previously uninformed or unfavourably impressed as to its real character and designs. There is no reason for doubt or apprehension but that the anticipated meeting at Southampton will equal its predecessors in interest and efficiency. More than this can hardly be desired or hoped, yet must no care be omitted by which it may be made, if possible, to exceed them: for, surely, the success and gratifications of the past must not blind us to the thought that there are measures of faith and love, zeal and wisdom, far transcending any it has yet been given us to attain. One deeply interesting association tenderly connects English Independents with Southampton, which may, on occasion of your expected visit, be turned to pleasing and profitable account. It was the birthplace of your sacred poet, Dr. Watts. There, at the cold prison-door of the town, his mother often nursed his tender infancy, while his father was incarcerated within its walls for his consistent and conscientious nonconformity. For more than a century have the Independent churches been cheered, edified, and delighted by the holy songs in which the poetic genius and the religious feelings of that In public great man are so sweetly blended. worship and at the Lord's table-in the closet and on the dying bed-what multitudes have at once cherished and expressed the inmost feelings of their hearts by his most truthful and touching strains. It will be permitted even to dissenters and Independents that on visiting Southampton they feel themselves not superstitious, but affectionate and grateful pilgrims to the birth town of their poet, their ornament, and their benefactor.

Now, honoured brethren, the Committee presents the interests of this Union to your fostering care. Your Committee has no other duty or pleasure but to receive and obey your instructions to consult and promote your interests. It has full hope that the Union will be consolidated and advanced by the proceedings of this Assembly. The Committee has admitted visitors to your present session in larger numbers, but then also under more orderly regulations than heretofore. Herein no more has been done than to adopt in London a practice already proved in several Autumnal Assemblies to have been attended with much advantage and pleasure; and it is hoped that in future years, by persevering in this course, the actual members of the Union, entitled to speech and suffrage, may together occupy a distinct position in the place of meeting, and visitors also have their separate part assigned to them. As yet, members and visitors have been mingled promiscuously; and on various occasions of voting many hands have been held up, with not the least intention of any disorderly act, by those not members or entitled to vote. As now there is a defined membership in the Union, there should also be in its Assemblies a corresponding separation between members and others. The pastors and delegates of contributing churches, and personally subscribing officers of churches, are alone members of the Union, under its rules. The orderly and consistent carrying out of these regulations will alone secure an income, a membership, and a grave dignity of proceeding in this Union. May it still grow stronger, wiser, and more pure as a federation intended to prove that there may be Union without sacrifice of liberty, order without assumption of authority, and the strength of

numbers without restraint of individual action in a great community of Christians determined not to give place to subjection-"no, not for an hour!"

The Rev. George Smith, of Poplar; and the Rev. John Kennedy, M.A., of Stepney, moved and seconded:

III. That this Assembly has received with satisfaction the Report on its Publication department, and especially that branch of it relating to the Magazines, and to the appropriation of their large profits in grants to aged ministers, and in aid of deferred annuities for the support of the insured brethren in their declining years. And the Assembly would recognize and acknowledge its deep debt of gratitude to the unwearied Editor for his very great and most successful labours.

The Report on British Missions was read by Rev. Robert Ashton, in behalf of the Secretaries, in consequence of its containing reference to changes in their official position.

It was moved by Rev. Thomas Aveling, of Kingsland; and seconded by Rev. W. Legge, M.A., of Reading:

IV. That this Assembly entirely and cordially responds to the sentiments expressed in the Report on the vast importance of the united and universal efforts of all the Independent churches in support of objects of common and equal importance to them all. It perceives how we are enfeebled, as a body of Christians, by want of this unity and co-operation; and that nothing could be more important and beneficial to our body than to create within it a general sentiment in favour of so wise and equitable a course. In particular, this Assembly cannot discern how otherwise the annual supplies needed for the all-important objects of British Missions and General Education can be obtained; and would most respectfully invite the attention of those churches that have never yet aided these great undertakings to the subject.

The Chairman announced that the Meeting was adjourned to Friday Morning, at Half-past Nine, when the business of the Session would be re-commenced, after devotional exercises, by Rev. Thomas Binney.

The benediction was pronounced, and the brethren separated.

The Annual Dinner was provided at Radley's Hotel, New Bridge-street; the Rev. Dr. Morison presided.

