A lay preacher gives the following extracts from his diary of some few weeks since:—
Sunday, Gave an address in the Independent Methodist chapel, Oswestry, morning and evening. We sang through the streets, followed by a vast crowd of people. Chapel soon crowded, and numbers unable to get in. Held a prayer-meeting after evening service. As we were singing, many persons were broken down, apparently under a sense of their guilt and danger. Numbers wept and cried aloud for mercy. One very wicked young man came forward to be prayed for; he was the rebellious son of a pious preacher of the gospel, whom God had called to his reward sometime before. This young man's mother was in the chapel, pleading with God on his behalf. In a short time he got relief by believing on Jesus and gave glory to God for his deliverance. Another man came forward desired to be prayed for: he wept and sought earnestly, and soon obtained a knowledge of salvation by the remission of his sins. He said, "I little thought when fixing the type for the bills announcing these services, that I should be one of the number who should attend them and find the pardon of all my sins." A number of others sought and obtained an interest in the blood of Jesus. Scores retired from the chapel apparently deeply affected on account of their sinful condition. Glory to the bleeding Lamb. Monday. In the same chapel, the Lord of hosts was with us again, and a glorious victory was gained on the side of Jesus. Four precious souls found peace through believing in Jesus; two of them backsliders. Several persons ran out of the chapel, as if afraid lest they also should be arrested by the Spirit, and be led to cry for mercy in the way many others did. A number of people stood outside the chapel, saying and, to all appearance, wondering whatever was the matter; such things appeared quite new to them. Tuesday. Gave an address at a place called Wooton to a crowded audience, many of whom during service appeared bathed in tears. One dear youth wept very much, and in a short time declared he had given his heart to Jesus. Wednesday. Addressed the people again at Oswestry. A solemn sense of God's presence seemed to pervade the assembly, Sinners crying for salvation in all directions. One old man, sixty years of age, who had been a member of a Christian church for many years, but had neglected the one thing needful, was very much wrought upon by the Spirit of God. He sought and obtained the divine assurance, and rejoiced in a sin-pardoning God. He said the preacher had done right in telling the congregation what God had done for his soul. Several others applied to the blessed Jesus for salvation, and found that "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." When we had concluded the meeting, there were two persons who appeared determined to find mercy that night before they went home. We commenced the meeting again and found that the Lord was still present to heal. The Lion of Judah in a very short time came to the help of these penitent souls, snapped every fetter, and set them free. Thursday. Gave an address at Morda, to a large congregation in the open-air. God gave us a proof that He could save sinners upon the hard pavement. Five or six precious souls professed to find the Lord in the prayer-meeting. One man knelt, crying aloud for the water of life; and the stream that maketh glad the city of God flowed into his soul, and immediately he gave vent to his feelings by blessing and praising God. Friday, Spoke for Jesus at Oswestry, in the open-air, opposite the Railway Inn. Commenced singing the praises of God. There was a club-feast held at the inn, and while their band was playing behind the inn, God's children were singing and praying in front of it. Hundreds left them and came to us, and listened attentively to the word of life, and in a short time we had the largest company, and the power of God, was present to heal. We walked past the public-house door singing
"Come, ye singers, poor and wretched," &c.
We continued singing till we arrived at the chapel, which was soon filled, and many outside. Saturday night. Held a band meeting. About fifty persons present, fourteen of whom stood up and witnessed for Jesus. One woman found peace through believing. Sunday. Addressed a large congregation in Oswestry chapel in the morning. Spoke in the evening in the same place. Numbers could not get in and listened outside. Felt my soul gloriously unshackled. At the prayer-meeting two women came forward to be prayed for. They were in great distress about their souls. One of them has been a very vile woman, a bad wife and a wicked mother, whose husband had been killed sometime before in a coal-pit. She was left with nine children. He who rejected not the Magdalene of old, accepted this woman; her sins which were many were all forgiven, and she began to praise Him. Monday. Advocated the claims of Jesus in the open-air. Sang through the streets to the chapel. Held a prayer-meeting. Many souls in distress. Spoke to two penitents kneeling at the same form. Pointed two more to Jesus, who were weeping at another form. Tried to conclude the meeting, but the people would not go. Commenced again, and in a short time some half-dozen or more struggled into liberty. Glory to Jesus.
From the 'Revival Newspaper', Volume V, page 126-7.
The chapel was either where Christ Church stands or next door.