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Editorial Annotations |
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Bangs makes several references to
Methodists "male and female" or "men and women" praying,
worshipping, or working side by side throughout the
camp-meeting. It is interesting to note that the revised
1863 version of this account retains the phrase "old and
young" to express diversity, but not the phrases "male
and female" and "men and women." See link in
right-hand pane for the revised text published in 1863. |
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[Saturday 28 September 1805]
At 5 o'C the next morning,
Sat Sep. 28 prayer meeting was held again at the Stage and
continued till eight. Then a Sermon was preached by Br.
Keeler on "And he preached Christ unto them" [Acts 8.5]
which was applied with power. Exhortations followed in the
demonstration of the spirit. At 12o'C Br. Ryan addressed us
in the Name of the Lord on "My people are destroyed for lack
of Knowledge, at the application" [cf.
Hos 4.6] of
which God made bare his potent Arm; for the Window of
heaven was opened and the bursting power of God descended
upon the congregation, in such an awful manner, that it
raised a general outcry among the people, who began to be numerous.
The travelling and local preachers descended from the Stage
and ran among the crowed exhorting the impenitent,
comforting the distressed, and encouraging the
faithful, calling out Men and brethren help. The word of
command was instantly obeyed, for old and young, Male and
Female were now employed in carrying on the work of God.
The people of God were chiefly in a bunch by themselves when
the camp took fire and the wicked formed a circle round
about where they stood with astonishment to see the
exercise, whilst many of them were constrained to cry aloud
for mercy. As soon as any were wounded by the spirit of God,
they were immediately surrounded by a group of men and women
who were earnestly engaged with God for their deliverance,
and such faith had they that five were left before they were
enabled to sing the song of Redeeming love.[*] It might now be
said of a truth, the God of of the Hebrews is come into the
camp, for the noise was heard afar off. The groans and cries
of the wounded, the shouts of the delivered, the prayers of
the faithful, and Exhortations of the courageous penetrated
the very heavens, and reverberated trough the neighborhood.
This exorcise continued till about sunset, when in its
ceasing Br. Steel preached on "Behold he cometh with clouds
&c." [Rev 1.7] After several exhortations the exercise ran
into a prayer meeting which continued all night without
intermission; during which time 5 Souls were Justified, 8
Backsliders reclaimed[†] and 25 Sanctified. Our grateful hearts
could not but return thanks to our gracious Sovereign, for
so manifest a token of his lovingkindness, therefore we sang
Glory to God in the highest.
* Rawlyk has "Love" (150)
† Rawlyk has "2 Backsliders" (150)
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Primary Sources |
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Abel Stevens Life and Times of
Nathan Bangs
Stevens and Bangs on the second day of the camp meeting |
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Terms |
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fire: Spiritual fire (cf.
Mt 3.11, 1 Thess 5.19, Acts 2.3, &c.)
local preachers: Preachers who were not usually ordained, did not travel circuits, were often
married, and were always unpaid for the duties they
performed. Local preachers often assisted itinerants
and, when no itinerant was available, would also lead
worship services and preach on Sundays.
wounded: Those brought to a conviction of their own
sinfulness and their need for salvation. |
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