We have received from a friend deeply interested in the work permission to print the following, from a letter he has received from a minister in Shetland:
I know you will rejoice to hear that we have at length been gladdened by the wave of blessing breaking on these northern shores. In the early spring, I, along with Mr Souter and Mr Craig, United Presbyterian Church, Burra Isles, held a series of meetings here, at Conningsburgh, and at Burra, which were followed up by meetings conducted by the parish minister, the Wesleyan minister, and myself, for several weeks - until, in fact, the people could not attend longer, having to engage in the tilling of their ground and the fishing. I have reason to know, however, that good was done, and the fruits are now appearing.
A requisition was sent from many ministers and others to Mr Moody, asking him to pay us a visit, which at first he did not see his way to do. Afterwards, however, very much through the urgent solicitation, though indirectly, of Mrs Bruce, younger, of Sumburgh, he was induced to promise to come, and we were led to look for him here on Thursday of last week. He was, however, so troubled with sea sickness in going to Wick that he was compelled to relinquish his intention of coming here. Instead of him, however, we were visited last week by Mr Wilson, Tolbooth Established Church, Edinburgh, along with Captain M'Gill, and Mr E. E. Scott, Edinburgh, the last-named gentleman being the brother of the lady whom I have mentioned above. They addressed the meeting which was convened to hear Mr Moody, and considerable interest was
awakened. Since then, meetings have been held nightly in the Parish Church, and a deep and lasting impression has been produced. Since Tuesday, a meeting for prayer has been held in the Free Church, half an hour before the meeting in the Parish Church, at which the attendance hitherto has increased day by day. Many souls have been awakened and of these, a goodly number profess to have given themselves to Christ. Both last night and tonight, after giving an address in the Parish Church, Mr Wilson has requested those in anxiety and those who have recently found the Saviour, to retire with him to the Free Church, as there were so many that it was impossible to deal with them individually after the close of the service. On going down to assist him last night, after he had been some time with the inquirers, I was met by five of my own scholars who stopped me, when one of them, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, meekly said, holding out her hand to me, "Mr... I have given myself to the Saviour. Pray for me, that I may remain steadfast." And when one after another of the dear girls who stood around her each made the same artless confession, I was so overcome that I could with difficulty restrain myself so as to speak to them, nor can I write of it now without being deeply moved. "It is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes." Tonight the number of inquirers and converts could not have been less than 70 or 80, and much the larger half of these profess to have given themselves to Christ, indeed Mr Wilson told me last night that 50 had made that profession in his presence. They are chiefly, though not exclusively, young women and girls.
I have thus given you an imperfect sketch of what the Lord is doing in our midst, that you may help me to praise Him, and to pray for the continuance of the blessing.
"Times of Blessing," Sep 10th, 1874.
I am not sure which town the churches are in.