During the last week in September 1895, the Christian Evangelistic Mission conducted by Mr J.B.Frame in Blantyre was incredibly well attended. Assisted by two local women, Misses Telfer and Ayton residents of Blantyre were invited along to a tent erected in the field of Mr Hastie. A field thought to be the one which would later become Stonefield Public Park. During this era, there was no park, and this field was part of nearby Stonefield Farm. (Hasties)
The Gospel tent was put up in the field and people invited along to hear preachings and the word of the Lord. Indeed, so great was the attendance, that the tent was inadequate at the weekend, the crowd having to move indoors to nearby Stonefield Parish Church on the Sunday evening.
It’s not the most revealing of news clippings, but still part of Blantyre history. I can well imagine the crowds of Victorian residents gathering in the fields to be comforted or hearing gospel hymns and readings. I suspect however there weren’t many children at these meetings there by their own accord.
AI imagines the scene.
