North East coast revival 1921 Scotland

There is a link to an old post and conversation about Baptists in Caithness here.

Kessock last month

The North East coast revival in 1921 shows the spread and catalytic effect from a work. it started in Norfolk in 1921 and spread to Caithness Scotland the the travelling movement of the fishermen.

The following extracts from the Northern Times shows the spread down the coast as far as Ross-shire in a matter of weeks. 
 

	Northern Times
26/1/1922	30 converts from Helmsdale visited Brora and conducted service at the Fountain and the United Free Church
02/02/22	Revival spread to Golspie. Positive article of Gods Goodness and YMCA helping young converts.
23/02/22	Revival in Wick “The revival in Wick is still progressing John Troupe's presence was an additional attraction, He is now almost well after his illness, but still to refrain from much exertion....one of the converts a young man died recently after a short illness, the Hymns and prayers also bearing pathetic terms. A solo sung by Miss Lara Rosie was much appreciated.”
9/3/1922	Reference to Hymn singing conflict.
23/3/1922	Letter to editor of enquiry as to use of Pitgower Hall for meetings Revivalist meetings (with hymn singing) got use of hall but not the Free Presbyterian s
30/3/1922	Page 5 Canadian writer to paper recalls a “time of refreshing” in Rogart 50 years earlier 1870's when there were 70 converts.
6/4/1922	3 weeks mission closes by Mr Dowie in Brora- moving to Golspie
20/4/1922	Page 4 col 3 Evangelistic meetings Golspie YMCA - Mr Dowie Aberdeen. “Presentation to Mr Dowie at fisherman's Hall Brora presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora. In reply and thanks “requested the revival meetings continue under Rev Thomson.”
13/7/1922	Mr Mackenzie in Embo People from Helmsdale going to take revival meetings in Balintore.
3/8/1922	Brora news: Rev Thomson Ill Messrs Fraser Stewart and Robertson close two weeks mission in the Fishermen's Mission.

Several leading revivalists took part in this work.

Jock Troupe, Mackenzie and Dowie.

Thomson: Rev Donald, United Free Church settled previous year Feb 1921.

In a few months revival has come right down the coast.¹

 ^{Helmsdale harbour}

Brora News.

Presentation to Mr Dowie, Evangelist – at the usual Evangelistic Meeting held in the Fisherman's Hall, Lower Brora on Saturday evening. Mr Dowie of Aberdeen who is now leaving the District was presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora, as a token of esteem for the helpful addresses he delivered at the recent revival meetings in their midst. The Rev D Thomson in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers thanked Mr Dowie for his valuable services both at the Open Air Meetings and elsewhere. Mr Dowie in reply said that this came unexpected but he hoped they had derived some lasting benefits through the Meetings held in the past and that they would continue to hold them under the guidance of the Rev Mr Thomson and helpers in the future.

Special Easter Communion – As the result of the revival meetings held in their midst, a scene unparalleled in the history of the Parish, if not in the Highlands, was witnessed in the Clyne United Free Church Brora at the morning service on Sunday last. A special Easter Communion was held at which the Rev Mr Thomson, Minister officiated. There were 195 persons partook of communion, the average communicants number about 100, but on Sunday there were 80 new members belonging to the United Free Church– 30 belonging to the Free Church who partook of it for the first time. As the revival only started after the New Year it speaks volumes for the good work done for the Master that so many young people belonging to different denominations should sit down together for the first time. The scene was a most inspiring and impressive one and will long live in the memory of all who witnessed it.

Here again we have a record that most locals of Brora would not be aware of, and, only a generation from the events. This revival started in Norfolk and moved to Aberdeen then Wick. It is encouraging to see many denominations including The Assemblies and Salvation Army involved. 

There were other times of revival to touch Caithness in the Church’s history. Perhaps most notably was that of the 1920s when the ministry in singing and preaching of Jock Troupe, of the Salvation Army, saw Churches, including Wick Baptist Church, and places like the Braehead and Market Square in Wick, packed out. It cannot be denied that the Church as a whole in this country has declined in numbers since those days but many believe there are signs of change.(52)

1Northern Times, 20 April, 1922 – p8. Col 2.