Labors amongst the Cottagers of Stutton

BEGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND, AND BEACHING rOETH UNTO THOSE THESfGS WHICH AEE BEFOEE, I PEESS TOWAED THE MAEK FOE THE PEIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD nsr CHRIST JESUS. PHILIPPIANS HI. 13, 14.

Since the dear hour that brought me to thy foot.

And cut up all my follies by the root,

I never trusted in an arm but thine,

Nor hoped but in thy righteousness divine.

My prayers and alms, —

Forgive their evil, and accept their good;

I cast them at thy feet — my only plea

Is what it was, dependance upon thee:

While struggling in the vale of tears below,

That never fail’d, nor shall it fail me now.

cowpee’s “teuth.’

Gently as Lady Colquhoun woke up to her bereavement, and notwithstanding the redoubled assiduities of an affectionate family, the desolate reality sometimes overpowered her; and, though still able to regard it as her home, her return to Rossdhu next spring revived in all its anguish the woful consciousness of widowhood. And it was many a day before the bright landscape shone again through that thick crape in which grief had veiled it. Long afterwards we find her recording, — “I feel the loss of my very dear husband’s society more than I did shortly after his death. To me there is an inexpressible blank in this house, and I would gladly leave it. However, I ought to be thankful for the many mercies which still surround me, and should cast my care on my covenant God, believing that he does right.” Nor did her covenant God forsake her. Mournfully released from her long ministrations in the sick-room, and no longer called to discharge those multifarious duties which she had so thoroughly and gracefully fulfilled, “her Maker was her husband,” and she gave herself to the Lord’s work with new consecration. In Sept. of that year she writes to her married daughter: —

“I should have particularly liked to be more alone when Mr. Moody was here; but who knows but a blessing might be sent to others through his visit? He came very opportunely to help me about my favourite plan — the chapel at Helensburgh. Mr. M. got quite interested in the subject, and in Glasgow went to different influential clergymen to state the matter to them. They said, so liberal a proposal should never be rejected, though it were only to set an example to other landed proprietors; and one said that for a long time he had heard of nothing which gave him so great pleasure. So I trust yet to make it out. Another church also interests me much at present. One of James’s, in

Caithness (W n), has become vacant. The son

of the late incumbent seems so very superior a young man, that, however much I am opposed to this ’ hereditary succession,’ I think he will be the minister. J. appears to leave it entirely to me to decide, and, thanks be to God for so great a blessing, as the power of placing in this parish a devoted pastor. This is a long story about churches; but, oh, dear H., my heart is ftdl of the subject. The interest I feel in religion deepens, and fain would I impart somewhat of it to those who are dear to me. I feel that the time to improve for this purpose is short; that ’ the night cometh when no man can work; ’ and earnestly do I pray that my H. may be brought to the foot of the cross, there to seek and to find that satisfaction of spirit which she will find in nothing else.”

Helensburgh is a much-frequented watering-place on the estuary of the Clyde, and vpithin the Luss estate; and the scheme for providing it with a chapel of its own was the first of several Church-extension movements to which Lady Colquhoun largely contributed. The chapel of her Edinburgh pastor, Mr. Moody, was another, and though these erections were soon forfeited to a very different ministry fi-om that which the pious donors contemplated — nowise disheartened, with the new emergency she ‘redoubled her munificence; and after this she was so impressed with the spiritual destitution of overgrown towns and manufacturing villages, that it became a ruling object in her life to provide more Christian teachers and more sanctuaries. Like the father of churchbuilders,* she could not ’ give sleep to her eyes, till she ‘found out habitations- for the mighty God;’ and, like the projector of the temple, her devout intentions and self-denjdng gifts were requited -with soul-prosperity.

In her Sabbath-school she now formed an adult class, and adopted a system, which she thus announces to Mrs. Reade: —

“I have begun a new plan at our school on Sundays — a class for grown-up girls. They commit nothing to memory, but I explain the Bible and Catechism. I adopted it in consequence of seeing Mr. Moody’s on Monday evenings. The class is flourishing and always increasing. Several old people attend regularly, and I hope to have more. My own maids also asked leave to go; so, with the children, I have a pretty large congregation, and it needs some nerve. But I hope to be enabled to go on, and I hear it is much hked. May God send a blessing!”

