power,' and penitently acknowledged, that human depravity, however determined, must yield in a conflict with sovereign grace.-A considerable proportion of the subjects of this work were from the most thoughtless and irreligious members of college. . . . . . The precise number of hopeful conversions, in this revival, I am unable to name; but as, after the lapse of nearly twenty years, I look abroad upon the field of Christian effort, I see several laborers employed,

-Whose doctrine and whose life

Coincident, exhibit lucid proof,

That they are honest in the sacred cause,'

and zealous too; whose energies were, at this time, first consecrated to the service of God; and whose tongues were now first employed in his praise. . . . . . . The only characteristic of this revival, which my time will allow me to mention, is that the instructions given the students, publicly and privately, were plain and pungent, drawn directly from the Bible; and were designed to produce deep penitence, and to lead to the performance of duty."

From a letter of a graduate of 1824; of which I should have made more use in this narrative, had it been received sooner, I extract a single paragraph; because it corresponds with my observations and belief. After referring to the labors of the faculty and other means used in this revival, he observes: "I might add, that there was at that time, and I trust still is, a stated precious female prayer meeting in the village, where the mothers and daughters in Israel met together to pour out their hearts in prayer before God in behalf of Zion; and the college usually shared largely in their petitions to the throne of grace. My extensive acquaintance with those, who attended that meeting, the interest they manifested concerning it, and the account of its character and exercises, received from them, led me to put more confidence in the efficacy of that prayer meeting, than in almost any other means that were used."

The extracts, which follow, are from a letter, already quoted, of a graduate, who, at the time of this revival, held the office of tutor in the college: "The revival of 1821," he observes, "had some very marked features. Previous to the descent of the Spirit, there had been a declension among the professed disciples of Christ in college. A few continued faithful; but the most 'slumbered and slept.' 'At midnight there was a cry made; Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.' This was almost literally fulfilled in those deeply thrilling scenes, which occurred in the night, connected with the case of MHe was the ornament and the pride of his class. Zealously and ambitiously devoted to his studies, he had neglected 'the great salvation.' When, therefore, on that long to be remembered night, they saw and heard him begging for mercy with such intense earnestness;-O, how many hearts were then smitten and wounded, to be healed only by the blood of Christ. Several students, belonging to the different classes in college, who have since been successfully preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, were then aroused to attend to the things which belonged to their everlasting peace.”

"There is no doubt, in my mind, that in that scene, there was much animal feeling and excitement, both on the part of the professors of religion, and on the part of the impenitent. Nor, on the other hand, have I a single doubt, that there was much of the Spirit's operations. Eighteen years have since rolled away; and numbers, who were then awakened, still continue to love the Lord Jesus, and to labor in his service." "That season of revival in college has been the means, already, of bringing hundreds, if not thousands, into the church of Christ... . . . As in the previous outpouring of the Spirit, so in this, some of the professors of religion in college, were greatly useful by their prayers and by their godly conversation. The accounts which were given of that revival, both by letter and by the students themselves, in their subsequent vacation, were the means of great good in several places." "When I reflect on the scenes of that revival, and on the events which have since occurred, connected with it and consequent upon it, I cannot help exclaiming; 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem ;'—pray for the colleges throughout

the length and breadth of the land ;-pray for all our literary institutions, that the Spirit may sanctify the hearts of the many thousands, who are now in a course of literary training for future public life."

Seventh Revival.

