Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Albany

LECTURES

ON

REVIVALS OF RELIGION.

WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D. D.

PASTOR OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ALBANY.

WITH

AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY,

BY THE

REV. GEORGE REDFORD, A. M.

AND THE

REV. JOHN ANGELL JAMES.

GLASGOW:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM COLLINS;

OLIVER &BOYD, WM. WHYTE &CO. AND WM. OLIPHANT, EDINBURGH W. F. WAKEMAN, AND WM. CURRY, JUN. &CO. DUBLIN; WHITTAKER, TREACHER, &ARNOT; HAMILTON, ADAMS, &CO. AND SIMPKINMARSHALL, LONDON.

MDCCCXXXII.

LETTERIV.

FromtheREV.SAMUELMILLER,D.D.

ProfessorofEcclesiasticalHistoryandChurchGovernmentintheTheological

SeminaryatPrinceton,New-Jersey.

ReverendanddearBrother,

ThepiousanddevotedMr.Baxtersomewhereremarks—“ThewordofGodisdivine;butourmodeofdispensingitishuman:andthereisscarcelyanythingwehavethehandlingof,butweleaveonittheprintsofourfingers.”—Thejustnessofthisremarkweshallprobablyallacknowledge.Andalthoughthecontemplationofthefactwhichitexpresses,oughtbynomeanseithertodiscouragetheChristian,orleadhimtodepreciatetherealimportanceofhumaninstrumentalityinextendingandbuildingupthechurch;itoughttoleadusallto“ceasefromman”asanultimateguideindivinethings;to“searchtheScripturesdaily;”towalkwithascrupulouscareintheirlight;andtoprayferventlyandunceasingly,thatboththosewhoadministerandthosewhoreceivetheordinancesofGod,mayconstantlygo“tothelawandtothetestimony”forguidanceineverything.

Astheremarkinquestionappliestoeverydepartmentofsacredthings,inwhichmenact,soitmaybeconsidered,perhaps,asapplyingparticularlytoRevivalsofReligion.Inthosepreciousseasons,sodeartoeverypiousheart,andsomuchtobedesiredbyeveryonewholovestheprosperityofZion—whenthegracesofChristiansarerevived—whenmanywhohavebeenslumberinginsinareawakened,forthefirsttime,toasightoftheirguiltanddanger—whentheawfulrealitiesofeternitybegintoberevealedtothemindsofmultitudeswhoneversawthemasrealitiesbefore—whenhumansympathiesandpassions,aswellasgraciousfeelings,arecalledintoexercise,andsometimesintoverypowerfulandmorbidexercise—andwhenthosewhoareyet“babesinChrist,”andwho,ofcourse,havenoexperience,arereadytolistentoeverysuggestionwhichmayindicatesomenewmethodof“winningsouls,”andofextendingtheRedeemer’skingdom,—canitbewondered,that,insuchaseasonofdeepinterestandpowerfulexcitement,feelingshouldoftenpredominateoverjudgment;andenthusiasm,fanaticism,andvariousformsofspuriousemotion,minglewithgenuineexercises;and,intheviewofsuperficialobservers,throwasuspiciousappearanceoverthewholework?Inmanyinstances,therecanbenodoubt,thatgenuineeffusionsoftheHolySpirit,bymeansofwhichlargeadditionshavebeenmadetothechurchofChrist,have,intheirprogress,beentarnishedbyhumanmanagement,andunhallowedmixtures;and,innotafewcases,arrestedbytransactionsandappearances,whichpainedtheheartsofintelligentChristians,disgustedandalienatedseriousinquirers,grievedawaytheSpiritofGod,leftthestateofthepopulation,thusgraciouslyvisited,perhapslessfavourablethanitwasfound;andgreatlystrengthenedthehandsoftheenemiesoftherevivalcause.

Thisissofarfrombeingarareoccurrence,thatitispresumed,anextensiveandstrongly-markedrevivalofreligionhasseldomoccurred,inanyageorcountry,andevenundertheministryofthemostprudentandpiouspastor,inthecourseofwhichsomethingsdidnottakeplaceadaptedtogrievetheenlightenedfriendsofthecauseofChrist.Publicservices,perhaps,havebeen,withthebestintention,soinordinatelymultiplied,as,inameasure,todefeattheirownobject.Meanshavebeenresortedto,inthefulnessofardentfeeling,whichscripturalwisdomandexperiencecouldnotjustify.Irregularitiesandexcesseshaveinsensiblycreptin,which,thoughmeantforthebest,andpromising,atthetime,tobeuseful,provedfarotherwiseintheirinfluence.Expressionhasbeengiven,inpublicandprivate,tofeelings,which,thoughsincereandunaffectedinthoseinwhomtheywerefirstwitnessed,werebynomeansofasimilarcharacterinallsubsequentimitators.Afew,perhaps,whoweredeeplyimpressedwiththeimportanceofreligion,andwiththedangeroftheimpenitentlywicked,began,withoutpermission,togiveventtotheirhonestzealinwarmpublicaddresses.Thosewhosezealandknowledgewereless,andwhosevanitywasgreater,soonimitatedtheirexample;untillay-preachingbecameprevalent,andextravaganceandfollywerethemostprominentfeaturesinthescene.Meetingsforprayerwereprotractedtoanunseasonablehour.Judiciousandsober-mindedChristiansweregrievedtoseeplansadopted,andpracticesindulged,which,thoughintendedforgood,werebynomeansadaptedtopromoteit.Manywhosawandlamentedtheseevilswerebackwardtoopposethem,lesttheyshouldbethoughtunfriendlytowhatwasreallyexcellentandcommendableinthepassingscene.Thusrevivalshavelostsomeoftheirlustrewithall,havebeenaltogetherdiscreditedintheeyesofmany,andhave,perhaps,beensucceededbylongseasonsofprevailingcarelessness,andevenofhardenedoppositiontothespecialworkoftheHolySpirit.

