Introductory Remarks by the Editor

A REVIVAL OF RELIGION is a subject of great interest and importance. The phrase has, by common consent, been appropriated to denote a work of the Spirit of God, turning the attention of considerable numbers in a place to the things of eternity, and bringing many, in a short time, to a saving knowledge of Christ. It is merely the success of the gospel, unusually increased. It is the conversion of numbers of sinners in a short space of time. Whatever interest is attached to the institutions of religion, whatever pleasure is felt in the success of a preached gospel, or whatever emotions arise, on earth or in heaven, at seeing one sinner repent and believe in Christ, all these must be heightened and enhanced abundantly at the multiplication of such results, which constitutes a revival of religion. The Savior himself sees the travail of his soul, and is satisfied, when converts arc multiphed, as trophies of his grace. It is only through mistake or misinfomiation, that any who love our Lord Jesus Christ are grieved or alarmed at a revival of religion.

These seasons are as important as they are interesting. They constitute not only the glory and the rejoicing of the church, but her safety and life. In the darkest periods, the church has been saved from utter extinction by revivals. The first preaching of the gospel was attended with powerful revivals. The book of Acts is a Iiistory of revivals. The reformation from popery was almost everywhere accompanied with revivals. There were extensive revivals in the times of the Puritans in England. The early churches in New England had numerous revivals. Powerful seasons of the same kind were experienced in Scotland and Ireland, in the former part of the last century. At a later period, extensive revivals took place in England, under the preaching of Wesley and Whitefield. The revivals which occurred in Amc rica, under the ministrations of PresidcntEdwards and his cotemporaries, were distinguished for striking manifestations of divine power and grace, lumerous revivals in the United States marked the close of the last and beginning of the present ccntmy, both in the east and the west. And from that time they have been regularly growing more frequent, more nmnerous, more powerful and rapid, all over our country, to the present time. The last year was undoubtedly distinguished, above all that have preceded it, since the formation of the Christian church. Never before has the Holy Spirit been poured out in so many places at once; never before has the Lord Jesus gathered so many mto his churches, in the same space, of time, “of such as shall be saved’

X IxNTRODUCTOKV REMARKS.

There is reason to believe, that these displays of divine grace uill continue to increase, till one general revival shall extend over the habitable globe. We are assured of the universal extension and final triumph ot” the gospel in the whole world. We know, from the “sure word of prophecy,” that what we now sec of the progress and effects of spiritual religion, is only a small sample of what is yet to be seen. And we thence infer, that all the revivals which have hitherto taken place, are only the first fruits of the glorious harvest. It is only by revivals that the work of conversion can overtake the increase of population in the world. It is only by revivals that the ministers and other instruments and means for sending out the gospel can be furnished. It is only in this way that infidelity and the love of the world can be made to yield to the authority of Christ. By no other process can the church gain strength and numbers fast enough, to meet the opposition which will inevitably bo provoked by the growing influence and power of religion.

It is manifest, therefore, that the church is to calculate upon revivals of religion, as habitual events, and to consider the duties and responsibilities incident to revivals as her customary burden. Or rather we may say, that the state of revival, the rapid gathering in of souls to Christ,, by the labors of his people, and in answer to their efficacious prayers, ought to be regarded as the natural and appropriate state of the church. And by consequence, the absence of revivals iujphes something wrong in the church, of declension, neglect of duty, sinning against the Lord Jesus Cluist, destroying the souls of men.

It is incumbent then upon the church, to prepare for such a state of revival as we are thus authorized to anticipate. The subject of revivals must be more studied, and better understood. And the spirit of revivals must be more diligently cultivated. What an impulse would at once be given to the study of the art of war, if it were anticipated that the countiy woidd soon be involved in such a calamity. Why should not the science of revivals, and the course of action required in revivals, become a matter of general study hi the church? Ministers have doubtless much yet to learn concerning revivals, the signs of their approach, the means of producing them, the manner of conducting them, the way to guard against difliculties, and to secure the happiest results. And every Christian ought to understand revivals, because every one has a part to act in relation to tlrem. There is a growing conviction in the church, of the responsibility which rests upon every individual professor of religion, in tunes of revival. In tunes of revival it becomes manifest how much the conduct of each one may help or hmder the effect of divine truth. But without knowledge on the subject, no one can correctly perform his duty in relnvals. And unless one understands the principles that are applicable in them, it is impossible he should hb well prepared to act, in the ever-varying emergencies which a revival docs not fail to exhibit. How great the calamity, to prevent or destroy a revival, from not knowing how to act in regard to it! Or to resist and extinguish a real revival, under a mistaken opinion that it is spurious! Or to encourage and cherish a spurious excitement, supposing it to be a gcuubxc work of the Siurit of God! Or to have the

fruits which might have followed a revival stinted or marred, by any imbecile or ill-judged procedures!

