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The original colonies of New England were religious colonies. The magistrates were men who ruled in the fear of God. The ministers were good shepherds, deeply devoted to the spiritual interests of their flocks. The citizens were holy men, living not for this world, but for that which is to come. After their arrival in this country, their children, as they came to maturity, were rapidly converted, and brought into the bosom of the church. For the first twenty or thirty years after the settlement, it may be said with truth, the colonists were blessed with a perpetual revival. The Spirit was so poured down upon them, that the wilderness became a fruitful field. The presence of Christ was sensibly felt in his churches; and there were added to them daily such as should be saved. We are told by one of the early historians—

"The Lord Jesus Christ was so plainly held out in the preaching of the gospel unto poor sinners, and the absolute necessity of the new birth-and God's Holy Spirit in those days was pleased to accompany the word with such efficacy upon the hearts of many, that our hearts were taken off from Old England, and set upon heaven. The discourse, not only of the aged, but of the youth also, was not 'How shall we go to England-but, how shall we go to heaven? Have I true grace in my heart? Have I Christ or no?' Oh! how did men and women, young and old, pray for grace, beg for Christ in those days! and it was not in vain. Many were converted and others were established in be lieving."

A suitable introduction to the history of revivals in Boston, will be an account of the founding of the first church. It was in the summer of 1630, that the rising colonies of New England were visited with uncommon mortality. On Sabbath, July 25th, after the evening service, a letter was read at Salem, from Governor Winthrop, representing that the hand of God was upon them; and setting apart the following Friday, to humble themselves before him and seek him in his ordinances. At the close of that memorable day, was laid the foundation of the churches of Charlestown and Boston. A few weeks afterwards, the settlement of Boston was begun; to which, in a short time, the major part of the church in Charlestown removed, and soon increased in numbers to one hundred and fifty.

The first meeting-house in Boston stood near the site of the present Exchange Coffee House, on the south side of State street. Its walls were of mud, and its roof was thatched. But although the exterior was so humble, here God was pleased to dwell. The King of saints here met his people, and souls were renovated, and fitted for heaven. The same is now the Chauncey Place church, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Frothingham.

The church in Boston continued to lengthen her cords, and strengthen her stakes. In eighteen years from the establishment of the first church, the assembly became so numerous, that another meeting-house became necessary. Accordingly, in 1648, was formed the North Church, so called, which afterwards enjoyed the labors of the two Mathers-father and son. In 1665 was added the First Baptist Church; and, in 1669, the Third Congregational-the Old South-the offspring partly of divided feeling, and partly of the necessities of the population. The two latter churches were formed at Charlestown, probably, because in another county, to evade the existing law against forming new churches without the sanction of the magistrates.

But numerous causes were already at work in Boston, as well as in the whole country, to chill the warmth and extinguish the glow of piety. The decline of religion began to be noticed in 1660; and increased more and more till 1670. At length, various calamities befel the colonies; blasting and mildew destroyed the hopes of the husbandman; vessels were wrecked; houses and stores destroyed by fire; a pestilence raged through the colony: and, in the political horizon, a dark and ominous cloud was gathering.

"These circumstances led the General Court, in May, 1679, to call upon the churches to send elders and other messengers to meet in a Synod, for the solemn discussion of these two questions, 'What are the provoking evils of New England?' and 'What is to be done, that so those evils may be reformed? The proposal was received and acted upon by the churches with becoming solemnity. A general fast was first kept, that the gracious presence and Spirit of God might be obtained for the direction of the approaching Synod. At the appointed time, September 10, 1679, a very full representation from the churches convened at Boston. The assembly commenced its duties by observing a day of prayer with fasting before the Lord. Two sessions were held. Several days were spent in discoursing upon the two grand questions laid before them, with utmost liberty granted unto every person to express his thoughts thereupon. A committee was then appointed to draw up the mind of the assembly; which being done, it was read over once and again, and each paragraph distinctly weighed ; and then, upon mature deliberation, the whole was unanimously voted, and presented unto the General Court; and by them, in an act passed October 15, 1679, commended unto the serious consideration of all the churches and people in the jurisdiction; the Court enjoining and requiring all persons, in their respective capacities, to a careful and diligent reformation of all those provoking evils mentioned therein, according to the true intent thereof, that so the anger and displeasure of God, many ways manifested, may be averted and his favor and blessing obtained."

"In replying to the first question submitted to them, the Synod enumerated the sins which they conceived to be most prevalent and offensive to heaven. In answer to the second question, they recommended various measures of reformation; among which the most prominent were,-more careful attention to personal and family religion; a return to the ancient strictness in admitting persons to the Lord's Supper; a faithful attention to church discipline; and the observance by the churches of seasons of special humiliation and prayer, accompanied with a public and solemn renewal of covenant. 'Every church ⚫ in the colony,' it is said, 'took some notice of this Synod, and of the measures it recommended for reviving the power and spirit of religion;' and most of them kept days of fasting and prayer, and publicly renewed their covenant."

