in putting forth his hand to sow the seed of the kingdom, a man may even tremble! And surely we should aim at nothing less than to pour forth the truth upon our people through the channel of our own living and deeply affected souls.

"After announcing the subject of his discourse, he used generally to show the position it occupied in the context, and then proceed to bring out the doctrines of the text in the manner of our old divines. This done, he divided his subject; and herein he was eminently skillful. 'The heads of his sermons,' said a friend, were not the milestones that tell you how near you are to your journey's end, but they were nails which fixed and fastened all he said. Divisions are often dry; but not so his divisions-they were so textual and so feeling, and they brought out the spirit of a passage so surprisingly.'

"It was his wish to arrive nearer at the primitive mode of expounding Scripture in his sermons. Hence, when one asked him if he was never afraid of running short of sermons some day, he replied--' No; I am just an interpreter of Scripture in my sermons; and when the Bible runs dry, then I shall.' And in the same spirit he carefully avoided the too common mode of accommodating texts-fastening a doctrine on the words, not drawing it from the obvious connection of the passage. He endeavored at all times to preach the mind of the Spirit in a passage; for he feared that to do otherwise would be to grieve the Spirit who had written it. Interpretation was thus a solemn matter to him. And yet, adhering scrupulously to this sure principle, he felt himself in no way restrained from using, for every day's necessities, all parts of the Old Testament as much as the New. His manner was first to ascertain the primary sense and application, and so proceed to handle it for present use. Thus, on Isaiah xxvi, 16–19, he began-This passage, I believe, refers literally to the conversion of God's ancient people.' He regarded the prophecies as history yet to be, and drew lessons from them accordingly as he would have done from the past. Every spiritual gift being in the hands of Jesus, if he found Moses or Paul in the possession of precious things, he forthwith was led to follow them into the presence of that same Lord who gave them all their grace.

"It is difficult to convey to those who never knew him a correct idea of the sweetness and holy unction of his preaching. Some of his sermons, printed from his own MSS., (although almost all are first copies,) may convey a correct idea of his style and mode of preaching doctrine. But there are no notes that give any true idea of his affectionate appeals to the heart and searching applications. These he seldom wrote; they were poured forth at the moment when his heart filled with his subject; for his rule was to set before his hearers a body of truth first-and there always was a vast amount of Bible truth in his discourses-and then urge home the application. His exhortations flowed from his doctrine, and thus had both variety and power. He was systematic in this; for he observed-' Appeals to the careless, &c., come with power on the back of some massy truth. See how Paul does, Acts xiii, 40: "Beware, therefore, lest," &c.; and, Hebrews ii, 1: "Therefore, we should," &c.'"-Pp. 60-62.

These paragraphs would furnish a text for a long dissertation upon preaching. And though it would well accord with our inclinations, the number of points we have in reserve will not permit us to enter this field. We may, however, be allowed, by the way, to express the hope that they will not be allowed to pass, especially by our younger brethren in the ministry, without serious consideration.

Mr. M'Cheyne became deeply interested in the plan for "church extension," and also in the movement in opposition to the encroachments of the government upon the rights and privileges of the church, which resulted in the disruption of the Kirk and the organization of the Free Church of Scotland. In the public measures which were instituted for the furtherance of these objects he became an active agent, traveling abroad and addressing assemblies with great effect.

He also imbibed the spirit of an evangelist, frequently making short preaching tours through neighboring parishes. To this his people objected, as his labors were held in so high estimation by his parishioners that they were unwilling he should be absent from a single appointment. His parish was large, and his duties laborious. And though his preaching, lecturing, meeting Bible classes, catechising, attending prayer meetings, visiting the sick, the poor, and the neglected, might seem to be employment sufficient for two healthy men, yet, in addition to all this, he found time to read, to write, and to go beyond the bounds of his own parish to serve the general interests of the cause of Christ. His zeal was as a pent-up fire, which often breaks through all barriers, and sends forth a blaze which illuminates the whole heavens.

