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 T 
 
 V ' Edinburgh, May 3d. 1793. 
 
 HE General Affociate Synod read a let- 
 
 ter frtmi Mr. James M'Gregor, Mini- 
 
 fter at Piaou in N. Scotia, fetting forth the 
 very clamant condition of that country for 
 want of the gofpel, and earneftly fupplicat- 
 ifig the Synod to fend fome Minifters or 
 Preachers to affift him in anfwering the ma- 
 ny and urgent calls he had to preach the gof- 
 pel. The Synod greatly approving the zea- 
 lous fpirit that breathes through the whole 
 of Mr. M'Gregor's letter ; and judging it 
 may be of advantage for engaging young men 
 to undertake to go to N. Scotia, if they had 
 an opportunity for the perufal of it ; — they 
 agreed it fliould be printed and publiihed. 
 And they appointed Meffrs. John Buift, 
 Archibald Bruce and James Robertfon to 0- 
 verfee the publication of it ; and to add ^;f- 
 plamtory notes, as they might fee c^ufe. 
 
 JAMES MORISON, Syn. Cls. 
 
 i 
 
 To 
 
 Mr. McGregor, miffionary from the Affociate Sy- 
 nad to the GacHc congregation of Piaou, Nova Scotia, 
 was ordained by the Affociate Prefbyt^ry of Glafgow, 
 May 31ft, 1786 He has laboured with great fuccefs. 
 A petition from Mr. M'Grc^or and hia people for one 
 to take the cbarge of the half of that congregation, and 
 fundry petitions frona other places in that country for 
 Mimfters to prea^h-ln Englilh, ar^ftiB before the Synod, 
 partly from the demand they have for preachers at home, 
 ipd efpccsiUy flom iU iivctfian of young men to go a- 
 broad* 
 
 ii - v 
 
 ff i 
 
I 
 
 
 To THE Revereni|^heMOL ORATOR ANH 
 Remanent MEksEks op the GENE- 
 RAL ASSOCIATE SYNOD, to meet Af 
 EDINBURGH, Ajffii 30th, 1793. 
 
 ■lit. 
 
 ReV^RENP FATHEBtS AND B^tHai^|J, 
 
 SOME years ago application was made to you 
 for another Minifter.to this congregation. Se- 
 veral other places in this qntrter have appHed to you 
 iince, and none of us have hitherto received any 
 fupply. I beg leave therefore to put you in min^ 
 of our petitions, and to call your attention to a f«W 
 arguments in behalf of this country and Province| 
 to move you to compaiTion for uS in our deftitutc fi*- 
 tuation, and to grant us fome fpeiedy and efFc£bual 
 j'lffiftance. As to Piaouj ever fince the Synod's ap- 
 tpo'mtment of another Minifter to us, which by Di- 
 vine Providence was Ineffedual, I have confidered 
 it as two congregations. I have encitcavoured hither- 
 to to labour equally in both, though one congregation. 
 Is enough for one man. And as there is a ncceffity 
 for the two languages, the ca^fe is the fame as to 
 the people's benefit, as if one man had the charge 
 of four different congtegationa at home. From this 
 it is eafy to fee what a fmal! fhare of public ordi- 
 ^nces muft fall to every one. Many of the people 
 indeed make comfortable progrcfs under ordinances, 
 ,but how much greater might be ctpc^ed were w^ 
 l>leflcd with the labours of another Minifter ? Wi 
 foffer peculiar hardftiip in the time of difpcnfing the 
 
 Ifacramcat of the fujiasr. It is hard for one man td 
 
 I Without any aififtancc ; it i» hard thstt the one or the 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 other half of the people mu(t be idle during the 
 ynhoh time of public, worftiip, throughout the fo- 
 lemnity. This is fuch a hardfhip as none under the 
 infpcdion of the Synod, I fuppofe, ev«r fafFcrcd 
 but ouifclvcs. 'The affiflance of a Minifter who 
 could fpeak but the Englilh would relifve us out of 
 this difficulty, s^ he could difpenfe ordinances to 
 the one half and I to the other. * 
 
 In the fummcr of 1791 a^confiderable number of 
 emigrants, chiefly Roman Catholics, from the weft 
 Highlands and Iflcs, came hither. They much need 
 the gofpcl, and the help of another Minifter might 
 be very ufeful to them^ Some of them ufually hear 
 with us, and probably more would if we had ordi- 
 nances more frequently difpenfed. 
 
