ings of the week, or other parts of the day, as may suit the attendants. Sometimes a whole day, or more, in connection with the Sabbath, is set apart for the purpose; and, in that case, it would receive the modern appellation of a protracted meeting.

are raised above the ordinary level of existence; the mind, the imagination, the passions, are all wound up for unusual action. The very notice of a revival awakens every one. Some look to it with joy, as the day of their salvation; others shrink 2. Visitations. These frequently take the lead; from it with fear and trembling, lest the contagion as you will remember they did in the case of Mor- should touch them, and with the apprehension that rison, in revivals. The pastor; or the pastor and it will; and others band themselves together, and a brother minister; or a pastor with his elders; or resolve to shut their eyes, and stop their ears, and the elders, two and two, acting under his arrange-harden their hearts, lest they should see, and hear, ments; are usually the persons making these domi- and repent, and be saved. None are indifferentciliary visits. They are short, serious, and devo-none are unmoved. You will, at once, see that this tional, and are kept to the single object they have offers a fine field for Christian service. Usually, before them. our great foe is Insensibility; but he is the first victim in a revival.

3. Special Meetings for Prayer.-They are regulated by the call there is for them; and are often attended by fasting. They are, when rightly used, the soul of revivals, and animate all the services. The hand of God has, by them, been most directly acknowledged; the offence of man most freely confessed; and the blessing that was devoutly sought, was abundantly granted.

The way in which the means are used is surprising. All who, in this state of high excitement, have come under the influence of the truth, are ready for extraordinary action. For the period, but one object is before them, and it possesses them. They have found mercy, and they thirst to bestow it; they have dishonored God, and they thirst to glorify 4. Conference or Inquiry Meetings.-These are him. They become missionaries for the time; and instituted for those persons who have become anx- they move about in their families and their conneciously concerned for their salvation; and who need tions, warning, teaching, and entreating, with tears, the more exact guidance and encouragement, which that they would be reconciled and saved. The discreet conversation can best supply. The pastor, services of the sanctuary are imbued with this with assistance, if the numbers require, passes "healthful spirit of grace." In the psalmody, the amongst the inquirers, and in an under voice, in- prayers, the preaching, there is life. There is a vites them, in turn, to express their state of mind, reality and a solemnity in every thing, which is itand seeks to advise them in their difficulties. Ex-self a means of conversion; and which, if the unhortations and prayers are connected with these exercises. These meetings are often continued beyond the period of revival, and are carefully used in favor of young converts, that they may be confirmed in the faith and experience of the Christian

life.

The instruction which is regularly given in the Sabbath schools and in Bible classes, should, though not of a periodical character, be considered as contributing, in an important degree, to a sound and extensive revival. The young persons, who have been thus trained in religious knowledge, are in a state of preparation to admit and feel the power of the truth; and when they are placed in new circumstances in relation to it, and it is applied with unwonted force to the conscience, it is usually with the happiest result. Their previous knowledge facilitates the introduction of life, and regulates it when introduced. The first rush of living feeling over the heart is controlled by an informed understanding. They give the more sure and pleasing evidence of conversion at the time; and are expected most to adorn their profession afterwards.

Still, perhaps, in the diligent use of these means, you are at a loss to account for the great effects, which are common to these seasons of revivification. Let me explain it in some measure.

godly shall witness, the probability is, that he wil be "convinced of all, and fall down and worship God." The ministry, at this time, has an uncommon degree of simplicity, decision, and pungency about it; and of this the ministers are fully aware On one occasion, on hearing a sermon, which was good as a composition, but not efficient, I remarked, Would this do in a revival?" The answer was, "Oh, we don't preach so in revivals." On another occasion, when I had reason to complain of some flat and fine singing, I observed to a brother minister, that it was enough to extinguish a revival; the reply was, "Oh, that is not the way we sing in our revivals." I have nothing to do just now with this admitted difference, except as a cause working to a given result.

