not a strong, loud voice; but appeared with such gravity, and solemnity, and spake with such distinctness, clearness and precision; his words were so full of ideas, set in such a plain and striking light, that few speakers have been so able to command the attention of an audience. His words often discovered a great degree of inward fervour, without much noise or gesture, and fell with great weight on the minds of his hearers."

"His prayers were indeed extempore. He was the farthest from any appearance of a form, as to his words and manner of expression, of almost any man. He was quite singular and inimitable in this, by any who have not a spirit of real and undissembled devotion; yet he always expressed himself with decency and propriety. He appeared to have much of the grace and spirit of prayer; to pray with the spirit and with the understanding; and he performed this part of duty much to the acceptance and edification of those who joined with him. He was not wont, in ordinary cases, to be long in his prayers; an error which he observed was often hurtful to public and social prayer, as it tends rather to damp than promote true devotion.

"He gave himself altogether to the work of the ministry, and entangled not himself with the affairs of this life. He left the particular oversight and direction of the temporal concerns of his family, almost entirely to Mrs. Edwards. He was less acquainted with most of his temporal affairs than many of his neighbours, and seldom knew when and by whom his forage for winter was gathered in, or how many milk kine he had, or whence his table was furnished."

TESTIMONY OF MINISTERS RESPECTING THE REVIVAL OF 1740.

THE great revival of President Edward's time, is matter of familiar history to all, and it is generally known that many opposed and gainsaid it, who should have been among its zealous promoters. Ministers and others of high standing in the church, who were settled on their lees, were disturbed in their repose by that great work, and while some stood aloof from it in cold distrust, others directly raised against it the cry of enthusiasm, delusion, and disorder. strange," says President Edwards, in his Thoughts on the revival, "that in a Christian, orthodox country, and such a land of light as this is, there should be many at a loss whose work this is, whether the work of God or the work of the devil? Is it not a shame to NewEngland, that such a work should be much doubted of here?”

"Is it not

A few months after the publication of this work of President Edwards, an advertisement appeared in the Boston newspapers, signed by a number of clergymen, desiring "that such of their brethren as were persuaded there had been of late a happy revival of religion, through an extraordinary divine influence in many parts of this land, and were concerned for the honor and progress. of this remarkable work of God, should have an interview at Boston the day after the Commencement at Cambridge, and publicly and conjointly express their opinion concerning it; and that such as could not be personally present, should send their opinion in writing." Agreeably to this notice, about seventy ministers assembled, and drew up and signed a declaration, which they published. They also received and published at the

same time, numerous letters from associations and individual ministers who found it inconvenient to

attend the meeting. As probably the fact of such a meeting is not very generally known, I may not seem idly employed, in giving a few extracts from the pamphlet which they sent forth. It is to me a interesting comment on the spirit of those times.

After some introductory remarks the ministers at Boston say,

For these and other reasons, we, whose names are hereunto annexed, pastors of churches in New-England, met together in Boston, July 7th, 1743, think it our indispensable duty, (without judging or censuring such of our brethren as cannot at present see things in the same light with us) in this open and conjunct manner to declare, to the glory of sovereign grace, our full persuasion, either from what we have seen ourselves, or received upon creditable testimony, that there has been a happy and remarkable revival of religion in many parts of this land, through an uncommon divine influence; after a long time of great decay and deadness, and a sensible and very awful withdraw of the Holy Spirit from his sanctuary among us.

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"The present work," they say, appears to be remarkable" in the following respects; namely, "on account of the numbers wrought upon"—the suddenness and quick progress of it, many persons and places being surprised with the gracious visit together, or near about the same time, the heavenly influence diffusing itself far and wide, like the light of the morning," "also in respect of the degree of operation, both in a way of terror and in a way of consolation; attended in many with unusual bodily effects."

Respecting these "bodily effects," after explaining the true nature of conversion, the Pastors say,

Nor have we gone into such an opinion of the bodily effects with which this work has been attended in some signs that persons who have been so of its subjects, as to judge them any affected, were then under a saving work of the Spirit of God. No; we never so much as called these bodily seizures, convictions; or spake of them as the immediate work of the Holy Spirit. Yet we do not think them inconsistent with a work of God upon the soul at that very time; but judge that those inward impressions which come from the Spirit of God, those terrors and consolations of which he is the author, may, according to the natural frame and constitution which some persons are of, occasion such bodily effects; and, therefore, that these extraordinary outward symptoms, are not an argument that the work is delusive, or from the influence and agency of the evil spirit.

After expressing their grief "at any accounts sent abroad, representing this work as all enthusiasm, delusion, and disorder," and admitting that in some places irregularities had accompanied it, they be seech all partakers and promoters of it,

That they be not ignorant of Satan's devices; that they watch and pray kind, lest they blemish and hinder that against errors and misconduct of every which they desire to honour and advance; particlularly, that they do not make secret impulses on their minds, without a due regard to the written word, the rule of their duty: A very dangerous mistake which we apprehend some in these times have gone do not verge to the opposite side of Aninto. That to avoid Arminianism they tino:nianism; while we would have others take good heed to themselves, lest they be by some led into, or fixed in Arminian tenets, under the pretence of opposing Antinomian errors. That Laymen do not invade the ministerial office, and under a pretence of exhort

ing set up preaching; which is very contrary to gospel order, and tends to introduce errors and confusion into the church. That ministers do not invade

the province of others, and in ordinaary cases preach in another's parish without his knowledge, and against his consent: Nor encourage raw and indiscreet young candidates in rushing into particular places, and preaching publicly or privately as some have done to the no small disrepute and damage of the work in places where it once promised to flourish. Though at the same time we would have ministers show their regard to the spiritual welfare of their people, by suffering them to partake of the gifts and graces of able, sound, and zealous preachers of the word, as God in his providence may give opportunity therefor Being persuaded God has in this cay remarkably blessed the labours of some of his servants who have traveled in preaching the gospel of Christ. That people beware of entertaining prejudices against their own pastors, and do not run into unscriptural separations. That they do not indulge a disputatious spirit, which has been attended with mischievous effects; nor discover a spirit of censoriousness, uncharitableness, and rash judging the state of others.

