late Earl of Findlater, the Society established a Christian Knowledge, the sum of L.20,000, for the school at Portsoy, in the parish of Fordyce, Banff purposes of promoting religion, literature, and inshire, with a salary of L.10. The Society did like-dustry in the Highlands and Islands. At the same wise, the same year, upon an application from a com- time, the Society has not been inattentive to the pany of merchants in Perth, who set up a manufac-propagation of Christian knowledge in America. tory of linen cloth at Logierait in Athol, give an Two missionaries are still employed by them, viz. annual allowance to the schoolmaster of that parish the Reverend Mr Kirkland among the Oneyda, Onfor teaching the children employed in that manufac-ondago, and Seneka Indians, and the Reverend Mr tory. was zeal. At a general meeting of the Board in London, held 18th November 1773, it was resolved, that early in the spring following, a sermon should be preached in recommendation of the charity, and afterwards the friends of the institution should dine together, and endeavour to support and extend its object, by obtaining donations or annual contributions, to be immediately applied to the general purposes of the Society. The event fully justified the propriety of this measure. Care had been taken to avoid all appearance of party spirit in the arrangements made on this occasion. The pulpit of the liberal-minded Mr Spilsbury was fixed upon, and the amiable and unassuming Dr Langford was selected to be the preacher. The service at Salters Hall was well attended, and a liberal collection obtained. Gentle men of various religious denominations, and of various ranks in civil life, assembled at dinner. Perfect harmony prevailed: the interests of the Society were warmly supported, and powerful encouragement was given to repeat the experiment once every year. Ministers of the Church of England coalesced with their dissenting and Scottish brethren in carrying on this great and good work. The preacher was annually selected, without any regard to the religious denomination to which he belonged. The Presbyterian followed the Independent; he, in his turn, was succeeded by the Anabaptist-all was harmony-all The more that the cause was inquired into, the more it appeared to merit support; and, beside a regular annual subscription, valuable donations and bequests were, from time to time, increasing the sphere of the Society's influence and usefulness. Two instances of these deserve particularly to be commemorated. Towards the end of March, a trust-deed was transmitted to the secretary, conveying to the Society the sum of L.10,000 stock in the national fund of the five per cent. annuities. The stock was transferred to a most respectable gentleman, Isaac Hopkins Browne, Esq., to receive the dividends on the Society's account, who has since transferred the stock to the Society, and has qualified himself as a member of the London Board, by a handsome annual subscription, and by serving the office of steward. Soon after the intelligence of this large and uncommon donation had been given, the Society had the satisfaction to receive accounts of a second accession to their funds still more considerable than the former, by a legacy of the late Peter Huguetan, Lord Vanvryhoven of Holland. For many years, this nobleman had been a regular and liberal benefactor to the institution, by the anniversary meetings of the Corresponding Board in London; and in 1789, the Society received from him a donation of L.500 of the four per cent. bank annuities. After his death, which happened in the course of this year, it appeared, that by his will, he had, among a variety of other legacies to different charitable institutions, and to a very large amount, bequeathed to the Society in Scotland for Propagating Sergeant among the Stockbridge tribes. Of the ardent zeal and indefatigable exertions of the former, the Society have repeatedly had occasion to report in the warmest terms of approbation. His late journals afford sufficient evidence that his labours are continued with uniform earnestness and perseverance. They exhibit a picture of benevolence, of labours, and of sufferings in the cause of the gospel, which scarcely has been exceeded since the days of the apostles. He undertook a long and perilous tour among those of Canada, when he added the expense of relieving numbers when perishing with hunger. A famine, it seems, prevailed in their country; and his humane and generous mind, shocked with the scenes of misery which he beheld, willingly dictated efforts for the relief of the sufferers far beyond what his narrow income could afford. The savages, affected with a deep sense of gratitude, beheld him with the reverence due to a superior being; numbers willingly received his instructions; many, it is to be hoped, to their eternal joy. The labours of Mr Sergeant, though in a narrower sphere, have been found faithful and assiduous. What success may ultimately attend the exertions of the Society in these remote and unenlightened regions, time only can unfold. That many individuals among the savages have, by the blessing of God, become savingly acquainted with the truths of the gospel, and that the morals and external conduct of great numbers have been improved, there is sufficient ground to believe. One thing is acknowledged by all who have opportunity to he acquainted with these tribes, that those of them among whom the light of the gospel has been in any measure diffused, have become less addicted to excess in the use of spirituous liquors, less cruel and ferocious in their manners, and more attentive to the arts of civilised life, particularly to agriculture. Extract from a Letter of the Rev. JAMES CALDWELL, Secretary