GREAT MEETING IN THE CORN EXCHANGE.
The most interesting meeting on Sunday evening was held in the Corn Exchange. This is the largest place in Edinburgh, being capable of holding, without seats, between five and six thousand people. Six thousand tickets were issued to the working men of Edinburgh, none but men being admitted, and nearly that number thronged the vast building on Sunday evening, content to stand for more than two hours to wait for and listen to the preaching of the simple gospel. Mr Moody, after preaching twice in Leith, between six and eight o'clock, came up to Edinburgh at half-past eight and addressed this great crowd. The Rev Mr Wilson and the Rev J Morgan also delivered short addresses, while the Jubilee Singers offered their services to Mr Moody, and sang some of the sweet songs of redeeming love. At first, the appearance of these singers at evangelistic meetings was thought too bold a step, but when it became known that they are all living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the voice of disapproval was at once hushed, and their help gladly accepted in the ministry in this great work. After Mr Moody had concluded, there being no accommodation for a second meeting in the Corn Exchange, he asked those who wished to hear further of salvation if they would adjourn to the Free Assembly Hall; and, before leaving, he asked those who were favourable to another large meeting on Monday evening to hold up their hands. A perfect sea of hands was held up, and arrangements for the meeting were at once proceeded with.
Mr Moody and those with him, on reaching the Assembly Hall, found that nearly seven hundred men had come up from the Corn Exchange, desiring to hear further of Christ. It was impossible to speak to each in conversation, and, with the view of considering the propriety of giving a short special address to the anxious, he asked those who were really in earnest, and truly desiring to know Christ, to stand up; and nearly the whole of them stood up at once, in token of their thirst for the water of life. There were ministers and laymen at the time around Mr Moody who had seen all the great revival movements of the last forty years, and it was the testimony of everyone present that they had never seen such a solemn sight as the one before them. After saying a few words to them, Mr Moody asked them to go home and to come back on Monday evening to the meeting for young converts and anxious souls. Many of them went away, but not a few lingered behind, willing to speak with anyone who would sympathise with their troubled heart and the groping heavenward of a soul in the dark.
The Sunday of which we write will be a memorable one in the history of the religions life of Edinburgh, and yet God's people though thrilled with amazement are expecting greater things in the days to come. "Prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open to you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Edinburgh, Dec. 31, 1873,
"The Christian", January 8th, 1874
The building no longer exists