Manchester Corn Exchange (1861)
On Sunday, the 15th of September our dear friend Mr Radcliffe again delivered the adresses afternoon and evening in the Corn Exchange, which was filled on both occasions. Though he was so unwell as to be hardly fit to be out of bed, he spoke with great affection and earnestness on the love of God to sinners. And it was manifest that the divine word was with almighty power, for a number of persons remained to be conversed with after both services. At the close of the afternoon address, one young woman, in the anti-room burst forth in praise to God for his pardoning grace to her own soul and then most fervently wrestled in prayer for the salvation of her sister and another relative. It was a deeply affecting scene.
From, "The Revival", volume v, 5th October 1861.
Our dear brother Richard Weaver writes:
My dear Brother in Christ,--You will be rejoiced to hear that I have got a most blessed movement in this city. All glory to God! for He does all things well. I have been in the Corn Exchange all this week with great crowds, and many poor sinners every night seeking Jesus their Saviour. The city seems to be on the move, and the children crying, "Give me bread to eat;" and, bless God, Jesus is the bread of life, and many poor sinners are beginning to eat and live. My health has been very bad this week. I have not been able to stop till the close of the meeting, but from all sides there is good news coming to me of drunkards, and harlots of the streets, and infidels, and sinners of all characters finding pardon through the blood of the Lamb. A brother told me today that he knows a great many young men that have been infidels have been converted, and he is going to get them to write some letters to me. Glory to God, sin must be swept away when the blood of the Lamb is sprinkled on the hearts of sinners. "Christ must reign," says the Bible, and I believe it. I feel quite glad that God has brought me to this city. If you could but see the people coming out to hear God's word here you would be delighted. Men from their workshops with their dirty faces now can say; the blood of Jesus has cleansed their sins away. All glory to the bleeding Lamb! A friend said to me about two years ago, "Manchester people are a hard lot of people," and he thought he should never preach there again. But, thank God, the Holy Ghost has found a way to the hearts of some of the hardest. I shall not write much at this time, but send you a few copies of letters that I have received while here. I feel, dear brother, nearly done, I am so weak. Do pray for me. The Lord is my strength and my salvation. You must pray for me; I need your prayers. Victory through the blood of the Lamb Yours ever in Christ,
RICHARD WEAVER.
From 'Revival Newspaper', volume v, the page 134. Oct 26th, 1861.
The work begun last September in this great- city is rolling on, and since I last wrote to you, several fresh halls, rooms, and cottage-meetings have been opened, and every seat occupied, and not a week passes but souls are born of God. The meetings in the Corn Exchange are very much blessed of the Lord, and there is not a Sabbath passes but there are many anxious souls, and many professed to find peace and joy in believing. On Monday there is a meeting for converts; I am happy to say that about 100 assemble to be fed with the milk of the word, and it is a time of refreshing to be assembled with these lambs of the flock. The room that was taken in Hyde-street, Ardwick, mentioned in the Revival, becoming too small, the brother that paid for it said if one could be got that would hold a thousand he would bear all expense. After some time one was procured, and I am glad to say that it is too small and could not hold the people on last Sabbath night. It is most remarkable to see this congregation of young converts, some of whom were the most abandoned characters. Infidels, boxers, drunkards, thieves, clothed and in their right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, Well may the saints of God sing
"Jesus is worthy to receive
Honour and power divine;
And blessings more than we can give
Be, Lord, forever thine."
In this same room there is a prayer-meeting of boys, and from 100 to 150 assembled, and it is most encouraging to hear these little ones pour out their hearts for the conversion of their drunken fathers, and unconverted mothers and sisters and brothers, and for a Revival of God's work. There is also a prayer-meeting held on Sabbath morning at seven o'clock, and from fifty to seventy meet to pour out their hearts to the Lord for a blessing on this city and the country. There are several other meetings held, such as a Bible-class, and meetings for exhortation during the week, and also cottage-meetings in various parts of the neighbourhood, and as a young convert calls them, kindling little fires in every street.
From the 'Revival Newspaper', Volume vi, page 102.