and I hope to share some with you over the course of time.
The first was found in an anthology of the Lake District by Norman Nicholson. It contains an extract from John Wesley’s journal about his visit to Whitehaven.
” Sunday 20th June 1759. I preached at eight in an open place at the Gins, a village on one side of the town (Whitehaven). Many were there, who never did and never would come to the Room. O what a victory would Satan gain if he could put an end to field preaching! But that, I trust, he never will: At least not till my head is laid.
After preaching again at two, I took my leave of Whitehaven, and rode to Cockermouth. At six I preached at the end of the market house. High and low, rich and poor, attended; and by far the greater part of the audience seemed to be conscious that God was there”
I felt this extract really captured the atmosphere of these open-air gatherings. The nearest thing I have experienced would be Billy Graham’s visit to Portman Road and the odd seaside open air service. Memorable occasions, but sadly open-air preaching is not really fashionable now.
I wonder what John Wesley would have thought of live streaming and zoom services, where the preacher often can’t see their audience? He would perhaps yearn for the open-air times but I think he would have approved of any efforts to reach those who dont want to come into a church building with the news of the saving love of God.
At Capel we are holding an open-air united churches service around our war memorial to celebrate the platinum jubilee and I imagine there.will be many such gatherings around the country. Let us pray that people’s hearts will be touched this summer and that many will start to believe that God is present with us as we celebrate.