For the Methodist Magazine.

ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF GOD IN THE WESTERN COUNTRY.

Introductory remarks to Short Sketches of Revivals of Religion, among the Methodists in the Western Country.

(Continued from page 274.)

No. IV.

In the following year, (1802) notwithstanding the persecutions, the revival appeared in the union formed by the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, to withstand every assault. The preachers in general who were engaged in the work, and particularly the Methodist preachers, appeared to be filled with the Spirit. Their preaching was in the demonstration of the Spirit, and accompanied with uncommon power.

Two ministers of the Methodist connexion, one of the travelling, the other of the local order, (John Alexander Granade, and Caleb Jarvis Taylor, both of whom have since fallen asleep in the blessed Jesus), contributed largely to this revival by their poetical talents. Their hymns and spiritual songs breathe the spirit of the times. These excellent songs were written in the midst of the holy flame, in the height of the revival. They were suitable to the times, and descriptive of the work. It was not only at the meetings that they were sung; but making so deep an impression upon the minds of the people at this period, they were soon learned by thousands; who made the shops, the flelds, the woods, the hills and the vales to echo with the melody of their voices. In the revival in general the Methodist hymns were mostly used. Their hymn books, at this time, were quite scarce. They were generally termed "WESLEY'S HYMNS," (though a collection) by way of distinction. When one got a hymn book, it has been remarked, that it would be cut up, and divided out in sheets to those engaged in the spirit of singing. Having memorized many hymns and songs, when one was started at their meetings, hundreds would unite, and being divided into many companies, when singing would be going on, the sound of their voices "was heard afar off." It was truly solemn and awful, yet melodious! Under singing the greatest power appeared generally to be displayed. Its charms disarmed and then melted into tenderness the hard hearts of sinners. Even the persecuting and heaven-daring sinner, would sometimes have his attention caught by it, and be suddenly melted into tears; and at other times, seized with a sudden trembling, they would fall to the ground. In the course of this year there were great displays of divine power. "On the first of March," (1802)

one writes," Some things have lately taken place, which I think more extraordinary than any I have seen or heard since the apostolic age. The case of R. M. was truly miraculous. I suppose you have heard of it." Another writes and describes it thus: "Last Saturday exceeded, by far, any thing I ever saw before. R. M. was struck (the usual term then used for being under powerful or pungent convictions) the Thursday after you left this. She neither eat nor spoke for nine days and nights.I was there when she arose and spoke. Her countenance was,' as it were, refined. She told me that she was free from the world all that time. She says the work will increase." "That the power" (says one on this subject,) "was supernatural by which such multitudes were struck down, requires no arguments to prove; and had they never risen again, there might have beensome reason for charging it to an evil power: but who has power to kill and make alive again? Could any one with the rationality of a man suppose that any thing short of the power of God, could suspend the functions of animal life, for an hour, a day, or a week; and again restore them with an additional bright- ̧· ness? Is nature wont to assume such apparent changes, as for tens, and fifties, moved at the same time by the same instinet, to forget the use of every limb, and fall prostrate, no matter where, and yawn, and gasp, and apparently expire in cold sweat? It belongs not to nature to exempt her sons from wounds and bruises, and broken limbs, and aching heads in cases of such repeated and dangerous falls as were common at this time." The exhortations delivered upon those occasions by all ranks and colors; and especially by small children, were evidently of a divine power. Such exhortations and addresses were not unfrequently heard from such as were unlearned, and also of the most bashful and unpopular cast of mind. Such little ones of eight or ten years of age, raised upon the shoulders, or held up in the arms of some one, in the midst of vast multitudes, would speak in a manner so marvellous and astonishing, that persons of the most rugged passions would dissolve into tears! Deep indeed were the effects of truth falling from the lips, and in the simple language of a child!

To see a bold and courageous Kentuckian (undaunted by the the horrors of war) turn pale and tremble at the reproof of a weak woman, a little boy, or a poor African; to see him sink down in deep remorse, roll and toss, and gnash his teeth, till black in the face, entreat the prayers of those he came to devour; and through their fervent intercessions and kind instructions, obtain deliverance, and return ia the possession of a meek and gentle spirit, which he set out to oppose ;-who would say the change was not supernatural? Nor could the man once delivered from the legion, go home with greater joy, to tell his

VOL. II.

39

For the Methodist Magazine.

ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE WORK OF GOD IN THE WESTERN COUNTRY.

Introductory remarks to Short Sketches of Revivals of Religion, among the Methodists in the Western Country.

(Continued from page 274.)

No. IV.

In the following year, (1802) notwithstanding the persecutions, the revival appeared in the union formed by the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, to withstand every assault. The preachers in general who were engaged in the work, and particularly the Methodist preachers, appeared to be filled with the Spirit. Their preaching was in the demonstration of the Spirit, and accompanied with uncommon power.

