Rev. Sir,
"By the following, I mean to communicate to you, as accurate and comprehensive an account of the revival of religion, at present, in the eastern parts of this State, (Kentucky) and round about where I live, as I am able.
"On the 1st of May, at a society on the waters of Fleming creek, on the east side of Licking, a boy, under the age of twelve years, became affected in an extraordinary manner, publicly confessing and acknowledging his sins, praying for pardon, through Christ, and recommending Jesus Christ to sinners, as being ready to save the vilest of the vile -- Adult persons became affected in the like manner. The flame began to spread, the Sabbath following, at Mr. Camble's Meeting House -- a number became affected. The third Sabbath of May, on Cabin creek, six miles above Limestone, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered by Mr. Camble and Mr. N'Namaar, at which time about sixty persons were STRUCK down.
- Next Sabbath, on Fleming creek, under Mr. N'Namaar, and Mr. Camble, on a like occasion, about 100 persons were struck down and deeply convinced. The first Sabbath of June, Mr. Stone administered the Lord's Supper, in Concord congregation, on the head-waters of Kingston, in the bounds of which exercises of the same kind had made their appearance in society, and at sermon. On Friday night preceding the Sacrament at Concord, I was /35/ present at a society, held at Kainridge, a united congregation of Mr. Stone, and saw the extraordinary work. Of fifty persons present, nine were struck down. I proceeded next morning to Concord, ten miles distant, where a sermon was preached, at which several became affected and struck down. The exercises continued all night. This was the first occasion, that shewed the necessity of performing out doors. The number being so great, the Lord's Supper was administered at a tent. A great solemnity appeared all day. A number were struck down; on the whole occasion about 150. The exercises continued from Saturday till Wednesday, day and night, without intermission. The appearance itself was awful and solemn. It was performed in a thick grove of beachen timber; candles were furnished by the congregation, the night still and calm. Add to that, exhortations, praying, singing, the cries of the distressed, on account of sin; the rejoicing of those that were delivered from their sin's bondage, and brought to enjoy the liberty that is in Christ Jesus; all going on at the same time. About 4000 persons attended, 250 communicated; twelve waggons had brought some of the people with their provisions, &c. from distant places. This was the first occasion that shewed the necessity of encamping on the ground; the neighbourhood not being able to furnish strangers with accommodation; nor had they a wish to separate.
"The Lord's Supper was appointed to be held at Point Pleasant, on Stony creek, ten miles above Paris, being one of Mr. Joseph Howe's congregations. There the flame spread more and more. Curiosity led a great many strangers, I with my family attended.
-- About forty waggons, four carriages, in all about 8000 persons. The meeting commenced on Friday, and continued till Wednesday. Three hundred and fifty communicants, 250 were struck down. There was an opposition both on this and the former occasions, by some who appeared to be real Christians, by nominal professors and by Deists. The first class stood astonished, not knowing, and wondering what these things meant; not willing to reprobate it, and many at last closed in with it. The next class, the /36/ most inveterate, call it enthusiasm, hypocrisy, witchcraft, possession of the Devil, sympathy, in fine, everything but what it really is. The latter confines it to sympathy, agitation, delusion, &c.
"As well as I am able, I will describe it, as I have had it from the subjects, not being able to describe it experimentally. Of all ages, from 8 years and upwards; male and female; rich and poor; the blacks; and of every denomination; those in favour of it, as well as those, at the instant in opposition to it, and railing against it, have instantaneously laid motionless on the ground. Some feel the approaching symptoms by being under deep convictions; their heart swells, their nerves relax, and in an instant they become motionless and speechless, but generally retain their senses. It comes upon others like an electric shock, as if felt in the great arteries of the arms or thighs; closes quick into the heart, which swells, like to burst. The body relaxes and falls motionless; the hands and feet become cold, and yet the pulse is as formerly, though sometimes rather slow. Some grow weak, so as not to be able to stand, but do not lose their speech altogether. They are all opposed to any medical application; and though the weather is very warm, and people in large crowds around them, yet they do not incline to drink water. They will continue in that state from one hour to 24. When they regain their speech, which comes to them gradually, they express themselves commonly in the following manner -- that they are great sinners; the vilest of vile, and pray earnestly for mercy through Christ. Some think there is mercy for all but for them; that salvation through Christ, is a wonderful salvation, but will not be applied to them. They often continue in this state many days. Many have not yet recovered, so that it is not certain that they will. -- Others will recover in an hour, and speak of salvation sure, and are in possession of great gifts in praying and exhortation, which they often perform in an incredible manner. Indeed it is a miracle, that a wicked unthoughtful sinner, who never could, or did address himself, to an audience before, should, rise out of one of those fits and continue for the space of two hours recommending religion and Jesus Christ /37/ to sinners, as a lovely Saviour, free willing, and all sufficient, and calling to sinners and inviting them to come to Christ and close in with the offer of salvation, in the most pressing and engaging manner.
