cause they were less sinful than others, or on account of any thing foreseen to be done by them, as the condition of their salvation; on the contrary, that their salvation must be owing entirely to him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will.

their punishment was greater than they could bear. They sunk deep in the miry clay; they were plunged into the very depths of sin, whence with strong cries and many tears, they raised their voice to God. Most were deeply affected and greatly distressed. Even those convictions which were comparatively the most mild and moderate, were certainly very powerful, and at an ordinary season would have been so thought. Had I time to go into the discussion, these degrees of difference might most of them be accounted for by education, former habits, and the temperature of the animal con

Whatever may have been their opinions of them before, they now fully believed and hailed with a welcome, that glorious constellation of truths usually denominated the doctrines of grace. I have not known one truly convicted or hopefully converted sinner who did not give these doctrines the most full, and cordial consent and approba-stitution. No doubt indeed, the tion. It was the application of Holy Spirit, at different times, these truths, which discovered and upon different persons, opeto them their own character, and rates with different degrees of the character of God; which strength and influence. Someconvicted them with distress and times his influences are the gensorrow of sin; which humbled tle breeze; sometimes the more them in the dust, and constrain- | violent gale, and sometimes the ed them, as with one united impetuous whirlwind. Somevoice to cry out, Men and breth-times they descend like the everen what shall we do? What shall we do to be saved? The strength or degree of conviction has been different in different persons: So far as we can discover, no two have been exactly alike. Some have been wrought upon by degrees. Their dis-one who is born of the Spirit." tress came upon them like a dis- The continuance, no less than ease, whose symptoms though the degree of these convictions, slight at first, finally terminate has been different in relation to in a settled fever. Others were different persons. Some ha e suddenly awakened. Their fear-surrendered within a short tim、 ful and distressing apprehen- The natural enmity of other? sions, burst upon them like the has held out a great while rushing of a mighty wind.-longer. Some have been laborThe convictions of some, were ing and heavy laden for many moderate and gentle. The con- months. Others have given victions of others were sharp, themselves to God, and cordiall pungent, deep and distressing received Christ, within a ver beyond conception. Like Cain, few weeks. I know of none wh

ning dew; sometimes like the steady, settled rain; and sometimes like the torrent." The wind bloweth where it listeth thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth; so is every

have been arrested in a state of have been able to tell the precise stupidity, and brought into the time when they supposed they family of God by regeneration, experienced the spiritual birth: in the course of a single day, or because most, if not all, found even of several days. Though themselves possessing and exthis is possible, yet I believe itercising those views and feelings very rarely takes place. Neither which are the effects of this has it been the case as it some-change, before they once tho't times happens that the most pungent convictions, have been the shortest in duration. It has been a characteristic of the work, that the subjects of it, have, on the whole, been a great while laboring and struggling, before their feet were taken from the miry clay, and established upon the rock of ages.

that such a change had passed upon them. They could affirm no more as to the time, than the blind man could with respect to the manner in which his eyes were opened. "One thing I

know," says he, "that whereas I was once blind, now I see." The fact is certain, though the time cannot be ascertained.The effects of this work upon those who we charitably hope and believe, were the subjects of it, though immediate, were not transitory. They did not fade away like the early cloud and the morning due. None of them, to my knowledge, have begun to prove barren and unfruitful. They have all, as yet, brought forth fruits meet for

they continue with one accord to eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart; praising God,and having favor with all the people. Neither have these effects in their influence been cofined to them. They have ex

