When he had fully established his reputation, the university of Edinburgh, without any solicitation on his part, unanimously conferred on him the degree of Doctor in Divinity, June 12, 1786. - The ecclesiastical establishment of the church of Scotland presented a favourable field for the exercise and display of his talents. In the meetings of the Presbytery to which he belonged, and in the General Assembly, of which he was frequently elected a Member, he stood forth to defend with energy those principles which he regarded as orthodox. Nor did the multiplicity of his active engagements interrupt his private researches, or prevent him from composing works, by which, though dead," he yet speaketh." Of his writings, that which was produced at the greatest expence of time and labour is, "A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John," in two vols. octavo, published at Edinburgh, 1794. With a view to disseminate principles conducive to peace and good order in society, he published in 1801," An Essay on the Influence of Religion on Civil Society and Civil Government." A portion of his leisure hours he devoted to agricultural pursuits; and in 1794 he drew up, for the Board of Agriculture," A General View of the Agriculture of the County of Dumfries, with Observations on the Means of its Improvement."

In general, he had been blessed with good health. Occasionally he had been visited with inflammatory complaints, occasioned chiefly by his exertions in public duty. For about two years before his death, he was more exhausted than formerly by these exertions; yet his heart was so much engaged, that, after he had begun to speak, he forgot his increasing feebleness; nor was it perceptible by his hearers that he stood so much in need of relaxation and ease. About the middle of March, 1805, he was seized with a rose fever; by which, for three weeks, he was confined to the house. Neither his friends, nor those who attended him, were apprehensive of serious consequences; and God seemed pleased to restore him. April 1st, he rode out a little; and next day, feeling himself nearly quite well, he attended the Presbytery of Dumfries, and was elected a Member of the ensuing General Assembly. To the meeting of that court the public looked forward with expectation unusually earnest; and he anticipated an opportu nity of co-operating with his friends to promote the triumph of liberality and justice: but before that meeting took place, he was to join the General Assembly and Church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, Till the 20th day of the month, he was able to devote his time as usual to study, to business, and to intercourse with his friends. When he went to the pulpit for the last time, he was so extremely feeble, that he purposed to give only one short discourse: but when he reached the church, he felt himself strengthened to extend the service to the ordinary length. "Grace and truth came by

Jesus Christ," were the words from which his people were then addressed by him, whose voice they were no more to hear in the sanctuary below. That grace and truth had come to himself, was to be proved by his dying testimony to the faithfulness of him who hath brought in these glad tidings of great joy. Rapid was the decay of his animal powers. His physicians could not assign any marked disease as the immediate cause; but said, It was nature giving way at once. Their opinion coincided with his own; for he said," My great exertions in my divine Master's work have broken down one of the strongest constitutions in the country; but I do not grudge it: I am willing to spend and to be spent for his sake." Though his bodily frame had thus lost its vigour, the faculties of his mind and the serenity of his temper remained entire. To his relatives who were present, and to all about him, he administered consolation and seasonable counsel. With fervour he joined in acts of devotion, and expressed the strength of his faith, the rejoicing which flowed from the testimony of his conscience, and his firm confidence in the hope set before him, as an anchor to his soul both sure and stedfast. Towards the close of the scene, when it was observed that his hands hung down, "Yes," said he faintly; "but I shall soon lift them up." last, about eleven o'clock of the morning of Saturday, April 27, 1805, fifty-six days after he had completed the fifty-eighth year of his age, he resigned his spirit, without a struggle, or groan, or even change of countenance.

At

In point of bodily constitution, he was highly indebted to the Author of Nature. His statute was six feet. In early life his form was slender; but after he had recovered from a fever, in the year 1772, he became rather corpulent, though not unwieldy. He had a dignity in his aspect that commanded respect. His countenance was open, and his eye beamed with kindness; though, by his abhorrence of vice or meanness, it could be made to flash indignation. By a regimen equally remote from abstemiousness and excess, by regular exercise, and by placid equanimity, he did ample justice to his natural advantages.

He was never married; yet his benevolence wanted not objects towards whom it was directed. Great was his filial piety to his venerable mother, who died in faith only ten months 'before himself, in the ninety-seventh year of her age. To his other relatives he was ever kind and attentive. He administered counsel and aid in the time of need. He spared neither labour nor money to promote the execution of p ans for the good of his country and the advancement of the gospel. His establishment was suited to the circumstances in which Providence had placed him: but he knew too well what is required of a steward to waste in extravagance, or empty shew, what is capable of being applied to far nobler purposes. He

was eminently given to hospitality; and his guests found, under his roof, an intellectual feast prepared for them. The cheerfulness of his temper, his great flow of spirits, and his uncommon powers of conversation, were decisive proofs that real religion has no tendency to inspire gloom and melancholy. He possessed the friendship and esteem of many of the most respectable characters of the age. His intercourse with them. was calculated at once to edify and to please. Anxious that none should be neglected, for whom duty and affection disposed him to provide, he executed accurate and judicious settlements of his worldly affairs ten years before the period of his death.

