Revival—Meetings Are Held in the Woods by the Children

Revival — Meetings are held in the woods by the children — Violent persecution — Meetings removed to a blacksmith’s shop — To a loft — Interview with the Rev. Mr. A. and Deacon C. — The children are permitted to hold their meetings in the school-house — Interesting mode of conducting the meetings.

Tins was the commencement of a very gracious revival of religion, which spread throughout the whole country. It is called the ‘’great revival” even to this day. After the conversion and removal of Mr. F., the work continued to spread in the school. Many of the children were deeply impressed with the importance of saving their souls. Unknown to me, their deep concern had induced them to establish a prayer meeting, which they held during their hours for recreation. An acquaintance one day said to me, ‘’Why do you drive the children into the woods to pray and sing?” I replied, that I had not known of their praying in the woods, and certainly had not sent them there. She then told me that different oTiers of the woods had persecuted them. At one time, when they had selected, as they thought, a suitable place for prayer, the owner of the field came and pelted them with stones. This compelled them to select another spot, which they had not long enjoyed, when the owner came and told them that he should have no singing or praying on his grounds, and ordered them off. I was deeply moved with this intelligence, and asked her advice as to what course I should pursue. In reply she said, rather sharply, “Who ever heard of such children getting religion?”

“Shall I tell them,” said I, “that Mrs.

wishes them to stop praying?” “0, no!” she replied, “I do not wish to take that responsibility.”

The next day, when their recess was over, I gave the usual signal for their return, but could see nothing of them. About fifteen minutes after the time they came in. I reproved them for their tardiness, and asked them where they had been. They were much affected by my reproof, and said they had been half a mile down the road to a blacksmith’s shop, which was unoccupied, to hold their meeting.

I was now greatly perplexed. I could not invite them into the school-room, on account of the opposition manifested by the trustees.

I knew if the owner of the shop, Mr. T., should find that the children had prayed there, he would be very angry. I was just ready to persuade them to give up their prayer meeting, when I was reminded of the loft over the school-room. But there were no steps by which to ascend to it, neither was it a desirable place for prayer. It was, however, no sooner mentioned, than the children were found eager to accept it. Two of the young men climbed up and stood at the opening above, while two stood below. With the assistance of these four young men the children were all lifted up, and in a few minutes I heard them praying in a very fervent manner. My feelings could better be imagined than described. I also kneeled and commended them into the hands of God, entreating that he would deliver them from the power of the adversary, and make his name glorious in that place, by ruling in the midst of his enemies; and that he would in nowise permit the wolf to devour these lambs of the flock.

During that day a note was placed in my hands, from Mr. A., the pastor, stating that he would preach in the school-room that evening. I announced it to my scholars, and in the evening the house was crowded. As Mr. A. entered the room, he expressed a desire to speak with me after the close of the services, and then passed on to the desk. I had many fears lest he might design reproving me relative to the scholars. When the meeting was closed, Mr. A. and Deacon C. both tarried. Mr. A. said he had heard that thei-e was a revival of religion in my school, and that the children had been persecuted. “It is,” said he, ‘’your duty to protect them. You may hereafter let them hold their prayer meeting in the school-room, and lue will take the responsibility.” How did my heart rejoice when I heard these welcome words! What a weight was removed from my mind! I now felt myself at liberty to labor with the children for the conversion of their souls. The next day I gave them an invitation to meet me in the school-room, promising to protect them.

After they had eaten their dinners, which they had brought to school in their little baskets, I desired them to proceed according to their usual custom. They were soon all quietly seated on their benches — six boys sitting together on one side of the room. One of the boys then gave out a hymn, which they united in singing, Avitli great animation. They then kneeled in prayer, when two of the boys, in succession, led their devotions. They then sang another hymn, and continued their exercises in this manner till six of the boys had prayed. They appeared much in earnest, and not in the least embarrassed by my presence. At the close of the meeting, I fell upon my knees and poured out my soul in thanksgiving and praise, for that privilege of praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, upon parents as well as children. This was the most interesting prayer meeting that I ever attended.