From John Bowes' journal I believe the revival began around this date. I have removed the less interesting bits. He was 21 at the time. It is quite a unique document as I do not think I have come across a day to day account of a whole revival before, and throughout he brings up important aspects of revival – sanctification, unity, prayer etc. Apart from Wesley’s time, I think this is the earliest I have come across sanctification. A few times he brings up something I had forgotten, the importance of removing people who are not sold out for God. It must be remembered that this is only the report from the Primitive Methodists, which had only been formed less than 10 years previously. Other denominations must have experienced similar move of God.
August 29th 1825. -Monday. Attended the Quarter - It was found that the circuit in its present state would not support both a married and ~ single preacher, so it was agreed that Eli Barroolough, should go away.
30th.-Spoke with much liberty at SCARTOP to a large congregation. Here lived John Judson, preacher. Held a prayer meeting for a few minutes after, and I think I felt better than while preaching. I think if we had more praying and less preaching more good would be done. Is not this a mistake? Should we not have more of both?
Sep 16th.-Spoke in HARDEN. Felt it good within, while Satan raged without. The stones were thrown against the door while we were preaching and praying, and a great noise made without, so when we had concluded, I went up to the disturbers and spoke to them on the shortness of their lives, and was beginning to say a little on the solemnity of judgment, when they all ran off, as though I had come as an officer to take them. The wicked flee when no man pursueth.
18th -Sunday. Preached at BRADLEY and SILSDEN, in Silsden Circuit. It was a melting time. At the former place, in the morning the congregation was large, and the Lord did not leave many hearts untouched. Held a fellowship meeting at Silsden, after preaching twice, and two backsliders groaned and cried for mercy. When persons have once been in the way of heaven, they can never be happy till they return; if they never return their misery is everlasting.
19th~ At KEtGHLEY. I Spoke with good liberty from Psa. ciii. 13, 14, to an attentive congregation.
20th~ Spoke at HAINWORTH. A large congregation, and much of the divine presence. The Lord enabled me to be plain, and I trust faithful.
GREAT REVIVAL IN KEIGHLEY CIRCUIT.
[The following mostly appeared in the Primitive Methodist Magazine July, 1826. As this is my first appearance in print, I took some interest in it, and believe it was for the Lord's glory, not mine.]
Nov. 5th. -Saturday evening. I attended a fellowship meeting at KEIGHLEY (we hold one every Saturday night). A few persons expressed their determination to seek entire holiness of heart. After the close of the meeting, a man came into the house where I lodge, who was awakened the last Lord's day under the preaching. We prayed with him, but he did not obtain saving faith. We were nearly an hour upon our knees at family prayer, and the head of the family received the witness of the Spirit; which he had not experienced for twelve months.
6th. -Spoke twice at ADDINGHAM; renewed tickets, and was under the painful necessity of either breaking our rules or excluding 7 persons from the society who had not met in society these two or three months, some longer. Churches should be purged from the ungodly only.
11th.- Friday. I formed a preacher's class in KEIGHLEY. Two persons under serious impressions attended. To one I gave a place on trial.
13th.-Sunday, MORTON BANKS; where the people were much affected while I cried: "Pay thy vows." Held a love-feast in the afternoon at KEIGHLEY. Many people attended, and the Master came to the feast. I believe good was done. Many more would have spoken, but as I had to preach at 5 o'clock, I concluded the love-feast about half-past 4. As many could not speak, I exhorted as many as were determined for heaven to lift up their hands, which numbers did. A large congregation assembled at 5 to whom I spoke, through my Master's help, with much liberty, and I trust the word was rendered useful to many.
14th. -I spoke at KEIGHLEY from the parable of the talents with much liberty. I frequently have good liberty when I retire an hour or two for meditation and prayer. I have heard since that good was done.
18th.- Having formed a preachers' class last Friday, tonight six persons gave in their names, most of them deeply awakened.
19th.-Fellowship meeting. A glorious time: one sanctified wholly. ,
20th.-Sunday. Spoke at MORTON BANKS at 10; at KEIGHLEY at 1 and 5. The congregation was large in the afternoon, but at night there was more I think by near a hundred than I ever saw. The Lord assisted me in speaking to them. I long to be more useful. I felt happy while speaking, singing, and praying.
2lst.-Spoke at KEIGHLEY from 1 Thess. v. 23. I showed, 1st, the nature, 2nd the author, 3rd the effects, 4th the necessity of entire sanctification, and, 5th that believers had many reasons to expect it.
