Old Images of Crovie, Scotland

Extract from:

James Turner, Or, how to Reach the Masses

By Elizabeth MACHARDIE, Reginald RADCLIFFE

Published in 1875

Pages 32 & 33

Gardenstown, to which he now proceeded, is a village on the coast, about five or six miles east from Macduff, and, with two other villages – Crovie and Pennan – in the same neighborhood, was notorious for spiritual death and wickedness. Here, then, his work had to be carried on under the most unpropitious circumstances—a weak body, weather of unusual severity (the ground being covered to a great depth with snow), and people not only indifferent but positively hostile. Yet the set time for blessing was come, and nothing could hinder it.

Here, as in other places, his days were spent in conversing with anxious souls, and in visiting from house to house. One old man received him kindly, and after talking for a little, proposed a game of cards or draughts. But when the proposal was declined and his soul made the subject of conversation, he at once understood that his visitor was no other than “that blackguard Turner” and ordered him out. I do not know how it was with the old man, for he died soon after, but most of his family were brought to a knowledge of the truth, and are now consistent followers of the Lord Jesus. Many other fruits of his labors in the district yet remain, especially young men, many of whom, like their spiritual father, labor much in the Lord’s service. Two of them in particular, having passed through the ordinary course of study, are now “fishers of men.”

An individual residing in Gardenstown thus describes the change: – “Some have been raised from ignorance, vice, and wretchedness to respectability, influence, and happiness. They have changed their obscene language for the sweet language of Canaan – their profane songs for the songs of Zion – the dance for the prayer-meeting – and the time and the means which were formerly spent in the dram-shop are now employed in seeking to promote the interests of religion. In short, the general aspect of the community is changed for the better. Drink was the besetting sin of those places; now it is ashamed, hiding its face in the streets. There is not now half the number of public-houses in this district that there was formerly, while in the village of Crovie not a drop of spirits can be had. Before Mr. Turner came into this district, family worship was a thing unknown in Crovie, while in Gardenstown, it was little attended to. Now there is scarcely a home but has its altar, while the prayer-meetings commenced by him are kept up with life in both villages.”