There are several others of his papers, speaking much the same language, which, had he kept a diary, would, I doubt not, have filled many sheets.  I believe my devout readers would not soon be weary of reading extracts of this kind; but that I may not exceed in this part of my narrative, I shall mention only two more, each of them dated some years after; that is, one from Douglas, April 1, 1725; and the other from Stranraer, 25th May following.

The former of these relates to the frame of his spirit on a journey; on the mention of which, I cannot but recollect how often I have heard him say that some of the most delightful days of his life were days in which he travelled alone, (that is, with only a servant at a distance,) when he could, especially in roads not much frequented, indulge himself in the pleasures of prayer and praise.  In the exercise of this last, he was greatly assisted by several psalms and hymns which he had treasured up in his memory, and which he used not only to repeat aloud, but sometimes to sing.  In reference to this, I remember the following passage, in a letter which he wrote to me many years after, when, on mentioning my ever dear and honoured friend the Rev. Dr. Watts, he says, “How often, in singing some of his psalms, hymns, or lyrics, on horseback and elsewhere, has the evil spirit been made to flee: 

  “’Whene’er my heart in tune was found,
   ‘Like David’s harp of solemn sound!’”

Such was the first of April above mentioned.  In the evening of that day he writes thus to an intimate friend:—­

“What would I have given this day, upon the road, for paper, pen, and ink, when the Spirit of the Most High rested upon me!  Oh for the pen of a ready writer, and the tongue of an angel, to declare what God hath done this day for my soul!  But, in short, it is in vain to attempt it.  All that I am able to say, is this, that my soul has been for some hours joining with the blessed spirits above in giving glory, and honour, and praise unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever.  My praises began from a renewed view of Him whom I saw pierced for my transgressions.  I summoned the whole hierarchy of heaven to join with me, and I am persuaded they all echoed back praise to the Most High.  Yon, one would have thought the very larks joined me with emulation.  Sure, then, I need not make use of many words to persuade you, that are his saints, to join me in blessing and praising his holy name.”  He concludes, “May the blessing of the God of Jacob rest upon you all!  Adieu.  Written in great haste, late and weary.”

Scarcely can I here refrain from breaking out into more copious reflections on the exquisite pleasures of true religion, when risen to such eminent degrees, which can thus feast the soul in its solitude, and refresh it on journeys, and bring down so much of heaven to earth as this delightful letter expresses.  But the remark is so obvious, that I will not enlarge upon it; but proceed to the other letter above mentioned, which was written the next month, on the Tuesday after a sacrament day.