Butnotonlyaretheseedsofhumaninfirmityandcorruption,towhichIhavereferred,quitesufficienttoproduceandtoexplaintheevilswhichhavebeenmentioned—notonlyarethehonestmistakes,andtheremainingimperfections,ofthebestmenapttobetraythem,inseasonsofexcitement,intolanguageandplanswhichwillnotstandthetestofenlightenedreflection,—buttherecanbenodoubtthatthegreatadversaryofsoulsmakesithisconstantstudy,byworkingonthemindsofhypocritesandfanatics,andbyleadinggoodmen,asfaraspossible,intohissnares,tocounteractandtodiscreditrevivalsofreligion.—“Ifwelookback”—saystheeminentlywiseandexperiencedPresidentEdwards—“IfwelookbackintothehistoryofthechurchofGodinpastages,wemayobservethatithasbeenacommondeviceofthedevil,tooversetarevivalofreligion;whenhefindshecankeepmenquietandsecurenolonger,thentodrivethemintoexcessesandextravagances.Heholdsthembackaslongashecan;but,whenhecandoitnolonger,thenhewillpushthemon,and,ifpossible,runthemupontheirheads.Andithasbeenbythismeanschieflythat,hehasbeensuccessful,inseveralinstances,tooverthrowmosthopefulandpromisingbeginnings;yea,theprincipalmeansbywhichthedevilwassuccessful,bydegrees,tooversetthatgrandreligiousrevivaloftheworldthatwasintheprimitiveagesofChristianity;and,inamanner,tooverthrowtheChristianchurchthroughtheearth,andtomakewayforandbringonthegrandanti-christianapostacy,thatmasterpieceofallthedevil’swork,wastoimprovetheindiscreetzealofChristians;todrivethemintothosethreeextremesofenthusiasm,superstition,andseveritytowardsopposers;whichshouldbeenoughforaneverlastingwarningtotheChristianchurch.Andthoughthedevilwilldohisdiligencetostiruptheopenenemiesofreligion,yetheknowswhatisforhisinterestsowell,that,inatimeofrevivalofreligion,hismainstrengthshallbetriedwiththefriendsofit,andhewillchieflyexerthimselfinhisattemptsuponthemtomisleadthem.Onetrulyzealousperson,inthetimeofsuchanevent,thatseemstohaveagreathandintheaffair,anddrawstheeyesofmanyuponhim,maydomore(throughSatan’sbeingtoosubtleforhim)tohinderthework,thanahundredgreat,andstrong,andopenopposers.”[1]

Onewouldthink,atfirstview,thatasingleseriesofmischievousdisorders,stronglymarked,exhibitedinadayofgreatpublicinterest,anddistinctlyrecorded,wouldbesufficienttoinstructandwarnthechurchinallsucceedingtimes.But,unhappily,thisisbynomeansfoundtobethecase.Humannaturebeingthesameinallages,thetendencies,infirmities,andtemptationsofmen,arethesame.Onegenerationforgetstheexperienceofthatwhichprecededit.Fewreadtherecordofthatexperience,andfewerstillarequalifiedtoprofitbyit.Theconsequenceis,thateveryfewyearsthesameoccurrencestakeplace.Goodmenareinsnaredandledastrayinthesamemanner.Hypocritesmanifestthesameartsandunhallowedebullitions.Similarmistakesaremade,andsimilarirregularitiesareindulged,withoutrecollecting,orperhapsknowing,thattheywereeverwitnessedbefore;and,ofcourse,withoutbeingadmonishedbythepainfulinstructionsofformertimes.Thusitisthatchildrenprofitsolittlebytheexperienceoftheirfathers.Itwerewell,indeed,ifthefathersthemselvesalwaysprofitedastheyoughtbytheirown.

Thetruthoftheseremarkshasbeenexemplified,inagreaterorlessdegree,inalmosteveryageofthechurch,fromthedayofPentecostuntilthepresenthour.Evenundertheeyesoftheinspiredapostlesthemselves,someoftheevilsofwhichwehavespokenoccurred,andwereformallyreprovedasdisorderlyandmischievous.Forexample,noonecanreadthefourteenthchapteroftheEpistletotheCorinthians,withoutperceivingthattheextraordinarygiftsoftheHolySpiritweregreatlyabusedbysomeofthemembersofthatchurch,andtheexerciseofthesegiftsconnectedwithmuchdisorder.Itisperfectlyevidentthattherewasaconsiderableexcitementamongthepeople;anditisquiteasevident,thatthisexcitementwasnotconductedwithdecorumandwisdom.ThefollowingparaphraseofDr.Doddridge,onthetwenty-sixthverseofthatchapter,isdecisiveastohisviewofthesubject.—“Imightalsourge,uponthishead,thegreatdisorderwhichisintroducedintoyourassembliesbythisostentatiousmannerofproceeding;for,indeed,ifyouthinkseriously,whatashockingthingitis,mybrethren,thatwhenyoucometogetherforthepurposesofsocialworship,inwhichallheartsshouldunite,eachofyouisdesiroushimselftoofficiatepublicly,insuchamannerasbestsuitshispresentinclination,withoutanyregardtodecencyandorder?Everyoneofyouhathapsalmtoread,hathadoctrinetoinculcate,‘hathatongue’inwhichtopreachorpray,‘hatharevelation’ofsomemysterytoproduce,‘hathaninterpretation,’whichperhapsheimmediatelybegins,whilethepersonforwhomheistointerprethathbutbeguntospeak;andthusfiveorsix,ifnotmore,maybespeakingatthesametime,inconsequenceofwhichnoonecanbedistinctlyheard,andtheassemblydegeneratesintoakindoftumultuousriot.Ibeseechyou,myfriends,torectifythis,andtoproceeduponthegeneralcanon,whichIwouldrecommendtoyouuponallsuchoccasions,—‘Letallthingsbedone,’notforostentation,but‘foredification;’insuchamannerasyoudoinyourconsciencesbelievewillbemostliketodogoodtothesoulsofmen,andtobuildupthechurchofChrist.”Tothisparaphrasethepiousauthoradds,inanote—“Itseemsprobable,thatsomeoftheseChristiansweresofullofthemselves,andsodesirousofexercisingtheirrespectivegifts,that,withoutwaitingforthepermissionanddirectionofhimwhopresidedintheassembly,severalbeganspeaking,orsinginginthesameminute,andsomebeganwhileotherswerespeaking.Themannerinwhichdiscourseswerecarriedonintheschoolsofthephilosophers,whereseverallittleknotsofdisputantsseemtohavebeenengagedatthesametime,andwhathappenedinJewishsynagoguesafterworshipwascompleted,mightpossiblyhavegivensomeoccasiontoanirregularitywhichtousseemssoshocking.”SomuchforthecaseoftheCorinthianchurch.ThediligentreaderoftheNewTestamentwillseeintheaccountsgivenofotherchurches,indicationsofsimilardisorders,evidentlyspokenofasoffensivetoinfinitewisdom.

Concerningthepartialormoreextensiverevivalsofreligionwhichtookplace,indifferentcountries,fromtheapostolicagetotheReformation,weknowsolittleindetail,thatwecannotundertaketospeakparticularlyofthedisorderswithwhichtheywereattended.Butthatthereweresuchdisorders,inanumberofinstances,cannotbedoubtedbythosewhoreadecclesiasticalhistorywiththesmallestshareofeitherattentionordiscernment.Ihavenodoubt,thatmanyofthoseseriouspeople,whoarerepresentedbyMosheimandothers,ashavingfallenintoirregularities,andwhoaresetdownbythesehistoriansas“heretics”or“schismatics,”werereallyamongthe“WitnessesoftheTruth;”whoconnectedwiththeirtestimonysomewildnessinopinion,ordisorderinpractice,whichtarnishedtheirprofession,andvirtuallythrewtheirinfluenceintothescaleoftheenemy.Thefactis,weseldomreadofthemindsofmenbeingrousedandexcited,evenbyagoodSpirit,withoutsometestimonythatpride,vanity,enthusiasm,andfanaticism,invariousdegreesandforms,mingledwiththegoodwork,andproducedeffectswhichgrievedtheheartsofintelligentandsolidChristians.Itseemstohavebeenthelotof“thesonsofGod,”inallages,thatwhenevertheyassembledingreaternumbers,andwithgreaterzealthanusual,to“presentthemselvesbeforetheLord,”“Satancamealsoamongthem.”

