quent. Through the tender mercy of the Lord, these seasons of refreshing continued with increased frequency and power, till now a very large proportion of those who are members of the church seem to have been turned from darkness to light in revivals of religion. Respecting the operations of the Holy Spirit, Mr. Haynes had adopted the same principles as Edwards and Whitefield. His preaching from the commencement of his labours was distinguished for directness and unction, and was calculated to quicken the believer in his course, to rouse the impenitent sinner from his dangerous slumber, and to guide him to the Lamb of God as the only hope of salvation. He entered with all his heart upon the work of promoting revivals of religion. He possessed the talent of so dividing divine truth as to strip the sinner of all his vain pleas, and present vividly to view both his entire dependance and his obligation to obedience. One third of the term of his ministerial life had passed away previous to the commencement of these remarkable religious revivals, which, in this latter age, have been the glory of the American churches. In that period of lukewarmness and declension, he was not without seals of his ministry. From year to year he occasionally met anxious inquirers after salvation, who were aided by his counsels and prayers.

The church in West Rutland, when he was invested with the pastoral care, consisted of forty-two members, most of whom were advanced in life. The first year twenty-six joined by profession, and few additions were made in subsequent years. It was not, however, till the year 1803, that his labours were blessed with what is now regarded as a revival of religion. This was

truly "a year of the right hand of the Most High." It will be remembered by many favoured churches-it will be remembered in other worlds. The Holy Spirit came down like a mighty rushing wind, bearing away all opposition. An account of this work of grace is given in the following letter to the pastor of the first church in Granville :

DEAR SIR,

*

Rutland, April 5, 1803. I have never taken up my pen with more satisfaction than now, as I am able to inform you of the prosperity of Zion. Since I have been in this place, for the most part of the time it has been a time of stupidity. Only about thirty have been added to the church for fifteen years. We have kept up prayermeetings once a week or fortnight during the whole time. The spirits of God's people have been sunk; but very few attended; our harps were hung upon the willows. Matters grew more and more gloomy till some time in November last. I was almost determined in my own mind to ask for a dismission, when it pleased God to arrest the attention of a very thoughtless youth, who on Sabbath evening opened his distress to me. We appointed a conference-meeting that week, and, to our astonishment, the house was crowded, and a great number appeared to be under deep impressions. The work spread from week to week, till it was difficult to find any dwelling-house that would hold the people. In one instance a large house was so crowded that the sleepers gave way and threw the people into the cellar. None received much harm. Not a day nor night in a week but people would crowd to meetings. The great inquiry among the youth and others was, "What shall we do to be saved?" Children of eleven and twelve years of age seemed to be more engaged about religion than they were before about their play. The minds of the people in general were attentive. My house has been often thronged with people who desired

to discourse about religion. Professors are alive. Never did I behold such a winter as the past. We have been able to reap in the middle of January. I hope the work still continues, and we are astonished at the displays of Divine grace among us. Some of the most open enemies have been bowed to sovereign grace, and brought to sit at the feet of Jesus, and in their right mind. We have, I believe, now but few prayerless families among us in comparison to what there were previous to the awakening. Within about two months we have had above sixty who have made a profession of religion and joined the church; and a great number more will probably soon come forward. [The whole number added to the church was one hundred and three.] Thus it has pleased the Lord to do wonders among us, to the praise of his glorious grace. We ask an interest in your prayers, that those who have named the name of Christ may be enabled to walk worthy of their profession, and that God would continue his work here and through the world. Please write to me by the bearer.

Yours sincerely,

LEMUEL HAYNES. N. B. At Pittsford, the town adjoining Rutland on the north, not less than one hundred and fifty have lately made profession of religion, and the work still con

tinues.

P. S. Two persons, the one sixty and the other above eighty years of age, appear to be subjects of converting grace, who live in Rutland.

In 1808 another season of refreshment from the presence of the Lord accompanied his ministrations. As many as one hundred and nine were added to the church in one year. The following letter has reference to this precious season of revival.

VERY DEAR SIR,

TO THE SAME.

Rutland, April 2d, 1810.

I arise this morning before light to converse with you through the medium of my pen. Why our correspondence has been so long interrupted is almost unaccountable. I find so many domestic and ministerial avocations that I can scarcely find time to write to a friend. This causes me to look on your negligence with a favourable eye. I am sorry I cannot entertain you with a more favourable account of the state of religion in Rutland. We are some of us crying out, "O that it was with us as in months past!" And yet I fear there is but little sincerity in all this, for why are we not up and doing? I think I informed you of what the Lord did here the year past. It was truly a refreshing season. It astonished beholders. I could visit houses and see poor distressed creatures, with their book in their hands, crying out, "What shall I do to be saved?" Blessed be God, we still see the effects of it. I hope far the greater part of families are those who call upon God. But we are sunk into a deep sleep. Political distraction, I believe, has extinguished the flame.

But God is doing wonders around us. At Middlebury the work of God has been astonishing, especially among the students in college. At Shoreham, Orwell, Cornwall, and Whiting, it has exceeded all description. Hundreds have, we hope, bowed to the sceptre of Immanuel. A school at Orwell the other day was so impressed with a sense of their danger as wholly to prevent their preceptor from regularly proceeding amid the sighs and cries of his pupils. The minister was sent for. It astonished the master of the school, who was obliged, though contrary to his inclination, to cry out or to acknowledge that it was the power and hand of God. I hear that twenty-seven of those little creatures have hopefully come to Jesus. O! my dear brother, how comforting the thought, that although we

must soon die, God will have instruments to build up his precious cause in the world.

In a letter Mrs. B. wrote to her daughter, she suggests that some drops have distilled among your people of late. Pray don't despise the day of small things. Thank God and take courage. I had an inclination to visit G the winter past. I long to see you once more in the flesh, but was unexpectedly called to attend an ordination, where many of our church have removed, one hundred and fifty miles to the northward. I travelled about a hundred miles on the lake, which has proved a watery grave to many this season, but God preserved us.

Is it not in your power to wrest as much as five or six minutes at least from more important business to write me a few lines? It would afford me peculiar satisfaction.

My family have been exercised with sickness-some of them have been brought near the grave. Mrs. H. very much unwell, but we all live.

is

Between you and me, may I not mention without ostentation that three of my wicked children, I hope, love God. Oh! help me to praise the Lord! I conclude I am selfish-forgive my impertinence-I ask you to pray for Rutland-for Zion in general-and for one of the least of all God's mercies. Remember me to your dear family-to good Mr. Baker and family. Believe me, dear sir, faithfully yours,

LEMUEL HAYNES.

Mr. Haynes was a most successful and acceptable labourer in religious revivals within his own charge and in the surrounding region. Several churches sought and obtained his labours when practicable. He was much in revivals, and few pastors, it is believed, will have a crown of more gracious seals in heaven than Lemuel Haynes.

In these sacred seasons his private conversations as