 Becaufe I have two or rather four congregations 
 |o fupply a'c home, it is iflopoffible for me to go much 
 abroad to fupply various ptaces that are in great need, 
 und-conftantly craving. The cafe of thefe is, the 
 more deplorable that there are but few Minifters in 
 the province, and ftiU fewer that have any tolerable 
 claim to faithfulnefs in the work of the Lord., The 
 lefs lupply they f et, and the longer they are without 
 a fixed difpenfttion of the gofpel, ignorance muft 
 prevail the more, and as it prevails they muft become 
 a readier prey to feducers. It is hardly poflible for 
 you to conceive the advantage that Satan gets over 
 a people long deprived of the public ordinances of 
 the gofpel, religious books, and the oonverfation of^ 
 pcopl-^ acquainted with the dp^rines of Chrift. If 
 .any one call himfelf a preacner, and be able to blab 
 out any thing whatfoever, there he will get hearers, 
 ^dmirers, fou^wcrs. Were the glorious gofpcl of 
 Chfift preached to them, it would certainly have 
 fuccefs. Thefe people have a powerful claim to 
 yoiir pity. * \^ 
 
 Reverend Fathers and BretSren, I have the fatif- 
 fa£lion to inform you that, fo far as I have had ac- 
 
 
 I 
 
ion of 
 I. If 
 
 blab 
 
 cefs to know, there U a greater defirc in this Pro- 
 vince to apply to you for Miniftcn than to any other 
 denomination of Prtfbytcrians. Petitions from fc- 
 veral other places would hafc been fent to you, but 
 the people arc difcouraged becaufe all apphcationi 
 from tWs quarter have hitherto been unfuccefsful. 
 This difcouragcment cannot be removed till tome Mi- 
 nifters be fent over; and they (houM be fent without 
 delay, for it is not to be fuppofcd that pcopf^f ^^^ 
 continue always waiting. Had we a few Miniiters 
 they would fcrve their owiJ coagregations, and help 
 others, and bere!<f thcf rogrefs of ignorance, errors 
 and delufions would be much checked, the work ot 
 the Lord advanced, and the peopfe encouraged to 
 apply for more Minifters Though the Synod were 
 to fend over prefently fix or Icven Minifters, 1 hope 
 neither the Synod nor the Minifters feq^t, nor yet we 
 would repent it. There is little reafon to fear that 
 they would want labour or fuftenance Let the &y- 
 nod fend over all that num%er or any part of it whicfc 
 they fliali think expedient, with all expedit^n. O 
 how longjhall I dwell folitarily in the wood. Two are 
 better than one, tecajt/e they have a g^od reward fir 
 their labour; for if they fall the one wtllhft. u^ hts 
 fellow . but W9 to him that is alone when bejalleth, for 
 he hath not another to help him up- . 
 
 But I apprehend, Reverend Fatliers and Breth- 
 ren, that there is much more need to ufe argument* 
 with young men to come than with the Synod to ap- 
 point them The Synod has always ftiewn a for- 
 wa^dn^fs to propagate the gofpel in Arr^enca : But 
 many of their appointments for that purpofe have 
 been unfucccftfui and ineffeaual. It feems that no 
 invitation, no encouragemtnt, ho arg""^"^^ ^^/^ 
 move many who are called to pre^h ^ ^^ 
 the Americans. Mofes' excufe i^ ^\^^*» ^^^^^f ^^^ 
 O my Lord, fend, I pray thee, by the hand of h^^m 
 wham thou wilt fend. Send another and not mc. 
 
 ,# S^e A Notc4>. I J. 
 
