ing about the Solemn League and Covenant, was not his plan. He then told them something of his experience, and how he was led into his present way of acting. One of them, in particular, said he was deeply affected. And Mr. E. Erskine desired they would have patience with him, for that having been born and bred in England, and never studied the point, he could not be supposed to be perfectly acquainted with it. But Mr. M. insisted, that he was therefore more inexcusable, for England had revolted most with respect to Church Government; and that he, being born and educated there, could not but be acquainted with the matter in debate. Mr. Whitefield told him, he had never made the Solemn League and Covenant the subject of his study, being too busy about matters which he judged of greater importance. Several replied, that every pin of the Tabernacle was precious. He answered, that in every building there were outside and inside workmen; that the latter, at present, was his province: that if they thought themselves called to the former, they might proceed in their own way, and he would proceed in his. He then asked them seriously, what they would have him to do. The answer was, that he was not desired to subscribe immediately to the Solemn League and Covenant, but to preach only for them, till he had further light. He asked, Why only for them. Mr. R. E. said, "They were the Lord's people." He then asked, Were no other the Lord's people but themselves. If not, and if others were the Devil's people, they had more need to be preached to; that for his part, all places were alike ta him; and that if the Pope himself would lend him his pulpit, he would gladly proclaim in it the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Something passed about taking two of their brethren with him to England, to settle Pres bytery there; and then, with two more, to go and settle Presbytery in America. But he asked, Suppose a number of Independents should come, and declare, that after the greatest search, they were convinced that Independency was the right Church Government, and would disturb nobody, if tolerated, should they be tolerated? They answered, No.-Soon after this the company broke up. And Mr. M. preached upon Isa. xxi. 11, 12. "Watchman, what of the night? &c." And took occasion to declaim strongly against the Ceremonies of the Church of

England, and to argue,* "That one who held Communion with that Church, or with the backslidden Church of Scotland, could not be an' Instrument of Reformation."

The consequence of all this was, an open breach. Mr. Whitefield retired thoughtful and uneasy to his closet; and, after preaching in the fields, sat down and dined with them, and then took a final leave.†

Many waited at Edinburgh to know the issue of the conference, who were not disappointed in the event. Thither he returned, after preaching at Innerkeithing, and the Queen's ferry; and continued preaching, always twice, often thrice, and once seven times, a-day, for some weeks together. The churches were open, but, not being able to hold half the congregations, he generally preached twice ȧ-day in the Orphan-Hospital Park to many thousands. Persons of the best fashion, as well as of the meaner rank attended; at some of their houses he generally expounded, every evening. And every day, almost, there were new evidences of the success of his labors. Numbers of ministers and students came to hear him, and aged, experienced Christians told him they could set their seal to what he preached.

* "I attended; but the good man so spent himself in the former part of his sermon, in talking against prelacy, the Common Prayer Book, the surplice, the rose in the hat, and such like externals; that when he came to the latter part of his text, to invite poor sinners to Jesus Christ, his breath was so gone, that he could scarce be heard. What a pity that the last was not first, and the first last!"

"Having dropped something about persons building a Babel, Mrs. said, it was a hard saying. Upon which I replied, I feared it was a true one, and that they would find the Babel fall down about their ears. never received into their house any more. called to make another sacrifice of my affections. But what I had met with in England made this the more easy."

I was Thus was, I

Among his particular friends were the Marquis of Lothian, the Earl of Leven, Lord Rae, Lady Mary Hamilton, Lady Frances Gardiner, Lady Jean Nimmo, Lady Dirleton.

In this first visit to Scotland, he preached at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Paisley, Perth, Stirling, Crief, Falkirk, Airth, Kinglassie, Culross, Kinross, Couper of Fife; and also, at Stonehive, Benholm, Montrose, Drechin, Forfar, Couper of Angus; and at Innerkeithing, Newbottle, Galashields, Maxton, and Haddington; and in the west country, at Killern, Fintry, and Balfrone. To other places to which he was invited,* he did not go at this time. But (having collected above five hundred pounds, in money and goods, for his Orphans) he left Edinburgh in the latter end of October, to go through Wales, in his way to London.

*

CHAP. VIII.

Letters from Ministers and private Christians in Scotland, representing Mr. Whitefield's reception and success there, in the year 1741.

HIS reception, ministrations and success, at the principal places in Scotland, will farther appear from the following Letters.

