Page images
PDF
EPUB

to foot; others fell down and cried out with a loud and bitter cry; while others became speechless, and seemed convulsed as if in the agonies of death. After prayer for them, many rose up rejoicing in God, and testifying that they had redemption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. Mr. Wesley himself, at first, knew not how to judge of these extraordinary things; but when he found that most of the persons so affected, held fast their confidence, and walked worthy of their Christian calling, adorning the gospel of God our Saviour in all things, he could not deny that there was a real, genuine work of God upon their minds. He did not, however, consider agitations, visions or dreams, as evidence of a true conversion to God; but as adventitious or accidental circumstances, which from various causes might, or might not attend it." Mr. Wesley says these agitations may be accounted for "either on the principles of reason or scripture. First on the principles of reason. For how easy it is to suppose, that a strong, lively, and sudden apprehension of the heinousness of sin, &c. should affect the body as well as the soul, during the present laws of vital union; should interrupt or disturb the ordinary circulations, and put nature out of its course, &c. Secondly, on principles of scripture. Here we are to add to the consideration of natural causes, the agency of those spirits who still excel in strength, and as far as they have leave from God, will not fail to torment whom they cannot destroy; to tear those that are coming to Christ. It is also remarkable, that there is plain scripture precedent for every symptom which has lately appeared. So that we cannot allow even the conviction attended with these to be madness, without giving up both reason and scripture." Whitehead's L. of W. vol. ii. p. 102.

Thus it appears that Mr. Wesley never held these " parox ysms" to be necessary to the New-Birth, but only that the New-Birth was sometimes experienced where these existed. Nor do we know one among his followers that ever considered them essential to a change of heart; but many believe with Wesley that much good has been done notwithstanding them.

Mr. Wesley consulted the most serious part of the clergy, as well among the Dissenters as in the established Church, respecting these circumstances; some of whom were disposed to view them favourably. Mr. Ralph Erskine, though by no means prejudiced in Mr. Wesley's favour, answered, "I desire to bless my Lord, for the great and good news your letter bears about the Lord's turning many souls from darkness to light, &c. Some of the instances you give, seem to be exemplified in the outward manner wherein Paul, and the jailor, were at first affected; as also Peter's hearers," Acts ii.-Mr. E. then suppo

ses that sudden and sharp convictions may produce these agi. tations, or that Satan may, and adds," "However, the merci ful issue of the conflicts in the conversion of the persons thus affected, is the main thing." Whit L. of W. vol. ii. p. 103.

Notwithstanding Mr. S. and the Reviewers have laboured hard to show that the Methodists and Calvinists are like the Jews and Samaritans of old, as having "a genuine odium theologicum between them, yet here is an instance of liberality which they would do well to imitate. But instead of this, they have mis represented the sentiments and labours of a great and good man, for the purpose, as it seems, of bringing both into contempt.

They add, that "those paroxysms of bodily and mental dis ease have ever since continued to be a characteristic of his followers." If by these words be meant that the Methodists have ever held there may be true religion where these "parox ysms" exist, they admit it; but if they mean that these things are peculiar to them, they have it in their power to show the contrary.

Waiving the further consideration of scripture examples, we would observe that several of the early fathers of the Church often speak of such a work. The words of John Chrysostom are worthy of notice. Com. on Rom. viii 15. Ye have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.— "These are the first words we utter, says he, after those amazing throes, (or birth pangs,) and that strange and wonderful manner of bringing forth." The instance of Mr. Bolton, a learned, laborious, and successful minister of the Church of England, is well known. He was awakened by the preaching of the celebrated Mr. Perkins, in the University of Cambridge; and was affected with such terrors, as caused him to throw himself on the ground, and roar with inexpressible anguish; yea, sometimes, he lay pale and senseless like one that was dead. See Coke's L. of W. p. 147. Note.

"Yea," says the late President Edwards, "Such extraordi nary external effects of inward impressions, have not only been found in here and there a single person, but there have also before now, (alluding to the great revival in New-England in 1734 -5,) been times wherein many have been thus affected; and such effects have appeared in congregations, in many at once. So it was in the year 1625, in the West of Scotland. It was there a frequent thing for many to be so extraordinarily seized with terror in hearing the word-that they fell down, and were carried out of the congregation. There has before now, been both crying out, and falling down, in this town, (Northampton) under awakenings of conscience, and also in some of the neigh bouring towns. In one of them, more than seven years ago, were a great number together that cried out and fell down un

der convictions. There have been also instances before now, of persons crying out in transports of divine joy, in NewEngland. There have been many instances before now, in this and some neighbouring towns of persons fainting with joyful discoveries made to their souls; once several together in this town. And there also formerly have been several instances here of persons' flesh waxing cold and benumbed, and their hands clenched; yea, their bodies being set into convulsions, being overpowered with a strong sense of the astonishingly great and glorious things of God and the eternal world."

