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 DUKE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 DIVINITY SCHOOL 
 LIBRARY 
 
 k 
 
A BRIEF 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 OF TkE LATE 
 
 REVIVALS of RELIGION 
 
 AMONG THE 
 
 CONGREGATtONALISTS arid BAPTISTS, 
 
 IN A 
 NUMBER OF TOWNS IN THE 
 
 KEW-ENGLAND STATES, 
 
 AND ALSO IN ' 
 
 NOVA-SCOTIA. 
 
 EXTRACTED CHIEFLY FROM LETTERS WRITTEN BY 
 
 .SEVERAL GENTLEMEN OF UNQUESTIONABLE 
 ^ VERACITY. 
 
 ^^/(I.. ^^^^-^ ^y 
 
 *a »Q ^ <g |>'®»»Q cr . 
 
 boston: printed. 
 
 BRISTOL : KE-PRINTED by biggs and COTTLE. 
 
 1800, 
 
I I Mi—iaufj i ,j— a— fa 
 
 A BRIEF ACCOUNT, &c. 
 
 EXTRACT I. 
 
 Mr, S IV- , of IV'indham, in Connt^icuit thus 
 
 li'ritcs io his Friend 171 Bojion. 
 
 Windham, Oft. 2, 179S. 
 iiVz'. and dear Sir, 
 
 YOU will pardon me for troubling you with a line 
 from fo unworthy, though finctre a friend. It is a 
 time of general Health in thefe parts ; but this is nbt the 
 belt news with which Ifliall acquaint you : for " as cold 
 water to a thirfty foul, lb is good news from a far country." 
 God is carrying on a glorious work in fcveral towns in thefe 
 parts. The work began in the firft fociety at Ma?isfehl, about 
 five or fix months ago, in a very gradual manner ; but foon 
 took a very rapid fpread in the weft part of the town. A 
 feimon preached in that neighbourhood at a funeral, hj 
 the Rev. Mr. Shearman, was greatly blefTed. The Spirit 
 of the Lord feemed to fweep all before it like an overflow- 
 ing flood, though with very little noife. It is wonderful 
 to fee the furprizing alteration in the people in fo fliort a 
 time. I conclude there are not lefs than an hundred fouls 
 converted in that town fince the work began. Soon after, 
 it began in Hampton, bat did not fpread with tbe fame 
 rapidity as it did in MansfeJd. The like happy work has 
 lately taken place in AJliford, in the Rev. Mr, Pond's foci- 
 ety, with a good degree of power. It has alfo fpread into 
 the fecond fociety in Mansfield, under the paftoral care of 
 Rev. Mr. JFelJh ; alfo in the upper part of Canterbury, and 
 lately in Abington in Pomfret. ^ _ 
 
 Dear fir, we may fay, in the midfl of judgment God is 
 fhewing himfelf marvelloufly good and kind ; and tho' it 
 feemed our land, a few months ago, was fully ripe for de- 
 ftruftion, and the hot thunderbolts of divine wrath were 
 hanging over our heads, yet God has made a rich difplay of 
 his grace,in the converfion of many fouls. One thing is re- 
 markable in this reformation, there is fuch evidence carried 
 in the work, that none, or but very few dare to oppofe it. 
 Bigotry, which was fo common between the Standing Or- 
 der, or the Congregationalifts, and tht Ditfenters, is done 
 away. — This work is chiefly among the Standing Order. 
 
Oiv.S. 
 
 EXTRACT II. 
 
 Containing a furlher account of the fame luorl, in a Leitet 
 
 from the Bev. E P ; to his Parents, dated 
 
 "AJhford, September 24, 17Q8. 
 
 Honored Parefits, , , . 
 
 I MUST inform you of the work of God, which is go- 
 ing on in thefe parts. Early in May, an attention to 
 religion began in the fird fociety in Mansfield, which in- 
 creafed to a great degree, fo as to become general. It then 
 began in Hampton, where it is as general as in Mansfield, 
 About four weeks fince, it began here, and, for the time, 
 has fpread very faft ; fo thst about eighty have been under 
 great concern : Of this number, nearly twenty have a good 
 hope theyr have been " born again." The work feems to 
 be fpreading. In one family of my people who have only 
 three little daughters, the eldeft fifteen years old, they all 
 give evidence that they have been born again ! The work 
 has alfo began in Mr. Weljlis fociety in Mansfield; and the 
 
 profpe6ts are very favorable in XVefiford. Do unite iti 
 
 prayer that God would pour out his Spirit upon you. If 
 only two or three can be induced to engage don't omit it* 
 This feems to have been the beginning of the work in 
 Mansfield. 
 
 EXTRACT III. 
 
