bodies of the Calvinistic and Arminian Methodists, a considerable degree of fervour and earnestness is discoverable; and I trust there any many well-meaning people: but their religion is superficial; and they are easily deluded into pernicious errors, or unbecoming practices, for want of more complete and clear acquaintance with the system of truth, and the rule of duty. Though the two sects seem totally to differ, yet the same defect is visible in both; only the Arminians are more enthusiastic and joyful, the Calvinists more acquainted with their own hearts, and employed in escaping dejection by a low experience. But, in fact, superficial views of our obligations to holiness, according to the spiritual law of God, and an unperceived tendency to antinomianism, are too common in both-though the Arminians are thought to be in the opposite extreme. The dissenters, both Baptists and Pedobaptists, are of various kinds. Some are of the methodistical cast, and have much life, and not proportionable judgment and depth: others are solid Calvinistic divines, but rather cramped by system and church order; and, with a few exceptions, useful only on a small scale. Others are dry systematics, with little life or unction: and, alas! no small number are avowed Arians and Socinians. A political spirit at present does considerable harm to the cause of vital godliness, and widens our divisions on religious points; an evil which the enemy promotes. In London and some other principal cities and towns, people have abundance of religious advantages; though I fear they do

not proportionably improve them: but in many parts of the country gross darkness prevails in an awful degree.

"If this rude sketch of things, as they appear to me, stir up you and your friends to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers, I have my reward.

"I find I have not mentioned the Presbyterians; about whom a native of North Britain may feel particularly interested: but I dare say you know more of them (even as they exist among us) than I do, as a body of men. best sort of dissenters.

All I know rank with the With best wishes, "Your's sincerely,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

In reading this letter, it will be borne in mind that it was written nearly thirty years ago. The writer would, no doubt, have joyfully and thankfully acknowledged, that, in the period which has since elapsed, a great improvement has taken place in almost all the bodies of professed Christians whom he mentions.-Had he himself revised his letter for the press, he would also certainly have noticed the existence of many excellent individuals, as well as of a large body of "well-meaning " people among the different classes of "Methodists." -The "Presbyterians" will, of course, not be confounded with the Unitarians, who often assume that name. By the "low experience," spoken of, must be understood one in which, though it is hoped that the existence of Christian graces may be traced, yet they are acknowledged to be almost out of exercise.

" DEAR SIR,

"Chapel Street, July 2, 1796.

"I Do not think it possible for me to write more than a few lines with the parcel which you ordered, as I go out of town on Monday, and am liable now to be every moment interrupted....

"It certainly gives me heartfelt satisfaction to learn that the Lord, in any way, makes use of my poor labours to promote his cause, in the least degree: but, though I sometimes want, and always like, these cordials, yet medicines of a rougher species are more generally suited to my case, as pride and vain glory are predominant rank weeds, which my heart brings forth abundantly. I am, however, very sensible that humiliating dispensations often tend to dejection, and then the hands hang down, and the knees wax feeble: till some word spoken in season gives encouragement, and animates to diligence.-Upon the whole, I do not mean to neglect my health, and I hope I do not: but I believe no man does exactly enough, and not too much. We all, or most us, err on both sides frequently. Whether my life be of any peculiar use or not, it is my duty to use proper means of preserving it; and that sense of duty will suffice to influence me to act according to my conviction of what is right.

"I very much rejoice in the earnestness shown by persons of different descriptions to send the gospel among the poor benighted pagans; and I hope the Lord is about to answer the prayers which I, as well as many others, have been making to him for years. My situation, however, as a minister of

the establishment prevents me, by considerations of expediency, from fully uniting with a society' which is looked upon with jealousy by our staunch churchmen, especially our rulers. At the same time I feel it incumbent on me to be cautious how I commit myself in a business which is under the management of persons varying in their views, and in their measure of respectability. Hence I am constrained to be considerably a stranger to the persons selected for missionaries, and to the interior of the management; though I am privately a steady advocate for the institution, and contribute my mite to the cause. In my situation, I cannot make any public collections, or take any other ostensible measures: but my few steady friends liberally support them. I have no doubt that the Lord will eventually bring good out of the design: but probably he may seem first to frown upon it; for it appears to me that many are too sanguine, do not sufficiently count their cost, have not wisdom equal to their zeal, and lean more to favourable providential appearances, and second causes, than to the omnipotent operation of the Holy Spirit. They do not seem sufficiently aware that neither Satan, nor the carnal heart, will suffer the kingdom of darkness to be subverted or assailed without the most determined and tremendous opposition; that it is one thing to teach natural men natural knowledge, and another to expose their vices and superstitions, and attack their consciences; that the

'It can hardly be necessary to observe that the London Missionary Society, instituted in the preceding year, is intended.See above, p. 155-157.

missionaries themselves are men of like passions with others, and the intended post peculiarly dangerous, &c. In short, I admire the zeal and uprightness of many concerned, and am persuaded God will eventually bless them: but I have my doubts about many of their measures; and have an idea that disappointments and delays will be employed to teach the parties concerned patience, meekness, humility, prudence, and simplicity; and that, when some begin to think the cause is about to miscarry, a greater, and more entire, and more explicit reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a more self-annihilating reference of the matter to God, will make way for the desired success. No doubt the leading persons rather differ in character; and perhaps the most spiritual and most wise have not the greatest influence: but I trust all this will be working itself clear; and the Lord will show that it is his work, that he will employ his own instruments, and that it shall be effected not by might, nor by power, but by his own Spirit.-I should think that the several societies in Scotland might so far concur with this in London, as to be mutually helpful: but probably it will be best not to incorporate themselves with it... . .

"The cause of the gospel seems to gain ground in England: but, alas! infidelity, on the one hand, and a bad mixture of antinomianism, on the other, excite many alarms in some of us for the rising generation.

"I have need to apologise for writing so hastily and inaccurately on such important subjects: but I am much straitened for time, and have only given my rough thoughts upon them, which you