Autobiography 1882 Leaves from My Journal
On Sunday, the , I preached at Frome's Hill in the
morning, a Standley Hill in the afternoon, and at John Ben-
bow's, Hill Farm, in the evening.
The parish church that stood in the neighborhood of
Brother Benbow's, presided over by the rector of the
parish, was attended during the day by only fifteen persons,
while I had a large congregation, estimated to number a
thousand, attend my meeting through the day and even-
ing.
When I arose in the evening to speak at Brother Benbow's
house, a man entered the door and informed me that he was
a constable, and had been sent by the rector of the parish
with a warrant to arrest me.
I asked him "For what crime?"
He said, "For preaching to the people."
I told him that I, as well as the rector, had a license for
preaching the gospel to the people, and that if he would take
a chair I would wait upon him after meeting.
He took my chair and sat beside me. I preached the first
principles of the everlasting gospel for an hour and a quarter.
The power of God rested upon me, the Spirit filled the house,
and the people were convinced.
At the close of the meeting I opened a door for baptism,
and seven offered themselves. Among the number were four
preachers and the constable.
The latter arose and said, "Mr. Woodruff, I would like to
be baptized."
I told him I would like to baptize him. I went down to the
pool and baptized the seven. We then met together and I
confirmed thirteen, and broke bread unto the Saints and we all
rejoiced together.
The constable went to the rector and told him if he wanted
Mr. Woodruff taken up for preaching the gospel, he must go
himself and serve the writ, for he had heard him preach the
only true gospel sermon he had ever listened to in his life.
