THE SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD, CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE SYNOD OF ANGUS AND MEARNS, TO MASTERS AND SERVANTS WITHIN THEIR BOUNDS, AND MORE ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE LABOURS OF HUSBANDRY. CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,- We earnestly entreat your serious attention to the few words of exhortation, which we now deem it our duty to address you, as Christian masters and servants; and we fervently pray, that a blessing from the God of all grace may descend upon our present humble endeavour to promote, as we fondly trust, both your own personal comfort, and the best interests of your families and labourers. We are very anxious most explicitly to assure you, that we have no desire to interfere with your ordinary management, regarding the accommodation of servants, or the time of their continuing in service; but purpose only to bring under your notice several circumstances in their condition which appear to affect their religious interests, and to secure, if possible, your countenance and co-operation in such measures as may tend, under the divine blessing, to remedy, if not altogether to remove, the evils in question. In the exercise of this office among that important class of our people, we have long observed, with great grief of heart, a growing inclination te shun the ordinary means and opportunities of religious instruction and edification, and to fall away into various idle habits and sinful courses. We observe them, in the progress of their service, necessarily removed, at an early period of life, from the dwellings of their parents-placed together as a separate household, along with others of their own age-exposed, in this way, to the full influence of evil example and corrupt communications-more ready to harden than to help one another in the good use of their leisure time, and the due discharge of their religious duties. We observe them, also, moving so frequently from service to service, and from parish to parish, that it becomes impracticable to bring them within the reach of such instructions and admonitions as their peculiar situation seems to require; while, at the same time, by this incessant shifting from place to place, and sojourning so generally among those who are strangers to themselves and their connections, they are apt to become less ashamed of their ignorance and irregularities, and less concerned about maintaining even the ordinary standard of moral character required in all Christian communities. We are persuaded that, generally speaking, the heads of families in our landward parishes are neither unobservant of these evils, nor unconcerned about their removal; and we are the more encouraged in our present appeal, by the assurance that we have the approbation and good wishes of many of your number in this our united endeavour to increase the means of pastoral inspection and Christian instruction, particularly among the In this alarming state of things, we confidently young and unmarried portion of our agricultural trust, that we shall not fail in this our appeal to population; and the more so, as in this view we your judgment and feelings, as friends of good are not aiming to devise any novel expedients, or morals, lovers of social order, and professing disto exercise any unwarranted powers on our part, ciples of Christ Jesus, deeply conscious of your own but are only consulting, in concurrence with your-responsibility to him as a Master in heaven; but selves, how we may most effectually apply the existing regulations of the Church, and most faithfully fulfil the acknowledged duties of our office. No. 51. DECEMBER 21, 1839.-1fd.] that you will at once concur in our opinion and entreaty, that you should not give in to the too prevailing notion, "that you are concerned with your servants only in their hours of service and [SECOND SERIES, VOL. I. guide of their youth-teaching them to follow his Word of Truth, as the light to their path-accustoming them duly to wait on the services of the Sanctuary, as the wells of salvation—endeavouring, when they go forth to serve among strangers, to procure for them the good counsels of some Christian friend or fellow-servant in their neighbourhood or place of service-bearing them, at all times, on your hearts to the throne of grace, and committing them, with humble hope, to the paternal care of that gracious God, who alone is able to keep them from falling," that he may receive them, and be a father unto them," and that they may be even "as his sons and daughters." performance of work, and have no title to inquire | pray habitually to their Father in heaven, as the into their manner of life and disposal of their time in other respects." We entreat you to bear with us, while we call to your remembrance the peculiar commendation bestowed by Jehovah himself upon the father of believers, respecting the ordering of his family and servants: "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord." And while we exhort you, also, to hold it as a matter of conscience to look to the character and behaviour of your servants, that they may sustain no injury in regard to their souls' welfare, while in your employment, through your negligence; and to make it rather a subject of prayer before God, that their connection with you, however transient, may prove to them a blessing for ever-not leaving them to err from the way of life, but leading them, like the