-* JAN 17 18C 
 A NARRATIVE V^S. 
 
 LATE REVIVALS OF RELIGION, 
 
 WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF 
 
 GENEVA PRESBYTERY. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF PRESBYTERY. 
 
 GENEVA: 
 
 Printed by J. C. Merrell & Co. Seneca-Stk 
 183-2 
 
At a stated meeting of Geneva Presbytery, held at Geneva, February 
 7th, 1*32, it was 
 
 Voted, That Rev. Messrs. Eliakim Phelps, Henry P. STRONG, and 
 
 Air bel P. Eddy, be a committee to prepare a narrative of the late revivals 
 
 within our bounds, and report the same to the Presbytery during its present 
 
 session. 
 
 February 10///, 1832. 
 
 The committee appointed to prepare a narrative of the late revivals within 
 
 our bounds, made their report, which was adopted. 
 
 On motion, Resolved unanimously, That the narrative be re-committed to 
 
 the same committee, to be revised and published ; and that Rev. Messrs. A. G. 
 
 Orton, C. Eddy, M. Barton, Thos. Loundsbury, J. F. Br.iss, and S. 
 
 M. Whelpley, be added to the committee. 
 
 C. EDDY, Clerk. 
 
 Extract from the minutes. A. D. EDDY, Stated Clerk. 
 
 The following narrative is compiled from the written statements prepared by 
 the pastors or elders of the several churches, and submitted, according to a 
 standing rule of the Presbytery, at the stated meeting in February. From 
 .some of the churches, the statements are not as full as could be desired. For 
 the facts, the committee are indebted wholly to the written documents which 
 have been put into their hands. For the correctness of the statements given, 
 the pastors and elders, who have furnished them, are responsible. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/narlaterOOpres 
 
NARRATIVE 
 
 The year past has been to the churches within our bounds, 
 emphatically a year of the right hand of the Most High. In no 
 year, since the settlement of our country, have we witnessed so 
 many and such signal triumphs of the Redeemer's cause ; or 
 recorded so large an accession to the number of his professed 
 followers, as the vear which we are now to review. All our 
 churches which have enjoyed the stated means of grace, have 
 been visited with revivals during the past year. 
 
 The first special indication of a work of grace, appeared in 
 Geneva, early in the month of June, 1830; and the first subjects 
 of it were members of the Female Seminary. At the close of 
 the first week after the attention became general, eight or ten 
 were rejoicing in hope, and an unusual seriousness pervaded the 
 minds of all. A weekly meeting was appointed for personal 
 conversation with those who were inquiring, another for those 
 who were indulging a recent hope, and a season of prayer was 
 observed at the same time by a small number of the church. 
 Others, not connected with the Seminary, soon became interested 
 in the work, and though it was not powerful nor general, it con- 
 tinued with various degrees of interest through the summer and 
 fall — every week furnishing some new cases of hopeful conver- 
 sion to God. Several seasons of prayer and religious conference 
 were observed by the church, which were generally well attend- 
 ed, and apparently happy in their results, yet the members ^lie- 
 rally did not take that deep interest in the work which they ought 
 to have felt, and which might have been expected. The revival, 
 
6 
 
 however, continued slowly, but steadily, to advance until De- 
 cember, when the number of hopeful converts amounted to more 
 than forty. About this time, the church adopted a resolution to 
 unite with the Temperance Society, and to pursue a more active 
 course of measures to advance the Temperance Reformation. In 
 this they were so nearly unanimous, that two only declined a 
 formal assent. This effort in the cause of Temperance is regarded 
 as holding an Ultimate relation to the revival in the subsequent 
 stages of its progress ; for the number of inquirers in a. short 
 time increased from eight or ten to one hundred and twenty. 
 
 From the middle of January until near the last of March, the 
 number of conversions was from twelve to twenty in a week ; 
 but notwithstanding the power of the work, no irregularities 
 were witnessed, no crying out in public worship, no boisterous 
 expressions of joy, no audible sighing or groaning, and, indeed, 
 little else than the natural expressions of a soul deeply impressed 
 with its guilt, or calmly reposing by faith upon the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. From the last of March until the first of May, the work 
 was less powerful, though no week passed without witnessing 
 some new cases of conversion. It was about one year from the 
 time of its commencement before it entirely subsided. The 
 whole number w T ho have expressed a hope of renewing grace, 
 is about two hundred and seventy ; of these, forty or fifty were 
 members of the Female Seminary, most of whom, residing in 
 other places, did not unite with the church in Geneva. The 
 number who have united with the Presbyterian church is more 
 than two hundred, making the whole number of the church at 
 the present time, five hundred and fifty-one. 
 
 The means that have been most blessed in the progress of the 
 work, have been the preaching of the gospel on the Sabbath and 
 at the stated lectures, and the ordinary performance of parochial 
 duty ; to which may be added, special meetings for prayer and 
 religious intercourse. The course of weekly labor has been, 
 three services on the Sabbath ; a meeting for inquiry, and another 
 for prayer, on Monday evening ; a service, addressed more par- 
 ticularly to the unawakened, on Tuesday evening ; social prayer 
 
? 
 
