to that matter. Yet his whole Collection is finished and shut up without a Single Text from the Old Testament! I cannot find that he has even mentioned such a Book. "The Christian Revelation," says he, p. 1. "is the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles." This he calls, p. 4.-"The Books of Scripture;" and again, p. 5." The Books of Scripture-not only the Rule, but "the Whole and the only Rule of truth-the only foundation we "have to go upon" And he proves it thus-" because no man has "since pretended to have any new Revelation." An argument that will prejudice few people in favor of his sincerity. For though there has been no new Revelation SINCE the Books of the New Testament, as we all confess: does it follow that there was no old Revelation BEFORE them? and did this author never read, that the same GOD, who spake in these last days by his Son, spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets? Heb. i. l. yet he affects to know nothing at all of the matter.

And as to the use he makes of the New Testament, who would expect, that a man who has made Nothing of one half of God's Revelation, should be very nice in his treatment of the other? In the first place, he has not vouchsafed to follow the Apostle's Direction of comparing spiritual things with spiritual, thence to collect their true meaning; but sets down his Texts in such an order, as makes them to be all single and independent of one another; and that gives all possible liberty to the Imagination to thrust in what sort of comment it pleases. When he refers to any parallel place (which I think is never done, but on one side of the Question) the 'Reader is not directed to the text itself, but to the meaning he has fastened upon it. At the beginning of every chapter, he sets down his own opinion at large, as the Title of it and you are to believe, that all the passages of that Division do certainly prove it; which if cleared of his comments, and compared with rother texts, are found to prove no such thing, but the very contra ry. And this he calls The Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity : but if we call it by its true name, it is-Clarke's Doctrine of the Scripture; that is, of half the Scripture. How came it to pass, that he should thus boldly set down his own resolutions upon the most profound article of the Christian Faith, without consulting all the Evidence that relates to it, or rightly examining any part of it : how this came to pass, God is to determine, to whom all things are naked and open. All I have to do with him, is to rescue the Word of God from such deceitful handling. And I have prevailed with myself to make these few Reflections, because I find some modern objectors of a lower Class, have used this Book in Conversation and in Print, as the Oracle of the Party, taking the Scripture upon trust as his principles would give him leave to retail it. I know it will be accounted an hard thing, and called invidious, to rake thus into the Ashes of a writer, who is not alive to answer for himself. And I confess, I am very far from taking any pleasure in it. But is it not much harder, that the ashes of this man should be scattered over the land, to breed and inflame the plague of heresy, till the whole head is sick and the

heart faint, and the whole body full of putrifying blains and sores? Arianism is now no longer a pestilence that walketh in darkness, but that brazens it out against the sun's light, and destroyeth in the noon day. It is a canker, which if it be encouraged much longer, will certainly eat out the vitals of Christianity in this kingdom and when the faith is gone, the Church in all probability will soon follow after it; for if the holy oil be wasted and spilt, the Lamp that was made to hold it, will be of no farther use.

Revival of Religion in Kingsbo- WE trust that there has

rough.

MESSRS. EDITORS,

been a degree of true religion in this place ever since its first settlement, which is a

bout 20 years. A few "sighed and cried" over the sins of their own hearts, and the abominations which they saw around them. A small church was gathered about ten years ago, but by unhappy divisions woun ded itself, and gave the enemy great "occasion to blaspheme.”

A minister was once settled “in troublous times," but without peace to himself, or the society. After his dismission time wore away that animosity which neither reason nor argument could remove. At length some degree of union took place between the broken parts of the. society: but very little between the broken parts of the church. Their condition was sorrowful : contention soured the minds of the parents, while folly occupied the attention of the chil

MANY persons of this society read your Magazine, with great pleasure and improvement. And while they feel themselves entertained and edified with the religious instruction and intelligence contained in the work, it is an additional source of satisfaction and encouragement to anticipate the blessings which heathen tribes, and probably many yet unborn, may derive from the Missionary Society, which is a little supported by the mite, which they, through the liberality of the Editors, annually place in the missionary fund. With pecular pleasure they hear that the gospel is spreading over the various parts of the earth; that some in civilized, and some in heathen lands are turning to the Lord. Revivals of religion in|dren. various places interest them very much, and accounts of them are blessed to revive the same religion in their own souls. Hoping that they may be quickened by being called to remember what they have witnessed among themselves, and that others may be glad to hear that Jesus regards those who live in the borders of our wilderness, I submit the following narrative to your disposal.

