recent occasions, when favoured with an interview with him, he manifested an intensity of desire for more decided testimonies of divine approval, which, I was convinced would not abate, nor suffer you to rest, until the arm of the Lord was made bare in strengthening the things that remain, and bringing converts to Christ. Thus he continued in his Master's work, and was faithful unto death. 'Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing."" THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION IN ROXBURGHSHIRE. No. III. To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. JANUARY 1841.-My last two papers were confined to a narration of the incidents which occurred during the time that our protracted meeting was being held. For a few weeks after that period, I continued to meet twice-a-week with the anxious inquirers, and the number of these soon amounted to seventy-two. It was very cheering to witness one after another obtaining peace of mind through a simple belief of the truth, and by their walk and conversation giving pleasing evidence of having "passed from death unto life." The change on many was so manifest that even enemies were compelled to acknowledge that "all old things had passed away, and all things had become new." Many of those who were only awakened have gone back to the world, their "goodness" proving "like the morning cloud and early dew that soon passeth away." A few of these now stand ranked amongst our bitterest foes. It is a pleasing fact, however, that out of the very many who gave evidence of a real change, only one has apostatized. Since our meetings were held, we have received one hundred and one persons into the fellowship of the church. Opposition and persecution were manifested to a very considerable extent. I could narrate facts calculated to draw tears from the eyes of all who have hearts to feel. "I am not come," said our Saviour, "to send peace on : earth; I am not come to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law and a man's foes shall be they of his own household." A number of the young female converts who assembled together for prayer and praise, were much reproached and vilified; but amidst all the contumely that was heaped upon them, they manifested a spirit of great meekness, forbearance, and decision. They still continue to meet together twice a-week, and instances are not wanting of their meetings having originated good. The peace of many families has been disturbed through the Lord's taking possession of the hearts of some of their inmates; and diabolical plots were more than once laid, to ruin the 66 converted people." God makes the "wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder thereof he doth restrain." These enemies of the cross of Christ have often been outwitted, and their doings have been overruled by omnipotent mercy for the eternal good of souls. One striking feature in the work has been, that whole families have been brought under the influence of divine truth, and that, whilst the members of these families were residing in different parts of the country. I shall give one instance. At our meetings in Denholm, a young woman was brought under very deep convictions of sin. On the Friday, and on Saturday night, she was rejoicing in the belief of the gospel. On Sabbath, she gave me a note to the following effect: "A wife, who found peace last night, requests the prayers of God's people for the conversion of her unbelieving husband." He was present, and that night he was deeply convicted, and remained among the anxious inquirers. The arrows of the Almighty fixed themselves in his conscience, and, after writhing for some time like a wild bull in a net, he yielded to God and found peace in believing. On being asked what it was in the sermon he heard which produced the first impression on his mind, he told Mr. Cameron that it was his quoting and commenting on that passage, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." As Mr. C. did not recollect having introduced this passage, or having at all alluded to the sentiment contained in it, he examined the manuscript of the sermon after going home, and found that there was nothing there at all connected with the subject. It must, therefore, have been introduced on the impulse of the moment, and it is interesting in such cases to observe the leadings of Divine Providence. Here was a man brought to the meeting in a state of alienation from God. The preacher was led to say what he had not intended, but what was fitted to make the proper impression on the mind of the hearer, and the Spirit of God carried the word home with power to the heart. How necessary is it to pray that the Lord may direct us what to say, and how to say it. Shortly after their change, they both united in writing to a brother who lived at (twenty miles off), and who was very far from God. The letter informed him in a simple and straightforward manner, of what God had done for their souls, and urging him to repent and turn to the Lord. He received the admonition in the worst possible spirit, and wrote an ill-natured and scoffing reply. Before he sent it off, however, he had some compunctions of conscience. For some time he deliberated whether he would send it or not. At length he resolved he would, reasoning thus with himself: If there is any reality in this change, of which they speak, they will forgive me; if it is not a reality, they will be angry, and trouble me no more." Thus resolving to test the reality of the work, by the answer he might receive, he despatched his letter. The very next day brought the answer, full of love and tenderness, entreating him not to ruinhis soul, but to yield to the influence of the truth of God. This was too much for him. The spirit in which the letter was written greatly melted him down. He felt there must be a reality and a power in religion of which he had never formed any conception. He could get no rest in his spirit. He came to to see his relatives, and was utterly confounded at the change he witnessed. He accompanied them to Denholm the following Sabbath. I had a long con versation with him at the close of the services. He left me, accompanied by two of the members of the church, and that