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in the town: so that in the
spring and summer following, anno 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 pr
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