Professor replied in a very affectionate | courses shall be delivered, and contriand interesting manner.. The books butions solicited. consisted of, "Novum Testamentum Græcum Wetstenii," in 2 vols. folio, and "Novum Testamentum Hellenicum," also in 2 vols.

"1. The former of these has already been in operation, to a greater or less extent, for several years; but in order to render it more productive than it has hitherto proved, the printed statement, of which twelve copies are herewith transmitted, has been prepared. It contains full information regarding the African mission, and is intended for circulation among those from whom donations in aid of this important enterprise are likely to be obtained.

Deputation to the Relief Hall.-In continuance of the friendly intercourse which has so long existed between the students of the Relief and Secession Churches, a deputation of three of their number, viz. Messrs Thomas P. Callender, John Smith, and Adam Thomson, were appointed by the Secession students this session to visit their Relief brethren. "2. The other element in our scheme The Conference, according to previous of effort-viz. the holding of meetings arrangement, took place in Glasgow, on by the students in their respective locathe evening of Friday the 26th of Sep-lities, during the recess is comparatember, in John Street Relief Session- tively new; but, persuaded that on it house. The deputation were welcomed success chiefly depends, the committee with great cordiality, and addresses suited entreat your special attention to it. It to the occasion were delivered by them, is extremely desirable, on many grounds, and also by several of the Relief students. that the recommendation now referred On the following day the deputation to should be generally, if not universally, were kindly entertained at a public adopted. The committee are not ignobreakfast, at which Professors Lindsay rant, indeed, that in some instances conand M'Michael were present. Nothing siderable difficulties will be experienced could surpass the harmony and enthu- in complying with it; but they hope that siasm which prevailed at both of these delightful meetings; and the fervent desire of one and all who composed them seemed to be, that the proposed union between the two churches may now be consummated. Let all the people say, AMEN!

STUDENTS' MISSIONARY EFFORT. Ar a meeting of the Secession Students' Missionary Society, 17th September, 1845, it was resolved to attempt the collection of L. 100 by next session of the Hall, in aid of the proposed mission to Africa, under the auspices of the United Secession Church.

This resolution having been intimated to the students of the Relief Hall, they cordially approved thereof; and, in testimony of their christian sympathy and friendship towards their Secession brethren, agreed to co-operate with, and assist them in their efforts on behalf of an enterprise so peculiarly interesting and important.

The following extract from a letter transmitted to the students of both churches, by the joint committee, will explain the nature of this movement:

these cases will be comparatively few, and that where obstacles exist, every student will conscientiously do his best in attempting to surmount them. This is all that can be expected; it is all that is desired. Let each derive full encouragement from the thought that he is engaged in a common movement; and that, independently of the benefits likely to accrue to himself from his own exertions in connexion with it, any difficulties which he may be required to overcome, are not worthy to be compared with the sacred and momentous interests for which he contends.

"It was originally designed, that, for the more effective execution of this part of the plan, the Students should be formed into district committees. It is now, however, deemed impracticable by the central committee to make any definite arrangements of this kind; and they have, therefore, resolved to leave the matter in the hands of each individual student—with the recommendation that where two or more reside near each other they should act in concert. It is especially hoped that students of the Secession and Relief will endeavour to co-operate.

The means which are to be em- "The committee have further to sugployed by the students in connexion with gest, that each student should solicit the the present missionary effort, are two: advice and assistance of his own minisFirst, The obtaining of private subscrip- ter, and of others (Secession and Relief) tions; and, Second, The holding of public to whom he may have access, in regard meetings, at which addresses or dis-to this movement.".

OBITUARY.

REV. WILLIAM FLEMING.

satisfying our wishes, it will afford at least a pleasing exercise to one who in the latter days of his life enjoyed much of his friendship, to entwine a simple wreath, and lay it on his grave.

DIED at West Calder, on the 18th December, the Rev. William Fleming, A.M., It was not until he had reached manpastor of the United Associate Congre- hood that Mr Ellis became decidedly gation there. Mr Fleming was ordained religious. He had lost his parents early, in 1798, and was thus in the forty-eighth and if, during his youth, he had been the year of his ministry. He has left behind subject of religious convictions, their imhim a name which will be remembered pression had entirely faded away before with honour by the people to whom he his twenty-first year. Those who knew has so long ministered in holy things, him in later years will bear us out in the and by a numerous circle of brethren statement, that he was the last man to and friends, among whom the excellen- allow profession to go before conviction, cies of his character were highly appre- or to be awed into certain outward comciated. His mind was active and vigo-pliances by the dictates of authority or rous-his affections warm-his manner of worldly interest. frank, cheerful, and kindly; qualities which, combined with a piety at once enlightened and sincere, and with sound acquirements as a theologian, and with diligence in his pastoral duties, rendered our deceased father, wherever known, an object of affection and respect. Mr Fleming's last illness was sudden and of short duration, and we believe he remained unconscious the whole time of its continuance; but it is the comfort of surviving friends to know, that "blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," and that "them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."

