Christians, and on whom the judgment of experienced Christians did once set the seal of deliberate approbation. Thus "it is impossible but that offences come. But let us take heed by whom or how they come. Some publicity to the fact that an inquirer has been enabled to hope in Christ is unavoidable; when judiciously managed, it is useful; but the individual should not be the instrument of making his spiritual state a matter of publicity, and should have his mind as free as possible from the idea that he is in any sense before the community, until he has had time to get somewhat beyond the extreme delicacy of a babe in Christ. Religion, in a sinner's heart, is like a tropical plant amidst the snows of Siberia. Great protection and tenderness, and a cautious attention to cherishing temperature are of the last importance, till it is acclimated. It may remain, but not grow. It may shoot out a sudden growth of half formed leaves, while dying at the root.

These remarks apply with more force to the dangerous practice (I hope very limited in extent) of encouraging those who profess conversion, to come forward, almost immediately, to the table of the Lord. The ambition of numbering the people; the desire of an exciting spectacle may adopt this plan. Shallow views of religion and of human nature may approve of it. Satan will subscribe to its wisdom in the signature of an angel of light. The winnowing of the last day will show that a large portion of such ingatherings was fit only to be cast into the fire, to be burned.

I have already written so much more than I anticipated, when I began, that I have no room to dwell upon two points of great interest in themselves, and rendered specially so by the present times. One is the measure of prominence and work that may safely and usefully be given to new converts. The other is the necessity of seeing to them vigilantly, "reproving, rebuking, exhorting them," while as yet they are new, inexperienced and self-ignorant. As to the first, wisdom is greatly needed. We ought not to take a green sapling and set it up for a pillar in the church. The weight would bend it down and make its branches grow into the earth. We ought not to take a new recruit, untried, undisciplined, however zealous and brave, and set him to drill a company, or lead the advance, when skill and coolness, as well as enthusiasm and courage, are the order of the day. By such measures we

M

may engender much boldness with great indiscretion, and show an undaunted front with a flank exposed to all the fiery darts of the wicked. How to give the new convert enough exercise for his own health and growth without taking him too much from himself, laying too much upon his weakness and exposing him too much to the snares of vanity, spiritual pride and censoriousness, is a question which I hope your book will well determine.

I must now conclude. The dangers and cautions I have suggested, arise out of the power and eminent value of the spirit of genuine revivals. I owe too much of what I hope for as a Christian, and what I have been blessed with as a Minister of the Gospel, not to think most highly of the eminent importance of promoting this spirit, and consequently of guarding it against all abuses. Whatever I possess of religion began in a revival. The most precious, stedfast and vigorous fruits of my ministry have been the fruits of revivals. I believe that the spirit of revivals, in the true sense, was the simple spirit of the religion of Apostolic times, and will be, more and more, the characteristic of these times, as the day of the Lord draws near. May the Lord bless us with it more abundantly and purely, and use your work eminently in its promotion.

I remain, very truly and affectionately,
Yours, &c.,

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

CHARLES P. McILVAINE.

LETTER XII.

FROM THE REVEREND WILLIAM NEILL, D. D.
Late President of Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

MY DEAR SIR,

Germantown, April 6, 1832.

I am pleased to find that you are about to publish a course of lectures on Revivals of religion. The subject, always interesting to Christians, has become peculiarly so, of late, by reason of the frequency and power of those precious refreshings from the Lord; and, also, because of the extraordinary means employed, in some instances, to promote and perpetuate them. The views of some of the clerical brethren, of several denominations, which you are endeavoring to collect, may form a useful appendix to your work. In contributing an expression of good will towards this latter object, my words shall be few; and it is my prayer, that they may be well ordered, and in keeping with the law and the testimony.

source.

