Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-24

S04
REVIVAL AT THE KIRK OF SHOTS, IN SCOT
LAND, 1880, UNDER THE MINISTRY OF THE
REV. JOHN LIVINGSTON.
We have jus Received work recently
published at E iinburgil, entitled "History
of Rrriraks Of Religion in the British Isles,
especially in Scotland, by The author Of the
Memoir of the Rer. NJ. Bruen." |, is
volume of 4O2p pages. We extract from it
below the account of the revival of the
Kirk at Shotts.--Ch. Int.
KIRK AT sHorTs.
John Livingston, who was the immedl-
ate instrument Of the awakening at Shots,
preached his first sermon six years before.
He had the happiness ofearly religious tram
ing. and the advantage of attending the
ministry of many excellent men, such as
Robert Bruce, and Patrick Simpson. lis
interesting 20 observe the progress OF his
mind. His own wish to study medicine,
and his fathers wish that he should, for
some polite reason, marry and settle early
on his estate, boh lost their influence, when
a desire to become preacher of The Cos
p"l took possession of him. In great per-
plexi,y of mind he retired to care on the
south side of Mousewater, to spend day
before God; place cndearcd to him, doubt
kss, by Inc mos, deeply cherished assocla.
tons, as he takes pleasure in describing
The spot minutcly after the lapse Of years.
After much tossing Of mind, and confusion
and fear about the state of his own soul, il,
seemed clearly his duty 10 preach Christ
Jesus. "Upon this" he says, 81 laid aside
oil thought Of France, and medicine, and
land, and betook me to the study of divin.
hv." ..
Mr.. Livingston, when preacher, was
afficyionateiy called oy the people Of Tor.
phichen, but because of his non-conformity,
was refused ordination by the Bishop of St.
Andrews. He was frequently engaged to
preach there, as we'll as in the parish of
Shots, which borders on it. Of his last
Sabbath at Torphchen he says, ''it was the
swceies', though sorrowtul, that | had seen
there The people were very desirous to
hear the word, and the Lord furnished the
more TO be preached TO them"
La the memoir of his own life, Livingson
gives brief account of the day at Shots,
which we are now TO record, but he omi's
some particulars which are related by Gil.
lies, while the others are exactly the same;
we, therefore, extract from Gilies' Collec-
tions, rather than from the memoir.
A few circumstances connected with the
Kirk of Shots. previous to the memorable
2lst June, 1880, will put us in possession
of the state ofthe parish and neighborhood,
and prove again, what has been shown ever
of old, that when the Lord designs mercy
to his people, he awakens the spirit ofprayer
so that their hearts ma, oe prepared to re-
ceive the blessing. 1t also proves that there
ais no rcstraintto the Lord to save by many
or by few;" for it was not an experienced
servant ofthe church, nor man possessing
weight in worldly point Of view, whom the
Lord honored in: This affair; but young
preacher as will be seen, who was so intimi-
dated at the idea of addressing an audience
which contained many experienced and
prayerful members, that in the morning he
;,ctually set out to absent himself from the
congregation, that he might escape the duty
imposed upon him. GilIies thus describes
the parish and neighborhood.
"As the Kirk of Shots lies on the road
from the west to Edinburgh, and is distant
from any convenient place of entertainment,
some ladies of rank, who had occasion to
pass that way, met at different times civil.
ties from the minister at his house, which
was situated where the public inn is now.
Particularly once, when some misfortune
had befallen their chariot, they were obliged
to pass night in the minister's house."
This minister was Mr.. Jno. Hance.) "They
observed that the house was much out of re-
pair, and very incommodiously situated, and
used their influence to get more conven.
lent house built for HIM in another place. AT.
ter receiving such a substantial favor,
the minister waited on them to inquire if
there was any thing in his power, by which
he might testify his gratitude. They re-
piled, tnat he would oblige them much by
inviting certain ministers, eminent in promo.
ting practical religion, to assist ut his COM
munion. 1t is said that Mr.. Robert Bruce
was one Of the number engaged by Mr..
Hance in conequence Of this request. The
report of this spreading far and near, mul-
ti;udes of persons of different ranks attend.
ed there, so that for several days before the
Sacrament, there was much time spent in
socialpayer.
'.It was not usual, il seems, in those times,
to have any sermon on Monday, afer dis
pensing the Lords Supper. But God had
given 50 much of his gracious presence,
and afforded his people so much commu-
Mon with himselfon the foregoing days of
that solemnity, that they knew not how to
part wihoutthanksoiyino and praise. There