1778.] DIARY. 409 precious things that drop from his lips from time to time. I never saw any person enjoy so much uninterrupted peace of mind, or so strong a faith as he does. The particulars I shall send you after his decease, when I get time to write out at length the notes I am taking from day to day." Saturday, June 13.-Yesterday, at nine o'clock, it pleased God to take to himself my very dear friend and pastor, Mr Sheriff. He was enabled on Thursday to speak from ten in the morning till near ten at night, almost without intermission, to the praise of glorious grace. He gave me many exhortations, and said, Submit, it is the Lord's doing; we shall live together with him for ever: he has saved me; he will save you, my dear friend. His last words were-All is well. The Lord most wonderfully supported me during the last two days and nights of his life, enabling me to attend him during that time, without weariness. I felt uncommon power to believe and acquiesce in the Lord's will. He is now with his God. O that his dying words may make a suitable impression on my heart; may I never forget the awful but instructive scene; may I listen to the voice of God through him, and persevere in his work to the end. May I give up all for Christ, and bear all his dispensations with patience. May I see my friend in glory, and be for ever with the Lord. Amen and Amen. Sabbath, June 14.-This day I was enabled to attend public worship, after which I visited the place where Mr Sheriff was to be laid. These words came with much force to my remembrance, His flesh shall rest in hope-sown in weakness,-raised in power! * Afterwards I was present at the chesting, and I was supported wonderfully through the whole ceremony; and at the evening sermon in the Barnton chapel, I was enabled to believe that all was well. The last melancholy services due to the dead, are not, in Scotland, left to undertakers and their attendants.-The body is washed and swathed, and laid out by the sick-nurse, or servants of the household. When it is to be put into the coffin, the relations, and most intimate friends, to whom affection and respect are intended to be shown, are invited to attend as witnesses. The performance of this duty is done by the nearest relations, with great solemnity, and profound silence. This office being performed, if a clergyman is present, which is often the case, he closes the solemnity by appropriate prayer, and this is called the chesting. When the company invited to the funeral are collected, immediately before carrying out the corpse to the grave, a clergyman also offers a suitable prayer; and this is the only religious funeral service used in Scotland, excepting by those of the Episcopal Church. 1778.], MR HODGSON INVITED 411 CHAPTER XVII. Lady Glenorchy directs her attention to supply the vacancy occasioned by Mr Sheriff's death-The offer of the chapel is made to the Rev. Mr Hodgson-Extracts from Diary-Lady Glenorchy goes to Taymouth-Extracts from Diary, from July 13, to September 2, 1778Lady Glenorchy returns from Taymouth, and comes to EdinburghMr Hodgson declines accepting the chapel-Lady Glenorchy again thrown into perplexity—Mr Dickie sent to London to offer the chapel to the Rev. Mr Clayton-Extracts from Diary, from October 28, to December 8, 1778-Letter from Lady Glenorchy to Mr Jones, requesting him to aid her in inducing Mr Clayton to accept of the chapel-Mr Clayton declines-Letter from Lady Glenorchy to Mr Jones, inviting him to supply the chapel for a few months, which he complies with Offer of becoming the minister of the chapel made to him, which he accepts-His ordination in London-Returns to Edinburgh, and enters on his ministerial duties-Extracts from Diary, from January 3, to May 30, 1779. WHEN Mr Sheriff's remains were removed to their long home, and his mother, and other friends who had attended him in his last days, had departed, Lady Glenorchy left Barnton, and went to Edinburgh. From the comfortless state in which her mind is usually seen, it might be thought that this event would have much increased it; but it should be remembered, that it was not temporal afflictions altogether that occasioned her distresses; for these she could bear with a fortitude rarely shown by her sex; her distress was occasioned chiefly by spiritual mortifications, on account of imperfection in the sight of God, and these may be said to be the only source of her mental pain: hence, on this occasion, her attention being turned aside for a little from the old subject of her complaints, she appeared not merely composed and resigned, but rejoicing in tribulation. On her return to Edinburgh, her first employment was to supply the vacancy which had occurred in her chapel. She called together for this purpose, those friends who most interested themselves in her concerns. After prayer for divine direction, she advised with them what was best to be done. Their unanimous opinion was, that Mr Joseph Hodgson, minister of Carmunnock, ought to be invited to accept of the office of pastor. They sent, therefore, a deputation to converse with him. He received them kindly; but requested time to make up his mind with regard to their proposal. Her mode of expressing her views on these events, will be seen by the subsequent extract from her Diary. Edinburgh, Saturday, June 27.-Since I came to town, I have experienced much of the loving-kindness of the Lord, in comforting and supporting me, and carrying me above the present affliction, to seek for comfort in himself. My heart is depressed, yet my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; and he, as it were, says, Am I not better to you than ten pastors ? Yes, Lord, thou art my portion; my chief good; my only desire. O that I may never, never seek any other good but thee ! "Take thou my heart, and let it be Truly my soul has experienced something of the peace that passeth understanding, even when outward things appear most gloomy. I feel a secret power enabling me to rest in the will of God, and believe, that all is 1778.] DIARY. 413 working together for my good, the good of his church, and the glory of his name. O for ever blessed be the Lord my God, now and evermore! Sunday, June 28.-Yesterday was a day of mercy from the Lord; begun in distress of body, but afterwards strengthened, and carried on in much peace and comfort of mind, particularly in the evening, when I had a meeting of some Christian friends for prayer, to seek the mind of the Lord concerning the steps which ought to be taken for obtaining another pastor. After prayer, and singing the 147th Psalm, I asked them what occurred to them as the most scriptural and proper method of proceeding. I mentioned some ministers, particularly Mr Hodgson, as one I supposed would be agreeable to the congregation: they all were of opinion that he would be the most acceptable of any that could be procured. It was then agreed that two of the number should go to him, and lay our plan before him; this, after another meeting for prayer with a view to him in particular, was done. There was a spirit of love and unanimity appeared so remarkable in our conversation, that surely the Lord himself was with us. We concluded with a very lively and fervent prayer by Mr Scott Moncrieff, and then sung part of the 102d Psalm, and parted. My heart was lifted up in thankfulness to the Lord for giving me such helpers in his work; their hearts appeared to be full of love to the Lord, and their eye single to his glory. This morning I have had some comfort and pleasure in hearing Mr Bonar lecture on the ascension, and preach from Psalm lxxii. 20. "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." I have since been able to pour out my heart in prayer, and to commit the providing a minister to the chapel wholly to the Lord, with a |