Well, we've been reading in the book the reminiscences of the revival of 59 and the 60s, that being 1859 and the 1860s. It's a story of how God's Holy Spirit came down in astonishing power in Aberdeen and the surrounds. And so many people came out of conviction of sin and many, many people were converted. Prayer meetings were founded everywhere. People took the gospel to many places in different parts of the world as a result of this. The last time we were reading, we were reading about the amazing outpourings of God's Holy Spirit on the town of Huntly, where there were meetings in the castle grounds at the instigation of the Countess of Huntly. We're going to carry on reading now. We've got two episodes left, so this is going to be, I think, a relatively short episode, and then we'll have the final one in the near future, God willing. This has been such a blessing to me. I began this series by saying that I had moved to Aberdeen in, I think, 1996, and that when I got there, Christians there told me that God had never brought revival to Aberdeen, and this is what I believed until I came across this book in a second-hand bookshop. And again, this wonderful council, so many people of the power of God's work there, and such an earnest prayer in my heart that God would do it again, that that granite city full of granite hearts towards the Gospel of Jesus Christ like the mountains would come flowing down at the presence of the Lord. Heavenly Father, have mercy upon those who are perishing in darkness in Aberdeen, even today in the Grampian region, Lord, in Scotland, in the United Kingdom. Father, although we live in times of great darkness, great perplexity, and where other philosophies and other worldviews are inflicting their ethics which are against your word upon the population, And when people are loving this and loving darkness and hating the light, Lord, we pray that you'd arise once more, that you'd arise and pour out your Holy Spirit upon this land in which we live. Though, Lord, that you would turn the tide. Lord, you can do this and you can do this in an instant. You can bring people under conviction of sin, that they would feel the weight and the burden of their sins. Those who shed innocent blood, Lord, that they would feel what it is to be sinners who have to give an account before your throne. those women in Aberdeen and other parts of the country, Lord, who've even allowed the destruction of the fruit of their own wombs, Lord. Oh, Lord, that they would feel the burden of their sins. And oh, Lord, that they would learn to tremble at your word. But we all should, Lord, because we're all guilty of this sin as a nation. We're a nation throughout which from end to end innocent blood has been shed, Lord. But Lord, I pray there might be those who learn wisdom and who learn that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and who find that Jesus Christ, that his blood was shed for sinners and for the unrighteous, even for murderers, Lord. And I pray, Father, that there will be multitudes still who find your salvation, who obtain your mercy in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and other nations of the world, Lord. And I pray you bless those from other nations, the United States, Singapore and other nations that listen to this reading, Lord, and help them to pray for their own countries, that you pour out your Holy Spirit there. And even in these days of a complete lockdown, Lord, I pray that people will come under conviction of sin and with great hunger and great fervency seek the truth via the internet Lord. And I pray that you graciously and mercifully steer them past all the errors and all the other things which are untrue Lord, which are idolatry. bring them to a website like the Sermon Audio website to hear sound gospel preaching to direct them to Jesus Christ as the saviour of the world, as the saviour of all those who put their trust in him. So Father, I pray that you bless this reading. I pray you use it to fire us up in our hearts, to pray more earnestly, to have greater confidence in you, Lord, to have greater desire to see you work, Lord, to have a greater burden for those who are perishing. And oh Lord, our God, help us as we read it to see just how powerful and how mighty your work is and was, and we hope it will be in days to come. But also, Lord, I pray that you bless this reading to unbelievers who have come under the conviction of their sins, who would see how ruined they are by their sins, who would see how vile a thing sin is in your eyes, and that they would be brought in grace, love and mercy to repentance and to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. And this we ask in his precious name. Amen. So we're continuing to read here about the revival. As I say, the last excerpt we read was about the revival in Huntley, which was extremely powerful. So here we are, another excerpt. A professor of divinity writes thus of that time, when the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved. I was only a schoolboy at the time of the revival, but I have a vivid recollection of a meeting for boys which I attended in connection with it early in the year 1859. The meeting was held in one of the classrooms of Ayr Academy. So we're quite a long way now, Ayr is in the southwest of Scotland. and was conducted by the then young Minister of Air, now the venerable Dr Dykes, in that town. In those days, hymns were unknown in Presbyterian church services, and I recall the deep impression made on me upon