KENTUCKY REVIVAL, GR, A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LATE EXTRAORDINARY OUT-POURING OF THE AMERICA, AGREEABLY TO SCRIPTURE- PROMISES, AND PROPHECIES CON- CERNING THE LATTER DAY: WITH A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE ENTRANCE AND PROGRESS OF WHAT THE WORLD CALL SHAKERISM, AMONG THE SUBJECTS OF THE LATE REVIVAL IN OHIO AND KENTUCKY. PRESENTED TO THE TRUE ZION-TRAVELLER, AS A MEMORIAL OF THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY. BY RICHARD M'NEMAR. "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, CINCINNATI-PRINTED: ALBANY: RE-PRINTED BY E. AND E. HOSFORD. 1808. THE word SHAKERISM, I never saw until it appeared in a Pamphlet published in Kentucky, a few years ago, in defence of what is called the schismatic doctrine (see Stone's Reply, p. 66.) I suppose it is derived from shaker, one who shakes; in the same manner that schismatism springs from schismatic, i. e. one who divides or separates from the church. K.BR. BX M3 A LETTER From the Author, to a Friend in New-Lebanon, State of New-York, accompanying the Kentucky Revival. THESE few lines will accompany a little Book entitled the Kentucky Revival, which on account of many singularities, cannot be so well understood at a distance from this place. I shall therefore suggest a few considerations, which may be proper for any who may think this little history worth their perusal. I. The people for whose information it was written, are singular from all others on the face of the earth, principally, on account of the very extraordinary and singular work of God, which of late years, has been wrought among them; by reason of which, so great a diversity of sentiments have sprung up, and such different degrees of light been attained. II. Too great a majority of the subjects of this mighty work, through the subtility of Satan, and the influence of prejudice and false reports, have shut their eyes against the pure light of the Gospel for which they sat out, and were eventually so remarkably prepared; and contrary to all which they had been taught by the spirit of truth, declined any further search for the kingdom, and set to building themselves up on what they had received. Therefore it appeared as though it would be fruitless labour, to go to writing about the Gospel, and opening the way of salvation to such, while they conceived that they had already attained to that which would answer their purpose. The first labour then, was to go over this old ground, and show, according to their own sense, what that work had affected. And here a foreigner can have but little understanding of those debates about doctrines, bodily exercises, gifts of the spirit, signs, &c. which are so fresh on the memories of the generality in this country. III. Many allusions are made to other writings extant in this country; such as, The Apology, Stone's letters on Atonement, Reply, Address to the different Religious Societies, Western Calander, &c. without which many expressions, figures and particular modes of reasoning, must be wholly obscure. IV. It appears remarkable, that if any thing can benefit those who have pitched their tents short of mount Zion, it must be a faithful account of their former journey by one who travelled with them, step by step, with a plain investigation of the paths into which they were finally led by the adversary of all righteousness. When things are stated just as they took place, from the first rays of light that stirred up the people to see the blackness of antichrist's kingdom, until the true Gospel and church of Christ was revealed; it then remains for each to judge for himself, whether he is in possession of that which cannot be shaken. RICHARD M'NEMAR. Turtle-Creck, September 13th, 1807. TO THE READER. YOU have been probably waiting for something to be published from this quarter, and may be a little surprised to find the Kentucky Revival our theme; as it is generally known that we profess to have advanced forward into a much greater work. Admitting this to be the case (which we do not deny) it would nevertheless be improper to forget, or set light by any operation or work of the true spirit, however small it might seem. But far from esteeming the Kentucky Revival a day of small things, we believe it was nothing less than an introduction to that work of final redemption, which God had promised in the latter days. And to preserve the memory of it among those who have wisely improved it as such, the following particulars have been collected for the press, by one, whose spirit was in it from the beginning, and who is a living witness of the most important particulars which occurred in every stage of it, until the present day. For the better understanding of the following history, it will be proper to make a few preliminary observations. It will be granted, that God has a particular order and manner of working, in which one thing goes before another. Thus: the law and the prophets were until John, after that the kingdom of heaven is preached. It then follows that all men press into it. The first thing is the law, which convinces of sin. 2. The Prophets who minister the promise and hope of salvation. 3. The kingdom of heaven is preached; the way and method of salvation made manifest in word and doctrine: and last of all we must press into it. This is the order of God, and there is no other. Nothing short of pressing into the kingdom can save the soul. Conviction may die away; hope and comfort desert the breast; and the A 2 |