, 1859-08-27


Drr1lx. July 10Th, 1850.
As See some statements in relation to the
great religious excitement in ireland which are
not very accurate, l will devote tho whole Of
this letter To shst subject, and will lay before
yours readers ~ accurate view Of it as can
gather from the published documents within nr
reach. l do this the more readily, As It is. by
the confession of all, the mos. wonderful re-
ligious movement in the Chureh's history in
modern times. There las been nothing Ike it
in tue past. It is changing tile social, the men,
tai and moral aspects Of society where it pre-
vails; and onward the tide of holy influence is
rolling With increasing power.
This work, at present, then, is confined to the
North Of Ireland. It extends over five coun-
lies in that part Of the island. Belfast, Cole
rhine and Londonderry are the centre of its iu-
huence, though not Of its origin; but the small
towns and villages for miles around are under
its power. There is nothing impassioned, ex-
cltahle or superstitious in the character Of the
people. Unlike the Celts of the South aud West,
who are full Of these elements, they are the de-
sceud2nts Of the men of the "Eorlish PALE
and exhibit many Of the features of the Saxon
character. It is the stronghold Of the Protes-
tant influence, and Presbyterianism is the pre-
dents from the Church. The latter has great
weight; the churches Of the body are uumer-
Gus the ministers men of mental power and
rich and varied enlture. Nothing can be fur
tlcr from enthusiasm than the ministry Of these
men. only need mention the names Of Dr.
Cook, Professors Edgar, Gibson, .slcCosh aud
others. who haye uttered their solemn conyic.
tions that the work is Of God, and .re Ciyin.
no" their whole soul to its guidance and ad-
yancement.
ORION or rHk MOVEMENT.
The origin Of this movement ia of singular in~
terest. The same agency in the main as marked
more or less the commencement of your great
work has been employed here. PRAYER iu both
cases was the spring from which these streams
Of 5lessedness flow. Not the gathered hosts Of
God crowding his hallowcd court but the few
modest, humble, hidden ones who we're sighiny
and crying in secret before The Holy One. NJ
thing in the state Of the Church to warraut the
expectation. Everything was going on us.
/ ual; the saHe usual round Of formal services,
ministers met the people and preached. A lew
attended prayer-meetlDRs; congregations in
many places small, and cold, dead formality
rcigned more or less in Il sccts. No special
mems were employed to disturb this spiritual
rtpose-no particular Hakening up Of minister
OWL way, showing us that BY the feeb!est agen-
CT be could accomplish the most maryeIous
moral effects, and that lie could dignity faith
and prayer. As far as can gather from the
printed accounts which art before me, tie origin
was as follows:
| IL 0HE ENSC q paOu3 IAAF Ii UQ Fi&h 10 LllE
| North. She becomes deeply Interested in the
spiritual condition Of poor old mau. She Wis
| lis, reads and prays with him. Aeair and agaiu
she does. The dark mind at Inst opcas to the
light, and the hard heart is touched by The Sa-
| rior's lore, lie is converted. Within his own
heart deep anxiety springs for the conversion
| Of his wife. He cannot rcpEess it. Under the
| influence Of the same truth she is brought, and
| her aged spirit rejoiccs iu Christ. They tell
their new burn joys to others. They insitc their
neiehbors and friends to pray with them and
share their happiness. The revival in that To-
Cality was begun. In auother part four young
| men we're converted. The condition Of the Sun
| day School and the prayer meeting soon fred
| their Intention. To pray for their success and
| improvement was their immediate tvsU1ye.
Month after month, though an1iously they
watched for signs Of improvement, still they
saw none: Delay did not queneh their zeal.
Faith in the Divine promise sustained them, aud
and the revival began.
CHARACTERISTICS or THE wonK.
In many points The characteristics Of this
work bear q striking resemblance to some O,
those which marked your own religious awak.
ening:
: 1Ie vnion Of al m,nisftsy aud CArist;aas il
the work. Ministers Of the Episcopal sect, whe
would moi few months ago unite with bap
tist. or recognize his ministerial claim -Presby
terians, Aethodists of various sects-all miogle
and cordially cooperate. I'VE hare no isn'
in this tswn at present" says a correspondent
"nothiug but Jesus the Savior Of sinners" A.
pcriues, jealousies, unlindly feeling, arc melt
ing down. One Of the Bishops has presided a
| large united meeting, aud uttered sentiments
in his address worthy Of the Christian, il not il
lsrmony with the lofty presensions Of Episco
pacy.
TIE action Of the laity in this movement is Q
singular interest Elders, deacons, leaders ami
members, are very prominent. In prayer
| meetings, and rlsidng tue awakened, they ,ar
very active. They originate and lead meeting.
they address the assembled crowds on tue 2rea
aud absorbing varieties Of faith, they deal viii
tho awakened, and in other wAys are filing u
various departments Of Christian labor, fror
which many o. them had been shut out.
Tie spirh Of prayer evidently marks it. 1ti
the most prominent. Never was there any thin
| like it. Ii many places, every second house i
| the streets is bethel. In houses, shops, wazt
roomn, squares, school-rooms, churches an
chapels, they meet for prayer. They gather
thousands. Every place Of Worship ,s opene
alnost from morning till night. Only the oshe
day the beautiful Botanic Gardens At Bella,
, / were visited By about forty thousand peopl
who in different groups spent the day in VI
rious acts Of religious services, A week Or ta
ago the new court house at Coteraine Was 10 b
Opened TO the people. Arrangements we1
I \
1 ner. As the day sppr aebed no one could
found to open or attend the ball. Meetings Il
mayer were proposed. They wsfe hailed b
the community, mad the place wa crowds
from morning I'LL night BY ihonsands Of devo
and interested persons Over the whole pop
latiop q deep md absorbing religious feeling
spread. Trade uninterrupted. Mills sometin
- cannot 20 on. Editors apollo size now and the
| IL their readers that their paper is delayed {
this account, and markets are scarcely attend.
}-xhile railway directors are pstting on speci
trains. and allowing to run till I late hour, +
the convenience Of parties attending religio
serv;ces from . distance. AL churches 4
= sharing in the tide Of blessing. None are {
tmpt.
PHENOMENA or T9E REVIVAL.
i have alluded, once and again, think,
some phenomena which marx this zefiglo
O, snoremens. They mark it more Or less c~s1
where, and neust mention it,again. though
aosae risk, for tue sake Of completeness In Il
- outline In Ill the towns, in many eases, p
sons are struck in = movement with the mt
overwhelming sense Of sin and danger. Son
:. times it is followed BY the most entire phJs't
1 pyostration, and in al cases By the most acts
70 anguish. In the shop, The mill, the field, t
hs streets, the houses, Ibis oecurs. In = mosDt
y tho most piercing cry Is heard, aud insensihil
r. follows. 1t Affects Ill classea-she gray bead
- man aud toe child. the s&a1vas4 artisan and
Young girl, the lady Of sociA Positins md {
n, 4 Axx - ~ iEaoxaa& I'D xsaeAs, the yo1!
aud virt4oes, md the reckless prostitute.
- cries Of these for mercy arc appalak, the u
ID uessss Of them say: Let me select - exam
4IA-Z