were hardly quickened. It was, however, favorable to the opening of the true testimony. As the preaching of John prepared the way for the testimony of Jesus, so the preaching of those who were the principal instruments in producing these revivals, cleared the way for sowing the spiritual seed of the kingdom, by those who were eminently qualified for that purpose. And as John's light was extinguished by reason of the greater light that succeeded it, so the light in these revivals was bedimned by the full blaze of that sun that shone with such effulgence in the glorious testimony of the first founders of the United Society.

The way of these heralds of truth was pointed out by the dictates of heavenly wisdom. They were led along by a divine impulse, and delivered their testimony as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Those who rejected their principles, either dwindled into a formality of godliness, denying the power, or united in all the corruptions of this world. It is a truth peculiar to every dispensation of God, that those who reject it, lose every ray of light that they previously had. And though such may have enjoyed a measure of justification, yet if they refuse to follow the greater degree of light presented to them by the hand of God, their justification flees away, and they are left to pursue a weary pilgrimage through life. The harbinger of Christ had a clear view of this subject, and frankly said, that Christ must increase, but he must decrease. This had reference to the appropriate ministry of each, and the ultimate consequence resulting from both. Those who repented at the preaching of John, either cordially received the Gospel of Christ, or receded to the principles of Judaism, and consequently experienced a portion of the calamities that befel that rebellious nation. It is dan gerous to trifle with the gifts of Heaven, and resist the light of truth. Many can witness the correctness of this by woful experience.

The establishment of this order in various places, has generally been preceded by a work of preparation; and we have demonstrative proof in all these sections, of similar consequences attending a rejection of this testimony. The Saviour declared that the greater condemnation should rest on Capernaum, Bethsaida, and other places that resisted his doctrine. The same truth holds good in the present day. Those who reject the light of this dispensation when made known to them, bear evident marks of the Divine displeasure. It is seen in the corruption of their morals, and in that state of degradation to which both soul and body become reduced.

You cannot avoid the discovery of the exact similarity in this order and the gospel in its first establishment. The same Power and Wisdom exhibited in the first, are most clearly discovered in the second. Now I ask you, what order has such a combination of evidences that it originated from God? If there is any, point it out. Present the proofs that shall substantiate their claim to such a holy origin, and I will say no

more.

B. You have brought many proofs that appear very forcible and conclusive. I know not how they can be applied to any other order; but if I say that I am fully convinced, you will naturally ask, why I do not come into the order? I wish to hear you farther on the same subject.

DIALOGUE XI.

M. As you have expressed a desire for me to pursue this subject, I cheerfully comply with your request. As long as you listen to me with patience, and evince the same candor, I shall not hesitate to contribute what knowledge I conceive to be necessary, in order to a correct understanding of the leading principles of this Society.

It may be well to inform you that the church at New Lebanon, is what is called the centre of union. There is no body or society that can reasonably expect to prosper without union. The church of Christ is represented very properly by the members of the human system. The head is the centre that gives direction to the whole body. The church is called the body of Christ. It is evident that the spirit of Christ is in the head, or visible head of every true church. This being admitted, there must be some place designated by the spirit to which the members must look for counsel and direction. There can be no movement of importance without the union of the whole body, and this is expressed by the head. There is such a connection between the head and the other members, that they harmonize in every movement. There can be no sudden fluctuations in a body thus united. Whatever is done, is done deliberately; and it is but seldom that circumstances require a retrograde movement.

Wherever there is a preparatory work, and a corresponding feeling pervades the body, the testimony is uniformly opened, and there is no uncertainty as to the success. You cannot expect, consistent with this order, a sudden enlargement; but it is favorable to a gradual increase. Our numbers, when compared with many other denominations, are small; but we have no ambition or desire to increase them, any farther than is consistent with the divine purpose of Him who makes the cause of his own establishment, the object of his peculiar care.

