one of the measures adopted, to transform this class of persons from passive into active hearers of the Gospel. This was a meeting of the young people, once in two weeks, at which each one was at liberty to give in a written composition, on some important subject, previously assigned, and on which it was my usage previously to preach. When this anticipated sermon was delivered, the aspect of the whole assembly was that of eager listening, to the discussion of a subject, on which one or more in a large proportion of the families was expecting to write, in preparation for the public meeting. It must suffice to add, (for there is no room for details,) that the youthful converts trained in this manner, rapidly outstripped, in religious knowledge, the older members of the church. Indeed, they surpassed in their attainments, the most sanguine hopes that I had entertained. The habit of active, intelligent attention to preaching, which thus became established in the congregation, particularly the younger part of it, was a subject of special remark to ministers, who occasionally preached in my pulpit.

Wherever these revivals prevailed, they were attended by a manifest increase in the religious observance of the Sabbath, and the duties of family religion.

The narrative from Killingly, Conn. says, that previous to this season, "public worship was greatly neglected by many whole families, but now we see them flocking to hear the word of God, on the Sabbath, and at other seasons. In our public meetings the solemnity is like going to the judgment. While there were formerly but very few who called upon the name of the Lord, in family prayer, now almost whole neighborhoods have engaged in this duty; so that if one were to pass among them, at certain seasons, he would be constrained to say,Surely God is in this place;-parents devoting themselves, their little ones, and all that they have, to the Lord." It was a common testimony of these narratives, that the attention given to family religion was much greater, some of them say "ten times greater," than it had formerly been.

Another memorable fruit of these revivals was seen in the harmony that existed among Christians. I have adverted to two important causes which operated to produce this harmony,-first, the thorough system of doctrinal preaching, which prevailed, and by which the churches were prepared to embrace those views of evangelical truth which were correct, without falling into angry collision about them, during a revival. And, secondly, the happy, I might say, perhaps, unexampled agreement of ministers among themselves, as to the proper means of conducting these revivals.

In the great outpouring of the Spirit, under the preaching of Whitefield and his associates, families and churches were rent asunder with violent divisions. Wrath, bitterness, and evil speaking, were too prevalent among the professed friends of religion, and even among ministers. But as God in his mercy would have it, in the revivals of 1800, &c. things were in a state totally different. Ministers had but one heart and soul. All drank into one spirit, preached one Gospel, and cast their influence into one common stock; each laboring in his own sphere, and still aiming to encourage the heart, and strengthen the hands of his brethren, in every possible way. Nor did this seem to be any other than a matter of course. I did not dream of heartburnings and clashing influence among ministers, in revivals too, till I lived to witness these things amid other scenes than those where my happy lot was originally cast. It would be a testimony to the sanctifying power of the Gospel, at once unquestionable and delightful, if I should enumerate the instances in which stubborn, and protracted, and apparently incurable divisions in school-districts, parishes, and towns, and what is ordinarily the most hopeless form of dissension, the acrimony of political strife, were hushed into tranquillity by a revival of religion. It is enough to say that contentions, involving individuals, and families, and extending often to entire communities, threatening most disastrous consequences, were quietly submerged in the great concerns of the soul and eternity. In many instances, those who had been, for years, arrayed against each other, in the ranks of opposing parties, bowed together before the heart-subduing influence of the Gospel, sat down together as brethren at the table of their common Lord, and found his banner over them to be love.

Another conspicuous trait in the influence of these revivals,. was, that they taught ministers humility. Those whose labors were most signally blest for the conversion of sinners, were the same men who took the lowest place before God in prayer, ascribing all the success of their ministrations to Him. Scarcely was a sermon heard, or an address to the throne of grace, which did not distinctly recognize the sentiment of Paul,"Neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." One of the most eminent ministers of that period* said to me, "I never fully understood the Apostle's comparison of ministers to "earthen vessels," till I saw, in a revival, the utter inefficacy of my own preaching to save a single soul, without divine influence." Another of themt

* Rev. Asahel Hooker.

+ Rev. Jeremiah Hallock.

said, "There is joy and hope in God; and I desire to be thankful to him, that he has allowed me to stand and behold his glorious work; though I must confess that I never felt so useless since I entered on the ministry. God hath wrought; and to his name be all the glory." It was in mercy to the churches, that the predominant influence in the management of these revivals, was among men of this spirit ;-men who were not disposed to overrate their own instrumentality, and who were qualified to estimate with candor the labors of their brethren. Rash, heady, censorious ministers, if there were such, had no opportunity to become conspicuous. Indeed, during all these wonderful displays of divine mercy, over so great an extent of country, and for so long a period, I never heard of a single vainglorious preacher, thrusting himself into the sphere of regular pastors, and assuming before their people, to be more skilful than they in converting sinners. That man is but little qualified to be a teacher in the church, in seasons of special divine influence, who has not himself been taught humility,— the first lesson of the Gospel.

