HOW TO CONDUCT A REVIVAL.

FROM THE CHRISTIAN MIRROR.

There being some tokens of a special divine presence among my people, I was induced to write to an aged father in the ministry, who has performed the duties of his office more than forty seven years, who has been favored with numerous revivals of religion among his own people, and has been much conversant with revivals in other pla ces. He says, "the second year after my ordination, a revival commenced, and every family in the town had a greater or less number in it under serious impressions.-After this, there were repeated revivals in particular districts, but not general.-The work, which commenced in 1797, increased and gradually extended for two years, when it became general through the town,and continued for a year without any visible declension; then it gradually abated. This work, from its beginning to its end, continued five years; a very unusual and remarkable work in this respect. During this period large additions were made to the church. After this for several years, revivals and converts in different districts were multiplied; and we seldom had a communion without receiving by profession, one or more individuals."— In 1821, another revival commenced in the place, and when 94 had been received to the church, and 40 were propounded, he stated, “it is believed, that these with others, who will offer themselves, will make the whole number added to the church, as the fruits of this revival, not far from 150."

Reposing great confidence in the experience and judgment of one, who has great opportunity to observe what measures have been most useful, led me to make a number of inquiries. If you judge that the following extract from the letter, which I have received in answer to my inquiries, will be useful to the public, you will oblige a number of your readers by inserting it in the Mirror. The letter is dated, April 15, 1824.

* You inform me, that a good work is beginning among your people, and this is good tidings; and then ask by what means it can be increased, rendered genuine, and continued without any declension? These are important inquiries,and the questions asked are so many, that answers must be very brief. You ask, "how frequent should religious meetings be?" In the same district, a meeting on Saturday evening, and Sabbath evening, and one about the middle of the week, would be enough certainly if not too many. However, instead of making a reply to each question, I will give a general view of the best way as it appears to me, from what experience I have had. I observe what is called a rapid work is not apt to be the most genuine. If a few persons among my people, were seriously impressed, I would appoint a conference at a time, and in a place, where I thought the greatest

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number would attend with a view of making inquiry of persons about their religious views and feelings. Then I would ask the serious ones such questions, as would let all present see how they felt, how different their present views are from those which they had in a secure state. My object would be in this way, to inform all, that a work had begun ; and I would make remarks with a design to render the impressions deeper ; to show all, it was necessary for them to feel the truth as those few do; and thus endeavor to awaken and impress every mind. I should not wish to have any speak in the meetings, except those, who could reflect some light and be useful; should not allow young converts to say much; yet now and then let them briefly relate their experience; and should call on the brethren, generally to make the prayers. In preaching and conferences, I should dwell most upon those subjects, of the truth of which the Holy Spirit was convincing them; such as the depravity of the heart, necessity of the new birth, man's weakness, and dependence on God's holy pleasure, to let them see He might justly leave them to perish; was under no obligation to save-and life, if given, must be unmerited. Such truths as the Holy Spirit was impressing, are the most important, and ought to be made very plain, and powerfully impressed. I should labor to excite feelings, or passions no further that such doctrines would excite them. For passions without light do not much good. I should often speak against giving any attention to imaginary ideas, such as dreams, visions, voices, and texts of scripture suggested. By giving heed to such things, thousands have been deceived. I should seldom say any thing about the work, except in this strain; God is here; now is an accepted time; if any are idle in a summer season, they have nothing to expect but swift destruction. If any appeared to be in a despairing way, should show them they cannot be certain they shall not be saved: their duty is to cry for mercy and not indulge despondency. But I should not feel much concerned about their despair, unless their nerves were greatly affected, and there were symptoms of derangement; then a physician might perhaps, do them most good; for I never knew any others, than those of disordered nerves in a state of despair. I should be careful never so much as give a hint, that the work might, or would decline, or suffer others to do it, if it could be prevented, but preach and talk as though it would continue and increase forever. The idea, many suggest, that revivals will be short,seems to me to have this effect; we must awake now for a short season and then go to sleep. It is our fault, that the work does not continue and increase, and if any indulge an idea it will be soon at an end, it will soon begin to decline. I should preach and talk much to young as well as old converts. Young converts have new and pleasant feelings, and are apt to think their work is done; they now shall live a happy life; they see not their danger. The danger of their becom

ing stupid should be impressed on them; they have only begun their work; they have a warfare to fight, a race to run, and if faithful as they ought to be, they will go on to perfection; so teach them daily their duty to watch, pray, press forward. All disputes should be a. voided, especially about baptism; this never fails to put an end to a good work. In few words, we believe, in order for persons to be sav ed, they must know or feel the truth, such as our depravity, the need of a new faith, our dependence, and the way of life by unmerited grace through Christ. All we can do is to explain and enforce these As far as persons'

and like truths on every heart and conscience. feelings are excited by truth, it is well; but to excite passions in any other way than by truth, is of little importance. Hence lay exhortation can do but little good, unless the speaker can make truth plain; if he can, he may do good. Sometimes hearing certain persons speak has an effect to alarm and awaken the stupid and careless; especially for one who has been a Deist, or Universalist, or some one, who has been very openly wicked; if he speaks and appears much impressed, many say, then, religion is important, we must attend to it. I could have given reasons to the hints suggested, but have not had room."