In October, 1825, a powerful and interesting revival commenced, both in the village and the college. I cannot better describe the work, as it existed in the latter, than by transcribing a letter recently received from a beloved pupil, who was then a member of the institution and an early subject of that work of grace:-"Your letter," he observes, "requesting some reminiscences of the revival of 1825-6 in Middlebury College, has awakened many recollections of the most interesting description in my mind. And, although I am too much hurried, and exhausted both in body and mind to give you a clear and well digested statement; I shall be glad, if I can discharge even a small part of the debt I owe to your paternal care, and to the institution where, if I am not wholly deceived, I first began to live. For what is the life of an irreligious young man, wasting his time, and neglecting his advantages?-The vacation following the commencement of 1825 was marked by a degree of folly and even vice on the part of some few of the students, who remained in town. Soon after the term began, the pious students made a special effort to promote religious feeling among themselves. In particular, a lecture read, according to custom, before the Philadelphian Society, by one of the members, on the sin of Achan, produced a strong feeling in many minds. One young man in particular, since dead, whose religious character had stood as high, at least in the estimation of the irreligious students, as the average among professors of religion, was deeply impressed in view of his spiritual deficiencies, and almost driven to despair. He left the meeting in deep horror of mind, feeling that he should not live till morning; and made his way directly to a room, where several of the students were engaged in mirthful amusement. He entered with a haggard face, and kneeling down besought God and them to forgive him for the evil example he had set them; adding, that as for himself he was a lost man, and should be in perdition before the next morning light. A friend entered, and with some difficulty drew him away. But the assembly was broken up; and the next circle which met in that room, was a praying circle, composed principally of the same young men. I am not, however, able to say, to what extent this occurrence was the direct cause of awakening.-The work soon became general, both among Christians and others. In a short time nearly the whole college attended the religious meetings. Almost without exception, those who took this step, became deeply impressed; and at one time there were not more than three or four, who could be said to be wholly indifferent. The scene was now one of deep interest. So universal was the interest, that no false shame led to any concealment of impressions or of religious exercises; and the voice of prayer might be heard, at different times in the day and evening, from the rooms, by one passing through the college halls. Even the groves and fields were not always silent; and while one occupant of a room was using it as a place of prayer; the other might be heard, under the cover of night, unconsciously revealing, by an audible and impassioned utterance, the place of his out-door supplications.-During this whole time there was little, if any, interruption of the regular college exercises; the faculty wisely judging, that as religion is a thing for the whole life, it was best to have its first exercises, as its succeeding ones must be, interwoven with the ordinary duties of life. . . As to the number of those who became permanently interested in religion, you have doubtless better means of information. From the circumstances in which I was placed, my attention was chiefly occupied by my own case, and that of a few others, with whom I was intimately acquainted. I have a strong impression, however, that the revival was hardly less marked in its influence upon those, who were already hopefully pious, than upon the impenitent portion of the students. The standard of religious feeling must, I think, have been greatly changed."

The young man, whose case is particularly described in this letter, was a graduate of 1826; and, as he is not now living, I do not deem it improper to record his name. Edmund Chamberlain was a member of a Baptist church, in the northern part of this State. He was a respectable scholar and an amiable young man; and, as far as was known to the faculty, his deportment did not dishonor his profession. But it seems his own conscience, enlightened and quickened by the Spirit of God, led him to a different decision in his own case. Under the awakening influence of the lecture of a classmate, on the sin of Achan, applied, it would seem, by the Holy Spirit, he was convinced of sin, as a backslider. God saw fit to keep him, for several weeks, in darkness, under the horrors of despair; and thus to use him, as an instrument of awakening and warning to others. Many were thus awakened; and some of them found peace in believing, long before the dark cloud was withdrawn from his mind, and the joys of salvation restored to his soul. The day of his deliverance, however, came; and he lived to adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour; and finally died, as I have understood, in peace and hope.

From a letter of a member of the class of 1829, of course a freshman at the time of this revival, I make the following extract: "I remember the seriousness commenced with pious students; and was effected through the instrumentality of a lecture from brother M-, read to the Philadelphian Society, at their first meeting in the fall term, on the removal of the accursed thing from Israel, (the case of Achan,) which greatly shook the hopes of professors of religion.”— After alluding to the striking case of Chamberlain, the writer adds: "I recognize some burning and shining lights, in the ministry, who were the fruits of that work. Those who remained steadfast were mostly in the advanced classes. I remember several of my own class, who professed hopes; but whose subsequent lives did no honor to their profession."

