Tuesday,
November 11/EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND- Lodging in Glasgow, the preachers
gathered for a small breakfast at the inn, then loaded the van for
traveling to Edinburgh. As Director McRae exited the hotel, Brother
Ruben informed him that the two visiting preachers from California
had spoken with him about their decision to depart from the group
after they preached with us in Edinburgh later that day, and that
they would strike out on their own to “go again and visit…every
city” (Acts 15:36) where the SPF had preached in. Having discussed
with the Director on two occasions earlier in the week their intentions
to take part in the course as per the SPF schedule, M. Horton’s
insistence to the contrary now, was kindly rejected by the Director,
saying, “In my heart, I do not believe you at all.”
Meeting privately with the two Assistant Directors Jim Grove and
Ruben Israel, it was decided that since “Hymenaeus and Alexander”
(1 Timothy 1:19, 20) had chosen to depart from the SPF event, and
“go not with them to the work” (Acts 15:38), the departure
should be now rather than later. The belief of the directors being
that they intended to go back through the cities where God had done
so much good, and fly their banner of rebellion contrary to the
desires of the Fellowship that allowed them to come along in the
first place when they were not members, Brother Ruben confiscated
the banner, and Director McRae advised them they would be taken
to the Glasgow train station, and they could launch their own evangelistic
campaign immediately from there. And so, as with every blessing
from God, there is always opposition and dissention from “selfconceited
Brethren, who run their own ways, and give liking unto nothing,
but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their anvil”
(see KJV Dedicatory), these two disputers of the world (1 Corinthians
1:20) departed asunder (Acts 15:39). “I
reasoned with myself that the Grassmarket,
“I,
likewise, went through the city of Edinburgh
Again the SPF street preachers found the people of Edinburgh much like those of Glasgow, though having lived this many years without God, yet their hearts and consciences were still awakened and attentive to the things of God. Several cried abundantly, when talking to the American preachers, with one young professing Christian lady, literally crying so hard while speaking to Ruben Israel, that the sidewalk was wet beneath her feet, as the tears poured down her cheeks. Director McRae speaking at length with one man named Danny Stewart, from Dublin, Ireland, both the young man and the preacher had tears falling as Danny told his tell of his brother shooting him in the forehead, and his family disowning him, and now he walked the streets of Edinburgh begging for “Seven pounds, fifty pence” to pay for lodging each night, and a warm meal to eat. Acknowledging how lost he was, and that he wanted to get right with God, but “You don’t understand how many afflictions and problems I have right now. If I could just find some help, so I don’t have to sleep in the streets, I could pray to God and really mean it. But I’m so very troubled right now, I know I wouldn’t mean it in my heart!” Said Danny Stewart, “I am just a poor, lonely, little boy; with no one to help me or talk to me.” Director McRae and his son gave the lad enough English pounds to obtain three nights lodging and food, and words cannot suffice to describe the change in Danny Stewart. Two hours later, he came back, beaming with joy, exclaiming, “I talked the Mum of the flat down some, so I was able to purchase three night’s lodging, and still have some left for food. And I hope you don’ta mind me purchasing this small one-time camera to take your picture, so I can remember you by.” And so Danny had his pictures taken with the Brother McRae and Stephen, and went on his way with tracts in hand, leaving them this promise, “Tonight, before I go to sleep, I am going to get down on my knees, and pray what you asked me to. I promise!”
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