Respecting the fruits of the revival, the Pastors say, "of those who were judged hopefully converted, and made a public profession of religion, there have been fewer instances of scandal and apostasy than might be expected; so that as far as we are able to form a judgment, the face of religion. is lately changed much for the better in many of our towns and congregations. There appears to be more experimental godliness and lively Christianity, than the most of us can remember we have ever seen before."

Many of the letters sent to the meeting are interesting, as containing much of the local histories of the parishes. But I shall select from these only a few scattered passages.

The Rev. Peter Thacher, Pastor of the first church in Middleborough, writes,

wrought on since November 1741. Divers before that had been met with under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Daniel Rogers and the Rev. Mr. Wheelock, not included in this number. But on one day in November aforesaid, above eighty were pricked at the heart by a sermon from Rom. viii. 1., had here from the Rev. Mr. Josiah Crocker. Scarce a sermon delivered after that wonderful day, but the hearts of some seem to be reached by conviction, conversation, or consolation. This revival of the power of godliness appears to be the genuine work of the Holy Spirit accompanying his word, and in answer to a spirit of prayer poured out from God to plead with faith in Christ for this good. Spiritual things are now treated and felt as realities. We have not known visions, nor trances, nor revelations. But brotherly exhorting with more modesty and affection than hath been represented.

From the Rev. Daniel Putnam, Pastor of the second Church in Reading.

For

Sometime in the beginning of March 1742, under a sense of the great decay of religion among us, we kept a day of fasting and prayer, to seek to God for the pouring out of his Spirit upon us, and God was pleased out of his abundant grace to give us speedy answers of our prayer. the space of five or six weeks, more or less of my people younger and elder came to my house every day in the week except Sabbaths; and manifestly under a work of conviction, deeply concerned for the state of their souls.

From the Rev. John Rogers, the venerable Pastor of the first Church in Ipswich.

I shall on the very day of your proposed Meeting, viz. July 7th, (God continuing my life to that day) enter on the 78th year of my age, and in the 54th of my ministry. And now desire, as I have utmost reason, to bless God who has given me to see a day of such marvellous power and grace, particularly in this place, and since the Rev. Mr. Whitefield and Tennent

came among us; wherein great numbers of our young people, and others of more advanced age give clear evidence of a saving change wrought in them, and by the fruits of the Spirit show that they are born of the Spirit: And many persons of Christian experiences before, have been greatly revived, enriched with grace, established and comforted by a new influence, in and through the word read and preached.

He speaks of the revival of "a most powerful and clear work of grace wrought in the hearts of multitudes, from one end of the land to the other;" and adds, “All such as believe it with their heart, will confess it with their mouth.”

The Rev. Oliver Peabody of the little Church at Natick, writes,

Among my little people, (I would mention it to the glory of the rich grace, and of the blessed Spirit of God,) there have been very apparent strivings and operations of the Holy Ghost among Indians and English, young and old, male and female. There have been added to our church (of such as I hope shall be saved) about fifty persons of different nations, since the beginning of last March, was two years, whose lives in general witness to the sincerity of their profession. Here we never had any crying out in an extraordinary manner, but the Holy Spirit has been pleased to work in a more calm way; but I hope effectually.

He adds in a postscript,

I would particularly remark that some with whom I have conversed date their convictions which have been still carried on without any great intermission, before ever Mr. Whitefield came hither. And, also, that about fifteen years ago we had something like this at Natick.

From the Rev. William Shurtleff, of the second church in Portsmouth, N. H.

I must at the same time declare there has not been that disturbance from lay

exhorters, from an invasion of the ministerial office, and many other irregu larities, that have been complained of in many other places. And here I would take leave with all humility to say, that had I the opportunity of being with you, whilst I should gladly bear testimony against these things wheresoever they prevail, I should be for using a becoming care that the disorders complained of might not be magnified in an undue measure, and that nothing might come under that character and denomination that is not wor

thy of it. Whilst I should be for guarding our pulpits and parishes against bold and ignorant intruders, and such as may unjustly pretend to an extraordinary call and warrant from God, I should be careful that none of the zealous and faithful preachers of the everlasting gospel, and important doctrines of it might be excluded, being persuaded that God has blessed the labours of strangers and even of itinerants among the people with whom I am concerned.

From the Rev. Jeremiah Wise, of the church in Berwick.

With respect to the ordaining of missionaries, which has been practiced for some time in the country, and has been lately voted a disorder, I cannot join in censuring it as such; or in condemning the practice of separating some of the fraternity, that are qualified for it, to the sacred ministry, when there is manifest occasion for it.

From six of the pastors of the Eastern Association in the county of York.

As to disorders in practice, such as, private persons of no education, without any regular call taking upon them to preach the word of God; the ordaining and separating any person to the work of the evangelical ministry at large, and without a special relation to any particular charge to enter inte the regular districts of settled ministers; persons assuming to themselves the prerogative of God to look into and judge the hearts of others, censuring and condemning their brethren, and especially their ministers, as Pharisees,