Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-07-06
Revival in Burlington.


| promised to give the readers of the
TINES another letter containing further
accounts Of the revival in this place and
as Mr.. Earle has now closed his labors,
for the present at least, it seems quite
proper that they should have it at once.
Perhaps it will not be expected that l
go into particulars very extensively suf-
flee it therefore to say that the work in
creased in interest up to the very mo-
ment of Mr.. Earle's departure. The
meetings were held as usual in the differ
ent houses from day to day, and on Sun
day evening, it being the last me citing the
largest house in the city was selected,
which, when the hour arrived, was crowd
ed to its utmost capacity, and many were
unable TO find room who would gladly
listen for once to the gospel.
So intense was the feeling on the part
OF all, that when opportunity was given
to those desiring to become Christians to
manifest it, the unconverted portion of the
congregation almost en- masse, arose in
stantly to their feet. The writer was not
present at this meeting, being obliged to
leave to occupy his own pulpit, but he has
it from Mr.. Earle's own lips, that it was
indeed most " melting time" A request
was extended to all who had been reclaim
ed, or who had experienced religion dur
ing the progress Of this revival to hand
in their names, and at the close of the
last meeting there had been about seven
ty names collected.
These meetings were conducted with a
view to there being continued for som e
weeks to come by the various pastors !;
the breaking up Of icy Christian hearts
was therefore the great object aimed at
during the past two weeks, which fact
renders the above figures all the more
striking. The Christian people of Bur-
ington are just now beginning to get in
TO position where they can work, and if
the meetings are carried on with zeal
there is every reason TO expect most
extensive and powerful revival through
out the city.
There were thirteen baptized into fell
lowship with the Baptist Church last
Sabbath. Quite large number are de-
sirous to go forward soon in the same
rite. OF the number of accessions to the
other churches l do not know definitely,
but am informed that it is quite large.
During the past week special oppor-
tunity was given to persons from abroad,
who might wish TO do SO, to speak and re-
quest prayers for their various localities,
churches, and friends, and in few mo-
ments large number Of such requests
were presented, and among them the
churches in Brandon by the congrcga-
tionalist minister, Of that place.
Mr.. Earle was persuaded to stop there
over night to preach in the evening and
morning on his way to bis home. The
results of these two meetings was truly
wonderful. On Tuesday morning the peo-
pie came out in large numbers TO hear the
gospel leaving their shops and farms, and
at the close of the sermon twenty or thir-
ty persons Of all ages arose requesting
Christians to pray that they might be
saved. 1t was very happy season,
though short.
Many will be curious to know the ele-
ments of Mr.. Earle's success as an evan
gelist. This is a difficult question to an
swer, but allow me to say at once, that
nothing is more plain than that he does
not depend, as be says, upon eloguence
or eeeentricity !" nor has he any prescrib-
ed set of rules. In the first place after
twenty-five years experience in meetings
OF this kind, it would seem that he under
stood perfectly all the avenues to the hu
man heart. Again be has wonderful
faculty of stating the truths of the Bible
ID the most simple terms. He brings out
by the aid of his inexhaustible store of
Illustrations, the doctrines of the New
Testament so plainly that a child will
grasp them and say at once i" it must be
so 1t can't be otherwise" Add to these
the fact that he has power with God in
prayer, which is the main source of his
strength, and it seems to me that you
have the elements of Mr. Earle's success
as an evangelist. Yours respectfully,
Burlington, June so. Mp.
j = Ambrose A. Butts Of Auhnrn Oh;o