the people to whom he may have access, with their high responsibility for the right improvement of their talents, time, property, their all. His sanctity will recommend him to the conscience and heart, and will secure for him the respect, confidence, and cheerful co-operation of the public generally.

Such are some of the traits of character desirable in a public agent, though it is not to be expected, that any individual will possess them all, or any one of them in perfection. As in other persons, so in agents, perfection of character and life is not to be found. The most that may reasonably be demanded, is a good degree of approximation to it. An agent who possesses this will give satisfaction to the public, and be cordially welcomed by ministers and people. He will be acceptable in the family, in the pulpit, and in all his intercourse with individuals.

The design of the preceding observations is to present for consideration some thoughts on the necessity and qualifications of agents, by the perusal of which they themselves, and the public generally, may be profited. Having satisfied myself, that the subject ought to be brought before the community, and having been urged to do it by a number of individuals whose judgment is highly to be respected, I have been induced to comply with their request. The remarks are commended to the reflections of a candid public, the numerous agents that may be employed, and the different benevolent societies which may appoint them.

Appendix O.

DISSERTATION XVI.

REVIVALS OF RELIGION.

"O LORD! revive thy work." Such was the prayer of Habakkuk in view of the discovery, which Jehovah had made to him, of his future dealings with his chosen people. God had threatened severe judgments upon Israel, in prospect of which, the Prophet prayed, "O Lord, I have heard thy speech and was afraid. O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known, in wrath remember mercy." The effects of religion are most happy, both in prosperity and in adversity. And, therefore, as it was the prayer of Habakkuk, that God would revive religion, which emphatically is his work; so this should be the continual prayer of all Christians; and with this their exertions should correspond. The subject under consideration is revivals of religion. In the discussion of this topic it is proposed to show,

I. What is meant by a revival of religion.

II. When a revival of religion may be expected. And, III. Why it may be hoped that revivals of religion will be multiplied and extended, to a greater degree than they ever have been.

I. What is meant by a revival of religion?

The phrase "revival of religion," has become of very general use, and signifies what is commonly understood by the effects of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. By it is meant no reverie of the imagination, no wild extravagancies of the mind and life-no illusion;-but a solemn reality-the attention of saints and sinners, spiritually directed to the subjects of religion, the conviction and conversion of the impenitent, and a corresponding refor mation in moral and religious deportment. These are implied in a revival of religion.

1. In a revival of religion, the attention of saints and sinners is awakened to religious subjects.

Generally speaking, a revival of religion commences in the church. Christians become solemn, and deeply impressed with the importance of renewed diligence and increased devotedness in the cause of Christ. They are more engaged in prayer and religious duties; more constant in public, private and secret devotions; and more desirous of the salvation of immortal souls and the glory of God. They converse more frequently and with greater interest on spiritual subjects. Their minds are much abstracted from the world, and alive to God and divine things; and their engagedness appears in their looks and demeanor. Beholding the people of God thus aroused from stupor and enlivened in holy duties, impenitent sinners also become affected. They begin to think there is a reality in religion. They have recourse to serious reading, conversation and reflection; and they frequent meetings for public and private worship, and are attentive and solemn. Every thing of a religious nature becomes deeply interesting whether agreeable to their feelings or not. Such usually, though not always, is the first appearance of a revival of religion. God acts as a sovereign, and in

nothing is his sovereignty more strikingly displayed, than in the dispensations of his grace.

2. In a revival of religion, impenitent sinners are convicted of their sins. Their consciences are awakened. They perceive in some degree the length and breadth of the law of God, and are sensible that their feelings and conduct have not been commensurate with its requirements. Their iniquities pass in awful review before their minds, while convictions of transgression and guilt fasten upon them. "The arrows of the Almighty are within them, the poison whereof drinketh up their spirits; the terrors of God do set themselves in array against them." They are deeply sensible of their miserable condition, and their danger of perishing eternally; and the thunders of Sinai seem ready to burst upon them. They no longer deride the truths of religion; no longer view them as fiction, or a cunningly devised fable; but as a solemn reality. Before this they were insensible and secure in the road to ruin; but now they are pierced as with a dart. And, being pricked in their hearts, they cry out, "What must we do to be saved?" "How shall we flee from the wrath to come?" Persons of all descriptions—the vain and the loose, the profligate and the despiser, the stouthearted and the feeble, the moral and the immoral, the old and the young, are alike the subjects of such awakenings.

Here let it be observed, however, that the convictions of sin in some persons are vastly different from what they are in others. Some, as Dr. Scott for instance, have comparatively very slight convictions of sin before their conversion. Others have dreadful and pungent convictions, and are borne down into the dust in view of a holy God, and their awful depravity. The terrors of their mind affect their animal nature, deprive them of sleep, and prevent them from attending to their worldly occupations; and their apprehensions of guilt and misery increase as they

approach the time of conversion. This was the case with John Bunyan. Others again have deeper convictions of guilt after they obtain a hope than before.

This was the Some experience

case with President Edwards, the elder. these convictions for a short time only, as the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost; others, for days; others, for weeks; and others again, for months, before they experience a change of heart. And some are impressed with their sinfulness and danger; whose convictions after a time wear off, and who remain destitute of a hope that they have spiritually passed from death unto life. This was the case with Felix. Some have their consciences suddenly smitten by news of the conviction or conversion of others; by something of a religious nature heard in public or private; by some passages of Scripture; by some sermon; or by some striking dispensation of Divine Providence. Others are affected more gradually. They first become thoughtful, and by meditating upon those things of religion which have an awakening tendency, deep conviction ultimately takes fast hold on them. Some who have been concerned in a degree for their salvation many years, are roused to a greater sense of their guilt and danger.-Some are affected by the justice of God; others, by his mercy; some, by his sovereignty; others, by his forbearance; some, at a view of heaven and its glories; others, at a view of hell and its miseries. Some have their minds fixed on particular sins they have committed; others, on particular mercies of God towards them. Some are deeply impressed at the truth of the Gospel in general; others, at the truth of some particular doctrine. Thus conviction of sin in different persons varies in the degree, duration, manner and occasion of it. But in one absolutely essential feature, it is alike in allentire depravity, guilt and ruin.

-a sense of their

3. In a revival of religion impenitent sinners are con