to their souls, and they were enabled to say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." While such a work of God was going on among sinners, the hearts of God's people were enlarged, and many were the cries for full redemption in the blood of the Lamb. "Give me a clean heart; sprinkle me with clean water; cleanse ine from all unrighteousness, and fill me with all the fulness of God," was the constant cry of many, until the blood of sprinkling purified their hearts. But this work was not confined to the membership. The preachers felt this glorious power also, and once, in particular, the Divine influence prostrated several of them upon the floor of the stand. The cries of the priests and people now went up to heaven together, and nothing, for a considerable time, could be heard, from the souls of happy hundreds, except shouts of praise and bursts of glory. "Truly, the place was none other than the house of God, and the gate of heaven." The preachers on this occasion were very active and zealous: they were of one heart, and their labours were specially owned of God in the salvation of souls. We usually had seven sermons in a day. These were generally well arranged, and delivered in "demonstration of the Spirit," and often powerful effects were visible in the congregation while they listened attentively to the herald of divine truth. The principal doctrines of the gospel were chiefly introduced in the sermons. The fall of man, his consequent depravity and helplessness, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of faith in Christ to procure pardon and holiness: these are the truths which were repeatedly explain ed and enforced, and which God so eminently owned on the occasion. Several missionaries from the province of Lower Canada, the brothers Richard and Henry Pope, Lang, and Stinson, attended the meeting, and favoured us with their highly interesting and useful labours of love. Our hearts quickly ran together, and the same spirit of faith, of zeal, and of love, animated our souls; and such was their satisfaction on the occasion, that one of them said, while beholding the wonderful work of God among the people, "This is worth crossing the Atlantic to see!" But after we had spent the time, from the first to the morning of the fifth of September, in these delightful exercises, witnessing the conversion of souls, and the displays of the power of God, the pe riod arrived in which it became necessary to close the meeting, and return to our dwellings. The closing scene was moving indeed. While we enjoyed a short season in rehearsing the wonderful works of God, we beheld with delight parents rejoicing over their children, recently converted to God-brothers and sisters filled with re deeming love-and friends and neighbours exulting in the joys of present salvation, while tears plentifully bedewed almost every cheek, and loudly proclaimed the power and presence of the ever-blessed God. Our second campmeeting was held in Pittsford, Vermont, and began on Tues day, the 13th day of September. The weather was remarkably fine; except 1 few little showers, which occasioned act some uneasiness, and a little derangement of our order. This meeting also opere! with displays of Divine power. The peo ple of God became exceedingly happy the first day of the meeting, and especially at the going down of the sun, about the time of the evening sacrifice, while preacher was showing to saints and st hers the ability and willingness of Godt save to the uttermost. The preaching & this meeting also was generally excellent plain, pointed, and powerful, without much controversy; and the fundamental truths of revealed religion were forcibly urged upon the understanding and cet sciences of the assembly. The general conduct of such as attende! as spectators was with decorum, exce on Wednesday, the 2d day of the mett ing, when I never saw so much rudens and inattention before in an assembly pr fessing civilization. An entire indispos tion to observe the order of the meetin seemed to prevail among them; and though our regulations were often res and their propriety shown, yet the pep behaved as if they had come to a thear or some military exhibition. But on the last day of the meeting, people were serious, attentive, and ord ly, and God was pleased to visit m penitent souls with his converting gr Great numbers of backsliders were pos erfully reclaimed, and rejoiced in a forgiving God, while the church ser to be generally made alive, and m professed to be wholly sanctified to Go The conclusion of this meeting was p rious also. The Divine Presence reig awfully in the assembly, and the p spake, as with tongues of fire, the thi the Lord had done for them. It was at this meeting that the pres ers volunteered to hold the third, and #1 -f cordingly it was appointed in the town of Stowe, Vermont, to commence on Tues day, the 27th of September. The time shortly arrived, and the preachers from the various parts of the district arrived also. The day was very unpleasant. The rains constantly descended, and the wea ther cold and chilling, and every thing seemed to wear an inauspicious aspect. We, however, began to preach among the people the incomparable riches of Christ, and the Lord bore witness to the truth. Our souls became happy, and all the inconveniences of our situation were shortly forgotten in the sublime enjoyment of redeeming love. The rain was soon over and gone, the clouds also disappeared, and the morning sun, on the second day of the meeting, rose bright and clear over the eastern hills, and gilded the chilly forest with his warming beams. It was now more properly that our meeting began.The word of the Lord was richly dispensed among the people on this and the succeeding day, and here also the Lord gave us souls as seals to our ministry.Several were happily converted to God, and many were powerfully convinced of sin. With the exception of two or three individuals, the people behaved with the greatest order and regularity. They were ball attention to the ministry of the word, and listened as creatures that expect to give an account to the Judge of the quick and the dead. Indeed, such was the anxiety of many in the town to enjoy a meet ing of this description, that although they only had about ten days' notification