 # 
 
They arc ftrangcrs to generous obedience, Hicy be^ 
 lie the Lord Jcfus Chrift, faying, that his yoke is 
 grievous, and his burden heavy. Inftead o^ being 
 ambitious, as they ought, to know the fcUowftiip 
 of Chrift*6 fufFcrings, they ftiun it, they dread k a^ 
 hittcrnefs and death. That abundant confolation 
 which is to be enjoyed through abundant fufFerings 
 ihall never be theirs, if they can help it With great 
 grief and forrow have many ferious cliriftians, both at 
 home and abroad, obfcrved their uunccountablc 
 backwardnefs to engage ift the Lord's work in this 
 continent. This forrow touches ine now much more 
 fenfibly than ever I' expeded. I cannot h^lp deplor- 
 ing the cafe of tny fellow-creatures perifhing for 
 lack of knowledge, while thofe whofe bufinefs and 
 duty it is to help then|. are utterly unwilling to do 
 them the leaft fervice. I fear the blood of many 
 American fouls (hall be required at the hands of Mi- 
 Jiifters in North-Britain. J cannot believe that they 
 could fo fteel their hearts'againft their brethren, if 
 ,ithey only faw them, and underftood their foilorn 
 fituation. Could they fee a people brought up in a 
 tvXldernefs, without in{lru£lion, without example, 
 without books^ and without the public ordinances 
 of God's grace, furely their bowels would yearn, 
 their hearts would melt, and they would fly to theit 
 Jrelief. But, alai! they fee them not. They only 
 hear of them at times, and an imperfecl: report, not 
 frequently repeated can make but a feeble impreffion 
 on their minds. Thus the heritage of the Lord is 
 iiegleaed, and the dearly beloved of his foul given 
 into the hand of her enemies, and they who ought 
 to take the charge of her confidf.r if not. But let 
 them remember that their confciences oughi to be 
 tender, that they ought to open their ears to the firft 
 intimation of t%cir brethren's diftrefs, a.id not to be 
 rebellious, nor turn away back. The Lord fees the 
 ifflldion of his people, though they fee it not, and 
 
 
 •*i 'i 
 
obfctvM wkS a jcJom eye i:hc badcwardiieli/tlic 
 difobcciience of thofe whofe duty it is to help them, 
 and do it not. That felfiih lukewarm fpirit cannoc 
 fail to be very ofFcnfi? c to the glorious King of Zion. 
 JLndead of tbat fervent and unconquerable zea]» 
 that noble and difintcrcfted patriottfm which ihone 
 fo confpicuoufly in Paul and other Apoftles cf 
 our Lord, men who had no felfifhnefa, no home, 
 no attachment but whither* the Lord called them; 
 who had a keen and eagiT eye to difcover the patk 
 of duty, and wf re inftantly ready to follow the callv 
 of providence ; who were exquifitely jealous o£ 
 their felf-will, and of thecounfrls of flefli and blood 
 in every fhape ; and v/ho defpifed danger, and be- 
 lieved and knew that every kind of foffering, and 
 death itfelf was gain : there now prevails in thofc 
 who are their profeffed admirers and followers (and 
 I hope are rtaJlyfo in part), a love of temporal cafe, 
 and convenience, a rehi^ncc at being diflurbed* 
 and moved out of the harrow circle of their naf^'^* 
 ty, and an excciS? e caution and fisar of vcnia^ 
 doiflflf, fufFering, or loling any thing conlidc. 
 for tiac fake of Chrift or Ms church ♦, as if they 
 dedicated themfelves to the Lord in the wc^k of i.^ 
 miniiftry upon condition that he would gratify their 
 humour, or comply with their indination * . i fear 
 ihis ungenerous fpirit is an evil fign of the prefent, 
 and forebodes no good to the rifing generation. If 
 there remain unufed any means in the power of the 
 Synod whereby it may be remedied, they ought to 
 be tried. 
 
 Were there any great objedions, or any remark- 
 able caufe of difcouragement to Miniftcrs cumin^ to 
 this country they might be borne with. What if 
 they have a long voyage and a ftrange counCty be- 
 fore them ? Have they not along with that every en- 
 couragement they can wifli ? Could they reckon up 
 a long lift of Minifters drowned or tiffed about of 
 
 * Ree B. Note. o. IC. 
 
