From Miss C. Rhodes in Sheffield to Mary Fletcher in Madeley. When Rhodes last wrote, her mind was in ‘a state of discouragement from a variety of causes.’ She believes that the main problem was yielding too much to the judgement of others contrary to divine prompts that were not properly understood. She was very badly affected and her health was undermined as a ‘general languor’ affected both mind and body. At the same time she was struck with a severe cold. At that time, the latter end of September, she received an invitation to go to Sheffield, and she has been here every since fully employed in God’s work. ‘I was thrown into action amongst the people immediately in prayer meetings, classes etc and in a few days, the Lord poured his spirit upon me afresh and I soon felt I was in my right place and in my right element, God working in my heart and amongst the people…I am more than ever persuaded the Lord calls me to constant action, I have been repeatedly tried and tempted to sit down in a still, quiet way, finding it very agreeable to flesh and blood so to do, and only meet class and band at home as usual, but for these two years past I have always lost ground in my soul when I have done so…’
Rhodes is more persuaded than ever that God has cast her lot among these people for a period. The Methodists here are ‘all united in one spirit, not a jarring stirring through the whole circuit, the preachers are men of God, the word is clothed with power. Signs and wonders are wrought in the name of Jesus, hundreds of souls have been brought into liberty in town and country within the last quarter. Thousands crowd to hear, both chapels being now opened at the same time on Sunday evening, and are in general so full that many cannot get in. It is supposed the largest chapel will hold upwards of 3 thousand hearers.’
At the beginning of December, Rhodes had the privilege of touring the circuit with the preacher [William] Bramwell and his wife [Ellen]. It was a great blessing to her soul as Bramwell ‘is a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost, like a flame of fire, God working by him and confirming his word with signs and wonders’. There is a prevailing spirit of harmony and peace.
At the close of the year, as it was quarter day, there was a love feast and watch night. The Lord came with great power and ‘the people fell into distress on every side crying for mercy and it is supposed about fifty got into liberty, the same in the evening. At the watch night it is said more than thirty found the Lord, on the Sunday following while the covenant was renewed the glory of the Lord was revealed in a most extraordinary manner. A general shock and a general cry of “Glory be to God” ran through the whole congregation, there being near 3 thousand present. The great numbers justified, sanctified and filled with God at that moment is not to be told, the meeting of the classes since proves that scores got into liberty on that occasion….it appeared to me as if we were surrounded by an angelic throng. Many have since declared that if they had given vent to their feelings, they must have shouted with a loud voice the praises of the most high…’
If the work continues in Sheffield like this, Rhodes thinks that hundreds will come to know God in the coming year. Rich and poor alike flock to worship, not a hand is lifted against the Methodists and prosperity prevails through the circuit. This will surely not always be the case and they must prepare to meet the ‘sword of persecution’.
There is of course a cloud gathering although whether or not it will affect the Methodists cannot be said. All they can do is love their King and their country.
‘The late decision in the last Conference had had a happy effect amongst our people in most places. I hear the spirit of union increases at Leeds since Mr [Joseph] Benson came there.’ Rhodes hopes to visit there this week.
Spiritual matters are discussed with particular regard to Rhodes’ spiritual state.
Her regards should be passed to Sally, Matty and all that know her. Fletcher’s reply should be sent to the Preaching House in Leeds.