3. There is yet one other particular which may assist you to comprehend this important subject. In the application of the means used at these periods, great efforts are made to bring them to bear on the negligent and irreligious portions of the community. These classes are visited without scruple; sermons are delivered, and prayer meetings are held expressly for their benefit; notices are given of these services, and they are canvassed by pious and zealous persons for their attendance, as they might be for their votes at an election. Tracts and books are lent; 1. These periods are looked to as the great sea- and if the first or second application fails, it is not sons of ingathering; and from this circumstance, the last; so that by "violence" those are frequently the ordinary additions to the church are less, and brought to the church who were never brought bethe periodical additions greater. In a revival, a fore. At Cincinnati, in the late revival, this was fre. great portion of the church may have been recover-quently done, and with the greatest success. On one ed from what they deem a state of declension, and occasion, a sermon was delivered to the young men these are frequently numbered amongst the fruits of the town; and by these efforts the church was of revivals. Very many have, perhaps, waited for completely filled with this class of persons. The a revival, to adopt an open profession, or to make Christian community, accustomed to assemble there, a full surrender of themselves to the Saviour. So finding that their places were wanted, retired to anothat these accessions are much larger at one time ther place, and continued in prayer, that the address than is usual; though their average of increase made to them might be successful. Such methods may not surpass that of our healthy and prosperous as these will account to you for that measure of inchurches. Icrease which is common in revivals, and which would not be possible, if the effort were limited to the congregation.

2. Then, the mere enumeration of the approved means, does not supply you with a just idea of the use that is actually made of them. It is the spirit of the occasion, which gives it its character and success. Life pervades every thing. The people

This brief description will unfold to you, though imperfectly, what may be denominated the approved revivals of this country; and I presume that, as a

matter of detail, there is nothing that can meet your meeting for inquiry, and another for prayer, on Monjudgment offensively. Before I pass to other views of the same subject, I am desirous of confirming and illustrating this statement by some considerable extracts from "The Narrative of the late Revival in the Presbytery of Geneva, in the State of New-York." It is one of the most satisfactory accounts with which I have met; it can be entirely relied on; and it is the more important, as it arises in a district where much, and perhaps just complaint has rested :

"The year past has been, to the churches within our bounds, emphatically a year of the right hand of the Most High. In no year, since the settlement of our country, have we witnessed so many and such signal triumphs of the Redeemer's cause; or recorded so large an accession to the number of his professed followers, as the year which we are now to review. All our churches, which have enjoyed the stated means of grace, have been visited with revivals during the past year.

day evening; a service, addressed, more particularly, to the unawakened, on Tuesday evening; social prayer meetings in different sections of the village, and lectures in the more distant neighbor hoods, on Wednesday evening; the Bible class, followed by a season of prayer, on Thursday even ing; a meeting for the instruction of the young converts, and another for prayer, on Friday evening; and on Saturday evening, a prayer meeting for a special blessing upon the labors of the Sabbath. The day was principally employed in visiting from house to house. The meeting of young converts was one of peculiar interest. Its object was instruction in the leading evidences of Christian experience and the practical duties of the Christian life: not only to guard young Christians against self-deception, but to imbue their minds with religious truth, to instruct them in doctrinal knowledge, and thus to lay a broad, and deep, and permanent foundation of Christian character. This service has uniformly been performed by a clergyman, and is still continued.

"The first special indication of a work of grace appeared in Geneva, early in the month of June, 1830; and the first subjects of it were members of the Female Seminary. At the close of the first week, after the attention became general, eight or ten were rejoicing in hope, and an unusual seriousness pervaded the minds of all. A weekly prayer meeting was appointed, for personal conversation with those who were inquiring; another for those who were indulging a recent hope; and a season of prayer was observed, at the same time, by a small number of the church. Others, not connected with the seminary, soon became interested in the work; and though it was not powerful or general, it continued, with various degrees of interest, through the summer and fall: every week furnishing some new cases of hopeful conversion to God. Several seasons of prayer and religious conference were observed by the church, which were generally well attended, and apparently happy in their results; yet the members generally did not take that deep interest in the work which they ought to have felt, and which might have been expected. The revi-church, it has been a general rule for the pastor and val, however, continued slowly, but steadily to advance until December, when the number of hopeful converts amounted to more than forty."