The last remark in this extract leads me to add, as the result of my observation, not only in this revival, but in all the revivals in college, which I have been permitted to see, that the best and most advanced scholars, who were hopefully converted, generally continued steadfast in the faith; while more feeble-minded and indolent students often apostatized. Indeed, I can scarcely recollect an instance of apostacy in a member of a senior class, of respectable scholarship, or of any class, in a scholar of vigorous and well disciplined mind; while many instances occur to my recollection, of young men, in the lower classes, of indolent habits and unfurnished and feeble intellects, who were awakened and seemed to be converted, who nevertheless soon fell away and disappointed the hopes of their friends. I add, there can be no such thing as an idle Christian; the union of the terms constitutes a solecism in language, and involves an absurdity in idea. Facts might be adduced to show, that an indolent and negligent student, if truly converted, must become active and industrious diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;' and that all pretended conversions, where habits of idleness continue, will prove spurious, and end in apostacy.

In this connection, I make a farther quotation from the letter, from which a long extract has already been given, under this head. The writer adds to what he had stated concerning the extensive and blessed influence of the revival: "One other fact occurs to me. It is a painful one; and I should avoid mentioning it, were it not for the probability that it may be a useful warning to those, who are surrounded by similar scenes. It is this; I have never heard of the subsequent awakening and conversion of any one of those, who passed that revival without giving their hearts to God. They have all, so far as I know, gone on in the way they then chose."-This remark is in accordance with a general fact. Very few, who continue impenitent, and without religion, force themselves through a four years' course, in a college often visited by the special influences of the Spirit of God, ever after become deeply interested in the subject. There are, indeed, some striking exceptions; but they are mere exceptions to a general rule. Only twenty-four of all, who have thus passed through this college, since my connection with it, are known to me (and I have followed them with a parental eye and inquired after them with parental

solicitude) to have subsequently obtained Christian hopes and made a credible Christian profession. It is therefore generally true, that those, who pass through powerful revivals in college, without submitting to God, and consecrating themselves to his service, become peculiarly hardened and careless; and there is little hope of their subsequent conversion to God.

To the foregoing statements and remarks, I have only to add, that the same means and measures, which were used in the preceding revival of 1821, were employed in this; and that the students, as heretofore, received great benefit from attending public worship in the village; and in turn exerted a happy influence by uniting with the inhabitants of the village, in social prayer meetings and religious conference.

Eighth Revival.

After the revival of 1825-6 had subsided, there succeeded, in college, a state of order and regularity, corresponding with the apostolic description of primitive Christianity: Then had the churches rest and were edified." And though there were some short periods of increased religious attention and effort among professors in college, with a case or two of seriousness and anxiety among the impenitent, I do not recollect that, for four years, there was any season of general anxiety and inquiry, which corresponds with the definition of a revival of religion, given at the commencement of this communication. But in the spring of 1831, both the village and the college were blessed with a revival of great extent and mighty power. It commenced in the village. Indeed, though the Congregational church had, for some time before, been in a reviving state, there was no appearance of increased attention to religion in college; till a protracted meeting was held in the village, denominated at the time a 'Four Days' Meeting,' from the length of time devoted continuously to religious exercises and public worship. After much prayer and consultation, the church resolved to hold such a meeting, early in the month of April. The clerical members of the college faculty, as well as other ministers from towns in the vicinity, assisted the pastor of the church, and took an active part in the exercises. The effects of the meeting were exceedingly happy, reaching the whole town, and exerting a powerful and delightful influence on the college.— Similar meetings, it will be remembered, and with similar effects, were held, during that year, in various parts of the country. Their utility consisted principally in their tendency to excite attention in the careless; to increase the fervency, union and perseverance of prayer among Christians; and to afford to ministers repeated opportunities and new facilities, for presenting divine truth to the mind, while in a susceptible state. The expediency of holding such meetings, and especially of repeating them in the same place, was doubted by some; but admitted, I believe, by all judicious ministers, to depend on the circumstances of time, place and previous preparation. My own views on the subject were expressed at large, in a series of essays published in the Vermont Chronicle, the same spring, over the signature of Presbuteros. These views have not been essentially changed by subsequent experience and observation. Indeed, the remarks there made, on the necessity of preparation for them, the danger of frequently repeating them, and their liability to abuse and perversion, have been abundantly illustrated and confirmed; and the cautions, there given, have, in my apprehension, acquired increased importance.-This meeting in Middlebury, however, was called under such circumstances, and so judiciously conducted, as to produce none but the happiest effects. The college, as I said, felt its influence. The Spirit seemed to be poured upon nearly all the students simultaneously.-Though no college exercises, if I rightly remember, were omitted, except three in the afternoons of the three first days of the meeting; yet scarcely an individual in the institution, failed to be brought under the influence of the truth and the Spirit of God. All seemed to be more or less solemnly impressed. With sonie, indeed, these impressions did not prove abiding and sanctifying. Their solemnity subsided; their convictions wore away; and they returned to their vanities-to 'the beggarly elements of the

