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vited them to retire and settle the difficulty. They retired, but soon returned with unsubdued hearts and determined looks. The moderator perceived the deeprooted difficulty, and felt the importance of plain and faithful dealing. He arose and observed, "That we have all gone out of the way; that we all fail in living up to the Christian profession; that we often stand in the gap, and stop poor sinners from entering the kingdom of Christ. Oh! how important it must be for Christians to be active. How painful the thought that the Redeemer should be wounded in the house of his friends! Our time is short. What we do we must do quickly. Reason, experience, religion instruct us to do all in our power to administer comfort to those who abuse us. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Forgive from the heart those who trespass against you. Oh, let us strive to make those who abuse us happy as we can while we live; for, if they do not repent, they must finally be pierced to the heart with an undying agony. What is life but death to him that destroys not his passions. With a bruised and humble heart, do, my friends, overcome these evil passions. Forgive one another-then the clear light of the Divine favour will illuminate your souls."

At this distance of time, only a very imperfect sketch of what was then said can now be given. Many of the beautiful illustrations and happy turns of expression, for which Mr. Haynes was distinguished on special occasions, are now lost from the memory; but they were not lost on the parties concerned in these unchristian divisions.

The effect of this affectionate and solemn appeal was indescribably happy. When the moderator closed his remarks, the parties were melted with tears. They took each other by the hand, made penitential confessions to each other and to the church. The whole church also arose simultaneously, and mutually made confessions. It was a blessed season. Tears of penitence flowed copiously. God was pleased to "pour upon them the spirit of grace and supplication, and they looked upon him whom they had pierced, and mourned for him as one mourneth for a first born." The church was thus reclaimed and humbled, and prepared for a heavenly visitation. A religious revival commenced immediately.

CHAPTER XII.

LETTERS.

LETTER I.

FROM MR. HAYNES TO THE PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN GRANVILLE.

VERY DEAR SIR,

Rutland, January 12th, 1805.

It seems, for some reason, our correspondence has for a long time been interrupted. Whether it is not through criminal inattention, may be a serious question. May it again be revived? Granville being my former home, renders intelligence from thence interesting. I often hear from you, though not by letter. Were I at your house, your first inquiry would be-" How is religion among you?" I must answer,-Not as in days

past, though some hopeful appearances. A little boy of twelve years old joined the church a few days ago; being asked what was the means of his being awakened, he said, that "he thought one night that he had been given up to God in baptism, and he thought it to be his duty to give himself up to God." He is a remarkable instance of piety. I wished that our Baptist brethren had heard the relation.

The alteration that God has made in this state within the last two or three years is surprising. Thousands have been converted. The call almost everywhere now is-preach! preach! The harvest is great. I have been on a mission last fall, and was pleased to see the attention among the people. I am fully convinced that missionary exertions should be encouraged. We have formed a society in this state. I think we shall be able to maintain one missionary constantly; but labourers are few. You have heard of the death of the Rev. Dr. Swift. He died suddenly, while out on a mission, at the same time that I was out. I had an interview with him a few days before his death. Why so useful a man was taken away, and such a vile wretch spared, is to be resolved into the sovereign wisdom of God. Our loss is almost insupportable. Zion trembled when he fell. I wonder that I have not visited Granville before now. Never was I so taken up with ministerial work, but yet do nothing. I still hope to see you. I am to set out to-morrow for Woodstock, over the mountains, to an ordination.

Remember me at the throne of grace.

Yours sincerely in gospel bonds, &c. This was written in the greatest haste, which must excuse inelegance-'tis time to attend conference.

LETTER II.

TO THE SAME.

REV. AND DEAr Sir,

Rutland, February 9th, 1806.

Did you know the satisfaction it affords me to hear from you and from Granville, the place of my former residence, I am persuaded you would feel yourself amply rewarded in writing to me. You speak of stupidity among you, and I wish I was able to tell you that it is different with us. We have had great and peculiar trials, such as I have never experienced since I have been in the work of the ministry; but, through the blessing of God, they have in a good measure subsided. I think, on the whole, matters are growing more favourable as to religion in Vermont. Ministers are settling very fast. Middletown, Middlebury, Essex, and Shorham, afford recent instances. Many other towns are following their example. I think, as Dr. Burton observed the other day, that infidelity is on the decline, which makes the enemy to rage violently.

I was apprized of Mr. S- -'s sentiment more than a year ago, by a man from his parish. I think that Arianism is what will now call for the resistance of the advocates for truth.

I was exceedingly pleased with your proposal to contribute something for the use of children. I think we are too apt to neglect them. The future being of the church depends, under God, upon them. Should I be able to afford any materials for the work, I shall most willingly contribute.

In answer to your question* I would readily say, No; for the reasons following:-God nowhere requires it. Those exercises necessary for damnation are what the holy soul would deprecate. The damned will for ever hate God and seek his destruction. A Christian can never see that it is for the glory of God to damn him.

*Does true submission ever imply a willingness to be damned for the glory of God?

We are to seek the good, and not the misery of our own souls. So, to be willing to be damned for the glory of God, would involve a contradiction. God never will and never can reveal to his people that 'tis his or for his glory to damn them. Much might be said on the subject, but as you wish for an answer just as you state the question, I give it hastily; perhaps my reasoning is not conclusive. The text often quoted as supposed by some to carry a different idea, is Rom. ix., 3. Much has been said on this difficult text. I will submit the following remark to your consideration. I find the Greek word axo, which is translated from, often rendered with, as you will see by turning to your Greek Lexicon, and I could give instances in the Scriptures had I time, but the bearer waits. Perhaps the reading is, "I could wish myself accursed with Christ, or die an accursed death as he did, for my brethren and kindred according to the flesh." But this is submitted to your examination. I intended to have enlarged and furnished you with some of my plans of sermons, if they would be worth notice, and by that means have excited you to have made me better returns. I preached to-day from Psal. xlviii., 14, and from Judges x., 14. On the first I had this method:-To show, I. In what sense God is the believer's God. 2. That he will always be their God. 3. The great advantage in having him for our God. The other text afforded this point:That those who have any thing short of the true God for their God, may expect to have none other to go to in the time of their distress. 1. Who are they that have any other God? 2. A day of tribulation will soon overtake such. 3. Prove the point.

Sir, please to write to me as soon as possible. Believe me yours, in the fellowship of the gospel.

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