several of the New School large numbers of conversions have recently occurred.

"On Sunday last, though not a general day of communion, large accessions, were made to a few churches in both cities. In the North Presbyterian Church, New York, Rev. Dr. E. F. Hatfield, pastor, an interesting scene was witnessed. Seventy-four persons were publicly received into the church, sixty-eight of whom made a profession of faith. Of the latter, twentyseven were heads of families, and twentytwo under twenty years of age, many of whom are connected with the Sabbathschool. Since the new house of worship belonging to this church was completed (about eleven months ago), one hundred and fifty additions have been made to the membership, eighty-five being on profession; and in all three hundred have united since the pastor began his labours two years ago. In the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn, in Nassau Street, on Sunday evening twenty-two persons were baptized. The building was crowded to its utmost capacity, and the scene, during the performance of the ceremony, was one of unusual solemnity. In the Methodist Church in Sands Street, Brooklyn, of which Rev. Dr. John Miley is pastor, about fifty were received on probation. In the Hanson Place Methodist Church, Brooklyn, there have been more than a hundred recent conversions; in St. Paul's Methodist Church, Jersey City, about an equal number; and in the Methodist Church at Harlem nearly the same. In the Five Points, the Mission Chapel, under the care of the Rev. N. Mead, has for some time past been crowded by the inhabitants of that district, more than twenty of whom have professed penitence and conversion. Brooklyn a whole family of Jews recently embraced Christianity. In New Bedford, three hundred young people, recently converted, have united with the various churches in the place. Religious meetings, and also temperance meetings, have been for some weeks past held on board of the United States frigate North Carolina, at the Navy Yard, at one of the former of which fifty sailors came forward to be prayed for.

In

"Nearly twenty extra prayer-meetings, confined to no particular church, are now

held at different places in New York and Brooklyn. Of these the most prominent is that at the Old North Dutch Church, in Fulton Street, which has become well known over the whole country. This meeting was begun in October last, and was first held weekly, on Wednesdays, until it became so largely attended that a general desire was expressed for a daily session. The change was then made, and after being publicly announced, a single room was soon found insufficient to accommodate the great numbers that crowded into it to participate in the exercises. A second room, was then added, and afterwards a third. All three are now not only filled to their utmost capacity, but would be still more largely attended if there were sitting or even standing room to be offered to the multitude. On Saturday last more than two hundred persons were compelled to go away, unable to get a place in either of the rooms. A placard is posted on the outer gate, inviting persons to enter, though such an invitation seems no longer necessary: Step in for five minutes or longer, as your time permits. Inside, notices are hung on the walls, to the effect that prayers and remarks should be brief, in order to give all an opportunity,' and forbidding the introduction of controverted points,' for the purpose of preventing theological discussions. These precautions are taken in order to give as much variety as possible to the exercises, for it is always unpardonable to render a crowded meeting dull. The frequenters of this meeting come from all classes in society, and are invited as such, without regard to their differences. Many clergymen of the city churches, and many prominent laymen, including merchants and gentlemen in the legal and the medical professions, are seen there every day-as they ought to be seen-side by side with the mechanic and the day-labourer, and even the streetbeggar. Draymen drive up their carts to the church, and, hitching their horses outside, go in with the crowd, and are as welcome as any.

"A similar meeting is held at the same hour in the old Methodist Church in John Street, which is every day crowded.

"In addition to the numerous meetings advertised in the newspapers, and by placards around the city, many others are held in more private circles, such as by. the young men or the young ladies of particular churches, and also by the Sunday-schools; and all these lesser meetings partake, more or less, of the same enkindling spirit of the larger, and are proportionably well attended.

"Such a general awakening has never before occurred in this city, and its progress is watched with increasing interest every day."

labours of their hands, both men and women: some brought gold and silver; others blue, purple and scarlet, and fine linen; others offered an offering of brass; others, with whom was found Shittim wood, brought it an offering to the Lord: the rulers brought onyx stones, and spice, and oil; and some brought goats' hair; and some rams' skins, and others badgers' skins. See Exod. xxxv. 20, &c. And we are told, verse 29, "The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing." And thus it ought to be in this day of building the tabernacle of God; with such a willing and cheerful heart ought every man, woman, and child, to do something to promote this work: those that have not onyx stones, or are not able to bring gold or silver, yet may bring goats' hair. As all sorts of persons were employed in building the tabernacle in the wilderness, so the whole congregation of Israel were called together to set up the tabernacle in Shiloh, after they came into Canaan, Josh. xviii, 1. And so again, the whole congregation of Israel were gathered together, to bring up the ark of God, from Kirjathjearim; and again, they were all assembled to bring it up out of the house of Obededom into Mount Zion. So again, all Israel met together to assist in the great affair of the dedication of the Temple, and bringing the ark into it: so we have an account how that all sorts assisted in the re-building the wall of Jerusalem, not only the proper inhabitants of Jerusalem, but those that dwelt in other parts of the land; not only the priests and rulers, but the Nethinims and merchants, husbandmen, and mechanics, and women, Neh. iii. 5, 12, 26, 31, 32. And we have an account of one and another, that he repaired over against his house, ver. 10, and 23, 28, and of one that repaired over against his chamber, ver. 30. So now, at this time of the re-building the walls of Jerusalem, every one ought to promote the work of God within his own sphere, and by doing what belongs to him, in the place in which God has set him. Men in a private capacity may repair over against their houses; and even those that have not the government of families, and have but part of a house belonging to them, should repair, each one over against his chamber: and every one should be engaged to do the utmost that lies in his power, labouring with the utmost watchfulness, care, and diligence,

