Meanwhile Ingham's work
prospered mightily, so that in June, 1739, he was forbidden the use
of the churches, and forced to imitate Wesley and preach in the open air.
Some forty societies were formed, and in November, Toeltschig went to him,
making many friends among the people, repeating his visit at intervals
during the following months.
The intimacy between Ingham and the Moravians became closer and closer,
and in July, 1742, he formally handed over the care of his societies
in Yorkshire and Lascashire to the Moravian Church, himself going
into new fields, and then giving new societies into their keeping.
It has often been stated that Ingham was a Moravian, but this is a mistake.
During these years he worked with them shoulder to shoulder,
but there is no record of his having been received into their Church
as a member, nor did they reordain him into their ministry.
The situation would be more strange to-day than it was then,
for there was apparent chaos in England, the Spirit of God
moving upon the face of the waters before "light shone,
and order from disorder sprung," and the Moravians did not care to emphasize
their independence of the Anglican Church lest it injure their usefulness.
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