pVo 62 
 
 y^\ OF Pfi/^ 
 
 RARE EO0' 
 
^yco-c<^c^-9<<) 
 
 ho 
 
 ■^ 
 
^FRIENDLY COUNSEL ^ 
 
 TO 
 
 CHRISTIANS, 
 
 Who desire to do good 
 
 
 PITTSBU 
 
 PUBLISHED BY LUKE LOOMIS & Cc 
 
EMered according to the act of Congress, in 
 the year 1833, by Luke Loomis Sf Co., in the 
 Clerk's Office of the District Court of the West- 
 ern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Printed by Johnston & Stockton. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 That it is the indispensable duty of eveiy 
 .christian to warn impenitent sinners of their 
 danger, and persuade them to repent and 
 believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, will ap- 
 pear from several considerations: 
 
 1. JVe are required to exhibit in our lives the 
 spirit of Christ. " If any man have not the 
 spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The 
 spirit of Christ, as it shines through the great 
 work of redemption, resolves itself into 
 these two simple emotions: Compassion 
 FOR Sinners, and Zeal for the honour 
 AND GLORY OF GoD. " While we were yet 
 sinners, Christ died for us." And while 
 tastingthe agonies of that bitter cup, his pray- 
 er was, " Father, glorify thy name." It was, 
 that mercy might be extended to the guilty, 
 consistently with the honour and glory of 
 God, that he laid down his life. Behold 
 him, deeply feeling the dishonour done to 
 God, by ungrateful and rebellious men, con- 
 stantly reproving sin, weeping over the im- 
 penitence and hardness of heart of his coun- 
 trymen, and even exerting his power to 
 drive out those who were profaning the 
 temple. And He says, ''If any man will 
 
IV INTRODUCTIO.X. 
 
 come after me, let him deny himself and 
 take up his cross, and follow me." To fol- 
 low Christ is to imitate his example. Hence, 
 unless we follow Christ, in these particulars, 
 we have no right to be called after his name. 
 And, this we must do, to the exteM of our ahil- 
 itif, and at the expense of any personal sac- 
 rifice, not excepting, if need be, even our 
 own lives. This is the true spirit of the gos- 
 pel; and if it were carried out in the life of 
 every professor of the religion of Jesus, the 
 millennial glory would soon appear. 
 
 2. JVe are required to lore God with all our 
 heart, soul, might, mind, and strength. When 
 we love a friend, we are careful of his hon- 
 our. If we hear him defamed, or lightly 
 spoken of, or see him ill-treated, it gives us 
 pain. We take part with him, and vindi- 
 cate his character. Now, we see God dis- 
 honoured, and his goodness abused, contin- 
 ually. Multitudes of impenitent sinners 
 around us habitually cast off his authority, 
 and refuse to honour him, as the moral gov- 
 ernor of the universe. What can we do 
 more for his honour and glory, than by re- 
 claiming these rebellious subjects of his gov- 
 ernment, and bringing them back to loyalty 
 and obedience? 
 
 3- We arc required to love our neigbour as 
 ourselves. Now, we profess to have seen 
 <he lost condition of dying sinners. We 
 
INTRODUCTION. V 
 
 think that God has taken our feet from the 
 '•horrible pit and miry clay." We profess 
 to believe that all who have not embraced 
 Christ, are every moment exposed to the 
 h orrors of the second death. Can we love 
 t/iem OS ourselves, and make no ettbrt to 
 open their eyes (o their awful danger, and 
 persuade them to flee from it? Said a young 
 man, " I do not believe there is any truth in 
 what they tell us about eternal punishment; 
 nor do I believe christians believe it them- 
 selves. If they did, they could not manifest so 
 little concern about it." 
 
 4. The business of reclaiming a lost world, 
 is committed to the church, in conjmiction icith 
 the Holy Spirt. It is the business of the church 
 to apply "the truth'' to the consciences 
 of lost sinners. It is the office of the Spirit 
 to make it effectual to their salvation. — 
 "The spirit and the bride [the church] say 
 come." And even the hearer of the word is 
 allowed to say "-come." Rev. 22: ]7. The 
 scriptures recognize the conversion of the 
 sinner as the work of the christian. ^^ He 
 which converteth a sinner from the error of 
 his way, shall save a soul from death, and 
 shall hide a multitude of sins." Jas. 5: 20. 
 ''Others save with fear; pulling them out of 
 the fire." Jude 23. "Then will I teach 
 transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be 
 converted unto thee." Ps. 51: IS, 13. It is 
 
VI INTRODUCTION. 
 
 true, we cannot, of our own power, convert 
 souls. But, if we are faithful in the use of 
 the means of God's appointment, he will 
 make use of us as instruments for accom- 
 plishing this great w-ork. Every one who 
 has truly come to Christ, knows the way, and 
 can direct others to him. And the personal 
 application of the truth to the conscience of 
 the sinner, is often as efficacious as when 
 spoken from the pulpit. 
 
 Now, if this be a plain, positive duty, it 
 cannot be neglected with impunity. God 
 will not bless his children while they refuse 
 to obey him. ''If I regard iniquity in my 
 heart, the Lord will not hear me." You 
 may spend all your time on your knees, 
 while living in the neglect of a plain duty, 
 and get no blessing. \Ve cannot expect to 
 enjoy the presence of God, while we refuse 
 to point sinners to Christ. The spiritual 
 barrenness which reigns so extensively in 
 the church, may doubtless be attributed 
 greatly to the neglect of this duty, both on 
 the part of pastors and people. If then 
 christians wish their ow^n hearts revived, 
 they must try to persuade others to come 
 to Christ. " He that watereth shall be wa- 
 tered also himself." Prov. 11:25. If we 
 wish to maintain constant communion with 
 God, we must live in the habitual exercise 
 of the spirit of Christ. 
 
INTRODUCTION. Vll 
 
 But, see that you do not mistake the spirit 
 of Christ. Many christians content them- 
 selves with speaking to the impenitent when- 
 ever they meet them under favourable cir- 
 cumstances, in the ordinary intercourse of 
 life. This is doubtless a duty; but it is not 
 the extent of duty. It is only following 
 part of the example of Christ, He came "to 
 seek and to save that which was lost." "He 
 icent about, doing good." Is it not, then, the 
 obvious duty of every one of his followers, 
 to seek opportunities of conversing with the 
 impenitent upon the great subject of their 
 souls' salvation? The primitive christians 
 carried out this principle in its fullest extent. 
 In the 8th chapter of Acts, we read that the 
 church at Jerusalem were all scattered a- 
 broad, except the apostles. "And they 
 that were scattered abroad, icent every where, 
 preaching the word." And afterwards, in 
 the eleventh chapter, 19th verse, we hear of 
 them as far as Phenice and Cyprus, where 
 they had travelled, preaching [in the Greek 
 talking'] the word as they went. It is to 
 be particularly remarked that these, or at 
 least, most of them, were the private mem- 
 bers of the church; for the apostles still re- 
 mained at Jerusalem. And what was the 
 result of these joint labours of the whole 
 church? Revivals of religion immediately 
 spread all over the land of Judea and its vi- 
 
Vlll INTRODUCTION. 
 
 clnity . And so might we see revivals s])read- 
 ing over this land; and continuing, with in- 
 creasing power, and multitudes of sinners 
 converted, if the church, as one, united in 
 Christ, would come up to her duty. Nor 
 would it stop here. The lire thus kindled 
 would burn brighter and brighter, and ex- 
 tend, with increasing rapidity, till it spread 
 over the whole world. Should not all pri- 
 vate christians tlien, as well as ministers of 
 the gospel, consider themselves placed, to 
 some extent at least, in the situation of 
 watchmen upon the w-alls of Zion? If they 
 neglect to warn sinners, w'ill they be guilt- 
 less of the blood of souls? How can they 
 meet them at the bar of God? Ezek. 33: 1-9. 
 
FRIENDLY COUNSEL, &c. 
 
