liberty for him to preach even in the fields. All that I could do was, what I had resolved long before; I gave him, with great pleasure, and full freedom, my pulpit, which, for that day, was in the church which our magistrates and principal people of note frequent. At once, the Lord, by his preaching, melted down the hearts of his enemies, (except - and ;) so that, contrary to our custom, he was allowed the same place and pulpit in the evening of that day, and the other church as often as he pleased.

"While he stayed among us in this city, he answered our expectations so much, that he has not more friends in any place of its size than here, where, at first, almost all were against him. And the word came also with so much power, that I hope several of different denominations will bless the Lord evermore, that they ever heard him. And in his way from us, I saw in part, and have heard more fully since, what satisfies this was of the Lord, and for the good of many.

me, that

"P. S. I suppose you have heard, that our magistrates waited on him while here, and made him free of this place; though that is a compliment rarely paid to strangers of late."

Mr. Willison, minister at Dundee, wrote as follows, to his friend at Edinburgh. "October 8, 1741. Honored Sir: I am favored with yours, wherein you desire my thoughts of Mr. Whitefield, and an account of his labors and success with us. Although my sentiments may be little regarded by many, yet when you put me to it, I think I am bound to do justice to the character of this stranger, which I see few willing to do. I am not much surprised, though the devil, and all he can influ

He

ence, be up in arms against the youth, seeing he makes such bold and vigorous attacks upon his kingdom and strong holds. As you, sir, do observe it to be with you, so it is with us. is hated and spoken evil against by all the episcopal party, and even the most of our clergy labor to diminish and expose him: this is not to be much wondered at, seeing his incessant labors for Christ and souls is such a strong reproof to them; besides what he says publicly against the sending out of unconverted ministers, and their preaching an unknown Christ; this must be galling to carnal men. I look upon this youth as raised up of God for special service, and spirited for making new and singular attempts for promoting true christianity in the world, and for reviving it where it is decayed: and I see him wonderfully fitted and strengthened, both in body and mind, for going through with his projects, amidst the greatest discouragements and difficulties. I see the man to be all of a piece; his life and conversation to be a transcript of his sermons. It is truly a rare thing to see so much of God about any one man; to see one

so eminent for humility in the midst of applause--for meekness and patience under reproaches and injuries-for love to enemies-for desire to glorify Christ and save souls-contentment in a mean lot, acquiescing in the will of God in all casesnever fretting under any dispensation, but still praising and giving thanks for every thing. It is rare to see in a man such a flaming fire for God and against sin when in the pulpit, and yet most easy and calm in conversing with men out of it; careful not to give offence to them, and yet never courting the favor of any. God has bestowed a large measure of gifts and graces upon him for the work he is engaged in, and has made him a chosen vessel to carry his name among the Gentiles, and to revive his work in several other churches. Oh that God may order his coming to poor Scotland, in such a cloudy time, for the same end! And who knows, but God might be entreated, if we could wrestle with him, notwithstanding all our provocations! Things appeared most unlikely, in other places, some while ago, where now Christ is riding in triumph, going forth conquering and to conquer. This worthy youth is singularly fitted to do the work of an evangelist; and I have been long of opinion, that it would be for the advantage of the world, were this still to be a standing office in the church. And seeing the Lord has stirred him up to venture his life, reputation, and his all for Christ, refuse the best benefices in his own country, and run all hazards by sea and land, and travel so many thousand miles to proclaim the glory of Christ, and the riches of his free grace, of which he himself is a monument; and especially, seeing God has honored him to do all this with such surprising success among sinners of all ranks and persuasions, and even many of the most notorious, in awakening and turning them to the Lord; I truly think we are also bound to honor him, and to esteem him highly in love for his Master's and for his works' sake, according to 1 Thess. v. 13. And for those who vilify and oppose him, I wish they would even notice Gamaliel's words, Acts v. 'Let him alone, lest haply ye be found to fight against God:' or rather, that they would regard the apostle Peter's words, apologizing for his going in with the uncircumcised, Acts xi. when the Holy Ghost fell upon them; 'What was I that I could withstand God?' I have myself been witness to the Holy Ghost falling upon him and his hearers, oftener than once, I do not say in a miraculous, though in an observable manner. Yea, I have already seen the desirable fruits thereof in not a few; and hope, through the divine blessing on the seed sown, to see more. Many here are blessing God for sending him to this country, though Satan has raged much against it.

