private studies were uniformly directed. Poverty distressed him, chiefly because it obstructed his progress; success in business elated him, only as it revived his languishing hopes of attaining the summit of his ambition. His heart was in divinity, while he practised surgery. It escaped not the observation of his pastor, the Rev. David Horn, that he had never seen a person take so little pleasure in discoursing on subjects connected with his own line of business; and he himself remarks it as an evidence of the care of God, that, notwithstanding his eagerness to acquire by his business, as a sur geon, what would enable him to devote his time to divinity and the previous studies, he was never permitted to exceed in his charges for medicine or attendance, in order the sooner to gain his object.

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It may here be as proper, therefore, as any where else, to inquire into the ideas which he had of that office which he was so anxious to fill; and into the motives which excited him so eagerly to desire it. Happily two papers have been found in his handwriting, which serve to illustrate his views. The first is dated Carnwath, July 20. 1755, and begins thus: "O Lord! conscious of the levity of mind I am vexed with, my soon wearying in religious exercises, and my great unfitness for the weighty work of the ministry, I desire to be humbled, and to implore thy kindness, and in the sincerity of my heart to lay before thee my motives and my resolutions." After stating various important considerations which moved him to desire to be employed in the work of the ministry, he adds these memorable words: "As I feel a constant opposition in me to all that is holy and divine, I desire to be chained, as it were, by office to reli

gion, and by a close exercise therein, and breathing after communion with God, to get, through his grace, the antipathy in my heart against what is good dispelled, as far as my militant state can al low of." His resolutions are, that if God should put him into the ministry, he would, through good and bad report, follow Christ; would be willing to be the meanest of his servants; would not take it ill though he were despised, reproached, persecuted for Christ's sake; and was determined to preach, not for vulgar applause, but to advance his glory, and to promote the welfare of souls. "I lay my account," he adds, "with hardships, inconveniences, troubles, and mockings from the world, and the men of the world. Nor is it in view of profit or honour that I desire to change my occupation, for by kind providence I am now as well as I can wish; but I would fain be poor for Christ's sake, who, though he was rich, for my sake became poor, that I through his poverty might be made rich. I shall never be surprised to find all winds blow against me, and every thing blasted in my temporal estate; it shall be my joy, if the cause of God and the gospel prosper in my hands. And, finally, I resolve to be honest to the trust committed to me, and in all things to act, not only as before thee, but as one that must give an account of my stewardship, that I may do it with joy." He concludes: "Receive this mite into thy nighty treasury, O Lord! and grant my request; and I beg of thee that thou wouldst bless me with a sound judgement, clear insight into the things of God, a strong memory, and with every faculty to fit me for so great a work."

The other paper, which was written some years after, consists of two parts,-the one, a list of all

the scriptural qualifications of a gospel-minister, arranged in order, that by it he might be guided in self-examination and prayer,-the other, a series of advices respecting the conduct proper to be pursued by a minister of the gospel, written with the evident intention of assisting his own mind in weighing the importance and duties of the office to which he aspired. As these advices not only shew how conscientious he was in his views, but contain hints which may be profitable to those whom God has put into the ministry, they are here subjoined. "Contract not much carnal acquaintance.

“Learn to be abused without becoming angry. "Meddle not much with the affairs of this life. "Argue coolly, and from conscience, not for victory.

"Affect not a shew of sanctimony before men. "Be not ashamed of piety in any company. "Whatever else thou readest, read a double portion in the scriptures of truth.

"Shun familiarity with the men of the world, else celestial truth, as uttered by thee, will be contemned..

"Care not much about thine own reputation, so truth and the gospel suffer not.

"Learn daily more of Christ, and more of thyself, else thy other studies will profit little.

"Seek not great things for thyself; seek not great approbation, great applause, great conveniencies, or a great income; but seek great things for Christ, seek to him great glory, many converts, and much fruits of righteousness.

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Consider the preciousness of souls, the value of salvation, the weight of the sacred charge, the terrors of the Almighty, the awful day of account,

and thine own utter inability,-then shalt thou have no vain confidence, but depend on God alone. "Please all men in the truth, but wound not the truth to please any.

"Set thy affections on things above, so shall spiritual things be thy delight, and not thy burden. "In company, always study to drop something for edification, and so in a manner preach occasionally, as well as statedly.

"Be much with God in secret, so shall God be with thee in public.

"See that the carriage of every one in thy fa mily be a pattern to all observers, and not matter of reproach, to the joy of enemies.

"Let thy charge be continually on thy mind, and not only pray with them in public, and from house to house, but carry them to thy closet, and pray for them in private.

"Neglect not to visit them at all proper times, but especially embrace those golden opportunities, sickness and affliction.

"Have a fellow-feeling with the sufferings of all. thy flock.

"Let thy conversation be uniform; and what thou preachest on Sabbath, practise through the week.

"Not only press charity on the wealthy, but let thy example, according to thy power, shew the

way.

"Rather lend thine ear to reproaches than ap plauses: the first may let us see some foible or failing with which we are chargeable; but the last is very apt to kindle self-conceit, of which every one has enough.

"Act the Christian even in eating and drink

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ing; and be not, when at a feast, though temperate at other times, a glutton or a wine-bibber.

"With respect to thy charge, consider that thou art made the steward of a family, and therefore must, seeing the great Master allows it, provide food for all, flesh for the strong, and milk for the weak. See that the worship of God be set up in all families, and performed twice a-day, and that parents instruct their children in private prayer, to say grace at meat, and to keep the Sabbath. that the rising generation under thy care grow in knowledge, and be well acquainted with the scriptures. Be well acquainted with the knowledge and conversation of every one that is admitted to the Lord's table.

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"Keep an exact list or catalogue of thy charge; who is pious or profligate, knowing or ignorant, in affluence or exigence, in health or sick; and read it often.

"Give a pleasant ear to the commendations of others, but always frown away the friend that would commend thee to thy face.

"Be sparing in producing specimens of thy learning, or criticisms on the words in the original, especially before the unlearned; for a nice grammarian may be but a novice in the gospel.

In preaching, aim at God's glory and the good of souls; and then, without deviating from that rule, please all men as much as possible.

"Let thy sermons be always the fruit of much study and application; and never dare to serve God or his people with that which cost thee nought.

"Never be bigotted to thine own opinions, or interpretations of particular texts, lest, in establishing them, thou be seeking after thine own fame;