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

The work of God thus increased on every side, and more preachers were soon wanting. And the
Lord raised up several young men, who were exceeding useful as local preachers.
In the course of the summer, Mr. Thomas Rankin came to Virginia, and on the last day of June
he preached for the first time at Boisseau's (i.e. Bushill's) chapel, where Mr. Shadford met him, and
they had preaching in the forenoon, and at four o'clock in the afternoon; but before the last sermon
was ended such a power descended, that many fell to the floor, and seemed to be filled with the
presence of God. The Chapel was full of people, and many were without that could not get in. Look
which way one would, they might behold streaming eyes, and faces bathed in tears: and but little
could be heard, except groans and strong cries to God for mercy.
It might be truly said, This is none other than the house of God! this is the gate of heaven!
Husbands and wives were inviting each other to go with them to heaven; parents and children also,
were intreating each other. In short, those who were happy in God themselves, were for bringing all
their friends to him in their arms. This mighty effusion of the spirit continued for more than an hour,
in which time many were awakened, some found peace with God, and others experienced perfect
love. The preachers attempted to speak or sing again and again; but their voices were soon drowned.
Mr. Rankin commanded them to be silent; but all in vain, and it was with difficulty that they
persuaded the people as night drew on to retire to their own homes.
On the 14th of July, which was two weeks after, Mr. Rankin preached again at the same place,
i.e. at Bushill's chapel. He gave us a good discourse in the forenoon and tried to keep the people from
making any noise while he was speaking, and at the close of the meeting, he thanked the people for
their good behavior, and told them he was much better pleased with them at that time, than he was
when among them before. He then went to a friend's house to get his dinner, and was to return and
preach again in the afternoon. As soon as he was gone, the people felt at liberty, and began to sing,
pray and talk to their friends, till the heavenly flame kindled in their souls, and sinners were
conquered, and twelve or fifteen souls were converted to God, before the preacher returned from his
dinner; and many of the people were sorry that he returned at all, knowing that he was not fond of
so much noise. It was with much difficulty that he prevailed on them to be quiet enough for him to
begin to preach. He gave us a good discourse, and I was pleased with it. Yet the people did not hold
in till he was done, but some of them began to cry and pray aloud for mercy on their poor souls. He
tried again to stop them; but he could not. After that he sat down, and asked Mr. Shadford, who had
been preaching among them for some months before, to speak to them, which he did with pleasure,
and in a little time cried out in his usual manner, "Who wants a Saviour! the first that believes shall
be justified." In a few minutes the house was ringing with the cries of broken hearted sinners, and
the shouts of happy believers. It was an awful time indeed; and several souls were justified, and
many Christians were lost in wonder, love and praise.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 30th and 31st days of July, a quarterly meeting was held at
Mabury's dwelling house in Brunswick (now Greensville) county. No meeting house in Virginia
could have held the people. We had a large arbor in the yard, which would shade from the sun, two
or three thousand people. The first day was a blessed season; but the second day was a day never to
be forgotten. We held the love-feast under the arbor in the open air; the members of society took
their seats, and other people stood all around them by hundreds. The place was truly awful, by reason