Rev. M. Fell, the vicar of Acton, in Suffolk, wrote: "I thank the Lord that there is a prospect of His sending you in amongst us to seek the salvation of sinners, and to comfort the saints. We have arranged to have our meeting in the church at seven p.m., as we have no other place sufficiently large. I almost fear I may call down upon me the severe animadversions of some of my neighbours for this step; but if all is conducted with the quietness and decorum suited to the house of God, I do not see what the opposers can say." This was indeed a victorious journey. The clergymen purchased to themselves great boldness. It was wonderful how God inclined the hearts of the vicars to offer the parish churches in which laymen could preach to the people.
"Mr Fell is, as I told you, afraid of the young converts, or those awakened to anxiety, beginning to pray at the meetings. We were speaking about it with the young colporteur before we set out to the cottage prayer-meeting last night; and I just said what you said — * Would you not let the new-born babe cry? ' My husband says, ' In secret.' Well, at this very meeting, four new-born ones uttered their cry to the Lord one after another at the latter part of the meeting, which was a very blessed one ; and their prayers were so extremely sweet — such an expression of their sense of weakness, and so humble and touching, that Mr Fell liked them best of all, and quite enjoyed them. I so rejoiced, I cried for joy! Three of these were young men — two of them desperate fellows — all impressed under your words; and the last, a married man, who had for the first time last night opened his heart and lips with his fellow-men. A specially earthly-minded man heretofore, he first felt the power of the Word at your first visit to our church, Acton.
"As many as twenty young men from Little Waldingfield were struck under dear Mr. Radcliffe's word that night in our church, and are all now praying and praising.
From, 'Recollections of Reginald Radcliffe', by his wife, pages 146,149, 150.