• The Address
• The Observer
• The Conclusion

            SIR,

      WHEN you asked me sometime ago, as others have done since, I gave none of you a direct answer with regard to the review just then published. My reason was this: Being but a new comer, and unacquainted with the situation of public occurrences, both civil and ecclesiastical; I did not choose to pass judgment upon, or undertake to decide a controversy, the grounds of which I might not fully understand.

      I thought it best, therefore, to maintain a strict neutrality; and enjoy my future cogitations concerning the contest in privacy and silence. But afterward, more deliberately ruminating on the subject, it appeared to me to be of much greater importance than I was before aware of. For it seems to be the capital and leading scope of the Review, not only to correct a few irregularities which might concomitate the Revival in the progressive stages thereof; but to explode the whole work, as a sanguinary machination, calculated by the infernal spirit, to inveigle and betray the souls of men. This made me resolve to bring the matter [3] to an impartial trial; that I might come if possible to a settled determination, whether it was originally of God or not. For as to any circumstances which may have attended it, with these I am not particularly concerned. Whatever mud or poison may have been mingled with the streams as they flowed, if the fountain was and is still pure, is what I mean to explore, and fully answers my present design. The result of the most candid investigation, you will find in the following pamphlet & without the smallest fawning compliment, or irritating invective offered to, or levelled against any man.

      You know my daily employment will allow but a few leisure hours for studies of this nature; so that elegance of style, or accuracy of diction could not be expected, was my talent for composition of this kind ever so eminent. I labored to clothe my conceptions in as plain a dialect as I could, without descending altogether to vulgarity, and a dull flatness of expression. The thoughts sprang up almost spontaneously in my mind, and I put them down as they flowed warm from my heart, with but little premeditation: as melted metal takes the mould by an innate propensity to diffusion. As it is, you are welcome to the perusal, and to shew it to any acquaintance you please. I have but one request to make: Take as much care of the copy as you can, and let it not be lost by lending or otherwise, as many of my manuscripts have been, which [4] were written in former years, to the no small regret of my declining age.

      The arguments in defence of the Revival, have yielded me a pleasing satisfaction: and if they prove an innocent diversion to any serious reader in time to come, I shall not begrudge any pains taken in recollecting and recording them. I have no more to add here, but my hearty wishes for your welfare, both in the present and future world.

            Yours, &c.

GREAT change of manners at least, has lately taken place in this part of the world. This is too evident for any one to deny, who takes notice of the most common events that happen in the place where he lives.

      But to what source is this reformation to be attributed? This it seems, is become a matter of debate, and is warmly disputed among us. Some believe it flowed from the fountain of life, and was poured down from Heaven, as a benign shower, to fertilize our wilderness, and make the desert rejoice and blossom like a rose. Others suppose it sprang up from some Stygian lake, and threatens to drown this commonwealth in a deluge of anarchy and confusion. Now which of these repugnant opinions, is most agreeable to reason, as well as revelation, shall be the subject of our present enquiry. And may we be so happy as to find and embrace the truth.

      Nobody, it is presumed, will assert that it came of its own accord. For that would be to say, it was before it was, which would be a glaring contradiction. That maxim of philosophy, ex nihilo nihil fit, from nought nothing can proceed, will ever hold good, as [7] long as men are capable of thinking without prejudice.

      The atheists of antiquity, indeed, used to affirm, that this visible world was first formed by fortuity, or chance. But this is a theory pregnant with so many palpable absurdities, perhaps few of our modern infidels would venture to patronise it in this enlightened age. For very certain it is, every accident as well as every creature must have some cause or other, to give it an existence and put it into motion, otherwise it must remain always what it is, a perfect nullity.

      Of consequence then, the late concern about religion, must have had an intelligent and designing author, whoever that was; and was, therefore, a work either of man, or of the Devil, or of God. But it will appear, upon an impartial investigation, that it could not be the work of either of the two former agents, and if so, was a work of the latter, i. e. it was a production of DIVINE POWER alone.

      I. A work of man it was not. It is true a man of polite eloquence, with the harmony of his voice, and a vehemence of address on some tender subject, may move the passions of a numerous congregation, even to enthusiasm; but it will have no durable impression on the minds of the auditory. His discourse will prove like a morning cloud; it promises a plentiful rain, but passes away with very little, may be not a single [8] drop. As the early dew on the green grass; it makes a brilliant appearance for a while, but the liquid pearls will soon be evaporated and absorbed by the solar radiance, and will be seen no more; they will be as tho' they had not been. No, it is not in any man, separately, nor in any set of men on earth in combination, to effect so great an alteration in the lives of so many persons, of both sexes and of every age, from six or seven, &c. to eighty or ninety, &c.--Of such different ranks and stations--of such various complexions, and interests, and employments--and of almost every sect, or party or denomination--and that in so many counties and parts so remote and distant from each other--and all as to multitudes of them, nearly, if not exactly at the same time. To believe so strange a revolution could be wrought by any human influence, or policy, or craft, would certainly exceed credulity itself.

      Good people unanimously profess they had no hand in it; but that its commencement was by them unlooked for, and far beyond their expectation; and as to bad people, we may be sure that they would be so far from furthering, they would oppose the least symptom of such a vicissitude with all their might, and endeavor to crush what they esteem as a dangerous serpent, in the egg; because it has a direct tendency at one stroke, to abolish their pride, and pageantry, their avaricious pursuits and sensual [9] enjoyments, their daily diversions, and nocturnal carousals; and in short, to lay the whole fabric of their hope of future happiness prostrate in the dust; to which no resolvedly wicked man can possibly give his assent.