The Lord assisted me in the work. This preaching of entire holiness God has always owned. ·
22nd -I had much liberty at SCARTOP in recommending entire holiness of heart.
25th.- Attended my class. Many present groaned for mercy but did not obtain a sense of the pardoning love of God. It appears that 40 or 50 are under conviction in the town; one of our members thinks 100. I feel a little surprised that none of them get converted. Perhaps there is too little faith among believers. Tonight I feel a little concern about. them, but have felt a degree of confidence while imploring Almighty God to comfort these mourning penitents.
26th -Tonight our fellowship meeting was well attended. After a number had spoken in quick succession for about an hour, one man stood up and informed us that he had come expecting to be saved tonight. I asked if there were any more who were seeking the Lord and if there were, that they would stand up and inform us. A woman got up, with tears starting from her eyes, and said, "I went home from the preaching last Monday night so much affected that I have got little rest since, either by night or day and I have come expecting the Lord to set my soul at liberty." After this more spoke nearly to the same purport. We kneeled down to implore Almighty God to proclaim liberty to these captive souls. We had not prayed long before a young man believed with his heart unto righteousness. We then sang, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, &c.'' I then requested this man to go and speak to another man who was in distress. He did so, and very soon that man received the witness of the Spirit. The meeting commenced at eight o'clock, and closed between eleven and twelve; during which time seven souls obtained the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins. Many more were in distress. The scene was truly interesting; while sinners wept and cried for mercy, the sounds of praise were heard among ·believers.
Dec. 3rd.-Saturday evening. At the fellowship meeting, when a few had spoken, I exhorted those who had got liberty the last fellowship meeting, to inform us how they obtained it. Some did so. I then enquired whether any else had got saved this week. "Yes, me, sir," replied a man who had been in the army many years and in Satan's service much longer. The man's life got liberty tonight, and her daughter has obtained a sense of pardon during the week. One man who got quit of his burden tonight, lay some time with his face towards the ground, praising the Lord. He wondered that he did not believe sooner, and cried, "It is quite easy to believe; it is quite easy to believe.'' Three got saved at this meeting, and more were in distress.
10th.-Fellowship meeting: more people than usual. A cry for mercy. we concluded, and I exhorted the mourners to stay a little longer. After wrestling and praying some time, two found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write.
11th.-After preaching twice in the country, I returned to KEIGHLEY; and after Brother Pedley had spoken in the chapel, we called a prayer meeting. At eight o'clock the praying labourers attended at private houses to hold prayer meetings. I was at one of them; the house was crowded; the Lord poured his Spirit; one soul obtained justification by faith. Being asked if the Lord had spoken peace to his soul, he replied, "I know it, as well as I know my right hand from my left."
12th.-Preached at KEIGHLEY; a glorious time. After service, we held a leaders' meeting and admitted eighteen persons on trial. During the last 15 days, sixteen souls have been justified, and two or three wholly sanctified, (all in the town).
17th.-Attended a fellowship meeting. Five or six were in distress. There was much divine power in the meeting. Believers seemed overawed with the Lord's presence and filled with his glory. We continued about three hours.
18th.-Sunday. Had a powerful time at MORTON BANKS in the morning, and a comfortable waiting upon the Lord at KEIGHLEY in the afternoon. At night I spoke to a crowded congregation from Rom. ix. 15, 16. A person sent me a private letter desiring it. I had good liberty. Held a fellowship meeting after; many attended. At 8, I held a prayer meeting: fourteen prayed in the space of an hour and a few minutes; it was a good time. I was almost exhausted.
19th.- Spoke from the fall of Peter. I believe some lasting good was done.
20th.- I was very ill, and confined to bed part of the day. Afflictions are good for me. I examined myself, and thought, now I may die; if so, am I ready to appear before a just and holy God. I have exhibited the enjoyments of a dying believer to others, what do I enjoy? My answer was, peace of conscience, favour with God, purity of heart; and when I look into eternity, all appears comfortable. Jehovah is my friend, and if I be called to pass through the valley and shadow of death, all will be well. By the grace of God I am what I am.
23rd.- Attended my class, and three more gave in their names to go to heaven with us.
24th.- Attended the fellowship meeting: it was a powerful time. Many attended (as they generally do). It was very solemn while we waited upon the Lord in silent prayer upon our knees.