that occasion, not only by the address, but by Miss Charlotte Elliott's hymn, Just As I Am. I heard it then for the first time, and it came home to me as the gospel in song. It was comparatively new in those days to Scottish people, and I have been assured that the singing of it had an important share in the revival of 1859, and that more than 1,000 letters were received by the authoress, either at that time or afterwards, testifying to the light and comfort which her hymn had brought to human hearts." Amazing. I recall also another weeknight meeting conducted about the same time and in the same town by another young minister, my own pastor now gone, when the lessons of the parable of the marriage of the king's son, the guilt of neglecting the gospel invitation and the need of the wedding garment were brought home to us who were present with singular directness and effectiveness. The preacher was not associated either before or after with what it called revivalism. But a visit to Ireland early in the year 1859 so fully convinced him of the spiritual reality of the revival movement there, that on his return he took part with others in extending to air the religious awakening which he had himself witnessed in the sister island. Another professor of divinity writes, the impression produced by the spiritual movement in Aberdeen in 1859 and the 60s remains with me as if the event were of yesterday. But I did not keep a record of those incidents which would have a special interest today. When one is passing through such a movement, the experiences of the hour engross attention. One does not think of the future. Such, at least, was very much my case during the winter of 1859-60, and anything that I may write can only be of a general character. Of the reality and depth of the revival, there can be but one opinion. I have never seen a place moved as Aberdeen was moved that winter. The whole community seemed to feel the influence at work. People of all classes flocked to meetings where addresses of the most pointed and personal character were delivered. A feeling of solemnity seemed to pervade the life of the city, as if the people realised that they were in direct contact with the things of the other world. The work done at the after-meetings was often of a most encouraging kind. Hearts were opened that were usually closed against direct personal dealing, and many were added to the church of those. that were being saved. To myself and many others, the most prominent personality in the wonderful work that was being done was the Reverend George Campbell of the North Free Church. He appeared as if he were a veritable prophet of a former age, a speaker for God to whom he revealed his secrets, whose words came with the power of God and did gracious work in many hearts. The late Principal Brown also took the deepest interest in the movement and no small share of the work. Friends from a distance rendered valuable service. Of them I do not venture to speak. Others, who knew them better, will give an account of their self-denying labours. But I must mention another name. To me, the late William Smith, tea merchant, was the most interesting personality to whose acquaintance and friendship I was introduced through this movement. He was a greatly gifted man. He was heart and soul in the spiritual awakening that had come to Aberdeen. But he was many-sided in his endowments and sympathies. The study of sacred music was advancing by leaps and bounds in those days. Mr Smith was among the foremost few in that work. In fact, I believe it was mainly through him and what he did that the great advance was made. Not less distinguished was he as a student and critic of poetry and art. And any night, and almost at any hour of the night, Mr Smith might have been found arm-in-arm with some sympathetic listener, walking up and down the street, discussing the latest work in the North Church and varying the discussion by humming a measure of Evan or Harnell or some other psalm tune which the Aberdeen school was introducing to the public, or by quoting a stanza from Tennyson's latest work, or by criticising a painting by John Philip. A rare man was William Smith, his memory is a sacred treasure. The North Church was the great gathering place for evening meetings. And the seat next to the door, on the left hand, as one entered the old church, has been to me a sacred spot since the winter of 1859-60. Many truths of priceless value were laid hold of in that quiet pew. Many questions were pondered, and for the time, at least, settled. One of the most satisfying proofs of the genuineness of revival work was the desire and determination on the part of professing converts to take an active part in the work of the Church. When Andrew found his Saviour, he could not rest till he had brought his brother Simon to him, and Andrew is the example to the true disciple in every age. Some of us found our way to the Sabbath school voluntarily, conducted for the young people about Spring Garden. There we had the opportunity of putting to the rect test the truth, I think that's down in the centre of Aberdeen, the truths which we believe we have received for our own life and the life of others. Among those who taught in this school, I must mention my dearest and closest friend throughout the movement, the late lamented Reverend George Cassie, Minister of the United Free Church, Hopeman. He was among the most devoted workers in the Connection with Movement. It is a great grief to me, and I am sure to many