But such zeal, such untiring labors, could not long be sustained by a frame which had already been weakened by excessive application to study. His labors were several times interrupted for a season by attacks of disease, which were regarded by him as premonitions of his approaching end. He now preached like a dying man to dying men, and his labors were crowned with success.

Mr. M'Cheyne became much interested in the "Mission among the Jews," and finally joined a "commission" for the investigation of the condition of the Jews in the Holy Land, and various other countries. He was induced to enlist in this enterprise from the fact that an attack of palpitation of the heart had laid him up, and he was advised by his physicians that he must wholly refrain from preaching for a time, and that probably traveling would be of service to him. The results of that mission may be seen in the "Narrative of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews, from the Church

of Scotland, in 1839." He considered his call to this mission as a special opening of Providence; and though his people knew not how to part with him, they committed him to God, and quietly submitted to what they considered a sort of judgment from Heaven. But God did not leave the flock when he had removed the shepherd. Under the labors of Mr. Burns, who supplied his place during his absence, the parish was visited with a glorious outpouring of the Spirit. Mr. Burns seemed well suited to follow Mr. M'Cheyne. He was a young man of great power in the pulpit, and of a truly Christian spirit. The people were cut to the heart under the word, and multitudes, as on the day of Pentecost, "cried out, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" We should like to give several interesting particulars in relation to this revival, but cannot without extending this paper to too great length.

We have many interesting and instructive details of events and incidents which occurred to the travelers in their journey; also many fine descriptions of objects and scenes of a most thrilling character, which would be read with great interest and profit, but we can merely give one specimen, and that relates to the most interesting of all the locations they visited—that is, Jerusalem :

"In approaching Jerusalem, we came up the Pass of Latroon. He writes: The last day's journey to Jerusalem was the finest I ever had in all my life. For four hours we were ascending the rocky pass upon our patient camels. It was like the finest of our highland scenes, only the trees and flowers, and the voice of the turtle, told us that it was Immanuel's land.' Riding along, he remarked, that to have seen the Plain of Judea and this mountain-pass, was enough to reward us for all our fatigue; and then began to call up passages of the Old Testament Scriptures which might seem to refer to such scenery as that before us.

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During our ten days at Jerusalem, there were few objects within reach that we did not eagerly seek to visit. 'We stood at the turning of the road where Jesus came near, and beheld the city, and wept over it. And if we had had more of the mind that was in Jesus, I think we should have wept also.' This was his remark in a letter homeward; and to Mr. Bonar of Larbert, he expressed his feelings in regard to the Mount of Olives and its vicinity: I remember, the day when I saw you last, you said, that there were other discoveries to be made than those in the physical world—that there were sights to be seen in the spiritual world, and depths to be penetrated, of far greater importance. I have often thought of the truth of your remark. But if there is a place on earth where physical scenery can help us to discover divine things, I think it is Mount Olivet. Gethsemane at your feet leads your soul to meditate on Christ's love and determination to undergo divine wrath for us. The cup was set before him there, and there he said,

"Shall I not drink it?" The spot where he wept makes you think of his divine compassion, mingled with his human tenderness-his awful justice, that would not spare the city-his superhuman love, that wept over its coming misery! Turning the other way, and looking to the south-east, you see Bethany, reminding you of his love to his ownthat his name is love-that in all our afflictions he is afflicted-that those who are in their graves shall one day come forth at his command. A little further down you see the Dead Sea, stretching far among the mountains its still and sullen waters. This deepens and solemnizes all, and makes you go away, saying, 'How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"-Pp. 87, 88.