"To these general means may be added, the personal exertions of many members of the church, and of the young converts, generally in a way of individual influence. This influence was exerted, not in the public meeting, but in the private interview. The young converts did not become exhorters, nor arrogate to themselves the prerogatives of teachers; but testified their interest in the cause, by their personal exertions to bring others to a knowledge of the truth. A protracted meeting of three days' continuance, was held about the middle of April. The services were ably conducted and well attended, and the interest, for the time, was considerable; but, so far as the conversion of souls is concerned, the permanent results, if any, were very small. It is now more than a year and a half since this work commenced, and from eight to ten months since, the greater portion of its fruits were gathered in, and, thus far, the subjects generally appear well. In the admission of members to the

some of the elders to acquaint themselves, by personal interview, with the case of each individual previous to his examination by the session. In all cases several weeks, and in most cases, from two to three months have elapsed, after they experienced hope, before they were admitted to the church. All have been publicly propounded, and have been re

"From the middle of January until near the last of March, the number of conversions was from twelve to twenty in a week; but, notwithstanding the power of the work, no irregularities were witnessed, no crying out in public worship, no boister-ceived in the presence of the congregation. In ous expressions of joy, no audible sighing or groaning, and, indeed, little else than the natural expressions of a soul deeply impressed with its guilt, or calmly reposing, by faith, upon the Lord Jesus Christ. From the last of March until the first of May, the work was less powerful; though no week passed without witnessing some new cases of conversion. It was about one year from the time of its commencement before it entirely subsided. The whole number, who have expressed a hope of renewing grace, is about two hundred and seventy; of these, forty or fifty were members of the Female Seminary, most of whom, residing in others places, did not unite with the church in Geneva. The number who have united with the Presbyterian church is more than two hundred, making the whole number of the church, at the present time, five hundred and fifty-one.

testimony of the increased interest which has been excited in the cause of Christ, it may be observed, that the appropriations for religious charity have been nearly doubled the last year. The church now sustains one foreign missionary, at an expense of six hundred and sixty-six dollars; thirteen home missionaries, at one hundred dollars each; nine scholarships, of the American Education Society, at seventy-five dollars each; which, in addition to the appropriations for the Bible, Tract, Sabbath School, and other objects of benevolence, amounts to more than forty-five hundred dollars the past year.

"The present state of religion is, in some respects, quite interesting; several conversions have recently occurred, though there is not properly a revival. The public services are well attended; entire harmony of sentiment and feeling prevails in the "The means that have been most blessed in the church; the Sabbath School has about three hunprogress of the work, have been the preaching of dred members, and the several Temperance Societhe gospel on the Sabbath, and at the stated lectures, ties in the town more than eleven hundred. Four and the ordinary performance of parochial duty; or five young men have commenced study, with a to which may be added, special meetings for prayer view to the ministry. The Female Seminary is and religious intercourse. The course of weekly flourishing, and several hopeful conversions have labor has been, three services on the Sabbath; al occurred recently among the pupils. A Manual

means of God's own appointment, nor any other aid than the aid of the Holy Spirit; and, with the exception of a morning prayer meeting, they enjoyed neither in preaching, nor measures, nor manner, nor means, of any kind, any thing, different from what has been common in the churches for many years.

Labor School has been opened in Geneva, with pe- | God were soon brought to see and to feel that in culiarly favorable prospects. It has now between God alone was their hope, and no wish was aftersixty and seventy members; about forty of whom wards expressed for any other means than the may be regarded as the fruits of the late revivals, and are in a course of preparation for the gospel ministry. Most of the young men sustain themselves at an expense not exceeding from fifty to seventy-five cents per week, and facilities are afforded them to earn, by their own labor, more than sufficient to defray this expense. The Lyceum is not a theological nor a collegiate institution, but strictly a preparatory school, designed to fit young men for an advanced standing in college, or for the counting-room, or for any other situation in which a thorough, systematic, and practical education is required. It promises results highly interesting to the churen of Christ."

"Early in February a favorable state of religious feeling began to be apparent in Penn-Yan. Ševeral days of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, were observed; and the church renewed their covenant with God and each other. One individual before the first fast, and two soon after, gave evidence of a change of heart. The next week an inquiry meeting was appointed, at which ten or twelve persons were found anxious for their salvation.

