With my present prospect, mine eye is toward the Lamb. 1st. I am a sinner, and there is no salvation for me but through the blood of the Lamb. 2d. I am a Christian, and there is no acting in this character but through the grace of the Lamb. 3d. I am a mi◄ nister, and I can neither fulfil the duties of that of fice, nor exemplify the graces of the station, but by virtue of communications from the Lamb. What then? I write it, and let it stand upon record, that the Lamb is the source of all my hope, the life of my soul, and the God of my salvation. Particularly with respect to the work before me, I would request, 1st, that the honour of the Lamb may chiefly be my aim. 2dly, That the truths of the Lamb may be dear to my soul, and deeply impressed on my heart. 3dly, That I may be enabled to speak them with seriousness and solemnity, so as to command the attention and win the affections of those that hear me, not to myself, but to the Lamb. And, 4th, that at the communion table I may resign myself, my family, my flock, my all, to the worthy Lamb, in the truth and sincerity of my heart. Amen.

Tranent, March 3, 1807.-I would fain hope that the word of the Lord is not preached in vain, the divine spirit alone can give it efficacy and success; we must wait his time, abounding in prayer and thanksgiving. Let me attend to these duties, the Lord hath dealt well with me-I think he hath given me the answer of my requests in a note marked February 26. I have abundant reason to bless his holy name-let me think, speak, act, live, die, to his glory. I look forward to my immortality with hope that it shall be devoted to the praises of him that sitteth on the throne, and the

Lamb. O that now the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne may lead us, and feed us, and give us to feel the workings of his grace under present duties and difficulties, till, with eternal delight and satisfaction, we are gathered to the innumerable multitudes before the throne, where we shall see his face, and serve him without weariness, without interruptions, and without end-the Lord God and the Lamb is the light thereof. How childish and feeble are our present conceptions! But I will hope to the end, and when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away-we shall see him as he is.

Tranent, October 26, 1807.-Near three month's have elapsed since I last wrote on this paper; during that time various providences have occurred in my personal and relative concerns have been blessed with merciful, and tried with afflictive dispensations. To me and my family God hath been gracious; his merciful kindness is great, and ought to meet on our part with the most grateful acknowledgments. These I aim at rendering to him in our religious exercises; and feel, I think, that force constraining me to the duties of the family and the closet. It is not for me to know how soon there may be a reverse; but this I know, that future events are in the power of my God and Father, to whose will I desire to be submissive at all times. He keeps us in mind of our mortality in the death of others. Another of my sisters died on the 7th, and was interred on the 12th of this month.-Comfortably married in Edinburgh, she lived, I hope, in the fear of God, and may be numbered among the blessed dead who die in the Lord. Our mutual intercourse had been long and

seldom or never suffered an interruption; it is now terminated, and let me acquiesce with the will of the Lord. What a humbling sight! a friend, an acquaintance, a brother, or a sister, laid in their cold and comfortless mansion the grave. On this occasion my feelings were moved, and I was almost overpowered. What poor things we are with all our pride and stateliness! we are brought to this dark and narrow house; the worm is spread under us, and the worms cover us: may the thought ever penetrate and impress my mind, and actuate me in the whole of my behaviour. Perhaps I may be the next of the family; the Lord knows, though I know not-it is enough for me to be ready. Let death find me in Christ, active in his service, and looking for his coming-blessed are those servants that are found so doing. To widowed persons, to parentless children, to bereaved relations, these dispensations speak loudly and earnestly. May we understand their language, and comply with their designs. Faith in the living Redeemer, and a lively hope of living with him, is all in all to the believer's comfort. "I know that my Redeemer liveth," &c.

For some Sabbaths past I have been animated and invigorated in the work of the Lord; with humility and thankfulness I mention it, and desire to give him the glory I contemplate his greatness, and recollect my own weakness, and subscribe myself a dog, or a worm, or a beast. R. SHIRREFF. «

Tranent, Nov. 17, 1807.-As for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face continually." I may not be able to apply these words in all their extent, but do not apprehend my

self to be an entire stranger to them-blessed be God for any experience I have of them. With him who first spake them, I will add, "as for me, I will walk in mine integrity. Redeem me, O Lord, and be mer◄ ciful to me-my foot standeth on an even place-in the congregations will I bless the Lord." This I aim at, and will pursue-strengthening myself in the Lord, and labouring to advance, in my humble sphere, the interest and the glory of his name. He hath been mindful of me, and will, I hope, bless me more and more. What shall I render? I can render nothing adequate to what I have received. Yet it becomes me to say, and I do say it, "O Lord, truly I am thy ser vant," &c. Alas! that I should be so timid and inactive in his service. It pains me to hear so much idle talking among some of ourselves about the time of a sacrament; yet not having courage, I cannot res◄ train it, and wanting readiness for conversation, I cannot introduce what is seasonable and profitable. I sit, therefore, often silent, lamenting that we should be so unedifying in our interviews with one another. The Lord make us all good ministers of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tranent, Dec. 24, 1807.-Congregational fast and thanksgiving,-alone in the public services. Isaiah i. 4. and Isaiah xvii. 7. were the passages explained and applied; thought the latter of these particularly seasonable, as the present is a day in which a man should look unto his Maker, &c. Have been preaching this text and sermon to myself-think I am very blameable in looking more to the creature than to the Crea tor, and that God has chastised me for my conduct, embittering some of my creature comforts, and de

priving me of others of them. Now I will look to my Maker and to my God, and expect from him sup port in life, comfort in death, and glory in heaven. But is he my God? how can I doubt of it? I hope in his word, am devoted to his service, and feel all that is within me saying, 66 yea, mine own God is he." Well, since he is my God, I will love him, and serve him, and cleave unto him; " persuaded that neither life, nor death, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall separate me from him." My heart shall be reserved for him, my gold and my silver shall be holiness unto him, my life shall be spent in his service, and my death, I hope, shall be for his glory. Thoughts of death are frequent in my mind; let me anticipate and familiarize this event, and hope, when it comes, the Lord will make me as willing to leave this world as he is ready to take me out of it. Have often felt, and do feel, an ardent desire that I may die cheerfully, willingly, and speaking to the praise of my God and Saviour, the good Master in whose service, so far as he is concerned, I have lacked nothing-but, alas! woes me for myself!

Another year is near the close-during the course of it what smiles, what frowns, what mercies, what judgments, what crosses, what comforts, have occur. red! I foresee the end of men and things-of time itself; but I look to my Maker as the everlasting God, and the portion of my soul for ever. My days are as a shadow that declineth; I must wither as grass, but the Lord shall endure for ever, and the remembrance," &c. With God I close, and put my name to it, R. SHIRREFF.

Tranent, Feb. 18, 1808. Fast evening.-On Sab bath, if God permit, we intend to celebrate sacra