These “Horse Sabbaticse” were not only very popular, but became extremely useftd. During the week, her Ladyship studied with much care the passage which she intended to explain, and exerted herself in finding anecdotes and illustrations which might render it more interesting and memorable.

* Psalm cxxxii.

Her manner was full of calm benevolence and mild persuasion; and whatever nervousness she might feel, her address was so fluent, natural, and dignified, that the thoughts of the audience were solely directed to the subject. In unison with that devout and holy life which they all knew that their kiad instructor led, these exhortations were singularly impressive. On a dying bed more than one of her young hearers gave evidence of having been by this means brought to the Saviour; and from the grateful tenderness in which many of the survivors hold their teacher’s memory, it may be hoped that all her “works” have not yet “followed” her. It is to these Sabbath-evening exercises that the following entries in her Journal refer: —

“Bossdhu, July 30, 1837. — My Sabbaths are now much occupied in preparing to address my class, which I do at some length. Every week it has increased, and though we had two additional benches to-day, there was scarcely room enough for them. I am much encouraged, and this morning prayed so earnestly for a blessing, that I feel confident it shall be given. Earnest prayer is a gift, and is bestowed when God designs to hear. I always feel fagged in the evening afterwards, and can do little.

“Auffmt 6. — Being Arrochar sacrament, no sermon at Luss. I was, as usual, occupied with the school. There were fewer this evening, as many of them had gone to Arrochar. My God was present in prayer at night. Last week my son James was elected Member for the county. John and his family leave us to-morrow.

“Sept. 3. — Have little to say to-day but that I was much gratified by a very large attendance at the school. There was scarcely room for any more, and there must have been above sixty present. I likewise observe with great pleasure the appearance of interest in some who attend; in one or two I think I can scarcely be mistaken. Have been much assisted in preparation for my class, and, at the time, in speaking to them and in prayer. To-night feel inspirited, yet cannot say that devotional feeling is strong.

“17. — Lady Sinclair, and Diana and Catherine are here. They went with me to the school and appeared much pleased. The children proved a number of doctrines very well.

“October 8. — Have prayed very earnestly to-day, and with great pleasure have read the ‘Life of Brainerd.’ At the school had a good attendance. Went to bed joyful, the words, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life,’ being delightfully impressed on my mind. The freeness of redemption, and the simpHcity of believing came to me with clearness, so that I could not but say, I do believe, I have everlasting life.

“15. — Penitence was in exercise this morning. It was the last day of my class, which I have been enabled to continue for four months without a Sabbath’s intermission. Now it darkens too soon after church to admit of its being kept up any longer. A great many were present. I felt affected in speaking to them, and thought they appeared so too. Lord, bless this attempt to save souls and glorify thy name! It is a pleasure to me to think it has been made, and God has wonderfully assisted me.”

