Appleby, George

Extract of G. Appleby’s Journal. 1821.

Monday March 12. Preached at Darley. It was a mighty time. One soul found peace. Several were in distress. May the Lord still save sinners.

Monday June 4. Our quarter day was held at Derby. All things were done in order, and, I believe, to the glory of God, and the peace of God did rest on the meeting. At night several preached, I spoke the last. We then began to pray. The Lord was near, and we had a mighty time. The power of God came down upon the people; many were in distress, and some found the Lord. To him be all the glory.

Wednesday August 15. I preached at Spondon Moor End, to a serious congregation. After preaching I told the people we would hold a prayer-meeting for the mourning souls. The house was soon full, and many were in earnest; the congregation was all on a move. Some went home rejoicing in God, and many went home with broken and contrite hearts. It was a pentecostal time. Praise God for ever.

Sunday September 2. I preached at Ockbrook, in the open air, at nine o’clock, and had good liberty. At two, we held a meeting to form a society, and seventeen joined in a class. Praise the Lord he has begun a blessed work in this place, and is reviving his work.

Wednesday September 12. I preached at Spondon Moor End to a very full house; and we had a great out-pouring of the Spirit: many wept, and several could rejoice In God their Saviour. I gave it out that all who wished to join heart and hand must stop after preaching. Seven joined, one of which is likely to be useful. We have lately begun at this place, and the Lord is making bare his arm. Thursday 13. I visited the friends at Ockbrook, and found them going on well. Night preached at Draycot, and formed a class of six members. Praise God, he is reviving his work.

Sunday October 7. We had a camp-meeting at Ockbrook. The Lord sent us a fine day. The meeting opened about half-past nine, and the Lord sent plenty of labourers. We had one preaching stand and three praying companies. The power of God attended the meeting the whole of the day: and many, I believe set out for heaven. One man professed to find peace. About half-past four the meeting broke up. And at six we held a love-feast. The young converts spoke with simplicity. The power of God descended, and his glory filled the house. And while a poor recovered backslider was speaking, the power of the Lord came upon the people. There was a mighty shaking and a cry out for mercy; and before we broke up ten souls were converted to God, and praised him aloud. One man found peace after he got home.

Monday October 8. I visited the people at Ockbrook, and spoke at night to a crowded congregation. After preaching I met class. It was a glorious time. We had a cry out for mercy; one found peace, and many went home burthened. I entered seven more into the class. We have thirty-two in society in  this place. Glory to God, he is reviving his work, and bringing poor sinners to himself.

Sunday October 28. Love-feast at Aston Moor Side. Rather dull at first; but the Lord drew near in mighty power, and set the people at liberty. One that was seeking the Lord was made happy, and could praise the Lord. Two more were seeking, but did not get liberty. At night I preached at Weston to a crowded congregation: and had a good time. Praise the Lord for ever.

Monday December 3. I was at the Quarter-day at Derby, and it was the best Quarter-day our friends have ever lad at this place. Praise God, he is reviving his work.

Tunstall circuit (1922)

Saturday April 27. I went to Newport in the Shropshire Mission. (Now Oaken Gates circuit.)

Monday 29. I spoke at Coal pit Bank, to a vast multitude. Brother Bonser then spoke. It was a shaking time. The people were crying for mercy on every hand, and a great many were enabled to rejoice in a sin-pardoning God. O Lord still ride on and be glorified in the salvation of sinners.

Tuesday, April 30. Brother Bonser and me held a prayer meeting at Coal pit Bank this morning. A crowded house, and a general out-cry for mercy: and some found peace. At night I preached at Donnington Wood. At the beginning of the meeting I could scarcely make the people hear, my voice being almost gone with much exercise. But, after I had spoke a little, the Lord, in a wonderful manner restored my voice. The people heard with great attention, and there was a general cry for mercy, and some found the Lord.

Wednesday May 1. I preached at Oaken Gates, in the open air, to about a thousand people. The Lord gave me good liberty; the word of life run and was glorified: many hard hearts were softened. In the prayer meeting after many were in distress; and four or five were brought into gospel liberty.

Monday May 13. I spoke at Coal pit Bank, in the open air, to a vast concourse of people. The Lord made the word quick and powerful. Many of the congregation were pricked in their hearts. In the prayer meeting after preaching, several found the Lord to the joy of their souls. May 14. In visiting the people from house to house, I found two women seeking the Lord. I sung and prayed with them, and one was made happy in God.

Sunday May 19. At six in the morning, I and another brother led class at D. Wood. We have here more than fifty members. At nine the camp meeting began at Coal pit Bank, and the Lord sent fine weather. In the forenoon we had one stand and six praying companies. After dinner we had two stands and thousands of people. Numbers were in distress, and many found the Lord. At night we had a lovefeast in a school room.

Monday 20. In the afternoon we had a camp meeting at Oaken Gates, and many found the Lord.

Family

I have not been able to identify George in on-line records. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Circuits

• 1821 Derby
• 1822 Scotter
• 1823 Derby & Scotter
• 1824 Norwich
• 1826 N Walsham
• 1827 Upwell
• 1829 Brandon
• 1830 London
• 1831 Birmingham
• 1832 Witney
• 1834 Salisbury
• 1835 Redruth
• 1837 St Austell
• 1839 Andover
• 1840 disappears

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1822/81; 1823/70

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers