iographical Sketch 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Of that Eminent Minister of the Gospel of 
 
 JESUS CHRIST • 
 
 THE 
 
 Rev. James Hall ©. D 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED SECESSION CHURCH, 
 Broughton-place Meeting-house, 
 M EDINBURGH. 
 
 m — 
 
 ■ PAISLEY, 
 
 PRINTED BY G. CALDWELL, FOR G. DALJSELL. 
 
 ■ 1827. 
 
the Ijfde- 
 
 OP EDINBURGH. 
 — w W$§§§$$$<«mmm — 
 
 The memoirs of departed saints are interesting to sir 
 viving Christians, as they tend to unfold the provider,, 
 of God towards his people, the experimental work 
 V 1 HIT* heart?, and the influence of])!, 
 p are on their characters and conduct, and thus add m 
 formation to the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Thisr 
 terest is increased, however, when they relate to such® 
 vants of the Lord, as have long held a distinguished plan 
 
 the visible church. The following- is a very brief sketd 
 of the history and character of one who was an emiaal 
 saint, as well as an honoured, influential, and useful mi 
 sfer of the Gospel, for the space of fifty years. 
 
 Dr. Hall was bora at Cathaart-mill, on the 6th of Jan- 
 nary 17 j6, which is contiguous to Glasgow, and hadbean 
 occupied by his ancestors for many generation?. His 
 parents, James Hall and Isabel! Bulloch, were penow 
 of decided piety, superior intelligence, and a good pli- 
 cation. They were staunch Presbyterians, and zealouslf 
 adhered to that secession from the Church of .Scotland', 
 which, about twenty years hefore, had originated wii 
 
rrreat and faithful men, in convene* of the ,rror* 
 in doctrine, remissness fai discipline and n.fnn^m, ,, 
 Lv patronage, of the liberty and right, o the Ch« 
 people, which were then, and are sti 1 tolerated by the 
 LeUl assembly of the Scotch Established Church, 
 father feued a site for the first secession church m Olas- 
 {TOW, and his mother, whose paternal property lay m tla? 
 vicinity of Kirkintilloch, presented to the Seeeders at 
 that place, the ground on which their church is erected, 
 nd it appears worthy of notice, that no fewer than tfcree 
 churches were built for Dr. Hall, during the course or 
 his ministry; one at Cumnock, and two in Edinburgh, 
 He had three sisters and two brothers, four of whom 
 weie older than himself. When he was 
 of ace, his father was removed to the better country, and 
 the training of his mind devolved upon his mother,* 
 whose instructions, prayers, and example, appear to have 1 
 been eminently blessed to him, as well as to the rest of 
 her family; for from his youth, he was well acquainted 
 with the Scriptures, and exhibited a walk and conven- 
 tion becoming a disciple of Christ. 
 
 At an early age he pave indications of a sprightly in- 
 tellect, and distinguished himself at school «a a very apt 
 scholar. During his attending the grammar school of 
 Glasgow, he one year gained the second prize, and in 
 each of tie three others, the first prize, in that eminent 
 elsssical seminary. On leaving it, he entered the Uni- 
 versity of glasgow, where he studied for five sessions, and 
 went through a complete course of literary and philoso- 
 phical education, characterized by uncommon assiduity, 
 
 * This good woman lived to see a'l her children respectably- 
 settled in life* The eldest son, his father's successor in the mill 
 and farm ; James and his younger brother, (now tke Rev. Rob - 
 ert Hal!, of Kelso,) ordained ministersln the Secession- Ch urch 
 and ail her three driti/ybters, the wives of faithful fcnd enuneni. 
 :'er^ymen, in the same connexion. 
 
