From Melrose, Mr Phillips went to Whitrig Bog and Smailholm.
Wonderful meetings were held there and numbers were awakened to see the awful condition of their souls as unconverted and “condemned already.“ One night, a young woman was weeping bitterly. A man who was present, felt great compassion for her, seeing her in that condition and though unconverted himself, he asked her very kindly, why she wept. Her reply was, “My sins!” The words filled him with amazement, and from that moment he was in great alarm at his own and concern and indifference. What fears and agonies he passed through in these hours, when his soul awakened to a consciousness of its own sad state, no one can tell. These are only known to himself and God; but his peace is broken and now has he got this I was after enduring rest. To rest in Christ, he was afterwards enabled and now is among those who are professing to have passed from darkness to light. He told Mr Steel that before that night he never thought of himself being a sinner.
Rev William, Paterson of Carrubbers Close Mission, also paid a visit to Smailholm and his meetings were quite remarkable. At first, he only intended staying there till Friday, so great was the interest awakened, and so great was the desire to hear the word, that he was induced to extend his visit over Sabbath. Wet day or dry day was all the same there; neither storm, nor tempest, could hinder these simple, but earnest and affectionate people from coming to the meetings in the dark, over bad roads, and after heavy days' work. Some of them came four others five miles, having the same distance to walk back again.
He was one night in a house, close upon the meeting place, speaking to the anxious, where he was compelled to meet them for the comfort of quiet conversation with them alone, as so many remained in the larger place. Among others, he spoke to one young woman. Afterwards she retired; but, when all had gone, she returned, and said, “Mr Patterson, do you remember the last night you spoke at -–, three months ago? When you were going out, you touched my shoulder and said, “Have you given your heart to Jesus yet?“ I answered, “No;“ and since that, I have never had a moment's peace.“ She seemed, however, to have given a heart to Jesus that night.
"The Revival," February 19th, 1863.
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