The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-16
The Revival mt NewburypOrt.

At the prayer meeting yesterday morning,
Mr.. Foster gave some account oil the com.
mencement and progress OF the greet revival
now in progress in that place. lie laoored
there several days a short time since, and
learned about il from those who had particle
pated in the work from the beginning. We
understood him to say that II commenced
with a few members of the Baptist church,
who met on Christmas eve, and resolved 10
hold a series ofprayer meetings. AZ iirst the
number of attendants was small, but gradual
~ increased till the interest spread through
the whole community. One Of the first con-
yerts was the son OF the minister. The Her
aid gives long account OF the services there
last Sunday. From it we make the follow
ing extracts:
The Baptism by Rev. d. 2. Pike, on Sun
day afternoon, was the most interesting &C.
casion of the kind we ever knew in this Sec
ton of the country; indeed, since the days
of the Apostles, we do not know that such
sc, ne had b,en Witnessed. Never before have
We heard oil SO many being led down into the
waters and inmersed by,a single clergyman.
In the gathering OF the people, and in the
place where they collected, this occasion was
very much like the gatherings of the multi.
tudes eighteen hundred years ago. We read
that in those times, even back to the days OF
Johns baptism, there "wcnt out Jerusalem,
and all Judea. and all the region round about
Jordan, coniessing their sins" So on Sum
day, the whole country seemed pouring in to
hear-to see-to be instructed. Early in the
morning, strange carriages and strange folks
could be seen in the streets, and long before
noon, men, women and children were wend-
ing their way to the landing, and stationing
themselves where full view could be had.
We met persons from seven OF the surround
ing towns; and probably there were quite as
many other towns so represented. Several
churches in town, OF four different denomina-
tons, delayed their services that the people
might attend.
When the baptizing commenced, just after
9 in the afternoon, there were probably seven
thousand persons present, and half as many
more might have lett in disappointment, not
able to come near the spot or reach any place
from which view could be had. Very many
there were even then, who could not witness
the scene, though they crowded the landing,
Using head over head upon the bank, to the
carriages in the street, that had their wheels,
tons and horses covered by the anxious spec
tators. Also back OF the street all the win
dows were full of heads, and the house tops
were covered with people. So the wharves
were alive with moving beings, and the ves-
sells that were near at hand and on the water
We counted ninety-fve boats at one time.
Still not more than i've thousand could wit
ness the ceremonies.
A better day for baptism could not have
been Mt this season Of the year. The
skies were cloudless, the sun was warm and
pleasant, and il was mild and genial. There
was a propriety also in its being Easter Sun
day. the anniversary OF the resurrection OF the
Saviour. Impelled by q sense OF duty, to
follow the great Teacher, the whole number
Of candidates collected by the river side,
dressed in looose black gowns, with white
collars-torty -four males ana. tfiy.three female,
and soon alter 2 o'clock prayer was offered
by Mr.. Morton, s.2.Ioyidence, IL. l..
Following that lame man was baptized,
who was carried off in boat. The remain
der proceeded in groups-two groups IL each,
and five Of IA persons, and severally they re-
ceived the rite, the whole time OF the services
occupying about an hour and quarter
The ages OF the persons varied from ID TO W
wears, and among them Ga heads OF families.
In one group were three sisters and brother
with his wife; in another brother and two
sisters, and in third three brothers and their
wives, thus three. five and six belonged TO
three families. The isst group was composed
of young men, and In one group was the only
son of the clergyman.
About an hour after the services nj tho
river, the ceremony Of extending the right
hand of fellowship to the baptized, and to ten
Others who had previously been immersed
in all to l07 persons-in order to admission TO
the Christian church--were had at the Uni
tartan meeting house--the largest church In
town, which had been offered &c the Christian
Society for that purpose. The house was
crowded to suiiocation. After the males were
arranged in the broad aisle. MIR. Pike proceed.
ed to take each one by the hand, and make re-
marks and give advice applicable to the indi-
yidual cases. and presented each one pampa-
let-a history Of the Christian church, their
religious sentiments, and catalogue OF all the
from 1910 to the present time. Al.
ter that tho females were arranged In the
,ame manner, and were received with the
same ceremonies. Alter they had been seat
I'd again, he addressed them collectively.
Holding the Bible in his hand he said-l
present you here the creed Of our church
urn 10 these pages, study and read here your