OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIELMA, VISCOUNTESS GLENORCHY, CONTAINING EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY AND By T. S. JONES, D. D. MINISTER OF HER CHAPEL, EDINBURGH. EDINBURGH: PRINTED FOR WILLIAM WHYTE AND Co. AND LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, LONDON. 1822. PREFACE. THE Author of these Annals is fully aware that they contain topics which may not prove interesting to the ordinary readers of biography. Should any who move in the higher circles of life, and seek their happiness in scenes of dissipation and folly, be induced to look into this volume, they will soon find themselves disappointed, because such persons can neither understand nor appreciate the nature of the life exhibited, which was a life of constant and unwearied devotedness to the service and glory of God. After a few pages have been read, the whole will most probably be thrown aside as destitute of entertaining incident, and the conduct delineated be branded with the common-place epithets of enthusiasm, fanaticism, and madness. But the Author confidently hopes, that by all who know the gospel in its spiritual character, these Annals will be read with heart-felt interest; not because they contain any thing strange and novel, or unfold any experience which is not more or less common to other Christians, but because they bring them to a more distinct and particular acquaintance with one whose memory is highly and justly honoured in the religious world, and evince how powerfully she felt the obligation of Christian principle, and how solicitous she was to walk, like Enoch, with her God. The Author claims no merit in bringing these Annals before the eye of the religious public. He has done little more than arrange and connect the facts and circumstances to which he had access. If, however, by his doing so, any new light shall be thrown upon the influence of Christian principles on the heart and conduct-if the friends of Christ shall be thereby stimulated to more active exertions in the cause of truth, and be encouraged and comforted in the course of their diversified experience, and thus the interests of religion and the honour of the Redeemer be in any measure advanced, his object is completely gained, and, so far as this Work is concerned, he has received his full reward. Edinburgh, May 8. 1822. i. Willielma Maxwell's birth and parentage Her mother enters into a second marriage-Her sister married to the Earl of Sutherland -Willielma marries Lord Glenorchy-Makes the tour of Europe -Returns to Britain-Enters into the dissipations of the world- Forms resolutions of leading a devout and religious life—Becomes acquainted with the Hawkstone family-Particularly with Miss Hill-Goes to Taymouth-Is there visited by sickness; under which, lasting impressions of religion are made on her heart-Letter Lady Glenorchy becomes sensible of her spiritual weakness-Miss Hill writes to her on this subject-Goes to London-Is afraid of being thereby diverted from serious subjects-Letter from Miss Hill endeavouring to strengthen her in her resolutions to resist The doctrines of forgiveness by the sacrifice of Christ, of justification by his righteousness, and of regeneration by the Spirit, were at this time revived and preached in England-They occupy the attention of Lady Glenorchy-Miss Hill writes her opinion of them -Amidst the follies of London and Bath, Lady Glenorchy deter- mines to resist them-And, in a letter, Miss Hill expresses her |