He wrote to Mr. Gatherer, February 14, “I had a nice opportunity of preaching in Aberdeen; and in Peterhead our meeting was truly successful.  The minister of St. Fergus I found to be what you described.  We had a solemn meeting in his church.  In Strichen, we had a meeting in the Independent Meeting-house.  On Friday evening, we had two delightful meetings, in a mill at Crechie, and in the church of Clola.  The people were evidently much impressed, some weeping.  On Saturday evening we met in the Brucklay barn.  I preached on Sabbath, at New Deer in the morning, and at Fraserburgh in the evening—­both interesting meetings.  To-night we met in Pitsligo church.  To-morrow we trust to be in Aberdour; and then we leave for the Presbytery of Ellon.  The weather has been delightful till now.  To-day the snow is beginning to drift.  But God is with us, and He will carry us to the very end.  I am quite well, though a little fatigued sometimes.”  On the 24th, he writes to another friend, “To-day is the first we have rested since leaving home, so that I am almost overcome with fatigue.  Do not be idle; improve in all useful knowledge.  You know what an enemy I am to idleness.”

Never was it more felt that God was with him than in this journey.  The Lord seemed to show in him the meaning of the text, “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,” John 7:38.  Even when silent, the near intercourse he held with God left its impression on those around.  His constant holiness touched the conscience of many.

Returning to his beloved flock on March 1st, in good health, but much exhausted, he related, next evening, at his prayer-meeting, what things he had seen and heard.  During the next twelve days he was to be found going out and in among his people, filling up, as his manner was, every inch of time.  But he had been much weakened by his unceasing exertions when in the north, and he was more than ordinarily exposed to the typhus fever that was then prevailing in his parish, several cases of which he visited in his enfeebled state.

On Sabbath the 5th, he preached three times; and two days after, I find him writing to his father:  “All domestic matters go on like a placid stream—­I trust not without its fertilizing influence.  Nothing is more improving than the domestic altar, when we come to it for a daily supply of soul nourishment.”  To the last we get glances into his soul’s growth.  His family devotions were full of life and full of gladness to the end.  Indeed, his very manner in reading the chapter reminded you of a man poring into the sands for pieces of fine gold, and from time to time holding up to you what he delighted to have found.