REVIVAL OF 1680.

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"These measures were attended with, temporary indeed, but visible, happy results; especially the renewal of covenant. Very remarkable,' it is testified was the blessing of God on the churches which did,' in this respect, conform to the advice of the Synod, 'not only by a great advancement of holiness in the people, but also by a great addition of converts to their holy fellowship. And many thousand spectators,' it is added,' will testify, that they never saw the special presence of God our Saviour more notably discovered than in the solemnity of these opportunities.' The additions to the Old South Church in six months, were nearly as many as they had been in the two preceding years." Thus we may date in 1680 the FIRST REVIVAL OF RELIGION, which had a beginning progress and close among the churches in Boston.

From this time till 1720, there was no marked religious attention. The town was in a state of outward prosperity. Population advanced and the number of churches gradually increased. "But though there were many bright examples of piety, in every seat and order, yet there was a general complaint among the pious and elderly persons, of a great decay of godliness in the lives and conversations of people, both in the town and land."

But God has means to awaken men from their stupidity. "On the night of the Sabbath, October 29, 1727, the whole country north of the Delaware river was visited with a violent shock of an earthquake. At Boston the evening was 'calm and serene.' About forty minutes past 10 o'clock, was heard, 'a loud hollow noise, like the roaring of a great chimney on fire, but inconceivably more fierce and terrible. In about half a minute, the earth began to heave and tremble. The shock increasing, rose to the height in about a minute more; when the moveables, doors, windows, walls, especially in the upper chambers, made a very fearful clattering, and the houses rocked and crackled, as if they were all dissolving and falling to pieces. The people asleep were awakened with the greatest astonishment: many others, affrighted, ran into the streets. But the shaking quickly abated; and, in another half minute, entirely ceased. On the next morning, a very full assembly met at the North Church, for the proper exercises on so extraordinary an occasion. At five in the evening, a crowded concourse assembled at the Old Church; and multitudes, unable to get in, immediately flowed to the South, and in a few minutes filled that also. At Lieut. Gov. Dummer's motion, who was then Commander in Chief, the Thursday of the same week was kept as a day of extraordinary fasting and prayer, in all the churches in Boston; not merely to intreat for sparing mercy, but also to implore the grace and Spirit of God to come down and help to a sincere repentance and turning to him. And, as the houses of public worship were greatly crowded, the people were very attentive. The ministers endeavored to set in with this extraordinary work of God in nature, and to preach his word in the most awakening manner, and lead the people to a true conversion and unfeigned faith in Christ, and guard them against deceiving themselves.' 'And,' says Mr. Prince, ' in all our congregations, many seemed to be awakened and reformed; and, professing repentance of their sins and faith in Christ, entered into solemn covenant with God, and came into full communion with our several churches. In the Old South within eight months after, were about eighty added to our communicants.' But, he adds, and it is painful to be compelled in fidelity to repeat, "though I doubt not but considerable numbers were at that time savingly converted, the goodness of many seemed as the morning cloud and the early dew, which quickly passes away."

REVIVAL OF 1725-1730.

It is stated that, at this time, every thing, with the First Baptist Church, "seemed to be prosperous. Almost every month, for some years, additions were made to the church, and a broad foundation was laid for its future enlargement," It is perhaps reasonable to regard the serious attention to religion, and the conversions which occurred in the years 1725-1730, as the SECOND

REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN BOSTON.

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REVIVAL OF 1740-1744.

"About the year 1735, there was a remarkable attention to religion in the western parts of this state, and in Connecticut. But, in the mean while,' says Mr. Prince, the general decay of piety seemed to increase among us in Boston. And for the congregation I preach to, though for several years some few offered themselves to our communion, yet but few came to me in concern about their souls before. And so I perceive it was in others. And I remember some of the ministers were wont to express themselves as greatly discouraged with the growing declension both in principle and practice, especially among the rising generation.' But now a brighter and glorious day was about to dawn. "The ministers and other Christians here, having, from the year 1738, received accounts of the surprising power and success with which God was pleased to attend the preaching of the Rev. George Whitefield, invited him to come to Boston, where he arrived the first time in September, 1740. He continued in this place and the neighborhood about a month, preaching twice almost every day, to immense congregations, and with his usual power. During this visit, ministers and Christians were greatly stirred up to effort and prayer for the promotion of Christ's kingdom; and "great numbers," says Mr. Prince, "were so happily concerned about their souls, as we had never seen any thing like it before." A genuine and powerful revival of religion had commenced; which extended to all the congregations in the town, and continued, without any sensible abatement, nearly two years. Assemblies on the sabbath, and several public lectures, with a great number of private meetings during the week, were crowded with attentive, and often deeply affected, hearers. And “ scarce a sermon seemed to be preached without some good impressions." In conformity with the custom at that period, sixty "bills of the awakened," asking prayers, are stated to have been presented, at the Old South, at one time. So extensive and powerful was the influence on the minds of the people, that above a thousand inquirers visited Mr. Webb, one of the pastors of the New North Church, in three months; and Mr. Cooper, minister in Brattle Square, "was wont to say, that more came to him, in one week, in deep concern about their souls, than in the whole twenty-four years of his preceding ministry. I can also say the same," adds Mr. Prince, "as to the numbers who repaired to me. The very face of the town," he continues, "seemed to be strangely altered. Some who had not been here since the fall before, have told me their great surprise at the change in the general look and carriage of the people, as soon as they landed." Tippling houses were deserted, vicious associations broken up; and the great mass of the community, for a time, mainly attentive to the concerns of their souls. Large additions were made to all the eight Congregational, and two Presbyterian churches then in the town, "the greater part of whom gave their pastors "a more exact account of the work of the Spirit of God on their souls in effectual calling, than" they were "wont to hear before." Nor was the goodness of these converts like the morning cloud and the early dew. Of those who were received to the church in Brattle Street, Mr. Colman remarked, more than three years after the commencement of the revival, "the good fruits of their abiding profession unto this day, in a discreet, meek, virtuous, pious conversation, give me satisfaction and pleasure in them from day to day." And Mr. Prince testified, at a still later period, "Of our numerous additions, with one exception, the conversation, as far as I know, is as becomes the gospel. Nor do I hear of any in the other churches in town, that have fallen into censurable evil, except a few of the New North."

