"Until you be favoured with a more perfect information, through the medium of the press, this will serve to give you some idea of the Rise and Progress of Religion in Kentucky and Cumberland. The present revival exceeds any thing of the kind I have ever heard of, in point of numbers, and differs materially as to the means whereby it has been effected. Almost two years ago, in the neighbourhood of Nashville, a lad of 8 or 9 years of age accompanied his sister to a Sacrament some distance from his father's house, at which it pleased the Lord to visit him in mercy.
When he returned home, and was taking the horses to the field, a lad of his own age being at the house, accompanied him. He then told his companion what he had experienced, and that he was resolved, henceforward, to live the life of a Christian. "Hitherto, said he, "You and I have been companions; but unless you alter your course, we must break off our acquaintance; for I am determined to serve the Lord."
This conversation so greatly affected the other lad, that he ran home to his father's house, and threw himself on the bed. The father seeing his son come home affrighted, was greatly concerned, and stripped him, to see if he had received any hurt; but, finding none, the whole family was alarmed.
After the lad became able to speak, he asked for Davis M'Corkle, and said he wanted to see him. A message was instantly dispatched for Mr. M'Corkle and his son. The old man, supposing that the lancet would be necessary, carefully put that instrument into his pocket and walked over; but Davis M'Corkle /228/ was the physician who understood the disease, and it was not long before the whole company was surprised with the two lads talking in rapturous language, of redeeming love. Their zeal and crying greatly affected all present.
The first expedient that presented itself to their minds, was to collect the neighbours together for religious worship. This was done; and, to prevent any disorder in devotion, by the crying of the boys, they put them in a back room, and posted a person at the door to keep them there. After the friends and neighbours had sang and prayed together, Mr. M'Corkle related the story to the company, who unanimously desired to flee the boys, and hear it from themselves. This request was granted, and the boys simply related to them, with tears of joy, what God had done for their souls. Before they had half done, the whole company was in tears.
Thus began the extraordinary work, which has spread all over the country; and thousands are now rejoicing, and praising redeeming love, who, a little while ago appeared to be in the gall of bitterness. -- In Cumberland, they meet in large companies, frequently to the amount of 10 or 12,000, and spend, it may be, two weeks in religious worship, before they disperse.
Last summer and fall there was a considerable awakening in the Baptist Churches in Woodford, Fayette and Jefferson counties, in Kentucky. And this spring, in our humble opinion, it hath pleased the Lord to pour out his Spirit on some of our Presbyterian congregations. At first our ministers were shy, not knowing what judgment to form of it. -- The falling down of multitudes, and their crying out (which happened under the singing of Watts' Psalms and Hymns, more frequently than under the preaching of the word) was to us so new a scene, that we thought it prudent not to be over hasty in forming any opinion of it. However, a little conversation with the affected persons, induced us to believe, that in a judgment of charity, it was the work of the Lord.
I attended at Point-pleasant congregation, about 50 miles from me: There were about 5 or 6000 /229/ people; hundreds deeply affected; all serious; many saying, "What is this?" and most spending the time in some religious exercise, chiefly singing hymns, night and day, without intermission, from Friday till Friday. A Lawyer F____, who came to find fault and ridicule, was, we hope, effectually brought to Christ, and is now a flaming exhorter. -- This was in the month of June.
In July, at the administration of the Lord's Supper, at Cynthiana, everybody was amazed. Hundreds fell to the ground at once, among whom was a Doctor C____, a professed Deist. The news was spread, and 10 or 12 of his companions ran to see; but, in less than half an hour, they were all lying on the ground near the Doctor; and I humbly hope, that most of them have experienced a saving change.
In August last I attended at Caneridge meeting-house. There were present, besides 18 Presbyterian ministers, and a number of Baptist and Methodist preachers, the GOVERNOR OF THE STATE, each of whom was personally and busily engaged, either in preaching, praying or exhorting!!! Some suppose the number of people 10, others 17, and others 21,000. There were 148 waggons and coaches present. The number of convicted persons were great; some crying for mercy; some shouting redeeming grace; and others collected in numberless small circles of 12 or 20 singing hymns; all serious; many walking to and fro, with anxiety pictured in their countenances; and the whole conversation was either of religion, or something relating thereto. The number of communicants was 828. Many young persons have set to their seal that God is true.
Some, perhaps, will censure us for associating with the Baptists and Methodists: But, my dear Sir, we are all very friendly; there appears to be good doing; all are encouraging it; and is this not better, than to be devouring one another? Is it not more agreeable with the command of Christ, whose every precept is love? We all preach the truth, as we think, carefully observing decorum, as far as conscience will admit, that one society may not hurt the feelings of another.
/230/ "N.B. On the 19th of August, at a sacramental occasion at Paris, thousands attended, and hundreds fell to the ground at once. This is about 30 miles from me. The work of the Lord appears to be progressing, though attended with some enthusiasm. -- But this is generally confined to the grossly ignorant; for whom we must make every apology, as they are just emerging, as it were, out of heathenish darkness."