household of Joshua, while serving you, to serve also the Lord;-more particularly, that you will not fail to rebuke and restrain among them every thing like the language of profanity or indecency, and every thing approaching to actual profligacy; -that you will encourage them in the pursuit of useful knowledge, especially in the furtherance of their religious instruction;-that, above all, you will place every wholesome check in your power to prevent them from growing up in the most ruinous of all courses, the forsaking of the house of God, and the profaning of the day of the Lord, but will diligently endeavour, by your admonitions, and example, and family arrangements, to bring it about that your servants, like those of the good centurion, may be duly "present before God, to hear the things commanded them of God," and "the words whereby their souls may be saved." To those of our people who are called, in the providence of God, to serve under a master, especially those who are at the same time heads of families, and who have the prospect of sending forth their own children, or who have already sent them forth, to serve in distant places and in the midst of strangers, we now address ourselves, in the full persuasion that many of your number will cordially bid us God-speed, and cheerfully come forward as fellow-workers in so good a cause. Such we entreat and exhort, as Christian men and parents, to encourage your younger fellowservants to choose the good part, and to serve the Lord Christ; and, as far as in your power, to supply the place of their far-distant parents and friends, as you would wish others to counsel your own sons and daughters in similar circumstances. Especially would we remind you of your own obligations to prepare your own children for encountering the various difficulties and duties of their condition, by teaching them early the fear of the Lord, and, as has generally been the practice of our Scottish peasantry, to do all in your power to secure for them the blessing of a sound scriptural education-taking advantage, in this view, of all the helps provided in schools and Sabbath schools within your reach-training them particularly to To these your sons and daughters we now address, in conclusion, our earnest and affectionate admonition. For their good, more particularly, it is that we have been consulting together-the good, especially, of their precious and immortal souls. For this it is, that we are specially bound to watch, as those who must give account: And for what is it, ye young disciples, that you ought, first of all and most of all, to be concerned? "What shall it profit a man," asks the compassionate Saviour of souls, who best knows their value, "if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" What, therefore, ought we more earnestly to urge upon your consideration, and you to hear with deeper attention, than the things which pertain unto godliness, and which accompany your salvation? Consider, then (as we now solemnly exhort and warn you to do), how many and how precious are the privileges, for the well-being of your souls, with which you are favoured, in the land where your lot is castprivileges, indeed, which no people on the face of the earth enjoy in greater abundance, and which only a small portion of this world's inhabitants do yet possess in any measure. There is the Word of heavenly truth in your hands, which is able to make you wise unto salvation; there is the day of holy rest at your command, to give you time and quietness to mind those things which belong to your peace; there is the house of God within your reach, to which you may freely go with your friends and brethren, to learn his will and seek his blessing; there is his throne of grace, open at all times and in all places, to which you may draw near, through the Great Intercessor, as often as you please," that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." These are all as a price to get wisdom, put into your hands by a gracious Providence-as talents given you to occupy by the great householder, the Lord himself as your Master in heaven, who giveth to every man his work and portion, his place and duty in life, and for which you must all answer and account to him, when he cometh to reckon with his servants. O remember that he will thus come again, as he has said, as the Lord from heaven, "to render to every one according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad," "taking ven geance on them that know not God, and that obey | REVIVALS OF RELIGION IN THE ISLE [Extracted from the Tracts on Revivals, published recently in IN 1805, Mr Farquharson, an itinerant preacher in the Independent connexion, first appeared in Skye. He was from Perthshire, where his ministrations had been much acknowledged; as indeed, they were wherever he proceeded in his labour of love. It is probable, that the "truth as it is in Jesus," had never before been publicly proclaimed in the island which he now visited. From the parochial pulpits, there is too much reason to fear, it did not go forth; and the remoteness of the district had hitherto precluded the visits of those not connected with the Church, who, towards the close of last century and beginning of the present, travelled over the country promulgating sound doctrine and, we believe, sincerely seeking the salvation of souls. When Mr Farquharson appeared in Skye, there is reason to believe, the state of religion was as unfavourable as it had ever been. The novelty