expreffed this fentiment, fhe was

take, and informed him fhe had discovered that the "hated God with all her heart."

themselves with this plea of inabili

anxious to let him know her mifty, and like their ancestor, to caft the blame upon God, by pleading, "The nature which He gave me, beguiled me." This was the enemy's ftrong hold. All who were a little more thoughtful than common, but not thoroughly convic ted, would, upon the first attack,

be glad to repent, but could not j
their nature and heart were so bad;"
As though their nature and heart
were not they themselves.
But the
progrefs of conviction in general
foon removed this "refuge of
lies," and filled them with a sense
of utter inexcufableness. And
in every cafe, as foon as their en-
mity was flain this plea wholly van-
ifhed, their language immediately
became, "I wonder, I ever should
afk the question, How can I re-
pent? My only wonder now is
that I could hold out so long."

In the first stages of conviction, it was not eafy for the fubjects to realize their defert of eternal death. But afterwards, even while they gave decifive evidence of being ftillflee to this refuge. "They would as devoid of a right temper as thofe wretches whofe mouths will be ftopt by the light of the last day, cheir conviction of this defert was, in many inftances, very clear. Nevertheless, even to the laft, their hearts would recoil at the thought of being in God's hands, and would rife against him for having referved it to himfelf to decide whether to fanctify and pardon them or not. Though the display of this doctrine had the moft powerful tendency to ftrip them of all hopes from themselves, and to bring them to the feet of fovereign grace; yet as it thus fapped the foundation on which they rested, their feelings were excited against it. There was a man who, having been well indoctrinated, had for many years advocated this truth; who notwith-fome inftances, the emotions were tanding, when he came to be concerned about his falvation and to apply this truth to his own cafe, was much difpleafed with it. He was at times quite agitated by a warfare between his understanding and heart; the former affenting to the truth, the latter refifting it. He faid it depended on God and not on himself, whether he ever fhould comply with the gofpel; and for God to withhold his influences, and then punish him for not poffefling the temper which thefe influences alone could produce, ap-ed by the diftinguishing docpeared to him hard. Before con- trines of the gospel closely and viction had become deep and pow- affectionately applied to the conerful, many attempted to exculpate fcience.

It was not uncommon for the hearts of the convicted, as they rofe against God, to rise also against his minifters. Several who had not betrayed their feelings in the feafon of them, afterwards confeffed that fuch refentments had arifen. In

plainly difcoverable, and in one,
particularly, the fubject was fo in-
cenfed as to break out in bitter ex-
preffions, but a few hours before
being relieved from the anguish of
a deeply troubled fpirit. Such
things feemed to be fatisfying ev-
idence that mere conviction no
more meliorates the heart in this,
than in the other world; but ferves
rather to draw out its corruptions
into ftill ftronger exercise
may be fuitable to add that thefe
fallies of refentment were occafion-

It

was compofed in view of thofe very truths which had been the objects of his oppofition. Since then, he has publicly manifefted his belief in the articles adopted by the church, and has been received by them, to the "furtherance" of their " joy of faith" and "comfort of love."

As foon as the heart of ftone | of diftreffing conviction, his mind was removed and a heart of flesh given, the fubjects of this happy change exhibited fentiments and feelings widely different from thofe above defcribed. They were now wrapt up in admiration of the laws and abfolute government of God, which had before been the objects of fo much cavil and difguft. Notwithstanding the extreme delicacy and danger which attend the detail of individual cafes, it may on the whole, it is hoped, be more ufeful than injurious to confirm and illuftrate the observation just now advanced by fome particular relations.

Another might be mentioned who was equally oppofed to the effential truths of revelation. Having the care of a school in town the laft winter, he was required by the infpectors to fubfcribe to the belief, "That the general fyftem of doctrines taught in the affembly's catechifm, is agreeable to the word of God." He could not comply, on the ground that the catechifm afferts "God had foreordained whatsoever comes to pafs." The infpectors loth to lofe him, endeavored to convince him. But this claufe appeared to him fo exceptionable that he persisted in declining, and would have left his school rather than comply, had he not at last discovered that the phrafe, general fyftem" would leave him room after fubfcribing, to withhold his affent to the offenfive article. Soon after this, his confcience was feized by the convincing power of truth, a great revolution was produced in his views and feelings, and he has fince profeffed to be filled with admiration of a government planned by eternal wifdom, and adminif tered by unerring rectitude.

