ence with New England, and other of the colonies, on the affairs of religion and the revivals. Glasgow being the seat of an extensive and active trade with the American colonies, afforded Mr. Maclaurin great facilities for giving and receiving intelligence in such matters. Mr. Maclaurin was soon privileged to see in his own beloved country revivals not less wonderful and real than those of other lands. Whitefield came to Scotland, and the usual striking effects followed his preaching. This took place during 1742 and 1743. Mr. Maclaurin maintained intercourse very largely with his brethren all around, and met weekly in Glasgow with Christian friends for receiving and communicating intelligence. His standing, his talents, and his Christian wisdom as well as zeal, gave him a chief place among his brethren as a leader and adviser, in whatever concerned the spiritual welfare of the people.

It

Most of our readers are aware that in Scotland, during the last century, what are called sacramental occasions were seasons of very great solemnity. The Lord's supper was in general dispensed only once a year; many ministers took part in the preparatory and other services, and, as their own pulpits were of necessity vacant on that Lord's day, many of their parishioners from all the surrounding districts met together, to the number of several thousands. In 1742 the sacrament was dispensed at Cambuslang on the 11th of July, with so much spiritual benefit to many, that Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Whitefield, moved that they should have another such occasion in that place very soon. The minister of Cambuslang was well pleased with the proposal, but proceeded with much deliberation, consultation, and good sense. was agreed that the second celebration should be on the 15th of August. Many ministers assisted at the solemnity. Among others were Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Webster, Mr. Gillies, and Mr. Maclaurin. On Monday, above twenty-four ministers were present. Mr. Whitefield's sermons were attended with much power. Several were crying out, and a very great but decent mourning and weeping was observable through the auditory. While addressing the communicants, he appeared to be so filled with the love of God as to be in a kind of ecstacy, and he imparted to others much of that blessed frame. There was a great deal of outward decency and regularity observable at the tables; but the thing most remarkable was the spiritual glory of that occasion, the gracious and sensible presence of God. Not a few were awakened to a sense of sin, and of their lost and perishing condition without a Saviour; others had their bonds loosed, and were brought into the marvellous liberty of the sons of God, and were filled with joy and peace in believing. Whitefield wrote a few days afterwards: "Such a passover has not been heard of. The voice of prayer and praise was heard all night. It was supposed that between thirty and forty thousand people were assembled, and three thousand communicated. The ministers were enlarged, and great grace was among the people. There was a great awakening. A very great and serious concern was visible throughout the whole solemnity. The Lord's people went home much refreshed."

What was the result of all these doings? Was it merely the contagious sympathy of crowds throwing each other into convulsions? or the exciting effects of skilful and pathetic eloquence acting on vulgar and uneducated minds? or the temporary profession of religion in a few, who soon after became notorious backsliders? No. The intelligent account which many

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gave of the struggles in their own minds, the correctness of their theological and moral principles, and their steady persistence in a correct and exemplary course of conduct, gave proof that the moral and spiritual change of character was substantial and real, derived from, and approved by heaven.

Years afterwards, in 1751, when the glare of novelty had gone off, and discussions had arisen about the reality and permanence of the change wrought in individuals who professed to be the subjects of it, the cautious and philosophic Maclaurin gave his attestation of the perseverance of goodly numbers of those who had been awakened in 1742; that there were much fewer backsliders than had been asserted; that even among such there were, through Divine mercy, instances of return; that some who at first were much suspected to be deceivers had, for a tract of time, given to those who knew them best strong proofs of their uprightness: and that the accusations of evil were generally by persons who had gone about in search of bad cases with malignant private scrutiny, and who were accustomed to speak against all who professed religion, whether they ascribed their views to revival scenes or not.*

"Es

Mr. Maclaurin was the author of "Sermons," says," and some "Dissertations on the Prophecies," the last said to be much valued by Bishop Hurd.

This excellent divine died at Glasgow in 1754, at the age of sixty-one, leaving a memory embalmed in the affectionate regards of an awakened, intelligent, and religious people.

PARISH SKETCHES.

NO. V. THE WORKING PARTY AT THE PARSONAGE.

