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SEPTEMBER

10, 1662 --England. Having been ejected from his ministry by the Act of Uniformity, Richard Baxter marries Margaret Charlton who is twenty-four years younger than he. She will cheerfully go with him into exile and prison and will spend her money lavishly in the relief of their less fortunate fellow sufferers.

10, 1679 --Massachusetts. The Assembly has kept a general fast, and today convenes the "Reforming" Synod to answer two questions: first, "What are the evils that have provoked the Lord to bring His judgments on New England?" Second, "What is to be done that so these evils may be reformed?"
     They will conclude, "Men have set up their thresholds by God's thresholds, and their post by His post. Quakers are false worshippers; and such Anabaptists as have risen up among us, in opposition to the churches of the Lord Jesus, receiving into their society those that have been for scandal delivered unto Satan; yea, and improving those as administrators of holy things, who have been (as doth appear) justly under (church) censure, do no better than set up altar against the Lord's altar. Wherefore it must needs be provoking to God, if these things he not duly and fully testified against, by every one in their several capacities."
     On October 15th, the General Court will recommend it to all their churches, "enjoining and requiring all persons in their respective capacities to a careful and diligent reformation of all those provoking evils mentioned therein, according to the true intent thereof, that so the anger and displeasure of God, many ways manifested, might be averted (from this poor people) add His favor and blessing obtained."

10, 1776 --Virginia. The Anglican, Devereux Jarratt writes his fellow Anglican, revivalist Archibald McRoberts: " ...There has been a great variety as to the length, and depth, and circumstances of the convictions in different persons; hut all in general have been at first alarmed with a sense of the multitude and heinousness of their sins --with an awful view of the wrath of God, and certain destruction, if they persisted therein. Hence they betook themselves to prayer, and as time permitted, to the use of all other means of grace; although deeply sensible of the vileness of their performances, and the total insufficiency of all they could do to merit the pardon of one sin or deserve the favor of God. They were next convinced of their unbelief and that faith in Christ is the only condition of justification. They continued thus waiting upon the Lord, till He spoke peace to their souls. This He usually did in one moment in a clear and satisfactory manner, so that all their griefs and anxieties vanished away, and they were filled with joy and peace in believing . . ..
     "Most of these had been suddenly convinced of sin: but with some it was otherwise.
     " ...If you ask, "How stands the case with those that have been the subjects of the late work?" I have the pleasure to inform you, I have not heart of any one apostate yet.
     " ...A man of zeal, though with little knowledge or experience may be an instrument of converting souls. But after they are converted, he will have need of much knowledge, much prudence and experience, to provide proper food and physic for the several members . . .. And though I have been twenty years in the Lord's service, yet I find I am quite unequal to the task. However, I will do what I can, and may the Lord bless my endeavor!
     " ...When I consider what it is to watch over souls, and how much labor and pain it implies to discharge it in any degree, I cannot but cry out with the Apostle, 'Who is sufficient for these things?'
     " ...A great part of Virginia is still in a very dark and deplorable condition. This province contains sixty-two counties; and the late work has reached only seven or eight of them. Nor has it been universal even in these, but chiefly in the circuit, which is regularly visited by the preachers. In this alone very many hundreds in a few months have been added to the Lord. And some are adding still. May He continue to pour out His Spirit upon us, and increase the number of the faithful every day! . . .."

10, 1802 --Virginia. It is Friday, and Frances Asbury writes, "We came to Charles Hardy's upon Holston. I found the people praising God. A blessed revival had taken place. Fourteen or fifteen times have I toiled over the mighty mountains, and nearly twenty years have we labored upon Holston; and lo! The rage of wild and Christian savages is tamed, and God hath glorified Himself."


    
 

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