rjUutSfiJ* 
 
 smmbummnet 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ilriiHl^ I of Religion, 
 
 IS THE 
 
 COUNTY OF ONEIDA 
 
 PARTICULAkLY 
 
 IN THE BOUNDS OF THE 
 
 RBESB7TBBT OP 0NSED4 
 
 IN THE YEAR 1826, 
 
 UTIOA? 
 
 ?TfiNTED BY HASTINGS & T£A£r 
 t&26. 
 
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Oneida, held in Whitesborough, Sep- 
 tember 8, 1826— 
 
 The Rer. John Frost, Rev. Moses Gillet, and Rev. Noah Coe, were 
 appointed a committee to receiye communications from ministers and other?, 
 respecting the late revivals of religion in this county, particularly within 
 our bounds ; and to publish a narrative of the same, accompanied with such 
 remarks as they should deem proper, and such suggestions, as, in their judg- 
 ment, are calculated to sustain and increase the spirit of religion in our 
 churches. 
 
 NOAH COE, 
 Stated Cltrk of Oneida Presbytery. 
 
 Some may think that the following accounts are too long, and that there is 
 much unnecessary repetition. To such the Committee would observe, that 
 they should have abridged them more than they have done, were it not for 
 the fact, that so much has been said at home and abroad, both by friends and 
 enemies, respecting this revival ; that so many false reports have been cir- 
 culated, and such various opinions have been formed. The Committee have 
 thought, that the plain unvarnished narratives of those who were eye-wit- 
 nesses, would on the whole be the most satisfactory to the public 
 
VERNON. 
 
 In this town there are two Presbyterian Societies, designated by the 
 names of Vernon Centre, and Mount Vernon. 
 
 Vernon Centre. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Barton, under whose labours the revival in this place 
 commenced, being absent, the following facts were communicated by 
 a respectable member of the church, in September last : — 
 
 The revival commenced here in August, 1 825. The number of hope- 
 ful converts is not far from one hundred and sixty-four. The number 
 admitted to the church is one hundred and three. Twenty-seven of 
 these are heads of families. The converts are among all classes and 
 all ages, from 8 to 70. The youngest admitted to the church is 
 about ten years of age. Several of these formerly professed to believe • 
 in universalism, and two were Roman Catholics. Only one among the 
 hopeful converts, to my knowledge, has turned back. 
 
 The means which have been blessed, were fasting and prayer- preach- 
 ing the plain truth and the whole truth of the bible, visiting from house 
 to house, and meetings of inquiry. The church have been united in the 
 work, with the exception of one member, who has since proved that he 
 is not a member of the church of Christ. Great care has been taken 
 to have the rooms, in which meetings were held in the evening, well 
 lighted, and furnished with convenient seats. Means have been varied 
 according to circumstances. Sometimes a dead silence in a conference* 
 meeting for two or three minutes, when Christians offered up one uni- 
 ted supplication for the out-pouring of the Spirit, has been greatly bless- 
 ed. But what has appeared to me most useful- is a humbte reliance 
 
»rj the Lord, an undoubting faith in his promises, working just as though 
 <vc could convert sinners ; knowing and feeling at the same time, that 
 it is Christ alone who can change the heart, and giving to him all the 
 glory. 
 
 Our meetings of inquiry have been continued up to the prasent time* 
 and of late have much increased in numbers and solemnity. Several 
 instances of conversion have recently occurred. Appearances are fa- 
 vorable, and we arc still hoping to see great things among us. The op- 
 position is great. It seems as though Satan had here centered his 
 legions. Our minister has been threatened with horse-whipping. The 
 active members of the church have met with personal abuse, and the 
 worst of Billingsgate language. Among the most violent in the oppo- 
 sition are two peace-officers ! But none of these things move them. 
 They still live and pray ; and some of the church manifest an increas- 
 ing zeal in the cause of God. Numbers attend our anxious meetings-* 
 and many of them arc under deep impressions. 
 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 The following particulars are from the Rev. Calvin Bushnell, pas.tor 
 of the Presbyterian church, received about the 1st of October : — 
 
 The revival commenced among my people about the middle of No- 
 vember. It was gradual, and did not become general, till the latter part 
 of December. The number of hopeful converts is about one hundred 
 and forty. Fifty-nine have united with the Presbyterian church ; about 
 thirty with the Baptist church ; and some with the Methodists. A 
 number have not yet united with any church. The means are essential- 
 ly the same as in former revivals, viz : preaching, fasting, and prayer ; 
 visiting from house to house, meetings of inquiry? and conference meet- 
 ings. Among Christians, a good degree of harmony and brotherly lore 
 prevails, considerable fervency in prayer, and fidelity. There are few* r 
 .symptoms of apostacy among the hopeful converts, for the time, than I 
 have witnessed in any former revival among this people. 
 
 The revival, at its commencement, was characterized by a remarka- 
 ble tenderness of spirit among Christians, and a disposition to confess 
 their faults one to another. There was a season of great searchings of 
 heart, such as I never before witnessed* Many old professors were so 
 fried as to give up their former hopes, and, as it was said, obtained new 
 ones. The work was also characterized by a more ardent and per&e- 
 vfrinsr spirit of prayer, than I had over before witnessed. Thr converts, 
 
n no have united with the church, 1 must, say, give as good evidence of 
 deep and thorough conviction of sin, and real conversion to God, as in 
 any revival with which I have been acquainted ; and nothing of an 
 opposite character has as yet appeared. Whether they are real con- 
 verts or not, God only knows. 
 
 WESTMORELAND. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Crane being absent on a journey for his health, tire 
 following facts were communicated in October, by a respectable young 
 man, a member of Hamilton College, who spent some time in this place 
 during the revival : — 
 
 During the summer of 1825, the state of religion in this town was ve- 
 ry low. A dark and gloomy cloud had gathered, and was hanging over 
 it with discouraging aspect. The wicked had become bold in their 
 transgressions, and the friends of Zion had " hung their harps upon the 
 willows." While in this situation, the joyful tidings came, that the 
 church at Vernon Centre was enjoying " a refreshing from the presence 
 of the Lord." A few went over to see, and returned with a new spirit. 
 Christians began to pray with more fervour. About the 1st of Novem- 
 ber, the church set apart a day for fasting, humiliation and prayer. The 
 searching influences of the Spirit were felt by many of the brethren and 
 sisters. Our conferences and prayer-meetings soon became crowded 
 and solemn. Numbers were deeply convicted, and the work of grace 
 steadily progressed through the winter. The pastor and some of the 
 members of the church visited from house to house. In all our meet- 
 ings the distinguishing truths of the bible were urged with all possible 
 plainness. The instructions of the Sabbath school have been blessed. 
 Eight of the teachers, and thirty-four of the scholars, have become pious. 
 The whole number of hopeful converts is about eighty. Sixty have 
 united with the Presbyterian church ; and a few with the Baptists and 
 Methodists. The work, we believe, has not wholly subsided. There 
 are Christians who are pressed in spirit, and pleading with importu- 
 nity that the Lord would continue his work of grace. 
 
 SKENANDOAH. 
 
 The revival in Vernon extended to the little church in this place, 
 under the preaching of the Rev. Phinehas Robinson, who in Septem- 
 ber communieated the following facts :— 
 
The village of Skenandoah participated in some degree in the divine 
 influence which has oflate been so signally enjoyed. The heterogene* 
 ous character of its population renders it an unpromising field for mor- 
 al cultivation. The church has ever been weak, and few in number. 
 The moral and religious aspect of the church and society, in November 
 last, was deplorable. This was made the subject of animadversion in 
 public discourses at that time. Professing Christians were warned of 
 the danger of self-deception. The great responsibility connected with 
 their profession was repeatedly enforced. They began to examine 
 themselves, and to manifest increasing sensibility. Discipline was ad- 
 ministered, a day of fasting and prayer was observed, and a spirit of in- 
 quiry began to extend among those, who hitherto had been unconcern- 
 ed. Plain and solemn addresses to church members, respecting their 
 sin9 and obligations, had more effect on unbelievers than any other 
 means whatever. During the excitement there were frequent meetings 
 in the week, as well as on the Sabbath. They were characterized by a 
 great stillness, and a deep and awful solemnity. Fervent prayer, and 
 visiting from house to house, were among the means most blessed. 
 Many, by being visited, were led to attend upon the means of grace, who 
 had wholly neglected them. The number of hopeful conversions were 
 indeed few, in comparison with the rich harvest of souls gathered in 
 many larger societies. About fifteen is the probable number. Most 
 of these were heads of families, from 30 to 40 years of age. When it 
 is considered, that this little number was gathered from a small obscure 
 village, which had enjoyed few religious privileges ; that most of them 
 were heads of families, training up a numerous offspring ; that most of 
 them were Dutch families, without an English education, and never be- 
 fore visited by a clergyman with a view to their spiritual interests — the 
 heart of piety will surely derive no small pleasure from the fact, that 
 this little number have been translated from the kingdom of darkness 
 mto the kingdom of God's dear Son. 
 
 WESTERN. 
 
 Tiik following facts respecting the revival in Western, were furnish- 
 ed by the Rev. George W. Gale, who, on account of his health, remov- 
 ed there a little more than a year ago, and whose counsel and occasional 
 labours have been a great blessing to the people : — 
 
 The moral condiiionof this town, which has always been dark- w**» 
 
' unusually so previous to the late revival. People might be seen 111 al 
 most every direction, pursuing their business or their pleasure on tliu 
 Sabbath, while few repaired to the house of God, to offer their devotions 
 to him who hath said — "Thou shalt keep my Sabbaths, and reverence 
 my sanctuary." The establishment of a flourishing Sabbath school, 
 and of prayer-meetings, were regarded as favourable tokens, by those 
 who observed the signs of the times, that God was about to "turn the 
 captivity of Zion." 
 
 On the last of September, 1825, the Rev. Charles G. Finney arrived 
 in town, (after a short visit to recruit his health in this county), on his 
 way to the county of St. Lawrence, where he had been labouring with 
 success, and where the people were anxiously waiting his return. The 
 urgent request of those who w^ere mourning over these desolations, that 
 he would tarry here for a season, induced him, after some deliberation, 
 to stay. He commenced preaching three times on the Sabbath, and al- 
 most every evening in the week, in different parts of the town, besides 
 visiting during the day from house to house. Professors of religion were 
 urged to "pray without ceasing; believing the words of our Lord, that 
 he is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than 
 earthly parents to give good gifts to their children." Sinners were 
 pressed with the duty of immediate repentance, by every truth and mo- 
 tive which the word of God presents, in language plain and pointed. 
 These efforts were not permitted to be made in vain, even in this un- 
 promising field. Christians were humbled for their past unfaithfulness, 
 and led to pray as they had not prayed before. Sinners began to es- 
 quire what they must do. Convictions and conversions multiplied and 
 spread through the town. In some instances whole households w T ere 
 converted. 
 
 In this interesting state of things, the overwhelming influences of the 
 Spirit of God in Rome, rendered it necessary for Mr. Finney to spend 
 all his time in that place. He spent twelve weeks here ; after which his 
 labours were required in other places ; and there has been only occa- 
 sional preaching with us. But meetings on the Sabbath have been kept 
 up, and prayer -aneetings in the week in different parts of the town. 
 Convictions and conversions through the winter and summer have been 
 frequently occurring. The number of converts in this town, and that 
 part of Lee where the people attended meetings here, is supposed to Be 
 about one hundred and forty. Thirty-seven have united with the Pres- 
 byterian church on confession of faith ; a number with other denomina- 
 tions; and many have not yet united with any church. 
 
8 
 
 Mi£ great variety of denominations in tins town has seemed ta de- 
 tract the minds of those who have indulged a hope of an interest in 
 < 'hrist, and prevented many from uniting with any church. This, to- 
 gether with the prevalence of universalism, unitarianism, deism, great 
 ignorance of divine things, and the habits of utter neglect and even 
 contempt) with many, of the institutions of religion, present powerful 
 obstacles to the progress of vital godliness. The moral aspect which 
 this town has presented, and which it still presents, and must for gen- 
 erations to come, speaks more than volumes could, the importance of 
 ♦ 4 home missions," and of making the earliest efforts to establish tlm 
 preaching of the gospel in every settlement in our country. It is now 
 more than thirty years since this rich and populous town was first set- 
 tled, and only nine years since the Presbyterian church was organized, 
 and a house erected for public worship ; and this was done through the 
 labours of a missionary. The means which God has blessed here, have 
 been similar to those employed in adjacent places. Prayer has been sig- 
 nally answered. While Christians have been praying, convicted sinners 
 have frequently found peace in believing. Most of those who give evi- 
 dence of reconciliation to God, are among that class who have rever- 
 enced the institutions of religion, and the greater part are among the- 
 young. Several are quite young, even down to ten years of age. Most 
 of them were religiously educated. A few advanced in life give satis- 
 factory evidence of a saving change, which, while it shows the danger 
 of delay, teaches us not to limit the grace of God, nor wholly to despair 
 even of the aged. 
 
 One instance has occurred in this town worthy of notice. It is the 
 widow of the late Gen. Floyd, who was known as a revolutionary officer 
 and signer of the declaration of independence. The General was skep- 
 tical on the subject of religion. Mrs. Floyd, till of late, entertained sim- 
 ilar views. For a year or two past, her sentiments have changed, and 
 she has felt the importance of an interest in the Saviour. But it was 
 not until the late revival, that she has been enabled to cast herself upon 
 the grace of a Saviour. And now, with a mind remarkably preserve<3 
 and vigorous, though nearly eighty years of age, and perfectly blind, she 
 grasps firmly the promises of God, and rejoices in the hope of salvation 
 through the Redeemer.* 
 
 * Decreased -since the above was written. 
 
LEE. 
 
 The revival extended from Western into Lee. The following facta 
 were communicated by the Rev. Mr. Snow, in October : — 
 
 The revival commenced here about the first of January. Many young 
 people were deeply impressed under the means of grace. Requests for 
 the prayers of Christians, from those under conviction, were frequent. 
 At a prayer-meeting one evening, the Lord was in the midst of us of a 
 truth. It was the most solemn meeting I ever witnessed. Ten* or elev- 
 en were in deep distress. Prayers, which seemed to reach within the 
 veil, were offered for them, and the mourning of several was turned in- 
 to thanksgiving before the meeting closed. There are about fifty hopeful 
 converts ; ten only have yet united with the church. 
 
 We request Christians to remember us in their prayers, tli3t God would 
 not take his Spirit from us, but revive his work, and cause his people to 
 rejoice. 
 
 ROME. 
 
 The following account of the revival of religion in Rome, is irom 
 the Rev. Moses Gillet, pastor of the Presbyterian church, dated Octo- 
 ber 30th :— 
 
 Gospel ordinances have been statedly administered here almost twen 
 ty years. Several seasons of revival have been enjoyed, and the church 
 increased from fourteen members to two hundred and twelve. The fruits 
 of these revivals have been manifest in the christian deportment of the 
 subjects. For a considerable time, however, previous to the late out- 
 pouring of the Holy Spirit, we had been in a cold, formal state. Meet- 
 ings were well attended, and discipline administered. Still we ought to 
 confess with shame, that there was much formality in our worship, and 
 many faithless prayers were offered up to Him who requires us to believe 
 with the heart. 
 
 In October, 1825, a revival took place in the town of Western, under 
 the preaching of Mr. Finney, the influence of which was felt here. The 
 latter part of November, the influence of the Spirit was visible in the 
 conviction of sinners in the eastern part of the town, called Wright's 
 Settlement. Meetings soon became very solemn. In about four weeks, 
 forty might be numbered as hopeful converts to Christ. On the last- 
 Thursday but one, in December, a church prayer-meeting was held in 
 
JO 
 
 the meeting-house, which was very solemn and interesting. GreAt 
 searchings of heart prevailed among professors. In the evening a few 
 individuals agreed to meet at a private house, half a mile out of the vil- 
 lage. The house was crowded. After prayer, and reading a passage 
 of scripture, a few remarks were made. One young man was so dis- 
 tressed as to be unable to suppress his feelings. He was heard to utter 
 broken sentences of prayer. We united in our supplications at the 
 throne of grace, and the spirit of the Lord appeared to comedown sud- 
 denly in the midst of us, and to fill the room in an astonishing manner. 
 All present appeared confounded. Old professors stood and trembled. 
 There was a death-like stillness, or solemn awe, such as I never before 
 witnessed. Little was said, except in prayer. The young man was in 
 great distress till toward morning, when he found peace in believing. 
 Great seriousness from this time was manifested. 
 
 Monday evening, the last week in December, a meeting of inquiry 
 was held for convicted sinners. Mr. Finney came here that evening, 
 and remained four weeks, and was a distinguished instrument in promo- 
 ting the revival. The meeting of inquiry was at a private house, 
 and a prayer-meeting at a school-house at the same time. The room 
 Was filled with inquiring sinners. After prayer, personal conversation, 
 and a short address, we dismissed them. Instead of retiring, they part- 
 ly fell upon each other, and gave vent to their feelings in sobs and groans. 
 It was with difficulty we prevailed upon them to retire. From this time 
 the excitement became general in the village. Meetings were held for 
 about five weeks in the church every evening, and most of the time the 
 iiouse was crowded. Sometimes there was preaching, and sometimes 
 only prayers with short addresses. Meetings of inquiry were now held 
 jn the day time, and in some instances three hundred and upwards have 
 attended. Great stillness and solemnity prevailed till the close, when 
 sometimes there would be a burst of feeling in groans and loud weeping. 
 We urged them to retire, telling them that they must look to Christ ; that 
 their impenitent tears would not save them. When not engaged in meet- 
 ing, we visited from house to house. We often found sinners in great 
 agony of mind, and Christians in almost equal agony, praying for them. 
 Although constantly engaged, it seemed we had little to do, except to 
 look on and see the salvation of the Lord. 
 
 The description here given falls far short of the reality, during the 
 greatest excitement. Worldly business was to a great extent suspend- 
 ed. Relrgion was the principal subject of conversation m our streets 
 
11 
 
 stores, and even taverns. Merchants' and mechanics' shops were ma* 
 ny of them closed in the evening, that all might attend meeting. In- 
 stances of hopeful conversion were most frequent about the second week 
 in January. At two different times, it appeared that more than twenty 
 were hopefully converted in twenty-four hours. All classes of people 
 were affected. Many who had regularly attended public worship for 
 twenty years, and lived through revivals unmoved, were now made to 
 tremble and bow to the cross. Four lawyers, four physicians, all the 
 merchants who were not professors before, and men of the first respect- 
 ability in the place, are hopeful converts. 
 
 Sabbath schools have been established here nearly ten years. We 
 iiave now evidence that the seed of the word has not been sown in vain. 
 More than one hundred and thirty, who have attended these schools, are 
 hopeful subjects of renewing grace. Children from nine to twelve 
 years of age give evidence of piety, and their promptness in applying 
 passages of scripture is truly striking. 
 
 During the greatest excitement there was little open opposition* 
 Scoffers were confounded : Universalists trembled. Some renounced 
 their sentiments, and were brought to repentance. The moralist was 
 stripped of his vain covering, and led to beg for mercy. Great is the 
 change. "It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." In 
 March, one hundred and sixty-seven were received into the church upon 
 profession of faith. The whole number received is two hundred and 
 eighty-four. Upwards of thirty have united with the Methodist church, 
 and some with the Baptists and Episcopalians. The number of hope- 
 ful converts cannot be accurately stated. Probably not far from five 
 hundred. Some of them were from adjacent towns. A number who 
 have expressed hopes here, have not yet united with any church. 
 
 During the spring and summer past, meetings have been held every 
 evening in the week. For eleven months there has been no time when 
 sinners were not under conviction, and but few weeks without instances 
 of hopeful conversion. Meetings of inquiry are continued, and a spirit 
 of fervent prayer still prevails. 
 
 Some additional remarks respecting this work of God may be useful. 
 After the revival in Western commenced, it became a subject of conver- 
 sation in Rome, and many professors and others attended. Christians 
 returned, feeling that something must be done. Our prayer-meetings 
 became large and solemn. Directions were given to pray for a definite 
 
\2 
 
 ttojecl tor Uic influence of die Spirit, to revive Christians and con verj 
 sinners. There was such wrestling and agony in prayer as we had never 
 before witnessed. Christians viewed their impenitent connexions and 
 neighbours) as standing on the brink of hell, and that nothing but the 
 mercy of Cod could save them. They prayed as tho' they could not be 
 denied. They seemed to take hold of the promises of God to prayer, 
 with strong faith. In little praying circles intercessions were made for in- 
 di\ iduals by name. Striking answers appeared to be given. In the lan- 
 guage of the prophet, it might be said, "As soon as Zion travailed, she 
 bro't forth her children." Christians seemed to plead with God, as a child 
 would plead vvith his parent ; and they found him more ready to give; 
 the Holy Spirit, than earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. 
 Indeed, the great instrument in this glorious work has been prayer. 
 Christians seemed to believe both the promises and threatenings of God, 
 and in view of them have wrestled at the throne of grace until they pre- 
 vailed. The word of God, in sermons, short addresses, at prayer-meet- 
 ings, and in private conversation, has had a powerful effect in convicting 
 sinners of their great guilt, and desert of eternal punishment. Tho 
 (ruths brought into view are such as have generally been termed the 
 doctrines of grace. The justice, purity and binding nature of the di- 
 vine law, with its awful penalty- have been exhibited with great clearness. 
 The sins of the heart have been exhibited, not merely for transgressing 
 the law, but for rejecting mercy, for not repenting and turning to God. 
 Christ has been exhibited as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. Re- 
 pentance and faith have been urged continually upon sinners, as their 
 immediate duty ; that they were without excuse for not complying with 
 these requirements. Convictions have been more sudden and more 
 pungent than we have witnessed in former revivals. Sinners in some 
 instances have trembled through their whole frame, in view of their 
 guilt, and the impending wrath of God; though in no instance, to my 
 knowledge, was bodily strength wholly suspended. And however strango 
 at may appear, when sinners have thus been filled with mental agony, 
 and bodily agitation, they have complained that they had no feeling, tnat 
 their hearts were hardened. It was not necessary to teach them that 
 there was an eternal hell. They felt, that without a change of heart, 
 there could be no heaven for them. Convicted sinners were exhorted 
 to submit themselves to God. They were told they must repent or per- 
 ish ; that they must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, or be damned ; 
 that their impenitent groans, and tears, and prayers, could not save them. 
 Iv.prv false dependence was torn away as soon as possible. Often would 
 
13 
 
 ii,,- v , av — ••VVr cannot change our own hearts.'' The command rcas 
 
 urged — 1« Make you a new heart and a new spirit, for why will ye dip .'"" 
 Xo allowance was given to wait God's time. They were told — "Now 
 is the accepted time ; now is the day of salvation ;" that the longer they 
 continued impenitent, the greater their guilt, the more danger of becom- 
 ing hardened, of grieving the Spirit, and of dying without hope. 
 
 Meetings of inquiry have apparently been a powerful means of bring- 
 ing sinners to repentance. When hundreds have attended, there would 
 be a death-like stillness, and great solemnity in almost every countenance. 
 They were conversed with individually, and such instruction given as 
 their case seemed to require. Often at the close of such meetings, they 
 manifested such strong desire to remain, that it was found necessary to 
 exhort them to retire and give their hearts to God. In many instances, 
 convicted sinners have, apparently, been born again, while praying. 
 While praying for themselves, they would be heard pleading for others, 
 without expressing any hope ; though in a short time light would break 
 in. and they would have peace in believing. Converts have been fervent 
 in prayer, and many of them active instruments in the conversion of 
 others. 
 
