CHEPSTOW.-During the past week we have had an unexpected visit by brothers, J. A. Vicary, B. C, Gillings, and J. J. Jones of Bristol who came and preached Jesus and a present salvation in the Bank-buildings, on the 12th, and remained eight days. The meetings were crowded the last two days; so many came that there had to be two chapels open at the same time,
Souls were converted. There were a few of God's children with the dissenting ministers, who stood by them. All the chapels were thrown open to them, and a midday prayer meeting held daily. Christians have been received, and sinners brought to Jesus. I send these few lines that those who prayed for this place two or three years ago may now with us rejoice. The last day a tea was provided for those that were brought to the Lord through the Word at the meetings; they numbered nearly 200. The word was with great power at the after meeting, to the convincing and converting of many precious souls. The brethren left the next morning, accompanied to the station by numbers whose had been blest by the word through them. No such scenes have been witnessed in this town in the memory of man. Truly the Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. Yours is a risen, glorified and coming Lord.
JAS, CHAMBERLAIN,
"The Christian", January 29th, 1874.
We are living in solemn yet remarkable times. The spirit of the living God is working marvellously on the minds of the people. The light of the glorious gospel mingled with the Holy Ghost power is extending from place to place, illuminating dark hearts and dispelling the clouds of unbelief which have so long hindered the blessing from coming to saint and sinner, so that thousands who a short time since were sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, through the tender mercy of our God have been visited by the Dayspring from on high and are now rejoicing and singing with all their hearts.
Since the week of prayer, I have been enabled more fully than ever before to enter into the spirit of the apostle when he exclaimed, “thanks be unto to God which always causes us to triumph in Christ and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” Born on the arms of faith and prayer by the many hundreds of believers who every Monday evening assembled at Bethesda Chapel, Bristol, to plead for the Lord's work and workers, I have gone forth strengthened and encouraged thereby and in those places where there have been the most prayerful expectancy of faith exercise, there the Lord has commanded the greatest blessing to rest and the work still continues deepening, widening and extending to the regions beyond.
Since January the 12th, I have been privileged to hold special evangelistic services in Chepstow, Leo Minster, Ludlow, Ross, Hereford, Worcester, Parton, Falfield, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Berkeley, Compton, Westbury, Redwick, Weston super mare, Bristol and Clifton; And in each of these cities, towns, and villages, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have been experienced by his Saints and numbers of precious souls won for the Saviour. In fact, it has been a continuous season of reaping ever since 12:30 AM on January 1st, when after an address at a watch service, the Lord gave me one soul as an earnest of more to follow. Many hundreds since then have I had the joy of seeing pass from darkness to light and of hearing confess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. To his name be all the glory!
J A VICARY
"The Christian", March 26th, 1874.
I assume the Bank Buildings were in Bank street.