^ 
 
 violent ftormc and tempcfts In ^cir vojrigc to Amc« 
 rica 5 or could they pretend ihcy had fomc terrihk 
 perfccution to face upon their arrival, they might be 
 allowed to fear. But who knows not that there 18 
 not, on the globe, fafer failing than acrofs the At- 
 lantic, nor a more kind, generous and free people 
 than the Americans ? Their welcome in this country 
 would be. How beautiful arc ihe feet of them that 
 preach the gofpei of peace, and bring glad tidings 
 of good things. How ftiaU I excufc my rcluftant 
 brethren in the Miniftry when I fettbe men of the 
 world undergo thefe dangers and difficulties, (if ihofe 
 'be any), for far inferior confidcrations •* Do not the 
 fcrvants and officers of his Britannic Majcfty crofs 
 that ocean at any i?me in obedience to their fuperi- 
 ors ? Do not the worlh^pe rs of Mammon traverfe 
 the.Atlantic ^ccflantly, even in the ftormieft fca- 
 fons of the year, for paltry trifles of filthy lucre ? 
 Do not multitudes of emigrants cofs it every year, 
 merely for the hope of earning more cafiJy or com- 
 fortably food and raiment fior their bodies ? And 
 abuve all what (hall I fay, when rank Armenians, 
 Socinians, Popiih priefts, aad filthy dreamers, men 
 whom earth and fea arc ready to fwallow up, and 
 for whom there is no divine promife of grace or af« 
 fiftance to depend upon in their work, not only tra- 
 verfe the Atlantic, but, uninvited, unattended, and 
 often unrewarded, fcour the v/ili^s and dtfar^s of A^ 
 m/irica in cold and heat, to make profelytes to their 
 pernicious opinions? Alas! Ihall they who know 
 themfelves to ferve the beft of all Mafters, and to be 
 engaged in the mofl: precious and honourable of all 
 employments, who are not bid to crofs that fea but 
 in the calmeft and miMcft feafon of be year, and 
 who may cxpe£t a hearty welcome from their friends 
 before them ; nay more, who have the bcft reafon 
 tocxpea the atrendance and miniflration of angels, 
 |nd |hc blefling, favour and protedion of an inficite- 
 

 Vf ifrkciottt and CQmpanfionate God and Saviour; 
 Ihtli thefc flatly rrU\(e 'i It ff »ftoiiiftimg ihat an/ 
 Iprvantof Chrid can feriouUy ihink. that hU i)i' m« 
 Maftcr will admit of fuch aii rxc«fc. For my own 
 part I know not whether \ Should more pity or deteit 
 the forry cowardice and pufiilanin^Uy of th fc dal* 
 tardly fpirits who fright themfelves with fuch a bug? 
 bear. I almolt think it a happy thing that the At«» 
 latltic lies between them and us to bar fuch cowards 
 from coming hichei-. ,v 
 
 Thcrevcrcclimateofthis country is a terror toforae. 
 »But tender and delicate fcrT"\!e« arc able to bear it 
 with eafc Ihough it is cold for a while in winter, yet 
 upon the whole it is more healthy than that of Bri* 
 tain or th united dates cf America, and i fuppofe 
 aeagrccabii.*. ^ 
 