 As this work is one of great respon- 
 sibility, Christians should enter upon 
 it with the solemnities of the judgment 
 day before them. To aid them in pre- 
 paration for so important a duty, the 
 following hints are given: 
 
 1. Endeavour to get a deep and 
 moving sense of the dishonour and 
 contempt done unto God, by the im- 
 penitence and unbelief of the midti- 
 tudes that surround you. They are 
 subjects of liis moral government, liv- 
 ing at enmity with him, and in open 
 rebellion against his authority. Tin'nk 
 how a parent is dishonoured by the dis- 
 obedience of a child. Yet, earthly 
 parents are weak and sinful creatures 
 like their children. Ho^Y much great- 
 er the dishonour cast upon an infinite- 
 ly holy God, by the disobedience of 
 the creatures of his power. Enter in- 
 to the feelings of the Psalmist, and of 
 
10 
 
 the weeping prophet, who gave vent 
 to their grief in such strains as these: 
 " I beheld the transgressors, and was 
 grieved; because they kept not thy 
 word.^'' " Rivers of waters run down 
 mine eyes, because they keep not 
 thy laic?^ " But, if ye will not hear, 
 my soul shall iceep in secret places/or 
 your pride''' Psal. 119:136, 158. 
 Jer. 13:17. Remember also that God 
 has " set a marh upon those that sigh 
 and cry for all the abominations that 
 are done in the land ; and tliat they on- 
 ly shall escape in the day of his wrath ; 
 for he will begin his judgments at his 
 sanctuary. Ezek. 9 : 4. 
 
 2. Realize continually the dreadful 
 condition of the impenitent, as repre- 
 sented in the scriptures. See them, in 
 the midst of the full blaze of gospel 
 light, blindly rushing down to eternal 
 death. View them as the Bible views 
 them, "condemned already;'^'' John 3 : 
 18; already 'Host -^"^ and in the most 
 imminent danger, every moment, of 
 
11 
 
 being beyond recovery. See them 
 wearying the patience and forbearance 
 and long suffering of God, by obstin- 
 ately refusing to accept the salvation 
 he has provided at an infinite expense. 
 Remember the " hole of the pit whence 
 you were digged ;" and that, but for 
 the free, rich, and sovereign grace of 
 God, you would now have been in the 
 same condition ; and show your grati- 
 tude by "teaching transgressors" God's 
 ways. Ps. 51:13. 
 
 3. Enter into the feelings of Christ. 
 Endeavour to know the " fellowship of 
 his sufferings." Be with him in his 
 fasting and temptation; his extreme 
 poverty ; his exhausting labours ; his 
 mountain retreats for prayer, during 
 the season devoted by the world to re- 
 pose. Bejiold him every where meet- 
 ing the opposition, malice, and scorn, 
 of the very beings he came t© save ; 
 see him weeping over their obstinacy 
 and unbelief Be with him in his 
 agony in the garden ; in the cruel la- 
 
12 
 
 cerations of his body ; in his racking 
 pains upon the cross; but, above all, 
 in the double anguish of his holy soul, 
 while enduring the hidings of his Fa- 
 ther's fdce. Remember that it was his 
 compassion for sinners which led him 
 to suffer all this. He saw the ichole 
 of that ruin into which they are fallen. 
 He knew the worth of the soul. He 
 knew the unutterable horrors of the 
 " w^orm that dieth not, and the fire that 
 is not quenched." He requires you 
 to feel as he felt. PhiL2:5. "Let 
 the same mind be in you which was in 
 Christ.'" " If so be that we suffer with 
 him, that we may also be glorified to- 
 gether." liom. 8:17. Sympathize 
 also with the apostle Paul, who said, 
 " I have great heaviness and contin- 
 ual sorrow in my heart," in view 
 of the obstinate impenitence and un- 
 belief of liis countrymen. Try al- 
 so to hnbibe his spirit and feelings, 
 when, at Ephesu?, by the space of 
 three years, he ceased not to warn cvc- 
 
13 
 
 ry one, night and day, with tears, both 
 publicly and from house to house.— 
 Acts 20 : 31 , 20. Get your heart deep- 
 ly imbued with such sentiments and 
 feelings as these, and instead of find- 
 ing it a difficult task to open your 
 mouth to impenitent sinners, you will 
 feel, with the prophet, that the word of 
 God is in your hearts, like a Jire shut 
 up in your bones. Jer. 20 : 9. 
 
 4, Think much of the love of God 
 towards perishing sinners. Do not 
 tliink that He delights in the punish- 
 ment of the wicked. Their misery is 
 the necessary and unavoidable conse- 
 quence of sin. At an infinite expense. 
 He has provided a way of deliverance 
 from sin and misery. " God so loved 
 the world, that he gave his only begot- 
 ten Son, that whosoever believeth in 
 him should not perish, but have ever- 
 lasting hfe." John 3: 17. And t/iis 
 wonderful deliverance is freely offered 
 to ail. '" W^hosoever will, let him take 
 the water of life freely." '• Him that 
 
14 
 
 Cometh to me, I will in no wise cast 
 out." Rev.22:17. John6:37. But, 
 as if this amazing display of divine 
 love were not sufficient to convince 
 His rebellious creatures that He does 
 not dehght in their destruction, He has 
 declared with an oath, " As I live, I 
 have no pleasure in the death of tlie 
 wicked; but tliat the wicked turn from 
 his way and live." Ezek. 33:11. — 
 While you fellowship with God in this 
 deep solicitude for the eternal welfare 
 of sinners, tell them of it as He does ; 
 expostulate with them, "why will ye 
 die?" entreat them to avail themselves 
 of his divine benevolence — " Let him 
 that heareth, say, Come." 
 
 5. See that you do not indulge er- 
 roneous views of the sovereignty of 
 God. That God is a moral governor, 
 and that he controls all events accord- 
 ing to his own sovereign will, is a doc- 
 trine evidently taught in the Holy Scrip- 
 tures. But this sovereignty is exer- 
 cised in such a manner as to be per- 
 
15 
 
 fectly consistent with the character of 
 man, as a free moral agent. If the 
 free agency of the creature were taken 
 away, God would no longer be a mo- 
 ral governor. If sinners are lost it is 
 by their own voluntary choice. God 
 has given them a law which, if obeyed, 
 would make them perfectly happy, as 
 the angels in heaven. They have bro- 
 ken this law, and exposed themselves 
 to its penalty, which is eternal death. 
 But, the Lord Jesus, in his abounding 
 and infinite love, has satisfied the de- 
 mands of this law, and opened a way of 
 salvation to all who will accept of it, as 
 a free gift of God's grace . This salva- 
 tion is freely offered to all. All might 
 partake of it, " if they would.'''' Matt. 
 23:37- But, such is the stubborn- 
 ness and pride of the natural heart, 
 that all mankind obstinately refuse to 
 accept of salvation, on the only terms 
 upon which God can bestow it, and 
 preserve the rectitude of his moral cha- 
 racter. Would it not, therefore, be 
 
16 
 
 doubly just, notwithstanding this won- 
 derful provision for their salvation, if 
 God should leave all mankind to pe- 
 rish in the ruin which they have brought 
 upon themselves ; and from whiclU:hey 
 refuse to accept deliverance? But, 
 here is compassion like a God! He 
 determines to make one ejGfort more to 
 save lost sinners. He sends his Holy 
 Spirit to incline their hearts to em- 
 brace the salvation so freely provided 
 in the gospel. But, He operates upon 
 the heart of the sinner in perfect ac- 
 cordance with the natural faculties of 
 the soul. He violates none of the 
 laws of mind. And his operations are 
 simultaneous with the action of the 
 sinner. No sinner is ever saved con- 
 trary to his own will. The renewing 
 energy of the Spirit is exerted just as 
 the healing power of Christ was man- 
 ifest in the case of the man with the 
 withered hand. Christ commanded 
 him to stretch it out. He obeyed, and 
 in the act of obedience, new life and 
 
17 
 
 energy were imparted to the arm, which 
 was of itself perfectly prostrate and 
 powerless. The sinner is commanded 
 to repent and believe in the Lord Je- 
 sus Christ. Repentance and faith are 
 the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet, it is 
 manifestly plain, that, while the sinner 
 remains inactive, upon the ground that 
 he can do nothing, this work will ne- 
 ver be wrought in his soul. It must 
 be in the act of obedience. When 
 Christ commanded the man to stretch 
 forth his hand, if he had replied, " Lord, 
 it is withered and lifeless, I cannot 
 stretch it out ;" and so refused to make 
 the effort, it is perfectly obvious that it 
 never would have been healed. And 
 so, when God commands the sinner to 
 repent, and believe in Christ ; if he says, 
 " I cannot repent — ^I cannot believe;" 
 and so refuses to make the attempt, he 
 can never be saved. His will not is 
 his cannot. The only answer we can 
 give a sinner, in such a case, is, if he 
 ivill not repent and believe in the Lord 
 1 * 
 
18 
 
 Je«us Christ, he must be lost, for not 
 obeying God ! 
 
