USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 20
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Lyons, Clyde, Marion, and Junius ; and in the Presbytery of Bath, in the congregations of Hammondsport and Howard. The Presby- tery of Angelica, in the Synod of Genesee, record,-" Many of the churches have enjoyed precious seasons of revival. The church of Almond has been greatly revived during the past winter, and about thirty persons have been received into the church, on pro- fession of their faith. In Cuba, thirty have been added to the church ; in Nunda, seventy-seven. The churches of Friendship, Eagle, Pike, and Mixville, have been greatly blessed. Four hundred members have been added to the churches, during the past year." Within the bounds of the Presbytery of Ontario, the congregations of Victor and Springwater enjoyed seasons of revival ; in the Presbytery of Rochester, the congregations of Wheatland, Parma and Greece, and Ogden ; in the Presbytery of Niagara, the con- gregation of Albion ; in the Presbytery of Genesee, the congrega- tions of Castile, Gainsville, Sheldon first church, Sheldon second church, Orangeville, Pavillion, and Perry village. The Presbytery of Buffalo says, " Many of the churches, particularly those of Scot- land, Eden, East Otto, Ellicottville, First church, and Park church of Buffalo, Springville, Dunkirk, Hamburgh, and Silver Creek, have been visited with the gracious effusions of the divine Spirit, and large numbers have been hopefully regenerated, the most of whom have made a public profession of their faith in Christ."
For the years 1844, 1845, and 1846, the author finds notices of revivals of greater or less extent, in the congregations of Fredonia, East Aurora, Eden, and Napoli, in the Presbytery of Buffalo ; New Hudson, Rushford, Cuba, Almond, and Andover, in the Presbytery of Angelica ; Mount Morris second church, and Lakeville, in the Presbytery of Ontario ; Holly, and Washington-street church, in the Presbytery of Rochester; Painted Post village, Corning, Big Flat, and Havanna, in the Presbytery of Chemung ; Mecklenburgh and West Groton, in the Presbytery of Ithaca ; Auburn first church and Marcellus, in the Presbytery of Cayuga ; Union, in the Pres- bytery of Tioga; and Windsor, in the Presbytery of Chenango. The author does not doubt that there have been blessed revivals, during this period, in congregations not here mentioned. It is, however, a fact greatly to be lamented, and on account of which the churches should be deeply humbled before God, that there has been, for several years past, a great dearth of revivals. God in anger has withdrawn from his people, and they have abundant reason to cry : " Return, O Lord, how long ? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants."
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CHAPTER XIV.
Character of Revivals in Western New York, and means employed during the last twenty years. Testimony of the General Assembly, Synod of Geneva, Presbytery of Geneva. Three and four days' meetings. Protracted meetings. Evangelists, Leaders in protracted meetings, character of their preaching, Doctrine advanced. Rev. Charles G. Finney; Rev. Jedidiah Burchard ; Rev. Samuel G Orton; Rev. James Boyle ; Rev. Augustus Littlejohn. Resolution of the Presbytery of Angelica respecting Rev. David Slie. Presbytery of Genesee testify against the " American Revivalist and Rochester Observer." Presbytery of Ontario against the course pur- sued by Mr. Littlejohn. Presbytery of Cayuga against Mr. Myrick. Testimony of the Presbytery of Chenango ; of the Synod of Geneva respecting the Central Evan- gelical Association of New York. Conclusion.