With these views of revivals, and of their importance as a subject of religious study, when th.e publishers of the present volume applied to me, last summer, for advice in selecting a book which would be seasonable and acceptable in the present revived state of things, I could think of no one so appropriate as Edwards on Revivals. I was struck also with the coincidence, when on making iiquiry of several individuals, whose opinion in such a case IS of great weight, they spontaneously, and without any suggestion from me, designated the same work, as one which it was pavticulaily desirable to have circulated in the churches at the present time. If any further evidence were needed, it may be found in the testimonials to the value of these writings, which the publisher has obtained and prefixed to this volume. Coming as they do, from ministers of different evangelical denominations, and men who are known to differ in many particulars, the unanimity of their approbation, and the unqualified terms in which they have given it, are worthy of particuand grateful notice. It augurs well for revivals, that a work so full, effi- *cJent, and thorough, should have united such suffrages in its flivor.

Probably no uninspired man was ever quahficd for such a work, like Prcsiilcnt Edwards. To a very clear, discriminating, and philosophical mind, he added a habit of patient study and diligent research, excited and governed by a love of truth. The clearness, which in others is so often cold and dull, in him was warmed and enlivened by an experience in religion, singularly deep and spiritual. Having been most thoroughly trained in theology, and received practical instruction from his father, and from his grandfather Stoddard, respecting revivals, he was privileged to be the instrument of producing one of the most genuine and powerful revivals on record in modern times, the first in a series of revivals, of great extent and power. These things conspired to put in requisition all the powers of his copious mind, and employ them on the subject of revivals. His piety, zeal, faith, judgment, courage, integrity, were all tried, and not found v.aniing. He wrote these works with all the savor of the revivals fresh upon his soul. His mind was full of revival influence. He felt that revivals were the great interest, which ought to enlist the zeal, and absorb the sensibilities of the chuich. Indeed, tlicse writings are so pervaded M’ith the revival spirit, that they cannot be properly appreciated, but by one who partakes of the same heavenly influence. There is spirituality, a thoroughness, a devotedness to the subject, a delicacy of discrimination, which no man can duly understand, whose mind is in a cold, worldly, unbelieving, caviling state. None but a revived Christian can rightly comprehend, or judiciously apply, the various principles and rules which are here developed. He who reads this, and does not feel himself moved to prize, and seek, and pray for revivals, is poorly qualified to use the book, in its applications to.others.

The account given by President Edwards himself, of the work in 1735, in the first portion of the subsequent volume, is so full and authentic, that it is only ncerlful to mention this a:r Ihn first in a series or cluster of revivals.

M-hich extended over our wliolo country during a space of twenty years. The “Thoughts concerning the Revival,” which* occupy the principal part of the hook, is a more labored work. It was written in 1742, during the progress of a very extensive revival, which commenced in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and continued for several years. This is what is generally known by the name of “the great revival.” I gather from Trumbull’s History, that it began in Connecticut, early in the year 1740. Its rise in Massachusetts is traced to the first visit of Mr. Whitefield, who reached Boston in September of that year. The Boston ministers seem to have entered zealously into the work, with the exception of Dr. Chauncey, who afterwards •WTote a book against it.* Rev. Gilbert Tennent, a preacher of great eloquence and remarkable success, also visited New England soon after Mr. Whitefield, and spent upwards of two months in Boston. He likewise labored in Connecticut. The work was more powerful in the years 1740, 1741, and 1742, in Connecticut than in Massachusetts. The ministers who labored with most extensive effect were Messrs. Mills, Pomeroy, Wheelock, and Bellamy, who preached in all parts of the colony, and in Massachusetts, wherever their brethren would admit them. Some of the leading ministers, however, were bitter enemies of the revival; and about the time that this book was written, 1742, their hoslility had reached its height. Dr. Trumbull says, it was the “plan of the old lights, or Arminians, both among the clergy and civilians, to suppress, as far as possible, all the zealous and Calvinistic preachers.” The most severe laws were passed against them, and rigorously executed. As the consequence of this withdrawment of so many leading ministers, and the opposition which was made to the work, the zeal of many degenerated to enthusiasm, discord and fanaticism crept in, and in the subsequent years, many grievous separations and other evils took place in the churches. Still, however, the work of genuine revival seems to have gone steadily forward, notwithstanding these mLxtures of human infirmity, so that l)y the year 1748, the balance of public opinion was entirely changed, the oppressive laws were repealed, and the ministers who had been punished for laboring in revivals, were restored to their rights. Much has been said about the disorders which attended these revivals; but Dr. Trumbull says, “Of these, in most of the churches, there was little or nothing; and perhaps they were not greater in any, than were found in the church at Corinth, even in the apostolic age.” “It was estimated that in two or three years of the revival, thirty or forty thousand souls were born into the family of heaven, in New England, besides great numbers in New York and New Jersey, and in the more southern provinces.”!