Few things are made more plain in the Bible than the impossibility of the co-existence of a niggard and a "Whoso (says Christian spirit in the same heart. St. John) hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" The book of Proverbs contains absolutely threatening "Whoso stoppeth language against a want of charity. his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." And again, "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his shall have many a curse." On the other hand, eyes nothing can be plainer in the word of God than that the blessing of the common Father of our race is given to those who have it in their hearts "to do good, and to distribute." "Blessed is he (says the Psalmist) that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." "The liberal soul (says Solomon) shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Our blessed Lord, in the delightful lesson of the widow's mite, has for ever done away with the idea that the value of any gift consists

*As an interesting traditional testimony concerning the revivals of the middle of last century, the following may be The Rev. James Clason, of Dalziel, whom we mentioned. personally knew, was in his early life intimate with Dr. Robertson, minister of Cambuslang, where he was assistant to Dr. Meek in 1795, and ordained as pastor in 1797. Mr. Clason preached Dr. Robertson's funeral sermon, in which he said; "Of that blessed revival of religion which took place in 1742 he delighted to speak; and his testimony to the reality of that work is invaluable; for he had been a witness to the Christian life and peaceful death of some who dated their commencement in the divine life from the saving impressions they received at that interesting period."

in its amount. "Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

Now it is quite certain that, in every congregation, there will be those who have noted these things in God's word. Moreover, if the minister have studied "to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," he will have so pressed home on the consciences of his hearers the duty of almsgiving in some shape, that all the better-disposed members of his flock will be very uneasy if they do nothing for those who are less prosperous than themselves.

Our country parson, among others, had well considered these things, and had frequently discussed them with the various members of his flock. He had arrived at the clear conviction that among all classes, but especially among the poor, there was a great promptitude for acts of kindness to the distressed. We are convinced that all our readers, who have had occasion to try the experiment, will endorse this opinion. Those, more especially, who have lived in scattered parishes, where the pernicious habit too often prevails of building solitary cottages in distant portions of a large estate, will have been deeply affected at the ready and self-sacrificing tenderness of the poorer classes towards each other. Yes, poor Mary B times with

out number have we known you to trudge nearly two miles, carrying your baby in your arms, along miry lanes, in the short days of winter, that you might go and tidy up the cottage of a sick woman, who was once your neighbour. You thought little of it, Mary Bbut He who "sat over against the treasury," and prized the widow's insignificant offering above the gold and silver of the rich, observed your self-denial and your love. If we could trace out your history to the close of your laborious existence, there can be no doubt that the God of the widow has been your God, and that you have "in no wise lost your reward."

Our country parson, as we said, had well considered these things, and had endeavoured to devise means by which the undoubted readiness of his little flock might find a vent. We may here say that collections of money after stated sermons by no means meet the case among the country poor. No doubt in towns, and among wealthier congregations, such collections are expedient. In country villages, also, they are not amiss for special purposes, or for societies which cannot be embraced by more systematic appliances. But, as a general rule, we far prefer the careful selection of one or two interesting objects, and employing some one or more of those benevolent persons who are almost always to be found ready for employment, in making weekly, monthly, or quarterly collections, according to the choice of the donors. A specimen of an effort in a right direction will be found on page 30 of last year's

volume of the "Sunday at Home." We have been able to ascertain that that particular effort was crowned with remarkable success, and met with the thorough approval of the congregation to which the proposal was addressed.

But it is a great mistake to suppose that actual money-giving is the only legitimate expression of the charitable feelings of the less wealthy classes. Time and labour are to the full as valuable; often much more so; and, in the case of the very poor, are in every way preferable. There are many of the best friends of the poor who have made this discovery, and are weekly taking advantage of it. To such persons it may be interesting, and to others suggestive, if we describe a working party at the parsonage.

It was considered of much importance, in collecting this working party, to avoid the appearance of withdrawing mothers too frequently from their homes. Once a fortnight, therefore, was assigned as a proper interval. Probably those who are especially busy should be content with once a month. Great punctuality should be observed. The only requisites for attendance at a working party are clean hands and a willing mind. Small powers of needle work should by no means be a hindrance, as there is always rough work, as well as fine, to be done. The promoters of the meeting should collect before hand from their wealthier neighbours the means for purchasing a sufficiency of calico, and flannel, and other materials best suited for the clothing of the poor. Let half past six be the hour of assembling. Let a couple of hours witness the dismissal of the working party to their homes. The first half hour must be spent in giving out the work, and in the consultation which is needful before many busy, and some clumsy fingers can be in full employ. But at seven o'clock, let the head of the household be summoned. If he be a wise minister, he will feel that he has a fine opportunity for usefulness, and will by no means let it slip.

