Weymouth Mission - Extracts of Letters

From the Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838

MANCHESTER CIRCUIT.

Weymouth , Dorset., Jan. 12,1838.

Dear Brethren — I received yours of Jan. 1, containing * * * which came in time of need.  I should not have written until my plan had been out, only I judged it was your monthly prayer meeting.  I am waiting for Bro. Best, and expect him in a few days.  I have been under the necessity of employing a local brother this week, on the Bridport side.

In answer to your “unceasing prayer” for prosperity, we have the benefit, and good is done in the name of the Lord.  The day I last wrote, I walked to Portisham; preached and led class.  Two cried for mercy; but before they rose they were enabled to praise the Lord.  Several others began to pray.

The same week at Loder, God poured out his Spirit, and two were stirred up to seek the Lord.

At Nettlecomb, the same week, God poured down his Spirit upon our members, and they were enabled to hold a prayer meeting among themselves, and one man found peace.

In Dorsetshire, I have seen the arm of the Lord made bare; and, during the last fortnight, I have joined fifteen to the society, which bid fair for heaven.

Last Saturday I received a letter from Purbeck, to visit Swanage, and supply it with preaching.  The letter was from a respectable mercer, who had a house fitted up as a chapel, which he offered free of expense.  The distance from Weymouth is twenty-seven miles.

But there is an open country; and I should think it as great a charity to visit Purbeck as any part of Africa.  I preached at Swanage, and many wept.

We need your prayers for God to help us in Dorset.  We pray for Manchester, and I believe not in vain.  Yours in the Lord,

T. Russell.

 

Weymouth , Jan. 27, 1838.

Dear Brethren. — I do not know what the friends at Manchester will say unto me for employing J. Rolls as a hired local preacher.  But I cannot stand and see so many thousands going to hell, and not make an effort to pluck them from the burning.

I have opened the Isle of Purbeck, and formed a class of seven at Swanage.  I have opened the Isle of Portland, and formed a class of three.  So you will see we are doing a little; and I hope, by the mercy of God, we shall do more.

As I was taking a boat for Portland, a man said, “Are you a Methodist preacher?”  I said, “Yes.”  He then struck me a severe blow over my right shoulder with a walking stick, and held me fast; and I was glad to get away.  I pray God save him.

Pray much for the mission.

Yours &c.,  T. Russell.

 

***  We now have four preachers employed on the Mission.

The above extracts are approved by our circuit committee, and sent you for insertion in your Magazine.

We humbly  request the prayers of our societies in behalf of the Mission.

Yours in the Lord,

Samuel Smith.

 

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 219-220.

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