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To '•jfhlch is addedi A VERY INTERESTING LETTER, From a Minister in London to his Friend in Mirjaclmfetts, It.'. BOSTON : PRINTED BY MANNING l^ LORING. Sept, 1799. I Ik ■nv a 4 . -. I I A BRIEF ACCOUNT, ^c. EXTRACT I. Mr. S W , o/lVind- /jam, in Connsiilcut, thus ivrites to his friend in Bojlon* Windham, Oil. 2, 1798". Rei3. and dear Sir^ YOU will pardon me for uiTng the freedom to trouble you with a line from fo unworthy, though fincere friend. It is a time of general health in thefe parts ; but this is not the beil news I lliall acquaint you with : for ** as cold water to a thirfty foul, fo is good news from a far coun- try." — God is carrying on a glorious work in feverai towns tn thefe parts. The work began in Mansfield, firft foclety, about five or fix months age, in a very gradual manner ; but foon took a very rapid fpread in the weft part of ihe town. A fernuon preached in that neighbourhood at a funeral, by the Rev. Mr. Shearman, was greatly bleflld. The Spirit of the Lord feemed to fweep all before it like an overflowing flood, though with very little noife or crying out. It is won- derful to fee the furprifing alteration in that people in fo fhort a time. I conclude there are not lefs than an hundred fouls converted In that town fincf the work began. Soon after, it began in Hampton, but dla not fpread with that degree of rapidity as it did in Mansfield. The fame happy work has lately taken place in Afhford, in the Rev. Mr. Pond's foci- ety, with a good degree of power. It lias alfo fpread into the fecond fociety in Mansfield, under the paftoral care of Rev. Mr. Wel/li ; alfo in the upper part of Canterbury, and lately in Abington fociety in Pomfret. Dear fir, we may fay, in the midft of judgment God is fhowing himfelf marvelloufly good and kind ; and as it feem- ed our land, a few months ago, was fully ripe for deftruc- tion, and the hot thunderbolts of divine wrath were hang- ing over our heads, yet God has made a rich difplay of his grace, in the converfion of fo many fouls. One thing is re- markable in this reformation, there is fuch evidence carried in the work, that none, or but very few dare to oppofe it. ^•1 I ^r, I f •i [ 1 ,1 i ( 1 w T^'^otry, which was To common between the Standing Order (Congregationaiiiis) and tlie DifTcnters, is done away.— This work is chiefly among the Standing Order. ung EXTRACT 2. Containing a further account of the fame tuorhy in a letter from the Rev. E P— — . to his Parents^ dated Jjfljford^ September 24, 1798. Honored Parents^ I MUST inform you of the work of God, which is go- ing on in thefe parts. Early in May, an attention be- fan in the firft fociety in Mansfield, which incrcafed to a great degree, fo us to become general. It then began in Hampton, and is as general as in Mansfield. About four weeks flnce, it began here, and, for the time, has fprcad ve- ry fait ; {0 that about eighty have been under great concern: Of this number, nearly twenty have a hope that thsy have been ** born again." The work feems to befpreading. In one family of my people who have only three little daugh- ters, the eldeft fifteen years old, they all give evidence that they have been born again ! The work has alfo began in Mr» Welih*s fociety in Mansfield ; and the profpefts are very favourable in Weftford. Do unite in prayer to God; if only two or three, don't omit it, that God would pour out his Spirit upon you. This feems to have been the be- ginning of the work in Mansfield. EXTRACT 3. Containing an account of the leginning of the reformation in Hartford, in, a letter from the Ren), S .S". A^ , of that Citj/t to his friend in Bof ton, dated January 14, 1799. Rev. and dear Sir, A GLORIOUS revival of religion has lately taken place among us. Two of my brothers- in-law, the youngeft about 1 2 years old, and the other four- teen, had been under deep convi6lion at times, for feveral weeks before our lafl Thankfgiving ; and on that day, whilft 1 was preaching, the youngeft was brought out clear in his mind, and went home with his little foul overflowing with joy. This affe(iled the whole family j feveral of whom we truaj cd, fhalll houl who] I ed , (till amoi and' M H. us. I ig Order c 5 ] IS go. :ion be- ed to a >egan in ut four Cful ve- )ncern : -y have ig. In daugh- ce that in Mr. re very • God; d pour the be- f the 'om the H Bof» lately thers- four- 2veral in his with n we tnid, could rejoice with him ; all the refl were much alarm- ed, and led to cry out under pungent conviclion, ** What fhall we do to be faved ?" IVom this it has fprcad from houfe to houfc, and from heart to heart, till almoft the whole City has got alarmed. I think as many as 15 or 20 have been hopefully convert- ed ; many more arc under painful convi<5tion?, and the work (hll fpreading. It has aifo extended its hap])y influence among the other denominations, and they open conferences, and welcome its approach. We have meetings almoft every evening in the week. Here is furely a Macedonian cry, " Do come over and he5;p us." EXTRACT 4* Containing a furihcr accGunt rf the fame tvori, in a letter from the Rev» y B , chi' ted at Trumbull^ February 6, 1799* to his friend at Nezv' bury- Port* My dear fri'nd and hrothery THROUGH the kind hand of God, I arrived here yederday. I (bpped at Hartford, and preached rive fermons. The fpir it of hearing at Hartford is greater rhan any