Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-04-27
..- For tn e Tel egrap
REVIVAL IN GRAFTON.

Brother Murray 81 have delayed trans
hitting to you an account Of the revival in
Grafton until the present time, because
have been much pressed for time, and have
thought you might hesitate 10 publish an
other article from pen so polluted and so
destitute of candor as mine. Yet as | de-
sign ever to fulfil my promises, and as it
may be interesting to some of your readers
to hear what God has done for his cause
and for sinners, send you the following:
About the last of November. and first Of
December last, very interesting state of
religious feeling existed in the church, and
ii was evident TO the discerning christian,
that good degree Of solemnity and serousi-
ness rested upon the minds of the ungodly.
Indeed, such was the appearance of society,
that several members Of the church cher
ished a sanguine hope, that very soon the
windows of heaven would be opened and
copious shower Of divine grace enjoyed.
But their expectations were cut off for just
at this crisis Of feeling, Col. Miller arrived
in townand tarried about week ,lecturing up
on Slavery and Intemperance. Though his
lectures, as to character and spirit, gave
general satisfaction, and were the means of
promoting the interests Of Temperance, yet
| when he left town, it appeared as if all
seriousness was dissipated, and that the
| Holy Ghost had taken his flight from the
people. Apparent indifference prevailed,
several weeks. At length some of the breth-
rem began 10 feel that such a state was
absolutely intolerable, and that special eff
forts must be made to revive the church and
to save the lost. Accordingly, the Saturday
previous to the third Sabbath in January
was appointed as day Of fasting, humilia
ton and prayer. s-zs. ....-...a 49,.
t That indeed was a memorable day; the
meeting was well attended, solemn and 10
teres,ing. The spirit rested upon the breth
rem, constraining them with deep emotions
Of soul to confess their faults one 10 anoth
er, and TO pray with ferEency for the con
version of sinners. From that time, there
appeared to be gradual increase of inieres
in the church. As it had been thought ex
pedient TO hold series of meetings, the
services Of brother M. D. Miller, Of Wind
ham, were secured for season. He com
menced his labors on the Monday evening
following the fast, and continued to preach
two and three sermons day, until weel
from the next Wednesday, when be wa:
Joined BY brother Burrows of Ludlow, whose
labors were highly acceptable and useful
Though there appeared to be an increase o
interest among christians, still the prospec
as to the conversion Of sinners remainet
dark, until the second Tuesday Of the meet
:. ling. On the afternoon of that day, lh'
: powers of darkness seemed 10 give wal
, before the truth and spirit Of God, like
fertilization across mighty stream who's
waters had been stayed until they were 81
accumulated that they could no longer b
resisted. The anxious-seats were filled witt
inquirers, deeply impressed with sense @
their criminality and exposure to the wrat
g Of God. During one week, several neV
e cases Of conversion daily occurred. TIL
; church has probably never witnessed NOR
] solemn and interesting week, since lis OF
E ganization. The meeting was continue
D every evening, ard nearly every day, aboe
!, four weeks, during which there were bs
tween 80 and 40 hopeful conversions. A
the fruits of the revival, "a have been bal
!. tized into The church, all of whom give ver
= satisfactory evidence of genuine piety.
Q very interesting state of feeling now exls
Of among both saints and sinners.