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NARRATIVE
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REVIVAL OF RELIGION,
wrºte Bounds of THE PRESBYTERY of
ALBANY, IN THE YEAR 1820.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRESBYTERY.
SCHENECTADY:
PRINTED BY ISAAC RIGGS, 1821.
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3–? - ?? 3 2. (iii)
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Albany, held in
Schenectady, on the 8th June, 1820:
“Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. McAuley, the Rev.
Mark Tucker, and the Rev. Halsey A. Wood, be a
committee to receive statements from the members
of Presbytery, of the origin, progress, and present
state, &c. &c. of the great work of God’s grace with-
in their congregations, and to embody them in the
form of a narrative, together with whatever may ap-
pear to have helped the progress, or hastened the de-
cline of the revival.”
At a meeting of the Presbytery, in Amsterdam, held
on the 9th January, 1821 :
“Resolved, That the Rev. Elisha Yale and the
Rev. Walter Monteith, be a committee to prepare a
report of the state of religion within our bounds; and
that said committee be added to the committee ap-
pointed on the 8th June, 1820, for the purpose of
drawing up a narrative of the origin, &c. &c. of the
awakening; and that their report be incorporated with
the narrative of the aforesaid committee, and that the
whole be presented to the Presbytery at its adjourned
meeting to be held in Malta, on the 6th February
next.”
(iv )
At a meeting of the Presbytery, Malta, 6th Februa-
ry, 1821 :
“The joint committee appointed at the two last
stated meetings, to draw up a narrative of the great
work of God's grace, including a report of the pres-
ent state of religion within the bounds of the presby-
tery, presented the following narrative, which was ac-
cepted,
And on motion, the said narrative was re-commit-
ted to the joint committee aforesaid, with the addition
of the Rev. Dr. Nott, for revisal, and ordered to be
printed.
Attest,
WALTER MONTEITH,
Stated Clerk,

NARRATIVEo
To the Rev'd. Presbytery of Albany.
THE committee, appointed “to receive writ-
ten statements from the members of presbytery, de-
tailing the Origin and Eastent, Progress and Present
State of the great work of God's grace within your
bounds; together with the causes helping its progress
or hastening its decline, and to embody them in the
form of a regular narrative,” beg leave to report, that
they have attended to that duty, and that from such
written statements as were forwarded to them; and
also from the statements made by the ministers and el-
ders in presbytery, at Stillwater and Amsterdam;
and also from their own knowledge of God’s wonder-
ful workings, within the prescribed bounds, they have
drawn up the following narrative, with the accom-
panying observations, which they most respectfully
submit to the presbytery:
1st. THE or IGIN AND EXTENT.
As to the origin of this great work, your committee
feel constrained to speak with great diffidence; al-
most every congregation traces it to a cause, originat-
ing in and operative only upon itself. Sometimes it
seems to have commenced in two very distant places
2
( 6 )
at the same time; and again in two very contiguous
places, at very different times. At one place in a Sab-
bath school; at another, in a prayer meeting; in an-
other, at a conference or an evening lecture, and still
at another, in the secret exercise of prayer among
God’s children.
The sensible cause too, was not uniform; sometimes
it was recounting God’s wonders among other sinners;
sometimes urging God’s children to their duty, or
warning sinners of their danger. In one place, a sud-
den death ; in another place a plain unpolished ser-
mon. In one place, an unaccountable impression,
that God was about to pour out his spirit; exciting
christians to self-examination and prayer, and to dou-
ble diligence in the discharge of their duties; and
in another still, visiting from house to house, and
warning every man of his duty and danger, and
pressing every one to attend to the great concern of
salvation. But as to the great, invisible, all-pervad-
ing and operative cause, there is no diversity, Twas
GoD THE Holy SPIRIT, operating by the gospel. There
were indeed a very great diversity of operations, but
the same spirit wrought all things in all.
In August and September of 1819, there was some
attention to religion in and around the village of Sa-
ratoga Springs: subsequent to this, the township of
Malta was visited with the refreshing influences of
God's grace. About the same time there were very
encouraging symptoms of an awakening in Stillwater,
which had been preceded by a very powerful, although
a very short work in Pittstown-Hollow: throughout all
that region, every meeting was crowded, every mean
and every effort blessed. God's people were unusu-
ally animated in their prayers, and encouraged and
( 7 )
comforted in their approaches to God. For some
months, the special influences of God's spirit, seemed
to rest only upon the region just described ; nor were
they felt beyond, until in January and February of
1820, when the eye of faith and the heart of affection,
hailed their approach and felt their influence through-
out Amsterdam, West-Galway, East-Galway, Balls-
ton and Schenectady; not all at once indeed, nor in
regular succession, as to local situation, but in very
rapid succession as to time. Union College too, was
neither the last nor the least sharer in the influences
of God’s sovereign grace. In February, the first,
second and fourth wards of the city of Schenectady,
the town of Charlton and other places, were benignly
visited. In March and April, Milton, Greenbush and
Nassau, and in May the third ward of Schenectady,
were visited with overwhelming power.
In May it began to decline, every where almost; or
rather, it was found to have declined, excepting in the
third ward, where it had just commenced, and from
which it spread into Princetown in June, and where
it is still slowly operative, as it is in several other pla-
ces within the bounds of your presbytery.
Since that period the church has enjoyed much of
God's presence, and the light and consolations of his
holy spirit. The multitudes who have been gathered
into Christ's fold, are walking together in love, grow-
ing in grace, in knowledge and in humility; are pro-
gressing in holiness, free from contention, from er-
ror, from schism, and adorning the doctrines of God
their Saviour by a gospel faith and practice.
With this outline of the origin and eatent of this
great work before you, your committee have no doubt
( 8 )
of your feeling a deep interest in the progress of it,
which they are about to present to you in detail.
2d HEAD-PROGRESS AND PRESENT STATE.
SARATO G. A.
In July or August, 1819, the Rev. Mr. Nettleton,
visited Saratoga Springs, for the benefit of his health.
Shortly after that time he visited at a house in Malta,
where a few people were assembled together. And
if we might express our opinion we would say, this
little providential meeting was the blessed means of
commencing the great work of God in Malta. From
thence Mr. N. passed on to the Springs; but all was
dead or dying there ; the gospel had been long
preached there, but with very little apparent effect.
The circumstances of that place, so peculiarly unfa-
vourable to gospel holiness, are well known to the
presbytery; and those circumstances were never more
unfavourable or influential, than at that time. This
messenger of God had come to prove the healing in-
fluence of the Saratoga waters; but having had long
experience of the life-giving influence of the waters of
salvation, he could not rest day or night, until he had
endeavoured by all means to bring dying sinners to
prove their efficacy: and God was with him, and God's
anointed servant placed there, was with him in senti-
ment, in love and in labour. At first there were
some found mocking, and others saying, “what will
this babbler say now Q" but God honored his own
cause. An invisible agency was operative on many an
heart; pride and prejudice, hatred and hardness, ig-
morance and enmity, guilt and pollution yielded to its
influence. The views and feelings, hopes and fears
and affections of many were almost instantly changed.
And with the exception of a few high-toned blasphe-
( 9 )
mers, evidently left as a beacon on some hidden shoal,
to be seen and known of all men, to warn them back
from certain destruction; all the scoffers and sceptics,
infidels and unbelievers of the place were soon found
mingling in humble undistinguished company with
sinners of every other name, inquiring what they must
do to be saved In September and October the work
was progressive, every day was fully employed by
the people of God. The pastor of the village, and his
helping brother, publicly and privately, and from
house to house were engaged warning every man,
and persuading every man, in season and out of sea-
son, exhorting, rebuking and entreating; and the
Lord was found every where present! Many were
pricked in their hearts and forced to cry out, men and
brethren what shall we do! More than fifty were
brought to rejoice in the hope of eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. And although this number
may appear but small when compared with the num-
bers that flocked to Jesus elsewhere ; yet, let it be
remembered, that the numbers from which they were
gathered were very small. The permanent residents
in the village are few, and the surrounding country
is circumscribed and very thinly inhabited. There
have been fifty-five added to the church; eighteen
adults baptized. The awakening continued until
the commencement of the watering season in 1820,
when it seemed to cease all at once. Some doc-
trinal disputation in the north part of the settle-
ment had a very injurious effect. Sabbath schools are
flourishing and very beneficial; monthly concert well
attended; some few instances of recent conversion;
children are catechised weekly; and as a fruit of holi-
ness in the lives of those who have named the name
( 10 )
of Christ, we would mention a female charitable so-
ciety, which, amongst the acts of its benevolence, has
sent down twenty-three dollars in aid of the funds of
your presbytery for the education of poor, pious
youth for the gospel ministry One of their number
has departed this life triumphantly.