At Edinburgh, one of the ministers of that city thus writes to him :-" April 20, 1742. Rev. and Dear Sir, Knowing that many are careful to inform you, from time to time, what passes here, I have hitherto delayed answering your most acceptable Letter, until I should tell you with the greatest certainty, what were the blessed effects of your ministrations amongst us; and can now assure you, that they were not more surprising than lasting. I don't know or hear of any wrought upon by your ministry, but are holding on in the paths of truth and righteousness. They seem possessed of a truly Christian spirit. Jesus is precious to their souls; and, like the morning light, they are advancing with increasing brightness to the perfect day. Since you left Scotland numbers

* Among these was Cambuslang, and some places in the north of Scotland.

+ Glasgow Weekly History, No. XXVIL

in different corners have been awakened. Many in a hopeful way. Religion in this sinful city revives and flourishes. Ordinances are more punctually attended on. People hear the word with gladness, and receive it in faith and love. New meetings for prayer and spiritual conference are erecting every where. Religious.conversation has banished slander and calumny from several teatables, and christians are not ashamed to own their dear Lord and Master. Praise is perfected out of the mouths of babes and sucklings; and some stout-hearted sinners captivated to the obedience of Christ.

"I cannot easily express, with what pleasure I write these things; and doubtless, they will give you no less. joy in reading them. Should not these droppings of the dew of heaven encourage our faith and hope of a plentiful effusion of the Spirit, which will at once change our barren wilderness into a fruitful field? Should not this hasten your return, that we may take sweet counsel together, and enter into the house of God in company? You are often on our hearts. We long to see you face to face. May much of your great Master's presence ever attend and come along with you."

Mr. George Muir, (afterwards the Rev. Dr. Muir) late Minister of Paisley, thus wrote to James Aitken, schoolmaster in Glasgow:-" Edinburgh, August 8, 1743. As you desire, I have, with the assistance of Mr.. Archibald Bowie, Mr. Dun, and the Sergeant, informed myself a little with respect to the number and situations of the praying Societies in this place, which you will take as follows: They are, as near as we can guess, between twenty-four and thirty in number, some of which will necessarily be obliged to divide, by reason of too many meeting together; and that will increase the number. Amongst them are several meetings of boys and girls, who, in general, seem not only to be growing in grace, but really increa sing in knowledge. The little lambs appear to be unwil ling to rest upon duties, or any thing short of Christ; as a young gentleman of my acquaintance told me, when under a temptation to think that he was surely seeking some imaginary refuge, instead of the Saviour, he was made to cry out in prayer, "Lord, I want nothing else, and will have nothing short of the very Christ of God."

There are several meetings of young women, who (although I never as yet visited any of them) I am informed, hold on very well. The Sergeant tells me, that at one of these meetings, on the morning of the Lord's day, he has known them all wet with a flood of tears, melted down with love to Christ, and affection to one another for Christ's sake. I have myself been much ravished (when in a meeting in the room below where some of these resort) to hear them sing the Lord's praises with such melodious voices. There are numbers of young men who meet for the excellent purpose of glorifying God, and promoting christian knowledge; amongst some of them I have the honor to be a member; many of them are Divines, who are useful in instructing the weaker sort of us; and that they endeavor to do with the greatest anxiety and desire. A good number of old men, substantial, standing christians, meet for their edification and instruction, (the glory of their God being always their chief end) and are hereby often revived, and very much refreshed. The generality of these sorts, above mentioned, do walk very circumspectly, and really make it appear to the world, that they have been with Jesus: which is very much evidenced in their cheerfully bearing reproaches for Christ's sake. And upon the whole, we hope there is such a flame kindled, as shall never be extinguished. And with respect to two particular societies, whereof Mr. Bowie is a member, he gave me the enclosed* in writing; which

*To Mr. Muir. "Edinburgh, August 6, 1743. As you desire a short account of the two societies I am concerned in, I shall give it in a very few words. They consist of twenty-five or twenty-six members each; and, except a very few, are all persons whose concern about religion began in the late awakening. I never saw the ends of such societies answered near so well as among these. I think I may safely declare, that I was never witness to so much of real christian exercise among any persons I have known, as I have observed to my great satisfaction, among most of them. It is most amazing to observe how much some of them, who at their first concern were brutishly ignorant of every thing good, have now made such advances in knowledge that they excel those who were former