US 15505.10 H.re. F6.20, 1814) Ar a meeting of the Presbytery of Oneida, held in Whitesborough, September 8, 1826 The Rev. JOHN FROST, Rev. MOSES GILLET, and Rev. NOAH COE, were appointed a committee to receive communications from ministers and others, respecting the late revivals of religion in this county, particularly within our bounds; and to publish a narrative of the same, accompanied with such remarks as they should deem proper, and such suggestions, as, in their judgment, are calculated to sustain and increase the spirit of religion in our churches. NOAH COE, Stated Clerk of Oneida Presbytery. Some may think that the following accounts are too long, and that there is much unnecessary repetition. To such the Committee would observe, that they should have abridged them more than they have done, were it not for the fact, that so much has been said at home and abroad, both by friends and eremies, respecting this revival; that so many false reports have been circulated, and such various opinions have been formed. The Committee have thought, that the plain unvarnished narratives of those who were eye-wit desses, would on the whole be the most satisfactory to the public. Narrative, &c. VERNON. In this town there are two Presbyterian Societies, designated by the names of Vernon Centre, and Mount Vernon. VERNON CENtre. The Rev. Mr. Barton, under whose labours the revival in this place commenced, being absent, the following facts were communicated by a respectable member of the church, in September last :— The revival commenced here in August, 1825. The number of hope, ful converts is not far from one hundred and sixty-four. The number admitted to the church is one hundred and three. Twenty-seven of these are heads of families. The converts are among all classes and all ages, from 8 to 70. The youngest admitted to the church is about ten years of age. Several of these formerly professed to believe in universalism, and two were Roman Catholics. Only one among the hopeful converts, to my knowledge, has turned back. The means which have been blessed, were fasting and prayer, preaching the plain truth and the whole truth of the bible, visiting from house. to house, and meetings of inquiry. The church have been united in the work, with the exception of one member, who has since proved that he is not a member of the church of Christ. Great care has been taken to have the rooms, in which meetings were held in the evening, well lighted, and furnished with convenient seats. Means have been varied according to circumstances. Sometimes a dead silence in a conference. meeting for two or three minutes, when Christians offered up one united supplication for the out-pouring of the Spirit, has been greatly blessed. But what has appeared to me most useful, is a humble reliance on the Lord, an undoubting faith in his promises, working just as though we could convert sinners; knowing and feeling at the same time, that it is Christ alone who can change the heart, and giving to him all the glory. Our meetings of inquiry have been continued up to the present time, and of late have much increased in numbers and solemnity. Several instances of conversion have recently occurred. Appearances are favorable, and we are still hoping to see great things among us. The opposition is great. It seems as though Satan had here centered his legions. Our minister has been threatened with horse-whipping. The active members of the church have met with personal abuse, and the worst of Billingsgate language. Among the most violent in the opposition are two peace-officers! But none of these things move them. They still live and pray; and some of the church manifest an increas ing zeal in the cause of God. Numbers attend our anxious meetings, and many of them are under deep impressions. MOUNT VERNON. The following particulars are from the Rev. Calvin Bushnell, pastor of the Presbyterian church, received about the 1st of October : The revival commenced among my people about the middle of November. It was gradual, and did not become general, till the latter part of December. The number of hopeful converts is about one hundred and forty. Fifty-nine have united with the Presbyterian church; about thirty with the Baptist church; and some with the Methodists. A number have not yet united with any church. The means are essentially the some as in former revivals, viz: preaching, fasting, and prayer; visiting from house to house, meetings of inquiry, and conference meetings. Among Christians, a good degree of harmony and brotherly love prevails, considerable fervency in prayer, and fidelity. There are fewer symptoms of apostacy among the hopeful converts, for the time, than I have witnessed in any former revival among this people. The revival, at its commencement, was characterized by a remarka ble tenderness of spirit among Christians, and a disposition to confess their faults one to another. There was a season of great searchings of heart, such as I never before witnessed. Many old professors were so tried as to give up their former hopes, and, as it was said, obtained new The work was also characterized by a more ardent and persevering spirit of prayer, than I had ever before witnessed. The converts, ones. who have united with the church, I must say, give as good evidence of deep and thorough conviction of sin, and real conversion to God, as in any revival with which I have been acquainted; and nothing of an opposite character has as yet appeared. Whether they are real converts or not, God only knows, 641 WESTMORELAND. THE Rev. Mr. Crane being absent on a journey for his health, the following facts were communicated in October, by a respectable young man, a member of Hamilton College, who spent some time in this place during the revival: During the suminer of 1825, the state of religion in this town was very low. A dark and gloomy cloud had gathered, and was hanging over it with discouraging aspect. The wicked had become bold in their transgressions, and the friends of Zion had "hung their harps upon the willows." While in this situation, the joyful tidings came, that the church at Vernon Centre was enjoying "a refreshing from the presence of the Lord." A few went over to see, and returned with a new spirit. Christians began to pray with more fervour. About the 1st of November, the church set apart a day for fasting, humiliation and prayer. The searching influences of the Spirit were felt by many of the brethren and sisters. Our conferences and prayer-meetings soon became crowded and solemn. Numbers were deeply convicted, and the work of grace steadily progressed through the winter. The pastor and some of the members of the church visited from house to house. In all our meetings the distinguishing truths of the bible were urged with all possible plainness. The instructions of the Sabbath school have been blessed. Eight of the teachers, and thirty-four of the scholars, have become pious. The whole number of hopeful converts is about eighty. Sixty have united with the Presbyterian church; and a few with the Baptists and Methodists. The work, we believe, has not wholly subsided. There are Christians who are pressed in spirit, and pleading with importunity that the Lord would continue his work of grace. 1040 SKENANDOAH. THE revival in Vernon extended to the little church in this place, under the preaching of the Rev. Phinehas Robinson, who in September communicated the following facts: The village of Skenandoah participated in some degree in the divine. influence which has of late been so signally enjoyed. The heterogeneous character of its population renders it an unpromising field for moral cultivation. The church has ever been weak, and few in number. The moral and religious aspect of the church and society, in November last, was deplorable. This was made the subject of animadversion in public discourses at that time. Professing Christians were warned of the danger of self-deception. The great responsibility connected with their profession was repeatedly enforced. They began to examine themselves, and to manifest increasing sensibility. Discipline was administered, a day of fasting and prayer was observed, and a spirit of inquiry began to extend among those, who hitherto had been unconcerned. Plain and solemn addresses to church members, respecting their sins and obligations, had more effect on unbelievers than any other means whatever. During the excitement there were frequent meetings in the week, as well as on the Sabbath. They were characterized by a great stillness, and a deep and awful solemnity. Fervent prayer, and visiting from house to house, were among the means most blessed. Many, by being visited, were led to attend upon the means of grace, who had wholly neglected them. The number of hopeful conversions were indeed few, in comparison with the rich harvest of souls gathered in many larger societies. About fifteen is the probable number. Most of these were heads of families, from 30 to 40 years of age. When it is considered, that this little number was gathered from a small obscure village, which had enjoyed few religious privileges; that most of them were heads of families, training up a numerous offspring; that most of them were Dutch families, without an English education, and never before visited by a clergyman with a view to their spiritual interests-the heart of piety will surely derive no small pleasure from the fact, that this little number have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. WESTERN. THE following facts respecting the revival in Western, were furnished by the Rev. George W. Gale, who, on account of his health, removed there a little more than a year ago, and whose counsel and occasional labours have been a great blessing to the people : The moral condition of this town, which has always been dark, was |