 Containing an account of the hcginning cf the reformation in 
 
 Hartford, in a Letter from the Rev. S S. iV— — -, 
 
 efthat City, to his friend in Bofion, dated January 14, 1799* 
 
 Kev. and dear Sir, 
 
 GLORIOUS revival of religion has latfely 
 taken place among us. Two of my brothers- 
 in-law, the youngeft about 12 years old, and the other four- 
 teen, had been under deep convldion at limes, for icveral 
 weeks beforeoar laft Thankfgiving ; and on that day, whilfl 
 I was preaching, the youngeft was bleft with great peace 
 in believing, and went home with his foul overflowing with 
 joy. This afleded the whole family ; feveral of whom we 
 truft, could rejoice with him ; all the reft were much alarm- 
 ed, and led to^cry out under pungent convidion, ** What 
 fhall we do to be faved ?" From this time it has Iprcad 
 from houfe to houfe, and from heart to heart, till almoft 
 the whole Cky has got alarmed. 
 
 I think as many as 15 or 20 have been hopefully convert- 
 ed } many more arc under painful convictions, and the work 
 itili fpreading. It has alfo extended its happy influence 
 
 ■A 
 
( * ) 
 
 among the other denominations, who have fet up religiou* 
 conferences, and welcome its approach. 
 
 We have meetings almoft every evening in the week. 
 Here is imc\y a Macedonian cry. *' Do come over and help 
 
 us." 
 
 EXTRACT IV. 
 
 Containing a further account of the fame ivork, in a Letter 
 
 from the Rev. J B , dated at Trumbidlj 
 
 February 6, 1/99, ^o his friend at Newhury Port. 
 My dear Friend and Brother. 
 
 THROUGH thp V\nA hand of God, I arrived here; 
 yefterday. 1 ftopped at Hartford, and preached five 
 fermons. 
 
 The fpirit of hearing at Hartford is greater than any rc- 
 prefcntalions that have been made. Young people of both 
 fexes flock by hundreds, and the profped is flattering in 
 the extreme. Conference meetings are held every night 
 in different private houfes. In Mr. Strongs fociety, 6o are 
 thought to be under convi6tion, and 20 have been hopefully 
 brought into gofpel liberty. In Mr. Nclfons 30, and fome 
 in Mr. Flint's. 
 
 The youth hold corrcfpondence one with another by let- 
 ters, and with thofe of the neighboring towns. Hundreds 
 are under fome ferious concern, while hundreds more fland 
 aftoniflied, and are ready to cry, " What ineanet/i alh./m .-?" 
 
 The Lord feems to have fl:epped out of the ufual path of 
 ordinances, to efl^eft this work more immediately in the dif- 
 plays of his almighty power, and the efl'ufion of his Spirit j 
 probably to fliew that the work is his own. It is not attend- 
 ed with noife and confufion, but with folemnity and reve- 
 rence. No fire J no rufliing wind j no earthquake : but a 
 ftill fmall voice goes before this wonderful work ; no doubt, 
 to hide pride from man. The minillers are ftirred up to 
 uncommon diligence and labor, fo that they have fcarcely 
 time to prepare for public exercifes. 
 
 The facred flame has fpread into many neighbouring 
 towns* and the pious are flocking into Hartford to be eye- 
 witnefles of this glorious work. I have felt myfelf fo much 
 engaged in preaching, vifiting, and converfing with old and 
 young, that my attention has been literally taken off^ from 
 Wife, Children, Flock, and bodily infirmities. O that my 
 paft time had been better employed and filled than it has 
 been. Should my health be continued, I hope, by the grace 
 
 ♦ It ii mentioned in a letter of April 25, from a rcfpe6lable cha- 
 raelcr in Uartford, that it has fpread into nearly one hundred towns. 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 •fGodtofpend my ftrength wholly in the Lord's caufc, 
 which carries its own reward with it. 
 
 Two hundred miles N. W. of Hartford on the border of 
 the Indian nations, I am informed that the Lord is pouring 
 out his Spirit plentifully. The Aboriginesf flock to hear the 
 Gofpel, and fall under the word like Dagon before the Ark. 
 I have feen a preacher from thofe parts, who gives the moft 
 flattering accounts, and informs me, that very large numbers 
 have been added to the churches in that vicinity, the laft 
 year. 
 
 . After the fermon was finiihed upon a late occafion in the 
 woods, an Indian flood up with tears in his eyes, and thus 
 adrelfed the audience : " I delire to blefs God, that white 
 people ever came into this country. White people brought 
 the Bible, and the religion of Jefus with them. White peo- 
 ple prayed for the converlion of the heathen, and I ftand up 
 this day as a living witnefs of the power of God's convert- 
 ing grace m anjiver to their prayers. Continue to pray for 
 the converlion of more heathens, that they alfo may be 
 brought to the knowledge of Jefus." 
 
 EXTRACT V; 
 
 IRev. Caleb Blood, a Baptijl Minijier of Shaftfhwy, hi 
 the State of Vermont, gi'ves the foUonving particulars of the 
 reformation in that T(nvn. 
 
 ReiK Sir, Feb. 21, lygg. 
 
 I AM fenfiblc that under too grcata degree of animation, 
 even Chriftlans too often exaggerate their accounts of 
 revivals of religion. But I will attempt a fimple, but Ihort 
 narrative of the late wonderful work of God in this place. 
 
 In the month of April laft, there appeared nothing among 
 this people but the moft rapid increafe of every jpecies of 
 vice and immorality ; and even profeirors had grown cold 
 as to religious exercifes. 
 
