CHAPTER XIV. Letter, and verses--Extracts from Diary-Tours to ScotlandIona--Letters; friendly, family, and pastoral-Memoir of Miss Sinclair. Mr. Richmond, in his northern tours for the religious societies, often visited Scotland. On one of these occasions, he left his eldest daughter under the hospitable roof of Dr. and Mrs. S- near Glasgow, with whom he had formed a particular intimacy. But whether present or absent, Mr. Richmond discovered a uniform anxiety for his children. Their spiritual welfare lay near his heart. He often wrote to them, and never omitted to make some useful reference to the great concerns of eternity. The following letter, and copy of verses, addressed to his daughter, exhibit a model of parental care and affection : "Dear Mary,-I wrote to you on my own birth-day, and now I do the same on yours. 'There is a time to be born, and a time to die.' So says Solomon; and it is the memento of a truly But I may add, there is an interval between these two times, of infinite importance. wise man. "Does my beloved child duly appreciate this? Not all the charms of nature, either Scottish or English, can for a moment compare with those of grace: and when can we better contemplate the real value of life, the vanity of the world, the worth of a soul, and the need of a Saviour, than when the lapse of time brings round the anniversary day of our birth? It seems to concentrate all the experience and feeling of past days, and to unite them with the anticipations of those which are yet to come: it speaks to youth and age alike, and summons both to prayer and meditation. Soon will eternity overwhelm all the concerns of time, but will infallibly take its character from them. I sincerely hope that you are systematically improving time, with a view to that eternity. Your opportunities have been many and valuable; your privileges great-may every ensuing day prove that they are not lost upon you. Religious parentage and social connexions alone cannot save personal religion in the heart is every thing. Our dear friend Mrs. S appears to Prize such a friend; not only enjoy it in deed and in truth. because she is kind and agreeable, and worthy, but because she is a child of God, a member of Christ, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven; and as such, may be the ordained instrument of God, for establishing the same principle in you. Think of us all, not for the mere love's sake of earthly kindred, but for the love of Jesus, as connected with the family of heaven. This alone gives to charity itself its value. Farewell, my dear child; and while you pray for yourself, forget not-Your affectionate father, "LEGH RICHMOND." ADDRESSED TO MISS RICHMOND, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOCKET OF DERBYSHIRE FLUOR SPAR, IN THE FORm of a ᎻᎬᎪᎡᎢ, Here I offer my daughter a heart without sin, That knows nought of corruption and sorrow within! That it ne'er can offend-not so much as in thought! That its virtues are shining within and without, "Tis a heart that will bear the minutest inspection, It may seem to be strange-nay, it is so, I own- And this heart, if once broken, can never be healed, Then make use of the emblem you wear at your breast: May the "stone" in your heart, be removed far away, * Matt. v. S. May graces resplendent as those of the stone, But should you offend, and for sin be heart-broken, Christ's love has no limit, then give him thy heart,- L. R. We regret that the limits of this memoir will not allow us to lay before our readers copious extracts from Mr. Richmond's journals of his tours in Scotland. He adverts to them at all times with grateful recollection: they form an interesting part of his public life, and indeed led to an important event in his family. We insert the following extract, principally with a view to shew his opinion of all institutions which professedly exclude religion from their operations. EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. "July 18. Went to Long-town, and entered Scotland by Gretna-Green-a disgrace to both countries. Proceeded to Dumfries. A superior place. Admired the town. tated as I walked along, on Rom. vii. Search deep. 'Lord, what is man!' Ex "19. Went with the Rev. Dr. D. to visit the churchMausoleum of Robert Burns the poet, which cost 1500l. traordinary and ornamented collection of monuments in the church-yard. Held a meeting to aid the circulation of the Hebrew Testament for the Jews, at the new church. Well attended; 12l. 12s. collected; and a foundation laid for a new society in behalf of the Jews. 66 20. Attended a Bible meeting. A very delightful day. Made some truly valuable acquaintances. Took leave of Dr. D. Manifold mercies. "July 21. Set out for Biggar. Held a meeting for Hebrew Testament. Collected 12l. 7s. 6d. Felt much respect for the memory of the well-known John Brown of Haddington, while I was in the house of his grandson, and amongst his great grandchildren. 