t to be.
December 17. This evening brother Craik and I took tea with a family, of
whom five have been brought to the knowledge of the Lord through our
instrumentality. [When we took tea with them again, about a twelvemonth
afterwards, the number had increased to seven.] As an encouragement to
brethren who may desire to preach the Gospel in a language not their own,
I would mention, that the first member of this family who was converted,
came merely out of curiosity to hear my foreign accent, some words having
been mentioned to her which I did not pronounce properly. Scarcely had she
entered the chapel, when she was led to see herself a sinner. Her
intention had been, to stay only a few minutes. But she felt herself as if
bound to the seat whilst I was speaking, and remained to the close of the
meeting. She then went hastily home, instead of pursuing her pleasures,
washed the paint off her face, stayed at home that Lord's day, till the
meeting began again, and from that day was truly converted. Having found
the Lord, she entreated her brothers and sisters to go and hear the Gospel
preached, who, in doing so, were likewise converted. May my dear
missionary brethren always be mindful that the Lord can bless a few broken
sentences, however badly the words are pronounced, as a means in the
conversion of sinners!
December 31, 1833. In looking over my journal, I find:--I. That at least
260 persons (according to the number of names we have marked down, but
there have been many more,) have come to converse with us about the
concerns of their souls. Out of these, 153 have been added to us in
fellowship these last eighteen months, 60 of whom have been brought to the
knowledge of the Lord through our instrumentality. Besides these 60, five
have fallen asleep before they were received into communion. In addition
to these, there are many among the inquirers and candidates for
fellowship, whom we have reason to believe God has given to us as seals to
our ministry in this city. Some also were converted through our
instrumentality who are in fellowship with other churches in this city.
II. In looking over the Lord's dealings with me as to temporal things, I
find that He has sent me, during the past year,--
1. In freewill offerings through the boxes, as my part L152 14s. 5 1/4d.
2. Presents in money given to me L25 1s. 3d.
3. Presents in clothes and provisions worth at least L20 0s. 0d.
Altogether from the brethren in Bristo
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