RELIGIOUS REVIVALS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, U. S.

The County of Oneida, in the State of New York, was, we believe, half a century ago, little better than a wilderness, but by the rapid march of civilization in that continent, the haunts of savage Indians are now peopled with an industrious and increasingly religious population, amongst whom many churches of Christ are happily planted.

Twenty of them have, during the past year, been visited by a peculiar effusion of the Holy Spirit. We extract from "the Narrative," &c. referred to page 414, the following facts, and hope to quote more largely in our next number.

Vernon. In this town there are two Presbyterian Societies, designated by the names of Vernon Centre, and Mount Vernon.

"The revival commenced here in August, 1825. The number of hopeful converts is not far from 164. The number admitted to the church is 103. Twentyseven of these are heads of families. The converts are among all classes and all ages, from 8 to 70. The youngest admitted to the church is about 10 years of age. Several of these formerly professed to believe in universalism, and two were Roman Catholics. Only one among the hopeful converts, to my knowledge, has turned back.

"The means which have been blessed, were fasting and prayer, preaching the plain truth, and the whole truth of the Bible, visiting from house to house, and meetings of inquiry. The church have been united in the work, with the exception of one member, who has since proved that he is not a member of the church of Christ. Sometimes a dead silence in a conference meeting for two or three minutes, when Christians offered up one unted supplication for the outpouring of the Spirit, has been greatly blessed. But what has appeared to me most useful, is a humble reliance on the Lord, an undoubting faith in his promises, working just as though we could convert sinners; knowing and feeling at the same time, that it is Christ alone who can change the heart, and giving to him all the glory.

"Our meetings of inquiry have been continued up to the present time, and of late have much increased in numbers and solemnity.

"The following particulars are from the Rev. Calvin Bushnell, pastor of the second Presbyterian church, received about the 1st of October :

"The revival commenced among my

people about the middle of November, It was gradual, and did not become general, till the latter part of December. The number of hopeful converts is about 140. Fifty-nine have united with the Presbyterian church; about 30 with the Baptist church, and some with the Methodists. A number have not yet united with any church. The means are essentially the same as in former revivals, viz. preaching, fasting, and prayer; visiting from house to house, meetings of inquiry and conference meetings. Among Christians, a good degree of harmony and brotherly love prevails, considerable fervency in love and fidelity. There are fewer symp toms of apostacy among the hopeful converts for the time, than I have witnessed in any former revival among this people.

"The revival, at its commencement, was characterized by a remarkable tenderness of spirit among Christians, and a disposition to confess their faults one to another. There was a season of great searchings of heart, such as I never before witnessed. Many old professors were so tried as to give up their former hopes, and, as it was said, obtained new ones. The work was also characterized by a more ardent and persevering spirit of prayer than I had ever before witnessed, The converts, who have united with the church, I must say, give as good evidence of deep and thorough conviction of sin, and real conversion to God, as in any revival with which I have been acquainted; and nothing of an opposite character has as yet appeared. Whether they are real converts or not, God only knows.

"Westmoreland --The Rev. Mr. Crane being absent on a journey for his health, the following facts were communicated in October, by a respectable young man, a member of Hamilton College, who spent some time in this place during the revival :

"During the summer of 1825, the state of religion in this town was very low. A dark and gloomy cloud had gathered, and was hanging over it with discouraging aspect. The wicked had become bold in their transgressions, and the friends of Zion had hung their harps upon the willows.' While in this situation, the joyful tidings came, that the church at Vernon Centre was enjoying a refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' A few went over to see, and returned with a new spirit. Christians began to pray with more fervour. About the 1st of November, the church set apart a day for fasting, humiliation, and prayer. The searching influences of the Spirit were felt by many of

the brethren and sisters. Our conferences and prayer-meetings soon became crowded and solemn. Numbers were deeply convicted, and the work of grace steadily progressed through the winter. The pastor and some of the members of the church visited from house to house. In all our meetings the distinguishing truths of the Bible were urged with all possible plainness. The instructions of the Sabbath school have been blessed. Eight of the teachers, and thirty-four of the scholars have become pious. The whole number of hopeful converts is about eighty. Sixty have united with the Presbyterian church; and a few with the Baptists and Methodists. The work, we believe, has not holly subsided. There are Christians who are pressed in spirit, and pleading with importunity that the Lord would continue his work of grace.

