He next visited Darlaston, where God crowned his labours with like success. Seven hundred professed to find the Saviour. The place was crowded to excess every night, and in the meeting for inquirers after the preaching, scenes occurred such as Ezra describes: "Many wept with a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping." The text on one occasion was, "This year thou shalt die." A young man, a collier, was awakened and found Christ that night. On the following Friday Richard received a message to visit a man who had been brought home from the coal-pit with both legs broken and his back crushed. When the dying man saw him he said, "I know what your text was: 'This year thou shalt die.' That was for me." He took his visitor's hand, and praised God. "I thought," he said, "to have gone and told them what Christ had done for my soul. I cannot do that, but I know I am saved through the blood of the Lamb." While Weaver was speaking to him, one of his fellow-workmen entered the room, who took his friend by the hand. "Thou laugh'dst at me," said the dying collier, "when I began to pray; but what should I have done now if I had not given my heart to Christ? May the blood of Jesus cleanse thee from all sin." He prayed earnestly and affectionately for his comrade, who professed to find peace with God before he left. Weaver says it was like being in the ante-chamber of Jehovah. He shortly afterwards departed to be with Christ, repeating "Glory! hallelujah!" till utterance failed him, and he fell asleep in Jesus. Hundreds congregated at his funeral, to whom Weaver preached, while the rain poured down in torrents.
"The Life of Richard Weaver," by R C Morgan.
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