My dear Friend,-The readers of The Christian will rejoice to learn that Messrs Moody and Sankey have commenced their labours in Dundee amidst many tokens of divine blessing. The news of the remarkable awakenings at Newcastle and Edinburgh prepared their way. From the first there was a singular spirit of cordiality and unanimity among the ministers of
the several evangelical denominations. For a good many weeks past a union prayer meeting has been held in view of the
expected visit of the American brethren, and the interest has gone on increasing from week to week. During the last fortnight this meeting has been held every day.
The first of Messrs Moody and Sankey's meetings was held on the evening of Wednesday, in the Steeple Church (Established), one of the largest places of worship in the town. Admission was by ticket. The great building was crowded in
every part. Many were disappointed for want of room. In fact, several churches might have been filled. Mr Moody preached on Mark xili. 34: "To every man his work." The address was clear, pointed, stirring, practical, and was interspersed with apt illustrations and anecdotes which the preacher told with a genuineness of feeling that seemed to touch every heart.
With arguments based on Scripture and strong common sense, the preacher sought to stir up and encourage all Christian
workers,
One effect of this address was to establish a bond of sympathy between the speaker and the earnest labourers in the
vineyard present at the meeting, whether ministers or missionaries, Sabbath-school teachers, parents, or others. Mr Sankey sang several hymns in the most impressive manner. As each word of, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by", fell directly upon every ear in the vast assembly, it was like the falling of the dew on thirsty corn or the echoes of a song sung far up in heaven; the audience was bathed in tears. Mr Sankey's singing is unique and beyond question is eminently fitted in the hand of the Holy Spirit both to edify saints and to win souls.
The noon-day prayer meeting is held in Free St. Andrew's Church (Mr Ewing's), one of the largest churches in the town. The attendance on yesterday and Thursday, was remarkably large, larger indeed as Mr Moody observed than their first union prayer meeting in Edinburgh had been. So great is the number of requests for prayer that it is found necessary to classify them. At the meeting yesterday there was a deep feeling of mingled solemnity and tenderness, and the gracious hearer of prayer seemed to stretch out his wonderful hand in richest blessing. One gentleman stood up and said that in accordance with Mr Moody's suggestion, he had on the previous evening taken with him to the meeting four unconverted persons, all of whom were that night awakened, and "this morning" he added, "he believed some of them were on their way to glory."
On Thursday afternoon a Bible reading was held in Free St Paul's, the attendance was large, the church was quite filled. Mr Moody took up the subject of "Love," which he handled in his own fresh and interesting manner. On the evenings of Thursday and Friday, the meetings in the Steeple Church were crowded, and many could not find admission. Crowds stood round the doors, and not a few got up into the windows outside and there listened as if it were a matter of life or death to catch the sound of the preacher's voice. At the close of the service a considerable number of persons remained to be conversed with; some of whom went home rejoicing having found, as they hoped, the Pearl of great price. Last night Mr Moody preached on Luke xix.10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." It is impossible to give an adequate description of this address, which was characterized by extraordinary power and tenderness. Again and again, and again, the vast assemblage (numbering some two thousand) appeared to be bathed in tears. At the close there was a great number of inquirers, some of whose cases were of a very touching character. But I must forbear. In drawing this hurriedly-written note to a close, allow me to entreat for the thousands of perishing souls in Dundee a renewed and special interest in the prayers of your readers, It would seem as if God were about to answer, in an extraordinary manner, the prayers which his people have been heaping up on his altar in this town for several years past. We seem to hear the sound of an abundance of rain.
JOHN MACPHERSON.
Dundee, Jan. 24, 1871.
"The Christian", January 29th, 1874
I do not know where the meetings were held.