And now the power of God in a wonderful manner filled the place. The cries of the distressed instantly broke out like a clap of thunder, from every part of the chapel, and the person's voice engaged in prayer, though exceeding loud, could no longer be heard. I now determined to resume my place, that I might, at least, in some tolerable degree, regulate our further proceedings. But before I could accomplish this design, some of the local preachers had spread themselves among those who were so greatly distressed, and were praying for them; while others came inquiring what I would wish them to do. I recommended to them the same work in which their brethren were already employed; so that, I suppose, in two minutes, ten little parties were praying in different parts of the chapel at the same time. In a few minutes, one of our friends informed me, that seventeen persons found peace with God in the gallery, and, perhaps, at least, half that number below. I never saw any thing like it. It could not but appear, to an idle spectator, all confusion; but to those who were engaged therein, it was a glorious regularity. It must be granted, that cries for mercy, and thanks for pardoning love, ascended in a wondrously mixed, but grateful incense, before the heavenly throne.

"Even little boys and girls have now prayer-meetings among themselves; and one company of lads meet constantly in the evening, when the weather is fine, in a field; they form a circle, and pray for each other, till they have some signal answer of divine approbation.— In this meeting, simple as it may appear to some, two or three have sometimes been set at liberty before they parted. From the reflections I have been led to make

on this extraordinary work, together with what has lately taken place through Yorkshire, I am led to conclude, that this must surely be a prelude to that glorious conquest of grace, which, we are prophetically assured, shall take place in the last days; and hence, is eminently preparing the way for the grand Millennial reign of our redeeming GOD. Amen. Even so, come LORD JESUS. I am, with all due respect and affection, dear Sir, yours in the gospel,

"JOHN MOON."

Mr. Miller was present at this somewhat irregular, but, as the event proved in the issue, highly important service. He seems to have been greatly irritated and offended at the time, and several accounts say, went away in disgust, with a resolution never to attend any Methodist service again. One of the statements in our possession, is as follows:-" He went to see what was going on, but so strong were his prejudices, that he was persuaded an undue advantage was taken of the ignorance of the people for some sinister purpose; and was excited to the utmost degree by these suspicions. His appearance created a great sensation in the chapel, being very handsome and majestic in his person and bearing; his dress was somewhat fantastical, and he was powdered and ruffled in the extreme of fashion." Another account states," It pleased the Lord at that time to pour out of his Spirit in such an extraordinary manner, as to astonish and confound both preachers and the oldest professors. Mr. Miller was so astounded, that he left the chapel in disgust, saying he had done with the Methodists, for he thought they were all going mad together, and on going home, told Mrs. Miller it

was at her peril that she ever went to the chapel again ; he also recommended Mr. Harwood, who lived in the next house, and some of whose family had begun to manifest a concern for their salvation, to discharge his wife from going again: but on the next night, the late Miss Mary Unwin, and the present Mrs. Brownell, (sisters of Mrs. Harwood,) who had attended prayers at church, and occasionally gone to chapel with Mr. and Mrs. Miller, both found peace at a prayer meeting. On hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Miller took an early opportunity to question them, as the Jews did the blind man, but with a happier result; for his prejudices gave way, and he became a regular attendant on the Methodist ministry, and also joined the society, and then got baptized into the spirit of that extraordinary revival, which laid the foundation of his future usefulness and success."

The perplexing difficulties connected with writing history of any sort, and the uncertainty of tradition, even in the first degree, and during the life of witnesses and contemporaries, meet us at this point. Out of five or six accounts of the conversion of Mr. Miller, no two agree to each other, as to the time, mode, or circumstances attending his justification, and attainment of peace with God. One account states that he was so powerfully arrested at the remarkable revival above described, that, though at first, he was filled with anger and wrath at the disorder he beheld; yet, before leaving the meeting, he fell upon his kneesbegan loudly and fervently to call upon God for mercy; and, before retiring, he obtained the knowledge of salvation, by the remission of his sins. Another party living at the time, and concerned in the whole affair,

More,

believes that Mr. Miller obtained the witness of the Spirit, on horseback, in a thunder storm, when riding in the country on professional duties. Being, it seems, only under the "drawings of the Father;" and having, as yet, but an indistinct perception of his own guilty and wretched state, his first introduction to the extraordinary scene presented by a revivalist meeting, aroused his latent wrath, and, as we have seen, caused him hastily to resolve to abandon his attendance on all the means of grace, among his new associates. however, than was apparent by his strong resentment, lay hidden in his heart. This was no new case; and, it may be doubted whether any man has ever been saved by the gospel, who was not previously offended by its searching truth. His resentment did not last through the following day. He had evidence that God was in the confusion he condemned, by two of his nearest neighbours, and most intimate friends, finding peace. This coinciding with his better feelings, the ebullition of the previous night passed away.

It is interesting to remark on this opposition to a spirit, and manner of proceeding, which he afterwards fell into-not to say adopted-for the belief of all the parties undoubtedly was, that it originated in the powerful operation of the Spirit of God. It is evident that he not only entertained doubts, but placed himself in direct collision with a movement which he deemed mischievous and disorderly. It seems from this, that, whatever might induce Mr. Miller afterwards, to become an advocate of revivalism, and an instrument of promoting its spirit, it did not flow from any innate, or natural proneness to fanaticism. His previous feelings, tastes, and conceptions of propriety, were all op

posed, whilst he remained under their influence, to this form of the work of God. It was only after he obtained new, and what he considered, scriptural views; whether right or wrong, in that notion, that he adopted the principles in question. With him, revivalism was a religious truth, and was embraced, no doubt, from a full persuasion of its being one of the modes of operation by that blessed Spirit, who "bloweth where he listeth."

His anger having subsided, it appears that Mr. Miller gave himself to "seek the Lord fully." Whether he obtained justifying grace in " a thunder storm," in the darkness of the night, in the solitude of his chamber, or at some other time and place, are points on which we must now be content to remain ignorant; but of the fact, there can be no doubt. When once decided, as to the right course, Mr. Miller was not a person to be supine. If the beginning of his career was any thing like its termination, and we have evidence that this was the case, then, his humiliations, confessions of sin, and approaches to the throne of grace, would not only be sincere, but fervent, instant, and importunate. Nothing was more remarkable than his decision. When the truth shone broadly on his mind, and he saw an open door of hope and salvation, he could not long bear his load of guilt, or drag the chains of his sins, without importunately crying for mercy, and verifying the graphic description of the Saviour,-" The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

In the state of a mere inquirer, or seeker of salvation, it seems Mr. Miller did not remain long. From one of the foregoing accounts, it is evident that he