After dinner, the Rev. Dr. Redford introduced the Rev. C. G. Finney to the Meeting, and made some statements respecting the result of Mr. Finney's labours for two months in the city of Worcester.

Rev. C. G. Finney gave some interesting particulars respecting the origin and progress of the Oberlin Institute, and the state of religion in that College, and in America generally; together with some observations on his labours in promoting revivals in this country: at the conclusion of which

It was moved by Rev. J. A. James; and seconded by Rev. James Sherman :

V. That this Assembly cordially greets their brother, the Rev. C. G. Finney, and, through him, the Churches of America; also expresses its sincere gratification with the address now delivered by him to the assembled brethren; and moreover prays that his visit to England generally, and to London in particular, may prove of essential service-reviving the piety and stimulating the energies of the Churches of Christ, and awakening the deepest solicitude in the minds of multitudes respecting their spiritual and eternal destinies.

10.

ADJOURNED MEETING, Friday Morning, May The Rev. Dr. Morison in the Chair. The Rev. Thomas Scales offered prayer. The Chairman called on the Rev. Thomas Binney to give a verbal report of his visit to the Congregational Union of Scotland, as the representative of this Union; which being done, Mr. Binney introduced the

Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, as the delegation from Scotland to this Assembly. The venerable Doctor having delivered an interesting and gratifying address,

It was moved by Rev. James Parsons, of York; seconded by Rev. Dr. Vaughan, of Manchester:

VI. That this Meeting has heard the report of the Rev. Thomas Binney, respecting his visit to Scotland, with feelings of liveliest pleasure and satisfaction; and hereby tenders sincere thanks to its highly-esteemed brother for the faithful and successful discharge of the duties assigned him as its representative at the recent meetings of the Congregational Union of Scotland.

And this Meeting moreover cheerfully welcomes the presence of its venerable friend and brother, the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, in its Assembly, as the representative of the Congregational Union of Scotland; has heard with much gratification his statement respecting the condition and progress of religion among the sister churches in that land, whose prosperity and increase wil ever afford this Assembly the highest pleasure; and would assure Dr. Wardlaw of its undiminished esteem and affection, and offer its fervent prayer that his valuable life may be long spared as a blessing to his family, his church, his denomination, and the world.

To this Resolution, passed by acclamation, Mr. Binney and Dr. Wardlaw responded.

Mr. Binney suggested the desirableness of an Evening Soirée of Brethren, for tea and more familiar and fraternal communion than could be enjoyed in the public assembly, and that the Thursday evening of the Missionary week would be a suitable time for such an engagement.

The Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, B.A., suggested an instruction to the Committee to consider the subject of admitting Reporters to the Assembly in future.

Samuel Morley, Esq., rose and requested the attention of the Assembly to a Resolution on the subject of the Magazines and their Editor, which was essentially necessary to complete the Resolution passed on Tuesday, as a rider to that adopted respecting the Report.

The following Resolution was moved by Samuel Morley, Esq.; seconded by Rev. Dr. Tidman; and carried by acclamation:

VII. That this Assembly, referring to the Resolution adopted on the 7th inst. with regard to the Magazines hitherto connected with the Union, and being desirous of preventing any public misapprehension on the subject, declares that, so far from intending the slightest imputation on the integrity and right-mindedness or general qualifications of their laborious Editor, cherishes a high estimate of the value of his past services, and cordially desires for him a long career of usefulness in promoting the cause of Christian truth, believing that the arrangement, while it will relieve the Congregational Union from an undesirable responsibility, will leave to the Editor a more unfettered right to the expression of his own personal views on any of the great subjects which now prominently occupy the public mind.

The Rev. Dr. Campbell addressed the Assembly at considerable length, and concluded by expressing his satisfaction with the Resolution now passed, in connection with that passed on

Tuesday, to which it was to be regarded as an appropriate and a necessary sequel.

The following Resolution on Lectures to the Working Classes was moved by Rev. George Smith, Poplar; seconded by Rev. Dr. Massie, London:

VIII. That the Assembly has learned, with great encouragement and pleasure, that the experimental Course of Lectures delivered to Working Men in London and elsewhere, last November, in connection with this Union, proved so successful; and would recommend the brethren residing in all places where the artizan population is numerous, to consider whether they could not, by lectures, conferences, and other suitable plans, place themselves in such friendly and favourable cominunication with this numerous and important class of their countrymen as might open the way to exceeding great usefulness.