with united hearts and united strength, and the greatest readiness to assist one another in this work as God's people rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem, who were so diligent in the work, that they wrought from break of day till the stars appeared, and did not so much as put off their clothes in the night; and wrought with that care and watchfulness, that with one hand they wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon; besides the guard they set to defend them; and were so well united in it, that they took care that one should stand ready with a trumpet in his hand, that if any were assaulted in one part, those in the other parts, at the sound of the trumpet, might resort to them, and help them, Neh. iv., at the latter end.

Great care should be taken that the press should be improved to no purpose contrary to the interest of this work. We read that when God fought against Sisera, for the deliverance of his oppressed church, "they that handle the pen of the writer" came to the help of the Lord in that affair, Judges v. 14. Whatever sort of men in Israel they were that were intended, yet as the words were indited by a Spirit that had a perfect view of all events to the end of the world, and had a special eye in this song to that great event of the deliverance of God's church in the latter days, of which this deliverance of Israel was a type, it is not unlikely that they have respect to authors, those that should fight against the kingdom of Satan with their pens. Those, therefore, that publish pamphlets to the disadvantage of this work, and tending either directly or indirectly to bring it under suspicion, and to discourage or hinder it, would do well thoroughly to consider whether this be not indeed the work of God; and whether, if it be, it is not likely that God will go forth as fire, to consume all that stands in his way, and so burn up those pamphlets; and whether there be not danger that the fire that is kindled in them will scorch the authors.

When a people oppose Christ in the work of his Holy Sprit, it is because it touches them, in something that is dear to their carnal minds; and because they see the tendency of it is to cross their pride, and deprive them of the objects of their lusts. We should take heed that at this day we be not like the Gadarenes, who, when Christ came into their country, in the exercise of his glorious power and grace, triumphing over

a legion of devils, and delivering a miserable creature that had long been their captive, were all alarmed because they lost their swine by it; and the whole multitude of the country came, and besought him to depart out of their coasts; they loved their filthy swine better than Jesus Christ; and had rather have a legion of devils in their country, with their herd of swine, than Jesus Christ without them.

This work may be opposed, not only by directly speaking against the whole of it: persons may say that they believe there is a good work carried on in the country, and may sometimes bless God, in their public prayers, in general terms, for any awakenings or revivals of religion there have lately been in any part of the land; and may pray that God would carry on his own work, and pour out his Spirit more and more; and yet, as I apprehend, be in the sight of God great opposers of his work. Some will express themselves after this manner, that are so far from acknowledging and rejoicing in the infinite mercy and glorious grace of God, in causing so happy a change in the land, that they look upon the religious state of the country, take it in the whole of it, much more sorrowful than it was ten years ago; and whose conversation, to those that are well acquainted with them, evidently shows that they are more out of humour with the state of things, and enjoy themselves less, than they did before ever this work began. If it be manifestly thus with us, and our talk and behaviour with respect to this work, be such as has (though but) an indirect tendency to beget ill thoughts and suspicions in others concerning it, we are opposers of the work of God.

Instead of coming to the help of the Lord, we shall actually fight against him, if we are abundant in insisting on and setting forth the blemishes of the work, so as to manifest that we rather choose and are more forward to take notice of what is amiss, than what is good and glorious in the work. Not but that the errors that are committed ought to be observed and lamented, and a proper testimony borne against them, and the most probable means should be used to have them amended: but an insisting much upon them, as though it were a pleasing theme, or speaking of them with more appearance of heat of spirit, or with ridicule, or an air of contempt, than grief for them, has no tendency to

