e
confessions, such a one will judge for himself. It will be observed
that, since ever I fell in with this extraordinary person, I have
written about him only, and I must continue to do so to the end of this
memoir, as I have performed no great or interesting action in which he
had not a principal share.

He came to me one day and said: "We must not linger thus in executing
what we have resolved on. We have much before our hands to perform for
the benefit of mankind, both civil as well as religious. Let us do what
we have to do here, and then we must wend our way to other cities, and
perhaps to other countries. Mr. Blanchard is to hold forth in the high
church of Paisley on Sunday next, on some particularly great occasion:
this must be defeated; he must not go there. As he will be busy
arranging his discourses, we may expect him to be walking by himself in
Finnieston Dell the greater part of Friday and Saturday. Let us go and
cut him off. What is the life of a man more than the life of a lamb, or
any guiltless animal? It is not half so much, especially when we
consider the immensity of the mischief this old fellow is working among
our fellow-creatures. Can there be any doubt that it is the duty of one
consecrated to God to cut off such a mildew?"

"I fear me, great sovereign," said I, "that your ideas of retribution
are too sanguine, and too arbitrary for the laws of this country. I
dispute not that your motives are great and high; but have you debated
the consequences, and settled the result?"

"I have," returned be, "and hold myself amenable for the action to the
laws of God and of equity; as to the enactments of men, I despise them.
Fain would I see the weapon of the Lord of Hosts begin the work of
vengeance that awaits it to do!"

I could not help thinking that I perceived a little derision of
countenance on his face as he said this, nevertheless I sunk dumb
before such a man, aroused myself to the task, seeing he would not have
it deferred. I approved of it in theory, but my spirit stood aloof from
the practice. I saw and was convinced that the elect of God would be
happier, and purer, were the wicked and unbelievers all cut off from
troubling and misleading them, but if it had not been the instigations
of this illustrious stranger, I should never have presumed to begin so
great a work myself. Yet, though he often aroused my zeal to the
highest pitch, still my heart at times shrunk from the shedding of
life-bl