A sudden widespread spiritual awakening shows the clear agency of the Holy Spirit.
In the township of R., in the western part of New York, says a writer in the Ch. Watchman, without any special or known cause, numbers of individuals were suddenly aroused to anxious inquiry and trembling respecting their souls. Some in different parts of the town, without any knowledge of the affections of others, were alarmed by the consideration of their sins. Two men, from different directions, came to a clergyman in the morning, asking What shall we do? About nine o'clock in the same morning, one of the members of the church called upon the same clergyman, to go and visit several anxious individuals in his neighborhood; and before night it was ascertained, that almost the whole population of a considerable district, were solemnly, and with weeping, asking the prayers and instructions of the people of God.
Accompanied by the pastor, on that and the subsequent day, we visited from house to house; but wherever we went the Spirit had preceded us. The whole region was a Boehm. A solemn awe pervaded our soul, and we could not but feel that, "God is in very deed in our midst."
Revivals, thus commencing, are, indeed, rare; but where they do occur they show very clearly the agency of the Holy Spirit.
# 196. Holy Spirit Grieved.