The business of the Congregational Board of Education was introduced at Twelve o'clock. The Report was read by Rev. Josiah Viney, and the Cash Account by the Treasurer, Samuel Morley, Esq.

It was moved by Rev. Henry Marchmont, Islington; seconded by Rev. Andrew Reed, of Norwich:

IX. That the Union exceedingly rejoices in the vigorous and effective operations of the Board of Education, and in the cheering prospect of their ability, by the generous liberality of friends, to purchase Homerton College, without the incumbrance of a debt; and recommends to the cordial support of the churches the further efforts of the Board of Education.

The Metropolis Interments Bill was adverted to by Rice Hopkins, Esq., of London, and others; whereupon it was moved by Rice Hopkins, Esq.; seconded by Josiah Conder, Esq.; and carried unanimously:

X. That this Assembly, while cordially admitting that it is highly desirable that interments in towns should be abandoned, feels called upon to express its strong disapproval of the "Metropolitan Interments Bill," for the following reasons:

1. Because the powers proposed to be given to the General Board of Health are much more extensive and arbitrary than ought to be granted to any such body. Not only may they make proper regulations for sanitary purposes, but the Bill proposes to authorize them to purchase, provide, and lay out burial-grounds; to build chapels; to appoint chaplains, and other officers and servants; to conduct funerals, and charge such fees for them as they may determine; to grant such perpetual annuities as they may think fit to existing incumbents of parishes, and to their successors, for the loss of burial-fees which they may sustain by the abolition of interments in their respective parishes; and to incur various other expenses, and then to levy a rate on the inhabitants of the district, without asking their consent, to make up the annual sums required to meet these expenses, in the event of the burial-fees being insufficient.

2. Because it confers enormous patronage on the Bishop of London, such as no individual ought to possess. The Bill provides that all chapels required in "consecrated portions" of burial-grounds shall be erected according to a plan approved of by him; no chaplains can be appointed without his license, and they must then be under his control; and the annuities to incumbents are not to be reduced without his approbation.

3. Because of the sectarian character of the Bill, which proposes to divide burial-grounds into what are called consecrated" and "unconsecrated portions," so as to perpetuate religious distinctions among the dead, instead of allowing that wiser absence of distinction which is found in cemeteries in Germany and Paris.

4. Because of the gross injustice which the Bill would inflict on the inhabitants of the Metropolis,

by requiring them to pay the perpetual annuities already mentioned to incumbents of parishes, for services which they can never be required to perform.

That in order to give effect to the opposition of this Assembly to the "Metropolitan Interments Bill," a Deputation be appointed to wait on the Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., by whom this Bill is conducted in the House of Commons; and that such Deputation consist of the Rev. Dr. Morison, the Chairman, the Rev. Drs. Campbell and Massie, Mr. Alderman Kershaw, M.P., and Messrs. Conder, Hanbury, Swaine, and Hopkins.

That inasmuch as it is understood that if this Bill be passed for the Metropolis, a general measure of a like nature will be introduced for other parts of the kingdom, it is desirable that our brethren generally should, as far as practicable, endeavour to induce their Representatives in Parliament to oppose the objectionable features of the Bill which have been already mentioned, and to urge the Government to substitute for the present measure one that shall be economical, just, and equal.

"Australian Colonies Bill."-The following Resolution on the above Bill was moved by Josiah Conder, Esq.; seconded by Rev. Thomas James, Secretary of the Colonial Missionary Society:

XI. That this Assembly, having regard as well to the general interests of the British Colonies, as an integral part of the Empire, as to the religious rights and interests more especially of the free churches of their own order in the several Colonies which repudiate all State support by grants from the public purse, feel called upon to express their strong dissatisfaction and indignant regret that, in the pending Bill for extending to the Australian Colonies the benefit of constitutional self-government, an insulting restriction should be laid upon the local legislatures in respect of the allowances now made from the Colonial funds to the ministers of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan, and Romish communions; forbidding any diminution or alteration of those grants without the consent of the Crown.

That this invidious and offensive proviso is directly at variance with the great principle of Colonial government, as enunciated by Earl Grey, in a despatch to Sir C. Fitzroy, that all affairs of merely local concern should be left to the regulation of the local authorities; that, with reference to their own religious institutions, the Colonists, having the deepest concern in the matter, ought to enjoy the most complete liberty of judgment and action; and that the jealous anxiety of the Imperial Government to bar the adoption of any better arrangements by the Colonial Legislatures is but too likely to provoke political discontent and religious discord.