Thegloriousrevivalofreligionwhichwearewonttodesignatebytheemphatictitleofthereformation,canneverbetoohighlyestimated,ortoogratefullyacknowledged,bythosewholovethepurityandprosperityoftheRedeemer’skingdom.ThatwonderfulimpulsefromtheSpiritofGod,whichelectrifiedWesternChristendom,andwhich,atonce,convulsedandpurifiedsolargeaportionofthechurch,wasmadeproductiveofblessingsinwhichweyetrejoice,andwhichwillbematterofferventthankfulnesstotheendoftime.Buteventhelustreofthatscenewastarnishedbyvariousdisorders,whichdeeplygrievedintelligentandjudiciousChristians,and,insomeplaces,foratime,greatlyhinderedtheprogressofthegoodcause.WhenIseeCarolostadt,thefriend,and,foratime,theaffectionatecoadjutorofLuther,amanofrespectabletalentsandlearning,whohadexposedthetyrannyandsuperstitionofthePopewithgreateffect,andwhohasbeenpronouncedtohavedeservedwelloftheProtestantcause,—whenIseesuchamanactingtheunwiseandturbulentpartwhichhistoryreportsofhim,Icouldalmostsitdownandweepoverpoorfrailhumannature.WhenIseehimenteringthechurchesoftheRomanists,breakinginpiecestheirimages,throwingdowntheiraltars,andtramplingtheircrucifixesunderhisfeet,—whenIfindhimdenouncinghumanlearningasuseless,ifnotinjurious,tothestudentoftheHolyScriptures;goingintotheshopsofthelowestmechanics,andconsultingthemaboutthemeaningofdifficultpassagesofScripture,ostentatiouslyrenouncingthetitleof“doctor,”andallnamesofecclesiasticaldistinction,insistingthatministersoughtnottostudy,buttosupportthemselvesbythelabouroftheirownhands;fillingthemindsofyoungmenwithhiseccentricandmischievousopinions;persuadingthestudentsoftheUniversityofWirtembergtoabandontheirstudies,andeventheboys,inthelowerschools,tothrowasidetheirbooks,andenterimmediatelyonthebusinessofreligiousteaching,—andwhenIfindhim,inadditiontotheseirregularities,declaringthathehadnottheleastregardfortheauthorityofanyhumanbeing,butmustpursuehisowncourse,andthatnomancouldbearealChristianwhodisapprovedofthatcourse,—Isay,whenIfindhimactingthus,amidsttheentreatiesandthetearsoffarwiserandmorepiousmenthanhimself—Icannothelpexclaiming,“Lord,whatisman!”Theseproceedings,itisunnecessarytosay,werematterofgreatgrieftoLuther,andallhisjudiciousfriends,andevidentlyinjuredthecauseoftheReformation.But,inspiteofalltheremonstrancesandentreatieswhichcouldbepresentedtoCarolostadt,heperseveredinhisunhappycourseforseveralyears.Andalthoughheafterwardscame,inagreatmeasure,tohissenses,acknowledgedhisfault,andprofessedtomournoverit,stillthecauseoftruthhadbeendishonoured,andincalculablemischiefdone,whichitwasimpossibletorecall.

Therevivalofreligionwhichtookplaceintheformerpartoftheeighteenthcentury,inthiscountry,isgenerallyconsidered,Ibelieve,andwithgreatjustice,asthemostextensiveandpowerfulthatAmericanChristianseverwitnessed.ThelaboursoftheapostolicWhitfield,andhiscoadjutors,theTennents,&c.andalsoofthevenerableStoddard,PresidentEdwards,andothers,inNewEngland,wereconnectedwithtriumphsofgospeltruth,whichthefriendsofvitalpietylovetoremember,andwhichtheycannevercalltomindwithoutgratitudeandpraisetoHimwhohas“theresidueoftheSpirit.”Manythousandsofsouls,thereisreasontobelieve,werebroughtintothekingdomofChrist,duringthatrevival,andanewimpulseandaspectgiventothechurchintheAmericancolonies.

Yet,hereagain,someofthemanagersinthisheart-elevatingscene—torecurtotheexpressivelanguageofBaxter—“leftuponittheprintsoftheirfingers,”andthuscreatedunsightlyspotsina“blazeofglory.”HewhowilltakethetroubletoconsultthefourthpartofthevenerableEdwards’treatiseonthatrevival,aswellassomeothercontemporaneouspublications,willfindevidenceofthisfactaspainfulasitisunquestionable.Hewillfind,thatamidstthemostgratifyingevidence,thatgoodseed,andgoodfruitspredominated,theenemywaspermittedto“sowtares,”whichsprungupwiththewheat,and,insomecases,almost“chokedit.”Thedisordersoflay-preachingwell-nighbroughttheministry,inmanyplaces,intocontempt.Theoutcries,theprayingandexhortingbyfemalesinpublic,grievedtheheartsofjudiciousChristians.Thelanguageofharshcensureandofuncharitabledenunciation,as“unconverted”persons—as“blindleadersoftheblind”—as“devoutleaderstohell”—wasdirectedtowardssomeofthebestministersofChristinthecommunity,becausetheydisapprovedoftheseirregularities.Publicconfessionsofsecretsinswerewarmlyurged,andactuallymade,andcrimesaltogetherunsuspectedbroughttolight,tothedisgraceofChristiancharacter,andthedestructionofdomesticpeace.Thussceneswhichwerenodoubtintendedtomakeadeepandsalutarymoralimpression,weremadethesubjectsofunhallowedspeculation,andthethemesofathousandtongues.Allthesethingswereurgedwiththeconfidenceoforacularwisdom;andwhoeverventuredtolispanythinglikedoubtoropposition,waspubliclystigmatizedasanenemytorevivals,andanopposerofvitalpiety.

