This seems a suitable point in our narrative at
which to mention that Mr Darling, in common with his
whole family, received great and lasting religious benefit from the
evangelistic labours of Mr Moody in Edinburgh, in the winter of 1873
and the spring of 1874. It greatly quickened him in his zeal for the
conversion of souls. Of course it did not diminish, but rather
increased, his efforts in the cause of total abstinence, especially
in seeking to recover those who had become the victims of
intemperance ; but, more than ever, it made him look upon this, even
when attained, as rather the starting-point than the goal of his
aims, and feel that his work was not ended until the object of his
care and prayers had been brought a penitent believer to the feet of
Christ. This made him hail with much satisfaction the extensive
formation of Gospel-temperance societies, in which the end sought
was not only the reformation, but the regeneration of the whole man.
On the first evening of Mr Moody's evangelistic meetings in
Broughton Place Church, three members of Mr Darling's family
remained at the close for conversation with the good evangelist;
not, however, as anxious inquirers, but as young Christians desiring
a higher life, and an increased self-consecration and joy. The
benefit derived from the interview was permanent, not least in their
endeavouring to awaken inquiry and interest among others, and to
bring them under the influence of the great revival wave.
Particularly on the occasion of Mr Moody's second visit to
Edinburgh, one of their number did invaluable service, of which the
earnest preacher himself was not slow to testify, in organising and
conducting the large female choir at the great noon-day prayer
meetings, and in conversing with inquirers of her own sex and age. |