the Blue Ridge became the dividing line; the churches, to the west of which, united under the name of the Newriver Association. This appears to be the smallest Association in Virginia.

The Association was divided again in 1798, and the Mayo Association was taken from it, which is composed of churches partly in Virginia, and partly in North.. Carolina.

The history of the Mountain and Holsten Associations will be given under the heads of North-Carolina and Tennessee, and that of the Portsmouth and Accomack, in treating of the respective Associations from which they proceeded. And the number and names of all the churches in all the Associations in Virginia, which have been described or mentioned, and also the names of their pastors, the years in which they were constituted, and the counties in which they are situated, may be seen in the table of Associations.

CHAP. IX.

General Observations on the Progress and Circumstances of the Virginia Baptists, from the Abolition of the Established Church to the present Time.

THE war, though very propitious to the liberty of the Baptists, had an opposite effect upon the life of religion among them. As if persecution were more favourable to vital piety than unrestrained liberty, they seem to have abated in their zeal, upon being unshackled from their manacles. This may be ascribed to several causes. Both preachers and people were so much engrossed with anxious thoughts and schemes for effecting the revolu tion, as well as with alternate hopes and fears for the event, it was not probable that religion should not lose some portion of its influence upon the minds of profes sors thus engaged. The downfal of Jeremiah Walker, and some other preachers of less note, together with the contentions arising from Waller's defection, contributed not a little towards damping the zeal of the Baptists.

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Having lost some of their champions in Israel, they could not with the same boldness face their enemies. Perhaps we may add, that many did not rightly estimate the true source of liberty, nor ascribe its attainment to the proper arm. In consequence of which, God sent them liberty, and with it leanness of soul. This chill to their religious affections might have subsided with the war, or perhaps sooner, if there had not been subsequent occurrences, which tended to keep them down. The opening a free trade by peace, served as a powerful bait to entrap professors, who were in any great degree inclined to the pursuit of wealth. And nothing is more common, than for the increase of riches to produce a decrease of piety. Kentucky and the western country took off many of the preachers, who had once been exceedingly successful in the ministry. From whatever cause, certain it is, that they suffered a very wintry season. With some few exceptions, the declension was general throughout the State. The love of many waxed cold. Some of the watchmen fell, others stumbled, and many slumbered at their posts. Iniquity greatly abounded. Associations were but thinly attended, and the business badly conducted. The long and great declension induced many to fear that the times of refreshing would never come, but that God had wholly forsaken them.

But the set time to favour Zion at length arrived; and as the declension had been general, so also was the revival which succeeded. This work, which was very powerful and extensive, begun on the banks of Jamesriver, in 1785, and thence spread like fire among stubble in different directions, over almost the whole State; and as it continued for several years, there were very few churches which were not visited with its salutary influence.

During the progress of this revival, scenes were exhibited, somewhat extraordinary. It was not unusual to have a large proportion of the congregation prostrate on the floor, and in some instances they lost the use of their limbs. No distinct articulation could be heard, unless from those immediately by. Screams, groans, shouts and hosannas, notes of grief and joy, all at the same time, were not unfrequently heard throughout their

vast assemblies. At Associations and great meetings, where there were several ministers, many of them would exercise their gifts at the same time, in different parts of the congregation; some in exhortation, some in praying for the distressed, and some in argument with opposers. At first, many of the preachers disapproved of these exercises, as being enthusiastick and extravagant. Others fanned them as fire from heaven. It is not un

worthy of notice, that in those congregations, where preachers encouraged them to much extent, the work was more extensive, and greater numbers were added. It must also be admitted, that in many of those congregations, no little confusion and disorder arose, after the revival had subsided. Some have accounted for this by an old maxim; Where much good is done, much evil will also be done; where God sows many good seeds, the enemy will sow many tares. But certain it is, that many ministers, who laboured earnestly to get Christians into their churches, were afterwards much perplexed to get hypocrites out.

