burned to death: but life or death was welcome. For God had restored the light of his countenance. Saturday 19, One was shewing us the improvements, begun by Sir William Lowther. He had marked out places for new walks, and for tufts of trees, laid out a new plan for his gardens, begun to alter the house, and was preparing to make a little paradise round about it: but death came between. And how little loss was this, if it removed him to the paradise of God! Sunday 20, I preached at eight in an open place at the Gins, a village on one side of the town. Many were there, who never did, and never would, come to the Room. O what a victory would Satan gain, if he could put an end to the field-preaching! But that, I trust, he never will: at least not till my head is laid. After preaching again at two, I took my leave of Whitehaven, and rode to Cockermouth. At six, I preached at the end of the Market-house. High and low, rich and poor, attended. And by far the greater part of the audience seemed to be conscious, that God was there. Monday 21, I preached at ten in the Market-place at Wigton, and came to Solway Firth, just as the water was fordable. At some times it is so, three hours in twelve; at other times, barely one. After making a short bait at Rothwell, we came to Dumfries before six o'clock. Having time to spare, we took a walk in the Church-yard, one of the pleasantest places I ever saw. A single tomb I observed there, which was about a hundred and thirty years old: but the inscription was hardly legible. Quandoquidem remanent ipsis quoq fata sepulchris! So soon do even our sepulchres die! Strange, that men should be so careful about them! But are not many selfcondemned therein? They see the folly, while they run into it. So poor Mr. Prior, speaking of his own tomb, has those melancholy words, "For this last piece of human vanity, I bequeath five hundred pounds." Tuesday 22, We rode through a pleasant Country, to Thorny-hill, near which is the grand seat of the Duke of Queensborough. How little did the late Duke imagine, that his son would plough up his park, and let his house run to ruin! but let it go: In a little time the earth itself and all the works of it shall be burned up. Hence we rode through, and over huge mountains, green to the very top, to Lead-hills, a village containing five hundred families, who have had no minister for these four years: so in Scotland, the poor have not the Gospel preached! Who shall answer for the blood of these men ? Early in the evening we came to Lesmahagow, a village not so large as Lead-hills. It has, however, two ministers. Here also we walked down to the Church-yard, by the side of which a little clear river runs, near the foot of a high and steep mountain. The wood which covers this makes the walks that run on the sides, pleasant beyond imagination. But what taste have the good people of the town for this? As much as the animals that graze on the riverbank. : Wednesday 23, We took horse soon after four, and did not stop before we came to Glasgow: having hardly seen a cloud in the sky, since we set out from Whitehaven. I preached at seven in the Poor-house and at seven in the morning, Thursday 24: but in the evening we were obliged to be abroad, and I used great plainness of speech. All suffered the word of exhortation: some seemed to be a little affected. Saturday 26, I found the little Society which I had joined here two years since, had soon split in pieces. In the afternoon I met several of the members of the praying Societies; and shewed them what Christian fellowship was, and what need they had of it: About forty of them met me on Sunday 27, in Mr. Gillies's Kirk, immediately after evening service. I left them determined to meet Mr. Gillies weekly, at the same time and place. If this be done, I shall try to see Glasgow again: if not, I can employ my time better. At seven in the morning we had a numerous congregation, though small compared to that in the evening: Yet my voice was so strengthened, that I believe all could hear. I spoke very plainly on, Ye must be born again. Now I am clear of the blood of this people: I have delivered my own soul. Monday 28, I rode through Edinburgh to Musselburgh, and preached in the evening to a deeply attentive congregation. Wednesday 30, I rode on to Dunbar, and at six in the evening, preached in a large, open place, as also the next day. Both poor and rich quietly attended, though most of them shivering with cold: for the weather was so changed within a few days, that it seemed more like December than May. Lodging with a sensible man, I enquired particularly into the present discipline of the Scotch parishes. In one parish, it seems, there are twelve ruling Elders; in another there are fourteen. And what are these? men of great sense and deep experience? neither one nor the other but they are the richest men in the parish and are the richest of course the best and the wisest men? Does the Bible teach this? I fear not. What manner of governors then will these be? Why, they are generally just as capable of governing a parish, as of commanding an army. : About this time the work of God exceedingly increased under the Rev. Mr. Berridge, near Everton. I cannot give a clearer view of this, than by transcribing part of the journal of an eye witness. 