4 
 
 difetinguished abilities;, and tLe Inchest success. I]; 
 idus was bright and well regulated, ai d the vensatll 
 Lis talents was so striking]}- conspicuous, that he an 
 < d equally for attaining: eminence in any profession 
 the piety of his mind determined him to prospcut 
 study of Divinity. At this period, a gentleman of 
 influence, to whom his merit was well known, and 
 admired his character and talents, pave him aasur 
 of an excellent living, if he would pursue hrs tlieolq 
 studies in connexion with the Established Church; 
 immovealdy attached to the principles lie had irai 
 from his parents, and adopted from mature judffmem 
 J : politely and unhesitatingly declined the offer, &nj 
 to the Associate Presbytery of Glasgow for admia 
 into the list of its theological students, immediately 
 t lined its approbation, and entered on a course ofi 
 1 gical studies, under the Rev. John Brown, of Hatla 
 i n, then Professor of Divinity to the Associate SjJ 
 After attending the prelections of that eminent Dk 
 aad honourably undergoing the usual course of prel 
 ary ti ials. he was licenced to preach the everlasting 
 pel early in the year 1776, when he had just corapli 
 ifie twentieth year of his age. 
 
 Before he had been many months a probationer 
 received a unanimous call to become the minister! 
 new comrrecration at Cumnock, in Ayrshire andira 
 dained there in the following April, being then only 
 y. j ars of age. In the spring of 1780, he married J 
 Maxwell, of Bogton, with whom he had been intia 
 1 ■ as his childhood, and in whom he enjoyed an affecli 
 ai and valuable partner till the end of his life. H 
 li rj several children, who all died before reaching! 
 years of maturity, except one daughter, who stills 
 vivos, with her widowed mother, to lament the irrepi 
 able loss of a beloved and affectionate father. ^ 
 $he same time, he was called to be the pastor of ^ 
 
5 
 
 «tre*$c° 1! cremation, in London; but the Associate Syne- ! 
 icrrfc6a }.]v to hN desire, continued him in Cumnock. Afr 
 'ipt labo:i.i:;i r there, however, with fidelity and success, 
 •nr the M^ice of nine years, lie was translated to Edm- 
 biirgi in the iwntb of June, 1786, where he employed 
 his splended talents for the long period of forty years and 
 four months, with increasing ceWbrity. He received a 
 call, Indeed, some years after to become the minister of 
 a cewfere nation in Manchester; but the Associate Synod 
 to which he was subject, considering that his sphere of 
 usefulness was equally extensive in Edinburgh, wo-dd 
 not consent to his removal from it. As an evedenee of 
 his .unaspiring disposition, not withstanding- his unrivalled 
 popuUritv, it may he mentioned to his henour that though 
 t lie venerable Professor Ceattie, in the College of Aber- 
 deen, voluntarily undertook to procure for him the de- 
 cree of Doctor in Divinity from that University, ho bio- 
 d( stly deelineri its acceptance, because none of his bre- 
 thren in the Secession Church had, at that period, been 
 dignified with the same honorary title. It is only shout 
 thirteen yeans since the College at Philadelphie unani- 
 mously conferred the degree upon him, and previous t-<» 
 that time, a similar honour had been awarded to some 
 of his brethren bv different Universities. 
 
 He w as allowed to possess, in an eminent measure, 
 the peculiar requisites of a Christian orator. His ap- 
 pearance, especially while young, was uncommonly in 
 teresting. His poison was tall, handsome, and dignified. 
 His voice, though not sonorous, was clear, extensive ,\ 
 mellifluent — modulated with natural taste and impressive 
 variety. His eye beamed with devotvmal ardour, and 
 Jus count* nance glowed with benignant emotions. 1 1 
 action was animated, graceful, and appropriate, and 
 whole demeanour dignified ; with such' an air of uaaffect- 
 e< sanctity, that the writer, on beholding Jiis earliest ex- 
 hibmons m the pulpit, was forcibly impressed with thfe 
 
that "he moved with the easy grace of an ; 
 charged with the gracious behests of the Most High. 
 
 The style of his composition was lively, elegant,} 
 perspicuous, frequently copious, hut always replete 
 iustructice sentiments. His subjects were selected? 
 judgment — uniformly adapted to the circumstancei 
 his auditory, the peculiar aspects of Providence, ami 
 particular occasions on which they were elucidated, ] 
 divisions and subdivisions, though sometimes eonaidi 
 bly numerous, were well calculated to illustrate his 
 fcssist the memory of his hearers, and furnish them 
 topics of improving meditation In all his discourse! 
 tvas eloquent and interesting; but he consolatory!! 
 ftf reft "fan, the peaceful sound of salvation, the good 
 i igs of great joy, which were brought by the angel <i 
 I urd to the highly-favoured shepherds of Bethleht 
 ivere the themes on which he dilated with pan m 
 pleasure. He was well qualified, indeed, for rousing 
 careless, alarming the impenitent, and irr pejiing the $ 
 
 iv to flee from the wrath to come; but while txliiV 
 e love of God, the unsearchable riches of Christ, 
 
 the astonishing wonders of redemption to poor, raise 
 wrath- deserving sinners, he never failed to shine wi 
 
 surpassing lustre. 
 
