This is an excerpt from the monthly reports from the Salvation Army here.
We held an open-air meeting on Sunday morning, on the quay, and there about 300 men stood and listened for an hour. They seemed riveted to the spot. Oh glory to God! A lot of the new converts spoke. One day a man said, “last Sunday morning my wife asked me to get up and make her a cup of tea, but I swore at her and the child and came out with the intention of getting drunk; but I met you, and heard the singing on the quay and instead of going to Sam Browns, I went to the theatre and on Monday I went to the mission room when I gave my heart to God; and I feel I must tell you. Do you know what a drunkard I have been?’
We had a good meeting. It was raining at all three open-air services, but the people stood and the congregations were grand.
Blessed time in the open air on Monday. About 40 of our people. Grand procession. Glory to God. Hall packed. Hallelujah!
We had a good open-air meeting on Wednesday and procession down to the new place and there was so many people in it that we could not see the end. The Irish began to get out and push and they hit two of the women, carried on frightfully, kicked the door and threw mud at the window. Had to have two policemen to see us out.
Last night, Tuesday, was the time of power. Oh glory! 42 spoke. One man said, “last Saturday night I was in the theatre, laughing at the foolery there, but on Sunday night in the same place I gave God my heart and He has made me happy.“ At the close, 8 precious souls came for pardon. We are going to hold an afternoon meeting today and another tomorrow. We are rising.
On Friday night we held our Holiness meeting and glory to God! Over 30 came out for the blessing of a clean heart.
We had a good time last night. Four souls were saved – while one was praying I thought I was going up to heaven. Praise the Lord forever!
On Saturday night we had it good outside and in. We had a “come and see“ meeting and three precious souls came out for Jesus.
We commenced in the Salvation Hall on Sunday morning at 7 o’clock, with the prayer meeting and astonished the natives. We had 53 present and 23 prayed. Brother Sales spoke. We sang and shouted and shut up in an hour.
We were out again at 10 o’clock and at 10:45 we sang down to the hall. The Irish yelled but glory to God we gained the victory. Good time inside.
Good congregation in the afternoon and about 1100 at night. It was a hard pull until just as we were going to close the meeting and God fell on us and 14 came out for Salvation and found peace.
Our tea was a blessed success. About 500 sat down. But the best of all was the meeting at night. Miss Agar was in the chair and I think I should not say too many if I say there were 900 to 1000 people. The Oddfellows Hall was packed and at the prayer meeting 34 came out for God and got blessedly saved. Oh Hallelujah!.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', July 1878, pages 190-1.
Already 350 men, women' and children have professed to find peace through believing in Jesus since we came to North Shields.
From, 'The Christian Mission Magazine', August 1878, pages 216.
We commenced in this station on the 27th April. Since we have been here God has given us 100 precious souls.
...Thank God some of the worst have come to the Cross. Our people have laid all upon the altar; some 30 have come out for a clean heart and have gone home rejoicing in a clean salvation.
From, 'The salvationist', July 1879, page 189.
The Oldfellows Hall was demolished in 1858.