128 A Journey to London in 1840. 



probably the most learned theologian in Scotland, and, perhaps, 

 all in all, the most interesting and instructive preacher I ever 

 heard. 



The next parish is Shotts, the manse of which stands about 

 800 feet above the level of the sea, and is, I should think, about 

 the coldest, as it looks the most uninteresting and bleak, dwelling 

 in Scotland. Shotts is memorable in religious history on account 

 of the so-called " Revival " which took place there in 1630 owing 

 to a sermon preached by the Rev. John Livingstone (1603-1672), 

 of Lanark, then unordained, when it is said 500 persons were con- 

 verted. Of late this circumstance has been universally referred 

 to in triumph in connection with fanatic attempts to create fresh 

 "Revivals." I look on all such absurd movements with a very 

 different eye from that with Avhich, in juvenile and unthinking 

 years, I was accustomed to do. I regard such projects as a dis- 

 gusting modification of priestcraft on the part of those clergymen 

 who abet and encourage them ; and where successful for a 

 moment, for their influence is necessarily momentary, merely so 

 as the result of ignorance, superstition, and nervousness on the 

 part of those who are the victims. We believe that recentl}- they 

 have promoted immorality instead of piety, and have done much 

 ill and no good. Mere nervous excitement is not sanctity. 

 Besides a person mav have his organ of veneration highly excited, 

 not for a time only but perhaps during his whole life, while the 

 organs of conscientiousness, benevolence, and all the moral senti- 

 ments may lie dormant. Hence the monstrous and unnatural 

 combination of a high profession of religion with immorality in all 

 its most repulsive phases. If a man's heart and conduct are not 

 pure and exemplary I would give nothing for his sighing and 

 praying, and his ostentatious display of religion ; or rather I dis- 

 regard these with contempt. A man's religion is unsound, and he 

 only deceives himself, unless he keeps the Commandments, or 

 practices justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly with his God. 

 Revivals have a direct tendency to decei\'e their unfortunate 

 victims and to invest them with the most hateful and unscriptural 

 of all things — religious pride and a contempt for others not de- 

 luded like themselves. Happily Shotts is remarkable for various 

 things more important and honourable than these fanatic ebulli- 

 tions of pseudo piety ; it is the birthplace of several illustrious 

 characters. Gavin Hamilton (1730-1797), the famous historical 



