This has been a week of great spiritual refreshment in this district. It has long been customary to have two days of evangelistic services in the Free Church here during the season. This village, when crowded with visitors and tourists from all parts of the country, - one might almost say of the world, - offers a fine opportunity for evangelistic work. But our annual meetings are not exclusively evangelistic. Braemar is and has long been, a great rallying point for the Lord's people. Many of these look forward with expectancy to the annual services and try to arrange for visiting the district at the time when they are held. Thus the meetings have imparted to them much of the nature of a conference. They are entirely undenominational in their character, clergymen and others belonging to all evangelical denominations cordially taking part in them.
Wednesday and Thursday of last week were the days of the special services this year. In preparation for them, prayer meetings were held in the church on Monday and Tuesday at noon; and a large number gathered together each day to ask for the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing. Neither were our prayers unanswered, for larger numbers than on any previous
year attended our meetings and a deep impression seemed to be made at all of them. Two services were held each day, - the first at 2 in the afternoon, the second at 7 in the evening. The addresses consisted on the one hand of clear, full statements of the gospel, urged home by solemn, heart-searching appeals; and on the other, of truths fitted to stimulate and encourage
the Lord's people. The brethren who on this occasion spoke the good word of life were - the Revs. Dr Black, Inverness; John Morgan, Edinburgh; J. M. Sloan, Aberdeen; A. C. Fullarton, Grantown; Wm. Gibson, Kirkcaldy; the Earl of Cavan and J. Campbell White, Esq.
As a result of the meetings, there were several who, in a state of anxiety about their soul's salvation, sought for private instruction and help, and very many speak with gratitude of the spiritual enlargement and quickening which they have received. Many returned to render thanks to the Lord for His goodness at a noonday prayer meeting held on Friday.
Besides by tourists and visitors, these meetings were largely taken advantage of by the resident population of Braemar, for whom, indeed, they are in the first instance intended, and numbers also resorted to them from Crathie and Ballater. - The power of music was much taken advantage of in the conduct of the meetings. The hymns at present so popular in the country, sung by an excellent choir, contributed greatly to their success and usefulness. We purpose holding meetings of a similar kind each week during the season and would request on this behalf the prayers of the many who are interested in Braemar.
"Times of Blessing," Aug 13th, 1874.