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is not known. There was little improvement during the period when Episcopacy was forced upon the country. Very few ministers-though these few were eminentwere faithful. Most adapted themselves to the change. It was the same at the Revolution in 1688. Episcopal clergymen became Presbyterians without scruple, to retain their livings.

The best days of Ross-shire began with the eighteenth century. Evangelical ministers got parishes, and God gave an extensive revival. Many souls were awakened, and men raised up to aid the labours of the earnest clergy. These "men," for so are they distinguished from the "ministers," are peculiar to the northern counties. They were persons of sincere piety and rich Christian experience, and were able to address a meeting with much effect. The chief public occasion in which they appeared was the Friday before the annual communion, when they spoke to a question of experimental religion. proposed by one of them to the meeting. The minister presided, called upon "the men" to speak or pray, and summed up and applied the whole. These fellowshipmeetings have been long and largely blessed in Rossshire. On communion occasions, several thousands assembled from many neighbouring parishes, and meetings were held-something akin in design to, though more sober than, the American camp-meetings. They were the spiritual feasts of the district, and much Christian fellowship and edification were gained by them.

The religion of Ross-shire was highly doctrinal and experimental. It had much of the closet and of the family, and thus produced deep Christians and nurtured a godly seed.

The Rev. JOHN KENNEDY was one of the eminent saints and ministers of the county. He was born in 1771, in the parish of Applecross. His father had been partially educated with a view to the ministry, but did not go forward. He was a man of decided piety, and dedicated two sons to the sanctuary, and had the happiness of seeing them in the holy ministry,-workmen who needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. He trained his children with conscientious fidelity. John had strivings of the Spirit in early life, but not till his twenty-fourth year did he fully experience conversion. After the tuition of the parish school, he studied arts and theology at the University and King's College, Aberdeen. He was licensed to preach November 24, 1795. His gifts and graces were so marked that one of the godly ministers said, "The Lord made a preacher of John Kennedy."

For some time he discharged the duties of schoolmaster in the parish of Lochcarron, preaching occasionally in his native Gaelic as opportunity afforded. Two years afterwards, he was appointed to supply the parish of Lochbroom, whose minister was under suspension. The Lord blessed his labours, and gave him many souls for his hire. In 1802, he became missionary minister at Eriboll. He had to officiate in several districts, as the people were thinly scattered over a large territory. There were no roads, but he was a good pedestrian, and often walked twenty miles to preach a sermon. He was very highly prized by his people, who felt deeply when he was appointed assistant in the parish of Assynt. In his new sphere he was greatly owned of God. His predecessor-then alive-had been a careless minister, and

scarcely a moral man. The clear gospel and exemplary life of Mr. Kennedy were quite new to the people. Great power attended his preaching, and "there were then converted unto God many young men, who, to old age, and in various districts of the Highlands to which they were scattered, bore fruit, to the praise of the Lord and to the good of his Church. Assynt then became a nursery of Gaelic schoolmasters and catechists, who were afterwards transplanted throughout the north and the west, and were known as 'trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord,' wherever they were placed." Thus he became creative as well as useful, and moulded many to extend his influence for the good of souls.

In 1813 he was translated to the parish of Killearnan, on the northern shore of the Beauly Frith. Here his labours abounded, and were all conducted in the spirit of his first text, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." "He preached thrice every Sabbath, held a fortnightly meeting on Monday, and delivered a monthly lecture on Thursday. He catechized his people every year, and visited the.sick as occasion required, or as the Lord might direct him." In his public work he was ever happy. "I wish I could enjoy preaching as you do," said a brother minister to him; "to me it is comparatively a toil." "No wonder," said Mr. Kennedy, "that I should enjoy it, for if ever I had foretastes of heaven's own joy on the earth, it was while preaching Christ crucified to sinners;" "and never," as he again remarked, "did I truly preach the gospel but while I felt that I myself was the greatest sinner in the congregation." We may not wonder that he was honoured to pilot many souls from "Cape Wrath to the Cape of

Good Hope," as one of the Highlandmen characterized the saving change.

Some came as far

In Killearnan there was a colony of Episcopalians, whose clergyman was much opposed to him, and attempted publicly to abuse him after a diet of catechizing. Mr. Kennedy spoke a word to the conscience of his opponent, which shortly afterwards brought him to the manse, asking, "What must I do to be saved?" Many persons from neighbouring parishes, where the gospel was not so fully preached, attended his ministry. as twenty miles each Sabbath, and one even thirty miles. These had all great thirst for the gospel, and their earnest labour to become acquainted with its saving truths under a faithful instructor developed them into eminent Christians. They were useful in their own spheres by their holy lives, and they were unceasing and greatly prevalent in intercession. Happy is that minister who has such anxious hearers and such a praying people. He cannot fail to be full of unction and of blessing. It is thus that the pulpit can realize its greatest power and fulfil its highest office.

The communion season in the summer drew very large numbers to Killearnan. As many as ten thousand have assembled, and of these two thousand sat down at the table of the Lord. They met in the open air, in a large quarry, where all were able to hear the voices of the preachers. These spiritual festivals began on the Thursday, which was a day of humiliation and confession of sin. Mr. Kennedy usually preached on that day, in Gaelic or English. He had several excellent ministers to assist him on the occasion. On Friday, he presided at the fellowship-meeting, when "the men," of whom

there were many, spoke "to the question" in Christian experience. Their varied gifts and holy unction, both in speaking and prayer, contributed much to the edification and to the interest of the large assembly. Some spoke with tears, as they dilated on the love of Christ. Some were as an alabaster box broken in the midst of the people, as the fragrance of Christian grace was poured from their lips. Some dissected the doctrine in the question; and some analyzed the experience it suggested. Others would point out dangers to faith, or suggest motives to duty, or correct and recall the backsliding. It was the communion of saints, on these days of "the men." On Saturday there were sermons by the Rev. Dr. Fraser of Kirkhill, on the Priesthood of Christ, and by Dr. Macdonald, "the Apostle of the North." On Sabbath, Mr. Kennedy preached the action sermon, as the discourse before the communion is called. Several other ministers preached in the tent in succession to the many thousands, and served the tables by giving addresses previous to and after breaking bread and pouring out wine in memory of the death of Jesus. On Monday the feast was ended, by sermons on "the life, privileges, duties, or prospects of believers." During this period great hospitality was shown by the parishioners, and prayer-meetings-often extending all through the Saturday or Sabbath nights-were held. On the strength of that bread, the company separated, communing as they went, and repeating the language of the 84th Psalm-" A day in thy courts is better than a thousand!"

Mr. Kennedy was strongly averse to Catholic Emancipation, and the Act of 1829 wrung many a groan from his heart, and many a gloomy utterance from his pulpit

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