WILLIAM ELLIS, ESQ., S.S.c.

THE growing usefulness and intelligence
of our eldership, has become matter of
general observation and gratitude. But,
from the beginning of our history, there
have ever been found individuals in our
sessions, whose eminent worth would
have shed honour upon any church. One
of these, Andrew Mitchell, Esq., has
lately been removed from the midst of us,
and most of our readers, before this brief
memorial meets their eye, will have re-
ceived the intelligence of the death of
another, who had long since won for him-
self a good degree, Mr William Ellis,
S.S.C., Edinburgh. These two gentle-
men, whose influence was felt throughout
the churches, were connected by the
double tie of relationship and most inti-
mate christian friendship, and scarcely
had the former received his crown until
the other heard the not unwelcome sum-
mons to come up
likewise." Our readers
will expect from us something more than
a simple announcement that this aged
friend "no longer continues by reason of
death." We shall attempt this in a few
sentences; and if we do not succeed in

66

We believe that a marriage-union, formed by Mr Ellis soon after his twentyfirst year, was one of the most important human elements in the process by which his heart was turned to God. The object of his choice was the eldest daughter of the Rev. Adam Gib, a lady who is said to have combined the charm of great personal beauty with a most amiable temper and deep piety. The connexion was shortlived, but productive of as much enjoyment as can spring from a merely human source. Mr Ellis has often been heard to mention that his mind was directed to the things of God by reflecting, amid the domestic joy with which he was surrounded, That this could not last for ever. It is true of all happiness that springs from the purest earthly source-"The wind bloweth over it, and it is gone." This seems to have been the initial thought, no doubt leading to others that bordered still more closely upon religion, which led him "to seek after God, if haply he might find him."

While there is substantial similarity in all real cases of conversion, there is yet an almost infinite diversity in the minor details of the soul's spiritual history; and it may further be added that our future character and modes of thinking are apt to receive their colouring from the way in which we "entered into life." These remarks were exemplified in Mr Ellis. He did not suffer so much as many have done from the terrors of the law, but, at an early period after he began his inquiries, was wooed and overcome by the attractions of the divine character. His experience did not so nearly resemble that of one driven almost to despair, and grasping at some isolated sentence of inspiration which meets his case. His conversion was more the effect of an earnest and deliberate investigation of the divine testimony, leading at length to a confid

ing view of the divine character as loving-younger days, when he was seeking to kindness and mercy. He saw the whole establish for himself an honourable place scheme of redemption as the emanation among the practitioners before the suand expression of this attribute,-he felt preme courts. The bar, and sometimes the attractive power of the true know- even the bench, was marked not only by ledge of God, the consequence of which irreligion, but too often by a swaggering was that that saying of the Psalmist which and reckless disregard of external proso strikingly coincided with his own train priety; profanity and profligacy received of thought, became a favourite passage a sort of unnatural lustre by being assowith him through life, “They that know ciated with brilliant talents and profesthy name, will put their trust in Thee." sional eminence, and the whole current of custom and feeling ran strongly against the spirit of vital godliness. It says much for our departed friend that he met this spirit with such combined firmness and prudence as to draw around him universal respect. In him the name Christian was what it should be in all-a synonyme for honest man; and few professional men that have descended to the grave, have drawn after them not only more of the regrets of the pious, but of the uncon strained respect of men of the world.

Mr Ellis was accustomed to refer with much gratitude to several interviews which he had about this time with John Newton, between whom and himself he was glad to discover much congeniality of sentiment. We have often heard him quote with much approbation, a saying of that eminently good and useful man, when, referring to the truths on which they had been talking one to another "These things I learned with the bible in my hand, in my cabin, and when on my knees."

