been said to the case under consideration. Jesus has left us an example that we should follow his steps; and though the infinite distance between the Saviour of the world and ourseives, frequently makes it impossible for us to follow them literally, yet through the divine aid, the spirit of his conduct is always within our reach, and should animate us in all our proceedings.

better when some disguise. They are in their hearts not displeased to find that she can be inconsistent; and that she betrays some symptoms of being half ashamed of the wide difference between herself and the world. They are | flattered by her imitation of their conduct, and elevated in their own esteem, by her degradation. What true Christian would covet; what true Christian would not dread, the praise bestowed by such persons on the accommodating spirit of his religion?

exhibited under

And what effects are likely to flow from the system which it is the object of this paper to condemn its tendency is to deprive Christianity of her spirit and energy; and to lead both those who adopt it, and the world at large, to endeavor to reconcile God and Mammon.

With regard to its effect on the Christians who adopt it, we are none of us sufficiently aware what inroads the world is continually making on our vigi

But if it could be supposed to be allowable to recommend religion to mankind, by such methods as the advocate for propriety would employ, would they answer his purpose? Would an endeavor to please the world, by complying with its customs, make religion amiable in its eyes? As well might the proprietor of one of the grand scenes amidst the mountains and torrents of Cumberland attempt to heighten the admiration of the traveller by studding it with obelisks, and mock battlements, and alcoves, and white washed rocks, and formal cas-lance, and on our fidelity to our cades. Present Chritianity to Lord and Master. How impermankind in her native beauty, ceptibly does its alloy insinuate and after commanding their itself, and debase the simplicity respect, she may win their affec- of our views and the purity of tions. But bedeck her with or- our conduct! Shall we then vennaments uncongenial to her nature on a system, which is to ture, and you expose her to contempt and ridicule. Some indeed will applaud such decorations; but how often will their praises flow from an unhallowed source-from a secret dislike of genuine religion! Her purity is too great for unhallowed eyes. Her noble simplicity is calculated to strike mankind with awe. How many therefore, who would willingly think themselves her votaries, like her

invite, as it were, this evil, and to place us, inflammable as we are, in the midst of flames? Men of mere worldly prudence would be thought mad if they acted in a similar manner.-What would be said, if a man, who had a strong natural propensity to drink or to game, were to make it his plan to conciliate drunkards or gamesters by adopting their habits of life as far as he could in any way

since made a profession of reli- | remained for about a fortnight. gion. The death of Doct. To a few it was an hour of awMacwhorter, in July, made a ful suspense. But in some of great impression on the congre- the last days in August it begation, which was sensibly deep-came apparent, that the desire ened, in the month of August, for a revival was rapidly spreadthrough the instrumentality of ing among the communicants. the Rev. Gideon Blackburne, As our sacramental Sabbath who preached several times was approaching, this church, here with great zeal and energy.in connection with two neighThough nothing extraordinary boring churches, agreed to set at that time appeared, yet we apart the preceding Friday, have since been able to trace (Sept. 4,) for fasting and prayer; first impressions to each of the partly as a preparatory service, four seasons above mentioned. but chiefly to make supplication The leaven was secretly and in- for effusions of the Holy Spirit. creasingly working for nine The day, which was spent in months before it became evi- prayer, singing and short addent. We have since discover-dresses to the people, was marked, also, that, during the sumed with unusual stillness accommer, God was preparing some panied with pleasing appearances for the scene which was about of humility, earnest desire, and to open by impressive and often and a sense of entire dependence. repeated dreams. Days of dis- On the following sabbath, a sipation were separated by number of persons assembled, nights in which fancy would at nine o'clock in the morning, bear the sinner to the bar of to spend an hour in praying for God, and fill him with the ter- their minister, and for the bles-. rors of the final judgment; sing of God on the exercises of terrors, which, though dissipa- the day; and this has since beted by the morning, would re- come the stated practice of alturn with returning sleep.- most all the praying people of These nightly alarms gradually the congregation;-a practice fixed the waking thoughts.- which has been accompanied Thus at a time when every with effects very refreshing to thing appeared to be still around themselves, and materially benus, secret anxieties were prey-eficial to the cause of evangelicing upon a number of persons, al piety. Those who attended which, so far from being the ef- at this first season, unexpectedly fect of sympathy, were known found themselves animated with only to God and themselves. In desires, unfelt before, that God the latter weeks of August, I would, that very day, bring out knew of nothing special in the his perfections to the view of the congregation, except two or communicants. And this He did, three persons who began to be to a degree that many had selawakened, and four Christians dom or never seen before. whose desire for a revival of re-the evening of the following ligion were too earnest to be Monday, at a lecture preached concealed from their minister. in a private house, the first feelIn this precise posture thingsings which denoted the extra