 Towards the laft of that month, it pleafed God to vifit 
 my poor foul with fome fenfe of my own vilenefs and lliort 
 comings, and how little I had done for God and the good 
 of fouls. At this time I think I had a glimple of the infi- 
 nite character of Jehovah, which made me ihrink into noth- 
 ing in my own efteem ; then, to my aftoniftiraent, my foul 
 was ftrangely drawn forth, at particular times, in fecret 
 prayer, for the falvation of linners. Repeated exercifes of 
 this kind gave me a ftrong confidence, that the Lord would 
 foon work falvation in this place. There were, however, 
 no favorable fymptoms among the people until the month 
 
 f Or native Indians. 
 
.( 6 ) 
 
 of July ; then a young woman, who had been converted 
 fome years before, wasftirred up, to propofe herfelf for bap» 
 tifna. Her converfation was made the mean of the awaken- 
 ing of a number of young people. Thus the work began. 
 In Aaguft, four perfons more were baptized. In Septem- 
 ber, I baptized feventeen. Many were awakened by the fo- 
 Jemnity of this ordinance. (Indeed I think there was no 
 one mean more blefTed for the convidtion of tinners, through 
 the whole courfe of this work, than the adminiftration of 
 baptifm.) But to return ; we as yet held our church con- 
 ferences, to hear the relations of candidates, but once a 
 month. At the clofe of October, we were obliged to attend 
 two days, and then were not able to hear all that wifhed to 
 relate. The next Lord's-day was a fevere ftorm ; baptifm 
 was omitted : The church attended two days of that week 
 alfo, to hear the young converts declare what the Lwd had 
 done for them. I was then under the neceffity to call for 
 alliftancc in adminiftering baptifm. Accordingly, brothe* 
 Samue/ Rogers atteaded the next Sabbath, and we baptized 
 46 that day. We then found it neceflar/ to hold our 
 church conferences to hear relations once a week. The 
 next Sabbath I baptized 21 ; the next l6 ; the next 13 j 
 the next g ; and there have been but a few weeks fince, that 
 I have not been called to the precious work of baptizing. 
 Zion s gates were then truly thronged with converts ! 
 
 The whole number added to this church, lince laft May, 
 is 1/5 ; 25 by letter and other ways ; and 150 by baptilm. 
 Our whole number is 346. Many of this number are remov- 
 ed into different parts of the country ; there are, however, 
 nearly 300 that live in this vicinity, the remoteft of them 
 not more than fix miles from our meeting-houfe. 
 
 There have alfo been 70 added to the Weft church in this 
 town fince the work began ; and 13 to the Eaft church. 
 
 As to the principal means by which this work has been 
 carried on, I muft fay, that no one's little or great preaching 
 can juftly lay any claim to the honors of it. Several breth- 
 ren in the minillry have vilited us in the time, and all of 
 them were bleffed in their labors. A brother Jones, from 
 'England, was an inftrunient of awakening fome. 
 
 i have been fillrd with wonder and aftonifliment, to fee 
 how the Lord hi»s been pleafed to fucceed forac of almoft all 
 the preaching that has been in this town fince I have been 
 here. Even when I had mourned and thought I had la- 
 bored in vain, and that my preaching was as water fpilt upon 
 a rock ; the Lord has now made it manifeft that he defigned 
 it for the good of fouls. O my brother, let us never be dif- 
 couraged j we cannot always tell when our labors are blefT- 
 ed. 1 cannot fay how many^ but the Lord has made my 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 poor weak efforts the means of awakening a conficferabl« 
 number. But the greateftpart of the people have beenawa- 
 kened by attending the folemnityof baptifm, and by convcr- 
 fation one with another.— Indeed, the moft that I can fay 
 is. It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. 
 
 There has not, in years paft, been the moft cordial fellow- 
 fhip between the three bnptift churches in Shaftjhury; but the 
 Lord has now cffeded a*happyunion between us. On the laft 
 Lord's-day in January, we all met at one communion table. 
 That happy day' my foul had dedred for years. Nothing 
 but experience could iiave made bqc believe it poflible, that 
 I could have felt fo much folid delight, anticipated fo much 
 trouble, and rejoiced with fomuch trembling, at one and the 
 fame time, Ihat day 1 truft will nevet- b<e> forgotten by me. 
 The north part of 'Bennington^ which lies fouth of us, has 
 fliared coniiderably in this grace, feveral from thence have 
 joined the churchesin this town, and fomc few members from 
 the town north of us ; but the greateft part that have been 
 wrought upon are within this town which is fix miles fquare. 
 In about two months after the work began, the whole 
 town fcemed to be affeded. Conference meetings were at- 
 ten^ded two or three times in a week in almoft every neigh- 
 borhood ; and it was furprifing to me, that f(*ircely a iingle 
 inftance appeared of any over-heated zeal, or flight of paf- 
 iion I Both fmners under convidion, and thofe newly 
 brought into the liberty of the golpel, converfed in their 
 meetings with the greateft freedom 5 they fp^ikc one at a 
 time a few words, in the moft folemn manner I ever heard 
 people in my life. And in general they fpake fo low, that 
 their alTemblies muft be perfedly ftill, or they could not hear 
 them : Yet a remarkable power attended their converfation. 
 Sinners would tremble as though they felt themf'elves in 
 the immediate prefence of the great Jehovah. 
 
