Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-04-03
For the Vermont PhGnix.
The Religious Revival.


Mr. EDITOR "A few months Since the whole
country was convuscd with the Panic; mems
hearts were failing them for fear. The gods in
which they had trusted were falling from their
pedestals and the worshippers were overwhclm
ed in their overthrow.
What was still more pcrplcxing and in itself
an element of fear, was, its mysterious. cause
| am not aware that a satisfactory solution has
yet been given. Those who believe in Ruler
of the universe, are perhaps willing to refer it
all back to His sovereignty, who can control
the emotions of the spirits lie has made, from
those of the highest archangel, to those of the
most degraded of our race
And what has been the result, of this ira
tonal, unaccomtaJie, panic? 1t has changed
the position of thousands in our land, compcll-
ing the gay and thoughtless self-lovers, to
thought and anxiety, and to eat the bread Of
carefulncss.
Nor is that all for as our surroundings"
mould our characters, the characters of these,
will be effected forever. Into their "warps Of
life" are woven hues which will endure as long
as their souls shall live.
And no,c, what is the all absorbing topic of
interest? What is everywhere talked about
What fills the columns of our newspapers and
clicits comments from all sorts ofpeople? Some
thing. which, if it be what many of our best and
wiScSt minds believe is deserving the serious
consideration of all thoughtful people If it be
as they unhesitatingly assert, God moving di-
rectiy upon the minds of His creatures, and
leading them to choose the highest good, and
to live the truest life, it is tremendous fact,
and few would have the hardihood to treat these
manifestations with neglect not to say contempt.
If on the other hand this and the Panic are
merely the results of human infrmity, part
of our constitutional nature which Graves cx-
element. or if We are as IA race abandoned Of
our Creator and lief, at the sport of every wave
Of feeling, it is well for those Of us who can
keep our reason, to stand aloof, and pursue the
" even tenor of our way" until the deluded
ones, who Ike excitement, and that sort of thing,
get over it, and we can congratulate ourselves
that we are not to be frightened out of our pro-
priety into any different way of life.
But let us look for a moment at the first
named view of the subject What if the true
life Of the soul, which consists in its union with
its Creator, is, the Scriptures declare extinct
in us as u race, and that God is ever seeking TO
restore " His banishcd" to Himself? What. if
lie has plan by which We as race may be
induced voluntarily to seek and receive this
life from Him? Would it not become us to
enquire reyercntly into that plan and conform
ourselves TO it
What then are our sources of information
about this We have but two, the direct rev
citation of this plan in the word of God and the
History of thy progress of the race In His
word, lie has promised Divine Influence that
shall operate upon the hearts of oil men. even
upon those who don't acknowledge it. If lie
removes it-cvcn good men fall into the gross
est sins. He warns US against gricying it, and
teaches us to pray Lead us not into tempta-
ton"
But lie has also promised that there shall bc
seasons when lie will send this influence upon
all flesh, like shotrers that water the Earth and
that finally, " the whole Earth shall be filled with
the knowledge of God" Now let us look At
facts. From the beginning of time God has
had special seasons Of reformation among men.
ganPresdent i'So eq as the he' re
suit of his study and ohser, alton, this opinion,
hat upon the fall of man to our day though
there he more constant influence of Gods
spirit always in some degree attending His or
dinances yet the way in which the greatest
things have been done has 0lic1yS been, bv re-
markable illusions at special seasons He was
no weak fanatic
The Old Testament abounds in instances
and in the times of the Apostles it was mainly
by these remarkable illusions that the Heather
nations were induced to turn from their idols
to the service Of the True God
1t was To this that the Reformation owed its
rise. To this, the Church of England owes its
present purity of Doctrine and the " HOLY Iiv-
ing and Dying" of many of its Prc!ates and
laity. 1t is to this that Puriianism owes its
power, and. its unqualified adhesion to the Pure
Word of God, by which it earned its honorable
name. To this Methodism owes its efficiency
and zeal To this the Baptsts. their progress
both in Heather and in Christian lands
If these things be so, is it irrational or fanati
cal for all true Philanthropists, to cooperate
with God in His benefcent plan of restoring the
race to Him? EPSILON.