On

ordinary presence of God, and Early in September, there the actual commencement of were formed many private assoa revival of religion, were awa-ciations for prayer,-some male, kened; perhaps in every person and some female, the happy that was present. It was no lon-influence of which has been ger doubtful whether a work of di- manifestly and largely felt. I vine grace was begun. During never before witnessed the comthat and the following week, inmunication of a spirit of prayer creasing symptoms of a most so earnest and so general, nor powerful influence were discov- observed such evident and reered. The appearance was as markable answers to prayer.— if a collection of waters, long The agonies of parents have suspended over the town, had been such as to drive sleep from fallen at once, and deluged the their eyes, and for weeks togethwhole place. For several weeks, er, have been seemingly as great the people would stay at the as their nature could well sus close of every evening service, tain. And these parents, in evto hear some new exhortation;ery case that has come within and it seemed impossible to per- my knowledge, have each seve suade them to depart, until those ral children who are already on whose lips they hung had re-numbered among the hopeful tired. At those seasons you converts. might see a multitude weeping and trembling around their minister, and many others standing as astonished spectators of the scene, and beginning, to tremble themselves. One sabbath, after the second service, when I had catechised and dismissed the little children, they gathered around me, weeping, and inquiring what they should do. I know not but a hundred were in tears at once. The scene was as affecting as it was unexpected. Having prayed with them again, and spent some time in exhortation, I attempted to send them away; but with all my entreaties I could not prevail on them to depart until night came on, and then I was obliged to go out with them, and literally force them from me. But this excitement of animal feelings, incident to the commencement of revivals of religion, soon subsided, and the work has ever since proceeded in profound silence.

Many professors have been severely tried, and not a few have, for a time, given themselves over for lost. The Lord has indeed come to search our Jerusalem with candles, and to discover the men that were set tled on their lees. Awed by the majesty of a present God, many could say, with Moses, "I exceedingly fear and quake." I could not help saying, If this glimpse of light dissipates so many hopes, what effects will attend the final judgment !

This work in point of power and stillness, exceeds all that I have ever seen. While it bears down every thing with irresista ble force, and seems almost to dispense with human instrumentality, it moves with so much silence that, unless we attentively observe its effects, we are tempted, at times to doubt whether any thing uncom mon is taking place. The con verts are strongly marked with

I am, dear sir, most affectionately yours, EDWARD D. GRIFFIN.

humility and self-distrust. In- | cometh in the name of the stead of being elated with con- Lord; hosanna in the highest." fident hopes, they are inclined to tremble. Many of them possess deep and discriminating views; and all, or almost all, are born into the distinguishing doctrines of grace.

I suppose that there are from 230 to 250 who hope that they have become the subjects of divine grace; and many remain still under solemn impressions, whose number, I hope, is almost daily increasing. The subjects of this work are of all ages, from nine years old to more than three score years and ten; and of all characters, including drunkards, apostates, infidels, and those who were lately malignant opposers; and of all conditions, including poor negroes, and some of them hoary with age. I cannot refrain from mentioning, among the hopeful converts, three young gentlemen, of the first talents and education, and of excellent families, who have abandoned the study of the law, in which they had been employed for two years, to devote themselves to the gospel ministry.

We have had but one sacrament since the work commenced, at which time we received ninety-seven new members, out of one hundred and two persons, who had been propounded a fortnight before.

While we gaze with wonder and delight at these glorious triumphs of the Prince of Peace, and weep for joy to hear our babes and sucklings sing hosannas to the Son of David, we cannot but join in a general response, and cry, "Blessed is he that VOL. I. No. 9.

Letter from Mr. Morrison, the
Chinese missionary from the
London society, to the Rev.
Dr. Staughton.

Canton, Sept. 30, 1807.

REV. SIR,

AFTER a passage of one hundred and thirteen days from New-York I arrived at Macao roads on the fourth instant.Our dear Lord graciously preserved me and my companions on ship-board, amidst some heaVy gales of wind in the Indian

Ocean.

When on shore at the island

of Java, amongst the Malays, I observed that the impositions of the man Mahummed prevailed amongst them. I was led to wish that the believers on the western continent would send a missionary to Batavia, to declare amongst them the unsearchable riches of Christ. To Englishmen that post is inaccessible.Without the mosque, at Angir, in the straits of Sunda, is a pool in which the Malays wash their feet before they enter into the holy place: but of the blood of Jesus which cleanses polluted consciences, they know nothing.

The field of missionary labor in China is inconceivably extensive. O! when! when will the time come in which it may be said of the kingdoms of this world "they are become the kingdoms of our God?" Whatever the wish of the people of

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