 Again, another ftrong objedioa* is the difliculty 
 lOf le^iving father,! mother, relations, acquaintance! 
 and country. To this the words of our Saviour are 
 fo plain and deciGi^e an anfwer that it it a wonder 
 that any one (hould for a moment entertain that oH- 
 je^ton. Upon the one hand his gracious prcmifet 
 every one ihat hath forfakcn houfesj or brethren, or 
 Sfters, or father, or mother* or wife or children, or 
 lands for my name's fake {hall reiicivc an hundred 
 fold, and IhaU inherit eve rlaftiftg life. Upon tl«e 
 t>ther h'.s righteous threatening,! he that loveth fa- 
 ther or mother more than me is net worthy of me ; 
 andiie that loyeth fon or daughter more than me is 
 not worthy of me \ and he that (akerh^|r}t his crofs 
 and folio weth after me is not worthy of me. He 
 #^tbat findeth hi& life (hall lofe it. And he that lof- 
 eth his lite for my fake (hall find it But after aM; I 
 fear that this obj^£tion maintains its ground in the 
 iieajt with more force than is common y fufpt^cted. 
 That naiural and ftrong attachi.unt wnica fhry have 
 to country and frien^i^?, and of com iV that rduttance 
 fcqually ftro.ng) to leave th m, belide theu" uCuai and 
 
 * See C Notr d. ic, i6. 
 
 * 
 
common powtr, acquire on thU occafion much ad^ 
 ditional force, fo that tinder their influence they re* 
 prefent to thcmfehcs this country much more gicw- 
 my and difagrceable than it really h, they magnify 
 beyond meafurc th imallcft difficulty that lies in 
 their way to it, and create many where there ar« 
 none. I may apply to them the parable of the man 
 ^ho married a wife, and couid not qome. Their 
 hearts arc wedded clfewhere, and they cannot, 
 they cannot prevail with thcmfelves tq come hi- 
 ther. And indeed if the authority of the glorious 
 Redeemer will not move thern, in vsiin (hall I hope 
 to prevail by my arguments. But of what ufe arc 
 fuch in the fervice of Chrift? To what purpofe do 
 they call him Lord and Matter ? Did not he fpeak 
 thofe words from a forefight of the very cafe of mi* 
 nifters going from Britain to America, and with a 
 fpecial application to them ? Did he not interpofe 
 his authority, and promife, and threatening for their 
 very fakes } and fhall his words be without meaning 
 or ciFeft ? It is certainly a great (hame for theminrfi 
 ters of the mere clear, free and joyous difpcnfation 
 of the New Teftament to come fo far behind thofe 
 of the Old. Levi could fay unto his father and to 
 his mother, I have not feen him, neither did he ac- 
 knowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children. 
 I fuppofe it will be neceflary for the Synod to take 
 confiderablc pains with young men whom they ap- 
 point to America, that if poffible they may ihorpiigh" 
 ly undermine and remove this ftubborn objection. 
 One generous effort, could they be prevailed upon 
 to make it, would burft its fhar.kles, and put them, c- 
 vcr after in the way of duty and comfort. And hoW 
 much preferable would it be to do a little violence to 
 their feelings and affections for once, than to be at 
 times, while they live, fubj?£t to twinges of con- 
 fcience for having refufed a great and lafting duly. 
 But F am afraid th^v will (hield *hf?mfev**fi frnjrs* 
 
 iAAi4i'*-'-i-.^^--i*; ^- •" ■' 
 
y?} 
 
 eonfcenoe »lfo. They may think if they refofe t<» 
 go to America, they (hall be a, profit«bl/en,nlo,ed 
 «, other parts of the vineyard. Others^ hate refufed 
 
 A I' ' n ^'J ^'' '^^'^ "0* otherwife than ^ell, 
 and they (hall fare no worfe. But I beg leave to 
 
 U\l ">V»tl'*': herein thcv are widely miftaken. 
 Though the Matter may .mploy them elfevtrhere 
 he muft account their refufal a difobedience and of- 
 fence, nor will he let it go without chaftifement. I 
 am not inclined to tell them that hereby they endar- 
 ger their fouls, as to their eternal ftate, though per- 
 
 whether fuch d.fobed.ence may not be a token of the 
 naughtmefs of their hearts. I am fure that no fer- 
 vant of Chrift ever did or ever will loie by hi. obedi- 
 enceor yet gainby his difobedience more than other.. 
 While the world ftands the Lord will not only make 
 a difference between him who ferveth God and him 
 who ferveth him not, but moreover he will make a 
 great difference between him who ferveth him pee- 
 vilhly, frcwardly. negligently, and him who ferveth 
 bim freely, generoufly and punaually. For in con- 
 
