tion, in the higher seminaries, they saw with equal clearness, that to depress the standard of ministerial qualifications, was not the way to bless the churches at home, or the heathen abroad. While they mused the fire burned'-as their views expanded their faith increased; and calling in their ten thousand dollar subscription, for an Academic Professorship, they promptly substituted one of fifty thousand, to raise a permanent Charity Fund, to aid such young men of hopeful piety and promising talents, as lack the means, in obtaining a thorough classical education.

This large subscription being filled up, beyond the hopes of all, but the most sanguine, those who had watched its progress with trembling solicitude and many prayers, 'thanked God and took courage:' and under the impulse which the success of so important a measure was adapted to impart, they made immediate arrangements for the establishment of a collegiate institution, entirely separate from the Academy in the town of Amherst. It cannot be supposed, that the men who were most forward and active in this important enterprize, ever intended to close the doors of their new Seminary against any class of students of good moral character, who might wish to come in and enjoy its privileges. At the same time, they were chiefly moved to the arduous undertaking, by a desire to increase the number of well educated ministers of the gospel; and they hoped, I have no doubt, that the great body of students would, from generation to generation, devote themselves to the sacred profession. Strange indeed would it have been, if with such hopes and feelings, the pious founders of Amherst College, had not, as soon as it was opened, begun to pray that every young disciple within its walls might grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,' and that those who were yet in their sins, might speedily receive the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.' A large majority in the first classes, were professors of religion when they entered the Institution; and they exerted a great religious influence. But the first year passed away, without any special tokens of the divine presence; and though, to use the language of one who was then an undergraduate, 'much prayer had been offered by a few of the pious students, the first term of the second year was marked with a great degree of thoughtlessness.'

It may be proper to remark here, that the Institution then just struggling into being, was overwhelmed with difficulties. Its first application for a charter had been thrown out of the General Court, by the most decisive and discour aging majorities. It was strenuously maintained, that another college was not wanted in the State; and that neither this nor any other similar prayer could be listened to, without doing great injustice, by the virtual withdrawment of pledges already given. Under these discouraging circumstances, the pious friends of the Seminary were led to look more fervently in prayer to God, that whatever might be the result of its efforts to obtain an act of incorporation, it would please him to consecrate it more entirely to himself, by a revival of religion, and in this way to draw around it the hearts of thousands who had hitherto taken no very lively interest in its success. They believed that their motives were good, and that their pecuniary offerings had been accepted; and they trusted in the Lord of Hosts to sustain their enterprize.

First Revival in 1823.

Their prayers, as there is every reason to believe, were answered. God began to pour out his Spirit, early in February, 1823, and the work of grace did not wholly cease, till the close of the term in April. It ought to be mentioned in this connection, that there were, during that winter, extensive revivals in the immediate vicinity; and that many of the pious students, having spent the vacation in the midst of them, returned to College greatly refreshed and animated. I cannot learn, that beyond these favorable circumstances, this glorious 'time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,' was preceded by any tokens or efforts worthy of particular notice. At one period, and I believe near the commencement of this merciful shower, 'the heavens poured down righteousness,' and it seemed as if every sinner would be converted. President Moore

manifested all that lively interest in the advancement of the work, which might have been expected from his evangelical sentiments, and well known religious character; and the more prominent professors of religion in the several classes, were exceedingly active in visiting the rooms of their fellow students, exhorting the impenitent and holding social meetings for prayer and religious conference. Among these may be mentioned S. Maxwell, S. Boroughs, and E. Paine, who have been called early to their eternal reward.

As there was then no church, and no preaching on the Sabbath in college, the students attended worship in the village, and enjoyed the ministry of the Rev. Daniel A. Clark, which was well adapted to show them their guilt and danger; and which seems to have been very much blessed in the conviction and conversion of sinners. Had the trumpet at that critical juncture, given an uncertain sound;' had any human voice cried, 'Peace, peace,' in contradiction to the voice of God, which declares, that there is no peace to the wicked,' how many might have lingered and perished on the plain, who it is hoped, 'fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel.'