Amongthosewhotooktheleadinthisfanaticalanddisorderlyconduct,oneindividualobtainedsuchanunhappyeminence,thathiscaseoughttobekeptbeforethepublicmindasasalutarywarning.Ineednottellyou,thatIrefertotheRev.Mr.JamesDavenport,great-grandsonofthevenerableandexcellentJohnDavenport,thefirstministerofNewHaven,andatthattimepastorofachurchatSouthhold,onLongIsland.Mr.Davenportwasthenayoungman,andhadbeenforsometimeesteemedapiousandfaithfulminister.HearingofthesignaleffusionsoftheHolySpiritwithwhichGodhadbeenpleasedtofavourmanypartsofNewEngland,he,abouttheyear1741,madeavisittoConnecticut,andshortlyafterwardstoMassachusetts;andeverywherepreachedabundantly,andenteredwithwarmthintothespiritoftheprevailingrevivals.Soon,however,becominganimatedbyafuriouszeal,andimaginingthathewascalledtotakeaspecialleadinthework,hebegantosetatnoughtalltherulesofChristianprudenceandorder,andtogivethemostunrestrainedlibertytohisfanaticalfeelings.Heraisedhisvoicetothehighestpitchinpublicservices,andaccompaniedhisunnaturalvehemence,andcantatorybawling,withthemostviolentagitationsofbody.Heencouragedhishearerstogivethemostunrestrainedventbothtotheirdistressandjoy,byviolentoutcriesinthemidstofpublicassemblies.Hepronouncedthosewhowerethusviolentlyagitated,andwhomadethesepublicoutcries,tobeundoubtedlyconvertedpersons.Heopenlyencouragedhisnewconvertstospeakinpublic,andbroughtforwardmanyignorantandunqualifiedpersons,youngandold,toaddresslargeassemblies,inhisownvehementandmagisterialmanner.Heledhisfollowersinprocessionthroughthestreets,singingpsalmsandhymns.Heclaimedakindofprescriptiverighttositinjudgmentonthecharacterofministersofthegospel.Hewentfromplacetoplace,undertakingtoexamineministersastotheirspiritualstate,andtodecidewithconfidencewhethertheywereconvertedornot;andwhenhisjudgmentwasunfavourable,hewouldofteninhispublicprayersdenouncethemasgracelesspersons,andcalluponthepeopletoprayfortheirconversion.Thosewhorefusedtobeexaminedbyhim,he,ofcourse,placedonthereprobatedlist.Hemadehispublicprayersthemediumofharsh,andoftenindecentattack,onthoseministersandotherswhomhefeltdisposed,onanyaccount,tocensure.Hetaughthisfollowerstogovernthemselvesbyimpulsesandimpressions,ratherthanbythewordofGod;andrepresentedallpublicservicesinwhichtherewasnotsomevisibleagitation,orsomeaudibleoutcry,asofnovalue.Hewarnedthepeopleagainsthearingunconvertedministers,representingitasadreadfulsintodoso;andonmorethanoneoccasion,publiclyrefusedtoreceivethesacramentalsymbolsinparticularchurches,whenhehadanopportunityofdoingit,becausehedoubtedthepietyofthepastors.

Mr.Davenport’selderandmorejudiciousbrethren,whotrembledfortheinterestsofreligion,andwhowereespeciallyanxiousthatnodishonourmightbecastontherevivalswhichweregoingonaroundthem,remonstratedagainsttheseproceedings,warnedhimoftheirconsequences,andbeggedhimtoexaminewhetherhewasnotundertheinfluenceofawrongspirit.Buthewasdeaftoalltheirremonstrancesandentreaties;encouragedbodiesofpeople,inanumberofplaces,towithdrawfromtheirpastors,andestablishseparatesocieties,inwhichallhispeculiaritiesandextravagancesmightbefreelyindulged;scattereddivisionandstrifeineverydirection;increasedthenumberoftheenemiesoftherevival;discouragedanddisgustednotafewofitsfriends;and,inaword,createddisorders,alienation,bitterness,anddivision,theconsequencesofwhichremain,inmanypartsofthatcountry,tothepresentday.

Inthisdeplorablestateofthings,someofthemosteminentlywiseandpiousministersintheland,raisedawarningvoiceagainstextravaganceswhichseemedlikelytobeardownallbeforethem.Theywereheardbysome,andtheirpreachingandwritingsdidmuchgood.Buttheyweredenouncedbymanyasenemiesoftherevival;and,inspiteofeverythingtheycouldsayordo,theinfatuationofDavenportandhisfollowerscouldnotbearrested.Likeotherdiseases,itranitscourse,untilthevirulentmatterwhichgaveitalimentwasinameasureexpended.TheHolySpirit,inthemeantime,wasgrieved,andtookhisdeparture;andaspiritofdiscord,contention,andanimosity,tooktheplaceofhishallowedinfluence.

Itistrue,Mr.Davenport,in1744,becamesensibleofhisfollyandsin,andpublishedanhumbleconfessionandrecantation;inwhichheacknowledgedthathehadbeenactuatedbyawrongspirit,lamentedmanypartsofhisconduct,andwasinsomemeasurerestoredtothefellowshipofhisinjuredbrethren.Buttorepairthemischiefwhichhehaddonewasbeyondhispower.ThefriendsofZionhadbeencladinmourning.Herenemieshadtriumphed.Truthlaybleedinginthestreets.Congregationshadbeentorninpiecesandscattered.Newsocietieshadbeenestablisheduponfanaticalprinciples,andcouldnotbereclaimed.Immortalsoulshadbeendisgustedwithwhatclaimedtobereligion,drivenfromthehouseofGod,andprobablylostforever.Theenemiesofrealrevivalsofreligion,whoweremanyandpowerful,hadbecomeconfirmedandhardenedintheirhostility.Andmanypersonalandecclesiasticaldesolationshadbeenproduced,overwhichtheirauthormightmournandweep,butwhichhecouldnotremedy.[2]

Scenesinsomemeasuresimilarhavebeenrepeatedlyexhibitedsincethattime.Ofthese,Ihaveneithertimenorinclinationtospeakofmorethanone.—ThecasetowhichIreferisthatoftheremarkablerevivalswhichtookplaceintheyears1800,1801,and1802,inthewesterncountry,andmoreparticularlywithintheboundsoftheSynodofKentucky.Myimpressionis,thatthemostenlightenedandsincerefriendsofvitalpiety,whohadthebestopportunityofbeingintimatelyacquaintedwiththerevivalsreferredto,believethemtohavebeenarealworkoftheHolySpirit;oratleast,tohavebeenproductiveofanumberofgenuineconversions.Butthatthisworkofgracewasattended,andfinallyovershadowed,disgraced,andterminatedbyfanaticism,anddisordersofthemostdistressingcharacter,willnotprobablynowbequestionedbyanycompetentjudges.ThisexcitementbeganinLogancounty,inKentucky,butsoonspreadoverallthestate,andintotheneighbouringstates.Besidesincreasedattentiontotheusualseasons,andtheordinarymeansofreligiousworship,therewere,duringthesummersoftheyearsjustmentioned,largecamp-meetingsheld,andanumberofdaysandnights,insuccession,spentinalmostunceasingreligiousexercises.Atthesemeetings,hundreds,and,insomecases,thousandsofpeoplemighthavebeenseenandheard,atthesametime,engagedinsingingandprayer,inexhortationandpreaching,inleaping,shouting,disputing,andconversing,withaconfusionscarcelydescribable.Thiswonderfulexcitementmaybeconsideredasstandingrelated,bothascauseandeffect,toseveralotherdeplorableirregularities.[3]Aloveofexcitementandofagitationseemedtotakepossessionofthepeople.Theybegantosuppose,thatwhenthesewereabsentnothingwasdone.Anumberofhot-headedyoungmen,intoxicatedwiththeprevailingelementofexcitement,andfeelingconfidentoftheirownpowersandcalltothework,thoughentirelydestituteofanysuitableeducation,assumedtheofficeofpublicexhortersandinstructors.Theseweresoonafterwardslicensedtopreach;amajorityofthePresbyteryhoping,thatalthoughnotregularlyqualified,theymightbeuseful.Whenoncethisdoorwasopened,itwasfounddifficulttocloseit.Candidateaftercandidate,ofthischaracter,andonthisplan,werelicensed,andsubsequentlyordained,untilthisdescriptionofministersthreatenedtobecomeamajorityofthewholebody.Asmighthavebeenexpected,anewsourceoftroublenowappeared.Anumberoftheserawandignorantyoungmen,andafewoftheolderministers,begantomanifestgreatlaxnessastotheirtheologicalopinions.AndanewPresbyteryhavingbeensetoff,consistingchieflyofthosewhowerefriendlytothenewopinionsandmeasures,becameasortofmint,forissuing,ingreatabundance,similarcoin.Candidateswerefreelylicensedandordained,whodeclinedadoptingtheConfessionofFaithofthePresbyterianChurch,intheusualform.Theywerereceivedontheirdeclaring,thattheyadoptedthatConfession“onlysofarastheyconsidereditasagreeingwiththewordofGod.”Onthisplan,itismanifest,subscriptionwasapieceofsolemnmockery.Personsofallconceivablesentimentsmightfreelyenteratsuchadoor.Theconsequencewas,thatArminiansandPelagiansactuallyenteredthePresbyterianChurch,andwentonrapidlytomultiply,untilthedecisivemeasuresoftheSynodofKentucky,andoftheGeneralAssembly,arrestedtheprogressoftheevil.Bymeansofthemeasuresreferredto,thesedisorderlyintruders,withtheirpertinaciousadherents,werefinallyseparatedfromtheSynodofKentucky.Amajorityofthemformedthebodyknownbythenameofthe“CumberlandPresbyterians,”nowconsistingofanumberofPresbyteries;professingtoadoptthePresbyterianformofgovernment,butavowedlyembracingSemi-pelagianprinciplesintheology.Another,butsmallerportion,formedanewbody,denominated“Chrystians,”andsometimes“NewLights,”or“Stoneites,”(fromthenameoftheirprincipalleader,)andbecameakindofenthusiastic,noisySocinians.Whiletheremainder,underthesamelawlessimpulse,tookathirdcourse,andfellintoallthefanaticalabsurditiesof“Shakerism.”