That, as a very considerable portion of the population derive no benefit from these grants to the ministers of the four religious bodies, because it is contrary to their religious principles to accept of State support, such allowances made from the general taxation involve, in the opinion of this Assembly, an unjust exaction, and have ever proved a source of sectarian jealousy and social discord. That, nevertheless, this Assembly would not have felt called upon to complain of Her Majesty's Ministers, had the Bill left the determination of this delicate question to the discretion of the Colonists themselves; but they cannot but regard the arbitrary and compulsory perpetuation of the system by Imperial interference as alike uncalled for, impolitic, and dangerous to the peace of the community.

That the cordial and respectful thanks of this Assembly are tendered to Charles Lushington, Esq., M.P. for Westminster, for having, in pursuance of notice, moved, as an Amendment on the Bill, the omission of the provisions referred to, and for the very forcible manner in which he urged these grounds of objection upon Ministers and Parliainent; also to the forty-four honourable Members who, on a division, voted in favour of Mr. Lushington's Amendment, which was rejected by a Government majority.

Marriage Bill."-A Resolution on this subject was moved by Rev. Robert Ashton; seconded by Benjamin Hanbury, Esq.; and carried unanimously:

XII. That this Assembly declares itself decidedly in favour of the measure now before Parliament for permitting and legalizing the marriage of a widower with his deceased wife's sister, believing that the existing state of the law is far from satisfactory, and leads to greater moral evils than those it is intended to remedy; and believing that the question may be left, with safety and advantage, to be adjusted by the free action of the religious feeling and sound sense of the British people.

That this Resolution be embodied in the form of a Petition to the House of Peers, and signed in behalf of this Union by the Chairman and Secretaries.

Moved by Rev. Alexander Fraser, A.M., Blackburn; seconded by Rev. J. Fleming, Lan

caster:

XIII. That, in accordance with the recommendation to that effect by the Preliminary Meeting, held on Monday last, the Rev. John Kelly, of Liverpool, be respectfully requested to fill the Chair of this Union for the year 1851.

Moved by Rev. Thomas Scales, Silcoates; seconded by Rev. J. S. Russell, M.A., Yarmouth:

XIV. That, pursuant to a similar recommendation, the churches and pastors of Hull be requested fraternally to receive this Union at the Autumnal Assembly of 1851.

Moved by Edward Swaine, Esq.; seconded by Rev. Thomas Binney:

XV. That, at the close of its present Session, this Assembly do stand adjourned for the Autumnal Meeting, appointed for Southampton, in October next, on such days in that month as may be arranged between the brethren in Southampton and the Committee of the Union.

Moved by Rev. Thomas Pullar, Southampton; seconded by William Wills, Esq., Bristol:

XVI. That, as advised by the Preliminary Meeting, held on Monday last, the Committee of the Union be re-appointed, with power to add to its number; also, that the Treasurer and Secretaries be requested to retain their respective offices.

Moved by Dr. Stroud, of London; seconded by Rev. John Sibree, Coventry :

XVII. That the best thanks of the Assembly be hereby presented to the respected pastor and deacons of New Broad-street Meeting-house, for the cordial and prompt willingness with which they granted the use of this building for the meetings now drawing to a close.

Moved by Benjamin Hanbury, Esq.; seconded by Rev. Dr. Massie:

XVIII. That this Assembly cannot adjourn without an expression of sincere and affectionate sympathy to their honoured brethren, Rev. Algernon Wells, and Rev. W. Stern Palmer, now absent through personal affliction; nor without assuring them of their fervent prayers that they may speedily return to their accustomed offices and duties, with renovated health, and increased devotedness to the service of their Lord and Master.

Moved by Rev. Thomas Adkins, Southampton; seconded by Edward Baines, Esq., Leeds:

XIX. That, with assurances of much personal esteem and regard, this Assembly presents to the Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Morison, its grateful acknowledgments for the ability, firmness, and courtesy with which he has presided over its various proceedings, and by which he has so essentially promoted the order and success of the whole.

The Chairman acknowledged the Resolution, and the Rev. Dr. Campbell concluded the meeting by offering solemn prayer.