 meetings in different sections of the village, and lectures in the 
 more distant neighborhoods, on Wednesday evening; the Bible 
 class, followed l>v a season of prayer, on Thursday evening; a 
 meeting for the instruction of the young converts, and another 
 for prayer, on Friday evening; and on Saturday evening, a prayer 
 meeting for a special blessing upon the labors of the Sabbath. 
 The day was principally employed in visiting from house to 
 house. The meeting of young converts was one of peculiar 
 interest. Its object was instruction in the Leading evidences 
 of christian experience and the practical duties of the christian 
 life; not only to guard young christians against self-deception, 
 hut to imbue their minds with religious truth, to instruct them 
 in doctrinal knowledge, and thus to lay a broad, and deep, and 
 permanent foundation of christian character. This service has 
 uniformly been performed by a clergyman, and is still continued. 
 To these general means may be added the personal exertions 
 of many members of the church, and of the young converts, ge- 
 nerally in a way of individual influence. This influence was 
 exerted not in the public meeting, but in the private interview. 
 The young converts did not become cxhorters, nor arrogate to 
 themselves the prerogatives of teachers, hut testified their interest 
 in the cause by their personal exertions to bring others to a 
 knowledge of the truth. A protracted meeting, of three days 
 continuance, was held about the middle of April. The services 
 were ably conducted and well attended, and the interest for the 
 time was considerable; but so far as the conversion of souls is 
 concerned, the permanent results, if any, were very small. It is 
 now ni«>re than a year and a half since this work commenced, 
 and from eight to ten months since the greater portion of its 
 fruits were gathered in, and thus far the subjects generally appeal 
 well. In the admission of members to the church, it has been a 
 general rule I'M- the pastor and some of the elders to acquaint 
 themselves, bj persona] interview, with the case of each indivi- 
 dual previous to his examination by the session. In all cases 
 several weeks, and in most cases from two to three months, have 
 elapsed, alter they experienced hope, before they were admitted 
 
to the church. All have been publicly propounded, and have 
 been received in the presence of the congregation. In testimony 
 of the increased interest which lias been excited in the cause of 
 Christ, it may be observed that the appropriations for religious 
 charity have been nearly doubled the last year. The church 
 now sustains one Foreign Missionary, in aid of the A. B. C. F. 
 M. at an expense of six hundred and sixty-six dollars ; thirteen 
 Home Missionaries, at one hundred dollars each ; nine scholar- 
 ships of the American Education Society, at seventy-five dollars 
 each ; which, in addition to the appropriations for the Bible, 
 Tract, Sabbath School, and other objects of benevolence, amounts 
 to more than forty-five hundred dollars the past year. 
 
 The present state of religion is in some respects quite interest- 
 ing ; several conversions have recently occurred, though there is 
 not properly a revival. The public services are well attended ; 
 entire harmony of sentiment and feeling prevails in the church ; 
 the Sabbath School has about three hundred members, and the 
 several Temperance Societies in the town more than eleven hun- 
 dred. Four or five young men have commenced study, with a 
 view to the ministry. The Female Seminary is flourishing, and 
 several hopeful conversions have occurred recently among the 
 pupils. A Manual Labor School has been opened in Geneva, 
 with peculiarly favorable prospects. It has now between sixty 
 and seventy members ; about forty of whom may be regarded as 
 the fruits of the late revivals, and are in a course of preparation 
 for the gospel ministry. Most of the young men sustain them- 
 selves at an expense not exceeding from fifty to seventy-five 
 cents per week ; and facilities are afforded them to earn, by their 
 own labor, more than sufficient to defray this expense. The 
 Lyceum is not a theological nor a collegiate Institution, but 
 strictly a preparatory school, designed to fit y°iing men for an 
 advanced standing in college, or for the counting-room, or for 
 any other situation in which a thorough, systematic, and practi- 
 cal education is required It promises results highly interesting 
 to the church of Christ . 
 
CANANDAIOUA. 
 
 Some time in November, 1830, an unusual seriousness was 
 observed in Canandaigua. An increased attention to the ordi- 
 nary means of grace was manifest, and some of the church were 
 encouraged t>> increase their efforts for a general revival of God's 
 work. Special seasons for fasting, humiliation, prayer, and 
 religious conference were observed, with obvious benefit. The 
 work did not become general till about the middle of January. 
 It continued with various degrees of interest until the approach 
 of summer, and resulted in the conversion of about one hundred. 
 
 The means adopted in promoting this work, were simply the 
 public preaching on the Sabbath, and meetings on two or three 
 evenings in each week. Family visiting was not enjoyed to any 
 great extent, on account of the ill health of the pastor. An 
 inquiring nut ting was held each week, and a meeting of the 
 church for prayer at the same time. The converts were, as far 
 as practicable, instructed in the doctrines of grace, taught the 
 danger of being deceived, and allowed sufficient time to try the 
 genuineness of their hopes, before making a public profession of 
 religion ; and no one of those who have been admitted to the 
 church has required correction or censure. All were examined 
 not only respecting the evidence of their experimental piety and 
 their views of christian doctrine, but also respecting their views 
 of practical godliness; the various private and social duties; the 
 great cause of christian benevolence in all its departments; and 
 their entire abstinence from ardent spirits. Although there is no 
 rule of the church on this latter subject, we are happy to find 
 that in no case was there any desire expressed to continue the 
 use <^' intoxicating Liquors. 
 
 In the month of March, the labors of the pastor were entirely 
 suspended by sickn. ss. Many of the converts, who were con- 
 nected with the Academy and Seminary, have professed religion 
 in the places to which they respectively belong. The whole 
 number who have been added to the church in this place, is about 
 seventy. This work, though not so extensive as has been before 
 
10 
 
 enjoyed in this place, is still one, in many respects, of a very 
 precious character. The church sustains one Missionary in the 
 foreign field ; and the enterprises of christian benevolence gene- 
 rally receive increased attention. About two thousand dollars 
 annually are appropriated to these objects. This church is Con- 
 gregational in its form of government, and is not connected with 
 this Presbytery ; but as it is embraced in our territorial limits, 
 and as its pastor is one of our members, we are happy to record 
 the dealings of God's grace with this sister church. 
 
 CASTLETON. 
 
 Previous to the revival in Castleton, the church consisted of 
 thirty-four members, and was aided by the American Home 
 Missionary Society. The first favorable indications appeared in 
 an increased spirit of prayer among a few female members of the 
 church, at their weekly prayer meeting. In November, 1830, 
 a Temperance Society was organized, consisting of forty-two 
 members. This number was soon after increased to more than 
 one hundred. About this time an increasing seriousness was 
 visible in the congregation, but nothing very special appeared 
 till about the middle of December. At this time, a few persons 
 were known to be inquiring, and a meeting for such as desired 
 personal conversation on the subject of religion, was appointed. 
 From this time the work became general. The subjects were 
 of all ages, from the child of ten years to the man of seventy. 
 The means which were employed in this revival w r ere essentially 
 the same which God has blessed in former years : preaching, 
 inquiring meetings, prayer meetings, and visiting from house to 
 house. In the spring the work declined, and through the sum- 
 mer no special interest was manifested. Early in the autumn 
 another effort was made in the cause of temperance, and a large 
 accession obtained to the Temperance Society. In October, a 
 protracted meeting was held, when several more professed to 
 embrace the Saviour. The whole number who have united 
 with this church during the last year, is one hundred and six. 
 
