any shelter to the southern province, which | which are a most interesting specimen of ichwas quickly overrun, its stations stormed, its nography, equally creditable to the draughtstreasures ransacked, its population decimated. man and the engraver. The eye of the Coins of Diocletian have been found in great practised antiquarian may work out from numbers as far north as Fort Augustus; coins them the details of the landscape almost as of Constantine at Edinburgh, and many other thoroughly as those of the ground-plan itself. places in the lowlands; coins down to Hono- It is pleasant to observe the pride with which rius (410) on the line of the Antonine Vallum. the tenant-farmers along the line, to many of But from this period all such indications of whom his Grace has kindly presented them, Roman occupation cease both to the north suspend the sheets on their cottage-walls, and and south of the Tyne and Solway. The the satisfaction they take in examining them. civilization of Italy was swept away from the We may hope that an intelligent interest in Northumbrian isthmus, the strong places on the subject has been awakened among the the Wall were occupied by the chiefs of clans, yeomanry of the district, and that any reand held, no doubt, one against another, just mains that may hereafter be discovered are as the palaces of Rome itself were converted secure of vigilant observation and reverential by the barons of the middle ages into private treatment. We are delighted to hear that fortresses. To the Pictish chief succeeded Mr. Maclauchlan, a most cautious and discreet the moss-trooper, who stalled his stolen herds professor of his art, is continuing his labours in the guard-rooms of the Roman centurion; in the same field, and that he is charged by and the moss-trooper has been in these latter the same munificent patron with the survey days supplanted by the Northumbrian farmer, of all further vestiges of Roman works in the who has stripped Wall and camps of their county. We would suggest, in conclusion, stones, and fenced his fields with the spoil. that our local Archæological Societies would It is most fortunate that we have found in do well to direct their investigations into Dr. Bruce a patient explorer, an accurate de- similar channels, and work together, if poscipherer, an enthusiastic lover of antiquity, sible, to the same end, that we may preserve one who has been content to devote all his a record of the traces of our early conquerors leisure for many years to this engrossing sub- as they exist at the present time throughout ject, and who has had the skill to construct a the country. The face of antiquity shifts and full and most interesting account of it. If varies even now from day to day; let us seize his hypothesis be still liable to question the ages as they fly, and fix, as with the (though in questioning it ourselves we fully glance of photography, the form and expresadmit the difficulty of suggesting another, sion of their changeful features: and are aware that it rests upon a cumula-Tu tive argument, to which our brief notice can hardly have rendered justice), he will acknowledge, perhaps, himself that his theory, whether right or wrong, is the least important part of his labours. Such questions we may leave to posterity, if we cannot solve them now; but if we left the remains of the Wall to posterity, untended, unexplored, unrecord ed, little enough would posterity know of them; for stones and earthworks even now, under the processes of modern agriculture, are disappearing like flakes of snow in the river.

Nor are our thanks less due to the liberality of the Duke of Northumberland for the Survey of the Wall and the Watling-street made by Mr. Maclauchlan at his direction. Himself a traveller, an antiquary, and a man of science, his Grace has promoted the execution of a work of national interest, which will fix and perpetuate the features still spared to us of the Roman occupation in the north, and await the results of future discovery, and the birth of some superior genius for analysing and combining them. This survey is remarkable for the admirable combination of art and science in the execution of the maps,

modo fige aciem, et vultus hos usque relinque:

Sic ait, et speculum seclusit, imagine rapta.'

desideratum of our literature, a new and comThis is the first step towards that great plete Britannia Romana.'

