for they were seldom at a loss now to find an acquaintance te whom they could freely communicate their anxious thoughts. The house of one of our most established Christians became the chief resort of all who wished to spend an hour in reading or conversing about spiritual subjects. Some who had but newly begun to entertain serious thoughts about religion, and who had not yet come so far as to speak out their mind, would contrive an errand to this person's house, and listen to her talk. She was visited at other times by those who were drawn only by curiosity or a disputatious spirit, who wanted to cavil at her words, or draw her into controversy. Such visitors she did not avoid, and at last they ceased to trouble her.

Other experienced Christians among us have been extremely useful to their younger brethren or sisters. Their conversation and example have been principal means of turning the attention of the young to religion, and of edifying those who have been already awakened. Such persons I find most serviceable auxiliaries. If they be neither prophets, nor apostles, nor teachers, yet their usefulness in the church entitles them to the appellation of helps, 1 Cor. xii. 28. Nor do I think an apostle would hesitate to acknowledge them, both men and women, in the relation of fellow-labourers, Phil. iv. 3. Nor has success in this divine work been confined to instruments raised up among ourselves. The same happy effects have, in a certain measure, attended the preaching, the prayers, or conversation of pious brethren, who have assisted at the celebration of the Lord's supper, or made us other occasional visits.

It is observable that the work of conversion has been begun and carried on among this people, in a quiet manner, without any confusion, and without those ungovernable agitations of mind, or convulsions of the body, or shrieking, or fainting, which have often accompanied a general awakening in other places. One young woman was so much moved in church, in March 1799, that she wept bitterly, and her

friends thought it prudent to convey her out a little before the congregation was dismissed. She was for five or six days unfit for going about her usual work. In June following, at the time of our sacrament, she felt emotions of joy, for a few days, to such a degree as to withdraw her regard, in a great measure, from sensible objects. Spiritual affections were unusually strong in her, and spiritual objects appeared visible and near; but her sentiments were quite correct and scriptu ral. A few days afterwards, when her emotions had subsid ed, she told me that she was at the time sensible that her mind was somewhat unsettled, but that she found comfort in recollecting the apostle's words, "If we are beside ourselves, it is to God." This was exactly her case. She continues a humble lively Christian, and, except these two short intervals, she has regularly performed her ordinary work, as a maid-servant, to the satisfaction of her master and mistress, in whose service she still remains. Another woman, the mo ther of a family, in April last, was so much moved in hearing sermon, that of her own accord she left the church. Excepting these two instances, I know of none whose emotions under the preaching of the word discovered themselves in any other manner than by silent tears.

Having lately made an enumeration of those of our con« gregation, whom, to the best of my judgment, I trust I can reckon truly enlightened with the saving knowledge of Christ, 'I find their number about seventy. The greater part of these are under thirty years of age. Several are above forty; six or seven above fifty; one fifty-six; and one above seventy. Of children under twelve or fourteen, there are a good many who seem to have a liking to.religion; but we find it difficult to form a decided opinion of their case. Of persons who have died within these twelve months, three we are persuaded, and we hope two or three others, have slept in Jesus.

A very considerable number are friendly to religion, and countenance and defend the truth, even while they do not as

yet appear to live under its power. A few among ourselves did for a while jeer and deride the godly; but such persons are left in so very small a minority, that they have ceased to be troublesome. The Scriptures too are so generally read and referred to, that the truth itself serves to stop the mouth of scoffers. We are sometimes told that the sentiments and language of our people are much misrepresented, and are the object of much wonder, and ridicule, and invective in other places. But we only hear of such things; they are hardly permitted to come nigh us. The chief opposition arises from those who possess superior scholarship, and acquaintance with the Scriptures. These contend, that there can be nothing substantial or necessary in that experimental knowledge which illiterate persons may pretend to have attained; and that it is mere arrogance in them to imagine, that they can have a larger share of saving knowledge, than men who are greater scholars, and better versed in the Scriptures. "Are we blind also ?" has ever been the indignant language of carnal wisdom, of literary pride, and of self-righteous presumption.