But, I am sure, my description, and your view (if you were an eye witness) would differ as much as day from night. So say those who have first heard and then seen. Notwithstanding that all our ministers, and a vast number of the most respectable and sensible people, in the country, acknowledge, that it is the wonderful work of God; and is marvellously manifested to us; yet there are people so hardened, that they either cannot or will not acknowledge the work to be of God, but represent it in an unfavourable view.
"People in a number of instances, in opposition, have felt it coming on, and have endeavoured to fly, but could not get away. They have been struck in the woods, in the act of running away. Some have been struck at home; on the road; in the field; in bed; at the plough; asleep; whole families together, at home, and sometimes one of a family.
"On the 3d Sabbath of June, the Sacrament was administered at Lexington, Mr. Welch's congregation; the same day at Indian creek, Mr. Robertson's congregation, the latter on Kingston creek, eighteen miles below Paris, and twenty miles N. of this place. The former began on Friday and continued till Tuesday, being the first time that this strange work made its appearance here. About 70 were struck; 300 communicants; 6000 persons in all attended. The latter commenced on Thursday, and continued till Thursday, day and night; the first night excepted. -- About 10,000 persons; 50 waggons; 800 struck; 500 communicated.
"On the first Sabbath of August, was the Sacrament of Kainridge, the congregation of Mr. Stone. -- This was the largest meeting of any that I have seen: It continued from Friday till Wednesday. About 12,000 persons; 125 waggons; 8 carriages; 900 communicants; 300 were struck. One girl, aged 10 years, after recovering her speech, continued to pray and exhort in an extraordinary and most pathetic manner, for the space of two hours.
/38/ "I attended the like occasions, at the following places, yiz. Paris, Mr. Reynolds's congregation; Walnut Hill, Mr. Crawford's congregation; Salem, Mr. Lyle's congregation; Beaver, Mr. Marshall's: and last Sabbath, Blue Spring, Mr. Marshall's -- all similar to those I have described. The work is greatest on Sacramental occasions.
"In order to give you a more just conception of it -- suppose so large a congregation assembled in the woods, ministers preaching day and night; the camp illuminated with candles, on trees, at waggons, and at the tent; persons falling down, and carried out of the crowd, by those next to them, and taken to some convenient place, where prayer is made for them; some Psalm or Hymn, suitable to the occasion, sung. If they speak, what they say is attended to, being very solemn and affecting -- many are struck under such exhortations. But if they do not recover soon, praying and singing is kept up, alternately, and sometimes a minister exhorts over them -- for generally a large group of people collect, and stand round, paying attention to prayer and joining in singing. Now suppose 20 of those groups around; a minister engaged in preaching to a large congregation, in the middle; some mourning; some rejoicing, and great solemnity on every countenance, and you will form some imperfect idea of the extraordinary work! Opposers call this confusion! But in any of these parties, employment for the mind, may be found. The work being engaging, persons subsist with less sleep and victuals than at other times.
"P.S. As the bearer did not start as soon as I expected, I would just inform you that since I wrote the above, I heard from different parts of Cumberland, Green-river, and of this state, that the work is increasing fast. One instance of a person in opposition at Mr. Lyle's Sacrament, last Sunday, 25 miles from this. A man of 30 years, had procured a staff with a sharp nail in the end, intending therewith to probe such as would fall down, in the crowd, which (he was certain) would soon rouse them out of their lethargy. -- He himself had often boasted that he /39/ should not fall down; however, he became affected; which, when he felt it coming on, he endeavoured to expel by making use of whiskey, thinking that would allay his feelings; but to no purpose, for in a short time he was struck down. When able to speak, made a wonderful confession of his obstinacy; acknowledged himself a great sinner, and hoped for pardon through Christ."