of the appointment, yet every preparation necessary was made by the time, and nothing remained to be done when we assembled but to labour for the salvation of their souls. The closing part of this meeting was gloriously solen. The awful Presence was evidently felt throughout the assembly. Those that had not felt, or felt but little before, now burst into foods of penitential tears. The people of God rejoiced exceedingly; the young converts exulted in the wonders of redeeming grace, and scores of penitents crowded around them, waiting for the "troubling of the waters." Even after we had dismissed the assembly, the people, instead of leaving the place, turned upon their seats, and recommenced their supplications to God for mercy on the penitents. Indeed, most of the inhabitants of that vicinity seemed agitated: high and low, rich and poor, old and young, appeared now to be ready to give up to God; and since the meeting was closed, I understand that a glorious revival of religion prevails in that section of the country, and that one of the preachers of that circuit is entirely devoted to the charge of the reformation. May God spread this glorious work until the hearts of his people are filled with perfect love, and the world with the knowledge of God.— Amen. B. GOODSELL. STATE OF RELIGION ON THE NEW-HAVEN DISTRICT. Letter from the REV. SAMUEL LUCKY to the Editors, dated New-Haven, Nov. 1, 1825. Or the state of religion in the district, a number of letters received from the preachers at our late district conference give me more direct information than I usually possess at any one time. In the small society to which brother Willett's Jabours are chiefly confined, he writes, that "for the last three or four months, the good Lord has been pouring out his → Spirit upon the people. About twenty have joined society, most of whom have tately experienced the forgiveness of their sins; and the work is still, though perhaps slowly, progressing." There are flattering prospects in other parts of Dutchess ciruit. Of Poughkeepsie, brother Pearce writes that "circumstances wear a more avourable aspect." They "have added Brine new members; and several sons appear to be sincerely engaged in seeking salvation. The account from Hartford is very similar. They have received the same number into the church; and, considering the difficulties with which that station has had to contend, prospects are considered encouraging. There have been revivals, more or less promising, on all the circuits: some of them assume very encouraging appearances. At our district conference, about two weeks since, in Amenia circuit, a good work commenced. In a part of New Milford, on the same circuit, where there had been very preaching until brother Silliman visited it, something more than a year ago, a society of between forty and fifty has been raised up, of more than ordinary promise. Most of the subjects of this work are head little of families, and permanent residents in the place. Our next quarterly meeting for the circuit will be attended in this society. A few miles east of this, a good work is progressing under the labours of brother Dick erson. Very considerable additions have been made to the little society in this place within a year past. New-Haven and Hamden are prosperous. Between thirty and forty have been added to the church with in the charge since the campmeeting at Compo; and there are evident signs of an increasing attention. From other parts of the district I have had no late intelligence sufficiently specific to be enployed in this place. But, taking into view all the favourable intimations which appeared in different places while going around the district the last time, I must think that I have never seen the cause in so promising a condition since I have bad a general knowledge of it in Connecticut. The preachers, both travelling and local, harmoniously labour with increasing ardour, in the prospect of soon witnessing more glorious "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Yours, affectionately, SAM'L LUCKY. STATE OF RELIGION ON THE BLACK RIVER DISTRICT. Letter from the Rev. DAN BARNES to the Editors, dated Lowville, September 14, 1995, WITH pleasure I inform you that the commencement of the present year is auspicious. I have attended two quarterly meetings and one campmeeting on the district to which I am appointed, since our last conference; and I am happy in saying that the power and grace of God were manifested in an uncommon degree and manner. Impenitent sinners became penitent, mourning souls were comforted with the consolations of pardoning grace, and some who had been long praying for clean hearts, were enabled to testify, from experimental knowledge, that God hath power to cleanse the soul from all sin, even in this life. Our campmeeting commenced on the sixth, and closed on the morning of the ninth of the present month; at the beginning of which the trumpet sounded, and the people repaired to the seats, when some addresses were delivered from the stand, a hymn of praise sung, and prayers were offered to Almighty God. I think that I never beheld such a scene before. All appeared to feel the power of the Spirit. The triumphant shouts and glowing countenances of the people of God, the heartfelt sighs and flowing tears of the broken-hearted penitents, together with the gloom of astonishment and dismay which covered the unyielding sinners and stubborn infidels, presented a scent more solemnly interesting than what I am able to describe. We have had our afflictions in this section of the work; but the spirit of revolution and division, which has troubled us for years in this district, has at last subsided, and our prospects are now truly flattering. doctriffes and discipline of our church, Our people most cordially embrace the and with a laudable zeal second our en deavours to carry them into complete effect. If we except two or three solitary persons, we feel authorised to say that the most perfect friendship and harmony subsists between the travelling and local preachers. Our brethren, the private and official members of our societies, embrace us in the arms of Christian affection and brotherly love. Oh, may the great Head of the church enable us to serve them faithfully, and bring them and us, with all the