11 
 
 It is not yet four years since this church was organized : it was 
 set off from the church of Geneva, and consisted at first of nine- 
 teen members. It owes its existence and its present prosperous 
 condition to the blessing of God upon the labors of the American 
 Home Missionary Society, It qow consists of one hundred and 
 forty-six members, and is not only able to sustain its own insti- 
 tutions without missionary aid, but it lias raised more than sixty 
 dollars in aid of foreign missions. The Sabbath School has 
 about eighty members; all the teachers, and about twenty of the 
 pupils, are hopefully pious. 
 
 PENN-YAN. 
 
 Early in February a favorable state of religious feeling began 
 to be apparent in Penn-Yan. Several days ^\' fasting, humilia- 
 tion and prayer were observed ; and the church renewed their 
 covenant with God and each other. One individual before the 
 first fast, and two soon after, gave evidence of a change of heart. 
 The next w r eek an inquiry meeting was appointed, at which ten 
 or twelve persons were found anxious for their salvation. 
 
 The meeting for inquiry was continued weekly, and meetings 
 for prayer ami religious instruction were attended almost every 
 evening. The meetings for prayer were, for the most part, 
 strictly prayer meetings. Sometimes a word of exhortation, or 
 a livmn of praise, occupied a moment between the prayers ; but 
 usually the meetings which were appointed for prayer were em- 
 ploy ed chiefly in that exercise. The work continued with undi- 
 minished interest till the opening of the spring, when, by the 
 pressure of wordly business, it began obviously to decline. At 
 this lime a protracted meeting of four day a continuance was tried 
 with happy effect Ten or twelve W( re added to the number <>i 
 
 hopeful converts as the result of this meeting ; and a much larger 
 number from neighboring congregations professed to have been 
 born again. 
 
 The services of the protracted meeting were a season of prayer 
 at sun-rise, three sermons each day, and a meeting of inquiry, 
 
12 
 
 and another for prayer, at the close of the second service. Prayer 
 meetings were also attended in smaller circles in different places 
 in the village. During this meeting, and through the whole 
 revival, all the services have been characterized by perfect order 
 and regularity, both as to time and manner. No public meetings 
 have been continued after nine o'clock in the evening. In the 
 instructions that have been given to the young converts, great 
 care has been taken to guard them, if possible, against trusting 
 in a false hope. Many, whose hope at first was strong and san- 
 guine, were, on being instructed in the nature and evidences of 
 a change of heart, induced to relinquish their hope entirely, and 
 have since given conclusive evidence that it was at first but a 
 delusion. This course of instruction and personal examination 
 has, in all cases, been previous to their presenting themselves for 
 admission to the church. The number received to the church, 
 is one hundred and twenty-three, and there are probably twenty 
 more who will unite at a suitable time. The work, in all its 
 leading features, has been of a most precious character. While 
 members of the church have been active and engaged, they appear 
 to have manifested a deep sense of their dependence and unwor- 
 thiness. In the early stages of the work, and while the church 
 seemed relying on an arm of flesh, a desire was expressed by 
 some to call in the aid of some itinerant evangelist, and that a 
 course of measures might be introduced, which had been said to 
 have been employed with success in other places. But the peo- 
 ple of God were soon brought to see and to feel that in God alone 
 was their hope, and no wish was afterwards expressed for any 
 other means than the means of God's own appointment, nor any 
 other aid than the aid of the Holy Spirit ; and, with the excep- 
 tion of a morning prayer meeting, they enjoyed neither in 
 preaching, nor measures, nor manner, nor means, of any kind, 
 any thing, different from what has been common in the churches 
 for many years. 
 
 When we compare the present condition of this congregation 
 with what it was six yeas ago, the change is surprising. Then 
 but one family, where prayers were regularly attended, was 
 
19 
 
 found in the whole village ; but one man, except the minister, 
 to lead in a public prayer meeting; no Sabbath School, do reli- 
 gions association of an? kind, except a small female prayer 
 
 meeting, and the church was then so small and scattered, that 
 twenty-fii e could hard I \ be collected. \ow there are more than 
 fifty praying families; more than fifty who can lead, in an ac- 
 ceptable and edifying manner, in public prayer; a flourishing 
 Sabbath School ; an auxiliary to almost every benevolent society 
 in the land ; and a church of more than two hundred members. 
 The church is happily united in sentiment and measures, and 
 the various objects of christian benevolence are sustained with 
 increased interest and efficiency. In September, 1831, the pas- 
 tor relinquished the charge of the congregation, being called, in 
 the providence of God, to another department of christian labor. 
 The church haVe, with entire unanimity, elected another pastor, 
 and have the prospect of soon enjoying again the privileges of a 
 settled ministry . 
 
 ULYSSES. 
 
 Early in December, 1830, a work of grace commenced in the 
 church of Ulysses, and continued until May following. It was 
 more powerful in January than in any other month of its con- 
 tinuance. At no time was there more than a minority of the 
 church much engaged in religion. The revival was at no time 
 general throughout the town, but was almost wholly suspended 
 in one neighborhood when it became general in another. The 
 means which have been owned and blessed of God in promoting 
 this work, have been essentially the same that have been em- 
 ployed in other places: the exhibition of divine truth; enforcing 
 the sinner's obligation immediately to submit to God ; keeping 
 constantly in view the necessity of the Spirit's influences, and 
 the ability and the obligation of the sinner to yield to them; and 
 to choose, without delay, the Lord Jesus as his God and Saviour. 
 Much, also, was attempted to impress upon the church a sense of 
 responsibility ; and to detect and expose their lukewarmness and 
 
14 
 
 formality. A meeting of the church on each alternate Saturday 
 was held, for the purpose of free conversation on personal reli- 
 gion, embracing external duties, as well as religious experience, 
 and whatever else might conduce to edification. This meeting 
 was most salutary in its results. Some time in April, a pro- 
 tracted meeting was held, which appeared for a time to give a 
 new impulse to the work ; but soon after, it subsided altogether. 
 The number added to the Presbyterian church by profession, is 
 one hundred and twenty-five. 
 