to the Society's Board of Correspondence in New England. "Elizabeth-Town, May 1, 1771. "The present sent by the Society to the Oneida Indians, till we could find out by what particular tribe the bill was sent, and the most acceptable and useful remittance. This being done, I received the following address, a copy of which I hereby transmit you: Father, we have not much to say. But we return thanks to our fathers beyond the great waters. We thank them from our very hearts, and also bless God, who has put it into their heart to show us this kindness. The holy word of Jesus has got place among us, and advances. Many have lately for saken their sins, and turned to God. There are some among us, who are very stubborn and strong: but Jesus is Almighty, has all strength, and his holy word is very strong too; therefore we hope it will conquer, and succeed more and more. We say no more; only ask our fathers to pray for us, although they are at a great distance. Perhaps, by and bye, through the strength and mercy of Jesus, we shall meet in his kingdom above. Farewell. 'JAGO VARRON, Chief of the Bare Tribe. SUCHNAGEARAT, West Tribe. OGEIKHELA, Tareb Tribe.' The remote Western Highlands and Islands were the least known to the Society, and had least experienced the benefit of their institution. It was therefore resolved, that their secretary, Dr John Kemp, should visit these distant regions, and inquire into the state of religion, literature, and industry among the inhabitants, and report such plans as should appear most likely to promote their improvement. The greatest part of two summers were accordingly employed by Dr Kemp in fulfilling this useful mission; which he did much to his own credit, to the satisfaction of his constituents, and to the advantage of the regions which he visited. His reception, whereever he went, was gracious and hospitable. The gentry, the clergy, entered into the views of his embassy, gave him all needful information, and engaged to co-operate with the Society in all their efforts of benevolence; and, what must be peculiarly grateful to every liberal mind, though one of the professed objects of the Society is to eradicate Popery, he met with much personal civility from some of the clergy of the Roman Catholic persuasion. They adopted and forwarded the general objects of his mission, particularly by exhorting and using their influence with their people to send their children to the schools of the Society, to be instructed in literature, and the great principles of religion, in which all sects among Christians are united. It was a sight assuredly not common-a Protestant minister, commissioned by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, attended in his progress by Roman Catholic priests, and they zealously joining with him in common efforts to promote the reading of the Scriptures among the youth of their own community. Dr Kemp kept a regular journal of his proceedings, which, together with his report of means most likely to answer the design of the Society, were read and considered with much attention, and referred to a general meeting, by whom the spirit and objects of the plan contained in it were unanimously approved, and referred back to the directors, to be still more maturely digested, and carried into execution as cir cumstances may permit. The annual sermon, it was resolved, should next year be preached by a clergyman of the Church of England; and the Reverend and Honourable George Hay Drummond, brother to the Earl of Kinnoul, readily undertook that service; and the Reverend John Newton, rector of St Mary Wooluoth, with equal frankness granted the use of his church, and consented himself to read the church service. December 1, 1795.-The Compiler is happy to be informed (by No. 30, Vol. iii. of the Evangelical Magazine) concerning a missionary society lately instituted for the purpose of propagating Christianity among the heathen, under the direction of the following gentlemen-(For their names see the above volume of the Evangelical Magazine)-which contains also a memoir of the late Mr Romaine. On the anniversary of his election to the parish of Blackfriars, (wherein he resided thirty years,) he commonly gave a short account of the state and progress of the gospel in the kingdom. In one of these discourses, he mentioned that himself and three others agreed to spend one hour in the week, at a stated time, in prayer, for the revival of the power of godliness in the Established Church. To so small a number were spiritual clergymen reduced, that out of twenty thousand, there were hardly twenty who preached the truth as it is in Jesus. But, before his death, he had in his possession a list of more than three hundred. We are happy to say, that the same spirit is now poured out upon a great number of evangelical societies, of all denominations, in England, Scotland, and America, and hope the period is hastening, When Jesus' praises shall he sung The Compiler cannot close this Supplement, without naming a few, partly his own respected and intimate Christian friends, who by their writings against infidelity, or on doctrinal and practical subjects, have in this century done good service to religion:-Lord Hailes, Dr Finlay and Dr Reid of Glasgow, Dr Oswald of Methven, Dr Beattie of Aberdeen, and Dr Witherspoon, President of PrinceTown College, New Jersey. 