Mr Moody’s Bible readings came to an end on Friday the 5th, but two days of busy work yet remained before he left us for Dundee. On Sunday, the 7th, there was another meeting for Christian workers, at which the City Hall was again crowded. Much precious counsel Mr Moody gave counsel which came straight from an enthusiastic and devoted heart, yet never failed to be practical and clear.
At 11:00 o'clock he preached at the usual forenoon service in the Free West Church, taking for his subject “The love of God;” and in the evening there was the meeting on the South Inch, for which all day-long prayer had been going up to the throne of grace. The evening was one of rare beauty and when Mr Sankey's voice was heard leading the well-named tune of the 100th Psalm.
It is difficult to compute the numbers of a crowd standing so closely packed as this gathering was, but not fewer than 7000 must have been within the range of Mr Moody's voice; while on the outskirts, where even his voice could not reach, the words of sacred song may have carried conviction and comfort to many. Between 6:00 and 7:00 o'clock the meeting was dismissed and the people slowly dispersed, many of them to attend one of the other meetings, which was still to be held that evening.
At the children's meeting, there was an unusually large attendance. Many of the little ones who had given their hearts to Jesus during the week had brought their companions to seek Him.
Mr Parkhurst also had a good meeting in the City Hall and at the North United Presbyterian Church, where Mr Moody spoke and whither many had gone voluntarily declaring themselves unconverted. Very many found peace that night.
On Monday we had the usual noon prayer meeting at which Mr Moody and Mr Sankey were both present and in the evening a meeting for young converts and the usual evangelistic meeting, at which Mr Parkhurst for the last time presided. Mr Sankey was also present for a short time according to his usual plan, before going to the meeting at which Mr Moody was speaking. His parting message to that assembly was breathed in the low, sad tones of ”Nothing but Leaves”. Mr Moody had spoken solemnly and earnestly of the Dangers which lay before them in their upward journey.
Before closing Mr Moody suggested that there should be a young convert's meeting every Monday evening, as there is already in many places. Once more they were commended to his care and then came the inquiry meeting which that night seemed to be a specially solemn and sacred time.
Now God's specially chosen servants have gone from us, but the fruit of their labour remains. They have been the scythes in the Master's hand, to mow down, in swift and steady strokes, ”the bearded grain and the flowers that grow between." May God grant that mowers and reapers may be raised up in our midst and that what has been already mown may be gathered in and cared for!
“The Christian”, June 18th, 1874.
The good work here, which began to a great extent before the visit of Messrs Moody and Sankey and which received such an impetus by their presence, likewise continued to increase since they left. Many people there are who were impressed with the truth and reality of divine things by Mr Moody's plain and earnest preaching, who, however, were still undecided when his visit closed; and if those who bear the Christian name are only faithful and earnest in urging such to come to a decision, there are proofs among us that the blessing is not awanting. The meetings ceased to be so crowded after our brethren left us, but this can partly be accounted for. The season of the year, with its fine evenings, so long clear, tells much against meetings of any description unless there be some special attraction. Besides, many families have left for country quarters. It is worthy of notice that during all the time Messrs. Moody and Sankey were with us, large numbers of people from the surrounding districts were regular in their attendance at all the meetings, one result of which is now seen in many places round Perth where good work is going on, thus showing how widespread the results of our Perth meetings are beyond the city itself. The noon-day meeting, which had been anxiously looked forward to and devoutly yearned for, held daily since New Year, still continues; and up till this week evangelistic meetings were held in the City Hall every evening, which were addressed by various ministers and brethren from Edinburgh - Rev Mr Arnot and Rev Dr Blaikie being among the number. Many meetings for the young are organised and held weekly; foremost among which in importance is a Wednesday evening meeting for young converts in the Free West Church. The first of these meetings may be said to have been Mr Moody's closing meeting here, at which he advised their continuance. The following week a large meeting gathered, which, besides having a good many of the hymns sung and prayer offered up, was suitably addressed by Rev Mr Dymock. At the close of the meeting, the names of those present were taken, that each of the ministers might know of those cases coming under his own charge. This week, the meeting, which was again largely attended, was addressed by Rev Mr Miller on the subject of "Christian work."
The ministers have the entire supervision of this meeting, and we have not yet had any of the young converts taking part in such gatherings, and telling their own experiences, as has been the case at the Glasgow Ewing Place converts' meetings, and some others, Several of the ministers are inaugurating weekly meetings of those young people and others of their own
congregations who have received the blessing, to give them more instruction in Christian doctrine. At one of those meetings, held last week in connection with Rev Mr Gibson's church, there were as many as fifty present. It is very encouraging and gladdening to see how much real interest is still taken in the work and to see, especially at those young converts' meetings, the look of happiness and satisfaction that appears on many of the young faces. Those who have been watching the movement here know of many very interesting cases among young men and boys at our public schools, who have come, sometimes through considerable difficulties to take a firm grasp and a clear view of the central truths of Christ's glorious gospel. Several deputations of young men from Edinburgh had visited us before Mr Moody came, with many good results, and it is arranged to have another such deputation to hold meetings on Sabbath, 4th July. Many more interesting meetings and individual cases might be told of, but limited space precludes more being said at present.
"Times of Blessing," July 9th, 1874.