25th.- Christmas day. Many attended the prayer meeting at 5 a.m.; it was good to be there. I spoke at MORTON BANKS at 10, and KEIGHLEY at half past 1 and 5. At 5 I spoke from Luke xxii. 19: ''This do in remembrance of me.'' It was a solemn time; particularly at the Lord's Supper: I think about 100 attended. Tonight my soul is unspeakably happy in my Redeemer. I give myself into his hands for time and eternity.
26th.- Heard a local preacher out of the Ripon circuit; after which I exhorted and prayed, and experienced the refreshing influence of divine grace.
Thursday night at INGROW. Since I spoke here before the Lord has liberated the man, his wife and daughter.
3lst.-Today I have been reviewing the gracious dealings of God with my soul during the year, and I find much cause of humility and gratitude. When I came into this circuit the work was at a very low ebb; many improper characters being on the class papers: these I excluded. The congregations continued to increase, and the Keighley Society got quickened, and love was manifested among them. They implored Almighty God to revive his work. We gave special attention to three things, viz.: 1st, Excluding improper persons; 2nd, An union in society; 3rd, Fervent prayer. To these I attribute the late revival.
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Last Lord's Day three got liberty at a place in the country, and two in the town. Tonight a good company attended the watch night, and it was a very solemn time while we renewed our covenant with the Lord.
Jan l, 1826, Sunday. Lovefeast in the town. Quick and sound speaking. Many people. Some were crying for mercy in the gallery. I left the pulpit and we prayed with them, and one got liberty; and the last Lord's day three got liberty at a place in the country; and, during the week, two in the town. O Lord, spread the revival through the circuit.
2nd. Preached at KEIGHLEY, from Col.iv.5, "Redeeming the time;" after which I attended the leaders' meeting, and we received twelve on trial. ·
13th.-Met my class. A happy time. Four gave in their names. It is nine weeks tonight since this class was formed, and out of the world the Lord hath gathered twenty; most of whom enjoy the favour of God, the rest are seeking it. Lord, grant them the desire of their hearts.
l4th. -Fellowship meeting. A man who had been in the Methodist New Connexion eighteen months, having heard that the Lord was saving souls among us, came in to get the blessing of pardon. He got it and went home rejoicing, and other three more. Two more struggled hard for it but did not get liberty.
15th.-Two got liberty at a prayer meeting.
17th -Preached at SCARTOP to a large congregation. Met the Society; and, while exhorting them to "Fight the good fight of faith,'' to pray for, and expect a revival the Lord quickened us together.
19th.- After speaking to a small congregation at UTLEY, I returned home and poured out my soul to God in secret prayer. I had such a solemn overwhelming sense of the Omniscience and Omnipresence of the unsearchable Lord God, as I never before witnessed - O, what solemnity pervaded my mind, under a humbling sense of mine own unworthiness. I gave myself unreservedly to the Father, through the Son by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, O that I may enjoy uninterrupted and eternal union with my Maker, Redeemer, Sanctifier, and Judge.
21st,- Fellowship meeting, About one hundred people attended. One woman, a hearer of the Baptists, came three miles in order to get liberty. She received it, and other two persons likewise. More were seeking: and a class-leader informed us that he obtained entire holiness of heart, (while at private prayer) of which he gave a clear and scriptural account.
22nd.-Sunday, at 1.30 and 5, at KEIGHLEY to large congregations. After night service held a fellowship meeting, (we have begun to do this oNce every month;) it was a glorious time. At 8 o'clock attended a prayer meeting. A great moving: one backslider made happy; souls in distress, believers filled with gratitude and praise. Glory, glory: 4 heavy laden souls have found rest in the wounds of Jesus today; sixteen within this last nine days; thirty-four the last two months, in the town, and six or seven in the country.
Feb. 12th- During the last fortnight I have been to see my parents, and have spoken to crowded congregations.
During the last week two have got justified, and one or more wholly sanctified. Preached at HAWORTH at 10.30 o'clock, renewed tickets and added one. 1.30 and 5 at KEIGHLEY. At 5 the chapel was so crowded the people could scarcely get in. Having preached three times and renewed tickets to upwards of one hundred members, I felt weary in body, but my duty is my delight.
14th.-At SCARTOP. A good time: two have got sanctified wholly since I preached here before.
17th.-At HARDEN. A large congregation; I believe the Lord blessed the people. I gave them tickets and received one on tria.
