The leaven of the gospel was permeating the mass of the people.

Many who persistently refused to be called by the unpopular name of "Protestant," were evidently under the influence of evangelical doctrines.

The rising generation was growing up with enlightened views.

Many young men would have taken a stand at once on the side of truth, but for the difficulty of separating from their parents.

Societies had been formed, consisting of several hundred men not reckoned among the Protestants, for the purpose of having good schools for their children, and plain practical preaching in their churches.