“Feb. 27.—­Preached in Dunipace with more heart than ever I remember to have done, on Rom. 5:10, owing to the gospel nature of the subject and prayerful preparation.  Audience smaller than usual!  How happy and strange is the feeling when God gives the soul composure to stand and plead for Him!  Oh that it were altogether for Him I plead, not for myself!”

“March 5.—­Preached in Larbert with very much comfort, owing chiefly to my remedying the error of 21st Feb.  Therefore the heart and the mouth were full.  ‘Enlarge my heart, and I shall run,’ said David.  ‘Enlarge my heart, and I shall preach.’”

In this last remark we see the germ of his remarkably solemn ministry.  His heart was filled, and his lips then spoke what he felt within his heart.  He gave out not merely living water, but living water drawn at the springs that he had himself drank of; and is not this a true gospel ministry?  Some venture to try what they consider a more intellectual method of addressing the conscience; but ere a minister attempts this mode, he ought to see that he is one who is able to afford more deep and anxious preparation of heart than other men.  Since the intellectual part of the discourse is not that which is most likely to be an arrow in the conscience, those pastors who are intellectual men must bestow tenfold more prayerfulness on their work, if they would have either their own or their people’s souls affected under their word.  If we are ever to preach with compassion for the perishing, we must ourselves be moved by those same views of sin and righteousness which moved the human soul of Jesus. (See Psalm 38 and 55.)

About this time he occasionally contributed papers to the Christian Herald:  one of these was On sudden Conversions, showing that Scripture led us to expect such.  During this month he seems to have written the Lines on Mungo Park, one of the pieces which attracted the notice of Professor Wilson.  But whatever he engaged in, his aim was to honor his Master.  I find him, after hearing sermon by another, remarking (April 3), “Some things powerful; but I thirst to hear more of Christ.”

On Sabbath 16, he writes:  “Preached with some tenderness of heart.  Oh, why should I not weep, as Jesus did over Jerusalem?  Evening—­Instructing two delightful Sabbath schools.  Much bodily weariness.  Gracious kindness of God in giving rest to the weary.”

“April 13.—­Went to Stirling to hear Dr. Duff once more upon his system.  With greater warmth and energy than ever.  He kindles as he goes.  Felt almost constrained to go the whole length of his system with him.  If it were only to raise up an audience, it would be defensible; but when it is to raise up teachers, it is more than defensible.  I am now made willing, if God shall open the way, to go to India.  Here am I; send me!”