 vomfortGod will be merciful to the merciful, pure 
 
 the pure, and froward to the froward. Though 
 
 the Lord may not caft them out of the miniftry, nor 
 
 that he^ali deal them out both comfort and fuccefs 
 with afparmg hand : and it is not poffible that they 
 can have that abundant, full, foul-cheering and en- 
 riching joy and confolation which they might enioy 
 were they generoufly to forfake father, mother, 
 friends and country for Chrift's fake and the gofpel's! 
 Difobedience to appointments for America is now 
 become fo common and fafliionable that I fear they 
 will benceforth be made little account of, fo that it 
 " ''"~"" agamft hope for ui to expeft a competent 
 
 13 
 
 i. i J 
 
 -; 7^uu|j uicnucn, wnc- 
 
tlier tlicy will hear or whether they will forbear, that 
 the more the call to preach the gofpel to the Ameri- 
 cans is neglc£^eci it g^ows the louder, and the firt oi 
 turning a deaf ear to it the greater. Chrift no»» fayt 
 to them, with peculiar cmphafis^ Will ye alfo refiife 9' 
 And let them remember that there is a cup of fathcr**^ 
 )y cbaftifement a fiHIng-up for the difobedient chil- 
 dren of God as well as wrath for his enemies. No 
 one can fay how long his patience may laft, only it 
 is not to be fuppofed that he will defer fo long to 
 corredl thofe as to punifh thefe. Tou only have I 
 kno'wny therefore will I punijh you. Let them there- 
 fore take heed that they do not fervc themfelves heirs 
 to them who have refufcd former appointments, left 
 they get the cup to drink. Though it be adminifter- 
 ed by the hand of a father it may he very bitter. 
 *•* I am not fond of ufing fo much feverity. I would 
 much rather allure my brethren over, or rather I 
 wifli they would of their own accord come chearful- 
 ly to the work of the Lord, without regarding con- 
 ftqoences. My dear young Brethren, let me re- 
 'Commf nd America to you. Whatever it b'e to others, 
 it is the beft place for Miniftera that I know in the 
 world i Only be prevailed upon to come. You 
 will fee that eveiy thing which feemed againft you 
 will be really Cor you The very ignorance of the 
 people will be unfpeakably in your favour; for there 
 is every probability, of your being more fuccefsful 
 among fuch, and you will have a far better opportu- 
 nity of oblerving the fucccfs of your labour than if 
 you were to tnter into the labours of others, or build 
 where the fcundation was previcufly laid. 1 have 
 been here above, fix years, in as difadvantageous cir- 
 cumftances, I fuppofe, as any whom the Synod ever 
 fent to this continent ; and though indeed 1 have 
 been in it, in wcaknefs, in fear, in trembling, yet I 
 account it the happieft thing that ever befel me that 
 1 was feut to America. 1 had my rcludlanccj my 
 
( »3 ) 
 
 ftrupgle ttd 1 fet off, but I liiave reafon ti blefs God 
 while I IJve, that I was not fufFered to compiy with 
 the counftls of flefh and Wood to (tay at home, 1 am 
 furc that ail the world would no: keep you out of A- 
 merica if ye only knew what it yields. O tafte and 
 fee that cur Gofi is good. Only believe, and you 
 ihall furely fee bis glory, you fliall fee it far beyond 
 wha^you can fxpeft. He wiM fupply all your need 
 according to his riches in glory by Chrift Jefus. He 
 will grant you more of the unutterable and glorious 
 joy of faith in this wildernefs than in the moft fplen- 
 did cities of Britain. You (hall indeed be par- 
 takers of the afflictions of the Gofpel. Let this 
 be your joy, not your difcouragment, for no fuf- 
 fciing fhall befal you here but what (hall be meafur- 
 ed out to you by infinite tcndernefs, love and faith- 
 fulnefs ; and attention to your ability to bear ; and 
 withal counterbalanted with exceeding joy. God 
 will make all grace to .ib^und tewards you, th«t ye 
 always having all fufEciency in all things may abound 
 unto every good work, being enriched in every thing 
 unto all bountifulnefs to God's praife. I fhall not 
 fay that God is bv tter in America than in Britain, 
 but I miftake it if you fhall not find him better to 
 