The number of students then in the Institution was ninety, of whom fifty or more were professors, when the revival began, and more than two-thirds of the remaining thirty, it was thought, gave evidence of being brought out of darkness into marvellous light.' What, if any, were the peculiar characteristics of this great work, (for great it certainly was, considering the number to be converted,) I have not been able to learn. The immediate results were most happy, and were much increased and prolonged, by the lamented death of Dr. Moore, which took place early in the summer of the same year.

In October I came to Amherst, and have been intimately acquainted with the religious history of the College, from that time to the present. As I found the great body of the students the professed followers of Christ, and as the influence of the senior class, on the Lord's side, and as a matter of course, on the side of good order, was very great, the government of the Institution was an easy task, as will always be the case where nearly all the members of any community are a law unto themselves.' But as new classes entered, and our numbers annually increased, the decided preponderance of which I have just spoken was gradually lessened, and in three years, we found that unless the Lord should appear for us, we were in danger of soon having a majority within our walls who knew not God, nor obeyed our Lord Jesus Christ.' In this state of things, and with these alarming prospects before them, the faculty and pious students felt, that they had not been faithful; and that something more must be done, than had lately been attempted, although frequent social meetings had never been discontinued. It now seemed to many, at least, that it was high time to awake out of sleep,' and the brethren began to speak oftener one to another. Special meetings of church members were held; a spirit of prayer seemed to increase; Christians began to ask, What can we do; and it was evident to the most unobserving eye, that there was an increasing religious interest springing up among them. But then it was, when some certainly felt a great deal, and nearly all the professors in college were expecting a revival, that satan took the alarm, (I say this, because I am a firm believer in his malignant hostility to all genuine revivals,) satan took the alarm, and arrayed as many as he could in opposition to the onward movements of the church. Among these were a few individuals of skeptical speculations, if nothing worse; and as they were persons of plausible address and considerable talents, they unhappily succeeded in drawing others over to their party, who but for this malign influence, might probably have been accessible to their religious classmates. The stern and fixed purpose of the leaders seemed to be, not only to case themselves in adamant, but to fence out the Spirit of God from the whole impenitent circle of their retainers. The struggle was a hard one, but alas, in the end they triumphed. I shall not be understood by this remark to mean, that any thing is too hard for the Lord,'-or that he could not have disarmed and annihilated his enemies in a moment, if he had chosen to do it; but that they were very determined and persevering in their opposition to our efforts, and that to rebuke and humble us for our want of faith and reliance upon his arm, he suffered

them to prevail. A single soul was all the fruit,' so far as we could see any reason to hope, that was gathered' during that season, 'unto life eternal.'

And yet I am far from thinking, that the real children of God amongst us, 'labored in vain and spent their strength for naught and in vain.' Their prayers were not lost, though their faith was tried. God will certainly avenge, or appear for his own elect, though he bear long with them.' He knows how to bring them into straits, that they may feel their own nothingness, and be prepared to acknowledge his out-stretched hand in their enlargement. This is only one, of several instances, in which I have afterwards seen evidence, more or less striking, that God was preparing his people for a blessing under great present discouragements..

Second Revival in 1827.

Before I proceed to give an account of this revival, it seems proper, that I should go back a little, and glance at some of the measures which preceded it, and gradually prepared the way for it. The following is the first entry in our church records.

"It having appeared to many of the pious friends of Amherst College, that the existence of a church in that seminary, would tend in a high degree to promote the great object which its founders and benefactors had chiefly in view, viz. to advance the kingdom of Christ, the Redeemer, by training many pious youth for the gospel ministry-several of the students also having expressed their desire to be formed into a church, specially connected with the College, and the officers of the Faculty having signified their approbation of such a measure the subject of founding a church was laid before the Trustees, at their special meeting in 1825 by the President.