"Skenandoah.-The revival in Vernon extended to the little church in this place under the preaching of the Rev. Phinebas Robinson, who in September communicated the following facts:

"The village of Skenandoah participated in some degree in the divine influence which has of late been so signally enjoyed. The heterogeneous character of its population renders it an unpromising field for moral cultivation. The church has ever been weak, and few in number. The moral and, religious aspect of the church and society, in November last, was deplorable. This was made the subject of animadversion in public discourses at that time. Professing Christians were warned of the danger of self-deception. The great responsibility connected with their profession was repeatedly enforced. They began to examine themselves, and to manifest increasing sensibility. Discipline was administered, a day of fasting and prayer was observed, and a spirit of inquiry began to extend among those, who hitherto had been unconcerned. Plain and solemn addresses to church members, respecting their sins and obligations, had more effect on unbelievers than any other means what ever. During the excitement there were frequent meetings in the week, as well as on the Sabbath. They were characterized by a great stillness, and a deep and awful solemnity. Fervent prayer, and visiting from house to house, were among the means most blessed. Many, by being visited, were led to attend npon the means of grace, who had wholly neglected them. The number of hopeful conversions were, indeed, few, in comparison with the rich harvest of souls gathered in many larger societies. About 15 is the provable number. Most of these were heads of families, from 30 to 40 years of age. When it is considered, that this little number was gathered from a small obscure village, which had enjoyed few religious privileges;

that most of them were heads of families, training up a numerous offspring; that most of them were Dutch families, without an English education, and never before visited by a clergyman, with a view to their spiritual interests-the heart of piety will surely derive no small pleasure, from the fact that this little number have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

"Western. -The following facts respecting the revival in Western, were furnished by the Rev. W. G. Gale, who, on account of his health, removed there a little more than a year ago, and whose counsel and occasional labours have been a great blessing to the people :-

"The moral condition of this town, which has always been dark, was unusually so previous to the late revival. People might be seen in almost every direction, pursuing their business or their pleasure on the Sabbath, while few repaired to the house of God, to offer their devotions to him who hath said, Thou shalt keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary." The establishment of a flourishing Sabbath school, and of prayer meetings, were regarded as favourable tokens, by those who observed the signs of the times, that God was about to turn the captivity, of Zion,

"On the last of September, 1825, the Rev. Charles G. Finney arrived in town, (after a short visit to recruit his health in this county,) on his way to the county of St. Lawrence, where he had been labouring with success, and where the people were anxiously waiting his return. The urgent request of those who were mouraing over these desolations, that he would tarry here for a season, induced him, after some deliberation, to stay. He commenced preaching three times on the Sabbath, and almost every evening in the week, in different parts of the town, besides visiting during the day from house to house. Professors of religion were urged to pray without ceasing; believing the words of our Lord, that he is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than earthly parents to give good gifts to their children.' Sinners were pressed with the duty of immediate repentance, by every truth and motive which the word of God presents, in language plain and pointed. These efforts were not permitted to be made in vain, even in this unpromising field. Christians were humbled for their past unfaithfulness, and led to pray as they had not prayed before. Sinners began to inquire what they must do. Convictions and conversions multiplied and spread through the town. In some instances whole households were converted.

"One instance has occurred in this town worthy of notice. It is the widow,

of the late Gen. Floyd, who was known as a revolutionary officer and signer of the declaration of independence. The General was sceptical on the subject of religion. Mrs. Floyd, till of late, entertained similar views. For a year or two past, her sentiments have changed, and she has felt the importance of an interest in the Saviour. But it was not until the late revival, that she has been enabled to cast herself upon the grace of a Saviour. And now, with a mind remarkably preserved and vigorous, though nearly 80 years of age, and perfectly blind, she grasps firmly the promises of God, and rejoices in the hope of salvation through the Redeemer."

