its divinity here is so irresistible, that it has extorted an acknowledgment from some, from whom it would scarcely have been suspected. Were you, sir, a narrow bigot, you would, no doubt, rejoice to hear that there are now some hundreds of dissenters in a place, where, a few years ago there were not ten; but I assure myself of your congratulations on a nobler account, because a considerable number of perishing sinners is gained to the blessed Redeemer, with whom, though you may never see them here, you may spend a blissful eternity. After all, poor Virginia demands your compassion, for religion at present is but like the cloud which Elijah's servant saw. Oh that it may spread and cover the land. On the west side of the Blue Ridge, a large proportion of the first settlers were dissenters. Nor did they, as far as I can learn, ever meet with any serious obstructions from government. The Rev. Messrs. John Hoge, John Craig, and John Brown were, I think, the first PresbyteJian ministers who settled there. You do not however, I believe, either expect or wish from me a detail of the churches of this description with an account of the state of religion in each. About twenty-five years ago, there was among the churches of that denomination, a very considerable revival, the fruits of which are still visible in our country. In promoting this work, Mr. John Smith, in whose charge it is said to have taken its rise, was the most distinguished instrument. Mr. William Graham also, with several others still living, laboured with good success in this great harvest. It is, we have reason to conclude, seldom, if ever, the case that the gospel of Christ is faithfully preached in vain. It is, however, too common for preachers, and the people committed to their care, to sink into a state of very culpable remissness. And such, in many instances, appears to have been the case with the Presbyterian churches in Virginia, for some time previous to the period just mentioned. But then the scene was happily reversed. The importance of everlasting realities was deeply felt both by preachers and hearers. Sinners were convinced of their guilt and danger. And slumbering Christians were awakened, revived, and comforted. The assemblies for public worship were large, attentive and solemn. Nor was it uncommon for the tokens of the divine presence to be so evident as to extort from some of the most obstinate gainsayers, the ingenuous acknowledg ment, "God is in this place, and I know it not." In Cumberland, Prince Edward, Charlotte and Bedford, a great reformation was in a short time effected. Nor was this good work confined to the counties on the east side of the Blue Ridge. It was not long before Mr. Graham, having heard a favourable account of it, undertook a journey to Prince Edward, accompanied by a number of his young people that they might be spectators of the gracious visitation. And they were, I believe, more than spectators. Mr. Graham returned to his sacred charge, 2 C 2 full in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. And the general assembly's theological professor, with several others of the youth in company, returned with a firm determination to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. When the celebrated Dr. Buchanan, author of Christian researches in Asia, first heard the pious Mr. John Newton preach, he was led to conclude," This man has something which I want.” And such I have been assured, was the impression which was made upon a number of Mr. Graham's sacred charge, upon hearing him relate what he had seen in Prince Edward. Nor was it long before a happy change was observed in the religious state of that people and several neighbouring congregations. In the counties of Frederick, Berkley and Jefferson, also, considerable additions were made to the church. There were indeed, I believe, few, if any, Presbyterian congregations in our state, where this revival did not in a greater or less degree prevail. At a Synodical meeting at Lexington, in the year 1802, the word of the gospel was attended with more than ordinary efficacy. And this solemn occasion was succeeded by considerable additions to the churches of Rockbridge and Augusta. And would my limits admit of it, other instances of a similar nature, and of a more recent date, might be mentioned. Nor has the Episcopal church been altogether destitute of successful labourers in the vineyard of Jesus Christ. Mr. Whitefield's visit to this country has been already mentioned. And the Rev. Messrs. Devereaux, Jarratt, and Archibald McRobert,* are entitled in this view to very respectful notice, as will appear from the following extracts, from the life of the former. "The genuine doctrines of the gospel, when preached in due order, and inculcated with any just degree of animation and pathos, seldom fail in producing good effects, more or less. I had the exquisite pleasure of seeing this realized among the people of my charge, before I had laboured very long. The religious concern among the people of Bath, soon enlarged the bounds of my labours. Such a work could not be confined to a corner. It gives me pleasure now to review these happy times, and the many precious reviving seasons, when the spirit was poured out from on high, and such a number of souls was gathered into the fold of the Great Sheperd. Several such seasons took place between the years 1764 and 1772. In the course of these years a great many souls were, in the judgment of charity, savingly converted to God, and obtained remission of sins by faith in Jesus Christ. Thus commenced the enlargement of my bounds of preaching, which in process of time extended to the circle of five or six hundred miles east, west, north, and south. "It has been intimated already, that at my first settlement in this parish, I knew of no minister of the * Mr. Holt also, it is probable, ought to be added to this catalogue, but I am not acquainted with his history. established church, who was like minded with myself, respecting the doctines I preached, and my manner of preaching them. I stood alone for some time. But in a few years I became acquainted with a neighbouring clergyman,* in whom some good thing was found. He had great gifts for the pulpit, and spoke with a degree animation very unusual in his time. "In him I found a dear brother, and a faithful fellowlabourer in the Lord. We frequently travelled together, and preached in each other's churches, especially on sacramental occasions. Our joint labours on these and many other occasions, I trust, were not in vain in the Lord. "Religion revived on all hands and spread abundantly. The number of communicants increased to nine hundred or one thousand.”† As the Baptists and Methodists have published to the world, histories of their respective churches, it may be sufficient in this place just to acknowledge their important services in the cause of genuine religion. Of them it may be truly affirmed that they have gone out in the highways and hedges, and compelled many a profligate transgressor to come into the fold of Christ. From this review, we are naturally led to conclude, that God is not a respecter of persons or denominations, as the bigots of all parties are apt to suppose. No: whe * Mr. M'Robert. † See Jarratt's Life, p. 90-102. |