As it is interesting to those who rejoice in the prosperity of Christ's kingdom upon earth to hear of the Revival breaking out in fresh localities, your readers will, doubtless, be glad to be made acquainted with a remarkable change which has taken place in the agricultural village of Hailey, situated within two miles of Witney, in Oxfordshire. It commenced apparently about ten weeks ago and has been principally manifested amongst the young people, in answer, as it is believed, to the prayers of some of the Christians of the place and neighbourhood. A number of youths, about fifteen years of age, in the habit of attending the Sunday-school in the Wesleyan chapel, had remained after the school was over, and the teacher had been reading to them some account of the Revival in other places, when they expressed a wish to hold a prayer-meeting amongst themselves. Accordingly the following evening they repaired to the chapel for the purpose. But instead of a small company of young persons, as had been contemplated, a considerable number of various ages came to the meeting, which appeared to be remarkably favoured with the power of the Holy Spirit; and from that time to the present, prayer-meetings have been held in the chapel without intermission.
The Revival in this village bears the same features we read of in other places. Many sudden and powerful convictions of sin, resulting after a time in a sense of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, a sweet feeling of peace, and an earnest desire for the like blessing to be extended to others; children praying for their parents, and parents for their children; many earnestly petitioning that the visitation may be extended to others of the inhabitants around. On one occasion, two children, about eight or nine years of age, were found in a stable, praying on behalf of their parents. These dear children are very much improved in their general conduct. A very striking reformation has taken place in the moral conduct of the people; several frequenters of public-houses, and some of the vilest of the vile, have become sober and orderly characters, and are evincing an earnest solicitude for the like change in others, yet gratefully and openly acknowledging the state of depravity from which themselves have been rescued. Much harmony prevails in their assemblies—old and young zealously uniting in the one common object. Notwithstanding the evening prayer-meetings have now been kept up more than ten weeks, they still continue to be attended with unabated earnestness. The chapel has throughout been too small for the numbers assembled; and at a tea-meeting, held at a farmer's house a short time back, the subject of enlarging it was discussed. The farmer who so kindly accommodated the party, and whose land adjoins the chapel, most liberally offered to give them as much land as they required for the enlargement: in addition to give them five pounds cash and to draw all the materials free of charge.
From 'The Revival Newspaper,' Volume ii, p43
There were two Methodists Chapels in the village and both are now houses. I am not sure which one is referred to below. The other is on the corner of Church Lane and Poffley End Lane.