Mr. T. Edwards, the father of the President, mentions a letter he saw, from Scotland, giving "an account of a sermon delivered in the city of Edinburgh, which so affected the people that there was a great and loud cry made through the assembly," and adds "that it was a common thing when the famous Mr. John Rogers, of Dedham in England, was preaching, for some of his hearers to cry out; and by what I have heard, I conclude that it was usual for many that heard that awakening and rousing preacher of God's word, to make a great cry in the congregation." Ed. Works, vol. iii. p. p. 105-6. Edit. 1809. (To be Continued.)

Religious and Missionary Intelligence.

For the Methodist Magazine.

Short Sketches of Revivals of Religion among the Methodists in the Western Country.

No. 6.

(Continued from page 276.)

RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN THE NORTH-WESTERN TER

RITORY (NOW STATE OF OHIO.)

"THE first quarterly meeting in this circuit (Scioto,) was held at Wm. Burkitt's, on Ohio Brush Creek, on the 29th and 30th of March 1800. We had no elder to administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to us, but the Great Head of the Church deigned to be with us, and blessed us indeed! Many tears were shed, and some thought they never were at such a meeting before."

"I now left the circuit and went to the General Conference in Baltimore, and thought the way open and the prospect good: The people did not only seem willing to hear the word, but to support the preachers; I made a collection in some congregations the last round I went, and it amounted to forty dollars. We had twelve classes and eight or nine local preachers, and some exhorters. I was re-appointed to that circuit, and returned in June 1800 in hope of seeing a glorious work of God in that new country, but in this, I was somewhat disappointed, for our difficulties rather increased. No preacher was sent to the Miami circuit that year, so I was alone in that wilderness, as it was then, for about eighteen months; and withal I was much afflicted and not able to do much. The members on the Miami complained loudly, and worse than this, unhappy disputes arose in some of the classes: I visited them

and held a quarterly meeting at brother Gatches, on the 30th of August, and advised and encouraged the local preachers to form classes in those places where they preached, and keep up discipline, and preserve the societies from ruin, until a travelling preacher should be sent them."

The person at whose house the quarterly meeting brother Smith mentions was held, was old brother Philip Gatch, from Virginia, an old veteran of the cross of '76. Who had been once tarred and feathered for preaching the gospel of our common Lord-He was perhaps one among the first preachers that old father Abbot heard preach of the Methodist order: He removed to Ohio at this early period, and he and brother Francis M'Carmack formed the first Methodist societies on the Little Miami; the societies now around these two old patriarchs of Methodism, are large and respectable. I have solicited and may obtain from them an interesting account of their early settlement, and of the rise of Methodism among them in this part of the country.

"Our first quarterly meeting for (Scioto circuit) for this year, began at Moore's meeting-house on Scioto Brush Creek, on the 27th of September. I believe this was the first Methodist meeting-house that was built on that side of the Ohio river. We had no presiding elder present, but the Lord was with us of a truth, and condescended to manifest himself to us in the bouse that we had built for his worship. Our next quarterly-meeting was at PeePee on the 27th and 28th of December; and the Lord made it plain to us, that he does not despise the day of small things; for he deigned to meet with us in our cabin on the banks of Scioto, and we had a very refreshing season indeed : Yea, in the presence of the Great Head of the Church, and the enjoyment of his love, we were as happy as if we sat among the thousands of Israel in some magnificent building."

Saturday, January 31, 1801, I first visited the people on Hockhocking" (thirty five or forty miles east of the Scioto river)" and held a two-days meeting at the house of a friend Coats, and Sunday administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to about thirty poor scattered, starving sheep in the wilderness; and the Lord was among us: They begged for preaching, but I could not take them into the circuit, as I already had more work than I could

do."

"On the 28th and 29th of March, 1801, we held the first quarterly meeting in Chillicothe, brother Burke from Kentucky, was our elder; having no meeting-bouse of our own, we were admitted into the Presbyterian meeting-house" (the court-house, or some rented house, it must have been, for no house of public worship was built at this time)" and the Lord was pleased to smile upon ns, and we rejoiced in his presence. I was earnestly solicited to come down to Miami circuit, and help them to settle some unhappy disputes that had arisen in the societies on Mad-river; In May I went down through heavy rains and dreadful roads, and repeatedly got wet, took cold and got sick, and could only preach a few times to them, but hoped I had accomplished my object on Mad-river. On my return 1 held a quarterly meeting at brother Gatches on Little Miami, and it was a refreshing season to many. Miami circuit was then in a woful situation and so continued until Autumn 1802, when Elisha Bowman was sent there. That year things took a favourable turn, and a great and a glorious change was soon visible. I dragged on through great difficulties and much affliction this year, and ended my labours at the quarterly meeting on Scioto Brush Creek, on the 29th and 30th of August 1801, and returned to Kentucky on the first day of September following, having spent near two years in the Territory North west of the Ohio." HENRY SMITH.

