Weymouth: Work of God in Weymouth Mission, 1838

(Manchester Circuit.)

Journal of Thomas Russell, 1838.

Saturday, May 5. — In addition to visiting and praying with a number of families, I walked twenty-three miles to Corfe Castle, a small town in the Isle of Purbeck, where some weeks since I formed a class; and was happy to find the work going on.  Our friends here, having been in the habit of spending some time, most Saturday nights, in public houses, now meet for prayer.  I joined them gladly, but refused to lead the meeting, because I wished them to do it.  They commenced; and O how glad I was to hear the young converts.  I gave an exhortation.  We had a blessed time.  Praise God; he made me forget all my toil.  When I visited this place in January, 1838, all was dark.  But the people say that since the P. M. missionaries have been in the habit of preaching to the men in the clay-pits, and in the streets of Corfe Castle, a great change for the better has taken place.  We have now seventeen members, and the Wesleyans have reaped of the fruits of our labours.

Sunday, May 6. — At seven I attended the Corfe Castle prayer meeting.  At nine preached at Acton in the open air.  After which I took the friends out, and they were pleased to have a little Camp meeting.  At eleven, opened a new place.  At two I preached at Kimmeridge, in the open air.  At four, at the market-cross in Corfe Castle, to about five hundred.  Two were awakened.  At seven I preached at Swanage, and then led the lovefeast.  The speaking was powerful and pointed.  One young man said, “The Lord pardoned my sins to-night, while Mr. Russell was preaching.”  This was cheering, as I was labouring under a cloud.  Five spoke of being awakened under a sermon I preached here three months since.  That sermon was delivered under a heavy cloud, and through a severe conflict.

This is the first lovefeast we have held here, and we had a powerful prayer meeting at its close.  To-day I have walked twenty miles, and held nine meetings; have seen several vile characters awakened, and one, if not more, converted.  I need not say I was much tired.  Lord help me.  Amen.

Monday, 7. — Visited twenty families, and preached at Worth.  Led class, and one joined.

Tuesday, 8. — Visited a number of families, and preached in the open air at Swanage.  Then met the class, and formed them in two praying companies.  Most of these (fourteen in all) have been lately brought to God, yet they can hold prayer meetings and give exhortations in the houses at Worth and Acton, and on Carington common, and good has been done by them.  O Lord, bless them in their labours.  Amen.

Wednesday, 9. — Visited a new place.  Oh! for a mighty out-pouring of the Spirit in this country.

Thursday, 10. — At Corfe Castle.  Preached in the dinner hour at the clay-pits.  In the evening at the market-cross.  Met class, and four joined.

Friday, 11. — Preached in the dinner hour at the upper clay-pits.  At night opened Bushy, a new place.  Our travelling preachers can supply it once a fortnight on Fridays; and the Corfe Castle members can hold prayer meetings there on the opposite Fridays.

Saturday, May 12. — This was a day I dreaded, because it was Corfe Castle fair day; and I feared the members losing ground.  I visited hard all day.  A meeting was appointed, but scarce any were expected to attend.  But the house was filled.  I took a chair, and said all that were afraid to go out might stop in the house.  I preached to about two hundred peaceable hearers.  And I read a piece out of the magazine, which had a good effect.  Our friends after held a prayer meeting.  One man was so awakened he could scarce sleep.  He has since joined us.      T. R.

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 430-431.