18th.-Fellowship meeting. Nothing extraordinary took place, till it was time to draw towards a conclusion. I then exhorted those who were seeking pardon or holiness, to inform us. After some time a man broke through shame, and informed us that although he had long been a member of our Society, he had been without the evidence of his acceptance two years. And some believers told us that they were seeking to get their hearts made pure. We kneeled down to pray for penitents and believers, but none got what they sought.
We sung, and I exhorted them to sit down, I got upon a form; and told them, as both justification and sanctification were obtained by faith, if they could believe they might be saved (unworthy as they saw themselves) without any merit of their own, - saved now this moment.
I was interrupted by one who told us that she had got it, and then another and another believed with their hearts unto righteousness, and with the mouth they confessed that the blood of Christ had cleansed them from all sin. I counted to eight or nine who (I believe) got it. But the work. was so instantaneous, that I could not exactly ascertain how many got that blessing. In the meantime, two obtained justification by faith. I never was at such a meeting as this before. Glory to the Lord forever.
15th.-Sunday.-· At MORTON BANKS at 10.30. Preached and admitted three on trial. In the afternoon held a love-feast at KEIGHLEY. More people at it than on any former occasion. Many spoke clearly and spiritually of justification and sanctification. It was at one of these love feasts, perhaps this, at which a farmer's wife, with a sweet heavenly countenance, said, "I dare tell before all our folks that God has cured my tempers." It was little to tell it to us strangers, who did not live with her, but to tell it before her unconverted husband, servants, and children, was a greater thing, and why should not our Saviour save us from all evil temper and every other sin. He came to "destroy the works of the Devil," and he is able to accomplish it. He that is able to bridle the tongue, ''that offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, is able also to bridle the whole body.'' It is a happy sign of universal victory. At 5 I preached in the chapel to a large congregation, after which I exhorted the Society.
20th.-Preached in KEIGHLEY to as many as the chapel could contain; had good liberty; we held a leaders' meeting and received seven on trial. At that held three weeks since twenty-three were added.
24th.-Visited some persons who have a desire to obtain salvation, I invited them to my class, which I met tonight; and four gave in their names.
25th.-Fellowship meeting. A glorious time from first to last. Many under conviction; ten or more professed redemption in the blood of Christ, viz., forgiveness of sin. A backslider was weeping and groaning for liberty in a most lamentable manner. When the meeting concluded he refused to rise from his knees. He did not believe while I stayed, the meeting lasted between three or four hours. Being much fatigued I went home; where I had not been long before I heard some people come up singing. I stepped to the door and was informed that the man had got liberty. Praise the Lord. His promises are sure.
26th.-Sunday. Preached at RYCROFT at 10.30 o'clock, in a barn to some hundreds of people. At 2 at SAWOOD, I could scarcely get into the house for the crowd. A solemn influence seemed to attend the word. Some could not get in. Service concluded, I hastened to COLLINGWORTH at 5 o'clock. The house would not contain half of the congregation, but the Old Methodists permitted me to preach in their chapel. This has been a good day to my soul.
27th.- We have had our Quarterly Meeting today, and find that have added seventy souls during the quarter. Lord increase our gratitude.
March 4th.-Fellowship meeting. Two or three saved, and a few more seekers comforted, but not fully saved.
7th.-At WEST MORTON. Crowded house; powerful time.
10th.-At HAINWORTH. Solemnity pervaded the assembly, while I reasoned on the necessity of a speedy preparation for judgment. A full house.
10th.-Preached at Slack Lane Head, three miles from Keighley, in a barn. About three hundred hearers. I believe good was done.
11th.-Fellowship meeting. A gracious influence rested in the meeting. It appeared to me that many were in distress. So I requested as many as were seeking pardon to tell us. One man arose trembling and said, "I came on purpose." Six or seven more spoke nearly to the same effect. We kneeled down to pray for them, and seven obtained peace through believing. More were in distress. My soul has been in its glory tonight.
12th.-Sunday. Attended 6 o'clock prayer meeting. One mourning soul got encouraged, not fully saved. At 9 o'clock preached in the chapel from "'Verily there is a reward for the righteous." It was a comfortable time. 11 o'clock, I attended a love feast at MORTON BANKS. The place was crowded, the power of God descended; the hearts of the people melted like wax before the flame. It appeared as though they would have continued speaking for hours longer than they did. It struck my mind to request those who had got liberty during the last four months to confess it in as few words as possible. A goodly company arose, this took up but little time; in the meanwhile one man got up and said, (tears streaming. from his eyes,) "The Lord has set my soul at liberty just now.'' This had a powerful effect on the meeting. I then exhorted those who were seeking pardon to inform us, that we might direct them how to obtain it. More did so than I could count, I then cried, "Are all else pardoned? Is there not another seeking the Lord?" Then some more answered in the affirmative. Three souls got liberty.