correct the errors, but has a tendency to darken the glory of God's power and grace, appearing in the substance of the work, and to beget jealousies and ill thoughts in the minds of others concerning the whole of it. Whatever errors many zealous persons have run into, yet if the work, in the substance of it, be the work of God, then it is a joyful day indeed; it is so in heaven, and ought to be so among God's people on earth, especially in that part of the earth where this glorious work is carried on. It is a day of great rejoicing with Christ himself, the good Shepherd, when he finds his sheep that was lost, lays it on his shoulders rejoicing, and calls together his friends and neighbours, saying, Rejoice with me: if we, therefore, are Christ's friends, now it should be a day of great rejoicing with us. If we viewed things in a just light, so great an event as the conversion of such a multitude of sinners would draw and engage our attention, much more than all the imprudences and irregularities that have been; our hearts would be swallowed up with the glory of this event, and we should have no great disposition to attend to anything else. The imprudences and errors of poor feeble worms do not hinder or prevent great rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God, over so many poor sinners that have repented; and it will be an argument of something very ill in us, if they prevent our rejoicing.

Who loves, in a day of great joy and gladness, to be much insisting on those things that are uncomfortable? Would it not be very improper, on a king's coronation day, to be much in taking notice of the blemishes of the royal family? Or would it be agreeable to the bridegroom on the day of his espousals, the day of the gladness of his heart, to be much insisting on the blemishes of his bride? We have an account how that at the time of that joyful dispensation of Providence, the restoration of the church of Israel after the Babylonish captivity, and at the time of the feast of tabernacles, many wept at the faults that were found amongst the people, but were reproved for taking so much notice of the blemishes of that affair, as to overlook the cause of rejoicing. Neh. viii. 9-12: "And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest, the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God, mourn not nor weep;

for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy, neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way, to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them."

God doubtless now expects that all sorts of persons in New England, rulers, ministers and people, high and low, rich and poor, old and young, should take great notice of his hand, in this mighty work of his grace, and should appear to acknowledge his glory in it, and greatly to rejoice in it, every one doing his utmost, in the place that God has set them in, to promote it. And God, according to his wonderful patience, seems to be still waiting, to give us opportunity thus to acknowledge and honour him. But if we finally refuse, there is not the least reason to expect any other than that his awful curse will pursue us, and that the pourings out of his wrath will be proportionable to the despised outpourings of his Spirit and grace.

PREPARATION FOR THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Ir is to be taken for granted, when a church, as a body, is in a low, backsliding state, and there is no "noise or shaking among the dry bones of the valley," that those members who begin to feel the warm pulsations of spiritual life, will mourn over the desolation, and speak often one to another, asking what can be done to strengthen the things that remain, and are ready to die. Under such circumstances, they will say one to another, "We must not live so any longer. Death is thinning our ranks; sinners are dying around us; and what will the end be, if the Lord does not come and revive his work? Who, in this extremity, will tell us what to do? If we only knew what measures to take, to prepare the way of the Lord, to bring down his blessing upon the church and congregation, we would not stop to confer with flesh and blood, but would do what he would have us to do with our might." There is nothing,

some will tell us, that we so much desire as a revival; but we cannot awaken and convert sinners; we cannot wake up our drowsy brethren in the church; we cannot even revive our own languishing graces; and what can we do but wait God's time of refreshing from his pre

sence ?

Certainly you must wait God's time. True, very true, but how? What is God's time, and in what way must you wait for it? Everything depends upon the manner of waiting. When you wait for the arrival of a friend, whom you greatly desire to see, you do not sit down and fold your arms, as if that were all. You make preparations; you get ready to receive him; you leave nothing undone which would interfere with the full enjoyment of his visit. The husbandman must wait God's time for the harvest. But he must cultivate his own field, or he can have no harvest. So in spiritual things; though it is God who gives the increase, Paul must first plant, and Apollos water, or there will be no harvest of souls to be gathered in. There is a universal connexion between antecedents and consequents in the Divine administration, both in things temporal and spiritual. God has appointed means, suited to his own high ends, and he will work no miracles to excuse us from the diligent use of them.

We may never expect a revival anywhere without labouring for it. Any other way of waiting God's time is the most inexcusable presumption. He has appointed means to be used for the reviving of his work, while he retains the excellency of the power in his own hands. The only thing which concerns us is to ascertain what these means are, and to give all diligence in the use of them, guided by his word and Spirit,

Do you ask what is the first thing to be done? Look within. Commune with your own hearts. See if you can find any preparation to welcome the Saviour on such a visit of mercy as the church needs to revive her dying graces, and as impenitent sinners need, to save them from going down to the pit. It will be strange if, in the time of general stupidity of which you complain, you do not find reason to cry out, "Oh, my leanness, my leanness!" to make humble and hearty confession of your own backslidings, and to pray, "0 Lord, restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." I believe that when Christians begin to pray in earnest for the