This brings us to consider the object or objects which may most profitably be embraced. The minister's share in the duties of the evening will of course depend on the destination of the work in hand. And here we strongly recommend that the objects and destination of the needlework should be much diversified. Each season, as we think, may advantageously see a change. And this for several reasons. Partly, because to human minds of every class, a little variety is acceptable. Partly also, because to persons of limited reading it is well to prove how endlessly diversified are the forms of human destitution. The feelings of sympathy may be cramped and dwarfed if efforts be directed in the same channel in succeeding years. On the other hand, fresh interest and new energy are imparted to willing fingers if the thoughts are led from time to time into a new groove, and a new phase of human want be presented to the mind.

Hence we are disposed to recommend that for one year, perhaps, some foreign mission be selected. Let a correspondence be opened, if possible, with the wife or schoolmistress of some missionary. This can be managed by communication with one of the many head mission houses in London. The more obvious, and, for the purposes of a working party, decidedly the more interesting, missions are those in North West America, or in other regions where the warmest clothing is required. Having selected the mission, the reading or conversation of the evening will, of course, be directed towards it. The country in which the

633 mission is established will be fully described. The habits, dwellings, pursuits, peculiarities, religion of the inhabitants will be depicted. In many ways an interest in the great work of preaching the gospel to the heathen will be aroused and maintained. In due time, probably in the next season, letters will be received from those to whom the needlework has been conveyed. In these letters, descriptions will be given of the purposes to which the clothing has been applied. The delight of the little suffering children and of their gratified parents will be narrated. Many a humble dweller in a poor cottage home in England may be made to go back to her dwelling, thankful that she has contributed a something towards so excellent a work.

In the next season, either the mission may be changed, or, which is much preferable, some home object may be selected. These are very numerous. For one season, let some town in the manufacturing districts be selected-say Coventry, where great distress has for some years been prevalent. Let the minister of the parish enter into correspondence with a fellow labourer in his Master's vineyard in the town selected. Let him ascertain what is most wanted by the poorer classes, and let the busy fingers of the working party be employed to supply the want. In this case, great interest may be excited by information as to the various manufactures of the country, and as to the population which is employed in them. The hearers may be advantageously led to contrast their own privileges and blessings with the deprivations and trials, in bad times, of those who inhabit the large towns of the midland and northern counties.

We have reserved for the last the object which has, nevertheless, principally occupied the attention of the working party which has assembled in our country parson's drawing room. There is in London an admirable institution, a sort of offshoot of the city mission, which employs carefully selected females in a variety of ways among the very poorest classes. The society is called "The London Bible and Domestic Female Mission." Its objects are, primarily, the dissemination of the word of God by the labours of " Bible women," and, secondarily, the supply of clothes and bedding at very reduced prices to the most indigent mothers in the courts and alleys of the metropolis. Mothers' meetings are held periodically, at which poor women may work up their own materials, under the eye and with the help of the superintendent. Provident funds of all kinds are established. Much instruction of a profitable and useful character is given. If any of our readers will take in, monthly, the numbers of "The Book and its Mission," published by Messrs. Hatchard, we venture to promise that they will obtain a mass of most interesting information. They will learn much as to the state of London, the poverty and degradation of some of its inhabitants, and of the efforts that are being made to relieve their distresses, by a most valuable and important institution. We take the following sentences at random from a recent volume. "I have received by sale of Bibles, 8l. 158. 3d.” "It is with dirt that we have first to grapple, and with disease born of dirt." In contrast with which, a lady superintendent says, "There is now an anxiety amongst the people to tidy up' their places before the next visit. One poor woman who had no soap, had actually rubbed the skin off her face, by washing it with soda, that she might receive the Bible-woman with a clean face." Many of the inhabitants of these miserable dens are Irish, with all the