rcp- refcntaiions which hrivo been made. Young people of both fexes flock by hundreds, and the profped is flattering in the extreme. Conference n)eeiir.g3 are held evety night in difFetent private houfes. In Mr. Strong's fociety, 60 ave thought to be under convl(ilion, and 20 huve been hopefully brought into gofpel liberty. In Mr. Nelfori's 30, and fome in Mr. Flint's. The youth hold correfpondence one v/ith another by let- ter, and with thofe of the neighbouring tov/ns. Hundreds are under fome ferious concern, while hundreds more (hind aftonifhed, and are ready to cry, " What meaneth ail this r'* The Lord feems to have ftcpped out of the ufual path of Ordinances, to eflTetS this work more immediately i-n the dlf- plays of his almighty power and out-pouring of his Spirit ; probably to fliovy that the work Is his own. It is not attend- cd with noife and confufion, but with folenmity and rever- ence. No fire ; no rufiiing wind ; no earthquake : but a ilill fmall voice goes before this wonderful work i no doubt^ I' •I ♦■ I i •1. f \ i r I i» i, ;if 11 '■ 5 ) C « 3 to lilde prWc from m;tn. The minifters are (llrred up to liPCcMunion dilii^ence and labour, fo that they have fcarcely time to prepare lor public txercires, "^i^he facred llame has iprcad into many neighboring towns,* an 1 the pious are flocking into Hartford to be eye-witneffes cFthis c'orious work. 1 have felt myfelf fo much engaged in preaching, vifiriiig and conveifmg with old and young, that my attention has been literally taken off from Wife, Cliildren, Flock, and bodily infiimities. O that my paft time had been better emjJoyed and filled than it has been. i^hould my health be continued, I hope, by the grace of God, to fpend my fb.enj'th wlicliy in the Lord's caufe, which carries its own reward with it. Two hundred utiles N. W. of Hartford, on the border of the Indian nations, I am informed that the Lord is pouring rut his fpirit plentifully. The Aborigines flock to hear the gofpel, and fall under the word like Dagon before the Ark. I have feen a preacJier from thofe parts, who gives the moft fiittciing accounts, and informs, that very large numbers have been added to the churches in that vicinity the laft year. After fernion was finifhed u!)on a late occafion in the i, woods, an Indian flood up with tears in his eyes, and thus addrcflld ihe audience : " I defire to blefs God, that white people ever came into this country. White people brought the bible, and th'' religion of Jsfus with them. White peo- ple prayed for the converfion of the heathen, and I (land up this day as a living witnels of the power of God's converting P;race m unjkuer to their prayers. Continue to pray for the converfion of more heatiiens, that they alfo may be brought to the knowledge of jtfus." Inl this vice to rel Tl my comii of fil nite ing EXTRACT 5. Rev, C B- — , of Shaft/' lury, in Venn out, gives the fQlIo-wlng particulars oj the rcf' ormaticv in that tt.'ivn, Rtv. Siry Feb. 21, 1799. I AM fenfible that under too great a degree of animation, even Chriftlans too often exaggerate their accounts of revivals of religion. But I will attempt a fimple, b' t: fhort rarrcitive of the late v^onde'f il v.'oik of God in this place. * It is mtiitioned in a letter from a r«.l[.'cCtable charatfler iii Hartford, of April 2j, that it has /pread into nearly one hundred towns. red up to e fcarceiy g towns,* witnefles engaged id young, Dm Wife, my paft has been, e of God, e, which border of pouring hear the he Ark. the moft numbers la/l year, in the and thus I at white brought "lite pco- ftand up nverting for the brought Vjaftf. the rcf. 1799- ^■lation, unts of ^ Hiort place. ^er in undrei [7 ] In the mo"«th of April lafl:, there appeared nothing among this people but the moft rapid incteafe of every fpecics of vice and immorality ; and even piofefTors had grown cold as to religious exerclfes. Towards the laft of that month, it pleafed God to vifit my poor foul with fome fcnfe of my own vilencfs and fliort comings, and how little I had done for God and the good of fouls. At this time I think I had a glimpfe of the infi- nite eharaiSler of Jehovah, which made me flirink into noth- ing in my own elleem ; then, to my ailoniflmient, my foul was Ihangely drawn forth, at particular times, in fecret prayer, for the falvation of finn^rs. Repeated exercifes of this kind gave me a llrong confidence, that the Lord would foon work falvation in this place. There v/ere, however, no favourable fy.nptoms among the people until the month of July ; then a young woman, who had been converted fome years before, was ftirred up, and came forward in bap- tifin. Her converfion was made the mean of the awaken- ing of a number of young people. Thus the work began. In Auguft, four perfons more were baptized. In Septem- ber, I baptized feventeen. Many v^ere awakened by the fo- lemnity of this ordinance. (Indeed I think there was no one mean more bleffed for the convi<5t^ion of /inners, through the whole courfe of this work, than the adminillration of baptifm.) But to return ; we as yet held our church con- ''jrences, to hear the relations of candidates, but once a month. At the clofe of Odtober, we were obliged to attend two days, and then were not able to hear all that wifhed to relate. The next Lord's-day was a fevere ftorm ; baptifin was omitted : The church attended two days of that week alfo, to hear the young converts declare what the Lord had done for them. I was then under the neceilky t© call for afiidance in adminiftering baptifm. Accordingly, brother Samuel Rogers attended the next Sabbath, and we ba])tized 46 that day. We then found it neceiTary to hold our church conferences to hear rehuions once a v/eek. The next Sabbath 1 baptized 2 1 ; the next 1 6 ; the next 1 3 ; the next 9 ; and there have been but a few weeks fince, that I have not been called to the precious work of baptizing. Zion's gates were truly then thronged with converts ! The whole number added to this church, fmce lafl: May, is 175 ; 25 \yj letter and other v\ays ; and 15c by bMptifin. Our whole number is 346. Many of this number are remo?