LETTER XII. FROM THE REVEREND WILLIAM NEILL, D. D. MY DEAR SIR, Germantown, April 6, 1832. I am pleased to find that you are about to publish a course of lectures on Revivals of religion. The subject, always interesting to Christians, has become peculiarly so, of late, by reason of the frequency and power of those precious refreshings from the Lord; and, also, because of the extraordinary means employed, in some instances, to promote and perpetuate them. The views of some of the clerical brethren, of several denominations, which you are endeavoring to collect, may form a useful appendix to your work. In contributing an expression of good will towards this latter object, my words shall be few; and it is my prayer, that they may be well ordered, and in keeping with the law and the testimony. A revival of true religion is a blessing of no ordinary import; and, if every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, then, clearly, a genuine revival is from the same divine source. "Paul plants and Apollos waters; but God gives the increase." Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth," saith the Redeemer. From these two passages of Holy Writ, not to mention others, we may say-nay, I must believe we are bound to acknowledge, that, of every true revival, God is the efficient cause; and his revealed will, with his instituted ordinances, the chosen instruments. I know, indeed, that men are under obligation immediately to repent and turn to God; and I also know, that when God works in the soul, disposing it to will and to do his good pleasure, he calls its faculties into vigorous action; so that the divine influence, in no respect, infringes man's moral agency. To attend to the truth-to believe the gospel-to repent after a godly sortto love God, and obey his commands, and lay hold on eternal life, are duties incumbent on every man; and, when performed, are acts or exercises of his own mind: but it is the Spirit of God, in view of the word of precept and promise, that moves and enables him to put forth these mental efforts, in a spiritual and acceptable manner. When I say that the word and instituted ordinances of the gospel, are the instruments designed of God to be used in producing and promoting revivals, I mean to be understood as disapproving of all means and measures, intended to advance the cause of religion, which are not sanctioned by the example of Christ and the Apostles, or which are not warranted by the discipline of God's house, as laid down in his Holy Bible. In judging thus, I do not impugn the motives, or undervalue the zeal and labors of those brethren in the ministry, who employ expedients in their efforts to bring sinners to Christ, which I deem unwarrantable. When we are reminded of the effects produced in connexion with the use of some such means, as are alluded to above, the question arises— whether results equally good, and extensive, and permanent, would not have been experienced, without the use of any questionable means? The means of salvation which God has prescribed in his word, are the best; and it is a reflection on his wisdom and goodness, to suppose that they need any additions or modifications of ours. Human devices, however ingenious and well-meant, and however they may have the effect of producing strong excitement, for a time, will, in the long run, be found fraught with mischief to the truth; and to that decency and order which Christ has established in his kingdom. Allow me, here, to mention a few particulars, connected with some of the revivals, of which we have read in the religious papers, that I cannot but regard as evils, or, at least, of evil tendency. 1. That style of preaching, which, while it aims to make the impenitent sinner feel his blame-worthiness, tends, indirectly, to cherish the idea that it is an easy thing to become a Christian, and that he can give his heart to God whenever he sees fit so to do, independently of a divine influence. Let him take up this idea, and he will feel easy, and be very apt to postpone repentance, till he shall have enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a season. 2. The use of anxious seats, and putting the people to the test of a public vote, under the influence of strong feeling. Have mi nisters a right to propose this measure? Is it not embarrassing to the humble? Does it not foster forwardness and self-confidence in those who have not yet learned what spirit they are of? 3. Public confession of sins, in the face of promiscuous assemblies. This practice, in my view, is based on a misinterpretation or wrong use of a scriptural precept" Confess your faults one to another”—that is, in private, or in the presence of a few, select Christian friends. When done in public, it looks like aiming at effect; gives occasion of reproach to the enemies of religion, &c. We should avoid all appearance of evil. 4. Calling upon zealous but unauthorised persons to perform the appropriate duties of ordained ministers. This is calculated to bring the ministry into contempt, and to inflict upon the church a host of self-commissioned and unqualified teachers. 5. Hasty admissions to the communion, of very young persons, or of those who have given but little proof of their knowledge of the gospel, or of their having experienced a gracious change of heart. The good seed often falls on stony ground, where there is not much depth of earth. A reasonable time of probation seems expedient, if not demanded, by a proper regard for the persons admitted, and for the peace and purity of the church. 6. A neglect of ministers of the gospel, who are not considered thorough-going revival men. I honor an intelligent and zealous preacher, whose services God has honored, in promoting revivals; but I also hold in reputation the man, whose ministrations are serious, and of an evangelical strain, though they may never have been strongly marked, by what are commonly called revivals. There is a diversity of gifts, under the guidance and hallowing influence of the same Spirit. In some revivals, I fear, a minister, not distinguished as a revival man, and an advocate of strong, decisive measures, would hardly be invited to preach, lest he should come with an extinguisher in his doctrine or manner. In my humble judgment, these things ought not so to be. How far the foregoing remarks will meet your views, Dear Brother, I know not. They have been made freely; but without any unkind or uncharitable feelings towards those who differ from me in opinion. They are submitted to your disposal; with my best wishes and earnest prayers, that your forth-coming work may prove a blessing to the cause of revivals, and be owned of God in advancing the kingdom and glory of our dear Redeemer. Your fellow servant in the Gospel, REV. W. B. SPRAGUE, D. D. WILLIAM NEILL. LETTER XIII. FROM THE REVEREND PHILIP MILLEDOLER, D. D. REVEREND AND Dear Sir, New-Brunswick, April 3, 1832. Your esteemed favor of March 12th has been duly received. The application made in it needs no apology. It involves a subject of deep interest to the whole church of God. Viewing it in this light, I feel no reluctance in attempting to comply with your request. The phrase "Revival of religion" has respect to two sorts of persons:-1. To those who are awakened from a state of spiritual death to a state of spiritual life: and, 2. To those who being thus awakened, are reanimated after seasons of depression, by a renewed and divine unction or impulse. Both these operations are recognised in the sacred scriptures; and both are attributed to the Holy Spirit. Hence those who are born again are said to be born of the Spirit; and times of reviving or refreshing are every where attributed to him as their undoubted author. This influence of the Spirit is exhibited under various symbols or emblems: For example, under the emblem of the rain. Hence it is predicted of Messiah, that "he should come down as rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.”* Under the emblem of fire-" He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." Also under the emblem of the wind-" The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." The movements of this element are, as we know, exceedingly diversified. It sometimes gently breathes upon, and at others moves with tremendous and resistless power over the face of the earth. In both cases, it is unseen in neither case, unfelt. Its operations are, indeed, every where perceptible, whilst the laws by which it is governed are, in *Ps. lxxii. 6. † Luke iii. 10. John iii. 8. |