reason is too short to fathom the depth of his love our understanding too limited to conceive properly of its dignity.

But my paper admonishes me that I must have done. Do you follow out the glorious theme, and enlarge upon it in your next; which I hope to be able to answer sooner than I have done your last. D. MAXWELL.

CHAPTER XXVIII.-1793.

State of the nation at this period-Spread of infidelity-War proclaimed with France-Meetings for prayer among Christians-Diary and correspondence continued.

BEFORE we proceed to farther extracts from her ladyship's writings, it may be proper briefly to advert to the state of the nation at this period, in order to illustrate many of her subsequent allusions. This, indeed, will tend to show, in awful contrast, the influence of infidel and irreligious principles, when compared with the genuine tendency of the gospel of Christ, as displayed in these volumes. To those conversant with the history of Europe, it will be readily remembered that the most fearful convulsions were, at this time, threatening to shake the very basis of all civil, political, and ecclesiastical establishments. The horrid principles maintained by the atheistical and infidel philosophers of France had already spread anarchy, devastation, and misery throughout every rank and order of her vast population. By the levelling influence of these degraded and degrading principles, all their religious houses had been suppressedthe property of the clergy confiscated-the clergy themselves deprived of all their judiciary functions-and the very plate of their churches converted into currency. Having thrown down the altar, they proceeded, with the most infatuated violence, to farther outrage; and, under the specious pretence of liberty and equality, abolished all titular distinction and feudal rights;* and declared the kingly authority to be extinct. Having farther endeavoured to eradicate from their minds all sense of moral responsibility and all apprehensions of a coming eternity-without law, and consequently without control, they indulged, without remorse, the most savage and brutal passions; and stood forth before the astonished gaze of the world, a nation of lawless banditti. Beside a number of dreadful massacres at Paris, and elsewhere, in the course of the preceding year, the destructive guillotine was invented; and France was now covered with

*On the 25th of August, 1792, the archives of the order of St. Esprit, and the titles of nobility, enrolled in the convent of the Great Augustines at Paris, with all the registered proofs of nobility, amounting to nearly 600 huge folios, were publicly burned in the Place Vendome.

scaffolds, on which an immense quantity of blood was shed. To this blind and infuriated rage, during the present year, Louis XVI. first, and afterward Marie Antoinette, of Austria, his bereaved widow, fell a sacrifice. And, as if determined to carry their blasphemy to the most awful degree of daring, and, if possible, dethrone Jehovah himself, on the seventh of the ensuing December, the public exercise of the national religion was forbidden, and the worship of reason, liberty, and other imaginary deities, established in its stead.*

Happy would it have been for Britain had the operation of these detestable principles been confined to the other side of the channel. But the infernal leaven which had, more or less, diffused itself through every nation of Europe, was, at this period, banefully tainting the minds and morals of multitudes in our own happy country. The infamous Paine, and his coadjutors, zealous in the service of infidelity, had given circulation to an astonishing number of volumes and pamphlets; and addressing themselves, in artful language, to the passions and prejudices of