      II. Nor was it a work of the Devil; for though he, when permitted, can do many great things, he cannot do every thing. That is the prerogative of Omnipotency alone. He may, when it suits his diabolical interest, persuade men to some actions morally good; but even then they must be prompted to the performances, by the pleasing allurement of wealth or fame, or the gratification of some fleshly lust or other. But can he persuade any one individual to relinquish all his beloved vices at once, and betake himself to a stated course of severe virtue, and serious devotion? No! This the arch traitor, with all his infernal legions, was never able to accomplish. The utmost extent of his power reaches no further than to tempt us as he did our mother Eve, to eat the forbidden fruit. He can in no wise sway the mind, or force our will to a compliance with any thing we look upon with abhorrence or detestation; and such is the strict practice of real piety, to all the unconverted progeny of Adam--until renewed by regeneration, they all without exception hate real experimental religion as much, if not more than death itself. Was one of them in the depravity of nature, [10] compelled to abandon the broad road of sin and walk in the narrow way of holiness, would he not think himself utterly undone? The poor man would be ready to cry, as Micah did, when the Danites robbed him, both of his Teraphim and Priest together: "You have taken away my Gods! and what have I more?" Or like Jonah, when he found his gourd withered: "It is better for me to die than to live!"

      But was Satan able, would he be willing to do such a work? Considering the character of him, who is emphatically styled Dei hominumque hostis, the enemy of God and man; it is impossible for us to believe it. For that would be to sap the foundation of his empire in Kentucky; and should he proceed in the enterprise, all mankind would cast off his fetters, and renounce his authority, and that by his own licence and instigation. Let us hear how our SAVIOUR, who is wisdom itself, argue on this point. "If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then can his kingdom stand?" Indeed we must suppose a great change in the Ho Poneros, that most wicked one, the author of all mischief, before he would give his assent, much more lend his assistance for the total dilapidation, and utter overthrow of great Babylon, his capital city the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth. Were all mankind to desert his service, and submit to the government of their Maker, the degraded [11] monster would find his dominion in this world at an end, and he would be obliged, like the haughty monarch of Assyria, when his army was defeated at Jerusalem, to return to his own country, and there bewail the doleful catastrophe; and lament his loss of the whole human race, over the majority of whom, alas! he has by usurpation domineered for many ages, and triumphed over, not only as their king but as their God!!! To him so horrible a discomfiture, we may depend, the stern prince of darkness never did, or will yield in whole or in part, without tyrannical reluctance, and absolute compulsion.

      III. Therefore, it was a work of God alone; for upon the most critical scrutiny it is found to bear all the genuine characteristics of divinity, that can be reasonably expected in the case. Our Lord speaking of the false prophets, which he foretold his disciples, should come in his name, says, "A very good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit; wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." According to this plain and easy rule, we will proceed to try the noted revival. If it has done good in many families, made better husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, and every domestic relation--if it has done good in the Commonwealth, made better magistrates and citizens, better farmers, planters and mechanics, &c.--if it has done good to the [12] church in strengthening it, by the addition of several promising members to her communion, who were, in time past, strangers and foreigners, despisers and opposers, and too many of them it may be, malignant persecutors of all religion; and above all, if there is just cause to hope, that a goodly number have been savingly converted, brought into a state of salvation, and the liberty of the sons of God. In a word--If it has laid a restraint on many gross enormities and rampant vices, as cursing, swearing, lying, cheating, gluttony, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, perjury, pride, covetousness & epicurean wantonness, &c. &c. And if it has been a furtherance of moral virtue in its various and amiable forms, as honesty, sobriety, fidelity, philanthropy, benevolence, meekness, charity, peace and tranquility, &c. &c. &c.--Why, if so, these, all these are good fruits, and we believe have sprung in great measure from the revival; which proves it to be a good tree, and a true branch of that plant of renown, the TREE OF LIFE, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations.

      We might here make a full stop, and put a period to any further speculation on the subject. But as the work we are examining has been publicly censured, especially in a review of it lately published at Lexington, it may not be improper to take a transient survey of that treatise, before we come to an end. But first, let it be premised, it [13] is not a confutation of the whole book, but the leading design of it; with a few of the principal objections, that is aimed at in the following pages. The substance of these, the Observer has chosen to comprise in short sentences, and express partly in his own words, to avoid prolixity, and a tedious recital; which to him would be intolerable slavery, and what also he deems needless, as every reader may peruse them all at large when he pleases; and if he has mistaken his meaning in any particular point, he hopes it will be imputed only to a want of better judgment, without any sordid purpose to injure the author, or vilify his performance.

      I. OBJECTION. In our eyes, the celebrated revival was from its original, the very essence of deception and an arrant delusion.

