These were of a different nature to those so named in history. By the 1970's independent Crusades were beginning to form a major part of my ministry. Crusades in town halls, marquees and hired buildings were being blessed by God, convincing me that this was His will tor me. Committee controlled or interdenominational crusades had never appealed to me.

I found that there were so many comrnittee-mmded men. able talkers, adept at discussing, arranging and planning, but as far as the actual work for Evangelism was concerned, lacking in knowledge regarding procedure I started in Magherafelt in 1969 with a large marquee, the following year in Larne, then Newcastle and on the Castlewellan Road. In 1971, a large marquee was pitched in the Ormeau Park. Belfast, followed in 1972 at Castlerock and in Bangor on the Belfast Road, covering an area known as Killeen. Here tremendous fellowship and support from local assemblies were enjoyed. Church groups and young Christians were eager to serve the Lord and found these tent crusades an out let for that energy. I was so convinced by the independent aspect of these crusades both of their desirability and validity.

Mr. John Lowe of Carryduff, suggested that 1 might hold a crusade in a new building which he had constructed at Carryduff, Belfast, before using it for commercial purposes. One evening I accompanied Mr Lowe to inspect the building and was amazed at the size of it. It housed then four articulated lorries, five cars with room still for caravans but when empty had the capacity for seating at least 2,500 people. When 1 expressed that it was too large, Mr Lowe said, "Well, surely it would be all right if you had the Lord there." Thus rebuked I realised that was all I needed, for the Lord to be with me.

Again, when I mentioned a committee and who would Conduct affairs, Mr. Lowe said wisely to me, "We will let the Lord run it; you and I will do the work." That settled, stamped upon my ministry now is the word, 'Carryduff', because together we watched God perform miraclesasChristiansfrom various denominations came together. Singers were invited and instrumentalists of the highest quality. A wide area over the countryside was canvassed as far away as Newcastle and back down to Belfast. Houses were visited, churches were given literature, prayer groups were formed; without a committee, without organization and without an appeal for funds, affairs were allowed to roll forward. Mr. Lowe supplied a lorry in order that chairs might be collected from churches and work continued until 2,500 seats had been placed inside that large building. The crusade was commenced, the congregation gathered and the numbers grew. Amazingly every inch of space was needed. Before the month long crusade at that particular site had ended, folk were stand ing, looking for seats, some came early into the building to make sure of a seat before the commencement of the meetings.

It is not possible for me to record how many accepted Christ. Those records are kept in heaven but I feel safe in saying that some 30 people advised me that they had come to trust the Saviour in those meetings in Carryduff. God honoured the faith of Mr. Lowe. He blessed the work of the Christians who rallied to the cause of Christ.

About independent crusades I feel strongly, because whoever has the exercise or conviction is the person whom God has placed there to control proceedings. Committees often don't have 'the conviction' that is necessary or the right knowledge. There is something in human nature that wants to dominate, to control, or a voice to be heard, and that is why I have always encountered critics of my work. The critics are those wanting to do something themselves, but not being able to do so, want to take over somebody who 'is' doing something and make that person do it their way. Therefore, I haven't time for committees and I have no time for critics. I think it was Spurgeon who said that the best committee he knew was a committee of two with one on holiday.

Having covered the North of Ireland using tents and Town Halls as well as other buildings my whole attention was now focused on Carryduff. The co-operation of Christians was sought as they were brought together to pray and to talk of the vision which the Lord had now given me of reaching large crowds of people. I cannot possibly content myself with having a crusade or a series of meetings at which unconverted people are not present, this is hypocrisy No evangelist can be satisfied with preaching the gospel, night after night, to two or three hundred Christians. Born again Christians cannot be saved over again, so if I am interested in the salvation of sinners, then the sinners must be present. They need to be notified of the crusade and must be treated in a wav that shows they 'are' welcome and the message geared to their needs. Thus it was, with the desire ihai I would reach the unreached that I went to Carryduff.

Following the Carrydulf Crusade and for months afterwards reports were being received from those I met of relatives and friends who had accepted Christ. I heard of young people giving testimony at meetings around the country witnessing to the effect that they had trusted the Saviour in the large 'shed' at Carryduff. From many quarters others kept saying to me, "When are you coming back to Carryduff for a not her crusade?" Amongst this number, of course, were Mr & Mrs. Lowe. Because the crusade had been held on a part of the road known as Lowe's Corner and there was a suitable piece of ground at that corner, after some discussion, the possibility of putting up a marquee was agreed. It was decided that an even bigger 'building' than the shed previously used might be needed. When the time came I was able to hire the largest available marquee in Belfast. I was informed that it would have a sea ting capacity of 3,000 people. This was really a very big undertaking. Four years had elapsed since the first crusade and once more the Christians over a wide area rallied round. If a preacher knows anything he knows that he cannot conduct a crusade by himself, and if he knows a little more he knows he cannot do so even when supported by the best team of workers available, or with committees or anything else. Further more he knows that if the Spirit of God is given the place of authority, the place of presidency, then God can be relied upon to meet the need, all the need, whether the need for workers, for materia Is and spiritual power to convert sinners, power to save souls. It is all there when a crusade is given over completely to God and to the domination of the Holy Spirit.