of field-preaching on week-days, as well as Sabbaths, by one who held no communion with the clergy, attracted the notice of the people, and they flocked in crowds to hear him. His sermons consisted of powerful and faithful testimonies against the abounding sins of the country, clear and energetic illustrations of evangelical truth, solemn protests against the soul-destroying doctrine of justification by human merit, with affectionate and solemn warnings and invitations addressed to his hearers as lost sinners. His appeals excited great attention and produced no small inquiry among the people. But their external disadvantages were many-few could read, and scarcely any copies of the Sacred Volume were in their possession. In a population of many thousands, not above five or six New Testaments could be numbered, and their value had never been appreciated. Still the preaching of the Gospel continued. In Portree and Snizort, Kilmuir, Diurnish, and Bracadale, Mr Farquharson itinerated for a considerable time-the people heard, and deep seriousness marked their whole demeanour under the word of life. At this time, there lived in the parish of Portree, a person named Donald Munro. ln childhood he had been the victim of small-pox, by which he had lost bis Donald's official character led him to hear Mr Far The Catechist of Portree was no longer a pluralist. He had " got new views," to use his own language, of Scripture truths, of himself, and of the practices of the inhabitants of his island;" and the light which had been given to him he did not put "under a bushel." His official situation afforded him opportunities of speaking in the name of Jesus; and, before he had been hims self a convert for a year, he was made the instrument of turning three or four from the error of their ways to the faith and obedience of the glorious Gospel. But the great awakening did not take place now, nor for a few years after this; nevertheless as the events which follow were connected with that manifestation of divine grace and power, and as they illustrate the ways of God's providence in promoting his purposes of love towards sinners, they are here recorded. In the first place, a prayer-meeting was established. This was in Snizort, the neighbouring parish to Portree. A very few only attended at its establishment; but, in course of time, the numbers increased. The prejudice against it was strong; for nothing of the kind had ever before been heard of in the country, and an innovation of so marked a character was not readily tolerated. But it grew in popularity; and by its means many were induced to attempt to call on the name of the Lord. For two years it flourished. At the end of that time a Baptist preacher appeared in the country. The members of the meeting heard, and some were drawn after him. Eleven were baptized by him-division ensued, and the prayer-meeting was in a short time finally dissolved. In the next place, soon after the institution of this meeting, it pleased the Lord to bring “out of darkness into marvellous light" one of the ministers in the neighbourhood. The gentleman referred to was the late Mr Martin, then of Kilmuir, and latterly of the parish of Abernethy. The change in his doctrine, as well as life and conversation, soon attracted notice, and he was sought unto by those in the country who, by this time, had themselves tasted that the Lord is gracious. The cause of the prayer meeting was espoused by him; and as even men who knew not the saving power of the Gospel in their own experience, esteemed him for his virtues, his countenance given it, secured either their neutrality or favour. As a minister, he was instant in season and out of season; reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all long-suffering and doctrine. The usual result followed-a desire among his parishioners to search the Scriptures, to see that the things which he declared were so. But the Sacred Volume was awanting and no supply was at hand to meet the demand which the preaching of Christ crucified by this good man had produced. What might have followed so prosperous a state of outward privilege no one can say. A very few, it is believed, were during the short period of Mr Martin's living ministry, savingly impressed; but as he removed from the island in about two years after the change in his own character, and the Gospel ceased to be proclaimed-although he left a pious Catechist behind him--no further additions of such as "were ordained to eternal life," were at that time made to the "Church of the living God." And here we may be permitted to remark, how serious a consideration it may be for a minister of the Gospel to remove, under whatever solicitations, from a sphere where indications may be perceived of an incipient work of grace, such as a few years after distinguished this part of Skye. That Mr Martin should be exposed to much that might harass his spirit, under his change of views and character, in the place where his lot was cast-that " living godly in Christ Jesus" he should suffer persecution-may be readily believed, as the experience of another, but more undaunted "fellow-servant" subsequently attested; but surely here was an opportunity to "endure the cross, and despise the shame," connected with the prospect of honouring his Master and promoting his cause, such as does not often occur, and which, not being embraced, is seldom a second time offered to any man. It cannot be wondered that Mr Martin, as we have heard, should in