A revival of true religion is a blessing of no ordinary import; and, if every good and perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, then, clearly, a genuine revival is from the same divine "Paul plants and Apollos waters; but God gives the increase." "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth," saith the Redeemer. From these two passages of Holy Writ, not to mention others, we may say-nay, I must believe we are bound to acknowledge, that, of every true revival, God is the efficient cause; and his revealed will, with his instituted ordinances, the chosen instruments. I know, indeed, that men are under obligation immediately to repent and turn to God; and I also know, that when God works in the soul, disposing it to will and to do his good pleasure, he calls its faculties into vigorous action; so that the divine influence, in no respect, infringes man's moral agency. To attend to the truth-to believe the gospel-to repent after a godly sort— to love God, and obey his commands, and lay hold on eternal life, are duties incumbent on every man; and, when performed, are acts or exercises of his own mind: but it is the Spirit of God, in

view of the word of precept and promise, that moves and enables him to put forth these mental efforts, in a spiritual and acceptable

manner.

When I say that the word and instituted ordinances of the gospel, are the instruments designed of God to be used in producing and promoting revivals, I mean to be understood as disapproving of all means and measures, intended to advance the cause of religion, which are not sanctioned by the example of Christ and the Apostles, or which are not warranted by the discipline of God's house, as laid down in his Holy Bible. In judging thus, I do not impugn the motives, or undervalue the zeal and labors of those brethren in the ministry, who employ expedients in their efforts to bring sinners to Christ, which I deem unwarrantable. When we are reminded of the effects produced in connexion with the use of some such means, as are alluded to above, the question arises— whether results equally good, and extensive, and permanent, would not have been experienced, without the use of any questionable means? The means of salvation which God has prescribed in his word, are the best; and it is a reflection on his wisdom and goodness, to suppose that they need any additions or modifications of ours. Human devices, however ingenious and well-meant, and however they may have the effect of producing strong excitement, for a time, will, in the long run, be found fraught with mischief to the truth; and to that decency and order which Christ has established in his kingdom.

Allow me, here, to mention a few particulars, connected with some of the revivals, of which we have read in the religious papers, that I cannot but regard as evils, or, at least, of evil tendency.

1. That style of preaching, which, while it aims to make the impenitent sinner feel his blame-worthiness, tends, indirectly, to cherish the idea that it is an easy thing to become a Christian, and that he can give his heart to God whenever he sees fit so to do, independently of a divine influence. Let him take up this idea, and he will feel easy, and be very apt to postpone repentance, till he shall have enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a season.

2. The use of anxious seats, and putting the people to the test of a public vote, under the influence of strong feeling. Have mi

nisters a right to propose this measure? Is it not embarrassing to the humble? Does it not foster forwardness and self-confidence in those who have not yet learned what spirit they are of?

3. Public confession of sins, in the face of promiscuous assemblies. This practice, in my view, is based on a misinterpretation or wrong use of a scriptural precept-" Confess your faults one to another"—that is, in private, or in the presence of a few, select Christian friends. When done in public, it looks like aiming at effect; gives occasion of reproach to the enemies of religion, &c. We should avoid all appearance of evil.

4. Calling upon zealous but unauthorised persons to perform the appropriate duties of ordained ministers. This is calculated to bring the ministry into contempt, and to inflict upon the church a host of self-commissioned and unqualified teachers.

5. Hasty admissions to the communion, of very young persons, or of those who have given but little proof of their knowledge of the gospel, or of their having experienced a gracious change of heart. The good seed often falls on stony ground, where there is not much depth of earth. A reasonable time of probation seems expedient, if not demanded, by a proper regard for the persons admitted, and for the peace and purity of the church.

6. A neglect of ministers of the gospel, who are not considered thorough-going revival men. I honor an intelligent and zealous preacher, whose services God has honored, in promoting revivals; but I also hold in reputation the man, whose ministrations are serious, and of an evangelical strain, though they may never have been strongly marked, by what are commonly called revivals. There is a diversity of gifts, under the guidance and hallowing influence of the same Spirit. In some revivals, I fear, a minister, not distinguished as a revival man, and an advocate of strong, decisive measures, would hardly be invited to preach, lest he should come with an extinguisher in his doctrine or manner. In my humble judgment, these things ought not so to be.

How far the foregoing remarks will meet your views, Dear Brother, I know not. They have been made freely; but without any unkind or uncharitable feelings towards those who differ from me in opinion. They are submitted to your disposal; with