WE have in the preceding chapters brought down the history of revivals in Western New York to the present time. As much has been said, and written, respecting the character of the revivals which have been enjoyed during the past twenty years, as also re- specting the means which have been employed to promote them, and the manner in which they have been conducted, it will proba- bly be expected by the reader that some notice, in this work, should be taken of these circumstances. The writer of these pages has labored in the work of the ministry in Western New York, during a period of forty-seven years. He has not been an inattentive ob- server of the events which have a bearing on the interests of the church of Christ, which have transpired, and especially those, in which the purity, prosperity, and enlargement of the Presbyterian church in that territory is involved. He has long been a member of that church, cordially attached to its faith, form of government, and order of worship. His opportunity to inform himself respect- ing these circumstances has been somewhat extensive, and sufficient time has elapsed to test the true character of the work wrought. In view of all circumstances the writer feels no hesitancy in giving his decided sentiment, that in the great religious movements de- nominated revivals, which have taken place in Western New York within the last twenty years, God has been carrying on a most glorious work of his grace, which will eventuate in the final salva- tion of many thousands of the human family. At the same time, it is most apparent, that circumstances have occurred in connexion with these revivals, which give the most painful exhibition of the wickedness and folly of man, when, leaving the divine word, he im- agines himself wiser than God. It is not, however, to be understood as the opinion of the writer, that there have been circumstances connected with the revivals of Western New York, greatly dis- tinguishing them from revivals occurring at the same period in other
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parts of the land. Perhaps in every period, in which God has re- markably appeared to bless his church with great and plentiful out- pourings of the Holy Spirit, the enemy has been busy in sowing tares with the wheat ; and whenever the religious excitement has been strong, a spirit of fanaticism has been induced, and greatly hindered the good work, and marred its beauty. So it was in the glorious revival at the period of the reformation under Martin Lu- ther. So it was in the days of President Edwards ; and so it has been in later times. " Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light," and no wonder, if his ministers sometimes come in the character of "revival preachers ;" no wonder if warm-hearted Christians are led astray, and, to some extent, follow false lights.
With respect to the revivals of Western New York, within the last twenty years, the same means have been employed to promote them as have usually been employed in revivals which preceded. In 1830, the General Assembly, with reference to the revivals generally, which had been enjoyed within the bounds of the Presbyterian church, say, "Sabbath schools, bible classes, pastoral visitations ; plain, direct preaching of the word have been the instrumentality employed in promoting these revivals of re- ligion." In the narrative for 1831, in speaking of the revivals, the Assembly say, " In some congregations, especially in the western section of the State of New York, the work has been so general and thorough, that the whole customs of society have been changed. Amusements and all practices of a doubtful character, the object of which is simply pleasure, have been abandoned ; far higher and purer enjoyment is found in exercises of devotion, and engagements for the glory of God, and the salvation of men. Sabbath schools, Bible classes, the distribution of religious tracts, faithful private con- versation, three and four days' meetings, observing seasons of fast- ing and prayer, frequent prayer meetings, especially at sunrising, have been mentioned as means which God has blessed. But especially from every Presbytery where revivals exist, we learn that God is pleased to mark with peculiar favor every well directed effort to promote entire abstinence from ardent spirits."
In the narrative for 1832, adopted at the meeting of the General Assembly which immediately followed the most remarkable period ever experienced in the Presbyterian church in the United States, ten of the thirteen Presbyteries then existing in Western New York, are particularly noticed as having been blessed with revivals. From the other three it is supposed that no reports were sent up. In this narrative the Assembly say, " A harmonious testimony comes from the north and the south, the east and the west, pro- claiming that the past has been a year of the right hand of the Most High." Among the circumstances which peculiarly distin- guish these revivals, the narrative mentions the extension of the work of grace ; the circumstances that so many of the subjects of
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renewing grace have been found in those classes of society in which instances of conversion have usually been of rare occurrence ; the resistless energy which accompanied the work, and the extra- ordinary extension of this gracious influence. The Assembly go on to say, "It is a very interesting and gratifying circumstance, that the same reports which announce these revivals, so wholly unexampled in number and extent, generally contain direct testi- mony as to the means which have been blessed to their production and promotion."-" A spirit of fervent prayer, deep humiliation, and active effort in the churches, and a course of devoted, perse- vering, and judicious labors on the part of the ministry, uniformly preceded the displays of pardoning mercy."-" Upon another sub- ject of deep interest, there is a general, unbroken testimony from all parts of the church, which have been blessed with a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. We refer to the rich and precious blessings which have attended the numerous protracted meetings which have been held throughout our borders. Whatever honest difference of opinion there may have been as to the utility of such convocations; whatever fears may have been cherished as to their tendency, the question now seemed decided, that the Lord has signally owned and abundantly blessed them, and that the seal of divine approba- tion is visibly and indelibly fixed upon them. From all portions of the church we hear the language of praise, for the great things God has done by means of protracted meetings, and of the glorious displays of converting grace which have rendered them eminently seasons of mercy." The narrative also notices the influence of temperance societies, and the institutions which afford religious in- struction to the young as means which had been efficacious in producing and promoting these revivals. It particularly mentions Sunday schools and Bible classes, as accomplishing this most bene- volent object. "Sunday schools," it says, " have proved the nur- series of revivals ; their teachers have been found efficient, devoted laborers in gathering souls to Christ ; and their pupils have come in lovely bands, at the gospel call, clustered round the cross, given up their young hearts to God, and sung, ' Hosannah to the son of David : blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.'"