 Some of all ranks and characters among us have been ta- 
 ken ; from the moft refpedable members of fociety, to the 
 vileft in the place. Some of our jnojl nnted De'ijh have 
 bowed the knee to King Jefns. And a number of Uni'ver- 
 falijfs have forlaken their delufions, and embraced the truth. 
 ^ In the revival four years agolaQfummer, we then receiv- 
 ed ten children into the church, aged frotn nine to thirteen 
 years, with a number of other young people 3 all of them re- 
 main in good flapding with us, and are now able to help 
 others; excepting one, who, I truft, is gone to the church 
 triumphant. ^ In this revival we have received fixteen whofc 
 ages are from ni?ie toff teen years. From nine, I have bap- 
 tized fome of almoft every age up to feventy ! 
 
 We have now upwards of one hundred unmarried perfoni 
 in this church. Theic are alfu a large number of youths 
 
( » ) 
 
 who have joined the other churches in this town. O my 
 God ! keep them in the love of the truth ! My very foul 
 trembles when I think of them. There is not a fufficient 
 number of young people now left in the town (who can 
 unite) to carry on their merry meetings. Every company 
 of them is broken up. 
 
 I lately enjoyed the happinefs of having upwards of 
 feventy youths and children, that were profeflbrs, to vilit 
 and hold a conference at my houfe in one evening. You 
 may guefs, but it would be difficult to tell, with what a 
 mixture of joy and trembling I was then filled. 
 
 The fevereft cold, fnow and ice we have had this tedious 
 winter, I have not heard once mentioned as any terror to 
 the ruofl. delicate ladies, yuung or old, we have in the place ; 
 but they have chearfully followed their Divine Redeemer 
 into the liquid grave, without the leaft intimidation. 
 
 As to myfelf, I think if ever I knew what it was to have 
 extraordinary ftrength, it has been within a few months paft. 
 My lungs, which 1 had thought were on the decay, now 
 ieemed to renew their youth. Preaching three and four 
 times a week, befides attending other meetings almoft every 
 day for months together, feemed very little if any to exhauft 
 my ftrength. I think, of all men in the world, I have the 
 greateft caufe to be humble before God, for his abundant 
 goodnefs beftowed upon a moft unworthy wretch. 
 
 When I think upon ray weaknefs and infufficiency, and 
 the great number of young, inexperienced Chriflians com- 
 mitted to my charge, my heart fhrinks within me ; and I am 
 ready to wifh they had a more able and pious watchman to 
 go before them. But all the hope I have is, that He who 
 leadeth Jofeph like a dock will gather the lambs in his 
 arms, and gently lead his flock into the flowery fields of 
 gofpel truth, and befide the ftill waters of eternal life. 
 
 I fometimes anticipate fo much trouble, that it quite ab- 
 forbs my fpirits, and drowns my joy. Then I think it beft 
 to rejoice when I can, and let to-morrow take thought for 
 itfelf. 
 
 It is, however, a very interefting crifis with us ; if we are 
 faithful, and make a right improvement of the great mer- ^ 
 ties beftowed upon us, we may continue to be a happy peo- 
 ple : if not, a ferics of trouble and forrow awaits us. Dear 
 brother, pray for us that we may be kept in the love of the 
 truth ; that the God of love and peace may ever dwell 
 with us. 
 
 I muft not indulge my feelings, I fhali intrude upon your 
 patience. 
 
( 9 )t 
 
 EXTRACT VI. 
 
 fA Gentkman in Vemlrole thus writes to his Friend in Bojfoti, 
 
 Pembroke April 2, 1799. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 C"^ OD has been pleafed to begin a glorious work in the 
 X firft parifli in MarJhfielJ, and a few fcattering drops 
 in towns adjoining, although but a few as yet. O may we 
 all be enabled to wreftle like Jacob and prevail like Ifrael, 
 Wc need the prayers of all who have an intercll at the 
 throne of grace, that we may be kept from error and delu- 
 sion. O may the time foon come, when the knowledge of 
 God fliall cover the earth, as the waters do the feas. 
 
 As to the prcfent ftaie of tlic icfurmaLiun among us, tliere 
 are between 30 and 40, in a judgment of charity, brought to 
 the knowledge of the truth j and more than that number 
 appear to be under ferious imprefTions of mind. 
 
 EXTRACT VII. 
 
 The Bev, P P , of Dcsr-JJle, ii^rites thus in « 
 
 Jjetter to his Friend in Netvhury-Port. 
 
 Decr-Ifle, March 20, 1799. 
 Dear brother, 
 
 IN your laft letter to me, you wrote you had heard there 
 was a revival of religion fomewhere in thefe parts j and 
 defired me to give you an account of it. 
 