after years have felt and lamented his error. It has been stated, that he left behind him, in the parish of Kilmuir, a pious Catechist. This individual also acted as schoolmaster. But besides his services, the parish now enjoyed the benefit of those of Donald Munro, who had been discharged from his office in Portree, and was therefore not confined in his labours to that locality. Under their direction and conduct, meetings, subsequently to the dissolution of the prayermeeting, were regularly held in the parish, attended by large multitudes; and much interest, apparently, was taken in the things which belonged to their souls. This state of matters, however, lasted not long. The new incumbent did not walk in the steps of his predecessor. The Catechist, disgusted with the new order of things, left the country; and Donald Munro stood singlehanded without even the weight which his former official name afforded. He did not, however, cease his efforts; and, though under many inconveniences, this good man persevered in holding the meetings, encouraged by the great numbers who came desirous to listen to the word of life. But the Lord raised up a new friend to the cause in the person of the late Mr John Shaw, who, about this time, was appointed minister of Bracadale, a parish in the neighbourhood, and situated in the same district of country. He had previously been the assistant of the minister of Diurnish, a parish also in this district; but, acting there in an inferior capacity, his influence, until now, had not been efficiently exerted. He was a holy and humble man-little acquainted with the ways of the world, and naturally little qualified to withstand its opposition, directed, whether insidiously or in open violence, against the interests of Sion. But, whatever his failing in this, his heart trembled for the ark of the Lord-its safety was the object of his deepest solicitude, and the theme of his importunate and constant prayers. He was consequently the friend of the friends of Christ, and, few and despised as they were in Skye, he constituted a rallying point and counsellor, whose unwavering faithfulness, at least, seldom failed them in whatever emergency. Mr Shaw secured for his parish the benefit of Society teachers, all of whom were godly men-one from the Society for propagating Christian Knowledge_another from the Gaelic School Society-and a third from the Inverness Education Society; by whose means a know. ledge of the truths of the Scripture was extensively communicated. And not least in importance, as preparing the way for the work which the Lord was about to perform in this hitherto dark corner of the Church, the minister of Bracadale introduced to the country Mr M'Donald of Urquhart," whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches," and whose rousing appeals to the assembled multitudes who congregated to hear him, caused "no small stir about that way." It was about the year 1812 that the awakening, properly so called, had its commencement about seven years after Mr Farquharson first preached in Skye. It began in the parish of Kilmuir, of which Mr Martin had been minister; and where Donaid Munro's services had been most uniformly bestowed and best appreciated. As there can be no doubt that the meetings held under his management were the means especially employed in the work, it may be proper to state the mode in which the services on these occasions were conducted. We are not here to defend the regularity of these meetings, if this be impugned. It pleased the Lord to bless them; and, considering the circumstances which gave them birth and caused their continuance, he will be a bold man who maintains that they ought to have been suppressed or that they are now to be condemned. The services, on the solemn and happy occasions of which we speak, began with praise and prayer; which were sometimes repeated in course of the occasion, and always concluded the duties for the time. The reading of the Scripture followed the opening of the meetinglarge portions of which were read aloud without note or comment. The works of such authors as were to be had in Gaelic came next-viz., translation of Alleine's Alarm, Boston's Fourfold State, Baxter's Call, Bunyan, Willison, Gray, and Edwards. Then a passage of the Word of God was selected for exposition. Munro, usually, had this part of the service allotted to him: but although few, when he was present, were willing to occupy the place which became him so well, others also, at times, opened up the truths contained in the passage thus commented on. It has already been noted that Donald was a blind man; but, he required the aid of no reader. His memory was stored with the Scriptures; and he had become, literally, a living concordance. Whole chapters could be recited by him without the commission of the slightest error. References, for illustration, were made with a precision which never betrayed, in a single instance, those who followed bim in his exposition by turning to the passages. His style | of address was solemn and deeply impressive-the effect being not a little heightened by the visitation of Providence which had made him an object of sympathy to all, connected with the evidence in him of the riches of His grace who had come "To clear the inward sight; And on the eyeballs of the blind To pour celestial light." accep He spoke as one "scarcely saved"—“ a brand plucked out of the burning"--lately "dead in trespasses and in sins;" but to whom "the grace of