Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-04-29

NOR Al.
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.

Whether religious enthusiasm or fanatl-
cism is deplorable, and ought to meet frowns
and disapprobation from every friend to the
temporal and eternal interests of mankind,
and every good citizen, is question which
serious and judicious men of all sects answer
alike. Few, if any, will deny that religious
excitement is often dishonoured, gives &C.
casion to the adversary to speak reproach-
fully, and opens the mouth of gainsayers;
not merely by solemn attention to this inf
nitely important concern, but by the disorder,
irregularity, and fervency Of feeling, so ge-
nerally witnessed in such state of society.
Where passions not only triumph over the
understanding, but lose sight of it, counter
acting its dictates, species of frenzy be-
comes visible. This is heat without light,
and Justly called fanaticism. On the other
hand, where the understanding only, without
feeling, takes an interest in religious con-
Germs, there may indeed be light; cold, life
less, speculative knowledge of theological
subjects may be acquired !; but, the affections
having no part or otin the matter, this light,
like that diffused from the moon, emits no
heat, no animating influence. Its only effect
is to render objects visible. Mere know
ledge, or information, is undeniably consist
ent not only with lukewarmness, but with
total Indifference to every thing of religious
nature. Mankind have affections as well as
treason. The judicious and faithful minister
of the Gospel, tenderly and solennly ad-
dresses his hearers as compound beings, pos
sessing both affections and understanding.
From ingenious appeals to the passions, the
teacher naturally produces more or less en-
thusiasm, and he who addresses the under
standing only, neglecting the affections, may
confidently calculate on meeting an unfeel-
ling audience, at ease in Zion, and indiffer-
ent, 4 nothing worse, to the messages he
professedly brings from God.
| TO impious and unprincipled men, religious
enthusiasm is subject Of ridicule by sober
and virtuous men, of all sects, it is contem-
plated with serious regret, and with more or
less anxiety, according to their interest in
the prosperity of Zion.
Reviyals of religion are frequently at
tended by some degree of fanaticism. Pro-
fessed sharers in this work sometimes apos-
talize, falling from high pretentions to. godli-
ness into the vilest habits. Still these
excitements are called, and justly called
"reUtUats Of religion" because they promote
the interests of religion, purify morals, sup
press vices, build up churches, and not
unfrequently arrest vile men in course of
allowed iniquity, and change their charac-
tiers to brilliant examples of christian piety
Their influence upon families is highly salu-
tary and delightful, cherishing every virtue
on which social enjoyment and domestic
happiness depend. I cannot express my
views of this subject more satisfactorily than
by the following extract from letter lately
written by a distinguished minister, an old
man, who now witnesses revival among
his people, though nothing of the kind has
been seen before, during his long series of
labours -
"The revival of religion here has pro-
duced already many salutary and visible
effects. Our most respectable citizens have
recently felt the power of religion, and re-
IJoice in its duties and hopes. Our physi-
clans, attorneys, Judge -, our merchants,
mechanics, and labourers, together with
some OF our farmers, have their views alter
ed, their course altered, their affections
altered great numbers appear to take
pleasure, and even delight, in what till lately
they had treated with Indifference and neg
lect. presume not less than fifty families
have now their altar, and their morning and
evening sacrifice, who, as individuals and as
families, had till lately been strangers to the
throneof grace. We count twenty families
IN the village of my parish which have, within
few weeks, erected family-altar. The
number of converts in the town are est;-
mated at not less than two hundred. Few
minds remain unimpressed. The result Of
this revival will, trust, be highly favourable
IN regard to religion. Great numbers will
make profession soon, and when ascer-
tain how many l will write you.o
Such are the natural, ordinary. and ex.
pected fruits of religious excitements, term
ed revivals. Now I ask, will not everv
friend of Zion, every man of sincere pi-
ETY., rejoice,-deeply and devoutly rejoice
to see family affairs erected, and house
holds stately surrounding them; to see
a system of religious instruction commenc-
ed, and prayerfully pursued. in numerous
rising families, where every thing of the
kind has thus far been neglected? These
are some of the changes produced by the
power of goodness, some of the effects of