Edited from the Original MSS., with Illustrative Notes,
BY THE LATE REV. WM. TAYLOR, M.A., STIRLING.
(Continued from page 289.)
“Sabbath Eve, 18th.—Great was the power and kindness of my adorable Master to-day in supporting and comforting His poor feeble valetudinary servant—in strengthening me for a journey of seven miles; and after lecturing and preaching in the fields to a great congregation, for three hours and a half, and visiting a distressed family by the way in the evening—in bringing me home by the setting of the sun, without the least bodily refreshment of meat or drink, in much better health of body than I enjoyed for some weeks past. What shall I render to the Lord for this new token of His kindness! All glory to His name! Amen.
“Sabbath Eve, 25th.—My infinitely good Master was most graciously assisting to-day in the first and last discourses. Was enabled to display more than usual of the infinite fulness, grace, mercy, and merit of the glorious Redeemer, of which I hope the fruits will appear through the agency of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“Tuesday, 27th.—Conference with several this morning; a great and sweet fellowship-meeting at noon; conference with several in private after the meeting.
“Wednesday, September 11th.—Took leave of one of our elders going to England with his family. His worthy and pious wife said to me at parting, ‘We shall meet no more in all probability on earth; but we shall meet in heaven, where we shall part no more. I must inform you,’ added she, ‘that my soul has been many many times satisfied abundantly—yea, feasted and filled abundantly with Christ and the consolations of His Spirit—under your ministry; which perhaps you would never have heard of, were it not that I look on our parting now as the last interview on earth, and much the same to us as if I was just now dying and bearing my last testimony.’ She wept plentifully all the time; and her little, pleasant, promising child Betty stood all the while weeping by her side. I was exceedingly moved. O Lord, Jehovah-Jireh, go along with this pleasant pious family: provide for them all things needful for life and godliness, etc., etc.
“Monday, October 21st.—Dull and heartless, alas! through most part of this day. Much cheered at eve by a long and delightful conference with a most promising young Christian, M—t M—o, who is passing through the very same exercises whereby the Lord brings His people to stability in grace and meetness for glory. Lord, water and strengthen more and more this pleasant young plant! Amen.
“Tuesday, November 5th.—Long and sweet conference with an eminent saint, and one of the first seals of my ministry in this parish—now an established unshaken believer, and a singular helper to others. Blessed be the Lord for this!
“Wednesday, 13th.—A meeting of the heritors to-day to divide the kirk lofts. Little harmony among them. But blessed be God who put it early in their hearts, contrary to expectation, to build these spacious lofts, whereby a great multitude of poor souls who are hungering and thirsting for the bread and water of life are sheltered and accommodated in hearing the Word!
“Thursday, 14th.—Conference this morning with several of the Lord’s people; from eleven till three a great and delightful fellowship-meeting.
“Tuesday, December 31st.—This being the eve of the expiring year, good cause have I to close it with the warmest sentiments of gratitude and praise to my God, and my father’s God, and my children’s God, for the many instances of His undeserved goodness vouchsafed me and my flock and family during this period. Blessed be His gracious name, this year has exceeded the last, happy as it was, in the number of converts, ‘twixt this parish and the neighbouring people who are thrown waif without pastors whose language they understand. O Lord, grant, for Jesus’ sake, that the new year which is now beginning may exceed this and all former years in the same happy respect! Heaven and earth praise Him for His wonderful goodness to me this year, in which I had more work than ever, and in which I was more remarkably assisted in the public than ever. What shall I render? Glory, glory be to His blessed name for wonderful goodness to my children this year. . . . Blessed be His name, there was no breach made on us this year. O for a heart to praise Him! Meanwhile I have the greatest reason to lie low in the dust on account of my numberless failings and shortcomings in duty. . . . Father, forgive, for Jesus’ sake. Amen! Amen!”
CHAPTER VI.
THE TIDE OF BLESSING AT ITS HEIGHT.
“1766.—January 1st. . . . O may it please the Lord, who sits at the helm of government through all the creation, to make this a glorious and happy year by the propagation of the blessed gospel through the dark benighted nations, particularly through the vast deserts of America. O may He hasten the time when that dreary wilderness will be as Eden—that inhospitable desert as the garden of the Lord! May all the churches be remarkably watered this year, and more especially our poor parched mother-church in Scotland. May proud Dagon fall down this year in pieces before the ark of the Lord! Amen. May this poor corner of the church be blessed this year with a great outpouring of the Spirit from on high, and may my flock and family and soul share plentifully in this long-looked-for revival. O may this be the happiest year we ever saw! May it prove a year of conversion and salvation to sinners, a year of confirmation and salvation to saints—that whoever may live to see the period and conclusion of this year, it may be celebrated with sweeter songs of gratitude and praise, to the glory of free grace and redeeming love, than any former year has been! Amen.”
Such was the prayer with which Mr. Calder began the year 1766. How was it answered? Let us pass at once by anticipation to the last day of December to see:—
“December 31st.—Though this year has not exceeded the last, as far as I can find, in the number of conversions in this place, yet when I consider the depth and solidity of the work, and the superior evidences of reality which attended it, together with the station and rank of some few here who have publicly enlisted themselves last summer under the banner of the cross, I cannot but look on this last year as the happiest of my ministry. All the praise and glory to Him with whom is the residue of the Spirit! I had this year more work, particularly on solemn occasions, than ever I had on any former year; and blessed be His name for ever, I had strength, liberty, and enlargement in proportion to the day and the work! What shall I render to the Lord! Blessed be His name, the voice of liberty and health and joy was in my tabernacle; no breach made in my family; my dear children advancing in grace, wisdom, and learning. O to be humble, thankful, fruitful! O for a heart to praise Him! May heaven and earth praise Him, for I cannot. Meanwhile I have cause to confess with shame and sorrow before the Lord this night my numberless sins, follies, failings, formalities, and neglects during this period as well as in former years—for all which I implore and expect forgiveness for the sake of my adorable Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the ever-blessed Father and Spirit, be all glory and honour and praise and blessing for ever and ever! Amen.”
(To be continued.)