 you. ' - - 
 
 Reverend fathers and brethren, if after all lean 
 fay, ttte Synod cannot fend, young men will not 
 run-, our hope fiiall not be loft, we fiiall not be cut 
 ©ifF for our part. We know who made ifaiah to fay, 
 Here am I, feno me; who faid, Lo, I am with you 
 always even to the end of the world. We can do all 
 things through Chrift Jefus who ftrengtheneth us. 
 He fliall make worm. Jacob to thre(h the mountains 
 and beat them fmalL Our merciful and faithful 
 high prieft has a moft pcrfeft knowledge of our fitu- 
 ation and his moft abundant and tender compiaffion 
 j .. ../. «»:tl «/%«• fiiflTr*!- Kitrt tn leave us unrelieved fnr 
 
 one moment longer than our good requires.-^-, 
 
( « ) 
 
 (f> Lord, look d^wn from he avert , and behld frotn the 
 habitation of thy holihefs and of thy glory ^ luhere is thy 
 zeal, and thy Jlrengtht and the founding of thy boiuels^ 
 and of thy nurcies towards us ? 1 hey Ihall not b6 
 retrained. 
 
 Reverend fathers and brethren, I hope I (hall ob- 
 n % tain your pardon, if any of you think I have writtert 
 in a drain too keen. My feelings and thoughts on 
 thisfubje£t cannot be the fame with yours. I have» 
 been long alone. We have been repeatedly difap« 
 pointed. We fear we ihall be fo again. I know that 
 ihe obje^ions which prevent our help are but trifles. 
 I fee the mifery of my fcUow-creatures without the 
 gofpcl. 
 
 •^ May the God of the whole earth blefs you, and 
 keep you. Jehovah make his face to fhinc upon you^ 
 and be gracious unto you. Jehovah lift up his coun* 
 tenance upon you^ and give you peaee. May the 
 fpirit of wifdom and knowledge guide you in all 
 your deliberations, and fecond your appointmentSf 
 May h(^ fend forth labourers into his own harveO;^ 
 and give them willingnefs of heart to go to the worl^ 
 of the Lord wherever he fends them. 
 
 I am, 
 
 Reverend Fathers and Brethren,' 
 
 Your fcllow-fervant in Chrift's Gofpel,- 
 Pia^tt, Sept. 
 29th 1792. JAMES MACGREGOR. 
 
 -« - { 
 
( 'S ) 
 
 A. Note, page 5th. 
 
 Ever fi nee [the year 1753, the Synod have miflion- 
 'cd Minifters and Preachers, from time to time, to North 
 America. Some congregstioDs, of the now United 
 States, and Piflou in Nova Scotia, fent home money for 
 the cxpence of their miffions : but the cxpence of the 
 greateft number of the miHions has been defrayed ty the 
 Synod, and their congregations in Scotland. And the 
 Synod, for the encouragemeut of young men, and re- 
 lief of the churcheB abroad, have, by a late a6i, made 
 their pubh'c funds liable to be charged with the expence 
 of miiOonariea returning from America, if, after a trial 
 of a few years, they cannot be r.econciled to a fettle- 
 ment in that part of the world. 
 
 B. Note, page 7th. 
 
 The Synod arc heartily grieved at the rcluftancc 
 of Preachers to u^d^rtake miffiona to America. The 
 language in this letter may appear fevcre; but fome «1- 
 lowance (hould be made for one in the fituation of Mr. 
 M*Gregor, feparated from his Brethren fpr many years* 
 unable to anfwer the deroandt of thofe who apply to 
 him, and often dtfappointed of exped«:d afilftance. His 
 difinterefted and exemplary conduct in his undertaking the 
 mifiioo^ and hii patient continuance in his labours, have 
 fuch ^ refcmblance of the fpirit of the primitive apofto- 
 lical times, ^s will excufe the warmth and xeai with 
 which he addreifes his Brethren to partake with him in 
 the difficult work, which he haa found to be at the fame 
 time lb very pleafant. 
 
