dominion of Antichrist, the man of sin, and son of perdition -never been cursed with a hierarchy, enslaving the consciences of men, and holding them in spiritual thraldom; and, consequently, for aught I know, the supposition may be well-founded-though the recent apprehensions, of the boasted American Revivals being the commencement of the Millennium, should prove otherwise. It is probable, however, that in this way we are to account for the fact of the attention of the Dissenters of this country, (England and Scotland,) being so much directed to America as it has lately been, and also for the avidity that has been manifested to lay hold on these flying reports of a great Revival there, and to construe them into a foundation on which to build the fondest anticipations. What, for instance, can be stronger evidence of the eagerness of the public mind, in relation to this matter, than is afforded us by the fact, that two deputations have recently been appointed-one by the Congregational Union Board, and the other by the Baptist Board-at an expense of, probably, 500l. to each party, to cross the Atlantic for the purpose of ascertaining the real amount of these Revivals, and set the public mind at rest concerning them. Now, without laying claim to the spirit of prophecy, I venture to affirm, that whenever these delegates shall think proper to favour their brethren and the public with a faithful report of what has come under their cognizance, it will completely disappoint the expectation of their friends. Their prejudices and prepossessions have, and will blind their minds to the only thing which deserves the name of a Revival of Religion; and even had the thing obtruded itself upon their notice, they would have shut their eyes against the light, and denied it to be the work of God. A Revival of Religion, according to their notion of the matter, must be a flourishing state of societies, formed upon the model of those with which they themselves are connected at home— overlooking the fact, that there is scarcely the shadow of resemblance between the latter, and the churches gathered by the influence of the Apostolic doctrine, organized after the pattern of the Church in Jerusalem, and indeed of all the Churches of which we read in the New Testament. It is a remarkable fact, that the late William Orme, of Camberwell, who was alive when the subject of these American Revivals first began to make a stir among us, preached a discourse from Acts ii. 42-47, (taking care, however, to omit the subject of Baptism!) in which he insisted upon it, that nothing deserved the name of a Revival of Religion that did not bring people back to the primitive pattern, and in its operation, produce something

analogous to the state of the Church at Jerusalem, as recorded in his text, where it is said, that "they who gladly received the Word were baptized, and added to the Church; which Church continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and prayers." And this is also my own decided opinion of the matter. The Millennium, commence when it will, and where it will, will be ushered in and manifest itself not in fits of Methodistic excitement, but by the disciples of the Saviour, hearing his voice in the gospel of his grace, disentangling themselves from all human systems of Religion-having recourse "to the Law and the Testamony," and implicitly following the footsteps of the primitive Christians, in separating themselves, in all religious fellowship, from the world of the ungodly, loving one another for the truth's-sake, and studying, in all things, to conform to the revealed will of their ascended Sovereign.

The professing world, in this country, at the present moment, appears to me to be much in the same state, in reference to the Millennium, as were God's ancient people, the Jews, in relation to the Messiah's appearance prior to his manifestation. Individuals and societies are musing in their hearts concerning this long-expected event, the thousand years' reign of Christ, the true Melchisedec, the "King of righteousness and peace." But as it was in the beginning of the Gospel, so, I apprehend, it will be with the bulk of professors when Christ shall take unto him his great power and begin his Millennial reign. We all know, or ought to know, that, when the desire of all nations came to his temple, the great bulk of the Jewish people "received him not ;" but hid, as it were, their faces from him. Instead of the mighty Conqueror who was to head their armies, deliver their country from the Roman yoke, and lead them to conquest and glory, they beheld only the carpenter's son-a root out of dry ground-without form or comeliness, or any of those shining qualities which should render him amiable in their eyes. And what was the result? They could hear his heavenly doctrine, and gaze with stupid indifference upon the miracles by which it was attested; and rather than relinquish their prejudices, blasphemously attribute them to a diabolical influence-" this man doth not cast out devils, but through Beelzebub, the prince of the devils"! yet his doctrine spread; and though the Scribes and Pharisees, the leaders in religion, laughed this Divine Teacher to scorn, his kingdom, founded on that doctrine, small at the beginning as a "grain of mustard-seed," and feeble as the "bruised reed and smoking flax," won its way in spite of all opposition. "The common people heard him gladly"-"publicans and harlots en

tered his kingdom, while the Scribes and Pharisees shut themselves out:"-thus verifying the solemn declaration of the Saviour, "That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven; but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out." And thus also is verified, his oft-repeated declaration, "the first shall be last, and the last first-for many are called, but few chosen."