MALTA.
Your committee would next turn your attention to
Malta, literally a moral wild. With the exception
of a very small methodistchurch in one corner of the
town, and two or three of God's children in another
corner, there was neither piety nor prayer, no mean
of grace nor desire of salvation. There had indeed,
many years before, been a small church there, but it
was broken down and in ruins; not a single member
remained who had any claim to right or privilege in
it. The pride and prejudice and ambition of rule,
that broke it down, were still in existence indeed,
brooding over the ruins of their own producing, en-
deavoring sedulously to raise them as a bulwark be-
tween sinners and salvation, and rejoicing in their long
continued success. There had been several attempts
made to introduce the stated ministration of the gos-
pel, but without any encouraging effect. Such was
the state of things in the fall of the year 1819, when
Mr. Nettleton first preached among them. There
had been one or two hopeful conversions in August;
and in September and October, there were a few a-
wakened. About the beginning of October, Mr. Hun-
ter, a licentiate from the presbytery of New-York,
visited the place, and his preaching and other labours
of love were greatly blessed among them. Mr. Wa-
terbury and Mr. Olmsted, from the theological semi-
nary of Princeton and Mr. Armstrong of Moreau,
( 11 )
were all providentially led to the place, and continu-
ed for some time to labour in their several spheres of
action, with very encouraging success, so much so,
that on the 26th of October, there was a little church
collected and organized consisting of twenty-four
members, mostly recent converts to the faith of Christ.
Other ministers had preached occasionally in the
place; but from the time when the church was form-
ed, Mr. Nettleton preached for seven or eight months
almost constantly among them, and his labour of love
was highly rewarded by the great head of the church.
From the very commencement of his labours, the
work of the Lord's spirit became more powerful, and
rapidly progressive. It was but a little while until
weeping and anxious distress were found in almost
every house; the habitations of sin; the families of
discord; the haunts of intemperance; the strong holds
of error; the retreats of pharasaic pride; the entrench-
ments of self-righteousness, were all equally penetrat-
ed by the power of the Holy Ghost. Foundations of
sand sunk out of the reach of feeling and deceived
confidence! Refuges of lies fled from the eye, and
fancied security from the heart of the unregenerated.
In some cases sorrow was soon turned into joy, but
in other cases anxious distress continued long; it was
deep, heart-felt and awfully pungent; and brought
the distressed almost down to the gates of death.-
Under its influence, error lost all its alluring import-
ance ; and violated obligation, forfeited happiness, a
long rejected Saviour, and approaching wrath, death
and judgment, with the retributions of etermity, filled
every heart, occupied every thought, and agitated ev-
ery feeling. Often and anxiously was the inquiry
made, “What shall we do?” During several weeks,
( 12 )
the awakening spread over different parts of the town
until it became almost universal. Nor were the at-
tempts so often and so offensively made to draw the
attention to doctrinal disputation, very influential in
stopping its progress. Every house exhibited the so-
lemnity and silence of a continued Sabbath; so pro-
found was this stillness and solemnity, that a recent
death could have added nothing to it in many fami-
lies. Common conversation was rarely engaged in,
while every ear was open to hear the gospel, every
heart prepared to receive the tidings of salvation.
There were some melancholy exceptions indeed, but
we shall not name them. The breath of the Lord
rested on their unholy influence, and it was wilt-
ed and withered and gone for ever. The holy one
paralyzed their efforts against his anointed, and
scorned their opposition to the spread of Messiah's
kingdom. Within the year there were added to the
church more than one hundred, and there were per-
haps fifty others who cherished a hope of forgiven sin.
Some of those who joined the church have been se-
verely tried; but the trial of their faith has eventuat-
ed in the confirming of their hope and confidence in
God. All who have named the name of Christ, are
giving good reason to believe, that they have rested
on the sure foundation, and gained a dwelling in the
ark of safety. There is no tendency to error amongst
them, but a great and growing attention to the pure
and simple doctrines of the bible. There were fifty
adults baptized. *-
There were some special cases, clearly manifesting
the sovereignty of God's grace and the freeness of
his salvation.
( 13 )
STILL WATER,
Your committee would invite your attention, in the
next place, to Stillwater, where the Lord hath dis-
played the wonderful riches of his grace. Verily “the
Lord's ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our
thoughts.” If he smiles on the wilderness, it is in a
moment like the garden of God. The most obdurate
heart is “willing,” in the day of his power.
Late in the summer of 1819, the spirit of the Lord
was poured out upon Pittstown-Hollow. Many,
pricked in their hearts, were inquiring what they must
do to be saved And many were fleeing to the only
hope of the wretched, and finding in him everlast-
ing security, and receiving with him joy and peace.
We mention Pittstown in connection with Stillwa-
ter, because it was principally through the voluntary
labours of Love of the minister of Stillwater, that
God's gospel became the ministration of life unto so
many in that very destitute region, where a little
church was soon gathered and a good many added to
the disciples of Christ. The glad tidings of God's
grace to the sinners of Pittstown-Hollow, had a very
awakening influence on God’s people in Stillwater
where minister and people gave themselves to prayer,
publicly, privately and secretly. A concert for se-
cret prayer was held at sunrise on Sabbath mornings,
and very generally observed. They cried unto the
Lord, and he hearkened and heard them, and grant-
ed, in his own time, their whole desire. A deep so-
lemnity spread over the whole community; every
meeting was crowded ; some were deeply impressed
with a sense of sin, and fully convinced of their need
of an interest in Christ. Sinners from a distance
came to hear the gospel, and hung on the lips of the
3
( 14 )
preacher, as though they heard for their lives. And
again did they return to listen, with increased atten-
tion, to the glad tidings of great joy; peace on earth,
good will towards men
Such was the state of things down to the beginning
of October, when their pastor, having attended the an-
mual meeting of the Synod of Albany, which held its
session at Cherry-Valley, returned home, and with an
heart overflowing, recounted to his people the won-
ders of grace which God was doing in Cooperstown,
New-Hartford, Utica, &c. and noticing God's mercy
to their neighbours in Malta, warned and admonished
them of their danger and their duty. His exhorta-
tion was brought home by the holy spirit, in demon-
stration and power. It was sealed upon every heart,
it seized upon every conscience.
The bible class, and the Sunday schools, were
deeply affected. They felt the first influences of God’s
spirit. The great work commenced with them! ma-
my of them soon became reconciled unto God; meet-
ings became more frequent, full, crowded ! In the
course of a few days, the spirit was poured out on sev-
eral neighbourhoods, on families of every habit. The
benign influence spread over into Schaghticoke, where
at a single lecture, preached by the Pastor of Still-
water, between thirty and forty were awakened ' And
so did it flourish there, that in a little while almost
that whole number were rejoicing in hopel
In the north part of Stillwater, where the means of
grace were seldom enjoyed, the work of the Lord
commenced and became very powerful. Scarcely one
family has been passed over. In a large district,
though harrassed by sectarian contentions, where
praying families were very rarely found, there is now
( 15 )
scarcely one house where prayer is not wont to be
made; where sacrifice, and a pure offering, is not daily
offered up to God! Many whole families, young and
old, every soul, were hopefully converted to Christ.
But, in the village, God's power was most conspicuous.
Many of the inhabitants were of the most hopeless
kind. Boatmen, tipplers, tavern-haunters, gamblers,
gain-sayers, infidels and atheists, were mingled and
mixed with the unholy multitude. The ways of Zion
languished and mourned because few came to her
solemn feasts. There were many who lived in the
village who scarcely ever attended in the house of God,
or in any other visible way acknowledged his supre-
macy. They were literally stout-hearted and far from
righteousness, without God and without hope in the
world; and yet, (we cannot refrain from ascribing
glory to God in the highest,) this multitude, bad
and unblessed as it was, felt the power of the Holy
Ghost, and yielded to his influence, and received the
gospel of his grace gladly, and submitted themselves
to him whose right it is to reign, and in whom all the
families of the earth are blessed.
