the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. . . . The children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one-fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God." Such is the course that must be pursued in protracted meetings now, if the Church is to be benefited, souls are to be saved, and God is to be glorified. However the truth of God may be brought before the minds of men, and however long kept in con tact with human souls, it will produce no saving results, unless God accompanies it with the demonstration of the Spirit. There is a mighty dif ference, yea, all the difference conceivable, between the gospel coming unto a people in word only," and coming" in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." If the truth presented to the minds of men in a protracted meeting is to secure the desired result, the minis ters and people of God must afflict their souls, must confess their own sins and the sins of the Church, must put away the evil of their doings, must adore and worship God with the deepest humility and sincerity, and must earnestly, believingly, and importunately plead with God, for Christ's sake, to give his Holy Spirit in all his enlightening, quickening, sanctifying influences. Let the ministers and the people of God see rightly to these matters, and good will be effected. Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city. . . . Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high." "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."""I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as

66

Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olivetree, and his smell as Lebanon." Here the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit's influence is set forth in the clearest terms; and, certain it is that those influences will not be withheld if the course now pointed out be resolutely followed. Let the Church humble herself, confess her sins, and plead mightily for the Spirit, and he will come-he must come, and be as the dew to Israel; for God and Christ have again, again and again, promised him to all who ask for him. It is of the utmost importance that truth be presented to the minds of men in a protracted meeting; for God, we firmly believe, saves none without the truth; and it is of equal importance that the Spirit's influences be secured, inasmuch as the truth, without his lifegiving energy, cannot be effectual in the salvation of the souls of men. For a clear and scriptural account of the need of the Holy Spirit's influences, and of the manner in which they are to be secured, we would urge our readers to peruse carefully the excellent sermon of our beloved brother, the Rev. W. Cooke. A protracted meeting, therefore, rightly conducted, will bring the truth of God, in its clearness and power, to bear upon the minds of men; and will bring out the Church, in a proper manner, to wrestle with God for the abuudant effusions of the Holy Spirit to render it successful.

Protracted meetings, thus conducted, would produce mighty results. Their quickening influence would be felt in the Church of God. A properly-conducted protracted meeting would, in a little time, bring the members of a Church into a state of deep humiliation before God, by revealing to them their spiritual poverty, weakness, unfruitfulness and misery-would soon lead them to mourn over their deficiencies and unfaithfulness-would soon humble their pride, break their self-will, destroy their worldly-mindedness, eradicate their selfishness, and lead them to the throne of grace, crying, "God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon

us; that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." Soon would the painful thought, that hundreds, and thousands, and millions, are in the road to death, thrill with agony the minds of professors, and lead them to use all the means in their power to pluck them as brands from the fire. These meetings, when properly conducted, keep the things of God before the minds of Christians, and have a tendency to produce in them a mighty spirit of faith and prayer, deep concern for the glory of Christ, deep commiseration for the souls of the ungodly, great self-denial, burning zeal, and that holy love which draws the mind from the little peculiarities which exist in the different sections of the Church, and induces them to mind their great business-the conversion of sinners to God. We have never attended a protracted meeting without deriving great spiritual advantage, and without having our determination to labour for the salvation of souls strengthened and increased. In all meetings we have attended of this character and we have assisted at a great many-we have witnessed an increase of personal piety in professors of religion, and have seen the foundation laid for further progress in the divine life.

In these meetings backsliders are sure to be reclaimed. We have never attended a protracted meeting but some of these unhappy creatures were restored to the fold of Christ. Though they may neglect the ordinary means of grace, yet, somehow or other, they are sure to be found coming up to the house of God during a protracted meeting. They may not be there at the first, second, or third service, but they will be found there before the meeting closes. The holding of a protracted meeting reaches their ears, occupies their thoughts, may call forth their anger, but they cannot get rid of the thoughts that a meeting is being held, that good will be done, that souls will be saved; they will just come for one night, to see how things are going on; they come again, and they begin to feel uncomfort

able; they resolve to come no more, but they cannot stop away; their misery increases, they soon begin to weep over their sad, sad declensions, they solicit an interest in the prayers of God's people, soon are they restored to the joy of salvation, and then begin to teach transgressors God's ways. We testify that we have seen, for in all the protracted meetings we have attended we have been forcibly struck with the fact that backsliders have always been reclaimed in them. Nor is it to be wondered at that this should be the

case.