66 Sunday, May 20, Being with Mr. B―ll at Everton, I was much fatigued, and did not rise: but Mr. B. did, and observed several fainting and crying out, while Mr. Berridge was preaching: afterwards at Church, I heard many cry out, especially children, whose agonies were amazing one of the eldest, a girl ten or twelve years old, was full in my view, in violent contortions of body, and weeping aloud, I think incessantly, during the whole service and several much younger children were in Mr. B-ll's view, agonising as they did. The Church was equally crowded in the afternoon, the windows being filled : within and without, and even the outside of the pulpit to the very top; so that Mr. B. seemed almost stifled by their breath yet feeble and sickly as he is, he was continually strengthened, and his voice, for the most part, distinguishable, in the midst of all the outcries. I believe there were present three times more men than women, a great part of whom came from far; thirty of them having set out at two in the morning, from a place thirteen miles off. The text was, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. When the power of religion began to be spoken of, the presence of God really filled the place: and while poor sinners felt the sentence of death in their souls, what sounds of distress did I hear! The greatest number of them who cried or fell, were men: but some women, and several children, felt the power of the same almighty Spirit, and seemed just sinking into hell. This occasioned a mixture of various sounds; some shrieking, some roaring aloud. The most general was a loud breathing, like that of people half strangled and gasping for life: and indeed almost all the cries were like those of human creatures, dying in bitter anguish. Great numbers wept without any noise: others fell down as dead: some sinking in silence; some with extreme noise and violent agitation. I stood on the pew-seat, as did a young man in the opposite pew, an able-bodied, fresh, healthy countryman: but in a moment, while he seemed to think of nothing less, down he dropped with a violence inconceivable. The adjoining pews seemed to shake with his fall; I heard afterwards the stamping of his feet; ready to break the boards, as he lay in strong convulsions, at the bottom of the pew. Among several that were struck down in the next pew, was a girl, who was as violently seized as he. When he fell, Mr. B-ll and I felt our souls thrilled with a momentary dread: as when one man is killed by a cannon-ball, another often feels the wind of it. "Among the children who felt the arrows of the Almighty, I saw a sturdy boy, about eight years old, who roared above his fellows, and seemed in his agony to strug gle with the strength of a grown man. His face was red as scarlet and almost all on whom God laid his hand, turned either very red, or almost black. When I returned, after a little walk, to Mr. Berridge's house, I found it full of people. He was fatigued, but said he would, nevertheless, give them a word of exhortation. I stayed in the next room, and saw the girl whom I had observed so peculiarly distressed in the Church, lying on the floor as one dead, but without any ghastliness in her face. In a few minutes we were informed of a woman filled with peace and joy, who was crying out just before. She had come thirteen miles, and is the same person, who dreamed Mr. B. would come to her village, on that very day whereon he did come, tho' without either knowing the way or the place to it. She was convinced at that time. Just as we heard of her deliverance, the girl on the floor began to stir. She was then set in a chair; and after sighing awhile, suddenly rose up, rejoicing in God. Her face was covered with the most beautiful smile I ever saw. She frequently fell on her knees, but was generally running to and fro, speaking these and the like words, 0 what can Jesus do for lost sinners!. He has forgiven all my sins! I am in heaven! I am in heaven! O how he loves me! And how I love him!' Meantime, I saw a thin, pale girl, weeping with sorrow for herself, and joy for her companion. Quickly the smiles of heaven came likewise on her, and her praises joined with those of the other. I also then laughed with extreme joy so did Mr. B-ll, (who said it was more than he could well bear.) So did all who knew the Lord, and some of those who were waiting for salvation: till the cries of them who were struck with the arrows of conviction, were almost lost in the sounds of joy. : "Two or three well-dressed young women, who seemed careless before, now felt the power of God, and cried out with a loud and bitter cry. Mr. B. about this time retired, and the duke of M, with Mr. A-ll, came in. They seemed inclined to make a disturbance, but were restrained, and in a short time, quietly retired. We continued prais |