others, that he has not been spared to take part in these Jubilee services. It would have been to him a labour of love. So far as the work of life is concerned, the great benefit which I personally received from, or rather through, this revival was the confirmation of a desire and a heart-formed purpose to study for the ministry of the Church. I had entered on my last session at the University, the last session of all at King's College and University, for the union of the colleges took place the following summer. At the beginning of the session I was still somewhat undecided as to the future. The sacred character of the ministry of the Church and the responsibility it involved made me shrink from it. The spiritual influences and experiences of that memorable winter made the way plain. and for that I can never cease to thank and bless God. These are simply rambling remarks, but I think it best to state only what touched me personally. The deeply penetrating spiritual character of the movement, the widespread and lasting effects it produced, the tone and character it gave to the life of our city for a generation, will be dealt with by others who are to address the public meeting. May the fruit of the meeting be an awakening in Aberdeen such as it experienced in 1859 and the 60s." And that's by somebody called G.G.C. I can't see what his name is. George Ross Esquire, General Greenlaw House Paisley writes, The visit of Mr Reginald Radcliffe to Aberdeen in the end of 1858 was like the breath of spring to many. He came as one sent from God to do a great and blessed work in Aberdeen and many parts of Scotland. His coming was as life from the dead to many, and to me in particular, for at his first meeting for grown-up people, I was led to know Jesus as my own personal saviour. Glory to his name. Mr Reginald Radcliffe was invited to come to Aberdeen by Professor Martin, a man of God. He arrived in Aberdeen on the 27th of November, 1858, and at once began to preach the gospel in the East End of Aberdeen, commencing in a small mission hall in Albion Street. His first meetings were amongst the boys and girls of the district, but soon the work reached the men and women. My first coming in contact with him was on the 2nd of December, 1858, when at the close of his address he laid his hand on my shoulder and in a most loving and kindly way said, Young man, would you like to be saved? I will never forget the great trouble he took with me in seeking to lead me to Christ. He walked up and down Union Street, holding my arm till 11 o'clock on a cold frosty night. Union Street's about a mile long. It was known as the finest street in the empire, which if you've ever been to see it, you would probably agree with. On the 2nd of December, 1858, he was in dead earnest to get me to see the light of the gospel, which I did next day at his lodgings in Professor Martin's room in Union Street. That is now more than 50 years ago, and I remember it as well as if it were but yesterday. The work in Aberdeen grew and spread all over the city very rapidly, until people in all ranks and stations were brought within its power and blessing. The meetings were soon multiplied all over the city, and the people flocked to them from all parts and at all times. As the people got saved, they entered most heartily into the work, and soon a great band of willing workers gathered around Mr Radcliffe to lend their aid in speaking to the many anxious ones who were to be found in all the meetings. One outstanding feature of the work in its early stage was the meetings in the Rev. James Smith's church, Old Greyfriars Parish. He opened the doors of his church to Mr Radcliffe and entered himself most heartily into the work. The people thronged in great crowds to Greyfriars Church and the meetings soon multiplied, till on a Sunday there would be as many as six or seven different addresses given by Mr Radcliffe. The people were so hungry for the word of life that they crowded round the church. and as one congregation left another rushed in and soon filled it again. One great feature of Mr Radcliffe's preaching was his insistence on instant salvation on the spot where you were. He would say to his hearers, you may be saved by believing in Jesus even before you have time to kneel down. Such a practical way of presenting the gospel went home to the hearts of the people with the power of a new revelation by its contrast to the preaching prevalent at the time. Another outstanding feature that I well remember was the meetings held for inquirers in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Brand, nearly a mile away from the place where Mr. Radcliffe had been preaching. Inquirers would come in flocks to this house to be spoken with about their soul's salvation. I had been there when every room in the house was full of anxious souls, many of them deeply distressed and weeping bitterly. You could hear their sobbing all over the room. In that house, many passed from death unto life. but think of them anxious souls turned out of the church and not allowed to be spoken with personally or pointed to Christ, but having to trudge along for a mile in a cold winter night before they could get rid of their heavy burden of sin. It was truly blessed to be in that house at such times. These incessant labours, not to speak of the Presbyterial opposition, were telling seriously of Mr Radcliffe's strength, and had not other able and willing helpers come to his help, he would have broken down with the heavy strain that