"October 9th. As, on the seashore, I read Paul to the Colossians, and meditated, the Holy Ghost mercifully touched my heart. I offered my people to God, and felt baptized and filled with power of God for my people."
In this month, Mr Collins went away to serve once more his loved old friends in Kent. On his return, the hour was late ere he could reach St. Austell. To his surprise, on nearing home, he saw the chapel lighted up. What is this? "O, Sir, a mighty revival has begun."
That news deferred his rest. He at once, with joy, set upon the work, unended before midnight, of directing seekers to the Saviour. He soon after wrote: "Affairs improve. Miracles of mercy take place daily. The town is, at last, fully awake to the fact that there is a Wesleyan chapel in it. The families, noticeably, of our faithful, law-abiding, peace-loving men, have been wonderfully visited. In the house of W. V. eight have been saved." To the agitated Circuit this outgush of grace was as oil on the waves. For a time they could sing: All the struggle now is o'er, And wars and fightings cease. At the December numeration one hundred and twenty additional were found meeting in class. The Journal says: "January 1st, 1851. The good work progresses. Every week increases the number of conversions. Labour increases; and, in fact, overpresses my weakness. I am obliged to seclude myself from current movements and walk closely with God, In His pavilion, I hide me until the strife be overpast; whether it be of Wesleyan agitation, or of Papal aggression. Error is multiform and various, but God is one, and truth is at one. Keeping my mind at home with God, my experience seems to concentrate."
From ‘The Life of the Rev Thomas Collins, by Samuel Coley, p323-4.
http://www.archive.org/details/lifeofrevthoscol00coleiala
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