and a gentle hand, scatters in the valley, as she walketh forth in
her beauty, to testify to the goodness of the Father of all mercies.

Both at the spring and the harvest sacraments, the weather was as
that which is in Paradise; there was a glad composure in all hearts,
and the minds of men were softened towards each other. The number
of communicants was greater than had been known for many years, and
the tables were filled by the pious from many a neighbouring parish:
those of my hearers who had opposed my placing, declared openly, for
a testimony of satisfaction and holy thankfulness, that the tent, so
surrounded as it was on both occasions, was a sight they never had
expected to see. I was, to be sure, assisted by some of the best
divines then in the land, but I had not been a sluggard myself in
the vineyard.

Often, when I think on this year, so fruitful in pleasant
intimacies, has the thought come into my mind, that as the Lord
blesses the earth from time to time with a harvest of more than the
usual increase, so, in like manner, he is sometimes for a season
pleased to pour into the breasts of mankind a larger portion of
good-will and charity, disposing them to love one another, to be
kindly to all creatures, and filled with the delight of thankfulness
to himself, which is the greatest of blessings.

It was in this year that the Earl of Eaglesham ordered the fair to
be established in the village; and it was a day of wonderful
festivity to all the bairns, and lads and lassies, for miles round.
I think, indeed, that there has never been such a fair as the first
since; for although we have more mountebanks and merry-andrews now,
and richer cargoes of groceries and packman's stands, yet there has