There was a man, who, for a number of years, had entertained hope of his perfonal intereft in the covenant; and being of inoffenfive behaviour, had given people no other special ground to diftruft him than his oppofition to divine fovereignty, and difguft (which he now believes arofe from a felf-righteous temper) at the doctrine that God has no regard for the doings of the unregenerate. He thought the impenitent were thus too much difcouraged from making their own exertions. Emboldened by a favorable opinion of his ftate, he offered himself fometime ago for communion with the church. And because he could not affent to their confeffion of faith, he petitioned to have feveral articles ftruck out, particularly the one which afferts the doctrine of election. The church did not confent, and he withdrew. But fo exquifitely was It might perhaps not be unfuitahis fenfibility touched, that he had ble to mention the cafe of a man it in ferious confideration to dif- upward of 70 years of age; who, pofe of his property, and remove belonging to the loweft clafs of foto fome place where he might ciety, and living in a very retired enjoy gofpel ordinances.' It pleaf- place, was extremely illiterate, ed God, the laft winter, to con- and had little intercourfe with the vince him that his "feet stood on world; yet was poffeffed of a Dippery places ;" and after a fceneftrong mind and malignant paffions.

Having conceived a strong disgust | nefs and gentleness had taken the

at fome of the peculiar doctrines of the gofpel, he had given his word that he would hear them no more. Because his wife had united with the church, and attended public worship, he rendered her life very uncomfortable. On which fubject I went to converse with him, laft fummer; and am certain I never faw a cafe in which fo much deliberate rancor and deadly hatred were expreffed against every thing facred, against the effential truths of revelation, and against the minifters and church of Chrift in general. In the expreffion both of his countenance and lips he approximated the nearest to my ideas of the fpirits in prifon" of any perfon I ever beheld. His enmity was not awakened to fudden rage, (for my treatment aimed at being conciliatory,) but feemed deep rooted and implacable. His refolution of keeping from public worfhip, he pertinaciously adhered to: Nor had he any connection with the conferences during the first period of the awakening. Yet as difconnected as he was from all religious fociety and the means of grace, it pleafed God, late in the winter, to take strong hold of his mind. He continued for a while trembling in retirement; but when he could contain no longer, he came out to find the conferences, and to feek fome experienced Chriftians to whom he might lay open his diftrefs. Being called out of town about this time, I did not fee him in this condition; and when I saw him next, he was, in appearance, "clothed and in his right mind." Enquiry being made refpecting his apprehenfions of thofe doctrines which had been fo offenfive, he replied, "They are the foundation of the world." Every air feemed changed. Soft

place of native ferocity, and the man appeared tamed. I could not help reflecting that a religion which will make fuch changes in the tempers and manners of men is a re ligion worth poffeffing. An awakening which produces fuch effects will not be cenfured by the friends of human happiness.

It would not confift with the defigned brevity of this narration, nor yet perhaps with propriety, to detail all the interefting circumftances in the experiences of more than a hundred persons, who ap pear to have been the fubjects of this work. It may however be not unufeful to go fo far into particulars as to exhibit fome of the diftinguishing fruits of it. The fubjects of it have generally expreffed a choice that God fhould purfue the " determinate counfel" of his own will, and without confulting them, decide refpecting their falvation. To the question whether they expected to alter the divine mind by prayer, it has been answered, "I fometimes think, if this were poffible I should not dare to pray When asked what was the first thing that compofed their. anxious minds, they have fometimes anfwered, "The thought that I was in the hands of God. It feems to me that whatever bocomes of me, whether I live or die, I cannot bear to be out of his hands." Many have expreffed a willingness to put their names to a blank, and leave it with God to fill it up; and that, because his having the government would fecure the termination of all things in his own glory.

They do not found their hopes on the fuggeftion of scripture paffages to their minds, on dreams, or feeing fights, or hearing voices, or on blind unaccountable impulfes;

may enjoy him in a life of com munion with him. A profpect of the full attainment of these ends is what appears to render the heav dif-enly state the object of their eager defire. Their admiration of Jefus Chrift feems most excited by his zeal to fupport his Father's lawa law, the glories of which they appear diftinctly, though imper fectly, to apprehend. The bible is to them a new book. Prayer

are peculiarly united to the people of God.