 SENECA FALLS. 
 
 The state of religion began to assume a more interesting aspect 
 in Seneca Falls early in the autumn of 1830. For two or three 
 years previous to this, the prospect had been gloomy in an un- 
 usual degree. Several perplexing cases of discipline had occur- 
 red, one after another, in rapid succession, till it seemed as if 
 the very foundation was parting asunder, and the whole fabric 
 crumbling down. But even then there was praying and weep- 
 ing in secret places. Some there were who even then could 
 look through the darkness and the storm, and could lay hold 
 upon the promises of God. A female prayer meeting, the 
 monthly concert, and some other meetings, called together a few 
 constant souls, who knew where their strength lay, and there 
 they were strong in the Lord. 
 
 For a year or more previous to the close of 1830, favorable 
 appearances had been witnessed, and some hopeful conversions 
 had occurred. An increasing sense of the necessity of a revival 
 was manifested on the part of christians, and a kind of expectation 
 was entertained by some that the blessing was in store and would 
 be bestowed soon. A general impression prevailed that some- 
 thing must be done, and done soon. At an evening prayer 
 meeting, it was proposed that each christian present should en- 
 gage to converse faithfully with at least one impenitent sinner 
 the next day, and several engaged to do it. The result was 
 manifestly favorable. Some time in December, at a little prayer 
 
15 
 
 meeting, an unusual spirit of prayer, an earnest wrestling of the 
 soul with God, was manifest. Towards the close of the meeting, 
 a requesl was made to the impenitent * bo were present, and who 
 desired an interest in the prayers of God's people, to signify it 
 
 1>\ rising. Five or six arose. This was the first public ex- 
 pression of anxiety on the part of the impenitent. A general 
 visitation of the congregation was now commenced, and many 
 were found anxiously concerned for their souls. The meetings 
 became crowded, attentive, and solemn. On one occasion, near 
 the close of the evening service, it was proposed to such as were 
 resolved to submit to God that night, to signify it by rising ; seven 
 arose, and all but one were the next morning rejoicing in hope, 
 and that one embraced a hope soon after. The same experiment 
 Was tried two or three times afterwards, but not with the same 
 success. It was, upon mature consideration, judged more safe, 
 and more in accordance with apostolic usage, to press upon sin- 
 Bers the duty of immediate submission, and to do it without 
 delay ; to surrender themselves at once to the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 and leave it there. Meetings for the anxious inquirers, con- 
 ducted in the usual way, were attended with very favorable 
 results. These meetings were evidently much blessed. The 
 work soon extended to other parts of the town, where frequent 
 meetings were held, and the same general course of measures 
 pursued. The work continued through the winter, and resulted 
 in the addition of one hundred and twenty-seven to the church. 
 In April, a protracted meeting of three days continuance was 
 attended, it is thought, with some good fruits. The preaching 
 was designed to urge upon sinners the duty and the reasonableness 
 of immediate repentance, and the renunciation of every self-justi- 
 fying excuse. "But," says the pastor, "I am afraid that the 
 sovereign efficac} of divine grace and the reason of its necessity, 
 were presented with less frequency and plainness than I now 
 think should have been done." Though these truths were often 
 exhibited, illustrated, and enforced with the greatest plainness, 
 yet it is now believed that a still greater prominence should have 
 
16 
 
 been given them. Females never were requested nor encoura- 
 ged, by the pastor, to speak or pray in promiscuous assemblies, 
 and never, but once, did such a thing occur when he was present. 
 Lay brethren were encouraged to take part in meetings, and 
 were, no doubt, the means of doing good, especially where the 
 pastor could not be present. 
 
 PHELPS. 
 
 About the last of December, 1830, a revival commenced in 
 the northwest part of the town of Phelps, and continued till near 
 the first of March. The usual methods were adopted ; inquiring 
 meetings were appointed, meetings for preaching and prayer, 
 and conference, were attended during the week, and at one 
 period, fifteen or more hopeful conversions occurred in a single 
 week. By the first of March, the number who had expressed a 
 hope was not far from fifty. 
 
 The congregation had hitherto worshipped in two places, three 
 or four miles distant from each other. The inconvenience of 
 this began now to be more sensibly felt, and it was proposed to 
 organize two distinct congregations. The agitation of this ques- 
 tion, and of another, consequent upon it, viz. the dismission of 
 the pastor, evidently had an unfavorable influence upon the pro- 
 gress of the revival, and though it did not, as it is believed, 
 wholly subside, cases of conversion were very rare for two or 
 three months. In May the congregation was divided, and a new 
 church organized, called the church of Vienna. It was organi- 
 zed with ninety members. Soon after its organization, the Lord 
 was pleased to visit it in mercy, and thus own it as a branch of 
 his own planting. In June a protracted meeting was held, with 
 happy effect. The whole number added to the church since its 
 organization, is eighty-eight. A second protracted meeting was 
 held in December last, but nothing of special interest resulted 
 from it. The cause of Temperance is flourishing ; Bible Class 
 and Sabbath School instruction is enjoyed ; and the various ob- 
 
17 
 jccts of christian benevolent receive increased attention. In the 
 east congregation, now called the congregation of Phelps, the 
 work continued through the summer, and forty*seven have been 
 added to that church. Both churches now enjoy stated preaching. 
 
 LYONS. 
 
