The city of York had been on my mind for some months, and I had often looked to the Lord in
prayer about it. I was returning home one day from Scarborough, and had about three hours to
wait at York. As I walked over the bridge, I lifted up my heart in prayer, and asked the Lord, if
it were His will that I should preach the Word there, to give me a congregation that day. Whilst
I was in prayer, I met a great crowd turning down by the castle. The Lord said, "Follow this
crowd." I found there was going to be a funeral of some Roman Catholic dignitary. We walked
on until we came to a large shed. The rain fell at this moment, and the people rushed in and filled
the shed. I felt it was the Lord’s will I should stand in front of the shed. I took out my Bible and
read the words, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." A very large company gathered in
front. Some hundreds heard the word with marked attention. The Roman Catholics seemed to
think I was one of themselves, and, crossing themselves, came very close. I was led to dwell first
on the blessedness of those who now fall asleep in Christ. I did not refer to the special time to
which this text applies; but, as a general fact, how blessed is the soul that departs from this scene
to be with the Lord. I then showed that the Word did not say, "Blessed are they that die in the
Roman Catholic church, or in the Protestant churches, but IN THE LORD." This caused rather
a flutter, and then even greater attention, whilst I endeavored to shew from Scripture, what it was
to be "in the Lord."

As I closed, a man asked me, in a distinct, clear voice, that was heard by all, "Do I understand
you to say, that a man may know in this world that he is saved, and that he has eternal life?" This
question, and the answer, appeared to have great effect on many, as I showed from Scripture that
it was the privilege of all believers, to know that they were "justified from all things," and had
peace with God. For the Word says, "Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that
through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are
justified from all things." If we believe God, how can we doubt what He says:"Be it known unto
you"? Other Scriptures were quoted, and just as I finished my answer, the head of the funeral
approached us, being about two hours behind time. Let us not say this was very strange; it would
not be so at all if we walked more in faith.