Workington (1904)



Quickened by the reports of the Welsh revival, an intense longing for saving power took possession of the religious leaders in Workington in the early winter of 1904, and a baptism fell upon the watch-night services held in four or five churches in the town. A meeting of the Free Church ministers was held, and united prayer meetings were arranged. Attendances increased nightly, conversions began, and the meetings were continued for fourteen weeks, midnight meetings taking place on the Saturday and Sunday nights.

Crowds of drunkards were sobered by the power of the Holy Ghost; women were saved from a life of shame; slums, which had rung with oaths and the brawling of fighting men and women, resounded with songs of praise; men and women who were well known to the magistrates, and regarded by them and by the police as hopeless cases, were soundly converted; and at the end of fourteen weeks it was found that over 350 persons had professed to obtain salvation and that over 500 temperance pledges had been taken. The Primitives received 120 new members, and other churches shared in proportion, while Maryport and Whitehaven also benefited. All the ministers of the town took part in the work.

‘Northern Primitive Methodism’, by W M Patterson, published in 1909, page 152.


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