ART. V.-1. The Work and the Counterwork; or the Religious Revival in Belfast. With an Explanation of the Physical Phenomena. By Edward A. Stopford, Archdeacon of Meath. 3rd Edition. Dublin,

THE Revival in Ireland which has attracted so much attention is no new phenomenon. Similar awakenings occurred in England, Scotland, and America during the last century, and throw considerable light upon the nature and probable results of the present movement. An event of the kind commenced in New Jersey in 1730, under the ministry of Mr. Tennent, a Presbyterian, and, amidst much that was objectionable, there were many of the characteristics of true conversion. It extended over New Jersey, New York, and a portion of Pennsylvania, and, several years after all excitement had passed by, an eminent divine makes this statement: The effects on great numbers are abiding and most happy. They are the most uniformly exemplary Christians with whom I was ever acquainted. They are constant and serious in their attendance on public worship, prayerful, righteous, and charitable, and strict in the government of their own families.' Of the inhabitants of one large district he writes :-'Not one of them, as far as I know, was ever guilty of scandal. Eight or ten years after the religious excitement there was not a drunkard in the whole parish.'

Spirit. A Sermon preached in St. Ste- | creditable. Two sudden deaths among the phen's Church, Dublin, on Sunday, July young people in the neighbourhood produced 3rd, 1859. By George Salmon, D.D., Fel-a solemnity of feeling, and the news of the low of Trinity College, Dublin. With an awakening in New Jersey led to the estaAppendix on the Revival Movement in the blishment of several small prayer-meetings. North of Ireland. 4th Edition, with Addi- In 1734 the increased attention to religion tional Notes. Dublin, 1859. induced Mr. Edwards to preach a sermon entitled A Divine and Supernatural Light imparted to the Soul by the Spirit of God shown to be both a Scriptural and Rational Doctrine.' This discourse had a considerable effect, and early in 1735 various individuals appeared to be converted. Religion became the single topic of conversation, and other subjects were only tolerated so far as was necessary for the business of life. For a time Edwards imagined that men would be too neglectful of worldly affairs, and devote themselves entirely to reading and praying. The minds of the people were filled with the idea that to be unconverted was to be under 'a momentary risk of dropping into hell,' and not only were the ordinary services crowded, but extra meetings were demanded. Sometimes the whole congregation was stirred and wept from sorrow, joy, compassion, or sympathy. The fame of the 'revival' spread, and people came from the neighbouring districts to see and examine for themselves. Many of these strangers were roused by the spectacle; the influence spread to twenty-seven different towns, and no class or age was exempt from its operation. Yet in Northampton, although' there was not a single individual who was not awakened, the calm and judicious Edwards estimated the number of real converts to be only ninety-one. In five months the movement began to decline, partly on account of the exhausting excitement which had attended it, partly because those who had been temporarily reformed became more hardened in impenitence, partly owing to an ecclesiastical controversy which arose, and partly in consequence of two remarkable instances of delusion. The impulse which it gave to many of the colonial churches was not, however, lost for five years, and many ministers hoped that the promulgation of the Gospel might be attended with the same results as in Apostolic times. These causes prepared the way for the grand revival in 1741.

·

It was, however, in New England that the work began to which the gaze of the Christian world was eventually turned. This colony, whose founders went from a paradise of plenty into a wilderness of wants,' with the sublime declaration, 'We will call that our country where we can best worship God,' had failed to fulfil its early promise. Many were drunkards, licentious, and scoffers; others were outwardly decorous, but made no pretensions to real Christianity of heart. At this time Jonathan Edwards was ordained to the church of Northampton, in Massachusetts. He addressed himself to the reason of men, despised appeals to their emotions, and clothed the most repulsive of all doctrines in the most rugged phraseology. Yet this was the man who proved the great Revivalist of the 18th century. In 1727, when he became Minister of Northampton, the moral condition of the town was disgraceful. The Sabbath was profaned, the young men were dissipated, a spirit of contention kept society in a ferment, and even the decorum of religious worship was occasionally disturbed. In 1732 there was a visible improvement, and any laxity of morals began to be regarded as dis

Edwards and Whitefield were its great apostles. It commenced at Northampton under Whitefield's preaching, and appeared almost simultaneously at Boston. It spread over more than 150 congregations in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl vania, Maryland, and Virginia. So remarkable was its rise and so rapid its progress, that several persons believed that the Millennium' had begun. Although accompanied in many places with extravagance, and though