 Although the conversion of the sin- 
 ner is the sovereign act of God ; yet 
 this sovereignty is not exerted arbitra- 
 rily or capriciously. God has appoint- 
 ed certain means to accompany certain 
 ends. He has declared with an oath 
 that the conversion of sinners is agree- 
 able to his will. But this, he lias ap- 
 pointed to be accomplished through 
 the agency of his word and spirit. He 
 has committed his word to his people ; 
 and promised to give his Holy Spirit to 
 them that ask it. Now, what have we 
 to do, but to lay divine truth upon the 
 conscience of sinners, and ask God 
 for his Holy Spirit to make it effectual 
 to their salvation ? When and after we 
 have done these, then is our time to re- 
 pose upon his sovereignty in disposing, 
 according to his infinite w^isdom, of 
 the means we have used, and of the 
 sinner on whom they have been used. 
 Our skirts are then clean of his blood. 
 
19 
 
 6. Endeavour to get clear and ex- i 
 perimental views of the nature of that 1 
 great moral change called conversion. j 
 On this point much misapprehension j 
 prevails, with the impenitent; even 
 those of them who have been well in- 
 structed in the doctrines of Christian- 
 ity. And, it is greatly to be feared 
 that the import of the terms in which 
 they are usually addressed, as, " come 
 to Christ;" "Give your hearts to 
 Christ ;" '^ Submit yourselves to God ;" 
 "Give yourselves away to him," &c. 
 are not generally understood. It is to 
 be feared also that there is great mis- 
 apprehension as to tlie manner of the 
 Spirit's operations. Many sinners ex- 
 pect to be acted upon by some sensi- 
 ble miraculous impulse, creating anew 
 all the faculties of the soul. But this 
 every Christian knows is a vain expecta- 
 tion. This " new birth" consists sim- 
 ply of " Repentance towards God, and 
 faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 Repentance is a sincere and heartfelt 
 
20 
 
 sorrow for sin, on account of its odious 
 nature, as committed against a holy 
 God ; with a steadfast determination to 
 forsake it. Faith is a belief "m^/j all the 
 hearf in Jesus Christ, as the only Lord 
 and Saviour; and an acceptance of him 
 in these offices, with all the heart. — 
 Acts 8:37. Rom 10:10. These ex- 
 ercises are accompanied with an en- 
 tire renunciation or giving^up of "^elf," 
 and all selfish objects ; a givi«^way 
 of ourselves and all we have to God; 
 with a determination henceforth to 
 live for " the Lord," and not for our- 
 selves. Rom. 14:7. Tt is in fact ht- 
 erally forsaking all for Christ. Not 
 a being willing only, but an actual for- 
 saking of all; not considering our- 
 selves or any thing we have as our own ; 
 but holding ourselves in readiness, 
 whenever the glory of God requires it, 
 to give up all we have, property, friends, 
 and even our oxm lives. 
 
 7. Cherish a deep and abiding sense 
 of your dependence upon the Spirit of 
 
21 
 
 Godf as the author of a right spirit in 
 yourself and of success with others. 
 Without his gracious influences upon 
 the hearts of sinners, all your efforts for 
 their salvation will be vain. If you go 
 about the work relying upon your own 
 strength, you will utterly fail. God 
 will not encourage a self-confident, self- 
 seeking spirit, in his children. " / can 
 do all things,'''' says the apostle Paul, 
 "through Christ which strengtheneth 
 me." A sense of your dependence, 
 will have a tendency to keep you 
 humble. It will enable you to see 
 your own impotence — cause you to 
 be importunate in prayer, and to give 
 all the glory of your success to God. 
 The labours of such a spirit God will 
 bless. 
 
 8. Be much in prayer. This will 
 be the great secret of your success. — 
 Meditate much upon the amazing pro- 
 raises of God, in relation to prayer. — 
 Exercise strong and unshaken confi- 
 dence in these promises. Try their re- 
 
22 
 
 ality, by actually putting forth the pray- 
 er of faith, for the conversion of sinners. 
 Spend much time in prayer. No Chris- 
 tian ever became eminent in this holy 
 exercise, without visiting his closet fre- 
 quently. And, if you feel the burden 
 of dying immortal souls pressing upon 
 you, your heart will continually rise up 
 to God for the outpouring of his Spir- 
 it on them. A man of prayer carries 
 omnipotence in his bosom. The Holy 
 Ghost dwells with him. All obstacles 
 melt away before the spirit of prayer. 
 There is, as it were, a heavenly atmos- 
 phere about such a person, which fills 
 even opposers with awe. Before you 
 go out to converse with the impenitent, 
 Jirst visit your closet, and obtain evi- 
 dence in your own soul of the presence 
 ofGodtogo withyou. Much depends 
 upon this ; for if the Spirit of God does 
 not go with you, your labour will be 
 lost. However, do not make your want 
 of feeling an excuse for neglecting the 
 duty your soul may be blessed in the 
 
23 
 
 very act of discharging it, for the Lord 
 commended her, who did "what she 
 could." 
 
 Pennit a few suggestions respecting 
 the MANNER of performing the duty 
 enjoined, "let him that heareth say, 
 come :" 
 
 1. Go out in a spirit of simple and 
 humble dependence upon God, but 
 with the expectation of success. By so 
 doing, you will greatly honour God; 
 for in no way can he be so highly hon- 
 oured by his people, as by a strong con- 
 fidence in the efficacy of his word and 
 spirit, and by an unwavering faith in his 
 grace and promises; nor can he be 
 more dishonoured than by the unbelief 
 of his own children ? "Be strong in the 
 Lord." This will make you as bold 
 as a lion. It will inspire you with a 
 courage and patience which no obsta- 
 cles can daunt, and no opposition over- 
 come. It will enable you to say with 
 the Psalmist, "The Lord of hosts is 
 with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge." 
 
24 
 
 "The God of Israel is the strength of 
 his people." 
 
 2. Improve the most favourable op- 
 portunities for conversing with the im- 
 penitent. "A word spoken in due sea- 
 son, how good is it!" Prov. 15:23. 
 It is generally advisable to visit them 
 at their houses, at those hours when 
 they are least encumbered with busi- 
 ness. When the mind is burdened with 
 care, and the chilling influence of world- 
 ly pursuits exerts its full power, it is 
 very difficult to reach the conscience. 
 Yet, do not carry this so far as to ne- 
 glect opportunities for doing good, 
 through an excessive fear of doing harm. 
 
 3. Perform this duty with a tender 
 melting spirit. This was the feeling 
 of the the apostle Paul. " I have great 
 heaviness and sorrow of heart — for my 
 brethren, my kinsmen according to the 
 flesh." Rom. 9 : 2, 3. " By the space 
 of three years I ceased not to warn ev- 
 ery one day and night, with tears?"^ 
 Acts 20 : 31 . "Out of much afiiiction 
 
25 
 
 and anguish of heart I wrote unto you 
 with many tears?'' 2 Cor. 2:4. " For 
 many walk, of whom I have told you of- 
 ten, and now tell you even weeping, that 
 they are enemies of the cross of Christ." 
 Phil. 3 : 18. Such a spirit as this might 
 melt a heart which would be provoked 
 to opposition by a harsh imperious 
 manner. Approach the impenitent, 
 not in the assuming attitude of a teach- 
 er, but with the kind and tender expos- 
 tulation of a friend and brother. Let 
 even the tone of your voice indicate both 
 your low estimate of yourself, and the 
 tender regard you feel for their souls. 
 Even the same words which would pro- 
 voke anger and opposition, when spo- 
 ken in a loud and bold strain, would 
 touch the heart, if advanced in a mod- 
 est under tone. "A soft answer tum- 
 eth away wrath." Prov. 15:1. "A 
 word fitly spoken is like apples of gold 
 in pictures of silver." Prov. 25 : 1 1. 
 
 4. First ascertain, by kind and fa- 
 miliar inquiries, the present spiritual 
 
26 
 
 condition of the person with whom you 
 converse: his knowledge and admis- 
 sions of the fundamental doctrines of 
 Christianity, and his feehngs and his de- 
 terminations in relation to the interests 
 of his soul. For introducing your sub- 
 ject, no better course can be recommen- 
 ded than to follow the example of our 
 Saviour. He improved every oppor- 
 tunity for drawing out serious reflec- 
 tions from the most common occurren- 
 ces of life. By the rephes made to 
 these reflections, you can form^ some 
 estimate of the state of feeling. If you 
 discover any appearance of tenderness, 
 you may safely proceed with faithful, 
 affectionate, direct personal questions. 
 But, if great insensibility is manifest 
 send up your heart to God for direction, 
 while you use that "prudence which is 
 profitable to direct." The insensibil- 
 ity only shows, that there is the greater 
 necessity, that some how or other, the 
 power of the gospel should be brought 
 to their hearts. By unnecessary ab- 
 
27 
 
 ruptness, in cases of this kind, you may 
 defeat your object. 
 
