his spirit, and he seeks not to be guided by that light to a state of reconciliation to God, and personal holiness. He rests in the calm of ind:fference to truths of the highest moment, and of indubitable certainty; and when enlightened reason would prompt to strong emotion and vigorous effort, he sleeps as to his eternal interests, he sinks into the torpor of spiritual death.

What, then, does a revival of religion present, as far as it relates to the unconverted, but multitudes of men awaking from this state of spiritual insensibility, and beginning to feel and act in a manner suited to the vast importance of their immortal interests? Under the powerful influence of the Spirit, "their eyes are opened, and they are turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." The excitement which is felt, is not the result of fallacious conceptions impressed on the mind, but of the most momentous truth; and no earnestness in the pursuit of salvation can be deemed excessive, when the magnitude of our danger and ruin, and the fulness of spiritual privilege to which we are invited, are regarded. There may, indeed, in revivals of religion, be some persons, whose views of the great points of divine truth are indistinct and partially erroneous; persons who have been accustomed to neglect the means of religious instruction, and in whose case a clear and faithful exposition of "the truth as it is in Jesus" is especially necessary; but even these, imperfect as their conceptions are, evince the powerful effect of truth applied to the mind, and their emotions are to be rejoiced over, as giving the promise of important spiritual results. They feel that they are guilty,-that they are in danger of perishing eternally, and that they can be saved only in that way which the Gospel points out; and, under these views, they ask, "What must I do to be saved?" In reference to the results of revivals, also, it may be admitted, that some fall into a state of declension; but this, of itself, cannot prove their conversion not to

have been genuine. For what is the Christian life, but a course of spiritual discipline, in which every grace of the renewed character is exposed to severe and repeated trials; in which spirituality of mind is to be maintained in opposition to the influence of the world, and the counteracting suggestions of the powers of darkness? The preservation of Christian affections, whatever be the circumstances of that great change which implanted them, requires continual watchfulness and prayer; and hence the earnestness with which our Lord and his Apostles enforced these duties. To maintain our peace with God, to preserve our love to him in its simplicity and vigour, in opposition to the chilling influences of the world, we must cultivate communion with our heavenly Father; we must be putting forth repeated acts of trust in the atonement; we must seek daily to renew our childlike confidence, our holy delight in the Most High, and our hope of heaven; we must dwell on the truth of God, that we may be "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; " studying that truth with a view to a personal experience of its blessings, and a personal conformity to its requirements; and we must stand habitually prepared for spiritual conflicts in the varied intercourse of life. If these exercises are neglected, spiritual declension, to a greater or less extent, is the inevitable consequence.

That revival of religion to which this paper has reference, took place in the early part of the year 1839. Various places in the west of Cornwall, and particularly St. Just and its neighbourhood, had been blessed with a special outpouring of the Spirit, before the gracious work extended to St. Ives." In these places hundreds of sinners were brought under a deep concern to secure salvation, and entered into Christian liberty, through faith in the Redeemer's sacrifice. It was in the month of March, that the work of God in St. Ives assumed an extraordinary character. There

had, indeed, before that time, been more than usual solemnity and depth of feeling in some of the public services of the house of God, and particularly in the public prayermeetings; but it was then that large numbers of persons were brought into visible distress on account of their sins. The sorrows of repentance were deeply felt; and while many sought retirement, to lay open their distress to God alone, others gave utterance to their emotions, and with strong crying and tears, implored mercy through the blood of Jesus.

One remarkable characteristic of this gracious work was, that it extended to persons of every class. It included the poor and the unlearned, to whom it is our glory that the Gospel is preached; and it embraced very many whose circumstances in life were highly respectable, and who were to be numbered with the most intelligent and bestinformed inhabitants of the town. The influence of religious truth appeared to affect every rank of society; and, although some stifled their emotions, and put away from them the salvation of the Gospel, yet many knew the day of their visitation, and rose to the enjoyment of spiritual life and peace.

This revival of religion was also distinguished by the large number of persons who retired from the house of God, with their hearts pierced by the sword of the Spirit, to bleed in secret before the Most High. Some individuals, who were under deep concern for their sins, spent hours in private prayer, after they had returned from the public ministration of the truth; and some, like Jacob, wrestled in secret with God, even until the breaking of the day.

The fixed and devout interest with which the public ministration of the truth was regarded, was another pleasing feature of this revival. The new converts were desirous of being fully instructed in the things of God; and they listened with earnest and silent attention to an exposition of Christian duty and privilege. On some occa

sions, they communicated their wish to the Ministers labouring amongst them, that they would deliver special discourses to them, to establish their faith, to unfold their duties, and to apprize them of the dangers and trials of the Christian life. Such a request, in particular, was made to the writer of this narrative, in reference to the public service appointed for the forenoon of Good Friday, March 29th; and the impression of that service can never pass away from his mind. Never before did he perceive so pleasing an instance of compliance with the apostolical precept, "As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." It was, of course, the constant effort of the Ministers stationed in that Circuit, to give to their discourses that peculiar character which the state of the church demanded; to exhibit clearly the plan of salvation; to dwell on the glory of the Saviour's person, and the great doctrines of his atonement and intercession; to excite their hearers to the careful study of divine truth, and to open that truth to their minds; to inculcate the necessity of watchfulness and prayer; to unfold the entire scheme of Christian duty, and to place the doctrine of divine influence in connexion with the inward principles of holiness which that influence inspires, and that outward obedience to the divine will, by which its power is evinced. And it was deeply interesting to them to perceive, that the young converts, generally, received the word of life with avidity, and manifested an anxiety to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Even in the very height of the revival, the public preaching of the truth was listened to with a solemn stillness, which marked the deep interest with which it was regarded.

