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Pages 117-120; Missionary Meetings.
Br. Eynon's Tour


Dec. 2nd. I safely arrived at Br. Holmes's, at Tiverton, where I was very kindly received. Here I also met my dear wife, and had the pleasure of seeing Br. Drew.

3rd. Preached twice at Tiverton, and my wife once; she had an overflowing congregation; mine also was tolerably good, and best of all, God was with us.

4th. We held our Missionary meet­ing, when the brethren, H. Madgin, W. Pike, Independents, and E. Webb Baptist minister, kindly lent us their aid; and a very worthy friend from the country conducted the business of the meeting. He made some thrilling opening remarks. Br. Drew read some extracts from the report. Then the brethren, Messrs Madgin, Webb, and Pike, made very appropriate and telling speeches. The Deputation also gave a statement of the operations of the socie­ty at home, and in Canada, which ap­peared to animate the whole assembly. Br. Sedwell made a few observations, and the collection was taken up, which in my humble opinion said it was a good meeting, and that the people were in­clined to come forward to the help of the Lord against the mighty. May the Lord revive his work in Tiverton.

5th. We set out for Taunton by the Rail­way. When we arrived at that station, Br. Bennetts and Warne, were waiting to conduct us to Br. Sedwell's house, where he and his good wife treated us very kindly. In the evening we held our Missionary Meeting; Br. Sedwell in the Chair. Br. Warne read some ex­tracts from the Report and delivered a short speech; then the Deputation followed him, and the Collection was taken up; after which a kind Wesleyan Local Preacher of the town, in his ob­servations, showed us the design of God in giving the gospel, and the certainty of the object being accomplished. Upon the whole we had a good meeting, even in Taunton. We have much to be thankful to God for. Lord help us. A­men.

6th. Took coach for Langport. On my arrival, the brethren, Brooks and Gammon, were there to accompany me to High-Ham. After an uncomfortable journey we arrived in safety; and after taking tea proceeded to the chapel; but in consequence of the heavy rain few people assembled. Br. Brooks was called conduct upon to conduct the business of the meeting, which he did most cheer­fully, although at the same time he looked more fit to be in bed. Br. Gam­mon read some extracts from the report, and then addressed the meeting at some length very appropriately. Br. Nichols, Independent Minister, also addressed the meeting on the christian's duty to help forward the cause of God, both by donations and prayer. Then the Depu­tation spoke for some time on the suc­cess resulting from the operations of the society, in this and our adopted country; after which the collection was taken up, but it was rather below that of last year. Yet the people indulge the hope that it will still be made up a lit­tle above last year's. 0 how much a revival of primitive Christianity is need­ed at High-Ham. I was led to groan in bitter agony, "0 Lord, revive thy work."

7th. After a tedious journey, on a dirty road, a worthy friend met us, to give us a lift to Plot-Street, where we arrived just before dark. We took tea with our worthy friend Jacobs and his good wife. At the time appointed we repaired to the chapel, and although it rained heavily, and some of the roads were impassable on foot, in consequence of the water being out, some had arriv­ed. Br. Brooks was called to the chair. Br. Gammon read some extracts from the Report. Br. Phillips then deliver­ed a simple statement of facts, which spoke very favourably. Br. Gammon delivered au energetic address; and the Deputation gave a detail of interesting facts, which had come under his cogni­zance, of the successful operations of the Society; after which the collection was taken up, and considering the number who were present, it spoke of general satisfaction.

8th, At Somerton. A worthy friend, a Wesleyan local preacher, kindly con­ducted the business of the meeting. The brethren, Brooks and Gammon, de­livered telling addresses, and the Depu­tation gave a lengthy detail of facts, which must have convinced the people that the operations of the Society had been blessed and owned of God. Yet, notwithstanding, all this said but little at Somerton. May the Lord speedily send a universal shaking a­mong the dry bones at Somerton.

Dec. 10th. Preached at Bleadney in the afternoon, and at Draycott in the evening, with some degree of liberty it each place. A moderate congregation in the afternoon, and a very large one in the evening. I humbly hope that it was not altogether in vain in the .Lord ; but oh ! how much a revival of primi­tive Christianity is needed in these places. 0 Lord! revive thy work, and "build thou again the waste places of Zion."