The work of the ministry was that in which his soul delighted, and to which he directed his chief attention. He entered into his labours in caily life: and the experience of many now gathered to their fathers, and of many who still survive is registered in Heaven, to bear witness, in the day of the Lord, to his faithfulness, ability, and unwearied perseverance. Determined to know nothing among his people, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified, he never amused them with cunningly-devised fables, or the tenets of a philosophy, falsely so called. Out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth spake of the things which belong to their peace. The everlasting truths, the holy precepts, the, awful threatenings, the exceeding great and precious promises of the glorious gospel of the blessed God, it was his heart's desire, and his invariable practice, to make known among them. He preached the unsearchable riches of Christ, and boldly declared the whole counsel of God. Nor did he require of them any sacrifices or exertions which he himself was reluctant to make. On that sure foundation which was laid in Zion, he built his own faith, and alf his hope of pardon and peace. As he published the doctrines of grace, so it was grace wherein he was made to stand. His conduct was correct, uniform, and consistent. His piety was unaffected, but unmixed with bigotry. He was tenacious of his principles; but his liberality of sentiment, and his charity towards those who differed from him, were not thereby obstructed or impaired. His lite adorned the doctrine of God his Saviour, and reflected with lustre, increasing with its progress, the image of his Maker impressed upon his soul.

RELIGIOUS ADMONITION.

THE Church of God possesses all the distinguishing characteristics of a family. It is not earth-born; and, therefore, cannot be known by open malice, concealed rancour, smooth dissimulation, base, selfish, and un

brotherly principles. It is Heaven-born: Jehovah is its Parent, its members are "led by his Spirit," and are therefore his children. Jesus is the Elder Brother; " in whose name the whole family in Heaven and Earth is named," and his meek and quiet spirit is diffused throughout it. Hence liberal charity, sympathetic feeling, reciprocal affection, and implicit confi dence, should firmly exist among them, in all simplicity, sincerity, and spirituality. In proportion as it is so, they will sorrow, rejoice, pray, and praise in unison: they will watch over each other with godly concern; and receive the admonitions of their brethren affectionately, joyfully, and humbly, abhorring self-confidence, and dreading self-esteem. Hence the language of the Psalmist will be frequently their language: "Let the Righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head, for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamity." Surely the Psalmist saw the excellence of brotherly reproof. How affectionately he invites it, cordially approves it, and gratefully receives it! Let us briefly and simply dilate these

ideas.

Affectionately to invite reproof, is a gracious symptom of a soul renewed; and cannot exist amid the self-complacency, empty arrogance, and tyrannical superciliousness of nature. There are complicated evils to which believers are exposed, and a sense of which will conduct them to this amiable disposition. Shall we mention some ?

1. Their exposure to temptation will lead to this disposition. It convinces them that means of precaution, as well as of actual resistance, must be adopted against their enemies; and in addition to free access at the throne of grace, and a complete habiliment of armour, the affectionate invitation of reproof, from experienced warriors, when necessary, will form a strong bulwark of defence against the unexpected attacks of enemies, incessant and subtle in their operations. While we stand, let us take heed lest we fall. Dreadful stratagems may be laid for us, of which we are not aware; but our brethren, who have seen the field of war, may discover our danger, and avert, by their friendly admonitions, the impending calamities.

2. Their views of the deceitfulness of sin will lead to this disposition. In their hearts exist former principles: they are not utterly eradicated, though subdued. Depraved nature and a deceitful heart require a strong guard, lest leagues be formed between those and the great enemy; and from this coincidence, fatal circumstances foilow. Sin is sophisticating, is insinuating; like the cameleon, it can suit various circumstances, and take a variety of colours, it can assume the lovely appearance of innocent amusement, or harmless simplicity; and thus veiling its hideous form, it will infatuate the mind, debilitate the reason, captivate the affections, inflame the passions, and

plunge the soul in a labyrinth before it is aware. Deprecating this evil, let us affectionately invite our brethren to " exhort us, while it is called to-day, lest we be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

3. Their liableness to declension will lead to this disposition. We should ever guard against this bane of religious progress. When we are the subjects of it, we are most insensible of its pernicious tendency. Then how appropriate the alarming reproof, "Ye did run well :" what now can hinder you!

David cordially approves Religious Admonition; and it is worthy,

1, Because of the character from whom it proceeds, the Righteous. He is eminent in piety, extensive in experience, affectionate in regard, soft in sympathy.

2, Because of the motives from whence it flows. It is not pharisaical ostentation: he does not wish to eclipse the character of his brother to display his own excellence, and thus to shine at his expence. That is a bad motive which prys into a brother's imperfections, to make them generally and severely conspicuous. Alas! there are some who, from pretensions to purity, make impertinent enquiries into the characters of the absent; and, from a show of delicacy, delegate some other as monitor, who is sure to promulgate and aggravate the circumstances. This, surely, is not the Spirit of Christ! Such des-. picable characters resemble the fawning minion, whose insatiable ambition has conducted him to the royal favour by trampling upon the characters of others. The motives of gospel reproof flow from bowels of compassion, constraining love, and zeal for the divine glory.

3, Because of the manner in which it is delivered. The unfortunate brother is a brother still: his feelings shall not be wounded; he shall be taken aside, and tenderly addressed in secrecy.

4, Because of the ingredients of which it is composed. It is not malignant enmity, it is gentle kindness; it is not the vial of wrath, it is an excellent, a salutary oil: shed upon the head, it shall revive our brother, and refresh him. Faithfulness and affection are intermingled. Reproof must be faithful; and thus address the conscience, advert to circumstances, and attach to definite character. Then it will come in the language of Nathan, "Thou art the man ;" but it need not be harsh, censorious, and unfeeling. Should these diabolical principles be unfortunately intermingled, they will irritate the passions, close the avenues of access, and harden the heart. You cannot delight to wound; you probe, but it is to heal; you pour the balm of compassion, and you point him to the blood of Jesus. This is God-like! - for thus does Jehovali, when, by the cords of love, he draws sinners to himself. This is the way in which he conquers their hearts, subdues their re