"The only instance in which infidels of any description have possess. ed the supreme power and government of a country, and have attempted to dispose of human happiness according to their own doctrines and wishes, is that of France, since the beginning of the revolution. If we consider this government as established over a nation educated for ages to the belief and obedience of many doctrines of Christianity, and retaining, as to a great majority of the people, the habits formed by that education, the state of that nation will evince, beyond a question, that all which I have said [on the dreadful tendency of infidelity] is true without exaggeration. France, during this period, has been a theatre of crimes, which, after all preceding perpetrations, have excited in the mind of every spectator, amazement and horror. The miseries suffered by that single nation have changed all the histories of the preceding sufferings of mankind into idle tales, and have been enhanced and multiplied, without a precedent, without number, and without name. The kingdom appeared to be changed into one great prison; the inhabitants converted into felons, and the common doom of man commuted for the violence of the sword and the bayonet, the sucking boat and the guillotine. To contemplative men it seemed for a season as if the knell of the whole nation was tolled, and the world summoned to its funeral. Within the short time of ten years, not less than three millions of human beings are supposed to have perished in that single country, by the influence of atheism." Were such principles universally prevalent, appetite would change every man into a swine, and passion into a tiger. Right would neither be acknowledged, nor be felt, nor exist. Whatever was coveted would be sought and obtained, if it could be done with safety. Whatever was hated would, so far as safety would permit, be hunted and destroyed. To deceive, to fraud, to betray, to maim, to torture, and to butcher, would be the common employment, and the common sport. The dearest and most venerable relations would be violated by incestuous pollution; and children, such of them I mean as were not cast under a hedge, thrown into the sea, or dashed against the stones, would grow up without a home, without a parent, without a friend. The world would become one vast den ; one immeasurable sty; and the swine and the wolf would be degraded, by a comparison with its inhabitants. May God preserve Britain from the influence of such infernal principles."-Vide Dwight's Theology Explained, &c., vol. i, p. 51.

the lower orders in society, too well succeeded in their diabolical purposes. Symptons of insubordination were manifested in different parts of the country,-apprehensions of insurrection created alarm, and the people of Britain, reflecting on the horrid outrages which had recently occurred on the continent, felt as if under the tremour of a general panic.

In addition to these affecting particulars, at the commencement of this year war was proclaimed between England and France, and the nation was involved in all the calamities of a long and fearfully bloody contest. Great commercial distress became almost universal; and a full tide of bankruptcy setting in, swept away the independence and comfort of many a happy family. For several of the following years, our island was menaced by its foreign enemies; formidable preparations were made for invading its shores; and the public mind was thus long kept in a fearfully perturbed and agitated state.

Lady Maxwell, in common with other pious persons, recognized in all this the righteous government of God. She viewed these calamities as indications of his just displeasure. She lamented the aboundings of infidelity and ungodliness; and, contrasting these with the religious privileges which England enjoyed, she could not but fear the most alarming consequences. Under these apprehensions, she believed that the salvation of our guilty land depended solely on the mercy and seasonable interposition of a gracious God; and that it was the duty of Christians to seek for this mercy, by a general humiliation, and by fervent prayer. She therefore endeavoured to excite the pious, of different denominations in Edinburgh, to meet frequently together, in their respective places of worship, for these express purposes; that, by prevailing intercession, every impending judgment might be averted. In this labour of true Christian patriotism, she was successful, and meetings for prayer were established in different places throughout the city. She also endeavoured to stimulate her correspondents, in distant parts, to engage in the same important duty; and about this time a spirit of solemn intercession was diffused throughout the country. To the man who discards the Scriptures, and to the mere nominal professor, who considers not the blessings annexed to faithful prayer, all this may appear as useless and unavailing; but the man who believes his Bible, and lives in the habit of prayer, will, at all times, under similar circumstances, place more dependence on the prayers of the faithful, than in the skill of our commanders-the number and valour of our armies-the vastness of our resources or even in the wooden walls of Great Britain. "The battle is not to the strong." "“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might ;-let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth

and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth." "Put not your trust in princes, for vain is the help of man." After these remarks we shall again recur to the diary.

March 15. I have lately been favoured with repeated opportunities of showing forth the dying love of Jesus. The last of them I found a sacred time; the place, a sacred spot; the work, a sacred employment. Deity felt nigh: yet no remarkable joy attended the divine presence. These last two weeks I have been looking for, and hastening to a more full enjoyment of perfect love. I look to be "filled," (as the Lord hath promised)" with the knowledge of his will; in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that I may walk before him unto all pleasing." O how ardently do I desire this! It is only by faith, I know, that I can attain; but here I am often foiled, and day after day passes on with very little progress. These last days I have, through assistance from above, got through some important business. I see the hand of the Lord in it, and endeavour to give him the glory : but it is better blessings which I covet, and which he hath promised. Come, Lord, from above, fill and overflow my soul with thy pure love, and remove whatever hinders its full course.

