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home the inquiry more powerfulyl: What can I do for their salvation? With these impressions I entered the house to which I was going, and entered into conversation on religious subjects. In the course of the conversation I made inquiries respecting religious meetings, and whether they would be willing to attend if they should be appointed. This promise struck my mind with peculiar force, Mat. xviii: Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.' This seemed to be an encourgement to the smallest number that could meet.

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Not long after this came to my mind, John xvi: 'Whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name, he will give to you. These two promises appeared to be a broad and solid foundation for prayer-meetings. At the same time it appeared very desirable that Christians should be more extensively called into action. I proposed to my brethren to divide our prayer-meeting into six. The proposal met their approbation, and immediately we established them in different parts of the place, at the same time, on Thursday of each week. I was to attend each in rotation; and in my absence, a deacon, or the oldest brother present, was to preside. Several soon came forward, who had not before prayed in public, and almost all the brethren took an active part. People attended well. A few weeks after, I heard of one who appeared to be awakened. Some weeks after that, I heard of one or two more. I visited them and found evident marks of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Through the great goodness of God, our meetings still continue, and as many as forty persons within my knowledge, entertain hope of a saving change. Many more are seriously impressed, and a remarkable solemnity rests upon the minds of the congregation in general. We think that we have seen special answers to prayer. I would gladly mention many more particulars, but I have not room, and I do not suppose that they will interest you so much as they do myself. I think, however, that I must mention these things as an encouragement to God's people to pray. Never have I seen so laboriousnever so happy a year. Sometimes I have spent almost

HIS TREATMENT OF INQUIRING SINNERS.

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the whole week in conversing with people under religious exercises. The work has been very gradual, yet the Lord has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.' But only a small number are yet saved. Many individuals, and some whole families, seem to be entirely unmoved, dead in trespasses and sins.'

6

I feel, and hope God's people feel, that we have just as much need, and just as much encouragement to pray now, as we had a year ago; that we are dependent on God from moment to moment, that without Christ we can do nothing, and that we can do all things in his strength. 'Pray for us,' that we may always pray and not faint.'

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CHAPTER XI.

HIS TREATMENT OF INQUIRING SINNERS.

Though it was not the privilege of Dr. Yale to live in the midst of one constant revival of religion, and to have sinners coming to him daily or weekly, to inquire after the way of salvation; yet, during his ministry, there were different times, when a considerable number of persons looked to him for counsel and instruction, respecting their duty as inquiring sinners. The church of his charge did pass through some long seasons of religious declension; and some there were, even among his own people, who seemed at times much disposed to cast the blame upon him, notwithstanding all his pastoral fidelity, and to indulge the opinion that the reason why they were not favored with such special tokens of the divine presence as had formerly been enjoyed, was because he did not think proper to adopt those measures for the promotion of revivals, which were approved and adopted by some others. Yet it ought to be remembered that, in regard to the measures, opinions of Dr. Yale were always the same. Several most precious revivals

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THE SINNER DIRECTED TO CHRIST.

among his people, had been enjoyed in the use of the very measures which he always approved, and which he always felt ready to employ. Why should not the same system of agencies which produced such desirable results in 1803, in 1814, in 1821, in 1829, in 1831, and in 1838, produce the same reults equally as desirable in 1849? It is to be apprehended that the reason is to be looked for somewhere else than in him, or the means which he used. How much those bickerings, and that spirit of fault-finding which was indulged in by a few of his own people, had to do with it, it might be well to inquire, and yet it is a question which I find myself unable to

answer.

Yet, revivals were enjoyed; and in the course of his ministry, he was called upon to guide to Christ a large number of awakened sinners. Our present inquiry relates to the manner in which this part of his work was performed. It has been made sufficiently to appear in the preceding pages, that, his firmest conviction was that the salvation of men is secured by no other agency than that of the Spirit of God and that it is in the highest degree presumptuous in men, to think of taking the work out of his hand. He went to work under this impression, ever feeling that it was not his province to 'get up a revival;' but only to cooperate with God in the use of his appointed means.

