Wesley Corpus

“About half-hour after eight, I bade them good night, and sent them up to bed. But Lloyd, Brown, and Robert Hindmarsh slipped aside, when the rest went up, being resolved they would not sleep, nor rest, till God revealed him self to them. When they began to pray, some of the others heard them, and one and another stole down, some half dressed, some almost naked. They continued praying by turns near three quarters of an hour, in which time, first one, then a second, and before they concluded, two more found peace with God. I then went to them, and asked Bobby Hindmarsh, “Why did you slip aside?” He said, ‘Simon Lloyd, and Jacky Brown, and I had agreed together, that we would not sleep till the Lord set us at liberty. After I had prayed with them, and praised God till about half-hour past nine, I desired them to go to bed. They did so; all but those three, who slipped away, and stayed with Richard Piercy, who was in deep agony of soul, and would by no means be persuaded to rise from his knees. The children above, hearing them pray, in a few minutes ran down again. They continued wrestling, with still increasing cries and tears, till three more found peace with God. About a quarter past ten, I went to them again, and observing some of them quite hoarse, insisted upon their going to bed, which all of them then did. But quickly one, and then another, stole out of bed, till, in a quarter of an hour, they were all at prayer again. And the concern among them was deeper than ever, as well as more general; there being but four of our five-and-twenty children, that did not appear to be cut to the heart. However, fearing they might hurt themselves, I sent one of our maids to per suade them to go up. But Jacky Brown catching hold of her, said, “O Betty, seek the salvation of your soul! Seek it in earnest ! It is not too late: And it is not too soon.” Inume diately she fell upon her knees, and burst out into tears and strong cries. The two other maids hearing this, ran in, and were presently seized as violently as her. Jacky Brown then began praying for Betty, and continued in prayer near three quarters of an hour.