The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)Wesley, John
Religion
The works of the Rev. John Wesley, Vol. 12 (of 32)
Wesley, John
Methodist Church; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
*They were almost universally praying and crying for mercy in every
part of the house, and many out of doors, and numbers could neither
go nor stand: their concern was so great, each for himself, that none
seemed to take any notice of those about them, but each prayed for
themselves; and were, to their own apprehension, as much retired as
if every one had been by himself in a desert, or, rather, they thought
nothing about _any_ but themselves, and so were every one praying
_apart_, although all _together_.
It seemed to me there was now an exact fulfilment of that prophecy,
Zechariah xii. 10, 11, 12. for there was now “a great mourning, like
the mourning of Hadadrimmon;”――and each seemed to “mourn apart.”
Methought this had a near resemblance to the day of God’s power,
mentioned Joshua x. 14. for I must say, I never saw _any day like it_
in all respects; it was a day wherein the Lord did much destroy the
kingdom of darkness among this people.
This concern was most rational and just; those who had been awakened
any considerable time, complained especially of the badness of their
_hearts_; those newly awakened, of the badness of their _lives_ and
_actions_; and all were afraid of the anger of God, and of everlasting
misery as the desert of their sins.
Some of the _white_ people, who came out of curiosity to “hear what
this babbler would say” to the poor ignorant Indians, were much
awakened, and appeared to be wounded with a view of their perishing
state.
Those who lately obtained relief, were filled with comfort; they
appeared calm and rejoiced in Christ Jesus; and some of them took their
distressed friends by the hand, telling them of the goodness of Christ,
and the comfort that is to be enjoyed in him, and invited them to come
and give up their hearts to him. And I could observe some of them,
in the most unaffected manner, lifting up their eyes to heaven, as if
crying for mercy, while they saw the distress of the poor souls around
them.
*There was one remarkable instance this day, that I cannot but take
particular notice of. A young Indian woman, who, I believe, never knew
before she had a soul, hearing that there was something strange among
the Indians, came (it seems) to see what was the matter. I had not
proceeded far in my discourse, before she felt _effectually_ that she
had a soul: and before I had concluded, was so convinced of her sin and
misery, and so distressed with concern for her soul, that she seemed
like one pierced through with a dart, and cried out incessantly. She
could neither go nor stand, nor sit on her seat without being held
up. After public service was over, she lay flat on the ground praying
earnestly, and would take no notice of, nor give any answer to any
that spoke to her, I hearkened to hear what she said, and perceived the
burden of her prayer to be, _Guttummaukalummeh wechaumeh kmeleh Ndah_,
i. e. “Have mercy on me, and help me to give you my heart.” And thus
she continued praying incessantly for many hours.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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