Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-03

an unusual proportion, were young men,
am happy to add, that so Tar as have the
means of knowing, excepting in one or two
instances, those who made a public pro-
fession of religion, continue TO give very
gratifying evidence of sound conversion.
In the course of the next summer, the
pecuniary strength of the church was con-
siderably diminished, by the dismission of
FORTY of our members, TO constitute church
in the neighboring village of PerkinsvIlle.
That church has since enjoyed season Of
refreshing, and under the labors of its es-
leeemed Pastor, brother David Burroughs, |
has increased to the number of about seven
ty. At the time when The church al Per-
kinsvilIe was formed, this church was en-
gagged in the erection Of a new meeting
house, which was completed about the first
of December 1885, at an expense, including
everything, of 5000 dollars. About the
time of the dedication Of our house, there
were some encouraging indications of re-
vival: but they seemed soon to pass away,
| like the cloud, that promises, but gives no
rain. The way was not prepared for the
spirit of God TO work. We were considera-
bly, encouraged again by some hopeful ap
pearances in the spring, and again our hopes
were in measure disappointed. Nothing
especially encouraging appeared during the
su inner. Early in the month Of SepteIn-
Der, the Lord seemed to draw nigh to US for
a little time. One or two were hopefully
converted, and two came out, and united
with the church by baptism.
On the 18th of September, according to
previous arrangements, We commenced a
protracted meeting. In this meeting, which
continued in all twelve days, we had the
assistance of several mel ghboring ministers.
The preaching, however, was mostly done
by brother J. II. Walden, then Of Burlng-
ton. Its proper to say also, in this place.
that the labors Of sisters, Walden and Cole,
were highly useful among the females of
the church, and especially among the moth
f ers. To their eXertions, we are indebted In
part, at least, for the existence Of flourish
ing Maternal ASSOCIATION. Bat to return
to our meeting. A little before, and about
The time of its commencement, several
> things occurred in the place, which threw
: an influence over the community very unlike
that which seemed to pervade it, when oul
meeting commenced two years before
Excepting very few individuals, who were
suffering anguish Of spirit in view Of the
state Of things, the spirit OF the world seem
l ed to reign in the minds Of the people, both
1 in and out Of the church, more than at any
period for months before. The exercises OF
= our meeting, therefore, had progressed but
a little, before it became painfully eyide nt
that the spirit of worldliness must be ex-
PEELED from many of our hearts, before we
could see salvation flow to those Without
Sins, over which we had slept, were now
brought to light by the searching operation:
Of the Divine Spirit and we were made to
f feel the awful guilt Of backsIiding from God.
S Such suffering, such anguish Of spirit "a
= now came upon many in the CT urch, had
e never witnessed before Several were una
I BILE to rest for two or three nights. Some
5 who attempted to pray, felt that they could
not speak, but only sigh in secret. before an
offended God. After some few DAYS, how
ever, the spirit of the word, and Of stub
) born unbelief in the church, began, in some
measure to give way, and then salvation be-
gan to flow, and goodly number were
turned 10 the Lord. Nor did the work cease
with the termination of the meeting. |,
o continued to move on delightfully."-, and sew
eral who did not attend the meeting, have
since been gathered into the fold of the
Savior On the last day of the protracte d
meeting, nine were baptized, and admitted
to the church, together with one, who had
been previously baptized, and was now re-
Claimed from backsliden state. On the
next Sabbath, fourteen more, were received
, into the church by baptism. Among thi,
number, was father, with one son, three
| daughters, and one son-in-law, who, it is
hoped, will continue to the end, and be
finally united before the throne of God IN
! heaven. We have been favored with sever
al delightful baptizing seasons since, and. it
= IS expected, that others will soon follow the
Savior in the impressive rite. The subjects
OF this work, are of different ages. A good
= ly number Of them, are heads of families.
whose children, we trust, will henceforth.
be blessed with the influence Of pious ex-
: ampIes IN their parents, and by their holy
instruction, and believing prayers, be earlv