the nature of their religion is so unsocial, that union among them becomes mischievous, in proportion as it becomes extensive; that although a few of them in the same neighborhood may, without hazard, associate themselves together, and frequently meet to consult the interests of the church; an attempt to go beyond the limits of neighborhood, and associate a larger number, is hostile to the cause of Zion. Some satisfactory argument must be offered to make it appear, that we are chargeable with a direct or indirect interference with some other body of men; that we have transgressed the bounds of the liberty, with which Christ hath made us free, and which is confirmed to us by our civil constitutions; or that we have, in some way, violated the equal rights of our brethren or fellow citizens. And something must be done to evince, that the religious doctrines, which we unitedly embrace, are unscriptural and false. Until these things are made evident, it will be no mark of candor or justice for men to cry out against our Association, as founded on narrow, party principles, and tending to ecclesiastical domination and oppression. All that we would ask of those who differ from us is, that they would leave us without restraint to exercise our own rights and pursue the objects, which our consciences approve. In our serious apprehension, no ends can be more momentous than those,at which we aim; viz. to banish mutual prejudice and alienation from the family of the faithful; to promote among them the peace of God; to strengthen each other's hands and encourage each other's hearts; reciprocally to communicate all useful information respecting the state of religion in our churches and societies, and thus to awaken serious and tender solicitude and unceasing prayer for the general welfare. In short, to co-operate in every eligible measure for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. The cause, which we wish to promote has engaged the love and counsels of God, and the labors of angels and saints. It is the cause of those, for whom Christ died. It is the cause of the church, which God has chosen, as the place of his glory, and his rest. Will not every friend of the Redeemer say, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy."

Exertions similar to ours have recently been made both in Europe and America. The ministers and disciples of Christ, grieved and distressed with their long divisions, have sighed for union and peace. Alarmed by the boldness and triumph of their enemies, they have found it necessary to lay aside their trivial disputes, and combine their strength for the safety of their common cause. Extensive and happy has been the influence of these united exertions both in Christian countries and among the heathen. The success, which has attended them, invites us to harmony, and strongly urges us to resolution and zeal. When others have done so much for the cause of truth and love; shall we, with equal or superior advantages, do nothing? Shall the ministers of Christ in Massachusetts sleep, when his ministers in every other part are awake? Shall we be content in a disjointed, broken condition, when the Christian world in general is yielding to the benign influence of the love of Christ, and tasting the joys of mutual affection and confidence? When so much is to be done; when such astonishing things are to be accomplished, before the millenial giory; shall we indulge in indolence? Sinners are to be converted, and all the great events of divine providence are to take place, through the instrumentality of creatures. It is indeed the power of God which carries into effect his benevolent designs. But he confers on his people the honor and happiness of being active in their accomplishment. Parents who are diligent in the religious instruction of their children; churches laboring for their own and each other's order, holiness, and peace; pastors, who faithfully preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to their beloved flocks; missionaries, who are moved with compassion to proclaim salvation to the ignorant and perishing heathen; ministers, who unite their counsels and endeavors for the suppression of error and vice, the gen eral interest of religion and the spread of the gospel; and trembling believ

ers, who, feeling that they can do little in any other way, daily prostrate themselves in secret devotion before the throne of grace, and with fervent love, pray for the out-pouring of the Spirit and the prosperity of Zion; these, and all others, who are obedient and prayerful, may have the satisfaction to know, that they are promoting the cause of infinite wisdom and goodness, and helping forward the illustrious and blessed period, when the knowledge of God shall fill the earth.

This is a day of great events, both in the civil and religious world. The King of kings is fast preparing the way for the final consummation. The scene is coming to its close. From the prophecies of scripture and the motions of divine providence, we are led to expect that the day of Zion's enlargement, beauty, and joy draws near. Ministers and churches ought to arise from the dust; to shake off the sloth and slumber of past ages; to be filled with spiritual life, and clothed with the garment of salvation. Let us be resolute, active, and constant in advancing the kingdom of grace; and lift up our heads with rejoicing in prospect of the kingdom of glory. hold, I come quickly." Confiding in everlasting strength, and fearless of remaining danger, let us go forth, in one holy band, to meet our approaching Redeemer. "Even so, come, LORD JESUS,"