There were some, however, who could pray, and at various times some pious ministers of Christ were sent to refresh and encourage their hearts. But religion was at a very low ebb. And those, whose eyes were unto the Lord, could hardly hope that they should see his salvation in the land of the living. Yet they were not altogether hopeless. In the year 1802, the Rev. Pitkin Cowles, then a candidate, labored among them,

and was instrumental, as we trust, of sowing much seed, which, with what was sown before, and watered with the tears of saints, has through a divine blessing since been made to bring forth fruit to the joy of many hearts. During that year some were excited to prayer, and induced to believe that the Lord had neither forsaken nor forgotten them. But in the winter of 1803, vanity and folly seemed to be so prevalent, especially among the youth, that saints "hoped" almost " against hope."

is a reality." Some of the spectators drove away their fears as soon as they could forget such a spectacle, and became if possible, more hardened than before; others received impressions which were instrumental of exciting their attention to the truth, but were for a time concealed; and one, in particular, who did not see, but only heard of these things, was led to ask herself, "what would have been her situation, if she had died in his stead."

hopes that some of the arrows of conviction had taken effect. Some attention, though by no means general, was soon excited to the word of God. One,

At first, however, nothing was manifested but that general conOn the first day of April, a cern which appears under reman between fifty and sixty markable providences: the hearts years of age was seized with a which were bleeding in secret, violent disorder, which, on the were covered with a vail; and fourth, ended his days. Having | Christians who earnestly desired no hope of salvation, the fears that such an awful providence of eternity which were mani- should be sanctified for the genfested by him, were such as fill-eral good, almost concluded that ed every Christian's heart with the stroke would be entirely forpity, and the hearts of all with gotten. But after a few weeks terror. He mourned over his the groans of some whose conown folly, bade others take warn-sciences were wounded, revived ing from him, cried earnestly for mercy, and entreated all Christians to pray for him. His horror, in view of an endless state of punishment, which he had sometimes tried to think a chi-after having been at the house mera, was absolutely unutterable, and more fully expressed by the wringing of his hands, and other violent motions of the body, than by words. The words of the Saviour and Judge, which will be uttered on the last day, seemed to lie upon his mind, for a time, with great weight, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." At this sight the natural unbelief of the human heart seemed to yield and be forced to say, "Truly there is an hereafter, religion

of God said, that it seemed as though she could not hold up her head, under the preaching of the truth. Another, by attending to the first verse of the 14th Psalm, was convinced that the hearts of all men are naturally full of atheism.

Such anxiety in the minds of some, and a general solemnity on the congregation induced me to think that conferences might be useful. Therefore, towards the end of April, a special meeting was appointed, and attended by an unexpected number of people

ly by the sovereign grace of God. "In that day, the loftiness of man was bowed down, and the Lord alone was exalted."

It was affecting to see heads of families, between forty and sixty years of age, of whom there were many, and some of the most influential characters

gion for the first time. They had lived without prayer and without God in the world, all their days, except at times when they could not silence the clamors of conscience, but at length began to feel themselves totally inexcusable and blameworthy. Often have I been exceedingly affected to see those fathers, whose heads were white with age, seeking instruction at the mouth of one who could not but feel himself a child both in years and understanding. But the Lord is marvellous in working, and is certainly able to manifest his great power by the very weakest instrument of clay. He puts his treasure into " earthen vessels."