- r r »• T 1 I i* i M AM !5 ■ »i S 1 1*1 1 i C 8 1 td into different pnrts of the country ; there are, howei^r, neaily 300 tl\at live in this vicinity, the remotell of thf.ai not more than fix miles fioni our meeting-houfe. There have alfo been 70 added to the Weft church in this town fince the work began ; and 13 to the Eaft church. As CO the principal means by which this work has been carried on, I niuft fay, that no one's little or great preaching can juftly lay any claim to the honours of" it. Several bieth- ren in the minilhy have v'flted us in the time, and all of them were blellld in their labours. A brother Jones, from lirt'land, vas ar inlhument for the awakeninu of feverai. 1 have been lillcd with wonder and aftonifhment, to fee how the Lord has been pleufed topreferve fome of almoft all the preaching tiat has been in this town fince I have been here. Even when I had mourned and thought I had la- bouied in vain, and that my ])reaching was as water fpiltupon a rock ; the Lord has now made known that he defigned it for the good of fouls. O my brother, let us never be dif* couraged ; we cannot always tell when our labours are blefT- ed. I cannot fay how many, but the Lord has made my poor weak efforts the means of awakening a confiderable number. But the greaieft part of the people have been awa- kened by attending the folemnity of baptifm, and by conver- fation one with another. — Indeed, the moft that I can fay is, It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. There has not in years pall been the moft cordial fellow- (litp between the three churches in this town ; but the Lord has now effeded a happy union between us. On the lafl Lord's-day in January, we all met at one communion table. That happy day my foul had defired for years. Nothing but experience could have made me believe it poflible, that I could have felt fo much folid delight, anticipated fo much trouble, and rejoiced with fo much trembling, at one an,d the fame time. That day I truft will never be forgotten by me. The north part of Bennington, which lies fouth of us, has fhared confidcrably in this grace, and have joined with the churches in this town, and fome few members from the town north of us ; but the greateft part that have been wrought upon are within this town, which is fix mile ftjuare. In about two months after the work began, the whole town feerj.cd to be afJ'c.'fted. Conference me'jtings were at- tended two or three times in a v. i.ck in almoit every neigh* bcurhood j and It was furprifing to me, that Tcarcely a llngle iflftaj ffionl bvou| meet timei peopl their| thei Sinnl imml sl ken tiki] bowl faliftl Ii edt^ year^ mail ers ,j ump agesi tizec V intl whc ' Go( i Cf however f o^ thf.ni not ^lurch in this church, rk has been It preaching veral bi eth- ane! all of ones, from r reveral, tnt, to fee f almoft all have been t I had Ja> f i]nh upon Je%ned it ^er be dif. s are ble/T- made my •nfiderable been awa- y CO nver- can fay eyes. feilow- the Lord the Jaft on table. Nothin^jT >^e, that fo much aad the by me. us, has iv'ith die ie town wrought whole vere at- ' ncigh» a ilnglc 3 C 9 3 inftancc appeared of any over-heated zeal, or flight of pal- flion ! Both fmners under convitl^lion, and thofe newly brought into the liberty of the gofpel, convcrfcd in their meetings with the greateft freedom ; they fpake one at a time a few words, in the moft folemn manner I ever heard people in my life. And in general they fpakc fo low, that their aflemblies mufl be perfec^dy ftill, or tht-y could, not hear them ; Yet a remarkable power attended their converGtion. Sinners would tremble as though they felt themfclves in the immediate prefcnce of the great Jehovah. Some of all ranks and charaders among us have been ta- ken ; from the mofl rcfpedable members of fociety, to th« ▼ikit in the place. Some of our moft noted Dcifts have bowed the knee to King Jefus. And a number of IJniver- faiids have forfaken their delulions, and embraced the truth. In the revival four years ago laft fummer, we then receiv- ed ten children into the church, aged from nine to thirteen years, with a number of other young people ; all of them re- main in good (landing with us, and are now able to help oth- ers J excepting one, who, I truft, is gone to the church tri- umphant. In this revival we have received fixteen whofe ages are from nine to fifteen years. From nine, 1 have bap- tized fome of almoft every age to upwards of feventy ! We have now upwards of one hundred unmarried perfons in this church. There are alfo a large number of youths who have joined the other churches in this town. O my God ! keep them in the love of the truth ! My very foul trembles when I think of