It is evident that the Scriptures represent all mankind as divided into two classes. These are distinguished from each other in the most explicit manner; and the distinction is marked by the strongest language, and the most significant comparisons. They are called the children of God, and the children of the devil, 1 John iii. 10; the children of the kingdom, and the children of the wicked one, Matt. xiii. 38; the just and the wicked, Matt. xiii. 49; they who are dead in trespasses and sins, and they who are quickened together with Christ, Eph ii. 1-6. They are compared to wheat and tares, Matt. xiii. 25; to good and bad fishes, Matt. xiii. 47, 48; to sheep and goats, Matt. xxv. 32. In the general tenor of my preaching, especially in discussing the important doctrine of regeneration, I have endeavoured to keep in view this distinction, and to exhibit it clearly to the notice of my

hearers. Many have been not a little offended at such a discrimination; have found fault with the preacher; have com→ plained of uncharitable judgment, pleading that it was God's prerogative to judge the heart; that they hoped theirs was good, though they did not make such a parading profession of religion, &c. The truth has prevailed, however; and some have confessed to me, that their first serious thoughts about the state of their souls arose from the surprise and resentment they felt, on being classed, under the character of unbelievers, along with murderers and idolaters, Rev. xxi. 8. But in giving such offensive, though necessary warnings, I had much need of the spirit of Christ, to repress all asperity of language and manner, to awaken tender compassion for those whom I addressed, and to enable me to speak the truth in love.

I observe among our young converts a considerable variety of frames, but a striking uniformity of character. They are dejected or elevated, according as their regard is more fixed on their own deficiencies and corruptions, or on the glorious sufficiency of Christ. But all of them are characterised by lowliness of mind, by a warm attachment to each other, and to all who love the Lord Jesus, and by the affections set on things above. I know no instances among them of persons trusting for comfort or direction to dreams or visions, impulses or impressions; and hardly an instance of seeking comfort from external signs or tokens, arbitrarily assumed by the enquirer, after the example of Abraham's servant, Gen. xxiv. 14. and of Gideon, Judg. vi. 36-40.

We have not yet to lament any great falling off in those who appeared to have once undergone a saving change. There may be persons who were for a time enquiring, with some apparent earnestness, and afterwards fell back to their former unconcern. I have reason to suspect, that there may be several in this situation, though I have not access to know the exact state of their minds. May the Lord discover it to themselves in time! But all, so far as I know, who seemed

to have been once truly humbled for their sins, and made to feel in their hearts the grace of God in the gospel, continue thus far to maintain a humble, spiritual, conscientious walk. They have a constant appetite for the sincere milk of the word, and for Christian fellowship with one another. The younger sort have lost their former levity of speech and behaviour, and are become devout and sober-minded; those more advanced in life, have laid aside their selfishness and worldly-mindedness, and are grown humble, contented, and

thankful.

The external effects of a general concern about religion, have appeared in the behaviour even of those who do not seem to have experienced a change of heart. While the younger people attended a Sabbath-school, those who were grown up used to spend the evening of that day in sauntering about the fields and woods in gossiping parties, or visiting their acquaintance at a distance, without improving their time by any profitable exercise. Now there is hardly a lounger to be seen; nor any person walking abroad, except going to some house or meeting where he may hear the Scriptures read.-Swearing, profane talking, foolish and indecent jesting, have in a great measure ceased.—At late · wakes, where people assemble to watch by the body of a de ceased neighbour, the whole night used to be spent in childish, noisy sports and pastimes. Even the apartment where the corpse lay was the scene of their revelry. This unnatural custom, which is still pretty general over a great part of the Highlands, is almost wholly discontinued in this part of the country. They still assemble on such occasions, but they pass the time in reading the Bible or some religious book, and in sober conversation

In reply to your request of relating a few of the more remarkable cases of conversion, which have occurred among this people, I must say, that I have little uncommon to communicate. I have mentioned already, that almost all our

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