We dare not descend to particulars here. The
narrative would fill a volume. Our limits will not
suffer us do more than simply state, that whether the
Lord moved among the most pure in morals and man-
ners, or among the most polluted in heart and life; as
soon as the eye saw that it was God, the heart felt
its own pollutions and abhorred itself indust and ash-
es, and trembled at the Lord’s word. Fearfulness
seized upon the hypocrite; the careless, the scoffer
and sceptic alike were brought down to the lowestdust.
You might have heard them inquiring with all the
apprehensive anxiety of the jailer, “men and breth-
( 16 )
ren, what must we do to be saved?” and in all the
humility of the publican, praying, “God be merciful
to us” miserable “sinners.”
In the upper congregation, where there had been a
great work of grace in 1815, there were little appear-
ances of any awakening until late in the winter of
1820; but the Lord's mercies were not clean gone,
for he appeared there also in his great glory. And so
universally did his grace abound, that there remains
not one family, in all that congregation, where there
is not one or more witnessing souls. The awakening
was not confined to any one age, or sex, or elass of
character; it was general And to the glory of God's
grace be it spoken, the most profligate, generally,
were the most prompt in their submission to God.
The language of fact corresponds with the words
of Christ, publicans and harlots are first in entering
the kingdom of God. The converts were of all ages,
from seventy-five years down to twelve years; and in
the short space of six months, one hundred and ninety-
four were added to the church, of whom one hundred
and three were added in one day, and there have been
twenty-three added since, making the whole number
two hundred and seventeen. There were ninety-four
adults baptized. The whole number who cherish a
hope of forgiven sin, is considerably over three hun-
dred, within the township; some of whom have joined
other churches, and some have not gained strength
enough to confess Christ before men in any church.
The attention began to decline, as the spring open-
ed with all its engaging and perplexing cares. Three
weeks suspension of the means of grace, too, had a
very deadening influence. Those who have named the
name of Christ, are walking worthy of their high voca-
( 17 )
tion. There has appeared only one or two cases of
hopeless declension. At the present time appearan-
ces are becoming more favorable. The monthly
concert is well attended, and the church offers its
alms with its prayers. At every concert they make a
collection for the benefit of foreign missions. They
have a bible society, and have recently formed a female
cent society, consisting of nearly three hundred mem-
bers, who charge themselves with the entire education
of one poor, pious young man for the gospel ministry.
The bible class and Sabbath schools are well attended.”
There is no tendency among the young converts to
error, but a remarkable progress in bible knowledge
and practical piety.
MILTON.
In Milton there was some attention in the spring of
the past year; but the world gained the ascendency.
Their minister was obliged to leave them, a little while
previous to the appearance of the religious attention,
for want of subsistence. How far this operated unfa-
vourably, the Lord knoweth. Your committee would
only notice, that Milton, although almost surrounded
by the awakening, from its origin until its end, scarce-
ly counts twenty converts; and it is believed few of
these were awakened there.
At present all is cold and lifeless there.
IBALLSTON.
Of Ballston, your committee need say but little, as
there has been a report published, which has put you
in possession of all the important facts relating to the
origin, progress and present state of the awakening
in that place. Nor would they deem it expedient to
make any report at all, were it not for the sake of
connection.
( 18)
The work of grace does not appear to have com-
menced in Ballston, until after it had begun to decline
in Saratoga, and had nearly gained its height in Mal-
ta and Stillwater. At that time the people were very
generally cold and carless, and were not free from seri-
ous apprehensions that they would be unable to retain
their minister. But the Lord had mercy in store for
them. The good news from Malta, Saratoga and Still-
water, seemed to arouse some among them. Minister
and Session, in free conversation, candidly confessed to
each other their consciousness of many defects in the
discharge of their several duties. They confessed and
mourned over these in the presence of God, and en-
tered into new engagements to be more faithful in
future. They districted the congregation, and resol-
ved to visit every house. They called together the
church members, and conversed freely with them on
the state of their hearts. They agreed to avoid all
doctrinal disputation and to attend to their own hearts,
and so to let their light shine, that others seeing it,
might be led to glorify their heavenly father. This was
about the beginning of January, 1820. Just about this
time or a little previous to this, several of the session
and others, attended the communion in Malta, and
various other meetings in succession. Their hearts
were greatly refreshed. They caught the holy flame
of divine love, and returned home making the solemn
inquiry, What do we here all the day idle? They
commenced the work of domestic visits and personal
conversation; and to their utter surprize, found the
spirit of the Lord working every where before them.
They urged sinners to pray, and sinners complied
And while they were yet praying, the Lord heard
them, and many an heart of hardness was broken
( 19 )
and melted and removed! The heart of rebellious
stoutness submitted | The heart of unbelief yield-
ed and while repentance melted down the most ob-
stinate, they were led by the right hand of God's right-
eousness, to trust in the mercy of God and rest for ac-
ceptance and salvation on the righteousness of Jesus
Christ. Some entire house-holds were converted to
God. Five children out of one family were born
again. Convictions were deep, powerful and pun-
gent, generally of short continuance when compared
with those in other places. In eight months one hun-
dred and sixty were added to the church; perhaps
forty others cherished a hope in Christ. Sectarian
folly, was evidently injurious to the awakening. We
“know that offences must come,” “but wo to” every
one “by whom they come.” Those who have been
admitted to the fellowship of the church, are dwelling
together in unity, cherishing a spirit of gospel peace.
There has only one case of hopeless backsliding oc-
curred. No tendency to error visible amongst them.
Sabbath schools are greatly blessed; monthly concerts
well attended; bible class making a very encourag-
ing progress ; the young converts evidently learn fas-
ter than before they became pious. There were sev-
enty-six adults baptized.
Of the happy results of this awakening, we have
to notice, that a female member of this church was
led, in the dispensations of Divine Providence, to take
charge of a female academy in South-Carolina. The
young ladies under her care were of all ages, from
eight to eighteen. On the Sabbath day she confined
their attention to the Bible and Baarter's Saints Rest,
and has had the unspeakable satisfaction of seeing
( 20 )
twelve of her pupils brought to rejoice in Jesus, as
their only Redeemer, and that too in one single
week.
CHARLTON.
Your committee would further report, that there
appears to have been a very general attention to re-
ligion in Charlton; especially among the young.—
The work seems to have been a slow, progressive
opening of the heart, to receive divine truth ; and a
powerful influencing of conscience to obey the truth.
And although the work was not so rapid in its pro-
gress, nor powerful in its operations, at any time, as
to entitle it to the name of an awakening; yet it was
sufficiently so, to denominate it a time of refreshing
from the presence of the Lord. It was encumbered
with many embarrassments; but the Lord did not
suddenly take away his holy spirit. Conference and
prayer-meetings were instituted and continued, gener-
ally well attended and greatly blessed. Anxious meet-
ings too, were productive of very extensive blessings.
There were eighty-four members added to the church
during the past year; and God has granted a pastor to
that people, and every thing is now very encouraging
among them. No schism, no error, no cases of back-
sliding. The hopes of God's people are greatly ele-
vated. The Lord's name be for ever praised. There
were eighteen adults baptized during the year.
EAST-GALWAY.
Your committee would next present East-Galway
to the notice of presbytery; a place this, highly favor-
ed of the Lord! Visited once and again, with an out-
pouring of his spirit. Your committee feel them-
selves again met, and relieved from the labor of a
lengthy report, by a very excellent statement, publish-
( 21 )
ed some time ago, by a member of the session of that
church. But still, for the sake of connection, they will
take a cursory view of the awakening there. The
church had been destitute of a pastor for three years;
its members were greatly diminished in number, cold,
stupid and discouraged. They were in this state in
the fall of 1819, when Mr. Chester, a licentiate under
your care, commenced his labours among them. His
labours were greatly blessed, in establishing Sabbath
schools and reviving the attention of professing chris-
tians. But his health failing, he was obliged to in-
termit his labours, until the beginning of May, after
which he became their stated pastor. The session
districted the congregation and visited every member.