Two ministers of the Methodist connexion, one of the travelling, the other of the local order, (John Alexander Granade, and Caleb Jarvis Taylor, both of whom have since fallen asleep in the blessed Jesus), contributed largely to this revival by their poetical talents. Their hymns and spiritual songs breathe the spirit of the times. These excellent songs were written in the midst of the holy flame, in the height of the revival. They were suitable to the times, and descriptive of the work. It was not only at the meetings that they were sung; but making so deep an impression upon the minds of the people at this period, they were soon learned by thousands; who made the shops, the flelds, the woods, the hills and the vales to echo with the melody of their voices. In the revival in general the Methodist hymns were mostly used. Their hymn books, at this time, were quite scarce. They were generally termed "WESLEY'S HYMNS," (though a collection) by way of distinction. When one got a hymn book, it has been remarked, that it would be cut up, and divided out in sheets to those engaged in the spirit of singing. Having memorized many hymns and songs, when one was started at their meetings, hundreds would unite, and being divided into many companies, when singing would be going on, the sound of their voices "was heard afar off." It was truly solemn and awful, yet melodious! Under singing the greatest power appeared generally to be displayed. Its charms disarmed and then melted into tenderness the hard hearts of sinners. Even the persecuting and heaven-daring sinner, would sometimes have his attention caught by it, and be suddenly melted into tears; and at other times, seized with a sudden trembling, they would fall to the ground. In the course of this year there were great displays of divine power. "On the first of March," (1802)

one writes," Some things have lately taken place, which I' think more extraordinary than any I have seen or heard since the apostolic age. The case of R. M. was truly miraculous. I suppose you have heard of it." Another writes and describes it thus: Last Saturday exceeded, by far, any thing I ever saw before. R. M. was struck (the usual term then used for being under powerful or pungent convictions) the Thursday after you left this. She neither eat nor spoke for nine days and nights.I was there when she arose and spoke. Her countenance was, as it were, refined. She told me that she was free from the world all that time. She says the work will increase." "That the power" (says one on this subject,) "was supernatural by which such multitudes were struck down, requires no arguments to prove; and had they never risen again, there might have been some reason for charging it to an evil power: but who has power to kill and make alive again? Could any one with the rationality of a man suppose that any thing short of the power of God, could suspend the functions of animal life, for an hour, a day, or a week; and again restore them with an additional brightness? Is nature wont to assume such apparent changes, as for tens, and fifties, moved at the same time by the same instinct, to forget the use of every limb, and fall prostrate, no matter where, and yawn, and gasp, and apparently expire in cold sweat? It belongs not to nature to exempt her sons from wounds and bruises, and broken limbs, and aching heads in cases of such repeated and dangerous falls as were common at this time." The exhortations delivered upon those occasions by all ranks and colors; and especially by small children, were evidently of a divine power. Such exhortations and addresses were not unfrequently heard from such as were unlearned, and also of the most bashful and unpopular cast of mind. Such little ones of eight or ten years of age, raised upon the shoulders, or held up in the arms of some one, in the midst of vast multitudes, would speak in a manner so marvellous and astonishing, that persons of the most rugged passions would dissolve into tears! Deep indeed were the effects of truth falling from the lips, and in the simple language of a child!

To see a bold and courageous Kentuckian (undaunted by the the horrors of war) turn pale and tremble at the reproof of a weak woman, a little boy, or a poor African; to see him sink down in deep remorse, roll and toss, and gnash his teeth, till black in the face, entreat the prayers of those he came to devour; and through their fervent intercessions and kind instructions, obtain deliverance, and return ia the possession of a meek and gentle spirit, which he set out to oppose ;-who would say the change was not supernatural? Nor could the man once deliv ered from the legion, go home with greater joy, to tell his VOL. 11.

39

friends what great things Jesus had done for him, than many returned from these encamping grounds, to announce to their former companions, their happy change.

No. V.

We have proceeded thus far in our brief manner of narrating the progress of the work, at the time the union between the Methodist and Presbyterian churches continued. The prejudices. of the latter against the former had very generally fallen, as they had been their stay and support through the revival. At this juncture the work had become pretty general in both churches, and their respective members much engaged in it; consequently it became somewhat difficult to distinguish, at most meetings, the members of one denomination from those of the ather. Indeed, about this time, the odium with which the Methodists are branded for their zeal in religion, was mutually borne by each denomination. And I find for years afterwards, that from this circumstance a favourite Biographer of another persuasion (Mr. Benedict) has been uncharitable enough to throw out severe reproaches on both the Presbyterians and Methodists for the wild exercises of a few individuals, who were led off under the heretical principles first "disclosed" in his own church; and attempts to palm the consequences resulting therefrom upon the zeal of these two denominations. This subject will be noticed in our next number.

From the circumstances already stated, we have been com pelled to connect, in some degree, the two churches in question, as we have advanced in the sketches of the times: we shall attempt in this, and our next number, to point out the causes which led to the disunion of the two churches, as to general meetings.-The rise and organization of the Seperatist (or New-Light) Societies.-The source from whence the Arian and Socinian doctrines sprang up in Kentucky-which were so speedily and unfortunately imbibed by these people-and the consequences flowing from their immediate promulgation. We will then take our leave of other religious persuasions, most devoutly praying Almighty God to bless his general church, of every name, and of every nation.

In the latter part of the year 1802, and in the year 1803, the hearts, perhaps, of the greater number of the professors of religion of the different denominations, in consequence of the great out-pouring of the spirit, in the Western Country, had become much enlarged towards each other. The spirit of the Lord had so softened their hearts that they began to feel like being all of "one spirit and of one mind." A general communion of all Christians was now very generally spoken of. The Presbyterians and Methodists had hitherto communed together at all their sacramental meetings. It was now very generally thought