      Though this is not plainly asserted in the review, it is every where implied. It is taken for granted, as an incontestable truth, and not a single exception is made to palliate the gloomy impeachment. We must, therefore conclude it to be the settled and standing sentiment of the author's mind; and if so, he assuredly labours under a grievous hallucination, a deplorable mistake! We are told almost at the beginning of the review, "A false Christ is the greatest enemy to the true Christ, and a false religion is the greatest enemy to the true religion." Probatum est. This is not only a plain truth, but a very weighty one. It is [14] worthy of all acceptation. It is worthy to be published with the clangor of a shrill, loud sounding trumpet, through all the regions of the earth; that every poor sinner may take warning, and beware of his devices, who has long been the deceiver of the whole world!!! But does not this objection destroy his whole building before he has well laid the foundation? Indeed it does so; for the being of a counterfeit is a sure evidence that there is some true coin, which it was made to resemble. Where there is no lawful money there can be no counterfeit, and the forged pieces being new, mostly shine brighter than the legal currency does; and so are they likelier to decoy the ignorant or unskilful spender. The reviewer says, "The Devil is Christ's ape," which though a blunt comparison, is a lively description of his operations; who is the father of lies!--For wherever the Holy Spirit has begun a work of saving conversion, the infernal ape has never yet failed to attempt a mock mimicry of it. This he does by fabricating another Gospel, a pseudo medley, composed of a feigned repentance, faith, hope, love, humility, &c. &c. &c. by which he imposes upon the simple and unwary. What then? If while Christ by his ministers has been passing the pure gold of Heaven, that wisdom which is far above rubies, the unsearchable riches of his love; the Devil by his ministers has been passing a farrago of gilded falsehood among it; is it any wonder? [15] None at all. It is no more than what he had been doing in every age since St. Paul preached first at Damascus, to this day. Therefore this objection, instead of proving the noted revival to be a delusion, is in reality one good presumptive argument to the contrary; for was the ravenous roaring Lion to sit still at such a convenient season, we must suppose him to be at least satiated, and filled with his prey, or was grown weary of his hunting, or that the glorious millennium was actually come.

      II. OBJECTION. God is a God of order. The revival is carried on with manifold egregious disorder. It is, therefore, a manifest delusion.

      This doctrine is certainly quite orthodox. But the application is a nonsequitur; and can by no means be admitted into our creed. Both the prophets Jeremiah and Hosea, compare the body of the apostate Jews and Israelites to a wild ass used to the wilderness; and Zophar tells Job that every man without discrimination, is born like a wild ass's colt. This plainly implies, that an ignorant and uncultivated people must first be brought into order, before they can become orderly worshippers of God. Every young creature designed for labor, but especially the horse kind, with which we are best acquainted: while under the discipline of breaking, is apt to play some antic pranks. He snorts, rears, jumps, springs out of the road, and perhaps, at length throws his [16] rider, and scampers off as if scared out of his wits, and is with difficulty caught again! Yet when fully tamed, and inured to the saddle or collar, he may prove a very useful beast, notwithstanding his juvenile freaks. So here. A prophet represents Ephraim relating his experience while under the chastisement of his heavenly father, in which he owns he behaved as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. The tutorage of his harness galling his skin, he grows refractory, & many ways shews his stubborn disposition. He roars, prances, draws back, and at last may be, falls down, and lies sullenly on the ground, 'till the puncture of the ploughman's goad forces him up again. Yet he may make a very good and tractable ox when subdued by the tillage of the field. The application is easy. Our Lord tells Nicodemus, "that which is born of the flesh, is flesh." i. e. It is in a spiritual sense, wholly corrupted and depraved. An human body being of itself but an animal, when any strong impression is made upon the mind, the carnal parts is ever prone to odd gestures, and strange motions of the limbs, from whatever agency it proceeds; and these agitations of the flesh will be exactly the same whether from the operation of a good or bad spirit. So then, these external perturbations, either of the flesh or the mind do not at all prove the revival a delusion, any more than it will prove that a man has lost his reason, because he starts in the same [17] manner at the sudden explosion of thunder, or the sibilation of a serpent.

      III. OBJECTION. The practice of encamping for several days and nights in the woods, has no example in the word of God; it is, therefore, a wicked innovation, and a sure evidence that the revival, which introduced it, is a strong delusion.

      That God has given sufficient direction to his church in the Holy Scriptures, as to all things essential to his glory, and their salvation, will be granted, 'tis supposed, by all persuasions; and to that standard of verity we ought strictly to adhere both in faith and practice, as far as we are enabled to understand it. But we cannot expect an example for every article, concerning what we may find it expedient for us to believe and do in religious worship. No. Some things are indifferent in their own nature, and must be left to christian prudence, and every congregation must act in such cases, in consonance with the general tenor, and manifest scope of divine revelation. This discretionary deportment, the inspired doctor of the Gentiles has expressly taught us, in several epistles, especially in that to the Romans. An upright conversation is one leading character of the saints; and frequently recommended in the volumes of inspiration. God, speaking to Israel by Moses, gives him this caution: "In all things that I have said unto thee, be circumspect." To this sacred mandate [18] perhaps, St. Paul alludes, when he exhorts the Ephesians, "See that ye walk circumspectly." The original word achriboos, as the critics observe, signifies a going to the extremity of any thing; an acting to the utmost of a man's power in what he undertakes to perform; and is of the same import with that other sacred precept of "walking orderly," so often enjoined in the New Testament. The Greek word, stoicheoo, which is rendered "to walk orderly," denotes a moving on by line or measure supposed to be taken as a military term, from the regular marching of an army to battle; when every soldier must strictly keep his rank without any deviation, and carefully obey the commands of his captain or general, on pain of punishment, according to the aggravation of his delinquency. So ought every christian to proceed in all duties with vigilance and discretion, with sedulity and caution, and with the strictest precision and accuracy. The word of God is doubtless, a sufficient rule in all essential points, which we may be satisfied are as clearly taught as can be done in human language. But in circumstantials it is not so; and as we have at present no infallible guide to direct us, it is not likely while it is so, that the best of men should see alike in every particular relating to religion, any more than to secular affairs. Quot hominum tot sententice, is a proverb as true as it is old; i. e. As many men so many minds. What one [19] accounts good order, another pronounces wild confusion. What then is to be done? Why, let us all search the Scriptures without a bias to any party distinctions, and earnestly pray for the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to guide us into all truth, in every thing, as far as his sovereign will may see best for us, in this state of mortality. And when we have done all we can to obtain information, let us, being each one fully persuaded in his own mind, go on his own way, like the baptized eunuch, rejoicing; and let every one allow his neighbor the same freedom, to judge and act for himself. For as we have not all an equal capacity of discernment, so there is no prelate nor prince, nor convocation, nor synod, nor assembly, nor association either commissioned by the KING OF ZION, to arbitrate the difference between us. Well then--do any number of people choose to convene at times in the open air, in hopes to further their mutual instruction and comfort? And do they continue their meetings for several days? if they support themselves without injuring any body's person or property, let them have their liberty without censure or defamation. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth, yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand." However, these encampments neither began nor were at first known at our revival of religion, but started up a good while [20] afterward. They are therefore, so far from proving that great stir a delusion, that they have not the most distant relation to it either by marriage or consanguinity; and to call the work by such bad names, is scarcely good manners; but a degree of temerity and rashness, which does no honor to the Gospel, and calls for a friendly acknowledgment, and a generous recantation! Verbum sapienti sat est--a word is enough to the wise.