 An extensive combination of attractive qualities 
 tered in to the composition of his public character, wH 
 rendered his ministrations equally acceptable to pew 
 of erudition and taste, and to ingenious minds tbatwj 
 total strangers to polite literature. He was blessed ffil 
 8 fa'cmating ease, energy, and ernestness of manner, 
 graceful facility ot utterance, a compass of laBguagewbu. 
 lever allowed him to hesitate, or to return for a bettt 
 
 v erd or a happier phrase— an amplitude of ideas WW 
 On all occasions rendered him rich and copious-a strew 
 of imagination which supplied him with striking aridj 
 Btructive figures— a comprehensive knowledge ot Ui 
 
• .1 „Wr which qualified him for bringing from the 
 *" tbe °5L™Jl OTtb, matter admirably adapted to e- 
 tte^ury of « e ™^™; n)plete understanding „f bumar. 
 wy exigence , n£gk», as made Mm admin... 
 e tS a «^W. portion of satisfactory 
 on. in "\ c most appropriate season, an «dmiral»te apU- 
 Lrthen weak hands and confirm feeble kw S 
 
 thev had unhappily abandoned, allure diffident diacip** 
 tie ^tuled iieverance, excite slothful performer, of 
 di%en P ce and activity, and provoke all whom- 
 ^mediately addressed, to the exercise o ove, and the 
 practice of good works, to run in the righteous nay s of 
 od with accelerated steps,_adorn the doctrine of God 
 their Saviour in all thing,, live soheily, righteously, an I 
 and C adly in the world, and look for tU blessed hoyr, 
 the glorious appearance of the great God even heir Sa- 
 viour the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for then,, 
 that he might redeem them from all iniquity, and pur.-/ 
 them to himself, as a peculiar people, zealous of good 
 works . In short, though he sometimes found it neces- 
 sary to assume the character of a Boanerges, he appear- 
 ed to tako much more pleasure in exhibiting himself as a 
 *on of consolation. When be ascended the pulpit, it 
 might, with much propriety, be said concerning him : 
 
 " There stands the messenger of truth ; there stands 
 
 The legate of the skies', his theme divine, 
 
 His office sacred, his credentials clear. 
 
 By him the vk>!fcted law speaks out 
 
 Its thunder ; and by him, in siraints as sweet 
 
 As ange s use, the Gospel whispers peace. 
 
 He stablishes the strong, restores the weak, 
 
 Reclaims the wanderer, binds the broken heart, 
 
And arm'd himself in panoply complete, 
 Of Jbe#renly temper, furnishes wirh arms, 
 Bfcji'wt as his own, and trains to glorious war 
 J3y ev'ry ru'e of holy discipline, 
 The saer-amenta! host of G#d'a elect." 
 
 C OWPSK. 
 
 He was also very attentive t® the private duties ofhj 
 office, while he continued able to perform them. ) : , 
 visiting? the sick, his presence, his prayers, and his con. 
 verse, were peeuliary acceptaUe and consolatory, not on- 
 |y Among his own people, but also among strangers oil 
 different denominations. And no person could be bpt.1 
 r«r qualified tor the ministerial visitation of his flock, fori* 
 fie was capable of sympathizing with distressed imlivid- 
 uals in all situations, adapting his conversation to evfry 
 varietv of circumstance, and comunieating suitable in- 
 struction in every particular condition. But, about ten 
 years ago, he was ftiflicied with an mffamation of hisli. 
 ver, 8cc, by which his life wis thought to be in imniin- 
 ent danger; and though he gradually retrained a consi-. 
 derable share of health, he was ever afterwards subject! 
 to inward complaints, that rendered hiin unable to endure 
 any great dearee of fatigue : subsequently, he frequently 
 appointed diets of visitation, and attempted to accom- 1 
 plish that interesting exercise ; yet the seeds of desease 
 were so deeply rooted in his constitution, tkat he found I 
 himself incapable of persevering, and was reluctantly o- 1 
 •Mitred to desist, The unavoidable intermission of a duty 
 f»o important was ascribed to false or eoniectural causes, 
 by the inconsiderate, the less sympathizing part of nw 
 people, such as were seldom subjected to affliction them- 
 selves, and too ant to judge unfavourably of others, with- 
 out being furnished with proper grounds : and they were, 
 imfortunatly, instrumental in spreading discontent, an«l 
 inducing others, along with themselves, to embrace tbi 
 opportunity which presented itself, of deserting his min- 
 istry, eiontiuuing in Ito»e street, when he removed 
 