6

Still

its promoters fell into some mistakes, its ge- | news spread through the town, and numbers nuineness was attested by the outward refor- of persons who flocked in were so impressed mation in the lives of more than 43,000 per- by what they saw that they caught the consons-an extraordinary proportion of the tagion. This continued for some hours, and population of those thinly-peopled colonies. the whole night was spent in prayer, singing, Edwards had made it a rule 'to urge repent- and mutual counsel. The same 'manifestaance on every inquiring sinner as his imme- tions' occurred among children. A few diate duty to insist that God is under no months later people began to cry out in the obligation to an unrenewed man, and that a church, and many were carried out insensible. man can challenge nothing either in absolute Frequently after the regular services were justice or by free promise on account of any concluded, the congregation remained for exthing he does before he repents and believes.' hortation and prayer, and numbers of persons He states it as his opinion that if he had were struck down.' Private houses were taught any other doctrine to those who came often the scene of similar convulsions. to consult him in their spiritual troubles, it later in the same year these manifestations would have been the direct way of undoing had risen to such an extraordinary height, their souls.' A reaction from the theology of that there were instances of people lying Edwards arose, and much of the supposed motionless for twenty-four hours wrapt in good proved ephemeral. Arianism and Deism visions of heaven. A portion of those af made great progress, and the peace of the fected were seized with abiding terrors, and churches was disturbed by fierce and pro- the disease became permanent. In many of longed controversies. But to this day the the 'stricken' the nervous prostration was so influence of the movement remains. The great that the victim was unable to stand or town of Northampton, the cradle of two re- speak. Sometimes the hands were clenched vivals, is famous for its virtue and morality. and the flesh cold, while the senses remained The contrast is striking between the profanity in full activity. At other times there was and tavern-hunting which formerly prevailed, what appeared to be an involuntary leaping and the fact that at this time there is not a for joy and great transports, in which people female of disreputable character in the town, spoke of God and Christ in stentorian tones and that with a population of 6000 there is of voice. Strangers came from a distance to not a public-house where intoxicating liquors see these manifestations; not a few made are sold. The religion which distinguishes them the test of conversion, and vied with 'Northampton also characterises a great por- each other in marvellous narrations of their tion of the country districts of New England, intensity. These results of an excited imaNew York, and Pennsylvania, and their in- gination tended to produce a counterfeit habitants are wont to attribute the blessing to faith. Men and women declared that there the principles which have been transmitted was a God, for they had seen him; that there through three generations by those who were was a Redeemer, for they had beheld him in impressed by the events which took place his glory or hanging on the cross with blood from 1740 to 1744. In these American re- running from his wounds; that there was a vivals many of the effects were the same as heaven and a hell, for that they had witnessed have appeared within the last two years. the ecstacies of the saved and the torments of There was a general impression of religious the damned; and they accepted the Scripawe on the community, an increased attend- tures as the Divine Word, for they had heard ance at church, the establishment of meetings the voice of God repeating such and such for prayer, great distress for sin, great joy on promises to them. It is not remarkable that finding the way of salvation, a nearly univer- a faith founded on such evidences as these sal improvement, not always abiding, in should be inoperative and evanescent. Conmorals, and a permanent change in the lives troversies arose on the subject, congregations of many. Physical manifestations,' of which were torn asunder, churches of separatists isolated instances unconnected with religious were formed, and a revival of religion became excitement had been known for several pre- in the view of a portion of the community vious years, made their appearance at Nor- only another name for fanaticism, disorder, thampton on a large scale in 1741. Two per- and misrule. A sounder judgment, and an sons, during a sermon, were so overcome with attention to the advice given by Archdeacon a sense of the importance of eternal realities, Stopford, Dr. MacNeece, and others, have inthat their bodies were visibly affected. After terfered to prevent this unhappy consummaservice many of the congregation met them tion in Ireland; but with regard to the physi in another room to inquire what it was which cal manifestations themselves, it is only neproduced this result. The malady was speed- cessary to alter names and dates to fit the narily propagated, and the room became filled rative to recent events within the province with faintings, outcries, and the like. The of Ulster.