Should any one be moved by this example to make an effort in his own locality, he may find instruction in her Ladyship’s procedure, as well as an incentive in her Ladyship’s success. Allowing something for the rank, and something more for the talent of the teacher, her usefulness was mainly owing to her affection, her prayerfulness, her diligence, and her hopefulness. She loved her humble neighbours, and instead of coming forth to dispense a weekly lecture or reproof, she re-appeared amongst them from week to week, with the law of kindness on her lips and cordiality in every feature, and in each earnest statement and solemn entreaty, they recognised their friend and weU-wisher. But before she came to them she had been to God, and upon her labor of love she had implored her -Heavenly Father’s blessing. And, then, to shovr that her prayers were sincere and sanguine, she grudged no labor, and she betrayed no gloom. Her assiduous preparation, and her cheerful, encouraging address, were the natural sequel to fervent and believing petitions. “In testimony of desire and assurance to be heard, she had said. Amen;”* but she not only said it in the closet, she lived it, throughout the day. Her diligent study of the subject vsas a prolonged Amen in the ear of God, and shovred how desirous was her prayer; her radiant and expectant look was to her little congregation a visible Amen, and told them how assured she was that God had heard her, and how hopeful she was that God had mercy in reserve for them. And we know no other path to eminent usefulness, except like perseverance in affectionate industry and hopeful prayer. Perhaps, dear reader, you are disappointed by some previous failure. Once on a time you gathered a few poor people, or an up-grown class, into a cottage or the servants’ hall; but it was with * “Shorter Catechism,” Q. 107. difficulty you filled up the hour, and next evening, instead of a doubled attendance, only nine of the dozen returned; and instead of multiplying to fifty or sixty, as in the present case, in six weeks the last straggler had stolen away. Nor can you blame yourself; for your motive was good, and you prayed for a blessing. True; but allow us respectfully to ask. What was your style of address? Was it kind and endearing? or was it not rather magisterial, preceptive, reprimanding? The eloquence which at once wins and commands unlettered hearers, is like His whom “the common people heard so gladly,” — it is the sympathetic eifiision of a superior nature; the utterance of a mind so elevated that it need take no thought for its Own dignity, but withal so cordial and compassionate, that it creates or catches emotion in every countenance it looks upon. The Cottage Readings of Lady Colquhoun possessed this double charm: her hearers could never forget the Christian lady, and she never forgot her feUow-sinners and fellow-candidates for an immortal crown; so that a sweet benignity pervaded her exhortations and remonstrances, and her gentleness was full of “authority.” And did you make your hearers feel not only that you wished them well, but that you were full of hope regarding them? Lady Colquhoun knew that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation,” and she announced it with a joyful confidence; and although the Hstlessness of her servants or scholars might send an occasional pang through her spirit, it never tinged her words with resentment; but, in the exercise of that love which “hopeth all things,” she persisted, till love and hope together created their own reward. And before your experiment was abandoned, did you take sufficient pains to warrant its success? It is not enough to gather an expectant group, and assume that you shall be able to address them. No multitude of guests win conjure a banquet

&om an empty board; nor wfil the largest congregation elicit an interesting discourse from an unfurnished mind. But many imagine that a pocket Bible is a magician’s mirror, and needs only to be opened in order to summon up forgotten facts, appropriate similitudes, and powerful arguments; and they are mortified if they do not find in every text a taUsman. None could depend on Divine assistance more devoutly, nor court the influences of the Comforter with more ardent aspirations, than did the subject of this memorial; but she sought them in her study as well as in her school-room; and then, when her mind was matured as to the meaning of the passage, and replenished with materials for expounding and enforcing it, she was able to look up for the promised help with cahn and undistracted confidence. So deeply interested was she in this employment, and so persuaded that God would bless it, that her leisure was dehghtfuUy occupied in searching the Scriptures, and in preparatory meditations; and till her health gave way she was never daunted by the frequent sensation of fatigue. May we not hope that her modest labours will afford some encouragement or guidance to that growing number among the refined and the leisurely who “have compassion on the multitude?”

She now paid frequent visits to her son-in-law and daughter, in Suffolk. She delighted in the primitive nooks, the bosky dells, the winding lanes, and little corn-clad hUls which make up one of the most picturesque and sequestered of Old England’s counties; and many a musing walk she took, when the tide was full, along the grass-girdled creek which stretches away from the grounds of Stutton to the ancient seaport of Harwich. But beyond the beautiful landscape, she found materials of much interest in the homely villagers. At first, when she stepped into their cottages, as she had been accustomed to do at Luss, and in her district of St. Luke’s, in Edinburgh, they could scarcely comprehend her errand.

But when from her conversation and the tracts which she gave them, they found that her motive was pure benevolence, their gratitude was as great as thensurprise. She found amongst them not a few members of the Wesleyan Society, and they begged that she would return to their houses in the evenings, and explain the Scriptures when the work of the day was ended. With such requests she gladly complied; but so many of the neighbours came together, that she was obliged to place restrictions on their zeal, and limit the attendance to a certain number. The impressive way in which she read the Word of God, and her enforcement of its truths so clear and earnest, are stUl vividly remembered among them; and there is reason to believe that some got real benefit. To these engagements there are a few incidental allusions in her Diary. Thus: —

“Stutton House, June 21, 1840. — I feel that I have been sent here with a message to many. The people gladly receive my books and tracts, and I have seen some Christians among the Methodists.

“July 12. — On Thursday I met with a number of the villagers in a cottage. I read the second chapter of Ephesians, with explanation, and prayed vnth them. And now we are to separate, perhaps never to meet in this world: Oh! to meet on the right hand of the Judge!