      IV. OBJECTION. The various frantic reveries that have attended this stir every where are, it is plain, nothing else but the working of Satan, and so many specimens of his lying wonders! Therefore the whole of the revival you are advocating, was and is an efficacious delusion.

      From whatever origin the reveries enumerated and inveighed against by the reviewer were derived, it is clear as day-light the revival has no concern with them, any more than an honest industrious farmer has to do with a junto of idle gamesters or night revellers. The screaming, falling down, lying as dead, seeing of visions, &c. &c. are but like the hairs of a man's head, mere excrescences, and no integral parts of his body. Yet it may be hard to find an account of any extraordinary reformation of religion, either in Europe or America, at least of late years, without the concomitance of such appearances, more or less in the several stages of its progress. The [21] operation of the Holy Spirit, in the renovation of his people, is in the Scriptures often compared to fire; and our Lord likens the primary actings of his grace in the soul, to the smoke of burning flax. The greener or wetter the wood is while the fire is kindling, the greater cloud of smoke it emits. But when the flame has penetrated and dried the timber, it will at length be burned down and reduced to glowing coals. The ascending vapour gradually subsides, and after a while there is but little or nothing of it to be seen; the family have the comfort of light and heat, and are freed from the troublesome fumigation. These familiar similitudes may serve as an elucidation of the subject before us, and cast convincing light on the great work of regeneration and conversion.

      Though the hair is no part of the human constitution, for a man may be born, and live well enough without it; yet when growing to a moderate proportion, it is an ornament, and of use to screen the head both from the heat of Summer, and cold of winter. But if it increases to an enormous quantity, like Absalom's, it must be polled; otherwise it will prove burthensome to the whole body; and become a nuisance instead of a benefit.--And though smoke is not essential to fire, but issues from the combustion of the fuel that feeds it; yet it is probably of service in purging our atmosphere from noxious exhalations, and [22] composing the clouds that yield us fructifying showers of rain. When a people have grown up full of the sap of ignorance and vice and have lain for years soaking in the puddles of evil concupiscence and immorality; if God is pleased at last, to smite a number of them suddenly with keen compunction for their sins, and makes them feel the scorching flames of his wrath in their consciences: is it a wonder that many of them should cry out with horror? Nay if some of them should faint, fall to the earth, and lie for some time as if they were really dead? Why, such agonizing fits have often seized poor criminals, when they have heard the sentence only of temporal execution from a human tribunal, and by a mortal man like themselves, solemnly pronounced against them. And pray, what is this, to the horrendous doom of eternal damnation pronounced by the infinite Jehovah? It is no more in comparison, than the smallest drop of a bucket, to the vast ocean, the unmeasured world of waters!!!--They then are no proof for or against the famous Revival. And to call them works of the Devil, is the perfection of impertinence. They may be circumstances attendant on a work either of God, or of Man, or of the Devil. But of themselves, they are no works at all. They are but pillows of smoke, which may arise either from a true or false fire. And like smoke are but of a short duration. For when the people have once gained a competent [23] measure of knowledge, they have always ceased; and have been rarely known afterward. Only let them alone; and like empty evaporations, they will soon die away of themselves, and lie buried in oblivion.

      V. OBJECTION. The lewdness committed at those great meetings, whereby many of our tender youth have been ruined, and their families disgraced, evidently proves the whole of the revival to be a consummate delusion.

