Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-08-01

From ne Christian wstehman.
REVIVAL or RELIGION
rs NATlRyILLE, NAME.

Fof several months past, very inter-
ssiing state Of religious feeling has exist
a IN this town. The last halt OF the
preceding year was peculiarly barren OF
religious incidcnl-scarcelya case OF hope L
ful conversion occurring during period
Of eight months But in January, deep
and unusual seriousness began to prevail
IN a ne;ehborhood from four TO FIVE miles
out Of the village in lis CON-
menccmehf. lfait Of ailh and prayer.
Many ofths people found themselves IN
Der he influence Of serious impressions,
and suLjeets Of great awakening, though |
Enjoying few means u grace beyond an
occasional prayer-meeting. conducted by !
the brethren dwelling in that region, and |
The faithful and affectionaie conversation
OF those who were " waiting for the con-
ISOLATION Of Israel" A meeting Of sever
al days, held by the Methodists in the
town Of Fairfield, not far distant was in
cidenially insyrumental of ripening the
work Of grace in the people. and prepar.
ing tnem for new and more effeeinal In
fuences Of the Holy Spirit. Until the,
middle Of March, no special seriousness
existed 10 any other part Of the town, un-
! less we 50 count a waiting state Of mind,
evidently prevailing among the people in
our solemn and increasing audiences. A.
bout that period, the church set apart a
day of fasting, humiliation, confession and
prayer, which proved day Of great re-
freshing. Nearly every member Of the
church was present at the meeting, which
continued from ten and half in the morn
ing, I'LL nearly Jour in the afternoon, fol-
lowed by a crowded evening service for
prayer This was soon succeeded by a
week Of evening prayer-mestings and,
after an interval OF week, another siIni-
lar series, and 30 on, alternately, until the
month Of May. when, for two or three
weeks together, similar meetings were
held without interruption; and they have
since been continued as much as four eve
nings in the week. either in the village or
is outskirts, until the present time.
Not Ear from the period Of the day oil
prayer Just mentioned, two or three young
persons in the village became hopefully
he subjects Of renewing grace. Their
religious impressions were not traceable
/. 10 any special means Of religion, but seem
ed rather TO be the effect Of a silent influ.
ence Of the Holy Spirit among the people
In the month Of April, at special church
meeting. fifteen persons. all 10 the flower
Of youth, or bot Just over-stepping the
bounds Of childhood, gave an account o
their religious experience, and were bap
iizcd the following Sabbath. AEer this,
for two or three weeks, an unusual seri.
business rested on the minds Of the people
Religious themes were the most frequen
topics Of conversation. Even at occasion
nj visits. the introduction Of worldly cub
iects seemed almost sacrilegious II wa.
like profaning the solemnities Of the Sab
bath itself. ~t5 a..
BY this time. such was the general feel
ing Of desire for an opportunity to u.s.
more decided effort in behalf Of the ire
ligious, that much was said Of setting apar
anumber Of days, for special religion
meetings. As a preparation for such
solsmnity. a committee Of brethren wa
appointed 10 20 two and two, Throughout
the church. 10 ascertain It's spiritual state
Atihe succeeding ehnrch-meeting, thi
committee brought very encouraging re
port. The 6rsi Sabbath in May, eleyel
more persons were baptized; and, befor
the administration Of the Lords Suppe
in the afternoon, twenty-f ,ur received Ii
right hand Of welcome to the church an
all rs privileges. The Monthly Conce
Of prayer on Monday evening, aud tn
speci1l prayer-meeting on Tuesday eve
ming. were meetings OF unusual interes
On "Wednesday opened one season Of e,
traofdinary effort the mornings through
out the remainder Of theweek being d
voted TO prayer. and the afternoons ar
evenings To- preaching. The sermon
were but the usual Sabbath performanc,
Of the brethren who assisted on the occ
sion. There was noioken Of feeling, e
cepi what could be gathered from noticir
the deep and solemn attention OF the pc
pie, and the countenances of many, VIII,
told plainly enough Of the emotions Q
ing on within them. The effect Of Z
meetings was to deepen former impre.
ions. and to give the awakened and !
hecting. opportunity. under the most
vorable circumstances, 70 devote the
selves without interruption TO the impo
ant concerns Of The soul. Though It
remarkable, still il Is believed to be "a
that Of all who have become connect
with the church, none have traced III
first religious Impressions TO these spec
means They had begun TO rteditale q
becnne more or less awakened, prior
ana without any assignable influence fr,
these particular spiritual efforts. empl
ed for their good Perhaps thus the s.
long sowniwith prayers and tears. in
regular course Of the minisiraiion Of
neansof grace, Was ripened by the