Early in the history of this revival, the desire to hear the word of life was so great among the people, that a weekly lecture was established on Tuesday evening. This was the first stated evening lecture in these parts of the world. The Tuesday evening lecture is still maintained at all the evangelical Congregational churches in the city. The first sermon, by Mr. Prince, was suggested by the existing state of things. It was founded on the text-"Who are these that fly as a cloud and as doves to their windows?" The sermon was forthwith

printed, under the title-" Souls flying to Christ, pleasant and admirable to behold." Nothing could be more delightful, and in a manner prophetic, than such a sermon, at such a time. It was preached in October, 1740: and for the next eighteen months, souls were daily flying to Christ. There was a glorious prelibation of the revivals of our own age: a joyful fulfilment, after long days of darkness, of the divine promise: "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy."

Of the number of converts during this revival no report has been published. It appears that within six months, the whole number added to three of the Congregational churches was about two hundred and fifty. And as there were then ten churches in town, besides the First Baptist church, we may suppose the trophies of divine grace were very numerous.

But towards the close of the year 1742, the revival gradually declined. Mr. Prince says, in Nov. 1744, "the sovereign Spirit, in his awakening influence in the unconverted, and his enlivening efficacy in the hopefully renewed, has seemed these two last years, in a gradual and awful manner, to withdraw. For a twelve-month, I have rarely heard the cry of any new ones, 'What shall I do to be saved?" But few are now added to our churches, and the heavenly shower in Boston seems to be over.' One of the direct results of this revival was the publication in Boston of a weekly magazine, called "the Christian History," edited by Mr. Prince. Its object was to give an account of revivals of religion in various parts of the world. A similar work was at the same time published in Glasgow, and another in London.

This revival was, probably, useful to the Baptist cause, in furnishing materials for building up the Second Baptist Church. Several brethren separated from the First Baptist Church, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Jeremiah Condy, on account of a disagreement concerning some of the doctrines. An address was presented in October, 1742, in which they set forth the points of doctrine to which they objected, and which they charged him with publicly preaching. "But as it failed of producing the desired effect, after waiting several months, they came to the resolution to form themselves into a separate church. This they did on the 27th of July, 1743. It appears that a number of others were prepared to join them, whenever they should embody a church on evangelical principles. Hence, these brethren had no sooner agreed to rear the standard of the cross, than a number more, to the amount of thirty, came forward and united with them. Happily, this infant band soon perceived one among them, whom the great Head of the church designed for the public ministry. The edifying gifts, and eminent graces of Mr. Ephraim Bound, pointed him out to them as a proper person to take the oversight of them in the Lord. Hence they proceeded to invite him to become their Pastor. Not long after, Mr. Bound, having signified his willingness to accept their invitation, they immediately proceeded to fix on the time and place of his ordination.

"For several years after the ordination, which took place September 7, 1743, the church enjoyed much peace and prosperity, so that no act of discipline is found on their records for nearly ten years. Frequent additions were made to this church, not only from Boston, but from most of the towns for a considerable distance round. Such was their prosperity, that in five years they increased to one hundred and twenty."

BOSTON,

REVIVAL OF 1755.

Before the coming on of the Revolution, there was a FOURTH REVIVAL IN which has been preserved in the following record: "In the close of the year 1755, immediately after the great earthquake, an extensive revival of religion began in Boston; it continued through the year 1756, and prevailed through the body of the town."

After this, came the darkest days in the history of Boston. The half-way covenant was introduced. 'The coming in of Arminian principles, as is often the case, drove the friends and advocates of truth somewhat into the opposite extreme, and imparted to their views of doctrine something of an antinomian

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