If we exclude the external circumstances, Newton's habit forms a fit description of his own. When he first began his religious inquiries, he appears to have suffered considerable injury from those more scholastic and complicated modes of stating the gospel, which were more common in his early days than now: but he was soon led to seek for rest in the pages of the bible, with whose divine simplicity he was charmed. The effect was a jealous exclusion of human authority on matters of religion, and a strong preference for statements of christian doctrine in the words of the Holy Ghost. It almost seemed as if, at the commencement of his religious history, he had heard that divine voice which testified of the Messiah from the rending heavens, and which, in the very act of sanctioning the authority of Jesus, forbade the intrusive whisper of human wisdom "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, HEAR HIM."

It has often been matter of surprise to those who knew Mr Ellis best, how, amid the cares and engagements of a business that increased upon him every year, he should have succeeded in accumulating such an amount of accurate and well digested knowledge. We remember to have spent a week with him about two years ago at a beautiful watering place in the neighbourhood of Stirling, and to have experienced a gratified surprise at the extent and accuracy of his information. Theology was indeed our favourite subject, but chemistry, geology, history, physiology, medicine, and even the lighter branches of our current literature were all the matter of lengthened conversation; and on all of them he seemed to be drawing from an unexhausted store, while the friendly discussions in which we engaged formed a most bracing and delightful mental exercise. The explanation of this quality, which all who knew him must have observed in Mr Ellis, is no doubt to be sought in the great perspicacity of his intellect, and in the order with which he arranged his thoughts.

At the time when Mr Ellis entered upon public life, the profession of religion demanded far more decision of It would be wrong to omit, even in so character than it does at the present rapid a sketch as this, the services which moment. Long before his death, evan- Mr Ellis more than once rendered to the gelical religion could number among the cause of dissent. He felt that the dismembers of the legal profession in Edin- senters of Scotland were constituted by burgh not a few of her brightest orna- their very position the hereditary guarments; and it was matter of frequent dians of religious liberty. Intricate grateful remark with him in his advanc-questions affecting the rights of dissenting ing years, that there were so many at the property were, for a time, of anything -bar and in the parliament house, whose but rare occurrence, and in cases of this talents and acquirements received their brightest lustre and their strongest impulse from the belief of the truth as it is in Jesus. But it was not so in his

kind churches uniformly turned to him for counsel, as possessing the double qualification of professional skill, and deep personal regard for the interests

but too vividly, and droop through weight of anguish unrelieved." On one occasion he had given unintentional pain to a relative by some jocular expressions. But no sooner was he informed of the effect of his words, than without losing a minute, he hastened to humble himself and remove the distress.

imperilled. It will be remembered that are there with a christian name, who by in the well known case of Smith of a few thoughtless words, which a little Campbelton, he was the agent employed; more right feeling or good sense would and we need not tell our dissenting have kept back, have inflicted wounds readers how powerful a barrier the deci- which days and nights have been insion elicited in that instance, has erected sufficient to heal. But Mr Ellis was the around our liberties. very man for those to associate with On one occasion, the sustaining, how-whose infirmity it is to "see too clearly, ever, of Mr Ellis' religious principles was tried in a very remarkable way. Many of our readers may recollect an appalling accident which occurred at Queensferry about eight years ago, by the stage-coach falling into deep water. Mr Ellis was in the coach at the time of the accident, and was in momentary expectation of being ushered into the eter- The fact which is recorded of Luther nal world. Consciousness remained to that he spent the three best hours of him in the awful circumstances, and un- every day in prayer, is one more fredisturbed peace. He was supported by quently admired in the present day, than his matured knowledge of the divine even remotely imitated. By Mr Ellis it character, and by the certainty that he was literally practised for many years would find that God was such as he had before his departure. It was long his declared himself in his word to be. His custom to rise from bed about five in the whole mental exercise was a blessed il-morning, and from that to his breakfast lustration of his own favourite passage-hour, his time was given to prayer and "They that know thy name, will put to the reading of the scripture. We their trust in Thee." have often heard him declare, that he felt them to be the three happiest hours in the day.

In the latter years of his life, Mr Ellis almost entirely withdrew from business, at least in its more active departments, and enjoyed what he highly valued and much improved, a breathing-time between the activities and engagements of secular life, and his entrance upon the scenes of the eternal world.

It was at this period of his life that our intercourse with him began, and there was one quality which we were not long in remarking in him-his keen relish for conversation on religious themes. Large as was the range of his knowledge, he soon grew weary if he saw that religion was to be outlawed from the circle, while his gratification might be traced in the brightening of his countenance and his more vigorous utterance, when his favourite subject-the love of God-became the theme of hallowed converse. It may afford encouragement to others to be informed, that his converse on the grace of God and his willingness to save, is believed to have been the means, under the blessing of God, of leading to the knowledge of the truth, more than one now in the assembly before the throne.