      But is this aspersion just? This is the only intimation we have heard of it. Has it been, or can it be proved, by responsible testimony? If not, we must beg leave to reject it, as the detraction of malevolent tongues! Our Lord foretold his disciples, that malicious men would "say all manner of evil against them falsely, for his name's sake." It has ever been one capital policy of Satan, to defame the professors of religion, that he might bring the truth into contempt. And it is, we know, far from being an uncommon practice, for profane wretches, to charge innocent people, as being guilty of all the atrocious crimes, which they themselves daily live in the perpetration of without control. The ancient heathens accused the primitive christians of theft, murder, incest, human sacrifices, and indeed, every abomination which they and their infernal deities were so detestable for the commission of. Nay they represented them as implacable enemies of the rest of mankind, [24] and odious pests of society. So that when any public calamity befel them, they injuriously imputed it to the toleration of Christianity. And to instigate their magistrates to draw the sword against them, when a plague or famine, an eruption of fire, or inundation of water, happened in any part of the empire, they used to cry out with savage and importunate vociferation, Christianos ad leones. i. e. Away, away with the Christians to the lions! Ah, how much like itself, is the depraved heart of man in all nations, and under every form and pretext of religion; whether Jewish, Pagan, Mahometan, or Christian!!! But provided the ignominious tale is altogether true, it is not at all to our present purpose. For it is not equitable to cast the criminality of a few, on a whole congregation; the majority of whom, it is presumed, look upon such flagitious indulgences with blushing abhorrence!!! But, be all this as it will, it makes nothing against the revival; any more than the straggling of two or three wanton sheep from the fold evinces that the whole flock is gone astray. If true it is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation! And should be an alarming caution to the female sex especially, both matrons and virgins, to be more careful of their virtue for the future, which if once lost, can never be regained in this world! May they all have grace to lay it seriously to heart.

      VI. OBJECTION. Kentucky was first [25] settled by an avaricious set of emigrants, who came hither to monopolize extravagant possessions of land, which, while they were doing, they shamefully neglected the instruction of themselves and children in divine knowledge. And from hence sprang the present revival: which is therefore a pernicious delusion; and a just judgment on both them and their posterity.

      If this was the case, it seems not a little strange, that the naughty seed did not come up sooner. Kentucky began to be settled at least twenty years ago. It is surprising how it came to lie dormant for long. One might have thought it would have been rotten under the clods, or destroyed by some auspicious casualty a great while before the rotation of so many past seasons. That its germination should be procrastinated from one summer to another unto the year 1801, can be nothing short of a miracle, by whose power soever it was wrought! But, be that as it will. If the fathers eat the sour grapes, must the children's teeth be set on edge? and that, in secula seculorum--forever and ever!!! God has declared indeed, as from Mount Ebal, that he will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate him. i. e. If the children perversely follow the ill example of their parents, they must expect to drink of the same cup of trembling, and partake with them in their punishment; but not [26] otherwise. Now there is a great body of young people grown up in this state, who were born here, and are natives of the country. They as yet have neither sought, nor claim any personal possessions; seeing most of them are in their minority; and wholly dependent on their parents for their daily bread. Supposing then, that the first proprietors of this land were as greedy of filthy lucre; and as stupid votaries of Mammon, as the Review says they were. Nay, draw their picture in still blacker colours if you will. Represent them as a horde of ignorant, irreligious and profane miscreants! Yea, many of them notorious infidels, atheists, and but a species of white Indians or incarnate Demons if you please! Will a gracious God impute the mental gulosity, or idolatrous apostacy of the forefathers, in that respect to their harmless posterity? An heartfelt benevolence toward mankind, strongly urges us to hope the contrary. Now great part, if not a large majority of the original subjects of the work we are defending, were evidently of this class, i. e. of young persons, multitudes of them in their childhood, and others not arrived to mature age, but are yet in their adolescence, or flower of juvenality or youth. Now provided the conversion of these blooming branches was no more but an external reformation of manners; even that is a distinguishing benediction in this evil day; and in my esteem, amounts to a [27] pleasing demonstration, that they are not chargeable with the enormities of their progenitors, nor ever shall be, unless they hereafter turn aside to the like crooked way of vanity and error. Therefore, the villainy of those emigrants is no proof that the revival was a delusion, any more than it proves that every debauched father must have a progeny as wicked as himself; which, though it is too often so is not always the mishap. For there are and have been many exceptions.

      VII. OBJECTION. Many of your hypocritical converts have already returned to their former jovial divertissements and miserly pursuits. And we believe the greater part of the remainder will follow the general elopement. And this is no more than we foresaw and foretold. So that we doubt not but it will be manifest to the satisfaction of the public at last, that the revival was, from its nativity, nothing else but a satanical delusion.