 5. If the individual with whom you 
 are conversing is ignorant of the great 
 fundamental doctrines of Christianity, 
 endeavour to e?:plain to him, in as sim- 
 ple and brief a manner as possible, those 
 great truths which it is necessary for him 
 to believe, in order to become a chris- 
 tian. Acquaint him with his true con- 
 dition, as a lost and ruined sinner, and 
 point out the only way of salvation 
 through Christ. Try to make him un- 
 derstand the nature of true conversion. 
 Lut, by no means enter into general 
 and irrelevant discussions; this would 
 defeat your whole purpose, by turning 
 off the attention of the sinner from the 
 consideration of his own personal state 
 before God. Endeavour, in the most 
 direct manner possible, to get at the 
 conscience of the impenitent. This is 
 generally a most difficult matter. You 
 will often find every avenue of approach 
 most strictly guarded, and most cour- 
 
28 
 
 ageously defended. Your attention 
 will be diverted by speculations upon 
 doctrine ; by scattered conversation a- 
 bout the inconsistent conduct of pro- 
 fessors; the externals of religion; or 
 something else entirely foreign to the 
 personal interests of the individual.— 
 But do not suffer yourself to be dravi^n 
 into an argument upon any of these 
 matters. Ply the truth to his con- 
 science, to make him feel that his con- 
 troversy is with God. "For every 
 man shall bear his own burden." Gal. 
 6: 15. "Every one shall give an ac- 
 count for himself unto God." Rom. 
 14 : 12. Be especially careful that you 
 do not make yourself the offended par- 
 ty, and treat him as if he had injured 
 you. Convince him that he himself h 
 a lost sinner, already sentenced by the 
 word of God, and every moment expos- 
 ed to the agonies of eternal death. — 
 Show him his absolute need of a Sa- 
 viour. Press upon him the duty of im- 
 mediate repentance and faith in the 
 
29 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ; and the danger and 
 guilt of every moment's delay. Try to 
 explain to him, by familiar illustrations, 
 what is meant by repentance and faith 
 in Christ. Describe the feelings of the 
 true penitent, and give him, if possible, 
 an experimental view of faith. This 
 every christian can do, who has much, 
 experience of these emotions in his own 
 soul. Show him that every moment 
 while he rejects the salvation offered in 
 the gospel, he is committing a new act 
 of aggravated rebellion against God. 
 Strive to bring him to a solemn stand; 
 and if possible get him to take soine 
 step which will manifest his determina- 
 tion to put off this great work no lon- 
 ger. This first step may be an atten- 
 tion to some particular duty; such as 
 closet or family prayer, or attendance 
 upon a particular meeting. Yet, tlie 
 utmost caution should be observed, 
 that he may not mistake this direction 
 for the answer to the question, " What 
 must I do to be saved?" Show him 
 
30 
 
 that he is an enemy to God ; and that 
 he can do notliing pleasing in his sight, 
 till he ceases his rebellion and opposi- 
 tion to his government, by repentance 
 and unconditional submission. You 
 cannot too strenuously enforce the aw- 
 ful truth, that all which an unconverted 
 person does is sin. Yet, show him 
 that he is under the most solemn obli- 
 gation, not only to pray, but to perform 
 every christian duty; and that his im- 
 penitence and unbelief do not, in the 
 least, release him from this obligation. 
 Endeavour to remove the impression 
 that a long season of distress must ne- 
 cessarily precede conversion; or that 
 the work requires a series of protracted 
 efforts. On the day of Pentecost three 
 thousand were converted in a few hours ; 
 and the jailer believed and was baptized 
 rejoicing with all his house, the same 
 hour that he was brought under the in- 
 fluence of the truth. Show him that 
 his only hope is in Christ; and that he 
 can do nothing to recommend himself 
 
31 
 
 to the favour of God. He must come 
 as a sinner; acknowledge the justice 
 of God in his condemnation, and cast 
 himself upon His mere grace, through 
 the atoning blood of Christ. He 
 can make himself no better. Staying 
 away from Christ to get more con- 
 viction or feeling, (instead of coming 
 to Christ as he commands,) is sin, and 
 only aggravates his guilt. Whatever 
 may be his anxiety, his prayers, or his 
 tears, he is continually irreconciled to 
 God, so long as he refuses to accept of 
 Christ, the only meritorious cause of 
 salvation. 
 
 6. Most unconverted persons have 
 so?ne particular idol — some one object 
 upon which their affections mainly cen- 
 tre. This above all others, they are 
 unwilling to give up. If possible, as- 
 certain what this is. In some, it is the 
 love of pleasure ; in others, the love of 
 wealth; in others, self conceit, the pride 
 of independence, ambition of worldly 
 distinction ; or some other favourite ob- 
 
32 
 
 ject of carnal enjoyment. You will 
 frequently meet with persons who have 
 such an idol, and yet say they wish to 
 be christians ; that they love Christ and 
 are willing to give him their hearts. — 
 With such, your first object should be 
 to convince them that they are deceived 
 in supposing they wish to become chris- 
 tians. Until this is done, it is impos- 
 sible to approach their consciences. 
 The most elifectual way to accomplish 
 this, is to explain to them what is 
 meant by "forsaking all" for Christ; 
 [Luke xiv. 33.] and then proceed to 
 inquire whether they are willing to 
 give up this or that object, until you 
 discover the darling idol of their 
 hearts. Then bend all your energies 
 to that point. If you can persuade 
 them to give up their favourite sin, 
 they will soon make an entire surren- 
 der of every thing else. 
 
 7. Keep a supply of tracts appro- 
 priate to the various circumstances of 
 impenitent sinners j and leave with the 
 
S3 
 
 person with whom you have been con- 
 versing, one adapted to his case.—* 
 This is of great importance; as tbd 
 reading of it will teiid to fix apori his 
 mind the impresKJon your conver55a1Joa 
 may have made, and load hm to com* 
 pare it witJi the word "-^ God, v 
 
 6- If clrcn] '- " fO not/oi'hidil, 
 pray mtk ta> .^i^ith wium 
 
 y7)u have hon :. •'iv^r.-^ing before you 
 Isave b^m. Nothing ib better calcula-^ 
 tf-d CO soften the heart of an impenitent 
 sumer, than a direct appeal to the 
 throne of grace in his behalf; and if 
 yoii '1 > really offer up the prayer of 
 fkii ' , the Holy Spirit will descend upon 
 iiim while you are yet speaking. Beat 
 him continually upon your mind, and 
 m^ke him a subject of daily prayer in 
 your closet. Agonize at the throne 
 of grace for his soul. Take fast hold 
 of the promises made to prayer; and 
 let not your faith and supplications fall 
 till you obtain the blessing. 
 
 9. When you have called up thel at- 
 2 
 
34 
 
 tenti'T). of the sinner to a serious con- 
 cern foi the sai, Jtion of his soul, he is 
 brought into h ptr'hus condition. — 
 "Under no- ciicumsta iv.es can the un- 
 converted commit such ngo-avated sin, 
 '■-^: 'v^- -Irebel- 
 ho - the 
 
 striviu^f'- -■! me liMy :^pi!i' i ncr' 
 uation is one of tne most immh 
 danger. Oi. le one haTid. they arc- 
 posed to the deiusioTis of a fa^a h 
 on the other, they art ; i 
 ing the Holy Spirit, aii 
 own condemnation. Wn«c re^ 
 
 you have been the instrument mg- 
 ing the sinner into this perilous «. di- 
 tion, you are under the most solemn 
 obligation if he still remains within 
 your reach, to follow up your efforts. 
 When you have faithfully performed 
 the duties already mentioned, leave 
 him till he has had time for serious re- 
 flection, and deliberate action. But, 
 do not leave him too long, lest his im- 
 pressions shoa,ild wear oiff for want of 
 
35 
 
 the continued application of the truth 
 to his conscience; or, lest temptations 
 should beset his mind, which your kind 
 counsel might remove. Repeat your 
 visits from time to time, till you kiiow 
 the result. 
 
 10. You will find many sinners, un- 
 der some degree of serious impression, 
 who acknowledge that they are not '^al- 
 together'^'' christians; and yet seem to 
 think they are in a fair way to become 
 such. They are resting upon their 
 anxiety; their regular attendance upon 
 the means of grace ; and upon trying, 
 as they say, to do ''as well as they can?'' 
 They think if they persevere in this 
 course of seeking, they shall so £3.1 gain 
 the favour of God, that he will convert 
 their souls. Show them that God will 
 have no neutrals in his kingdom : that 
 every man is either the friend or the en- 
 emy of God. " He that is not with me 
 is against me." To meet this self- 
 righteous spirit show them the holiness 
 and spirituality of God's law; that a 
 
36 
 
 single transgression is an act of rebel- 
 lion against his government, and tJbat, 
 while they pretend to be doing as well 
 as they caw, they are resisting the claims 
 of God. They are trying to seek his 
 favour, while they persevere in reject- 
 ing the only offer of mercy which he can 
 make, consistently with the holiness 
 and rectitude of his character. God 
 abhors their unholy performances, while 
 their rebelhous hearts refuse to surren- 
 der, and accept of pardon and life on 
 His own and only terms. They must 
 see their lost, ruined, helpless, and 
 hopeless condition, before they will cast 
 themselves entirely upon Christ. 
 
 1 1 . Avoid producing the impression 
 upon the mind of the sinner that his 
 present condition is his misfortune, 
 rather than his guilt. This is often 
 done by injudicious expressions of pi- 
 ty. While you approach him with all 
 the tenderness of a heart tremblingly a- 
 live to his situation, yet maintain the 
 honour of God. The lost and ruined con- 
 
37 
 
 dition of the sinner, is the result of his 
 wilful and determined rebellion against 
 his Maker. Show him that God's jus- 
 tice would shine with unclouded splen- 
 dour in his eternal punishment. He 
 has deliberately and wilfully transgres- 
 sed God's holy law, rejected every of- 
 fer of mercy, and obstinately resisted 
 the Holy Ghost. If he goes down to 
 eternal death, it will be of his own free 
 will and deliberate choice. Sinners 
 are disposed to throw the blame of 
 their situation upon God, while he de- 
 clares, with emphasis, that '■Hhey have 
 destroyed themselves.'''' Be exceed- 
 ingly cautious, then, to use no expres- 
 sion, either in your conversation or your 
 prayers, which can be so wrested by 
 the sinner as to give him the least sha- 
 dow of excuse for remaining in impen- 
 itence. Let every thing be calculated 
 to justify God, and condemn the sin- 
 ner — to show him that God is right, and 
 he is wrong— ^ox this is ^;he solemn 
 truth, in the case. 
 
38 
 
 12. Do not think you have accom- 
 plished your object by engaging in gen- 
 eral and vague conversation about the 
 imjportance of religion, S^c. There 
 are many things of this nature, con- 
 cerning which the sinner will agree 
 with you ; and you may leave him, af- 
 ter an hour''s conversation of this kind, 
 with the self-complacent feeling that 
 he is about as good a christian as your- 
 self. Especially avoid any common- 
 place remarks just as you are about to 
 leave him, after a serious attempt to 
 reach his conscience . Every such thing 
 tends to dissipate serious impressions. 
 "Then cometh the enemy, and catch- 
 eth away that which was sown." 
 
 13. Be very cautious in speaking to 
 others about the conversation you have 
 had with individuals. Never do it un- 
 less some good end can plainly be ac- 
 complished by it. Seldom mention it 
 before unconverted persons, or in the 
 presence of professors of religion, who 
 manifest little interest in the conversion 
 
39 
 
 of sinners — "Your good will be evil 
 spoken of." Rom. 14: 16. Do not 
 speak of it for the gratification of idle 
 curiosity, or gossiping egotism, or in 
 any irreverent manner. And, if you 
 converse about it, with your praying 
 brethren, for the purpose of mutual en- 
 couragement, and for asking the aid of 
 their prayers, it is generally advisable 
 to conceal the name of the individual. 
 
 14. Be very careful in your conver- 
 sation with those who 'profess recent- 
 ly to have experienced a change of 
 heart. "The heart is deceitful, above 
 all things;'''' and the number of appar- 
 ently dead professors in the church, 
 shows that multitudes may he deceiv- 
 ed in relation to their supposed conver- 
 sion. Beware how you rejoice with 
 them, however confident they may be, 
 or however clear their views appear. 
 The seed sown upon stony ground 
 sprung up rapidly, and appeared at first 
 even more thrifty than that sown upon 
 good ground. Do not appear confident 
 
40 
 
 that the work is genuine. "By Iheir fruits 
 ye shall know them." Caution them 
 against the danger of deception. Tell 
 them that, if they are really born again, 
 they have but just commenced a war- 
 fare which will end only with their lives. 
 Press upon them the importance of self- 
 ejiamination ; and of renewing daily 
 the acts of repentance and submission 
 to God. Leave upon their minds the 
 impression, that their subsequent lives 
 only can test the genuineness of their 
 conversion. It is only " He that eti" 
 dureth to the end,''^ that shall be saved. 
 If they have really experienced a sav- 
 ing change, you cannot deprive tliem 
 of it. But, if you cherish in their | 
 minds a delusive hope, you may con- f 
 tribute to the loss of their souls. There 
 may, however, be some persons of a , 
 gloomy temperament not inclined to 
 self-confidence, accustomed to look up- 
 Qn the dark side of every thing, who 
 r^iquire a different mode of treatment. 
 Cc«^eLU3ioN. — What would be the 
 
41 
 
 result, if the Spirit of Christ were thus 
 carried out in the daily conduct of those 
 who profess to be his disciples? If ev- 
 ery one who bears the christian name, 
 would seek daily opportunities of con- 
 versing with impenitent sinners, in the 
 spirit of prayer and humble depen- 
 dence upon the Holy Spirit and tender 
 concern for the conversion of their fel- 
 low men, a universal sensation would 
 pervade the land. The kingdom of 
 heaven would suffer violence, and mul- 
 titudes would press into it. The flame 
 thus lighted would reflect back upon 
 the church. Christians would "grow 
 in grace." Their graces would be 
 "shining brighter and brighter unto the 
 perfect day." 
 
APPE]¥I>IX. 
 
 MAXIMS FOR CHRISTIANS. ' 
 
 1. It is the duty of every christian to 
 be revived in heart, growing in grace, 
 and doing all he or she can to glorify 
 God. The obligation of this duty rests 
 upon the present moment. Rom. 13: 
 11; lThess.5:4— S;Eph.5:14; Isa. 
 60:1; lJohnl:6;Heb.3:15; 2Cor. 
 6:2. 
 
 2. God hears and answers the pray- 
 ers of his children, when they are in the 
 way of obedience. 1 John 3:22; 
 John 15:7. 
 
 3. When christians pray and labour 
 for the salvation of souls, and that God 
 may be glorified, sinners will be conver- 
 ted. Mai. 3:10. 
 
 4. It is the sinful neglect of the 
 church that prevents her from enjoy- 
 
4.1 
 
 ing a perpetual revival. Isa. 66:8. 
 {Inference from the above.) 
 
 5. When no souls are converted in a 
 congregation, let no follower of Christ 
 look round upon this or that brother, or 
 sister, or any number of them, who do 
 not come up to the work, and complain 
 that they are standing in the \fJiy of 
 God's blessing. Let him look at home 
 and say " Lord is it I ?" Mat. 7 : 1—5 ; 
 Rom. 2:1; 1 Cor. 4:5. 
 
 6. If but two members of a church 
 get truly revived themselves, and agree 
 together, and offer up the prayer of faith 
 for a revival of religion, they may expect 
 that blessing will be granted. Slat. 
 18:19. 
 
 7. No church can be without a re- 
 vival, and be guiltless. Rev. 2:4; 3 : 
 15, 16. 
 
 8. Let not God's praying people be 
 discouraged because their numbers are 
 few in" comparison with the whole 
 church. Judges 7 : 7 ; 1 Sam. 14 : 1-16. 
 
 9. The curse of the Lord rests upon 
 
45 
 
 those members of the church, who re- 
 fuse to come up to the work of convert- 
 ing souls. Judges 5:23. The prin- 
 ciple of God's government, developed 
 in this passage, applies to the church 
 in all ages. 
 
 10. Let not christians spend their time 
 and divert their attention, by complai;i- 
 ing to one another, of those who stand 
 back. It is not their business to curse 
 them ; Rom. 12 : 14 ; neither to wait for 
 them ; but to goforward, in tlie strength 
 of the Lord. There are multitudes in 
 the church, who are "twice dead, and 
 plucked up by the roots." If you wait 
 for them, you will never do any thing. 
 
 11. While the world lies in wicked- 
 ness, there is no time for christians to 
 seek for personal enjoyment. The feel- 
 ings of christians, while labouring for 
 the salvation of souls, are compgired in 
 Scripture to the severest agonies and 
 most painful struggles to which human 
 nature is subject. Gal. 4:19. And 
 God has pronounced a heavy wo upon 
 
46 
 
 "them that are at ease in Zion." A- 
 mos 6:1. Yet, although our rest be 
 not on earth, if we are found faithful, 
 God will give us, on our way, joys which 
 no man can take from us. John 16: 
 21, 22. 
 
 12. The progress of a revival is ar- 
 rested only when God's people grieve 
 away his Holy Spirit; therefore the ces- 
 sation of a revival brings great guilt up- 
 on the church. 2 Chron. 15:2; 1 
 Thess. 5: 19; Eph. 4: 30; Isa. 63: 10. 
 
 HINDERANCES TO REVIVALS. 
 
 ] . Want of unity of feeling, and u- 
 nited effort among the praying mem- 
 bers of the church; and also between 
 them and their pastor. A revived chris- 
 tian may enjoy a state of spiritual feel- 
 ing which the backslider in heart, who 
 has grown carnal and worldly, cannot 
 understand. A very important point 
 
47 
 
 in social prayer is, that the hearts of 
 all present be united in their feelings, 
 desires and petitions; for this is the 
 condition of the special promise which 
 authorizes these meetings. Mat. 18: 
 19; Amos 3:3. 
 
 2. Indolence and the love of ease, 
 which cannot endure the painful, per- 
 severing eifort necessary to maintain 
 such a spirit of prayer as that described 
 in Rom. 8: 26; and such a system of 
 self denying activity as the conversion 
 of souls requires. Our rest is placed 
 in Heaven, Ps. 17:15. 
 
 3. Indulging in conversation about 
 the faults of brethren and sisters in 
 the church. This, though a very com- 
 mon practice, is plainly forbidden in 
 Scripture. The effect of it is to di- 
 minish our own brotherly love and es- 
 teem for the person whose character we 
 have been discussing; to give employ- 
 ment for tale-bearers; and to stir up 
 hard feeling and strife in the church. — 
 This, besides bringing guilt upon our 
 
48 
 
 own souls, will meet us in the prajdng 
 circle, and prevent the necessary union 
 of feeling. Thus, the spirit will be 
 grieved away; for he cannot dwell in a 
 heart that is a prey to jealous and bit- 
 ter feelings. Rom. 1 : 29, 30 ; Ps. 15 : 
 3; Prov. 25:23; 2 Cor. 12:20; Tit. 
 3:2; Eph. 4:31; 1 Pet. 2: 1. 
 
 4. Attendance of christians upon so- 
 cial parties for mere worldly enjoy- 
 ment. The spirit of the world reigns 
 in these parties. The Spirit of God 
 must therefore be grieved away by those 
 who frequent them. 2 Cor.'6 : 14 — 17. 
 
 5. Light and vain, or unnecessary 
 worldly conversation, among christians, 
 grieves the spirit. Mat. 12:36; Eph. 
 5:4. 
 
 6. Finding fault with preaching.—' 
 This is especially injurious to children, 
 when it comes from their parents. They 
 will naturally feel more confidence in 
 their parents than in their minister; and 
 if they get the impression that he is 
 wrong upon one point, they will con- 
 
49 
 
 elude he is wrong in every thing. This 
 prejudice existing in their minds, will 
 wholly destroy the effect of preaching. 
 Again, when the sinner's conscience is 
 smarting under the truth, if members 
 of the church represent in their con- 
 versation, that the preacher has been 
 too hasty or too harsh, they thereby ease 
 his conscience, and sustain him in his 
 rebellion against God. Such profes- 
 sors of religion often act the part of trai- 
 tors in the camp of the living God, by 
 strengthening the hands of his enemies 
 in opposing the extension of his king- 
 dom. 
 
 7. Sin, in a single member of the 
 church, requiring discipline, even 
 though it be for a time concealed, may 
 hinder a revival. Josh. chap. 7. 
 
 8. Secret sins, indulged in the hearts 
 of praying christians, such as spiritual 
 pride, self-seeking, self-complacency, 
 envy, &c., may hinder a revival. Ps. 
 a6:18; Prov.28:9. 
 
 9. Unbelief. This, of all others, is 
 
 2* 
 
the greatest hinderance to revivals. — 
 The promises of God are so abundant, 
 and so full, clear, and explicit, that we 
 can neither doubt his willingness nor 
 his ability to answer tlio prayers of his 
 children ; and that especially when they 
 pray for the outpouringr of his Holy 
 Spirit. JNlal. 3:10; Mat. 7 : 7—1 1 ; 
 Isa. 55; Luke 18:1—8; Ps. 65:2; 
 Ps. 102:17; Luke 11:5—13: Mat. 
 18:19; Mark 1 1 : 24 ; John 16 : 23, 24 ; 
 lJolm5:14. 15; Prov. 15:29; Jer. 
 29 : 12, 13 ; Ps. 145 : 18, 19. No sin 
 is more dishonouring to God than un- 
 belief. It is discrediting the word of 
 the Almighty. We have the most aw- 
 ful warnings in his word against indul- 
 ging it. We read of one place where 
 Jesus could not do many mighty works 
 because of the unbelief of the people. 
 If he could not work miracles on ac- 
 count of their unbelief, can he revive 
 his work and convert souls, while his 
 people are filled with unbelief? Mat. 
 13; 58; Rom. 11:20,21; Heb. 3:12. 
 
51 
 
 10. Resting too much on appearan* 
 ces. A revival is the work of the Lord. 
 He is both able and willing to perform 
 itj in answer to the prayers of his chil^ 
 dren. The question then rests between 
 you and God. If you will put forth 
 the prayer of faith, accompanied with 
 the necessary effort, all the powers of 
 darkne-s cannot prevent you from re- 
 ceiving the blessing. The word of 
 Omnipotence is pledged for it. Keep 
 your eye steadily fixed on Him, from 
 whom alone help cometh. Labour as 
 though the work were entirely your 
 own; feel as if it were God's work a- 
 lone. If you look to appearances, 
 when they are favourable you will be 
 elated with the idea that you have ob- 
 tained the blessing, begin to rejoice, 
 relax your efforts, and ere you are a- 
 ware, the Spirit will be gone ,• when they 
 are unfavourable, you will be discour- 
 aged, give way to unbelief, and so 
 grieve the Spirit. It was looking at ap- 
 pearances, and forgetting the invisible 
 
52 
 
 arm of Jehovah, which led to all the re- 
 bellion of the children of Israel, in the 
 wilderness, which provoked God to 
 swear in his wrath that they should not 
 enter his rest. Kx. 5:21, 23; 14:10 
 —15; 16:2,3; 17:1—3. 
 
 11. Trusting to ministers and the 
 special efforts of the church. Jer. 17:5, 
 7,8: Ps.84:12;Ps.34:8; 2Cor.l:9; 
 Isa. 50:10; 26:1; Prov.3:5;Ps. 125:1. 
 
 12. The impression that a revival 
 cannot long continue. This leads 
 christians to think, as soon as they dis- 
 cover any decline of feeling, that the 
 work is over. So they relax their ef- 
 forts, and quiet their consciences with 
 the idea that it is not the Lord's will 
 that it should continue. But if they 
 would search their own hearts, they 
 would find that guilt rests upon tlieir 
 souls. They have grieved away the 
 Holy Spirit. If, on the first discoveiy 
 of a decline of feeling, they would 
 search out their sin, repent, humble 
 themselves before God, and beg the 
 
53 
 
 return of the Holy Comforter, they 
 might ensure a continuance of his bles- 
 sed presence. Isa. 59: 1,2 j Jer. 5: 
 25; 3:12. 
 
 HINTS ON PRAYER. 
 
 1. The object of prayer is not to per- 
 suade the Almighty to give us what we 
 need, but to bring our own souls into an 
 attitude suitable for receiving his bles- 
 sing. Hence, it is a state of feeling 
 in the soul expressed by corresponding 
 words. This, however, is by no means 
 inconsistent Avith the exercise of deep, 
 agonizing, and painful struggles of 
 souL Mai. 3:6; Rom. 8:26; Luke 
 22:44; Gen. 32 : 24— 28. 
 
 2. Preparation. If you were going 
 before an earthly governor, to beg for 
 your own life or the life of a friend, and 
 he were the only person that had pow- 
 er to pardon the criminal condemned 
 
54 
 
 to death, could you help thinking, with 
 intense anxiety, about the object of your 
 petition ? Would it not be the all-absorb- 
 ing subject of your thoughts? Would 
 it not fill your soul with a deep and 
 thrilling interest? With what consist- 
 ency, then, can you come before the 
 Creator and Governor of the Universe, 
 to ask for the life of your immortal soul, 
 or to intercede for that of a fellow be- 
 ing, guilty of high treason against his 
 government, and justly condemned to 
 eternal misery, without first thinking, 
 with deep and trembling anxiety, about 
 the object of your petition? 
 