April 19. Still I have to record the loving kindness of the Lord; yet not in that degree I long for. I would be thine, O Lord! I would, thou knowest, be altogether thine. Come, then, holy God, and work more powerfully in me, and by me. Give a stronger testimony from thy Spirit, for the work wrought in me. My happiest moments are when I believe it, and simply live by faith but from this point, I am drawn many times by the subtle devices of the adversary and the multifarious business in which I am engaged, yet all with a view to duty. Lord, increase my faith. I found, this week, the word preached from, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect," blessed to me. But my experience is so far short of my desires as proves sometimes matter of grief: yet when I consider my unprofitableness and unfaithfulness, I have cause to be thankful for a grain of grace. Yesterday a national fast: I felt something of the spirit of the occasion. I was truly desirous of mourning for a guilty nation, and for myself; and felt humbled on my own account. This day I felt disposed to lie low before God, yet to plead for great things, because Jesus hath purchased them for all that believe and obey him. I would be all life, light, love, power. O Lord, is any thing too hard for thee!

May 31. Prince-street. The Lord has in mercy heard my requests, for he has turned my captivity, and put a song of praise in my mouth. "O to grace how great a debtor." Since the 17th instant my God has done much for me. He has provided my present habitation as a temporary provision till the

house I have taken for some years, if spared, be ready for me. I literally knew not where to lay my head; but I looked unto the Lord, and he heard and answered. O that I may glorify him! In the many difficulties attending my double removal, he hath supported; and, since I came here, has outdone my expectations, both as to health of body and mind. I am a wonder unto myself: but it is the doing of the Lord, and truly marvellous in my eyes. He gave me repeated tokens for good before I left my last house. According to my desires he sent his ministering servants repeatedly; and much prayer was offered up and here, also, I have enjoyed that privilege, time after time. In the course of these eight days the Lord has been with us of a truth, and made it a refreshing time. Beyond my hopes, he carried me from here several miles on Sunday last, to commemorate the dying love of Jesus; and truly he made a memorable time. My God shone upon his work in my soul, and greatly brightened my evidences for perfect love. Jesus made himself known afresh to me in the breaking of bread: and when I tasted the cup, a divine sensation seemed to overspread my soul, and even affect my body. I seemed surrounded with the heavenly host. Satan made a bold push to disturb my heaven of indescribable enjoyment; but a stroke of omnipotence drove him far away. What can I render unto the Lord for his goodness!

August 23. Still I have to record the loving kindness of the Lord, which, though much greater than I deserve, is still far short of my desires. On Sunday last, in public, I found my soul sensibly strengthened and confirmed in the ways of God; my heart lifted up, and encouraged to press on with respect to sanctification, notwithstanding the poorness of my progress and attainments. The moment I allow one thought that would encourage a doubt of the work, I feel like a city without gates; without defence against the adversary; as a ship without its rudder; yea, so feeble that the weakest blast would overset me. On the contrary, every direct act of faith for the blessing is instantly followed with strength of soul, serenity of mind, and a sweet testimony from on high to the work wrought. Yea, I feel as a garrison well fortified; able, through faith in Jesus, to turn the enemy from the gate. But I want a stronger evidence, from the fruit of the Spirit, as a corroborating witness. Give it, O Lord, for thy name's sake. I feel a deep consciousness of my weakness, ignorance, unfaithfulness, unfruitfulness, which is semetimes discouraging.

October 11. (Friday.) Of a truth my God has dealt bountifully with me since my last. I ventured to ask a token for good before I left my temporary habitation in Edinburgh, and he in much mercy granted my desire repeatedly. Monday evening, in public, God the Father and Son drew sensibly nigh, and favoured me with sweet fellowship, and opened my mouth to praise him.