They said that “There was brawling in my church, and howling in my schoolroom, women fainting and men shouting in a most fanatical manner.  They had not witnessed these scenes themselves, but they were credibly informed of them.  Moreover, they asserted, on good authority, that I preached a very different doctrine to that which was authorized by the Church.  I had declared that there was no salvation by the Church and Sacraments, but by simple faith in Christ; that any man—­it did not matter what his previous life had been—­if he only came to my preaching, and did as I told him, would be saved.”  These, and many other such charges, were made and supported by shouts of “Hear! hear!” and cries of “Shame!” The Rural Dean said he was glad Mr. Haslam was present to answer for himself; he had observed that I had sat very quietly to hear others; and he now hoped that a patient hearing would be given to me.

I rose, and said I was very thankful to be there, and to have this opportunity of testifying before them all that the Lord had converted my soul!

There was a little interruption here, but after a time I was permitted to go on.  I said that before I was converted, I was even more zealous than any of them against this change, and greatly prejudiced against it.  I actually flogged a big boy in my school for going to a chapel and professing to be converted; this I did before all the children, and he promised that he would “never be converted any more.”  I could, therefore, well understand their present feelings, and said that I was not angry with them, but rather prayed that they might, in their turn, be enabled to see these things as I now saw them, and be saved as I was.

Upon this, there arose a great disturbance.  The Rural Dean gave me credit for candour, and said he thought I meant well, but that I implied too much against my brethren; however, he had said before, and would repeat it, that I had listened quietly’ to what others had said, and that now I was entitled to a patient hearing a little longer.

But this could not be, for I was stopped at every Fresh statement I made, and had so many questions put to me, that I begged for only one at a time.  I was enabled to stand my ground calmly, and endeavoured to answer the charges in order as they were brought out.  To all appearances, I had to stand quite alone in that tumultuous party.  We had met at twelve o’clock, and after four hours were still in the heat of conflict.

At last, to conclude this extraordinary meeting, one of the Clergy rose and said that he felt it was his painful yet necessary duty to propose that “a vote of censure be passed on Mr. Haslam.”  It was not seconded, and so fell to the ground.  Whereupon, another rose ’"to record a protest against revival meetings, as contrary to the usage of the Church.”  This also failed; and as no one else had anything to say, the conclave of divines broke up.  What they would have said or done, if I had not attended to be torn to pieces by them, I know not; all I can say is, that they separated without eating me up.  Some of them came to me afterwards and seemed pleased that I had stood my ground so good-naturedly, and thought that I had had a great badgering.