1 The publisher hopes this computation was as ill grounded as Elias's apprehensions, that he only remained of the worshippers of Jehovah. CONCLUSION. THUS ends the Work of GILLIES,-a work in which is contained a fuller and completer history of the wonderful doings of the Spirit of God than any other extant. Beginning where GILLIES ended, we had intended to have carried out the history of revivals, and presented at length a narrative of the work of God in the nineteenth century. The materials for this, however, are so various and ample, that instead of forming the mere conclusion of a volume, they would require a volume as large, or perhaps larger, than the present. In these circumstances, it seemed better not to enter on so large a field in this volume. At another time, and in a separate volume, this may perhaps be done. Meanwhile, the following sketch will suffice. The career of ROWLAND HILL and his cotemporary evangelists, would furnish a volume by itself. On this, however, it is impossible for us to enter. In like manner, it is impossible for us to narrate the proceedings and success of the different Missionary Societies which have risen up since GILLIES published his records. A condensed view of their proceedings would be a most valuable contribution to the history of the Church of Christ. Through them the ends of the earth have heard of the salvation of God, till now there is scarcely a nation to whom the Gospel has not been preached, and into whose language the Bible has not been translated. people came out to these evening sermons, who could not be brought to attend on the ordinary services. Prayer meetings have been referred to by many as the means of their first serious thought; and sermons delivered in the churchyard last summer, by Mr Somerville of Anderston and by myself, have been often mentioned as having been blessed to awakening and enlivening. Nine months ago, a new missionary meeting begun, which interested many of our people. Still, after all these and other symptoms of good, it was not till Tuesday, the 23d July, that a decided and unquestionable religious revival took place. We may well say of the amazing scene we have witnessed, "When the Lord turned our captivity, we were as men that dreamed." We have, as it were, been awakened from a dream of a hundred years. The The communion had been, as usual, upon the third Sabbath and 21st day, Intimation had been made upon the Saturday, that the minister would wish to converse with such persons as were under religious concern, inasmuch as two or three had previously called upon that errand. The effect was, that several other individuals did come to converse. Monday evening was the half yearly general meeting of our Missionary Society, when a sermon was delivered by Dr Burns of Paisley-text, Isaiah lii. 1: "Awake," &c. It was intimated that Mr William C. Burns, who had preached several times with people of Kilsyth next day, if the weather proved much power during the solemnity, would address the favourable, in the open air, the object being to get those to hear the word who could not be brought out in the ordinary way. It was known, too, that he was very shortly to leave this place for Dundee, and distant land. The day was cloudy and rainy. The probably soon to engage in missionary labours in a crowd, however, in the Market Place was great; and, on being invited to repair to the church, it was soon crowded to an overflow-the stairs, passages, and porches being filled with a large assemblage of all descriptions of persons in their ordinary clothes. The prayer was solemn and affecting; the chapter The ser In Scotland there have been some very remarkable awakenings during the last half century. At Moulin, in 1798 and 1800; in the island of Skye, in 1812 and 1814; in the island of Lewis, in 1824 and and 1835-the Spirit of God seems to have been largely poured down. Not only in these, but in various other parts of Scotland, the showers seem to have more or less plentifully fallen. Instead, how-read without any comment, was Acts ii. ever, of entering particularly into the separative narratives of these different revivals, we shall content ourselves with merely referring to them, and giving in conclusion a few extracts from the accounts of the latest revivals which have taken place amongst us. Of Kilsyth, 1839, we have the following account from the pen of the venerable minister. After speaking of previous tokens for good, he thus proceeds "Sabbath evening lectures, of a very plain and familiar character, have been more or less resorted to, but regularly for three seasons; and have been mentioned by several individuals as the means of first impressing their hearts. A goodly number of poor mon proceeded from Psalm ex. 3, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." Throughout the whole sermon, there was more than usual seriousness and tenderness pervading the hearers; but it was towards the close, when depicting the remarkable scene at Kirk of Shotts, on the Monday after the communion there, 1630, when, under the preaching of Mr John Livingstone, a native of Kilsyth, 500 were converted, that the emotions of the audience became too strong to be suppressed. The eyes of most of the audience were in tears; and those who could observe the countenances of the hearers, expected, half an hour before, the scene which followed. After reciting Mr Livingstone's text, Ezekiel xxxvi. "A new heart will I give," &c., and when pressing upon his hearers the all-important concern of salva CONCLUSION. tion, while, with very uncommon pathos and tenderness, he pressed immediate acceptance of Christ, each for himself when referring to the affecting and awful state in which he dreaded the thought of leaving so many of them whom he now saw probably for the last time-when, again and again, as he saw his words telling on the audience, beseeching sinners, old and young, to embrace Christ and be savedwhen he was at the height of his appeal, with the "-then it was that the words "no cross no crown," emotions of the audience were most overpoweringly expressed. A scene which scarcely can be described took