'I never before,' says the latter, 'saw such congregations. The people came from six, seven, and eight counties round. More of the Divine presence and power I never knew. The hearts on fire others also. They live as if in the subof many are as if on fire, and they seem to set urbs of heaven, and use much of its language. Some are brought under conviction gradually, and others all at once. It is impossible to express what life and power, what warmth and holy fire, what praises from some, what moanings and groanings from others, what tears of love and joy, and what looks of happiness, are understood only by such as have experienced manifested. These indications can be properly what they express. The Lord does very manifestly display his great power in wounding and healing."

These disorders and various irregularities and Wales, and wherever they went they (among which may be mentioned a tendency roused the same religious excitement: to make secret impulses of the mind a rule of duty-laymen invading the ministerial officeindiscreet young men rushing over the country to preach-and a rash judging of the religious condition of others) were the deformities which disfigured this revival. Nevertheless the religious and moral change wrought upon individuals and upon society was so great, that few persons in that day doubted that the transformation was effected by Divine agency. This view of it appears the more reasonable on looking at the character of Edwards and at the style of his preaching. A convention of ministers which met at Boston twelve years afterwards, placed it on record that those who had been regarded as converts 'confirmed the genuineness of the change which they professed to have experienced by the external fruit of holiness in their lives.' Edwards himself-an unimpeachable authority-speaks of the results of the Northampton revival in these words: 'There has been a great and abiding alteration in the town. There has been vastly more religion kept up among all sorts of persons in religious exercises and in common conversation-there has been a marvellous alteration among the young with respect to revelry, frolicking, profane conversation, and both amongst old and young with respect to tavern-haunting. I suppose the town has been in no measure so free of vice for sixty years. Many societies for prayer and social worship have been kept up, and there have been some few instances of awakening.' Turnbull-another reliable authority -writing many years later, says, 'The effects on great numbers are abiding and most happy; the aspects of many districts of the country are completely changed.' These testimonies were given after the protracted wear and tear of the common concerns of life in those poor and struggling colonies had effaced many a fair profession.

6

But, though there was a considerable awakening in many places, and numerous conversions undoubtedly occurred, the movement had not that general nature which is attributed to it in some exaggerated accounts. The history of the revival is in fact the history of the rise and progress of Wesleyan Methodism, with all its extravagance and zeal. The physical manifestations which attended upon the preaching both of Wesley and Whitefield were of the most remarkable kind. Some persons quaked and trembled as in ague; some were torn by dreadful torments, which left them weak as infants; others fell to the ground as if struck by lightning, and lay in a state of insensibility, or howled and roared in agony. At first these affections, were pronounced to be the process of regeneration, the throes of the new-birth;' and such they have continued to be regarded by many fanatical persons; but in later years, as Southey states, Wesley neither expected paroxysms of the kind, nor encouraged them; and from some of his expressions we may gather that he was ashamed of the import The movement which commenced in Eng-ance which he had attached to them. land in 1739, and continued for several years, cannot be compared with the American revival, in which a wave seemed to sweep over the whole of society. It arose in this country at Kingswood, near Bristol, where Whitefield and Wesley began their system of fieldpreaching. Whitefield's first audience consisted of only 100 colliers; but it was not long before 20,000 people assembled. Large numbers of these persons were moved to tears, which were rendered visible by the channels upon their blackened faces. No physical manifestations occurred on this occasion; but they broke out in the same place immediately afterwards under the preaching of John Wesley. He and Whitefield traversed England

Edwards's Narrative of Surprising Con-. versions,' and his sermon on 'The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God,' were largely circulated in Scotland, and produced an impression on the minds of many ministers who were in the habit of communicating to their congregations intelligence of the American revival. In the early part of 1742 a stir began at Cambuslang, four miles from Glasgow, resembling in its rapidity the awakening at Northampton in 1734. In the same year similar movements took place in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and in thirty towns and villages in the south and south-west of Scotland. The Cambuslang revival is a type, of the whole, and merits a brief notice, both

from the authentic details which we possess concerning it, and the fact that it arose among the sobrieties of Presbyterianism.