      If a defection of some, yea, many from the truth which they once made a credible profession of, is a sufficient conviction to the contrary, there never was such a thing as a revival of religion in the world. Even in the apostolic age, several made shipwreck of faith, and of a good conscience. St. Paul says, all Asia have turned away from me, i. e. they had not only deserted his company, but renounced the Gospel he preached, and had either embraced another system of theology, or had revolted to their Pagan Polytheism, and Gentile superstition in [28] which they formerly lived. When Jesus preached on earth, at the beginning of his ministry the people followed him in crowds. But how soon were the generality tired of him, and his self-denying documents! At one time we are told, "Many of his disciples were back and walked no more with him." "While men slept, an enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." But he could not turn the whole field into tares. We find the farmer had a plentiful crop and a joyful harvest, notwithstanding the hostile encroachment of his adversary. So here. The Greek substantive, Skandalon, signifies any obstacle cast into a traveller's way, by which he is hindered in his journey. And such an offence is to be considered in a two fold notation, viz. as either taken or given; and in both these acceptations of the word, our Lord assures us, "It is impossible but offences should come." That is, because of the weakness and wickedness of human nature, it will of consequence be so. An offence taken, is when people are affronted at the plain truth, because it is directly repugnant to that carnal mind, which "Is enmity against God." In this sense Christ himself was and is Lithos proskommatos, kai petra skandalou. "A stumbling block and rock of offence," to a whole unbelieving world. Such He was in person, and such He is in his mystical body, his ministers and people, his institutions and ordinances, word and spirit to all [29] incorrigible sinners, both Jews and Heathens to this day! They are not only chagrined and irritated at the prevalence of strict religion, but dash themselves against the craggy mountain, until like a ship in a hurricane, they, by the violence of the shock, are broken in pieces and overwhelmed with roaring billows of divine wrath, sink into bottomless perdition!!! An offence given, is when those who have made a splendid profession of Godliness, turn from it to their former Idols of Imagery, as Hymeneus, and Alexander &c. did. They become abettors of heresy, or fomenters of schism, or drudges to the world, or break out into open and flagrant licentiousness. Such apostacy often proves a sad remora to persons who were in a measure engaged before in seeking divine knowledge, and to many of them may put a final stop to their progress for the future. The rest are blinded with prejudice, and hardened in impenitency more and more, until at length they come to draw that blasphemous conclusion, "There is nothing in religion!" It is all but priestcraft, pious fraud and a sanctimonious imposition on the rest of mankind! Thus, according to the ancient prophecy, "many among Christians as well as Jews," stumble, and fall, and are broken, and snared, and taken. And what then? Why it is no more than what the Lord repeatedly admonished his hearers of. "Many are called but few are chosen." "Narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, [30] and a few there be that find it." Wherefore, neither does this prove the revival to be a delusion. Indeed, it is but a renewed fulfilment of the Scriptures; and as such, instead of a refutation, is a real corroboration of the arguments offered in its defence. The Observer here takes his leave of the Reviewer, as to any further animadversions thereon at present. He wishes the author well; and his writings contain many valuable instructions, these he hopes will be received in love, and prove a lasting benefit to his readers, especially to the rising generation. [31]

      WE have given the revival a fair and impartial trial, and by experiment find it good metal. It bears the touchstone of argument and the balance of inspiration; and we see no room to doubt, but that it will go through the fire of opposition, without losing any of its native weight or lustre. We therefore pronounce it pure sterling gold, such as does and will pass in Heaven itself. Some dross has, no doubt, been mixed with it. That must be taken for granted, seeing perfection is not to be expected, until the final restitution of a degenerate and fallen world. Many counterfeits also, may have been fabricated by unskilful or mercenary artificers by this time, to decoy the public. But these we trust, will, in the end, be so far from diminishing, that they shall serve only to enhance the value of the true coin. Jeremiah in a vision, saw the vessel which he wrought upon the wheels, that was the Jewish church, marred in the hand of the Potter, their Almighty maker. Yet the substance of it was not destroyed, but meliorated by the accident. The Omnipotent Workman made it over again as it pleased him. He cast it into a new mould and fashioned it after a different model. He [32] repaired the breaches, and behold it was larger and fairer than before! The application is easy.

      Happy, thrice happy they, who rely on the incarnate Deity!!! He has all power in Heaven and earth. He can do every thing, and nothing is too hard for him. He can and will make darkness light before his servants, and turn even the dreary shadow of Death into the morning! Let us therefore gratefully recognise his all-performing hand in the revival, and ascribe the praise to the benign author alone. For though it does not answer our expectations at first fight, yet in the lowest estimation, it was an illustrious display of sovereign mercy to this state. For thereby much sin has been prevented, and many great judgments averted. A good number we trust have been savingly converted, and plucked as brands out of the burning. And if many are, after all but only outwardly reformed, these being brought into his visible kingdom, may be morally useful subjects as present; and by attending a searching ministry, and conversing with the faithful, hereafter be convinced of their now secret unbelief, and excited to seek regenerating grace, and at last wrestling with the Angel of the covenant like Jacob, obtain the blessing. These surely, are very beneficial and salutary consequences of the revival. And why may it not be considered as a prelude of greater things to be done in time to come? Why not [33] as a preliminary essay toward the introduction of that rosy morning, when the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings, and cover the earth with the knowledge of the Lord, as the water covers the sea: if that ancient prediction has not been already fulfilled? Or if it has, as the preparation of a peculiar people to bid him welcome when he makes his last personal appearance to the complete salvation of his whole Catholic Church? Then his rainbow, ensign of majesty, shall adorn the glowing firmament, and the melodious sound of his trumpet repair all the vessels of honour, the dead bodies of his saints, and adorn them with the refulgent ornaments of immortality!!! However, one thing is certain. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And what is this second birth, but the divine nature implanted in the heart? The life of God, quickening the soul, and converting it to righteousness? While people, therefore are securely sleeping in the soothing lap of sin, or contenting themselves with a lethargic form of Godliness, while strangers to the power thereof, our Lord declares positively, and with a solemnity of a double asseveration, they cannot understand what Heaven is in reality, much more obtain admittance into, or the fruition of that celestial beatitude. So then whatever the revival was, they are beyond all dispute, under a strong delusion, and lying on the slippery declivities of everlasting destruction. [34]

