been a fruitful one,—­more so than many for a long time, which perhaps was intended graciously to free me from all hesitation in declining your kind offer.  I mention these things not, I trust, boastfully, but only to show you the ground upon which I feel it to be my duty not for a moment to entertain the proposal.  I have 4000 souls here hanging on me.  I have as much of this world’s goods as I care for.  I have full liberty to preach the gospel night and day; and the Spirit of God is often with us.  What can I desire more?  ’I dwell among mine own people.’  Hundreds look to me as a father; and I fear I would be but a false shepherd if I were to leave them when the clouds of adversity are beginning to lower.  I know the need of Kettle, and its importance; and also the dark prospect of your getting a godly minister.  Still that is a future event in the hand of God.  My duty is made plain and simple according to God’s word.

   “Praying that the Lord Jesus may send you a star from his own
   right hand, believe me to be,” etc.

It was during this year that the Sabbath question began to interest him so much.  His tract, I Love the Lord’s Day, was published December 18; but he had already exerted himself much in this cause, as convener of the Committee of Presbytery on Sabbath Observance, and had written his well-known letter to one of the chief defenders of the Sabbath desecration.  He continued unceasingly to use every effort in this holy cause.  And is it not worth the prayers and self-denying efforts of every believing man?  Is not that day set apart as a season wherein the Lord desires the refreshing rest of his own love to be offered to a fallen world?  Is it not designed to be a day on which every other voice and sound is to be hushed, in order that the silver trumpets may proclaim atonement for sinners?  Nay, it is understood to be a day wherein God himself stands before the altar and pleads with sinners to accept the Lamb slain, from morning to evening.  Who is there that does not see the deep design of Satan in seeking to effect an inroad on this most merciful appointment of God our Saviour?

Mr. M’Cheyne’s own conduct was in full accordance with his principles in regard to strict yet cheerful Sabbath observance.  Considering it the summit of human privilege to be admitted to fellowship with God, his principle was, that the Lord’s day was to be spent wholly in the enjoyment of that sweetest privilege.  A letter, written at a later period, but bearing on this subject, will show how he felt this day to be better than a thousand.  An individual, near Inverness, had consulted him on a point of sabbatical casuistry:  the question was, Whether or not it was sinful to spend time in registering meteorological observations on the Sabbaths?  His reply was the following, marked by a holy wisdom, and discovering the place which the Lord held in his inmost soul:—­

“Dec. 7, 1842