On the first Sabbath in March, 1820, the Rev. Dr.
Nott administered the communion of the Lord's sup-
per. About a week previous to which, there appear-
ed an unusual attention to bible reading, in a school,
near the centre of the town, particularly among the
female scholars. On the Friday of that week, seve-
ral of the scholars were borne down with a sense of
their sin. The school was visited ; and on one side
where the females sat, many were weeping for their
sin, while on the other side, some were disposed to
mock; but in a little while they also gave up their
opposition, and were melted down. This was not
noised abroad, lest opposers should say, that the chil-
dren were frightened! On the Sabbath, seven came
forward and confessed their faith in Christ Jesus be-
fore the world; and on that day many were deeply
convicted of sin. On Monday the attention in the
school was increased, and the monthly concert in the
evening was crowded. At the regular conference on
4
( 22 )
Tuesday evening, from twenty to thirty were so dis-
tressed, that they could not leave their seats. Some
stout-hearted young men were found wringing their
hands, in the greatest agony, and asking what they
should do to be saved? The next day more than forty
were found to be under deep and powerful convic-
tions! Conference rooms soon became too small. The
church was soon crowded to overflowing. And al-
though the number was so great, there was an awful
silence, a stillness in which the breath of a child might
have been heard. The mouths of gainsayers were
soon stopped; and even infidels were constrained to
acknowledge the power of God. There was no set-
tled minister there, nor even a transient one; and with
the exception of seven or eight Sabbaths, in which
the Rev. Dr. Nott preached, there was no means us-
ed, excepting the little that the session and some stu-
dents from the college at Schenectady, were able to
do, in visiting and in meeting with the anxious. The
preaching alluded to, was greatly blessed; it was ac-
companied with the demonstration of the holy spirit
and with power. And the church in that place will
long remember, this labour of love, this ministration
of grace; so seasonable, so salutary, so saving! Ma-
ny whole families were converted to God. From
some families seven, from others six, and from others
five, were brought to rejoice in hope of forgiven sin.
In all the wonderful work of God's spirit, through this
community, we have witnessed nothing equal to His
work in this place; either in the pungency of convic-
tions, or shortness of their duration. In a few weeks,
more than two hundred and fifty of every age, from
eighty-two down to ten years, were rejoicing in hope;
of whom one hundred and sixty were added to the
( 23 )
church. Several others to the highly respectable
Baptist churches in the town, and some to the Metho-
dist church; but your committee are not able to state
the precise number. It was altogether the Lord's do-
ings, and marvellous in our eyes!
There are none who seem to have apostatized.—
They are all, holding on their way, very lively in their
affections, animated in their hopes, consistent in their
christian walk, growing in gospel grace, stedfast in
doctrine, and abounding in deeds of charity. They
charge themselves with the entire expense of the edu-
cation of one young man, and half the expense of the
education of another for the gospel ministry.
There are two bible classes, well attended; and
several Sabbath schools, in a very flourishing condi-
tion. Catechetical exercises are well attended and
greatly blessed. The elders visit frequently from
house to house, and talk freely with every professor,
on the subject of personal religion and growth in
grace.
There have been fifty-seven adults baptized.
WEST-G ALWAY.
Your committee have not been put in possesion of
the history of the awakening in West-Galway. Mr.
Farrer, the minister of that congregation, was in ill-
health, during the latter part of that glorious display
of God's power to save. He now sleeps in Jesus!
All that your committee can state, with confidence,
is, that the awakening commenced and progressed in
a manner very similar to that in East-Galway; or ra-
ther, was identified with it. There were ninety-five
added to the church. Several others are cherishing a
hope of eternal life. Sabbath schools and monthly .
concerts are well attended. Only one instance of
( 24 )
backsliding. No doctrinal difficulties. They have
received the gospel of God, without any doubtful dis-
putations.
There were twenty-eight adults baptized.
EDINBURGH.
There has been no special attention at Edinburgh,
during the last year, and there were only two added
to the church.
PALATINE.
In this newly formed church, there has been no re-
vival, but there are two Sabbath schools. The moth-
ly concert is observed. The church is very small
and weak.
JOHNSTOWN.
From Johnstown, that old and very respectable cor-
ner of God's vineyard, your committee have no heart
cheering intelligence to communicate. A little dew
from heaven above, seems to descend upon it. Just
enough to keep it from total sterility' But the early
and latter rains are withheld; no refreshing shower,
causes it to bud and blossom and bring forth fruit.
There have been only twelve added during the past
year, to the communion of the church. There is much
of the exterior of godliness among the people; and
we trust a good deal of its power among old profes-
sors; but very few are enquiring the way to Zion.
The means of grace are well attended. Love and
harmony prevail in the church. There are bible clas-
ses in seven different districts, attended weekly, with
evident good effect. Ministerial visitations, cateche-
tical exercises, monthly concerts, are all punctually
and well attended. Surely they are a people prepar-
ed for the Lord. O! for a time of refreshing from
his presence among them'
( 25 )
AMISTERIDAMI.
The church in Amsterdam dates the commence-
ment of its revival, from the first of March, 1820; but
there were very interesting symptoms of it, previous
to that date. Christians had been awakened; had
trimmed their lamps; a spirit of prayer had been
poured out upon them; vice of every kind had be-
come more bold and openly daring; profligates more
than usually hardened in sin, and working iniquity
with uncommon greediness, putting heaven's pow-
er and God’s abounding grace to the proof! And in
addition to all this, a few had been brought to Jesus,
by means which seemed very inadequate. These
were sure indications, that God was, in very deed, in
that place.
But from the first of March, the work assumed a
very decided character. Several neighbourhoods, in
the township, were awakened at once. Cries for help,
came from every quarter; and minister and session,
soon found themselves in the very midst of God's
wonderful workings! Their meetings, of every name,
were full, were crowded. The whole of every day in the
week, and as much of the Sabbath as remained after
the public services in God's house were over, was em-
ployed, in visiting from house to house. The evenings
were spent in conference, or prayer or anxious meet-
ings. And although many who attended these meet-
ings, were often heard, when at home, in their fami-
lies, in their fields and in their secret retirements, to
groan out in agony, or to cry out aloud in the anguish
of heart! when pierced with the sword, or broken
down under the influences of the spirit; yet, in these
meetings, there was no noise, no confusion, no disor-
der! Sometimes, indeed, the prayer for mercy was
( 26 )
forced from the broken heart in a heavy whisper; or in
a stifled, agonizing groan. Sometimes too, the dread-
ful struggle within was rendered visible, in the palsi-
ed frame, or writhing hands, or other symptoms of spi-
ritual distress, deeply affecting all around; but moth-
ing like rant, or confusion, or enthusiasm' Instead of
this, an awe a stillness! an oppressive silence, which
cannot be described, pervaded the whole, and often
rendered it difficult to breathe. It was the sinking of
the wounded heart! the fainting which precedes the
last agony of life. The hearts of rebellion had re-
ceived their mortal wounds, and were yielding be-
neath the power of God! Many who visited these
meetings from motives of curiosity, totally careless
beholding the mighty power of God, were terrified at
their own hard and impenitent hearts; convicted of
sin; awakened to a sense of the misery of their state,
the madness and folly of their present course, and for-
ced to inquire also, what they must do to be saved.
On one evening, set apart for lecture, and personal
conversation, fifteen were powerfully awakened.
There was no difficulty in assembling the people,
but often, very great difficulty in separating and get-
ting them to return home. Sometimes, sleigh loads
of convinced sinners, after leaving the meeting, and
riding half a mile, or a mile, homewards, would turn
back again to the place of prayer, to hear still more
about the salvation of Jesus! And they often did this
too, through lanes and ways and snows, that would
have been deemed by persons in any other state of
mind, to have been impassible. The awakening in
Amsterdam had one very prominent feature, some-
what peculiar to itself, and which we deem wor-
thy of notice: sinners were generally, very suddenly
( 27 )
and alarmingly aroused ; their convictions suddenly
raised to the highest; extremely painful in their ope-
rations, and yet protracted beyond anything witness-
ed in other places. Your committee would not dare
to decide, whether this was owing to the constitution-
al habits of the subjects of the work, or whether it was
exclusively owing to the sovereign working of the
great God, who works as he pleases, and baffles the
feebleness of human reason.
