Wallingford: Report on Wallingford Sabbath School, March 18, 1838

March 18, 1838.

With feelings of gratitude to Almighty God, we give you a report of our SabbathSchool in Wallingford, Berkshire.

It is scarcely a twelvemonth since we commenced, (by way of trial) a P. M. Sabbath school.  At first we had many ebbs and flows.  But now both teachers and children attend regularly.  Many prayers have been offered up to God in behalf of the children and teachers; and many short sermons have been delivered, and much instruction given, both from the pulpit and the school desk.  And, bless God, it has not been in vain.

The fruits appeared first among the teachers, some of whom have lately joined society, sought the Lord earnestly, and by faith found redemption in the blood of Christ, witnessing the same by a good confession.

The work next broke out among the children; seven or eight manifested deep conviction for sin, and came forward in a public prayer meeting in our chapel, requesting the praying people to plead for them, as they said, they were great sinners, and in great danger of going to the bad place.  No delay was made.  We knew God was able and willing to save Children.  We appealed to heaven in their behalf, and God heard and answered prayer: five, we trust, are hopefully brought to God; and others are more or less affected.  All the female teachers and children, who have tasted of the sheddings abroad of the grace of God, are met weekly by my wife, as a class, at which times the teachers and children pray together with great simplicity.  And I may truly say, I never saw so affectionate a company of little children before.

On Sunday, March 11, 1838, Bro. William Harvey, from the Aylesbury branch of Shefford circuit, preached three, suitable sermons in behalf of the school, when the friends came forward liberally to the support of this blessed institution.

Monday, March 12, the children, about sixty in number, and about ninety of the adult friends from the town and the adjacent villages, took tea together in the chapel; after which the children recited their hymns, portions of scripture, and pieces, with credit to themselves, and satisfaction to the friends.

This highly delightful and profitable meeting, was closed with addresses by Brothers Harvey and Barber, and Sister Woolford.

At this meeting, Mr. J. Adnett was unanimously chosen superintendant of the school.  The services he has rendered to the school the past year, have been very important, for which we desire, through the medium of our excellent Magazine, to return our most sincere thanks.

We have twenty-five constant male scholars, and thirty-five female scholars, with five male and five female teachers.  And the above meeting, we trust, has given a new stimulus to both children and teachers.  And we expect soon to see our number much increased.  Praying it may be so, I remain yours in Jesus, in behalf of the Sabbath school.

W. Wiltshire.

(Approved by the Quarter-day board.)

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 258-259.