"Whereupon the Trustees passed the following resolution, viz. That Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., Rev. Joshua Crosby and Rev. James Taylor be a Committee, to consider the expediency of establishing a College Church in this institution, and to proceed to form one, should they deem it expedient.

"The above named Committee met at Amherst, on the 7th of March, 1826, and after deliberation on the subject referred to their wisdom and discretion, resolved themselves into an Ecclesiastical Council, and voted to proceed to form a church in Amherst College, on the principles of the Congregational platform, of such persons desiring it, as should upon examination, be judged by them entitled to the privileges of church-membership, and should be able heartily to assent to the following Articles of Faith and Covenant.

"We believe-That there is but one living and true God, and that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, were written under his infallible guidance, and constitute the only perfect rule of faith and practice.

"That the one God, exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, 'the same in substance, equal in power and glory.'

"That God created all things for his own pleasure and honor, and directs all events, according to his own benevolent, eternal and immutable purpose.

"That the first man was formed upright and holy; but by disobedience, involved both himself and his whole posterity, in the entire loss of the divine image, and the divine favor.

"That the atonement by Jesus Christ, who was the Son manifest in the flesh, has opened the way for the restoration and salvation of all men, on the condition of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"That-genuine repentance and sincere faith, and all right affections, proceed from the Holy Ghost, who through the revealed word, and according to the gracious pleasure of God, renews the heart, in righteousness and true holiness. "That all who thus repent and believe, being justified by faith, will be saved only on account of Christ the Mediator and Redeemer, and will continue in holiness, and enjoy the blessedness of heaven forever.

"While all who die without repentance, will at the day of judgment, be condemned for their own sins, and will remain in impenitence and justly suffer everlasting punishment."

Covenant.

"We enter into solemn covenant with Jehovah and with this church. "To God our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, we sacredly devote ourselves and ours, without reserve and forever. And we solemnly engage, as partakers of the same hope and joy, to maintain the discipline and observe the ordinances of Christ, promising to seek always the peace and purity of this church, that all its members may in holy love and harmony, enjoy the fellowship of the Lord Jesus, watching, reproving and comforting each other, for mutual edification and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ,' who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.'

Then follow the names of the persons, thirty-one in number, who came forward, and having presented their letters, were examined by the Council and publicly assented to the preceding Articles and Covenant, were solemnly constituted, the church of Christ in Amherst College.'

In the course of the year, twelve or fifteen persons more, were received by letter; but the church continued to commune, by invitation, with the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. D. A. Clark, as before. There was, however, during this period, a growing conviction, in the minds of the members, that it would be for the religious interest of the church and of the college, to have a regular pastor and separate worship, as soon as circumstances would permit. Under this impression, a committee of the church was appointed, on the 9th of November, to address a letter to the Trustees on the subject of electing a pastor. Their reply was, that the Board highly approved of the measure; and accordingly, the President of the College was elected; and on the 28th of February, 1827, the day on which the College chapel was dedicated, the installation took place, in the presence of a large and deeply interested audience. From that time to the present, we have regularly worshipped by ourselves, in term time. The pulpit has been supplied half the year, on alternate Sabbaths, by the pastor, and the other half, by the clerical professors.

Before the dedication and installation just alluded to, there were some tokens of an increasing spirit of prayer in the church, and the feeling of responsibility was evidently deepened by the solemnities of that occasion. Nor was it long before the same determined spirit of hostility broke out, which had been so active and triumphant the preceding year. There were a few, who seemed to have made up their minds, that there should be no revival, while they remained in College; and they had no doubt of being able to keep it out. Poor infatuated young men! Suppose they had succeeded-it would have been like the triumphing of a ship's crew, in beating off the only life-boat that could possibly reach them, among the foaming breakers. But though the more hardened of them scoffed, and held their mock-meetings and every where carried their heads high, God did not permit them to prevail. The time, yea the set time to favor Zion had come.'

The first discourses, preached in our new chapel, were listened to with uncommon interest. It was evident, we thought, for two or three Sabbaths, that the Spirit of God was hovering over the place. As the term advanced, however, there was, for three or four weeks, no apparent increase of solemnity, although a few, I believe, went up 'seven times in a day' to look for more decisive harbingers of a spiritual shower. As no cloud was yet distinctly seen, their faith was put to a severe test. The spring vacation was rapidly aproaching, and many began to think it too late to hope for a revival. At this crisis, there was, what I know not how I can better designate, than by calling it a general alarm among the pious members of College. They were distressed. They could not bear to separate again, till had they had seen the salvation of God-but what could they do? All felt, that whatever was done must be done quickly. Special meetings of the church were called. The unbelief of the wavering was kindly, but solemnly, rebuked. "You think that there is not time enough left for a revival, and are almost ready to say, 'If the Lord should make

windows in heaven might this thing be.' But is his hand shortened that it cannot save? How much time does he need, to awaken and convert a sinner, or any number of sinners, however stupid? How long did it take the Holy Spirit to convert Saul of Tarsus, and the jailor, and Lydia, and the three thousand?" Appeals like this, accompanied with exhortations to more fervent prayer and deeper self-examination, seemed to be blessed. Christians began to call upon God, as they had not done before. Backsliders opened their eyes and trembled. There were great and distressing searchings of heart. Many gave up hopes which they had cherished for years; and it was impossible for us any longer to doubt, that a revival was actually begun in the church. This was about the middle of April, and only three weeks before the end of the term. In the mean time, there began to be a noise and shaking among the dry bones.' The first decisive indications of it were developed at an evening lecture, which was unexpectedly crowded, and at which a discourse was delivered from these words of our Saviour, Notwithstanding, be ye sure of this, the kingdom of God is brought nigh unto you.' An unwonted solemnity soon came over many a thoughtless countenance. Sinners were alarmed-the anxious inquiry was heard, 'What must I do to be saved?' and some began to rejoice in hope. By the 20th of April, five or six of the Freshman class had a new song put into their mouths.' But although many were greatly distressed, something seemed for a short time, to impede the chariot of salvation. What is it, what is it!' was the general and anxious inquiry in the church. A day of fasting and prayer was appointed, and we can never doubt, that it was a day of God's power. From that time, the work advanced with surprising rapidity. Of the thirty who indulged the hope that they were born of God, twenty, at least, dated that great change from a single week. It was the Lord's doing and marvellous in our eyes.'

The whole number of students then in college, was one hundred and seventy. The work continued till the term closed, when there were about thirty in all, who went home to their friends without God and without hope-many of whom, however, had been deeply affected, and very few indeed, if any, had remained unmoved. We felt that this gracious visitation of the Holy Spirit, demanded our public and most grateful acknowledgements before we separated. A religious meeting was accordingly appointed, as the parting exercise, and a very impressive and appropriate discourse was delivered in the chapel, by Dr. Woodbridge, then of Hadley.

But several things have been passed over in this rapid sketch, which ought, perhaps, to detain us a few moments, before I proceed to notice the next revival. Those who pray most fervently for the out-pouring of the Spirit upon our public seminaries, and who wish to learn all they can about the means and instrumentality by which God carries on his work, in these important institutions, may ask,How often did you preach, and what other meetings did you hold? What was the general strain of your preaching-what measures, new or old, did you adopt-how did you address inquirers-what was the general type of their convictions-what advice was given to the church-what apparent agency had she in forwarding the work, &c. &c.'

I will answer as briefly as I can. As indications of the special presence of God became clearer and clearer, we gradually increased our weekly meetings, till we had preaching, (besides the regular ministrations of the Sabbath,) on Sabbath evening, then on Tuesday evening, and again on Friday evening-an inquiry meeting on Monday evening, and a church prayer meeting on the same evening, besides some others, which were occasionally called, as the state of things seemed to require. The preaching was from such texts as these 'It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.' 'Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.' 'The carnal mind is enmity against God.' The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.' 'I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.' 'If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I help thee?' 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' 'No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.' 'Ye will not come to me that ye might have life.'