A Letter to the late Rev. David Black, Edinburgh.
BY THE LATE REV. ALEXANDER STEWART, D.D., OF MOULIN, DINGWALL, AND EDINBURGH.
(Fourth Edition, 1815.)
(Continued from page 260.)
I OBSERVE among our young converts a considerable variety of frames, but a striking uniformity of character. They are dejected or elevated, according as their regard is more fixed on their own deficiencies and corruptions, or on the glorious sufficiency of Christ. But all of them are characterised by lowliness of mind, by a warm attachment to each other, and to all who love the Lord Jesus, and by the affections set on things above. I know no instances among them of persons trusting for comfort or direction to dreams or visions, impulses or impressions; and hardly an instance of seeking comfort from external signs or tokens, arbitrarily assumed by the enquirer, after the example of Abraham’s servant (Genesis xxiv. 14), and of Gideon (Judges vi. 36, 40).
We have not yet to lament any great falling off in those who appeared to have once undergone a saving change. There may be persons who were for a time enquiring, with some apparent earnestness, and afterwards fell back to their former unconcern. I have reason to suspect that there may be several in this situation, though I have not access to know the exact state of their minds. May the Lord discover it to themselves in time! But all, so far as I know, who seemed to have been once truly humbled for their sins, and made to feel in their hearts the grace of God in the gospel, continue thus far to maintain a humble, spiritual, conscientious walk. They have a constant appetite for the sincere milk of the word, and for Christian fellowship with one another. The younger sort have lost their former levity of speech and behaviour, and are become devout and sober-minded; those more advanced in life have laid aside their selfishness and worldly-mindedness, and are grown humble, contented, and thankful.
The external effects of a general concern about religion have appeared in the behaviour even of those who do not seem to have experienced a change of heart. While the younger people attended a Sabbath-school, those who were grown up used to spend the evening of that day in sauntering about the fields and woods in gossiping parties, or visiting their acquaintance at a distance without improving their time by any profitable exercise. Now there is hardly a lounger to be seen; nor any person walking abroad, except going to some house or meeting where he may hear the Scriptures read. Swearing, profane talking, foolish and indecent jesting, have in a great measure ceased. At late wakes where people assemble to watch by the body of a deceased neighbour, the whole night used to be spent in childish, noisy sports and pastimes. Even the apartment where the corpse lay was the scene of their revelry. This unnatural custom, which is still pretty general over a great part of the Highlands, is almost wholly discontinued in this part of the country. They still assemble on such occasions, but they pass the time in reading the Bible or some religious book, and in sober conversation.
In reply to your request of relating a few of the more remarkable cases of conversion which have occurred among this people, I must say that I have little uncommon to communicate. I have mentioned already that almost all our converts have been brought to serious concern and enquiry in a quiet, gradual manner. To an intelligent observer the change in the conversation, temper, deportment, and the very countenance of individuals is striking; the change, too, on the general aspect of the manners of the people is conspicuous. The effect is thus, on the whole, obvious; yet there are few particulars in the case of each person, which, taken singly, will appear uncommon, or worthy of being detailed in a separate narrative. We have no instances of persons remarkable for profligacy of manners or profaneness of speech who have been reclaimed from such enormities, because there was none of that description to be found in our society. The change has been from ignorance and indifference, and disrelish of divine things, to knowledge and concern and spiritual enjoyment. Neither are there among us examples of persons suddenly struck and impressed by some alarming event or singular interposition of Providence. The word of truth proclaimed in public, or spoken in private, has been almost the only outward mean of producing conviction of sin and confidence in the Saviour. In every single case the power of God is visible in the effect produced, but there is little “diversity of operation.” Instead of endeavouring to paint the beauties of holiness in the scene around me, I rather wish to prevail with you and other friends who know how to enjoy such a spectacle, to “come and see.”
I have thus, my dear Sir, endeavoured to give a concise view of the prosperous state of religion in this congregation for the last two or three years. We still have the happiness to find, from week to week, that the same concern and awakening is spreading around and extending to some neighbouring congregations. Within these few weeks persons from six and seven miles distance have called here on a Sabbath morning under evident concern about their souls. On a succeeding Sabbath the same persons have called again, introducing a relation or fellow-servant under similar concern. All of these, so far as can be judged from present appearances, are in a hopeful way. Such is the manifold grace and loving-kindness with which it has pleased the Lord to visit this corner of His vineyard. I trust that all our Christian brethren who may receive the joyful intelligence will join us in praying, that God may continue to water with showers of blessings, “this vine which His own right hand hath planted;” and that no boar from the wood may be allowed to waste it, nor worm at the root to smite it that it wither.—I am, etc.