Mr. M'Cheyne's return to his beloved people was an event of great interest both to him and to them. The following is the description of the scene :—

"His people, who had never ceased to pray for him, welcomed his arrival among them with the greatest joy. He reached Dundee on Thursday afternoon; and in the evening of the same day-being the usual time for prayer in St. Peter's-after a short meditation, he hastened to the church, there to render thanks to the Lord, and to speak once more to his flock. The appearance of the church that evening, and the aspect of the people, he never could forget. Many of his brethren were present to welcome him, and to hear the first words of his opened lips. There was not a seat in the church unoccupied, the passages were completely filled, and the stairs up to the pulpit were crowded, on the one side with the aged, on the other with eagerly listening children. Many a face was seen anxiously gazing on their restored pastor; many were weeping under the unhealed wounds of conviction; all were still and calm, intensely earnest to hear. He gave out Psalm lxvi, and the manner of singing, which had been remarked since the revival began, appeared to him peculiarly sweet-' so tender and affecting, as if the people felt that they were praising a present God.' After solemn prayer with them, he was able to preach for above an hour. Not knowing how long he might be permitted to proclaim the glad tidings, he seized that opportunity, not to tell of his journeyings, but to show the way of life to sinners. His subject was 1 Cor. ii, 1, 4;—the matter, the manner, and the accompaniment of Paul's preaching. It was a night to be remembered.

"On coming out of the church, he found the road to his house crowded with old and young, who were waiting to welcome him back. He had to shake hands with many at the same time; and before this happy multitude would disperse, had to speak some words of life to them again, and pray with them where they stood. To thy name, O Lord,' said he that night, when he returned to his home, 'to thy name, O Lord, be all the glory.' A month afterward he was visited by one who had hitherto stood out against all the singular influence of the revival, but who that night was deeply awakened under his words, so that the arrow festered in her soul, till she came crying, 'O my hard, hard heart!"-P. 105.

Mr. M'Cheyne now resumed his work with great spirit and corresponding success. A brief note or two from his diary will give the reader some idea of both his labors and the blessing with which they were crowned.

"March 5, Thursday evening.-Preached on Zech. iii.—Joshua. Was led to speak searchingly about Christ the minister of sin. young woman cried aloud very bitterly. M. B. came to tell me that poor M. is like to have her life taken away by her parents. A young woman also who is still concerned, and persecuted by her father. A young man came to tell me that he had found Christ. Roll on, thou river of life! visit every dwelling! save a multitude of souls. Come, Holy Spirit! come quickly.""

"Reached home; entirely unprepared for the evening. Spoke on Psalm li, 12, 13, "Restore unto me the joy," &c. There seemed much of the presence of God-first one crying out in extreme agony, then another. Many were deeply melted, and all solemnized. Felt a good deal of freedom in speaking of the glory of Christ's salvation. Coming down, I spoke quietly to some whom I knew to be under deep concern. They were soon heard together, weeping bitterly; many more joined them. Mr. Cumming spoke to them in a most touching strain, while I dealt privately with several in the vestry. Their cries were often very bitter and piercing, bitterest when the freeness of Christ was pressed upon them, and the lion's nearness. Several were offended; but I felt no hesitation as to our duty to declare the simple truth impressively, and leave God to work in their hearts in his own way. If he saves souls in a quiet way I shall be happy; if in the midst of cries and tears, still I will bless his name."-Pp. 114, 121.

God grant that such scenes may be more frequent in Scotland, and may never become strange in our own country, where "these signs" have in so many instances followed the faithful preaching of God's word.

Mr. M'Cheyne was now near the close of his earthly pilgrimage. The zeal of the Lord's house was eating him up. His physical frame was literally burning out,-such was the intenseness of the fire within him. His release from the toils and cares of earth came on March 21st, 1843. He died with a few days' illness. His attack was violent, and baffled all medical skill. But he was ready for the summons. How he triumphed in the final struggle will be seen in the following notices:

"Next day he continued sunk in body and mind, till about the time when his people met for their usual evening prayer meeting, when he requested to be left alone for half an hour. When his servant entered the room again, he exclaimed with a joyful voice, 'My soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and I am escaped.' His countenance, as he said this, bespoke inward peace. Ever after he was observed to be happy; and at supper-time that