Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-09-11
Religious Miscellany.
From the New-York Evangelist.
LETTER FROM JOHN A. JAMES

LETTER FROM JOHN A. JAMES.
M. Editor :-Alho' | am unknown
to you as correspondent, you will moi
on that account refuse TO insert the follow
ing communication, which perhaps may
nol be undressing to some of your read
ers. Your English friend, who writes
so ofen and SO we'll for your columns, has
already alluded in his valuable communi-
cations 10 the subject on which now ad.
dress you, but not at such length and in
such detail as to render superfuous any
further information from other sources.
1t will be gratifying to the friends of
REVEALS OF religion in the United States to
know, that these holy movements are ex-
cling deeper and more general interest,
and practical attention in this country
An effort was made about eight or nine
years since, to call the minds of both our
ministers and churches 10 the subject -
and the effort was not altogether without
success for, although no very striking
and visible results followed, We. MANY of
our pastors, and some OF them laborIng
amidst large and influential congregations,
were reused TO more vigorous discharge
ofheir official duties. An impulse was
given which never spent itself; sill, how
ever, no general or continuous excitement
was produced. About two years since,
one of our most eminent aud esteemed
ministers, mean DIR. Redford of Worces-
Ter, determined to try the experiment of
protracted meeting in his place of wor-
ship, and invited four of his brethren in
The vicinity TO come and preach on select,
ed topics, which were announced TO the
public The experiment was successful
so tar as collecting large congregations
goes; and IN some instances, it is known,
persons were deeply and savingIy impress
I'd with Divine truth. A statement of the
results having been Communicated to the
public through the medium Of our period
reals, the plan was soon initiated in other
places, aud always with considerable eff
feet IN attracting large audiences and ex-
cllng considerable interest. The dspo-
Slllon to adopt this means of rousing the
people TO more solemn and earnest at
Ienllon 10 eternal realities, is still deepen
ing and extending in various parts OF the
country, as well as in The metropolis and
It's vicinity.
The work has been materially aided
and benefited, in several places, by the
circulation of Finney's Lectures on Revi-
walls, which, with all their faults, and some
not inconsiderabie ones they are thought
by US to possess, are hearl-stlrring appeals
10 the consclences and hearts OF both pas
tors and churches. 1t is the opinion OF
many Of our eminent ministers, that while
no book requires TO be read with more
caution and discrimination, very few can
be read with more benefit by those who
will thoroughly silt it--recelying what is
good, and rejecting what is bad Opin-
ION, however, is much divided upon the
work; but it is certain that it has quick
ened the movement which has been so
happily commenced in many places, Ii
ls proper also TO observe, that Rev. DR.
Sprague's Letters, repubIished in this
country some years ago, with two intro
auctory essays, though totally dIferen;
book from Mr.. Finney's, had led many 10
consider the subject as deserving theil
most serious attention. A new and cheap
edition of Finney revised and with notes
by Dr. Patton of New York, is just abou
70 issue from the press, with many Of The
more exceptionable passages expunged
and with preliminary notices by two o
Our minis ers | have no doubt that tn,
sale will be extensive, and its nfuenc,
considerable.
Providentially two Amercab minister
arrived in our country at this very time
when the public attention was engaged
Oy The subject of protracted meetings.
mean Mr.. Kirk of Albany, and Dr. Pat
on: The former was eminently usefu
10 London, especially at Spa Fields Chap
g and IN connection with MIR. Sherman
me esteemed and beloved successor of Mi
Rowland Hill. at Surrey Chapel. "a
mat place, series of meetings. conducte,
IN great measure by Mr. Kirk, was held
with most delightful results, of which a.
account has reached America, and bee
already published in your columns.
When It was determined 10 hold sim
iar meetings in Birmingham, in Arr
last, the question was asked, sShah W
invite Mr. Kirk to come - And il wa
decided in. the negative; lest it should |
supposed that the success of an attempt
produce revival depended on any or
man, man. or that the result should look MOI
IKE the work Of man than the operate
" 900. by singular circulnstanc
rr nlsn need not here be mentioned Al
Alrk was brought 10 our town =, ,ho,;r
So. our meetings. and proved of great US
sO p al our private ministerial conference,
ana m! our public services for the peonle !
i nus addresses were pungent, fun Of :
Us''and very powerful. The sand.
'0''Owlng, DR.. Patton arrived, and preac