For twelve previous months the parish minister had been preaching on the nature and necessity of regeneration, and a more than ordinary effect had been produced, which finally showed itself in meetings for prayer on February 15th, 16th, and 17th, 1742. On February 18th, after the usual sermon, 50 persons came to the minister's house under alarming apprehensions abont the state of their souls. The number in creased rapidly to 300, and daily preaching was commenced. In the following June Whitefield arrived at Cambuslang, and his presence greatly augmented the existing excitement. He preached to a large concourse of people, and at eleven at night the commotion exceeded anything he had witnessed before. For an hour and a half there was such weeping and distress as baffled description. The people were 'smitten' by scores, and were carried off into the neighbouring houses like wounded soldiers from a field of battle. Their cries could be heard to a considerable distance. At one o'clock in the morning they could scarcely be induced to leave the ground; and throughont the night many remained singing and praying in the fields. In the same week Whitefield preached on the brae-side to 20,000 people, and a violent emotion passed like an electric shock throughout the entire audience. Webster on his return from Cambuslang described the scene thus: A deep, solemn, profound reverence overspreads every countenance. They hear as for eternity, and not knowing but that the next moment they must account to their Great Judge. Thousands are melted into tears. Many cry out in the bitterness of their soul. Some of both sexes and of all ages, from the stoutest man to the tenderest child, shake and tremble, and a few fall down as dead.'

dence on excited feeling, and a proneness to indulge in fanciful impressions. Yet, after making every allowance, we are bound to admit that some thousands of conversions occurred, and that at Cambuslang alone about 400 persons remained true to their profession. It is worthy of remark that the great majority of satisfactory cases were those in which emotion was only evidenced by the shedding of tears, and that, in the place where the work was the most extensive and permanent, no other bodily effects were produced than a slight trembling, a temporary failure of strength, or inability to sleep for many nights through anxiety of mind.

In the century which has elapsed since this great revival many attempts have been made. in various quarters to produce a similar movement. The least objectionable of these consisted in provoking artificial excitement by means of crowded nocturnal assemblies, stimulating addresses, and the presence of revival preachers.' Some local revivals in various parts of England and Wales have occurred among the Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists, but they have been distinguished by extravagances. Revivals on a small scale have also taken place under the preaching of Walker at Truro in 1758, under Venn at Huddersfield in 1759, and one of a more extensive nature, under Berridge's ministry, in the Eastern counties about 1760. It is needless to continue the catalogue of these minor movements. It is in America that they have been most frequent. Scarcely a year of this century has elapsed without a revival of greater or less extent; and few ministers have been satisfied unless such a result has been produced by their preaching. In 1804 a revival occurred in Kentucky, Tennessee, and other of the Western States, which is remarkable for the singular malady which attended it. At the large open-air meetings, almost as soon as the sermon commenced, numbers suddenly fell to the ground deprived of bodily In these enormous gatherings it is evident strength, and some were violently convulsed. that much of the excitement was owing to the These affections received the name of the concourse of persons. Although the awaken-falling exercise.' The jerking exercise' ing extended over much of the south and south-west of Scotland, we are inclined to think that both its extent and its actual influence have been exaggerated, and that the number of conversions in proportion to the number affected was small. Many returned to their wonted habits of sin, and some who reported marvellous dreams and visions, and made for a time a high profession of Christianity, fell into gross vices, and were notorious for drunkenness, lying, and cheating. Such cases were chiefly confined to the grossly ignorant classes, among whom there is always a peculiar liability to an undue depen

began some years later, and was considered by physicians to be entirely involuntary. It commenced at a sacramental meeting in Tennessee, seized upon hundreds of both sexes, and for some time was a regular accompaniment of all religious services. It was at first confined to the arms, which moved to and fro with a quick convulsive motion; but was soon transferred to the joint of the neck, when the head was thrown backwards and forwards with wonderful celerity, and struck the back and breast alternately. The 'jerking exercise' was diversified by the whirling exercise '-a still more grotesque affection, in which during