Isle of Wight: Answers to prayer - Isle of Wight Mission

(Hull Circuit.)

The day after our isle of Wight mission, preparatory quarterly meeting of November, 1836, I named to Brother Peet and Sister Phelps, the following circumstances:— “In the year 1834, when I travelled in Driffield branch of Hull circuit, on the 2nd of December, the day after the P. quarterly meetings, I had an impression to pray to God, for one hundred souls to be added to our society during the quarter.  The impression was made, while on my knees, at family prayer.  I took fast hold of it and pleaded.  My wife, and Brother Atkinson Smith, and his wife, heartily responded to the petition.  And, after a struggle, faith rested.  When we rose from our knees we covenanted together to look for the answer.  Brothers Lonsdale, Knowles, and Sister Beilby, our colleagues, and the societies readily engaged with us in this work of prayer and faith. 

The week following I told the General Quarterly meeting at Hull, our engagement; and Bro. Clowes, the chairman, and several others, became our fellow helpers.  The greater part of the quarter passed without much being done.  There was a great trial of faith.  But I do not recollect, ever, during the whole time, wavering for a moment.  Some thought it strange, and others thought it wild.  We had also from twenty to thirty removals during the quarter.  Notwithstanding we had all these vacancies filled up, and ONE hundred souls increase for the quarter.”

Having related this answer to prayer, I proposed that Brother Peet, Sister Phelps, and my wife, should enter into covenant prayer with me, for fifty souls to be converted and added to our societies in the isle of Wight, and Portsmouth missions that quarter.  They consented.  We all prayed, and parted in “the faith.”  Many of the societies joined us heartily.  In a few days after this, I proposed in our Hull Missionary Meeting, that as many as felt so disposed, should signify their intention of uniting with us in this covenant, by holding up a hand.  Brother Clowes, with his wonted readiness to enter into such efforts to spread the knowledge and power of faithful prayer, said, when he rose to put the motion, “ I feel faith in my heart, and it is a feeling different from every other feeling.”  On his putting the motion, a forest of hands, by my Brethren in the ministry, on the platform, and the wrestlers of Hull home branch, were held up.  And, lo! God was faithful to his promise. “And all

things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”  We received a full answer, our increase for the quarter, being sixty precious souls.  To God be all the praise.  Amen.

T. Holliday.

Newport, Isle of Wight, May 12, 1838.   (Approved by the Hull Quarter Day.)

Primitive Methodist Magazine, 1838.  Pages 424-425.