I then concluded the meeting and requested all to go away who had got enough, but those to stay who had not. So many stayed that it was with difficulty I got about the place to seek up the mourners, for they lay about the place in all directions. Two or three more soon got their burden removed, and it seemed that there were more in distress than the praying labourers could attend to. So I cleared three forms and invited the mourning souls to come forward, and within two minutes they were filled with penitents. It did me good to see them; the praying labourers explained the plan of salvation and prayed with them.
I then retired as secretly as possible, as I had to preach at KEIGHLEY at 5 o'clock. I hastened thither. A local brother gave out a hymn and prayed, while I took a little refreshment; after which I spoke to a crowded congregation. After service called a prayer meeting. Before it began, some friends returned from the love-feast and informed me that, from the beginning to the final close of the meeting, thirteen souls got liberty; and I have heard of six or seven since, making in all twenty. Praise the Lamb. This has been one of the best days ever my eyes beheld, although it is nearly four months since the commencement of the revival, I do not know that one of the new converts has fallen back.
The following are a few things which I think have been useful in promoting the revival:-
1. When I came into this circuit last midsummer, I was considerably embarrassed, and unable to support two travelling preachers. The circuit wrote to the general committee, requesting them to use their influence in getting another circuit for one of us. A circuit was provided for my colleague, and since then I have had no colleague. There was not work for two preachers in the circuit; consequently, when one removed, the burden was lighter, and our temporal concerns grew better.
2. Excluding improper characters (according to rule) from the society.
3. Preachers, leaders, and members got united, and
4. We agreed to give ourselves to God, and pray for a revival; expecting one.
5. Some of our members. were successful in inviting their neighbours to the preaching and the class.
19th.-Preached at OLDFIELD at 10 to a large congregation. At 2, to two or three hundred hearers in the open air. I had good liberty at night at KEIGHLEY, while preaching a sermon to young people.
20th.-Today a Methodist local preacher came three miles in order to join us. He comes from Harden and has preached upwards of 33 years among them. he took my place tonight at Keighley: after he had preached, I exhorted a few minutes. One got liberty.
21st.- Spoke at BOTANY, near East Morton, with good liberty to a serious congregation. Three got liberty. Glory to God.
26th.-Preached at RYCROFT at 10.30 and 2.30; powerful times. At night I preached in the local preacher's house who joined us the last week; crowded to excess; 2 gave in their names. Hastened to KEIGHLEY. Attended a prayer meeting; a happy time; some weeping.
28th.-At SCARTOP. One soul has been made happy since I was here before.
30th.-MILL HEY, near Haworth. I think some scores could not get in.
3lst.-At RYCROFT. Called a meeting after to see who would give in their names to join the Harden class; seven volunteers came forward. Rycroft is only half a mile from Harden.
.April lst.-Joined another before I left the place I was at, and left the newly formed class with 11 members in it. Three or four more have joined the other class. Attended the fellowship meeting. One got liberty and another mourner encouraged.
6th. LONG LEE in a barn, Many people, and a good prospect, the first time any of our preachers have preached here. Our members have held prayer meetings a few weeks. I turned it into a fellowship meeting; it was a good time.
7th Attended my class, about 40 people; it was a profitable season. Six persons gave in their names to join
8th. Tonight the fellowship meeting commenced at seven o'clock and continued four hours and twenty minutes. One soul saved; more seeking.
13th at MORTON BANKS. A solemn time at a class leader's house, just joined us from among the Wesleyan Methodists. It was good to be there.
15th.-Fellowship meeting. A glorious time; heaven begun below. One got justified, and two sanctified wholly.
16th. - Attended 6 o'clock prayer meeting; one or two seeking the Lord. Hastened to HARDEN to hold a camp meeting. We had as many in the forenoon as could be expected. Some awakened.
ln the afternoon about as many attended as could hear, and all behaved well. lt was a mighty time. If ever I preached with power divine it was this afternoon. Some trembled; I believe most of the people felt the power of God. Surely he shook the hearts of the people. Tears descended in abundance; and, towards the close seriousness and solemnity seemed to pervade the camp. I spoke from 2 Cor v 20; after exhorting them to be reconciled. to God, I urged them no longer to battle between two opinions, but to return home either the decided friends or enemies of God; and as many as were on the Lord's, side and determined for heaven; to manifest it by lifting up their hands. Many resolved, decided and raised their hands in favour of Christ. At this moment divine glory seemed to rest upon the camp. To me it was a satisfying and, an affecting sight; so many acknowledging the Lord among the people.
