Mr. Jarratt, the church Clergyman, was very useful in that revival of religion; and his heart was closely united to the Methodists. He would frequently preach, meet the classes, hold lovefeasts, and administer the Lord's supper among them. He was an eye witness of this work; and as it was the greatest revival of religion that had ever been known in that part of the country, I think it will be a satisfaction to many people, to give them some further account of it.

1775. In the latter end of this year, there was as great a revival of religion in the south parts of Virginia, as perhaps was ever known in country places in so short a time; but it became still more considerable in January 1776. Mr. G. Shadford then preached in Virginia; and while the ears of the people were opened by novelty, God sent his word home upon their hearts. Many sinners were powerfully convinced, and cried for mercy. The news of convictions and conversions were common; and the people of God were inspired with new life and vigour, by the happiness of others. But in a little time they were made thoroughly sensible, that they themselves stood in need of a deeper work of grace in their hearts, than they had yet experienced and entreated God with strong cries and tears, to save them from the remains of inbred sin; and so to" circumcise their hearts," that they might "love him with all their hearts," and serve him with all their strength.

In almost every assembly might be seen signal instances of divine power; more especially in the meeting of the classes. The shaking among the dry bones was increased from week to week, Numbers of old and grey headed, of middle aged persons, of youth, yea, of little children, were the subjects of this work. There were instances

of the latter of eight or nine years old. Some of the children were exceedingly happy in the love of God, and spoke of the whole process of the work of God, of their convictions, the time when, and the manner how they obtained deliverance, with such clearness as might convince an atheist, that this was nothing but the great power of God.

Many who had long neglected the means of grace, now flocked to hear, not only the preachers, but also the exhorters and leaders. And whether there was preaching or not, the Lord's power was still among the people. And it was found that prayer meetings were singularly useful in promoting the work of God.

This out-pouring of the spirit extended itself, more or less, through most of the circuits, which takes in a circumference of between four and five hundred miles; and the work went on with a pleasing progress till the beginning of May; when a quarterly meeting was held at Boisseau's, (commonly called Bushill's) chapel, about twelve miles from Petersburg. At that meeting the windows of heaven were opened indeed, and the rain of divine influence continued to pour down for more than forty days.

The second day of the quarterly meeting, a lovefeast was held. As soon as it began, the power of the Lord came down on the assembly, and it seemed as if the whole house was filled with the presence of God. A flame kindled and ran from heart to heart. Many were deeply convinced of sin; many mourners were filled with consolation, and many believers were so overwhelmed with love, that they could not doubt but God had enabled them to love him with all their heart.

When the love feast was ended, the doors were opened, and many who had stayed without, came in, and beholding the anguish of some, and the rejoicing of others, were filled with astonishment,

and not long after, with trembling apprehensions of their own danger, several of them prostrating themselves before God, cried aloud for mercy.

The multitude that attended on this occasion, returned home alive to God, and spread the flame through their respective neighbourhoods, which ran from family to family, so that within four weeks, several hundred found the peace of God; and scarce any conversation was to be heard, but concerning the things of God. In many large companies one careless person could not be seen; and the far greater part seemed perfectly happy in a clear sense of the love of God.

This work in a very short time spread through Dinwiddie, Amelia, Brunswick, Sussex, Prince George, Lunenberg, and Mecklenburg counties.

The work was so great on the last day of the quarterly meeting, that they continued in the meeting house till night, and then sent for candles, and continued till some time in the night before they broke up. I left them about the setting of the sun, and at that time their prayers and cries might have been heard a mile off.

It has been frequently observed, that there was never any remarkable revival of religion, but some degree of enthusiasm was mingled with it. This work was not quite free from it. But it never rose to any considerable height, nor was it of long continuance. In some meetings there was not that order observed, which could have been wished. Some of the assemblies resembled the congregation of the Jews at laying the foundation of the second temple in the days of Ezra. Some wept for grief; others shouted for joy; so that it was hard to distinguish one from the other. So it was here. The mourning and distress were so blended with the voice of joy and gladness, that it was hard to

distinguish the one from the other. But the voice of joy prevailed, the people shouted with a great shout, so that it might be heard afar off.

The work of God thus increased on every side, and more preachers were soon wanting. And the Lord raised up several young men, who were exceeding useful as local preachers.

In the course of the summer, Mr. Thomas Rankin came to Virginia, and on the last day of June he preached for the first time at Boisseau's (i. e. Bushill's) chapel, where Mr. Shadford met him, and they had preaching in the forenoon, and at four o'clock in the afternoon; but before the last sermon was ended such a power descended, that many fell to the floor, and seemed to be filled with the presence of God. The Chapel was full of people, and many were without that could not get in. Look which way one would, they might behold streaming eyes, and faces bathed in tears: and but little could be heard, except groans and strong cries to God for mercy.

It might be truly said, This is none other than the house of God! this is the gate of heaven! Husbands and wives were inviting each other to go with them to heaven; parents and children also, were intreating each other. In short, those who were happy in God themselves, were for bring. ing all their friends to him in their arms.

This mighty effusion of the pirit continued for more than an hour, in which time many were awakened, some found peace with God, and others experienced perfect love. The preachers attempted to speak or sing again and again; but their voices were soon drowned. Mr. Rankin commanded them to be silent; but all in vain, and it was with difficulty that they persuaded the people as night drew on to retire to their own homes.

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On the 14th of July, which was two weeks after, Mr. Rankin preached again at the same place, i. e. at Bushill's chapel. He gave us a good discourse in the forenoon, and tried to keep the people from making any noise while he was speaking, and at the close of the meeting, he thanked the people for their good behaviour, and told them he was much better pleased with them at that time, than he was when among them before. He then went

to a friend's house to get his dinner, and was to return and preach again in the afternoon. As soon as he was gone, the people felt at liberty, and began to sing, pray and talk to their friends, till the heavenly flame kindled in their souls, and sinners were conquered, and twelve or fifteen souls were converted to God, before the preacher returned from his dinner; and many of the people were sorry that he returned at all, know. ing that he was not fond of so much noise. It was with much difficulty that he prevailed on them to be quiet enough for him to begin to preach. He gave us a good discourse, and I was pleased with it. Yet the people did not hold in till he was done, but some of them began to cry and pray aloud for mercy on their poor souls. He tried again to stop them; but he could not. After that he sat down, and asked Mr. Shadford, who had been preaching among them for some months before, to speak to them, which he did with pleasure, and in a little time cried out in his usual manner, "Who wants a Saviour? the first that believes shall be justified." In a few minutes the house was ringing with the cries of broken hearted sinners, and the shouts of happy believers. It was an awful time indeed; and several souls were justified, and many christians were lost in wonder, love and praise.