Monday, July 8, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 17th October 1839

I  I was delighted with this ride - Strathbogie is beautiful but I have not time to describe its beauties.  The town of Huntly is delightfully situated - and excellently planned.  I was most kindly received here by a Mr. Andrews, a taylor and clothier.  His wife was particularly kind to me - everything she could conceive would make me comfortable that she instantly provided.  I had sent bills here and Mr. Maitland had writ to them of my coming.  I lectured in the Hall to a crowded and attentive audience, about 3 hours and slept in Mr. Andrews.
left Inverury with the "Duchess of Gordon" for Huntly which I reached about 5 in the evening.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 16th October 1839

I began seriously to doubt Cummings honesty - he had given me high hopes of Kintore, as well as Inverury.  He had started a Society at Inverury he said, I only found 3 or 4 who would acknowledge the principle I could get no Church - there was a sermon in the Methodists, and they would not give me the Independents.  I got the promise of the working mens Hall from my kind host, and there I determined to lecture.

I sent the Bellman through the town who called a meeting for me.  A most miserable concern it was not about 24 were present - but I lectured about 2 hours - 2 names were added.  They have no perserverence here and it will require two or three more lectures to set the thing a going.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.
 
©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 15th October 1839

I left Kintore for Inverury by the Canal Boat. I was not aware that this day was a Market in Inv  Had I been so I would have stayed at Kintore - I would have got the Methodist Chapel, but there were other meetings in the place, and I gave up the idea of lecturing till next day.  This was out of my power to remedy it.  I lodged with a Mr. Duchar(?) who is very kind to me.
erury.

 
Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Friday, July 5, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 14th October 1839

I left Aberdeen about 7 a.m. was conducted by my kind friend Mr. McDonald to the fly(?) boat for Kintore.  I was loudly cheered as I passed Printfield and Buxburn by old and young who came running to see me - I reached Kintore about half past l0, lodged in a Mrs. Watts who with her family were very kind to me - went to the Balie(?) - got the Town Hall from him to lecture in - tolled the Town Bell and got the Hall crammed with men and women.  The novelty of the thing had brought so many together, Cumming had praised the place much, but it hardly deserves it.  I could not start a Society, but I feel confident that another lecture will do it.  Five of six boys included signed the Pledge.  There was evidently a deep impression left - May God grant it may be productive of good.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 13th October 1839

Being rather unwell I did not get up till the day was well advanced, when two of the Committee   I afterwards went to a Prayer meeting and delivered an address on abstinence.
waited on me, to request me to hold a meeting at the Cross - there could not be less that 3000 of a most attentive audience - I selected Prov 20.l as text and gave an address of nearly an hours length from it - Cumming made a few remarks - I was completely exhausted, but I went to the Independent Chapel in George Street and heard an excellent Sermon on behalf of the Glasgow Theological Society or rather Academy from Dr. Russel of Dundee.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 12th October 1839

I was more exhaused last night that I had ever been at any meeting - exceedingly tired.  I never went out of the Hotel.  Cumming kept me company - in the course of the day I conversed with two confirmed drunkards, and got them to sign the Pledge.  In the evening I attended the Convivial meeting in the Hall - it was crowded to suffocation but  I must confess I was not pleased with it - it was too formal and had too much of the theatrical for me.

After the meeting I had a conversation with a Printer, who showed me a very old edition of the Bible. It belonged to the poet Cowper, and had been purchased in Rome.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 11th October 1839

This day was spent in traversing the streets, calling on friends, getting my Bills from the printers, and making arrangements for my departure on Monday.  I came to the resolution of going North and as there is no Society at Kintore there I resolved to take up my abode.  I accordingly dispatched a letter to that quarter and also a parcel of bills to Inverary.  I had forgot to mention that yesterday I was introduced by my landlord to Mr. I Cumming King of the Tee-totalers.  I had heard a good deal of this gentleman, especially about Montrose and I had nowise a favourable idea of him.  The appearance of the man however and his behaviour fully warrant me in saying that he has the cause at heart.  What his abilities as a lecturer are, I cannot say.  So far as I know or can learn, he is nowise admirably suited for cities and towns, but I have this merely from report.  One thing is certain, that he has done a vast deal of good to the cause and that he is a most agreable companion.  I took a turn with him round the shore when returning we saw a very beautiful woman in a state of beastly intoxication carried away to the Police Office.  This was to me another call to persevere.  About 7 o'clock in the evening I along with Mr. Cumming set out for Woodside at Printfield, a village of considerable size about 2 miles to the North of Aberdeen.

The evening was a little wet, but as we could not help that we never minded.  We took no thought to ask for the name of person into whose house we might go, when we reached Printfield, before we came away.  Being too soon we had to walk about.  The village is of considerable length, it has only one main street.  At its north end the King and I sat down on a dike at the side of the canal, we saw great crowds passing on to the chapel where I was to lecture, we followed up and entered the vestry.  It was an independent chapel of considerable size.  By request I mounted the pulpit - the first time I was ever in a pulpit - the house was crowded - the galleries were crammed to suffocation - the passages were completely blocked up, and the murmuring sound at the door, told me that there must have been an immense crowd there.  The services were commenced by singing a hymn on temperence after which I engaged in prayer.  I opened my lecture by giving the usual challenge for discussion.  I lectured, and the sweat dripping from me on account of the heat - for about 2 hours, and I do not think I ever gave a better lecture.  It was almost all ex tempore, but I had the feelings of my audience, completely at my control - this was evident at every two, or three sentences by the immense ruffing clapping and cheering which I actually believed would bring down the house.  But the proof of the pudding is in the pree'in o't and the effect of my lecture will be best known from the feelings produced by it - as usual I concluded the meeting with prayer and stated that names of those who were wishing to become members would be taken in the vestry.  I made for that room as fast as I could, it was crowded - but I did not enter in - while the people were passing the door, there stood I catching as many as I could and shoving in with perfect glee - I caught no less than 36 - mostly females - surely I made a very curious appearance with 2 females one in each arm relieving one by getting room for her in the vestry, but I supplied her place speedily - I lost a great deal in spite of my endeavours however, for some went off because they could not have time to stay, and others because all the tickets were sold.  Altogether this is the best meeting I have had, for what with the smiles of the fair who I believe I have been the means of putting almost mad on the subject, the acknowledgment of reformed drunkards, and the blessing of all, I was perfectly delighted.

A publican in the neighbourhood who has not sold less that £l6 worth of intoxicating liquor a week for 26 years past, this week only sold £4 worth, and he blames me for the whole - they were most extraordinarly drunkards here, but I trust in God that that cure which has been almost universally adopted will be persevered in.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell

Monday, July 1, 2013

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 10th October 1839

I made arrangements with the (?) to throw off a number of Bills for me.  Employed the greater part of the day in study - had conversation with Mr. Gordon, treasurer of the Society.

In the evening I delivered a lecture in the Rev. Myles Templeton and Sedgwicks Chapel, Belmont Street, to about 300 of an attentive audience.  Eight names were added when the lecture was over.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2013, copyright Alana Farrell