At Pastor Clarke's
meetings in Cairnbulg God's Holy Spirit moved in a
mighty way. When the fisherfolks returned from Yarmouth it was
like moving from one revival fire into another. Many telegrams passed from Yarmouth to Cairnbulg telling of the conversions which had taken place.
The Gospel Hall was consistently filled and glorious times of rejoicing were
experienced. Saturday night was usually testimony time. As these recently
converted people got up and told how and when they were saved the atmosphere
was charged with the presence of God.One said, "I was saved in the wheelhouse," another, "I
was saved while hauling the nets," Someone else testified that the
transaction took place while he was in his bunk.The faces of those testifying were aglow with
the experience they had with the living Christ.
Every Sunday
morning from 6.30 to 9.30 a.m. there was a prayer meeting. It was held in a net loft above a
washhouse close by the sea and known as "Mary Clarke's Joe's loftie." Heat came from a small fire and light from a
paraffin lamp, but the fellowship was sweet. Ages ranged from 16 years to 60
years and the spirit of prayer was tremendous. One man who was there told me
how these folks "Grasped hold of the horns of the altar binding the powers
of evil in the name of Jesus." No wonder Cairnbulg
and Inverallochy were moved.Evidence of this
still remains.
In the afternoon
on Sundays an open air meeting was held in the middle of the villages.
"Shodie Love" Buchan with his wife from St. Combs and
Jimmy "Denley" Ritchie were well to the
fore.Those who knew Jimmy Ritchie
thought his lovely white beard made him look like a patriarch.Leaders in the open air work were Alex May,
Will "Black Sheep" Third and Bobby "Soper"
Cardno.Two
young lassies, Katie May and Betsie Duthie helped at these meetings in testimony and song.They later went to be workers with the Faith
Mission. When the open air services were in progress almost the whole village
turned out to listen. The programme consisted mainly of glowing testimonies and
joyful singing.
Baptism at Inverallochy in the 1950's. (Picture: Owner not traced.)Bulgar Hall. (Picture: G. NIcolson, Peterhead.)