The Synod of Geneva, in their narrative of the state of religion for 1831, say, " It is not wonderful, that in some of these revivals, we witness things that show the imperfection of human agents, and that, in the midst of our joy, we are compelled to weep over trans- actions that mar the good work of God; but, in general, the effects are obviously such as the Bible approves, and such as would, if they were only sufficiently increased, bring in the predicted glory of the latter days. In the promotion and conduct of these revivals, some have used means, and adopted measures, which our Fathers did not practise, and they have considered them valuable. Others, . who have been fearful, and, perhaps, jealous of everything that
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could in any sense be called new, have seen and enjoyed equally glori- ous works. Which will be the best way of conducting in future we shall now have full opportunity of knowing, by witnessing the fruits of piety and benevolence in behalf of a dying world which they shall pro- duce. At least, if there shall appear no difference in this respect, the subject will be left without importance. In these revivals we have "received additional testimony, that efforts to carry forward the great objects of benevolence are the best co-operation the preach- ing of the gospel can receive. Where most has been done for the promotion of temperance, for the distribution of Religious Tracts, to send the gospel to the heathen, and to raise up ministers, the revivals have been most extensive; and it is believed that the Spirit of God has visited no place where these things have been neglected. But, especially, we have ample and striking proof that the plan of God remains unchanged, to save man by the fool- ishness of preaching. While few, if any, congregations have been passed by, which enjoy the ministrations of the gospel, only a very few, if any, have been visited by the Spirit, which are destitute of this means. After all that can be done for the destitute by other benevolent devices, the inquiry will still be an appropriate and tri- umphant one-" How shall they hear without a preacher ?"
The Presbytery of Geneva, in a published narrative of revivals which occurred within the bounds of the Presbytery in 1831, say : " This precious work, in its general features, has not been essential- ly different from former revivals, except that it has been more powerful, more extensive, and has enrolled among its subjects an unusual number who had been openly hostile to the truth. The doctrines which have held a prominent place in the preaching ge- nerally, are the plain and humbling doctrines of the orthodox faith : the doctrines of our standards ; of the Reformation, and of the Bible. These have been exhibited, not as matters of controversy, or as problems, but as matters of fact and of faith. While sinners have been taught to regard the depravity of their hearts as total, they have been also taught to regard it as consisting in their own voluntary rebellion against God, "whereby," as our Confession of Faith expresses it, " we are utterly indisposed to all good" "and wholly inclined to all evil :" not the want of a power, but the want of an inclination to do the will of God. The inability predicable of the sinner in his depraved condition, has been represented as the standards of our church very forcibly express it, as an " inability of will," regarding the sinner as bound at all times to keep the whole law, and to do the whole will of God. The doctrine of di- vine sovereignty and divine decrees, the doctrine of election and effectual calling, of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification by faith, and the final perseverance of the saints, together with all these leading truths, which have long been designated, by way of distinction, the " Doctrines of Grace," have been constantly kept in
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view as the fundamental articles of the Christian faith, and the only permanent foundation of Christian character. The labor generally has been performed by the pastors and stated ministers, as- sisted in prayer meetings and parochial visiting, by the elders and other members of the church. The young converts also have exerted an important influence, by personal conversation, and in meetings for social prayer. In some instances the labor of itine- rants was employed, but, with few exceptions, with no very obvious success. Seldom, perhaps, has the case been known, in which God has so obviously honored the means of his own appointment, in distinction from those of human invention, and the labors of a stated ministry, in distinction from those of itinerant evangelists, as in the revivals within our bounds. The means which have been most commonly employed, and most obviously blessed in these re- vivals, have been, in general, no other than the ordinary means of grace. In revivals of our churches, protracted meetings were held ; in some instances with desirable results, but in others with- out any apparent effect, other than might be expected from the preaching of the Word in other circumstances. In some places the practice of calling out those who were awakened, at the close of public worship, to take what was called " the anxious seat," was adopted. This practice was by no means general at any period of the revival, and, in some instances, where