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    beginning fixed . One of them told me he thought it would T > e a more favourable time two or three years beace . I believe ( there are Unitarians in Greenock whose feelings and wishes are very different ; but they are in ^ the more humble walks of life . I gave those I conversed with my

    thoughts freely . Though previous notice had been sent , on my arrival I found no place to preach in had been provided , no public notice given , nor even the friends in general informed of my coming * , though the information had been received by those who are considered as managers at

    least two days before . Mortifying as it was to find things in this state , I resolved either to preach at Greenock , or to return the same day to Port-Glasgow , where I knew 1 could have a congregation . At length a room was procured ; hut it being a busy time , " and the notice verv short and

    partial , we had no congregation the first evening ; on the second evening a small assembly came together , to whom I preached , I am truly sorry I have not a better report to make respecting Greenock : this report I feel it my painful duty to inake , and Jiave simply stated facts , without venturing 1 to make any comment on them .

    17 . Darnick . This is a hamlet of Melrose . I preached here one Sunday three discourses . The meetings were well attended . In this place there are several well-informed and zealous Unitarians . They have suffered reproach , and attempts have been made to

    injure them in their trade , on account of their religious sentiments , since I was here before ; but they have continued steadfast in their profession . I preached in a carpenter ' s shop . At Barnick I was met by friends from Melrose , Jedburgh and Gallisbielsj in all which places there are Unitarians .

    T visited the following places ^ but found no opening for preaching * 1 . Dairy . In this village there are several Unitarians , and I should have preached , had not the attention of the inhabitants been too completely pre-occupied by a company of

    players , and by a juggler , the former . © f whom gratified them with comic scenes , and the latter with two pennyworth of mystery , that evening ; so I spent the time in conversation with my friends .

    % . Kilwinning . There are a few Unitarians in this vil-Jagre y " but the inhabitants are either so indifferent , or so deeply prejudiced , that it was deemed impossible to obtain , a

    congregation ; consequently all I could da was to strengthen the brethren . 3- KilfnaTitock . I lied hoped to find a person in the nei ghbourhood of this town who is a friend

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    to the causey but on my arrival discovered that he laved many miles distant , and could find no opening to do any thing-. In some partg of Airs hire there are Unitarians who will not stir in the Unitarian cause .

    4 . Carstairs . There are persons favourable t& Unitarianism in this village 5 but no place could be procured to preach in , and the weather would not admit of being- abroad . 5 . JBiggar .

    Here no place could be procured t& preach in , and the weather was unfavourable to being in the open air ; nor could we discover that any persons were either disposed to hear or to converse with us . 6 , Covendon .

    A village at the foot of the hill called Tintoc . Here we spent several hours in interesting conversation with several persons who are favourable to Unitarianism . They were working men , but intelligent and well-informed for persons in their situation .

    7 . Ttlhcultrie , In this village there is one Unitarian family , with whom I spent part 4 > f a day ; but there were not persons sufficient disposed to hear to have a public meeting . There are individual Unitarians , or single families , in various other places which I had not time to visit .

    I had intended going farther north than Aberdeen , but was too long detained in the-West to have time to do it . Remarks on the whole . Though there is but one new Unitarian church since I was in Scotland in the year 1814 , viz . that at Blackford , the cause has been making progress during the last three years ; the knowledge of the Unitarian doctrine is further extended 1

    more tracts are got into circulation 5 a number of individuals in different places have received the doctrine , and new members , have been added to the Unitarian churches already formed . On the whole , the prospect is encouraging in North Britain : if proper means be

    used new churches will be formed , and the cause will make more rapid progress than it has lately done . There is an evident ? abatement of prejudice , animosity anjd intolerance in many places , and an increase of liberality and the spirit of fre * inquiry . Jt cannot be denied that , in some places , there has been a ' neglecjt of those

    means which ought to have been used for the promotion of the cause , and a want of exertion , without Which success is not to he expected 5 hut it is hoped our brethren will be more active ,, and by their an ion ^ zeal , diligence and persevering exertions , do all they can to promote the knowledge of the truth , and the prevalence of the tru # spirit and practice of Christianity .

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    Intelltgmce . <~ Unitari ( wi J ? uni . l&f

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1819, page 197, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1770/page/59/