Stocking and Mr. Stoddard were the only laborers in Oroomiah. They
lived on the mission premises already described; and at that time
the Male Seminary occupied a building in the same enclosure.
One day in the autumn of 1845, Mr. Stocking, Miss Fiske, and Deacon
John were riding together, when John asked in English, "If we ever
have a revival here, what shall we call it?" Mr. Stocking replied,
"Let us get it first; then we will find a name;" and when it did
come, the pious Nestorians at once called it "an awakening."
Towards the close of December, Mr. Stocking noticed repeated
indications of deep seriousness among the pupils of Mr. Stoddard,
and felt that they were on the eve of a revival. About the same
time, Deacon John was more active in labor, and earnest in prayer.
In the Seminaries, the teachers did not think so much of what their
pupils were, as of the power of God to make them like himself. They
labored in hope, expecting a blessing; but it came sooner than they
looked for, and in larger measure. The first Monday of the new year,
January 5th, was spent as a day of fasting and prayer; and the
missionaries had just begun to pray, when they found that some were
praying for themselves.
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