Alsworthy (1817)



In the evening, after Roger Nottle and William Warne had both preached, a love feast was commenced; but only a few had related their Christian experience before persons were in distress in every part of the large crowd; and James Thorne, Edmund Warne, Harry Major, William Mason, Elizabeth Dart, and others, besides Mr O'Bryan, were praying and conversing with the penitent for many hours. Scores of persons were on their knees at a time, so that the preachers and praying friends had enough to do to instruct and pray with them. Mr O Bryan felt fatigued and retired to rest; but the meeting continued until 2 o'clock in the morning, when the friends adjourned to the farmhouse. Soon after the adjournment, many were in great distress, and prayer was incessantly kept up till seven or 8 o'clock. A slight breakfast was hastily taken. In the meantime, several unconverted persons coming into the room, prayer was again made, and the meeting did not finally close until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. About 50 persons found peace with God and several obtained sanctification. Mrs O'Bryan at first felt grieved at what she considered the prevailing confusion, occasioned by the loud and piteous cries of penitents, the shouts of praise uttered by those who have been abundantly blessed, and the earnest importunate prayers of others who were wrestling on behalf of the distressed; but being persuaded to kneel down among some who were agonising for salvation, and feeling power to pray for herself that God would make her what he would like her to be, she was favoured with such a measure of heavenly influence that all reasoning against the noise fled, and her prejudice was destroyed.

The Bible Christians: Their Origin and History (1815-1900) by F.W. Bourne - Page 42.