In the earlier period of his life he was a member of session in the congregation of Nicolson Street, under the ministry of Dr Jamieson, but for the last fifteen years he had been connected with the congregation and session of Broughton Place. To both his ministers there he manifested a degree of friendship with which they could not fail to be gratified; indeed, even the manner in which he listened to their weekly expositions of the word, was characteristic. If attitude was an index of feeling, it might be affirmed of him, that the "word of the Lord was sweeter to him than honey; yea even than the honey-comb."

But the time at length drew near, when this servant of the Lord must go up to the mount and die. For some months before his last illness, there were indications which excited anxiety, and as they assumed a more decided form, awakened alarm; still it was hoped, that the strength of his constitution might probably enable him to throw off the disease and continue him to us for anThere was one feature in the character other winter. There was, indeed, a of our departed friend, in which we have temporary recovery; but the disease observed many good people lamentably returning with increased violence, his and strangely deficient. We mean a re-worn-out frame was unable to resist it. gard for the feelings of others. With him It pleased his heavenly Father to try it was a matter of religious principle him in his last days with a measure never to give pain to any one. How many of pain, that at length increased even

to intensity. The value of those princi- | between the years 1841 and 1843. His ples which he had cherished throughout parents brought him up from earliest life, were then seen in their sustaining childhood in the nurture and admonipower, as he passed through the dark tion of the Lord; and their private revalley. "His rod and staff, they com-ligious instructions were seconded by the forted him." "Let the will of God be faithful ministrations of the Rev. Messrs accomplished in me," said he, after a period of sore agony. The holy perspicacity of his intellect, was seen in the lessons which he drew from the very intensity of his sufferings. "When we consider," said he, "the infinite, the unspeakable love and goodness of God to men, his having no pleasure in grieving, what a dreadful thing must sin be, that it has brought such punishment (allud-gious subjects, he loved to speak not so ing to his sufferings) into the world."

The latest subject of his thoughts, so far as could be judged from expressions that fell from his lips, appears to have been that which obtained so firm a hold of his mind at the period of his conversion-the fulness of the grace of God. This star which had hung over his cradle when he was born again, which had guided him in all the way of his pilgrimage, rested with a brightening radiance over his dying hour, gilding even the storm of affliction, until it merged in the unclouded brightness of endless day. "God comes to us," said he, "full of grace. Never lose sight of that. There is no want of grace. It abounds over all our sins."

The mortal remains of Mr Ellis were interred in the Greyfriars' burying ground, in a spot not without its interesting associations to a seceder, and indeed to every admirer of christian intellect consecrated to truth-the grave of Adam Gib.

Clyde and Scott of Dumfries, the Rev. Mr Rogerson of Thornhill, and the Rev. Dr Heugh of Glasgow. The light of Divine truth appears to have dawned early upon his soul, and to have brightened imperceptibly into perfect day. One of his most intimate associates, while he lived in Glasgow, bears testimony that in their communings on reli

much of the externals of religion as of its inward influences, and of right-heartedness towards God. During his residence in Glasgow, he took an active part in the various associations connected with Dr Heugh's congregation. In particular, he was a devoted visitor and Sabbath school teacher in connexion with the Christian Instruction Society, as well as a useful member of the Young Men's Society; and, after he had been under the necessity of leaving Glasgow, he frequently referred to these societies as being, to use his own language, "scenes of high privilege and of happy association."

During the summer of 1843, some symptoms of consumption began to make their appearance, and from that time forward he seems to have had a presentiment that he would not ultimately recover. In autumn he went to Madeira, where he remained till the following summer. On his return home, his medical advisers considered that the disease had been effectually checked; and his friends entertained the fond hope that, after residing for some time at Kirkland, (to which his family had now returned,) his health would be re-esta blished. But in the spring of 1845, the disease began anew to assume an alarming aspect. Towards the end of June, he expectorated a little blood; and his medical attendants, foreseeing that his end was approaching, ordered that he should be disturbed as little as possible with visitors. As a substitute for conversation, of which he was remarkably fond, he desired his friends at a distance to write to him with the utmost frequency. But the object for which he desired the correspondence and conversation of his friends was not to have the thoughts of death, and of preparation for it, banished from his mind. wished the few who were allowed to see him, to address him as one who was

He