Morning Star

For the Morning Star.

REVIVALS IN THE UNION Q. M. N. Y.

Bro. Burr:—In October last this Q. M. introduced a plan of itinerant preaching, which was adopted by most of the churches composing the Q. M. The plan was substantially as follows:—Three preachers were to be employed in the Q. M.—two to attend the regular appointments, and one to be engaged in protracted meetings during the proper season for holding such meetings. The preachers selected were Elders J. Decker, H. Esten and myself—the two former to keep up the appointments, and the latter to engage in protracted efforts as above specified. Eld. D. stated that his health forbid his engaging in the arrangement, and a committee of five brethren were appointed to employ another preacher, if circumstances should demand.—From Oct. to Jan. however no other preacher was employed. Immediately subsequent to the Jan. term of the Q. M. Br. R. Cooley was employed by the committee for the term of three months. The arrangement proved very beneficial. An increasing interest was manifest from the first in nearly all the churches that adopted it. During the first three months (from Oct. to Jan.) the interest continued to increase in the South Potter church—one was converted, and a strong impression prevailed that God was about to pour out His spirit in a glorious manner.—About the last of Nov. I commenced a series of meetings in the northern part of Canandaigua; several were converted and reclaimed: and in April last, a church was organized of 13 members, called the second F. W. Baptist church in Canandaigua. One has since united with the church and more design to soon. I next held a few meetings in the vicinity of the 1st F. W. B. church in Canandaigua, which resulted in the reclaiming of several backsliders from their wanderings to the fold of Christ.

From there I went to Middlesex, and after holding meetings for several evenings in succession, in which a number were reclaimed and converted, a mutual arrangement was made between the F. W. Baptist and Methodist brethren to continue the meeting, and the Lord was truly our helper; saints were made to rejoice—the voice of the convert was heard, and backsliders returned to their Father's house and were again permitted to drink of the streams "which make glad the city of God."

I then commenced a meeting with the Gorham church. The leading members of the church came up to the work, with the expectation that their labor would not be "in vain" and soon the inquiry was heard, "What must I do to be saved?"—& being pointed to "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," in a few days a number were enabled to "read their titles clear" and sing delivering grace. About 20 were hopefully converted during the meeting. 12 of whom have united with the F. W. B. and 5 with the Methodists. A revival commenced with the 2nd F. W. B. church in Potter, under the labors of Bro. L. Johnson, a licensed preacher. I spent one week with him, and we had the privilege of seeing some 12 or 15 converted and reclaimed during the meeting.

In the next place, I wish to state a few facts in reference to the revival in South Potter church. As I have already stated, an increasing interest was manifest previous to Jan. 1st, and not far from this time a protracted meeting was commenced in the vicinity by the Methodists, which finally resulted in a powerful revival of the work of God. Its influence was felt very sensibly within the bounds of the South Potter church, and a number living there were awakened and some reclaimed in that meeting. During the progress of that meeting Br. Cooley commenced a series of meetings with the above named church. Several of the brethren and sisters felt very deeply the importance of laboring for the salvation of sinners, and hence, trusting in God, they threw their whole souls into the work. After laboring for some time, notwithstanding the obstructions thrown in the way, growing out of improper management, the work broke forth upon every hand, and, in answer to prayer, God's power to save was strikingly exhibited. I labored in the meeting about 3 weeks, and the result of the meeting was, about 50 were converted and reclaimed. There have been additions to all the churches but one that entered into the arrangement. To God be all the glory.

One item further. In reference to Foreign Missions, I would inform the friends of benevolence, that, in Oct. last, the "penny-a-week system" was introduced into the covenant meeting of the S. Potter church, and a large majority of those present readily responded to it, and the system was in successful operation, and a portion of the $800 credited in the "Star" was received previous to the first of Jan, and many of the brethren of this church do not consider themselves very highly complimented by the slanders published in the Star of April 28, 1847.

N. B. We have not found any necessity, during the progress of the above revivals, for preaching the theory of transmitted moral depravity, or that Christ "suffered the penalty of the law instead of the sinner." H. Bacon.

Potter, N. Y. June 28th 1847.