The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-08-18
Forty Thousand People at a Prayer
Meeting.

The Edinburg Witness gives the subjoined
account of a very remarkable prayer meet
ing, probably the largest ever held since the
dawn Of the Christian era:
A great Union prayer meeting, in connec-
ton with the present remarkable movement.
was held in the open air at Belfast, Ireland,
on Wednesday forenoon, at half past eleven
O'Clock. In order to accomm odats oil parties
the use Of the grounds of the Royal Botanic
Gardens was obtained for holding the meet
ing ; and as it was we'll known that many
persons from the surrounding country were
DESTROYS to be present, special trains Of un-
common length were run by the different
railway companies. Some idea of the inter-
est felt may be imagined when we state that
it was computed that no fewer than 5000
persons arrived in Belfast, and from thirty
five to forty thousand were present at the
services.
The leading streets of the city presented,
during midday, q most remarkable aspect,
particularly after the arrival Of trains. The
footways were literally thronged with we'll
dressed and respectable looking people from
the country-Dot passing along with the
negligence and easy going of pleasure seek
ing exoursionists, but staid and solemn in
demeanor-the younger as we'll as the elder;
and the majority with bibles or hymn books
in their hands, as if proceeding to Sabbath
services. On they passed towards the place
of meeting, passed the glittering rows Of
gorgeous shops and through the fashionable
thoroughfares. Thus the living stream
such a stream as has never before bean wit
messed in Belfast-poured EDWARDS for at
least two hours, along both sides Of the
streets.
The scene in the garden grounds is said BY
the Banner OF Ulster to have been one OF the
most striking as we'll as impressive and ami.
mating ever witnessed in the province. The
whole space in ASew from any point was as
closely packed as it was well possible for it
to be. Even the branches of the trees were
taken advantage of by numbers of the junior
members of the audience, as the most suisa-
BILE situations for seeing and hearing; and
there, while the sounds of praise were rising
from the multitude below, these young wor-
shippers were heard joining in the songs of
thanksgiving. Nothing of holiday levity-
nothing OF the thoughtless levity OF youth.
was manifest among them; their attention
was as marked, and their conduct as well or
dered ms that of any persons in the vast as
| semblage. Both as regarded its magnitude
and the deep solemnity and earnest spirit per-
vadlng it, the meeting is said to have wildly
recalled the historic days and scenes of the
signing of the 'sSolemn League and Cove
nant.o
The Rev. John Johnson, of TulIlish,
Moderator OF the General Assembly OF the
Irish Presbyterian Church, presided, and he
was supported by the ministers of the differ
ent Protestant denominations in and around
Belfast. After prayer, the chairman read
chapter from the Bible, and then gave out
the Tooth Psalm and never before in Bel
fast did SO many voices unite in such hearty
accord in singing this favorite song of Zion.
Scarcely had the first note been raised on the
platform, when it was caught up by the i'm
mense assemblage, the majority of the voices
combining in surprising and unexp eoted har-
mony and as each stanza closed, the dying
away of the cadence, in the far distance OF
the throng, had an effect at once solemn and
thriling. Short addresses were delivered by
ministers and converts, and also by Mr.. n m
Dickson, of Edinburgh. Prayers were also
offered up, and verses from hymns sung. As
it was impossible for the speakers on the
central platform to be heard by the whole of
the vast multitude, clergymen and others
scattered themselves among them, each form
ing the centre of large congregation, which
Immediately gathered around, joining in de-
votiopal exercises.
"At one time there were no less than 30 Of
these subordinate meetings, numbering from
500 to 1000 each. Every here and there
throughout the immense multitude, while the
hymn and prayer were rising on high, per-
sons were being struck down under q deep
and overpowering conviction Of sin. Inside
of some of these circles there could not
bov lauo ha
males-apparently under the influence OF
spiritual visitation, ut the same moment :;
and some Of them PROSTATE upon the sward
and others reclining upon the laps of friends.
These were effected in various ways-some
weeping bitterly but silently, under deep
conviction of sin some crying piteously for
mercy and others unable to utter word,
SO thoroughly were their physical faculties
in allegiance. In many parts OF the garden
groups Of boys and girls, who had retired
from the body OF the congregation, formed
IN the shrubbery little meetings of exhorta-
ton and prayer among themselves. Some OF
these were ragged little boys, who had evil
IDENTIFY belonged to the outcast classes. One
of these cases was that Of little boy, about
IL years old, who, in very retired part Of
the garden, engaged in prayer, surrounded
by about twenty lads of the same age and
class. This lad was, it appears, neglected by
bis parents, and formerly obtained scanty
livelihood by hawking ballads about the
streets; and the tattered garments in which
he as well as his young companions were ar
rayed on Wednesday showed that In that re-
spect, their prospects in life had not much
improved.
At the close Of the general meeting, one
OF the ministers OF the town, who has moved
great deal among the Juvenile population,
was surrounded BY large assemblage of
little boys, who ultimately formed them
selves into procession, and marched into
town, singing
"Oh that will BIO joyful I"
Many Of these children evidently belonged
to the lowest classes of society. portion
of the procession, which divided from the