ry being made respecting his apprehensions of those doctrines which had been so offensive, he replied, "they are the foundation of the world." Every air seemed changed. Softness and gentleness had taken the place of native ferocity, and the man appeared tamed. I could not help reflecting that a religion which will make such changes in the tempers and manners of men is a religion worth possessing. An awakening which produces such effects will not be censured by the friends of human happiness.

It would not consist with the designed brevity of this narrative, nor yet perhaps with propriety, to detail all the interesting circumstances in the experiences of more than a hundred persons, who appear to have been the subjects of this work. It may, however, be not unuseful to go so far into particulars as to exhibit some of the distinguishing fruits of it. The subjects of it have generally expressed a choice that God should pursue the "determinate counsel" of his own will, and without consulting them, decide respecting their salvation. To the question, whether they expected to alter the divine mind by prayer? it has been answered "I sometimes think, if this were possible, I should not dare to pray." When asked what was the first thing which composed their anxious minds? they have sometimes answered, "the thought that I was in the hands of God. It seems to me that whatever becomes of me, whether I live or die, I cannot bear to be out of his hands." Many have expressed a willingness to put their names to a blank, and leave it with God to fill it up; and that, because his having the government would secure the termination of all things in his own glory.

They do not found their hopes on the suggestion of scripture passages to their minds, on dreams, or seeing sights, or hearing voices, or on blind unaccountable impulses; but on the persuasion that they have discovered in themselves the exercises of love to God and man, originating not in selfishness. When asked what they had discovered in God to engage their affections? they have sometimes answered, "I think I love him because he hates sin, because he hates my sins." They

frequently have declared that God appeared altogether more glorious to them for being sin-hating and sin-avenging; that they were willing he should abide by his determination not to have mercy on them or their friends, if they would not repent and believe the gospel. One observed in confidence to a friend, and without the appearance of ostentation, that she had been so taken up all day in rejoicing in God's perfections and the certain accomplishment of his glory, that she had scarcely thought of what would be her own destiny; that she must believe she reckoned more of his glory and the public good than of her own happiness. Some declared that if they could have their choice, either to live a life of religion and poverty, or revel in the pleasures of the world, unmolested by conscience or fear, and at last be converted on a dying bed, and be as happy hereafter as if they had made the other choice, they should prefer the former; and that, for the glory of God, and not merely for the happiness which the prospects of future glory would daily afford; for they believed their choice would be the same, though in certain expectation that fears and conflicts would render a religious life less happy than a life of sensuality. Their predominant desire still appears to be that God may be glorified, and that they may render him voluntary glory in a life of obedience, and may enjoy him in a life of communion with him. A prospect of the full attainment of these ends is what appears to render the heavenly state the object of their eager desire. Their admiration of Jesus Christ seems most excited by his zeal to support his Father's law-a law, the glories of which they appear distinctly though imperfectly to apprehend. The Bible is to them a new book. Prayer seems their delight. Their hearts are peculiarly united to the people of God. But the most observable part of their character is a lovely appearance of meekness and humility. Little of that presumptuous confidence, too much of which has sometimes appeared in young professors, is observable in them. Accordingly they have not that uninterrupted elevation of spirits which in the inexperienced is generally bottomed on comparative ignorance of remaining corruption, and over

rating their attainments. Accustomed to discriminate between true and false affections, they appear not to set to their account so much of the "wood, hay and stubble," as perhaps some have done. By reason of the views they have had of the deceitfulness of their hearts, and the comparison and examination they have made to discover how near in appearance false religion lies to the true, they have great diffidence and distrust of themselves. A sense of their ill desert abides and increases upon them after apparent renovation; a considerable time posterior to which, some have been heard to say, "I never had an idea what a heart I had till this week." Each one seems to apprehend his own depravity to be the greatest. They appear not to be calculating to bring God into debt by their new obedience. A person not greatly indoctrinated, but lovely in the charms of child-like simplicity, was heard to say, “I will tell you, sir, what appears to me would be exactly right. It would be exactly right for me to live thirty or forty years in the world without ever sinning again, and be serving God all the time; and then it would be just right for me to be sent to hell for what I have already done." The hopeful subjects of the work as yet exhibit "fruits meet for repentance." Some we have had opportunity to see under the pressure of heavy afflictions; who have seemed calmly to acquiesce in the dispensations of providence.

