so moved others and drawn them to the Saviour. There is a needed, present-day, open secret here. No more empty churches, no more dishonoured Lord's Days, no more neglected Bibles, no more deserted prayer meetings. When and where men and women are moved by the Holy Spirit of the living Jehovah Jesus. None of those men, Radcliffe, Brownlow North, Grant of Underly, Gordon of Parkhill, Peter Drummond of Stirling or Duncan Matheson, etc., would be denied a pulpit today in which to proclaim Christ crucified, exalted and glorified. Status and profession would hardly bar the way now. Since those days, Moody, Whittle, Gypsy Smith and others have borne in meekness, strength and honour. and fearlessness, the diploma of grace, so that college and university made welcome what was evidently making for good conduct in the lives of the legis, and for betterment and aspiration in high places. No one could have passed through what Radcliffe did in Liverpool, Reading and Chester, without bearing the marks of the Lord Jesus on his body and spirit. A chosen vessel made meat was bound to subdue in the name and strength and to the glory of God what was of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Alone with God, he could but weep, pray, importune, and wrestle. His advice to Christians was, pray that you may be eminently sanctified and made useful and be ready to renounce every sin. Such was the servant of the Lord who was wafted on the wings of private prayer to Aberdeen in November 1858. We honoured him by giving him a small mission room and a few children to begin his mission, which was destined to move Scotland. I love the fact this began in a room where children were being taught, showing the importance of children and the inclusion of children in these mighty outpourings of God's Holy Spirit. enriching many hearts and homes. He was quite contented to begin so, and his master was graciously pleased to begin then and there giving the abundant blessing. Now what was it all about, say some? Just this, instant salvation for the trusting soul, the perfect fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. He declared, you may be saved by believing in Jesus even before you have time to kneel down. He was able to write afterwards, there are real saints in this city who have been praying for months. So quiet, so deep, so thrilling is the work. Pray that man may be kept low. And again, there is need of being kept lowly, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. Churches were opened night after night and filled to overflowing, and the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved. The Little One and the Little Ones of Albion Street Mission Room soon grew into thousands. In Greyfriars Parish Church, nearly a hundred ladies came out from the world, renouncing the frivolities and vanities of much in social life. One of these afterwards wrote, I was amazed into life at the personal love of the Lord Jesus. Young men, students, shopmen, tradesmen, clerks and others, banded themselves together and scoured the city and the country districts, declaring what God had done for their souls. The present writer knows many such who have led a truly consistent life all through the 50 years and been valiant for the truth as it is in Jesus. Reader, you also may be amazed into life at the personal love of the Lord Jesus. And we'll leave that there tonight. Amen.