 It will doubtless be asked, with no ordinary interest — What are the 
 fruits of this revival ? Three or four instances of backsliding have oc- 
 curred. One has been suspended for intemperance. These cases 
 are to be lamented, and we hope will humble the church, while sinners 
 may pervert them to their own hurt. In general, the subjects appear as 
 well, if not better, than in former revivals, which I have witnessed. A 
 marked reformation in morals is too apparent to be denied. The Sab- 
 bath is more strictly observed. Intemperance and profane swearing are 
 checked. More good feeling in neighbourhoods and families prevails. 
 The church is blessed with peace and harmony. It may be said in truth, 
 these Christians love one another. May it be our prayer, that no root 
 of bitterness may spring up to trouble us ; but that we may " keep the 
 unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 
 
 VERONA. 
 
 From Rome the revival extended into the society of the Rev. Israel 
 Brainerd, by whom the following facts were communicated in Novem? 
 feer:— 
 
 The fir?t appearance of any special attention to religion among this 
 
14 
 
 people, was -ai an evening meeting the last week in December. Pre- 
 irious to this some unhappy contentions and animosities had taken place, 
 and means had been used to remove these evils, and many confessions 
 had been made. At this meeting there was uncommon solemnity, and 
 one person was under deep conviction. From this period, the work 
 gradually increased for a number of weeks ; and conversions occurred 
 every week, till the attention of the people in general was arrested. 
 But in one school district, in the west part of the town, there was the 
 greatest display of divine grace. At an evening meeting, in a private 
 house, the impression made on the congregation was astonishing. A 
 number fell, and some were unable to go from the place till morning. 
 In this district, in the course of three weeks, there was about fifty hope- 
 ful conversions. During the revival there was a remarkable quickening 
 of professors. They would give up their hopes, and obtain new ones, 
 and engage in the work with zeal and fidelity. The number of con- 
 verts in the town is about one hundred. Some of these are without the 
 bounds of my society, and some belong to Methodist and Baptist fam- 
 ilies, and have united with those denominations. Twenty-eight, on ex- 
 amination, have united with my church. There are about twenty more 
 in my congregation that have manifested hope, who have not united. 
 
 Some unhappy events occurred during the revival, which gave a 
 ,check to the work, from which it never recovered. A false and scan- 
 dalous pamphlet was put in circulation, against the church and pastor, 
 by a member who had been recently excommunicated for unchristian 
 conduct, which excited some conversation, and directed in some degree 
 the attention of the people from the great things of religion. A certain 
 preacher, who had spoken against the revival, was invited to preach in 
 the district where there had been the most attention. There were fen 
 if any instances of awakening and conversion after this period. 
 
 CAMDEN. 
 
 The following facts, respecting the revival in Camden, were commu- 
 nicated in November, by Mr. Kellogg, who has been supplying the pul- 
 pit of the Rev. Henry Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian society, during 
 his absence on a visit in New-Hampshire : — 
 
 The revival in this place commenced about the 1st of January. The 
 pastor of this church and several of the brethren visited Rome, to wit- 
 ness God's mighty work. They were refreshed- and returned impressed 
 
1J 
 
 With the importance of a revival in this place. They endeavoured, by 
 prayer and exhortation, to arouse their brethren. About this time, the' 
 Rev. Mr. Nash visited this place. His efforts were directed to the 
 church, pressing them to repent and awake to duty. His efforts were 
 blessed, and the church entered into a covenant to pray that God would 
 revive his work. There was a season of deep heart-searching in the 
 church. Convictions were soon visible among the impenitent, and in- 
 creased until the excitement became general, and a number were hope- 
 fully converted. About the middle of February, when the influenza be- 
 came very prevalent, the attention declined, and fears were entertained 
 that the work would stop. A few of the brethren betook themselves to 
 the throne of grace, and wrestled with God in prayer, believing. The 
 work revived, and prevailed with overwhelming power. During two 
 weeks in April, between sixty and seventy were hopefully converted. 
 After this the work declined in power ; but has continued through the 
 summer, up to the present time. The converts, generally, appear to 
 be stedfast, growing in knowledge tnd grace. 
 
 The means which were most blessed of God, were the faithful preach- 
 ing of the word — the naked truth — not only in the desk, but from house 
 to house. In visiting, the pastor was assisted by many of the brethren. 
 The greatest plainness of speech was used in conversing with individu- 
 als. These means were used in humble dependence on the Spirit of 
 God, manifested in fervent prayer for his blessing. Christians prayed 
 as they had never done before. They were distressed and weighed 
 down with agonizing pains, especially in the closet, pleading the prom- 
 ises of God — believing them. Answers to prayer were manifest. Num- 
 bers were converted, while prayer was offered up for them, individually. 
 Young converts engaged with zeal in the work, and partook of the same 
 spirit of prayer. About one hundred and fifty have united with the 
 Presbyterian church. A number have united with the Methodists. 
 Many give evidence of a saving change, who have not yet united with 
 any church ; and many strangers and visitors from abroad were hopeful- 
 ly the subjects of renewing grace.* 
 
 * This town is in Oneida county ; but the church is connected with Ostve- 
 450 Presbytery. 
 
 BOONVILLE. 
 
 In this place the people have not been able to support a minister- 
 ^vithout aid from missionary societies. The population is scattered- 
 
•IV 
 
 a«d the peoplf arc much divided in religious sentiment ; and many ii&\ e 
 cared for none of these things. The following account of the late re- 
 vival is an abstract of a communication from the Rev. Ira Manly, who 
 has supplied the Presbyterian church in that place, for a few years past : 
 
 At a preparatory lecture in December of last year, parents were re- 
 quested to bring with them their baptized children. The text selected 
 for the occasion was — " Come thou and all thy house into the ark." An 
 unusual degree of feeling and solemnity was manifested. Not long af- 
 ter this, I went to visit a family, in which three of the members were 
 dangerously sick. I was not permitted to see the sick and converse with 
 them. Returning home, I reflected that it would be wise to exhorL ♦hose 
 who were well, and whom it could not injure. I accordingly commen- 
 ced a course of visiting and exhortation, which I continued through the 
 winter. About this time, also, I received an account of the revival in 
 Rome, from two of our young men, who had been there on a visit, and 
 had become hopeful subjects of grace. Their warmth and zeal were a 
 blessing to me. The next evening, in meeting, I gave an account of 
 the revival in Rome. It was attended with a divine impulse. From 
 that time our meetings increased, till they were full to overflowing. — 
 Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists, rushed together, and seemed to 
 participate of the same spirit. We endeavoured to avoid exciting any 
 party feeling. Soon after the revival commenced, a season for fasting 
 and prayer was appointed, and measures were adopted to bring all the 
 professors of religion to engage in the work. The preaching was plain 
 and pointed. Prayers were much more fervent than usual. Ministers 
 from abroad preached with much engagedness. Meetings of inquiry 
 were attended with great interest. Members of the church agreed to 
 pray three times daily for the out-pouring of the Spirit. Family visits 
 were made*. A young man from Hamilton College gave us considera- 
 ble aid, in exhortation, prayer and visiting. Some other young men al- 
 so were useful. Conversions became frequent. This state of things 
 continued with some variation till April. Some party feelings began to 
 appear, and the Spirit seemed in a great degree to withdraw. Sixty-sev- 
 en have been added to the Presbyterian church. Several have united 
 with the Methodists, and some with the Baptists. The whole number of 
 converts is probably towards one hundred. The converts, with few ex- 
 ceptions, are attentive to the means of grace. Many of them are much 
 engaged in prayer, and most are willing, when called upon, to take part 
 in this duty. In the midst of means, God has shown us that the work 
 is his, lest any man should boast. It is manifest, however, that if our 
 
J7 
 
 churches would enjoy his special presence, they must, put away sin 
 and walk in the way of his commandments. Among the fruits of the 
 revival are two flourishing Sabbath schools, a bible class, and a tract 
 society. 
 
 WHITESTOWN. 
 
 There are two Presbyterian societies in this town, one in the vil- 
 lage of Whitesborough, and the other in the village of New Hartford. 
 
 Whitesborough. 
 
 The following facts were furnished by the Rev. John Frost, in No- 
 vember : — 
 
 It is thirteen years last March, since I was ordained over the Presby- 
 terian church in this place. Previously to this, the members here and 
 at Utica composed one church, and their pastor, Rev. Jonas Carnahan, 
 preached alternately at each place. When the church was divided, there 
 were about fifty members living here. Most were females. There 
 were only four male members in the village. The society was feeble. 
 There was a respectable Baptist society in the place. No general re- 
 vival had ever occurred. During the first four years of my ministry, 
 there was a general work of grace, which brought into the church 
 eighty-three members. The two succeeding years there was no special 
 seriousness. In 1819 and 1821, greater revivals occurred than any be- 
 fore. As the fruits of these, one hundred and eleven united with the 
 Presbyterian church, and many with the Baptist church. During the 
 three succeeding years, scarcely an instance of conversion occur- 
 red. In the latter part of December, 1824, the day preparatory to 
 the communion was spent in fasting and prayer and religious conference. 
 The prominent sins of the church were drawn up, and formally read 
 and confessed by the whole body. Promises also were made with res- 
 pect to their conduct the succeeding year, such as the following :--" We 
 Will make greater efforts to progress in personal holiness. We will 
 converse With our brethren respecting their faults, instead of talk- 
 ing about them to others. As we have opportunity, we will converse 
 with our impenitent friends and others over whom we may hope to have 
 influence, upon religion." On the following Sabbath, the first in Jan- 
 nary, 1 825, the church rose in the midst of the congregation, and after 
 an address to them, renewed their covenant with God and each other.. 
 A deep solemnity pervaded both the chifrch and congregation. On 
 
18 
 
 ihat daj sinners were awakened. A revival succeeded, which continued 
 till the early part of summer. As the fruits of this revival, about forty 
 united with the Presbyterian church, and a number with the Baptists and 
 
 Methodists. 
 
 The greater part of the subjects of these revivals have been among 
 the younger classes of society. As few cases of discipline have occurred 
 among them in proportion to the number, as among the old members 
 of the church who were professors when I came. About half the cases 
 that have occurred among both have arisen from intemperance; and 
 from my own experience and observation, my impression is, that intem- 
 perance is one of the greatest sins with which our church and nation 10 
 cursed, and a fruitful source of most of the crimes and immoralities, 
 which abound in our land. 
 
 In the latter part of the summer, four bible classes were established. 
 The day preparatory to the communion on the first Sabbath of the pres- 
 ent year, was spent in fasting and prayer, and the same promises renew- 
 ed which were made the preceding year. 
 
 About this time the revival in Rome excited a deep interest here. 
 Some of the members visited that place, and returned with increased 
 feeling. It had often been a subject of lamentation in conversation, 
 that there were so many heads of families among us, who had remain- 
 ed unmoved in all former revivals ; and Christians began now to be 
 distressed for such, and the conversion of heads of families be- 
 came the burden of their prayers. The fact, that many at Rome, of 
 the same description, were the subjects of grace, strengthened their 
 hope. Prayer meetings in circles, composed of males and females, at 
 different places, became frequent, and heads of families were prayed 
 for individually. Several weeks elapsed before any special seriousness 
 was visible in the village. The church continued to wrestle with an 
 earnestness and an agony greater than I had ever witnessed before. 
 Some heads of families were in trouble ; and such is the fact, whatev- 
 er may be the cause* that conversions in the village commenced among 
 heads of families. The latter part of February, the attention began to 
 extend, and in March was more powerful than any thing I had witnessed 
 here before. Many old professors were convicted, and placing little 
 dependence on past experience, were anxious for present evidence of 
 repentance and reconciliation to God through the Redeemer. Consid- 
 erable murmuring and some open opposition was now manifested. Mis- 
 representations and falsehoods were circulated. A lying spirit seemed 
 
19 
 
 ro possess some who heretofore were apparently free from it. Some 
 were angry that individuals were the subjects of prayer. Some affected 
 to sneer and laugh about the serious and the converted. Some said the 
 ■devil had got into the people, and others that ministers and churches 
 were becoming crazy. In this state of things, the following words were 
 the subjects of discourse on the Sabbath — " Saul, Saul, why persecutes! 
 thou me ?" " Wherefore do the wicked contemn God ?" 
 
 The following week was the most interesting and solemn this village 
 ever witnessed. Some of the most intelligent and respectable people 
 in the place were convicted of sin. Silence reigned. No opposition 
 was heard. Christians trembled. They felt that God was here, and that 
 the village was awed to silence and prostrated before the majesty of his 
 character, and his truth set home by his own power. Never did I feel my 
 own nothingness so sensibly. I felt as though all I could do was to urge 
 Christians to pray, that breath might enter these slain. I felt at the same 
 time, as though we were all unworthy to be permitted to pray for such 
 a blessing. It semed as though a still small voice said to the church — 
 44 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord God ; be it known unto 
 you ; be ashamed and confounded for your own ways." Many inter- 
 esting cases of conversion now occurred 3 at which the church wept and 
 angels rejoiced. 
 
 When the business of spring became pressing, the attention to re- 
 ligion in some measure declined. But convictions and conversions 
 continued to occur through the summer. During the summer, instead 
 of the little circles of prayer in the evening, professors met at five 
 o'clock in the morning, at the ringing of the village bell. Most of 
 those who have united with my church have been religiously educated, 
 either in families, Sabbath schools or bible classes, and are among the 
 most respectable inhabitants. One hundred and sixteen have, upon ex- 
 amination, united with the Presbyterian church. Forty-five of them 
 are heads of families. About one hundred have united with the Metho- 
 dists, seventy-eight with the Baptists, and three or four with the Episco- 
 palians. A number of those, however, who have united with the Meth- 
 odists and Baptists, live in the limits of Mr. Coe's society. The whole 
 number who have indulged hope is not far from three hundred. Sev- 
 eral, and especially among the young, have not united. A number who 
 visited the place from abroad became subjects. One instance only of 
 backsliding has occnred, among those who have united with our church- 
 
 The means which have been blessed, were similar generallv to those. 
 
20 
 
 mentioned in other place-. Particular care has been taken to ha- 
 our meetings closed at a seasonable hour. We have had no contention 
 with other denomination.-. Prayers were offered that none who pro- 
 'I to be the disciples of Christ, might be left to do anything to hin- 
 der the work. A more general co-operation in the church has prevailed 
 than in former revivals ; and it is believed that to this fact it is owing, 
 in a measure, that the revival has been more extensive than formerly. 
 All our meetings have been orderly and solemn. Converts have man- 
 it; -sled an unusual spirit of prayer, and a disposition to converse with 
 others, and have thus done much to promote the revival. The greatest 
 warmth of feeling, in most cases, has been manifested by the most in- 
 telligent and well informed. The revival has produced a moral change 
 in the aspect of society visible to all. The number who attend public 
 worship in the church is greatly increased. Much harmony prevails in 
 the church and society. A bible class has been established, which is at- 
 tended by the elders and members of the church, and which promises 
 lo be highly useful. There are three cotton factories in the neighbour- 
 hood, with which perhaps five hundred people are connected. The su- 
 perintendents of these establishments are subjects of the revival, and 
 manifest a laudable zeal to preserve them from immoralities, and to fur- 
 nish the children with the means of religious instruction. Many con- 
 nected with these factories give evidence of repentance. Not only 
 meetings were held in the evening for their benefit ; but during the 
 greatest excitement, the factories were stopped in the day time, for half 
 an hour, when men, women and children assembled without any 
 change of dress in one room, many of them in tears, and were there 
 addressed and conversed with personally, and then knelt in prayer 
 around the machinery. The sight was affecting, and will never be for* 
 gotten by those who witnessed it. 
 
 i feel grateful, I trust, and my church also, to all those brethren who 
 have given me assistance, especially to the Rev. Messrs. Eells and 
 Hotchkiss, who were here a few weeks in the midst of the revival. We 
 lament that Mr. Finney could not have spent a little time with us ; but 
 his labours were needed elsewhere. The few lectures he preached 
 while at Utica were useful. The best means, however, are unavailing, 
 unless a church are looking to God in humble prayer for help. W T hen 
 my own health was wholly inadequate to the labour that appeared ne- 
 cessary, and when the church was most anxious for assistance, it seem- 
 ed as though God constrained them to cast their despairing eyes to him 
 *lpn*» : and lie. bvthe conversion of *omo individual and hi" consequent 
 
21 
 
 exertions or in'some other unforeseen way, supplied the deficiency need- 
 ed. I mention this, because I never before have been so sensibly im- 
 pressed with the spiritual providence of God in favour of his people in 
 distress ; and never before have I so firmly believed, that if a church, 
 however weak, will go forward and do what they can, trusting in God 
 for help, that he will give them the aid they need, and in a manner that 
 will, while it humbles, fill them with admiration at his own transcendant 
 wisdom and condescending grace. 
 
 While we are bound to be grateful to the Father of all mercies, for 
 the happy moral change which he has effected here by his grace, we have 
 much cause for humiliation, prayer, and persevering exertions. Feeble 
 has been the faith of the most faithful ; and few and sluggish their exer- 
 tions, compared with what are called for by the motives which the gos- 
 pel presents. Many still remain among us, who live as though this 
 world were their home, and " death an eternal sleep." The blessings 
 of providence, as well as of grace, are still abused ; and the intoxicating 
 bowl is preferred to the cup of salvation. The hopes of many are, 
 that the church will soon slumber again, and not disturb them in their 
 pleasures and pursuits by her prayers and her intreaties. May the pray- 
 er of the church be — « Grant not, OLord, the desires of the wicked." 
 
 New Hartford. 
 The following account i3 from the Rev. Noah Coe :— 
 
 In the congregation of New Hartford, the revival commenced the 
 latter part of February, and continued about three months. The hope- 
 ful subjects of regeneration are supposed to be about one hundred. 
 Fifty-six have been received into the Presbyterian church, by examina- 
 tion, since the 1st of May last, most of whom have hopefully experi- 
 enced religion during this revival. A few have united themselves with 
 other denominations. About two weeks before the revival commenced, 
 the pastor of the church, with an elder, spent two days at Rome ; and 
 on their return they gave an account of the work of divine grace in 
 that village, which was attended with a good effect. On two occasions 
 meetings of the church were held, and men and women were called 
 upon to speak, if they had any thing to say, by way of confession, for 
 their criminal departure from God, and in relation to their present feel- 
 ings for the salvation of souls. These meetings, it is thought, were 
 highly useful in promoting the work. The labours of Mr. Finney and 
 Mr. Nash, the former of whom preached six sermons, and attended the 
 
,22 
 
 JBQXue iiumUer oi' meetings of inquiry, were greatly blessed ; as indies* 
 meetings of inquiry, it was not uncommon for two or three in every 
 meeting to submit their hearts to Christ. Visiting from house to 
 house, where there were convicted sinners, as often .as every other day, 
 wats a means of doing good. Prayer-meetings were very frequent; 
 and for a time, there were many obvious answers given to fervent, 
 humble, believing prayer. In no former revival have the subjects ap- 
 peared, for so long a time after their hopeful conversion, in general, to 
 possess so much of the spirit of religion ; and never was the Presbyteri- 
 an congregation on the Sabbath so solemn and so interesting, as from the 
 commencement of the revival down to the present time. The enemies 
 of religion (for it is not to be concealed that there are in this place Urii- 
 versalists, and others of kindred sentiments) have manifested very great 
 opposition to this revival, in repeatedly stoning the buildings where re- 
 ligious meetings were held, in tho time of religious worship ; in firing 
 guns around the meeting-house during the hour of preaching ; in sus- 
 pending images from time to time, with papers attached to them, con- 
 taining violent denunciations against those who were the most promi- 
 nent instruments in carrying on the revival, and in one instance sending 
 a constable to bring before a justice a young man, who had been in the 
 place but a few days, under the pretext that he was a vagrant, without 
 any visible means of support, The work of God, however, amidst most 
 violent opposition, went forward ; and the effects most clearly prove 
 that it was not the work of man, but the work of God, and to him be 
 all the glory. 
 
 Perhaps in no place in the county, in proportion to the number of 
 inhabitants, has the revival been more powerful than at the Whitestown 
 Factory, situated between Whitesborough and New Hartford. The re- 
 vival commenced at this place about the 1st of February, and for a 
 number of weeks continued peculiarly interesting ; and indeed, uetil 
 about three months since, there have from time to time been hopeful 
 iustances of conversion, About fifty persons appear to have experi- 
 enced religion during this revival, most of whom have united themselves 
 with the Methodist church, w hich has since been organized near by, at. 
 what is called " the York Mills," and which now consists of more than 
 one hundred members. The subjects of this work, for the most part, 
 give good evidence of piety, and appear to progress in holiness. At 
 the commencement of the revival, and for a long time afterwards, a few 
 individuals were possessed with a spirit of fervent, agonizing prayer, 
 which appears to hare called down blessings upon that people* AUtfcat 
 
2;; 
 
 place there are very many hopefully pious and devoted young persons', 1 
 who we trust will continue firm and steadfast in the practice of godli- 
 
 ness. 
 
 UTICA. 
 
 The following account is from the Rev. Mr. Aikin, pastor of the 1st' 
 Presbyterian church, and was received in November : — 
 
 The revival in Utica commenced about the 1st of last January. For 
 several weeks previous, however, there had been a movement upon the 
 minds of the people somewhat uncommon, that could be seen on the Sab- 
 bath and on other days of the week, in the increase of numbers who at- 
 tended meetings, and in their unusual solemnity. To this silent prepara- 
 tion for the Lord's appearance, soon a new impulse was given, by the dai- 
 ly reports of what was doing at Rome. Christians who visited that place 
 returned with various feelings. Some were confounded, and knew not 
 what to say ; some without hope, and in deep distress for themselves ; 
 others weeping over the state of the church at home, and anxious that 
 something should be done. I resolved to call upon the members of the 
 church, and either by myself or by the elders, most of the members were 
 visited; and after a short and pointed conversation, the visit, if practi- 
 cable, was closed with prayer, not general, but adapted to the individu- 
 al or families conversed with. It now became a time of heart-searching 
 in the chureh. Almost daily, persons who had long been professors, 
 and who had maintained a respectable standing in the church, gave up 
 their hopes, satisfied apparently that they had been deceived. Soon* 
 numbers among the impenitent were awakened ; but most of them lin- 
 gered along without obtaining relief. Still there was but little of the 
 spirit of prayer in Zion — but little of the power of supplication which 
 prevails. Christians, instead of placing their confidence in God, were 
 looking to arms of flesh ; instead of having that faith which creates e:x* 
 pectation of a blessing, they were merely hoping it might come. 
 
 This state of things continued till about the 1st of February, when the 
 Rev. Mr. Finney came to Utica, where, as in other places, his plain and" 
 pungent and faithful preaching was attended with evident and wonderful 
 success. Christians had been told of their departures from God, their 
 backslidings in heart, their lukewarmness, their love of the world and 
 conformity to it, and of the necessity of a broken spirit, of deep and tho- 
 rough repentance, before they could reasonably expect a general revival 
 of religion. These solemn truths were pressed again and again, and 
 
24 
 
 hli >ng with them, the necessity of the influence of the Holy Spirit to rouse 
 
 them from their slumbers. Tins influence they were urged to seek, as 
 a blessing which God has promised, and will certainly give to those 
 who seek it with faith. An humble and fervent spirit of prayer, to a 
 considerable extent, gradually increased ; and as it increased, convic- 
 tions and conversions took place among the impenitent. It was not 
 long before the work became powerful. Places of worship were throng- 
 ed, and the stillness of the sepulclire reigned, broken occasionally by a 
 deep sigh from some heart that was writhing under the condemning in- 
 fluence of divine truth. Instead of noise and confusion, the meetings 
 were solemn, and sometimes awfully so, by the presence of God, which 
 made sinners " afraid," and Christians humble and still. True, there 
 has been noise ; there has been " no small stir about these things ;" but 
 it has been on the other side — among the enemies of the revival, as it 
 was in the days of the Apostle. 
 
 The general features of this revival are the same as have always mark- 
 ed every genuine out-pouring of the Spirit, since the apostolic age. I 
 shall, therefore, not repeat them ; but would here observe, that like 
 some of the former revivals in Utica. this one has been confined to no 
 particular class in community. Its sweet and saving influence has fallen 
 upon the rich and the poor, the ignorant and the learned, and moulded 
 into its own lovely image, as we humbly trust, the proud moralist and 
 the polluted debauchee. It has made " new creatures" of gamblers and 
 drunkards, and sw r earers and Sabbath-breakers, and brought the self- 
 righteous pharisee, the deluded skeptic, deist, and universalis!, to aban- 
 don their dreams of happiness and heaven, without a holy heart, and to 
 fly for cleansing to the blood of the Lamb. 
 
 The probable number of converts in Utica, is about five hundred. — 
 The number of hopeful converts in a population like this, it is not easy 
 definitely to ascertain. Not far from sixty persons, some of whom were 
 travellers, who " turned in to tarry but for a night," or day* or week : 
 others belonging to the towns around, experienced, as we trust, the 
 grace of God in this village. More than a hundred, the subjects of the 
 revival, have united with the first Presbyterian church ; numbers with 
 the Methodists and Baptists ; and how many with the second Presbyte- 
 rian and Welch congregational churches, their pastors will tell in this re- 
 port. Besides these, not less than fifty adults, belonging to the 1st Pres- 
 byterian society, are entertaining hopes, who for various reasons still re- 
 main without the pale of the church. And to these we may add man-- 
 
25 
 
 Children, from seven to thirteen years of age, whom, although they give 
 evidence of piety, the session have thought best for a time to catechise 
 and instruct, until their age and knowledge and experience with the 
 world shall render it more safe to receive them. Accordingly, a class 
 for this purpose has been already organized. Nor has this good work 
 of the Lord ceased. The spirit of prayer still continues, though in a less- 
 degree, and consequently conversions are less frequent than they were 
 last winter. Scarcely a week has passed during the last summer, when 
 one or more has not been brought into the kingdom of Christ. For the 
 last six weeks, twenty have hopefully experienced the grace of God. 
 
 Whether all the converts are what they profess to be, the great day of 
 judgment must determine. It would be strange, if among so many, 
 some are not deceived. As yet, however, there has not been a single 
 instance of apostaey among adults, that has come to my knowledge ; 
 and, judging from the fruits, the only safe criterion, now, after the lapse 
 of eight rrionths, never did the subjects of a revival appear better. But 
 observation, as well a3 the word of God, has taught me to expect tares 
 among the wheat ; and if in the end, there should be many of the form- 
 er, it will be no argument that this revival is not the work of God. In- 
 deed, we do feel and know that the Lord hath done it. True, he has 
 wrought through the instrumentality of men ; but the power was his, 
 and to him be the glory. Besides Mr. Finney, who has been signally 
 owned and blessed, important services have been rendered by the Rev. 
 D. Nash, Mr. N. Smith, and other brethren in the ministry, who are re- 
 membered with gratitude both by the church and their pastor. 
 
 With regard to the means used in this revival, I should say nothing, 
 were it not for the gross misrepresentations that have gone abroad, 
 'fhey are substantially the same as were employed by Whitfield, Edwards, 
 Brainard, and by some still living, whose praise is in all the churches. 
 The grand mean, and that into which all others are resolved, has been 
 the word of God ; the doctrines of salvation ; the depravity of the heart, 
 Consisting not merely in the negative want of love to God, but in posi- 
 tive hatred to him j the law of God, its extent, purity, perfection, and 
 binding influence ; the sovereignty of God, illustrated and enforced not 
 so much by abstract reasoning as by matters of fact ; the nature and 
 necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and justification by faith 
 alone. These truths have been preached constantly, both in the pulpit 
 and out of it. Nor have we failed to urge sinners to repent and submit 
 to Jesus Christ, and that immediately, as the only condition of fbrgi'vV 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 0688 ; warning them at the same time, that so long as they refused 
 to comply, all their tears and prayers and efforts are not only vain, but 
 sinful. 
 
 Believing it to be duty to use every lawful and proper measure to ren- 
 der effectual dirine truth, we have, and we trust in humble dependence 
 on God, visited from house to house, conversed freely with individuals, 
 and fearlessly declared the truths in the street, in the grocery, the count- 
 ing-room, and private dwelling. We have also had various small circles 
 for prayer, as well as stated and public prayer-meetings ; and in the for- 
 mer, females, in some cases, though more seldom than we could wish, 
 have taken a part. The instruction administered in Sabbath schools 
 has been signally blessed, both to the teachers and taught. At the com- 
 mencement of the revival, there was a bible class, consisting of forty-two 
 young persons, under the sole direction of the ciders of the church. Most 
 of these are indulging hopes of eternal life. Their number has now in- 
 creased to nearly one hundred, and the Lord is still blessing his word to 
 the salvation of their souls. The bible is to them a precious book ; nor 
 to them alone. Never, in the same space of time, I am confident, was 
 it so much read in Utica, as it has been for twelve months past. Be- 
 sides these means, discipline, meetings of inquiry, days of fasting and 
 prayer, and conference meetings for the church, have been very useful. 
 
 Nor is it true, that all, for this space of time, has been division and 
 dissension in our village. Never was so large a church more happily 
 united than we have been, during this revival ; and it is so still. I veri- 
 ly believe there is here the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 
 Some few individuals may have differed from their brethren, with regard 
 to the propriety of some measures ; but I have seen none who were 
 blind to the mighty hand of God, that was bowing down rebel sinners on 
 every side, and none so hardened in unbelief, as not to adore and rejoice 
 in it. The society, also, is evidently strengthened and built up ; and 
 we pray God to send down his spirit, and bring in those who are left, 
 that all may " worship him in spirit and in truth." 
 
 The following is from the Rev. S. W. Brace, pastor of the 2d Pres- 
 byterian church, dated December 8th, 1 826 : — 
 
 The 2d Presbyterian church in Utica was organized in May, 1824. 
 Subsequent to that period, until near the close of the last year, there had 
 been no special attention to religion among us ; although a number of 
 
27 
 
 souls had been hopefull/converted to a knowledge of the truth, as it is 
 in Jesus, and added to the church on public profession of their faith in 
 Him. During the former part of the year, a state of deep declension in 
 spiritual things prevailed. Professing Christians, in general, exhibited 
 great apathy to the concerns of the soul ; and the impenitent, as a natur- 
 al consequence, were content to live in sin, unaffected, unalarmed. In 
 the midst of this moral darkness, however, there were some scattered 
 rays of light thrown in, to cheer a little the gloom of our condition, and 
 inspire the hope that God would ere long look down in mercy upon us. 
 A few praying souls, in earnest importunity, ceased not to cry to Heav- 
 en in behalf of perishing sinners. A few instances of conviction also 
 occurred ; and as early as the month of August, there were three cases 
 of hopeful conversion. Before the close of the year, a greater number 
 appeared to be seriously impressed, and two more, in the judgment of 
 charity, gave evidence of a saving change of heart. 
 
 On the first and second Sabbaths of the present year, deeper solemni- 
 ty and more fixed attention appeared upon the minds of the congrega- 
 tion, than we had before witnessed. A day of fasting, humiliation and 
 prayer, was set apart by the church, and observed " with one consent." 
 The exercises of this day, we had reason to believe, were crowned with 
 the signal blessing of God. Immediately after, a new and better state of 
 feeling seemed to pervade the hearts of professors ; and the work, so far 
 as it regarded the impenitent, assumed a more decided and encouraging 
 aspect. A more frequent and unreserved intercourse took place among 
 the members of the church. " Then they that feared the Lord spake 
 often one to another ;" and it was evident from the growing interest 
 which they felt in each other's spiritual concerns, that " the Lord heark- 
 ened and heard, and that a book of remembrance was written before 
 him.'' The spirit of " brotherly kindness and charity" began to enkin- 
 dle its delightful and increasing ardour in the bosom, and the law of love 
 to dwell more richly upon the tongue. Hearts, melted into that tender- 
 ness of christian affection, which always bespeaks the presence of the 
 Saviour, seemed to beat in unison of feeling. There was meaning in 
 the language of the Apostle to the Ephesians, and meaning which came 
 home to the bosom with energy and sweetness : — "Be ye kind one to 
 another — tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's 
 sake, hath forgiven you." Prayers more fervent and humble were of- 
 fered ; and exertions for the salvation of souls, and the glory of the Re- 
 deemer, were concentrated and increased. Meetings for social and de- 
 votional purposes, and religious visits, became frequent and refreshing. 
 
iicr» \\.\> in THI midst OF 08, OF \ rRtTH. Stupid sinners were i 
 cited fo look at a crucified Jesus, and mourn and weep ; and hard hearts 
 were subdued to the love and obedience of Christ, by the silent and hte- 
 giving energy of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Such continued to be the state of things, with but little variation, for 
 about four months, when a gradual decline of the work was apparent ; 
 although it has not at this late period entirely subsided ; so far from it, 
 that new cases of conviction and hopeful conversion come to our notice 
 nearly every week ; while great harmony and brotherly kindness still 
 prevail in the church, together with an increasing spirit of prayer. In- 
 deed, there is at the present time, richer tokens of the presence of God 
 our Saviour among us, than we have witnessed for some months past. 
 The still small voice of the infinite and invisible One, seems yet to 
 be whispering consolation to the saints, and trouble to the wicked, while 
 Christ and his cross are made the principal themes of public discourse. 
 
 In reviewing the dealings of God towards this infant branch of Zion, 
 during the past year, we have abundant cause for gratitude and praise. 
 About eighty persons, worshipping with us at different periods, it is be- 
 lieved, have become hopefully pious in this revival. Some have remov- 
 ed from the place, and a number have united with other churches. Fif- 
 ty-two have been added to this church ; a number more have been exa- 
 mined and approved by the session ; and a few others, on examination, 
 have been advised to delay a public profession. No instance of open 
 apostacy from the faith, has yet appeared among those who have " nam- 
 ed the name of Christ." "With but little exception, they appear to be 
 walking in the truth, and striving to adorn the doctrine which is accord- 
 ing to godliness. " This is the Lord's doing — it is marvellous in- 
 cur EYES." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Everett, pastor of the Welch Presbyterian church, 
 state? that about forty have been added to his church, as fruits of the 
 revival. 
 
 FRANKFORT. 
 
 The following facts, respecting the revival in this place, were com- 
 municated by Mr. W. Jones, a licentiate, who has been preaching here 
 a few months past. The moral state of this place heretofore has been 
 truly deplorable. Hi* letter is dated September 25 : — 
 
3.9 
 
 We can truly say, the Lord hath done great things for this place, with- 
 in a few weeks past. It has long been like EzekieFs vision of dry bones- 
 exceedingly dry ; not a tear to moisten them, nor a breath to blow up- 
 on them. The distillery, carding-machine, grist-mill and saw-mill, were 
 all in motion on the Lord's day. But two families could be found where 
 the family altar was erected. 
 
 The revival commenced here very suddenly. On the evening of the 
 iirst Sabbath that I began to labour here, the spirit of God came down 
 upon the audience in an overwhelming manner. About fifteen were 
 convicted, ten of whom gave good evidence of reconciliation to God 
 before the next Sabbath. Meetings were now thronged, and as solemn 
 as the chamber of death ! 
 
 At this interesting and critical period, a subscription paper was in- 
 dustriously circulated, apparently from very improper motives, by whicli 
 the public mind was diverted from the great salvation. Opposers united 
 in an enterprize which seemed so favourable to putting an end to the re- 
 vival. For a time this seemed to strike a death blow to the work. The 
 converts and the few praying people here fell prostrate before the mer- 
 cy seat. The work went on, though slowly, and has thus continued 
 amidst many powerful obstacles. Since the revival commenced, a Pres- 
 byterian church has been organized, consisting of forty-three members. 
 The whole number of converts may be reckoned at about fifty. The 
 principal means employed, in connexion with prayer, have been plain 
 preaching, and pointed personal conversation ; the latter of which has 
 been, under God, signally blessed. 
 
 TRENTON. 
 
 The following facts respecting the revival in this place were furnish- 
 ed by the Rev. Oliver Wetmore, about the 1st of October : — 
 
 It is nearly two years since I commenced my labors in the Presbyterian 
 society in the village of Trenton. I found the society in a very low and de- 
 ranged state. Nothing special occurred until December last. Several pro- 
 fessors, before this, began to mourn over their stupidity, and to pray for 
 themselves and the church ; and two places for special prayer for the out- 
 pouring of the Spirit were established, one in the village, and the other in a 
 different part of the society. The day appointed in December, by the syn- 
 $d. for fasting and prayer, was kept with great solemnity. Many prayers 
 
30 
 
 g previously offered that it might be blessed. Nearly all the mem- 
 bers of the church attended. A more solemn meeting I never witness- 
 ed. Prayers, exhortations and confessions were made. The Lord was 
 with us. Deep contrition was visible. The members confessed their 
 long neglected duties to God, and to one another. Several gave up their 
 hopes, and were as much distressed for some time as convicted sinners. 
 Indeed, great searchings of heart continued in the church during the 
 whole winter and spring. Soon after the day of fasting and prayer, 
 some instances of conviction occurred. But there were few hopeful 
 conversions until March, when the work assumed a very interesting char- 
 acter. Conversions through March and April were frequent. Convic- 
 tions in most cases were deep, and of short continuance, though in some 
 cases from two to four weeks. In most instances the subjects gave clear 
 evidence of conversion, and remain steadfast. 
 
 Great solemnity and the utmost order have prevailed in our meetings. 
 We have occasionally heard the involuntary sigh and groan ; but nothing 
 has appeared like fanaticism or enthusiasm. In two cases only has 
 there been any disturbance. One was caused by a man who was intox- 
 icated, and who was removed from the house by the civil authority. The 
 other was by a person evidently under conviction, and whose feelings 
 were excited in consequence of prayers having been offered up for him 
 by a visiting brother the preceding evening. He soon manifested con- 
 dition, and gave evidence of submission to God. 
 
 The means have been prayer and the preaching of the gospel. The 
 truths of God's word, which have been most inculcated, are the holy 
 sovereignty of God ; the extent and spirituality of the divine law, with 
 ns penalty ; the character of Christ, as " God manifest in the flesh ;" 
 the atonement, total depravity of the heart, and the duty of immediate 
 repentance and reconciliation to God ; pointing out the great guilt of 
 sinners in making excuses, that they cannot repent, and cannot love God, 
 and would if they could. The conscience was pressed with all the seri- 
 ousness and solemnity of which the speakers were capable. Meetings 
 of inquiry were very useful. Christians, in these prayer-meetings, have 
 prayed for particular individuals ; and remarkable instances of conver- 
 sion have apparently occurred in answer to such prayers. Our prayer- 
 meetings have been one of the greatest means of the conversion of souls, 
 especially those in which brothers and sisters have prayed together. If 
 God has honoured any meetings among us, it has been these. If I hare 
 ■ever been made humble, and to feel mv own littleness it has been at 
 
3,1 
 
 such meetings. One of our stations for praycr-meetinga, at the house 
 of an elder, about a mile and a half from the village, has been signally 
 blessed. This was the spiritual birth-place of many precious and im- 
 mortal souls. Here Christians have been compelled to remain in some 
 instances agonizing in prayer, till almost the breaking of day, for individ- 
 uals who could not be prevailed upon to depart until their peace was 
 made with God. From this place the revival extended into the congre- 
 gation under the care of brother Goodell. This " Bethel" will never 
 be forgotten by those who there prayed and wrestled as did Jacob. 
 
 In the latter part of summer, a bible class was established in the vil- 
 lage, which consisted principally of young females. In this class, con- 
 sisting of eighteen, the revival among the impenitent began. Fifteen 
 of these we trust have become pious. One was a professor. The oth- 
 er two were somewhat serious ; but being under the influence of unita- 
 rian friends, they neglected to attend the meetings of the class, and have 
 reverted to their former state. Upwards of one hundred are hopefully 
 converted. The number is great, considering the smallness of the con- 
 gregation, compared witli most of those which have shared in the 
 same blessing. Forty-four have been admitted into the church, and we 
 expect soon to receive as many more. Some have been added to the 
 Methodist and Baptist churches, but the number I do not know. 
 
 The opposition to the revival has been great ; but not from those at- 
 tached to our congregation. Deists, Universalists, and many of the U- 
 nitarians, have endeavoured to bring the revival into disrepute. False 
 reports have been circulated ; and this spirit in some degree still prevails. 
 No unfavourable impression, however, has been made upon the Presby- 
 terian congregation. 
 
 The influence of the revival upon our congregation, is visible in the 
 increased numbers, the decent deportment and the solemn attention of 
 those who attend upcn the worship of God on the Sabbath. On the 
 whole, we have witnessed a wonderful display of divine grace in the 
 conversion of sinners. Great has been our joy, and to God be all the 
 glory.* 
 
 The labours of the Rev. N. Smith have been a great relief to me, 
 and very useful. 
 
 * Since this account was received, another letter has been received from 
 Mr. Wetmore, occasioned by a work recently published, entitled " Bunker 
 Hill Contest ;'' for which see Appendix. 
 
32 
 
 REMSEN. 
 
 Truss place is lour miles north of Trenton village, where there is a 
 small Presbyterian church. The following facts, communicated about 
 the 1st of December, are from the Rev. Mr. Wilcox, under whose la- 
 bours the revival commenced : — 
 
 Favourable indications were apparent early last spring. During the 
 month of June, means to arouse the church were blessed. The opera- 
 tions of the Spirit at the close of the month were too manifest to be mis- 
 taken. The prayers of Christians were more fervent. Religion be- 
 came the topic of conversation in every circle, and with almost every in- 
 dividual in the neighbourhood. Sinners were troubled, convicted of 
 sin, and we trust converted from the error of their ways. When com- 
 pared with what the Lord has done in neighbouring places, the work is 
 small ; but it has been in a small, feeble society. The world will be lit- 
 tle interested ; yet the friends of Zion here-, who have lon'g mourned 
 over its desolations, have as much gladness of heart as those in more 
 highly favoured places, who have witnessed greater things. The church 
 were only a feeble band of about twenty-five, living remote from each 
 other. As the first fruits of this revival, ten have been added to the 
 church, by profession. Perhaps hopes may be safely entertained of as 
 many more ; and we trust from present indications that the Spirit of the 
 Lord has not yet completed his conquests among us. Will not those 
 who are abundantly favoured with the means of grace, pray for feeble 
 and scattered congregations ? Will not ministers, who are pastors of 
 large and flourishing churches, remember those who have gone out into- 
 the highways and hedges, to compel sinners to come in ? 
 
 RUSSIA AND WEST-BRUNSWICK. 
 
 The revival has extended to these places. The people generally are 
 Baptists and Methodists. There is a small Presbyterian church in each 
 place, which have enjoyed in common with the other churches in those 
 places, a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The 
 committee have received no official communication. 
 
 HOLLAND PATENT. 
 
 Tins is the west part of the town of Trenton. The people are much, 
 divided in religious sentintent, which renders all the societies small 
 
Though the number of converts here is not so great as in some otlici 
 places, it, is nearly equal when compared with the population. 
 
 The following facts were communicated by the Rev. Wm. Goodell, the- 
 first of October : — 
 
 The revival here commenced about the first of May ; but it is evident 
 that the cloud of mercy was gathering, and the way of the Lord pre- 
 paring, for three or four months previously to that time. On the first 
 Sabbath in the year, I preached from these words — " Set thine house in 
 order, for thou shalt die, and not live. " A sensible impression was made, 
 and particularly on one member of the church, then in health, whose 
 funeral sermon I preached the first time I again entered the desk, two 
 weeks afterward. Some members of the church were awakened to du- 
 ty by this death and the funeral services. Prayer-meetings were more 
 frequent and better attended, from this time, until the revival commen- 
 ced. The first Tuesday in May was observed by the church as a day 
 of fasting and prayer. The forenoon was spent in free conversation 
 and prayer, and in the afternoon a sermon was preached. This was a 
 solemn day. The church prayed. The Spirit descended. Sinners 
 present were convicted. From this time, which was truly a season of 
 refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the work became powerful, 
 and so continued for about three months. Since that, instances of con- 
 version have occurred from time to time. 
 
 The means which were used, and which were blessed here, were sim- 
 ilar to those employed in Rome. The faithful labours of the Rev. Mr. 
 Norton, who spent several weeks here, were signally blessed. On the 
 first Sabbath in September, thirty-five were added to the church under 
 my care, as the first fruits of the revival. Several more expect soon to 
 Unite. Eleven adults were baptized. Upwards of twenty have united 
 with other denominations. The whole number of hopeful converts is 
 about seventy. 
 
 LITCHFIELD. 
 
 A hevtval commenced here the latter part of winter, and became 
 considerably powerful in May and June, when the Rev. Mr. Towne, the 
 pastor of the Presbyterian church, in consequence of his excessive la- 
 bours, was taken sick and died. With his death the means of grace 
 Vere diminished, and the revival declined, Particulars are unknown. 
 
J'LOYD. 
 
 There is a small Presbyterian church in this place, but no stated 
 preaching, and their house was built by different denominations. The 
 revival extended here, but the committee are unable to state particular;. 
 
 SANGERFIELD. 
 
 Considerable excitement prevailed in the Presbyterian society, un- 
 der the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Hopkins, during the last winter, 
 and a considerable number have united with the Presbyterian and Bap- 
 tist churches. Particulars unknown. 
 
 Some of the Congregational churches in the south part of the counh 
 have been visited, particularly Dr. Norton's society in Clinton, and Rev. 
 Mr. Robinson's, in Hanover.. Indeed, some drops of this shower pf 
 grace have fallen on almost every place in the county. 
 
 _ 
 
X. 
 Remarks on the Character of this Revival of Religion. 
 
 1. From the preceding accounts, we are constrained to acknowledge 
 that God has made a rich and wonderful display of his grace amongst 
 us during the past year, in the conversion of sinners, and the quickening 
 of his children. More than three thousand are indulging- hope that they 
 have become reconciled to God through the Redeemer. About half 
 this number have already united with the Presbyterian and Congrega- 
 tional churches, and a large portion of the remainder with the Baptitt 
 and Methodist churches. Never before have the churches in this region 
 been blessed with so great a shower of divine grace. 
 
 The history of the church in every age, forbids the expectation thai, 
 all this number possess that repentance and faith, which is unto salvation. 
 In the little family of Jesus, there was a Judas. We may reasonably 
 hope that the proportion of deceivers and deceived, is not greater among 
 these who arc numbered as converts in this revival. And if eleven- 
 twelfths of this number are adopted into the family of the sons of God, 
 and ate heirs to the heavenly inheritance, great, unspeakably great, is 
 the blessing, and great should be the joy, and loud the praise, of those 
 who love and pray for the prosperity of Zion. 
 
 But while we are bound to give thanks to God fir his distinguishing 
 mercy we have cause to mourn over our unfaithfulness as ministers and 
 churches, and to weep over the multitudes who still remain "dead in 
 trespasses and in sins." How many of these may have been left, on 
 account of the unfaithfulness of ministers, and elders, and private mem- 
 bers of our churches ? Had every minister been as self-denying and de- 
 voted as the nature of his office requires ; had ail our elders, and the 
 members of our churches, been as united, a3 bold, and as active, as be- 
 comes the soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ, many more would doubtless 
 have been brought to the knowledge and acknowledgment ef the truth; 
 
36 
 
 flow often may the Spirit have been grieved by those who professed to 
 
 ricsirc and pray for his influence? The judgment day may disclose facts, 
 which, could they now be known, would furnish matter to us all for deep 
 repentance and humiliation before God. Let every minister, elder, and 
 private professor, inquire what more he could have done for the glory of 
 God and the salvation of souls, and let him confess his offences, by 
 prayer for pardon, through the blood of that Saviour who died fgr 
 ncrs; and dedicate himself anew to his service. 
 
 2. This revival has continued longer, particularly in some of our so- 
 cieties, than has been usual in former revivals. It is now more than a 
 year since it commenced in some places where it still continues ; and in 
 most of our churches, an unusual spirit of prayer still prevails, and in- 
 stances of conviction and conversion continue to occur. 
 
 3. Considering the number of converts, and the time that lias elapsed 
 since the revival commenced, the instances of backsliding have been 
 fewer than usual. From the preceding narrative, it appears, that, with 
 lew exceptions, those who have indulged hope, are steadfast, and grow- 
 ing in knowledge and grace. By their fruits in future life their real cha- 
 racter must be ic^lcd. 
 
 4. In this revival there has been less appearance of mere sympathy 
 and excitement of the passions, unaccompanied with conviction of sin, 
 than usual. Most of the feeling, and the strongest feeling, which sm- 
 uers have manifested, has arisen from the lashes of an accusing con- 
 science. So far as this characteristic of the revival is owing to means, 
 we believe it has been to the fact, that Christians have prayed much for 
 the convicting and sanctifying influence of the Spirit, and that minister* 
 have constantly pressed the consciences of sinners with those truths which 
 show them their guilt, and their immediate duty to repent and believe. 
 The whole man has been addressed — his understanding, Ins conscience, 
 and his affections. The general strain of preaching has been far from 
 what is usually denominated declamatory ; and it has been equally far 
 irom what is styled, by the gay. the flippant, and the superficial part of 
 community, oratorical and popular. There is a style of preaching, 
 under which such hearers will feci strongly* and love to feel ; and under 
 which they may even weep, as they would over a favourite novel ; and 
 from which they will retire, delighted with the powers of the speaker, 
 and the beauties of his composition. But such is not the preaching, 
 under which sinners have been pricked in their hearts, and ' 
 
 * -»• Men and brethren, what ^ha'.l we do '"' 
 
3.7 
 
 i. This revival has been characterized by a remark able "Spirit oi p.ray> 
 er. Often has it been said — " Christians pray as they have never pray- 
 ed before." Many have been in deep distress, and felt what it was to 
 travail in birth for souls. With this burden pressing upon their hearts, 
 they have cried to God for help, feeling they could not let him go with- 
 out a blessing ; and where Christians have been united and persevering 
 in their supplications, astonishing, and in some instances, overwhelming 
 influences of the Spirit have been witnessed. So great, and so general 
 lias been the excitement, that worldly business was in a considerable 
 degree suspended, and religion was the common topic of conversation 
 in all companies and in all places. 
 
 6. Unusual strength of faith in the promises and threatenings of God 
 has been manifested in many of our churches. Christians have not on- 
 ly assented to the testimony of God, that there is a heaven and a hell ; 
 but they have seemed, in many instances, to have such a spiritual per- 
 ception of these amazing truths, and others connected with them, that 
 they have rejoiced with trembling. With the eye of faith open upon the 
 eternal world, they have laid hold of the arm of the Lord, with a grasp 
 which seemed to say — It is a case of life and death with our friends and 
 neighbours ; we cannot be denied. They have not been denied. The 
 ear of the Lord was " open unto their prayer," and "his arm brought 
 salvation." 
 
 7. An unusual spirit of prayer has prevailed among converts, and 
 they have manifested a disposition to converse with their friends and 
 others on the subject of religion. It has often been remarked of them, 
 that they were born praying. Many of them appear to have the strength 
 of spiritual manhood, and promise to be among the brightest ornaments 
 of our churches. 
 
 8. This revival has extended to all classes of society. Some have 
 been born again in old age. Many, very young, have given satisfactory 
 evidence of piety, especially among those who have been trained in reli- 
 gious families, and in our Sabbath schools. Many men of wealth, and 
 learning, and talents, have been converted, and become like little chil- 
 dren. Many, who in common parlance were moral men, have seen 
 that their morality was devoid of that holiness of heart, "without which 
 no man shall see the Lord," and have cried, " God be merciful to me a 
 sinner." Many, who had embraced universalism and other errors, have 
 fled from their refuges of lies, to lay hold of the hope set before them 
 in the gospel. These facts should encourage ministers and churches i'q 
 
pray and labour for the salvation of ah men, the high and the low, the 
 rich and the poor, the old and the young, the moral and tho protane, an- 
 imated with the thought that " he that converteth a sinner from the error 
 of his ways, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins." 
 
 9. Great heart-scarchings among professors have characterized 
 revival. This we have seen in former revivals, but never before to so 
 greal an extent. It has been very common to hear professors say, with 
 a solemn, downcast countenance, "I have no religion." They have 
 had severe seasons of conviction. Some probably have, for the first 
 time, been brought to repentance. Most, however, have, after a short 
 time, given evidence of an increased devotion to God ; and such have 
 been eminently useful in promoting the work. Those ministers, also, in 
 whose societies the revival has been powerful, have been led to close 
 self-examination, and been apparently deeply humbled for past unfaith- 
 fulness. 
 
 10. Converts, especially during the greatest excitement, have mani- 
 fested more joy and stronger hopes, than in any preceding revivals, among 
 us. Strong hopes have been considered by many an unfavourable in- 
 dication. Whether this be a correct opinion, we shall not undertake to 
 determine. But it is worthy of consideration, whether the faint hopes 
 of converts may not arise from not being earnestly pressed with truths 
 adapted to their case, and from the want of more spiritual strength in 
 the church, in wrestling with God in prayer for their deliverance from 
 sin, rather than from deep humility, and a just sense of the danger of 
 deception. 
 
 11. Much opposition has been made to this revival. This appears 
 from the preceding accounts. But the half is not told, and for the honour 
 of the county, we think, ought not to be told. False reports have been 
 circulated. Gross misrepresentations have beon made of the preaching, 
 and other means which have been employed to promote the work. Pre- 
 judices have thus been excited in the minds of some, who are doubtless 
 the friends of religion, but who have not been in circumstances favour- 
 able to judge for themselves. It is not to be expected, that men actu- 
 ated by the best motives, and pursuing with hallowed zeal tiie most no- 
 ble objects, should act with perfect wisdom and discretion. But from 
 the preceding accounts, and from personal observation, the committee 
 feel warranted in saying, that ministers and churches have exhibited as 
 much sound wisdom and discretion, as has ever been exhibited in any 
 
 a) of which they have any knowledge. Yen. wc believe thai there 
 
39 
 
 has been an unusual spirit of prayer to God, for that wisdom which is 
 profitable to direct. 
 
 It would savour of weakness and spiritual pride in our churches, (o 
 justify every thing which lias been said and done, in public and private, 
 by the friends of the revival. But we believe it a duty we owe to the 
 cause of truth, to say, that most of the opposition has been excited by 
 that preaching, and those means, which have met the approbation of the 
 great Head of the Church. Indiscretions, real or apparent, are the 
 only things which have given most of the opposers any pleasure. Their 
 consciences, could they speak, would tell the world, that ninety-nine hun- 
 dredths of all the stir they have made, has originated from a naked exhi- 
 bition of gospel truth, and from the agonizing prayers and faithful ex- 
 ertions of the people of God for the salvation of their fellow-men. 
 
 It is not the wish of the committee to dwell upon this opposition. 
 Care has been taken to guard the churches from talking much about the 
 opposition, and allowing their personal feelings to become enlisted by 
 the falsehood and abuse of opposers. But we have said thus much, to 
 give the christian public what we verily believe a just representation of 
 this outcry, and to prevent any from being alarmed at opposition to 
 revivals, and neglecting to use means which God blesses in promoting 
 them. We believe, from the history of the church, and Tacts that have 
 occurred in this revival strengthen the belief, that the elements of op- 
 position to a revival of " pure and undefiled religion," exist in the most 
 enlightened and moral districts of Christendom, and are to be found in 
 that pride, and worldliness, and ambition, and love of pleasure, which 
 reign predominant in the hearts of the unrenewed, and which exist to 
 an alarming extent among ministers, elders, deacons, and private mem- 
 bers of the church of Christ. Many, in christian as well as heathen 
 lands, have their idols, and they are too strongly attached to them to give 
 them up without a severe struggle. Those who would attempt the 
 work, must count the cost, and make up their minds to put on the whole 
 christian armour, and prepare to receive many fiery darts from the ene- 
 niv. before he will submit. 
 
Means which appear to have been blessed inpromotin 
 this Revival 
 
 il. Seasons of fasting and prayer. In most, if not all, the societies 
 ■which have shared in this work of grace, days have been set apart for 
 the special object of praying for the influences of the Spirit, to humble 
 and sanctify the professed disciples of Christ, and to convert sinners. 
 The blessing of God on such seasons has been most apparent, where 
 Christians have looked forward to them with interest, and made them a 
 subject of prayer. 
 
 2. Confession of sin in churches. Wherever churches have met, and 
 with evident sincerity of heart, confessed their "faults one to another.' ' 
 God has granted them a sweet sense of his forgiving mercy, given them 
 I'ree access to his throne of grace in praying for others, and great bold- 
 ness and zeal in using means for their salvation. 
 
 3. Church discipline. This has tended to humble churches, and to 
 alarm the impenitent. Discipline, judiciously administered, has been 
 found a powerful method of enforcing some of the truths of the gospel. 
 Many arc hardened in unbelief by the irregular lives of professors. When 
 such are led to repent and confess their sins, or are excluded from thr 
 church, one of the objections is removed, with which sinners often suc- 
 cessfully ward off the sword of the Spirit pointed at their heart. 
 
 4. Visiting from house to house. This has been done extensively. 
 These visits have been strictly religious. Every member of the family. 
 • apable of receiving instruction, has been addressed ; and such visit? 
 nave usually been closed with prayer, adapted to the character and cir- 
 cumstances of the different members of the family. By such visits 
 many have been addressed who could be addressed no where else, and 
 who were thus brought to attend on the usual means of grace ; col<* 
 professor? frave been roused, and many careless" sinners awaktned 
 
II 
 
 b. Preaching the gospel, its doctrines and precepts, its promises and 
 threatenings, with great plainness and earnestness. Every class of 
 people have been addressed with truths adapted to their character. — 
 Churches have been reproved in the most pointed manner, for then 
 lukewarmness, their pride, and worldliness, and unbelief. They have 
 been urged as strongly to repent and humble themselves before God. 
 as the most rebellious sinners. This plain and faithful application 
 of divine truth to the churches, while it has produced great searchings 
 of heart, and led some to abandon their hopes, has in several cases, ex- 
 cited greater alarm among sinners than a direct address. The truths 
 of God's word have been pressed upon sinners without respect of per- 
 sons. The sinner has been followed into all his hiding places. Every 
 mask has been torn off from the moralist and self-righteous. The der 
 ceitfulness of the heart has been exposed ; and the sinner has been met 
 at every turn, with the naked sword of the Spirit pointed at his breast. 
 While Christians have prayed with more faith than usual, ministers have 
 •also preached with more faith than heretofore.* They have felt the 
 importance of probing the disease of sin to the core. They have ap- 
 peared to throw themselves upon the altar, resolving to preach the truth 
 of God, if they were driven from their societies, or sacrificed by the 
 rage of the wicked. This preaching has, as might be expected, produ- 
 ced much commotion. But while some have, with unwonted strength, 
 braced themselves against the truth, and hardened their hearts, till their 
 case may be hopeless, multitudes slain by it, have applied to the " blood 
 of sprinkling" for relief, and have found joy and peace in believing. 
 
 * It is a question worthy of very serious consideration, how far (Le gospel 
 is rendered unfruitful by the weakness of faith in those who preach it. We 
 use faith here in its most extensive signification. We mean by it, that moral 
 impression on the whole soul, which corresponds with the gospel mould, with 
 the nature and magnitude of spiritual objects, so far as the limited powers of 
 man are capable of such impression. The weakness of faith exposes a min- 
 ister to innumerable dang'ers. He is in danger of preaching the truth so 
 coldly, that the natural impression is, either that he does not believe it, or 
 that it is of little importance. If he is eloquent, he is in danger of bein^- 
 more solicitous that his hearers should admire his talents, than that they should 
 adore and embrace the Saviour of the world. The preaching of men of the 
 most brilliant talents, has in many cases, it is to be feared, done as little to- 
 wards reforming mankind, as the exhibitions of the stage-actor. He who 
 has strong logical powers, and little faith, is in danger of so distorting the 
 gospel;, by dwelling on abstruse points, as to lead the common people to fir 
 
12 
 
 ?. L T nion«f ■ ud effort in churches lias promoted this f< \ .a 
 
 Where the great body of the church ha< come up to the help of the 
 Lord, the work has been powerful : And although there have been in 
 most of the churches, some who have st<9od all the day idle ; yet a larger 
 proportion have manifested a deep interest in the work than in former 
 revivals. The coldness or the opposition of professors, has been found 
 far more injurious than the opposition of others. 
 
 This union in contiguous churches has strengthened each other in the 
 work. When sinners have been offended at the preaching in one place, 
 or been convicted and fled to another for relief, instead of being coun- 
 tenanced in their opposition, they have met with the same faithful treat- 
 ment, till worried with the stings of an accusing conscience, they have 
 submitted themselves to God. Some, it is true, have flod where they 
 have found an opiate, which has lulled them into a sleep, from which 
 they may never awake. 
 
 Nothing lias been found more disheartening to ministers, than cold 
 or cross elders and professors ; but it is cause of gratitude that the num- 
 ber of such has been small. 
 
 7. Meetings of inquiry have been greatly blessed. As the nature of 
 these meetings is generally understood, and as the manner in which they 
 have been conducted in this revival, has been in a measure described in 
 the preceding accounts, it is unnecessary to say more. 
 
 8. Avoiding disputes upon minor points. Care lias been taken to 
 guard Christians against all sectarian feelings. In some instances inju- 
 
 from it as they would from a monster, whose unsightly but mysteiious powers 
 they could not comprehend. The minister of weak faith is in danger of at- 
 taching an undue importance to some favourite opinions, which he deals out 
 on all occasions, instead of adapting the moral medicines of the gospel to 
 the various diseases of those whom it is his business to heal. Such a spir- 
 itual doctor, however learned, and however celebrated he may be, resembles 
 the quack, who with great self-complacency deals out his panacea to every 
 patient, whatever be his malady. It is undoubtedly important that the whole 
 strength of human intellect should be applied to particular subjects ; but this 
 should be done by writers of books, and not by the preacher who addresses a 
 mixed assembly, and whose business it is to preach Christ, warning even- 
 man, and teaching every man in all wisdom ; that he may present every man 
 perfect in Christ Jesus. Imperfect is the faith of the best; and it becomes 
 the ministers of Christ, above all men, to search the scriptures with the do- 
 cility of children, and to pray continual!?, " Lord, increase our faith. '' 
 
43 
 
 fj has been done ; but we believe that the churches generally have done 
 less to grieve the Spirit, by any improper conduct in. this respect, than 
 is common in revivals. Indeed we may say, that, with few exceptions, 
 churches of different names have felt and manifested more solicitude to 
 make converts than proselytes. 
 
 9. Urging awakened sinners to immediate repentance and reconcili- 
 ation to God. No excuse, on account of human depravity, or human 
 dependence and divine agency, has been allowed. To all such objec^ 
 tions, a " thus saith the Lord," has been the reply. Where instruction 
 was needed, the nature and reasonableness of these duties have been ful- 
 ly pointed out. If the impenitent have still pleaded any excuse, they 
 have been told that the controversy was between them and God, and 
 with him they must settle it. The effect of this mode of address, gen- 
 erally, has been, that conviction has increased, until the sinner has sur- 
 rendered himself into the hands of a holy, sovereign and merciful God.* 
 
 * It is somewhat surprising-, that all who take the bible for their guide, 
 should not be harmonious in this treatment of sinners. It is too plain to ad- 
 mit of doubt, that the bible " now commands all men every where to repent ;' ' 
 and that Christ and his apostles urged their hearers to repent and believe the 
 gospel. Truth is the sword of the Spirit, and the only instrument of convic- 
 tion, conversion and sanctification. If we substitute something else in its 
 place, we have no right to expect a blessing. Whatever difficulties our lim- 
 ited intellects, and blind hearts, may have respecting human agency and de- 
 pendence, or the power of sinners to repent and believe, surely we ought to 
 confide in the wisdom of Him, who gave to man his powers, and requires an 
 entire consecration of them to his service. To give any other direction to 1 
 sinners respecting their duty, than God ha9 given, i9 to be wise above what 
 is written, and in effect to arraign the adorable God before the tribunal of 
 human judgment, and justify the sinner in disobedience. To direct sinners 
 H to wait,'' or " to keep on,'' while impenitent, is, in fact, to give them the 
 most dishonourable ideas of God as moral governor, and to destroy all genu- 
 ine conviction. If such sinners are converted, these notions will obscure thg 
 eye of tbeir faith ; and unless removed, will make them dwarfs in religion. 
 It would be well for those who tell a convicted sinner " to wait,'* " to keep 
 on," M you are in a good way, 1 ' &c. to ask themselves what answer they will- 
 give to such a sinner at the judgment, should God take away his life while 
 following their directions, who should ask, why did you not tell me to do thai: 
 which would have secured my salvation ? We apprehend that want of unifor- 
 mity on this subject, arises from an erroneous philosophy respecting the hu- 
 man mind, rather than from any obscurity in the directions given inthe word 
 oTGod. 
 
\'Q The visits of ministers, professors and others, wuere revivals had 
 commenced, have had a powerful effect in extending the work. Min- 
 isters and private Christians have thus been refreshed: When they re- 
 turned home, they have told others, and exhorted their brethren to awake. 
 Sinners have in many cases returned, rejoicing in hope, or deeply con- 
 victed. Thus the holy fire has spread and blazed in every direction* 
 
 1 1 . The preaching and other labours of evangelists have been a "ver\ 
 obvious and efficient means of originating and carrying forward the 
 work.* Ministers have thus received essential assistance. More min- 
 
 '* The labours of the Rev. Mr. Finney have been eminently blessed in pro- 
 moting this revival. The Rev. Mr. Nash, and three or four young men who 
 have recently finished their course of study at the theological seminary in 
 Auburn, have also rendered essential service. 
 
 As much has been said, at home and abroad, respecting the character and 
 proceedings of Mr. Finney, it will probably be expected that the committee 
 will not be silent respecting him. We think it due to him, and to the cause 
 of Christ, which we believe he loves, to state, that his christian character, 
 since he made a profession of religion, has been irreproachable. He was a 
 subject of the revival in Adams, a few years since, under the preaching of 
 the Rev. Mr. Gale. He then left the study of the law, and entered upon the 
 study of divinity. He was licensed by the presbytery of St. Lawrence, and 
 is now a member of the presbytery of Oneida. He possesses a discriminat- 
 ing and well balanced mind ; has a good share of courage and decision ; pos- 
 sesses naturally a good temper; is frank and magnanimous in his deport- 
 ment — ardent and persevering in the performance of the duties of his office ; 
 exhibits as much discretion and judgment, as those who may think him defi- 
 cient in these qualities would do, did they possess his zeal and activity ; and. 
 on the whole, is as well calculated to be extensively useful in promoting revi- 
 vals of religion, as any man of whom we have any knowledge. To say that 
 he never errs, is more than can, with truth, be said of any man, who has ev- 
 er done much to promote the temporal or spiritual interests of his fellow men. 
 
 We confess, we feel no great respect for those who sit down in ignoble 
 ease, in the vineyard of the Lord, and make their sage remarks upon the 
 imprudence of those who M bear the heat and burden of the day." The sol- 
 dier, who, in the hour of battle, which tries men's souls, skulks away into 
 some secure place, and there employs himself in watching the bold and the 
 brave, and charging them with want of wisdom and discretion, deserves to he 
 condemned for his cowardice, instead of being applauded for his sagacity. 
 Wisdom, judgment, and discretion, are important virtues in the soldiers of 
 Christ ; but of all men in the world, the professed minister of the gospel is 
 the most-unwise and imprudent, who dares to incur the displeasure of almigh- 
 ty God, and expose the souls of his fellow men to eternal death, by his un- 
 'oes? 
 
 l 
 
46 
 
 laterul labour, which was so much needed, Un*> tJius" feeep- bcstow'cU: 
 than one man could have performed. The opinion of some, that there 
 ought to be evangelists in the church, whose principal business should 
 be to aid sottled ministers in the frequent revivals which prevail in our 
 country, is strengthened by their usefulness in this revival. Whether 
 provision should be made for their support, by societies formed for the 
 purpose, or whether this should be left to the liberality of churches and 
 individuals benefitted by their labours, is a question which the commit- 
 tee feel incompetent to decide. The future providence of God may 
 throw light on this subject. 
 
 12. United, agonizing, persevering prayer. This has evidently been 
 one of the principal means, which God has blessed, in originating and 
 extending this work of grace. The promises of God, made to prayer, 
 have been frequently presented ; and Christians, encouraged by these 
 promises, have wrestled with the God of Jacob, in public prayer-meetr 
 ings, and in the family, and the closet. Prayer-meetings have be^n 
 numerous and frequent in most of the churches. Small circles for prayed 
 have been held by Christians, where both sexes have engaged in this 
 fluty, and where individuals have often been made the subjects of special 
 prayer. In these little circles, Christians have enjoyed the presence of 
 God, and have had great freedom and boldness in approaching the 
 throne of grace. Never have our churches generally appeared to en- 
 tertain so delightful and exalted ideas of God, as the hearer of the 
 jfrayer of faith.* 
 
 *As much has been said respecting the prayer of faith, it may be expected 
 that the committee will say something of its nature and efficacy. There is 
 doubtless no effectual prayer without faith ; for " without faith it is impossible 
 to please God ; for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he 
 U the rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Although there is some 
 diversity of opinion, and not a little darkness, respecting the interpretation 
 and extent of some of the promises made to prayer ; yet we are not aware 
 that any views prevail among us, to any extent, materially different from 
 what are expressed by President Edwards, in his sermon, entitled, " The 
 Most High, a prayer-hearing God;"* and by Calvin, particularly in his com- 
 mentary on the prayer of Paul, respecting the thorn in the flesh. 2 Cor. xii. B. 
 As this is in Latin, and in the hands of few readers, we give it entire, with 
 as literal a translation as possible :— - 
 
 *' For this I besought the Lord thrice. Thrice, here, is put for frequedt: 
 repetition. But he would signify that this vexation, which he often depra 
 rated, wag very troublesome ; for nad it been light and easy tft be DorrJe', lie 
 
iS. The lustructions given in Sabbath schools and bible classes have 
 been eminently blessed. A large number of those who belong to ou? 
 Sabbath schools give satisfactory evidence of piety. Superintendents 
 und teachers have in many cases been the honoured instruments of their 
 conversion. In several instances, most of the members of bible da 
 have become converts, and promise to be among the most stable and 
 valuable members of our churches ; and should bible classes and Sab- 
 bath schools continue to multiply, as they have done a few years past, 
 •we. may hope the time will soon arrive when most of the rising gene- 
 ration will be converted in youth, and that the violent " stirs" now 
 raised against revivals, will cease for want of materials. 
 
 would not have desired so strongly to be delivered from it. He says, never- 
 theless, that he did not obtain ; whence it appears how necessary it was 
 that he should be bumbled. Therefore, he confirms what he had before said, 
 that he was held by this rein, lest he should boast ; for if a liberation would 
 have been useful, he never would have suffered a repulse. But then it may 
 appear to follow, that Paul by no means prated infaith, unless we would make 
 all the promises of God vain. Every where we hear in scripture, that we 
 obtain whatever we pray for in faith. Paul prays, and he does not obtain. 
 I answer, as the manner of praying is different, so there are two kinds of 
 prayer. We pray freely concerning those things for which we have a cer- 
 tain promise ; such as the coming of the kingdom of God, the sanctification 
 of his name, the remission of sins, and whatever is salutary for us. But 
 when we suppose that the kingdom of God can be, nay, ought to be, pro- 
 moted in this or in that way y we often err in opinion. In like manner, as to 
 what respects our own good, we are often mistaken. Confidently, therefore, 
 and without exception, may we pray for the former things. But to prescribe 
 the way (modum) is not our business ; but if we express the mode, a tacit 
 condition is always included. Paul was not so ignorant as not to know this : 
 wherefore, as to the end of his petition, without doubt, he was heard, although 
 he was repulsed as to the precise form ; whence we are admonished not to 
 despond in mind, as if we had lost our labour in praying, when God does 
 not satisfy, or is not obedient to our supplications. But his grace ought 
 to satiify us, that is, that we are not deserted by him. For this is the reason 
 why, sometimes, he mercifully denies to his children what in anger he grant? 
 to the wicked, because he can better provide what is expedient for us thaa 
 our mind can apprehend.** 
 
What can be done "to sustain and increase the Spirit 
 of Religion in our Churches ?" 
 
 The committee deem this an important branch of the duty assigned 
 them. But they feel incompetent to do it justice ; and judging from 
 the discussion at the Presbytery, they despair of giving entire satisfac- 
 tion. Indeed, could they hope to suggest the most important measures, 
 they should not be very sanguine in their expectations that they would 
 be extensively useful. The difficulty is not so much the want of know- 
 ledge in ministers and churches, as to the best means of doing good, as 
 the want of a disposition to use them. This is the formidable obstacle 
 after all, which lies in the way of the rapid progress of religion through- 
 out Christendom, and of the conversion of the world. Though the best 
 measures may be pursued, yet if ministers and churches have not some 
 of that holy energy which springs from faith, nothing will be done to 
 any purpose. A cold unbelieving heart will suggest a thousand diffi- 
 culties, and convert molehills into mountains. How often do Presbyte- 
 ries and Synods, and other ecclesiastical bodies, recommend and publish 
 measures for promoting religion, which, however wise, fail of doing 
 much good, because ministers and churches have not the zeal and 
 the perseverance necessary to carry them into effect ! Had every minis- 
 ter the courage of a Luther, the perseverance of a Howard, and the 
 activity of a Whitfield, with half a dozen kindred spirits in their church- 
 es, Satan himself would tremble before them, and the gates of hell 
 would give way. But the misery is, the faith necessary to produce such 
 resolute spirits' is wanting ; and after a few efforts, and a little success, 
 ministers and churches turn off their eyes from heaven and hell, cease 
 to listen to the dread commands of heaven's King, put off their ar- 
 mour, sit down at ease, talk about the revival, boast of what they have 
 done, then yawn and fall asleep. Now the silence of death reigns 
 through the armies of Israel, who ought never to sleep as do others. 
 The enemv enters. None to watch his movements,* he undoes all tha* 
 
4» 
 
 bias- fceen done, and spreads mischief and destruction on every side 
 Biit notwithstanding tiiese gloomy forebodings, the committee, in com.- 
 pliance with their duty, will venture to suggest a few things, with 
 the hope that they may be of some practical utility to themselves and 
 others. 
 
 1 . Let our ministers and churches keep constantly in mind the great 
 responsibility which rests upon them, to " be steadfast, immoveable, al- 
 ways abounding in the work of the Lord." God, brethren, has granted 
 us signal tokens of grace, whereof we are glad. The eyes of many, 
 both among friends and enemies, are turned upon us. Should our min- 
 isters and churches sink down into a cold stupid state, as is sometimes 
 the case after a revival ; should divisions and dissensions spring up 
 among us, the God of all our mercies will be dishonoured, many who 
 love his name will be grieved, and his enemies will triumph. 
 
 Let us also remember that the place we occupy in the Lord's vineyard. 
 though not as conspicuous and important as some, yet is one of great 
 responsibility. This county is rapidly increasing in wealth and popula- 
 tion, is in the heart of the most powerful state in the Union, and is des- 
 tined to have no inconsiderable influence upon morals and religion 
 around us. Let every minister and every church among us resolve, in 
 dependence on divine grace, to do all in their power to render this coun- 
 ty eminent for virtue and piety ; and that should it ever become a mor- 
 al waste, euch a disaster shall not be traced to the influence of their ex- 
 ample.* 
 
 * In a revival, it is not uncommon for some to feel as though it would nev- 
 «r cease till the millonium ; aDd for others to say it never would, if ministers 
 and churches were faithful. One thing all must admit, that aH revivals hith- 
 erto have ceased ; and it has often been the case, that churches blessed with 
 such seasons of refreshing, have afterwards sunk down into as lukewarma 
 state as those which have not enjoyed such seasons. These facts have led 
 eome to think and speak lightly of revivals, and to doubt whether there was 
 much genuine religion in them. Churches, through remaining sin, are con- 
 stantly prone to become conformed in heart and life to the world. But were 
 a church to continue as faithful in prayer and christian effort, as they ever are 
 in a time of revival, it may be a question whether conversions would con- 
 tinue in that place till none were left. It may be, that some would continue 
 'o harden their hearts under such means of grace ; and the duty of the church 
 would be bo longer to " give that which is holy to dogs, nor to cast their 
 pearls before swine.' 7 But one thing is certain ; ministers and churches are 
 bound to exercise as much faith*, znd to he. as fervent in prayer, and as ddi- 
 

 
 2. Let those of us who have been put into the ministry, strive to b<« 
 in deed and in truth, men of prayer. If the command, " Pray without 
 ceasing," be obligatory on all, it is emphatically so on a minister of tin- 
 gospel. He needs above all men, to be "full of faith and the HoK 
 Ghost ;" and how shall he become such, except by seeking the influen- 
 ces of the Spirit in agonizing and persevering prayer ? The most emi 
 nent saints whose names are recorded in scripture, and those ministers 
 who have been distinguished for usefulness in every age of the church, 
 have been praying men. A well known maxim of Luther was, " Bene 
 orasse est bene studuisse." This maxim might with equal truth be ex- 
 tended. The minister who is faithful in his closet, will be faithful, not 
 only in his study, but in the pulpit, in his parochial visits, and in all the 
 various duties of his office. We would appeal to your own experience, 
 "brethren, whether you have not be.en most faithful in the discharge of 
 every duty, when you have been most careful to cherish and cultivate a 
 devotional frame of mind ? Did ministers in general spend five hours in 
 communion with God, where they spend one, the church of Christ would 
 be far more benefitted by their labours. It is in the closet, while earn- 
 estly pleading for spiritual illumination, that the minister of the gospel is 
 taught the value of God's eternal smiles, and the worth of the souls com- 
 mitted to his care. It is here that he is endued with that holy boldness 
 and self-denial, so essential to his usefulness. It is here that he sees his 
 own weakness, and learns to trust in God alone for strength, and fear no 
 evil. O, brethren, did we suitably prize the throne of grace, we should be 
 often there pleading for those inestimable blessings, which our heavenly 
 Father is more ready to grant, than earthly parents are to give good gifts 
 to their children. How much we need, at this important crisis, that, 
 "wisdom which is profitable to direct ;" and can we fail to ask of 
 
 gent in the use of means to advance the kingdom of Christ in some way, a't 
 all times, as in a season of revival. The amount of holy feeling and effort 
 ought never to diminish ; and were a church to remain such, their christian 
 graces would be constantly gaining- strength ; and in this sense they would 
 enjoy a constant revival. Let no means be neglected which are calculated 
 to make such churches, and then we shall be better able to judge whether 
 we may expect a constant revival. Were our churches such, revivals would 
 doubtless be more extensive than they now are, and of longer continuance. 
 Old hardened sinners would soon be removed by death, and the rising gene- 
 ration would all be converted. Thus we should have in these favoured spot6'^ 
 the commencement of the millennium ; and were all the churches of Christen- 
 dom roused to such exertions, there would be one continued revival, till a!! 
 nations ^ ere converted. 
 
JO 
 
 Hun •• wrho givetb liberally and upbraideth not V — Tne revival tliat has • 
 prevailed among us, and which still prevails, has enraged the enemies of 
 the cross ; and the voice of God to his ministers and churches now is, 
 " Watch and pray." Let us, brethren, beware that we do not disregard 
 the solemn admonition. Our own good, as well as that of our church- 
 es, is concerned. A minister may show considerable zeal in religion, 
 and even in promoting revivals, and after having preached to others, he 
 himself may be a castaway. 
 
 3. Ministers must endeavour to strengthen each other's hands. We 
 are, brethren, subject to like passions with others. In despondency 
 under trials, we need the counsel and sympathy of our fellow labourers. 
 In a season like the present, some, and those who are perhaps the most 
 faithful, will be charged with indiscretion. Let us beware that we do 
 not weaken their hands by siding with the enemy. Envy sometimes 
 lurks in the breast of ministers, and shows itself in secret whisperings, 
 which spread and undermine the influence of their brethren more effec- 
 tually than the open opposition of professed enemies. If we discover 
 errors in our brethren, let us act the part of friendship, by telling them 
 their faults, as our Saviour, whose commands we profess to follow, di- 
 rects, instead of talking to others. Let us not forget the royal law, of 
 doing to them as we would they should do unto us. Those whose soci- 
 eties are contiguous, might do each other essential service, by meeting 
 occasionally, and consulting upon the best means of removing difficul- 
 ties, and promoting religion in their respective congregations. Were 
 they to assist each other on important occasions, such as days of fasting 
 and prayer, and church conferences, they might increase each other's 
 influence and usefulness. By confining his labours exclusively to one 
 congregation, a minister insensibly loses his interest in other societies. 
 Those who have laboured much as missionaries, we apprehend, feel 
 a deeper interest than others in the general welfare of the church of 
 Christ. 
 
 4. Frequent ministerial visitation is essential to sustaining and in- 
 creasing religion in our churches. We have seen the effects of visiting 
 from house to house in this revival ; and we rarely read an account of a 
 revival which did not originate from such visits. When revivals begin 
 to decline, ministers are in great danger of neglecting this duty. Let 
 ns, brethren, guard against such neglect. It is as important now as ev- 
 er. Converts need our counsel. Their growth in grace is as intimate- 
 ly connected with the glory of Go<\ as their conversion. One cause 
 
51 
 
 why many backslide is, that ministers and influential members neglect to 
 watch over them according to their covenant engagements. It is a great 
 mistake to suppose that the plants of righteousness are like tares, in the 
 great field of nature, and will grow and thrive without cultivation. How 
 many old professors, who go into places where they enjoy few religious 
 adyantages, become cold, conformed to the world, and at length are 
 even ashamed to have it known that they were ever numbered with the 
 children of God. And are we to expect that mere babes in Christ Je- 
 sus may be neglected without injury ? It is the imperious duty of minis- 
 ters to feed these babes in Christ with knowledge, and by affectionate 
 counsel encourage them to perseverance. With an eye of compassion 
 fixed on them, Jesus says to us, brethren, " Lovest thou me ?" Answer 
 him, and forget not his direction. By visiting from house to house, a 
 pastor becomes intimately acquainted with the spiritual wants of his 
 flock, and his public instructions are more appropriate. Mutual friend- 
 ship is promoted. A minister takes a deeper interest in his people. 
 He preaches w T ith more pleasure to them, and they are more attentive to 
 his instruction. The duties of ministers are arduous ; but visiting is one 
 which cannot be neglected without injury to their flocks. One cause 
 of the woe denounced by God against unfaithful pastors, in the days of 
 Jeremiah, was, that they had not visited his Jlock. (Jer. 23, 2.) Most 
 ministers consider it their duty to visit the sick and dying, but are prone 
 to neglect those in health. The reflection of the Rev. Mr. Manly, in 
 the preceding narrative, (see the account from Boonville), is.worthycf 
 notice, and his resolution ought to be adopted by every pastor. Sick- 
 bed repentance often proves spurious upon the return of health. It is 
 a fact, too, worthy of notice, that revivals prevail almost invariably in a 
 general time of health. Ministers ought to be assisted in visiting by the 
 elders, or influential members of the churches. 
 
 5. Occasional seasons of fasting and prayer. When a church can bo 
 brought to feel the importance of such seasons, they have ever been use- 
 ful. If one or two of the days appointed for a lecture preparatory to 
 communion, were in the course of the year spent in fasting and prayer, 
 we believe they would be more useful to our churches. Let the former 
 part of the day, as recommended by President Edwards, be spent in lit- 
 tle social meetings for prayer ; and in the afternoon let the whole church 
 assemble together. 
 
 6. It would be useful to our churches occasionally to renew their cov- 
 enant with God and one another. Great nains should be taken to pre- 
 
a church for tiiis solemn act. It bad belter not be done at alii than 
 in a formal) unfeeling manner. We would recommend that it should be 
 done on the Sabbath succeeding a season of fasting and prayer. 
 
 7. Great pains should be taken to keep up and to increase that spirit 
 of prayers which has prevailed in our churches the year past, and which 
 <till prevails. One or more weekly prayer-meetings in every neighbour- 
 hood, lor professors, would tend to cherish this spirit. Occasional meet- 
 ings for members of the church with their pastor, tor free conversation 
 and prayer, would tend to preserve this devotional spirit in our church- 
 es. In family prayer, where there are several members who arc profess- 
 ors, it would be useful occasionally for all to take a part, especially on 
 the Sabbath. We should like to see such family prayer-meetings com- 
 mon among us. Young professors would thus become accustomed to 
 leading in prayer, and would be prepared for a more public performance 
 of the duty. Such young converts would be less likely to neglect the 
 important duty of family prayer in future life. But secret prayer we 
 deem the most important of all ; and we think it is particularly incum- 
 bent on ministers, at this time, to point out the nature and importance of 
 this duty, and to urge professors to a faithful performance of it. Declen- 
 sion has its origin in the heart, and makes its first appearance in the cold 
 performance or neglect, of private meditation, self-examination and 
 prayer. So long as our old professors and our converts are faithful in 
 these private duties, religion will not visibly decline in our churches. 
 
 8. Let judicious discipline be faithfully maintained in our churches. 
 This is one of the means which Christ has enjoined for the honour of his 
 name and the purity of his church. If neglected, we have no reason to 
 expect his blessing. We are persuaded that the church of Christ sutlers 
 very much from an alarming neglect of this duty. In some churches in 
 <>ur land it has so long been neglected, and scandalous sins have become 
 so extensive, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to exercise discipline. 
 God forbid this should ever be the case with our churches, by neglecting 
 this duty while it can be performed. But even when discipline is admin- 
 istered, it is often done in such a manner that it does comparatively little 
 good. While it is prosecuted with decision and firmness, let it be done 
 with christian meekness and tenderness, not as though we were lording 
 it over God's heritage. A tier discipline is commenced, churches ought 
 10 pray specially for the subjects of it, that it may be effectual in re- 
 claiming them. When ministers and ciders are. engaged in visiting con- 
 victed sinners and conversing with them, the prayers of the church aro 
 
>3 
 
 deemed important to the success, of these mean's ; and win not in fir; 
 administration of discipline I The great body oi* our members seem \» 
 
 feel as though they were not particularly interested in the administration 
 
 of discipline. This is verily a fault among us. Let our churches be ex- 
 horted to pray for the subjects of discipline, that they may be reclaimed. 
 If they are excluded from the communion of the church, let them be 
 exhorted still to pray that this last act of discipline may be blessed to 
 their irood, to the good of the church and of the world. 
 
 9. Let meetings of inquiry be kept up, wherever they can be, in our 
 churches. Relinquishing such meetings has sometimes hastened the 
 decline of revivals. In some churches these meetings have been kept 
 up for years. To give them interest, when there are few inquirers, it 
 may be useful to vary the instruction. Some doctrinal or practical sub,- 
 ject might be discussed, and questions put to those present. 
 
 10. We would urge the members of our churches to converse with 
 their friends and neighbours on the subject of religion. There is a re- 
 markable backwardness extensively prevalent among Christians on this 
 subject. A professor of religion will live for years on intimate terms 
 with an impenitent neighbour, converse freely with him about all hi9 
 worldly concerns, and never open his mouth to him upon the momen- 
 tous concerns of his soul. Why is this ? If his neighbour were in dan- 
 ger of losing his property, and such professor foreseeing the evil, should 
 neglect to give him timely notice, he would be regarded by the whole 
 community a cold-blooded monster. Is not much of the infidelity of the 
 world to be ascribed to this sinful neglect on the part of professors of 
 religion ? Men of the world are not fools. May they not often thus rea- 
 son with themselves ? These professed Christians do not believe we are 
 in danger of going to hell, unless we repent and embrace the gospel. 
 If they did, they would show their love to us, by warning us of danger, 
 and urging us to flee from the wrath to come. Let the members of our 
 churches, as well as our ministers, take heed that the blood of souls be 
 not required at their hands, by neglecting to " warn the wicked from his 
 way/' The reason why those who attempt this duty, are considered by 
 some as meddling with what does not belong to them, is, that it is so 
 generally neglected. It is deemed impolite and even unnatural not to 
 inquire after the health of our neighbour ; but if his soul is sick unto 
 death are we to be unconcerned ? The politician thinks himself justified 
 in conversing with his neighbours, yea, with Christians, upon politics, 
 and discussing every subject connected with the welfare of the commit* 
 
-.1 
 
 ; and sbali u be deemed impertinent for Christians to converse with 
 their neighbours respecting the character and government of the King 
 of kings and Lord of lords, and the duties which his subjects owe him ' 
 {Sinners have taken the lead in conversing with Christians upon subjects 
 of interest to themselves, long enough. It is time for the church to as- 
 sert her rights ; and if the world will not permit her to converse with 
 them, let her refuse to listen to the world. If religion ever prevails ex- 
 tensively, a very great change will take place in the churches of Christ 
 in relation to this duty. Brethren, were you, who are members of our 
 churches, in the habit of conversing with each other, and with the im- 
 penitent, on religious subjects, in the same free and familiar manner that 
 you do on other subjects, you might do more to promote religion than 
 your ministers can do by their parochial visits. We beseech you, there- 
 lore, brethren, " Let your conversation be suck as becometh the gospel 
 <of Christ." 
 
 11. Let heads of families be more attentive to the religious instruc- 
 tion of their households. If we mistake not, there is danger in this day 
 of public action of losing sight, in some measure, of this important duty. 
 All experience teaches us, that those converts who have been well edu- 
 cated in religious families are by far the most valuable members of our 
 diurches. Others, if converted, have in many cases contracted so many 
 bad habits, and are so grossly ignorant on many religious subjects, that 
 they are comparatively of little use to the church. It would be well for 
 our ministers to preach on the subject of family prayer and the religious 
 instruction of households ; and in their parochial visits let them be par- 
 ticular in their inquiries respecting the performance of these duties, and 
 in giving instruction respecting the right performance of the same. One 
 great end of the baptism of households is, that parents, and minister?, 
 and churches, may thus be impressed with their obligation to bring them 
 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. How many of them 
 grow up infidels in consequence of the violation of covenant engagements. 
 How rarely do we hear ministers pray for these children of the church, 
 or that their parents may be faithful to their promises. Deep repent- 
 ance for unfaithfulness, and a thorough reformation in this respect, is 
 much needed in our churches. 
 
 VI. Let all the private members of our churches be urged to a punc- 
 tual performance of moral duties, in their intercourse with each other 
 and with the world. Let them be strictly honest in all their dealings, 
 •rather suffering wrorrg than doinc wronu. Let them he careHil nev.er 
 
5$ 
 
 u> violate their word. A proTessor sboulti make il a matter of con* 
 science strictly to adhere to his promises, and to be punctual in thr 
 payment of his debts. He should be careful to avoid every thing like 
 hypocrisy aud deceit, yea, the " very appearance of evil," in the busi- 
 ness of this world. Never should he forget the golden rulo, of doing to 
 others as he would tltey should do unto him. 
 
 Incalculable mischief is done, even by professors of religion, in the fre- 
 quent violation of the plainest rules of morality. Prejudices are thus pro- 
 duced in the minds of men of the world, especially those termed men of 
 business, against religion itself, which it is difficult to remove. If defraud- 
 ed, or deceived, or disappointed, by a professor, he can do them no good 
 Until he repents and confesses his fault to them. Every minister, who 
 has had any experience in revivals of religion, has often been met with 
 these prejudices, and knows how difficult it is to remove them ; and un- 
 til they can bring an impenitent sinner to turn off his eye from the faults 
 of professors, and fix it upon his own, there is no hope of his conver- 
 sion. Because irreligious men are sometimes externally moral, many 
 professors are prone to feel as though religion had little connexion 
 with morality. True morality and religion are inseparable. Worldlv 
 men who are moral, are not so from love to right and justice, or obedi- 
 ence to God. If they were, they would not be guilty of the worst of 
 all immorality, that of robbing God. The morality of the bible, is as 
 much above the morality of the world, in its eommon acceptation, as 
 the heavens are above the earth. Let every professor endeavour to pos- 
 sess the morality of the gospel, and love to do to others as he would they 
 should do to him. Were a professor of religion habitually to neglect 
 the external worship of God, in the family or in the sanctuary, he would 
 be considered by all, destitute of piety. But he who disregards the 
 moral duties of the second table of the law, has no better claim to the 
 name of Christian. President Edwards says, these moral duties " are 
 of much greater importance in the sight of God, than all the externals 
 of his worship ;" and many of his remarks on this subject are worthy 
 of the serious consideration of every professor of religion.* Let the 
 
 * Speaking of the religion of the heart, he remarks : — " But of this inward 
 religion there are two sorts of external manifestations. The one sort are 
 outward acts of worship, such as meeting in religious assemblies, attending 
 6acraments, and other outoard institutions, and honouring God with ges- 
 tures, such as bowing or kneeling before him, or with words, and speaking 
 nonourably-ef him in prayer, praise, or religious conference-; and the dlh- 
 
£>6 
 
 Members at' our churches, then, as they value their own souls, and m* 
 souls of others, take heed that they do not disgrace the christian nam* 
 Lc a violation of the plain and simple rules of morality. 
 
 i3. Let all the members of our churches resolve to use no spirituous 
 liquors, and to furnish none for those in their employment, except as a 
 medicine. Many of our brethren in other parts of the country have 
 adopted this rule ; and shall we not in this day of spiritual visitation co- 
 operate with them, in thus setting our faces against that beastly, soul- 
 destroying sin, intemperance, which is producing such wide spread deso- 
 lation through our land ? It is estimated that more than ten thousand die 
 annually by intemperance ; that the liquor necessary to effect such a fright- 
 ful destruction costs thirty millions of dollars ; and that three-fourths of 
 all the crimes committed in the United States originate from this demoral- 
 izing practice ; and shall we add that hell itself is annually peopled with 
 ten thousand inhabitants from this gospel land by this abominable sin, 
 and thirty millions of dollars are expended in transporting them to their 
 dreary abode ! ! ! Shall not Christians, then, in this day of revivals, do 
 ever}' thing possible to diminish this host of drunkards, who are posting 
 on to ruin. 
 
 How much trouble and disgrace is brought upon our churches by tins 
 *^» — — i — « — — — - — — ■ — . 
 
 ex sort are the expressions of our love to God, by obeying his moral com- 
 mands, of self-denial, righteousness, meekness, and christian love, in our be- 
 haviour among men ; and the latter are of vastly the greatest importance in 
 the christian life. God makes little account of the former in comparison of 
 them. They are abundantly more insisted on by the prophets in the Old 
 Testament, and Christ and his apostles in the New. Hypocrites and self- 
 righteous persons do much more commonly abound in the former kind of 
 duties, than the latter, as Christ remarks of the Pharisees. They are not so 
 properly showing our religion by our deeds, for they are only showing our re- 
 ligion by word, or an outward profession. The latter sort of duties put greater 
 honour upon God, because there is greater self denial in them. The exter- 
 nal acts of worship, consisting in bodily gestures, words and sounds, are the 
 cheapest part of religion, and least contrary to our lusts. The difficulty of 
 thorough external religion does not lie in them. Let wicked men enjoy 
 J.hcir covetousness and their pride, their malice, envy and revenge, and their 
 sensuality and voluptuousness, and they will be willing to compound the matter 
 with God, and submit to what forms of worship you please, and as many as 
 you please ; as is manifest in the Jews of old, in the days of the prophets, 
 ahu the Pharisees in Christ's time, and the Papists and Mahometans at this 
 itj "—Edy:a*Jf World vol Hi. page 3 13. 
 
7 
 
 practice ? Half tlie cases of discipline grow out of intemperance. It 
 inay be estimated that one in a hundred in our churches, is annually a 
 subject of discipline, or ought to be, for this vice. Allowing one 
 twelfth of our population to be professors of religion, this would make 
 ten thousand subjects of discipline for intemperance. If then, ten 
 thousand are disciplined annually for intemperance, and many of them 
 excommunicated, and ten thousand in the church and out of it die every 
 year, and go to the regions of woe, shall it be said that the members of 
 our churches cannot be brought to use this poison only as a medicine ? 
 If the church of Christ could save but one of this ten thousand from 
 damnation, by refusing to taste this liquid, ought they not to do it ? Did 
 Paul say, " If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while 
 the world standeth ;" and shall not Christians of the present day say, if 
 abstaining from drinking this intoxicating liquid, can save one of these 
 ten thousand immortal souls from perishing forever, we will drink no 
 more while life shall last ? 
 
 14. Let bible classes be multiplied. These classes, when well con- 
 ducted, have received the blessing of God. All the members of our 
 churches should, if possible, attend upon such instruction. No means 
 would be more effectual in leading them to grow in knowledge and in 
 grace. Many old professors are so ignorant, that they are unfit to edu- 
 cate their children or to converse with a convicted sinner. But it may 
 be asked, how shall biblical instruction be in this way imparted to all ? 
 Ministers feel as though their burden was already more than they can 
 bear. The elders and most respectable members of our churches 
 ought to be teachers of bible classes. There should be a class in every 
 neighbourhood throughout our societies. Let it not be said this is im- 
 practicable ; our elders and influential members can never be brought to 
 do it. We can never accomplish great things if we do not attempt them. 
 Much difficulty has been experienced in many places, for want of teach- 
 ers, at the commencement of Sabbath school instruction. But when a 
 few have persevered with becoming zeal, God has granted them aid by 
 raising up teachers. These teachers are receiving as much benefit as 
 their pupils, and many of them are thus preparing to be better members 
 of the church, better parents, and better ministers, in future life. The 
 talents of the church ought to be brought into requisition. Every church 
 is a little army of christian soldiers, and each one ought to be stationed' 
 where his talents may be useful, and the whole moral and physical pow- 
 er of this little army brought to bear upon the empire of darkness..- 
 Many of our elders are of little use. If they attend upon the stated 
 
58 
 
 Deetings of Session, and vote to receive members, and to discipline the 
 irregular, they feel as though they had done their whole duty. Thev 
 ought to be " helps" in a far more important sense. Let ministers 
 instruct a bible class for the members of the church and others who will 
 attend. Let the elders and others selected for the purpose, instruct each 
 a class. At the meetings, let singing and prayers be intermixed with 
 the instruction. Sometimes these meetings might be principally spent 
 in conference and prayer. We merely throw out these hints respecting 
 the manner of conducting them. We doubt not, should such instruc- 
 tion become general, that experience would suggest many thoughts more 
 useful, probably, than these. Great has been the improvement in the 
 instruction and management of Sabbath schools, and the same would 
 be true of bible classes, were they multiplied and continued from year 
 to year. It might be useful for the minister and all the instructors to 
 have stated meetings, to report, to consult, and to pray together. Should 
 such a system of instruction become general, it would do much, very 
 much, to preserve the moral health of our churches ; and may we not 
 suppose that this will be one of the great means, among others, by which 
 the " earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters fill the 
 seas ?" The Methodist church owes its numbers, and preservation, and 
 piety, as much to class meetings, as to any other means. Such classes 
 as these, we doubt not, might be equally, and perhaps more useful. 
 
 15. Let the members of our churches cast liberally of their substance 
 into the treasury of the Lord. If professors have any true benevolence, 
 frequent acts of christian liberality will strengthen it. Covetousness is 
 the great sin of Christendom. The idols of the heathen we are in little 
 danger of worshipping. But many a professor bows down to mammon, 
 with great devotion. Let ministers exhibit the promises of God made 
 to christian liberality, with as much frequency as they have in these re- 
 vivals his promises to prayer ; and let them as earnestly and persevering- 
 ly urge the members of their churches to prove their faith by liberal gifts, 
 as by agonizing prayer, and good will be done. They will then be better 
 able to judge of the strength of their faith in God's promises, and of the 
 genuineness of their conversion. Let there be a thorough revival in our 
 churches of faith and works, in this respect, and we venture to say its in- 
 fluence will be felt to the ends of the earth. It would not be strange, if it 
 were found that some of our converts must be converted, before they 
 could be brought to promote, and to rejoice in, such a revival ; and we fear 
 it will be long before such a revival will spread thro' the christian world. 
 Were it to extend through these United States, thev would turn the 
 
3d 
 
 world upside down. Did all the members of our churches in this coun- 
 ty possess as much benevolence as the gospel requires, they might con- 
 tribute twenty thousand dollars annually to the various benevolent ob- 
 jects of the day. And what might not the churches in the United States 
 give ? Thirty millions of dollars are annually expended to make drunk- 
 ards. As much as this might be given for the salvation of mankind ; 
 whereas, not half a million is given by all denominations, that the gospel 
 may be preached to " every creature." At tins rate, sixty years must 
 elapse, before as much is expended to conduct our race to the gates of 
 heaven, as is spent in one year to conduct ten thousand drunkards to 
 the gates of hell ! ! And yet we are often told that the church has awa- 
 ked from her slumbers, and some are crying out against the immense 
 sums that are given, as though the nation would soon be impoverished 
 by her charities. Shame to the church, and shame to her enemies. A 
 single theatre, in one of our large cities, receives almost as much from 
 the votaries of pleasure, as the Saviour of the world from his professed 
 friends throughout the Union, that he may " have the heathen for his in- 
 heritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." 
 
 To see men rolling in wealth, and professing to be followers of him. 
 who, though rich, yet for their sakes became poor, that they might be rich 
 in heaven's treasures, is enough to make angels weep. These men of 
 wealth think it is the duty of ministers to wear out in hard service ; and 
 if they have a bare subsistence, it is all they ought to expect. We do 
 not object to this. But we ask, are not the talents of all other men. 
 farmers, mechanics, merchants, physicians, lawyers, judges, and states- 
 men, the Lord's, as well as the ministers of the gospel ? Will he not call 
 them to account how they spend his treasures, as well as ministers how 
 they preach his word and watch for souls ? What right have men of 
 wealth to hoard up for their children, when they have already more than 
 will do them good ? They ought to give their whole income to the Lord. 
 Yea, they ought to be diligent in acquiring property by lawful means 
 for this very purpose ; and they ought to be as careful to bestow it where 
 it may be most useful, as worldlings are where they can invest their cap- 
 ital to the best advantage. Let the wicked rage against the benevolent 
 operations of the day. If any thing can save the American church and 
 nation from the judgments of heaven, it will be a spirit of expansive be- 
 nevolence, produced by the preaching of the gospel, No nation 
 ever enjoyed greater advantages for wealth. And how have other 
 nations fallen ? In infancy they were hardy and industrious. As they 
 advanced in wealth. luxury, extravagance and vice increased. This 
 
I 13 
 
 produced effeminacy, and ended in rum. There arc.- several important 
 benevolent societies in our country, under the direction of men of piety 
 and talents, which have the strongest claim to our charities, such as Bi- 
 ble Societies, Foreign and Domestic Missionary Societies, Tract So- 
 cieties, Education Societies, and Societies for the reformation of Sea- 
 men. The most unexceptionable method of aiding these societies, bv 
 the great mass of our people, is through public contributions. We 
 trust the time will come, when every member of the church of Christ 
 will " lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him," and from Sab- 
 bath to Sabbath cast in his free-will offering into the treasury of the 
 Lord, for the conversion of the world. The first church that shall ar- 
 rive at this eminence in christian liberality, will set an example, which 
 may be as important to our world, as that of the man who first resolved 
 to put an end to the slave trade, or who established the first Sabbath 
 school. Until there is more of the spirit of Christ in our churches, such 
 an attempt would be in vain. But we would suggest, whether a month- 
 ly contribution might not be regularly made on the Sabbath, to such of 
 the great benevolent objects as should be agreed upon by the churches 
 
 16. The stated meetings of ecclesiastical bodies ought to be more 
 strictly religious. Meetings of our Sessions, of our Presbyteries, of 
 our Synods, and even of the General Assembly, are mere meetings of 
 business, and this business is too often done in the spirit of the world. 
 Our pious people are uninterested, or grieved to see the ambitious and 
 litigious spirit which too often prevails. Were He in whose name we 
 act, to descend again, and appear in person, and witness our proceed- 
 ings, could we expect his approbation ? Were more time spent in pray- 
 er and other religious exercises, our business would be as soon done, 
 and better done, and we should return with a " conscience more void of 
 offence toward God and toward man." 
 
 Thus, brethren, we have endeavoured to perform the duty assigned 
 us, according to the best of our ability. W T e hope and pray it may not 
 be in vain to our churches, nor to those into whose hands this pamphlet 
 may fall. If it should excite one minister or church to seek the glory 
 of God with becoming zeal, or save one soul from the dread sentence. 
 " Depart ye cursed," we shall have cause of thanksgiving and praise, 
 that we were permitted to perform the duty you imposed. We are con- 
 fident, that if ministers and churches through our land could be brought 
 
01 
 
 to pursue with zeal' the means suggested, from year to year, that the 
 world would soon witness revivals more extensive and powerful than 
 have ever been witnessed, compared with which what we have seen in 
 this county would be almost nothing. Could our churches be brought 
 habitually to pray for the influences of the Holy Spirit, they would be so 
 filled with its fruits, that they would become terrible to opposition as an 
 army with banners. And we would specially urge this upon our breth- 
 ren in the ministry, and upon our churches. A large measure of this 
 influence is all we want to make us in the highest degree useful. It 
 would lead to the wisest and best use of all our powers. And there is 
 no blessing for which we have greater encouragement to pray. We are 
 furnished with every argument to plead with the God of all grace for the 
 influences of his spirit. God will be glorified in us. These influences 
 are the substance of all the blessings which Christ purchased by his 
 death. There is no blessing promised more absolutely, none which God 
 takes greater delight in bestowing. Our Saviour teaches us that " our 
 heavenly Father is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask 
 him, than earthly parents are to give good gifts unto their children."* 
 He is the Sanctifier and the Comforter ; and could the church be brought 
 suitably to value this gift, which Christ purchased by his groans and his 
 blood, she would be filled with love, and joy, and peace, which would 
 pass all understanding. The fires of the Holy Ghost would descend 
 and kindle revivals, which would spread through the land, burning up its 
 filth and pollution, as fires spread and roar through the parched forests, 
 consuming every thing they meet in their resistless course. 
 
 JOHN FROST, x 
 MOSES GILLET, \ Committee. 
 NOAH COE, ) 
 
 * Pres't Edwards makes the following remarks on these words : — " There 
 is no blessing that we have so great encouragement to pray for, as the Spirit 
 of God. The words imply that our heavenly Father is especially ready to be- 
 stow his Holy Spirit on them that ask him. Of the more excellent nature any 
 blessing is that we stand in need of, the more ready God is to bestow it in an- 
 swer to prayer. The infinite goodness of God's nature is the more gratified, 
 and the grand design and aim of the contrivance and work of our redemption 
 is the more answered, and Jesus Christ the Redeemer has the greater success 
 in his undertaking and labours ; and those desires that are expressed in pray- 
 er for the most excellent blessings, are the most excellent desires, and conse- 
 quently such as Cod most approves, and is most ready to gratify.' 1 
 
AJMHnnra! 
 
 The letter of the Rev. Mr. Wetmore, alluded to in the preceding 
 Narrative, is as follows : — 
 
 « Gentlemen — Since I forwarded you an account of the revival in 
 the congregation of which I have the charge, there has appeared a 
 pamphlet, entitled " Bunker Hill Contest," signed by Ephraim Perkins, 
 as author. In the pamphlet are several statements relative to the revi- 
 val in the Presbyterian congregation of this place. Now what I have 
 to state is, that Mr. Perkins has given in general a false statement of 
 the proceedings in the revival, so far as I am concerned, and so far as 
 relates to the manner and means made use of in promoting the revival 
 in my congregation. I am ready to say, and to prove if it were neces- 
 sary, that the statements which he has made are a gross perversion of 
 the truth. It will be recollected that he has himself been into none of 
 our meetings during the revival, except in one instance on the Sabbath, 
 in which he heard a part of a sermon. As for any combination from 
 abroad, or in this place, to make desperate efforts to break down the 
 Socinians in this village, it has been totally unknown to me ; and I can 
 truly say it is a base fabrication. We have had as little help from abroad, 
 and I believe leas than most of our sister churches, where the revival 
 has been. The most we have received has been from the Rev. N. 
 S. Smith, and his labours, under God, have been blessed to the salva- 
 tion of souls ; and I can truly say of him, that he has acted the part of a 
 faithful minister of the gospel. We also enjoyed the services of a young 
 gentleman from Auburn for about two months, whose services were 
 highly blessed ; and it becomes me to say of him, that among us he act- 
 ed a judicious part, and no man has ever been more highly esteemed 
 by those who knew him. He had no connexion with the Auburn theo- 
 logical seminary at the time he was with us, nor previous to that time. 
 
 t; What I have further to notice at this time relative to the pamphlet, 
 is a certificate at the end of the publication, signed by certain gentle- 
 
inon. They say, " they are free to express their opinion, that it is afar 
 representation of events and occurrences that have transpired in this re- 
 vival." This they certify particularly respecting Trenton. Now I ask, 
 how these gentlemen can be witnesses to what has taken place in any of 
 the meetings in the society to which I minister ? They have not heard 
 Mr. Wetmore or Mr. Smith preach, from the time the revival commen- 
 ced until the pamphlet went to press. One of these gentlemen who 
 signs the certificate, viz. John Mappa, is a resident in Boonville, eigh- 
 teen miles from Trenton, and has in no one instance been into any of 
 our meetings since my residence in the village of Trenton. The whole 
 of them are members of the unitarian congregation. I ask, how any 
 gentleman can certify to the thing's being correct, in which they can in 
 no instance be competent witnesses ? Mr. Perkins must certify who 
 these gentlemen are. It may be asked, who is Mr. Perkins ? He is a 
 farmer, who deals much in horses, and is a deacon in the unitarian 
 church. 
 
 " It becomes me to state, that in the opposition which has been made 
 to the revival from Unitarians, there are honourable exceptions ; and 
 without being invidious, I will mention the Honourable Adrian Vander- 
 kemp, whose talents and affability of manners I highly esteem. 
 
 -OLIVER WETMORE. 
 
 ^December 1, 1826." 
 
 The pamphlet mentioned in the preceding letter contains upwards of 
 a hundred pages, and has recently been published in this county, with 
 the following warlike and imposing title : — 
 
 A 
 
 ''BUNKER HILL" CONTEST, 
 
 A. D. 1826, 
 
 Between the "Holy Alliance" for the Establishment of Hierarchy and 
 
 Ecclesiastical Domination over the Human Mind, 
 
 On the one Side ; 
 
 An'd the Asserters of Free Inquiry, Bible Religion, Christian Freedom. 
 
 and Civil Liberty, 
 
 On the Other. 
 
 acfte Stcto* Cftarles iFSuueg, . 
 
 ; « Home Missionary," and High Priest of the Expeditions of the Alli- 
 ance in the Interior of New York : Head-Quarter*. 
 County of Oneida. 
 
65 
 
 If we might be permitted to speak in the same martial style, we 
 
 should say, that this extraordinary production might more appropriately 
 
 be called — 
 
 THE 
 
 TRENTOZtf SHAM FIGHT, 
 
 A. D. 1826, 
 
 Between Unitarians, Writers of Anonymous Letters, and Opposers oi 
 
 Bible, Tract and Missionary Societies, and Revivals of Religion ; 
 
 in support of"- The Prince of the Power of the Air," 
 
 On the one Side ; 
 
 And Bugbears, Sprites, Fairies, Ghosts, and Hobgoblins, of their own 
 
 conjuration, 
 On the Other. 
 
 Jftlr* ISjittttutu perftttis, 
 
 Deacon of the Unitarian Church, and Commander in Chief of the Allied 
 
 Forces in the Interior of New-York : Head-Quarters, 
 
 Oldenbarnevelt, near Trenton-Falls. 
 
 The committee have neither time nor inclination to give the public 
 any thing like a formal answer to this heterogeneous production ; and 
 ■were its circulation confined to this county, they should have deemed any 
 notice of it unnecessary. The most we shall do is, to give a brief sketch 
 of the work, accompanied with a few remarks, to enable the public to 
 form a correct opinion of its spirit and object. 
 
 Mr. Perkins, a plain farmer in Trenton, and a member of the unita- 
 rian church in that place, is the ostensible author of this pamphlet. But 
 we speak advisedly when we say, that it is the united production of sev- 
 eral pens. 
 
 Some time since, Mr. Perkins issued proposals for publishing a work, 
 somewhat of this character. He has been busy in writing and receiving 
 letters, and collecting reports bandied about in society respecting the 
 revivals in this part of the state. But the work, as to its style and mat- 
 ter, owes its character principally to others. Mr. Perkins is the puppet 
 which has appeared on the stage ; but abler hands behind the scene 
 have arranged his materials, furnished him with new ones, dressed up 
 his facts, and to use their own favourite term, made him their " mouth- 
 piece" to the public. The main object of the pamphlet appears to be 
 to promote Unitarianism, and in doing this to render conspicuous the 
 Unitarian Society in Trenton. To accomplish this object, all the grea* 
 
66 
 
 benevolent operations of the present day are Btigmatized as mere efforts 
 of the orthodox to establish an ecclesiastical hierarchy. Presbyterians 
 are represented as an aspiring sect, taking the lead in this deep laid plot, 
 and seeking to accomplish their purpose by distributing tracts, educa- 
 ting young men for tho ministry, establishing theological seminaries, ap- 
 pointing monthly prayer-meetings, and days of fasting and prayer for 
 revivals of religion. And last of all, the cry of persecution is raised, 
 against the Unitarian Society in Trenton. The whole host of ortho- 
 doxy, in this part of the country, arc represented as combining their for- 
 ces to take by storm "this strong hold of Socinianism." The little 
 band within are represented as meeting the attack with great courage 
 and firmness, till at length the assailants are compelled to raise the siege 
 in despair. 
 
 As a specimen of the carelessness (not to call it a worse name) of the 
 authors in stating facts, we would instance their calling the Governor of 
 the state President of the Western Education Society, and the Rev. Mr. 
 Finney " Home Missionary." The Hon. Jonas Piatt was the first Pre- 
 sident of" the Western Education Society," and was succeeded by the 
 Hon. Thomas R. Gold, who is still President. Mr. Finney, during his 
 labours in this county, and since, has received no aid from any mission- 
 ary society. All the support he has received has been from the unsoli- 
 cited and free will offerings of individuals where he has laboured. 
 
 They say, p. 6 — " The public are generally aware, that a short time 
 preceding and since the commencement of the present year 1826, there 
 has been a most extraordinary " revival" or religious excitement in the 
 county of Oneida. It is well known that revivals of this kind are com- 
 monly among those classes of Christians, who hold that the five points 
 of Calvin form the principal features of religion." Again they say — 
 ** In these revivals, Unitarians and other anti-Calvinists are constantly 
 taxed with coldness, indifference, and opposition to the interests of Chris- 
 tianity. They are called ■ deists in disguise' — ' enemies of the gospel' 
 — 'vipers' — 'devils.' " 
 
 They observe — " A9 a reason for our conduct, in relation to these 
 revivals, we offer the following illustration from the Unitarian Miscella- 
 ny." Here follows a long quotation from an article, entitled "Unita- 
 rian and Orthodox zeal compared." In this article, Unitarians speak 
 in the highest terms of commendation of their doctrines, of their charac- 
 ter, of their pious zeal, and of their success. Of their doctrines, they 
 say — v. "\Ve believe tbnt our doctrinal tenets are correct, and scriptural. 
 
t>7 
 
 and purifying, and ennobling." Of their zeal and success, they say — 
 " We are making exertions, though not such as our opponents make. 
 We are zealous and active.'' " Look at the churches of our faith, 
 which within a few years have been planted, and are flourishing, from 
 the frontier town of Maine to the capital of South-Carolina, and the vil- 
 lages of the west." 
 
 The authors next promise to show, p. 12, " From the writings and 
 sermons of ministers and professors of the highest standing in the ortho- 
 dox churches and colleges, that a desperate and simultaneous effort of 
 the orthodox was deemed necessary to sustain the reputed orthodox 
 faith." And also to show, " that since that period, corresponding ef- 
 forts have been made, (or rather attempted), not only to sustain the or- 
 thodox faith, but to render it dominant, and to place if under the exclu- 
 sive patronage of government, and that through the agency of tracts, 
 and the national tract society, education societies, and in the multiplica- 
 tion of theological seminaries and ministers." 
 
 In proof of these efforts, first follows a circular letter of Mr. Ravens- 
 croft, an episcopal bishop (they do not give him his title) at the south, 
 which was published after the appointment of a unitarian chaplain in 
 Congress. In this circular, Mr. Ravenscroft complains that Unitarians 
 do not openly avow their sentiments, and thinks that different denomin- 
 ations of Christians ought to unite in requesting of them " an explicit 
 and open avowal of their tenets." 
 
 Next follows an extract from Dr. Rice's sermon before the General 
 Assembly, in 1820, and from Professor Lindsley's plea for the theolo- 
 logical seminary at Princeton. In these extracts, the evil tendency of 
 Socinianism is pointed out, and the importance of christian efforts to re» 
 sist the progress of " infidelity, under the disguise of rational Christiani- 
 ty." - But there is nothing which looks like a wish to establish an eccle- 
 siastical hierarchy. 
 
 Next follows an inflammatory letter, dated "Cayuga county, August 
 30, 1826." The authors of this pamphlet, for reasons best known to 
 themselves, do not inform the public by whom this letter was written, 
 nor to whom it is addressed. It was probably written by a Socinian, 
 a Universalis!, or a Deist ; and they might think that a discerning 
 public would be puzzled to understand how the assertions of such a 
 writer could prove that the orthodox were aiming at an ecclesiastical hi- 
 erarchy. The object of the writer of this letter is to array all the pre- 
 
68 
 
 judices and sordid passsions of the irreligious and the credulous 
 the benevolent operations of the present day. Alter stating that all the 
 ctlbrts of ecclesiastics, to enable them to levy impositions, or accumu- 
 late funds for religious purposes, by force of law," have failed, he 
 says — " It is probably these failures which have driven the abettors of 
 these schemes to a different system for accomplishing their objects ; a 
 system founded ostensibly upon voluntary contribution, and dependinir 
 for its success solely u pon the zeal and devotion of its contributors and 
 supporters. At first it was a small inconsiderable pebble, exciting little 
 attention or interest, and managed by a few hands, moving apparently 
 without concert or connexion. It has now become a great mountain, 
 tilling as it were the whole country, pushed forward in its course by 
 large multitudes, perfectly organized and disciplined under experienced 
 leaders, moving in perfect concert to the same general tune of evangel- 
 izing the whole earth, by the force of money and of missionary labours."' 
 The writer, after enumerating all the principal benevolent societies, 
 such as the bible society, foreign and domestic missionary societies, 
 tract societies, &c. and the immense sums, which he says are raised to 
 support them, insinuates that the great design is to secure the influence 
 of statesmen, and make their election depend upon their speeches made 
 at the anniversary meetings, " in the city-hall at New- York." Now we 
 would ask, what do the anonymous letters of such enemies to christian 
 benevolence prove ? This is a specimen of the logic of the authors of 
 this book in proving their charges. 
 
