The following excerpt is one of several increasingly hostile reports on the Great Revival published in the annual minutes of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Philadelphia from 1803 to 1809. Click here to view related excerpts from the Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (1847).
The reading by paragraphs of the narrative on the state of religion, was resumed; which having been corrected and amended, was adopted, and is as follows, viz:
“The General Assembly acknowledge, with ardent gratitude, the distinguished benignity of God to the churches within their bounds, during the year past. He hath truly done great things for us; building up the waste places of Zion, and adding unto the number of such as shall be saved. From every quarter, with but few exceptions, we hear of harmony among our ministers, order among our congregations, an increased attention to the ordinances of the gospel, and the progressing triumphs of that grace by which alone sinners can be reconciled to God. In many places, especially within the bounds of the Synod of New York and New Jersey, times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord are experienced. The Spirit has been poured out on considerable portions of country; and fruits of righteousness have appeared, honourable to the kingdom of Christ, and inviting to the world which lieth in wickedness. Unhallowed combinations have been broken up; enemies to the cross have been confounded, and in many instances, made the subjects of divine grace.
It is observable that the work, though powerful, has progressed with great silence, uncommon solemnity, and free from all appearance of extravagance.
The revivals have been preceded in every instance, by a union of prayer among Christians; to which they have felt constrained by the fervent desire of their hearts that Christ might be glorified, and by deep and solemn impressions of the value of precious and immortal souls. Believing parents, more especially, have been influenced to wrestle with God in behalf of their children. We record with peculiar emotions of delight, for the encouragement of the godly, that as in all ages past, so still, our God is a hearer of prayer. He has come down from his high and holy place, and granted the request of his people. The consequences have been that the assemblies of the saints were crowded with inquiring sinners. Many meetings for prayer and praise have been established. It appears that, in several places, a number of persons have adopted the plan of assembling together on the Sabbath morning immediately before public worship, and spending some time in religious exercises, particularly in prayer for the divine presence and blessing in the public institutions of his worship. This, if properly managed, may prove a happy preparative for the worship of the sanctuary. We would, however, earnestly caution all who are under our care, against suffering public duties to interfere with the duties of the family and the closet.
Among the visible fruits of an increased attention to the gospel, we recognize the establishment of benevolent institutions, as peculiarly characteristic of the religion of Jesus. We mean associations for the relief of destitute widows and orphans, for the instruction of the ignorant in divine knowledge, and for the benefit of the poor generally. It is a distinguished excellence of the gospel of Christ, that it is suited to the poor; not merely to their afflicted condition, but to their intellectual acquirements: Christians can give no better evidence of their sincere attachment to the Lord who bought them, than by manifesting love not only to their brethren in Christ, but to mankind in general. The fruits of benevolence ought ever to accompany the profession of piety; and it is exclusively the glory of Christianity that it has produced every where, as far as its influence extends, effective plans to ameliorate the condition of the poor. We hope our brethren in all our churches will more fully testify, in this particular, the power of the grace of God.
In the southern parts of our bounds, the extraordinary revivals of religion have considerably declined; bodily agitations are gradually disappearing; in one instance, where extravagance and wild enthusiasm had been avowed and defended, in opposition to the pastoral advice of this body, we are happy to learn that the abettors have acknowledged their error, and returned to the good order of our Church.
Those who have been the subjects of this revival, persevere in the way of godliness, with but few exceptions. Apostasies are rare. Accessions to the communion are made on every occasion, though not in such numbers as formerly. Believers are still on the watch; disposed to pray, and actually praying for the spread of the gospel, and the triumphs of grace over all opposition.
In those districts of country, as well as in some others, the want of gospel ministers is severely felt. People are suffering for lack of instruction, and calling for help; but help, adequate to their necessities, cannot be obtained. The Assembly regret, that so few comparatively offer themselves as candidates for the holy ministry; and they hope that the attention of the churches under their care will be directed to this important subject, that by their united exertions some effectual plan, for statedly supplying the wants of Zion, may be formed.
With such abundant cause of gratitude, is connected cause of sorrow and humiliation. We have observed with pain, that in some Presbyteries the duties of family religion, and of catechetical instruction, are neglected. Truly it is shameful in men, who call themselves by the name of Christ, not to honour him before their families, by worshipping him statedly. Every head of a family is responsible for all its members to God and his country. How can he expect to fulfil his duty, if he does not pray for and with them, and instruct them from the word of God? If he does not honour God, it cannot be expected his family will. And a Christian family living without family religion, is a contradiction. It argues, on the part of such professors, an awful declension and a criminal dereliction of duty.
In many places, also, we have heard of lukewarmness and inattention to the great concerns of religion; of the profanation of the Sabbath by thoughtless sinners; and of decline in the life of godliness. How lamentable, that, with the light of the gospel shining around us, any should walk in darkness, and despise the goodness of God!
From our sister churches in Connecticut and Vermont, we learn with plea sure that revivals prevail there also ; that religion flourishes; that, among other instances of mercy, Yale College is graciously visited; and that believers are walking in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
On a review of the state of religion in the churches referred to above, we rejoice in saying that it has progressed in the last year, and that it is still progressing. This revives us in our pilgrimage, and causes us to look forward with pleasing expectations. The Redeemer will ultimately reign throughout the earth. ‘His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun, and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.’
Source
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: From Its Organization A. D. 1789 to A. D. 1820 Inclusive (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, [1847]), 401–403.
