In another town the preachers were one day furiously assailed and subjected to much personal indignity and violence by a mob, led on by the paid agents of tavern-keepers, whose profits were diminished by the effective preaching of the gospel. For hours the preachers maintained their position in the outskirts of the market; towards the close of the day, led on by Matheson, they pushed their way into the center of the fair. Here they were set on by the entire rascality, hired and unhired, of the town; but a shower happening at that crisis, the stentorian voice of our evangelist was heard high above the clamor, shouting, ‘Off hats, men, and let us thank our Father in heaven, who sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, for this refreshing shower, instead of fire and brimstone to consume us.’ The effect of this appeal was striking. Every voice was hushed, and every head uncovered, and one who was present describes the prayer of the evangelist as one overwhelmingly touching and solemn. The battle was now turned to the gate, and the preachers carried all before them.
On one occasion a burly Yorkahireman attempted to stop the preaching by driving his horses and caravan in amongst us. Matheson, who was speaking at that moment, turned his face to the adversary, and in his solemn way, thundered out these words, ‘Prepare to meet thy God! ‘The showman drew up his horses, listened for a few minutes, and then, turning deadly pale, quickly beat a retreat.
One night a showman, thinking we had taken our stand in too close proximity to his tabernacle, fetched his magic bottle, and with a significant glance in our direction, said, ‘Talk of revivals! Here is something that will revive you!’ Shouts of derisive laughter followed. We paused a moment, then began to sing the twenty-third Psalm. As we sang, the people began to leave the showman, and come to our side; there was a charm for them in King David’s song.
Prayer was offered; more of the people came over, A simple exposition of the psalm followed. The larger portion of the showman’s audience left him to hear about the green pastures and the still waters. Ere we finished, the show was well-nigh deserted, and we could see the tears trickling down the cheeks of some, as they listened to the story of the Good Shepherd coming into the wilderness of this world to seek and to save the lost.”
ML 04/10/1904