Tuesday, December 8.—It was determined that Mr Dickie should go to London to invite Mr Clayton to come to the chapel.

1779.-In the close of the month of November, Mr Clayton was ordained pastor of the church and congregation of the Weigh-house, East-Cheap. The author, at Mr Clayton's request, was present at that solemnity, and remained in London some weeks afterwards. While there he received a letter from her Ladyship, requesting his attention to the son of a noble friend of hers, who lay ill at Plymouth Dock. Being unable to comply with her request, he immediately wrote her Ladyship to that effect; and in course received the following answer, under cover to Mr Dickie, begging that he would aid him in his negociation with Mr Clayton.

Lady Glenorchy to the Rev. T. S. Jones.

"Rev. Sir,--I received your letter last night, and could not help esteeming it a kind providence to me, your being in London at this particular time, as you now may be very assisting to me in an affair that I have much at heart, and is as follows:

"From what you formerly wrote to me of Mr Clayton, and from the character I have heard of him lately from others, I am led to form a very favourable opinion of him. And hearing lately that he was ordained minister of a Presbyterian meeting in London, (a circumstance absolutely necessary to qualify a person for usefulness here), I have sent a gentleman from this place to hear him, and if he thinks his manner of preaching the gospel suitable to our congregation, he has powers from me to invite him to the pastoral care of it. But

Mr Clayton being perfectly a stranger to me, and the people of this country may possibly be startled at such a proposal, and without due inquiry or consideration may reject it, I shall therefore be exceedingly obliged to you, if you will do what you can to remove any prejudices he may have formed against it. You know pretty nearly my views and plans, though you cannot let him into the extent of the sphere of usefulness he will have here, without having seen it. But of this you may assure him, that if he comes, and is acceptable to the people, (which I do not in the least doubt will be the case), he will have an opportunity of preaching the gospel to more souls in one year, than he can have in London in twenty, unless he goes to TottenhamCourt Chapel or the Tabernacle,—because, besides his own stated congregation of two thousand persons, the whole town will endeavour to hear him, and I have a chapel in the neighbourhood which he may supply whenever his time permits.

"Mr Clayton being already qualified for this, by his ordination to the Weigh-house congregation, is a circumstance that appears so providential, that I cannot help thinking it points him out clearly as the person destined for us. The event will show whether I am right or not. If he should be of a different opinion, I hope you will be so kind as assist, by your advice, Mr Dickie, (who will probably give you this letter), in search of some other ordained minister, who may suit us. I shall make no apology for giving you this trouble, as I am fully persuaded you wish well to Zion, and will be glad to forward the work of God in this, as well as your native land. Mr Dickie is one of the managers of my chapel, and can inform you that the work of God still goes on among us: the Spirit of

the Lord remaineth, though not in that measure we desire.

"That He may be continually at your right hand, to give you the support and assistance you stand in need of, is, Reverend Sir, the hearty desire of your well-wisher in the Lord, W. GLENORCHY."

Mr Clayton, after a very short deliberation, declined the offer. This occasioned a second letter from Lady Glenorchy, in which she pressingly invited the author to visit Scotland immediately, to supply her chapel for a few weeks, and to which he assented. The letter was in the terms subjoined.

Lady Glenorchy to the Rev. T. S. Jones.

"Reverend Sir,-I received your letter, and one from Mr Dickie, this evening, from which I perceive that my expectations from your friendly zeal have been fully answered. I feel more obliged to you than I have at present time to express. Mr Clayton's three first objections may be easily answered. The last four have more weight; and I feel so much the want of a lively gospel preacher here, that I know not how to urge him to leave a congregation destitute, who are attached to him. Yet the much greater sphere of usefulness here, might render such a request lawful.

"I would very willingly set out immediately for London, to try what influence I could have, were it not from present indisposition, and also that Lord Bhas been complaining for some days; so that I cannot leave this place immediately, nor can I fix any time for so doing. Meanwhile, it would give me very great satisfaction if you could accompany Mr Dickie, and

pay us a visit of a few weeks here; as much longer or shorter as you please: but I should like to see you, and consult with you upon what can be done in this important affair. You can then see the congregation and the country, and could give Mr Clayton a more distinct idea of every thing concerning them; and we should have the benefit of your labours for a few Sabbaths, which would be very refreshing to myself, and, I believe I may say, to the whole congregation. If you do this, I shall write your apology to Mr Kinsman, and take the blame upon myself. You used to express a desire of seeing Scotland: you now have a good opportunity of doing so; an agreeable companion on the road; when you arrive you shall have a room in my house, and two thousand people to preach to, as often as you please. I think this will be a more useful expedition than that into Gloucestershire; and I hope you will consent to it: and may the Lord send you to us in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

way

"I have only time to beg you would remember me to Mr Clayton, and tell him I enter into all his feelings upon the subject in question, and am sorrow his does not appear more clear. I hope the God whom we serve will not permit us to err, but will overrule this important matter in the way that shall be most for his glory. In haste, I must subscribe myself, your obliged friend, W. G."

When the author consented to visit Scotland, he had not the least expectation that the result would be his remaining there. After however having preached a few Sabbaths, at the request of the managers and congregation, Lady Glenorchy made him an offer, to which she added her personal request, that he would become the minister of her chapel. In the middle

of March he returned to London, where he soon after received a written invitation, in the form of a call, from her Ladyship, the managers, and the whole congregation. He had previously been known to, and had repeatedly preached for some of the members of the Scots Presbytery in London. On application being made to them, they received him on trial, and on the 9th day of June ordained him to the office of the holy ministry, before a crowded congregation, in a Scots Presbyterian chapel, Peterstreet, Soho. Lady Glenorchy, being at that time in London, was present, and in a few days afterwards went to Buxton, and thence to Edinburgh, to attend his admission to be the minister of her chapel.

On July the 25th, Mr Walker, of the High Church, preached in the chapel, and introduced him to the congregation as their minister and pastor. Thus, after seven years' contest and anxiety, Lady Glenorchy's vexations with respect to this institution terminated. And here it may be proper to remark, that whatever usefulness, whatever respectability, whatever comfort have attended the institution, much may be ascribed to the many fervent prayers with which Lady Glenorchy, and those upright and pious persons with whom she associated, accompanied their exertions in carrying it forward. They are now in glory; they rest from their labours, and their works do follow. them.

What were Lady Glenorchy's thoughts and exercises during this period, will be seen by the following extracts from her Diary.

January 3.-Last week my mind has been almost wholly taken up with the affairs of the chapel. Thursday morning I set apart for prayer; but felt little