From some poetical effusions by Mr W. Sanders, we learn that he preached with effect at Lilleshall, Donnington, and Coalpit Bank, in the autumn of 1821; and he and his fellow labourers had abundant success at Wrockwardine Wood, Oaken Gates, and other places in the mining district of Shropshire. The following letter from Mr James Bonser, to Tunstall Circuit authorities, will show the prosperity of the work of God in this neighbourhood: —
Oaken Gates, May 4th, 1822.
“Dear Brethren,— This is to inform you that we have agreed to have a camp-meeting here on Sunday, the 19th instant. If you can make it convenient to send us a little help, we shall be thankful. If it be a fine day, I expect there will be ten thousand people present. We have a glorious work going on here. I preached last Sunday at Oaken Gates to near two thousand people. On the following morning, several persons found peace at a prayer-meeting; and at night, several more. I have preached at several fresh places and formed five fresh classes at new places. I never before saw the fields so ripe for the harvest I have opened as many places as we can well supply and people want us at other places. We are actively employed in the work almost from nine o'clock in the morning till ten at night I preached on Wednesday night, for the first time, at the Old Park, when six persons found peace; and two more found peace at a prayer-meeting next morning.” From, ‘The History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion from its origin, by John Petty, 1860, p111-2.
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