It will be readily conceived, that the meetings of the classes for the relation of Christian experience, were, at this time, means of peculiar interest and blessing. Christian fellowship was sought as a high and valuable privilege; and it was truly

delightful to listen to the simple and scriptural accounts of conversion which were given in these meet. ings, and to hear persons of various stations acknowledge, with deep emotion, that they had found in religion that happiness which they had in vain sought in the world. The voice of united thanksgiving ascended to Almighty God for that grace which had rescued so many from sin and death; and fervent prayer was offered by all, that they might "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

The whole Circuit connected with St. Ives participated in the gracious visitation; and the work of God presented in every place the same leading features. In the town of St. Ives, and its immediate vicinity, the number of persons, admitted on trial into our society, in the course of a short period, was about four hundred; and in the whole Circuit, including St. Ives it self, we had to rejoice over more than one thousand brought into church-fellowship, up to the end of June, 1839.

There were some services of very peculiar interest, during this revival of religion. On the evening of Monday, April 8th, a love-feast was held in St. Ives, for the members of our society. To those who are not acquainted with the arrangements of our system, it may be briefly stated, that love-feasts are meetings in which the whole society come together for singing and prayer, and the statement of Christian experience. A little bread and water are handed round towards the commencement, that we may eat together as members of one family, and as cultivating that brotherly love, which our Lord has enjoined in his new commandment. On the occasion referred to, there was a very large attendance of the town-society, and many came from the adjacent country places. It was truly heartcheering to look round on an assembly of more than one thousand persons, in a small town, who seemed to be governed by the same principles, and to be all actuated by the same holy affections. Reverting to past

seasons of comparative spiritual barrenness, many of us were led to adopt the language, so appropriately quoted on the occasion by one of our oldest Class-Lead

ers:

*Who, I ask in amaze, hath begotten me these?

And inquire, from what quarter they came? My full heart it replies, They are born from the skies,

And gives glory to God and the Lamb."

The statements of Christian experience given on that evening, presented a most instructive and edifying variety. We listened to many "fathers " and "young men in Christ," who told of the faithfulness of our Lord, of the increasing joys of piety, and of the exercises by which their religion had been nourished and preserved; and we rejoiced with "babes in Christ," who told us of their penitential distress, and of that deliverance which they had proved through faith in the Redeemer's sacrifice. The gradual operation of divine grace was illustrated in the experience of some, while others spoke of powerful and sudden awakenings; but all concurred in the great points of penitential sorrow, of selfrenouncing faith in Christ, and of peace received through believing, in connexion with a decided change of the affections and character.

The following Sabbath evening was appointed for the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's supper. As it was probable, that a large number of those who had recently turned to God, had never particularly directed their attention to this sacrament, it was deemed necessary that a discourse should be delivered expressly on its nature and design, and on the state of mind in which it should be observed. The large attendance of the society on that important means of grace, was truly gratifying; and with more than usual gratitude and faith did we unite to recognise the sacrificial death of the Redeemer, and that covenant of grace which is established through his blood; while we rejoiced to have fellowship in that appointed act, with all who trust in the atonement of our common Lord.

Every subsequent season of the administration of the Lord's supper was also a season of peculiar interest and blessing.

A short time before this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, St. Ives, with other places in the west of Cornwall, had been visited by the Chartist Delegates; but when they proposed to repeat their visit, they found the whole town under the powerful influence of religious truth, and relinquished the attempt, as hopeless. The inhabitants generally knew and felt, that their domestic and social happiness were far more dependent on the possession of religious principle, than on any external changes in our civil constitution; and all who were brought under the power of religion, shrunk back with horror from the thought of employing physical force against the institutions of the country.

In our

public prayer-meetings, indeed, the peace and welfare of our beloved land were solemnly commended to God; and fervent and united intercession was offered, that the divine blessing might rest on the Government of the nation; and that, instead of being involved in discord and bloodshed, the whole country might receive a copious effusion of divine influence. Thus was the power of religion, to uphold the fabric of society, and to preserve its peace and happiness, delightfully exemplified.

The results of this gracious visitation were obvious in the outward demeanour and conduct of those who yielded to its power. There were some families, also, nearly every member of which was brought to God; and thus domestic intercourse was rendered more benignant and endearing, by the predominance of religious principle. At the period when the writer of this imperfect narrative closed his ministrations in the St. Ives Circuit, the new members of our society were, in general, steadily advancing in the paths of truth and holiness. There were a few individuals who had not been faithful to the grace received,

and who had fallen through a neglect of watchfulness and prayer; but the large majority "stood fast in the Lord," and sought, in the appointed means of grace, supplies of spiritual nourishment and strength. Nor were we without hope of the restoration to God and to his church, of those who had fallen in the hour of trial. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal. vi. 1.)

It is possible that this account may fall into the hands of some who were converted to God during that special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to which it has reference. Âffectionately would the writer remind such persons of the necessity of habitually "searching the Scriptures," -of studying the word of God in the spirit of absolute submission to its requirements, with a strong and unwavering confidence in all its declarations, and in the exercise of earnest spiritual desire. He would call on them to maintain private devotion, approaching the Most High with a faith that realizes his presence, and appropriates the promises made through the atonement of the incarnate Son. He would exhort them SO to remember their dependence on the grace of God, as to seek continual supplies of that grace, and to shrink back from every thing that would be offensive to the divine purity. We are to "work out our own," our personal salvation, with fear and trembling," in the spirit of intense solicitude never to grieve God, and with a heart tremblingly alive to the grand results of our probation; for "it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure;" and thus, if we provoke him, by our neglect and presumption, to withdraw his comforting and sanctifying grace, our peace and our spiritual power must depart with him. HENRY W. WILLIAMS. Truro, Nov. 18th, 1839.

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