Now, I presume, the reader can have little difficulty in applying these remarks to the subject before us-the "latter day glory," as it is sometimes termed That the Church or Kingdom of Christ is upon the eve of some extraordinary change, is now a very general notion, founded on unquestionable premises. If the Antichristian apostacy foretold in ancient prophecy, and which was to continue 1260 years, be not come to an end, the extraordinary events that have recently taken place, in the shaking of those nations of Europe which have been the seat of the Apocalyptic beast, are sufficient to satisfy us, that the time rapidly draws nigh, when the Lord shall consume that wicked one with the spirit of his mouth, and destroy him with the epiphany or bright shining of his coming. The signs of the times are sufficiently indicative to rouse the attention of the most sluggish! We every where find the Clergy "gnawing their tongues for pain, and blaspheming the God of Heaven because of their pains and their sores, yet repenting not of their deeds." Who can deny that "their" kingdom is full of darkness?" And though kings and statesmen would gladly lend them a helping hand, and relieve them in this the hour of their extremity; yet vain indeed is the help of man! What says the great Dr. John Owen on this subject? I shall quote his words :

"See the vanity, folly, madness of such as labour to oppose the bringing in of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Canst thou hinder the rain from descending upon the earth, when it is falling? Will the conception for thee dwell quietly in the womb beyond its month? Surely thou mayest, with far more ease, stop the current and course of nature, than obstruct the bringing in of the Kingdom of Christ in righteousness and peace. Whence comes it to pass, that so many nations are wasted, destroyed, spoiled, in the days wherein we live? that God hath taken quietness and peace from the earth? Doubtless from hence, that they will smite themselves against the stone cut out of the mountain without hands.' Shall not 'the decree bring forth?' Is it not in vain to fight against the Lord? Some are angry, some troubled, some in the dark, some full of revenge; but the truth is, whether they will hear or

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forbear, Babylon shall fall, and all the glory of the earth be stained, and the kingdoms become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ." But I return to the subject of American Revivals, of which it may not be amiss to sketch a brief

narrative.

The first appearance of American Revivals, was during the ministry of Jonathan Edwards, in Northampton, a town of New Hampshire, in the province of Massachusetts. It took place in the year 1734, and becoming the subject of general report, Mr. Edwards, two years afterwards, at the request of some of his friends, published "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God, in the Conversion of many Hundred Souls in Northampton and the neighbouring Towns and Villages of New-Hampshire, in New England." This small volume was re-printed in London, with a large Preface, by Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse, which volume is now before me; it appeared in 1737.

At the time of the Revival, the town of Northampton was of about eighty-two years' standing. The first minister was Eleazer Mather, ordained in 1669 : he was succeeded by Mr. Stoddard, who continued in the work of the ministry nearly sixty years. His labours were much blessed. He had what he called five harvests; some of them more remarkable than others, and the in-gathering of souls more plentiful. He was succeeded by his grandson, Mr. Edwards, who laboured along with him for two years before his death.

Just after Mr. Stoddard's death there appeared a time of extraordinary dulness in religion, of great disorder, and licentiousness among the young; and of contention in all public affairs between two parties, into which the inhabitants had been long divided. Two or three years afterwards there was a sensible diminution of these evils; the young showed more disposition to listen, and became more regular in their attendance on public worship. A sermon was preached, urging heads of families to restrain their children, and especially on the Sabbath evening, when they were in the habit of meeting together to make merry: but parents found little occasion to interfere; the young people declared themselves convinced by what they had heard from the pulpit, and a great reformation took place. Soon afterwards there appeared a remarkable religious concern in a neighbouring village, where a number appeared to be converted. A sermon preached in April 1734, on the death of a young man, after an illness of two days, much affected many young people. A young woman also died, who, in the beginning of her illness, was greatly distressed about her soul, but latterly had much comfort, and to the last warned

and counselled those around her. At the same time arose a controversy about Arminianism; and although great fault was found with meddling with the controversy in the pulpit, yet Mr. Edwards' discourses on the subject were much blessed to many. In the latter end of December, says Mr. Edwards, the Spirit of God began wonderfully to work amongst us." Great concern about religion became universal in all parts of the town, and among persons of all degrees and ages. The conversation in all companies, and upon all occasions, was almost entirely about spiritual and eternal things. The world was treated as a thing of very little consequence: secular business was followed more as a duty than from any inclination they had for it. The temptation seemed to be, to neglect worldly affairs too much; and, as might be expected, this was much misrepresented. It was reported that the people of Northampton had wholly given up business, and attended only to religion. There was scarcely a person in the town, old or young, wholly unconcerned about an eternal world. From day to day-for many months together, evident instances were seen of sinners brought out of darkness into marvellous light. In the spring and summer of the year 1735, 'the town,' says Mr. Edwards, seemed to be full of the presence of God. It never was so full of love and joy, and yet so full of distress as it was then.' There were remarkable tokens of God's presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families on account of salvation being brought to them: parents rejoicing over their children as new born, and husbands over their wives, and wives over their husbands. The Lord's-day was a delight. The assembly were in general in tears while the word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress; others with joy and love; others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbours.

The people round about the town knew not what to make of all this. Some scoffed, and compared it to a contagious distemper. Some came to the town from curiosity, others upon business; and many were thus awakened and brought to Christ. The concern spread to many other places; in some of which it was as powerful and remarkable as at Northampton. Mr. Edwards reckons, that, in the space of half a year, more than three hundred persons in the town were brought to Christ, about the same number of males as females.-The adult population did not much exceed six hundred.

There was a great variety in the experience of those who were affected. Some had for a long time great apprehensions; others from the beginning had more encouragement and hope. In the latter part of May, the Spirit seemed more withdrawn,