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ty-six-two weeks of February, fiftynine.-Total 228.

From this it will be seen that nearly the whole of this number has been received within the last two and a half months. It is evident, therefore, from these facts, and from a view of the present prospects and state of the work, that it is still increasing; and that like a river, it widens and deepens in its course. The number of those who through the course of this revival have obtained the grace of justification through faith, is not certainly known. But to estimate them at one hundred and twenty, would, I think, be a moderate calculation. The number is probably considerably greater.

As to the character of this revival, it has been justly remarked by several travelling preachers and old and experienced members, that it is deep, solid, and rational; and as free from extravagance as any revival they ever witnessed. And what perhaps is an unusual feature in most of great revivals, the depth and solidity of this work is evidently much increased as it advan

ces.

It will not be wondered at, that, as connected with this revival, the prosperity and spread of Methodism in this town, should excite the jealousy and enmity of some few sectarian bigots, or carnal professors of other denominations, who condemn the revival (not openly however,) as "fanaticism," "enthusiasm," &c. But on the other hand, (and with pleasure I record the fact,) there are many liberal minded persons of those denominations, whose catholic souls rejoice in beholding the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom, although not in their own church. And at the close of one of our meetings a few weeks ago, a worthy clergyman of another denomination, who was present, taking our stationed preacher by the hand, said, "I believe the Lord is with you of a truth,-I bid you God speed."

I cannot close this communication

without bearing testimony to the diligence, zeal, and ability, with which our highly valued minister, the Rev. John F. Wright, has laboured in the arduous and important duties of his station. And although much of the time, through excessive labours, exposure, and fatigue, he has been af flicted with bad colds, he has regularly filled his appointments, and "shunned not to declare unto us the whole counsel of God," with life and energy, and "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." He began and has continued his labours in the true apostolic spirit: "For I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified;" and through his ministry it has pleased God to awaken many scores of sinners, to comfort mourners, to reclaim the wandering, to build up and establish believers, and to cause the pleasure of the Lord to prosper greatly in his hands. While on this part of the subject, it is pleasing to add, that, in the promotion of the good work, the official and other members of the church are united as the heart of one man; and among whom the greatest unanimity subsists, and who cordially and heartily co-operate with the stationed preacher in labouring for the good of souls.

Upon a review of what great things the Lord has done for us, how do our hearts swell with gratitude and praise to him! He hath turned again our captivity! He hath made our wilderness and solitary place to be glad; our desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose! And now what shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? We will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord; ascribing to HIM all the glory, whilst OUR's is the boundless bliss!

-But I lose

Myself in Him, in light ineffable:
Come then, expressive silence! muse His praise.
I remain, dear brethren,

Yours in Christ,
SAMUEL WILLIAMS.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION ON ONTARIO DISTRICT.
Letter from the Rev. GEORGE LANE,
WITH inexpressible gratitude to the
great Head of the church, I am enabled
to inform you that the work of the Lord
is prospering gloriously on Ontario dis-
trict. The first quarterly meeting

dated Wilkesbarre, January 25, 1825.
after conference was held on Lyons
circuit, town of Sodus, September 4th
and 5th. Many attended, and much
of the divine presence was realized.
The next week commenced our camp-

meeting, in Ulysses, Seneca circuit. In this place deep rooted prejudices against campmeetings had for some time existed, and it was with some difficulty that leave of the quarterly meeting was obtained to hold one. At the commencement our prospects were rather unpromising. As fears were entertained that the rabble might feel disposed to make us trouble, we took the precaution to appoint a committee of superintendence, to take the oversight of the meeting. This committee was selected principally from among the oldest and most respectable members of our church. The beneficial effects of this arrangement were discoverable throughout the meeting. By the indefatigable exertions of this committee we were enabled to preserve excellent order, and restore, in some good degree, even in this place, the character of campmeetings. From Saturday evening until the close of the meeting, which was on Monday morning, the Lord was with us of a truth, and in great power. As nearly as we could calculate, between fifty and sixty experienced religion. The preachers who attended deserve great credit for the spirit and zeal with which they entered into the work, and performed the duties of their station. Whether in the stand or elsewhere, their grand object appeared to be the salvation of souls. The influence of this meeting has extended to several of the adjoining circuits, and the work of the Lord has revived, and I trust the fruit thereof will appear among the sheaves which will be gathered together in the day of the Lord Jesus. September 18th and 19th our quarterly meeting for Catharine circuit was held in Hector. In the love-feast we had the pleasure of hearing what God had wrought for some souls at the late campmeeting. The congregation was large and solemn, and many appeared to be deeply impressed; from which we anticipated a happy result, nor have we been altogether disappointed. From Catharine I went to Ontario circuit, where the Lord had already begun a gracious work in Palmyra. This is a pleasant village, situate on the great western canal, about twenty-two miles east of Rochester, and is now in a flourishing condition. In this place the work commenced in the spring, and progressed moderately until the time of the quarterly meeting, which was held on the