“Aug. ‘ill. — Yesterday was greatly interested in speaking to one of the villagers, who said that she had backsHdden from God. May I have been sent to her with a blessing!”

Among the Church of England clergymen with whom she became acquainted in Suffolk, she was much pleased with the active benevolence of the Rev. J. B. Wilkinson, of Holbrook, and the missionary zeal of the late Mr. Nottidge, of Ipswich; and, with all her preference for the simple worship of the Scottish Church, nothing more dehghted her than to find affectionate preaching and devotional fervor elsewhere.

“Od. 1. — We went to church at Ipswich to-day,

to hear- Mr. R, a young minister, who is doing

much good there. I was much pleased and cheered to hear the truth plaidy, ably, and judiciously preached; and he read the service beautifully. My heart unites with all in every denomination in whom I see the Spirit’s impress. This is truly a magnet to me. Spent some hours in my room agreeably afterwards, and read, as usual, to the servants.”

Erom the same place she thus wrote to a very dear invalid. Mend: —

“1839. I have gone into a few of the cottages with my little messengers of peace — the tracts, and they give me a hearty welcome; but I scarcely know what to say to them, they seem to have so few ideas in common. It appears to me that they comprehend little, while they assent to everything. However, they take the tracts with thanks, and sometimes the cheering thought occurs that I have not come so far for nothing. Who knows what God may bless?

But, my dear young friend, as well in our

winters as our summers the foundation standeth sure; ‘Christ is AU.’ With Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Precious truth! Let us rest upon it, and cease from the vain endeavour to find anything in us that can give the shadow of hope. Abiding hope must be fixed on an object that changeth not: we change daily, hourly: He remains glorious in holiness eternally. And this Perfection is in the Court of Heaven our representative. Can we want more? Shall we say, I will add a few of my virtues and graces to the account? When we are guilty of this folly, we weary ourselves seeking for them, for they cannot be foimd, and our harp hangs upon the willows. But we resume the songs of Zion when we look entirely from ourselves to ’ the Lord our Righteousness.’ How is it with you, dear A.? Can you rejoice in the Lord always? If not, experience will teach you that Kving on frames and feelings will. not do; that comfort ebbs and flows with these; and that you equally delude yourself when you take comfort from the feeling of nearness to God, or when you lose it because you lack that joy in devotional exercises, which is nevertheless extremely desirable and much to be prized. This, however, is distinct from joy in Christ crucified, and in Christ our Righteousness; and it is very possible to feel little heart for prayer and to mourn %,n absent God, and yet to stand firm on the sure Foundation, rejoicing in Christ, and never doubting that we are complete in Him.”

“Stutton House, June 10, 1840. — My dearest A., I received your letter with mixed feelings of pleasure and pain. I was glad to hear from yourself, and thankful to find that the Lord is still at your right hand; but I was disappointed at the account you give of your health. Dearest A., I do fear your wish win be granted, and that God intends to take you shortly to Himself. But when God wills it so, and you are wOhng, shall I say Nay? I trust not.

‘His infinite wisdom can never mistake.’ As Thou wilt, I desire to say, both regarding myself and all who are dear to me. Difficult the duty is, but God can impart the ability to perform it. I rejoice in the grace given to you, dear young friend; and I must repeat, Oh! to be a partaker of it! I know God will never leave, never forsake you. Through life, through death, throughout eternity, that same God win be your All who now cheers you in the trying hours of sickness.

“Much, very much mercy follows me. I only lack greater nearness to God, a sense of his presence and love, and greater joy in Him as my chief Good and only Portion. If He is pleased to deny me these inestimable privileges, I have no right to expect them; and even then I cleave to the covenant, and to Him who ’ of God is made to me Righteousness.’ You see I have not forgotten Mr. Smeaton’s text. It often comes to my remembrance with power still. No other righteousness have I; no better can I want, nor do I desire.”

“June 30. — I am still at Stutton, but expect soon to move to London, — not exactly the place I should have chosen; but all is well. God, my God, can be with me there, or anywhere, as He has been here. He has been present lately without any outward means save books, and I have enjoyed many a stroll by the river-side with my Bible, more than I have often enjoyed in the house of God with the greatest spiritual advantages. I feel, too, that I am sent to others, and think I see some fruit; and when, where, how Thou wilt, is what I desire to say regarding any change of residence.”

