34 BIOGRAPHY OF
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ost discouraging hindrances to sinners from seekingthe kmgdom of God, and engenders bondage andgloominess to the saints. Its influence is felt through-out the Christian world, even where it is least suspect-ed. Its first link is total depravity. Yet are therethousands of precious saints in this system. As might be expected, many objections arose in mymind against the doctrines just received by me, andthese objections were multiplied by a correspondent, aPresbyterian preacher, to whom I had communicatedmy views. J resolved not to declare them publicly tillI could be able to defend them against successful opposi-tion. Ina subsequent part of these memoirs, the decla-ration and defence will be seen. ‘Things moved on quietly in my congregations, andin the country generally. Apathy in religious societiesappeared every where to an alarming degree. Not onlythe power of religion had disappeared, but also the veryform of it was waning fast away, and continued so tillthe beginning of the present century, \ Having heardof a remarkable religious excitement in the south ofKentucky, and in Tennessee, under the labors of JamesMcGready and other Presby terian ministers, I was veryanxious to be among them; and, early in the spring of 1801, went there to attend a camp-meeting. There, on/ the edge of a prairie in Logan county, Kentucky, the_ multitudes came together, and continued a number of_ days and nights encamped on the ground ; during which time worship was carried on in some part of ‘the en-\campment. The scene to me was new, and passingstrange. It baffled description. Many, very many felldown, as men slain in battle, and continued for hourstogether in an apparently breathless and motionlessstate—sometimes for a few moments reviving, and ex-hibiting symptoms of life by a deep groan, or piercingshriek, or by a prayer for mercy most fervently uttered.After lying thus for hours, they obtained deliverance.The gloomy cloud, which had covered their faces,seemed gradually and visibly to disappear, and hope BARTON W. STONE. 35 in smiles brightened into joy—they would rise shoutingdeliverance, and then would address the surroundingmultitude in language truly eloquent and impressive.With astonishment did I hear men, women and child-ren declaring the wonderful works of God, and theglorious mysteries of the gospel. Their appeals weresolemn, heart-penetrating, bold and free. Under suchaddresses many others would fall down into the samestate from which the speakers had just been delivered. ‘Two or three of my particular acquaintances from adistance were struck down. I sat patiently by one ofthem, whom I knew to be a careless sinner, for hours,and observed with critical attention every thing thatpassed from the beginning to the end. I noticed themomentary revivings as from death—the humble con-fession of sins—the fervent prayer, and the ultimate de-liverance—then the solemn thanks and praise to God—the affectionate exhortation to companions and to thepeople around, to repent and come to Jesus. I was as-tonished at the knowledge of gospel truth displayed inthe address. The effect was, that several sunk downinto the same appearance of death. After attending to;many such cases, my conviction was complete thatit was a good work—the work of God; nor has mymind wavered since on the subject. Much did I thensee, and much have I since seen, that I considered tobe fanaticism ; but this should not condemn the work.The Devil has always tried: to ape the works of God,to bring them into disrepute. But that cannot be a Sa-tanic work, which brings men to humble confession andforsaking of sin—to solemn prayer—fervent praise andthanksgiving, and to sincere and affectionate exhorta-tions to sinners to repent and go to Jesus the Saviour. ,/Tam always hurt to hear people speak lightly of thiswork. I always think they speak of what they knownothing about. Should every thing bearing the impressof imperfection be blasphemously rejected, who amongst‘us at this time could stand ! >» But more on this subjecthereafter.
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