was upon him. But such men as Brownlow North, Hay MacDowell, Grant, Richard Weaver, Duncan Matheson, Grattan Guinness, John Gordon, Peter Drummond, and many others came forward most willing to help on the work. The Reverend Principal Brown was a most helpful worker at this time, and for long after, Mr Radcliffe had left Aberdeen. He took the chair at the first great meeting in the new music hall and was assisted by Professor Martin and Mr Grant of Arndilly. This was a memorable meeting. The admission to it was by a ticket bearing only the words, prove me now herewith said the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3 verse 10. Another very blessed and memorable meeting was the Saturday evening prayer meeting in Free North Church, where many of the young converts assembled and poured out their hearts with fervent prayer and true thanksgiving to God for the great things He had done for them. This meeting proved a time of much blessing and spiritual strength to the many Christian workers who came to it week after week. Another very helpful meeting was the Sabbath morning meeting in Mr. Wraight's schoolroom in Marywell Street. Many of the converts took part in prayer at this meeting and a very helpful address was given to Christians. Another marked feature of the work was the great number of commercial young men who were converted. In the many shops and warehouses all over the city, converted young men were to be found. In Union Street, from one end to the other, I believe, many young men were to be found who had been converted during this time of revival." George Ross. Notes on the revival of 1859 and following years as it affected Deeside by the Reverend William Dower, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. During the years of Plenteous Grace towards the close of the 50s, the village of Bankry-Turnan became a kind of transmitting centre to the regions beyond and the parishes around, certainly from any other of the Deeside villages. Deeside is the area to the west of Aberdeen along the River Dee. I think along the north bank mainly of the River Dee. going out towards Balmoral, in fact. Hmm. Deeside villages, the word sounded out and the gracious influence spread abroad. This may have been due in part to its proximity to the city of Aberdeen, the storm centre of the north of Scotland during the revival days. I'm disposed, however, to think it was more due to the fact that in the pulpit of a free church, there was a preacher of exceptional fidelity and evangelistic power, the late Reverend Robert Reed of Sainted Memory. His attractive personality and powerful preaching had gathered around him a band of men whose hearts the Lord had touched. some of his office bearers, some stated visitors from the city, some in fellowship with other churches, but all in sympathy with his lofty spiritual ideals and intensely evangelical spirit. Even before the disruption, he had laid siege to the dry rot which prevailed in the city while acting as assistant minister in old Gilcomston." Remember that in Gilcomston Williams, still in the 20th century, was the minister. A well-known preacher and a good man, I believe. Early in the 40s, he became assistant minister of the parish church, Bank Returning. The straightforwardness, heat and fire of his preaching startled and stirred the sleepy parish. When the free church was formed, he became its first minister. It has been said that every new advance in the history of the Church has been associated with the name of some outstanding man. A man shall be as an hiding place. This is true in general, but equally true in the particular. For Deeside, Reid of Banquery became the man of the hour, became the inspiration of the revival movement from the city as far west as Braemar. The reports of the American revivals and of the remarkable work in the north of Ireland had stirred the dry bones. They that feared the Lord talked much together, and prayer, fervent, united, and, as it proved, effectual, followed. When Mr. Read returned... How much do we want revival? How much do we pray together for it? When Mr Reid returned from a visit to the scenes of the Irish Revival, his preaching became doubly earnest and aggressive. His tongue was as a flame of fire, his arrows were sharp in the heart of the King's enemies, and his sickle was manifestly sharpened for the Lord's harvest field. After years of tearful sorrow, suddenly came the time of glad reaping. But the new wine burst the old bottles. New methods were adopted, such as field preachings, inquirers' meetings, personal dealing with those who were not far from the kingdom, yet halting and hesitating to enter in. Public testimony by converts, the use of unauthorised hymns, lay preaching, etc. Hardened sinners were converted. Fear fell on all in the shape of a new sensitiveness and tension of the public mind with regard to divine things. The people were in expectation. Many were pricked to the heart, leading to sudden conversion in not a few cases attended with altogether extraordinary physical phenomena. There were not a few conservative souls straightened in themselves who were exceedingly filled with contempt. They did not scruple to proclaim on the housetops that the whole movement was nothing but strong delusions, lying wonders. All who shared in the work had occasionally to put up with this scorning of them that were at ease. From the first, the work was greatly stimulated by the visits of laymen from the city. Many of the names of these young men have escaped