it was at first introduced, it was afterwards discontinued, from a full conviction that so soon as it ceased to interest by its novelty, no beneficial results were ac- complished by it. In most of our congregations the usual method of holding " inquiring meetings," for personal conversation and in- struction, has been found to secure the attendance of a much larger number ; to afford facilities for instruction suited to the conditions of each individual, and to be, all things considered, "the more ex- cellent way." The religious services generally have been orderly, still, and solemn ; never interrupted by loud and boisterous ex- pressions, either of grief or joy ; never rendered offensive to the ear of refinement by low allusions, or coarse and vulgar expres- sions, nor painful to the ear of piety by an irreverent and affected familiarity with sacred things. No quaint and questionable ex- pedients have been resorted to for the purpose of effect ; no audible praying of females in promiscuous assemblies ; nothing, in short, in the way of means or measures, except as above specified, which has not been common in conducting revivals of religion since the days of Edwards. From some of these remarks a few of our churches are to be excepted. These churches, however, were, with perhaps one exception, without pastors, and the innovations which have been made upon the ordinary modes of worship, have been made by itinerant preachers, who do not belong to this Pres- bytery."
With reference to the means employed to produce and promote
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the progress of revivals in Western New York, during the period now under consideration, we might extend our extracts from the narrations of the Synods and Presbyteries to an indefinite length, but it is entirely unnecessary. Whatever variety may have exist- ed, with respect to the means employed, some things, at least, are acknowledged by all to be legitimate. In every place where there has been a revival, the public and frequent preaching of the word has been employed as a means of converting souls, with the universal acknowledgment, that it is the pure gospel of Jesus Christ alone that can be subservient to this end. Christians have been urged to be abundant and importunate in prayer, in their in- dividual capacity, for the salvation of souls and the progress of the divine work ; and wherever there has been a revival, it is believed that Christians have so prayed : and blessed experience has taught them that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." In some instances Christians have agreed on an hour, as, for instance, at sunrise or at nine o'clock in the evening, each by himself, or in family circle, to appropriate a season for special prayer for the descent of the Holy Spirit in his convicting and con- verting influences. At times they have agreed to make a particular individual the subject of special prayer. Meetings for social prayer, exhortation, and religious conference, have always been connected with the revivals, and employed as means of promoting them. Meetings of the female members of the church, by themselves, for prayer and conversation, have been much employed, and found to be very useful and animating. Christian Mothers have met, ac- companied by their little children, that they might in united prayer commend them to God, and implore for them regenerating grace. Such meetings have been improved as seasons of instruction and exhortation to the children. As the result of such meetings, it is believed that many children have been converted unto God. Sea- sons of fasting and prayer, in some instances connected with mu- tual confession of sins, have been observed, as means of producing or advancing a revival. When such meetings have been conduct- ed with discretion, in the spirit of humility and penitence, they have undoubtedly constituted an acceptable sacrifice unto God, and have been followed with a blessing. Conversation with individuals on the great concerns of the soul, connected with importunate re- monstrance and exhortation, has been much employed, and has been the means of awakening the attention of very many. Visiting from house to house by pastors, elders, and others, was much practised, and with much effect. Sometimes committees for visit- ation were appointed, or individuals volunteered to perform the service, so that two brethren should go in company, and visit each house in a particular district of the congregation, and have per- sonal conversation with each individual of the families visited. In this way all the families of a congregation were sometimes visited
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in the same day. Perhaps, at the close of the day, or at a subse- quent period, the different branches of the committee would meet to make a report of their labor and the existing state of feeling in the congregation. Such a visitation, when faithfully and judicious- ly performed, has, at least in some instances, proved of great benefit in awakening attention, and bringing numbers to the house of God, and to an attendance on the means of grace. In con- nexion with other labors, the distribution of Religious Tracts has been mentioned as attended with a blessing. To some consider- able extent, a monthly distribution of tracts has been practised, in some instances accompanied with personal exhortation and prayer.