One of the great disappointments of our day and age in evangelism occurs when preachers do not hand themselves over, completely and unreservedly to the Holy Spirit. This happens when the preacher is controlled by other men, by business men or by committees, when certain matters are not permitted because others don't agree with them. Thus a preacher arrives at a situation where he falls under the control of certain influential men. Such a preacher has given up on God and how careful he needs to be lest God gives up on him. So determined to do His will, I undertook a second Carryduff crusade in this massive marquee. The building of the platform and the setting up of the musical instruments on it were quite a task. Once again the assembling of the seats and seating arrangements to accommodate the huge crowds that were anticipated had to be seen to be appreciated. Later to stand upon that platform and see those seats filled with people was a fitting reward for the amount of physical effort expended by so many willing helpers.

Friday night was made a Youth night and Youth Fellowships were encouraged to come from many areas. On those Friday nights there were as many as two thousand young people present. One night some youth organizations paraded in uniforms. This was appealing to the young people and an encouragement to see and hear them singing. I also appreciated in the singing, the help of the Edgars, that well-known trio from Bally nahinch. As well the Word of Life Quartet really won the hearts of many people, as did the fine singing of Peter Glasgow. All this combined to attract more and more visitors until on Sunday evenings it was a common sight to note police patrols controlling traffic on the main road. The police were needed to handle traffic building up and causing a back log into the city. God was moving and God was seen to be moving. To meet afterward those who were saved was a great joy and a thrill for me personally. Once the tent was erected, 190 ft. in length and 90 ft. wide, to face a crusade like that and to look out on those empty seats from the platform was quite frightening. I found it affecting my sleep. Betimes I woke up in the night imagining the meeting had commenced and I was standing on the platform but nobody was there to preach to. Other nights I dreamt that as I addressed the congregation, some rose and walked out leaving me alone, undecided what to do. The pressure on my mind was greater than I could ever have realised. I thought of all the things that could go wrong. Happily all I could do was to commit the matter, once again, to the Lord, who sustained me. In such a matter of financing a crusade like that in Northern Ireland, we are fortunate in having Christian businessmen more than willing to write a cheque to cover all expenses. What a wonderful thing that is. Personally I feel that in running such a crusade in a district, 'every Christian' should be given opportunity of supporting that work no matter how small the amount he or she is able to give. All believers should be given opportunity to support and subscribe to 'the Work of the Lord'. Thus on the day of rewards each one will be able to step forward and say, "I shared in that outreach," no matter how small a part they played.

In order that individuals may participate as just suggested, after much thought and prayer, I decided the best way was to leave offering boxes at the exits. I am well aware that there are some single-minded folk in this country who sincerely think because I do this, I live by what is in the offering boxes. May I humbly comment that it is an eye opening experience to see what is, on occasion, put into them. With the help of experienced men who specialize in money matters I have discovered that in a congregation of two thousand people, the boxes when opened would reveal coins and pieces of paper numbering in all one thousand and two hundred. That does not call for complaint, that is why the boxes a re there. It is a matter solely between the individual and the Lord as to what each one puts into the box. The moneys deposited in the boxes in noway will completely clear the expenses of a crusade of the magnitude of this one here described at Carryduff. The cost of advertising, hiring of instruments, payment of travelling expenses to singers and others, all amounts to thousands of pounds. Rather than a I low one individual to sett let he account I think it just to allow even young folk, say out of their first pay packet, to put 10 pence into that box and walk away knowing that they have had a part in it and a vital part. The Bibletells us that the Lord stands over the treasury, noting what is put into boxes like that. While some unlearned people would tell me that the boxes atthe backare unscriptural, I am happyto notice that the Scripture also says the Lord is watching over the boxes and over what is given; even the widow's mite does not go unnoticed.

How happy we were to call all the workers together for a supper after the marquee was taken down, to report that all bills had been paid, that all expenses had been met; it was the Lord who met them. I was able to report that so many had accepted Christ, those that I knew of at that time, although for some time after that, I heard from church elders of others asking for church membership; those who were converted at the big tent. No wonder those two experiences at Carryduff have a lasting place in my thoughts and in my memory. Every time I drive through that district on the main road from Belfast to the Mourne Mountains, I thank God for the miracle of Carryduff; for what 'HE' proved. Let us remember, the Lord not only does this for us when we ask Him, but He does it for Himself. He does it for His own namesake. The Lord's name must be honoured and protected; we cannot allow His name to be brought down or desmirched in any way. The Psalmist declares that He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. Something I had to learn in the work of the Lord was this, that when I approach a task such as a crusade which humanly speaking is impossible for me to do; no man can do it, no body of men can do it successfully and for eternity, because the results of a crusade will not be clear or seen until the Church is at home in Heaven. The records and the bookkeeping are all done in Heaven, so it is not possible to assess all the work done in a crusade. It is not possible to know how many lives have been saved, how many hearts affected or how many young people have responded to the call of God logo with the Gospel to another country. All this is happening when the Holy Spirit is in control. Therefore I thank God for the days spent at Carryduff and it may never be repeated. If it is I hope that I will be permitted to be around to see it, even to watch it if lam not in the centre of it, as I would like to be.