HIGHBURY COLLEGE ANNIVERSARY. The annual examination of the Students of Highbury College was held on the 3d of July. The class of the first year was examined in three books of Virgil, in part of the Analecta Minora, and on a course of reading in rhetoric and the philosophy of language. The class of the second year had read the epistles of Horace, six books of Homer, the Edipus Tyrannus, the Medea, and the Prometheus, and also a course of logic and mental philosophy. The class of the third year was examined in two orations of Cicero, the first book of Herodotus, and the first ten chapters of Isaiah, in Theology, Sacred Philology, and Hebrew Antiquities. The class of the fourth year was examined in Latin, in the Andria of Terence-in Greek, the Orations of Eschines and Demosthenes on the crown; in Hebrew, six chapters of Zechariah; in Chaldee, the book of Daniel; in Syriac, the epistle to the Ephesians; in Theology, on " the doctrine of Justification;" and in Hebrew Antiquities, on "the provision made by the Mosaic dispensation for general instruction in religion."

On the evening of July 4, three of the senior students delivered short discourses in Claremont Chapel, Pentonville: Mr. Fletcher, on "the design of prophecy;" Mr. Harris, on "the influence of the Spirit essential to ministerial usefulness;" and Mr. Davis, on "the martyrdom of Stephen."

The friends of this Institution are informed, that a debt of £5000 still remains to be liquidated on account of the new .college. Donations will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, the Tutors, or any Member of the Committee.

INFANT ORPHAN ASYLUM.

On the evening of July the 3d, a Meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, for the purpose of forming an Institution in favor of Infant Orphans. George Byng, Esq. M.P. took the chair; and the assembly was successively addressed by Dr. Kenney, Dr. Styles, the Rev. Messrs. Reed, Evans, Mr. Maitland, &c. It appeared that the object was to board, nurse,

and educate destitute orphans, at any age under 7 years, at which time, if charity were still necessary, they would be eligible for those many excellent institutions, which receive the fatherless at seven years of age. It was shown on the one hand, that of the orphans needing charity at least one half were under the age of seven, while there was no provision made for them till they reached that age. This circumstance alone was considered enough to warrant the establishment of a charity which was so much needed; which would interfere with the beneficent doings of no other charity; but which would act as a nursery to such institutions as Christ's Hospital, the London Orphan Asylum, the Clergy Orphan School, the Orphan Working School, and the Asylum for Female Orphans. The meeting expressed a lively interest in the proposed benevolent undertaking; and upwards of 200 guineas were immediately subscribed for its benefit. It was announced that, for the present, all letters were to be addressed, and applications on the subject of cases made, either to the Rev. James Rudge, D.D. F.R.S. Secretary, Limehouse; or to the Rev. Andrew Reed, Sub-Treasurer, Hackney, by whom subscriptions will be thankfully received.

APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSORS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

The following gentlemen have been appointed by the Council to the several departments named, and we learn that the other vacant chairs will be filled by the close of the year.

Greek Language, Literature, and Antiquities.--George Long, Esq. A. M. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Professor of Greek in the University of Charlotteville, United States.

Natural Philosophy and Astronomy.--The Rev. Dionysius Lardner, LL. D. F.R.S. E. of Trinity College, Dublin.

Jurisprudence, including the Law of Nations.-John Austin, Esq. of Lincola's Inn, Barrister at Law.

English Law.--Andrew Amos, Esq. of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law, late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

Political Economy.-John R. MacCulloch, Esq.

Botany and Vegetable Physiology.-William Jackson Hooker, LL. D. F. R S. F. L. S. Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. Zoology.- Robert E. Grant, M. D. F. R. S. E. F. Z. S.

Anatomy and Physiology, Morbid and Comparative Anatomy, Surgery. -- Charles Bell, Esq. F. R. S. F. L. S. Professor to the Royal College of Surgeons.

John Frederick Meckel, M. D, Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the University of Halle, in Saxony.

Granville Sharp Pattison, Esq. late Pro