The first visible head by the spirit of prophecy, frequently foretold of an opening and an increase in "the far west." This is the more remarkable, as at that time this immense territory was an uncultivated wilderness. Years rolled on, and but little was thought of this special manifestation. At length one of the most remarkable revivals took place in Kentucky, and the adjoining States, that ever was known since the world began. This State was mostly settled by emigrants from other sections of the union; they, consequently, with their other stuff, carried with them every variety of religious notions. There were adherents to almost every doctrine that divides Christendom; and each had their champions who were ready to defend their respective tenets at the point of the sword. In the midst of this bickering, a few were led to an examination of the scriptures, and became satisfied that none of these orders answered to the purity of New Testament requirements. These sects were so formal, that should any of their communicants be under the influence of the life and power of religion, they were knocked on the head in the outset. "As two cannot walk together except they be agreed," it was soon found necessary to separate. A division was made in the Presbytery of Kentucky, and Robert Marshall, John Dunlavy, Richard M'Neman, Barton W. Stone, and John Thompson, formed a Presbytery of their own, and called it the Springfield Presbytery. These

men, as I understand, were the principal leaders in the revival. And I am indebted to Richard M'Neman, for most of the information I have about it. He wrote a small volume, called the Kentucky Revival, in which he gave a particular account of some of the most extraordinary operations that ever were seen, since the days of the Apostles. And as he was an eye witness to what he relates, the utmost confidence can be placed in the truth of what he asserts. Those who are unacquainted with the respectable source from which this information is gained, may be led to doubt its correctness. Where the character of Richard M'Neman is known, the utmost reliance is placed on his word. Besides, his account agrees with what was communicated to the public in the periodical journals of that day. This greatest of all revivals arose from small beginnings, and gradually progressed until it spread over a great part of Kentucky and the adjoining States. The country being newly settled, the people must have come from a vast distance to swell the assembly to four, five, ten and even twenty thousand. Children of eight months of age, were the subjects of this work. And the exhortations delivered by boys and girls afforded convincing proof to thousands, that the living God was speaking through them to their consciences. There were no formal regulations as to preaching, praying or singing. Both old and young, male and female, black and white, all improved their gifts as they were moved upon by the Spirit. And if there was one soul in an assembly of several thousand that was not actively engaged in some mode of exercise, such a one was looked upon as a dead weight.

This work was opposed by the professed Deist, and the formal Christian, but when characters of this description assembled with the multitude, they uniformly went with the current. However bent they might be on opposing the work, the spirit that pervaded the assembly, penetrated their hearts, and they were irresistibly constrained to unite in the work they came to oppose. If any attempted to flee as from an enemy, though their efforts should be ever so violent, the spirit would arrest them in their flight, and they would fall prostrate to the earth. Both old and young, black and white, all were operated upon in a similar manner. Many lay apparently dead for several days. There were no signs or appearance of life. The animal functions were entirely suspended; and, strange as it may appear, they gaped and expired in a cold sweat One author observes, that there were three thousand in this condition, at one meeting; and to prevent their being trod upon by the multitude, these bodies were collected together, that they might be in a place of security. When they came out of these trances, they testified that their immortal part ranged the "fields of the invisible world," and they generally delivered a pathetic exhortation or prophecy. They declared that the day of full redemption was near at hand. The spirit of this revival pointed directly to this important event. In the height of their ecstacy, they were constrained to worship God in the dance.

This was not voluntary. They were irresistibly compelled to go forth in the dances by some invisible hand! Many attempted to resist the impulse until they were forced to comply, by other involuntary acts still more mortifying. The only way that they could avoid the latter, was by yielding to the former. They soon considered it their privilege to rejoice before the Lord, and go "forth in the dances of them that make merry. When I describe to you these mortifying exercises, you will not think strange, that to avoid them, they cheerfully went forth in

the dance before the Lord. The spirit of the revival led them to express their joy and gladness in this way. This, you may perceive, was a prelude to the gospel order that was soon to succeed. My object is to show, that this was a work of preparation, as the event has absolutely proved to a demonstration.

I wish now to show you the exercises of an involuntary kind, to which these people were subjected, that appear to have been substituted in room of the "falling exercise," as it was called, at which I have just hinted. The principal of these were the rolling exercise, the jerks, and the barks.

The rolling exercise consisted in being cast down in a violent manner, doubled with the head and feet together, and rolled over and over, like a wheel, or stretched, in a prostrate manner, turned swiftly over and over like a log. This was considered very debasing and mortifying, especially if the person was taken in this manner, through the mud, and sullied from head to foot.