them. There is not a fufficient number of young people now left in the town (who can unite) to carry on their merry meetings. Every company of them is broken up. I lately enjoyed the happinefs of having upwards of feventy youths and children, that were profefTors, to viiit and hold a conference at my houfe in one evening. You may guefs, but it would be difRcult to tell, with what a mix- ture of joy and trembling I was then filled. ^ The fevereft cold, fnow and ice we have had this tedious \vintcr, I have not heard once mentioned as any terror to the moft delicate ladies, young or old, we have in the place ; but they have cheerfully followed their Divine Redeemer into the liquid grave, without the lead: intimidation. As to myfelf, I think if ever I knew v.'hat it was to have extraordinary ftrength, it has bten within a fsw months palL i f' ^ • I 1 t, lf»t; H 'li C 10 ] T I know] EXTRACT 6. -/^ gcnt!£7}wn in Pembroke thus murltes to his friend in Bojlon. Pembroke, April 2, 1799. Dear Str, GOD has been p!cafed to begin a glorious work in the flrf! parifh in Murfhfield, and a few fcattering drops in towns adjoining, although but a few as yet. O may wc ail be enabled to wreiHe like Jacob and prevail like Tfrael. We need the prayers of^ all that have an intereii at tiie thi'one of grace, ilrat we may be kept from error and delu- fion. O may the time foon come, when the knowledge of God fliail cover the earth, as the waters do the feas. Asto theptekntllateofthe reformation among us, there are between 30 and 4c, in a judgment of charity, brought to the Nl My lung?, which I had thought were on the decay, now to be ieeraed to renew their youth. Preaching three and four times a week, befides attending other meetings almoft every day for months together, feemed very little if any to txhaufl: my (trength. I think, of all men in the world, I have the grtatell cimfe to be humble before God, for his abundant goodnefs be(lowed upon a moll: unworthy wretch. When I think of my own weakntfs and ijofufficiency, and the great number of young, inexperienced Chriftians com- Kiittcd tu my charge, my heart fhrinks within me ; and I am ready to wifh they liad a more able and pious watchman to go before then"». But all the hope I have is, that He who Icadeth Jofeph like a flock will gather the lambs in his arms, and gently lead his flock into the flowery fields of got pel truth, and bclide the Oill waters of eternal life. I fometimes anticipate fo much trouble, that it quite ab- foibs my fpirits, and drowns my joy. Then I think it bed to rejoice wliile I can, and let to-morrow take thought for itfelf. It is, however, a very interefling crifis with us ; if we are faithful, and make a right improvement of the great mercies bellowed upon us, we may c*. ntinue to be a happy people ; if not, a ferits of trouble and forrow await us. Dear broth- er, pray for us that we may be kept in the love of the truth ; that the God of love and peace may ever dwell with us. I mud not indulge my feelings, 1 Ihali intrude upon your patience. I. delirc Inl Defel pot a when the I ed, a to t!v had Avent admi inth powc the Ebei ingi [ own i ther ther to t ^ } \ win tori rot fift cot litt in( yo Ci th hi I •cay, now and four noil every o exhaiift \} have the v abundant | i. !ncy, and f ans com- and I am ! chman to ; that He I bs in his ■ s of goC' quite ab- ^ it befl )u^ht for C II ] knowledge of the truth ; and more than that number appear to be under feiious impreflions of mind. if we are mercies people ; ir broth- e truth ; I us. •on youp e thu$ in the drops lay wc Tfraei. it tije [ dehi. ge of re are to the I EXTRACT 7. The Rev. F^P^H^MTof Jlcer- JJIcy women, •f the Jaw. Tcores at a preiTing in gravations, gone, and W conkf, { ) the great of divine, i uaJ voca- mnation I i d comfort j the Holy I -'^d, and J |he Son of f wonderful 'f them to fill ; but ore come | perhaps > ^ rapid, l ■ that re- handful ? ide, and ; . And • on, and y drunk- ] ^ffenfive t annual ut from ^ot and >fluence ' irievoua tnefs to iived a z 13 ] more clofe attention to the word, but nothing fpeclal as yet. After I was confined to my houfc, the work began to ap- pear ; and though 1 could not go abroad, nor pi each at the meeting-houfe, there was feldom a day but more or lefs vif- ited me under their trouble, and I preached in my own houfe when I was not able to (land on my feet. At length we had the afTiftance of Mr. 2. Eaton, whom God remarkably owns. I believe there are about forty, men, women, and children, who have obtained a hope ; and great numbers are under prefling conviction. The work is now on the increafe. May the Lord continue and ftlll increafe it till they are all brought in. The mouth of deifm is at prefent flopped, and againil the children of Ifracl not fo much as a dog is fjffer- ed to move his tongue. O may the Lord go on from con- quering to conquer, till the whole earth fliall be filled V'th his glory. Thus, dear Sir, I have complied with your defire. If you think proper, you may caufe the foregoing Narrative to be printed in the newfpapers. Such accounts may be a mean of putting a carelefs people under confideration. EXTRACT 8. ^ Letter from a per/on in Deer-IJlej to a Society nvilh rvhich he is canneded in New* bury-Porty dated March 1 5, 1 799. Dear Friends and Brcthrertj WHILE I am partaking a rich repaft, I heartily de- fire my friends may have a fiiare of a feaft in* deed. It is in vain for me to attempt to defcribe the won- ders of the love and grace of God manifefted in a marvellous manner among us, and in the adjacent parts. It has pleafed God to vifit us by tlie out-pouring of his bleffed Spirit, fo that even oppofers acknowledge it to be the work of God, of whom fome of the greateit have been (I hope) favingly wrought upon. This bleffed and glorious work firfl began in a fmall neighbourhood that have lived in a carclefo and negligent manner as to the attendance on the means of grace : The head of the firft family that was wrouj^ht upon, is a man of about lixty years of age : I never fiw him at meeting but twice iince I lived on the ifland, biiore diis winter ; God ]3 i ! I :* I'* l!!