NONE of the Psalms contains so much that directly bears upon the work of Gospel diffusion, and that is so specially pertinent to the times which are passing over us. Our Fathers have told us glorious things of what the Lord did in their days, in the conversion of men; and it is well that we, their children, should familiarize our minds with their heavenly tale. The Lord has, at present, as it is written in a subsequent verse, in a measure "cast off and put us to shame," and " goes not forth with our armies." As applied to the days passing over us, however, this language must be somewhat qualified: the Lord has not wholly cast his people off; the work of salvation is still advancing; but for many a day there has been an end of those glorious manifestations of grace and of power which distinguished the times of our Ancestors.

On the present occasion we would fix attention, for a little, upon the memorable case of Cambuslang, which stands associated with some of the most extraordinary facts of the religious history of Scotland. Cambuslang is a little village about four miles distant from Glasgow. In the year 1742 the minister of the parish was the Rev. Mr. M'Culloch, who, in reference to the wonderful work of which we speak, in a letter to a friend, expressed himself as follows:

66 'May 8th, 1742.

"SIR,-As the report of the good work at Cambuslang, which has for several weeks engaged the attention of numbers in this city and country in the neighbourhood, is now spread over a great part of the nation, it is no wonder that one who lives at the distance you do should be curious to have a true relation of it; and as I would be glad of any opportunity to serve you, it is very agreeable to me to think that I can gratify you in this matter; especially in what concerns the people in that parish and some other parishes near it, having had opportunity to converse fully with the minister of Cambuslang, and with many of the people there who are under this spiritual exercise, and also with some other ministers who have several in their parishes who appear to be under the same happy impressions.

"There is one thing in the entry I must apprize you of, viz., That I am to confine myself to a simple narration of facts, as the evidences

VOL. VII.

on which the opinion of many concerning the present happy change that is wrought in that people is founded, without entering into any reasoning, but leaving it to yourself to draw proper conclusions from the facts, after comparing them with Scripture rules and instances.

"I must also acquaint you, as it was natural to expect, when, on a singular occasion of this sort, great numbers of people from adjacent towns and country came flocking to a place that became so remarkable, that in such a promiscuous multitude some counterfeits would readily happen. It was the early care of ministers who interested themselves most in that matter, to enter into a strict examination of those who appeared to be under more than ordinary concern, so as to obtain satisfaction to themselves whether the work was solid, being justly apprehensive that the powers of darkness would not fail to employ their devices to bring contempt on what would tend so much to the honour of the Gospel.

"In these watch ful endeavours, it must be owned that some impostors were found to have mixed with the sincere; but there is reason to bless God, that, so far as yet appears, they have been very few; and as these have been severely rebuked, so the most awful warnings have been given against all such insincere pretensions, which warnings, there is reason to believe, have had very good effects.

"Now, sir, to give the short history of this matter:

"The minister of that parish, in his ordinary course of sermons for nearly a twelvemonth before this work began, had been preaching on those subjects which tend most directly to explain the nature and prove the necessity of regeneration, according to the different lights in which that important matter is represented in holy Scripture: and for some months before the late remarkable events, a more than ordinary concern about religion appeared among that people; one good evidence of which was, that about the end of January last a petition was given in to the minister, signed by about ninety heads of families, desiring a weekly lecture should be set up, which was readily granted, and the day fixed on Thursday, as most convenient for the temporal interests of the parish.

"On Monday, the 15th of February, 1742, there was a general meeting at the minister's house of the particular societies for prayer that had subsisted in the parish for several years before on Tuesday there was another meeting for prayer there, the occasion of which was a concert with several serious Christians elsewhere about solemn prayer relating to the public interests of the Gospel; in which concert only a small number of people in Cambuslang were engaged at first; but others getting notice of it, desired to join, and were admitted. The people who met for prayer these two days apprehended

X

they had been so well employed, and found so much leisure for it, that they had a third meeting on Wednesday; but on all these three days they returned timeously in the evening to their own houses; so far is it from being true that they rushed from some of these meetings to the church, where they continued for some days and nights, as was reported.

"Before Thursday, February 18th, they had week-day sermons only on Thursdays, according to the above-mentioned desire of the parish; and before that day, though several particular persons came to the minister from time to time, under deep concern for their salvation, yet there came no great numbers together. But on that day, after sermon, a considerable number of people, reckoned by some present about fifty, came together to the minister's house, under convictions and alarming apprehensions about the state of their souls, and desiring to speak with him.