evening he was rejoicing in Christ as his "all in all." He continues stedfast, walking in the way of life. Another brother, who had fallen into habits of dissipation, and seemed about to go headlong to destruction, was soon after powerfully arrested. He was brought into a state of distress truly dreadful. One of his brothers, a faithful follower of Christ, told Mr. Cameron that when he went to him to bring him for conversation, he found him rolling on the floor, literally in an agony. In a few days, he completely broke down, and received the truth like a little child. Nine members of this family have been brought to the Saviour since March, 1839. It is truly a happy family, and through their instrumentality, others have received good to their souls. One great effect of the meetings was the stirring up of the people of God to labour more assiduously as well as to pray more fervently, for the conversion of sinners. The following account given by one of the members of the church, of the conversion of a young man, is highly interesting. I give it nearly in the narrator's own words : My dear Pastor,-In compliance with your request, I now lift my pen to write you an account of the conversion of I have endeavoured to collect all the interesting particulars connected with his former life, his change of heart and mind, and the evidence of that change since it took place. O may the Spirit of all grace bless the perusal of it to the awakening of those who are dead in sin, and for the quickening of God's own people, that God may be glorified thereby! is a native of. His father died when he was very young. He was brought up in the country by an aunt, with whom he resided till he was nine years of age. At that early pe riod, he seems to have been the subject of religious impressions, but, on being removed into town, these impressions all vanished. As he grew in years, he indulged in all manner of wickedness, and went with the multitude to do evil. His conscience became seared as with a hot iron. His only parent got him bound as an apprentice to the shoemaking trade. These years were spent in folly and sin, and in reviewing them, he is often filled with deep distress. Having served his term of apprenticeship, he resolved on going to Edinburgh to follow out his business. Such was the length he indulged in sin, that, on leaving his native place, he was carried on board the vessel in a state of beastly intoxication. In Edinburgh, he continued to indulge in his habits of dissipation, until all the money his mother had given him was spent. During his stay there, he was seized with measles, and was quite delirious during the greater part of his illness. When his reason returned, he began to reflect on his past life, and formed many resolutions of amendment, should God restore him again to health. He then felt he was unprepared for death and judgment. He immediately began to put his resolutions into effect. He gave over swearing, to which he had been addicted. He left off drinking to excess; betook himself to prayer; and became a regular hearer in a place of worship. He then thought, that if he should again be visited with affliction or death, he should be prepared for either. He was ordered by his surgeon to remove to the country for the benefit of his health. He came south to - and during his residence there he heard Mr. E. Young preach on the value of the soul. He was a little impressed under that discourse, but his master, (a very careless man,) condemned the doctrine, said the preacher was under a delusion, did not speak the truth, and persuaded to dismiss all his fears. In the course of a day or two, all his impressions were gone. He did not remain long there, but came to six or seven months ago. He seemed to be in a very unsettled state of mind, and did not intend to remain here, but to proceed to —, where he had previously engaged himself. Before leaving this place, he called at my house, accidentally, as the world would term it, but what we should call the leadings of Divine Providence. Having left his late employer, I gathered from his conversation, that he would like to get a little work before he left the town. I therefore engaged him. He was with me a short time, before I spoke to him about his soul. My brother had spoken to him, and he was very angry with him, and he told me afterwards that had my brother not desisted, he would have struck him thus manifesting the most determined opposition to the truth. : "One day he came down for work. We were alone, and I spoke to him very closely about the things that belonged to his eternal peace. He listened with great attention, and then declared that he had never heard of such doctrines till he came to this part He was I never of the country. He saw no necessity of regeneration, and, like Nicodemus, he was led to exclaim, How can these things be?' That same night he expressed a desire to go to a prayer meeting, held a short distance from town. He went, and he said afterwards, that he thought he would have fallen down during the time we were engaged in prayer. He was evidently brought under deep convictions of sin. He became so anxious, that he could neither work nor take victuals, and sleep departed from him. under very deep convictions. witnessed one more so. His soul was in an agony, and he had even harboured the thought of taking away his own life. His impressions were greatly deepened at seeing God's people so happy here, and also by reading Pike's 'Motives to Early Piety.' On Friday evening, wishing to have some private conversation with him, we took a walk together into the country. We went to a solitary spot for prayer, and whilst engaged in this exercise, he wept much. The tears flowed in great abundance. Still he found no relief to his burdened soul. We then separated for prayer: he went to one part of the plantation, and I went to another. When he returned, I asked him if he had found peace to his soul. Oh, no,' he cried, in great bitterness of spirit, 'I am not worthy to be called one of the family. I have awfully transgressed God's holy law, and there is no mercy for me.' I thought, surely this is the cry of a broken heart and contrite spirit, which God will not despise. At that instant a