* • til'!-' ill 11 M Cm] 1i%3 been pleafed to vlfit him and his wife, and t^cv both appeir to be humble Chri(lian5, with feveral others of that family. The work is daily incrcafing and fprcadinj; through the town ; there were 4 or 5 brought into the light under one fermon this week ; there have £9 pcrfons come forward and made a public profcflion of religion, and joined the Church already, and nearly as many more profefs to have a hope. This work has been more extend ve in Sedgwick : I am credibly informed it has viiited every houfe for 14 miles, and about one hundred fouls are hopefully converted. What fiiall we fay to theft things ? Let us adore the free grace of our bleiTed God and Saviour. I think there is great encouragement for all that love our Lord, and have an intereft at the throne of grace, to plead with God to fpread this glorious woik. I^et us all adore and praife his name for his wonderful works to the fons of men. I blefs God that he has given me to fee fuch glorious days of the Son of Man,*. It has been a Sabbath to mc all this winter ; I have enjoyed a continual fead, and find it good to wait on God. I had rather be a door-keeper in his houfc, than to (Jwell in the tents , of i-n. Q that it would pleafe God to cauf^ a glorious fiiower of divine grace to defcend upon you. My foul longs for your falvation, that every member of your little focitty may be a partaker of the heavt-nly grace ; may this be a mean of ftir- ring you up, and engaging your hearts in the things of God. Let not worldly cares turn vaur attention from this moft important concern : Npt only our prelent but everlalHng happinefs lies htie,o EXTRACT 0. J later ivritten by Mrs. A •?/5fV^/« i^^c D'ljlrkl of Maine, to the Rev. I JS — — •, cii middUboroiigh. Litchfield, April 6, 1799. Bear Sir, THERE lias been a wonderful out-pouring of God's Spirit in thefe pirts this winter ; efpccially among the youth. As many ns 25 have joined this charc'a this vvinter, who are not more thin 20 years old ; and one lad \vho was but nine. I believe there is not one houfe nilfrtd for leven or ei^ht wiilcs, bat what the i.ord iias taken fonie out of cv- V. r\) 01 feirj tiot whil cani woi notl lliOJ wei faii I ^ fc ^ t m: 111 ■:i.- 3iey both s of that [T throi!"h ,^ht under f: forward :)!ncd the :o have a : T am 4 miJes, •nverted. the free there is id have God to raife his I bicfs s o£ the winter ; wait on than to )wer of i)r your uy be a offHr. fGod. s moft dalHiiH Mrs. 99. God's ig the u' inter, o was ft'vsn ofcv- I [ '«; 5 «ry family. And one family, who but a few years ago wcri* H) open oppofition to this caufe, 7 out of 1 1 have now proi^ fcffed to know Jefus Chrifl and the power of his refurrec- tion ; one of whom was baptized laft Lord's ,day. And while we were by the water fide, the power of the Lord came down Uke the rulhing of a mighty wind* One young woman was fo ilruck with a f.nfe of her duty, that fhe could not itand " on her ftet. The ])eople feeing her faulter,. tlioup/iit Ihe was faint ; but fhe faid, No, no ; her- friends were in fuch oppofition to tiie Baptiif-:-;, diat {he had nevvho have drank of the fame fountain. February 9th, I was. enabled to follow my blefild Saviour into tlie water ; but I have Ijnce been brought to feel that I am nothing, and ta abhor myfelf.* EXTRACT 1 2. From the Rev. J D- In IVorja- Scotia y to his friend in Bojlon^ dated Halifax t May 25, 1799. Dear Brother, NO rWITHSTANDING many complaints as to the- (late of rcJigion in fome parts ; yet God is marvel- loufly vifiting fcvcrai towrfliit.s with the fluiwers of his grace* In Annnpolis County the follawing places have fhared large- ly, viz. Granville, Wilhnouth, Ni<5tan, and Aylcsford. In King's CoiiVi)', Horton and Cornwallis have been wonder- fully vifittd'. " Sinners have been converted to God, and Chriftians to their duty. Two Pedo-baptift Minifters have been baptized, and a great many young converts. The three iaft facramental occafions, I think there were baptized',, the I ft. thirteen — the 2d. twenty-feven — the 3d. twenty- eight. There are alfo fome favourable fymptoms among the Dutch people at Lunenbur^;h. Many of them- that had been vio^ lent oppofers of rehgion, having fpent all their arrows, fay they will fight no more. Some are under very ferious im- prefiions, and a few hopeflUly converted. EXTRACT 13. Containing a further account of the fjf.ie ivorkf in a Letter from the Rev. 7 //. C > to his friend Ik B'jhth dated Annapolis y July 15, 1 799^ Dear Sir, I AM confident you will be glad to hear of the advance- ment of Chrift's kingdom, though by an unfl didrefs, onderfui- years of her foul of God ; bkffed qnre of ting pie- \ healing ted thcif