world.' But with many, these impressions were deep; and resulted in their hopeful conversion. Some of the subsequent meetings in college were peculiarly solemn and interesting. The senior class, which I often met, not only in the regular course of instruction, but for prayer and religious conference, were delightfully zealous and persevering in their efforts to persuade all to come to Christ, and to help one another forward in their Christian course. In the result all the members of the class were hopefully converted, except one; and I shall never forget the tenderness with which he was besought, and the fervency with which prayers were offered for him; while he stood alone, sometimes trembling, like an aspen leaf; but still obstinately, and as we have reason to apprehend, fatally resisting, unto the end!

From a letter, addressed to me by a member of the class of 1832, who was a subject of this revival, and whose case is described in the letter itself, I make the following extracts: "Six in my class have given evidence of having been converted at that time." "There were seasons in the revival, in which a solemn and deep impression seemed to be universal among the students. And probably the judgment-day will establish the fact, that not one individual passed those days of indescribable interest entirely destitute of the strivings of the Holy Spirit." . . . . "There were some cases of a peculiar character. One member of my class, took up the subject of religion, with the greatest deliberation, and began to read his Bible, and to think; and thus were his convictions of sin, and his apprehensions of the value of an interest in Christ, gradually strengthened, until he was led to a decision, from which he has never seemed desirous to swerve. .. He now preaches the gospel." . . . . . “Another young man was visited frequently by Christian friends; and often felt deeply impressed. He, however, succeeded in resisting the influences of the Spirit; till one evening, when a lecture was preached in the chapel from these words, in Jer. iv. 5: Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth.' Here he felt that he must make a decision. His heart, however, was passionately set upon the legal profession. He thought, 'I must surely be a minister, if I become a Christian now. I will postpone the decision, until I am established in business, and in the first revival I then witness, I will give my attention to the subject.' With this conclusion he for a few moments felt satisfied. But as he was leaving the chapel, a young Christian friend [a beneficiary of the American Education Society] took him by the arm. It was a beautiful evening; and they walked together; they conversed; they wept. At length this young man took back his decision to procrastinate; and leaning on the shoulder of his young friend, said: 'If religion is for me, I will now have it.' The next day he was rejoicing in hope. . . . . He is now in the ministry; and has been permitted to see many coming to Christ."

After mentioning a third interesting case of conversion, the description of which I am obliged to omit, the writer of the letter adds: " Among the means used in this revival, and blessed by the Head of the church, may be mentioned prominently, personal, private conversation and prayer. And O! could the friends of the American Education Society see how highly instrumental of good were some of the beneficiaries of that Society in the revival of 1831, they would be more strongly encouraged to the exercise of faith and vigorous action in that benevolent cause."

Ninth and Tenth Revivals.

I place these two revivals together; because they resembled each other in character; occurred under similar circumstances; and were very near each other, in point of time. The former occurred in the spring of 1834, and the latter in the autumn of 1835. Both were promoted by the influence of protracted meetings in the village; and in both much less was done, than in preceding revivals, by special meetings and peculiar efforts in the institution itself. That of 1834 commenced early in the season. Two young men who remained in town during the winter vacation, became serious and obtained hopes before the commencement of the spring term. Simultaneously a spirit of solicitude