9 
 
 Irith the attached members of Ms congregation to Brouffh- 
 ton-plaee. The fact is, while free from excessive pain, 
 he was indisposed to make the nature of his ftftffiefiftga 
 known ; in his coversation, he manifested so mnch rheer- 
 plness and vivacity, and in his pulpit exhibited such live- 
 liness and vigour, that these acquainted with Mm must 
 lave concluded that he enjoyed a measure of health e- 
 qual to the energy of his animal spirits. But he must 
 always have been sensible of bin ewn situation, and his 
 physicians (who, during his illness, did every tiring with- 
 in the reach of medical skill and assiduity,) e?;presse<l 
 their surprise, after having 1 completely learned the pauses 
 ( f his malady, that he had been able to undergo half the 
 fittiirue to which he bad subjected himself. Men, alas 
 look only on the outward appeal anee, but the Lord know- 
 eth tin 1 real condition of his creatures. Imperfect and 
 insao.acious moitals, therefore, should beware of rash cen- 
 su e or arrogant presumption, and pay particular atten- 
 tion to that inspired admonition — 54 Judge uot, tlwit ye 
 : be not judged ; for with what measure ye mete, tt shirt! 
 l)e measured to you apain." 
 
 As a member of ecclesiastical courts, his iuuViftent 
 was more than usually respected. He assumed no dic- 
 tatorial airs, no superiority of discernment, no disposition 
 to become the leader of a party ; but his thorough ac- 
 quaintance with the forms of business, 1 is jtist under- 
 standing of the causes that came* under discussion, bin 
 clear comprehension of the reasoning; employed by par- 
 t e* concerned, and the tend one y of argtiu ems advanced 
 ly members of court; the deep interest he took in trie 
 concert s of the ©Lurch, his impartiality in th« weighing 
 of evidence, aud his unbiased attachment to equity, jus- 
 tice, and the general interest of religion, enabled him to 
 <!e'iver his sentiments with a luminous precision, a j er- 
 tinence of remark, and a ilueucy of unpremeditated ex- 
 pression, which were well calculated to produce eonvu- 
 
10 
 
 toon, and e. rry the cause he undertook to advocate. |< 
 is true, he whs not uniformly successful, but in such eato 
 the courts had sometimes cause to regret that they bj 
 not heen governed by his views. 
 
 Km conversational powers' "'were of a superior desc il,,. 
 tion. His literary accomplishments, the extent of higi 
 formation, the versatility of his talents, his quick c«% 
 prehension of all that was said, and his admirahle facility 
 of expression, qualified him for conversing on all Buhjects 
 and with all characters, with almost equal aptitude, and 
 in a manner whirl) seldom faiied to communicate plea. 
 Mire, entertainment, and instruction. Hence it was si; 
 by an eminent American Divine, with tvhom he had con 
 traded a particukr intimacy, while he was in this e«un. 
 try, that he could not help admiring the talent of Dr, 
 Hall, for he appeared to he equally qualified forconvers- 
 ing agreeably with a girl before entering her teen*, j 
 philosopher on his most attract theories, a statesman on 
 interesting topics of legislation, and a theologian on the 
 most ahtruse points of natural and revealed religion. Bui 
 while he gave a peculiar zest to any convivial companies 
 with which he associated, he was ever ready to check 
 the smallest approach to moral impropriety, and to in- 
 troduce subjects calculated to edify as well as entertain, 
 His dignified demeanour and numerous accomplishments, 
 recommended him to the notice and friendship of persona 
 moving in the higher circles of society : and though he 
 ■either courted, nor appeared ostentai'ieus of such a dis- 
 tinction, it gave him an opportunity of more extensive 
 usefulness than he might otherwise have enjoyed; for lie 
 \* -as generally employed to prepare and transmit address- 
 es from the ecclesiastical courts with which he was con- 
 sected, to the Secretary of State, or some other influen- 
 tial member of the British Parliament, And, on many 
 occasions, his exertions were essentially serviceable to 
 the Secession Church, in getting its civil "concerns settled 
 