"When we compare the present condition of this congregation with what it was six years ago, the change is surprising. Then but one family, where prayers were regularly attended, was found in the whole village; but one man, except the minister, to lead in a public prayer meeting; no Sabbath school, no religious association of any kind, except a small female prayer meeting, and the church was then so small and scattered, that twenty-five could hardly be collected. Now there are more than fifty praying families; more than fifty who can lead, in an acceptable and edifying manner, in public prayer; a flourishing Sabbath school; an auxiliary to almost every benevolent society in the land; and a church of more than 200 members. The church is happily united in sentiment and measures, and the va"The meeting for inquiry was continued weekly, rious objects of Christian benevolence are sustained and meetings for prayer and religious instruction with increased interest and efficiency. In Septemwere attended almost every evening. The meet-ber, 1831, the pastor relinquished the charge of the ings for prayer were, for the most part, strictly prayer congregation, being called, in the providence of meetings. Sometimes a word of exhortation, or a God, to another department of Christian labor.hymn of praise, occupied a moment between the The church have, with entire unanimity, elected prayers; but usually the meetings which were ap- another pastor, and have the prospect of soon enj pointed for prayer were employed chiefly in that ing again the privileges of a settled ministry. exercise. The work continued with undiminished interest till the opening of the spring, when, by the pressure of worldly business, it began obviously to decline. At this time a protracted meeting of four days' continuance was tried with happy effect. Ten or twelve were added to the number of hopeful converts as the result of this meeting; and a much larger number from neighboring congregations professed to have been born again.

"The services of the protracted meeting were a season of prayer at sun-rise, three sermons each day, and a meeting of inquiry, and another for prayer, at the close of the second service. Prayer meetings were also attended in smaller circles in different places in the village. During this meeting, and through the whole revival, all the services have been characterized by perfect order and regularity, both as to time and manner. No public meetings have been continued after nine o'clock in the evening. In the instructions that have been given to the young converts, great care has been taken to guard them, if possible, against trusting in a false hope. Many, whose hope at first was strong and sanguine, were on being instructed in the nature and evidences of a change of heart, induced to relinquish their hope entirely, and have since given conclusive evidence that it was at first but a delusion. This course of instruction and personal examination has, in all cases, been previous to their presenting themselves for admission to the church. The number received to the church is 123, and there are, probably, twenty more who will unite at a suitable time. The work, in all its leading features has been of a most precious character. While members of the church have been active and engaged, they appear to have manifested a deep sense of their dependence and unworthiness. In the early stages of the work, and while the church seemed relying on an arm of flesh, a desire was expressed by some to call in the aid of some itinerant evangelist, and that a course of measures might be introduced, which had been said to have been employed with success in other places. But the people of

The state of religion begar to assume a mɔrʊ interesting aspect in Seneca Falk early in the autumn of 1830. For two or three years previous to this, the prospect had been gloomy in an unusual degree. Several perplexing cases of discipline had occurred, one after another, in rapid succession, till it seemed as if the very foundation was partirg asunder, and the whole fabric crumbling down. But even then there was praying and weeping in secret places. Some there were who even then could look through the darkness and the storm, and could lay hold upon the promises of God. A female prayer meeting, the monthly concert, and some other meetings, called together a few constant souls, who knew where their strength lay, and there they were strong in the Lord.

"For a year or more previous to the close of 1830, favorable appearances had been witnessed, and some hopeful conversions had occurred. An increasing sense of the necessity of a revival was manifested on the put of Christians, and a kind of expectation was en rtained by some, that the blessing was in store, and would be bestowed soon. A general impression prevailed that something must be done, and done soon. At an evening prayer meet ug, it was proposed that each Christian present ould engage to converse faithfully with at least e impenitent sinner the next day, and several engaged to do it. The resuit was manifestly favorable. Some time in December, at a little prayer meeting, an unusual spirit of prayer, an earnest wrestling of the soul with God, was manifest. Towards the close of the meeting, a request was made to the impenitent who were present, and who desired an interest in the prayers of God's people, to signify it by rising. Five or six arose. This was the first public expression of ariety on the part of the impenitent. A general visitation of the congregation was now commenced, and many were found anxiously concerned for their souls. The meetings became crowded, attentive, and solemn. On one occasion, near the close of the evening service, it was proposed to such as were resolved to