Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-08-11

recalled vividly the historic days and scenes of
the signing Of the "solemn League and Cove
nant." ,
'"The Rev. John johnson, of Tullish. Modera-
tor of the General Assembly of the Irish Presbyte-
rian Church, presided, and he was supported by
the ministers of the different Protestant denom-
nations in and around Belfast. After prayer, the
Chairman read O. chapter from the Holy Scrip
lures, and then gave out the 100dth Psalm; and
never before in Belfast 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
immense assemblage, the majority Of the voices
combining in surprising and unexpected harmo.
ny; 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 thrilling.
Short addresses were delivered by ministers
and converts; and also by Mr.. William Dickson,
Of Edinburg, and Mr.. Peter Drummond, Of Ster-
ling. Prayers were also offered up, and verses
from hymns sung. As it was impossible for the
speakers, on the central platform to make them
selves heard by the whole of the vast multitude,
clergymen and others scattered themselves g.
mong them, each forming the centre, Of large
congregation which Immediately gathered around,
joining in devotional exercises.
@At Oue time LQeT6 HeTe 10 leSS tuHu IHcuIy Vi
these subordinate meetings; numbering from two
hundred to one thousand each. Every here and
there throughout the immense multitude, while
the hymn or the prayer was rising on high, per-
sons were being struck down under sense Of
deep and overpowering conviction Of sin. Inside
of some of these circles there could not have been
fewer than twenty persons-chiefy females-ap-
parently under the influence Of spiritual vista
ton, ut the same moment; some Of them prostrate
upon the sward, and others reclining upon the
laps Of friends. These were affected in various
ways-some weeping bitterly, but silently, under
a deep conviction of sin some crying piteously
for mercy, and others unable to utter word, 80
thoroughly were their physical faculties in abey.
ance. In many parts of the garden groups Of
boys and girls; who had retired from the body oi
the congregation, formed in the shrubbery little
meetings for prayer and exhortation among them
selves. Some Of these were ragged little boys,
who had evidently belonged to the outcast classes
One Of these cases was that Of little'boy, about
eleven years old, who, in q 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 his parents,
and formerly obtained q scanty livelihoodby hawk
ing ballads through the streets; and the tattered
garments in which he as we'll as his companions
were arrayed on Wednesday, showed that, in
that respect 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 q great
deal among the juvenile population, was surroun.
ded by large assemblage Of boys, who ultimate,
ly formed themselves into q procession, and mar
ched into town singing,
%, that VIII be joyful
Many of these children evidently belonged I'd
| the lowest classes of society. A portion of the
procession, which divided from the rest ION arri.
wing at the Pound district ceased to sing till they
had passed its dangerous precincts, and resumed
their song when they passed into Townsend.
The immense concourse of people left the gardens
in the most orderly manner-the majority Of them
evidently impressed with the conviction that il
was good for them to have been there A few
manufactures and other places of business were
closed for the day, in order to allow the workers
to join in the above services" Cd.