The years 1839 and 1840 are years much to be remembered in Scotland’s spiritual history. God was not then “a stranger in the land;” and at Kilsyth, in Dundee and Perth, in Roxburghshire, and in Breadalbane, such immediate and imwonted effects accompanied the preaching of the Gospel, that nothing seemed impossible to faith and prayer. Nor were they only ministers who preached with assurance of success; elders of the Church and private Christians were roused to fresh exertions on behalf of thenneighbours. In conjunction with some others. Lady Colquhoun spent a considerable portion of her time in visiting a neglected district of the New Town of Edinburgh; and from the transparent sanctity of her character, and the commanding sweetness of her manner, few visitors were more welcome or more impressive. The resumption of these labours is thus recorded in her Diary: — “4, Moray-place, Nov. 24. — I have on hand much new duty, having undertaken to visit, as before, the poor in Thistle-street, and also to visit weekly, in turn with some others, the school there. And I have joined a prayer-meeting of ladies, who meet every Thursday. Lord, grant thy blessing and assistance! Without Thee I can do nothing. Strengthen for thine own work a poor helpless creature. Last week I was much encouraged by hearing that one I had visited, and whom I found in a very careless state, had died hopefully.”

In letters to her like-minded correspondent, she occasionally notices the more interesting cases; and although it would be premature to publish what she says regarding hopeful individuals tiH they have given that most decisive evidence, “perseverance to the end,” the reader may obtain a glimpse of the home missionary in the following extracts: —

“I have seen. It seems the old Highland

woman next door is her sister, and by her account (for she has so little English that I cannot judge of her), the sister is in the same state of anxiety in which she herseK was formerly, praying night and day for her soul’s salvation. told her, ‘Perhaps ye ’11 get peace in a moment.’ The old woman has a son and daughter-in-law who have come from Glasgow to stay with her. They were notorious drunkards,

but are keeping sober. ’s great anxiety was

that I should speak to them all. ‘Oh, will you speak to them? they think I’m by myseV.’* So, to secure the young man’s being in, I went at their dinner-hour, but said to, ‘I fear I shall interrupt their

dinner.” Oh! ’ said she, ’ if they were to want their dinner for a twelvemonth, what does that matter?’ I thought they all seemed affected, especially in prayer, when I earnestly pled for sinners, and the young pair promised to go and hear Mr. M. I gave the old woman some Gaelic tracts, and she began to

read them instantly. told me of a very

interesting case opposite: a poor woman with five children, whose husband is a perfect reprobate. She is interested for her soul, but he will not let her attend on ordinances; and the last commimion he scolded her so, because she was dressed to go, that she was quite unfitted for the Lord’s Table, and stayed at home.”

“Friday. — I made out a visit to the poor persecuted woman I viTote you of, and she was telling me some of her grievances, when in came her husband, a forbidding-looking hackney-coachman. He started * Beside myself. back, and went to another room. I sent her for him, s lying, if he liked, to hear it, I was going to read the Bible. He came in, and I chatted a little first, and he related a long story how iU he had been used by a man whom he had once befriended. I took the opportunity and said, ‘You may often meet with ingratitude from man, because we are sinful creatures; but go to God and trust Him, and He will never forsake you; and then I read my little portion as usual with prayer; and certainly my hardened acquaintance looked softened, for I saw him wipe his eyes.”

“Writing to the same friend, August 37, 1838, she says: —

“The few words, ‘God is love,’ have been delightfully on my mind lately. I cannot gjve you the impression that has been given me; for I feel that it is by the Holy Ghost (the reality of whose influences I am more and more convinced of), and that in speaking to others or they to us, of what this blessed Agent teaches, we have no power to bring to the mind of another what we ourselves experience. I should like much to know Mr. M’Cheyne. Your account of his pretty idea regarding the wilderness is so like him, I think I could have told who said it.”

The diary of August 19 alludes to the same text: —

“For some days ‘God is love’ has been delightfully impressed upon my mind, and I have been enabled very much to give up the creature. I saw the greatness of God’s love to me, and from his being love — the essence of it — I conceived how he could love multitudes, even as we do one or two. We have not love enough to give to many, but God’s love is to all his children equally strong to that which we have to a very few, and probably much greater. How sweet!”