 In the beginning of June laft, I was called to Mount 
 Defert to adminifter facraments to a church that have not 
 ja ftated Paftor, and tarried with them about nine days ; 
 when, in the preaching of my fecond Sermon, the glory of 
 the Lord came down in a wonderful manner. One convict- 
 ed, and hopefully converted under that Sermon, was added 
 to the Church about two days after, and three others who 
 had before obtained a hope. Three months after this, I 
 went again to adminifter the Lord's Supper, at which time I 
 admitted twenty-eight who had hopefully been brought 
 home in the interval. The work of conviction was then go- 
 ing on powerfullyin that town, and fpreading into thole ad- 
 joining on the fame ifland.* Our alTociation had licenfed 
 dear Mr. Ehene%er Eaton io\ive■^ch, who improved his talent, 
 laboring night and day among them, whom the Love] re- 
 markably owned. How many have been brought out iince 
 I was there, I am not informed ; but according to the bell 
 accounts, there arc many. The Lord multiply the number, 
 and add to the Church fuch as fhall be faved. 
 
 * Mount Defert is an Ifland in Pcnobfcott Bay. 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 I now come a little nearer home. In the beginning of 
 winter, this glorious work began in Sedgxvick, under the pai- 
 toral care of the Rev. Daniel Merrill. Perhaps there hath 
 not been a v/ork fo powerful, and fo much like the work 
 fifty-eight years ago. In a time of fuch cxlraordinaries, it 
 could not reafonably becxpefted but fome things would be 
 a little wild and incoherent, conlidering the various tempers, 
 infirmities, and difpofitions of mankind : But I believe my 
 young and dwr brother Merrill, with other experienced 
 Cbriftians were very careful to diftinguilh the precious from 
 the vile— to correft errors, *' to fet the people in the way of 
 bis fteps," fo that there appears to be no prevalence of en- 
 tLiunalm amonsj them, according to the beft information. 
 How great the number of thofe who have been brought to 
 hope, I am not able to give any tolerable good account : 
 Some fay there are about an hundred, others about double 
 that number : I believe they arc all very uncertain. Bleflcd 
 be God, the work is flill going on there, though not with 
 Cfjnal rapidity. 
 
 And now, dear Sir, let your imagiHation paint to your 
 view the ftriking fcene of an hundred fouls, men, women, 
 and children, at the fame time under the work of the law. 
 The tears, fobs, groans, and cries ilTuing from fcores at a 
 time ! All the terrors of the law crowding and prefTing in 
 upon them j their fins, in infinite numbersand aggravations, 
 ft:^ring them in the face ; all their old vain hopes gone, and 
 cut off, and every refuge failing ! Hear them freely confef- 
 fing their old abominations, their former enmity to the great 
 do6lrines of original fin, eledtion, the fovereignty of divine, 
 free grace, the power of God difplayexl in e.ffedual voca- 
 tion ; above all, the juftice of God in their damnation ! 
 How often are fouls brought out into the peace and comfort 
 oi the love of God, and the fweet confoladons of the Holy 
 Spirit. The dead hrar the voice of the Son of God, and 
 live. Children are brought to cry '* HofHnna to the Son of 
 David." Indeed this glorious work has been wonderful 
 among children; and God has made inftruments of thera to 
 perfcd his praife in carrying on his work. 
 
 This blelFed work of God has begun in Blue-Hill^ but 
 as yet has not gained the afcendency, I fliall therefore come 
 to my own dear people of Dcer-IJle. And here, perhaps 
 the work is as remarkable as at Sedi^ivick, but not fo rapid. 
 Not more than eight months ago it appeared to me that re- 
 ligion was near expiring among us, except in a very handful 
 (>f profeilbrs Deifm had taken an unaccountable ftride, and 
 fpread itlclf over a great number of the inhabitants. And 
 now. No Bible, no Chrift ! The Chriftian religion, and 
 Chriftians, were the fong of the drunkard 3 and drunkenucfs 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 and eveiy vice was deemed harmlefs^ and inoffenfive to 
 God. I had no reafon to think but hj the next annual 
 meeting of the town, they would vote the Gofpel out from 
 thena. When the aforementioned work at Pcnohfcot and 
 Mount Defert was going on, it feemed to have no influence 
 on our people. This, you may be fure, was very grievous 
 to me. However, I think I was enabled to bear witnefs to 
 the truth with great freedom. In 06tober, I perceived 2. 
 more clofe attention to the word, but nothing Ipecial as 3'et. 
 After I was confined to my houfe, the work began to ap- 
 pear 3 and though I could not go abroad, nor preach at t!ie 
 Aleeting-houfe, there was feldom a day but more or lefs vi- 
 iited me undci their trnnhlp. and 1 preached in my own 
 houfe when I was not able to fland on my fett. At length, 
 we had the affiftance of^Mr, E. Eaton, whom God remarka- 
 bly owns. I believe there are about forty men, women, and 
 children, who have obtained a hope; and great numbers are 
 under prefling convi6tion. The work is now on the increafe. 
 May the Lord continue and ftill increafe it till they are all 
 brought in. The mouth of deifm is at prefent flopped, and 
 againll the children of Ifrael not fo much as a dog is fufter- 
 ed to move his tongue. O may the Lord go on from con- 
 quering to conquer, till the whole earth fl:all be filled with 
 his glory. 
 
