In Middlesex, there is a good work going on. About forty have been hopefully converted. Also in Orange of late a number have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and the prospect appears good. Vershire circuit is on the rise. After a long drought, the showers of grace are descending. About thirty since Conference have been added to the church. Barnard circuit is not forgotten. There appears to be a general rise in the classes, and a small addition to the church. On Wethersfield circuit the work is glorious, and we bope it will spread in every direction. Athens has been revived, and some added to the church. Unity is gaining in spirituality; and in Claremont there have been some recent conversions, and the prospect is good for a general work. At Lyndon the society is gaining in spirituality, and some in numbers. Danvil circuit is low. On Craftsbury the brethren are well engaged, and pressing into the kingdom of holiness. In Cannada, this Conference has no preacher. We have had some instances of sanctification on different parts of the district.

REVIVAL OF THE WORK OF GOD IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine.

DEAR BRETHREN,

HOPING that the following account of a gracious revival of religion, which has lately taken place in this city, and its vicinity, may be subservient to the interests of Zion, by being inserted in your interesting Miscellany, it is sent for that purpose, should your judgment coincide with mine.

Pittsburgh, Feb. 1, 1821.

Yours respectfully,

SAMUEL DAVIS.

The revival of religion with which this place has been favoured, has continued, with little interruption, for about a year and a half; during which time, great numbers have been awakened and converted to God; God; and about five hundred have been added to the society. Of this number, about two hundred and sixty became members in the space of six months. Such are some of the most prominent facts of this gracious work. As to the circumstances of its rise and progress, it may be proper to state, that in the summer of 1819, the Camp-meetings in the western part of Pennsylvania were made a great blessing. From these, the sacred fire spread through the western circuits and stations generally, under the jurisdiction of the Baltimore Conference; so that searcely any part of our work was left "unwatered and dry;" but the towns of Washington, Brownsville, and Union; the Redstone and Ohio circuits, with our favoured city, were most abundantly blest.

We would not say, that the circumstances and causes leading to this glorious work, are to be traced no higher than the Camp-meetings of August 1819; but, that these meetings contributed largely in bringing it to maturity. They elicited sparks, which had long been buried; and raised to a flame, fires that had for some time been kindling. The faithful preaching of the gospel of a free salvation, which this place enjoyed, like leaven, was imperceptibly working its way; and like a hammer, was breaking the rock in pieces. Prejudice, ignorance, insensibility, and bigotry, which are found every where, and which much abounded here, were yielding to the force of truth and numbers had taken the advice of the apostle, "Prove all things-hold fast that which is good." Many sincere souls had been praving night and day, "Lord, remember thy Zion, -revive thy work in the midst of the years-in wrath remember mercy." For they believed, as one of them lately told me, that "the Lord had much people in this city." The sequel proves they were not mistaken.

When appointed to this place in the spring of 1819, I found the congregations pretty large and attentive. An increasing attention and seriousness were soon manifested. Our prayer-meetings were well attended, and a spirit of serious inquiry was excited;-deep and general convictions followed;and it now became very evident, that the object for which my faithful predecessors in union with our brethren, the local preachers. had been labouring and praying, was nigh at hand. The time of refreshing coming from the presence of the Lord, was indicated by the appearance of the cloud of mercy that was gathering over us. It soon broke in abundant blessings upon us! The concern and distress of those who were anxiously inquiring What they must do to be saved," soon enlisted the sympathies and prayers of God's people in their behalf. For they who have themselves drunk the bitter draught of repentance, know how to feel for those who are drinking the wormwood and the gall. But few there were, when this work commenced, who did not recognize it as God's work. Although" marvellous in their eyes," they knew it to be "the Lord's doings." If they were astonished, it was not the astonishment of ignorance, like that of the Israelites, who, when they saw the manna, cried out, "What is it?" but the pleasing sense of the marvellous, excited by an unusual manifestation of God's mercy, to themselves and their fellow sinners.

An immense number of auditors now attended our public meetings; but actuated, no doubt, by various motives and feelings. Many came to pray, and seek salvation-some to mock, and some who were astonished at the report they had heard, resolved to see and hear for themselves. and came, saying, "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" but they remained under feelings of reverential awe, and acknowledged, like Jacob, "Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not!" They were surprised to see so large, so serious, and so deeply affected an assembly; -to see from fifty to an hundred penitents fall upon their knees to be prayed for,-to hear their cries, and fervent supplications to God for mercy; and to see inany of them rise with every mark of delight and joy, and give Glory to God!" for having delivered their eyes from tears, their feet from falling, and their souls from the pit of corruption!