 The author, or rather authors of this pamphlet, after introducing 
 their letter, observe — " If it be asked, what is the harm of all this, and 
 what injurious consequences are to be apprehended from this concen- 
 tration of money> means and influence, in the hands of ecclesiastical 
 men, or rather in those of one predominant sect ? I answer, the same 
 in principle that ever has and ever will ensue, in like circumstances 
 and from the same causes. Pride, ambition and haughtiness, on the 
 part of the clergy ; bigotry, ignorance and intolerance, on the part of 
 their followers." " Look at their splendid establishments of various 
 kinds at home, and their gigantic schemes starting into existence abroad, 
 m the four quarters of the globe, the execution of which, upon the 
 scale professed and contemplated, would require a sum probably equal to 
 our national revenue," &,c. 
 
 If the authors of this work may be considered as speaking the feelings 
 of Unitarians rrenerallv, the religious public may here see what thev are 
 
69 
 
 jtcci from them. They are ready to join with infidels, demagogue* 
 and scoffers, in opposing those great plans of christian enterprise, which 
 have for their object the conversion of all nations. We confess we had 
 never entertained so unfavourable an opinion of the spirit of Unitari- 
 ans toward the benevolent operations of the day, as we have in perusing 
 this work- To charge upon those engaged in these benevolent designs 
 the worst motives, and publish inflammatory and anonymous letters in 
 support of such charges, evinces a spirit we forbear to name. They say 
 Unitarians are charged with being " deists in disguise" — " enemies of 
 the gospel" — " vipers" — " devils." Had the author, attempted to prove 
 the justice of these charges, they could not have done it more effectu- 
 ally, than by the publication of this book ; and w r e very much doubt 
 whether Socinians generally will thank them for it. 
 
 Next follows a quotation from Hallavi's Middle Ages, where he 
 speaks of the evils that grew out of the great possessions of the hierar- 
 chy of the church of Rome. And what does this prove ? In the same 
 way it might be proved that liberty is an evil ; that reason is an evil — the 
 bible, and every other blessing which God has bestowed upon sinful men. 
 
 Next are some quotations from Mr. Edwards' excellent speech before 
 the National Tract Society, in New- York, last May, p. 28. And what 
 does this prove ? It proves that many religious tracts have been distrib- 
 uted, and that in the opinion of the speaker, millions more ought, to be 
 distributed and scattered, through " every city, town, village and family, 
 by which this society is to aid in renovating a world." Is this an argu- 
 ment to prove the deep design of the establishment of "hierarchy and 
 ecclesiastical domination over ihe human mind ?" 
 
 ^Jext follows an extract from the circular address of the Home Mis- 
 sionary Society recently formed at Rochester. This address is ably 
 written, and breathes the benevolent spirit of the gospel of Christ. What 
 a cogent argument to prove their charges. 
 
 On page 30, is a long extract from a pamphlet, entitled " Arrogant 
 Pretensions of the Orthodox Clergy." This extract contains many 
 bold assertions and severe charges, such as — " They are steadily arming 
 at a church establishment." " They are steadily aiming, in their pamph- 
 lets and their preaching, to establish the religious obligation of paying 
 tithes of all you possess, in strong hopes of procuring this system to be 
 established also by law." " They have organized a stupendous scheme 
 of raising a pecuniary fund, to uphold their pretensions, by picking the 
 \ 
 
pockets of the people, under some or all of the following pretences :" 
 ■< The educating of pious young men" — " The establishment of mission- 
 ary societies" — " Societies to make ministers trustees for life of these 
 missionary societies" — " Prayer-meeting societies" — " Female benevo- 
 lent and missionary societies" — " Juvenile societies," &c. It is a novel 
 way of proving the charge of an accuser, to bring forward another ac- 
 cuser to repeat the charges. 
 
 Next follows an article, entitled " The Evils of decrying Human Na- 
 ture." But as it is not, we suppose, among the proofs of their char- 
 ges against Presbyterians and the orthodox, we pass it over. 
 
 On page 42, is a quotation from the ingenious and faithful sermon 
 of the Rev. Mr. Wisner, of Ithaca, preached on the 4th of July last ; 
 upon which they say — " Had the reverend gentleman been born in the 
 dominions of the pious Ferdinand 7th, he would have made a first rate 
 Inquisitor- General" Had these authors known that Mr. Wisner had 
 prayer-meeting3 and fasts for a revival in his society, and that a revival 
 now prevails there, as great as any thing witnessed in this county the 
 year past, they might with equal truth and kindness have said, he would 
 make a first rate Pope. 
 
 On page 45, is a circular, accompanied with the remarks of the edi- 
 tor of the Cayuga Patriot, which the authors of this pamphlet say, " has 
 been before the public more than a year, in various publications, and 
 was declared to have been written by leading Presbyterians* intended 
 for confidential circulation only among the leading orthodox, and such as 
 have similar views and designs." This is the weakest or wickedest thing 
 of all. We can hardly believe that the authors of this pamphlet are 
 s^ weak or credulous, as to believe that this circular was written by 
 " leading Presbyterians, and intended for confidential circulation." It 
 is evidently the work of some enemy to Presbyterians, and to religion. 
 It is written with considerable art ; but the serpent shows his forked 
 Tongue, in the language he occasionally utters. After describing the 
 spirit of brotherly love which prevails among different denominations 
 of Christians, and enumerating the benevolent societies of the day, the 
 writer says, " it will issue in a wise national creed." " By enlisting mo- 
 ral and religious, and consequently numerical force* in the cause of reli- 
 gion, all the opposition of infidelity will be borne down and overpower- 
 ed." M A reference to the state of Christianity in England furnishes 
 «n ample solution to this position. A great majority of the people 
 'hfr^ aro r^rtjroiled to the established order- and unit** in giving their 
 
n 
 
 support to the state. I do not say this because I am an Episcopalian : 
 for I am not ; but to force the necessity of unanimity in the prevailing 
 religion of the state, or making it national in its form, and tendency, 
 and operation ; since that may be considered orthodox, which has the 
 most adherents, who are made so by birth, education, or accident. ,1 
 " These anticipations may be further realized, in securing from Congress 
 an appropriation of the public lands, to a limited yet sufficient number 
 of the clergy, and for a well defined course of education." No intelli- 
 gent man, who is acquainted with the sentiments of leading Presbytcri- 
 ansy will believe that they arc corrupt enough to utter such monstrous 
 notions, or that they are so foolish as to suppose that their brethren 
 would approve of them. The truth is, that the authors of this book 
 were in great perplexity for proof of the wicked designs they had charg- 
 ed upon Presbyterians ; and as this circular was in point, they ventured 
 to introduce it, and attempt to make people believe that it was the work of 
 M leading Presbyterians." Is such barefaced falsehood and abuse, the 
 " bible religion, the christian freedom, and the civil liberty," for which 
 the friends of the " Bunker Hill Contest" are contending ? 
 
 Upon the preceding proofs of the base designs of the orthodox and 
 of Presbyterians, the authors say — " Will our first men join to deliber- 
 ate at this day, on the « best plan' for introducing into our country the 
 state of Christianity in England, where all denominations are compelled 
 to 'euch a pious unanimity and zeal,' as to pay tythes to that sect which 
 lias ' the sanction of government,' and that are tolerated in maintain- 
 ing any other religion which they prefer ? Will they deliberate to ' con- 
 sider that orthodox which has the most adherents ;' that by enlisting 
 moral, religious, and consequently numerical force, all opposition of 
 (what they call) infidelity, will be borne down and overpowered ? Will 
 our first men deliberate long, or continue to deliberate, about a « con- 
 ventional arrangement as to a settled form,' and ' for securing from 
 Congress an appropriation of a portion of the public lands, to a definite 
 yet sufficient number of the clergy, and for a well defined education"*?' 
 No, Presbyterians, they will not." And we may add, few will be found 
 weak enough to be frightened at all these bugbears ; which the authors 
 Of this pamphlet have conjured up and presented before their eyes. 
 
 Next follows a distorted representation of the sentiments of Calvin- 
 ists, and then the unitarian creed, as exhibited in the " Christian Disci- 
 ple." They say they give the unitarian creed, to save Mr. (Bishop) Ra- 
 ^«nscroft the trouble to " call a convention" for the purpose ; and as ffis 
 
, i he Pope would, unquestionably be called to the ciiair uf Air. Ra- 
 venScroiVs convention," they express their fear of being " overpowered 
 by numerical force." Why they are so bitter toward Bishop Ravens- 
 croft/' while they manifest so much sympathy for Bishop Hobart, we 
 leave others to judge. 
 
 "Another means," say they, p. 56, "of enabling Presbyterians to 
 become the principal administrators in religion, has been their periodical 
 monthly prayer-meetings and occasional fasts for revivals." Alarming 
 spirit this ! And why did they not add, preaching the gospel, and other 
 means calculated to lead Christians to "watch and pray," and sinners 
 to " repent and believe ?" How easy it is for these authors to find argu- 
 ments to prove the wicked designs of Presbyterians ! 
 
 The last extract from the writings of the orthodox, to show their evil 
 designs, is from the sermon of Dr. Griffin, preached before the "Ame- 
 rican Board of Foreign Missions," at their last anniversary. The Doc- 
 tor, after showing that a " conscientious and liberal Hebrew" must have 
 given nearly " half his income," observes — " In the day when Holiness 
 to the Lord shall be written oh all the possessions of men," &c. "holy 
 men will feel it a privilege to give something like four-tenths, or one half 
 of their income, to God." " This," say the authors of the pamphlet, 
 "affords a pretty clear, indication of what is deemed a reasonable tax 
 for the benefit of " the Levites." 
 
 There are one or two comparisons between the tendency of calvinistic 
 and unitarian sentiments, which we shall barely notice. 
 
 On page 36, is the following paragraph : — "Name to me one or 
 more professing Christians, of such anti-calvinistic sentiments, who 
 have been convicted of gross scandal and violation of moral principle ; 
 and I will name to you for each of them, ten Stansburys, Bidwells, and 
 Whittleseys, who were loud and clamorous about their* miraculous con- 
 versions, and rested their hopes of salvation on them arvellous operations 
 of an hour, the righteousness of a substitute, and the certainty of the 
 "final perseverance" of all that have been converted; and such arc 
 and were also loud and clamorous against merit in good works, vilifying 
 and decrying human nature, as it comes from the hand of God." On 
 this comparison we would barely remark — Let those who live in a " glass 
 house," beware how they throw stones at their neighbours. There are 
 many among us, who, if disposed, might relate tales which would make 
 the ears of Unitarians in Trenton tind" 
 
73 
 
 On page 42, is the following comparison : — " I am confident in we. 
 persuasion, that all the numerous classes of Christians who call them- 
 selves anti-calvinists, together, furnish a very small part of the convicts 
 of the state prisons of our country ; and seldom, perhaps never, do we 
 hear or see a gallows confession, without exultation in imputed right- 
 eousness, and vicarious atonement, and « the final perseverance of the 
 saints.' See Hare's and other gallows « traits.' " We forbear to make 
 any strictures on this comparison, If the authors, or their readers, can 
 derive any satisfaction from it, we shall not attempt to deprive them of 
 it. We would observe, however, that it is doubtless true, that most 
 ministers who repair to the prison or the gallows, to seek the salvation of 
 notorious sinners, preach to them pardon and salvation only through the 
 blood of Christ, who " died for the ungodly." Indeed, we do not sec 
 how those who deny that pardon and life are offered to sinners, upon 
 this ground, can preach salvation to a sinner just leaving the world. 
 Were it admitted that the merit of good works could purchase pardon 
 and eternal life, the dying sinner has no time to perform these meritorious 
 deeds, and must despair of salvation on such terms. 
 
 We come now to what the authors of this pamphlet state respecting 
 the revivals which have prevailed in this county the year past. We have 
 not time to follow them in all their statements, and we are unacquainted 
 with the circumstances which have given rise to most of them. We 
 have, however, made some inquiry of persons acquainted with the cir- 
 cumstances, respecting the most important statements, and have found 
 so much misrepresentation, exaggeration, and falsehood, that we have 
 no disposition to pursue the inquiry. 
 
 The following is from the description of "anxious meetings:"— 
 "The next step in course, in these 'revivals,' is to establish what are 
 termed anxious meetings." «« They are generally, if not always, held 
 in the night. The room is darkened, so that persons can only see to 
 walk and discover each other ; and the reign of universal silence is inter-' 
 rupted only by now and then a dolorous groan from different parts of the 
 room. The leader or leaders tread softly about, as they proceed, whis- 
 pering to each individual some question or questions, such as « Do you 
 love God ?" &c. 
 
 A person unacquainted with these meetings, and the rrianner in whicfl 
 
 they are conducted, would suppose from this description, that going in*** 
 
 to tfyem was like entering the sepulchres of the dead. The plain and 
 
 simple account of these KiSetings, which all who have any knowledge of 
 
 10 
 
74 
 
 iiicin among us know to be true, is this. They are generally, though 
 not always, in the evening. The room is lighted as at other evening 
 meetings. Those who conduct them are careful, as they walk about, 
 not to make unnecessary noise, and converse with individuals in a low 
 voice, so as not to divert the attention of others. They question those 
 who attend, to ascertain their views and feelings on religion, and give 
 them such instruction as is adapted to their case. After conversing 
 with individuals, a short address is made to all, and the meeting closed 
 with prayer. This description would not have answered the purpose of 
 these authors. The best apology we can offer for them is, that they 
 probably never attended one of these meetings. They make a distinc- 
 tion between meetings of inquiry and anxious meetings. We know of 
 no such distinction. They are only different names for the same thing. 
 
 We will next present our readers with their description of the " Bun- 
 ker-Hill Contest." We give the substance of it in their own words : — 
 "Itinerants from Auburn Theological Seminary, and young converts 
 from Utica and Hamilton College, were soon patroling our streets in ev- 
 ery direction. The standard of the " holy war" of extermination was 
 erected, and every loyal subject of orthodoxy called to the field of action. 
 The gauntlet of proscription and denunciation was hurled at those who 
 dared to think and act for themselves, and who had the firmness to re- 
 sist the desperate and unhallowed attempts of interested and time serv- 
 ing priests, to enslave the human mind, to shackle it with the dogmas 
 and absurdities of the Genevan school, and to bring our country under 
 the iron reign of an ecclesiastical hierarchy. If the Presbyterians con- 
 sidered Trenton the "strong hold of Socinianism," the Gibraltar of reli- 
 gious liberty in this region, it is no wonder that the Rev. Mr. Smith, 
 who had already distinguished himself as a warrior in the battle of Balti- 
 more, in the late war, and seven or eight more daring spirits from the 
 head-quarters of orthodoxy, were sent to subdue us. The forces were 
 marshalled under the direction of Mr. Smith. The plan of attack upon 
 the "strong hold of Socinianism," we may suppose, was settled by a 
 council of religious warriors. The exhortations of Mr. Smith, second- 
 ed by the pastor of the presbyterian church in Trenton, fired every bo- 
 som with the ardour of enthusiasm ; and the assurances of victory and 
 complete triumph brought every power into requisition for the anticipa- 
 ted conflict. Thus disciplined and prepared, the siege was commenced 
 with a zeal and desperation equalled only by the siege of Gibraltar, 
 when hundreds of bombs were thrown in a minute, by the French and 
 ^anish^resolved to take that fortress by storm. The aspect of socieiv 
 
75 
 
 in Trenton was changed, as by enchantment. A portentous gloom 
 seemed to rest upon the place. The besieged withstood the storm of 
 this phalanx of orthodoxy with firmness and christian fortitude. With 
 the shield of the holy scriptures, and the helmet of enlightened reason, 
 they were able " to quench all the fiery darts of their enemies." Mr, 
 Smith and his coadjutors learned that their efforts were abortive ; that 
 notwithstanding their long and desperate siege, the citadel of Unitarian- 
 ism still stood unimpaired. Mortified and disappointed at their ill suc- 
 cess and absolute failure, they were at last forced to believe, that the 
 " strong hold of Socinianism" in Trenton, was not to be taken by siege, 
 by storm, or by escalade." 
 
 Now all this noise of war, to those in this region who are acquainted 
 with the real state of facts, is, if possible, more ludicrous than it is false. 
 We doubt not that the writers, when they had finished this description 
 of their battle, however fierce and warlike they look on paper, laughed 
 heartily among themselves, to think how many would turn pale at the 
 recital, and exulted in the thought that their unitarian friends abroad 
 would think them deserving as much praise, as the brave little Spartan 
 band at the strait of Thermopylae. But when it is discovered that no 
 such " plan of attack" was ever laid, that no such battle was ever fought, 
 and that one of the parties utterly refused to enter into any contest with 
 the other, the panic of the credulous will cease, and the Socinians abroad 
 will withhold their praise, and blush for shame, at such a foolish trick. 
 
 From Mr. Wetmore's letter, it appears that not a single " itinerant 
 from Auburn Theological Seminary," was there, and that the principal 
 assistance which he has received in preaching has been from the labours 
 of the Rev. Mr. Smith. Fewer of his brethren of the Presbytery have 
 visited there during the revival, than have visited most other places 
 where it has prevailed. Indeed it is rather surprising, considering his 
 feeble health, which has prevented him from preaching much of the 
 time, that he has not received more assistance from them. Fewer pious 
 young men, who are not ministers, have visited there than many other 
 places in the county where the revival has prevailed. Mr. Finney, who 
 is represented as the " high priest of the expedition," was never there 
 except once. While at Utica, he rode out in a week day, and preach- 
 ed twice. Mr. Nash, whom they term his " yoke fellow," was not there 
 at all. And now what becomes of this " phalanx of orthodoxy," drawn 
 up in battle array, to throw " a hundred bombs in a minute," into this 
 •'strong hold of Socinianism"— * this Gibraltar of religious liberty^' 
 
m 
 
 J'bi^ phalanx consists of t)ie minister of the place, in ejalthj a-nu 
 
 .Mr. Smith, licensed to preach a little more than a year since. But Mr. 
 Smith, being a " distinguished warrior,*' is represented as a host in him- 
 self. Some may have the curiosity to inquire to what this alludes. It 
 is simply this. During the late war, when the British sailed up the 
 Chesapeake, Mr. Smith was keeping a school in Baltimore. Instead 
 of fleeing from a city in which he was only a sojourner, he turned out 
 for a day with the citizens, to defend it from impending ruin. 
 
 Now what have Mr. Wctmore and Mr. Smith done ? They have gone 
 into none of the meetings of the Unitarians, to enter the lists of contro- 
 versy with them. They have not entered their private dwellings, to pro- 
 selyte them. Indeed, these authors complain of them and other Pres- 
 byterians, because they have refused to enter into any disputes ; " utter 
 ly refusing ', as they have done here, to enter into any public or private 
 argument on tlve doctrines they profess and inculcate." They have not 
 attacked them in the streets, for they say — "In your daily intercourse 
 with us, you cannot help treating us as though there was nothing the 
 matter ; as though we were just as good as yourselves ; in fact, as 
 though we were just as orthodox as yourselves." From their com- 
 plaint, it is manifest that, they have wished for war ; and had our breth- 
 ren been less prudent, we should have had descriptions of encounters 
 and defeats far more splendid and triumphant than that of the "Bunker- 
 Hill Contest." If we are to credit this complaint, it is difficult to see 
 what use these Bunker-Hill fighters could have had for their weapons 
 of war, their "shield of the holy scriptures, and helmet of enlightened 
 reason," with which "they were able to quench all the fiery darts ot 
 rheir enemies." Had it not been for spoiling the sport of this mock 
 jight, they would probably have boasted that their enemies, though re- 
 peatedly urged to battle, fearing a defeat, uniformly declined the com- 
 bat. 
 
 It requires no ordinary share of christian meekness, not to look with 
 mingled indignation and contempt upon this expedient to puff the Uni- 
 tarian Society in Trenton ; and lead the public to believe that Presby- 
 terians were so alarmed at the influence of this "strong hold of Socin- 
 'anism," that they had combined their strength to take it by storm. To 
 use their own words, "They are (in this vicinity) a little flock ;" and 
 we have repeatedly heard from those who live in Trenton, that not more 
 than fifty persons, upon an average, have attended public worship on 
 the Sabbath for .some years past. This we should suppose a small num- 
 ter for their society. They say th^ effect of the revival has b^en "t< 
 
xidd to our strength, and increase our number.-."* They will allow, Ufei,. 
 we suppose, that it has done some good, if it has led their people tp 
 set a better example to their neighbours, and not to leave their minister 
 to discouragement by preaching to empty seats. The fact is, that the 
 revivals have given the Socinians in Trenton considerable uneasiness. 
 Mr. Pierce, their minister, appointed extra meetings in the week. Mr. 
 Sherman, their former minister, who has not preached to them for years, 
 was called upon, and notice extensively circulated. The Rev. Mr. 
 Ware, from Boston, (whether sent for to aid in the "Bunker-Hill Con- 
 test," we know not), preached two Sabbaths, and also in the week. 
 Had the battle been fought, therefore, there would not have been such 
 fearful odds, as they would make the world believe, in the number of 
 distinguished warriors. 
 
 One complaint against Mr. Wctmore and Mr. Smith is, that in their 
 prayer-meetings, they have prayed for the Unitarians as "deists in dis- 
 guise" — "enemies of the gospel" — "vipers," &c. How this is, we 
 know not ; but we would charitably hope they have used no worse epi- 
 thets than these authors have heaped upon them and others, such as 
 " hypocrite" — persons guilty of "protean duplicity" — "contemptible 
 meanness" — "systematic chicanery of management" — "shameful du- 
 plicity" — "impious falsehood" — "blasphemy" — "a. profane swearing, 
 damning set of men-, far more immoral in this case than the jack-tars.' * 
 Surely, if these "asserters of bible religion" believe our brethren de- 
 serving such epithets, they would act more consistently with their pro- 
 fession, to imitate their example, and spend their time in praying to the 
 "God of all mercy for them, that they may be, as they say they "must be, 
 converted" than in writing and publishing anonymous letters, to tell 
 the world how wicked they are. 
 
 In giving an account of a ball in Holland Patent, on the 5th of July, 
 they state, that Mr. Norton "appointed a meeting to be held at the 
 same time ;" and that "both parties appeared and commenced operations 
 at half past two o'clock, P. M." and contiuued until day-light. The 
 truth is this. During the revival, there was a ball at Holland Patent, 
 and so many of the young people were serious, that is was necessary to 
 invite persons from abroad to make a respectable number. The ball 
 was on the evening of the stated weekly lecture; and the meeting was 
 not, as represented, appointed on account of the ball. The lecture 
 commenced at the usual time, about eight o'clock in the evening, in- 
 tend of half past two o'clock, P. M. After -the lecture and the assem- 
 
bly wore dismissed; some of the members of the church had a prayer- 
 meeting, and "continued all night in prayer," as Christians have done 
 in some other places where the revival has prevailed. Whether this 
 was wise or not, it does not become us to judge, who are not acquaint- 
 ed with the exact state of things at the time. But we should suppose 
 that those who are willing to fight for "bible religion and christian 
 freedom," would be as ready to justify praying all night, as dancing all 
 night. Had they not been somewhat more friendly, however, to the 
 dancing than the praying, we should have expected them to have given 
 a more accurate statement of the facts in the case. 
 