Inthiscase,indeed,asinsomeofthosebeforerecited,severaloftheministerialbrethren,moreadvancedinlife,whohadlenttheirnamesandtheirinfluencetothesedeplorabledisorders,became,afterawhile,sensibleoftheirmistake,acknowledgedtheirfault,andwererestoredtothebosomofthePresbyterianChurch.But,asinformercases,notuntilmischiefsthenbeyondtheircontrolhadbeenconsummated.Themournfulresultsoftheircoursehadbeenpredicted,andtheywereentreatedtoguardagainstthedivisionandcorruptiontowhichitcouldnotfailofleading.Buttheywouldnotbeprevailedupontopause,untilthechurchhadbeenrentinpieces—untilheresiesofthegrossestkindhadbeenengenderedandembodied—anduntiltheyhadeffectuallyscattered,inthatcountry,theseedsofdeepandextendedecclesiasticaldesolation.NointelligentChristian,itisbelieved,whohasanyadequateacquaintancewiththecourseoftheeventsinquestion,hasanydoubt,thattheserevivals,onaccountoftheirsadaccompaniments,leftthechurchesinthewestinafarworsestatethantheyhadbeenbefore.Anteriortotheoccurrenceofthesescenes,theirstatehadbornechieflyanegativecharacter.Therewasalamentableabsenceofreligiousknowledge,privileges,andfeeling.Butnowtherewasgeneratedabitterhostilitytorevivalsofreligion;asystematic,bold,andwidespreadinfidelity;andsuchadivisionandalienationofthesoundmaterialsforecclesiasticalorganizationswhichwereleft,astothrowthembackformanyyears,astoanydesirablereligiousorder.Astothedisorderswhichhavemarkedsomerevivalsofstillmorerecentdate,Idarenottrustmyselfeithertorecountordiscussthem.Butenough,Itrust,hasbeensaidtoanswermypurpose.Ihavestatedthefactsofothertimesjustastheyarerecordedbythepenofimpartialhistory,withoutallowingmyself,tothebestofmyknowledgeandbelief,todisguise,ortocaricature,asinglefeatureinanyportrait.Everydiscerningreaderwillbeabletoapplythepasttothepresent,andtosee,intheerrorsandsufferingsofourfathers,someofthosemistakeswhichweoughtcarefullytoavoid.Godgrantthatwemaynoneofusrejectthelesson,untilitshallbetoolatetoprofitbyit!

Itwasremarked,onaprecedingpage,thatthedisorderswhichoccurredintheSynodofKentucky,wereearlyconnectedwithcamp-meetings—Itismyimpression,thatcamp-meetingsbeganinthePresbyterianChurch;thattheywerefirstadoptedfromakindofnecessity,inacountrywherehousesforpublicworshipwerefew,andofsmallsize,and,ofcourse,altogetherinsufficientforreceivingthegreatcrowdswhichcollectedonparticularoccasions,andwhowereinastateofmind,whichpromptedthemtoremainanumberofdaysattheplaceofmeeting.Insuchcircumstances,encampingintheopenairseemedtobeunavoidable.Butwhatwasbegunfromnecessity,wasafterwards,inmanycases,continuedfromchoice.Camp-meetingswerefoundtofurnishadmirablemeansforthepropagationofstrongexcitement.Theevils,however,towhichtheynaturallyled,soondiminishedtheirpopularitywithcalmandimpartialobservers.OurMethodistbrethren,itisbelieved,tookthisplanfromus,andretaineditformanyyears,asoneoftheirfavouritemethodsofconductingworshipforthepurposeofeffect.But,althoughnotyetwhollydiscardedfromthatbody,itisnolongersogreatafavourite,orsoextensivelyemployedasformerly.Henceapiousandjudiciousministerofthatdenominationlatelysaidtoafriendofmine—“IamalittlesurprisedatyouPresbyterians.Wetriedthemachineofcamp-meetingsforanumberofyears,andhavebutrecentlydismountedfromit,scarcelyescapingwithwholebones;when,lo,youaredisposedtomountagain,andoncemoretoventureontheperilousexperiment.”

IconfessIdeeplyregretthattheuseofcamp-meetingsshouldberesumedinourbody.Wheretheyarenecessary,thatis,whereanassembledmultitudecannotbeaccommodatedinanyotherway—aswasevidentlythecasewithsomeoftheaudiencesofJohntheBaptist,andafterwards,insomecases,withthoseofourLord—andas,doubtless,hashappenedinanumberofinstancessince,—letthembefreelyemployed.Iamfarfromsupposingthattheyarenecessarily,andalwaysinjurious.Farless,thatalltheconverts,whichhavebeennumberedonsuchoccasions,wereofaspuriouscharacter.Bynomeans.WhereverthewordofGodisfaithfullyandpowerfullypresented,itneverfails,Ibelieve,ofdoingsomegood.IthasneverbeenmylottoseeaPresbyteriancamp-meeting.ButIhavehadanopportunityofpersonallywitnessingtheeffectsofsuchascene,astheyappearedamongourMethodistbrethren.Andthegeneralimpressionwhichtheymadeuponme,was,Iacknowledge,bynomeansfavourable.Tosaynothingoftheirregularitiesandabuseswhichitisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,inordinarycases,whollytoavoid,ontheskirts,andsometimesintheinterior,ofsuchcamps—theyhavealwaysappearedtomeadaptedtomakereligionmoreanaffairofdisplay,ofimpulse,ofnoise,andofanimalsympathy,thanoftheunderstanding,theconscience,andtheheart.Inshort,theyhavealwaysstruckmeasadapted,intheirordinaryform,toproduceeffectsonourintellectualandmoralnature,analogoustothoseofstrongdrinkontheanimaleconomy;thatis,toexcite,towarm,andtoappeartostrengthenforatime,butonlytopavethewayforamorbidexpenditureof“sensorialpower”—aswesayconcerningtheanimaleconomy—andforconsequentdebilityanddisease.

