Some services were held in these towns by Mr Rodway, of Stroud, and a friend from London, a few days since, and thanks be to God a very large blessing resulted from them. The Independent and Baptist ministers kindly lent the use of their chapels. Prayer had been offered. at all the daily prayer-meetings in London that the power of the Holy Ghost might descend and that souls might be saved; and truly our hearts ought to be filled with praise and gratitude to God for the glorious work our eyes have beheld. The first meeting was on Saturday evening at Charfield. About twenty-five remained for prayer, and eight testified that Jesus was their Saviour. Three services on Sunday were held at Wotton, and, though the weather was unpropitious, all were filled. Five young people in the afternoon, whilst we were praying with them, were enabled to find peace. At the Tabernacle in the evening about 100 remained. Thirty-four said as they left, they had found the Lord. An old woman aged seventy-six found peace, and expressed her great joy in a most touching manner, saying, "My precious Jesus! my Jesus!! "Monday evening at the Tabernacle over 1000 attended. After the meeting about 250 remained. We invited all who were anxious to come and kneel around the pulpit. Over 100 came, most of them weeping bitterly. It was a touching scene. We united in prayer and asked all who had found Jesus to hold up their hands. We took the names of thirty-three, and many left in deep sorrow. Just at the close a very affecting scene occurred. A parent was standing over his daughter deeply distressed. She had been a child of many prayers; and now he threw his arms around his child and wept bitterly, entreating the Lord to save her. There they stood sobbing aloud. It was enough to cause tears in all our eyes, even the strongest. Mr Rodway earnestly entreated God to send the blessing; we did not hear the result. One case was remarkable. A young tradesman had become very depraved in his habits. He was out with the rifle corps and their band on Sunday afternoon playing military tunes. Our hearts were much grieved to see them, especially when we heard that a neighbouring clergyman had invited them to his house on that sacred day. He came to chapel in the evening, was awakened, and found peace on Monday. Bless the Lord! We gave a tea-meeting on Tuesday to seventy of the most depraved characters in the town. We felt God's power in the meeting; about 200 remained. The crying was so painful that it quite unnerved some of the brethren. We could not get the people to go home, though they were earnestly requested to do so. The service at the Tabernacle on Wednesday was still more solemn. The place was crammed. About 300 stayed behind, many again in tears. We spoke to one after another and found several rejoicing in Jesus. The scene at parting I shall never forget. I said I should be pleased to shake hands with any who had found Jesus as their Saviour. I was surrounded by at least seventy to eighty; many in tears, but tears of deep joy. I had to leave early on Thursday, but have received the following from Mr Rodway. He says: "The results of the meeting on Thursday were most blessed; 500 at least remained. It was the most exciting meeting I ever was at. A friend told me that in ten seats he found thirty who said the burden was gone. Never in any one night," says Mr R, "have I heard so many say the burden is gone—all gone. I can, I do believe in Jesus now.' And now what is the cause of all these blessed results? I firmly believe only in answer to prayer." For some time prayer had been offered by many dear friends, and at six of the daily prayer-meetings in London. Oh, may our hearts be much humbled and filled with praise. And I would ask every reader of the Revival to unite and pray that this blessed work may continue and that the young converts may become useful in this their day.
From the 'Revival Newspaper', Volume IV, page 206.
Now an antiques hall.