 Some time in January, 1831, favorable indications were ob- 
 servable in the congregation of Lyons. A few members of the 
 church became more engaged, and began to manifest a deeper 
 interest in the cause. The impenitent soon began to be alarmed. 
 The anxious room became thronged, and sinners were daily born 
 into the kingdom. " The means which have been most blessed," 
 says the pastor, "were the plain exhibition of truth from the 
 pulpit, in the Bible Class, and in the Sabbath School, and at the 
 fire-side ;" visiting from house to house, prayer meetings, &c. 
 The first convert was a member of the Bible Class and a Sabbath 
 School teacher. Most of the converts were in early life. More 
 opposition has been manifested towards this revival, than towards 
 any other within our bounds. This opposition has appeared from 
 the commencement, and is still continued. The whole number 
 who have unit d with the church, is one hundred and six. Re- 
 centlv, an increased degree of interest has been manifested in this 
 congregation, and a number of hopeful conversions have taken 
 place. A favorable state of religious feeling still continues. 
 
 HECTOR. 
 
 At the commencement of the year 1831, nothing of special 
 
 interest was apparent in the congregation. In addition to the 
 
 stated labors of the Sabbath, and occasional lectures at other 
 
 times, weekly prayer meetings were maintained, and two Bible 
 
 Classes, in different parts of the congregation. The appearances 
 
 under these means were various. Sometimes deep solemnity 
 
 was manifested, at other times nothing special was noticeable. 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 About the last of March a protracted meeting was held, of three 
 days continuance. The services of each day were, a prayer 
 meeting at eight in the morning ; preaching, followed by an ex- 
 hortation, at ten o'clock, and again at two in the afternoon ; and 
 a similar exercise in the evening. At the close of the evening 
 service a season of prayer was observed, and those who desired 
 a special interest in prayer, were requested to signify it by rising. 
 In the seasons, for prayer, the ministers and laymen led in the 
 services as they were called upon respectively by the pastor. 
 The exercises were well attended, the congregation was large 
 and solemn, and a few persons were hopefully born again. The 
 seriousness continued but a short time. Twenty-four have united 
 with the church on a profession of their faith ; ten of this number 
 are heads of families. It is worthy of notice, that almost all the 
 youth who have been the subjects of this revival, were members 
 of the Bible Class or of the Sabbath School. A small number 
 indulge a hope, who have not yet united with the church. At 
 present the state of religion is low. The ordinary means of grace 
 are sustained. The various objects of benevolence receive at- 
 tention, and a large addition to the Temperance Society has been 
 made. But the special influences of the Holy Spirit, in the 
 conviction and conversion of souls, are not now enjoyed. 
 
 JUNIUS. 
 
 A revival commenced in this place some time in March, 1831 ? 
 and continued about three months. Its first indications were an 
 increased spirit of prayer among the members of the church. A 
 protracted meeting was held about the last of April ; but from 
 this meeting no special results were witnessed. It was at no 
 time very powerful. About thirty have embraced a hope in 
 Christ. The objects of christian benevolence receive attention. 
 The Temperance Reformation is advancing, and the cause of 
 truth and righteousness is gradually gaining ground. The church 
 now contains about eighty members. 
 
19 
 
 G RH AM. 
 
 A revival of religion commenced in this place in March, 1831, 
 and continued about three months. Forty-one, as the fruits of 
 it, have been added to the church. The means which were 
 employed, Were those which God in every age has blessed; the 
 exhibition of divine truth on the Sabbath, frequent meetings for 
 prayer, and visiting from house to house. During the summer 
 and fall, the state of religion was less interesting. Recently a 
 protracted meeting has been held, and it is believed that some 
 souls have been horn again. Twelve or fourteen are rejoicing 
 in hope, and many more are now inquiring what they shall do to 
 be saved. Bible Class and Sabbath School instruction has been 
 successfully pursued. The monthly tract distribution is prose- 
 cuted, and the cause of temperance is advancing. 
 
 RUSIIVILLE. 
 
 It was not till some time in the month of March, 1831, that 
 the state of religion in Rushville assumed the features of a revi- 
 val. There was, indeed, much conversation about a revival 
 previous to this, and a solicitude was often expressed to call in 
 such foreign aid as some imagined would secure the desired 
 result. At one period, the solicitude on this subject was consi- 
 der, ihle ; but in all this it could be distinctly seen that there was 
 little or nothing of that deep self-abasement, that humility and 
 dependence upon God alone, which are ordinarily the first indi- 
 cations of a work of grace. They did not go directly to the 
 throne of God, and with the Psalmist exclaim, " Wilt not thou 
 receive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee . ? " but there 
 was manifestly an unwarrantable reliance upon an arm of flesh. 
 It was going "down to Egypt for help, staying upon horses 
 and trusting in chariots," instead of looking "to the Holy One 
 of Israel, and trusting in the Lord." And it was not until 
 all expectations of this description were cut off, and the church 
 brought to realize that all their strength was in God, and all 
 
20 
 
 their hope was in his mercy, that the work of divine grace 
 actually commenced. This was about the first of March. The 
 meetings for prayer and religious conference, as well as the pub- 
 lic services on the Sabbath, became crowded and solemn, and, 
 for about three months, the work continued without any apparent 
 diminution of interest. The number who hope that they have 
 embraced the Saviour, is about fifty. 
 
 The means which have been most obviously rendered instru- 
 mental in the work, have been those that are usually employed 
 in revivals : teaching " publicly, and from house to house," 
 frequent meetings for prayer and conference, and meetings for 
 inquiry and religious instruction. The general influence of this 
 revival upon the church and congregation has been happy. An 
 increased interest has been excited in the cause of benevolence. 
 The Temperance Reformation is advancing, and peace and order 
 and kind feeling pervade the church. The Sabbath School and 
 Bible Class are flourishing, and the services of the Sabbath and 
 weekly lectures are well attended. 
 
 WEST DRE S DE N. 
 
 This church was organized in 1830, and in the spring of 1831 
 enjoyed a revival of religion. The church has increased during 
 the year from eight to twenty-seven. The congregation is small. 
 The monthly tract distribution is adopted. The cause of mis- 
 sions receives attention, and more than sixty dollars are subscri- 
 bed for the present year, in aid of the A. B. C. F. M. 
 
 OVI D. 
 
