THE REVIVAL.

Is the Lord straitened? Is his arm shortened, that he cannot save? Has his ear become heavy, that he cannot hear? We answer, No! a thousand times, No! The events almost everywhere transpiring furnish an emphatic negative response to these queries. The Lord is still saving, and the blessed revival movement is still progressing. To every sincere, earnest Christian, this will be a source of grateful joy-of delightful satisfaction.

It is a remarkable circumstance, that Satan can hardly get a word said against the movement. The good effected is so palpable, so undeniable, so great, so wonderful, that the "enemies of the Cross," even those of the "baser sort," seem, for the most part, to be struck dumb with astonishment. Thank God, not a few of the latter, where the revival has prevailed, have become the subjects of converting grace! It is true the Times and the Northern Whig newspapers, with a few backers of less note, have thought fit to indulge in a little banter and misrepresentation in relation to the great work in Ireland; but their utterances have proved futile, and the only reward they have got has been a withering exposure, by able pens, of their shameless mis-statements and slanders. The semi-infidel Westminster Review has also a long and elaborately prepared, but very wily and unsatisfactory, article on the revival subject. The writer is forced, by an overwhelming array of facts, into some important admissions, which he makes with a great parade of candour, in favour of revivals; but these admissions are interspersed and mingled with observations and statements which can only be regarded as so many stabs at the movement; and which develop and lay bare the writer's animus. A much better, safer, and more satisfactory article, and one well calculated to operate as an

antidote against the objectionable production just mentioned, wherever both are read with candour, appears in the London Review for January, and is ascribed to the gifted pen of the Rev. W. Arthur. It presents the subject in its proper light, and treats of it with an ability and an earnestness eminently characteristic of the writer. The physical phenomena connected with the revival, particularly in Ireland, have been satisfactorily accounted for and successfully defended, in reply to objections from opponents, by various writers, and by none, perhaps, with greater clearness and force than Dr. D'Aubigné, the celebrated author of the "History of the Reformation." Indeed, we all know that powerful mental emotion will produce extraordinary physical effects; and that these effects may be produced instantaneously. The great reformation wrought among the people in Ireland by the revival has been acknowledged by judges of assize, and others holding high official positions; and even Unitarians have done homage to the move

ment.

Many ministers, and other parties, from England, Scotland, and Wales, visited Ireland during the time the revival was at its height, and have had their souls greatly refreshed, and have received a measure of the revival baptism. We doubt not but this has been a means of extending and increasing the blessed influence. When our own souls are quickened and revived, we are led to pray more, to get nearer to God, and to realize a larger measure of the Holy Spirit; and thus are we prepared for greater usefulness to others. The influence, of which we ourselves are the subjects, seems to pass through us iike an electric current to those with whom we are brought into contact. Religious sympathy, like all sympathy, is powerful; and the greater the degree in which it is possessed, the greater the influence that will

be likely to be exerted on those around us. Does not the Holy Spirit work extensively through this medium? Has He not done so in the present revival, and in all revivals? Oh, for more of this influence!

Our last article was written on the 10th of January. That week was, by agreement on the part of different denominations, in compliance with the invitation from the "Lodiana Mission," observed as a week of special united prayer for the universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the world's conversion. What tens of thousands of earnest petitions would be sent up to heaven, in public and private, during that blessed week, for the salvation of Adam's race! Will all those prayers have been offered in vain? Impossible! Such a thought would be an insult to Israel's God, and its expression a libel on his character. Neither the writer nor the reader can say what may be the result of that week's praying. Eternity alone. will fully declare it. It is stated that in London alone not less than two hundred meetings for special prayer were held during the week. At many of these meetings appropriate and earnest addresses were delivered, and God's holy presence and power, and willingness to save, were graciously manifested. prayers offered are described as hearty, earnest, believing, and to the point; and the Lord was often felt to be very near. "The meetings at Freemasons-hall, Crosby-hall, Mincing-lane, Welbeck-street, with several others at the West-end," says a writer in The Revival, “have been peculiarly blessed all through the week. The many written requests for prayer which have been daily presented at these meetings, and the effect of frequent silent prayer, after several of these were read, was most solemn and affecting, many hundreds of persons lifting up the heart to God for the bestowal of the blessing desired." A Christian lady, writing to the editor of the above periodical, states that on every evening of the week she wit

The

nessed souls brought to God. On the Saturday morning, at Freemasons-hall, thanks were tendered to God for the conversion of an aged man in one of the London workhouses, who, on the previous day, had received peace while prayer was being offered on his behalf. Prayer was also requested to be made for an undergraduate of Oxford, who had been converted during the week, that preserving grace might be vouchsafed to him. Many similar instances might be given. To crown the whole, on the afternoon of Sunday, January 15th, Freemasons-hall was filled with believers of all denominations, who partook together of the emblems of the Redeemer's dying love, and of their union and communion with him and with each other. We have said nothing of the meetings in the provinces, and in other parts of the world. The second week of January, 1860, will not soon be forgotten. The idea was a happy one, and none the worse for emanating from a few godly men in a village in Northwestern India. We hope this "week of prayer" will prove the precursor of something still more important and glorious.