Under the same date she apprises her friend of a new volume which she was preparing, “The World’s ReUgion as contrasted with genuine Christianity.” It appeared in the following winter, and in 1835 had been preceded by “The Kingdom of God.” “The World’s Rehgion” was Lady Colquhoun’s last publication, and though in its structure and contents wholly distinct, its title will remind the reader of that book which she had reason to prize beyond all human authorship, the “Practical Christianity.” This fondness for a first love is an interesting feature of advancing years; and though the shadows are reversed, it is pleasant to know that “the light of evening tide” is often richer and warmer, — yes, and more radiant with hope, than the morning spread upon the mountains. In broken health and in life’s decline she penned this wisest and happiest of all her works, to teach her youthful friends where to look for happiness. She there mentions an incident which her father once told her. It was the time when Lord Melville was so high in office as to be the envy, or the idol, of his Scottish countrymen. He had asked Sir John Sinclair to spend New Year’s Day with him at Wimbledon, and having slept in the house the previous night, Sir John repaired in the morning to the chamber of his host, to vidsh him a happy new year. “It had need be happier than the last,” was the statesman’s answer, “for I cannot recollect a single happy day in it.” And though the pious authoress does not obtrude her own experience, it is right that it should now be knovm. Under the date February 3, 1839, we find her recording in her diary: —

“This day three years ago, my dear husband departed from me. These years have been years of mercy. No misfortune has befallen me; I have wanted for nothing, and grace, I trust, has grown.” And all throughout there predominates a cheerful and confiding love, as of one in whose future there could be no real evil, and who had found a Priend possessed of all-sufficiency.

The following year commences: —

“Edinburgh, Jan. 5, 1840. — ^A precious Sabbath, with something of the Spirit’s influence in public and private. Mr. Moody preached twice from ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ He began with a striking observation, that time has risen ia price, as every commodity does when it grows scarcer. He had heard of a heathen monarch to whom a sorceress brought nine volumes of a book, demanding a high price for them. Thinking it too much he refused, and she burned three, demanding for the six the price of the nine. He stUl declined to give it, and she burned three more, asking the full sum for the remaining three. He began to think there must be something extraordinary in the books, and fearing to lose them all, he gave for the three the price he had refused for nine. So time, as it dwindles, grows more valuable.”

And now we gladly avail ourselves of a few extracts from letters to her endeared correspondent,

Miss S. : —

“13, Cumberland-street, Hyde Park, “London, Aug., 1840. “Many thanks for your prayers. Perhaps you prayed for me last Sabbath. I was detained at home by my cold, and spent most of the day in my own room; yet God was very present, and my heart was with Him. It was impressed upon me. Some one prays for me, — perhaps my dear A. One verse I met with in the course of reading was sweetly consolatory; I think it is Watts’s: —

“‘Jesus! I throw my arms around,
And hang upon thy breast;
For I have sought no other home,
And found no other rest.’

This rest, dearest A., abides. You are about to move where you would not go (to Madeira), but your home — your rest, goes with you. Strive to cast away all anxiety, just as if you saw the Saviour’s arms around you. I need not remind you. Be careful for nothing, but make known your requests. He would have you without careftdness. Trust him — try Him; I know it will go well with you. I had a letter lately from my dear friend in Canada, Mrs. Scott. She relates what is to me very interesting: that she had read an account of Kilsyth which I gave her to a man from Glasgow who was working there, but who, with his wife, had become much addicted to drinking. He was so much struck as to change his conduct ever since, and she has hopes of the con-LIFB OF LADY COLQUHOUN. 209

version of both. I have just read in the newspapers that there has been a tremendous hurricane at Liverpool, and not over on Tuesday, vphen I meant to have been there. Thus, by this cold I have been spared the inconvenience of remaining there, or of sailing for Scotland, when neither safe nor pleasant. ‘Trust in the, Lord for ever.’”

TO THE SAME.

“Bossdhu, Oct. 6, 1840. “Whether life or death be in your cup, I cannot teU. My impression certainly is, that he has thus early ripened you for glory with the view of taking you to himself. And is it not a blessed thing that I can teU you this without the fear of agitating or distressing you? — that while to you ’ to live is Christ, to die is gain?’ But, it may be, years of usefulness await you; and I, who am old in years, and who, having long known the preciousness of salvation by grace, ought to be also ready, may be taken first, and may welcome you as you ’ enter in through the gates into the city.’ I often think of this passage. Two gates seem evident: Christ the door, and the gate of death. There is no admission but through these gates, and, when these are passed, no impediment. Oh, the joy of the entrance when the gates are passed, and the poor doubtful believer finds himself safe in the city!”