 God has been merciful to the church in Ovid the year past. 
 Though he has not made those displays of his mercy which have 
 been witnessed in some other churches, yet some precious mani- 
 festations of his grace have been enjoyed. The services of the 
 Sabbath have been well attended, and an increased interest felt 
 in the discussion of gospel truth. Two weekly prayer meetings 
 
2\ 
 have been constantly maintained, and have often been seasons o( 
 special interest. Bible Class and Sabbath School instruction is 
 enjoyed, and there has been much visiting from house to house. 
 These means have been blessed to the awakening and conversion 
 of some souls. Thirty-eight have united with the church during 
 the year, and there is now cheering evidence that God is near, 
 and is still waiting to be CTacioua, 
 
 WILLIAMSO N. 
 
 The chinch in Williamson has been for many years in a low 
 and feeble state ; often destitute of any preaching, and at no time 
 since its organization has it been favored with a settled ministry. 
 A revival commenced in this place in March, and continued until 
 May. In September, a protracted meeting was attended in one 
 part of the congregation, which was well attended, and was 
 successful in its issue. The whole number who have united 
 with the church during the year, including those who have -joined 
 by letter, is about eighty. A convenient house of worship has 
 been erected during the last year. Weekly lectures and the 
 Bible Class are attended with a good degree of interest. 
 
 S OD U S. 
 
 The revival commenced in this place the latter part of winter, 
 and continued through the spring. On the first Sabbath in May, 
 eighteen, atid on the first Sabbath in June, seventeen, were ad- 
 mitted to the communion of the church. Since then, eight others 
 have been received ; in all, forty-three. A protracted meeting 
 was held in the month of May, which was interesting in its 
 character, and favorable in its results. The narrative from this 
 
 place further Mates that the labors of an itinerant preacher were 
 employed, and the method of calling on the awakened "openly 
 to come forward, as a iesthnon\ of their determination to renounce 
 sin," w T as adopted with success. " Although, " says the narra- 
 tive, u the work of God among us has been small, compared with 
 
22 
 
 the rich displays of his power towards sister churches ; still we 
 would not be unmindful of the day of small things. And while 
 we acknowledge the good hand of God in the bestowment of his 
 blessings upon an undeserving people, we still ask an interest in 
 your prayers that we may be more faithful in the cause of Christ." 
 
 NEWARK. 
 
 From the church in Newark no report has been received, 
 except for the last four or five months. An extensive revival is 
 said to have existed there during the last spring, and a large 
 number was added to the church. The measures said to have 
 been adopted there were different from those which have gene- 
 rally been employed in this Presbytery. Since the revival, the 
 state of religion,. according to the report before us, has been on 
 the decline, and there is much to be deplored in the present state 
 of things. 
 
 PALMYRA. 
 
 The revival in this place commenced near the last of Septem- 
 ber, 1830. No extraordinary measures were used to rouse and 
 quicken the church. A few individuals began to feel and deplore 
 the state of spiritual declension which at that time existed ; the 
 spirit of prayer began to revive in the church, and its members, 
 one by one, came up to the help of the Lord. No uncommon 
 measures were adopted to produce excitement : the principal 
 means used were the preaching of the word and prayer. There 
 was very little exhortation from the lay brethren. In social 
 meetings, most of the time was spent in prayer. As the spirit 
 of prayer and active exertion increased, souls were hopefully 
 converted. In the early part of the revival, a day of fasting and 
 prayer was observed with good effect. The meetings were mul- 
 tiplied, not by design, but unavoidably, through the force of 
 circumstances. The meetings were characterized by great still- 
 ness and solemnity. Christians were fervent in their prayers ; 
 
23 
 
 the word preached became more and more effectual, and a deep 
 solemnity pervaded the whole community : few remained wholly 
 unconcerned. Eightjr-two have united with the Presbyterian 
 church, some of whom were heads of families. The Latter part 
 of February, the work began to decline-; at do time, however, 
 has the spirit of prayer wholly declined, nor have christians 
 reverted to that state of lukewarmness which existed before the 
 revival. 
 
 ROSE. 
 
 The state of religion in this place, at the commencement of the 
 last year, was unusually low. The church consisted of only 
 tw« ntv-two members. During the spring and summer a revival 
 of religion was enjoyed, and seventeen have been added to the 
 church. Meetings for conference and prayer are well attended, 
 and the congregation is as large as can reasonably be expected. 
 The labors of a minister, one half of the time, for the last six 
 months, have been bestowed on this congregation. A Tempe- 
 rance Society has been formed here, which is doing much good ; 
 and the cause of truth and righteousness is gradually gaining 
 ground. 
 
 WOLCOTT, ( Second Church.) 
 
 A "season of refreshing" has been enjoyed in this place du- 
 ring the last year, and sixteen have professed their faith in Christ. 
 A few more are cherishing a hope. The congregation is small 
 and feeble, but increasing in strength and efficiency . 
 
 PORT BAY. 
 
 The state of religion in Port Bay has been unusually interest* 
 ing the last year. The church are united and harmonious, and 
 the Lord has been with them by his spirit and grace. Twenty- 
 five have been added to this little church as the fruits of the late 
 
24 
 
 revival ; twenty of whom have been, or now arc, members of 
 the Sabbath School. A large accession has been made to the 
 Temperance Society, and the state of morals, as well as of reli- 
 gion, is greatly improved. 
 
 EAST BLOOM FIELD, 
 
 Although this church is now Congregational in its form of 
 government, yet, as their pastor is a member of this Presbytery, 
 and as their reports are not made to any other body, it is thought 
 proper to include the notice of the late revival there in this nar- 
 rative. The w T ork commenced in one section of the town, in 
 October, 1830, and by the middle of December it became gene- 
 ral throughout the congregation. The services of the Sabbath, 
 the weekly lectures, and meetings for social prayer, were crowd- 
 ed and solemn. Christians appeared to feel for sinners, and 
 sinners to feel for themselves. The means employed, were the 
 stated services of the Sabbath, meetings for inquiry and religious 
 conversation, prayer meetings, and visiting from house to house. 
 In all the services, a special prominence was given to the doc- 
 trines of the gospel. The number added to the church is one 
 hundred and eleven. A new impulse has been given to the 
 cause of benevolence, and the congregation have raised for Edu- 
 cation, Home and Foreign Missions, Sabbath School, and Tracts, 
 more than nine hundred dollars. 
 