But surely, Mr. Editor,these remarks must carry their own reasons and evidence of their truth and propriety with them to every reflecting mind. From what I have had opportunity to observe, I have no doubt that many revivals of religion have been rendered superficial and of short continuance from having too many meetings and holding them too long. At meeting, the feelings ordinarily are more excited than when alone. Where the feelings are strongly excited, truth is not likely to be so clearly seen. In the most thorough conversion, truth takes strong and deep hold of the mind, the passions are but moderately excited, and every feeling of solicitude and interest can be traced to a distinct view of some truth.

T.

From the Eclectic Recorder.

FAMILY WORSHIP.

A few weeks since I spent the night with my friend EDMUND and his family. Edmund has named the name of Christ, and has many

years been numbered with his people. He has a numerous family.

Having spent the evening, as ten o'clock drew near, Edmund spoke to his wife saying, "lel us prepare to retire," and so saying, walked into another room, brought out a Bible, seated himself in the midst of his children, and began to read. While reading a long chapter, his industrious wife was employed arranging her work-basket, and putting things in order the elder boy was busily employed with one shoe that needed lacing, or somewhat else; another was humming over his lesson; a beautiful little daughter was arranging her

hair, and the younger son was scated on the carpet with his top, and sundry other things. Thus the time was spent, while Edmund was reading the word of God. I confess I heard but a small part of it, and I presume the members of the family heard less-however, Edmund concluded the chapter and closed the book, just at the time his good wife had arranged her basket, swept the carpet a little, &c. Edmund arose from his seat and said, "let us pray." We all knelt down-I say all, but judging from the confusion that followed, the children were playing "hide and seek," or something else, while his wife, by loud and repeated whispers, endeavoured to preserve order; but to no good purpose. At length the prayer was ended, but what he prayed for I know not, for it required all the powers of my mind and body to keep the chair on which I was leaning in its proper place we then retired, as I could neither hear nor compose my mind' on account of the noise.

O! ye who are parents, be instructed by this sad picture; O, my soul, take heed to thyself and to thy ways. Who that trains up children in this manner, will be able to say, at the judgment seat of Christ, "Here am I, and the children thou hast given me ?" Is there not reason to fear that such a father will be a savor of "death unto death," rather than of "life unto life?"

Not many days after, I spent the evening with my particular friend Veritas, who is also numbered with the Lord's people, and has a family. I was present at the season of family worship; but how great and delightful the contrast! It does not appear to be the object of Veritas "to pray to be seen of men," nor merely because he has made a profession of religion and feels it to be his duty. At an early hour in the evening, Veritas said to J, the elder son, "Bring the Bibles." J, with eyes sparkling with joy, immediately procured the Bibles, and gave one to his father, one to M, one to C, and one he retained himself. The servants were called in, and all were soon seated in order. The elder son next to his father, and the two younger children who could not read, beside their mother, on the opposite side of the room, reclining on her, and with expressions of interest and anxiety, looking alternately at her and their father. Without naming a chapter, Veritas said, have you all found the place?Yes, Sir, was the reply from the three boys. The younger son then commenced reading, and each read at the discretion of Veritas, who occasionally made a remark and replied to an inquiry of the elder son. Veritas concluded reading, and added a few appropriate remarks, during which time all eyes were fixed on him, and every countenance manifested feelings of intense interest and delight. We then knelt down, and, for a moment, all was silent as the grave. I thought I could adopt the language of Jacob, and say, "How awful is this place, this is none other than the house of God." Veritas commenced his

prayer with expressions of solemnity, and reverence, and holy fear. His prayer was not long, but appropriate and fervent. When we arose, I looked at the members of the family, and while I beheld, a tear stole down the cheek of one of the boys. After a few minutes spent in free conversation on the subject of religion, in which the children took a part, the younger children retired, and the remaining part of the evening was agreeably and I hope profitably spent. After taking leave of my friends, my reflections were delightful. It was, (thought 1,) good to be there; it was a bethel; it was the gate of heaven. If there is true happiness on the earth, it is to be found in such a family. Often shall I look back to that hour with peculiar satisfaction, and while my spirit lingers around that consecrated altar, may it be my desire to follow Veritas as he follows Christ.

From the Youth's Journal.

REPENTANCE PREACHED TO CHILDREN. At this day when the interests of the rising generation are more sensibly felt than ever before, children are taught in Sabbath Schools and at home, the duty of repentance. Their parents and teachers tell them that "except they repent they will perish." This too, is the language of the Bible-Luke xiii. 3. This often leads the inquisitive minds of the young, to feel the question, what is repentance ? To this it is very important, an answer should be given in so plain a manner, that the youthful understanding can receive it, and with so much correctness, that it will not mistake the true nature of repentance. We well know that all sorrow for having sinned against God, is not godly sorrow, or true repentance. Now if my young friends will give me their attention, I will tell them a story, which will enable them to form an idea of true repentance. They may depend upon it as true, for I had it from the lips of the father, about whom I am going to speak.

In the town of P- in the State of Massachusetts, now lives a very pious and respectable gentleman. His little son, a lad of seven or eight years of age, one day told a lie. Now this was directly opposed both to the law of God, and to the commands of his parents.His father had always told his children, that if they told a falsehood, he would correct them. Accordingly, when this painful intelligence reached his ears, that his little Josiah had been guilty of this dreadful sin, he ordered him to go and cut a rod. The little boy cut a rery large one. The father took him into a room alone, and began to chastise him. The child cried aloud, and the father stopped and began to talk with him, upon the sinfulness of his conduct. And being a very tender-hearted man, he wept over his wicked son. This lad looked up and seeing the tears rolling down his father's cheeks, ran into his arms and exclaimed, "Father, whip me as much as you please;