TO THE SAME.

“Bossdlm, Nov. 11, 1840. “You ask me for texts. The eleventh chapter of John, with all the particulars, as explained in B,enry’s Commentary, has been much blessed to me lately, — particularly what is said of our Lord’s love, ‘He whom thou lovest is sick.’ No doubt upon the subject; Christ’s love must have been evident to aE. ‘Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.’ It is simply told; yet carries the conviction that the apostle saw this love. I have been apt to think too much of Jesus’ love as pity and benevolence; its reality never struck me so much as lately in reading this passage. And if we had an apostle to tell our story, he might say with equal truth, ‘Now Jesus loved A. and her friend, and that other, and each of his redeemed ones on earth.’ I know this truth has been brought home to my mind by the Holy Ghost; and, dear yoimg friend, I cannot convey my meaning to you unless He is pleased to reveal it. Perhaps you knew it long ago.”

TO THE SAME.

“Bossdhu, Sept. 8, 1841.

“The proposed union for prayer is interesting, and I shall try and not forget Madeira. I feel, also, some anxiety for our dear Scotch Church. We used to agree not to talk of it; but it now appears as if its downfal were approaching. The Moderate party push on the decision as to which side shall constitute the EstabUshment; and if they are to constitute our Church, woe to many a destitute district which can have access to no other preachers. Yet God reigns, and is ‘Head of the body — the Church.’ There will still be Christ’s Church, and possibly there may be a great reviving among us. Amen.

“I heard lately from my dear friend in Canada, Mrs. Scott, and she asks with much interest about you. She is a ’ sister,’ and you will meet in glory. How many will be there whom we shall love as much as those who are dearest to us now! Love is the fuMUing of the law, and there will be no scarcity of love in heaven, — ’ beloved, and loving ah t’ embrace.’ Often do I think, could I perfectly love God I should be quite happy: but here again, I see no hope tOl taken to a better world. I can no more excite this love than I can fly. I can only say. Lord, let me

p 2

love Thee; permit me to love Thee; enable me to love Thee. And if there be the faintest commencement of this love, it is himself hath done it. ‘You hath he quickened who vrere dead;’ he will. perfect what concerns us, and will not forsake the work of his own hands. This is my hope — my only hope, but it is a noble hope; ‘God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them.’”

TO THE SAME.

“20, Charlotte-square, March 9, 1842.” Mr. Burns’ preaching has much power accompanying it; he is truly in earnest, and I hear his ministrations are blessed. Mr. M’Cheyne administered the Sacrament beautifully, and, oh, how he prayed for our dear pastor! * It must have reached many hearts. He also read to us one evening Mr. Moody Stuart’s second Pastoral Letter, and interspersed it with remarks of his own, very sweet and apposite. It seemed like the two friends speaking to us together. I never saw Mr. M’Cheyne so solemn and spiritual. One great loss in Mr. Burns is, that he takes no superintendence of the parish; he is always preaching elsewhere. But the elders are

* Then in impaired health, and also residing at Madeira. exerting themselves, and seem to feel their responsibUity. — And now, how joyful to know that all these things are under God’s control, and not beneath his notice! A verse in Psahn civ. has often been food for me. Here it is, dear A., you shall partake of my bread: —

“‘Of Him my meditation shall
Sweet thoughts to me aiFord;
And as for me, I will rejoice
In Grod my only Lord.’”

It was in this year that a new system of Sabbath-desecration was introduced in Scotland, and, with deep sorrow Lady Colquhoun in her diary records: —

“March 13. — The day when the Sabbath trains begin to run on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.”

On this point so strongly did she feel, that the next time she had occasion to travel betvnxt the two cities, she hired post-horses, rather than employ a conveyance which systematically violated the Divine command. She was then in feeble health, and the journey consumed two days instead of as many hours; but in carrying out a strong conviction of duty, few thought so Ughtly of personal convenience or comfort as Lady Colquhoun.