"The Lord is a sovereign agent, and may raise up the instruments of his glory, from what churches or places he pleases; and glorifies his grace the more, when he does it from those societies whence and when it could be least expected. Though Mr. Whitefield be ordained, according to his education, a minister of the Church of England, yet we are to regard him as one whom God has raised up to witness against the corruptions of that Church; whom God is still enlightening, and causing to make advances toward us. He has already conformed to us, both in doctrine and worship, and lies open to light to conform to us in other points. He is thoroughly a Calvinist, and sound to the doctrines of free grace, in the doctrine of original sin, the new birth, justification by Christ, the necessity of imputed righteousness, and the operations of the Holy Ghost. These he makes his great theme, drives the point home to the conscience, and God attends it with great power. And as God has enlightened him gradually in these things, so he is still ready to receive more light, and so soon as he gets it he is more frank in declaring it.

"God, by owning him so wonderfully, is pleased to give a rebuke to our intemperate bigotry and party zeal, and to tell us, that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth any thing, but the new creature.'

"P. S. Many with us are for preferring ministers, according to the party they are of; but commend me to a pious, Christexalting, and soul-winning minister, whatever be his denomination. Such are ministers of Christ's sending, and of such he saith, 'He that receiveth you, receiveth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me;' which is a rule of duty to us."*

The complier lately received a transcript from the diary of a very worthy Christian in Edinburgh, who died about two years ago, in which are the following passages. Sabbati, August 9, 1741. What is surprising, is that numbers of all ranks, all denominations, and all characters, come constantly to hear him, though his sermons abound with those truths which would be unwelcome from the mouths of others. He is indefatigable in his works. Three hours before noon he appoints for people under distress to converse with him, when he is much confined. Then he writes numbers of letters. And this week he is to add a morning lecture to his work. I have reason, among many others, for blessing God for sending him to this place.

"Sabbati, August 30, 1741. Mr. Whitefield preached Monday morning and afternoon, Tuesday forenoon in the Canongate church, evening in the park, and gathered 251. 7s. 6d. for the poor Highlanders. Next day he went to Newbottle, and preached twice. On Thursday at Whitburn; Friday morning at Torphichen; Friday evening at Linlithgow; Saturday morning and afternoon, both at Falkirk. And this day he is at Airth. To-morrow he will preach twice at Stirling. Culross, Tuesday forenoon; Dumfermline, afternoon. Wednesday, twice at Kinross. Thursday, Perth. From Friday to Monday, at Dundee. Monday, Kinglassie, and come to Edinburgh on Tuesday. Blessed be God, he seldom preaches without some one or other laid under concern. Surely God has sent him to this place for good. The devil never raged more by his emissaries. It is remarkable, that there never was

The four preceding letters show the acceptableness and success of Mr. Whitefield's ministrations in most of the great towns in Scotland. As to smaller places, the following extract of a letter from the Rev. Thomas Davidson, (his fellow traveler) to the Rev. Mr. Henry Davidson of Galashields, dated Culross, December 3, 1741, will be an agreeable specimen.

"Our journey to the north was as comfortable as any we had. In several places, as he came along the Lord I thought countenanced him in a very convincing manner, particularly at a place called Lundie, five miles north from Dundee, where there is a considerable number of serious christians, who, hearing that he was to come that way, spent most part of the night be

a minister, no nor any other man, against whom the mouths of the licentious have been more opened. Since he came, I have found myself more desirous to be watchful, lest my foot slip at any time,and to guard against many things which before I thought indifferent.