      After all, do multitudes among us still remain unconverted? While numbers of their neighbors, relatives and former companions in dissipation, licentiousness and folly, have been, with determined ardour, and truly heroic fortitude, pressing into the kingdom of Heaven, they have been at ease, and are at length, like Moab, almost quite settled on the less of carnal security. These are with Eagle-eyed vigilance busily employed in watching the motion of others, but have not taken a step in the way themselves. Astonishing indolence! Amazing stupefaction! They have had a time of visitation, but have hitherto made no improvement of the singular privilege; and now, perhaps, it is nearly elapsed, and when past will be gone, irretrievably gone! gone forever!! Then as sensual Esau did, they will cry for the inheritance, and pray for it with streaming tears, but in vain. Every ground of hope will sink under them, and they will, alas! be seized with all the gripping agonies of a final rejection! with the horrible, pungent, excruciating tortures of irretrievable desperation!!! Infatuated creatures! Surely they may well adopt the doleful dirge of Isaiah's contemporaries. "Wo unto us! For the day goeth away; for the shadows of the evening are stretched out." Doleful condition! Who can help pitying them? Though as one of the father, speaking of our Saviour's lamentation over Jerusalem, says, Plangit eos qui nesciunt cur [35] planguniur. He bewailed those who knew not why they should be bewailed. So they also may despise our compassion, scorn our groans and mock our tears. Yet the Lord may hear our prayers, & peradventure hereafter, give some of them at least repentance, to the acknowledgment of the truth. And that will be a sufficient recompence for our sorrows past, and a pleasing encouragement for us to hope that our labours for the future shall not be altogether in vain in the Lord. He is able out of the hardest stones, out of flinty rocks of adamants, to raise up children unto Abraham. But if we should be disappointed as to them, as God has built an house of mercy for the entertainment of forlorn sinners of mankind, so he will certainly have it filled at last. Therefore although many whom he has been calling to the marriage, prove irreclaimably refractory, reject the overtures of his grace, renounce allegiance to his crown, refuse bowing to his sceptre, and continue in obdurate rebellion against his authority to the end, he will take others in their stead. These he will beautify with salvation--and make them the trophies of his victory over earth and hell. While those shall be shut out, and left to suffer eternal hunger, as the just demerit of their daring contempt of divine compassion, and horrid cruelty to their own precious souls.

      Many, it may be, have been sincerely seeking the Lord, ever since the revival [36] began, and probably a good while before the commencement of the general commotion. They having been led in a more calm and easy way, as by the still waters, do as they think, at their greatest speed, make but slow advances. Hearing how many others have been arrested with violent convictions, and made to cry as a woman in her pangs, and yet in a few weeks, or in a few days were filled with unutterable joy, had beauty given them for ashes, and garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness, they endeavor to cast away all what they call their own little experiences, as illusive pebbles, instead of real pearls, and to sit down in discouragement, almost hopeless of ever finding the hidden treasure, the true knowledge of God in Christ Jesus. But let us not despise the day of small things. Remember God is, and will be known to be an absolute sovereign in the dispensation of his Mercy, as well as of his Justice. The affairs of his whole family in Heaven and earth, are managed with unerring economy, according to the counsel of his own will. He communicates to every recipient of his grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. And it is the duty of each to improve his portion whether less or more, without despondency. The servant who received only one talent, had he put it to the exchanger's, would have obtained his lord's euge, or well done, as freely and as fully as he that was entrusted with five. Of four kinds of soil [37] on which the sower's seed fell, but one bro't forth in perfection; and even that in a different degree of quantity. One produced an hundred fold, the next fifty, and the last but thirty fold. Yet the husbandman approved the poorest species as good ground. These parables and their explanation by our Lord himself you may read in the Gospel, and consider at your leisure. And one needful lesson we ought to learn by them, is not to envy his munificence to our brethren, nor his bestowing his donatives in more copious emanations upon others: But be thankful for what he has already granted, and proceed with industrious alacrity in quest of more. The fecundity of one climate does not at all injure the comparative sterility of another. If the thinner kind yields a crop in correspondence to its native quality and commensurate to his pains in the cultivation and manurement of it; the farmer is contented; he expects no more. So here. For God can, and probably often does, make those whom he draws to himself with the alluring endearments of his discovered compassion, and in the serene air of his manifested benignity, without such heart-piercing anxiety and bitter remorse, which for wise ends, he frequently inflicts on some sort of sinners, as useful members of his church here on earth, and as glorious saints hereafter in Heaven, as those who have at first been terrified with the sharpest thunders of Satan, and at last charmed with the sweetest [38] melody of Zion; and if you will, serenaded with the songs of Angels, and the ever warbling harps of the spirits of the just, now made perfect in beatitude above. For whatever visions, or trances, or transports, or raptures, or ecstacies some persons may have to tell of, they are at best but transitory flashes of affection, and when united in one swelling aggregate, it is no part of real religion, which is quite another thing. The root lies deep in the new heart; and consists in a realizing, sedate, silent, tranquil contemplation of infinite perfection! as the only adequate portion of an immortal soul; and in its outward actings, this kingdom of God cometh not with observation, with external pomp, and parade, and clamor, and noise, and tumult, and confusion. It delights in secrecy, retirement and silence; and when called into company, as sometimes it must be, like the chaste virgins of old, it chooses to be seen vailed, rather than bare-faced and exposed to full view. Like the fair nymph in the inspired song, her dove's eyes are covered with the long infolded golden locks of modesty and discretion. This, you may depend, is the true picture of the bride, the Lamb's wife; the sparkling Queen of Glory. Whatever else may attend her now, they are but her outward habiliments or robes, and too often prove to her real character, blemishes instead of beauties. [39]

      As the Lord knoweth them that are his, so he knoweth what rank in his mystical body every member is allotted to occupy; and of consequence, he can be at no loss to perceive what gifts are most suitable to qualify each individual for his peculiar station. All of them, therefore, ought to learn contentment, and resignation to the disposal and regulation of Infinite Wisdom, without ungratefully repining at the fancied or even real pre-eminence of others. Who hath ears to hear let him hear what the head of the Church says to this purpose. "Many that are first shall be last, & the last first." Numbers who, at their letting out in the probationary race, seemed to run with the greatest velocity, have after a while grown weary of well doing, and have lagged as far behind. While those they despised as loiterers, have by a slow and gradual perseverance, got the start of, and at length far outstripped them in their progress. They have not only gained a preference to such highflyers in the end, but been elevated above them as far as stars of the first magnitude transcend the smallest orbs that twinkle in the sky. Let none then be disheartened at the small measure of grace received; but courageously hold on their way. They shall go from strength to strength, 'till they have won the prize of complete redemption, and gained the flowery garland of immortal triumph.