11th. Held our Missionary Meeting at Draycott. Br. Waymouth was called to the chair, and in his opening address made some very appropriate remarks. Some extracts from the Report were then read. Br. Gammon gave us a very telling speech, on the state of some of the people at home and abroad, which could not fail to awaken christian sym­pathy in every philanthropic breast pre­sent. Br. Brooks and the Deputation also followed up the previous remarks with pathos and energy, and the collection said that the people felt a little in the right way, and that they had a mind to work. Lord help them to persevere unto the end.

12th. Bleadney. Br. Brooks was cal­led to the chair and conducted the busi­ness of the meeting nobly. The breth­ren, Hosken and Gammon, delivered each an able address. Then the Deputation gave a detail of interesting facts, which seemed to arouse the feelings of some present; and when the collection was taken up it spoke as though the people were satisfied, and also of some progress in our receipts. God Almighty make, us more alive and thankful.

13th. A kind friend took me a part of the way to South Brent, and another met and conveyed us the remainder of the way. Br. Hosken, Br. Gammon, and myself called, and took tea with Br. Herridge, and his good wife, who kind­ly entertained us under their hospitable roof. At 7 o'clock the meeting com­menced with singing and prayer; a good season. Br. Brooks was called to the chair, and lie very ably conducted the business of the meeting. Some extracts from the report were read, and the brethren, Hos­ken and Gammon, delivered very appro­priate and telling addresses. The De­putation gave a lengthy detail of the a­chievements of the gospel, both at home and abroad, and a variety of interesting facts relative to the successful opera­tions of this society. There was an over­flowing congregation, serious attention, and a good collection. The Lord bless the people of South Brent.

14th. Br. Hosken took me down in Br. Herridge's gig to Highbridge Sta­tion. The brethren, Brooks and Gam­mon, and myself, took a third-class train for Bristol, where we arrived in safety, Br. Brooks and I took dinner with Br. Penwarden and his good wife. Here I had the pleasure of seeing my wife once more, and through mercy, in toler­ably good health.

At 7 o'clock we assembled in our Preaching-room in Bristol. The con­gregation rather small. Br. T. C. Pen­warden was called to conduct the busi­ness of the meeting, which he did with much cheerfulness and satisfaction. Some extracts from the report were read. Br. Gammon then addressed the meet­ing in his usual way, with much energy, on the state of the world, and the suit­ability of the gospel to better its con­dition. Br. Brooks also made a few pointed observations, and the Deputa­tion spoke at some length about the op­ponents with which the gospel has had to combat, the victories it has already achieved, what God has designed it to accomplish, and the certainty of its be­ing done ; notwithstanding the scoffing of infidels, the mummery of Popery, and the subtilty of Puseyism. He is shaking the nations and he will finally triumph. Haste happy day! The meeting went off very well, but the collection was rather low.

17th Preached twice at Newport, good congregation, and favourable col­lections. Had the pleasure of seeing my old friends from Scilly, John and Ma­ry Woodcock. 0! how it refreshed me to have an interview with them. I spent some time with them and their family on Monday. I am not very well to-day, but God is with me.

18th. Missionary Meeting at New­port; Br. J. Woodcock was called to the chair, which he kindly took, and a­bly conducted the business of the meet­ing. Br. Dennis read a few extracts from the report; Br. Crocker detailed some interesting facts relating to the success realized by the agents of the so­ciety; and the deputation also gave some statements to the same purport. The people at Newport awoke like men who have a mind to work. I must say, although the society here is not very large, that they have learned to work better than any other society that I have seen since I have returned to England. The Lord help them to exert themselves, and put up a convenient chapel, that the work of God there may no longer be impeded.

19th In company with Br. Crocker, I took coach for Pontypool; where we were very kindly received by a poor but kind friend, sister Ussey. Went to the comfortable and convenient preaching room, rented by the society, and commenced the meeting with singing and prayer. A worthy brother, a local preacher in the Mission, was called to the chair to conduct the business of the meeting, which he ably performed. Br. Dennis read some extracts from the report. Then Br. Crocker very ably addressed the assembly on the state of many of the inhabitants of England, and the necessity of untiring efforts for bettering their state and circumstances. The Deputation also attempted to prove that the gospel is exactly adapted to meet their wants, and redress their grievances; and although there were not many present, yet I hope that all was not in vain even at Pontypool. The Lord of Hosts speed­ily pour out his Spirit upon the inhabitants of this place, and send great prosperity.