President Edwards wrote his “Thoughts on the Re-ival,” in 1742, the most critical period of this interesting history, when the work seemed to be balancing, as it were, between the deadly opposition of some, and the extrawagancies of others. And how admirably calculated was this m.an, how

* Hr subsequrntly avowod himself a believer in universalism. t Trumbull, Hist. Uonn. Kook II. Chap. 8.

twidently was he raised up, to hold the scales in such a juncture. To he duly estimated, the work should be jud<jed of in connection with the circumstances under which it was produced. The manner of laying out his plan, and the topics introduced, the practices which he either defended or censured, the wisdom with which he conducted his subject, arc much more apparent, to those who will make themselves familiar with the historical facts by which it is illustrated.

It would be out of place here, to attempt an extended review of this celebrated treatise. The general plan will be seen from the table of contents. He begins his work, by showing very clearly which side he espoused of the main qwestion at issue, and by avowing his full conviction that the excitement then in progress was a great and glorious work of God. He had no sympathy at all with those who doubted on this point, or who were so forever harping upon real or fancied errors, connected with the work, that they had no heart to rejoice in its blessed results. He explains, in a masterly manner, how these errors, so far as they had a real existence, were not only compatible with a genuine work of grace, but might well have grown out of the work itself, from the greatness and the novelty of the excitement, the opposition encounteretl, the weakness of the instruments, (modestly including himself,) and the imperfection of knowledge and grace in those who were engaged in the work. And he expresses, in no measured terms, but with equal kindness, his sense of the offensiveness of their conduct, who stood aloof at such a day of the espousals of the church, minding nothing but defects and blemishes. After all their cry about madness and enthusiasm, the worst madness in the sight of God, was to remain cold and inactive at such a time. Nothing can exceed the acuteness M’ith which he handles the objections of those, who would pretend to judge of revivals by philosophy, or custom, or their own shallow experience. Would that it might ever be so, that those who feel called upon to promote the purity of revivals, should begin by such a triumphant vin - dication of them, as the glorious work of God’s Holy Spirit. Were the principles here laid down duly considered, men would be slower than they are to discredit the genuineness of a revival, or the piety or orthodoxy of those who labor in it, merely because it appears to them to be attended with indiscretions pr irregularities.

Part second, in which he enforces the obligation of all to be actively engaged in promoting the work, is full of the most solemn and weighty considerations. The principle is fully brought out, that a time of revivals calls for special efforts, to fall in with the designs of the Spirit, and promote and extend the work. It is difficult to conceive how a minister can read this part, and while revivals are prevailing all around him, still quiet his consoience without putting forth some special efforts to have his people share in the passing mercy. There are some passages in this part which hav<7 an awful solemnity, and ought to be deeply pondered by those, who are not adopting any special miasures to promote and extend the work of grace now going on in our land. Those especially, who allow themselves to «peak slightingly of these excitements, and to deride or abuse the instruments that God sees fit to employ, should talvc heed to some of the admoni-XlV INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

tions, which come -with so much force, as well as discrimination, from the pen of Edwards.

Havinj» exhibited the danger of not acknowledging and promoting the work of revival, in a way calculated to carry trembling to the hearts of those that stand aloof from revivals, because they are carried on in a way which does not exactly coincide with their views, he next shows the blessedness that must necessarily attend a hearty co-operation in the work. Two principles are clearly maintained; that it is at their peril if men fail to acknowledge a real revival of religion, through any false notions, or a jmori reasonings of their own; and that a time of revival imposes a special duty upon ministeis and others, to go out of their ordinary course, and do something more than what is usual, to honor and advance the work. Men may be in fact opposers of the work, who do not directly speak against it as a whole; who even acknowledge, in general terms, that there is a good work carried on in the country; but whose habitual conversation shows that they are in fact more out of humor with the state of things, and enjoy themselves less than they did before the work began. Such arc known, by being more forward to take notice of what is amiss than of what is good in the work. And there can be no doubt their influence, on the whole, is unfavorable to the re-vival. If men viewed things in a just light, the conversion of numbers of sinners would so engage their attention, and engross their hearts, that they would not be in a humor to dwell perpetually upon the errors of the instruments.

In the third part, we have a very discrim.inating and hearty defense of the subjects and zealous promoters of the work, from many groundless charges which had been brought against them. He vindicates zealous preachers from the charge of appeahng exclusively to the passions. There is no danger of raising the affections too high in religion, if they are raised in view of the proper objects. Neither are ministers to be blamed for preaching terror to awakened sinners, if it is truth, and if proper pains are taken to enhghten them, and show them what they must do to be saved. And in regard to frequent meetings, and the like, he mentions that it is to the honor of God, when people are so much employed in outward acts of religion, as to carry a public appearance of engagedncss in it, as the main business of life. And though it is not true, ordinarily, that the time occupied by reUgious meetings encroaches seriously upon men’s worldly business, yet it may often be highly proper and useful to do so. And on the subject of frequent preaching, in reply to the objection that one sermon will crowd out another from people’s minds, this great master of assembhes avers, that the main beneiit of preaching is by impressions made upon the mind in the time 6f it, and not by any efl’ect that arises from the subsequent remembrance of it.