C 19 ] , ' Sexercifes the day following ; and notwithftanding it was 2 ' very fevere fnow-ftorm, twelve were baptized, a number of V whom were youths from ten to fifteen years of age. The ' faints in general were animated with the love of God, and ' were mighty in prayer for precious fouls, triumphing over the united powers of darknefs. Indeed it is almoft beyond my power to give a full defcription of this wonderful fcene. It is alfo to be remarked that our brethren of the Prefbyteriaa order and other denominations joined with us in promoting the caufe of our bleflcd Redeemer. About this time, meet- ings on week-days were attended to, for receiving candidates, and attending to hi , tifm ; and through the feverity of this tedious winter, I have not heard any one complain or (brink - at the crofs, on account of the coldnefs of the weather. This work has been glorioufly carried on in the fpirit of love. In the firft part of it, there was great outcrying, but it gradually fubfided into a free deliberate converfation on the dreadful fituation they were in by nature ; and their full determination to continue feeking till they (hould find him of whom Mofes and the prophets did write. I never faw lefs oppofition in any work of God I ever was acquainted with. The principal part of this work, was in this focicty ; but it has fpread into others in the neighbouring towns. More than a hundred we hope have received the grace of God ; and more than eighty have joined with the Church under my watch care. When I confider the great number of fouls committed to my charge and my own infufficiency, my heart (brinks within but all my hope is in the great Head of the Church. me My daily prayer is that he would grant me his grace as an under Shepherd, to difcharge my duty towards God and my dear Flock, during the few remains of life. The number of members under my care at prefent, is tliree hundred and thirty- lix. INFORMATION, though not very corredt, has alfo been received from a number of towns in Chcfhire County, in New-Hampihire, of a very ^leafing and extenfive reform- ation there. The following towns are faid to have (hared largely in it, viz. Unity. Marlow, Lemfter, Alftead, Ackworth, Corn- iih, and Pliiinfield, witU fynie gihers io tlat neighbouihood. f ' I II i I: I' ll' -.■llff I til' } I 'in I i: [ 20 1 Tlu' towns of" Strath.ir.i and New-market, in New-Hamp- fhire, are favoured at :his time witii like reviv.ils ; but for want, of accurate documents, a particular nccount cannot be given. It tl^ reptnt.uicc of one finner caufes joy in heaven among the anocls of God, what fhouts of immort:d j.raifc nniit liave eclioed throa;^li all the realms of bKfs, u])on the acce'lion of fuch numbers to the [ledeemei's kinoJom ! Lord, may thy kingdom come, and thy will be done, on earth uS in lieaven, for ChrifPs fake. Amen. J LiUcr to a GcKtLman in New-England, Di'AR Sir, I AM conceinv-d at the lengtli of time which has elapfed ilnce I wrote you la.l ; but the truth of the matter is, I have been waiting from dav to day, and from month to month, to obtain intelligence that might be worth the poi"^- a;:e, -A'i I have long expected the publication of the Miffionary Journal, which would have furnilln^d me w ith many intereft- ing anecdotes, it has not yet come out, and therefore I have only written you now as a Ibrt of promillory note, to ufTure you that you iliail foon have a long, and I am fure I may venture to fav, ve:;, acceptable letter, which I hope will cirulc the tiiankfgiving of many to abound. 1 fincerely i,l;ank}OLi, iar, for exerting yourfelf to obtain a miffionary piayer mecLin^ at Vafl'ai borough ; the news of it, as well a? your oth.r conimunications, has rejoiced feveral pious fuendf: 10 Vv'hon: I have mentioned it, and it will flurtly be aanoun*.cd 10 the public tLroa^h the medium of the iivangelica'. Mna.azine. I hope It v.iii not be long before I write to the minifters y('V jpcndonci.!, as 1 fliall 'LA it a peculiar privilege to corrcf- ppnd v,';t!i fi.ch men as ye ■ clc'cribc them to be. You can- ret imc'.ine wi'Ut plearare it afforded me to hear of their gy- ing intc the wildernvis ?o win ioi.;lj to Chrill. Pray give my love to t!it;-n, and tLi'i then i know no party diiHnetions ; every one v. ho i^vts Jeius, and ])ities poor flnners, Is riiy ifame Te ; leach ot egarde IfScotlar "piritua oor S any a You fat Edii 'Idoors ,|Metho t|good-n ;^and go itdoor-k |fomucl Inhere iengage Uto hole Ithe Ts r^of « t: are opi acquai always minifte occafic ; biblts :, Dif I and ot friend and n'v LioilK near, when everv \y..\ O Sir, the time is coniin;:, it ii I P'^inte tion a :ion \;J\ will be lulled dov/r I, and ai il ■o on S Vv'ald' ':riOL iCn W!fi KC i. :ve to eve. 1 <- itl n tins reipe ect, ti rm ^■ tCi ^X t..w 'y ua.>iei V\'e nov/ Ice hi.lf a do^en minii- dcnciViir.flticriS, cn^a^ir.;^ in th: (IS!! W'-Hamp [ 2r ] ind. »' 1799' s tfor u"i ' ^^'""^ A-Tvlce, with exprefllons of the mofl cordial affc(5Hon to ^j, • ' ' '' !