 Thus, dear Sir, I have complied with 3'our defire. If yo« 
 think proper, you may caufe the foregoing Narrative to be 
 printed in the newfpapers. Such accounts may be -a mea« 
 of putting a carclcfs people under confideration. 
 
 EXTRACT VIII. 
 
 A Letter from a perfojz in Deer-I/le, to a Society ivith ivhicli he 
 is co?meded in Neivbury-Pori, dated March \5, 1790- 
 Dear Friends and Brethren. 
 
 WHILE 1 am partaking a rich repaid, I lieartily de- 
 fire my friends may have a ilia re of a feall indeed. 
 It is in vain for me to attempt to defcribe the v/onders of 
 the love and grace of God manifefied in a marvellous man- 
 ner among us, and in the adjacent parts. It !ia=; pleafed God 
 to vifit us by the out-pouring of his blelTed Spirit, fo thnt 
 even oppofers acknowledge it to be the work of God, ot 
 whom fome of the greateft have been (I hope) lavingly 
 wrought upon. 
 
 This blelTed and glorious work firfi: began in a fmall 
 neighborhood that have lived in a carelefs and negligent 
 manner as to their attendance on the means of grace : The 
 bead of the firft family that was wrought upon, is a man of 
 about fixty years of age : I never faw him at meeting but 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 twice fince I lived on the Ifland, before this winter ; God 
 has been pleafed to vifit him and his wife, and they both 
 appear to be humble Chriflians, with feveral others of that 
 family. The work is daily increafing and fpreading through 
 the town ; there were 4 or 5 brought into the light under 
 one fermon this weekj there have been Ip perfons come 
 forward and made a public profeflion of religion, and joined 
 the Church already, and nearly as many more profcts to 
 have a hope. 
 
 This work has been more extenfive in Sedgivick : I am 
 credibly informed it has vifited every houfe for 14 miles, 
 and about one hundred fouls are hopefully converted. 
 What fhali we fay to thefe things ? ^ L^t na arlore the free 
 grace of our blcHed God and Savior, I think there is 
 great encouragement for all that love our Lord, and have 
 an intereft at the throne of grace, to plead with God to 
 fpread this glorious work. Let us all adore and praife his 
 name for his wonderful works to the fonsof men. I blefs 
 God that he has given me to fee fuch glorious days of the 
 Son of Man. It has been a Sabbath to me all this v/inter ; 
 I have enjoyed a continual feaft, and find it good to wait on 
 God. I had rather be a door-keeper in his houfe, than to 
 dwell in the tents of fin. 
 
 O that it would pleafe God to caufe a glorious ihower of 
 divine grace to defcend upon you. My foul longs for your 
 falvation, that every member of your little fociety may be a 
 partaker of the heavenly grace j may this be a mean of ftir- 
 ring you up, and engaging your hearts in the things of God. 
 Let not worldly cares turn your attention from this moft 
 important concern : Not only our prefent but evcrlafting 
 happinefs lies here. 
 
 EXTRACT IX. 
 
 A Letter ivritten by Mrs. A 5 , in the Dijiri^ 
 
 ofMa'iTie, to the Rev. Jfaac Backus, at MidJkhorough. 
 Dear Sir, Litch field, April 6. 1 /pp. 
 
 THERE has been a wonderful out-pouring of God's 
 Spirit in thefe parts this winter; efpecially among the 
 youth. As many as 25 have joined this church this winter, 
 who are not more than 20 years old ; and one lad who was 
 but ryne. 1 believe there is not one houfe mifled for feven 
 or eight miles, but what the Lord has taken fome out of ev- 
 ery family. And one family, who but a few years ago were 
 In open oppofitlon to this caufe, 7 out of 11 have now pro- 
 fcflcd to know Jefus Chrift and the power of his refurrec- 
 tion ; one of whom was baptized laft Lord's-day. And 
 while we were by the water fide, the power of the Lord 
 eacae dewn like the rulhing of a mighty wind. One young 
 
( IS ) 
 
 'Woman was fo ftruck with a fenfe of her duty that flie could 
 not ftand on her feet. The people feeing her faulter* 
 thought {lie was faint ; but fhe faid No, no ; her friends 
 Were in fuch oppofition to the Baptifts, that flie had never 
 faid any thing openly about religion. — In the afternoon in- 
 ftead of a fermon Ihe told her exercifes, and two more, 
 who were baptized the fame day. We thought the reform- 
 ation was almoft over in this place j but we find the Lord 
 has not forfaken us ; bleffcd be his name, he is ftill giving 
 us a tafte of his Love. 
 
 EXTRACT X. 
 
 Another Letter, dated BozvJoinJham, April 2^, ^799,/rom ihe 
 Rezf. Job Macomher, to tbefajfie, contains thefolloivmg. 
 
