the conviction of his maturer judgment, that he had then no right notions of divine things. "I was taught to pray," he says, "and prayed, when I knew not what prayer was; but now I would not give over prayer for the universe."

At school he made considerable proficiency in his education, till the death of his teacher. A new teacher succeeded, who does not appear to have been equally attentive to his pupil, for a reason which must always have great weight with selfish men, because his parents were poor. Other employment was found for him than the lessons of the day: "I was much toiled by running his errands, which I was necessitated to do through poverty." When he afterwards reflected on this period of his life, he concluded with Solomon, that "childhood and youth are vanity," and deplored the waste of it in thoughtlessness and sin. "It can afford me," he says, "nothing but melancholy reflections, did not the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse from all sin. How many months were spent without one serious thought of God, or one prayer to the God of my life! In what scenes of vanity and folly did I spend my youth! God and my own heart were and are conscious of as much sin as might damn me, though I was preserved from any gross outbreakings When I look back, this is a proper confession for me, "Lord, thou knowest my folly, and my sins are not hid from thee. Remember not the errors of my youth, but' pardon mine iniquity, for it is great."

After he had arrived at the age of thirteen or fourteen, he began to relish religion more than ever he had done before. Three things in particular are remarked by him concerning himself at this period. First, That, though then young, he had conceived a

warm regard for the holy scriptures, and loved the duty of secret prayer. "I retired by myself, and read, and prayed; and put on resolutions to perform this heavenly duty oftener than twice a-day. So from the Psalmist's resolution I copied mine, "As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice." Secondly, That the Sabbath began to become sweet to him. From the instruction of my parents, the example of Christian neighbours, and, might I add,. the grace of God within me, I had a profound veneration for the sabbath, and was displeased with the least profanation of it. O that it were so still! but I must say it with shame, I have not lived up to the love of mine espousals, the kindness of my youth." Thirdly, That he was often employed in religious meditation, and found inexpressible pleasure in it. "Sometimes I would have wondered to find one whistling alone by the way, thinking he had better be meditating on divine things, as I did: This sometimes was my happy exercise." In what manner, however, the gracious change which about this time took place on him was effected, nothing has been found among his papers distinctly to shew: but from some expressions employed by him, there is reason to conclude that he had no remarkable experience of legal terror. "Some," says he," are overcome by the sweetness of religion into a love with it, as Zacheus was drawn by Christ's charming voice, so that without dread or delay he received him joyfully. "Thy word was found of me, and I did eat it, and it became the rejoicing of my heart."

He was now in his fifteenth year, and, as he expresses it, "grown to the age of thinking and choosing for

himself," when, for the first time, he went "from choice" to hear a sermon by one of the ministers who had some years before separated from the communion of the established church. The sermon was remarkably blessed to him; he was led to inquire into the grounds of the Secession; and his inquiries issued in an attachment which continued undiminished through life. "From this time, being about fifteen or sixteen, I heard none else, and at last joined the Secession; and alas! that the increasing defections of the Church of Scotland, for which my heart trembles, should make me still approve of my procedure."

The following year, an event of a very afflictive kind took place, which appears to have been eminently useful to him. The hand of God inflicted a heavy stroke on the family, in the death of their eldest son, William, at the age of twenty-five. He had been early religious; but having been educated as a surgeon, he soon removed from under the immediate inspection of his parents, and served for some years a gentleman of that profession in Dunse, who made religion no part of his concern; and the consequence was, that his early impressions were greatly effaced by the conversation and example of those with whom he had intercourse. Having at length formed the resolution of going to sea, he went to Carnwath to take farewell of his parents. His stay having been protracted beyond his expectation or wish, they remarked with grief, the sad change which had taken place during his absence, and employed all the influence of their prayers, and of their expostulations with him, for his reformation. For some time all was without effect. Providence, however, continuing by various means to throw obstacles in the way of his going abroad, he was at length brought to see the hand of

Heaven in it, and led to more serious thoughts than before. "Ephraim is an heifer; but God passed over her fair neck;" so, says his brother, "it fared with him. He began to consider his ways, to relish religion, to be conscientious in the duty of prayer; and not only was his conversation but converse changed, to the no small joy of his friends." After this happy change he began to assist his father in his business, and promised to be the joy and the support of his declining years. But the ways of God are often mysterious. He was seized with a nervous fever, which in the short space of eight days laid him silent in death, on the 19th of April, 1746. "Joy and grief,” his brother remarks, "were mingled on this occasion; grief at his death, but joy that he died in such a hopeful condition." He adds, "The conversation and prayers of his Christian acquaintances who visited him during his illness, made an impression on my mind, which I hope will never be effaced."

The shock which this dispensation gave to his aged parents, may be more easily conceived than expressed. They had buried six sons, besides a daughter, and in the grave with the eldest, they now buried their hopes of comfortable support in the decline of life. James, their only remaining son, was in the 17th year of his age; promising enough indeed, but unprovided for, and incapable of assisting the family in their straits. It had for some time been his desire to prosecute his studies with a view to the holy ministry; but the situation of his parents did not furnish him with the means. After spending the summer in contrivances how to proceed, and in the perusal of such books as were within his reach, he formed the resolution of oing to Edinburgh in the beginning of winter, along

his mother, whose presence was necessary there

on account of the law-suit formerly mentioned. On his arrival, he engaged a private teacher to assist him in his studies, who, for reasons known to himself, after receiving his money, chose within a few weeks suddenly to leave the place; and being unable to engage another, he found it necessary to return to Carnwath, leaving his mother behind him, and disappointed for the present in his favorite object.

A greater calamity succeeded. He had not been long at home, before his father was seized with a violent fit of asthma, which carried him off in a few days, in the month of February, 1748; and before he had opportunity to inform his mother, and elder sister who had gone to visit her, of his illness.

The shattered remains of the family, deprived of their last support, after spending some time in un availing grief, and melancholy reflections on the des. titute condition to which they were reduced, removed to Edinburgh before Whitsunday; "but with what money," says Mr. Meikle, "will scarcely be believed; with little more than sufficient to pay carriage, and bear our charges by the way." God, however, raised up a friend to aid them in their necessity. "A gentle. woman who lived next door to us, who had been a daughter of many afflictions, but to whom they had been sanctified, and who spent much of her time in prayer, showed us no little kindness." By the humanc attentions of this lady, and the industry of Mrs. Meikle and her elder daughter, who span or sowed as they found employment, the few wants of the family were supplied during the summer.

But James had now entered the 19th year of his age, with little education, and without an occupation by which he could earn his daily bread. His mind was still directed towards the holy ministry, and