I then cried out: "As many of you as are determined to serve sin and the devil, and to be the decided enemies of God, lift up your hands." Not a hand was raised. Sinners are cowards; some seemed struck with seriousness; others appeared to be abashed and confounded. Some who were awakened at this camp meeting have since got converted, and have joined the Society. Lord, keep them. Doubtless many who were there, do, by their conduct, declare in favour of sin and Satan and say of Christ, "We will not have this man to reign over us." Then why did they not declare themselves the enemies of God today? Were even their infatuated minds struck with horror at the idea of doing that with a hand which they do by the whole of their conduct? O Lord, do thou in thy boundless goodness pour light into these benighted minds.
After the camp meeting we held a love-feast in the chapel at Ryeroft. A mighty moving: some in the gallery were seeking the Lord. After the close of this glorious lovefeast, I returned to Keighley, weary in body but happy in mind.
May 6th.- Fellowship meeting. It was not very powerful till we called a prayer meeting when three souls obtained salvation through faith of the Divine Redeemer and one during the week.
9th -Preached at KEIGHLEY in the afternoon and SCARTOP at night. One soul received Christ by faith, while I spoke from Rev. iii. 20. It was a powerful time.
12th.-In HARDEN; one of the best seasons I ever witnessed: two have got liberty here this week. I renewed tickets. Thirty-four in society (Rycroft included). About six months ago we had only four.
May 14th. -Sunday. Preached twice at OLDFIELD to large congregations, and returned to Keighley at 5, to hear John Flesher. I think one of the most popular preachers ever I heard in the Primitive Methodist Connexion.
19th. -Met my class; it was too large, so we joined one out of it of sixteen members. We have upwards of twenty left. It was as profitable a time as ever I enjoyed.
2lst.-Sunday. At 10 o'clock at MORTON BANKS. A mighty influence attended the word; one man awakened. A half-past one held a love-feast at KEIGHLEY. More people than on any former occasion. They spoke so quick, and were so desirous to confess what Christ had done for them, and what the Holy Spirit had wrought in them, that it was difficult to keep them from speaking together; so many beginning at once, that I could not tell either who began first or who ought to speak next. Sinners wept, trembled, and cried for mercy; while, among believers, the falling tear! the sonorous voice! the sweet hallelujah! and the powerful amen! displayed that the Lord was at work among the people. Three souls got plunged by faith in the fountain open for sin and uncleanness. More were struggling to lay hold of the hope set before them, so that, although the preaching service should have commenced at 5 o'clock, it was near six before we could get them from their knees.
29th. -We held our Quarter Day, and have added during the quarter forty-eight, making one hundred and eighteen for the last half-year.
June 4th. -We held a love-feast at MORTON BANKS praying with the mourners, and preached at KEIGHLEY at 5 o'clock in the chapel; and at 7 by the Low Bridge, in the open air. A large, attentive congregation; and one got liberty at a prayer meeting held after.
18th. -Attended the camp meeting at KEIGHLEY. About 8 o'clock we held a prayer meeting for half an hour in the chapel, then sung through the street as a little army sounding to battle. Our fortitude, courage, and faith, increasing while we sung. The travelling and local preachers led the van; the leaders followed close to them, and the members and hearers brought up the rear. We opened the meeting with prayer, and continued the service with preaching, (about twenty minutes each) and exhorting; and twice we went out. for prayer meetings. The manner of conducting the meeting was much the same after dinner; only, about 16 or 18 pages (selected for the purpose), of the "History of the Primitive Methodists,'' was read, with occasional remarks. This had a good effect; the congregation was very large; souls were awakened on the ground.
But it was at the love-feast held after the camp meeting, especially, that the power of God was made known. If ever I saw the glory of God rest upon a congregation or felt it in my own soul, it was at this love-feast. To all appearance, almost every heart melted before the power of God.
How many were awakened I cannot tell, but seven souls got delivered from bondage into liberty.
From, "The Autobiography or History of John Bowes," pages 32-43.
The first church seems to have been opened in 1836.