 FAYETTE, ( First Church.) 
 
 This church has not enjoyed the labors of a settled minister 
 since 1828. Although they have had preaching at different 
 periods, and for the greater part of the time they have had no 
 stated laborer, the consequence is, that the church has diminished 
 from seventy-six to fifty-two. They had no share in the revi\ alfl 
 with which all our sister churches were visited during the last 
 year, and, until within a few weeks, the prospect has been pe- 
 culiarly gloomy. About the first of January, 1832, the church 
 
80 
 
 began to awake from her slumbers, and since that time a state of 
 religious feeling and action bas existed, which may he denomi- 
 nated a revival. Twelve <»r fifteen h.ive recently expressed a 
 
 hope, and t\\ vnh -live or thirty more are awakened. Meetings 
 for public and social worship are well attended, and a good de- 
 cree of interest pervades tin- congregation, A Temperance 
 Society has been formed, of about fifty members, and the cause 
 of Home and Foreign Missions is aided to some extent. 
 
 FAYETTE, (Second Church.) 
 
 Some attention to religion was manifested in the second church 
 of Fayette during the last winter, and a small addition was made 
 to the church. A state of religious feeling, more favorable than 
 is usual, exists there at the present time. 
 
 WATE RLOO. 
 
 Early in February, 1831, an effort was made in Waterloo to 
 advance the cause of Temperance, and almost immediately a 
 Revival of religion ensued. An unusual interest began to be 
 felt on the part of christians, and it was soon ascertained that the 
 impenitent were beginning to inquire what they must do to be 
 saved. A state of religious feeling was soon indicated of a highly 
 interesting character. The work was general, and for a short 
 time powerful. About one hundred have professed religion. 
 Some additional interest has been exerted in the cause of benev- 
 olence. The Temperance cause has excited a new interest, and 
 >nd it ion and prospects of the congregation are in many res- 
 pects improved. 
 
 GALEN. 
 
 The state of religion in Galen began to assume a more favor- 
 able aspect early in the spring of 1831. A protracted meeting 
 was held in April, which resulted favorably. During the sum- 
 
 4 
 
26 
 mer and fall a great declension was manifest. Another protracted 
 meeting was held in December, and some additional interest ex- 
 cited. The number added to the church is about one hundred. 
 This church still remains without a pastor, and has only occasional 
 preaching. There are three Sabbath Schools within the town; 
 a Bible Society, which has supplied all the destitute families in 
 the town during the last year ; a Tract Society, which, however, 
 has done but little the past year ; and a Temperance Society of 
 between three hundred and four hundred members. About forty 
 dollars have been subscribed for Foreign Missions. 
 
 BENTON. 
 
 An increased attention to religion began to be manifested in 
 this place about the first of March. An usual spirit of prayer 
 was enjoved by the members of the church, and meetings were 
 attended by greater numbers, and with unusual interest. The 
 work, however, did not assume the features of a revival until 
 May. From this time cases of hopeful conversion were frequent 
 for several weeks, and between forty and fifty have professed 
 their faith in Christ. In November, the Rev. Mr. Clary was 
 called home to his reward. He fell a martyr to his zeal in the 
 cause of Christ, in the labors of a protracted meeting in a neigh- 
 boring congregation. The memory of the just is blessed. 
 
 ROMULUS. 
 
 In January and February, 1831, an unusual fervency and im- 
 portunity in prayer was evident among the people of God. In 
 March, an awakened anxiety began to be manifested among the 
 impenitent. Meetings were thronged ; the word of God was 
 quick and powerful ; and many were brought to submit them- 
 selves to the Lord Jesus Christ. In three weeks, fifty were 
 cherishing a hope in the pardoning mercy of God. The work 
 continued about three months, and eighty-nine, as the fruits of 
 it, have united with the church. Among the subjects are many 
 
27 
 
 of the youth, some of middle age, but none in advanced years. 
 The means employed have been do other than those with which 
 the Presbyterian church has been long familiar. "To the honor 
 of God and of his truth," says the pastor, l " 1 must observe, that 
 in no year since mj connexion .with this church, have the dis- 
 tinguishing doctrines of the gospel been so often exhibited and so 
 much insisted on as during the last yea/5 and the divine blessing 
 has evidently sanctioned this course." The monthly Tract 
 distribution has been adopted, Sabbath School and Bible Class 
 instruction successfully pursued, and a Liberal attention paid to 
 the benevolent operations of the day. 
 
 From tills; detail it appears that all our churches which have 
 enjoved the stated ministrations of the gospel, with two exceptions, 
 have shared in a greater or less degree in this work of grace. 
 The whole number added to the church within our hounds, as the 
 fruit of these revivals, is about two thousand two hundred and 
 fifty. 
 
 This precious work, in its general features, has not been essen- 
 tially different from former revivals, except that it has been more 
 powerful, more extensive, and has enrolled among its subjects 
 an unusual number who had been openly hostile to the truth. 
 Less opposition has been manifested than is usual in revivals of 
 
 SO much power, and less, perhaps, than is usual has occurred in 
 its progress in which a captious, unbelieving world would find 
 Occasion to complain. The doctrines which have held a promi- 
 nent place in the preaching generally } are the plain and humbling 
 doctrines of the orthodox faith J the doctrines of our standards; of 
 the reformation, and of the bible. These }\u\ e been exhibited, not 
 as matters of controversy or as problems, but as matters of fact 
 and of faith. While sinners have been taught to regard the de- 
 pravity of their hearts as total, the} have been also taught to 
 regard it as consisting in their own voluntary rebellion against 
 
28 
 
 God, " whereby," as our confession of faith expresses it, u we 
 are utterly indisposed to all good," " and wholly inclined to all 
 evil." Not the want of a power, but the want of an inclination 
 to do the will of God. The inability predicable of the sinner in 
 his depraved condition has been represented, as the standards of 
 our church very forcibly express it, as an " inability of will" 
 regarding the sinner as bound at all times to keep the whole law 
 and to do the whole will of God. The doctrine of divine sove- 
 reignty and divine decrees, the doctrine of election and effectual 
 calling, of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification by faith, 
 and the final perseverance of the saints, together with all those 
 leading truths which have long been designated, by way of dis- 
 tinction, the " doctrines of grace," have been constantly kept in 
 view as the fundamental articles of the christian faith, and the 
 only permanent foundation of christian character. 
 
