Letter to Willard Richards, 11 March 1840
(Hill farm Castle Froome bury Herefordshire)
Elder W Richards
Having a moment of leasure time I spend it in saying
a word to you. their is quite a change of the place of labour with me since
I last wrote, Elder Turley returned to the potteries from Birmingham writing
me to go there to erect the Standard as it was his native place & though I should
do better there than himself he had preached a few times in publick this side of
Birmingham & not in Birmingham & as I was getting ready to go the Lord
manifested to me it was his will for me to go another way, which was beyond
Birmingham or about 40 miles South West of it, & I was obedient to the
word of the Lord, & travled 80 miles & stoped at the house of a large farmer
by the name of John Benbow it is called the Hill farm as the first time of this
letter I arrived at his house on the 6th day of March & preached at his house in
the evening & Baptized 6 persons four of which were Methodist preachers. On Sunday
the 8th I preached at Benbows & Baptized 7 four of which were Methodist preachrs
On the 9th I preached at Sandy Hill & Baptzed 7 two of which were Methodist
preachers. On the 10 I preached at John Benbows & Baptzed 12 persons 3 of which
were Methodist preachers. I have Been here 5 days preached 6 times & Baptzed
32 persons 13 of which are Methodist preachers. The noise has gone ahead
through all this count[ry], & their is to be a Mighty harvest here, the work is
but just begun, & I marvel what God is doing here, I have not as
yet had a word of opposition for evry priest as yet that has come to me has been
molted down & cast his plow as it were at my feet, & reci[ev]ed Baptism at my
hands, & in fine they are opening their appointments for me to fill & I never
have beheld such a scenery since I have been in the church. I marvel
at the work of God here the Lord of Hosts is with me, & I expect the Devil soon
there fore pray for me their is to be a great gathering here. write to me soon
& tell me all the news you have Direct your next letters to (Willford
Woodruff, Hill farm, Castle Froome, Ledbury, Herefordshire, to remain in the post office untill called for)
Remember me to Sister Richards & all who inquire. I shall expect to labour
here for a season untill the Lord calls me hence
yours in the Love of God
W Woodruff
W. Richards
GG