Attention to the word seemed to increase during the months of May and June, but so gradually that it could not be said that there was a general awakening, though the minds of several were deeply impressed with a sense of sin, and the importance of religion. Two conferences were attended in each week. Several circumstances appear-in the place, attending to relied to have considerable influence on society, and to a spirit of enquiry God soon added a general seriousness and solemnity which had never been witnessed in the place before. Christians began to be more vigorous in their prayers, and animated in their conversation. The sleeping virgins began to awake, and trim their lamps; and some feared that theirs were entirely "gone out," or rather, that they were never supplied with true " oil olive." "A shaking" appeared among the bones which had been " very dry." A third conference was appointed, and all our assemblies were numerous and solemn. The doctrines which are most opposed to the human heart, such as its entire sinfulness, and the sovereignty of divine grace, were frequently urged, and much hated, but generally victorious. Convinced persons would long strive against them. Some, at first, would condemn them as abominable, The solemnities of eternity who would by degrees, acknow- seemed to be portrayed upon ledge not only their truth, but the countenances of those, who their usefulness. And it was frequently assembled in large truly affecting to see persons, numbers to attend religious who had once opposed them meetings. The wind which rent bitterly, as discouraging, lay the mountains, and broke the down their weapons, and sub- rocks in pieces, did not seem to mit to them, freely acknow-blow upon us; but the gentle ledging that in themselves dwelt breathings of the Divine Spirit no good thing, and that if they seemed to inspire all the happy were ever saved, it must be on-subjects.

VOL. VI. No. 12.

There were no outcries, or remarkable bodily affections : the exercises of the mind were generally expressed either by the tear which could not be concealed, or by the sigh which could not be suppressed.

M m m

meaning of such things. Yet through the merciful providence of God there was not much open opposition.

It could not but be remarked by the attentive observer, that those who had appeared mostfriendly to religion, in former times, were most animated and engaged in the time of this revival.

In many conferences I have thought that the dropping of a pin might be easily heard. The voice of God seemed to be still and small, but all-powerful.Small companies would at times, when they had opportunity, go apart into convenient places, and there discourse of the serious truths of the word of God.Neighbors frequently visited each other, and instead of worldly conversation, which had been so natural to them, would readily introduce the subject of religion. Often have I entered their houses, when almost the first question would be concerning some difficult, or serious subject, or some passage of scripture. The holy scriptures were much used, and with that rev-ced age had chiefly subsided, erence which was never manifested before. Indeed there seemed to be a general conviction, that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God," and that "the words of eternal life" can be found only in the testimony of Jesus.

Thus things continued during. seven or eight months, in which time many were deeply convinced, some slightly impressed, and a number hopefully brought out of darkness into marvellous | light. Towards the close of the year, when the attention among those of middle and more advan

and when few young persons had become hopefully pious, the Lord was pleased to arrest their attention more generally. A few, at first, assembled at the house where I boarded, and seemed to manifest a desire that young people should have some At some conferences it was seasons of instruction designedtruly affecting to see the people, particularly for them. This was who had attended with the ut- agreeable, and one of the conmost awe and reverence, during ferences was devoted to the purthe time of exercise, disperse in pose. Numbers crowded togesmall companies, some speaking ther to hear the words of eterof the excellencies of Jesus and nal life, and to obtain answers to of his religion, others groaning such questions as anxious minds because they could not see "why usually feel disposed to ask. he is to be desired rather than This was by the special goodanother," and others pensiveness of God. It seemed indeed, and sad, as though they were that he had" turned the hearts mourning over some dear de-of the fathers to the children, parted friend. and was turning the hearts of Persons of all classes and all the children to their fathers."ages seemed to be thus impres-This continued through the winsed, at the same time that manyter of 1804, with little abateof the same classes and ages, of the same neighborhoods and families, seemed to be only slightly moved and ready to ask the

ment; so that many young per sons thought it best to forsake their former ways, and turn to the ways of the Lord. They had