20th. Br. Lawrence kindly sent his son from Llansoy with his horse and ­market-cart to fetch Br. Cracker and me from Pontypool to his house, and then lent me another horse to ride from there to Abbey, where we arrived safely, but were a little behind time. Here we ­met with the brethren, Westington and James. The Wesleyan body in this­ place kindly lent us their chapel, and Br. Westington commenced the meeting with singing and prayer. Br. Crocker took the chair. Br. Westington read some extracts from the report. Br James then made a few observations, ­and Br. Westington gave us a lengthy detail of the various objects of worship,- animate and inanimate, - in the different parts of the earth, and the necessity for sending the gospel among those tribes, in order to teach them better. The Deputation then did the best he could, to make the meeting interesting and profitable; and upon the whole it passed off not very loud, perhaps it will yet be made up.

21st. Meeting at Cross-hands; Br Crocker in the chair, The brethren James and Westington, entertained the assembly for upwards of an hour and a quarter, and the deputation about an hour, who closed with an appeal to the congregation to assist the committee in their work, and labour of love; but al­though there has been recently consid­erable excitement among the people here, the collection does not say much in its favour.

Dec. 22nd. Br. Lawrence lent me a horse to ride part of the way to Llanva­ thus, where I arrived safely in good time. Took tea with Br. Crocker, at an old friend's. Went to Gilgal chapel. Br. Crocker took the chair. After singing and prayer, Br. Westington read some extracts from the report. Br. James then made a few observations, relative to the nature of the gospel, and its design. Br. Westington at some length, stated what it has done at home and a­broad. The Deputation then gave a lengthy statement of the state of the major part of the population of Africa, Arabia, British India, China, and the South Sea Islands, and then went on to shew what the gospel has done for thousands of the inhabitants of the land of our nativity, and to prove that what it has done for them, it is capable of doing for all the world; he applied to the congregation for their help to promote the salvation of the world, but did not obtain a hearty response. Lord awake up and warm those people's hearts.

24th. Preached at Woolastone twice to an attentive people, but not much alive to God. I had some good degree of liberty while preaching Christ Jesus to them.

25th. Heard Br. Westington make some well-timed observations to an attentive audience in the morning. In the evening, Br. James, of Netherend, was called to the chair, and anoth­er brother of the same neighbourhood made some pleasing remarks relative to Missionary operations. Br. West­ington then addressed the meeting in a manner that could not fail to be interesting to everyone whose heart was glowing with feelings of sympathy. The Deputation then endeavoured to inter­est the congregation by a history of the operations of this society, both at home and in our adopted country; but notwithstanding all that was said it did not produce the effect desired. O! how much we want the heavenly anointing, well; but the voice of the collection was that we may get and do all the good we possibly can. Lord help us.

26th. Br. James sent his son with his horse and gig part of the way to Soudley, with Br. Westington and my­self, and we walked the remainder of the way. Commenced our meeting at the time appointed. Br. Westington read some extracts from the Report, and then delivered a very excellent address. The Deputation then addressed the as­sembly on the necessity of a united and combined effort to help forward the con­version of the world. There is a great want of ardent persevering prayer here. Lord awaken up the people at Soudley.

27th. In company with my old friend Davis, I rode in one of the Trains to­wards Dry-Brook. When we came out of the Train, Br. Davis walked with me and carried my bag. We had some profitable conversation together till we arrived at Dry-Brook, where I met with Br. Hosking, and Br. Westington and his good wife and daughter, and receiv­ed a hearty welcome at their house. Took tea at Ruardean. Went to chapel at the time appointed, but in consequence of the heavy rain we had, the congre­gation was very small; however, we had a good meeting. The collection fell con­siderably under last year's; but the De­putation told the people, that if they were of his mind, they would let the ab­sent persons know that they could make the collection as good as the last year's, without their assistance. The hint was taken, and the collection made up. Praise the Lord. Hallelujah!

28th. We held our Missionary Meet­ing at Dry-Brook. One of our worthy lay brethren was called to the chair. Br. Westington read some extracts from the Report. Br. Hosking made a few suitable observations. Br. Westington then addressed the assembly at some length upon the benefits of the Gospel. Then the Deputation gave a description of the wants of a lost world, and the suitability of the gospel to meet those wants; and our obligations to do what we can to roll onward the gospel car until all the ends of the earth atve fur­nished with the knowledge of salvation. When the collection was taken up and counted, it was found to be considerably under the last year's; but the people roused up, and made it up, and a little above.


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