The truths which bore most heavily on the minds
of sinners, in this awakening, were the awful deprav-
ity of the heart, so manifest in its unreasonable and
continued rebellion against God. Their own person-
al guilt, and pollution; their evident danger of eter-
mal death. Every one thought his own heart the
worst, and his own case peculiarly aggravated.
Generally the first dawning of comfort, in the soul,
has been through the application of precious bible
truth, while reading the bible, or hearing it explain-
ed, or while in the act of secret prayer. The reality
of the change, which so many profess to have expe-
rienced, becomes every day more visible, by the love
and unity, and growing holiness, and increasing light,
and gospel knowledge of those who have named the
name of Christ.
Thus far, there have been no instances of back-
sliding, or apostacy. Every one who has turned to-
ward Zion, is still progressing. In this, your com-
mittee recognize a clear evidence that the work is the
Lord’s! wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost! In
this there is a proof of the out-pouring of God's spi-
rit, which neither the enemies of God, or of revivals,
can refute. Persons of every shade of colour, and
(28 )
character, have become subjects of this great work,
and are made one in Christ Jesus.
One hundred and sixty-three have professed the
name of Christ, and been added to the church; for-
ty-two of whom were baptized. A few have been
connected with other churches, and there are, perhaps
nearly fifty, who cherish a hope that they are new
creatures; yet, have not ventured to make a public
profession, but are still praying, and looking, and
waiting, for more satisfactory evidence of the certain-
ty of their change.
The general excitement has subsided ; but still
there are frequent cases of conviction occuring. God
is yet in that place; they feel his influenceſ they ac-
knowledge his power | They look and pray for ano-
ther glorious display of his powerful working. Meet-
ings are well attended; monthly concerts, and bible
classes, signally useful. Liberality increasing; their
faith is productive of gospel good works.
PRINCETOWN & DUANESBURGH.
The Lord has visited, in his mercy, this neighbour-
hood, and poured out of his spirit upon it. Many are
deeply convicted of sin; some are rejoicing in hope.
About thirty have been added to the church. Gain-
sayers are closing their lips of folly, and sitting down
in silence. God’s dear people are encouraged to say:
“This is our God! we have waited for him, and he
will save us! This is the Lord, we have waited for
him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation; for
in this mountain, shall the hand of the Lord rest.”
INEW-SC, OTLANTD.
Your committee have nothing to report from New-
Scotland; but much to mourn over, because there is
so little of the spirit or power of religion there.
( 29 )
ESPERANCE, BOWMAN’s CREEK, BERN,
HAMILTON-UNION & WESTERLO.
In these five churches there is little to claim your
notice, except coldness and deadness. In Bowman's
creek, there is a little excitement, and some favoura-
ble symptoms in Westerlo; but no general attention.
O that the Lord would no longer leave these parts of
his vineyard, to receive his grace in vain! There have
been a few added to some of these churches during the
year, and to others of them, none at all!
CARLISLE.
In the church of Carlisle, every thing seems well.
The pastor of that little flock returned, last September,
from the meeting of the Synod at Brownville. His
heart animated and enlarged; and fully resolved to
give himself wholly to the labour of the Lord's vine-
yard; and the Lord has blessed his labours already.
Very recently he has beheld ten in one family connex-
ion awakened; and two of them cherishing an hope of
forgiven sin. The attention is becoming more gene-
ral; prayer meetings more numerous; bible classes
well attended; Sabbath schools very useful. He has
admitted seventeen to the church, during the past
year.
1st. & 20. CHURCH-ALBANY.
In this ancient corner of the Lord's vineyard, there
have been much care and culture. It has been prun-
ed, and hedged, and watched, and watered with much
praiseworthy pains; but alas it brings forth very little
fruit; “a cluster or two on the tops of the youngest
boughs.” There have been thirty-seven added to the
first church, and twenty-eight to the second church,
during the last year.
3.
( 30 )
There is no part of the church committed to your
care, that needs so much your prayers, or should so
much excite your sympathies, as the two churches in
Albany! Let it be a distinct and never to be forgot-
ten article in every prayer, that the Lord would re-
turn and visit that place, and make it a praise in the
earth !
SCHENECTADY & UNION COLLEGE.
Your committee would invite your attention, in the
last place, to the city of Schenectady, and Union
College, situated there. In the third week of Janua-
ry, 1820, there was a very sudden death in the Col-
lege. A member of the Senior class, in the full vigor
of life, was suddenly removed. The alarm was very
great; the call was loud, and sensibly heard and felt.
There were prayer-meetings held around the bier,
which was placed in an officer's room. There, for
two days, did the students resort, from feelings of sor-
rowing sympathy; and there, was the question often
proposed, “Suppose this call of God had been direct-
ed to you, were you ready to obey it?” The negative
answer, was often carried back to the heart, by
the holy spirit, and rendered productive of genu-
ine convictions. Many, indeed, thought it was all
fright! and would soon pass over. But the Lord's
ways are not the ways of man, ho, not of the most
sanctified of men! A nine days wonder 1 was the com-
mon name given to the students’ anxious distress.
But nine days only augmented their misery, multi-
plied their convictions, and deepened their distress.
The fright ! if such it must be called, became more
general. There was indeed a fright, a fear of death !
But, be it remembered, it was fear of death eternal'
There was a strong desire of life, but it was life eter-
( 31 )
mall There were many on the Lord's side, who believ-
ing that the spirit of the Lord was among us in his
mighty operations, held prayer-meetings, and meet-
ings for conference and personal address. Anxious
meetings too, were often held. The sinners' danger
and the sinners’ duty, were often and closely pressed;
and some, at last, began to rejoice, not that they had
escaped an early grave, no! but that they had ob-
tained an interest in him, who is the resurrection and
the life; that they had received the Lord’s Christ,
and became the sons of God, through faith in his
name. So powerful and rapid was this great work of
God’s grace, that in the third week of February, ele-
ven, and in the first week of April between thirty and
forty were rejoicing in hope of forgiven sin! During
the time of the awakening, it was discovered, that a
few of those, under exercises of mind, had been so for
a long time, but had concealed it, in their own hearts,
until it became a common subject. Of all these, there
is but one who seems to have been a self-deceiver,
and to have deceived others. The rest are giving
good reason to believe, that their change was a real
change. Seventeen joined themselves to the presby-
terian church, six or seven to the Dutch church, and
six or seven to the episcopal church ; and there are a
few who have not yet joined themselves to any church.
Several, who have been admitted to the first degree in
the arts, have devoted themselves to the gospel minis-
try. The effect on college was visible and salutary.
There seldom was a session of so much order, tranquil-
ity and industry. The subjects of the work, gener-
ally, acted on the principle, that they could not be
fervent in spirit unless they were diligent in their bu-
SIIleSS.
( 32 )
From the college, the awakening spread down into
the city. And in February became very interesting.
Its first appearances were among the few praying peo-
ple, the females especially, who met weekly to pray.
Their hearts were drawn out to God, most entirely
and ardently. A few evening lectures, at private
houses, were blessed greatly. Many date their con-
victions from those meetings. The numbers began
rapidly to increase. A private house would not hold
the people. The academy room sufficed only for a
few weeks; and, before it was yet believed that the
spirit of the Lord was moving on the hearts of sinners,
the presbyterian church was scarcely large enough to
accommodate the Wednesday evening lecture. The
church was destitute of a stated pastor, and help was
obtained as it was found most practicable. The Lord
was their great help! Lectures were very much crow-
ded; conference meetings, and meetings for prayer,
and meetings for anxious sinners, were full, and sol-
emn, and greatly blessed. Young and old, moral and
profane, felt the benign influence. It was not con-
fined to any one denomination ; and be it remember-
ed, to the glory of God's grace, that a great unity of
feeling and action, pervaded the whole. There were
scarcely any sectarian feelings, or divided views man-
ifested, until the close of the whole work. It was a
very silent, solemn, heart-felt operation ; slow in pro-
gress, but blessed in result. Nearly three hundred,
we trust, were hopefully converted to God. Of these,
one hundred and forty-six were added to the presbyte-
rian church, about eleven or twelve to the episcopalian,
about one hundred and fifteen to the Dutch, and a
considerable number to the methodist church, who are
generally holding on their way rejoicing. There has
( 33 )
not one case of hopeless declension occurred in the
presbyterian church. Three of the young converts
have died one very tranquil, and two very trium-
phant. The awakening had to encounter great op-
position, obstinacy and prejudice, slander and igno-
rance, suspicions and formality 1 Yet, still, the Lord's
work prospered; and many were added every week
to those who rejoiced in God, and had hope in Christ.
