Mr Moody and Mr Sankey were in Stirling on Wednesday and Thursday. The Erskine United Presbyterian Church was crowded on Wednesday evening long before the advertised time of commencement, and hundreds, we understand, went away unable to gain admission. Perhaps the church was too full, for a certain movement about the doors prevented that unbroken calm settling down on the meeting which is essential to the production of a deep impression. It must also be confessed that, as is frequently the case at the first meeting in a place, curiosity rather than a serious interest predominated.
This can hardly be blamed on the part of those who have heard and read so much of the American evangelists and are at first anxious to ascertain what manner of persons they are. There was an observable change from the commencement of the meeting on Thursday evening. On Wednesday there was a good deal of staring and after Mr Sankey sang, a sort of audible, gratified breathing as though the audience was satisfied with the way the singer had done his part. On Thursday from the first there was a different feeling. The gates were locked after the church was filled and the overflow directed to Mr Goldie's (Free South) Church. While Mr Sankey sang some of his most impressive hymns, "Almost persuaded," and the new "There were ninety and-nine," there was the hushed attention which showed not mere artistic gratification, but deep heart feeling. Mr Moody preached an hour on "Ye must be born again," and riveted the audience. The service was conducted in the other church by Mr Parkhurst, from Chicago, a brother minister of Mr Moody who is at present travelling in Europe. There was a fair after meeting at nine o'clock in the smaller church. Many of the inquirers seemed clearly to make their peace with God.
Besides the two evening meetings, Mr Moody and Mr Sankey attended the noon prayer meeting on Thursday in Dr Beith's church. It was presided over by Rev. Mr Parkhurst. Mr Moody also gave a Bible reading to an immense audience in the Erskine Church at three o'clock on Thursday. Mr Sankey was throughout well supported by the choir. There seems no place of any importance at all within the range of the present movement where the hymns have not made their way and are silently moulding hearts. How deep as well as sweet the impression is that is made by familiarity with their touching cadences we shall never fully know.
"Times of Blessing," June 4th, 1874.
Location unknown