Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-02-13

| REvIvALs IN RELIo,os.-We promised to pub
lish the letters of English clergyman on the
subject of revivals in this country. There is nc
question that the structures of an intelligent travel
Ter, given in the spirit of kind and judicious cr
ticism, would explode many of erroneous habits
and essentially aid in the advancement Of ouI
moral, social, and religious duties. The letters,
which we publish the first, seem to be written
in correct spirit, and worthy of conside ration
AS the opinions of who has suddenly come upon
system of religion, which, although TO many in
this country from education and habit is considered
the only way to get religion, to him and to his fore
fathers is entirely novel AT least the only remark
able instance in his country, the revival in Dr.
1rvings church; but that is not fair test in
favor of it, as, unfortunately in its progress, Dr. l.
became deranged, and many of his congregation,
having surrendered their reason, because
alphabetically affected, and avowed themselves
speakers in unknown tongues, sc. We shall con-
tinue the publication of these letters at intervals,
and we can assure our readers they well worthy
Of perusa
MY DEAR FRIEND-You are curious to know
something about the religion Of this country relg
ion without an establishment; religion left to it
self, without priesthood, had almost said; for
ry body breaches here who will nay, those who ex-
hort and pray publicly among the laity far outnum-
Der those who considered regularly ordained.
Well in truth, if you have curiosity prepare to have
satisfied, for shall violate the old rhetorical rule,
and plainly tell you that am going to be interest
ing The most remarkable thing about the people
of this country, is their religion; at least in New
England. Sects and creeds, doct rnes and DISGUISE
tions, preachers and people, sermons and societies,
plans and projects; excitements and conversions
you may hear talked of wherever you go-in stage
coaches and steamboats, in shops and bar rooms,
nay. in ball rooms and parties OF pleasure, and in
hort Itptf rLa-
BILE in its character il is in its colloquial exhibit
ton; and the most extraordinary thing in its cha
racter undoubtedly is the system of revivas OF reg.
ion as they are called For these are brought into
a system and plan, as much the religion tself-a
system of operations much as its theology is into
a system of speculations.
But see i must task myself to give you some
general notion of these things in the outset, for you
have idea, not generic one OF what reyvals
of religion are
Once, in two three or five years, then, it is COM
mon for township, village, some portion G. e.
some congregation congregational OF city, to be
thrown into great excitement about religion The
intervals are comparatively, and am afraid, from
what can learn, actually seasons of great religious
indifference. This seems, in fact to be considered
as matter Of course. Ii is often, in conversation,
assumed fact, and stated as an apology-"We
have had great revival here" Many, both
OF the clergy and the laity have said to me
enquiry into the state of relig ion among them
. we have had great revival here, and there Is al
ways season of GOODNESS afterwards. This is stat
ed, indeed with rather mournful and self accusing
air, but still, a matter of course and those who
offer the apology TO be glad that the is
worse with them than their neighbors. But to re-
turn this periodical character Of the REVEALS and
the constant succession of them, are circumstances
that discriminate them from all other religious ex-
elements that have ever read or heard of. There
have been excuses and cbuiltions OF zeal IN the
origin of all sects of the Wadenses, the Anabap-
lists the Quakers the Puritans, the Presbyterians,
&c. And the Methodists, whose unpretending walls
built out Of the polished stones of some of our
stately churches cOnriying through their class
meetings, and conferences and love feasts to Keep
up sort Of perpetual excitement. But the " re-
here, come-only less frequently-hke
the overfowings of the Nile. Not, however, from
any less certain laws or causes, as think shall be
able to show.
But I must check my wanderings. and try to
give YOU some further idea OF what these revi-
ra's are No sooner does the first access oil this
'piritaal influence appear than the minister and
the most jealous members Of his church arouse
themselves. They appoint meetings for prayer and
sxhortston, TO be held commonly, as often as every
evening in the week. Sometimes the assemblings |
axe place early in the morning. The very singu- |
ariiy Of these arrangements arrests attention.
People crowd to- the meetings al first, farhaps, as
much from curiosity auy other impulse. You |
would be apt to think, you in some of the vii
ages here that the business Of society is to go
to meeting" and the indiv duals most Interested |
do citen in fact, give up all other business. Some
even Of the most thoughtless, and indeed il is most
likely 10 be they, WILL in the ordinary course OF
things, come to be deeply impressed with what is
passing around them They are addressed by their
preachers, with the most terrific warnings, or IN
the most mournful accents Of pity and amentation
Their christian friends, perhaps, take them by the
hand, and, in and anaccustomed tones, beseech
them to flee from the wrath to come. The slumber-
ing conscience, perhaps, is aroused To do Its too
much, and too long forgotten office. AT any rate
the imaginations and feelings wrought upon, and
through the influences, partly OF real conversion,
and partly Of rought passion, is not strange
that many should be thrown into the deepest dis
trcss. Ihave seen men in such an agony, as might
easily be mistaken in its apparent signs, Tor the re-
morse Of a murder, or the anguish Of con-
Wet This does not, ordinarily, for II cannot,
last long. From the very excess and violence
Of these emotions, there is at length developed
this bare physical emotion has, in many cases, been
mistaken for real, spiritual change Of views and
sentiments. In many cases, too, even OF this very
brief experience, / have no doubt there IL real,
though could scarcely admit that IL Is radical
change When men have long been taught, crrone-
ously, believe that their whole nature Is oppo-
sed God and religion, and have found, on having
their mind fxedly bent these great objects, that
they are really capable Of loving them, they have
felt as IL il were a new revelation to them. Their
feelings of course pass through very great change,
which they, not unnaturally, hken to "new crea-
tion." They feel, and this is their language, that
sold things have passed away, and that all things
bits or even the disposition Of their minds, in the
new objects which have been brought distinctly and
wildly before their minds.
These of course-whether their experience -
merely physical or whether IL arises from new at
titude or posture Of the mind-are the "convcrts,
and when this change has passed upon them, they
become very important coadjutors IN " the work"
They go about warning and exhorting their former
companions. describing their Joys, ayowing their
resolutions, and beseechng others to follow them.