Someofmybrethren,Iamaware,honestly,andIhavenodoubtpiously,entertainadifferentopinion.Ijudgethemnot.“TotheirownMastertheystandorfall.”Ihavemerelyventuredtopouroutonpaperthefulnessofaheartintenselysolicitous,ifIdonotdeceivemyself,fortheextensionandthehonouroftruereligion;anddesiring,assincerelyasanyfriendofcamp-meetingsintheland,themultiplicationandtheuniversaltriumphofgenuinerevivals.Iclaimnoparticularskill,orextentofinformationonthissubject,andamcordiallywillingtositandlearnatthefeetofanybrotherwhohaslessonsofsoundandadequateexperience,and,aboveall,ofinspiredwisdom,toofferonthissubject.Butuntilsuchcanbeproducedtomysatisfaction,Imustbeallowed,asacommissionedandsworn“watchmanonthewallsofZion,”(howeverincompetent,)togivewarning,“accordingtothebestofmyknowledgeandunderstanding.”WhileIspeakthuscandidlyonthesubjectofcamp-meetings,allowmetovolunteerawordinrelationtowhatarecommonlystyledanxiousseals.—Theyareconnected,andnotveryremotely,withthesubjectIhaveundertakentodiscuss.Farbeitfromme,toundertaketopronounceonthosebrethrenwhohavethoughtittheirdutytocountenancethem,asentenceofcondemnation,ortoquestionthatgoodhassometimesbeendonewheretheyhavebeenused.Butthis,Imustinsist,isnotinallcasesasafecriterionofduty.Menmaybesavinglybenefitedbytheinstrumentalityofmeanswhichallwoulduniteincondemning.Thedecisivequestionis,Canthismethodofproceedingbeconsideredasthebestmode,nay,asareallyeligiblemode,ofdrawingtoapoint,andascertaining,theexercisesofseriousinquirers?Isitthebestwayofdecidingonthedigestedfeelings,thedeliberatepurpose,ofpersonswhoseattentionhasbeenaroused,itmaybeforthefirsttime,andperhapsonlyafewminutesbefore,tothegreatsubjectofreligion?If,indeed,Iwerecalledupontoaddressoneormoreindividualsonajourney,asPhilipwas,inthecaseoftheEthiopianeunuch—individualswhomIneverexpectedtoseeagain,afterthepassinghour—Imight,withoutimpropriety,callthemtodeclaretheirdecisionwithinthathour,andbaptizethem,asPhilipdid.Or,ifIhadoccasiontospeaktoamixedmultitude,thegreaterpartofwhomcouldonlyremainafewdaysintheplacewherethegospelwaspreachedtothem—aswasthesituationofmanyinthecityofJerusalem,onthedayofPentecost—itwouldstrikemeaspropertocallthem,notmerelytoanimmediatedecision,betweentheclaimsofGodandtheworld—whichindeedoughtalwaystobedonebyeveryminister—butalsotoanimmediatemanifestationofthatdecision,thattheymightbeconversedandprayedwithaccordingly,inthefewhoursofopportunitywhichtheywerepermittedtoenjoy.Butitwouldbynomeansoccurtomeasthemostjudiciousway,inordinarycases,ofdrawingthelinebetweenthecareless,andthetrulyanxiousinquirer,torequestallwhoweredisposedtothinkseriously,toriseandpresentthemselvesbeforeapublicassembly,inthecharacterofpersonswhohadresolved,orweredesirous,todevotethemselvestotheserviceofChrist;andthis,perhaps,atthecloseoftheverysermonbymeansofwhichitwashopedtheyhad,forthefirsttime,beguntofeelandinquireaboutsalvation,and,ofcourse,inafewminutesaftertheythusbegantofeel.IfIweretomakesucharequest,Ishouldexpecttofindthepersonsrisingandpresentingthemselvesincompliancewithit,tobe,forthemostpart,theforward,thesanguine,therash,theself-confident,andtheself-righteous;andthatmany,whofeltmoredeeply,andyethesitatedaboutannouncingthemselvessosuddenlyasanxiousinquirers,and,ofcourse,kepttheirseats,wouldprovetobethemodest,thehumble,thebroken-hearted,whohadadeepimpressionofthedeceitfulnessoftheheart,andwhoconsideredtheimportanceofponderingwellthesolemnityofeverysteponasubjectofsuchunutterablemoment.

Iamawarethattheadvocatesofthesystemof“anxiousseats,”urge,withsomeplausibility,that,inconsiderationofthenaturaltendencyoftheimpenitenttostifleconvictions,andtotamperwiththespiritofprocrastination,itisdesirablethattheyshouldbeprevailedupon,assoonaspossible,tocommitthemselvesonthisgreatsubject.Thatadecisivestepinrelationtothissubjectisdesirable,andthatitoughttobetakenwithoutdelay,iscertain.But,atthesametime,thatitoughttobetakenwithoutrashness,withknowledge,withdueconsideration,andwithsacredcarenottomistakeatransientemotion,foradeepimpression,orasettledpurpose,isequallycertain.Suppose,afterasolemnandpointedsermon,aninvitationtobegiventoallpresentwhofelttheimportanceofanimmediateattentionto“thethingswhichbelongtotheirpeace,”tocomeforwardandtaketheseatsprovidedforthemnearthepulpit.Supposetwohundredindividualstoavailthemselvesofthisinvitation,andtopresentthemselvesbeforethechurchasobjectsofattentionandprayer.Andsuppose,attheendofthreemonths,fiftyofthesetounitethemselveswiththeprofessingpeopleofGod,onthegroundof“agoodhopethroughgrace—fiftymoretotakethesamestep,notbecausetheyweresatisfiedoftheirChristiancharacter,butbecausetheyhadcommittedthemselves,anddidnotwishtoappearfickle,orapostates—andtheremaininghundredtoreturn,withgreaterobduracythanbefore,totheirformercarelessandsinfulcourse.Isay,supposesuchsteps,andsucharesultasIhavestatedtooccur,—woulditbedeemed,byjudiciousChristians,aresult,onthewhole,morefavourableforthebestinterestsoftheRedeemer’skingdom,thanif,inpursuanceofwhatarecalledthe“oldmeasures,”insuchcases,nonebutthefiftygenuineconvertshadeverbeenbroughtforwardtopublicviewatall,andnoteventhoseuntiltheyhadenjoyedanopportunitytobringtheirexercisestothetestoftime,togainanddigesttheelementsofChristianknowledge,andto“countthecost”oftheirundertaking?Thechurchindeed,inthelattercase,mightnotgrowinnumbersquitesorapidly,andhermovementsmightnotbequitesoaudibleandimposing,—but,methinks,hergrowthwouldbemorelikelytoprovehealthful.Shewouldbelessburdenedwithspuriousmembers.Shewouldbemorelikelytoescapethemultipliedevils,naturallyarisingfromthefactofalargeportionofhermembersbeinghurriedforwardinsuchaschoolofagitation,immaturetraining,andnoisyexcitement;andmuchlessindangerofplacingboththefiftywhoinsincerelytookuponthemselvesthevowsofChrist,andthehundredwho“drewback,”inastatefarmoreperilousthanever,withregardtotheirfinalsalvation.