place. I have no doubt, from the effects which have followed, and from the very numerous references to this day's service, as the immediate cause of their remarkable change of heart and life, that the convincing and converting influence of the Holy Spirit was at that time most unusually and remarkably conveyed. For a time the preacher's voice was quite inaudible; a psalm was sung tremulously by the precentor, and by a portion of the audience, most of I was called by one of the whom were in tears. elders to come to a woman who was praying in deep distress; several individuals were removed to the session-house, and a prayer-meeting was immediately commenced. Dr Burns, of Paisley, spoke to the people in church, in the way of caution and of direction, that the genuine, deep, inward working of the Spirit might go on, not encouraging animal excite ment. "The church was dismissed after I had intimated that we were ready to converse with all who were distressed and anxious, and that there would be a meeting again in the evening for worship, at six o'clock. We then adjourned to the vestry and session-house, which were completely filled with the spiritually afflicted, and a considerable time was ocSeveral of the distressed were cupied with them. relieved before we parted. These were persons believed to be Christians, but who were not before this Others continued for days in rejoicing in hope. great anxiety, and came again and again, but are generally speaking, in a peaceful and hopeful state, and have been conversing with a view to admission to the Lord's table. now, "In the evening the church was again crowded to excess. Mr Lyon of Banton lectured on the parable of the prodigal son, and Mr William C. Burns preached from Matth. xviii. 3, "Except ye be converted," &c. The impression was deepened; but there was no great excitement, the aim of the preacher being to forward a genuine work of the Spirit. A great many came to the manse to speak about their souls. Evening meetings in the church were continued without intermission, and even in the mornings occasionally. Our hands were full, but the work was precious, and often delightful. Our elders and praying men were, and still are, very useful in aiding us. He who was honoured as the chief instruinent of the awakening was earnestly sought out, and our part in it became comparatively small till the work had made progress. "On Thursday, the 25th, the day proving favourable, the meeting was called in the Market Square, where an immense crowd assembled at half-past six. From the top of a stair, Mr W. C. Burns addressed upwards of 3000 from Ps. lxxi. 16, "I will go in the 1 Mr W. C. Burns found it impossible to leave a scene so interesting, and Mr Lyon went to Dundee to supply his place. The emotions of the strength of the Lord God." audience were powerful, but for the most part silent, though now and then there might be the utterance of feeling, and, in countenances beyond numbering, expressions of earnest and serious concern. Six young girls, from fourteen to sixteen years, two of them orphans, came next day bathed in tears, and seeking Christ. The scene was deeply affecting. This day (26th) many conversations were held by Mr W, C. Burns in the session-house; by myself and my other son (on trial for license) in the manse. Upon Sabbath, the 28th, the church was crowded, and with the unusual appearance of not a few females without bonnets, and men and children in week-day and working dresses. I preached from Heb. iv. 16. In the afternoon we met at three in the churchyard, where there assembled not fewer than 4000. The sermon by Mr W. C. Burns was solid and impressive from Rom. viii. 1. He finished about five o'clock; but after the blessing was pronounced, about a third part either remained or soon returned, of various ages, but especially young, which led to various questionings at first, and then remarks, and appeals frequently repeated, which led to great meltings of heart in many, and, in a few cases, to considerable agitation; so much so, that my son and I continued to address the hearers in various ways, and to sing and pray over and over again, the people still unwilling to depart. Four of our pious men, two of whom were elders, were called to pray at intervals, which they did in a most appropriate and affecting manner. Even at half-past eight it was with difficulty we got to a close, proposing to have a meeting next morning in the church. A great many still pressed around as we left the churchyard for the manse, and several remained till eleven or twelve o'clock. Next morning I went to the church at seven, after calling on an aged woman on the way, whose cries of disEven at that early hour, there tress arrested me. at seven, were from two to three hundred met in solemn silence, "Ever since the date to which I have brought this imperfect narrative, with the exception of one evening, we have had meetings every evening for prayer, for the most part along with preaching of the word. On the evening referred to (the 6th August), there was held a meeting in the Relief church, which was crowded by various classes, the work expressly apof Glasgow, and Mr Banks of Paisley. From the proved of by the ministers present, Mr W. Anderson first the people of the Relief congregation seemed in- | a sinner; its marks and consequences; man's helpterested in the work equally with our own people,lessness as a sinner; the vanity of all his endeavours and there appears to this day to be much of the spirit to justify or sanctify himself, and the certain and or love diffused among us. The state of society is everlasting ruin of all who should persevere in such completely changed. Politics are quite over with attempts; Christ Jesus, his righteousness, its