+Source.+--_The Statistical Account of Scotland, drawn up from the
communications of the ministers of the different parishes_, vol. v.,
p. 266, by Sir John Sinclair, Bart. (Edinburgh: 1793.)
_Statistical Account of Cambuslang._
In the statistical account of this parish, it will doubtless be
expected, that some mention should be made of those remarkable religious
phenomena, which took place under Mr. M'Culloch's ministry, commonly
called "Cambuslang conversions." In treating of this subject, it will be
proper to give a brief historical view, first of the facts, and then of
the opinions entertained concerning them.
The kirk of Cambuslang being small and in bad repair, the minister, when
the weather was favourable, used to preach in a tent, erected close by a
rivulet, at the foot of a bank or brae near the kirk; which is still
called "the preaching or conversion brae."... Towards the end of
January, 1742, two persons, Ingram More, a shoemaker, and Robert Bowman,
a weaver, went through the parish, and got about 90 heads of families to
subscribe a petition, which was presented to the minister, desiring that
he would give them a weekly lecture.... On Monday, 15th February, and
the two following days, all the fellowship meetings in the parish
convened in one body in the minister's house, and were employed for many
hours in fervent prayer for the success of the gospel, and for an
outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their bounds, as in other places
abroad: The next day, being Thursday 18th February, nothing remarkable
happened during the lecture, except that the hearers were apparently all
attention; but when the minister in his last prayer expressed himself
thus: "Lord who hath believed our report; and to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed? where are the fruits of my poor labours among this
people?" several persons in the congregation cried out publicly, and
about 50 men and women came to the minister's house, expressing strong
conviction of sin, and alarming fears of punishment. After this period,
so many people from the neighbourhood resorted to Cambuslang, that the
minister thought himself obliged to provide them with daily sermons or
exhortations, and actually did so for 7 or 8 months.
The way in which the converts were affected, for it seems they were all
affected much in the same way, though in very different degrees, is thus
described. They were seized all at once, commonly by something said in
the sermons or prayers, with the most dreadful apprehensions concerning
the state of their souls, insomuch that many of them could not abstain
from crying out in the most public and dreadful manner, ... The agony
under which they laboured, was expressed not only by words, but also by
violent agitations of body; by clapping their hands and beating their
breasts; by shaking and trembling; by faintings and convulsions; and
sometimes by excessive bleeding at the nose. While they were in this
distress, the minister often called out to them, not to stifle or
smother their convictions, but to encourage them; and, after sermon was
ended, he retired with them to the manse, and frequently spent the best
part of the night with them in exhortations and prayers. Next day before
sermon began, they were brought out, commonly by More and Bowman, and
having napkins tied round their heads, were placed all together on seats
before the tent, where they remained sobbing, weeping, and often crying
aloud, till the service was over. Some of those who fell under
conviction were never converted; but most of those who fell under it
were converted in a few days, and sometimes in a few hours.... From the
time of their conviction to their conversion, many had no appetite for
food, or inclination to sleep, and all complained of the severity of
their sufferings during that interval.
This singular work soon became public, made a great noise, and brought
vast numbers of people from all quarters.... Among those who resorted to
Cambuslang on this occasion, there were many of the most popular
ministers in Scotland; ... M^r Whitefield,[84] who had been in England
for several months, did not arrive till June. The sacrament was given
twice in the space of 5 weeks, viz. on 11th July and 15th August.
Immense multitudes of hearers and spectators were present at both, but
especially at the last. On the Sunday, besides the tent at the foot of
the brae above described, where the sacrament was dispensed, other two
tents were erected. At each of these there was a very great
congregation. M^r Whitefield, who was accustomed to numerous audiences,
supposed, that at the three tents, there were upwards of 30,000 people;
a greater number probably than was ever seen on any other sacramental
occasion. Most of the above mentioned ministers and others were
assistants at this solemnity. Four preached on the fast-day, 4 on
Saturday, probably 14 or 15 on Sunday, and 5 on Monday. There were 25
tables, about 120 at each, in all 3,000 communicants. A great many of
these came from Glasgow and the neighbourhood, about 200 from Edinburgh,
about 200 from Kilmarnock, about 200 from Irvine and Stewarton, and some
from England and Ireland.... The Cambuslang work continued for about six
months, that is, from the 18th February till the second communion.