may afford them. Each method is best, I am persuaded, even now, for those to whom it is addressed.

But, with regard to their special services, and numerous meetings of ministers, for the purpose of bringing together larger congregations, supplying a richer abundance of evangelical instruction, a greater variety of ministerial addresses, and of keeping the mind fixed for a greater length of time upon the paramount interests of religion,-I can see nothing in the system itself but what is perfectly rational and lawful. It is certain, however, that we are not in a situation to adopt it fully. I suspect that the very intimation, that any minister was about to call together his congregation and neighbours generally, for the purpose of instituting a revival of this kind, would, in the present state both of the church and the world, be ill received. It would be set down to fanaticism; to an ostentation of zeal; would provoke much injurious scorn, which would rather tend to impede the spread of the gospel than otherwise; and would, generally, be found to fail even of securing an adequate degree of Christian patronage to make it pleasurable to those who might lead it. Yet some degree of such services might be introduced, under special circumstances, with good effect; and, were they once introduced successfully, they would spread and become general; and no minister would then expose himself to the charge of singularity, or of ostentation. But this measure ought to be both cautiously and gradually introduced, if we wish it to succeed. I feel fully persuaded, that the Christian churches in Great Britain, especially the English part of them, might be brought by degrees to approve, to a certain extent, of such special services; and equally persuaded am I, that they might be conducted with

out the alloy of animal excitement, and without any very alarming danger of that array of evils, which a delicate and timid mind might prognosticate.

But if it be possible, in the first place, to enter gradually and partially on what may be termed the stimulating system, guarding it against too much, as anxiously as against too little, and then most carefully watching against subsequent relaxation and collapse, we might assuredly hope to see little else but pure good resulting from our measures. I would caution every one against undue excitement, against plans in which he could not secure general co-operation, and against undertaking more than he can reasonably expect to accomplish. It would be quite utopian to expect, under the present circumstances of our churches, and the oppressive claims of business upon all classes of workmen, tradesmen, and merchants, any thing like the cessation of worldly avo→→ cations for successive days, which is usually the first step in America towards attempting a revival. Even for a single day, no assembly of ministers, however attractive, could draw together, in most of our towns,* more than a very scanty congregation. And scarcelyany circumstances, except such as are presented by the most aggravated form of the present pestilence, could induce the hope of securing a good attendance through several successive services on the same day. It is not impossible, however, to draw good congregations, in most towns, to an evening service, and where it might be deemed desirable, I can see no risk in an experiment of continuing them, for two, three, or four evenings in succession; provided a reasonable limit be observed, and no attempt be made at mere animal excitement. Under the present cirmstances of England, when the visitation of God

has quickened many thousands to an outward attendance on means of grace, I conceive there are few towns in which such services might not succeed to a promising extent. I believe they have been tried in a few instances with evident advantage.

The

Another species of instrumentality, employed in America, are anxious seats. Much is to be said of this expedient, both for and against it, even there. Its use in America has undoubtedly been attended" with much good, but by no means uniformly. The testimony of the most judicious seems rather to discourage its use even among themselves; and with us, I think it is altogether out of the question. We are not, however, called to judge of its propriety there, but here it would certainly be injudicious. state of the professing world is quite unfit to receive it, and were it otherwise, it is an expedient of such questionable propriety, that it ought not to be recommended. If it were attempted, it would most probably fail. As a mere device of man's contriving, it contains no imperative sanction, and must be submitted to the standard of expediency. I refer the reader, however, here particularly to the Letters at the end of this volume, in which Dr. Sprague has collected the sentiments of the ministers of all par ties, and most of them men of long standing, and large experience.

But though this would be a measure of doubtful propriety, there can be no question of the wisdom and necessity of special meetings with inquirers, when they should be separated from the mass of the congregation, and from the church already gathered, and their cases treated in all their degrees and aspects. There is something in a select assembly of this sort, be it small or large, which greatly assists a

minister, both in respect of feeling and trains of reflection, and which renders his words exceedingly impressive and useful. These meetings should, I conceive, be confined to such as profess to be seriously seeking the salvation of their souls; they should have access to them without inquiry or preliminary examination; and they should be encouraged to conquer their timidity, by being assured that they shall not be called upon to answer any questions, or speak before others; but simply be expected to listen to suitable advice, and join in fervent prayers for the immediate bestowment of grace, and final attainment of salvation.

After this, a separate opportunity should be af forded to them, of opening their minds in private to the minister, or to some one assisting him, when more specific advice may be given, the peculiarity of each case met, and the individual be personally urged to an immediate surrender of himself to the Lord. Such meetings are, I believe, held now by many ministers. They are by no means a new expedient, though they have received an impulse by the late intelligence respecting the American churches; and wherever there is an efficient ministry, a praying church, and an attentive congregation, they may be regularly maintained with great propriety, and cheering hope of success. The frequency with which such meetings are appointed, must be a matter for individual consideration, and will of course be prudently determined by the occasion for them. It is an admirable and judicious rule laid down by Mr. Colton, that the extraordinary means of revivals should never go before the spirit of them. An occasional meeting of new inquirers would, in most cases, be sufficient, but a regular and frequent meeting, for separate converse

with the convinced, would seem to be necessary; and after persons have once been brought to open their minds, this would be found one of the more useful and satisfactory methods of leading them on towards the fellowship of the church.

Special meetings for prayer, and seasons for occa→ sional fasting, have been recommended by all who have written upon this subject. Here too, though I highly approve of the general recommendation, I deem it of great importance for every minister to use his utmost discretion. It were better not to call a special meeting, than to have it manifestly and glaringly disregarded by his people. In some cases it would be difficult to secure an adequate attendance on a special meeting, without trenching upon the claims of the regular services; and where that would be the effect, it were better to make the subject of revival the matter of special prayer at ordinary meet ings, rather than institute new ones for the purpose. Especially would this be desirable, where the subject has not already been brought frequently before the attention of the people, so as to excite their minds to the importance, desirableness, and possibility of reviving religion. Extraordinary measures would rather disgust and impede, than forward the work, if there be not a disposition in the body of Christians to support the pastor's plans, and uphold his efforts, by their fervent prayers. But where there is an incipient revival begun, there special opportunity should be afforded to the zealous and the prayerful, both to vent their own emotions, to feel the effet of sympathy with others like minded, and, by united efforts in prayer, to sustain and extend the flame that is kindling. Mr. Colton says "Let Christians who desire a revival of religion, assemble any