By

A backslider cannot, and does not, utterly forget past days, past scenes, past enjoyments; the holding of extraordinary means of grace is sure to arouse unpleasant thoughts within him, and in answer to the prayers of God's people, the Holy Spirit revisits their hearts, and powerfully strives with them to return unto the Lord, from whom they have deeply revolted. Backsliders are never forgotten in the prayers of the righteous in a protracted meeting, however they may be overlooked in the ordinary means of grace. praying for them ardently, believers become deeply interested in their welfare, and they then strive to obey the command, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." God crowns their efforts with success, and backsliders are restored to the fold of Jesus amid the rejoicings of saints and angels. Then is the Church glad, and "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

In protracted meetings, sinners are always converted. We never attended one, we never heard of one, in which no sinner was converted from the error of his ways. Sinners are sure to be found attending these meetings. Some will come out of curiosity, some through the earnest solicitations of friends, some just because they see others coming, some to hear a much talked-of minister of the gospel, and, now and then, some will come to mock. No matter what

induces them to come, they are found there. Hundreds who would never go to the ordinary means of grace are sure to find the way to protracted meetings, and they cannot be there without hearing that which will do them good. The ministers in these meetings aim chiefly at the conversion of sinners. To arouse sinners from their guilty slumbers, to lead them to place a just estimate on the things of time and of eternity, to awaken in them mighty concern for the salvation of their souls, and to bring them to Christ, to holiness, and to the possession of a good hope through grace, is the main end of their ministrations. Ministers in these meetings are apt to preach the truth, as it is in Jesus, in such a plain, affectionate, faithful, earnest manner that sinners cannot help feeling that what is said is for their life, their salvation, their eternal good. Throwing off all trammels, the preachers in protracted meetings preach with a simplicity, a directness, a force, an unction that cannot be resisted. Sinners are pricked in their hearts, and cry "Men, brethren, what must we do? Oh, pray for us that we may be forgiven, and be made new creatures in Christ Jesus." Nor must we overlook the fact, that in these meetings the people of God, more than in the ordinary means, agonize in prayer for God's Holy Spirit to be poured out to convince sinners "of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment," and for the pardoning mercy of God to be revealed to the penitent, humbled transgressors. In protracted meetings we have witnessed an agony of desire, a strength of faith, an earnestness of importunity in the prayers of God's people which would not let them rest till souls were saved. And the blessed God has answered those prayers in the salvation of souls, in meetings we have attended, to the number of ten, twenty, and in some cases fifty and sixty.

Nor are the results of protracted meetings confined to the immediate good effected by them during the period they last; for the Church of Christ is strengthened by these accessions-is raised to a loftier posi

as

tion-has more means placed at her disposal to sustain her present operations-has more heads to think of, more hearts to feel for, more hands to labour for, more purses at command, to secure the conversion of the world to Christ. A revival of religion in the Church is sure to extend religion in the world. Men and women go from a protracted meeting determined to do more for the cause of Christ and for the souls of men. A good protracted meeting gives believers that clearness of vision, that determination of purpose, that intensity of feeling, that they cannot rest satisfied in their present attainments and with the present position of the Church and the world, They must go on to perfection; they must see the Church extending; they must see the world brought more under the influence of truth, righteousness, peace, and joy. The burden of their cry now is, "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen." Many new classes have we seen formed-many destitute settlements have we seen visited with the light of the gospel-many new houses built for God, and many scores of pounds consecrated to the missionary cause, through protracted meetings. Having the firmest conviction that such meetings are exactly the kind needed to revive and extend religion among us, we would urge their trial, during the ensuing winter, upon every one of our Circuits. Let them be attended to in a right spirit, and for a proper length of time; and, with our own Circuit and local preachers as the ministers, scenes will take place such as gladdened the hearts of Wesley, Whitefield, and the early Methodist preachers; and such as often gladden the hearts of ministers and churches on the American continent.

The most favourable time for holding protracted meetings is the winter.

Nights are long. Business is not so brisk. People are at home; for there is little travelling during the winter season. The young want something to employ their thoughts, time, and energies, on long evenings. On all these grounds, now is the time to commence these protracted services. The time they should last should be left to the intimations of Providence and the Church; but they should be fairly tried for three or four weeks. All in the Church should heartily engage in them as long as they last; yea, must do so, if they are to be successful. But many have objections to these meetings, so had we years ago, yea, we were as much opposed to them as man could be; but we have entered with heart into them, have been blessed by them, seen scores converted at them, and all our objections have vanished. No objections can be brought against them but such as may be brought against anything extraordinary which has for its objects the glory of God and the benefit of man. Try them;

HELP YOUR

HELP him by your prayers for him. Like any brother of your fallen race, he needs Christian intercession on his behalf that he may be enlightened by the illumination of divine truth, sanctified by the grace of the gospel and strengthened by might in the inner man.

He has his trials as a private Christian, just as you have yours. He must bide the buffets of the great adversary and all his dark servitors, and fight all the battles of a Christian's conflict with his legion foes. Steep and narrow for him as for you is the way that leads to holiness and God. Strong are earth's cords that hold him back from climbing as those that chain your mounting feet.