There were twenty-nine adults baptized.
From Schenectady, as a centre, the work spread
into the adjoining country. In a little region, about
three miles west of the compact part of the city, the
awakening broke out in May; and out of a population
not exceeding one hundred and fifty, there were thir-
ty-two hopefully converted to God in four weeks; but
a little proselyting feeling killed the whole in a few
days. The cotton factory too, about one mile south
of the city, was blessed with a divine influence; twelve
or fifteen were brought to rejoice in God there. In
Watervliet too, from twenty to thirty rejoice in hope,
and many others were deeply impressed; but a vital
opposition to the work of grace there, was permitted
to quench the spirit, and the work ceased in a single
week. There are many, who, putting profession for
piety, and sanctification for regeneration; the word
and ordinances, for the power of God's holy spirit;
virtually deny the doctrine of the new birth, and op-
pose, with all the obstinacy of ignorance, the gracious
operations of the Holy Ghost; not knowing what they
do.
In the city there are some who are still seeking the
way to Zion, sorrowing ; and some who cherish a
recent hope. A few recent convictions, but no gene-
ral excitement.
( 34 )
Your committee would observe, as one of the good
effects of this awakening, that the news of God's won-
derful workings in Schenectady, was made a very
powerful mean in promoting the awakening in Green-
bush; where, they understand that about one hun-
dred have been brought savingly to Christ. There
have also, under the ministry of Mr. Nettleton, been
a great work in Nassau, where about one hundred
have been hopefully brought to repentance in a few
weeks.
Such has been the progress, and such is the present
state of the awakening within your bounds, and such
is the state of all the churches under your care; so
far as your committee have been able to ascertain,
from the sources to which they have had access.
There are twenty-four churches under your eare;
and the spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon
twelve of these, and upon the College. The additions
to the churchs, during the year 1820, as reported to
presbytery, amount to nearly one thousand four hun-
dred 1 Of these there have been three hundred and
twenty-four adults baptized! Surely “the Lord hath
done great things for us, whereof we are glad.”
3d HEAD–THE CAUSES HELPING THE PROGRESS
OF THE AWAKENING,
Your committee feel disposed to detain you only a
very little while, on this part of their report. But
still, any tolerable degree of fidelity, will necessarily
lead them into considerable detail. The first of the
helping causes they would present to your notice, was
family visitation. By this they mean, visiting a fami-
ly for the express purpose of religious inquiry; in or-
der to ascertain the religious state of the heads of the
family, and the religious attainments of every member;
( 35 )
the amount of their bible knowledge, and the manner
in which they perform their religious duties: whether
or not they are seeking God, and by all means press-
ing them to the right performance of their acknowl-
edged duties. Another mode of visiting, which was
found very advantageous among the different sections
of a family, or of several contiguous families, was, at an
appointed hour, to have a company of as many as could
conveniently be gotten together, of one sex, absent from
the observation of others, from the noise of their fam-
ilies, and the perplexities of the world: not admitting
professors of religion; entering into no worldly conver-
sation; no perplexing inquiries ; no doctrinal disputes,
but only into the great concern of salvation, in a man-
ner adapted to the capacities and attainments of those
present. And when every heart became solemn, and
every attention fixed, then falling prostrate before
God, the hearer of prayer, and praying to the point;
nor afterwards entering into any worldly chat, but
going thence, thinking and praying. These visits
were sometimes made to male heads of families; some-
times to the female heads; sometimes to young men,
or young women ; sometimes to people of colour,
which gave an unembarrassed opportunity of suiting
an address to the persons present. This mode had
many great advantages, and was found eminently
useful.
The second cause, was, personal application to ev-
ery one ; pressing the sinner's conscience and encou-
raging his speedy return, to him from whom he had
revolted. And repeatedly pressing this subject, by
all the motives of time and eternity.
The third cause was, religious intelligence. Tell-
ing them what God was doing for sinners in other
(a6) ( ' '')
places. Telling them what he had done for our own
souls, having had compassion on us.
The fourth cause was, frequent meetings for confer-
ence, or lecture, or prayer. And through all this
awakening, so far as we know any thing of the mat-
ter, either from our own experience and observation,
or from the account given by the subjects of the awa-
kening, there have been a great many awakened at
these extra meetings.
The fifth cause was, anarious meetings. These were
meetings which sprung up out of the circumstances of
the case. It was found, in many places, impossible
to visit for confidential conversation, so many and
so often as circumstances required. Nor was it pos-
sible to devote as much time, to serious inquirers, who
might call on their minister, as they should wish, or
really needed. And besides all this, it became so
uncertain when ministers could be found at home,
they were so often sent for to visit distressed persons,
that it was on the whole thought best, to appoint a
special hour, in some retired place, where no eye but
God’s could see them, and no ear but his could hear;
and devote that time to prayer, suited to the occasion
and the cases of those present; and to hold conversa-
tion with each individual on the state of their hearts.
This was generally done in a low whisper, with each
individual, while the others were left to their silent
and solemn reflections. After holding conversation
with the whole, individually; the meeting was closed
by addressing some suitable exhortation to the whole;
and again joining in prayer. Sometimes these meet-
ings have been called conversation meetings; some-
times meetings of anxious inquiry; but generally the
name of anarious meeting has prevailed, because the
( 37 )
sole object and design was, to direct the anxious in-
quirer in the way to Zion; to resolve the doubts, to
strengthen the resolutions, to remove the ignorance
or the error, to point out the dangers and difficulties of
the anxious soul. And above all, the helping causes
of the awakening, your committee would place these
meetings, when rightly conducted, in the first place;
nor is there any means used, against which the grand
adversary strives, with such unwearied effort. Strong
proof this, that he fears their influence. Your com-
mittee have known many, who went to these meetings,
merely from a motive of curiosity, and who left them
burdened with a sense of sin, weeping as they went.
The starth cause was, avoiding all controversy—ab-
solutely refusing to touch it. From a full conviction,
that the first duties of a returning sinner were repent-
ance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
And in close connection with this, keeping all, as
much as possible, clear of sectarian feeling; of party
spirit; of proselyting conduct, endeavouring to make
all feel and understand, that the shibboleth of any par-
ty, would prove a poor substitute for a change of heart!
That an admission to any church, could not procure
a dispensation from the necessity of the new-birth, or
an interest in Christ.
The seventh cause was, plain gospel preaching. By
which we mean to be understood, an exhibition of the
gospel, in its plain, obvious, unsophisticated meaning.
Neither veiling its glories under the covering of meta-
physics, nor concealing its common sense, under scho-
lastic dogmas. Neither polishing down its honest
bluntness of expression, nor softening the rigours of
its precepts or threatenings; nor holding back its en-
( 38 )
couragements, invitations and promises; but honestly
and always declaring the whole council of God, as we
find it in the scriptures; as the power of God unto
salvation, to every one that believeth. Thus preach-
ing it in season and out of season, publicly and pri-
vately and from house to house, and from heart to
heart; exhorting, persuading and entreating, by every
motive influential on man. Giving to this preaching
all the force of the preacher's head and heart, affec-
tions and conscience; all the moral and muscular
manhood of his nature; in the church, the lecture
room, the conference and prayer meeting; the do-
mestic visit and confidential interview, under the
full impression, that every hour souls are sinking down
into hell, for whom the messengers of God’s mercy
have to render an awful account. Your committee
have often witnessed the practical profit too, of giving
that strength to the preaching of four sermons, which
is often consumed on the polish, the finish of one.—
And been fully convinced, that nothing more or less
than God's gospel, under the influences of God's spi-
wit, can convert the soul, can save the sinner; and
that he who brings this gospel home to the heart and
conscience in the plainest, purest form, preaches sal-
vation best; preaching the gospel too in the order of
the gospel, and in the words of the gospel; in its
sweetness and its severity too, and in all the decision
and conclusiveness of its logic; putting its blessing
and its curse side by side, and bringing them homest-
ly home to the sinner's heart. However unpalatable
to the unregenerate, however contrary to carnal poli-
cy, it was the manner constantly pursued. Doctrine
was never separated from duty, nor the sinner encou-
raged until he had submitted to Christ.