|each other ; men who, a few years ago, throu;»h bigotry, tn I lo * ^^S^""^*^*^ ^''^^ othei as (lern foes. The llainc has reached iniii ha * *|Scotland alfo. Warm afre(5tion, lively zeal, and increafmg c'lion <: ^ffp'rituality have fucceeded the frigid orthodoxy for which " Ijjoor Scotland has of late. years been too famous. There are be don iP^^'^y adverfaries, but that miift be expected. '^ Your favourite, dear Rowland Hill, has been preaching :^at Edinburgh, Glafgow, &c. but you may ru;)pofe the Kirk Idoors were foon clofed agiinfthim ; fo he took the riglit IMcthodid way of ftrct t aiid lield preaching ; and in his odd, -fgood-natured way, he fays, " Scotland has good churches >'and good ji^fons, but the worft of all is, the devil is their Jdoor-kecpcr." His labours have been eminently blcfTed, in- elapfed ^fomuch that many thoufands in Kdinburgh defired a ])lace tter IS, I l^vhere fuch preaching might be continued to them. They month to Icngaged a fpacious theatre, called the CiicuSr which is faid the pol'^- fto hold above feven thoufand people ; have coniiituted it on iimonary iihe Tabernacle plan, and have given it the new good name r intereft- >of «* The Edinburgh Tabernacle ;'* and indeed Tabernacles re I have are opening throughout Scotland. It may be neceflary ta acquaint you what is meant by the " Tabernacle plan*' — It always fupj^ofes a regular minifter, and a \aj|i^€ty of vifiting minifters, with a hearty welcome to every npfinllter who may occafionally be upon the fpot. This plan affords variety, ex- to obtain .; biblts love, and dcftroys petty difHnditions and party fpirit. ; Diftradled Ireland has like wife had a call. In Dublia * and other place?, evangelical preachers meet with encourage- l ment. Mr. Hill has been there ; and Mr. Cooper, a zeal- ■^ ous young man who is uncommonly popular, is now going ; I may the Lord go with him, and make him a blefling to many. I You love anecdotes, I know ; fliall I give you another ? I When Rowland Hill was in Ireland lafl year, the Papifts ii had refolved to murder him the next time he (hould preach "^1 out of doors. He vas apprized of it, and his friends wifhed I him to decline prei;,ching. It was all to no purpofe ; come I life or death, he declared he would preach. At the ap- I pointed time, thoufands were afTembJed, vowing his deftruc* tion as foon as lie (liould begin. They waited — no preacher appeared — their patience: was almoft exhaufled. At laA a man in a large coaclmian's coat mixed with the crowd — iiw quired what they were waiting for — told them he was forry they fhould be difappoiated^ — would try if he could preach % to uiTure re I may ope will news of :1 fever al 11 m,)rtly 1 of the nuniflers ) correl- '^ou can- heir ay- o give my K'tions j , is ir.y ;> it is .ip.cl ail :, tilings 1 minii- in th: 1*1 II! 4 t Mni ll„.lllt t'lii'!! |- ■(!■' ; .It" r ^2 1 but ficrliit^is th^Y vciild kill him ? They apj)t,iudtd liim~« .'Hlu'. li Iniii ot pioUA't'ori — 'J)d he bc;ian. It w.«s iio-w. land Hill himlllf ! and it is believed manv were cunvjrtc, at that time. Mcihiuki 1 htur you fay to this, liullclujdhj Piiufc iht: Loid. Our iiilriojjs too are growinor like good BilTiop "Rurnct^ and iTj charging their civr^y to outlive, outpray, and oui^ p ..;:n U3. Vo this I add my hearty Amen. Th: ugii I can nivc you but nn imptMf.cH account of M'iflion- ary Concerns ai prrfcnt, it will gvaiify you to prcfint yoii^ vith an outline of tlicir procetdir.g?. You anxioufly warj for -.'U account .''"{heir voya;;e, and wifli to know how they;* wti>- i-cf ivcu .it Oi.ilii-ite. BcHeve ine, dear Jv<, all has ex« C( ; dcd our UiU.'r fm^uii.e txiifctations. I'hcir' voyage was one urSiokur, chiiin of nu.rcies I No Tckncfs — no death — tiv dilcoiK'.-nt. The rcmurkabie providences they witnefild Wt.ri; i\) Hxiny ■^.mi Co great, that I knt>w not what to record. V what to omit. Tiie elements were controlled for theirl f^ik.s ; they txpeiienced no (brms ! When under a vertif cat fun, they were icreened from its fcovching rays by inter* vening clouds, fuch as the failors declared they had never! bclore witnt. ffed. And when the ftiip returned home, her| fails and rig;.:inj were in the beft condition imaginable. Onef dan^'^er (and tbafJV fciious one) they encountered near one; fjf the South Sea Ifiands. The fhip f^ruck upon a coral reef,* which caufed fcriour, apprehenfions ; but ihe was got off with out any injury, as they then fuppoftd^^.though the bottom^ being examined after (he came home, it was difcovered to* be fo torn by the rock:-, tliat, had they met with a ftorm on: tlieir homeward paffa^^e, flic certainly muft have foundered. hi fea. You will eafily recollect that we thought their chief diffi- culty would he in acciuiiing a knowledge of the Otaheitan language ; but that Jehovah Jtfus who lent them foith had provided inctrpreters beforehand. There v/ere, on the differ-' cnt iflands where MilTions were to be eftabliflied, feveral Eu- ropean men, who had been fhip wrecked at different times-, and iome other-, who, \Uien fliips touched at the iflarjs, had left the vciklr, and concealed themfelves among the Lu- , tives : Ihefe men were highly ferviceable. Another difilcu'.ty we fuppofcd would arife from the want frulv 1' Dine k" he Nat hey ol them at hey let ong an hip arr vas fltu )f.it par he M:l of a dwelliin;,-pl.ice ; foi the females eipecially. Will it be Doner irpon tl cters, ,e hou ttentio ;hcm c )e(^s fl ' The ale cl iKing) ave it [Child. e is to .teach t the bef firft ler pie, att well d\ but coi Native fpeak I the in I human that b? *?are fet 4 own c I they \\ I of the f nearly many alnh.ib cnlkd enthuh«tfui if 1 £'.y, God had alfo built them a houfe i li l^-iyc id l;im~ w.'S Row cunv'jrtc lullclujdh ) "BurrK't and ouvj f Mifllon. ci :rit you. Dufly v/ait'^ how they ill has ex. :^yage was ) death— Vv'itnefild to record for their :r a verti- by inter, had never ome, her ^le. One near on? :oral reef,| t ofFwitJi. e bottom )vered to ftorm on Sundered! hicf diffi. 