alone us. Religion is the only topic of interest. They sufficiency, its perfect freeness, its immediate gift to who passed each other before, are now seen shaking all who believe; the blessed effects of such faith; hands, and conversing about the all-engrossing sub- the Holy Spirit, his work in convincing and convertject. The influence is so generally diffused, that a ing, and the danger of resisting Him. These substranger going at hazard into any house would find jects were treated more subjectively than objectively, himself in the midst of it." which Mr Burns was the better enabled to do, from having much intercourse with people under concern, effect of his preaching was also aided by the unusual who had fully opened up their minds to him. The earnestness and solemnity of his delivery, as well as by the densely crowded state of the church, and the spirit of prayer and expectation in which very many came to the meetings. In compliance with the language of the query, I have spoken of the chief human instrument; but I am persuaded, both from what i ANSWERS TO THE PRESBYTERY OF ABERDEEN'S known of the permanent and blessed results, that a saw and felt at the time, and from what I have since Since 1839, there have been showers in various places. With reference to these, we can only give a few brief statements. They are from the ministers of those places where revivals have in some measure been enjoyed. From the Rev. ANDREW GRAY, West Church, Perth, QUERIES ON THE SUBJECT OF REVIVALS. "I. A considerable awakening took place about a year ago in this city, and the benefit was partially experienced in my own congregation. 66 II. The chief instrument in the work was Mr W. Burns, and the means consisted of the preaching of the word and of devotional exercises. The labours of Mr Milne of St Leonard's, and Mr Bonar of Collace, were also much blessed. "III. The special circumstances referred to were the solemnity and affectionate earnestness of the appeals, the eminently close, searching, and powerful character of the addresses to the conscience, the simplicity and singular clearness with which the distinctive and fundamental doctrines of the gospel were exhibited, and the unwearying perseverance and Christian ardour with which the means of grace were kept in operation." From the Rev. JOHN MILNE, St Leonard's, Perth. "I. There has been a revival to a considerable extent in my congregation, and in the town generally. greater than man was among us; Not by power, nor by might, but by my Spirit.' I never witnessed before, nor have I since, such manifest tokens of God's gracious presence, as were vouchsafed us during several of the first months of last year, I can only say, in the words of Jonathan Edwards, 'The goings of God were then seen in his sanctuary, God's day was a delight, and His tabernacles were amiable. Our public assemblies were then beautiful; the congregation was alive in God's service, every one earnestly intent on the publie worship, every hearer eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth.' What he also mentions of the much weeping and deep concern manifested under the preaching of the word, is also true in regard to the meetings here." From the Rev. ALEX. CUMMING, Dumbarney. "1. Revivals have taken place in my parish; a very few instances have occurred of sinners being born again through the preaching of the word, and of those who had been previously children of God receiving a new impulse; but what has happened of II. Chiefly through the instrumentality of Mr this nature has been on a small scale; I have, howW. Burns. I believe there are also several persons ever, seen much of revivals in Perth, Dundee, Colwho consider themselves indebted to my own preach-lace, and other places, and have been privileged to witing, and that of Mr Bonar of Collace, and Mr Cumming of Dumbarney, who took part occasionally in preaching and conversing with the people. "III. I had abundant opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with Mr Burns, as he lived and laboured with me constantly for between three and four months. I never knew any one who so fully and unfalteringly obeyed the apostolic precept -Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them.' I was struck with his close walk with God, his much and earnest prayer, his habitual seriousness, the solemnising effect which his presence seemed to have wherever he went, and his almost unwearied success in leading those with whom he conversed to anxious, practical, heart-searching concern about their state in God's sight. In public, his ministrations were chiefly of an awakening nature, addressed to the unconverted. With this view, his subjects were always wisely selected, being such as included fundamental points-man's lost state as ness the most interesting events and incidents which took place while the Spirit of God was poured out remarkably on these districts. II. "These revivals have originated and been conducted under the agency of Mr William Burns; Mr Milne, Perth; Mr Andrew Bonar, Collace; Mr M'Cheyne, Dundee, &c. &c. III. "The peculiarities in the preaching of those who have been blessed to produce such signal results, are a deep solemnity, which convinces the hearers that their immortal interest is dear to them, and especially a free and persuasive offer of the blessings of salvation. Many souls have been melted and subdued under the tender invitations of the gospel, and have been induced, like Brainerd's Indians last century, to yield themselves as willing captives to the Saviour when his love was displayed. One feature, distinguishing all those heralds of salvation who have been useful in alluring souls to Christ (at least all those whom I have known), is the strong grasp |