extent of this organization, in a time of great suffering is remarkable.
Gordon of Earlston, when examined before the Privy Council in 1683, with
the instruments of torture placed in view, testified that several
counties were divided into districts, of which there were 80, with 7000
associated members. There is evidence that, chiefly through the Divine
blessing upon Renwick's faithful preaching, and his singular wisdom in
council, those Societies increased, instead of diminishing, in the
latter part of the prelatic persecution.

To the friends of evangelical truth, and the faithful witnesses for the
Redeemer's royal prerogatives, the services of Renwick, at the crisis in
which he exercised his public ministry, were invaluable. He was
eminently the man for the time. Through the influence of the unhappy
Indulgence, the strict Covenanters were reduced to what they style
themselves in the "Informatory Vindication," a "wasted, suffering,
anti-popish, anti-prelatic, anti-erastian, anti-sectarian remnant." By
the death of Cargill and Cameron, they were left as "sheep without a
shepherd,"--broken and scattered. Through the fierceness of persecution,
and the machinations of enemies, they were in danger of falling into
confusion, and of being entirely wasted and destroyed. We admire the
gracious providence of God in preparing, at this particular crisis, an
instrument of such rare and suitable endowments for feeding "the flock
in the wilderness," and for unfurling and upholding so nobly the "Banner
of truth" amidst hosts of infuriated enemies.

James Renwick, though a very youth when he entered on his arduous work,
and trained under great outward disadvantages, had a powerful and
well-cultivated mind. He was endowed with singular administrative
talent, and had great tact and skill in managing men. He was an acute
and logical thinker, an eloquent and attractive public speaker, and was