11 
 
 , • Merurins ncKaWw privilege*, of 
 en a firm foundation, *™ * uen *d e d, and procuring 
 
 *Kf* & was ln d ff! ,£J£JL* for «<* of i.s clergy- 
 annual .««»« ft 3t«yrf M^y'- for- 
 men as were to be paceu 
 
 eign dependencies. , . ) „, ) ., ist: a cordial supporter 
 II, was a genmne p^rtamnr P ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 of benevolent institutions, so e 9C he,ne S a* 
 
 our to originate-* zealot. ■ n, t ,„. 
 
 promised to ameliorate human m y, 
 
 bounderies of Mess.ah»km^ F ^ 
 
 solicitous that pure ™f » n ^ ine With increasing ho- 
 more obnously operate*, ana iuhal(iteU , and 
 
 «re in his own on,r . ^ ^ 
 
 ,, i9 much ovod count;, h,. IK wWch he ;is .. 
 
 V^ed U e ntns or denomination* of Chris- 
 ,„„,,! was *btain«l, * « it he t , <llls idered as a mat- 
 dans employed in pn*tQOg Il > ' ; wag e¥Stn . 
 
 of interior ^fXfrom Xgto- and Ireland, 
 f,„t from a*y other part of the world, wlien employed 
 ta emlSofb^eficence, found a ready ada.isa.oa to 
 bis bouse, bis purse, and lus pulpit. 
 
 lis temper Van mild, open, ingenuous, and affection- 
 ate. He was ever ready to befriend the unfortunate- 
 to favour them with sympathy, advice, and personal ser- 
 vices_and to emplov kis intluei.ee in endeavouring to 
 plate the unprovided in rireumsteaces of comfort, e 
 bility, or independence. To bis relatives and friend., 
 he manifested the most faitbul, fraternal, and disinterest- 
 ed attachment; ami towards all mankind he breathed the 
 eenuine spirit of Christian benevolence. It must be ac- 
 knowledge, that be felt the edge, of injurious treatment 
 
 with tlie keenest sensibility, and expressed bissenti nt> 
 
 concerning it with unreserved openness; but I an. nor 
 aware that lie ever was subject to sudden or excessive 
 ebullitions of passion, that in any instance he entertain- 
 
12 
 
 f*e 8 rancorous or revotngeful spirit, or that at any tin* 
 \m suffered the sun to g<> down on his wrath, On fa 
 contrary, I know that few were more ready to Arrive 
 thwr oiienders, to act towards them in a hind and con- 
 eduory manner, to overlook or ohliterate the injury, to 
 make considerable sacrifices for the sake of peace,' and 
 render essential services even to adversaries when pro. 
 vmentially put in their power. In such situations b* 
 was sometimes called to perform an irksome office ; but 
 when he had satisfied himself that it was a necessary 
 <!'ity, lie proceeded with promptitude to discharge it 
 without either listening to the dissuasions of his dearest 
 rVjefids or selfishly consulting with Mesh and blood. 
 
 I* la by no means intended to represent Dr. Hal] as 
 a perfect or impeccable character; but uhiie subject to 
 the common infirmities of his species, it may with more 
 than ordinary propriety he said caneernin- him, " th?t 
 even his failings leaned to virtue's side." He was some- 
 times deceived, by thinking more favourably of certain 
 characters than they deserved; and was more ap'ttoen- 
 tertain a good than a bad repoit, even of those of whom 
 he had no more than a distant knowledge— to palliate 
 rather than eggravate the chafes exhibited against cul- 
 prits, and to plead for the infliction ot ler.iem rather than 
 severe punishments, even en the guilty. He also listen- 
 ed too readily to plausible propositions', and was notsuf- 
 hcently aware of their probable result, especially when 
 they proceeded from unsuspected fiends : hence he was 
 led into secular engagements, which he did not imagine 
 wouid interfere with the immediate duties of his sacied 
 function,^ but which might, in the event of anticipated 
 success, have given him an opportunity of extended use- 
 fulness. ^ Instead of which, however, they involved him 
 in pecuniary eml arra^sment, proved a source- of severe 
 trial, and exposed 1dm to the rash censure of such as did 
 not take the trouble to investigate Lib case. Eut his 
 