faithful, to his everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN BALTIMORE, MD. Letter from the Rev. SAMUEL MERWIN to the Editors, dated Baltimore, Oct. 26, 1825. MIGHTY things are done in the land of our pilgrimage. Sinners, are converted into saints, and the weak are made strong, Jesus, "the name high over all," conquers his enemies by the power of his word, and leads them to victory and glory. Baltimore is visited with mercy and salvation. Yes, let it be told to the glory of God our Saviour, that even here many have been brought to the knowledge of the truth through faith in Christ. Through the summer, the congregations were large and attentive-the preaching, experimen tal and practical, plain and pointed. Some few were awakened to a sense of their danger, and found peace in believing, wri Letter from the REV. JOHN B. MATTHIAS. -- 487 many of the people of God were excited to greater diligence, and to seek for more of the mind of Christ. Our campmeeting was in August. The weather was excessively hot, but great numbers repaired to the grove; and such a spirit of engagedness I think I never witnessed on any occasion. The people of God were much revived, backsliders were reclaimed, and many a sinner tasted the pardoning love of God. Immediately on our return, the revival commenced in the city with power and glory. The east station was first, and has been the most highly favoured, although the work has been diffused all over the city, in all our congregations.Meetings for preaching and prayer have been continued almost every night in the week, and our largest houses of worship frequently crowded to overflowing. All classes and ages have been embraced in the work, but by far the greatest proportion have been persons of good moral character, and from the age of eighteen to twenty-five. Gentile and Jew, Protestant and Papist, have been enabled to testify that Jesus has power on earth to forgive sin. Very few days have passed, if any, but that some have professed to find the pearl of great price. We have witnessed great displays of the power of God. Yes "Jesus the conqueror reigns!" We have known from fifty to a hundred and fifty in deep distress, crying for mercy, under the most pungent conviction for sin, while deep solemnity rested on a crowded and attentive audience. Of those who have professed to obtain a sense of sins forgiven, I am not able to determine, but I presume I shall be within bounds if I say five or six hundred. Since conference, in this station, we have admitted on trial over four hundred; and in the east station they have admitted almost three hundred: so that in the city not far from seven hundred have been admitted on trial in the church since last April, and the work continues to progress. Sinners are yet awakened, and brought to the knowledge of the Saviour in the pardon of sin. Those who have been received give a very clear and satisfactory account of a work of grace upon their hearts, and of the old doctrine of the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. The scene has been glorious, and the labours of the preachers and the people of God have been very considerable, and the excitement has been great. But one or two things have marked the work so far, and that is, we have bad very little, if any, extravagance, or what I should call extravagance. Our meetings have concluded at a seasonable hour: the people have retired in order and with solemnity. In conducting our meetings, we have most uniformly addressed the congregations with a short sermon or exhortation, in which was stated and explained the nature and necessity of the religion of Jesus Christ; and very often, by the time we have finished the address, the altar has been crowded with penitent, weeping, praying mourners. I could give you some very interesting cases, but I have not time. I know that you will praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men. HIGHLAND MISSION. been added in the mission, during the se cond quarter, is thirty-two. Letter from the REV. JOHN B. MATTHIAS, dated Peekskill, October 13, 1825. THE work of God in this mission, I am happy to inform you, is still progressing. Our members are zealous, and are ardently seeking for higher attainments in grace. A class which was formed last winter by the preachers on Dutchess circuit, of seven in number, has increased to sixty. The work is also reviving on the west side of the river, in the neighbourhood of Fort Montgomery. The dwellers in the vale and on the rocks To this class I have added eight; and the whole number of members which have I will now take the liberty to give you a short account of our quarterly meeting, which was held the 8th and 9th of this month, (October,) at a brother Falkenar's, on the bank of the North river.Brother E. Woolsey presided on the occasion. On Saturday, the preaching and other exercises were accompanied with much of the Divine influence. On the sabbath the congregation was quite large, probably between four and five hundred. It was a truly pleasing sight to see them descending from the mountains, issuing from the vales, and crossing the river in boats, to worship the God of heaven How illustrious the scene, how transporting the *sound, Where the shepherds of Bethlehem lay, When the light of Jehovah illumined the ground, And the messenger angel was hovering round, While he told where the Saviour of men might be found! What harmony dwelt in the lay! The glory of heaven shone full on their sight, While they in an ecstacy gazed. So clear the strong beams, and so splendid the light, That to more than mid-day it transform'd the dull night; With trembling they bow'd at a vision so bright, And adored, though afraid and amazed. "Fear not," was the message proclaim'd from the sky, "I bring you glad tidings of joy, Of Him who was promised in ages gone by, "Unto you in the city of David is born And endless salvation shall bring." Then instantly burst from the Lord's holy hill From heaven in the highest, on man desceai still; Let thy glory, Jehovah, the universe §1!”— ERRATA. Page 329, line 5 from top, put a comma, instead of a period, after the word “ kingdom.” Page 331, lines 7 and 8, read supreme, instead of superior. Page 405, line 3, first column, read “none had backslidden," instead of “nine,” &e. |