In giving the foregoing description, special care has been taken not to paint an ideal image of what they ought to be, but scrupulously to delineate the views and exercises which they have really expressed. In these views and exercises they have, however, circumstantially differed; some having been first and chiefly affected with the beauty of the divine law; others, with the glories and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ; others, with the divine perfections generally; others, and perhaps the greatest number, with the fitness of divine sovereignty. Some have been for a great while, others, a much shorter time, under trouble of mind. One man in advanced life, who had lately been only a little more thoughtful than common, in this state retired to rest, and was suddenly seized with pow

erful and very distinct convictions of truth, and in the judgment of charity, almost immediately passed to uncommonly clear exercises of love to God and his kingdom.

With the gift of grace, some have received an uncommon gift of prayer. A man who formerly had not been disposed to give much credit to religion, falling into a conference of young people one evening, and hearing a prayer made by an illiterate youth, was much surprised and even convinced; and afterwards observed, that he was satisfied such a prayer could not, a few months before, have possibly dropt from those lips. It is believed that the outlines of this narrative, equally describe the features and fruits of this extensive, (and may we not add, genuine and remarkably pure) work, in at least fifty or sixty adjacent congregations. It is proposed shortly to give you a more entire picture of it, as it relates to this place; till then, 1 am, &c.

New-Hartford, Aug. 1800.

LETTER II.

E. D. GRIFFIN.

In pursuance of the design suggested in the close of my last, the narrative, which was then left unfinished, will now be resumed.

The late attention of our state legislature to schools, has led the way to important benefits to children, as well in this as in many other towns. In consequence of the new arrangements, school-masters of serious minds have been employed, who have entered in earnest upon instructing the children in the principles of religion, and praying with them. The effect has been, that many schools have been awakened, and as we have good reason to conclude, have received lasting benefits. Three of the schools in this town were last winter under the care of men professedly pious, and very faithful in imparting these instructions. Out of these nearly twenty children, in the course of the winter, it is hoped, were introduced into marvellous light." The knowledge possessed by such as we hope have been savingly enlightened by the Divine Spirit, is worthy of particular observation. Important ideas and distinc

tions, which it has been attempted in vain to give to others of of their age, appear familiar to them. One lad in particular, in a certain interview which was had with him, discriminated between true and false affections, and stated the grounds of his hopes and fears in a manner very surprising and affecting. It was the more so, because the evening before an attempt had been made with children of the same age and neighborhood, and of equal abilities and opportunity; and it had seemed like "ploughing on a rock;" insomuch that the hope was almost relinquished of ever being able to introduce discriminating ideas into minds so young. It would be ungrateful not to acknowledge that in a remarkable manner it hath pleased the Most High, “out of the mouths of babes and sucklings to perfect praise."

It is hoped that about fifty heads of families have been the subjects of this work; a considerable part of whom rank among the most respectable and influential characters in the town. This, however, gives the young no just encouragement to hazard their salvation on the chance of being called in at "the eleventh hour." Had they seen the anguish of some of these for neglecting so long the great business of life, it might discourage such neglect in them. Penetrated with remorse for the waste of life, and for the lax examples by which they supposed they had corrupted others, they seemed to conclude it was probably too late for them to find mercy; yet were anxious to disburden their conscience of one torment, by solemnly warning the youth not to follow their steps. "We are soon going," said they, "to receive the reward of wasted life; and we warn you to proceed no further in search of a more convenient time to prepare for death. We have been over the ground between you and us, and this 'more convenient season' does not lie before you. O that we could be placed back to your age, for then we might have hope. If you did but know and feel as we do the value of youth, you would surely better improve it." In language of this import have they been frequently heard to vent themselves, while despair and anguish seemed settled on every feature; all which,