Letitnotbesaid,thatinvitingto“anxiousseats”istheonlyeffectualmethodofascertainingwhoareunderseriousimpressions,andwhoarenot.Whyisitnotquiteaseffectualtogiveapublicinvitationtoallwhoareinanydegreeseriouslyimpressed,oranxioustoremainafterthecongregationisdismissed,ortomeettheirpastorthenextevening,insomeconvenientapartment,forthepurposeofdisclosingtheirfeelings,andofbeingmadethesubjectsofinstructionandprayer?Nay,whyisnotthelattermethodverymuchpreferabletotheformer?Itsurelygivesquiteasgoodanopportunitytoascertainnumbers,andtodistinguishpersonsandcases.Itaffordsafarbetteropportunitytogivedistinctandappropriateinstructiontoparticularindividuals.Itpreventsthemischiefofdraggingintopublicview,andevenintothehighestdegreeofpublicity,thosewhoseexercisesareimmature,andperhapstransient.Anditavoidsthedanger,whichtomany,andespeciallytoyoungpeople,maybeveryformidable—Imeanthedangerofbeinginflatedbybecomingobjectsofpublicattention,andbybeingforthwithaddressedandannounced,asistoooftenthecase,asundoubted“converts.”Surelytheincipientexercisesoftheawakenedandconvinced,oughttobecharacterizedbymuchcalmself-examination,andmuchserious,retired,closetwork.Iftherebeanywhoseimpressionsaresoslightandtransientthattheycannotbesafelypermittedtowaituntilthenextevening,itwillhardlybemaintainedthatsuchpersonsarepreparedto“committhemselves,”bypubliclytakingananxiousseat.Andiftherebeanywhosevanitywoulddisposethemtopreferpressingforwardtosuchaseatinthepresenceofagreatassembly,tomeetingtheirpastorandafewfriendsinamoreprivatemanner,thechurch,Iapprehend,canpromiseherselflittlecomfortfromthemultiplicationofsuchmembers.

Ihavejustsaid,that,amongthosewhocameforwardonsuchanextemporaneousinvitation,Ishouldexpecttofindthesanguine,theself-confident,thesuperficiallyinformedandexercised,asamatterofcourse,Onalateoccasion,andinahouseofworship,notveryfardistantfromthisplace,when,afterasolemndiscourse,arequestwasmade,thatallwhowereanxious,orresolvedtoattendtotheirspiritualinterests,shouldimmediatelyarise,andsignifytheirdetermination;thefirstpersonthatarosewasayoungmaninwhomtheodourofstrongdrinkwasveryoffensive;whowasevidentlymorethanhalfdrunkatthetime;andwhonever,beforeorafterwards,manifestedanyseriousconcernonthesubject.Inanotherplace,andonanotheroccasion,whenasimilarrequestwasmade,theonlypersonthatarosewasawomanofverydubiouscharacter,whoisnotsupposed,Ibelieve,byanyone,tohavebeen,eitherthen,orsince,underanythingthatdeservestobecalledrealanxietyofmind.ThegreatSearcherofheartsismywitness,thatIdonotmentionthesefactsforthepurposeofcastinganyunfairodiumonthepracticetowhichIrefer;butmerelyforthepurposeofexemplifyingtheprincipleswhichIwishtoinculcate,andofshowingthatthedangerswhichIdeprecatearenotthemerephantomsofadisorderedfancy.

Infine,Isupposethetruthconcerningbothcamp-meetingsand“anxiousseats,”tobeaboutthis:Thathoweverusefultheymayhavereallybeeninafewcases,ofverypeculiarcharacter,andhowevertheymayhaveappearedtosomehonest,butardentminds,tooperatefavourablyinastillgreaternumberofcases,yet,asmeansofstatedandpromiscuoususe,or,infact,asmeanstobeusedatall,unlessinveryspecialcircumstances,theyareeminentlyadaptedtogeneratefanaticism;togiveatasteforostentatiousdisplayintheserviceofthesanctuary;tofavourtherapidmultiplicationofsuperficial,ignorant,untrainedprofessorsofreligion;andtopreparethewayforalmosteveryspeciesofdisorder.

Ihavebeenacquaintedwithmorethanonechurchinwhichtheextemporaneousmodeofintroducingmembers,ofwhichIamspeaking,hasbeenextensivelypractised.AndImustsay,theresulthasbeeninnodegreeadaptedtorecommendthepractice.Thegreatnumbers,thusadded,madeamostanimatingfigureinthereligiousperiodicalsoftheday;but,afterayearortwo,alargeportionofthemwerenottobefound.Theirgoodness,likethemorningcloudandtheearlydew,hadpassedaway.Theyhad,inagreatmeasure,withdrawnfromthehouseofGod,andfromallattendanceonsealingordinances,andneededasmuchasevertobegatheredinfromthe“highwaysandhedges,”andtobemadethesubjectsofanewconversion.Thetruthis,anyplan,inthehouseofGod,forseparatingthepreciousandthevile,fordrawingalinebetweenthechurchandtheworld,whichdoesnotprovideforanintelligentanddeliberate,aswellasseriousentranceintothebodyofChrist—whichdoesnotmakesomegooddegreeofknowledge,aswellasfeeling,necessaryinthecandidateforadmission—howeveritmaygratifyonewhose“rulingpassion”istomultiplyprofessedconvertstothegreatestpossibleextent,andhoweverplausiblyitmayappearinthepublicjournalsoftheday,—willdisclosemiserableresultsintheend,astoanygenuinebuildingupoftheRedeemer’skingdom.

ButIwillnotruntheriskofwearyingyourpatiencebyfartherenlargingonthissubject.Ishall,therefore,aftertwoorthreegeneralremarks,whichappeartometobesuggestedbytheforegoingfacts,closethislongletter.