the Lord had been exceeding abundant," and who now stood among those of his own country and kindred who knew his "manner of life from his youth," apparently by divine commission, to warn them to flee from the wrath to come; and to proclaim the truth, worthy of all tation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom he had been chief. A holy unction characterised as a sound judgment ruled-all that he said; for his words were weighed in the balance of the sanctuary and were not found wanting. To witness his appearance on the occasions alluded to-if the heart were not melted-was sure to disarm prejudice; and even bitter enemies, whilst they condemned the proceedings, acknowledged that Donald was a good man-honest and sincere in the cause in which he was embarked. Three times every Sabbath day the meetings were held-in the open fields-in barns-or under such shelter as circumstances required, and as at the time could be commanded. But not on the Lord's day only: one stated meeting was held, weekly, at Donald's residence, on another day; and besides this, he travelled to other points in the country round, so that he was rarely disengaged. Great power followed. When this came, the effects were striking in the highest degree; and filled Munro and the other leaders with adoring wonder. That it was the Lord's doing, not man's, soon became so evident that they were made to feel, and exulted to acknowledge, that they were not to be accounted of, and not worthy to be named in connection with the glorious manifestation which it pleased the Most High to vouchsafe of his redeeming love. "What are we and what is our Father's house!" was the language of their hearts while they contemplated the effects of the irresistible power now savingly exerted. It was a common thing, as soon as the Bible was opened, after the preliminary services, and just as the reader began, for great meltings to come upon the hearers. The deepest attention was paid to every word as the sacred verses were slowly and solemnly enunciated. Then the silent tear might be seen stealing down the rugged, but expressive, countenances turned upon the reader-the convulsive and half-suppressed sigh might next be heard -female sobbings followed-and, after a little, every breast was heaving under the unaccountable agitation which moved the spirits of the assembled multitudes. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth; so is every one who is born of the Spirit." Sometimes those affected cried aloud; but this was not common; at other times they threw themselves upon the grass, in the utmost distress, and "wept bitterly." A spirit of prayer and supplication was granted, in a remarkable degree, both upon the leaders of the meetings and upon the people. After the services for the occasion, at any time, were concluded, they were to be seen, in all directions, on their knees, or stretched along the ground, calling upon His name with whom is "the residue of the Spirit." An insatiable desire to hear the Scriptures read and opened prevailed; and no length of service fatigued during " 66 those days of life and power. Hours passed insensibly and the night was often " far spent ere note was made of time." The usual seasons for food were forgotten; and even necessary nourishment was sometimes neglected. The redemption of the soul is indeed precious. When the eyes are enlightened to perceive this truth, and the conscience is awakened, under the operation of the Holy Spirit, to testify the fearfulness of coming short of the great salvation; and when this occurs, not to an isolated individual, but to a multitude circumstanced, in all respects, as those of whom we now speak, who can wonder that such appearances, as have been described, should be exhibited that such results should follow; nay, who that knows the word of God and the mind of man, but might expect that such occurrences should take place? We have called those occasions happy. They were truly so; for there is no joy like that which is felt when a sinner, melted under a sense of sin and of the mercy of God, learns to weep from " godly sorrow" and a blessed persuasion that everlasting love is manifested towards him in the dealings with his soul which be experiences when at one and the same time" repentance towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ" are produced within him by a power which he knows is divine. One striking trait, accordingly, in the character of the meetings, was the life felt and manifested in singing the praises of God. The assembled multitudes engaged in the duty as with "one heart and one soul;" and often seemed as if they knew not how to stop. The utmost cordiality and brotherly love prevailed-every man feeling his heart more tenderly drawn out to his neighbour-and such as were savingly affected experiencing a holy influence leading them to testify for Christ, in the house, and by the way, in private conversation and by a devoted public profession. To be continued. ADDRESS TO LIGHT. BY ALEXANDER Letham, Blind Asylum, Edinburgh. SOURCE of many a fond delight! What can equal thee in speed?— Can the eagle, famed for flight? Can the Arab's nimble steed? Quick as thought thou wing'st thy way Through the regions of the sky; Say, O subtle fluid, say, Who hath taught thee thus to fly? Bids thee hither wing thy flight? With these cheering beams of thine. None but He could e'er have seen That, without thy precious aid, On refraction's crooked way; Light doth ever shine in vain ; |