The immediate effects of this translation from darkness to light, were different in degree only, and not in kind. In some, the joy was sudden, sensible, and great. With others, it was gradual, imperceptible, and moderate; in each, however, it was alike, new. The light of some, was like the light of the morning, which dawns in the east, and gradually brightens and ex-repentance. Even to this day, tends, until it overspreads and illuminates the whole horizon. With others, it was like the sun, suddenly bursting, with a blaze of light, from a thick, black cloud. Some felt their distress subside, and because no sensible consolation immediate-tended to families, to schools, to ly came, thought that their con- the other members of the church, victions were leaving them.- and to the community at large. All were sensible of a change in In families, there is more relitheir views and feelings, though gious reading and praying. In they had no apprehension at the schools, there is more catechettime, that they were born of ical instruction. Among the God. All felt a desire to com- members of the church, there is municate their feelings to others, more harmonious intercourse, though none were in such ec- more love toward each other, stacy as to lose their reason, or more zeal for God, and more of violate the rules of sobriety.-the power and life of vital ChrisFew or none are now, or evertianity. The community at large

is more peaceable, orderly, sober In the spring and summer of and considerate. Religion gen-1803, God was pleased to visit erally, is more thought of, and this place with a special work of more conversed about.-Thanks his Spirit on the hearts of sinners, be unto God, for this boundless and an addition of sixty-three blessing, this unspeakable gift. was made to the church. An account of that awakening was

P. S. The above account was written for the 1st of January.published in th 7th vol. of the Since that time, the work has Connecticut Evangelical Magaconsiderably revived. There zine. After that work ceased, have been a number of new in- stupidity again prevailed, and stances of awakening, and some even professors of religion beof very deep and powerful con- came more cold, and less enviction; thirty have made a pro-gaged for the salvation of sinfession of religion, and seventeen now stand propounded,

ners. Conference meetings were forsaken by many, and one statedly attended on Tuesday evening was suspended. Balls were again revived, and Satan seemed

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CON-to exult in his success. Two

NECTICUT MAGAZINE.

REV. SIR,

THA

conferences a week, viz. on Sabbath and Thursday evenings were maintained, though many times but thinly attended.

Sen

THAT there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repent-sible of the mournful state of our Zion, a proposition was made to the church to meet on the last Tuesday evening in eve

eth, we are assured from the word of God. The same event will excite joy on earth in the heart of every real Christian.-ry month for the express pur To see the banners of the cross pose of prayer for divine influunfurled, and the Saviour brand-ences, and a revival of the Lord's ishing the sword of the spirit,- work. To this they agreed, and to behold the subjects of Satan have constantly met at the ap throwing down their weapons, pointed seasons for more than and cordially submitting to the three years. Trince of peace, must animate Early last spring there apthe friends of Zion, and fill them peared more engagedness in prowith holy ardor. And to see or fessors of religion, and our conhear of such a work may be a ference meetings became more means in the hands of the Spi- crowded. These appearances rit, of alarm and conviction to increased, but no special instanthe enemies of the cross. With ces of awakening and convica desire to encourage and re-tion appeared until some time in joice the hearts of Christians, May and the beginning of June. and to acknowledge the bound-It then appeared that a special less and sovereign mercy of God, I send you the following brief account of the recent work of divine grace among my people.

work of God had begun, and the languishing graces of Christians were greatly revived. Our meetings for religious worship, both on the sabbath and at

The work of grace here has been singular, in this respect, that it has been confined, almost exclusively, to the youth. Not