 C« Note, page 9th. 
 
 In illuftratlon of the above, fome obfcrvationa in a 
 letter 6f December 30th 1790, from Mr. M*Gregor to 
 Mr. Buii^, to be communicated^ may be fele£led. 
 
 I. As to fog or mift. Nova Scotia is a great deal clear- 
 er of it than-aoy part that ever I faw of Scotland. Up- 
 on the 6fhing banks round the fouth and eaft coafts th( re 
 is a great deal of fog.— *-But, the inland country, in- 
 Head of being foggy, is remarkably clear. Along the 
 coaft, to the northward, there is very little fog. Wc 
 
 May,-— Before I came to this country, I thought it wai 
 
.,14 
 
 
 
 ft y f'9 
 
 ( -ft -f 
 
 fo^ti' chiefly from ttie accounts of Geoy3;rapherc ; and 
 I mi furpriffd, Whcft, after a year'i trial, I found it 
 fo i!K»yi the rcvtric You may confidently contradi^l' 
 any msn who will affert that Nova Scotia ia fo^gy, .ex- 
 ccpi a narrow ftrip along Ae fouth and caft cosfts; 
 
 II. As to rain. I ana 'cpnfident we hayc tnuchi^ 
 rain here chao in Sc-^tliiJKf. It raint* fti Ji.pf-;i, but it 
 cannot be caHtd a'ralrtj^ month. Ft'oin May, 'ciil No- 
 vembcr, in gencfal, it is drier than at home, and more 
 agreeable. NoWstfbtr Jr the only month that can be 
 called rainy. ^ 
 
 in. M to i^holefomenefp. Nova Scotia is far mdr^4 
 wholefdue than Scotland. /There are people here f^oni 
 a variety of nations, and it js generally agreed that it il 
 the moft wholefome place^^er ihev ivere in. The. fol- 
 lowing obfervations prove? its wholefomenefs. ift, A- 
 l^out 22 or 23 ytfars ago, tlie firft, fcttlers came to piei 
 fiify* viz 5 or 6 families ; about 17 fears ^ago abont^ 
 iariulies J i5 7cat8igo1^^milie9. The ife»tt«fia%«:t* 
 ment was at the peace %iow, as far as I 6ait rccolle<a^ 
 there are not any heads oithofe families, male or femaley 
 yet dead except one <!^i||fe^ 2d. * For^^l^own |»«rt^ 
 
 fcieft has edited me cISl 
 tec. '■ ■' ■ ■ ■ \ *'■ > 
 
 the cHm«e ^« winter 
 is ftvfer'e imdi^ed; Blit'WeIre not naked or deftitule of 
 firewood ' Some freeze to death, but they are general- 
 ly drunkard^. Some lofe their toes and the fkin of their 
 fingers, but they are generally fcol hardy. Accidents 
 have happened to the moft cautiouSf but veryje!%m. . * 
 Our feverc weather is not fo difagreetble nor hurtful ai-^ 
 ibe cold, wet, fleety weather at home; nor have we 
 ever, above three nights of fevere froft at once** It Oe» 
 ver fails to relax, and it generally thav^s gently for a JTi;!^ 
 days after tlic third night of fevefe froft. But at any 
 rate,' our charming fj^ring an^ fommer make up fully 
 Tor the fevcrity of oiti' winter; I believe, there is na 
 p^tt of the giobe whcfrfe there tt 4 more beautiful fpring 
 than in Nova Scutia. Upoa the whol|, if I bad no in- 
 
 dncement to iee old Scdtland but its climate; I woulcf 
 
 LVj^^lt J ■«'/;, J. », i^L^. gjc '^ . . . . -■- 1 '"_ "-• ■" 
 
 * Particujsr <?f*{es ©f delicate people owitted 1ft this cxtra(Sl, 
 
 I 
 
 do not rerriemb^"th 
 ir to my bed fmcel 
 Vi: As tp the fWe^lt 
 
 
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