Some there were, as might be expected, who mocked, and called it the work of the devil: others said it was fanaticism, delusion, hypocrisy, the effect of a disordered and terrified imagination, madness; and in short, any thing but religion. This is not strange. There never was a revival of God's work, which was not opposed by the devil and lukewarm professors of religion. Those who now speak against crying and rejoicing aloud, had they then lived, would have joined with those who said to Bartimeus hold thy peace; and with those who said of the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost come upon them, These men are filled with new wine!' So little know they of God's work. Indeed bigotry is so unyielding, that it is not willing that even the Almighty should work, except in a way suitable to its

views.

In relation to what is termed, and perhaps in some instances with propriety, the extravagance of revivals, I must be permitted to say, that in this case there was less of it, considering the magnitude of the work, than in any I have ever witnessed. And I will add, of the number who became convicted, and were exercised on the subject of religion, as many were happily brought to the knowledge of the truth, as in any revival that I have seen. Of the genuineness of the work many have given satisfactory evidence, by the fruits of good living which they bear. May their fruit remain!'

Although I have not observed any peculiar characteristics by which this revival might be distinguished, yet no doubt this sketch might be enlivened by descriptions of some particular cases, if the writer could depend on his judgment in the selection of them. This therefore he declines; but would observe, that a connected view of the whole, cannot fail to be interesting to the friends of Zion, as it furnishes increasing testimony that Christ reigns in the midst of his enemies.

The number that joined us was composed of persons of almost every age, condition, and circumstance in life: and, it may be added, of almost every denomination of the professing christians of the place, of which there are eight or ten. If these persons are questioned concerning the reasons which induced them to leave the churches, in which perhaps both they and their forefathers were brought up, their answer in general, is substantially this: 'That the want of the life and power of godliness was so great, and spiritual helps and counsellors so few, that they believed their safety and eternal welfare endangered by remaining; and, that they were actuated by the sincerest sense of duty. That a regard to the riches and pleasures of the world, or the honour that comes from men, had any influence upon them, will not be readily supposed. Another reason has been added by some: 'Their minds when convinced of sin, were no longer able to relish the doctrine of unconditional predestination; and they believed, that the doctrine which could yield them no comfort nor peace while seeking the Lord, would not be good food for them when born of the Spirit.' It was to them, while labouring under the burden of their sins, cheerless news to hear, that God by a sovereign act of preterition had passed by the many, and only provided mercy for the few-and animating to their distressed minds to hear, that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved-that he so loved the world, as to give his Son to die for them-that Christ Jesus did taste death for every man, even the vilest of the vile-and that the chief of sinners may obtain mercy! These considerations will be esteemed sufficiently weighty to justify them in the important step which they have taken.

Towards the close of the last conference year, there having been a rapid accession of members to the church, it was thought by some, and indeed a little feared by myself, that we should have a sifting in the ensuing year: as, in most revivals, there are many stony-ground hearers, who, having no root in themselves, endure but a little while. But in this I was happily disappointed; having, since my return to the station, had the satisfaction to admit to full membership, most of those who had been previously received on trial. These are going on their way rejoicing, and not fearing to win the day: and the Lord still continues to add to our numbers. Oh! may they be such as shall be saved!

A camp-meeting which was held last August a few miles from this place, was made a great blessing to the young converts, as well as to many others, who were then brought from darkness to light. We trust that the Great Head of the Church, who has begun this good work, will also carry it on. Although the flame of a revival may in a great measure subside, there can be no necessity for the work of God to stop and the reason why revivals are not more general, and of longer continuance, must be, in general, the unfaithfulness of professors of religion.

To those who have been conversant with the history of Methodism in this place from its rise, and who, with lively interest have marked its progress down to the present; the retrospect must afford matter for the liveliest feel. ings of gratitude to God. Yea, when they look back but a few years, and compare what they then were with what they are now. their souls in pleasing astonishment must cry out, "What hath the Lord wrought!" When they consider. that about ten or twelve years ago, an apartment in a private house was sufficient to contain the society, and all who chose to assemble with them to hear the word preached; and that now, that little society has swelled to a church of near seven hundred members, possessing two meeting-houses, (one of which is large) which are well filled, on Sabbath evenings especially, with serious and attentive hearers. A review of these circumstances constrains them to acknowledge, that it is indeed " the Lord's doings, and marvellous in their eyes"-" that they who were not a people, should become the people of the Lord." "The Lord reigneth! Let the earth rejoice!"

