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[Monday 30 September 1805]
There is one circumstance moreover [I] would not neglect to mention,
and so much the more, as it shows the entire union which the
instruments of this work felt with one another. Just at the
close, after a majority of the people were dispersed, and
the oil of God's grace still continuing to circulate through
our heats, a local Elder, who had been an instrument in
converting many souls in this Province, began to feel the
happy effects of it, yet more powerfully in his soul, whilst
himself & others were interceding in the behalf of a broken
hearted sinner. The travelling Ministers together with the
local preachers formed in a cluster together around said
Elder with their hands claspt around each others necks,
tears streaming from many of their eyes, and hearts uplifted
to God, broke out in such expressions of gratitude to God,
and love one to another, until the presence of him who filleth all
in all, filled, filled our hearts with raptures of Divine
Joy, that it drew tears of thankfulness from almost every
bystander. Whilst our souls were thus expanded and filled
with the pure stream of the Water of Life, we seemed to be
absent from the body and present with the Lord, anticipating that pure
& perennial bliss where the saints of the most high shall
Eternally bask in the bright beams of the smiling
countenance of God. Thus our congenial souls were mingling
together, with the rest of our dear brethren who were
standing round in the praise of their God and our God.
Surely heaven smiled at this hour; and we doubt not that if the
curtain had been
drawn aside we should have beheld a multitude of the
heavenly Host praising God and saying, Glory, honor, praise
and power be unto God and the lamb forever, whose loving
spirit inspires such reciprocal love in the souls of men [Rev
15.13].
We wish to ascribe all Glory to God for every blessing
received, but yet we cannot but acknowledge the entire
satisfaction we took in seeing the prudent measures taken by
the president of the meeting for the furtherance of the
work, as also the active part which all the preachers, travelling
and local, as well as private members male & female, took,
in endeavouring to promote the best of all causes, by
exhorting of, and praying with those that were distressed,
and groaning for Redemption. The number
brought into liberty during the last 24 hours were 21
Justified, 18 Backsliders reclaimed and 12 Sanctified. The
sum total 30 Justified, 28 Backsliders reclaimed, and and 39
Sanctified. 97 in all. To conclude, the hour came that we
must part but even after we had been about 3 days and nights
upon the ground, and had taken very little sleep and rest,
yet there seemed to be an unwillingness in the minds of some
to leave the spot. And even after we started, we cast a
longing lingering look behind, feeling a regret at
evacuating the place where God had so recently blessed us,
and given us such a Signal Victory over our Enemies.
We have mentioned the number, as near as we could ascertain,
which were delivered from bondage, but we would not wish to
insinuate that to be the precise number, for we doubt
not but there were many more; but so many came forward and
openly declared what God had done for them. In addition to
this all those who were before steadfast in the faith, with
whom we conversed, professed to have their souls much quickened
and comforted beside the many who were awakened, but did not
get delivered, whom we hope will yet bring forth the fruits
of righteousness. Finally, we have every
reason to praise God for the introduction of Camp Meeting
among us, as we have proved it to be a powerful means of
awakening and converting souls. O that this blessed work may
be carried on till the ends of the Earth shall see the
Salvation of our God, and his Knowledge cover the Earth as
the waters cover the great deep [Ps
98.3]. Let all that love God say
Amen. Amen.
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