Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-04-03

ed than they had been Tor many yeaAS ocl"'S'
Their worshoping assemblies became mere sol
emn, and the people, after they were dismiss
ed showed a strange reluctance about leaving
the place.-They generally continued some
time In The meeting-houses and employed them
selves in singing or religious conversation.
perhans about the last of May or the first of
lime The awakenings became general in some
CONGREGATIONS, and spread through the country
In eyery direction with amazing rapidly |
left that country about the first of November, at
which lime this revival in conneXion with the
one on Cumberland had covered the whole
state of kentucky, excepting a small Settle
Inent which borders on the waters of Green
River. in which no Presbyterian ministers are
settled and believe very few OF any denomi-
nation.
The power which this revival has spread
and its influence in moralizing the people are
difficult for YOU to conceive and more so tor
me 10 describe | had heard many accounts,
and seen many letters respecting it before
went to that country but my expectations
though greatly raised, were much below the re-
ality of the work Their congregations when
engaged in worship presented scenes OF solem-
nitv superior TO these | had ever seen before.
And in private houses it was no uncommon
thing to hear parents relate to strangers the won
derful things which God had done in their neigh
borhoods while a large family of young people
collected ronnd them would be IN tears. On my
wavto Kentucky, / was informed by settlers on the
road. that the character of Kentucky travellers
was entirely changed: and that they were now
as remarkable for sobriety they had former
" been for dissoluteness and immortality
And indeed found Kentucky, to appearance,
the most moral place had ever seen. pro
fame expression was hardly ever heard. A reli-
gious awe seemed to peryade the coun try; and
some deistical characters had confessed, that
from whatever cause the revival might proceed
il made the people better.
Its influence was not less visible In promo
ting friendly temper among the people.-No-
thing could appear more amicable, than that un-
dissembled beneYolence which governs the sub
iects of this work, | have often wished, that
the mere politician or the deisi could observe
with impartiality their peaceful and amicable
spirit. He would certainly see, that nothing
could equal the religion of Jesus for promoting
even the temporal happiness of society. Some
neigborhoods visited by the revival, were for
merly noted for their private animosities and
contentious; and m-ny petty lawsuits had COM
menced on that ground-When the parties in
these quarrels were impressed with religion,
the first thing was to send for their anita gonist
and il was often tery affecting to see their meet
ing. They had both seen their faults, and both
contended they ought 10 make the acknowledg
menfs, till at last they were obliged to reques
one another to forbear all mention of the pas
and to receive each other as friends and broth.
els for the future. Now, sir let modern phi
losophers talk of reforming the world by ban.
ishing Christianity, and introducing their licen
hous systems; the blessed gospel Of cur Coo
and Saviour, is showing what it can do.
Some circumstances have occurred to dis
inguish the revival in Kentucky frcm aimos
any other from which we have had any accoun
mean the largeness of their assemblies ol
sacramento occasiOns---the length of time the,
continued on the ground, in the exercise @
public or private devotion---and the grea
numbers who have fallen down under religion
Impressions On each of these particulars
shall give you some remarks.
With respect to the largeness Of their assem-
biies. Il Is generally supposed at many places
there was no less, than eight, ten. or twelv
thousand people, And at one place called Can
Ridge Westinghouse, many are Of opinion thei
were no less than twenty thousand Ther
were one hundred and forty wagons that cam
loaded with people, besides other wheel-carria
ges aud some persons attended who had com
the distance OF two hundred miles The large
ness of these congregations was considerabl
Inconvenience, They were too numerous I
be addressed by any one speaker. Differer
ministers were obliged to officiate at the sam
time at different stands. This affords an OF
pOrtunItv to those who are but slightly impress
ed with religion, to wonder backwards betwee
the different places Of worship, which create
an appearance Of confusion, aud gave ground
such as were unlriendly 10 the work, to charg
II with disorder There was also another charg
which conduced to the same effect. Abo
this time the people began to fall down in gre
numbers under serious impressions. This W;
new thug among Presbyterians. 1t excite
universal asionishmeni and created degree
curiosity which could not be restrained Whe
people fell down even in the most solemn pa
OF divine service those who stood near were
extremely anxious to see they were afIectt
that they frequently CROW ded abou: Them
saca nlann er as 20 disturb the worship. b
these causes Of disorder were soon remove
y