3taheitan 01 th had he differ- veral Ea- nt time;', I iflan.ds, 5 the L^- the want Vill it be a houfc i iiily It cnnnot — vIU not. C,lp^ lVi<^h vifitt-d thcf^; ifliinds )iu(. ffw years liiicc ; when he left them, To att^tchtd wire le Natives to liini, that they would not ])in with him till ;hey ohtained an intimation that he mipju ^ crhapr rovillt ;hcm at a future poriod. Kncourajii d to ex)^'-i5> him a;;ain, hey let aboMt building a hmifc for his rer;;ption, ico fe<;t ong and 40 vide. It 'as jult comjilctcd \\\y^n the Mi.iioa lip arrived, and had been named, I'lie r'in;^iiih f loiifr. Jt •[\<^ (ituaie«l in a dilh-i called Mativii, uiKi!iLiHoii;iblv the ■ \\ part of the I (land, and wiuch the Soeitty had enjoined le MifRonarics to obtain a formal i.rant of, if poflil^ile. No boner had they landed, and made tlieir intentions of fettlinjr rpon the Ifland known, through the medium of thefe in'-ir- reters, than his Oiaheitan Majt (ly made them a prcfent of be houfe, and the whole didri«it ; and fuch wis the care and ttenfion of the Natives to the Miilionaries, ihit they brought iem every day a fufHcicnt fuj)ply of provilions, and in all le- )e(5ls ftudied their inclinations and necefiiiics. Tiie vv-ife of one of the MilFionarics war. delivered of a fc- ale child juft before their arrival. When Pomanu (the King) faw the child, he was fo delighted with it, he v/(^uld ave it called, My Deedee Tahfite, which is, The Otahcitari Child. The High Pried, who is cordially their friend, fays lie is too old to learn himfelf, but is ^dad they arc come to ,teach the people better ; for that Prettines (Ikitain's) God is the belt in the world. My friend Mr. Cover preached the firft lermon. PomaWcand iiis chiefs, with many of the peo- ple, attended ; he took care to make his fubjeds behave well during lervice, and afterwards laid it ^a^ ^God—good — but could not learn all at once — might he come again ? The Natives alk when they will throw away Pretanes tongue, and fpeak like them. The Miiliouarics have been honoured as the inftruments of faving lever.d lives which were devoted as human facrifices, and have obtained a folemn promife that that barbarous pra^fllcc Ihail forever ceafe. Ten Miifionarics are fettled at Tongatoboo, and one at the Marq^uefas, by his I own confent ; indeed the Natives were fo fond of him that would 1 -y pan of the MiiTions previous to his return to England, I think, nearly 5 months afterwards. Schools were then formed, and many children had acquired a complete knowledge of tlie alph;ibet, and every thing wore the moll pkafing appearanct. I have now to tell you that other Millions are prepared. The s* .'4 ill C 24 ] Duff IS again on her way to the South Seas. Mlfs Wilks fsl married to a MiiTionary, and they are gone in her for Ota-I heite. The hberaHty of the Britifh Chriflians fuffers nol decay. I have fe<:n a letter from one of the MiHionariesJ dated, I believe, from Plymouth, and he fays, " if we ftayj here much longer, the Society had better fit out a fecondl fliip to carry our (lores. " Dr. Vanderkempt, a Dutch Phyfician of great erudition] and piety, came from Holland to offer himfelf as a Miflion- ary, though in the decline of life. He brought a young j Dutchman with him on the fame errand : they, with two! Englifhmen, form a Million to the Chaffree Country in Af- rica ; and are, if pofiible, to fketch to Madagafcar alfo,! Thefe went out in a Convict fliip from choice, hoping to be ferviccable to the poor wretches on their voyage, and took with them a great number of Bibles. Thefe Millions failed in company with a great number of other fhips under convoy. At firft they had tolerable weather, but met with a terrible | ftorm off thej Madeiras. The (hip in which Dr. Yander- kempt was, fuffered prodigioufly ; the night was dreadful! indeed ; all the ppmps were at work, and yet the water gaineu] upon them. At laft, the Captain came to the Miflionaries, j and told them it was in vain to diffemble — all hope was I over — and he every moment expedted the (liip would go I down. The MifEonaries were happy in God, and the young Dutchmar jame to Dr. Vanderkempt, and faid with great | pleafure, " well Sir, the (hip may go down, but our founda^ t'loii cannot fink." They went to prayer and committed one I another to God— it was then difcovered that one of the port- holes was open, and was the only caufe of the ihip*s filling : | as foon as it was flmt, they applied to the pumps with doable alacrity, and by morning-light were out of danger : and judge what mu(t have been their pleafure, to fee the little Duff clofe to them uninjured. This is the laft intelligence we have received from them. I have now given you all the intelligence my paper will allow. May grace, mercy and peace reft upon you, with every new covenant mercy — fo prays yours affectionately, E. J. J. fs Wilks hi LT for OtaJ fuffers nol [iflionariesJ if we ftayl t a fecondl erudition a Minion.| I a young] with two itry in Af. dear alfo. ping to be and took ions failed! ir convoy, a terrible I . Vander- '> dreadful tergaineuj iflionaries, hope was would goj the young /ith great I ir founcia- litted one I • the port- 's filling : I th doable! ger : and the little telligence \ you all th every • J- J-