THE SPIRIT TRADE.—An extensive distiller in the north of Ireland has given some interesting information with respect to the effect of the Revival movement on the spirit trade. He mentions that, some time ago, there were no less than twenty- two public-houses in Bushmills—that that number has been reduced to eight—and that these eight shops put together have not now as large a trade as any one of the twenty-two during former years. Referring to the effect of the Revival movement on his own trade, he mentioned it was so serious that, if he had not made extensive sales in England, on the Continent, and in America, the business of his establishment must have been brought to a close. A wholesale merchant in Coleraine had stated to him that it was customary, in former years, for farmers to send into town for two, three, or five gallons of whisky, in order to celebrate at this season the harvest home; but this year he had not received a single order from this class of his former customers; and that for every ten gallons he sold before the commencement of the Revival movement in 1859, he did not dispose of one gallon at present. Referring to a particular street, he remarked that, as an evidence of the influence of the work, one publican had closed his shop, believing that the traffic was demoralizing; and yet that person, at one period, sold more spirits than any ten of the trade in the locality. These statements convey their own moral.—Banner of Ulster.
From 'The Revival Newspaper,' Volume iii, p131, Oct 27th, 1860.
A very earnest and solemn meeting was held in my church on Friday week. The Lord's presence was certainly with us that evening, as attested by the fruits. Several new cases of genuine awakening have since occurred.
From, 'The Revival Newspaper', Volume iii p23, July 21st , 1860.