 SINCE our lafl. affociation, elder JFiliiam Stinfon, who 
 is ordained over the firft church in Litchfield, has bap- 
 tized 1 18. The greatelt part of them belong to that town. 
 The winter before laft there was the moft powerful work in 
 Boivdoin that I ever faw lince I came into thefe parts. It 
 prevailed through the town. Elder Potter baptized 22 in 
 one day. And it was as powerful in LitchfeU lail winter j 
 Elder Stinfon baptized 13 there in one day. Thefe were two 
 as cold winters as were ever known here. I'hc work has 
 now begun in this town. Six perfons have lately manifefted 
 a change of heart j two of them are my children. The 
 work ftill prevails. 
 
 EXTRACT XI. 
 
 From theUev. J D , in Nova-Scotia, to his 
 
 Friend in Bojlon, dated Halifax, May 25, 1799. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING many complaints as to the. 
 ftate of religion in forae parts 5 yet God is raarvel- 
 loufly vihtmg feveral townthips with the fliowersofhis grace 
 luA?mapoUsCoun\.y the following places have fhared larcre- 
 ^P ^'^.^- ^'■^'^■^^■^^'^> Willmouth, Nidau, and Ay-lesford. In 
 King's County, Horton and Cornivallis, kave been wonderful- 
 ly vifited. Sinners have been converted to God, and Chrif- 
 tnns to their duty. Two Pedo-baptiil Minifters have been 
 baptized, and a great many young converts. The three laft 
 facramental occafions, I think there were baptized, the ift 
 thirteen— the 2d. twenty-feven-the 3d. twenty-eight. 
 
 Ihere are alfo favorable fvmptoms among the Dutch 
 people ztLunenburgh. Many of them who had been vio- 
 lent oppofers of religion, having fpent all their arrows, fay 
 they will fight no more. Some are under verv ferious im- 
 prellions, and a few hopefully converted 
 
( 14 ) 
 EXTRACT XII, 
 
 Cci?iiajrA?2g a further account ofthefin.^e ivorTi, hi a Letter front 
 
 the 'Rcj. T //. C , to hh Friend i?i Bojion, dated 
 
 Annapolis in Nova-Scotia, July 15^ 1799-* 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I AM conliUent you will be glad to hear of the advance- 
 ment of Chrift's Kingdont, though by an unllcilful hand. 
 Therefore Ihall attempt to give you forae account of what 
 God has done among us. The Fall after J was lailat Bof- 
 ton, it pleafed God to vilit our Society, at tbc lower part of 
 Granz'ille ; it was a bleiled time of God's power, and ad- 
 ditions were made to the Church. A year ago laft January, 
 God began to viht us here, and in oar Society at Willmjuthy 
 where I preach a third part of my time. It has been amoft 
 aftonilliing time of God's power, fuch as I never knew be- 
 fore. I cannot give you a full defcriplion of it. I have, 
 frequently been called out of my bed at night to vilit diftrell^ 
 ed fouls. They have fometiraes been brought from the deep- 
 eft diftrefs to Ihout the praifes of the living God. My four 
 eldeil chrildren, I doubt not arc made partakers of grace 
 divine. Two of them are baptized. Since the work began^ 
 I have baptized 173 perfons (in about thirteen months) but 
 not all in our church. ComivalUs and Horton have fhared 
 largely with us. I have baptized two of our Miniftersf laft 
 furamer, and am to baptize another as foon as I can go 
 where he lives. 
 
 Our Congregations have increafed greatly. Laft year wc. 
 built a new Meeling-Houfe at the upper end of Granville, 
 where I preach a third part of my time, and this fumraer wc 
 have enlarged it twenty feet. O that we may never be 
 hiorhminded but fear. 
 
 EXTRACT XIII. 
 
 From a Minijicr in Conne^icut, to his Friend in BoJlon. 
 Dear Brother in Chriji. Lyme June 30, 1/99. 
 
 ACCORDING to your ^^^w^., I will endeavour to de- 
 fcribc fome of the effects of the glorious work of God 
 in this place, the preceding Fall and Winter. Previous to 
 which, I miift inform you, there was a great ftupidity on the 
 minds of our brethren, who appeared to dwell in their ceiled 
 houfes while the honfe of God lay wafte. There were a few 
 vlrops in the month of Auguft ; but on the firft LordVday 
 
 * In 1701, there were four Baptift Churches in Nova-Scotiay the 
 l)rincipal Minifter was Henry Chiipmart. Sec Afplund's Regifter. 
 
 \ This Connexion or Aflbciation was formed of Pcdo and Anti-pcdo- 
 baptifls. 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 in September, many began to be alarmed j we therefore 
 thought it our duty to appoint a day of falling and prayer, 
 which was on the feventh day of the fame month. — There 
 was an univerfal Iblemnity, and profound attention obferved 
 on the face of the alTembly, which exceeded any thing 1 
 ever faw before. — It was a fad day indeed. The faints arofe 
 by confeflion of the infinite evil of fm, — with fixed refolu- 
 tion to lead a new life, — And in the clofe of the day (like 
 St. Paul) they thanked God, and took courage. After this 
 our meetings increafed, and the blrlfed effufions of the Ho- 
 ly Spirit were diftiiled upon us. It was affecting to behold 
 the faints exhorting J bnckfliders returning j and poor fin- 
 ners crying for mercy. On the firit Lord's-day in Odober 
 we attended on the ordinance of baptifm. My poor foul 
 v/as warmed with the love of God, which made me fpeak 
 from the heart, and it reached the hearts of my brethren, 
 and the dear aficmbly ; and we enjoyed communion with 
 the Father, Son, and Spirit, at the Lord's Table. 
 