Thefirstremarkis,thatthereisastrikingsimilarityinthedisorderswhichhaveattendedandmarredrevivalsofreligioninallages.—Asindoctrine,whatisthoughtbymanyanewopinion,isfrequentlyfound,uponinquiry,nothingmorethantherevivalofanerrorlongagoexploded,soinmeasuresofpracticaldisorder,whatwearstomanyalltheattractionofnovelty,isarepetition,perhapsthefiftiethtime,ofsomeoldcontrivanceforproducingasuddenandstrongimpressiononthefeelingsofapopularassembly.Infact,asrealreligionisthesameinallages,soitscounterfeitsarethesame,humannatureisthesame,andthesymptomsandmorbidresultsofenthusiasm,superstition,andfanaticism,aresubstantiallythesame.Weneednotbesurprised,then,tofindancientirregularitiessoremarkablyresemblingthemodern.Wehaveseenthatwhenevermassesofmenbecameexcited,andespeciallywhenthisexcitementseizedthemindsofthosewhohadbeenbredinignoranceandthoughtlessness,astheywerebroughtintoanewworld,sotheywereapttothink,asamatterofcourse,thatsomenewandboldmeasuresmustbeadopted;thatexigencies,whichareasoldashumannature,butwhichappeartothemnew,callfornewmodesofproceeding;andthatthecounselsofageandexperience,liketheexplodedtheoriesofbygonedays,arenolongerseasonableoradequate.Hencetheinordinateloveofnovelcontrivancesforarrestingthepopularattention,andimpressingthepopularmind;thespiritofrashanduncharitabledenunciation;theremarkablefact,that,inallages,young,andofcourseinexperiencedministers,havecommonlytakenthelead,anddiscoveredthemostheadstrongobstinacyincommencingandpursuingmeasuresofaninnovatingcharacter;atendencytoundervaluethesettledorderofthechurch,andtousurpthefunctionsofthesacredoffice;yieldingthemindtoimpulsesandenthusiasticimpressions,denouncingallwhorefusedtoconcurinthesethingsasgracelessformalists;encouragingfemalestotaketheleadinsocialprayer;callinguponpenitentstomakepublicconfessionoftheirprivatesins,asindispensabletoforgiveness,andspiritualprosperity;claimingtohaveagift,unknowntoothers,ofpromotinggenuinerevivals,tobetheonlyrealfriendsoftrue,spiritualreligion.—Thesearesomeofthefruitsofhumancorruptionwhichattendedandmarredrevivalsofreligioncenturiesago;andwhichhaveappearedeveryfewyearssince,insimilarconnection,andwithendlessrepetition.Itisanundoubtedfact,thatmostofthosewell-meantirregularities,onwhichsometrulypiouspeoplenowlookwithapprobationandinterest,asmeanspre-eminentlyadaptedforpromotingreligion,havebeenconfidentlyproposed,tried,foundintheendtoworkbadly,andexploded,overandoveragain;andyettherearethosewhostilldreamthattheycanbemadetoaccomplishwhatallexperiencehaspronouncedtobeimpossible.

ThesecondremarkwhichIwouldmake,astheresultofthewhole,is,that,aswemayconfidentlytakeforgrantedthatenlightenedandstableChristianswillnotbeshaken,eitherintheirfaithorhope,bytheoccasionalandevenprominentexhibitionofthesedisordersinconnectionwithrevivalsofreligion;soitisimportanttoputinquirersontheirguardagainst“stumblingatthisstumbling-stone.”—Some,whentheyseewhatclaimstobereligion,andevenagenuineandpreciousrevivalofreligion,tarnishedbymanagement,orextravaganceswhichtheycannotapprove,areapthastilytoconclude,thatvitalpietyandrevivalsofreligionarealladream.Ifearthatthisfataldelusionisoftenadopted;andcannotbutalsofearthatthedisorderswhichoftenattendrevivalsfrequentlyministertoit.Butitisadelusion.Theveryexistenceofcounterfeitsshowsthatthereistruecoin.Ineverydepartmentofaffairs,temporalorspiritual,inwhichmenarecalledtoact,theydiscovertheirimperfection.TheBibleteachesustoexpectthis.Andifwedidnotfinditso,theBiblerepresentationofhumannaturewouldnotbeverified.When,therefore,anyaretemptedtodoubttherealityortheimportanceofwhatarecalled,byintelligentChristians,revivalsofreligion,becausetheyhavebeenoftentarnishedbyunhappyadmixturesoraccompaniments,theyadoptaconclusionwhichdoesaslittlecredittotheirscripturalknowledge,andtheirhistoricalreading,asitdoestotheirChristianexperience.TheworkoftheHolySpirit,inrenovatingandsanctifyingtheheart,isthegloryandhopeofthechurch.Thatthereshouldbeseasonsinwhichthisworkismadetoappearwithpeculiarlustreandpower,soentirelyfallsinwithalltheworksandwaysofGod,thattheonlywonderis,thatanyonewhoreadstheNewTestament,orlooksabroadonthefaceofChristiansociety,shouldcherisharemainingdoubt.AndalthoughtheSpiritisaDivinePerson,andallhisinfluencesinfinitelypureandholy,yet,whenwerecollectthatitssubjectsaresinfulmen,whoremain,aftertheybecomethesubjectsofhispower,butimperfectlysanctifiedandthatthosewhopresideoverthedispensationofthevariousmeansofgrace,arealsosinful,falliblemen,—thoughwemaymournandweep,wecertainlycannotwonder,thatmarks,sadmarks,ofourweaknessandfallibilityshouldappearinourmostpreciousseasons,andinourholiestservices.

ThelastremarkwithwhichIwouldtroubleyou,is,thatweoughttoguardagainstundertakingtocondemn,asofcourselackingpiety,thosewhofavoursomeorallofthedisorderstowhichreferencehasbeenmade.—Wehaveseenthatoneofthecharacteristicswhichseldomfailtomarkthosebrethren,isadispositiontoanathematizeasunfaithfulorgraceless,allwhocannotadopttheirviews,andpursuetheirplans.Itisimportantthatweguardagainstimitatingthisunworthyexample.Whileweavoid,withsacredcare,allparticipationintheirfaults—whilewebeartestimonyfaithfullyandopenlyagainstwhateverwedeemunfriendlytothecauseofgenuinereligion,—letusrememberthatsomezealousandactiveservantsofJesusChrist,brethrenwhosepietywecannotdoubt,andwhoseusefulnesswecanhavenodispositiontoundervalueorabridge,haveappeared,foratime,asthepatronsofthesemistakes.Letushonourtheirpiety,rejoiceintheirusefulness,forgivetheirmistakes,andpraythattheymaybebroughttomorecorrectviews.

ThatyouandI,mydearfriend,mayhavegracegivenustoloveandpromote,withourwholehearts,genuinerevivalsofreligion,andtoguardagainsteverythingwhichtendstoimpedeormarthem,andthatwemayspeedilyenjoytheunspeakablepleasureofseeingthepowerofthegospel,initschoicestinfluences,pervadeourlandandtheworld,istheunfeignedprayerofyouraffectionatebrotherinChrist,

SAMUELMILLER.

Princeton,March8,1832.

1

[1]Some Thoughts concerning the present Revival of Religion, &c. Part IV. page 333, of the new edition, lately published in this series of Select Christian Authors, with an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Dr. J. Pye Smith.

[2]See Prince’s Christian History, Nos. 82, 83, 103, &c. Trumbull’s History of Connecticut, Book II. Chapter VIII.

[3]See President Bishop’s Outline of the History of the Church in Kentucky, p. 117.