Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-07-15
Bully dnIan & 9mfrran
4 Ralirsoua Excltement In Lrelana.

A Religious Excitement In Areiano'
One Of those religious phenomens, we'll known IN
this country as resivals, but not very frequent in
Europe, is at present taking place in Ireland IL
commended in the Presbyterian parish Of Connor'
Antrim county, among the "Praying Societies.
letter to the NsU York Courier and Enquirer gives
the following account;
The spirit Of zeal, thus enkindled spread into
the neighboring towns and villages Inc peop's "
Ahorhill Brouahshane and Ballymena were oroughe
under the same influence. The minister opened me
churches daily, for the meetings Of prayer anu
nra;se These were crowded; and soon others De-
9an 70 be held in private houses, the streets, and
81 sslds Al these amid deep solemnity which
nergaled all. and an excited awakening, which
stirred many, come we're SO sffected-"stricken, as
thew phrased -as to cry out audibly; after which,
there vas bodily prostration, as well as mental az
onv which continued, in some longer. In some
shorter time, before ''peace" vas enjoyed.
The news Of these strange doiBgs spread abroad
In ali directions. Visitors from Belfast, on the
East, and Coleraine, On the West came TO see and
hear: and some ofthose who had felt the influence,
visited these aud intermediate aud adjacent towns
From village to village and from hamlet to hamlet
1t has spread, and not only Is the whole Of Antrim
peryaded by it. but it extends far into neighboring
counties Extraordinarily and Derry, westward;
Antrim and Csrrickfergus eastward HoekstowD,
Dungannon, and Armagh southwark, are ali men
the movement, visited, more or less strikingly,
with these singular manifest Itioas.
Belfast as the largest town, with the greatest
number Of churches AMI jealous ministers, with q
. baud OF devoted auxllsries in the form of Iowa
missionaries MS new The most conspicuous scene Of
this extraordinary visita.iou; and there, as else.
where, it is not confined to Que denomination Of
Christians. Il commenced with the Preseyte Ians,
and is displayed most signaly among them; out
Episoopaliaos, Independents, and Metaodisis, all
reeognize il, and participate in the blessing
The Bishop OF BoEn, Conner, and Dromore held
a meeting Of his clergy, at which they advised
70 open their churches and afford every facility for
attention 10 religious realities. The Belfast Presby
terry resolved take advantage Of the spirit pervad
ing the people, ana their churches are opened daily,
and several hold open air services. The Method SITS
and Independents have "peniients peWs" to which
the awakened resort Multitudes, of all ranks ages
and sexs profess to have felt the power of religion
and the greater number are from those classes not
the most distinguished for solemn attention TO sacred
things-fsctory men, mill girls, and young men in
The large mercantile establishments.
There is, however, some controversy going on IN
the local papers, regarding the origin and character
of the work. Among the converts are some who
had been Roman Catholics and Unitarans and who,
the result, they say, of the influence of which
they have been the subjects, have relinqushed their
former communions.
The parish priest of Ballymeua, Mr. Lynch and
the Northern Wing, have refused to acknowledge the
heavenly origin of movement Of which such are
Of the consequences; and there have, already,
been some extravsgsnces-and probably more may
be expected which bring discredit those who
countensnee them. But the general results-tem-
perance religious observance, and general morality,
giving changed aspect to society, vastly for the
better, make the wide diffusion of an influence
which produces such effects exceedingly 10 be de-
sired. And, judging from appearances, that wide
diffusion is likely take place, and it will be sl the
the more efeciual if, hitherto, there be get
ting up Of excitement and displays