In the Narrative of the General Assembly for 1831, mention is made of three and four-days-meetings as having been instrumental in promoting revivals. Respecting the origin of these meetings, the writer is not informed. They did not originate in Western New York, but were adopted as means supposed to be calculated to be useful, and in accordance with divine institutions. They were meetings of a congregation, with individuals from neighbor- ing congregations, for continued religious exercises during a period of three or four days, from which circumstance they derived their appellation. The pastor of the church in which the meeting was held, usually invited two or three of the neighboring pastors, or officiating ministers, to aid him in the conduct of the meeting. Per- haps, for a season preceding the day for the meeting to commence, something of a preparatory work was in progress. The pastor, in his instructions, would call the attention of the church and the con- gregation to the subject of the contemplated meeting ; the object to be attained by it, or to be sought through its instrumentality ; the preparation of heart necessary to seek God acceptably ; and the necessity of divine aid to realize any beneficial results. The mem- bers of the congregation would endeavor to order their temporal affairs in such a manner, as to enable them to devote their time to an attendance on the meeting, without the distraction of other cares. Sometimes the appointment of the meeting was the result of a state of awakened attention already commenced in the congregation. During the period of the meeting, preaching was attended, ordina- rily twice, and sometimes three times each day, the ministers alter- nating in this exercise. Meetings for prayer and exhortation were attended in the morning, previous to the exercise of preaching ; sometimes at the rising of the sun and again at nine o'clock. Ano- ther meeting of the same description was usually attended in the evening. At these meetings the ministers, elders, and brethren, took part in the services, sometimes as called upon by the pastor, and sometimes of their own accord. At the close of the sermon, in some instances it was practised to invite the anxious to a seat by themselves for the purpose of a short season of personal conver- sation with them individually, and to commend their case to God
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in prayer for the bestowment of the regenerating influences of the Holy Spirit. At other times persons of this description were invited to retire to a more private apartment, where one or two of the ministers, and, perhaps, a few others would meet them for a short season of personal conversation ; in the meantime the larger portion of the congregation, with one or two of the ministers, remained in the place of worship, engaged in exercises of prayer. At times during a season of prayer, or at the commencement of such a season, those who felt solicitous respecting the salvation of their souls, and desired the prayers of Christians in their behalf, were requested to signify it by rising in their seats. Prayer was then offered unto God in their behalf. The character of these meetings, as a matter of course, would vary in some degree, accord- ing to different tastes and views of the different individuals who had the chief conduct of them. For some time after their introduction, the pastor, or officiating minister of the congregation, presided in the services; other ministers, on his request, came to assist, not to direct him ; the preaching generally was sound and orthodox ; and the meetings conducted orderly and judiciously, and to great profit to souls. There were exceptions to this rule ; instances in which the preaching was rant, the meeting noisy and confused, the pray- ing of a description painful to the feelings of the humble Christian, and the instruction entirely erroneous or grossly defective. Some of the sisters in some instances, forgetting apostolic precept, claimed it as their privilege, in public and promiscuous meetings, to lead in prayer and to address exhortation to the congregation ; and there were ministers who upheld and encouraged them in this prac- tice. But these things were not the general rule ; they were the exception, and, as the author believes, of comparatively rare occur- rence. These irregularities, to a considerable extent, brought dis- credit on the revivals in Western New York, and were an occasion of deep regret to the great body of the clergy and laity of the Presbyterian church in the region.
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