1735, the town seemed to be full of
the presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor of joy, and yet
so full of distress, as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of
God's presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families
on account of salvation being brought to them; parents rejoicing over
their children as new born, and husbands over their wives, and wives
over their husbands. The doings of God were then seen in His sanctuary,
God's day was a delight, and His tabernacles were amiable. Our public
assemblies were then beautiful: the congregation was alive in God's
service, every one earnestly intent on the public worship, every hearer
eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth;
the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word
was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and
love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors.

Our public praises were then greatly enlivened; God was then served in
our psalmody, in some measure, in the beauty of holiness. It has been
observable, that there has been scarce any part of divine worship,
wherein good men amongst us have had grace so drawn forth, and their
hearts so lifted up in the ways of God, as in singing His praises. Our
congregation excelled all that ever I knew in the external part of the
duty before, the men generally carrying regularly, and well, three parts
of music, and the women a part by themselves; but now they were
evidently wont to sing with unusual elevation of heart and voice, which
made the duty pleasant indeed.

In all companies, on other days, on whatever occasions persons met
together, Christ was to be heard of, and seen in the midst of them. Our
young people, when they met, were wont to spend the time in talking of
the excellency and dying love of Jesus Christ, the glory of the way of
salvation, the wonderful, free, and sovereign grace of God, His glorious
work in the conversion of a soul, the tru