A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

appeared for a long time as if nothing could stand before the work of the Lord; but the faithful,
fervent prayers of the saints would bare down all before them. Ministers and people being happily
united together, they strengthened each other's hands in the Lord, and each felt willing to bear the
other's burden, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The revival of religion was very great in many other places beside the Eastern Shore; and most
of the United States were favoured with the awakening and converting grace of God. The people
were oft times awakened and brought to the knowledge of God in the course of the same day; and
some have been converted within a few hours from the time of their first awakening. Some who
came to meeting in the forenoon quite careless and wicked, have gone away before night, happy in
God. I have seen some fall beneath the power of God, as if they were struck dead, and then lie
helpless and speechless for a short space, while their friends have prayed for them; and at last they
sprang up of a sudden, and with a loud voice gave praise to God, in that he had forgiven their sins.
I cannot omit mentioning one strange circumstance which took place this year at a camp-meeting
which was held at Maise's chapel, in Amelia circuit in Virginia, which began on the 17th day of
October. A young woman, N. W. was under conviction, and on Sunday night she fell on the floor,
and was both helpless and speechless. After some time she was taken into a tent, and her friends sat
up with her all night. I went to see her next morning, and advised a friend of hers to give her a
tea-spoonful of water, which was done, but without any visible effect. About 9 o'clock in the
forenoon she spoke for the first time, and said, "Love, love, love: Glory, glory, glory." She then sunk
away into her helpless state again. In the afternoon she was taken home by her father in a waggon;
but continued speechless. After a day or two, her parents not knowing but some bodily disorder
might attend her, concluded to send for a doctor, who came, and not knowing what to do for her, they
called in another doctor, who was supposed to have more experience than the first; but both of them
agreed that it was a supernatural power, and not a bodily disease. However, they took a little blood
from her, supposing it could do no harm. One of them tarried with her two or three days. On Tuesday
night following she came to herself, and spake and praised God for his goodness to her soul, and
declared that the Lord had forgiven her sins. When her speech returned, she was well and happy, and
able to go about, and attend to business. She was just nine days and nights in that helpless condition,
and not able to speak; during which time she ate nothing, except such things as were poured into her
mouth, and which she could swallow without chewing. I conversed with her a few days after she
came to herself, and she told me that the Lord converted her soul the next morning after she lost her
speech, at which time she spoke as before observed, and said, "Love, love, love: Glory, glory, glory."
She told me further, that for some days and nights she never slept; and that she understood most of
the conversation, and the circumstances that took place in her presence. But she said toward the last
of her confinement, she sometimes slept, and felt herself thereby refreshed; and in a certain case
when one of her young companions came to see her, she raised her hand to shake hands with her,
and burst into a flood of tears. She told me that when she recovered she felt rather weak, as she
supposed for the want of food; but she was quite well, and happy in God.
In the foregoing narrative, I have just stated facts as I received them; part of which I saw and
heard, and all the rest I believe. Yet I cannot account for it, but am satisfied that it was the work of
the Lord; and am persuaded that the young woman was, according to her profession, truly born again
while she was under that strange operation.