THE REVIVAL OF 1823-24. 267 iterated in different countries and in different epochs of the church.* We have spoken of the great revival which crowned the first six years of Dr. Woodbridge's ministry in Hadley. He was favored with several other seasons of refreshing during his first term of service there; besides drops of mercy which fell almost yearly on his field, keeping his courage alive, and increasing the number of his ingathered sheaves, all promoted and extended by the faithful exhibition of the wide range of gospel truths, enforced as outgrowths from their vital and immutable principles. Rev. S. H. Riddel writes "Revivals, under Dr. Woodbridge's ministry in Hadley, were frequent and powerful, and their fruits were lasting. I well recollect the scenes of a revival, which I found in progress when at home from college (winter of 1823 or 1824), especially the decided and pungent character of the convictions of sinners in an anxious state of mind." In reply to further inquiries respecting this revival, he adds: "I was at home from college only a few days, it being the winter vacation at Yale, which in those days was a mere recess of two weeks. It was, I know, a very solemn season. The work, I believe, was quite general in town; meetings in different sections of the parish (which then included what are now the East Street and North Hadley parishes) were frequent and crowded; but there was no wild excitement. No measures were taken, I should think, with a view to increase the excitement, which was the natural and necessary consequence of the truth impressed by the Holy Spirit; but only to minister to the demands of an awakened conscience and a broken heart. The Doctor's appeals were both pungent and tender at such times, but the leading of the Spirit was scrupulously followed. The work being more than he could attend to alone, he brought in the assistance of Rev. Joshua N. Danforth, then of Pittsfield, recently licensed as a preacher, after a very marked conversion, which took him from the legal profession. Mr. Danforth's preaching was peculiarly direct and solemn, while at the same time his manner was bland and winning beyond that of almost any man I have ever heard. I think there was always the best understanding, and the most entire co-operation between the pastor and his * Appendix, No. V. His views of new measures. assistant. I have much occasion to bless God for that work of grace; as it was then that my youngest sister was brought into the kingdom through a perilous experience, which wrung my own heart." In regard to the revival of 1826-7, Mrs. Hubbard writes: "I could say much, as it was during this revival that I became personally interested. The church, previous to this time, was in a cold, lukewarm state. In the summer, the Doctor seemed very much quickened, and he labored earnestly with the church to bring them up to a higher state of feeling; had frequent church-meetings; had them renew publicly the covenant, &c. He preached a series of sermons on depravity six, I think. The Sabbath that he preached the last, in the prayer before the sermon, while praying for the impenitent, he was so affected that he could not for some time proceed. The effect upon the congregation was thrilling. I felt deeply. Why should Dr. Woodbridge feel so much for me, and I feel so little for myself.' I found no peace until I found it at the foot of the cross. Nor was mine a solitary case; many received impressions then that resulted in their Consecration to Christ. He labored very hard during this revival. Never did a physician watch the symptoms of a sick and dying patient more earnestly than Dr. Woodbridge did the progress of the work. If at any time he thought the interest on the wane, he would urge the church to more prayer. I have known of his spending whole nights in prayer. I could mention many striking answers to prayer during this revival.” The account of Dr. Durfee, who was at that time a theological student with Dr. Woodbridge, is similar: "In the summer of 1826 he preached eight sermons on the total moral depravity of the human heart. These discourses awakened no little dissatisfaction. Some were highly displeased; and even some members of the church began to question the wisdom or usefulness of pursuing the subject to such an extent. It was thought these discourses were leaving mankind in a dark and discouraging condition. In a word, they awakened opposition. When he commenced the delivery of one of this series of discourses, an individual educated young man - arose, stepped out of his slip, shut the door with some force and noise, and walked out of the house. This did not alarm the preacher, nor convince him that the doctrine of total depravity was not true. It was no way to put down a man of Dr. Woodbridge's Christian courage and boldness. With perfect calmness he could say with Toplady, 'Far more the treacherous calm I dread, a well THE PREVENTION OF FALSE HOPES. 