George Whitefield - Philip - XI - Chapter 9 commenced

Required reading
Life and times of George Whitefield by Robert Philip (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Begin reading Chapter 9 by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'So far the interview was mutually gratifying' (page 236 in the Banner edition).

My summary
Today we read half of the Chapter concerning Whitefield in Scotland.

Most of the reading is taken up with:
- an account the Secession of the Scottish Presbyterians;
- letters from Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine inviting Whitefield to Scotland;
- Whitefield's reply to Ralph Erskine.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the description of the Seceders: 'Like their ancestors [the Scottish covenanters], whose memory for the most part they warmly cherished and venerated, besides being zealous Presbyterians, they were distinguished by frugal habits, simple manners, and an ardent regard for evangelical doctrines. In addition to a regular and exemplary attendance on the public ordinances of Divine worship, they faithfully performed the exercises of devotion in their families, and laboured, with patriarchal diligence, to instil into the minds of their children and domestics the principles of sound doctrine and a holy life. The strict and regular observance of the duties of family religion, appears to have been one chief cause of the high eminence in scriptural knowledge, in sobriety of manners, as well as in every domestic virtue, for which the northern part of Great Britain was then justly celebrated.'

Strict and regular observance of family religion was seen to be the cause of much fruit.  A good lesson for today.  We cannot undervalue the importance of family worship.

Next week's reading
Finish reading Chapter Nine.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.