CELLARDYKE has also, along with many other places in Scotland, been graciously visited with a shower of blessing. During the last week of 1873, a daily prayer meeting at noon was begun. This meeting was often very small at first, but it was persevered in for about five weeks, the interest, as well as the audience, gradually increasing. Some especially among the young, began to be manifested, a number of the Sabbath school children remained at the close of the meetings to be spoken to, and not a few professed to have found Christ. Many young women also became anxious about their souls, but up to the end of January last very few young men seemed to be interested. The meetings were now changed from the middle of the
day to the evenings, and for nearly five months there has been a meeting every night, often with an attendance of from 300 to 400.
Remarkable Answers to Prayer.
Scarcely was the week of prayer for young men begun, when numbers of them also became concerned, large numbers remaining at the close of the meetings to be conversed with, and many professing to get Christ. A young men's Bible class, which had been held for many years, and had never numbered more than a dozen, in two or three weeks increased to fifty, mostly all fishermen. They also commenced a prayer meeting among themselves on the Sabbath mornings, and another half an hour before the class on Sabbath evenings, attended by about as many. There is a young woman's prayer meeting held weekly, attended by about forty. At this meeting, apart from devotional exercises, they read round some chapters of the Bible; and this is found to be a very interesting and instructive exercise. The movement had thus taken hold of the children, then of
the young women, and then of the young men; but very few of the fathers and mothers had, up to this time, got any share
of the blessing. Prayer was again specially directed for mothers, many of whom now became anxious, and found rest in Christ. But, strange as it may seem, the older men were not yet reached, until after special prayer was offered for them too. God seemed ready to bless and to say, "Ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." Many of them also now shared the blessing, and at the time we write the work still goes on; never a week passes but some find the Pearl of great price.
Fishermen bearing Testimony.
Owing to the nature of the fishing operations, the boats being at sea for the first three or four days of the week, and nearly all the population being fishermen, the meetings are thinner the first nights of the week; but on Friday, Saturday, and Sabbath evenings, when all are on shore, the meetings are nearly as large as ever. The Saturday night meetings are of the most interesting nature. The first half-hour is devoted to devotional exercises, thereafter the meeting is thrown open, when it is most refreshing to hear the simple and modest testimony of the young fisherman as he tells of his new found peace and joy, some stating that a few weeks ago they would have been found spending their time on the Saturday evenings in a very different manner, and the more experienced telling of the hopes and joys and the struggles and discouragements of their past
Christian experience. Five minutes only are allowed to each speaker, and hymns are sung at intervals. Thus two hours are very pleasantly and profitably spent each Saturday evening. A number of crews have also prayer meetings in their boats while at sea, and instead of the light and frivolous songs, now are heard some of the well known hymns. A few very old people have also been blessed, and the rquests for prayer that have been handed in have been numerous and of the most varied and interesting kind - silent prsyer being offered for each as read out. There has been no excitement. The meetings have been conducted by a few plain laymen, and the addresses have been of the most simple but earnest kind. There has been no special human instrumentality, but the blessing has come simply in answer to prayer.
Work for Young Converts.
In order that the means might extend to all classes of the community, upwards of forty men have volunteered to go two-and-two as of old - one of some experience, and the other a young man - to visit the sick and the aged who are unable to attend any church or meetings. Each of these couples has three families to attend to. A portion of the Word of God is read and when it can be done a hymn is sung, and prayer offered. These visits are very much appreciated. Another very remarkable feature of the work is that from twenty to forty young children have met together for religious instruction for nearly six months every
night. The meeting is conducted by two of the Sabbath school teachers. Altogether the work has been very precious and blessed, and to all human appearance very much good has been done. Truly the Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.
"Times of Blessing," June 4th, 1874.
Location unknown