      Finally, my kind readers, farewell. Are you still unconverted? Be persuaded to act [40] at length like rational creatures. Make one magnanimous attempt to come out of the gall of bitterness. Strive to break the bond of iniquity. Do so; and you may cheerfully hope that God will help you, and that right early. But if you contumaciously neglect his great salvation much longer, you have cause to fear He will take the common aid of his good spirit quite from you, and leave you to wander on the dark rocks of error, 'till you fall at last, into that horrendous volcano of fire and brimstone, unquenchable and everlasting!!! May a gracious Saviour enable you to lay the exhortation to heart, before the smiling opportunity be quite elapsed, and there is no prospect of escaping left. Are you coming to Christ? Beware of lingering on the way. Tarry not in the plain of any past attainment, but hasten to the mountain of the Lord's house. That is to Christ himself; for there is no salvation in any other. He is the only refuge from the flames of divine wrath, and the avenger of blood. His grace is sufficient for the chief of sinners, for worst and vilest of men. Fear not, only believe and you shall be saved. But take heed that it be a faith of the operation of God--an unfeigned faith. A faith purifying the heart, and beating the fruit of obedience to all his commands, ordinances and institutions, as far as they are known, or your understanding reaches. Then shall you dwell safely, and be quiet from the fear of evil. [41]

      Are you Christians? Not nominally only, but really saints. Strive then to walk worthy of your vocation. Be ye not slothful but active followers of them that inherit the promises. Be examples of sincere, upright, undissembled religion. Wilfully offend none. Neither flatter any man. Indulge no sin. Neglect no duty. Maintain no heresy. Make no schism. Renounce blind zeal, bigotry and superstition in all its forms. Be honest in dealing, and temperate in living; and in a particular manner, take heed and beware of covetousness, which is idolatry! and be constant in your devotions, both private and public. Fight the good fight of faith, and be daily laying hold of eternal life. To this end gird on the divine panoply; even the whole armour of God. And in patience possess your souls. And yet a little while at longest, the Captain of Salvation will found your discharge from the field of battle; neither shall ye learn war any more. He will give you the crown of life--a crown that will flourish on your heads when ages have ceased to roll. When time itself, with all its noisy revolutions, its perplexing cares and vain, frothy, foolish amusements have vanished away, as sparks from the smitten steel; which die in a moment and are seen no more forever.

      The electronic edition of David Thomas' The Observer Trying the Great Reformation in This State, and Proving It to Have Been Originally a Work of Divine Power; with a Survey of Several Objections to the Contrary, as Being Chiefly Comprised in Mr. Rankin's Review of the Noted Revival, Lately Published; Sent with an Address to a Friend in the Country (Lexington, KY: Printed by John Bradford, 1802) has been produced from a microform copy of the printed text held by Abilene Christian University. Thanks to Erma Jean Love for providing the photocopy of the booklet.

      In the printed text, footnotes are indicated by printer's devices (asterisks and daggers); in the electronic text, they are treated as sequentially numbered endnotes. Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. The "long s" of the printed copy (usually represented by the letter "f") has been rendered as the letter "s." Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections for misspellings and other accidental corruptions have been offered. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 11:     ftiled [ styled
 p. 13:     furtherence [ furtherance
            benevolence meeknefs, [ benevolence, meekness,
 p. 14:     incontestible [ incontestable
            grevious [ grievous
 p. 15:     or unskilful [****]der. [ or unskilful spender.
            falshood [ falsehood
            Demafcus, [ Damascus,
 p. 16:     argume t to [ argument to
            milleni- um [ millennium
            nonsequitor; [ nonsequitur;
 p. 19:     vigilence [ vigilance
 p. 20:     feach the Scriptures [ search the Scriptures
            purfuaded [ persuaded
 p. 21:     enveighed [ inveighed
 p. 22:     encreafes [ increases
            like Abfaloms, [ like Absalom's,
 p. 23:     concupifence [ concupiscence
 p. 24:     by sponsible [ by responsible
            prophane [ profane
            attrocious [ atrocious
            controul. [ control.
 p. 25:     VI OBJECTION. [ VI. OBJECTION.
 p. 26:     is was wrought! [ it was wrought!
 p. 27:     irreligions [ irreligious
 p. 28:     chargable [ chargeable
            divertisements [ divertissements
 p. 29:     crouds. [ crowds.
 p. 30:     Alex- der [ Alexander
            prophefy, [ prophecy,
            and taken, [ and taken.
            chosen.,' [ chosen."
 p. 34:     declevities [ declivities
 p. 35:     numbers of of their [ numbers of their
            vigilence [ vigilance
            griping agonies [ gripping agonies
 p. 36:     preadventure [ peradventure
 p. 39:     secrefy, [ secrecy,
 p. 41:     of the the Lord's [ of the Lord's
 p. 42      bigottry [ bigotry
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
stefanik@westol.com

Created 13 March 1999.