my memory, though their persons, their words, even gestures and their testimonies are fresh in my memory today. One became a distinguished Presbyterian minister and retired from active service in Liverpool only recently. Others were John Horne, David Young, afterwards Dr. Young of Rome, James Souter, W. P. Mackay, afterwards Dr. Mackay of Hull, and many others, Professor Martin of Aberdeen University, so Aberdeen University, and Duncan Matheson, the evangelist. occasionally gave valuable assistance, the latter by his urgent appeals, the former by his exceptional skill in dealing with those who were feeling after Christ, if happily they might find him. One of the most active and ardent workers was the late Colonel Burnett Ramsey of Bankery Lodge. He had been led to Christian decision largely under the personal influence of Captain Hedley Vickers, amid shot and shell in the trenches before Sebastopol. He returned from the Crimean War a consecrated man, resolved to use his influence, his means, and his social position for the furtherance of the gospel. Though to many he was the laird, he was and remained humble as a little child. He was a man of great intensity of emotion, which unfitted him for sustained public speech. Even in his prayer there was ever restrained emotion. His soul was too big for his body. But he would go with or drive a preacher, minister, evangelist or layman to a feeing market or a cottage meeting or field preaching, stand by him, bear his testimony and beseech men with tears to come to the Saviour. This he would do even though the preacher might be only the village carpenter, his own groom or gardener. The writer has walked and driven with him many a time, and oft to such cottage meetings, in the first instance to raise the tune, and later on to make first attempts at preaching. Thus, from Banquery as a base of operation, the work was rapidly extended. Strachan, Durres, Burse, Llanfannan, Arboyne, Ballater, and the adjoining districts all partook of the gracious influences. After 50 years, the writer has met with men and women every part of South Africa from these parishes, who at these homely, informal, evangelistic services were led to Christian decision. Even here in Johannesburg, the writer has met with some from Deeside, who acknowledged with grateful joy that they are fruits of the revival in the late 50s and early 60s. I have referred to the physical phenomenon, which In some instances accompanied sudden conviction of sin. Let me mention one case which came under my notice. The people in Bankery will be able to recall NC, a Navy Pensioner. He was a quiet and peaceable man, a regular worshipper at the Free Church. But when he took a drinking bout, he was the terror of the neighbourhood, both for his violent conduct and awful language. At one of the many field preachings, on the grounds adjoining Banquery Lodge, N.C. was suddenly overwhelmed by a crushing sense of sin and danger. He cried out loud and longed for mercy, and was carried like a wounded warrior, struck down to the adjoining Porter's Lodge, for he was unable to walk. There were several ministers endeavoured to help him in the throes of his second birth. I can remember only one name, Reverend Donald Mackay of Echt. After a time he was able with assistance to walk home. There he betook himself to a garret room where he remained alone with God and his Bible. with God and his Bible. He neither admitted wife, child, nor friend, and only the plainest food was handed in. This continued two nights and three days. In the evening of the third day, he came downstairs. His face was as the face of an angel, and his salutation to his family was, I have found peace. That evening there was being held a testimony meeting and the old man stood up and in broken, tearful words told the story of his conversion, of his mental anguish, of his simple faith in the divine promise of forgiveness, his absolute surrender to Christ and his strong resolve to follow and serve him. It was a pathetic, noble public renunciation of a black and sinful past, and a public committal to the Christly life, and a public taking up of the cross in the presence of those who had been witnesses and even victims of his violence and intemperance. A solemn, impressive silence. fell upon the gathering of some 600 people. Mr. Reid gave out the paraphrase, I'm not ashamed to own my Lord, and there were few dry eyes in that meeting. Someone began, rest for the weary, and it was sung with an exultant note. N.C. remained until the day of his death a consistent, humble follower of the Saviour, whom he had confessed before many witnesses, and the changed life, the lion becoming the lamb, stopped the mouths of many gainsayers. The time and the space would fail me to tell of other striking conversions of quickened lives, of renewed consecrations, and the general uplift of the public mind to all that was distinctively Christian. The day will declare it. Counting heads and tabulating results is liable to serious abuse. I would not indulge in it if I could. But it will not be altogether out of place to mention that after well nigh 50 years absence from Deeside, I can today recall and recount the names of five persons who, from these scenes, went out to some foreign fields of labour as the accredited messengers of the churches to scatter handfuls of corn on the mountaintops. Some of these have gone to their rest, but some are alive and remain. Amen. Oh Lord do it again. Oh Lord do it again. Oh Lord do it again Lord. Do it again.