 At an anxious meeting in this place, they state that " a lad (Joseph 
 Pride) was interrogated ; but being intimidated, and fearing he should 
 not answer properly, or to satisfaction, was silent," and on this account, 
 was treated as having a "dumb devil." This bashful boy, we are told, 
 is a muscular man, about twenty-five years of age, who would consider 
 it no great compliment to be thought so timid as to fear to open his mouth 
 in company. 
 
 Again, they say — "Among the numerous instances of despair and 
 derangement of the mental powers, occasioned by these 'revivals,' 
 Holland Patent has shared grievously." The Rev. Mr. Goodell informs 
 us, that he knows of no instance, either of despair or derangement, oc- 
 casioned by this revival in Holland Patent. 
 
 The authors of this book make a great parade about a theatrical hand- 
 bill put up in Utica, so blasphemous and profane that they are almost 
 afraid to describe it, which they intimate was a " disgraceful stratagem" 
 of the Presbyterians to produce a revival. "Just before (say one or 
 two days before) Mr. Finney's entry into Utica, last winter, a great 
 theatrical handbill (purporting to be religious) appeared in most of th^ 
 public houses and other conspicuous places in Utica, representing the 
 day of judgment. The design of getting up this handbill was not de- 
 clared. But does not the conclusion rush upon the mind, that the ob- 
 ject in getting it up at that particular juncture of time, was to make a 
 solemn and awful impression upon the audience, knowing Mr. Finney's 
 wonderful powers in depicting the horrors of the pit and the condition 
 of the damned ? Was it not to be expected, that the wonderful charac- 
 ter of the man expected, the wonderful scenes there depicted, would 
 collect an immense concourse of people, who might there be so wrought 
 'ipon, a* to feel as if the final consummation of all things was at hand, 
 
79 
 
 and terror and dismay seize upon every soul ; and the good work oi tt 
 * revival' in Utica, would be as wonderful as the day of Pentecost." 
 
 The facts with respect to this handbill, as we are informed by Mr. 
 Aikin and Mr. Brace, are, that after the new theatre was opened in Uti- 
 ca, a respectable well-meaning man, in the Methodist connexion, em- 
 ployed a printer to publish it, and put it up in certain places in Utica ; 
 that no Presbyterian minister had any thing to do with it ; that this was 
 not only done before Mr. Finney went to Utica, but that he had no 
 knowledge whatever of the circumstance. It is taken from the writings 
 of Wesley, and is the same which has been posted up in London, Bal- 
 timore, and other cities, and was published in Zion's Herald and the 
 Baptist Register. Now, what are we to think of men who will publish 
 a book containing such abominable misrepresentations and falsehoods ; 
 and even of those, who, without careful inquiry, will lend their names 
 to give it credit, certifying — " We are free to express our opinion, that 
 it is a fair representation of events and occurrences that have transpired 
 in this revival" ? 
 
 In another place, they say — " It is said that in a circle of the anxious, 
 Mr. Finney would go round the circle, and by putting his eyes on each 
 individual for a few seconds, tell the exact state of their mind ; and 
 would congratulate one and another with their new hope, even though 
 they were strangers ; but it is said, also, that he had in such cases pri- 
 vate reporters." Why did not these authors, after describing the* dark- 
 ness of the rooms at these meetings, say that Mr. Finney professed to 
 have such powers of vision, that he could see the faces of converts in 
 the dark, as well as " tell the exact state of their minds" ? This would 
 have increased the wonder. They have been rather more cautious than 
 usual in this statement. They speak of it only as a report ; but they 
 show their good will.* 
 
 In the latter part of this book, there are several letters addressed to 
 individuals. But we understand they were never sent to the persons ad- 
 dressed. The first knowledge they had of them was through the press. 
 
 ♦The opposition manifested in tbis pamphlet against anxious meetings, re- 
 minds us of a remark of the committee of the Albany Presbytery, in their 
 narrative of the revival in that Presbytery, A. D. 1820. After mentioning 
 anxious meetings as a great means of promoting the revival, they say — " Nor 
 is there any means used, against which the grand adversary strives with such 
 rtnwearied effort. Strong proof this that he fears their influence." 
 
w 
 
 In those addresse/lto Mr. Wctinore and Mr. Smith, they complain mudf 
 of their conduct. If they considered them blameable, why did they not 
 go to them as the gospel directs, or at least send them their letters, in- 
 stead of sending them to the press ? This must convince every unpreju- 
 diced mind, that they wished to excite public odium, and not to pro- 
 mote peace. And after all the misrepresentation which they have made. 
 and false accusations they have heaped upon the great body of Chris- 
 tians, they must not blame us, if we hesitate to credit their charges. 
 
 In the letter to Mr. Wetmore, among other abusive things, is the fol- 
 lowing : — M You are, it seems, a young convert, quite a young convert 
 to this new order of religion ; for I am told that you said publicly, no 
 longer ago than last May, that, you had to confess with shame, that you 
 had preached and prayed for twenty years, without the Spirit of God, in 
 unbelief. You had preached and prayed in this town for several years, 
 and it is to be regretted that you was all this time a hypocrite." " But 
 I advise you to keep your confessions to yourself ; for nobody will be- 
 lieve you an altered man." They take occasion thus to abuse Mr. Wet- 
 more, ia consequence of some remarks which he made to his church in 
 the early part of the revival, on the danger of offering unbelieving pray- 
 ers to God. He confessed, what every minister may confess, that he 
 had reason to think that many of his prayers during his ministry- were of 
 no avail, and offensive to God, not being mixed with faith. Similar 
 abuse, on the same account, is bestowed on the Rev. Mr. Lansing, of 
 Auburn. 
 
 There is one writer, who styles himself " Berean," whose angry pro- 
 duction we' shall barely notice. Judging from his style, we should think 
 him a politician, writhing under the pangs of disappointed ambition. 
 From his own account of himself, he seems to care little for any of the 
 various religious sects, provided they do not disturb him with their opi- 
 nions, and will give to him their suffrages at " our elections," and not 
 to " candidates for public office who are of their own stamp." He talks 
 of "ecclesiastical domination" — "ruthless bigotry" — "gross impu- 
 dence" — " self made inquisitors" — " Saybrook platform" — "[the wrath 
 of the kirk" — "delirious fanaticism" — "two aspiring associations," 
 (meaning the Western Education Society and Auburn Seminary), " which 
 are spreading their dusky wings over this section of country" — " grea* 
 and little Juggernauts — " offensive matter collecting in diseased stom- 
 achs" — "sectarian gall emitted from acid stomachs," &c. &c We 
 sfiouM suppose, to use his 6wn metaphors? he not only had ^diseased and 
 
81 
 
 acid stomach, but that his digestive powers were destroyed, and tliat w 
 had the dyspepsia to a degree wholly incurable. 
 
 There is one letter in this pamphlet, signed "A Layman," addressed 
 to Mr. Finney, which is deserving some notice. It is written with more 
 ability than any other original piece in this work. While it shows, we 
 fear, a heart unreconciled to God, it is but justice to say, that it is in a. 
 great degree free from that angry vindictive spirit, which seems to hav e 
 dictated the other letters at the end of the book. He sits down sober- 
 ly to the work of accounting for these revivals, and especially for the ef- 
 fects of Mr. Finney's preaching, without attributing any thing to "the 
 word of God, which is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged 
 sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of 
 the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of 
 the heart." We know not who this writer is ; but we should suppose* 
 however, that he was not only a man of education, but one who had 
 been religiously educated, who had reflected much on religious subjects, 
 and whose mind must at times have been seriously impressed. But. 
 notwithstanding this, we should apprehend he had unhappily yielded to 
 pride, ambition, or some unhallowed affection, till at length he had 
 swerved from the faith, and become bewildered in the mazes of infideli- 
 ty and error. In perusing his letter, we have been ready almost to in- 
 dulge the hope that he might yet be brought to retrace his steps, and dis- 
 cover the plain path, which will conduct him to immortal glory and blet- 
 sedness. This writer does not, as some have affected to do, speak of 
 Mr. Finney as a man deficient in talents, as a maniac, an enthusiast, or 
 a fanatic. So far we agree with him. He says — u To represent you a 
 sincere deluded enthusiast, or misguided fanatic, would be to misrepre- 
 sent you. If there were any reason in the world for the hypothesis, that 
 you may possibly be a sincere deluded man-, I might have treated the sub- 
 ject in a very different manner." 
 
 We shall give the substance of this writer^ description of Mr. Finney 
 as a preacher, which, though a little caricatured, yet in connexion with 
 what we have said of him in the preceding narrative, may assist our 
 readers in forming a tolerably correct opinion of his preaching. The 
 influence of his preaching upon the common people, he attributes chief- 
 ly to his power of awakening their fears. " Now, as a shrewd and bold 
 calculator in effecting your design, you avail yourself of Calvinism on 
 the one hand, and the flexible passions of men on the other. You 
 breast yourself to the work like a giant. You open the attack with Ja- 
 il 
 
82 
 
 piter's thunderbolt. You take the doctrine for a damning fact— -declare 
 you know it — raise your voice — lift high your hand — bend forward your 
 trunk — fasten your staring eyes upon the auditors— declare that they 
 know it to be God's truth ; that they stand upon the brink of hell's ga- 
 ping pit of fire and brimstone ; and bending over your body, and bring- 
 ing your clenched fist half way from the pulpit to the broad aisle, de- 
 nounce instant and eternal damnation upon them, unless they repent 
 forthwith." 
 
 This, he supposes, frightens ordinary hearers, and enables him to 
 manage them at his pleasure. But upon minds of the highest order* 
 capable of strong excitement, this treatment, he intimates, has no ef- 
 fect. To effect his object on men of this cast, he represents Mr. Fin- 
 ney as loading them with galling and abusive epithets, and making them 
 mad with passion, which they vent in ravings and curses upon his per- 
 son, till they become alarmed at their own supposed depravity. " This," 
 he observes, " is just what you want. You remain unmoved, like the 
 arch spider in the centre of his web, drawing the cords closer and tight- 
 er, well knowing that the more the fly flounces and struggles, the more 
 he entangles himself in the snare ; and overcome at length by self-action, 
 befalls a panting and exhausted prey to his all-devouring adversary." 
 After thus losing "their sober senee and self-command," he supposes 
 this superior order of men " may be managed like an elephant in his 
 chains." 
 
 Nx>w we think this is giving Mr. Finney credit for rather more talents 
 than he possesses. A common man, who believes that his friends are in 
 imminent danger, and by timely warning and exertion, may avoid the ap- 
 proaching evil, and secure invaluable blessings, may so address them as 
 to produce much feeling and effort. But to feign all this, and yet per- 
 severe in speaking and acting as though it was a reality, requires a mind 
 of uncommon powers, and thoroughly versed in the arts of deception 
 and falsehood. Further, to bring men gifted with minds of the highest 
 order upon their knees, before the throne of grace, begging for mercy, 
 by false charges which the speaker does not believe to be true, and by re- 
 presenting them even worse than they are in the sight of God himself, 
 requires extraordinary powers indeed. We had supposed the old adage 
 correct, that " Nothing cuts like the truth." 
 
 But how would this writer account for the fact, that the same excite- 
 ment has existed in places in this county, and numberless other places, 
 where Mr. Firmey ha? not been ? Do other ministers possess the same 
 
83 
 
 art ? If this writer will consult his conscience, it will tell him that he is 
 not satisfied with his own theory ; that it was dictated by an unbelieving 
 heart, rather than an enlightened understanding. It was, however, ne- 
 cessary, to support this hypothesis, to represent Mr. Finney as such a 
 '< shrewd calculator." It is possible, also, that the vanity of this writer 
 was a little gratified by thus exhibiting himself as possessed of too much 
 discernment to be caught in tfie web of this " arch spider." It has ever 
 been a favourite hypothesis of unbelievers, that all religious excitement 
 is, somehow or other, irrational. It is the only method of justifying 
 their own indifference or opposition. It is far more in accordance 
 with true philosophy and common sense, to attribute the strong feeling 
 which is sometimes exhibited by both preachers and hearers, to a belief 
 in the truths of Christianity, than to any other secondary cause. If 
 there be a judgment, a heaven and a hell, and "now is the accepted 
 time and the day of salvation," there is good reason why ministers and 
 people should feel, and feel strongly ; and the greatest wonder is, that 
 they feel no more, while there is any evidence that these things are so. 
 The motives which these truths present, are immeasurably stronger to 
 awaken all the feelings of the soul, than what can arise from those things 
 which are seen and temporal. Just in proportion, therefore, as these 
 truths are believed, persons must feel, whether converted or not. The 
 devil is doubtless as correct a philosopher as this writer, and has as strong 
 nerves ; yet while he believes, he trembles. And did this philosopher 
 believe half as much, he would tremble too, unless he is destitute of 
 that moral susceptibility of feeling, which, so far as we know, is com- 
 mon to all intelligent beings, holy or unholy. We venture to assert, 
 that if this writer will allow this single truth to be constantly present to 
 his mind, that unless men repent and embrace the gospel-, they will be 
 damned, that he will be as strongly excited as others have been. A 
 man deficient in common sense may not be much excited by the truths 
 of the gospel, though he believes them, because his conceptions are so 
 feeble and limited. The greater a man's mental powers are, the more 
 he will be excited by the truths of the gospel, if he will allow them to 
 come into habitual contact with his understanding, his conscience, and 
 hi3 affections. 
 
 If the enemies of revivals, therefore, would represent persons as 
 weak or credulous who are highly excited by the truths of the gospel, 
 let them prove that the bible is a fable, that there is no hell to shun, nqr 
 heaven to gain, and that God will call no man to judgment. Till they 
 do this, however wise thev mav be in their oxen conceit* thev are, mo- 
 
14 
 
 nil) speaking, fools and mud men, that claim the pity and the prayer 
 .»1* those whom they revile. We have dwelt the longer on this subject, 
 
 • cause we are persuaded that a philosophy, "falsely so called" ad- 
 dressed to the pride of the heart, as though it was a mark of weakness to 
 be greatly excited by religion, while it is not so by other interesting sub- 
 jects, has done immense mischief, and ruined many souls, especially in 
 the higher walks of life. 
 
 We close our notice of this pamphlet, with a few observations address- 
 ed to our brethren in the ministry and to the members of our churches. 
 
 Brethren, we here see on record that hatred which exists extensively, 
 against those benevolent institutions which have sprung up in our coun- 
 try within a few years past, and also against those revivals of religion 
 with which our churches have from time to time been blessed. We 
 think this pamphlet will do good. W'hile it will gratify and harden some 
 who have advanced far in the broad road, it will lead others less advanc- 
 ed to pause. It will tend to unite the true disciples of Christ, and teach 
 them their duty to come out from the world and be separate. For sev- 
 eral years past a spirit of bitterness has been manifesting itself, particu- 
 larly in this state, against a faithful ministry, and against the benevolent 
 exertions of the church of Christ. This moral poison has been circu- 
 lating among a considerable portion of the community, in scurrilous 
 newspapers and pamphlets, which have passed unnoticed. Among the 
 unenlightened and irreligious they have had more influence than Chris- 
 nans have generally supposed. This pamphlet has embodied the sub- 
 stance of all this opposition in a more imposing form, and Christians 
 niav here see in embryo that gigantic spirit of the world, which under 
 < iod, they must meet and conquer, by the spirit of Jesus. Those be- 
 nevolent exertions, and those revivals of religion which are here vilified, 
 are indispensible to the fulfilment of those prophecies, which point us 
 to the future prosperity and glory of the church. We are not to be a- 
 Larmed, therefore, at this opposition. A great cry is raised about the 
 immense sums which are contributed to carry into effect these plans of 
 benevolence. But when tenfold more is expended in the grog shop, in 
 the theatre, and in gambling houses, these opposers manifest no un- 
 easiness, and will not unite with Christians, to put an end to such shame- 
 ful waste of time, and money, and health, and life itself.* 
 
 * Says the Connecticut Observer — A writer in the Vermont Chronicle, in 
 answering the question — What is the real state of mind of those persons who 
 
85 
 
 The bible teaches us to expect opposition to the Gause of truth and 
 righteousness. Instead of leading us to diminish our exertions, this op- 
 position should rouse us to additional zeal and activity. Nor are we to 
 be alarmed because these efforts are attributed to the worst motives. 
 Christ and his apostles were falsely accused. We should be careful to 
 keep "a conscience void of offence," and then confide with unshaken 
 confidence in the promise of Him who hath said, " Lo I am with you 
 alway." While the church is thus acting, He will cause " all things to 
 work together for her good." He will make the wrath of man to praise 
 him-, and the remainder of wrath he will restrain. Opposers to these 
 benevolent enterprizes and revivals will profess, of course, not to be op- 
 posed to what is right in itself, but to the motives or conduct of those 
 engaged in these objects. But this is a mere mask, which they put on 
 to conceal the true cause of hatred. It would afford them real pleas- 
 ure, to believe that those they oppose were actuated by the worst mo- 
 tives, and were chargeable with indiscretion and folly. This is very 
 manifest, from the misrepresentations and falsehoods which abound in 
 this pamphlet. Instead of being grieved at any improper motives or 
 conduct, they seize with avidity any thing which has the shadow of truth 
 to support such charges. Let those then who are engaged in promoting 
 revivals, and other benevolent objects, have the humility to learn wisdom 
 from their enemies. An enemy, while he exaggerates, may point out 
 
 oppose the great benevolent institutions of the day, from a belief that they 
 are a system of speculation and imposition upon the public ? observes — " I 
 am acquainted in a town, in which some twenty or thirty of these opposers 
 profess to have experienced the influence of renewing grace ; and the change 
 which has been wrought in their religious views and feelings, has, in every 
 instance, removed the real cause of their opposition to these institutions. 
 They already know that these societies are conducted upon open and fair 
 principles, and are such as ought to be supported. How, then, in view of 
 these facts, can we suppose that the class of objectors above referred to, do 
 in reality believe that the benevolent operations of the day are a system of 
 speculation and imposition upon the public ?" " How,'' continues the Ob- 
 server, " excuses and obstacles thicken around us, when our heart is not in 
 the work ! The past, the present, and the future, are summoned to our aid. 
 One compares missions to the crusades ; another sees in them a new edition 
 of popish aggrandizement for the clergy ; a third scrutinizes present opera- 
 tions, to find some defects ; while a fourth prophecies gravely of the threaten- 
 ing aspect of "coming events'' in the political world, from the overgrown in- 
 fluence of missions. Yet, in the face of all these obstacles and excuses, the 
 gospel will extend. Happy they who promote its progress !" 
 
errors, winch a friend through partiality may not discover, or through 
 tenderness may not disclose. This is one way, among others, by which 
 God makes use of the enemies of religion, to give wisdom to his peo- 
 ple, and enable them the more effectually to promote his glory and the 
 salvation of men. 
 
 From this pamphlet, let us learn to guard against entering into dis- 
 putes with opposers and cavillers. This is one method which they take 
 to prevent a close application of the truth to the conscience and the 
 heart. The heart, and not the head, is generally the unbelieving facul- 
 ty. The honest inquirer should be patiently heard, and his difficulties 
 removed. But he whose object is to avert the truth from his heart, will, 
 if possible, draw him who seeks his conversion, into some dispute, and 
 perhaps attempt to provoke and irritate him. If he succeed in this, he 
 is effectually shielded against conviction. Let us beware, also, of spend- 
 ing our time in talking about opposers, and allowing our personal feel- 
 ings to become enlisted against them, in consequence of their abuse 
 and falsehood. When an unhallowed spirit is thus excited in the people 
 of God, they can do little good. Though they may have truth on their 
 side, they will attempt to defend it by improper motives, and God will 
 not bless their efforts. This is one of the wiles of the arch adversary, 
 to destroy the influence of Christians, and to check revivals of religion- 
 So long as the church militant loses sight of herself, in seeking the glory 
 of God, and the salvation of men, God will make bare his arm for her de- 
 fence and success. But when she loses sight of his honour and glory, 
 and begins to fight with carnal weapons, her strength is gone, and the 
 enemy triumphs. We would therefore entreat our brethren in the min- 
 istry, and in our churches, instead of spending their time in disputing 
 with opposers, or talking about their opposition, to spend it in prayer 
 and christian effort. The more we are opposed and abused, the more 
 let us pity and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute us. If 
 we are the children of God, let us not forget that we were once " the 
 children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for 
 his great love wherewith he loved us, even when w T e were dead in sins. 
 hath quickened us together with Christ." 
 
 This pamphlet indirectly bestows a high encomium upon Presbyterians 
 and Congregationalists, who are here considered as the same. The 
 greatest enmity is manifested against those professing Christians, what- 
 ever be their name, who are praying and labouring to bring their fellow 
 men to repent and obey the gospel, and who are devising and executing 
 
67 
 
 phus for sending the gospel to all nations. If Christ has a church on ' 
 earth, it is among such professing Chiistians. If there is such a thing * 
 as piety or benevolence in this world of sin, where shall we look for it, 
 unless among those who are thus employed ? Presbyterians and Congre- 
 gationalism are in this pamphlet represented as taking the lead in these 
 benevolent exertions, and in these revivals. If this representation be 
 just, it is conclusive evidence that they constitute an important portion 
 of the church militant. While we are thankful to God for such evidence 
 of our heirship, let it not excite spiritual pride, but lead us to humility, 
 that we have no higher claims to such distinction. Let us strive to de- 
 serve this encomium, by increased exertions to promote revivals of pure 
 and undefiled religion, and to execute the last command of our risen 
 Lord — " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every crea- 
 ture." 
 
 We may from this pamphlet see what is soon to be the dividing line 
 between the friends and the enemies of the cross of Christ. Those 
 who possess some measure of the spirit of Him, who, though rich, yet 
 for our sokes became poor, that we thro* his poverty might become rich> 
 by whatever name they may be called, will become united in promoting 
 revivals of religion, and in diffusing the blessings of the gospel among 
 all nations, by casting their silver and their gold into the treasury of the 
 Lerd. All who are not actuated by this spirit, whether called Christian 
 or Pagan, Papist or Protestant, Jew or Mahomedan, will unite in oppo- 
 sing these benevolent designs. Between these unnumbered hosts tt 
 mighty battle is yet to be fought. God, in his providence, is hastening 
 the hour of decision. All the noise of the enemy now heard, compar- 
 ed with what will ere long be heard, is no more than the murmurs of 
 the gentle rill, compared with the roar of the mighty cataract. Soldiers 
 of the Lord of Hosts, in great numbers, will be raised up, possessing all 
 the austerity of John the Baptist, the courage and boldness of Peter, 
 the wisdom and activity of Paul, and the benevolence and faith of John 
 the Evangelist, before the powers of darkness are put to flight, and " the 
 kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the 
 whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most 
 High ;" and the shouts of victory shall echo from continent to continent, 
 and from the islands to the ends of the earth. The honour of fighting 
 the " battle of that great day of God Almighty," is reserved for our suc- 
 cessors. Let it be our aim so to live, that we may look down from the 
 heights of Mount-Zion, on the armies of Israel, and join with them, and 
 with saints and angels round the throne, in the universal shouts of joy 
 

 and praise, saying — "Blessing and honour, and glory and power. »»• 
 unto Ilim that sittethupon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and 
 
 ever. 
 
 The revival in Vernon Centre is, we learn, progressing with great 
 power of late. 
 
 By letters received from Ithaca, it appears that the revival in that 
 place is as great as it has been in any place in this county. 
 
 The profits of this Narrative will be given to the fund in Hamilton Col- 
 lege, which is now raising, the interest of which is to be annually awarded 
 to the best essay on the subject of intemperance. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 14, line 25, for directed, read diverted. 
 
 Page 17, line 14, for Jonas, read James. 
 
 Page 20, line 8 from bottom, for lament, read lamented. 
 
 Page 21, line 3, for spiritual, read special. 
 
 Page 36, line 7, for by prayer for pardon, read beg for pardon,