Since we wrote last, special Sunday services, of a most interesting character, and conducted by ministers of different denominationsclergymen of the Church of England, as well as Nonconformist ministers-have been held in various halls and theatres in the metropolis. The attendance has been large, and the good seed sown will not be lost. Messrs. North and Radcliffe have continued their labours, the Lord

giving them fruit. On Sunday morning, the 15th ult., Dr. Massie, of London, prefaced a sermon he was about to preach by giving an account of several meetings, composed principally of ministers, which had been held for prayer and conversation, and which had proved very solemn seasons, leaving the conviction on the minds of those who attended them that the Lord is about to do a great work. In Kentish-town there has been a gracious

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movement. Many have been awakened," it is stated, " to a sense of their sinfulness, and not a few have given evidence of a real change of heart. In some instances, whole families have been arrested, and led to give heed to the things pertaining to their salvation. There have also been cases, and those not a few, in which persons have been suddenly seized with an overwhelming conviction of sin, thrown into great distress of mind, and led to give expression to their feeling in floods of tears and audible groans. But peace, and joy, and assurance of their acceptance in Christ, have generally followed." On Tuesday evening, the 10th ult., Mr. Radcliffe, who appears to be a very earnest, though not a polished man, preached in the Congregational chapel. The chapel was densely crowded, and about fifty souls were savingly awakened. On the evening of Wednesday, the 25th ult., Mr. R. again preached in the same place. The interest was unabated; the word came with power; a large number of persons were brought under conviction, and from twenty to thirty professed there and then to find peace through believing. He again occupied the pulpit on the following Sabbath morning, when similar results were witnessed. In the afternoon of the same day, the minister of the place met fourteen young persons connected with the Sabbath-schools, who obtained a sense of the Divine favour; and from seventy to a hundred anxious inquirers after salvation. During a service at Islington the following incidents occurred: at one end of the room was a young man who had not entered a place of worship for years; he was weeping very much. He was asked whether he really wished to be saved. 66 'Oh, I do, I do, I do," was his answer. Beside him was a foreigner deeply impressed; he also asked to be prayed for. Behind was a young woman greatly affected, and near her another young person labouring under conviction. On a few words about the love of Christ being spoken, the latter burst into tears and continued to sob and

sigh. In these cases suitable advice was given and prayer offered. At the other end of the room was a young man, formerly an infidel, but who had been awakened some little time. He entered the room in a desponding state of mind, but while the meeting was proceeding he fell on his knees and said to a friend near him, "Oh, praise the Lord for me. I have found peace." A song of thanksgiving was immediately sung, with what feelings we need not say. A good work seems to be going on in some of the Ragged-schools of the Metropolis. On the 5th of January an aggregate meeting of all the Ragged-school teachers of London was held at St. Martin's Hall. About a thousand teachers and members of the Committees of Ragged-schools were present. Very earnest and soulstirring addresses on the revival topic were delivered by the Rev. Baptist Noel, and Messrs. Brownlow North and Radcliffe. A feeling of solemnity and earnestness pervaded the meeting. At a prayer meeting of one of the Ragged-schools (Britannia-street), held January 27th, one of the boys, formerly one of the most troublesome, broke out in prayer, and prayed with great fervour and earnestness. The united prayer meetings in London have been well sustained. At one, held recently in Exeter Hall, 3,000, it is said, were present, the body of the Hall being filled. At Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Newcastle - onTyne, and a great number of other places, united meetings for prayer and addresses have been held with good effect. Many interesting details might be given, had we room. At Woodhouse Carr, near Leeds, "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord have been experienced. "Some of the most wicked and abandoned characters in the neighbourhood," says a correspondent of The Revival, are among the trophies of the Redeemer's mercy, and are now zealous for a better master. The wicked are forsaking their ways drunkards becoming sober-swearers learning

to fear an oath-dog-fighters, cockfighters, pigeon-flyers, and race-runners, breaking away from their wicked courses and companions, and casting in their lot with God's people." At Tisbury, Wilts., the birthplace of the late venerated William Jay, a gracious visitation has been vouchsafed. Professors are quickened, and many sinners have been brought to Christ. One Sabbath afternoon, the teachers in the Sabbath-school found it difficult to proceed, on account of the intense feeling among the children. One child threw her arms around her teacher's neck, and besought her to pray for her. Nine of the Sabbath-school children are stated to be among the converts. Accounts of like character might be furnished concerning many other places in England, including some in our own beloved community, but these must be reserved. Materials are abundant, but brevity is imperative.