“Thursday, October 27, 1741. Yesterday Mr. Whitefield left this place, to return to England. His departure was a great grief to many, whom the Lord has mercifully awakened under his ministry, the number of which, I believe, is very great. Mr. Whitefield alone, among about thirty young communicants that came to converse with him, found about a dozen who told him they were first effectually touched under his ministry; and gave very good accounts of a work of God upon their souls. Some of the most abandoned wretches are brought to cry, What shall I do to be saved?' I have often had the opportunity of conversation with him, and, I think, I never heard him, or conversed with him, but I learned some good lesson. I do not remember to have heard one idle word drop from him, in all the times I have been in company with him; and others, that have been much more with him, give him the same testimony. On Tuesday last, he preached and exhorted seven times. I heard him to my great satisfaction, the fourth time in the park. From that he went to the Old People's Hospital, to give them an exhortation; but, indeed I never was a witness to any think of the kind before. All the congregation (for many followed him) were so moved, that very few, if any, could refrain from crying out. I am sure the kingdom of God was then come nigh unto them, and that a woe will be unto them that slighted the offers of a Savior then made to them. From that, he went to Heriot's Hospital, where a great change is wrought upon many of the boys; for there, as well as in the Maiden Hospitals, fellowship meetings are set up, which is quite new there; for the boys at that hospital were noted for the wickedest boys about town. I was with him in a private house in the evening. When he came there he was quite worn out. However, he expounded there, which was the seventh discourse that day; and, what was very surprising, he was much fresher after he had done, than at the beginning.

"November 29, 1741. I had agreeable accounts of some of the children who. were wrought upon by the ministry of Mr. Whitefield. I heard this day of a good many, that I heard not of formerly, who were not only laid under concern, but seemed to have a work of grace wrought upon their hearts, appearing by a most remarkable change in their conversation, and eager desires after farther degrees of knowledge of the Lord's ways, which leads them to attend every opportunity they can have for instruction.

"Sabbati, December 6, 1741. Since Mr. Whitefield's coming here, I find christians more free in conversation than formerly; which is a great mercy both to themselves and all about them; the experience of which I have had this past week, in several places where I have been. I had occasion to see a soldier, who was lately wrought upon by Mr. Whitefield's means. He seems to have come a great length in a little time, and gives a very judicious account of the Lord's dealings with his soul."

fore in prayer together. Although his preaching there was only in a passing way, having to ride to Dundee after it, and it was between three and four before he reached the place: yet he had scarce well begun, before the power of God was indeed very discernable. Never did I see such joyous melting in a worshipping assembly. There was nothing violent in it, or like what we may call screwing up the passions; for it evidently appeared to be deep and hearty, and to proceed from a higher spring."

As a conclusion of this article, concerning Mr. Whitefield's first reception and ministrations in Scotland, the reader will not be displeased to see the following extract from the papers of a gentleman deceased, who was eminent for learning and knowledge of the world, and who had a general acquaintance with those who professed the greatest regard for religion.

"Messrs. Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine corresponded with him for two or three years, and invited him to Scotland. But afterwards, reflecting, that if they held communion with an episcopal minister, because a good man and successful preacher, they could not vindicate their renouncing communion with such ministers in the Church of Scotland, they wrote to him not to come. However, on the invitation of some ministers and people of the established Church, he came and preached his first sermon in Mr. Ralph Erskine's pulpit at Dunfermline, (a town ten or twelve miles from Edinburgh, on the other side of Forth.) At a second visit to Dunfermline, he had a conference with all the seceding brethren, where he honestly avowed that he was a member of the Church of England, and as he thought the government and worship of it lawful, was resolved, unless violently thrust out of it, to continue so, rebuking sin, and preaching Christ; and told them he reckoned the Solemn League and Covenant a sinful oath, as too much narrowing the communion of saints, and that he could not see the divine right of Presbyterianism. On this the Presbytery came to a resolution to have no more to do with him; and one of them preached a sermon to show, that one who held communion with the Church of England, or the backslidden Church of Scotland, could not be an instrument of reformation. This, however, did not hinder multitudes, both of the seceders and established Church of Scotland, from hearing his sermons. His soundness in the faith, his fervent zeal and unwearied diligence in promoting the cause of Christ; the plainness and simplicity, the affection and warmth of his sermons, and the amazing power that had accompanied them in many parts of England, and in almost all the North American colonies, joined to his meekness, humility, and truly candid and catholic spirit, convinced them