He has his own peculiar trials and perplexities as a minister of the gospel, and these constitute a powerful appeal to you for your kindly intercessions on his behalf. Many an anxious hour does he consume in selecting themes for your spiritual profit and edification. What message of Inspiration's many lessons,

engage in them with all the heart, and your objections will vanish as did ours when we came to understand them rightly. The past warrants the hope, in our mind, that if these meetings are begun and carried forward in humble reliance upon God's blessing, and with a single eye to his glory, hundreds, if not thousands, before the termination of this winter, will be brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. Animating thought! hundreds and thousands of souls saved from death, and multitudes of sins hid! In hope of this, let the Church commence protracted meetings; let her awake and put on strength, and put on her beautiful garments and cry, "O Lord, revive thy work." "Let the priests, the ministers of God, weep between the porch and the altar, and cry, Spare thy people, O Lord." Try protracted meetings, and trust in God for his blessing to succeed the work of your hands; and signs and wonders will be wrought this winter in the Churches.

MINISTERS.

he asks, do the circumstances of my people next call for? What does this brother need- what that? What truth will be most timely for that straying member of the flockwhat will summon the whole church most effectually to the help of the Lord? What argument shall be addressed to the impenitent? What intreaty will win them by the Spirit's seconding ?

When his pen is laid aside, and the last page is writ, comes another question that weighs like a mountain upon his breast. Will the Holy Ghost bless it? will it reach any breast? will it move any soul? or will it be chargeable with the deadly sin of having used a divine thought without blessing a hearer with it?

And apart from these anxieties, which vary somewhat with the mood of the mind, there is this continual and never-lifted burden-the care of souls. What will become of this people to whom I minister? Will they be saved? Will they go to heaven? Will they sing and rejoice

at the last? Will God give me those impenitent souls? Can I reach them with God's truth and Spirit before death reaches them? Can I reach them while God sees there is hope for them? How long shall I wait sorrowfully for more seals to my ministry? Will God own me as his messenger of salvation to those perishing souls yet within the sound of my voice?

There is not a poor soul in the midst of you, or around you, that more needs your prayers than your minister. In many of his labours the only way in which you can help him is to pray for him. You cannot help him directly in selecting topics for the pulpit. You cannot stand by

him in the hours of laborious but unsuccessful thought, and tell him what to say and how to say it. You cannot insure, by guiding his pen, that the sermon shall be one the Spirit will own and bless; but even in these cares you can reach him with the arm and help of prayer. You can ask God to direct him in the choice of truth, to help him in its exhibition, to make it in manner and form what he will bless. You can ask God to sustain him in all his toil and solicitude, that he may roll the burden of souls for whom he watches upon the Saviour, and in all his way take hold of a hand of divine strength from above.-Congregationalist.

was

THREE months ago I was requested to visit a young man who fast wasting away in a decline, and I complied with this request.

During the interview we conversed about his affliction, and the time he had been afflicted. I then asked if he felt he was a sinner. He said he was a great sinner. This led me to remind him of the time when he was a scholar in my class in the Sabbath-school, of the many happy moments we had enjoyed, of the sweet hymns we had sung, of the delightful lessons we had read and talked about. These remarks seemed to pierce his inmost soul; with tears and sobs he regretted his misspent time, and acknowledged that, had he taken the advice then given, he would have been a better man. I asked him if anyone had visited him during his illness; he said two clergymen had been several times, but he was more perplexed after each visit than he was before; and they left him in greater darkness and mystery as regards salvation, for he could not understand them. I then, in my humble but, I trust, sincere way, directed him to the cross of Christ, and showed him the necessity of repentance and faith in order to obtain salvation. He listened with great earnestness, and gladly responded to

my remarks. After this, I prayed for a divine blessing to rest upon what had been said, and sought the aid of the Holy Spirit to quicken, enlighten, and convert him.

Before leaving him, I promised soon to call again. I did so in the course of a few days, and found him gradually_sinking, and still seeking mercy. He was much pleased on my arrival, and said he wanted to hear more about Jesus, and him cru cified. I read several passages of Scripture, and explained how God had loved him, and given his Son to die for him, and that Christ could save to the uttermost all that come unto God through him. Whilst thus dwelling on redeeming love, it was good to be there; the visit was profitable to us both. I then, as previously, prayed for him, and commended him to God.

The following Sabbath I spent some time with him in reading the Scriptures and prayer. Before taking my leave, I left a little book called

The Way of Salvation." I told him it was by one of our ministers, and I hoped he would read it; and, if he could not bear to do so, the nurse would, as it was calculated to be of great service to him. His nurse pro mised it should be read. Great praise is due to her, for she seemed much