13 
 
 rnrrP-t tfatement of prominent facts, hi* ingenious e*- 
 of th steps which immersed him m such a suu- 
 C' a vvi linsness to make every eacnhce calcu- 
 
 £ J to re any injury winch his falure hnd occasion- 
 ed Vrom perfectly 'satisfactory to all concern^ and 
 iblTnil to retain his respectability unimpaired, not 
 Zf&Zs his own people, and his brethren i n M«£ 
 but afro anion* impartial public characters of eveiy ite 
 331 IndeecC it is now understood, 
 both of a civil and sacred nature, were made to In n 
 which, had he been inclined to accede to them would 
 L V e placed him in circumstances far more eligible than 
 he had previously enjoyed ; but Ids piety pnneiples, and- 
 idea" of consistency, were too strong for allowing any 
 worldly considerations to influence bis conduct. 
 
 He 'continued to discharge his public duties pretty re- 
 gularly, and with great acceptability, till about a year 
 and three quarters before his death, when be was again 
 seriously seized by his former complaint, winch conhned 
 him nearly three months ; after which he occasionally re- 
 appeared in the pulpit, and was beard by his people with 
 strong sensations ot joy. Indeed, bis discourses then as 
 as well as during the whole preceding coure of Ins min- 
 istry, were so salutary and seasonable, so replete with 
 the richest marrow of the Gospel, and so strikingly a- 
 dapted to the condition of his auditory, that scarcely any 
 substitute that appeared in bis room was nearly so ac- 
 ceptable ; for, notwithstanding the duration and nature of 
 his malady, there was nothing in his public appearances 
 that seemed to indicate either the existence of disease, 
 or the imbecility of age— no whine, drawl, inaudibility, 
 or want of attention to the usual requisites, by whicMitt 
 bad been accustomed to produce a pleasing and prefit- 
 abie effect. His last sermon was preached frem Mat- 
 thew xxii. 11, 12 — " And when the king came in to sec 
 the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wed- 
 
14 
 
 fas gmiMi and he saith unto Urn, Friend how «» 
 
 IB '" ,,,pr : "<»* h»ving on a wedding ££££ 
 -nd he was H e showed that lh e maS 
 
 ens represents a!] the blessings which were p.3 
 by tha death of Christ, adapted hi, di«K»r«e to theet 
 cam tances of h is congregation, in which the Lord',. Sim" 
 
 ZlriT '? * "I""""'! 1 ,,n th ° "deeding Sabhath, aid 
 P°«"«vK (n .mprewire colour*, the sad condign of 
 those wh. eon,, to the sacramental fable without the 
 « ed d ln g garment. He intended to preach c* the eon 
 muition Sabbath, from Iaaiah x, Sl-'xhe remnant Zi 
 
 r ' , eve " *f rPmnant of Jac " b *" the mi e h,v 
 Uod ! but on the miming of that day, "he found him Jr 
 W ill, that la; was obliged to request an assiatinir cler*v 
 n-an to occupy his pl.ee, and in ess than ten da vs after' 
 w sr d,. he reined from the exercises of the sanctuary he- 
 low, to join m those that unceasingly encage the gen«n>] 
 assembly and church of the first born.'in the te»pl<?al me 
 lie died a few minutes before eight, on the morning of 
 November 28, » the seventy-first year of hia age, «,d 
 fiftieth of ins ministry. He suffered much during the 
 continuance oi Ins trouble; but he bore his apparently 
 exc s^ve pain with an exemplary fortitude, unmurmur- 
 iag resignation, and a patience which apt eared to have 
 , reduced its perfect work. He departed in the firm 
 f«th of those important truths he had been accustomed 
 to preach, in a full dependence on the faithfulness of that 
 (,od who cannot he, and in the complete possession of 
 that consolation which peculiarly belongs to the heirs of 
 promise, who, like him, have fled fur refuse to lay held 
 on the hope that is set before them. His death was 
 de^>'v r-tr-tted, a. a sad ebscurat'on of that birning 
 and shining light, in which many for a season had ex- 
 ceedingly rejoiced. The interest it excited was ( bvlous 
 at his funeral and especially at the appropriate sermon 
 paeached in ins church on the subsequent Sabbath, by 
 