other times became much more | Christians, should become cold, crowded and solemn, and reli- and indifferent is ungrateful and gious conferences were multi- astonishing indeed! O the deplied. An awful solemnity ap- pravity, and stupidity of the hupeared throughout the society, man heart! especially on the minds of the youth; and many, who, before, were vain and thoughtless, and some even vicious, were brought to inquire with anxious solicit-more than two over thirty years ude, what they should do to be of age, have been subjects of saved. The work continued to this work, and one of them now increase, and on the evening of dates her hope from the last the Lord's-day the 26th of June, awakening. Much the greatest I experienced a scene, which I part are under twenty years of never before witnessed. Tho' age, and some as young as the evening was dark, yet the twelve. We may almost say, number which assembled was so "Out of the mouths of babes great, that we might say as was and sucklings, God hath persaid concerning an assembly at fected praise."-Forty-four have Capernaum, who came together come forward and publicly proto hear Christ, that there was fessed their faith in Christ, thirno room to receive them, no, notty-eight of whom were admitted so much as about the door." It on the first sabbath in Novemevidently appeared that God, in ber. The day was pleasant, the very deed, was among us. Such assembly large, and the scene solemnity and distress of mind was truly solemn, joyful, and as then appeared, nothing short impressive. To behold such a of the Spirit of God could pro- number of youth forsaking their duce. Sobs and sighs were heard vain amusements and carnal purfrom every quarter of the house, suits, and publicly espousing the and even at considerable distance cause of Christ must afford peafter the assembly were dismis- culiar joy to the friends of Zion, sed. Though there was no one and dispose them to admire the time when the visible appear- riches of divine grace. One ances were greater, yet the work now stands propounded, and a evidently increased during the number more have entertained summer. About the beginning hopes that they have been born of September, it became station- of God, and will probably soon ary, in which state it continued offer themselves for examinaabout two months. It has since, tion. Several are still under I think, been on the decline.-deep concern of mind, who are There are, however, still, from three to five conferences in a week, but not so crowded. This, to the Christian, excites painfui reflections, that sinners should grow less concerned for their immortal souls, the nearer they approach to eternity! And that VOL. II. NO. 3.

yet destitute of a hope in Christ.

With respect to the general complexion of the work, it may be observed, that it has been entirely free from enthusiasm. Though the subjects have been deeply impressed, it has been the still small voice, which has

prevailed. The subjects have generally expressed a very deep sense of the entire depravity of their hearts, their opposition to God and to the doctrines of grace. When truly awakened, and made to realize their danger, they have repaired to the law, and sought salvation on the ground of works but they have never found comfort till they have been driven from this refuge of lies, and brought to submit to the sovereignty of God in the bestowment of his grace. The distress of some has been so great under a sense of their op-me, as I humbly hope, from the position of heart to God, that jaws of destruction. My disthey have manifested a willing-tress, in view of my own heart, ness to endure the effect of fire was greater than I can describe. on their bodies, could their minds What I had despised in others, be relieved. A young married I now earnestly desired, but was man who had been religiously unwilling to receive it as a free educated, and who maintained gift through Jesus Christ. In a fair character, gave me the this situation I remained but a following relation concerning few days, before I trust the ophimself: "The morning of my position of my heart was slain, life, which ought to have been and I was made to rejoice in employed in the service of God, God. The whole of this work has been spent in carelessness I readily ascribe to the Almighty and stupidity, with respect to power and electing love of God the important concerns of my through Jesus Christ." soul. Though I often assented A young lady, in giving an to the most important doctrines account of the exercises of her of the bible, yet my belief was mind, makes the following statenothing more than speculative, ment. After observing that her my heart rising against them mind had been impressed in a whenever I heard them preach-greater or less degree for about ed. Such was my character five years, but was depending on when the awakening began. As her morality for salvation, she it increased, the opposition of observes, "In this situation my heart increased. My situa-I should have continued and tion in life alone, prevented me been lost for ever, had not a from openly opposing the work. sovereign God in mercy interMy sisters were awakened, and posed, and arrested my attention greatly distressed for their im-in a more particular manner. mortal interest. I thought them The fore part of last May, my foolish to spend their time in the mind was unusually impressed manner they did. My wife soon with a sense of the great sinfulbecame a subject of the work, ness of my heart. For several

and was greatly distressed. This greatly increased my opposition, and I imagined myself involved in wretchedness unless those fimpressions could be worn off. I used every indirect method to prevent her attendance on religious meetings. Such was the depravity of my heart that she, who, when thoughtless, was the object of my delight, was now, when attending to the one thing needful, undesirable. Thus I went on till it pleased God in his free, rich, and sovereign grace, to show me my heart, and pluck