"From this unexpected number coming in an evening in so great distress, and the necessity of the minister's exhorting them in general, and conversing with many of them separately, you will easily perceive that he behoved to spend that night with them, as he did the best part of two or three more since this work began, which is now about twelve weeks.

"After this, numbers daily resorted to that place, some to hear the word, some to converse with those who were under this remarkable concern, and others with different views; and the desires and exigencies of those were such, that the minister found himself obliged, without any previous intimation, to provide them with daily sermons, a few days excepted; and, after sermon, usually to spend some time with them in exhortations, prayers, and singing of psalms; being especially encouraged thereto by the extraordinary success with which God was pleased, from time to time, to bless his own ordinances; insomuch that, by the best information that could be had, the number of persons awakened to a deep concern about salvation, and against whom there is no known exception as yet, has amounted to above three hundred. And through the blessing of God, the work seems to be still making considerable progress every week, and more for some weeks of late than some time formerly.

"Of the number just now mentioned, the far greater part have already given, both to ministers and other serious Christians, a good account of what they have felt in their convictions and humiliation for sin, of the way of their relief by faith in the mercy of God through Christ, and of what they feel in the prevalent inclinations and disposition of their hearts.

"As to their devotion and other parts of their practice, which is that which chiefly attracts the attention and regard of this country, there are comfortable accounts given of it by those who have the best and most frequent opportunities of knowing their daily behaviour.

"The parish of Cambuslang being of so small extent, that most of the people live within a mile of the church, and some who have the best intelligence being almost every day with the minister, he and they have abundant opportunities to know the practice of such of the people I am speaking of as live within their bounds; and the account they give of it is, that they appear to be in a very hopeful way; and

the like good accounts are given by several ministers and others of such of those people as belong to the neighbouring parishes.

"Among the particular good fruits already appearing, both in Cambuslang and elsewhere, the following instances seem very encouraging. A visible reformation of the lives of persons who were formerly notorious sinners, particularly the laying aside of cursing and swearing, and drinking to excess among those who were addicted to that practice; remorse for acts of injustice, and for violations of relative duties, confessed to the persons wronged, joined with new endeavours after a conscientious discharge of such duties; restitution, which has more than once been distinctly and particularly inculcated in public since this work began; forgiving of injuries; all desirable evidences of fervent love to one another, to all men, and even to those that spoke evil of them; and among those people, both in Cambuslang and other parishes, more affectionate expressions of regard than ever to their own ministers, and to the ordinances dispensed by them; the keeping up divine worship in families where it was neglected very often by some, and entirely by others; the erecting of new societies for prayer, both old and young, partly within the parish, where no less than twelve such societies are newly begun, and partly elsewhere, among persons who have been awakened on this occasion; and, together with all these things, ardent love to the Holy Scriptures, vehement thirsting after holy ordinances, earnest desires to get private instructions in their duty from ministers and ot hers, with commendable docility and tractableness in receiving such instructions.

"This thirst after knowledge is particularly remarkable in those who were more ignorant, several who cannot read, and some of them old persons, being so desirous to be better acquainted with the Word of God, that they are resolved to learn to read, and some of the younger sort actually putting themselves to school.

"I would farther add, that these good impressions have been made on persons of very different and opposite characters and ages-on some of the most abandoned as well as the more sober; on young as well as old; on the illiterate as well as the more knowing; on persons of a slower as well as those of a quicker and more sprightly genius; and, which seems to deserve special attention, on persons who were addicted to scoffing at sacred things, and at this work in particular at the beginning of it.

"The sum of the facts I have represented to you is, that this work has been begun, and carried on under the influence of the great and substantial doctrines of Christianity, pressing jointly the necessity of repentance towards God, of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and holiness in all manner of conversation; that it came after such preparations as an extensive concern about religion gradually increasing, - together with extraordinary fervent prayer in large meetings, particularly relating to the success of the Gospel; that great and successful pains have been taken to discover and discountenance hypocritical pretences, and to warn people against what might have the least appearance of enthusiasm or delusion; that the account given by a very large number of people of their inward exercises and attainments seems to agree with the Scripture standard, and they are bringing