glimpse of hope seemed to burst through the darkness of his mind, and he cried, 'Yes; the atonement has been made; but, then, I am so sinful, so unworthy.' He passed a sleepless night. I had no opportunity of conversing with him till the following day, about two o'clock, when we have a prayer meeting. We made him the subject of carnest prayer before God, and again his distress was very great. After the meeting was over, we remained together, and, with all affection, I entreated him to believe the testimony that God had given of his Son. Again and again he attempted, hesitated, and wept because he could not believe. I continued to repeat such passages as the following: 'Behold the Lamb of God,' &c.; 'God so loved,' &c.; conciling,' &c. Lord, I believe.' God is in Christ re At length, he said, round my neck, wept, and his whole frame shook. He attempted often to thank God for the salvation of his soul, but his joyful feelings overpowered him. After waiting for a short period, he became more composed, and we both knelt down at our Father's footstool. He prayed with great fervency, thanking God for his blessed deliverance, and then prayed for the poor instrument whom God had honoured in bringing him to the Saviour, and then wrestled very earnestly for his unconverted relatives. "Next day he went from house to house, telling their inmates how their souls might be saved. He had been in the habit of frequenting a shoemaker's shop. Before his awakening, he had joined with the workmen in speaking against conversion and the converted. He visited them during the time he was under convictions, and they were not a little astonished to hear him speak more favourably of conversion. He said to them, Well; if there be such a thing, and I should ever experience that change and come and tell you, will you believe me?' They answered, We will.' No sooner had he found the Saviour, than he went and told them. Oh, yes,' he said, there is such a thing as conversion, and it is a blessed change; and I now tell you that, unless you undergo it, your souls must perish eternally.' They were much struck, and his words produced a deep impression on their minds. He has again and again wrote to his friends about their eternal interests, and telling them what God had done for his own soul. He has ever since manifested in his walk and conversation, the reality of the change, and all the brethren here have the fullest confidence in him as a child of God." 330 ANOTHER ECCLESIASTICAL CURIOSITY. To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. MY DEAR SIR,-IN the early part of the present year, a Sermon was preached and published" by the Rev. Francis Minden Knollis, M. A., Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford; Rector of Congerstone, Leicestershire, and Domestic Chaplain to the Right Honourable Earl Howe." The title of the said Sermon is, "The Dregs of the Drunkard's Cup; with a Word of Solemn Warning to all Swearers, Sabbathbreakers, and Neglecters of Public Worship." Well, say you, there was probably need enough for that ; and perhaps it was loudly called for by some very painful occurrence. Yes, sir; it was occasioned by "the early death of a young man in the Author's parish, who fell a victim to excessive drinking." But, sir, it seems to me rather curious that "a real minister of God" should call the drunkard his "brother," and say to his congregation, "Almighty God has spoken from our departed brother's early grave." It seems, also, curious to me, that, while St. Paul says, "He that eateth and drinketh unworthily," at the Lord's table, "eaieth and drinketh damnation to himself," the Rector of Congerstone should tell his parishioners that the communion-table is "the best place to get rid of sin." That this worthy "Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford," is a devout believer in the "efficacy of sacraments," must appear obvious, when he informs us, that his young brother, moved by "his reverence for the ordained ministers of the Lord," was, "for many a Sunday and holiday during last spring, to be found in his place at the house of God; and once,-alas! it was only but once, he knelt with the faithful around the table of our dying Lord." But, on that occasion did the ordained minister of the Lord forget to caution the "open and notorious evil liver not in any wise to presume to come to the Lord's table until he had truly repented and amended his former life?" or did he venture to neglect an order which he had solemnly promised to obey, believing it opposed to the salvation of souls? Be this as it may, his words are, "Oh, had our departed brother but gone on as he had begun, who can tell but that the more often he had received the cup of the Lord, the less inclined he would have been to relish the poisoned cup of devils; the more often he had partaken of the Lord's table, the less disposed to partake of the table of devils; the more often he had come to the Lord's house, the more seldom would he have visited the scenes of temptation and the tents of sin!" Now, Sir, although I cannot presume to say what might have been the result of " more often coming to the Lord's house," even where a Fellow of Magdalen College is the officiating minister, I know who it was that wrote to the Corinthians, that if any brother was "a drunkard, with such an one" they were not to eat ;" and I think it right to tell those who boast of their "pure and apostolic Church," that such "a godly discipline "needs to be "restored" as may exclude drunkards from the Lord's table until they shall so repent and reform as to receive the memorials of a crucified Saviour as the word of God requires. 66 We now come to "one of those weak and paltry arguments so often brought forward against our apostolic Church by ignorant persons within it, and prejudiced enemies without it." Mr. Knollis says, "Our sure and certain hope' is not of 'his' or 'her' resurrection whom we bury, but only of the general resurrection to eternal life, which every Christian believes there will be at the last and fearful day. It is in sure and certain hope of this resurrection-of this life that will never end,-that we bury all, both just and unjust. And that the Church means no more than this, you |