 3. The social prayer meeting is no 
 place to complain of coldness. It is 
 sin to go there with a cold heart. The 
 revival must commence in the closet. 
 If any one is cold, let him humble himself 
 before God, and pray diiid fast if neces- 
 sary, till his "heart burns within him." 
 Then let him go to the prayer meeting, 
 and unite his Jieart with those \'i\\o are 
 already revived, in pleading for the out- 
 
55 
 
 pouring of God's Spirit. When a 
 brother comes to a prayer meeting with 
 a cold heart, and is called upon to pray, 
 he does not lead the devotions of oth- 
 ers. He has no errand but his own, to 
 the throne of grace. He does not jfeel 
 in unison with his brethren. He feels 
 intensely on no point. He wanders o 
 ver the world; embraces a multitude 
 of objects, entirely foreign from tlie 
 particular one for which special prayer 
 is to be made; prolongs the exercise 
 to a tedious length; introduces vain 
 repetitions in reference to almost every 
 object embraced in his petition, ampli- 
 fying upon every idea, expressing it in 
 several different forms of speech. Then, 
 perhaps, he begins to feel a little wann- 
 ed, and returns and goes over the same 
 ground a second time. In this way, he 
 chills tlie feehngs of others, and diverts 
 their attention also from the special ob- 
 ject for which they are assembled. A 
 few brethren, who come to prayer meet- 
 ings with cold hearts , may thus become 
 
56 
 
 chilling to others and a great hinder- 
 ance to a revival. 
 
 4. Regular attendance upon the 
 prayer meeting is necessary to pro- 
 mote unity of feeling. When a broth- 
 er has been several times absent from 
 the praying circle, he will generally 
 have lost something of his interest in 
 the special object which is presented 
 there. His feeling is not up to the 
 standard which prevails in the meeting. 
 If he leads in prayer, he does not lead 
 the feehngs of others. 
 
 5. Most of the prayers recorded in 
 Scripture are for special objects. — 
 Gen. 24: 12—14; Ex. 5:22,23; 17: 
 4; 32:31,32; 33:13—16; Num.11: 
 11—15; 12:13; 14:13^-19; 16:22; 
 Josh. 7:7—9; 2 Kings 19:15—19; 
 20:3; Neh. 1:5— 11; Dan.9:4— 19; 
 Luke 22:42; Acts 1:24,25; 4:24 
 —30. 
 
 6. In relation to these prayers, sev- 
 eral things are to be observed : 
 
 First. They generally contain btU 
 
57 
 
 one object of petition. This is reason- 
 able ; for we cannot feel intensely in 
 relation to many objects at the same 
 time. When a child is hungry, it does 
 not ask for a great many things ; but 
 simply cries out for bread. ^^Bread, 
 bread,'''' is the burden of its desire. 
 
 Second. They are short. This al- 
 so is reasonable ; for when we feel an 
 earnest desire for a particular object, it 
 takes but a short time to express it. 
 
 Third. They are simple and in their 
 language pointed. They give an ex- 
 act description of the object desired, 
 which shows that it was clearly and viv- 
 idly impressed upon the mind of the 
 author. This is reasonable. The gen- 
 eral fact, that misery and wretchedness 
 prevail in the earth, produces little im- 
 pression upon our minds; while the 
 recital of the circumstances of a par- 
 ticular case of distress stirs up every 
 sympathy of the soul. So it is in pray- 
 er. It is particular, not general ob- 
 jects, which fill the soul with intense 
 desire 
 
7. It is scriptural for bretlireii to a- 
 gree together to prav for particular ob- 
 jects. Mat. 18:19,20. 
 
 8. When the brother who is called 
 upon to pray, wanders from the object 
 agreed upon, he does not lead the de- 
 votions of the whole assembly. 
 
 9. There are several reasons why 
 prayers in social meetings, should be 
 short: 
 
 First. Long prayers are generally 
 pointless and dull. 
 
 Second. They distract the minds of 
 associated worshippers with divers im- 
 pressions, and prevent the concentra- 
 tion of feeling upon the special object 
 agreed upon. 
 
 Tliird. It is desirable that as many 
 as possible should have an opportunity 
 of leading in the exercise. This pro- 
 motes community of feeling and chris- 
 tian fellowship. Variety gives interest 
 to every thing. The expressions of 
 one or two are not so likely to be instru- 
 mental in touching the affections of 
 
5U 
 
 each one, as when a greater number 
 are engaged. To accomplish this de- 
 sirable result, prayers must be very 
 short. And, if you will look over the 
 special prayers recorded in Scripture, 
 as mentioned No. 4, you will be aston- 
 ished to learn how little time must have 
 been consumed in their delivery. 
 
 10. Long exhortations are entirely 
 out of place in a prayer meeting. The 
 object is to 'pray, rather than to learn 
 or taUc. It is very proper, however, 
 that a soul stirring appeal should be 
 given, and that such truths as have a 
 direct bearing upon the circumstances 
 of those assembled, should be declared. 
 But this should be done in the briefest 
 manner possible. An exhortation, or 
 a remark, in a prayer meeting, should 
 be directly to the point. And, when 
 an idea is expressed, it should be left 
 without enlargement. Let others make 
 their own reflections. An exliortation 
 should seldom exceed five minutes; 
 that other brethren may have an oppor- 
 
60 
 
 tunity of communicating the impres- 
 sions which press upon their minds. — 
 Although all may not wish to do so at 
 every meeting; yet, very few can have 
 the opportunity, if the remarks of any 
 one exceed these limits. 
 
 Attention to these things would give 
 life and animation to meetings which 
 would otherwise be dull and spiritless. 
 The person who conducts the meeting, 
 however, should so direct the exercises 
 that most of the time may be spent in 
 prayer. 
 
 EXAMINE YOUR PRAYERS. 
 
 When christians have been, for some 
 length of time, praying for a revival, 
 without receiving the blessing, it is 
 time for them to conclude they have 
 been asking amiss. If you would 
 know the reason why your prayers have 
 not been answered, examine them, with 
 
^1 I 
 
 reference to the following particulars: 
 
 1. You may not have desired a revi- 
 val of religion that God might he glori- 
 fied; but that you might be honoured 
 as the instrument, or gratified with the 
 comfort of his special presence ; or you 
 may have desired it simply from feel- 
 ings of natural sympathy for sinners, 
 without regard to the honour of God. 
 ICor. 10:31; Jas.4:3. 
 
 2. You may be indulging sin, or 
 neglecting duty; in which case, the 
 Lord will not answer your prayers. — 
 Tlie habitual indulgence of one sinful 
 passion, or the habitual neglect of one 
 known duty, is sufficient to prevent you 
 from receiving the blessing of God.-— 
 Ps. 66 : 18 ; Frov. 28 : 9 ; Isa. 59 : 1, 2. 
 
 3. You may be exercising an unfor- 
 giving temper. Mark 11 : 25, 26 ; Mat. 
 18:35. 
 
 4. You may not have been sufficient- 
 ly humble. Ps. 138:6; Isa. 66:2; 
 51:15; 1 Pet. 5:6; Jas. 4:10. 
 
 5. You mav not have asked in faith. 
 Jas. 1:5— 8;"Mark 11:24. 
 
62 
 
 6. Your supplications may not have 
 een sufficiently earnest. Luke 22: 
 4; Jas. 5:17j Acts 12:5. 
 
 PROTRACTED MEETINGS 
 
 ARE WARRANTED BY SCRIPTURE. 
 
 Chron. 30: 23. And the ichole assembly 
 took tounsel to keep otiier seven days; arid 
 they kept other seven days with gladness. 
 
 AND EMINENTLY BLESSED OF GOD. 
 
 Chron. 30:26, 27. So there was great joy 
 in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon 
 ....there was not the like in Jerusalem, Sfc. 
 See first of Acts, and history of modern 
 revivals. 
 
 HINTS 
 
 3R CHRISTIANS, IN VIEW OF SUCH MEETINGS. 
 
 I. If these meetings are not blessed, 
 le fliirest opportunities and the most 
 romising means for the conversion of 
 nners are lost : And the hearts of sin- 
 
63 
 
 iicrs are rendered inore callous to the 
 truth . Prov. 1 : 23, 33.— Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved before God to avoid 
 every sin by which the usefulness of 
 these meetings may be prevented, and 
 perform cmry duty devolving on me, 
 to render them successful. 
 
 II. Some meetings are not blessed, 
 for the want of earnest, importunate, 
 believing prayer. — Therefore, 
 
 / am resolced to "pray without cea- 
 sing," and to present my prayers in hu- 
 mility and feith. 
 
 Ps. QQ: 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, 
 tlie Lord will not hear me. 
 
 Jas. 4: 3. Ye ask and receive not, because 
 ye ask amiss. 
 
 Jas. 5: 16. The effectual fervent prayer of 
 the righteous man availeth much. 
 
 III. Some meetings are not blessed, 
 because men rely too much upon an 
 arm of flesh. — Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved I will constantly cher- 
 ish the conviction that without the Ho- 
 ly Spirit, no good eifects can be ex- 
 pected. 
 