Some idea of his method of dealing with persons under conviction, and the end which he wished to attain, may be gained by the following:

1821, June 11." Read something in Stoddard's Guide to Christ. Directions how to treat awakened sinners. 1. Endeavor to increase their convictions.

2. Encourage them to use means in order to conversion. (I doubt some whether the view given, be perfectly correct.)

3. Direct him what course to take at present: 1, Secret prayer, 2; Avoid sin; 3, Lie open to conviction.

The tendency of all this is to lead the sinner to think he is doing all he can to be converted; that if he is not converted, it is not his own fault, and also to think he is converted when he is not.

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I looked through the book and found many cases stated which I thought arose from wrong directions; but towards the end he came to the point, though I could not agree with him in thinking that the first exercise of a gracious principle is always faith in Jesus Christ. On the subject of submission, I think he is excellent. The soul is brought to submit of necessity."

He was always gratified, when, in conversing with persons under awakening, he found them sensible of the depravity and hardness of their hearts, and one thing which he always aimed at, was to deepen this impression, while he desired, at the same time, to guide their thoughts to Christ, and to encourage them to believe that, depraved and sinful as they were, they had no occasion to despair or despond. This may be seen from what follows:

1821, Dec. 24. "On Friday I was called to see a young woman who is consumptive. I found her, very unexpectedly, to be sensible of her hard heart. It was truly encouraging to see her, though she did not see that she was unwilling to accept of Christ. She seemed to be afraid that Christ would not accept of her. pressed her to make the trial, and endeavored to make her feel that her will alone stood between her and Christ."

1820, Oct. 20. "Conversed with a woman, and found her mind very tender and thoughtful. Some conversation as follows: Do you believe that Christ is God? I do not suppose I believe it as I ought.' Do you believe it so as to lead you to worship him? I fear not.' Do you not believe him to be such a Savior as you need? I am such a sinner that I fear he will not have mercy on me.' The tears often rolled down her face, and she could not conceal them. After I arose up to come away, she said: 'I sometimes think when my children act bad, and will not do as I bid them, I disobey God much more than they disobey me; that he has much more reason to be angry with me than I with them.""

1822, Feb. 1. "Yesterday I was called by a very urgent request to visit a lady over the Mohawk river-a

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THE DESPONDING SINNER.

woman who resided awhile among us, and was seriously impressed two years ago. Found her sick, and anxiously concerned for her salvation. That appeared to be her only concern. She had been concerned, more or less, ever since I conversed with her two years ago. She appeared to be sensible of her sin in some measure. I directed her to go to Christ. She was afraid he would not accept of her. She seemed somewhat surprised to hear that he was able and willing to save the greatest sinners. She said she was willing to come to him. I felt some doubtful whether she was enough acquainted with her own heart; but urged her to bring all her sins to Christ, and confess them, and put all her trust in him."

1830, Jan. 5. "At half-past four, I was up and entered into my closet, praying and mourning over my heart, and the state of my people. In the forenoon I called to see a young woman in much distress of mind. Found her fearing that there could be no mercy for her-pointed her to Isaiah lv and Mathew viii, and urged her to come and see if there were mercy; and told her there would be time enough to mourn over her desperate condition, when she had made the trial and been rejected."

1829, Aug. 7. "At evening, S. A. called, in much distress. She was evidently inclining to look very much at her own heart, and thinking that she felt nothing, while she was very much distressed. I inquired of her concerning certain facts, which she acknowledged. Such as these: 'Do you not feel much afraid of God's wrath?' 'I do some.' 6 Do you not feel that you deserve it?' 'I do.' 'Have you not broken all his commandments?' 'I have.' Do you not feel that your heart is at enmity against God?' I do not know that I have felt that.' 'Have you not sometimes felt envious, when you have heard that others have obtained hope?' 'Yes.' 'Have you not felt hard towards God for taking them and leaving you?' 'I have.' 'Have you not sometimes thought it vain for you to strive any more, and that you would give it up?' 'I have thought so, but I have thought this the last time.""

Then I endeavored to show her the evil of such a