 After this, conferences increafed. My brethren were 
 much engaged ia prayer to God for the effulion of his 
 Spirit. At fome of our conferences there was a great folcm- 
 nity upon the youth and children ; one of whom mourned 
 that Ihe had lived in lin twelve years, till Ihe thought <hc 
 become an old finncr; but it pleafed God at this time to re- 
 veal Chrift to her and many others, and to give them the 
 hope of glory. 
 
 On the firfl Lord's-day in November, I baptized two, — 
 It was a good feafon. The ninth of this month, was a 
 memorable night ! The Lord glorioully manifefted his pow- 
 er and love in bringing three perfons into the full liberty of 
 the Gofpel ; one of whom was my iit'th child, who I truft is 
 brought into the Kingdom of Chrift. Another ih agony of 
 foul cried out, " If I do go to hell, I will go begging for 
 mercy !" and her diftrefs increafed to fuch a degree, that Iho 
 left her chamber the latter part of the night, and went int« 
 a burying yard, and fell on her knees in great difirefs, till 
 the kind Lord revealed himfelf to her in a wonderful man- 
 ner. The third was a woman near forty years of age, who 
 gave a clear relation of the love of God to her foul. Wc 
 now faw, both in the houfe of God and in our own hoafes, 
 the fweet influences of the bleiTed Spirit bowing £lout 
 hearted finners to the fceptre of Emanuel. 
 
 The firft of December was our Covenant Meeting pre- 
 ceding the Lord's-day, which was taken up in hearing the* 
 relations of candidates. A number more rdated their c.\- 
 ercifes the day following ; and notwithlianding it was averv 
 levere fnow florm, twelve were baptized, a number uf 
 whom were youths from ten to fifteen years of age. The 
 faints in general were animated with the love of God^ ar.il 
 
♦ 
 
 JU 
 
 wer.' mighty in prayer for precious foujs, triumphing ovcf 
 the united powers of darknefs. Indeed it is aJmofl beyond my 
 power to give a full defcription of this wonderful fcene. It 
 is alfo to be remarked that our brethren of the Prefbyterian 
 order and other denominations joined with us in promoting 
 the caufe of our blefled Redeemer. About this time, meet- 
 ings on week-days were appointed, for receiving candidates, 
 and attending to baptifm j and through the fevcrity of this 
 tedious winter, I never heard any one complain or fhrink at 
 the crofs, on account of the coldnefs of the weather. 
 
 This work has been glorioufly carried on in the.fpJrit of 
 love. In the ^rft part of ^t. iliere wap ?rc3,t outcrying, but 
 A gradually fubhded into a free deliberate converfation on 
 the dreadful lituation they were in by nature; and their full 
 determination to continue feeking till they iliould find him 
 of whom Mofes and the Prophets did write. I never faw 
 lefs oppofition to the work of God. 
 
 The principal part of this work, was in our Society ; but 
 it has fpread into others in the neighboring towns. More 
 than a hundred we hope have received the grace of God ; 
 and more than eighty have joined the church under my care. 
 
 When I confider the great number of fouls committed to 
 ray charge, andmy own infufficiency, my heart fhrinks with- 
 in me ; but all my hope is in the great Head of the Church. 
 My daily prayer is, that he would grant me his grace as an 
 under Shepherd, to difcharge my duty towards God and my 
 dear Flock, during my few remaining days. 
 
 The number of members under my care atprefent,is three 
 hundred and thirty fix. 
 
 INFORMATION, though not very correa, has alfo 
 been received from a number of towns in Che/hire County, 
 in JVezu-Ham£/7jzr£, of a very pleafing and exlenfive reform- 
 ation. 
 
 The following towns are faid to have fhared largely in it. 
 \'iz. Unity, Marlmv, Lcmfier, Aljlead, Ackzvorthy Comi/^y 
 and Vlainfieldy with fome others in that neighborhood 
 The towns of Stratham and Neiv-Marlet, in Ncw-Hamp- 
 Jhircy are favored at this time with like revivals 3 but for want 
 of accurate documents, a particular account cannot be given. 
 
 If the repentance of one finner caufes joy in heaven among 
 the angels of God, what fliouts of immortal praife mufl have 
 echoed through all the realms of blifs, upon the acceflionof 
 fuch numbers to the Redeemer's Kingdom ! 
 
 O Lord, may thy Kingdom come, and thy will be done, 
 on earth as it is in heaven, for Chrift's fake. Amen. 
 
 Brifid : Pr'm'id by Bifrt;* OftdCcf 
 

 
 
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