64 
 
 1 Cor. 3: 6. I have planted, Apollos wa- 
 tered: but God gave the increase. 
 
 Zee. 4: 6. Not by might, nor by power, 
 but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. 
 
 IV. These meetings are often unsuc- 
 cessful because the people of God make 
 such a reliance on Divine sovereign- 
 ty that they neglect to pray or labour 
 with earnestness and fervor : forgetting 
 the uniform and necessary connexion 
 between the means and the end. Josh. 
 6:3—6; 2 Kings 5:10, 11, &c.~ 
 Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved faithfully to use those 
 means which God has promised to 
 bless, viz : — 
 
 1. Christian example. 
 
 2. Direct personal conversation. 
 
 3. Believing prayer. 
 
 (1.) Matth. 5: 16. Let your light so shine 
 before men, that they may see your good 
 works, and glorify your Father which is in 
 heaven. Ph. 2: 1 5; Eph. 5; 15; Jas. 3: 13. 
 
 (2.) Col. 4: 6. Let your speech be always 
 with grace, seasoned with saU, that ye may 
 know how ye ought to answer every man. 
 Eph. 4:29. 
 
65 
 
 (3.) See No. 2, and Ez. 36:27. Thus 
 saith the Lord God, I will yet for this be 
 inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it 
 for them. 
 
 V. Sometimes these meetings fail of 
 being useful, because the lay members 
 of the church depend too much upon 
 the ministers — or upon each other. — 
 Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved to cherish a sense of 
 my personal responsibility ; and remem- 
 ber that to labor for the salvation of 
 souls is a common christian duty. 
 
 Jas. 5: 20. He which converteth the sinner 
 from the error of his ways shall save a soul 
 from death, and shall hide a multitude of 
 sins. Prov. 11:30; 28:23. 
 
 VI. Sometimes these meetings are 
 not blessed, because they are not well 
 attended. — Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved, 1. I will attend as 
 much as practicable myself. 
 
 Heb. 10:25. Not forsaking the assem» 
 bling ourselves together, as the manner of 
 some is. 
 
 2. I will endeavour so to arrange my 
 domestic concerns as to permit my fam 
 ily to attend. 
 
 3 
 
m 
 
 Josh. 24: 15. As for me and my house, we 
 will serve the Lord. Eph. 6: 4. 
 
 Col. 4: 1 . Masters, give unto your servants 
 that which is just and equal; knowing that 
 ye also have a Master in heaven. 
 
 3. I will endeavour to persuade my 
 friends and neighbours to attend. 
 
 Luke 14:2]. Go out quickly into the 
 streets and lanes of the city, and bring in 
 hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, 
 and the blind.. ..Go out into the highways 
 and hedges, and compel them to come in, 
 that my house may be filled. 
 
 Rev. 22: 17. The Bride (the church) says 
 come. Acts 10: 24. And Cornelius waited 
 for them, and had called together his Mnsmen 
 and near friends. 
 
 VII. The cause of sinnere' remai- 
 ing unconverted is, that nothing is 
 said to them but from the pulpit. — 
 Therefore, 
 
 / ivill emhrace every opportunity to 
 converse with them on the subject of 
 the salvation of their souls. 
 
 2 Tim. 4:2. Preach the word; be instapt 
 ita season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, 
 exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine. 
 Prbv, 15:23. A word ?poken in due season, 
 how (food is iti 
 
67 
 
 Vin. Unnecessary conversation oa 
 topics seemingly connected with the 
 object of the meetings, often dissipates 
 impressions, and prevents the blessing. 
 — Therefore, 
 
 / ivill not allow myself to be heard 
 iiighly commending or complaining a- 
 bout the preaching or exhortation, and 
 will check all spirit of criticism. 
 
 Prov. 15:4. A^wholesome tongue is a tree 
 of life: but perverseness therein is a breach 
 of the spirit. 
 
 IX. Conversation on subjects for- 
 eign to the object of the meeting, du- 
 ring the interval of worship, often unfits 
 the mind to pray, and grieves the spir- 
 it of God. — Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved I will not allow my- 
 self unnecessarily to converse on sub- 
 jects of a worldly nature, and never on 
 light, improper topics, and will dis- 
 courage such conversation in others. 
 
 Prov. 15: 2. The tongue of the wise uaeth 
 knowledge aright: but the mouth of fooU 
 poureth out foolishness. Eph. 5:4. Nor 
 foolish talking, nor jesting, which b not 
 
convenient, (proper,) but rather giving of 
 thanks. 
 
 X. The good effects of meetings, 
 may be perverted by divisions in feel- 
 ings and operations. — Therefore, 
 
 / will make no complaint about the 
 measures or the manner in which the 
 meeting is conducted, but in candor to 
 those w^io conduct them. 
 
 1 Pet, 3:8. Be ye all of one mind; love 
 as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 
 
 XI. Prayers and exhortations that 
 are too long, or on subjects too various, 
 prevent the impression of divine truth,- 
 or tend to dissipate impressions when 
 made. — Therefore, 
 
 I am resolved if I am called upon to 
 pray or speak, to have my address or 
 prayer short, and bearing upon the ex- 
 press object of the meeting. 
 
 Eccles. 5: 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, 
 and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any 
 thing before God: for God is in heaven, 
 and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words 
 be few. 
 
 XII. Sometimes the minds of sin- 
 ners are prejudiced and tlieir ears clo- 
 
69 
 
 sed against the truth, because personal 
 or public addresses are made in an im- 
 proper spirit. Therefore, 
 
 It shall he one object in my secret 
 prayers to acquire a just estimate of 
 the value of the soul, and a just appre- 
 hension of its danger; that I may warn 
 and entreat with tenderness, propriety 
 and faitlifulness. 
 
 Acts 20: 31. I ceased not to warn everyone 
 night and dav xcith tears. 
 
 2 Tim. 2: 24, 25. The servant of the Lord 
 must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, 
 apt to teach, patient. In meakness instruct- 
 ing those that oppose themselves, 
 
 XIII. The harbouring of unkind 
 feelings, the want of charity and for- 
 bearance, ill will, the indulgences of 
 former prejudices, or animosities, may 
 prevent the blessing. — Therefore, 
 
 / am resolved that no such unholy 
 feeling shall find a place in my bosom 
 for a moment: I will seek reconcilia- 
 tion where I have given or taken of- 
 fence, and will endeavour to cherish 
 toward all the brethren a spirit of chris 
 
70 
 
 tiaii fellovvship and kindness, and to- 
 ward every enemy, a spirit of forgive- 
 ness and affection. 
 
 Mat. 5:23. If thou bring thy gift to the 
 altar, and there rememberest that thy broth- 
 er hath aught against thee, leave there thy 
 gift before the altar, and go thy way; first 
 be reconciled to thy brother, and then come 
 and otFer thy gift. 
 
 Jas. 3: 14—16. 1 Pet. 3: 9. Not rendering 
 evil for evil, or railing for railing, but con- 
 teariwise blessing. 
 
 XIV. Meetings are often unsuccess- 
 ful because christians rely too much 
 upon tliem; tliey expect that nothing 
 can be done at any other time, and then, 
 when the meeting commences, they 
 are unprepared for its solemn duties, 
 — Therefore, 
 
 I am resolved to live always in such 
 a manner, that I may be employed by 
 the Spirit of God in promoting his work. 
 The shortness of time, my covenant 
 vows, the Spirit of God, the bleeding 
 cause of Christ, a coming judgnient, 
 the realities of eternity, and the gloiy 
 of God, — all admonish me to "present 
 
71 
 
 my body a living sacrifice, holy, accep- 
 table unto God, which is my reasona- 
 ble service." 
 
 Eccl. 9: 10. Whatsoever thy hand find- 
 eth to do, do wnth thy might: for there is no 
 device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the 
 grave, wither thou goest. 
 
 XV. Though " hand join in hand," 
 the united efforts of thousands of im- 
 penitent sinners cannot prevent the 
 blessing; but one lukewarm, sinful 
 child of God may do it. — Therefore, 
 
 I will renew my covenant engage- 
 ment, return to my "first love," and 
 "come up" with renewed zeal, " to the 
 help of the Lord against the mighty," 
 that the blood of dying souls may not 
 "be found in my skirts." 
 
 Remember "Achan the trouhler of 
 Israel." 1 Chron. 2:7. 
 
I 
 
'H 
 
 ^#^ 
 
 M 
 
 
 laureC 
 book shop 
 
 l!*IH[RIN[ANOKARUOEDECK[| 
 
 33 West Third St. 
 HAZLETON. PENNA.