Having shown in what way, and to what extent, effects on the body are to be regarded as probable tokens of God’s presence and power; considered how far it is proper to use means for increasing the excitement in an asseml)ly; and jiistilied the earnestness of those whAe hearts arc full of the love of Christ, the practice of frequent singing, and the religious meetings of children, under proper regulations; he thru proceeds, in part fmirtli, to point out what things ought to be corrected or avoided, in promoting the revival. If any evidence were wanting, to prove the remarkable integrity and singleness of heart of this eminent servant of Christ, it may be found in the plain, pointed, and faithful manner in which he has treated this part of the subject. It required no small measure of grace to acknowledge, and of firmness to point out to public notice, the faults, errors, and delinquencies of those whom he had just been strenuously engaged to uphold and defend.

He begins with remarking, that the last resort of the devil to overthrow a revival of religion, is to corrupt it, or carry it to cextremes; and that the errors of its friends and promoters furnish him with his greatest advantage. It is a great mistake for Christians to think, that even in the seasons of their highest spiritual enjoyment, they are out of danger from the adversary. These errors are traced to spiritual pride; the adoption of some wrong principles, respecting the guidance of the Spirit, the prayer of faith, or some other point; and ignorance of Satan’s devices.

No enemy of the revivals could have done this part of the work with a more luisparing hand than Edwards. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Aud every one, especially every minister, who is actively engaged in revivals, and successful in promoting them, should make liimsclf familiar with this part of the book, as the chart of his constant dangers and easily besetting sins. He will find many around him, who are fond of tluowing these things in his teeth; and the only just defense is, so to live and labor that they shall not be true. In regard to the use which is lawfully to be made of this part, it is proper to obsei-ve, that the points here agitated, are points wlrich concern only those who are themselves actively and cordially engaged in promoting revivals, to be settled among themselves. Those who are unbelieving and inactive, will find matters enough to occupy their attention, in the previous pages. Indeed, it would be no bad rule, and would conduce much to the peace of the church, to have it understood, that no person should make use of this part, in discussing points connected with revivals, until he had read, marked, inwardly digested, and cordially approved and adopted the previous portions. It would silence many complainers, and might awaken some sleeping consciences.

In commenting thus freely upon the evils which will sometimes be found among those who are earnestly engaged in promoting the revival, Edwards shows that it was no part of his principles to cover up such tilings, or to palliate them. He does not admit the doctrine, that speaking of these tilings, in a friendly way, and for the purpose of correcting them, and of domg good to those who have fallen into them, will stop the revival. But it ought to be done by those who are actually engaged themselves in the revival, and not by those who are looking on, and taking no part nor responsibility in the work.

The pride, false principles, censoriousness, and other tilings which he has pointed out as errors, have not ceased from the church. And this part of the book still needs to be studied. Probably the views of our most judicious and warm hearted men are a little altered in regard to the importance which should be allotted to strong bodily emotions; and their ideas considerably enlarged, respecting the extent to which the instrumentality of private brethrencan be profitably employed in ])romoting the revival. The suggestions in part fifth, of what things should be done directly to promote the work, arc not all as applicable to the present state of society, as they were when written; though they are still valuable, for the developement of important principles. And the most of them are of universal application. In particular, it is clearly implied in what he says, that the means of relival are to be varied from time to time, according to the aspects and circumstances of a community. And every engine of influence, which can be used consistently with truth, ought to be employed in forwarding the work. Ministers should exhibit great zeal and resoluteness in pushing the work forv’ard. Mr. Whitefield’s success was greatly owing to this. Coldness and irresolution in dealing with worldly, unconverted sinners, only confirm them in their course.. The importance of external reformation, and of abounding in deeds of charity, as a means of revivals, is clearly set forth by Edwards, and has been abundantly evinced in the blessing which has every where followed the temperance reform, and the unusual displays of Christian benevolence, in the last two years.

In short, the work is full of the wisest practical instnictions, based upwi the most profound knowledge of the true principles on which these things proceed. And the hope is now fondly cherished, that the circulation of a complete and beautiful edition among the churches, at such a juncture as the present, will be eminently serviceable, in giving force, consistency, purity, and permanency, to the revivals now in progress throughout the country. That the blessing of God, and the enlightening and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, may secure such a result, is the earnest prayer of

THE EDITOR.

JVeio Ym-ky March,. 1832..