25th and 26th of September. About this time it appeared to break out afresh. Monday evening, after the quarterly meeting, there were four converted, and on the following evening, at a prayer meeting at Dr. Chase's, there were seven. Among these was a young woman by the name of Lucy Stoddard. This young woman, like many of her age, had indulged in the vanities of a giddy world to the almost entire neglect of her precious soul; but now she was arrested in her mad course by the strong arm of conviction. The great deep of her heart was broken up; she saw clearly that she was a child of wrath, and in danger of hell. With this view of her sad condition, she fell prostrate at the feet of her offended sovereign, and in the bitterest anguish cried for mercy. In this situation, however, she was not suffered long to continue before she obtained a most satisfactory evidence of her acceptance with God through the merits of Jesus Christ. Her soul was unspeakably happy, and with great emphasis she exhorted others to come and share with her the inestimable blessing. From this time she appeared, like Enoch, to walk with God; "scarcely a cloud did arise to darken her sky, or hide, for a moment, her Lord from her eye." In about one week after her conversion she was married, according to previous contract, to Mr. Hiram Willcox. Notwithstanding the pleasantry in which most people indulge on such occasions, all was solemnity with Lucy. Her time was employed in conversing on the great things of eternity, and persuading others to embrace that religion in which she had found such solid happiness.

gion she took a violent cold, which, no Soon after she experienced relidoubt, laid the foundation of that disease which finally removed her to a world of spirits. The same week she was married she was attacked by a bilious remittent fever, which terminated in a typhus fever. For some time she did not think herself, nor was she thought by her friends, to be in much danger; but, at length, her disorder took such a turn as to convince her and others, that her stay in this world would be but short. The patience with which she endured her afflictions, which were sometimes very severe, was remarkable; not a murmur was heard to escape her lips. At times, through the

violence of her disorder, she was partially deranged, though on religious subjects she was always rational, and would immediately recognise any of her Christian friends. "Religion," she observed, "made a sick bed pleasant beyond any thing she had ever anticipated." From Saturday night to the time of her dissolution, which took place on Monday following, she seemed wholly swallowed up in God. Though extremely weak, she was almost incessantly employed in exhortations, prayer, and praise. At one time, while her friends were standing around her bed, she viewed them with great earnestness, and said, “Farewell, my friends, I bid you all farewell!" After this, when the cold sweat had collected on her face, and every moment was expected to be her last, she opened her eyes and began to sing, with a voice that seemed more than human; the effect produced on all present was ir resistible and indescribable. She desired one who was standing by to sing,

"The Lord into his garden comes," &c. and sung with him. She then sung two verses, beginning with

"Jesus, my Lord, to glory 's gone."

After a short pause, and when life appeared almost extinct, she raised her trembling hands, and clapped them three times, crying, "Hallelujah! hallelujah! hallelujah! glory to God in the highest!" From this time she lay in perfect composure until twelve o'clock on Monday, November 1st, when she breathed her last without a

struggle or a groan, after an illness of three weeks and two days, and just five weeks from the time of her conversion. The effect produced by this death was the happiest. While it confounded the infidel, it greatly strengthened believers, especially young con

verts.