( 39 )
The eighth cause was, singing of Hymns and
Psalms, storing the memory and heart with them.
And lastly, BIBLE READING, and PRAYER above all
things. God's word gives light, makes the simple
wise and converts the soul. God hears and answers
prayer.
Your committee would not be understood to say,
that God cannot work without means; but, that he
does greatly bless his own means, for the conviction
and conversion of sinners; and they are willing to be
understood as saying, that he did bless the means em-
ployed during this awakening, beyond any thing they
ever witnessed before.
4th HEAD–THE CAUSES HASTENING Its DECLINE.
1st. Interrupting the stated means. Your committee
have known a few weeks suspension of the preached
word, have such a bad effect, that months of hard la-
bour, were not sufficient to bring things back to their
former situation.
2d. Ceasing to press sinners on the great doctrines
of faith and repentance. Sinners in a state of excite-
ment must be followed up, the begetting sin at such
a time is, endeavouring to get clear of their convic-
tions. They must not be let alone !
3d. Doctrinal disputation, or theoretical discussion;
anything that had a tendency to turn the sinner's at-
tention from the state of his heart, was exceedingly
injurious. And the more important the thing was in
its nature, and the nearer allied to religion, the great-
er influence did it have, and the greater advantage
did the adversary take of it.
4th. Badly conducted meetings, have been found
to discourage many, and to originate another cause
of great injury.
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5th. Reporting that the awakening was at an end:
Christians then intermitted all their exertions, be-
cause they thought them useless; anxious sinners felt
that it was then too late, and they either sunk down
in a desponding state, or gave up all thoughts of the
subject.
6th. Calming the fears of awakened sinners, by tel-
ling them that all would now be well with them, if
they only held on 1 And O how weak and wicked was
this delusion! and for that very reason how influen-
tial was it! They who told them so, were not aware
how wide the distance and difference between con-
viction and conversion is; or they would never have
told a soul, confessedly in a state of nature, not yet
reconciled to 3. ; in open, though remorseful rebel-
lion against him; whose guilt was increasing, and
whose pollution was deepening every hour; that all
would now ..". if it only holds on so.
7th, Encouraging the sinner to linger, by advising
him “to wait God's time.” This takes for granted,
that the convicted sinner has done all his duty; has
become reconciled ; has submitted to God; and that
God is now in fault, for not having granted acceptance
and relief. This is plainly laying all the blame on
God, of the sinner's obstimacy. And the unregene-
rate, catches at this bait of destruction, and feels that
it now rests on God’s delinquency; and it rests satis-
fied because it rests in its sins, and revels in its pollu-
tions on God’s account. These two last mentioned
causes have had awfully bad effects.
8th. Turning the attention of awakened sinners to
any book besides the bible. We have known the read-
ing even of Edwards on the Affections, though of
unqualified excellence, totally discourage young chris-
( 41 )
tians, and drive back again to the world, some who
were under convictions. Some people can see no dif-
ference between a babe in Christ, and one full grown,
strong in the faith.
9th. Proselyting views of conversation. In more
instances than one, have we known an attempt to
proselyte, put an entire stop to the awakening. Your
committee would notice this, as a very influential
cause, in order that it may be carefully attended to.
Some good men, and many that are not good, are
nevertheless, so attached to some particular sect or
party, that they would rather have no awakening,
than have it in a community to which they do not
belong; which is a very emphatical mode of express-
ing a sentiment, which they would indignantly disa-
vow when put into words; that is, that they would
rather sinners should go down to hell undisturbed,
than that they should go to heaven any other way,
than through the door of their party And it is some
what strange too, to what shifts such sectarian feel-
ing will drive men, for the justification of their own
unholy views. One will ridicule the doctrine of a
new birth, as a new doctrine. Another, will ridicule
all christian feeling and experience. Another, will
affirm that, no man can ever know whether he is born
again or not. Another, will deny the possibility of
being born again at once ; of any sudden change be-
ing produced on the heart. Another, will ridicule the
idea, that the hope of an interest in Christ, is at all
necessary to the communion of the church; and will
urge sinners to come to the communion table, because
that is the only place to get religion. They will
laugh at eatra, meetings; speak of them with trem-
bling tenderness, as an awful worm and canker, at
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the root of God's vineyard; and affirm, that if God
does not permit them to ruin it, yet, still they are, at
the very least, altogether useless! And some have
been afraid to have their children attend them, for
fear of immoral effects, who have not feared to send
them to dancing schools. Nor are the meetings
themselves, only spoken against, but they who hold
them, are considered as fools or enthusiasts, &c. &c.
These objectors have gotten a system of saint mak-
ing, and they who are not sainted according to its
worm-eaten forms, are sinners still ; no matter how
they walk in light and liberty ; no matter how
they manifest faith and holiness; no matter how they
love God, or Christ, or his people. The evil influ-
ence of all this, arises from this circumstance, that
sinners, who do not know the difference, will listen
most readily to such men, professedly pious, as speak
to them in the smoothest terms. It falls directly in,
with the carnalities of their hearts, to think that sin-
mers have got nothing to do; that they are not much in
danger, and that those, who think differently, are
fools. Your committee have had reason to weep
over the baneful effects of this weak and wicked con-
duct.
10th. Breaking up anarious meetings while there are
any anarious souls who wish to attend them. We have
known some instances, where anxious meetings were
broken up, when there were still some anxious souls;
and now, at the distance of several months, we know
of only very few of these that have gained relief, and
the most of the others have become very cold and
careless; and christians too, were very much discour-
aged. In short, it evidently killed the awakenings
wherever this course was pursued.
(43 )
11th. Giving anarious souls a false ground to rest
wpon. A speculation ; an inference; a notion ; or
anything besides Jesus Christ, the sure, the only foun-
dation.
12th. Untimely preaching. By this, your commit-
tee mean, pressing the deep and difficult doctrines of
the bible, on the attention of sinners who had scarce-
ly realized the elementary truth, of their own aliena-
tion from God. Forcing babes in Christ, to receive
strong meat, when they can scarcely bear the pure
milk of the word | Your committee have known
some mournful results of this folly, both among young
converts and awakened sinners.
13th. Cooling preaching. Your committee are not
sure, that they give the right name to this kind of
preaching; but they will explain their meaning. They
mean speculative discussions, at a time, when the
hearts of the hearers are deeply distressed. An en-
deavor to persuade convicted sinners, that they ought
to be very suspicious of any indications of feeling, as
savouring of enthusiasm, &c. That true convictions
are never accompanied with feeling, &c. Your com-
mittee, mention this kind of preaching, emphatically,
because some good men were led to it, no doubt, from
an idea that the church was in great danger of becom-
ing enthusiastic | That those who felt it a primary
duty, to press faith and repentance, almost exclusive-
ly, were too evidently zealots! That errors of every
hateful name would flow in and spoil the beauty of
God’s husbandry; and that it now devolved on them
to set all things right! The heat was too great, and
needed cooling. Now, this would all be well! all
right, if the head was the seat of religion; if an en-
lightened understanding alone, would answer, as a
(44)
substitute for a renovated heart. It would not be so
very bad either, if doctrines, separated from duty,
would ever lead to vital holiness of heart. Your com-
mittee feel that you are fishers of men, and, that man
can never be caught by the head alone; he must be
caught by the heart also, if ever caught. God’s re-
quirements are on the heart; God's residence is there ;
the influence of exhortation, persuasion, and entreaty is
there; the motives exciting fear, love, gratitude, are
operative there; the exercise of faith, repentance,
submission, is there; and your committee have known
more injury done in one half hour, by such an effort
of misjudged benevolence, than could be repaired in
a month. Your committee do not undervalue spec-
ulative discussion, nor calmness, nor caution, but let
every thing be done in its season, and in its due meas-
ure. A man may weep, and pray, and repent in ag-
ony, and yet, be neither zealot nor enthusiast.
