quent instances of general seriousness, and numerous conversions among the students, during his administration. I have not been able, however, to obtain much information in respect to that remote period.

The memory of our present neighbors extends back no farther than 1805, on this subject. Then, apparently in connexion with the accession of a new Professor of Theology, Mr. Shurtliff, and a more direct influence of religious instruction than had been previously used, the minds of the students generally became religiously affected, and about twenty gave evidence of conversion. From that time till 1815, the college was not without more or less apparent divine influence. In that year a scene of wonderful interest occurred. While the college was beginning to be agitated by difficulties between the President and the Trustees, which led to the memorable "question" in the courts, at once, and without a premonition, the Spirit of God evidently descended, and saved the great body of the students. A general and almost instantaneous solemnity prevailed. Almost before Christians became aware of God's presence, and increased their supplications, the impenitent were deeply convicted of sin, and besought instruction of their officers. The chapel, the recitation room, every place of meeting became a scene of weeping, and presently of rejoicing; so that in a few weeks about sixty students were supposed to have become regenerate. A revival of such rapidity and power has been rarely known, and perhaps never one of such unquestionable fruits. Not one of the number of apparent converts, at that time, is known to have forfeited a Christian standing. Most of them are ministers of the gospel, a few are missionaries, and all are using their influence for Christ.

Revivals afterwards occurred in 1819, 1821 and 1826, the latter perhaps more extensive than any other, but not so perfect in its character and results as that of 1815. Within the last eighteen months, also, the college has received divine blessing, and about twenty of our young men have united with the church.

The work of the Holy Spirit in a college is immediately perceptible. A company of young men now moved only by ambition, or the love of pleasure, and presently by convictions of religious truth, present aspects wholly different, and opposite, impossible to be

overlooked or mistaken. I have myself seen them, and have been filled with wonder at the great power of God. I would that the unbeliever might witness these different phases, minds ardent, excitable, impatient of dictation and control, beguiled by maxims of false honor, and governed only by the force of laws; and the same minds, the next month, or week, subdued, quiet, obedient, benevolent, yielding to the force of moral obligation, and governed by the simplest intimations of right. Existence itself, it has seemed to me, is not more unquestionable, than the reality of divine influence in such cases.

In regard to these revivals of religion in our college, I think it important to remark, that in every instance they seemed the product of the Spirit's influence, silently affecting different minds with the same truths, and multiplying the trophies of divine mercy. They were an effect, and not a cause of divine interposition; and except as occasionally blemished through human weakness and sinfulness, bore the characteristics of the wisdom that is from above. We have known here nothing, except by report, of the new measures" for building up the kingdom of Christ. We have no machinery for making converts; and we could allow none to be introduced. We should be afraid to make, or suffer an impres

66

sion upon the young men under our care, many of whom will be ministers of Jesus Christ, that the gospel can be helped, or the work of the Holy Ghost facilitated by human devices. And I think we shall hold, on this subject, to our general principles, too long settled by the experience of ages, and confirmed by the blessing of God attending the application of them, to be now thrown away in the ardor of questionable excitements, or for the love of innovation, or even to escape the imputation of being the enemies of revivals. When shall the ministers and churches of the Redeemer know effectually their proneness to mar the beautiful simplicity of the gospel, to add something of their own inventions to its sufficient ordinances, to lead instead of following the divine Providence, and to mistake their own dreaming for a heavenly impulse, to inflame the sacrifice with unhallowed fire, and to arrogate that power and that glory which belong to God only? I cannot tell you how much I sometimes fear, when I look abroad upon our country, that Christianity will degenerate in our keeping.

Yet let us hold to the old foundations. There are many yet to maintain the right, and the recovering spirit, we are assured, will accomplish the purposes of divine mercy, will correct and convert the world.

I may add that the past year has been distinguished by revivals of religion throughout New-Hampshire, generally in connexion with protracted meetings, and of a highly interesting character. A great amount of professional influence has been brought into the churches. In a few instances, I suppose, the meetings have not been under the most judicious management, but generally our ministers have been wise. An important convention of ministers has been recently holden at Windsor, for the discussion of protracted meetings, and the discussion will prove immensely advantageous. With my best wishes in behalf of your undertaking,

I am, Dear Sir, yours sincerely,

N. LORD.

REV. W. B. SPRAGUE, D. D.

LETTER XVI.

FROM THE REVEREND HEMAN HUMPHREY, D. D.
President of the College at Amherst, Massachusetts.

MY DEAR BROther,

Amherst College, April 10, 1832.

I am glad to learn that you have consented to the publication of your sermons on the all-important subject of Revivals; and in compliance with your request, I send you such brief sketches of what I have myself witnessed, in "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," as the extreme pressure of other duties will permit. Although my experience, in this regard, falls far below that of some of my brethren, I desire always to retain a grateful remembrance of what "my eyes have seen and my ears have heard."

While I confine my remarks, chiefly, to the character and fruits of the revivals which have taken place in this college, since I became connected with it, in 1823, I cannot persuade myself wholly to pass over the memorable summer of 1821, in the church of Pittsfield, Mass. which was then under my pastoral care. There had been large additions to the church, in the preceding year, under the blessed effusions of the Holy Spirit; and I did not, I am ashamed to say, expect to "see greater things than these," so soon after the cloud seemed to have passed away. But early in the spring, Mr. Nettleton came, "to rest a while," in my family; which, however, the importunities of the people did not permit him to do and so far as means were concerned, I have always ascribed it, chiefly, to his earnest and pungent preaching, that the attention of many was soon called up, and that in the course of a few weeks, we were all constrained to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" It was, indeed, a year of the right hand of the Most High." Never were such tokens of the presence and power God seen before in that community. And yet there was very little animal excitement, even at the height of the revival. The sinner would often turn pale and tremble, under the awakening and searching truths of the gospel: but there were no outcries,

of

either in our public, or more private meetings-no attempts to enlist the passions. The object was, to make the impenitent feel that they were under a righteous condemnation-that they had destroyed themselves-that their hearts were entirely alienated from God-that in this alienation lay their guilt and not their excuse-that, of course, they were bound to repent and become reconciled to God without a moment's delay-that, nevertheless, so desperate was the depravity of their hearts, that nothing short of the power of the Holy Ghost would ever subdue it; and that God was under no obligation to exert that power.

So far as could be known at the time, and so far as the "fruits" enable us to determine, these and other kindred truths were "the power of God unto salvation," to multitudes that were ready to perish. The design was, to exalt God and bring the sinner in guilty at every step-not to terrify, even the vilest transgressor, so as to render him incapable of reasoning and reflection; but to induce him, under the strong convictions of an enlightened conscience, "to flee from the wrath to come, and lay hold on eternal life." I cannot enter into particulars at all. I wish I could. Many of them would be highly interesting to every pious mind. By those who witnessed and felt them, the scenes of that summer will never be forgotten,

While life and thought and being last,

Or immortality endures.

But I hasten to the more immediate object of this communication. It was near the close of the spring term, in 1827, that God poured out his Spirit for the second time upon Amherst college. The revival began in the church, as is most commonly the case. For several weeks there was a manifest increase of concern for those "who were ready to perish," till there came to be mighty wrestlings with the Angel of the covenant-such as I believe always prevail. The "noise and shaking among the dry bones" was sudden, and the work was rapid in its progress. The word of God was quick and powerful! In many cases, convictions of sin were extremely pungent. In some, they may be said to have been overwhelming. But in most instances, they were short. When the student became convinced that the wrath of God was justly abiding upon him, he shut himself up with his Bible, and