the expressions of her horror and despair are publicly repeated; and it is said perhaps in the very presence of her parents and friends, that she has gone to the other world an unconverted soul,--and perhaps even the horrible inference is not withholden! You will readily believe that people who will bear this, are prepared to be wrought upon in almost any manner, and to almost any degree. I - ought in justice to say that I think the larger portion of the community here, would, not bear it. I trust, for the honor of human nature, that such scenes are not frequent.

I ought not to close this letter, in which I may seem to you to have reflected somewhat severely on the clergy, without professing my entire conviction of their good intentions. I have not a doubt of their sincerity, and desire to promote what they conceive to be true religion. Indeed, it is difficult to question the sincerity of any class or sect of religionists. There is still room however for the suspicion of some wrong motives, among the promo

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ters of Revivals;-and for the entrance of doubts, about the wisdom of their proceedings, the door is wide open. Thus with regard to the motives, there may mingle with general sincerity, such personal considerations as the eclat which a great Revival gives to the pastor under whose ministry it takes place, the increased favor which he has with his brethren, the influence he gains among the churches, &c. As to the wisdom of these things, I shall have something to say hereafter.

For the present I release you, by subscribing myself,

Most affectionately, your friend,

LETTER III.

CAUSES OF REVIVALS, CONTINUED.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

JUNE 2d, 1827.

I HAVE not quite satisfied myself, as yet, in what I have said of the causes of the great religious excitements here. And though I sent off a letter but three days ago, I resume this subject while it is fresh in my mind.

Much, undoubtedly, is to be referred to the deep interest which all men must take,which human nature is fitted to take, in such a subject as religion. I wonder, sometimes, that the religious guides, while urging their doctrine of total depravity, and representing human nature as utterly devoid of all religious feeling, do not suspect that the effects they produce are a refutation of their theory. Let them try their "the unreasoning tribes," or let them suppose the beings whom they address to be all reason, purely

power on

such, without any moral emotion or susceptibility, and see, if they could produce or expect any such results. They say, that it is the power of God, that gives efficacy to their preaching, and so do I say, but it is the power of God operating through the very constitution of human nature. The human heart is made to feel a solemn interest in its moral welfare and danger, and especially in these subjects, as they extend themselves to the unknown and dark futurity.

In this view, I confess, that all the extravagances of pious zeal in the whole history of religion, seem to me interesting. I am not disgusted or amused as I once was, with the excesses and enormities of superstition. I can receive a lesson of wisdom, even from Simeon the Stylite, as he stands upon the pillar which his folly erected. The poor Hindoo, suspended from a tree, to be withered and shrivelled by the rays of a tropical sun, teacles a most affecting truth. The same truth does the wild Indian proclaim, when he causes

the tragedy of Jeptha's daughter to be acted over in order to appease his wrathful deities. What a powerful principle-for this is the lesson and the truth--what a powerful principle must that be which can command such sacrifices!--which overlooks all the ordinary and obvious calculations of selfishness, and lives upon pain and torture-which feeds the fires of martyrdom instead of being extinguished by them, and instead of being quenched in blood, is still opening its fountains anew in the veins of ten thousand victims! Would nothing suffice, upon the altar of religious sacrifice, but the very sinews, and hearts' blood, and all the tenderest affections of the heart-nothing but suffering of body and anguish of mind! So mankind have thought at least, and though they have thought erroneously, they have by the same means, fully shown how strong as well as misguided, the principle of religion has been within them.

It is nothing new or surprising, therefore, that this principle should be productive of