Perry-Hall, April 18, 1812.

To the "Rev. Wm. M'Kendree, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.”

The first settlers in those new countries generally follow up the water courses, the rich bottoms and fertility of the soil hold out such strong inducements. that they encounter sickness, and every other difficulty to possess themselves of such situations as are calculated in time to compensate them for brooking such a variety of adverse scenes. Remote from the larger streams it is more healthy, but in a few years the water courses become the most desirable situations.

It may be remarked, however, that after the first difficulties of new settlements are encountered, society becomes exceedingly agreeable wherever the

neighbourhoods are composed of virtuous and enlightened people. It was our dear brother Smith's lot to visit this country in its first stage of improvement. But in process of time settlements and neighbourhoods pass through a variety of changes. After passing through fires and waters of affliction in these new settlements, and encountering innumerable difficulties, and Providence having granted their hearts desire we frequently see the early emigrant rolling in wealth, surrounded with plenty, and with all the abundance around him the world can afford. We hear him sigh, deeply sigh, for that sweet social intercourse which he once enjoyed with his God and his friends whilst he remained a tenant of his humble cabin; and with a desire to find the same contentment not unfrequently makes a second removal.-Such is the disposition of man! The Mad river Country was settled first mostly by emigrants from Kentucky, many of whom were subjects of the work, and fruit of the great revival in that state. Numbers from the same state settled on the Big and Little Miamies, and great and glorious revivals of religion have attended those settlements.

There were a number of interesting circumstances attending the introduction of Methodism into those new countries, particularly the Mad-river country where religion has flourished to an astonishing degree within a few years. I will mention two singular circumstances which occurred illustrative of these events, and may communicate hereafter others, as time and opportunity may afford.

About the year 1808, brother Hr Sd, a young, and zealous, and very useful minister was sent to this circuit: His labours were greatly blessed, and there was a gracious out-pouring of the Spirit, and a great ingathering of precious souls. Brother S. was a man of singular cast of mind, and peculiarly gifted in his manner and mode of preaching; his stages being at times at some distances from each other, the roads and paths not very plain across the prairies and through the forests, he concluded to take his tomahawk with him around the circuit, and to blaze his way on the trees, so that he might the more readily know his way without the trouble of taking a guide. So he starts and around his circuít he goes with a heart full of zeal, doing the work of an Evangelist, preaching the gospel in the demonstration of the spirit and with power! As, under all such circumstances, a persecution was stirred up. A large and lustly son of Belial undertakes to stop him-He now threatens the next round to beat him, if not take his life: But young Sd preaches and marks his way. This violent persecutor had heard that the preacher was blazing his way through the country, passing the same route some time after, when in the woods alone, he falls upon brother S-d's marked trees: He begins to examine them. And whilst he is thus employed, serious reflections begin to revolve through his mind. He began to reason with himself upon the subject. We think we can almost realize the conversation that this man had with his own heart in the woods, and to hear him whisper "Here is his tract! And what can this man be after! He is not certainly seeking after wealth, for this is a poor calling to obtain that. It can't be for honour, for 1, among others have risen up against him, and despise him. There must be something in that man that I don't possess!" Convictions began now to take hold of his beart, when no doubt, beginning to feel his own situation, tears begin to trickle down the cheek: oh could we but see him now alone; bis courage has forsaken him, and be sues for mercy at a throne of grace! To see him first turning this way, and then the other way for a place of retirement; there to bend his proud heart with his knees to obtain pardon and remission of his sins. He is now wounded by reflections arising in his own mind froin the preacher's marks upon the trees. He returns home with a countenance quiet and as calm as the sky after a blustering storm: He changes his course, attended preaching afterwards, and found peace to his soul! Nor could the poor man rest till be thought he had made some reparation for the injury done to the preacher, by making him a present of a horse, which brother S-d, to gratify him accepted, and gave him to another brother who had need of him. We shall mention the second singular occurrence in our next. THEOPHILUS ARMENIUS.

Mount-Carmel, Illinois, Feb. 24, 1821.

(To be Continued.)

« PreviousContinue »