but on the perfuafion that they have discovered in themselves the exercises of love to God and man, originating not in felfifhnefs.When asked what they had covered in God to engage their affections, they have fometimes anfwered, "I think I love him because he hates fin-because he hates my fins." They frequently have declared that God appeared altogether more glorious to them for being fin-hating and fin-aveng-feems their delight. Their hearts ing that they were willing he fhould abide by his determination not to have mercy on them or their friends, if they would not repent and believe the gofpel. One obferved in confidence to a friend, and without the appearance of of tentation, that fhe had been fo taken up all day in rejoicing in God's perfections and the certain accomplishment of his glory, that fhe had scarcely thought of what would be her own deftiny; that the must believe the reckoned more of his glory and the public good than of her own happiness. Some declared that if they could have their choice either to live a life of religion and poverty, or revel in the pleafures of the world, unmolested by confcience or fear, and at last be converted on a dying bed, and be as happy hereafter as if they had made the other choice, they fhould prefer the former; and that, for the glory of God, and not merely for the happiness which the profpects of future glory would daily afford: for they believed their choice would be the fame, though in certain expectation that fears and conflicts would render a religious life lefs happy than a life of fenfuality. Their predominant defire ftill appears to be that God may be glorified, and that they may render him voluntary glory in a life of obedience, and

wood,

But the moft obferva ble part of their character is a lovely appearance of meekness and humility. Little of that prefumptuous confidence too much of which has fometimes appeared in young profeffors, is obfervable in" them. Accordingly they have not that uninterrupted elevation of fpirits which in the inexperienced is generally bottomed on comparative ignorance of remaining corruption, and overrating their attainments. Accustomed to difcriminate between true and falfe affections, they appear not to fet to their ac count fo much of the hay and stubble" as perhaps fome have done. By reafon of the views they have had of the deceitfulness of their hearts, and the comparifon and examination they have made to discover how near in appearance falfe religion lies to the true, they have great diffidence and diftruft of themselves. fenfe of their ill defert abides and increases upon them after apparent renovation; a confiderable time pofterior to which, some have been heard to fay, "I never had an idea what a heart I had, 'till this week." Each one feems to ap prehend his own depravity to be the greateft. They appear not to be calculating to bring God into debt by their new obedience. A

A

perfon not greatly indoctrinated, but lovely in the charms of childlike fimplicity, was heard to fay, "I will tell you, Sir, what appears to me would be exadly right. It would be exactly right for me to live 30 or 40 years in the world without ever finning again and be ferving God all the time; and then it would be just right for me to be fent to hell for what I have already done." The hopeful fubjects of the work as yet exhibit fruits meet for repentance." Some we have had opportunity to fee under the preffure of heavy af fictions; who have feemed calmly to acquiefce in the difpenfations of Providence.

In giving the foregoing defcription, fpecial care has been taken not to paint an ideal image of what they ought to be, but fcrupulously to delineate the views and exerci

fes which they have really expreff

ed. In thefe views and exercises
they have however circumstantially
differed; fome having been first
and chiefly affected with the beau-
ty of the divine law; others, with
the glories and all-fufficiency of
Jefus Chrift; others, with the di-
vine perfections generally; oth-
ers, and perhaps the greateft num-
ber, with the fitnefs of divine
fovereignty. Some have been for
a great while, others, a much
fhorter time, under trouble of
mind. One man, in advanced
life, who had lately been only a
little more thoughtful than com-
mon, in this ftate retired to rest,
and was fuddenly feized with pow.
erful and very diftinct convictions |
of truth, and in the judgment of
charity, almost immediately paffed
to uncommonly clear exercifes of
love to God and his kingdom.
With the gift of grace,
fome
have received an uncommon gif of
prayer.
A
man who formerly had

not been difpofed to give much credit to religion, falling into a conference of young people one evening, and hearing a prayer made by an illiterate youth, was much furprised and even convinced; and afterwards obferved that he was fatisfied fuch a prayer could not, a few months before, have poffibly dropt from those lips.

It is believed that the outlines of this narration equally defcribe the features and fruits of this extenfive, (and may we not add, genuine, and remarkably pure) work, in at least 50 or 60 adjacent congregations. It is propofed fhortly to give you a more entire picture of it, as it relates to this place; 'till then, I am, &c.

E. D. GRIFFIN. New-Hartford, Aug. 1800.

Memoirs of Mrs. MERCY BURTON, confort of the Rev. Afa Burton, of Thetford, Vermont, who died June 15, 1800, Ætat 48.

RS. BURTON was born

Min North-Prefton, in Con

necticut.

She was daughter of
She was

Mr. Stephen Burton.
married to the Rev. Afa Burton,
August 25, 1778. She was the
mother of two children, who both,
died young. At the age of
twenty-three, fhe was hopefully re-
newed in the fpirit of her mind,
and united herself with the church.

She poffeffed a difcerning mind; which the early cultivated by reading After the appeared to become a fubject of faving knowledge, the gave herself to the ftudy, of the fcriptures, and of other books which were calculated to ens

*Thefe children were daughters; their names were Lucena and Polly. The first of thefe died Auguft 3, 1796. tat 7. The laft, September 15, 1797, Etat 17.