From this place I proceeded around the district, and think I may say in truth, that God was with us at all our quarterly meetings. My second tour commenced on Catharine circuit, November 20, on some part of which the Lord is carrying on a gracious work, and the prospect in general is good. Seneca circuit came next in course. A quarterly meeting was held in the neighbourhood of our late campmeeting, since which, several have experienced religion and joined our church; and since our quarterly meeting the

work has revived again, and the last I heard from the place was, that many were bowing to the sceptre of mercy. The quarterly meeting for Lyons circuit was held at Sulphur springs, December 5th and 6th. Here appearances were against us, the people wicked

the society low in religion-the weather cold and stormy, so that but few attended; nor was there much liberty in preaching the word, except in attempting to proscribe the evil of distilling, selling, and drinking ardent spirits; that evil which destroys our property, undermines breaks up the peace of families, and our health, plunges thousands of our fellow beings into the lake of unquenchable fire.* But it pleased God, the week following, to pour out his Spirit on the people of this neighbourhood, in a remarkable manner. The vivifying flame was simultaneously felt throughout the society.

arrested the sinner, and conversions, in Convictions deep and awful many instances luminous as the sun, succeeded. In two weeks I again visited the place, when upward of thirty professed to have experienced religion, and the work, at that time, appeared other parts of the circuit also, the in a most promising condition. On preachers were greatly encouraged. December 11th and 12th our quarterly meeting for Ontario circuit was held in Ontario. It was attended with showers of blessings, and we have reason to believe that much good was done. Here I found that the work, which had for some time been going on in Palmyra, had broken out from the village like a mighty flame, and was spreading in every direction. When I left the place, December 22d, there had, in the village and its vicinity, upward of one hundred and fifty joined the society, besides a number that had joined other churches, and many that had joined no church.

December 18th and 19th we held our

* How much to be regretted, and how much to the dishonour of our most holy religion, that professing Christians, and even Methoddestroying practice. What would be the astoists, are sometimes found engaged in this soulnishment of eastern heathens or western indians, if informed that while we were exerting ourselves to the utmost for their civil and moral

improvement, we were indulging ourselves in a practice at once the most demoralizing and destructive to the souls of our own people. O ed, laid low, and bound by the strong arm of when will this hydra-headed monster be arrestlegislative authority.

G. L

quarterly meeting for Geneva and Canandaigua circuit, in the village of Geneva. The weather was unpleasant, consequently our congregation was small, but God was in our midst to bless us. Saints were happy whilst sinners trembled before him. In the evening one was brought into the liberty of God's dear children, and in one week the number increased to ten, who could testify that God has power on earth to forgive sin; this appeared to be the commencement of a more extensive work. In several other places on the circuit the Lord is at work among the people. In Rushville and its vicinity many have experienced religion. December 25 and 26, quarterly meeting for Crooked lake circuit was held at Bellona. Many appeared sensible of the Divine presence, but of the fruits of this meeting I have not heard. In consequence of sickness in my family I was compelled to neglect the quarterly meetings in Prattsburg, Canesteo, and Newtown circuits. In the former of these, however, there is a good work. Our first quarterly meeting for that circuit, though late in the season, was held in the woods in campmeeting form. In consequence of the lateness of the season but few attended, nor did there at the time appear to be much good done, but the fruits appeared after many days,-and several important revivals on the circuit may be traced to this meeting for their origin. I have heard also that God is doing something for the people in Canesteo. On the whole, we consider the prospects in the district to be highly encouraging the preachers appear to be in good spirits-to suffer no minor object to engage their attention, but keep full in view the glory of God in the salvation of man. To this end they preach, visit from house to house, converse with the people on religious subjects, and pray for them; meet the classes, read the discipline, and establish prayer meetings where practicable. Nor are the local preachers idle spectators of what is going on; but on the contrary, many of them are very active and useful. Indeed, the official members generally appear to be ani

mated with a growing zeal for the prosperity of Zion; and in many instances private members also manifest the deepest concern for their fellow creatures, and labour indefatigably to turn them from darkness to light, and are often successful. May this gracious work continue to prosper until the whole land is filled with the knowledge and love of God; to whose name shall be all the glory. Amen and Amen.

P. S. Having just received a letter from the Rev. J. B. Alverson, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of subjoining an extract. He writes from

Canandaigua, January 13, 1825.