"Be

AN ACCOUNT OF A WORK OF DIVINE GRACE, IN THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION, IN NORTHBRIDGE, (MASS) IN THE YEAR 1808. SOMETIME in the month of Feb. ruary, 1808, there appeared, in this place, more than usual seriousness upon the minds of a few individuals. Previous to this period, for years, there had prevailed among us, great stupidity, in the concerns of a future state. Our church had been decreas. ing for seven or eight years, during which time we had lost by death, by removals, by apostasy and by excommunication, about thirty members. Religion was rapidly declining, and our prospects were, every day, growing more and more discouraging. In this unpromising state of things, it pleased God to arrest the attention of a small number of persons, and bring them to see and feel themselves to be in a lost perishing state. Religious conferences were now revived. Before this season began, it would have been difficult, to have collected together for religious exercise, ten persons on any day, except the sab. bath; but now, we had the pleasure to see convened, more than one hundred, at almost every weekly conference. In this collection many of our youths appeared, and some of them seemed to be deeply affected with the concerns of their souls. This good work gradually progressed, and from time to time new cases of serious

impressions were found. It continued without much visible abatement, till the following September, when we began to discern marks of its decline. During this season twentyfive persons made public profession of religion. These were generally able to give some satisfactory evidence of a work of grace on their hearts. They all seemed to be convinced of their great sinfulness, and complained of their wicked hearts. They profess ed to hope, that they had passed from death to life. There was no uncommon means used, at this time, nor was there any singular providence of God, which called up the attention of our people, at this particular season.

All those who were the subjects of this work had usually attended the stated worship of God, on the sabbath. Some of them, however, were not careful to give constant attendance in the house of God. Among the number who were hopefully converted, were some, who had been in the practice of profaning the sabbath in the pursuit of vain amusements and unsuitable recreations; and there were others, who had been much opposed to the doctrines of divine grace, and had used their infinence in giving encouragement to sentiments hostile to christianity. These were brought to feel, that they had been enemies to Christ, and had acted from wrong motives, in this opposition to the interest of his king

dom. They found themselves to be different creatures, and religion a different thing, from what they had conceived them to be. They were laid prostrate at the feet of sovereign mercy, and made to feel, that the mercy of God in Christ, was all their hope. This season was calculated to console and rejoice the heart of God's true people. These were times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. None but those who have seen the grace of God, can have an idea of the joy arising from seeing sinners pass from obduracy of heart to that contrition of spirit, which distinguishes all true peni

tents.

This work, as far as we are able to judge, appeared to be genuine. Those who were the subjects of it, continue to give evidence of their faith. It was a pleasing circumstance attending this work, that no indecency, no irregularity, no enthusiastic zeal was once seen on any occasion. Those who were serious appeared to be self collected, and more ready to hear, than to speak, more ready to receive instruction, than to exhort others.

It may be proper to add, that considering the small number of people belonging to the congregational society, in this place, this revival of religion is not inconsiderable.

Not

more than fifty families compose the number usually assembling for divine worship, in this town.

pleasure more than lovers of God. continued to pay their customary visits to public houses, even while religious conferences were attended within a few rods of the place of their resort; and whatever concern they might have for their own souls, or whatever might be their opinion of the work of God on the heart of their neighbors, they were not willing to renounce the pleasures of sin, even for a season. This being the

state of facts, as it respects this description of men, it is worthy of inquiry, whether persons of intemperate habits are not further removed, than others from the influence of religious means, and whether there is not a greater improbability of their repentance, than there is of the repentarse of other sinners. If this is granted sensuality in general, and especially intemperance are sins which not only destroy the soul, but increase the improbability of the sinner's salvation.

If this work of God on the hearts of sinners has been joyful to some among us, it has unquestionably been unjoyous to others. Such times are unpleasant days to people who hate God, and mean to remain sinners.

Much has been said upon divine things while there was a listening ear among us. Almost every interesting and useful subject, at one time, or another, has been considered. As far as I am capable of judging, few places have enjoyed greater religious advantages, than this place has, for a time, enjoyed. Our people have been repeatedly pressed to consider the necessity and the importance of improving the day of God's visitation. If any have refused to hear the voice of God speaking to them by his word and by his work of grace,-If any have resisted the Holy Ghost, they have undoubtedly enhanced their guilt, and will if they continue impenitent, be subject to a heavier condemnation.

Several others, besides them, who have made public profession of relig ion have been more or less exercised in mind, with a concern for their souls. The number of this description is not less, than ten or twelve. Some of these persons have been as deeply affected with a view of their miserable state, as any; but it is to be feared, their goodness, is as the morning cloud, and as the early dew, it goeth away. It may be useful to observe, that this work did not arrest, as we could perceive, the progress of the habitually intemperate. August 19th, 1809. Tavern haunters and the lovers of

JOHN CRANE.

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