From the London Methodist Magazine.

ST. DOMINGO.

In our last two numbers we inserted letters, giving an account of the persecutions endured by our Society in Port au Prince, and the neighbourhood. The following publication made in the Church by the Catholic priest, who, it seems, was the principal agent in instigating the proceedings which have been detailed, will amuse our readers, while they will more deeply sympathize with those who are the objects and victims of the fiery spirit which it breathes.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Everiste.

The society at Port au Prince and the neighbourhood now consists of 72 persons, without reckoning a considerable number who desire to be admitted, but which we do not receive yet until instructed; the society spreads now in the mountains and plains.

Sunday, Jan. 16, a publication was made in the Church by order of Francois Jeremie, Priest, against our society, in these terms:

"All the faithful are hereby warned that the Methodist religion, which is now in this city, is a bad religion; he or she who follows it, shall never see the face of God; but shall be eternally delivered up to the damnation of hell. Therefore, all the faithful are hereby exhorted to have no communication with the people who compose that society. I know that meetings are held in divers places of this city, but woe unto him who joins them, for it is an abomination in the city. On this account I exhort the faithful not to go to these meetings, for that religion is an abomination to all good people. I thus warn the faithful, because I perceive some of them have gone amongst their people, and attended their meetings; but I exhort them to come out from amongst them, for they are a people to be despised. Let not the faithful have any communion with them. I know this religion to be absolutely bad; for two young entered the society, but their relations being displeased, compelled them to leave it. It is a religion destructive to mankind. It is impossible it should take root in this Republic. It is necessary that it should be exterminated."

men

The following extracts from a recent letter do great honour to the character and principles of the President, Boyer, and it would be unjust to withhold them. This spirit in the rulers, will, we hope, ere long, bring the vexations of an innocent people to an end.

Many were, at different times, cited to appear before the President, who at first used to dismiss them, saying, that every man was at liberty to serve God as he thought fit; but latterly he has been importuned to assume a style somewhat different. At Leogane, six were put in prison at one time by the General of that department, for having been found praying in the country. The President, on a tour, visiting Leogane, went directly to the prison, where he found several prisoners. He inquired of each what was his crime, and liberated whom he thought proper. And when he was about leaving the town, called for those who had been imprisoned for praying; and sharply reproved the General for having confined them on such an account. He then took them some distance out of town, told them to go home, live quietly, and serve God according to the dictates of their own consciences.

STATE OF THE BRITISH MISSIONS IN AMERICA,

Extracted from the Report of the "Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society."

In the West India Islands, the mission appears in a prosperous condition. There are five districts in these islands, which include twenty-eight circuits, and employ forty nine Missionaries. The number in society is twenty-three thousand and ninety-two.

They have one district in Canada, which included, last year, nine circuits and eleven preachers, and seven hundred and forty-four members.

Nova-Scotia and New-Brunswick district includes seventeen circuits, twenty-two missionaries, and one thousand seven hundred and thirty two members. In Newfoundland district, there are twelve circuits, thirteen missionaries,

and nine hundred and forty-nine members in society.

Total number of missionaries in these stations,
Total number of members in society,

91

THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE,

FOR JUNE, 1821.

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Divinity.

From the London Methodist Magazine.

A SERMON BY THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER;
(Concluded from page 165.)

I COME now to shew the reasons why regeneration is necessary to salvation. And this appears,

1st. From the immutability of God's purpose, who has chosen believers to salvation "through sanctification of the Spirit." Whoever will enter into heaven, must put off sin, and be clothed with a robe of unspotted righteousness. Do you ask why? Because God is resolved that it shall be so. "This is the will of God," says St. Paul, "your sanctification first, and then your salvation." And as there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with him, all the world shall sooner be damned than his purpose shall be made void.

2dly. From the stability of the word of God. "Except a man be born again," says Jesus himself, "he cannot enter into the kingdom of God;" and he is not as the sons of men that he should lie. Does he not declare, that "heaven and earth shall pass away, but his word shall not pass away."

3dly. From the respect that regeneration has to salvation. Regeneration is nothing but a degree and part of salvation. Grace is glory begun; holiness is the spring of true happiness; and he who is not saved from his sins here, shall never be saved into glory hereafter. He who is not so changed on earth as to find his happiness in God, will never be fit to delight in him in heaven. The angelic hosts, says St. John, " praise God day and night, saying, holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, who was, and is, and is to come." Now what probability is there that the unregenerate, who delight in nothing but money, apparel, pleasure, VOL. IV.

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