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The Anecdotage of Glasgow
The Famous Cambuslang revival work in 1742


CAMBUSLANG lies about half a mile to the south of the river Clyde, almost due south from the Glasgow eastern districts of Shettliston amid Tollcross.

A little to the east of the church there is a spacious natural amphitheatre, formed on the green side of a ravine which rises from the channel of the burn. This was the scene vf an extraordinary religious excitement in 1742.

In the New Statistical Account of Scotland, we find the following description of this curious affair, which is known as the Cambuslang wark.

The first prominent effects of these multiplied services occurred on the 8th of February. Soon after, the Sacrament was given twice in the space of five weeks, on the 11th of July and on the 15th of August. Rev. Mr. Whitefleld had arrived from England in June, and many of the most popular preachers of the day hastened to join him at Cambuslang—.such as Rev. Messrs. Willison of Dundee, Webster of Edinburgh, M'Knight of Irvine, M’Laurin of Glasgow, Carrie of Kinglassie, etc. The Sacrament on the 15th August was very numerously attended. One tent was placed at the lower extremity of the amphitheatre above alluded to. A second tent was erected in the churchyard, and a third in a green field a little to the west of the first tent.

"Each of these tents was attended with great congregations, and it has been estimated that not less than 30,000 people attended on that occasion. Four ministers preached on the Fast Day, four on Saturday, fourteen or fifteen on Sunday, and five on Monday. There were 25 tables, 120 at each, in all 3,000 communicants. Many of these came from Glasgow, about 200 from Edinburgh, as many from Kilmarnock, and from Irvine and Stewarton. Also some from England and Ireland. The number of persons converted at this period cannot be ascertained. Mr. M’Culloch, in a letter to Mr. Robb, dated 30th April, 1751, rates them at 400, of which number 70 were inhabitants of Cambuslang."


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