Thurso (1905)
While the revival was progressing in Wick, there was heard by the believing people of Thurso "a sound of abundance of rain." Earnest prayer abounded. The agents whom the Lord acknowledged in Wick had promised to visit Thurso. Ministers and other Christian workers co-operated heartily in prayer and active service, and much real blessing was experienced before the Albatross crew had arrived. When they did arrive they found the whole town astir with a revived spiritual life. Mr Stewart, a few days after the commencement of the mission, wrote to the Evening Express and Evening Mail Revival Number for April 1st "The movement has now spread to Thurso, and the interest here exceeds what existed in Wick at a similar stage of the mission. There has been nothing like the same interest shown in Divine things in the memory of the oldest inhabitant."
Previous to the spring communion in the Thurso First United Free Church, the minister (Rev. Alex Soutar, M.A.) conducted a series of devotional meetings. In the following week the meetings were continued in the Town Hall, Mr Grieve, one of the Albatross crew leading the singing.
"On Tuesday, 14th March, Mr W. F. Stewart accompanied by other members of the crew of the mission yacht Albatross, came to take charge of the mission, and the meetings increased so rapidly that the Town Hall soon became too small for the large audiences that gathered night after night to hear the gospel in song and speech, and it was found necessary to transfer the week-night meetings to the West United Free Church, which has been filled night after night. The Sabbath evening services have been held in our church, which has been crowded with audiences of from 1400 to 1500 people, and on the last Sabbath evening of the month a sum of ?20 3s. 2d. was put into the plate as a thank-offering. It is impossible to estimate the magnitude and importance of a movement of this kind by mere figures, for the work of the Spirit is far deeper and wider than men know, but many will never forget what happened at the close of the service in the church on the last Sabbath of March. Mr Stewart requested all who during the Mission had given their hearts to the Lord to rise and go into the Church Hall, and such were young men and women responded that the hall was filled to overflowing."
The Rev. John MacKay, M.A., and Mr Cameron continued the meetings with encouraging results. For two months the work went on without a break, and souls decided for Christ at every meeting. Altogether over three hundred declared in writing that they had received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
'Revivals in the Highlands and Islands' by Alexander Macrea, Republished in 1998 by Tentmaker Publications.