 The labor generally has been performed by the pastors and 
 stated ministers ; assisted in prayer meetings and parochial visit- 
 ing by the elders and other members of the church. The young 
 converts also have exerted an important influence, by personal 
 conversation, and in meetings for social prayer. It may be 
 mentioned, as one distinguishing feature of this revival, that the 
 converts generally seem to have imbibed, in an unusual degree, 
 the spirit of missionaries. No sooner did they indulge ;i hope 
 that they had themselves accepted the invitation to the marriage 
 feast, than they were ready to go out into the highways and 
 hedges, and compel others to come in, that the house might be 
 filled, and the table furnished with guests. In some instances 
 the labor of itinerants was employed, but, with few exceptions, 
 with no very obvious success. Seldom, perhaps, lias the case 
 been known, in which God has so obviously honored the mean* 
 of his own appointment, in distinction from those of human in- 
 vention, and the labors of a staled ministry, in distinction from 
 those of itinerant evangelists, as in the revivals within our 
 bounds. 
 
 The means which have been most commonly employed and 
 most obviously blessed in these revivals, have been, in general, no 
 
29 
 
 other than the ordinar) means of grace. In ieveral of our 
 churches protracted meetings were held ; in some instances with 
 desirable results, but in others without anj apparent effect, other 
 than might be expected from the preaching of the word in other 
 circumstances. In some places the practice of calling out those 
 who were awakened, at the close of public worship, to take 
 What was called the "uiwinvs scut" was adopted. This prac- 
 tice was by no means general at any period of the revival and 
 in some instances, where it was at first introduced, it was after- 
 wards discontinued, from a full conviction that so soon as it 
 ceased to interest by its novelty, no beneficial results were ac- 
 complished by it. In most of our congregations the usual method 
 of holding inquiring meetings," for personal conversation and 
 instruction, has been found to .secure the attendance of a much 
 larger number; to afford greater facilities for instruction suited 
 to the condition of each individual, and to be, all things consi- 
 dered, the tc more excellent wa\." 
 
 The religious sen ices generally have been orderly, still and 
 solemn. Never interrupted b\ loud and boisterous expressions, 
 cither of grief or joy ; never rendered oileiisivc to the ear of re- 
 finement by low allusions or coarse and vulgar expressions, nor 
 painful to the ear of piety by an irreverent and affected familiarity 
 with sacred things. No quaint and questionable expedients 
 have been resorted to for the purpose of effect ; no audible prav- 
 ing of females in promiscuous assemblies; nothing, in short, in 
 the way of means or measures, except as above specified, which 
 has not been common in conducting revivals of religion since 
 the days of Edwards. From some of these remarks a tew of 
 our churches are to he excepted. These churches, ho\\<\,r. 
 with perhaps one exception, will, nut pastors, and the inno- 
 vations which have heen made upon the ordinary modes of wor- 
 ship, have heen introduced by itinerant preachers, who do not 
 belong to this Presbytery. Hut lew, if any, of than innovations 
 are now regarded as improvements, and (acts have shown th.it 
 generally, if not universally, the revivals have heen mod power- 
 ful, of the longest continuance, and most desirable in their results, 
 
30 
 
 in those places where there has heen the least departure from 
 the ordinary methods of conducting revivals in the Presbyterian 
 church. 
 
 It is obviously one distinguishing feature of these revivals, 
 that an unusual proportion of young men are among the con- 
 verts. This circumstance has been regarded as an unequivocal 
 indication, in the providence of God, that an increased effort was 
 called for to provide the means of education for those who might 
 be disposed to prepare for the gospel ministry. An arrangement 
 has accordingly been made to employ an additional agent, to 
 forward the objects of the American Education Society in the 
 western counties of the state, and one of the members of this 
 Presbytery is now actively engaged in visiting the congregations, 
 collecting funds, &c. and in various ways promoting this impor- 
 tant object. 
 
 An auxiliary to the A. B. C. F. M. has just been organized 
 within our bounds, and about three thousand four hundred dol- 
 lars subscribed in aid of its funds. The cause of Home Missions, 
 of Education, and Tracts, has received an increased degree of 
 attention. A new impulse has been given to the cause of Tem- 
 perance, and from sixty to eighty young men have commenced a 
 course of study, with a view to the gospel ministry, the past year. 
 
 These revivals have been most happy in promoting a spirit of 
 harmony and christian love in our churches. At no time have 
 our churches been in a condition apparently so favorable for 
 vigorous, systematic and united action as at present. Entire 
 harmony of sentiment, feeling and action prevails among the 
 ministers. No collisions of any kind are known to exist, and in 
 several of our congregations, revivals are in progress at the pre- 
 sent time. May the triumphs of truth and righteousness be 
 perpetuated and increased, until the knowledge of the Lord 
 shall fill the earth as the waters fill the seas ; until the king- 
 dom of Christ shall come, and his will be done on earth as it 
 is in heaven. 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 As the publication of this narrative has been unexpectedly de- 
 layed for several weeks, it may not be improper to add, that 
 since the meeting of Presbytery early in February, several of 
 our congregations have been visited with the special influences 
 of the Spirit. In some, protracted meetings have been held with 
 success ; in others, such meetings are still in progress. The 
 churches in which the work of grace has been most powerful 
 since the first of February, are Seneca Falls, Palmyra, Rush- 
 ville, Canandaigua, and Geneva. In Canandaigua, the number 
 who are cherishing a recent hope is between sixty and eighty. 
 In Geneva, the work is too recent in its origin to admit of an 
 accurate estimate at the present time. 
 
 Geneva, March 28th, 1832.