Still more demoralizing were the jerks. Nothing in nature could better represent this strange and unaccountable operation, than for one to goad another, alternately on every side, with a spear of red hot iron. The exercise commonly began in the head, which would fly backward and forward, and from side to side, with a quick jolt, which the person would naturally labor to suppress, but in vain; and the more any one labored to stay himself, and be sober, the more he staggered, and the more rapidly his twitches increased. He must, necessarily go as he was stimulated, whether with a violent dash on the ground, or bounce from place to place, like a foot ball; or hop round with head, limbs and trunk, twitching and jolting in every direction, as if they must inevitably fly asunder. And how such could escape without injury, was no small wonder to spectators. By this strange operation, the human frame was commonly so transformed and disfigured, as to lose every trace of its natural appearance.

Sometimes the head would be twisted to the right and left, to a half round, with such velocity that not a feature could be discovered, but the face appear as much behind, as before. And in the quick, progressive jerk, it would seem as if the person was transmuted into some other species of creature. Head dresses were of little account among the female jerkers. Even handkerchiefs, bound tight round the head, would be flirted off almost with the first twitch, and the hair put into the utmost confusion. This was a great inconvenience, to redress which, the generality were shorn, though directly contrary to their confession of faith. Such as were seized with the jerks, were wrested at once, not only from under their own government, but that of every one else, so that it was dangerous to attempt confining them, or touching them in any manner, to whatever danger they were exposed; yet few were hurt except it were such as rebelled against the operation, through wilful and deliberate enmity, and refused to comply with the injunctions, which it came to enforce.

The last possible grade of mortification seemed couched in the barks! These frequently accompanied the jerks; nor were they the most mean and contemptible characters, who were the common victims of this disgracing operation; but persons who considered themselves in the foremost rank, possessed of the highest improvements of human nature; and yet in spite of all the efforts of nature, both men and women would

be forced to personate that animal, whose name, appropriated to a human creature, is counted the most vulgar stigma-forced, I say; for no argument but force, could induce any one of polite breeding, in a public company, to take the position of a canine animal, move about on all fours, growl, snap the teeth, and bark, in so personating a manner, as to set the eyes and ears of the spectator, at variance.

It was commonly acknowledged by the subjects of these exercises, that they were laid upon them as a chastisement for disobedience, or a stimulus to incite them to some duty or exercise to which they felt opposed. Hence it was perceivable, that the quickest method to find releasement from the jerks and barks, was to engage in the voluntary dance. And such as refused, when this duty and privilege were made known, had to bear these afflicting operations, from month to month, and from year to year, until they wholly lost their original design, and were converted into a badge of honor. Although these strange convulsions served to overawe the heaven-daring spirits of the wicked, and stimulate the halting, to the performance of many duties, disagreeable to the carnal mind; yet in all this, their design was not fully comprehended; something doubtful, and awful was thought to be prefigured, which would suddenly fall with pain upon the head of the wicked; and nothing was more calculated to excite such fearful apprehensions, than the expressions that were sometimes mixed with the bow, wow wow, such as 66 every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess." "At least, these kind of exercises served to show, that the foundation was not yet laid, for unremitting joy, and that such as attached themselves to this people, must unite with them as a body, destined to suffer with Christ before they could reign with him. But however great their sufferings from a sense of their own remaining depravity—the burden and weight they bore for a lost world—the hatred, contempt, and persecuting rage of all around them together with the spasmodic writhings with which they were so generally exercised; yet they were not a little alleviated by the many extraordinary signs and gifts of the Spirit, through which they were encouraged to look for brighter days."

Many predicted that 1805 would be to them a memorable epoch. Their whole topic was the increasing work of God, and each one contemplated it through some special vision, in which they professed to be carried clear out of the body, and to have an interview with their departed friends, and to see the different allotments in the invisible world. They saw the New Jerusalem and the way opened into the Holy City. So sure were they, that in 1805, there would be a wonderful manifestation, that the infinite glories of Mount Zion would then break open upon them, that they solemnly pledged themselves to each other, by shaking hands, that they would persevere in the sin-killing work, until the day of full redemption arrived.

About the latter part of 1804, they met together in one vast assembly, and offered up each their separate cries to God, in one united harmony of sound. One desire, sentiment and feeling pervaded the whole. This was in truth a work of preparation on a large scale, and we shall soon see that, that which succeeded, corresponded in this respect with what went before. These people were not deceived in their expectations. Their prayers and their hopes were about to be realized. The rays emitted by the star in the east, were soon to commingle with those of the west. About the same time, this united prayer was put up by the