269 "About this time there began to be an unusual attendance on religious meetings, especially in the North District; some few were awakened and hopefully converted. Soon the work was seen to be gradually spreading; and in the course of some weeks the revival became quite general and powerful. Numbers were brought into the kingdom. And some persons considered this new state of things in a measure traceable to that series of sermons as the instrumental cause. In all the revivals occurring under his ministry, Dr. Woodbridge meant to prevent or destroy all false hopes; and faithfully employed those truths which cluster around the sovereignty of grace for that purpose. "Great searchings of heart" were produced, both among the new converts and former professors. He also seized opportunities to impress upon recent converts their entire dependence, and lead them to give due glory to God. One Sabbath, Mr. R., a deeply convicted sinner, was brought, under the clear exhibition of divine truth, to cast himself on Christ. He was filled with joy. As soon as the benediction was pronounced, he stepped into the aisle and began to tell the people what a Saviour he had found, and to exhort sinners to come at once to Christ, who would gladly receive them. In the fervor of his feelings he expressed the wonder that they could refuse his offers of love, exclaiming with great animation, "How strange that you can stay away! Why do you not now come? Why have you not come before?" When he closed his fervid appeal, in the breathless stillness of the moment, the Doctor quietly, but emphatically, inquired, "Please tell us, Mr. R., why you have not come before." Revivals thus originating and thus managed would not be likely to become scenes of spiritual hilarity and nervous excitement; but of profound thoughtfulness, of deep seriousness, and solemnity. We should expect the meetings to be characterized by a death-like stillness, broken only by the voice of instruction or prayer, and the irrepressible sigh of anxious souls; indicative of the conscious presence of him who reigns King in Zion, "travelling in the greatness of his strength, mighty to save." Who can describe, even comprehend, the results of revivals conducted on such scriptural, and we may truthfully add, philosophical, grounds? Under God they could not be otherwise than enduring, quickening to the church, and elevating to the community; not only giving present joy to God's people, but sending influences down the line of coming generations; becoming themselves sources of other revivals, and starting unnumbered streams of blessing on earth, and awakening myriads on myriads of sweetest anthems forever. "The whole number added to the church during these twenty years was four hundred and five a fraction over twenty a year." The Doctor was slow and cautious in admitting new converts to the church. SECTION VI. HIS VIEWS AND PRACTICE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE; HIS PUBLIC SPIRIT; HIS LOVE OF ALL GOOD MEN AND ALL CHRISTIAN ENTERPRISES TO ELEVATE MAN; HIS READINESS TO MEET PUBLIC OCCASIONS; LABORS FOR OTHER CHURCHES; THE HIGH ESTEEM IN WHICH HE WAS HELD BY THEM TRIBUTED TO HIS INFLUENCE OVER HIS PEOPLE. CON Dr. Woodbridge WAS STRICT IN CHURCH DISCIPLINE. He believed the covenant into which the members entered on joining the church, was a most solemn transaction with God, implying both an unalterable obligation of fidelity to him as their chosen Lord, and to the brethren in mutual covenant; an engagement on the one hand, to watch over them in Christian love, and on the other, cheerfully to submit to their Christian watch and discipline. This, in his view, was one of the most important advantages of church. relations. He considered it his special responsibility as a pastor to see this vow carried into effect. He read his authority in the Pauline injunction : "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor." He was also CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 271 persuaded of the importance of church discipline to the full efficiency of the body, even to its very existence as a divine. organization of spiritual power. In his estimation, the church must be kept pure, not only from the stains of Christian immoralities, but from deformities of gross scriptural error as well. 66 Gangrened members must be lopped away Before the nobler parts are tainted to decay." On the last point named he has publicly expressed his views. We will quote. "Evangelical men, in general, have regarded an intelligent and cordial reception of the discriminating doctrines of the gospel by those who have an opportunity to understand its contents, as involved in the very nature of that holy faith which unites the soul to Christ, and insures a title to endless happiness. Laxness on this point has been considered as an indication of unsettled views in religion, or proclivity to error. It were easy to multiply quotations from orthodox writers in support of this statement. Many treatises of great value have been published in opposition to what has been styled false charity, or spurious liberality, with respect to the importance of a right religious belief. A single quotation from Griffin's Park Street Lectures may be sufficient to exhibit in strong language the common apprehensions of Calvinists and Trinitarians on this subject: 'Out comes the dreadful dogma,' says that eloquent defender of the faith, steeped in infidelity to the very core, that it is no matter what a man believes, provided that his life be good.' It is in accordance with general observation, that when an individual begins to be an apologist for erroneous speculation, he is either unsettled himself in his creed, or inclined to some peculiarities of a doubtful, if not positively dangerous tendency." As a relentless advocate of right Dr. Woodbridge meant to gauge his own conduct by its inflexible rules; and he had little patience with professing Christians who neglected to follow their guidance. In view of such failures the |