THE JOURNEY-PREVIOUS TOUR TO ETON-COWSLIP GREEN- MR. DALE-CONTENTMENT OF A BLIND MAN-SACRAMENT IN 1796. MEMOIR CONTINUED. "IN the year 1796, a Scotch minister, whom I think it one of the greatest blessings of my life ever to have known, Dr. W. Buchanan of Edinburgh, was introduced to me; and I went with him to Edinburgh and through (the Highlands, and again in 1798 to) Inverness and Tain; and from thence through Ross-shire to the Hebrides, and back through Glasgow, &c. In almost all the places that we went to I preached; and I established a lecture in Edinburgh which has been continued ever since. Except when I preached in episcopal chapels, I officiated precisely as they do in the Kirk of Scotland: and I did so upon this principle; Presbyterianism is as much the established religion in North Britain, as Episcopacy is in the South: there being no difference between them, except in church-government. As an episcopalian, therefore, I preached in episcopal chapels; and as a member of the Established Church, I preached in the presbyterian churches; and I felt myself the more warranted to do this, because, if the king, who is the head of the establishment in both countries, were in Scotland, he would of necessity attend at a presbyterian church there, as he does at an episcopalian church here: and I look upon it as an incontrovertible position, that where the king must attend a clergyman may preach. I was informed indeed that Archbishop Usher had preached in the kirk of Scotland; and I know that some very high churchmen had done so; but without laying any stress on precedents, I repeat, that where the king and his court must attend a clergyman may preach. And I believe many will bless God to all eternity that ever I did preach there *. But I cannot help recording here, to the honour of the Church of England, that, on all the three times that I have visited Scotland, and have attended almost entirely the presbyterian churches, I have on my return to the use of our Liturgy been perfectly astonished at the vast superiority of our * "It is curious that I should live to see this very circumstance occur-George the Fourth has just been to visit Edinburgh. He spent two Sundays there: the first Sunday he went no where; the second Sunday he was constrained to attend at St. Giles's Church, (the High Church). Aug. 25, 1822.-Written Sept. 3, 1822." L. S. I mode of worship, and felt it an inestimable privilege that we possess a form of sound words, so adapted in every respect to the wants and desires of all who would worship God in spirit and in truth." In speaking of the comparative excellencies of extempore prayer and written forms, Mr. S. would frequently observe: "If all men could pray at all times, as some men can sometimes, then indeed we might prefer extempore to pre-composed prayers." On joining Mr. Buchanan, and preparing to accompany him to Scotland, Mr. S. commenced a Diary; which is here given entire, with the exception only of a few passages, which are of no interest or importance. 66 May, 16th.-Arrived in London about 5 P.M. Joined Mr. Buchanan in prayer, and proceeded immediately for Windsor. In our way we prayed again, and God was exceedingly gracious to us all. 17th. Before breakfast saw the Castle, St. George's Chapel, and at 11 went to Montem. Here I felt peculiar satisfaction in shewing to my friends a sight, which was so entirely new to them. The goodness of God to us was at that time peculiarly manifest; for there was not anything, which could contribute to our pleasure, which we did not enjoy. We saw the boys go twice round the school-yard, and then intending entirely to leave them, we accidentally got into Dr. Weston's yard, and there stood close to the king: we heard him converse with Dr. Heath, the Provost, and others in a most condescending manner. 18th.-Henley. Having read the Scriptures and prayed together, not without tears of joy, we reached our Inn." He then proceeds to Oxford-Bath-and Bristolthence to the Mendip Hills. "Mr. B. and myself understanding that we were within a mile of Cowslip Green, paid a visit to the Miss Moores. Hannah was not at home; and we saw only Sally and Patty. They seemed to be the very pictures of happiness: and they gave us much pleasing information. They have not less than 1100 children in different schools; and including sick, and teachers &c., not less than 1800 persons under their care. The magistrates of Blagdon (a few miles from them) not long since intreated. them to take the whole parish under their care; and soon, from a remarkably vicious and abandoned place, it is become sober and industrious." Thence to Gloucester-Worcester-Birmingham-and Madeley; "Here we called on that blessed mother in Israel, Mrs. Fletcher; she is somewhat asthmatic and infirm; but on the whole in good spirits, and capable of much usefulness to the Church of God." Thence to Stone-Ashbourn-Dovedale-and Buxton. May 27th." Here the Diary terminates abruptly. 66 Edinburgh, Friday, June 3rd, 1796. Saturday, 4th.-At 8 o'clock in the morning I was fortunate enough to hear a sermon, annually preached on that day, (King's Birth-day), by the king's almoner, before the king's pensioners, a few poor men and women; who receive a new gown or coat, with a penny for every year that the king has lived. The preacher was Mr. G., Dr. Blair's colleague. His text was John v. 4., and his discourse was sensible, but not deep, or perfectly orthodox. A Mr. Dickson, the minister of the chapel, which Mr. Buchanan was the means of building in his own parish, breakfasted with us. He seems a truly devoted servant of Jesus Christ. After breakfast I walked with Mr. B. to the new town. We first called on Dr. Kemp, the secretary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; in him are united the gentleman and the minister of Christ. Sunday, 5th.-I went to hear Dr. Erskine at the new Grey Friars-His appearance and zeal reminded me much of my dear friend Mr. Venn: but notwithstanding his animation and good sense, I thought the whole congregation felt wearied with the having two complete services at one time. In the afternoon I preached at the Canongate, and conducted the service in the usual manner- -a psalm-a general prayer-a sermon-a particular prayer for the spread of the Gospel, for the king and royal family, the magistrates and ministers, those presiding in that church, the sick &c. a psalm and the benediction. According to my instructions I remembered to close the whole with bowing to the magistrates who sat before me. They also politely bowed to me. In the evening I preached at Mr. Dickson's new chapel in the Canongate, to a very crowded audience, and through mercy, with much liberty and comfort. The Lord grant it may not have been in vain. At each service of the day I gave my shilling at the door of the church; but were I to attend always, I must of necessity lower my donations. In the evening Sir John Stirling, of Glaurat near Glasgow, supped with us. He came in while Mr. B. in his usual manner was catechizing his niece and servants. I was astonished at their readiness in answering his questions, and in giving an account of what they had heard in the day. Sir John is a remarkably pleasing man, and a truly pious Christian-one of his daughters, as he informed us, was in a very dejected state of mind. He did me the honour to accept Fawcett's Cure of Melancholy; and I hope it may please God to render it useful to her soul. He gave me a most friendly invitation to his house, and promised he would procure me a pulpit. Monday, 6th.—Mr. B. carried me to Mr. Dickson's to tea. It was the monthly meeting of a few friends, to which they did me the favour to admit me. After tea we retired to a room, and having prayed, read the Greek Test.: (Rom. vi.) with useful criticisms and observations. We then prayed again, and walked afterwards till the time for family prayer. The ministers were Messrs. Dickson, Buchanan, Jones (an Englishman, but of the Scotch church in Edinburgh,) Paul, and Black. We afterwards supped together, and spent a very profitable and pleasant evening. Tuesday, 7th.-I went to hear an evening lecture at the high church. I expected to have heard Dr. Davidson, one of the most popular preachers in Edinburgh; but was grievously disappointed. The preacher was Mr. one of the most drawling and uninteresting teachers I ever |