14th. Your committee might mention many other
things: such as, visiting, or receiving visits of cere-
mony, or friendship, while under conviction. Engag-
ing in worldly conversations, or pursuits. The un-
godly lives of professors. THE LEVITY of THE cleR-
GY. And their INDOLENCE Too. . Their well-MEANT
BUT MISTAKEN ZEAL against sects and parties; thus
turning their feelings from the perishing state of those
souls committed to their care; but they refrain.
And in conclusion, beg leave to notice the general
character of the whole work. It was a deep heart work;
free from delusions, from dreams, from visions, from
new revelations. Sinners were brought to see them-
selves awfully ruined going down to hell, unable to
help or extricate themselves from their miseries! Sink-
ing under the penalty, and far from the purity of
( 45 )
God's law; and thus shut out from every other hope,
they were shut up to the faith of the gospel. They were
led to see Jesus as the only way to God the father; as
an able Saviour; as a very willing Saviour; as a Sa-
viour just at hand, promising “whosoever cometh
unto me, I will in no ways cast out.” And they have
come, renouncing all reliance on themselves and
trusting wholly on the finished righteousness of Jesus
the redeemer, as the only ground of acceptance with
God the father. Taking him for wisdom, righteous-
mess, sanctification and complete redemption; and
resting on him, have obtained joy and peace in be-
lieving; have cherished a hope of forgiven sin; a good
hope through grace. And those who cherish this
hope, have generally been humbled and diffident; op-
pressed with a sense of unworthiness; excited by a
strong desire to have others partake of the same bles-
sings with themselves. They have been uncommonly
united together in christian love. And out of a num-
ber, not much less than two thousand, who have been
hopefully converted to God, of whom near fourteen
hundred, have united themselves to the communion
of your church, not more than four or five, are known
to have shown conclusive signs of apostacy, now at
the distance of almost a year.
“And when God makes his jewels up,
And sets his starry crown;
When all his sparkling jems shall shine,
Proclaim’d by him, his own:
May they, a little band of love,
Be sinners, sav’d by grace;
From glory unto glory chang'd,
Beholding face to face!”
7
(46 )
Your committee would also beg leave to notice,
that from documents before them, in which they have
the most implicit confidence, it appears that there has
been a work of God’s grace carried on in Orange
county; nearly, if not altogether as extensive, as that
detailed in their report; and would express their re-
gret, that their limits will not allow, even an abridged
account of it. They would, however, notice that in
all its features, it is exactly like your own. That the
means employed; the causes helping or hindering its
progress, and the glorious results, do not differ per-
ceptibly. In one place, Deer-Park, where Mr. Blain
is placed, there were over sixty brought to God in
three weeks; and the work was stopped in a single
day, by a dispute about baptism! And they would
also state, that in the counties of Otsego, Chenango,
Cortland, Madison and Ontario, there has been a si-
milar out-pouring of the spirit within the same year,
and the fall of the year preceding; bringing into the
family of God, more than two thousand children.
In Columbia too, and Rensselaer counties, and in
many other places, the Lord's glory has been seen
and his saving health experienced.
At present there is a glorious work of God's grace
going on in Cherry-Valley, where nearly two hundred
are rejoicing in hope. It is spreading into Springfield
and Middlefield, Cooperstown, Auburn, Camillus,
Onondaga, Brutus, Salt-Point, and other places.
We hear too from New-Haven, from Weathersfield,
North-Killingworth, city of Hartford, Newington,
Farmington and several other towns in Connecticut;
from Dr. Spring's church in New-York, and from
Coxsackie, Catskill, Hudson, Kinderhook, Athens,
( 47 )
Claverack and the Boght, where the Lord's Christ is
conquering gloriously. Surely every heart is ready,
in angelic strains, to say, “glory to God in the high-
est, there is peace upon earth and good will to men.”
All which is most respectfully submitted.
THOMAS McAULEY,
HALSEY A. WOOD,
MARK TUCKER,
ELISHA YALE,
WALTER MONTEITH,
ELIPHALET NOTT,
Committee,
(48 )
#03tätript.
—e-º-c-
Your committee cannot help noticing the surpris-
ing resemblance between this work of God, and that
work of his in Northampton, in 1784, under the min-
istry of President Edwards, whose praise is in all the
churches. The history of which, we have in the 3rd
vol. of his works; which history, changing names and
dates, would be a tolerably good history of the late
revival; and the committee would most earnestly re-
commmend the perusal of that book to every one.
And they would beg leave, to refer to the passages
where the strongest points of resemblance are found.
They have used the Worcester edition of 1808.
In page 15. It will be found that worldly conver-
sation was very rarely admitted.
— 17. The subjects were elevated in singing, and
greatly devoted to that exercise.
— 18. Some people mocked; called the awaken-
ing a distemper
— 21. Some ministers came to see went home;
told their people all they saw ; which was the
occasion of an awakening with them.
— 22. All ages and sexes were subjects of the
work; communions were frequent; eighty ad-
mitted in one day.
— 24. Several whole families were savingly con-
verted.
— 25. Great diversity of operations on the sin-
ners’ hearts.
( 49 )
In page 27. Convictions increased, as the peni-
tents drew near relief.
— 29. The enmity of the heart, unusually excited
in some.
— 30. Awakened sinners, first exercised most a-
bout outward sins, afterwards, most exercised
about heart sins.
— 33. Some, only a few days under conviction,
some, a great while.
— 38. Some obtained comfort in reading or hear-
ing some text of scripture, others, without any
particular text occurring.
— 42. Some had great joy, some laughed, some
wept for joy.
— 43. The judgement and practice of some min-
isters were severely blamed.
— 44. Telling of conversions, was a great mean
of carrying on the work.
— 50. The renewed heart was full of Christ, his
grace, his love, his suitableness, his earcellency.
— 53. The converts made astonishing progress
in doctrinal knowledge.
— 55. They were greatly afraid of a false hope;
of being hypocrites; of being deceived, &c.
— 57. Often refreshed, by telling experiences to
each other.
— 59. The causes of stopping the work.
In all these, there was no difference between the
work in 1734, in Northampton, and in 1820 in your
vicinity; nor was there any difference, in the mode,
and kind of opposition, in the two great and wonder-
ful works.
( 50 )
Page 190. Ministers were blamed for addressing
the affections.
— 195. For preaching terror.
– 200. For frightening children'ſ
— 201. For frequent meetings.
— 208. Converts were blamed for talking and re-
joicing.
— 213. For singing so much.
– 215. And children for holding meetings, &c.
&c. &c.
Robert Fleming too, that celebrated Scotch divine,
in his book on the fulfiling of the scriptures, as quot-
ed by Mr. Willison, of Dundee, by Dr. Owen, by
president Edwards, and others, as worthy of highest
credit, shows us, that awakenings in Germany, in
Holland, in Ireland, and in Scotland, had been very
general and powerful. And we find, that those which
he describes, especially in the West of Scotland, were
exactly like those of our own day. Page 302, Art. 3,
he speaks of that wonderful work of God's grace in the
year 1625, every feature of which, and of the opposi-
tion it met with, and of the slanders it was assailed
with, and of the effects which followed, were similar
to the work before us. And again, in page 303, Ar-
ticle 4, he gives the account of the remarkable out-
pouring of God's Spirit, on the 21st June, 1630, at the
Kirk of Shots; where, under one Sermon, nearly five
hundred were hopefully converted to God, and they
mostly continued lively and solid christians. And he
tells us too, that the preceding might, had been mostly
spent in prayer, by the christians of that place! and
that the awakenings in Ireland in 1628, were very
similar.
( 51 )
From the Evangelical Magazine of October, 1816,
there has been copied into the Religious Intelligen-
cer, vol. 2, page 469, an account of a most glorious
revival in Glenlyon, in the Highlands of Scotland, in
that year; which, in all its leading features, corres-
ponds exactly with the awakening in Saratoga coun-
ty and elsewhere.

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