These revivals illustrate at once, the indispensable necessity of means, and the sovereignty of divine grace. As to the first part of this statement, all theories may well be superseded by the simple evidence of facts. What is this evidence? When the Spirit of God comes among a people, by his awakening influences, look at the solemn assemblages which throng the sanctuary and the conference room. Look at the unwonted earnestness with which old and young search the Scriptures. Plainly the whole aspect of a congregation, is decisive testimony at such a season, that some strong impulse is moving them to special attendance on means; and this impulse is unquestionably from the Holy Spirit. Hence the individuals who, in such a time, remain in heedless unconcern about their own salvation, so as to neglect and despise the regular means of grace, bear the stamp of reprobation on their foreheads, and their case, while remaining as they are, is universally regarded as hopeless. Not a single instance appears, in all these narratives, of any person who was apparently converted to God, without a previous, solemn excitement to attend on the means of salvation.

But while this is the ordinary method in which sinners are converted, no promises of regenerating grace are made to the unregenerate. There is no certain connexion between the sanctification of any unholy man, and attendance on means, as he does attend on them; because the promises of the Gospel are made to nothing short of repentance. As the subject of

those exercises which usually precede a spiritual renovation, his case may be very hopeful, compared with others around him; but all is dreadful uncertainty as to the result. From the most promising stage of such exercises, multitudes have relapsed into a state of deadly apathy or infidelity. Among awakened sinners, God in his sovereignty renews some to eternal life, while he leaves others to perish in their voluntary rejection of the Gospel. Among unawakened sinners, too, the same sovereignty is exercised. Of this, the narratives, to which I have so often referred, furnish most conclusive evidence. The Rev. Jedidiah Bushnell, in reference to a work of grace in Otsego County, said: "The Angel of God's presence evidently went before the preaching of the Gospel. Only the reading of a text of Scripture, or some sentence from a preacher, would have more eflect upon an audience, than whole labored discourses in time of religious declension. God held the work in his own hand. Creatures prayed and used means, but God wrought the salvation; to his name be all the glory."

The Rev. Doct. S. Shepard said of the same work in Lenox : "The immediate hand of omnipotence was strikingly displayed in it. It was preceded by no providential occurrences that were uncommon. Religious instruction was no other now than it had been. The Apostle knew what he said, when he spoke these memorable words, 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." "

The Rev. Mr. Hallock said: "Dreadful experience proves that men are indeed morally dead. Their hearts are harder than rocks, deafer than adders, and more stubborn than the sturdiest oaks. That which will break down the 1ocks, and tear up the oaks, will have no effect on the carnal mind. As means did not begin this work of themselves, so neither did they carry it on. But as this was the work of the omnipotent Spirit, so the effects produced, proclaimed its sovereign, divine author. One was taken here, and another there,-often where we should least expect it. I have seen some, under the most awakening judgments, as thoughtless as ever,-others in full health and prosperity pricked in the heart."

The Rev. Mr. Hooker said: "It is the evident design of Providence to confound all attempts, which should be made by philosophy and human reason, to account for the effects wrought, without ascribing them to God, as the marvellous work of his Spirit and grace. The effects were not only such, in themselves, as made it impossible to account for them, by any of the known principles of human nature, or the influence of natural

causes; but such a diversity in the antecedent characters, habits, and circumstances of the subjects, renders this still farther impossible."

The history of these revivals shows that the genuine tendency of such seasons is to render Christians grateful, watchful, and fervent in spirit. Many, doubtless, must be viewed as sincere Christians, who are not consistent Christians. The wise and the foolish slumber together, while the bridegroom tarries. But when the Redeemer comes in the triumphs of his grace, to visit his churches, then his true followers are seen waking from their apathy, and going forth to welcome the King of Zion, with an energy, and earnestness, and ardor of affection, greatly surpassing their first love. Then, too, it is seen that the highest fervor of experimental religion, instead of being forced only among the weak and illiterate, is often associated with intellectual strength, of the first order. As a proof that such fervor may be entirely distinct from fanatical excitement, I would gladly insert here two letters, which passed between Judge Reeve, of Connecticut, and Judge Boudinot, of New Jersey, both in the full maturity of their powers, and well entitled to the high rank which they held, even among the educated men of their time. But my limits allow me only to give a few extracts from the reply of the latter, to some enquiries from the former, it being a time of revival in the places where they severally resided. These extracts, while they rebuke the languor of lukewarm Christians, give a testimony, (incidental indeed, and therefore the more valuable,) respecting the judicious order maintained in the church at Newark, to which the writer belonged.

"Although a large number gave sufficient evidence of a real change of heart, before December, yet none of them came forward-as great strictness and caution are observed with us. On the first Sabbath in March, the Lord's supper was administered again. Of those who had been previously propounded, ninety-seven appeared and joined the church. It was one of the most solemn days I ever experienced. The house was crowded; at least two thousand people were in it, and upwards of five hundred communicants. Twenty-two adults and eight infants were baptized. We expect at least one hundred more will join the church on the first Sabbath in June; there are at least as many more under convictions; and, blessed be God, we have no reason to think that the work has ceased. Surely this is wonder and love indeed, beyond degree; wonder without end to angels, and love without bounds to men. How should the praises of this adorable Messiah live upon each believing