66 22. Breakfasted at Lanark. Went to see New Lanark, and the Clyde Falls: Mr. Owen accompanied us. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the scene. Saw the whole of the mills and machinery. Dined, and had much conversation with Mr. Owen on all his plans. They want a religious basis. 66 - 23. Sermon at Church. Went at four to Mr. Owen's school-room, and addressed the whole institution, from Job xxii. 21. Fine sight. Collected 41. 3s. In the evening, held a meeting at Lanark church for Hebrew Testament. Two thousand people-grand spectacle. 66 24. Breakfasted with Mr. Owen. Conversed again on his new plan. Went to the school: saw the children go through all their various classes. The dancing may be pretty for children, but unquestionably leads to much evil among the adults. Many things are very interesting here, but require close investigation. Visited the fall of the Clyde-very superb indeed. Read, as I travelled on, Mr. Owen's manuscript. Some clever ideas of economical arrangement; but it must fail, as it now stands. There is no Christ in his scheme, and it cannot prosper. "July 25. Glasgow. Preached in the Episcopal chapel in the evening, from Rom. xi. 17, 18. Fine congregation. Afterwards, attended a juvenile missionary meeting. 66 26. Erskine. Dined with Dr. and Mrs. S. Most hospitably and kindly welcomed. A lovely retirement. "-27. Paisley. Delivered an address for the Jews to a very numerous assembly. Collected 231. Afterwards spent a very profitable evening. Much sensible and valuable conversation. 66 . 29. Read an account of my proceedings at Dumfries in the Edinburgh Star. Lord, keep me humble, and shew me the real character of myself. 'Lord, what is man!' 11. 66 - 30. Paisley. Preached in the morning, from Rom. x. Collected 10l. 11s. 5d. Addressed in the evening 3000 people, including 1500 children and young people. Wonderful crowd. Fine spectacle. Close and riveted attention. Returned home. I bless God for all his goodness. 66 31. Glasgow. Met Dr. C. Interesting and most profitable conversation, on plans for parochial visitation, intercourse, and reform. Attended a meeting for the Jews. Noble assembly. Spoke for an hour. Collected 147. Mr. David P. is to travel with me into the Western and Northern Islands. Aug. 1. Isle of Bute. Was much struck with the grandeur and beauty of the Firth of Clyde. Exquisite view of the mountains. Tints indescribable. Marquis of Bute's-basaltic character of the rocks. Visited a Highland cottage; children reading; mother and grandmother; spinner's wheel; smoky roof; Gaelic Testament. Religious conversation. Intelligence and seriousness. The cottage scene, and island scenery around, and spiritual associations altogether, constituted a most interesting combination. 66 2. Rothsay. Went to a Jews' meeting. Place overflowing. Collected 171. 17s. Had much interesting conversation this day about Ossian, and received some strong proofs of its authenticity. 66 - 3. In the course of the last three days, have seen some of the finest specimens of clouds rolling over hills in every shape and manner. Also grand combinations of sea, island, and mountain beauty. O, for a heart to feel and acknowledge God's protecting mercies! 66 13. Aros. Prayed earnestly for all my family, and my parish." The beauty of the following passage entitles it to insertion. VIEW FROM FAIRLY. "I rose early in the morning to view the mountains of Arran. They were enveloped in clouds, and rendered invisible. Thus, it occurred to me, have my fair prospects in the landscape of life been often obscured, and the mists of sadness or uncertainty have shed a gloom over my spirits. I have said, 'Why art thou cast down, O! my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.' "I looked again across the arm of the ocean which intervened, and I saw the clouds becoming gradually thinner; the mountains shewed their grotesque and interesting forms, as if seen through a veil, which at length dispersed, and the magnificent group of hills was seen in all its beauty. So, I thought, has mercy often shed her rays over the scene of life, dissolved the clouds of apprehension and sorrow, and cheered the whole prospect with the enlivening light of hope and love. Every mountain raises its head to the glory of God, and all their fantastic but sublime combinations declare his wisdom, power, and goodness. This lovely scenery shall preach to my soul, and from its ever-varying features I will draw forth instruction, and subjects for praise and adoration." From Aros, island of Mull, Mr. Richmond wrote a letter to his son Wilberforce, and in the course of his journey another to Mrs. Richmond, both of which are here inserted. |