Dear Brother,-With pleasure I employ a moment to give you information of the progress of the work of God on your district. In Geneva the work has increased considerably since you were there; likewise in Rushville. In each place several have joined the society. On Ontario circuit, brother Smith informs me, the prospects are very promising. Two hundred have been added since conference. On Lyons the Lord continues to visit the people in great mercy. At Clyde the prospect is great,-several have recently experienced religion at Lyons village. Eight have lately professed a determination to seek the Lord, in the vicinity of Newark; four of whom have obtained evidence of pardon. At Shermans the work is gradually increasing and extending. At Sulphur springs the work goes on as powerfully as ever; seven were converted last sabbath evening. On Monday evening an attempt was made to carry the war into the enemy's territory, by holding a watch night in Vienna. Mourners from the Springs, crowded the altar of mercy, and three found peace that evening, and one the next morning. Sixty-one have experienced religion since this revival commenced, and forty-one have joined the society. The current has taken a proper direction, flows on without obstruction, and astonishes all who behold it.

Yours, very affectionately,
J. B. ALVERSON.

REVIVAL OE RELIGION IN CAMDEN, oneida county, N. y. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Joseph Baker to the Editors, dated Feb. 11, 1825.

I send you an account of a late revi- in this country to have it inserted in val in Camden, and it will oblige many your Magazine.

VOL. VIII. April, 1825.

21

This glorious work commenced last June, at a campmeeting held in this town, when about thirty professed a saving change, and many others were deeply awakened. A number of those converts belonging to Camden, carried the holy fire to that town, and in a few days an awful solemnity was depicted on the countenances of old and young, and scarcely a meeting was held in Camden for months afterward without some instances of awakenings or conversions in our congregations. Such were the remarkable phenomena at tendant on the footsteps of Immanuel, that all other orders kept at a distance for more than two months, until sixty or seventy were hopefully converted, and the Methodist stood alone in the good work. By this time it became evident that the greater number of those in the town who did not profess religion were greatly alarmed. Some time in August the members of the Presbyterian church began to wake up, and flocked out to our meetings, and testified that God was doing a great work among us; they rejoiced with us, and asked liberty to improve in our meetings, which I need not to inform you was granted. They also appointed meetings in almost every part of the town, and in zeal and diligence went before the first instruments of the work, especially in the number

of their meetings. Some whole fami lies have professed religion. Br. Stoddard, a local preacher, who lives in Camden, has been indefatigable. He has been greatly owned of God in his labours; and God has also rewarded him with the conversion of all his children, (six in number) excepting his two babes. The two eldest have been an honour to their profession in our church fors everal years. This reformation has never stopped in its progress since it began last June: although in Camden it does not prevail so rapidly as it has done, the blessed flame has gone over into Williamstown, Redfield, and Lee; in the first, ten or twelve have recently been brought to the knowledge of the truth, in the second several, and in the latter a general attention prevails. In the town of Richland, a neighbouring circuit, about a hundred have professed religion in the last month! nearly seventy of whom have joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. In Camden we have received eighty members, and twenty-one have united with the Presbyterians.

We are looking for great and glorious things-there is a pleasing prospect at many of our appointments on this circuit, and some are almost daily added to the Lord, and to our Christian fellowship in the church.

REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN ERIE CIRCUIT.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John P. Kent, dated Springfield, Feb. 11, 1825. The happy result of a campmeeting held in Salem, Erie circuit, last August, furnishes another proof of their utility, when arranged and conducted with propriety. This meeting was superintended by the Rev. Charles El liot; and as I understand he intends sending you a particular account of it, I shall only observe in general, that the exercises were attended with a peculiar unction from the Holy One; and that about one hundred were ap

parently cut to the heart. Since that time the work has spread into the adjoining towns of Kingsville, Monroe, Sheffield, &c., and not less than three hundred have joined the different churches, and one hundred and twenty have united with our own church.

The work is still spreading, though somewhat abated in some places. May it deepen and widen until the waters of the sanctuary shall universally prevail.

STATE OF RELIGION IN GENESEE DISTRICT.

Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Goodwin Stoddard, dated Avon, Feb. 9, 1825.

Should any of our brethren in Christ inquire after our spiritual welfare, they may be informed, that we think our circumstances and prospects are every

day brightening. Our affairs at Rochester are much more favourable than formerly, and several have been recently converted, and added to our

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