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The revival in Ireland is neither dead nor dying. It lives and progresses, though in a quieter way than was the case some time ago. My respected colleague, the Rev. T. Carlisle, is now on a visit in that country. In a letter of the 2nd inst., after giving a description of what he had seen and heard, he observes, "There is now a general expectation entertained by the Lord's people that the work is going to revive still more gloriously." was observed by the Rev. Dr. Massie, on an occasion already named, "Several letters have come to London from the province of Ulster giving most encouraging evidence that the great revival is not abated there. A long letter has also been received from the Rev. D. Smith, of Kingstown, Dublin, stating that he has held thirteen services during the week in his chapel. Each service continued for four hours. God has been pleased to show forth His saving power in a wonderful manner, even amongst children. Children as young as seven, eight, and nine years, receive the consciousness of pardon. The same good work is also going on amongst the sailors on board the

steamers plying from Kingstown to Holyhead. Prayer meetings and services for preaching are constantly held on board the various steamers, and Mr. Smith has found the interest in these revival services amongst seamen has so greatly increased, that he is now obliged to hold the services on deck, which is usually crowded, and crowds of boats gather round the sides of the steamers to listen to the service and join in the devotions." From many parts of Ireland, both north and south, there is intelligence, full of encourage

ment.

With respect to Scotland, it is said there is scarcely a town or village between Aberdeen and Inverness that has not been visited by the quickening power of the Spirit. At Glasgow, Dr. and Mrs. Palmer have been labouring with blessed success. At Montrose and Perryden, especially the latter, there has been a powerful awakening; and at Greenock, Springburn, and Airdrie many have been the saved of the Lord.

The Rev. Thomas Rees, in a communication to the Watchman, states that the revival continues to gain ground in almost every part of the Principality of Wales. The Welsh newspapers contain the most cheering accounts of the progress and blessed effects of the mighty movement. The revival is a principal topic of conversation in the markets and towns.

Good tidings continue to reach us from the United States and Canada, and also from Australia; and there is cheering intelligence from Sardinia and Tuscany. Surely the Lord is working everywhere. Oh, that all the nations of the earth were subjugated to the Lord Jesus!

When shall it be so? When shall

the prayer, "Thy kingdom come," be fully answered? We may ask another question:-When will professing Christians lay aside their worldliness, their selfishness, their inconsistencies, their apathy, and betake themselves to the exercise of more earnest prayer, a stronger faith, a holier life, and a more ardent and constant zeal for the glory of

God and the salvation of souls? This is the baptism with which we have need to be baptized. This is the baptism the Church requires to fit her for the stupendous work she has to do. Lord, grant us this baptism! Then shall we soon have the latter-day glory. Then will the revival be universal. "The moun

tains and the hills shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the firtree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle-tree, and it shall be to the Lord for a name, and for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Newcastle-on-Tyne,
February 9, 1860.

L. S.

ON THE COMPOSITION OF AN ESSAY.

THE title of this essay is almost alarming to me. It seems as if the writer assumed his competence to deal fully with the subject, as though he had attained perfection in the art, and were qualified to give directions to others. All such assumption is at once disclaimed. There is no one in this company more anxious to learn than the reader of this paper. Some may fancy that it is easier to state what should be than to be it. Perhaps it is. This was evidently Shakespeare's opinion, for he makes one of his characters say, "I had rather teach twenty what was good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching." But the reader of this paper would rather be one of the twenty than their teacher. He would rather attain wisdom himself, at whatever cost, than merely direct others. He

would rather attain moral excellence than commend it to others. He would rather be the type and embodiment of his own ideal than descant upon it at a despairing distance. Whatever may be advanced in this paper as a recommendation, is what the reader of it is aiming himself to be. Here will be no "Do as I say but not as I do" doctrine. Perhaps a higher standard might be fixed in the region of fancy than will

be found in this essay, but the writer of it has lived too long in a real world to pursue fancies, however brilliant; and has too profound a regard for the realities of life, solemnly and momentously real and practical.

The term "Essay," as descriptive of a kind of writing, was first employed by Lord Bacon. It is difficult to define. It is best understood by acquaintance with that branch of literature which bears the name. The word is an old word in English, signifying "to try." This intimates the modesty of Bacon, who denominated his first published treatises "essays." His essays are very brief dissertations on a variety of subjects, which have very little connection with each other, beyond being found together in the same volume. It may be as well to observe that Bacon's essays are among the best that have ever been published. Since his time the term has been very much used, and is very popular. We have political essays, philosophical essays, literary essays, and historical essays. Swift was a great essayist; Addison was a great essayist; Johnson was a great essayist; Charles Lamb was a great essayist. The most brilliant essays in the language are those of Lord Macaulay.

On account of its modesty, elasticity, and propriety, the term has been taken up and appropriated by mutual improvement meetings, as descriptive of those various compositions in which the members indulge for mutual advantage. It is a term which admits of every variety of style. It applies to all kinds of subjects; it insists upon no peculiarity of arrangement; it applies equally to a paragraph requiring but a minute to read, and to a production requiring the whole evening; to the first juvenile performance, and to the most finished paper.

The first requisite of an essay is

naturalness.-There should be no affected imitation of any one-each writer should be himself. Some affect to be very original, when they have not the brains for it; this is a great mistake. Originality has its