15 
 
 tie Rev. John Brown, (who bad succeeded him in , 1W 
 rtreet,) when at least two-thirds of the vast multitude 
 that ar>pea r(sd solicitous to hear it, were incapable of gam- 
 ing admission into the house ; bat which being now jmb- 
 Kshed, must amplv gratify the serious reader, by the ex 
 pellence of its matter, the able delineation it contains of 
 the doctors character, and such interesting specimens of 
 his death bed exercises as are exhibited in the following 
 
 extracts : — „ 
 
 " On Tuesday morning, eight days before lie died, lie 
 summoned his family to his bed-side, and prayed. The 
 member* of his family, with his brother and sister, he 
 committed by name to the protection of God ; hut the 
 burden of his supplication was the session and congrega- 
 tion of Broughton-place, for whom he prayed, that thry 
 might individually be blessed, and that the Holy Ghost 
 might be poured out upon them, and that God would, 
 in due time, give them a pastor, taught by his spirit, who 
 should preach the Gospel in purity : it 1 be well ccqua : r*ted 
 with his Bible. 
 
 44 On Wednesday evening, when informed of the soli- 
 citude and dejection of some friends on account of his 
 affliction, and of his elders' meetings for prayer on his 
 behalf, he remarked, * Aye — 1 live in the hearts of ray 
 friends and my people, and they live in mine.' 
 
 " Early on Thursday morning, while stretched back 
 in his tick-chair, and labouring under severe pain, he 
 made the following remarks at intervals : 4 1 find that the 
 same spiritual processes, the same processes of spiritual 
 reasoning, and the same hopes which go on and animate 
 ws iu health, when we are well, go on when we are ill • 
 and encourage, support, and delight us more abundam.lv 
 in the hour of sickness, and in the prospect of death'.' 
 During the uttering of this sentence, he was iuore than 
 once interrupted by excessive difficulty of breathing Af- 
 ter a little interval, with his eyes bent upwards, he pro- 
 
16 
 
 rfM , ( ] e( l — < Thou hast redeemed us ! Thou hast redeem 
 p** us to God by thy blood ! — that is the song of tin 
 great company who surround the throne. Thou hastrt, 
 < Veined us! — that is the son g of the saints on earth 
 Thou hn c t redeemed us ; — that is the song and joy of my 
 heart.* In the same posture, after another short interval 
 he said, ' I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that 
 shall stand at the latter dry upon the earth ; and though 
 after mv skin worms destroy this body, yet in my fle&d 
 sl)all I see God.* 'I know in whom I have believed 
 and that what I have committed to him lie will present 
 qgainst that day.' < The Lord is my light, and my sal. 
 vation, whom shall I fear? The Lord liveth, and hlesJ 
 ed -be my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be ex. 
 alted-' 1 I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; 
 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown dlf righteous- 
 ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me 
 at tliat day.' * Lord Jesus receive my spirit !' 
 
 u On another occasion, he said, * The cords that bind 
 me to this world are numerous rnd very tender, hut tlicy 
 must all be cut, and lhat very soon.' And, putting his 
 hand to his chest, ' That is a true saying of David's- 
 my heart faileth. Yes, my flesh and my heart (ailetl/ 
 but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for 
 ever.' Ore of his last injunctions was, 4 Give mv low 
 to mv congregation — to every cne of them. 
 
 Let its unite with the pious author of the Funeral 
 Sermon — " that surely, afier hearing th«se things, we 
 do not feel as we ought to do, if, amid all our regrets, 
 we are not disposed to say, ' Thanks be to God who J 
 hath eivcn him the victorv.' " 
 
 FINIS,