mentally the dying love of our Redeemer. Every ordinance of his is precious and profitable. We justly regard this as one eminently calculated for the comfort and establishment of the saints. In prospect of it, I feel a concern on my mind to have the presence of the Master of the feast, to be arrayed in the fine linen which is the righteousness of saints, to be deck. ed with the beauties of holiness, and otherways prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I know where this preparation is to be found, and hope to receive it from the God of all grace for myself, and would be requesting it from him for all those to whom I minister in holy things. In the pulpit, and at the table of the Lord, I desire to appear for Christ, like one who hopes to be eternally obliged unto him. He is the church's God, he is my God, and as such I will behold him. While I am beholding him, I hope he will look upon us, and feed us as a shepherd. (Text for Sabbath, xl. 11.) As to marks and evidences of the grace of God in me, though I do not overlook them, yet I will not eagerly follow after them. My own feelings and convictions satisfy me of my need of a Saviour; and the Gospel I preach to others I desire to apply to myself, resting on it as a faithful saying, and worthy of my acceptation, that Christ came to save sinners. This is my first, my last, my sole dependence; as a proof of it, I love him, and serve him, and do in private and public devote myself to him. This I have done, this I mean to do, and this I trust shall never be undone. My God, the cove nant is sure on thy part; and I look to thee to secure it on mine-Yes, the word of my God shall stand for Amen.

ever.

Was alone this day as to human aid; felt, however, as I thought, assistance from above, and was helped

both in praying and preaching. Let me take this as a token for good. Preached from Ezek. vii. 16. and Isa. i. 2.

Tranent, July 28, 1808, Sacrament Fast evening.Must be humble and thankful the Lord has not left me alone. Felt my heart impressed in the prayer, and was supplied with what I thought suitable in the few things that were spoken afterwards. Heard two sermons on Rev. iii. 15, 16. "I know thy works." Very characteristic of ourselves—the Lord warm and enliven us; the spirit of life from God enter into us. I sit by myself in the presence and under the eye of God. Have been endeavouring to cast myself, my family, and my flock, upon the Lord. Convinced of great guilt and wretchedness, Christ is my only refuge; knowing that a God in Christ makes a grant of himself in the Gospel, have declared my acceptance of this grant, and said unto the Lord, "Thou art my God." My witness is in heaven, and my record is on high, that in the sincerity of my heart I have accepted of the Lord to be my God; I cannot think he will reject me, I would not indulge a desponding thought of his good will to me. Particularly on this occasion, I request from my God communications of his grace, manifestations of his countenance, and all that aid and support of which I stand in need in my Christian and ministerial duties. He will not despise the prayer of the destitute, and I will endeavour to trust him for his grace. Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why," &c.. Intend on Sabbath to preach from Luke xii. 32. "Fear not, little flock,” &c. The subject is encouraging; the good Shepherd: will feed me and my flock in this green pasturage,

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and my Father will give me the faith and hope of the kingdom before he bring me to it.—His I am,

R. SHIRREFF.

Tranent, October 31, 1808.-By the good hand of my God I am returned in safety from my journey. Sailed from Leith on the evening of Tuesday the 16th of August, and arrived at Huna in Caithness about ten on Saturday evening, the 20th of the same month; reached my brother's on Monday the 22d, and continued with him till the 4th of October; went on that day to Wick, where we were kept waiting for a vessel until Monday morning the 17th of that month. Sailing across the Moray Frith, we were landed at Aberdeen next day in the afternoon; and from thence followed out our journey by land, which was accomplished on Friday evening the 21st of October, when we were restored to the place of our abode, to the young family, and to the little congregation, in comfort, much, I believe, to the satisfaction of all concerned, and not less to my own and my companion in travel. On a review of providential occurrences in this excursion, the goodness of God is the most striking object that presents itself to my mind, and one which should fill it with the liveliest gratitude. He preserved me in health and strength, and gave me favour among the people with whom I sojourned. We were on a boisterous sea on our return, a day and a night I sat cold and comfortless in a little wet cabin, the water lashing on the deck, and sometimes falling into it, and the vessel at the same time so agitated by the wind and the waves that I was frequently thrown from my seat, and laid flat on the floor. Notwithstanding, the Lord was gracious, keeping us above water, and preserving us in the midst of no small danger. His

goodness, too, I consider as visibly manifested in his care of the family and congregation at home, both of which we found well, and nothing material had occurred to interrupt the peace or harmony of either. I must, in particular, record the mercy of the Lord in affording me regularly on his own day, except one, an opportunity of preaching the word of life to my fellow men; the people received me with respect, and were ready to receive the message from my mouth; they assembled in considerable numbers, and were attentive and serious, apparently more impressed with what was said to them than is to be seen in our con gregations at home. May I hope some good was done! The Lord give the increase, and send to his people here, and there, and everywhere, times of re freshing from his presence. Many of them were at tached to our communion, and but for the distance and difficulties which lie in the way, would, I think, make a settlement welcome. To us they were kind and hospitable; I was in my brother's house as if I had been at home; I must reckon him and others among the rest of my Christian friends and benefactors, and try to render unto them a prophet's reward. On the whole, I desire now with a humble and thankful heart to set up my Ebenezer, and to inscribe on it this motto, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped," which was yesterday the subject of discourse. The promise made to Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 15. and his vow, verses, 20, 21, and 22, were frequently revolved in my mind. The Lord hath preserved and provided for me-I am come again to my house in peace, and-the Lord shall be my God; my house shall be his house, my property at his call, and my life devoted to his service-poor returns for such rich receivings. Such as they are I present them, and hope they will be an

odour of a sweet smell, acceptable to the Lord in the beloved. These are my views and my feelings; the impression, I trust, will be permanent and operative: and as proof of my sincerity and earnestness in this little narrative, I put my name to it this 31st day of October, 1808. ROBERT SHIRREFF.

Tranent, July 27, 1809. Sacrament Fast evening.Prayed as usual on this day, and directed the attention of my people to the consideration of John's Epistles to the Asiatic churches, in Revelation ii. and iii. chapters; and heard sermon, by Mr. G. B. forenoon and afternoon. The truths delivered were of deep interest-the Lord give the blessing. Now, alone in the presence of God, and aware that he searches and knows me, I do appeal unto him to judge my sincerity: in the truth of my heart I give myself unto him, and would believe that he is mine, and that I am his-I have said it, I do say it, and through grace I will adhere to it, "THE LORD IS MY GOD." I see a suitableness in him to my case, and am sensible of the grant which he makes of himself to me: and, in the faith of both, I acquiesce, and accept, and will trust. Nor are evidences awanting; the Lord in his word, his person, and his work, is the object of my attachment. I love the Lord, and am willing to serve him: it grieves me that ever I should feel any alienation of heart from him, and any coldness in my poor attempts to serve him. My desire is to the Lord, my hope is in his word, and my dependence is on his mercy-these last lines in the xiii. Psalm," But I have all my confidence in thy mercy," &c. bespeak my sentiments and wishes; nor will I despair of an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom, &c. 2 Peter i. 11. This is meant to