This is an excerpt from the first monthly report from the Salvation Army station here.
THREE miles from Sunderland, this village of colliers, glassworkers and others, is being shaken by the Almighty hand. A fine hall, seating several hundred people has been secured, and there is a sound of abundance of rain.
Sister Peacock writes: "I shall never forget the first Sunday evening. The power of Goel came down upon us, and every eye was filled with tears. 'We had a good congregation. Many were convicted; four came out for salvation and went away rejoicing. Since then we have had 26 others."
Last Thursday night a dear man, who used to go out with all his money and spend it in drink, came to our meeting. He had been many times, but would not give his heart to God. We prayed to God to make him miserable, and, bless His name, He did; and on Thursday night, after the prayer-meeting began, he came out for God. When I went to him, he said, "Thank God, I believed I was saved from everything while you were talking, but I came out to have a greater victory over the devil.'' I said, "There is nothing like defeating the devil right out."
Last Sunday evening, as soon as the prayer meeting began, a great, stout man, who will make a grand soldier for the army, came out, with big tears rolling down his cheeks, and before he could get down on his knees he cried to
God to have mercy on him. He had been a backslider for five years; but J told him no matter how far he had wandered from God, He would take him in. He said, "God knows, I have been a bad one;'' but, glory be to God, God healed all his backslidings and sent him on his way rejoicing.
We have got some of the worst men in Southwick, bless the Lord. We get the weeknight hall full every night, and I believe we are going to have a mighty smash in the devil's kingdom. Bless God, we mean it, and we intend to let the people see that we do. The Lord help us!
From, 'The Salvationist', January 1879, pages 9-10.
I do not know where the meetings were.