Sept. 18, 1833.-You desire me to cultivate humility: I do feel the necessity of this, and I also feel it is a difficult task. Never cease to pray for me, that my soul may be deeply imbued with it, that I may feel indifferent to the smiles and frowns of men, that is, be neither elevated by the one, nor dejected by the other, but go on with unceasing perseverance, seeking only the approval of Him whose favour is life, and whose loving-kindness is better than life."

66

May 19, 1834.-On my arrival at

stances.

I

met with a very warm reception. Yesterday we had a full house, both forenoon and afternoon, which encourages my heart, and gives a zest to all my studies. I feel myself, perhaps, too much the child of circumA large and attentive audience enlivens my conceptions, and gives energy in the delivery of them. I often think, that were I properly imbued with the spirit of my office, I should be, in a great measure, independent of circumstances, and repose more implicit confidence in my Divine Master. Would that I had more of the mind that was in Christ. He has guided me hitherto, and he will guide me to the end." “August 12, 1834.—I think I have seen much of human nature since I left Glasgow. had its lessons, and has its lessons also. I can truly say that goodness and mercy have followed me. Here I have succeeded far beyond my expectations. There has been a marked improvement upon the congregations, and the people all express their earnest desire that I should remain; but as this cannot be, they seem

с

resolved to have me back at some future period. All this is encouraging to me in the absence of any other apparent fruit of my labours, and particularly in such a difficult station. The folks are very critical, and particularly the ladies. With all my partiality for the sex, I do not like those of them who constantly talk of intellect,' 'imagination,' 'powers of mind,' &c."

In the autumn of 1834, while preaching at Stuartfield, Mr. Campbell had a severe attack of indigestion. He had had frequent previous illnesses from the same cause, but though often enfeebled by them, soon rallied. The present attack seems, however, to have been severer, and followed by more lasting effects than any previous one. It is now an occasion of unavailing regret, that from ignorance of the source of his ailings, he was not sufficiently careful in the means of prevention. In consequence of the feebleness superinduced by his illness at Stuartfield, Mr. Campbell was unable to comply with the request of the Committee of the Academy to spend the winter of 1834-5 at Denholm. He therefore returned to Glasgow, and enjoyed the prelections of the tutors, though unable to do little more. It was on his return to the Academy this session that I became acquainted with him. Upwards of nine years before, we had met in Perthshire, but the acquaintance then formed was but of a few days' duration, and such as boys, the one considerably the senior of the other, form only to forget. We now met in different circumstances, no longer unthinking and aimless boys, but intent on the same

studies and the same work. The enfeebled state of his health, and the engrossment of my studies, rendered our intercourse, even now, casual and partial. It was only when both of us became pastors that we became intimate friends. And it is probable that our previous circumstances and training had predisposed us to think and feel alike on the most important subjects of denominational interest. I soon found in him a friend to whom I could unbosom myself, and in whose heart and judgment I could confide. And I have often been at a loss to know which most to admire, the warmth of that heart, or the clearness and soundness of that judgment.

In February 1835, Mr. Campbell was sent to Montrose, to preach, as his strength might enable him. During the following months of the same year he preached for longer or shorter periods in Perth, Ayr, Greenock, Forfar, and Forres. A few extracts of letters written at this time will not be unacceptable.

"March 10, 1835.-What is life without something upon which the troubled spirit can rest secure ?— Nothing but vanity. It is unspeakably soothing to the heart amid our little vexations and disappointments, to lift up the eye to the land where change is unknown-whence sorrow and sighing shall flee away. There shall, no doubt, be change in that land, but it shall be from joy to joy, and from pleasure to pleasure. The tears of sorrow which we may be sometimes called upon to shed in the wilderness, only lighten the eye, to give it a more distinct view of the beauties of the heavenly paradise. While taking a

solitary walk this morning, and trying to fix upon a text, the words this do in remembrance of me,' came to my mind with peculiar force, and I resolved that this should be my subject. In following out the different trains of thought suggested by it, and attempting to resolve them into distinct heads, it struck me that the whole institution, in a certain view of it, was founded upon our tendency to forget. How strong is that tendency! Even when partaking of the very symbols of our Redeemer's broken body, do not our thoughts frequently wander far from him? How absolutely necessary is it, therefore, for us to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation.' He who knows what was in man in making provision for our wants, has met all our spiritual exigencies. Let us cleave to Him, and seek conformity to His image. Oh, were we but perfectly like him, how unspeakable would be our happiness. But we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.'

6

"I am glad that came off so well. Truly we poor students are often in a pitiable plight. When we stand up to speak, everybody's eyes and ears perform their functions with double acuteness, and detect the very slightest improprieties. I like very much your general remarks regarding the preaching of students, but you must allow that they should not be expected to have the wisdom and demeanour of those who are grey in the service. It is no more to be expected that a youth direct from college should preach like a veteran of thirty or forty years standing, than that a child should, in his first attempt to

speak, have the correct utterance of his father. Preaching to the heart is most unquestionably the best of all preaching, but unless there be a clear head, there can be no rational prospects of future success. The elements of the gospel are soon exhausted, and, unless there be a capacity of going on to perfection, the preacher soon becomes stale, as he can only have the continual reiteration of the same sentiments; and early blossoms indicate the coming fruit. You see how jealous I am of the fraternity."

66

May 20, 1835.-I have lately been reading a good deal of natural history, and I think that, were I fully to set my mind to it, I should soon become an enthusiast in that department, I mean practically, not as a mere reader. The great philosopher, Linnæus, visited the hill on which I am now situated, and which is said to contain a variety, both of plants and insects, to be met with almost in no other part of the kingdom. Dr. is a practical naturalist. I sometimes accompany him in his rural excursions to make collections, and I am much pleased with the information he gives me. His room is quite a little museum. He is particularly fond of watching the progress of insect transformations-a most curious and interesting study. These pursuits fail, however, of producing the effect designed by the great Author of nature, unless there be a love to him as the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Love to Jesus is the microscope that magnifies the minutest points in nature, and exhibits beauties which otherwise could not be discovered. It is delightful to see God in every thing."