This plan, which he pursued during the three successive years of his continuance in Haddington, secured him large congregations. And it was in this part of his public labour that his power of description, and his extensive knowledge of persons and things, had an appropriate and useful scope. It was in this course of lectures that he most interested and engaged, and perhaps benefited, the young and the gay; that he rebuked certain fashionable vices and errors; awakened many a compunctious feeling in the guilty breast; made folly look contemptible, vice loathsome, and virtue lovely; and excited in the bosoms of many, emotions and resolves in favour of the religion of the heart to which they had previously been strangers; and which, it is believed, have not yet subsided. Indeed, I have no hesitation in stating it as my opinion, (and I write under consideration, and with knowledge of this part of my subject,) that, with perhaps one exception, Dr. M'Allum's popularity in Haddington is without a parallel in the experience of any preacher now in our connection, in any place in Britain. And his intercourse in society corresponded with his eminence in the pulpit ; for, by his distinguished urbanity and graceful elegance of manners, he had access to the first families in the county town of East Lothian, and was actually on visiting terms in almost every house of name and respectability with which a minister of religion could consistently have fellowship. His company was courted in the best society in the place; in short, his memory there cannot die while the present generation lives."

In the midst of all this popularity he was exposed to no inconsiderable danger of falling into a vain and worldly spirit. But it is pleasing to discover from the diary, in which he seems to have made an unreserved

entry of his feelings, that he still maintained the life and power of godliness; and that he kept steadily in view the great object of his high and holy calling. The following extracts may be taken as satisfactory evidence on this point :

"October 1, 1817.-I have now had a short trial of my work in the ministry, have preached thirty times, and walked seventy-two miles; besides visiting the society and meeting classes. My private studies have necessarily been proportionate. That God who hath kept and sustained me six weeks, is able and willing to keep and sustain me for sixty years, should I live so long. Meantime, how is it with my bosom foe? To speak plainly, he seemed dead when I was most cast down, and most anxious; but 'the old man' is not yet dead. Help me, Lord, to look to thee!

"November 11. Two souls were converted last sabbath: one in the morning, while I expounded the parable of the labourers in the vineyard; another in the afternoon, when treating on the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope. Non nobis, Domine.

"February 1, 1818.-I have discovered that there is some rudeness in my conversation, such as a peremptory contradiction of what I apprehend to be untrue. Lord, save me from this, lest I should disgrace my Christian profession! But what discovery can I make that does not, or should not, humble me in the dust! I have had five tolerably profitable sabbaths, and have been particularly assisted this day. O how wonderful is this? for my mind was grievously tried and exercised last night! Blessed be God for this day. N.B.-1st, I have been too frequently at great men's tables. 2d, Too seldom and far too short a time in my closet. 3d, I have

been too idle. Last sabbath, in the afternoon, I went in great confidence to the pulpit, having prepared a very laboured discourse; but God left me, in a measure, to myself; and O, how confused and confusing was my discourse! Let this teach me a profitable lesson. Lord, lift upon me the light of thy countenance! A heavenly gale reached me this day when reading of Mr. Fletcher's death.

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April 18.-My personal comfort has been considerable; but has my soul prospered as it might have done? Almost every Sunday since February 20th, I have been engaged in explaining our leading doctrines; the witness of the Spirit, the progress of grace, its harmony with works, and entire sanctification. Some little offence has been taken, but not much. In my lectures I have almost reached the end of Genesis. This is Saturday night, and conveys to my mind the recollection of that time which will terminate our weeks below, and when the balance of our accounts shall be struck.

"May 16.--I have just returned from the district meeting held at Edinburgh. What have I gained by going? 1st, A veneration for the body with which I am connected. Their sacrifices of their own interests are written in heaven. 2d, An increasing opinion of their talents, and a diminished opinion of my own. 3d, I have learned that, if a man would be a worthy Methodist preacher, he must moderate his expectations of temporal recompense. 4th, I have, in a measure, seen that I am only on the threshold of religion. Lord, save me! Heretofore I have laboured too exclusively from a sense of duty. God grant that I may do this henceforward more from a conviction of my privilege!

"July 11.-On looking back for a year, I find occasion of sorrow and thankfulness. 1st, Of sorrow,

because I am far behind almost every Christian I meet with; so little good has been done by my meansvanity, self, rudeness, jealousy, often distress me--inconsistency of conduct. 2d, Of thankfulness-that I am somewhat more consistent than heretofore-converse more on the things of God with worldly people -less the subject, or the prey, of temptation-some good has been done among the hearers and members. I have written this year one hundred and four sermons.

"November 23.-0 that God would revive his work in my soul! May his glory be my end and aim! Yesterday was the sacrament with us in Haddington, and I assisted for the first time in the administration. It was a good day. O may I be saved from spiritual idolatry, from pride, trifling, idleness, affectation, and worldly-mindedness! Amen and amen.

"January 4, 1819.-I discover that I am too much given to idleness. Ten years ago, my reading was very narrow, very trifling, and very desultory. In two or three years it was more various, but equally desultory. After a while it was more select, but too rapid and irregular. During my curriculum it was not sufficiently exclusive. This year and a half more steady, but still far more from being sufficiently intense. O that I might be diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord!

"March 28. For a fortnight I have seriously been thinking of the declension of our congregations here: but still, three have sought admittance into the society, and some are beginning to open their mouth in prayer. O my soul! wouldest thou not rather that souls were benefited than that a multitude were pleased? Wouldest thou not sacrifice popularity to usefulness? Wo to that man who would not!

"June 23.--I have lived twenty-five years in this evil world: but, alas! to how little purpose! I have, in some measure, been cast down yesterday and to-day, with a sense of my sinfulness. Nothing can be too severe for me; but O, in wrath remember mercy!

"August 15.-My application to the conference (to be relieved from the law which prohibits the marriage of probationers) has been successful, and in a little time I expect to take one of the most solemn steps imaginable. My mind is much and deeply occupied with what lies before me. As it respects temporal things, my desire is, to live honestly in the sight of all men; and my prayer is, that which Agur offered up. As it regards heavenly things, my wish is expressed in the following lines :

'If so poor a worm as I

May to thy great glory live;

All my actions sanctify,

All my words and thoughts receive!'

Many trials lie before me to which I am as yet a stranger, sickness, anxiety, apprehension, and death; but I can never meet with any thing that is not better than my deserts.

"January 6, 1820.-The God of my life has brought me to the commencement of another year, and I ought to be filled with thankfulness that goodness and mercy have followed me all my way hitherto. I had a season lately of much spiritual joy, followed by one of great temptation; and now I feel that coldness is too apt to steal over me. I mourn a want of zeal, of humility, meekness, and love.

"May 7.-Last week I had some touches of the rod. I thank God, myself and my dear partner are both proving what David meant when he said, "Thy rod doth