It has been already said, that this revival commenced in the year 1785. It continued spreading, until about 1791 or 1792. Thousands were converted and baptized, besides many who joined the Methodists and Presbyterians. The Episcopalians, although much dejected by the loss of the establishment, had, nevertheless, continued their publick worship, and were attended by respectable congregations. But after this revival, their society fell fast into dissolution. This revival among the Baptists did not produce so many young preachers, as might have been expected. Mr. Leland, in his Virginia Chronicle, from which many of the foregoing remarks have been taken, makes the following observation :

"In the late great additions that have been made to the churches, there are but few, who have engaged in the ministry. Whether it is because the old preachers stand in their way; or, whether it is because the people do not pray the Lord of the harvest to thrust out labourers; or, whether it is not rather a judgment of God upon the people, for neglecting those who are already in the work, not communicating to them in all good things, I cannot say.

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Preachers more popular and less fervent.

From this revival, great changes took place among the Baptists, some for the better, and others for the worse. Their preachers were become much more correct in their manner of preaching. A great many odd tones, disgusting whoops, and awkward gestures were disused. In their matter also, they had more of sound sense and strong reasoning. Their zeal was less mixed with enthusiasm, and their piety became more rational. They were much more numerous, and of course, in the eyes of the world more respectable. Besides, they were joined by persons of much greater weight in civil society. Their congregations became more numerous than those of any other Christian sect; and in short, they might be considered, from this period, as taking the lead in matters of religion, in many places of the State. This could not but influence their manners and spirit more or less. Accordingly, a great deal of that simplicity and plainness, that rigid scrupulosity about little matters, which so happily tends to keep us at a distance from greater follies, was laid aside. Their mode of preaching also was somewhat changed. At their first entrance into the State, though not very scrupulous as to their method and language, yet they were quite correct in their views upon all subjects of primary importance. No preachers ever dealt out to their hearers the nature of experimental religion more clearly and warmly. But after they had acquired a degree of respectability in the view of the world, they departed too much from this most profitable mode of preaching, and began to harp on opinions and disputa. ble points. To dive deep into mysterious subjects, and to make conjectures respecting unrevealed points, looked more wise, and excited more applause, than to travel on in the old track. And this tampering with matters beyond their reach, to the neglect of plain and edifying subjects, is too common at present, with many of our preachers in this region, as well as elsewhere.

About this time, some of the Virginia preachers were unhappily inclined to the Arminian scheme, and great disputation followed, and many, in opposing their errors, were driven to the borders, if not within the lines, of Antinomianism. And in the midst of these doctrinal contentions, as might be expected, practical piety was,

in many places, too little urged; and this evil was followed by a relaxation in the discipline of the churches. But the savour of the revival still pervaded the churches, and prevented the general prevalence of the evils which have been mentioned.

Since the close of this extraordinary revival to the present time, which is about 20 years, there has been an increase of about ten thousand Baptist communicants in Virginia; and during that period, it is supposed, that from five to seven thousand of the community have emigrated to Kentucky, and other parts of the western country.

Although many of the churches in this State are very large, wealthy, and flourishing, yet but few of them af ford their pastors a competent support, and but few of their pastors confine their labours statedly to one congregation. It is not uncommon for a preacher here to have the pastoral care of two, three, and sometimes four churches, at the same time; to which he preaches and administers the Lord's Supper once in four weeks; and we are sorry to have it to say, that this minister, besides travelling an extensive circuit, to administer to so many flocks, is obliged frequently, and indeed more generally, to procure a considerable part of his living by his own exertions and care; so negligent are the Virginia Baptists in the business of supporting their preachers.

But if a preacher here does not exercise the pastoral care of but one church, instead of preaching every Lord's day in one place, he is at liberty to travel abroad, to visit other churches; and if he preaches and administers the communion statedly to his flock once a month, that is all he or the people of his charge consider him bound to do. Some, however, do preach every Lord's day to the same congregation; but the cases, I believe, are not frequent. The reader must not suppose that the preachers are idle the intervening sabbaths, for they are a laborious set of men, travel much, and preach abundantly; and such is the situation of their churches, that this arrangement is not so objectionable here, as it would be in many places elsewhere. It is said, that this economical method of supplying many churches with a few ministers, and of having such long or monthly weeks, if we may