As Mr Sharp appeared to them a man dead to the world, and one whosc comments on Scripture truth had greatly comforted and edified their souls, and who seemed to rule his own house with prudence and discretion, they, after much prayer to God, chosc him to take the oversight of them in the Lord. When he had signified his consent to their request, they commcnded him to the grace of the Lord Jesus, with prayer and fasting. After which, they chose another from among them, to fill the office of a deacon. They were then what may be termed an organized church of Jesus Christ.
In their meetings, they believed what I said, that Jesus was in the midst of them to bless them. The faith of this made them long for the return of their stated meetings, from which they expected to derive much benefit; because Jesus had appointed them for that purpose, and had engaged to be present, to render them effectual for producing that end. When they were asscmbled, they looked on each other as hcirs together of the grace of life; and when they united in singing a hymn of praise to their exalted Lord, they did it with one heart and one soul. Truly they were a lively church!
When I related to them what Paul says of the church of Thessalonica, of their sounding forth the word of truth throughout all the region round about, they prayed to God that he would enable them to be followers (or imitators) of those Thessalonians. Some timc after, God raised up a humble, gifted brother, who was willing now and then to visit the neighbouring villages, to disseminate the knowlcdge of him who had died for sinners, and rose again. His excursions were crowned with abundant success. Many of the villages became the willing servants of Jesus Christ. After each of his excursions, he related to the church in Mr Sharp’s house, the progress of the incorruptible seed, which occasioned shouts of praise to God, who had rendered his word effectual. The young man, though very laborious, took no praisc to himself; he always spokc of the good that was done as the effect of God’s presence, and in a way calculated to lead the church to look beyond him to God. They continued praying that God would send forth more labourers into the harvest; and he heard them; for several wcre converted, who were found afterwards to possess suitable talents for this good work. Those also were sent forth to other quarters which had not been visited, and God was pleased frequently to smile upon their labours also.
While this church continued to attend to the apostolic order; and the simplicity of the Gospel, things went on well;
