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who had studied four sessions at St | courses he had now delivered accorded
Andrews University, was recommended with the clerk's note to him; but if the
for admission to the Divinity Hall. The presbytery would allow him time he
presbytery agreed to examine him, and would still prepare a discourse on that
appointed examinators.-Union Church subject. The presbytery, after some rea-
Session-house, May 26.-This presby-soning, unanimously resolved, "That
tery met again, and was constituted by seeing from the fullness of illustration
the moderator. Mr Stewart of Kennoway which Mr Cowan has given to his other
and the elder of that congregation having discourses, it was evident that the omis-
been annexed to the presbytery by the sion did not proceed from a desire to
Synod, were, on the motion of Mr Bain, curtail his trials; seeing, that if he had
added to the roll. Mr Bain reported omitted one discourse usually required
that the call from the congregation of on trials for ordination, he had given
Buckhaven had come out unanimously another discourse, viz. the homily, which
for Mr Wm. Cowan, preacher, and gave was not required, and introduced into it
an account of his procedure in the mo- a considerable portion of critical discus-
deration, which was approved of. Ap- sion; and seeing the circumstances of
peared-Messrs Paton and Greig, com- Buckhaven congregation did not admit
missioners from the congregation of of delay-it being exceedingly desirable
Buckhaven, and laid on the table the to carry the ordination into effect before
call, signed by 353 members, with a paper the departure of the fishermen for the
of adherence, signed by 83 ordinary northern fishery-the presbytery dis-
hearers. Read said documents, and pense with the exercise and additions."
after some reasoning, agreed unanimous- After some remarks the discourses were
ly to sustain the call as a gospel call then sustained as part of trials for ordi,
regularly proceeded in. It being under-nation. Mr Cowan then read a thesis
stood that Mr Cowan had been called to on the deity of the Holy Spirit, which
the second congregation, Dumfries, the
presbytery appointed next meeting, on
the 9th of June, when Mr Cowan is re-
quested to intimate his decision regarding
said call; and, should that decision be
favourable to Buckhaven, to deliver such
of the trials as he may have ready on the
subjects assigned him by the presbytery
of Dumfries. Authorised any member
of presbytery who may be ministering in
Buckhaven, to preside in the meetings
of session, and appointed the Lord's
Supper to be dispensed in that congre-
gation at the usual time, viz. on the
first Sabbath of July. Mr Johnstone
to make the necessary arrangements.-
Bethelfield Session-house, June 9.-This Dundee. This presbytery met at Edin
presbytery met again. Mr Cowan was burgh on the 5th May. The Rev. Ro-
present, and on being called on by the bert D. Duncan gave an account of the
moderator declared his cordial accept- manner in which he conducted the mo-
ance of the call from Buckhaven. The deration in the Rattray congregation,
commissioners from Buckhaven, Messrs and his conduct was approved. The
Thomas Bonthron and Alexander Pat-call was unanimous for Mr Thomas
rick, urged the presbytery to adopt mea- Montgomerie. The clerk was instructed
sures for the speedy settlement of Mr to give intimation of the call to Mr
Cowan among them. Mr Cowan then
delivered a lecture on Romans iii. 19-
22-a sermon on 1st John i. 9-and a
homily on Hebrews ii. 3, first clause.
On the presbytery inquiring at Mr Cowan
whether he were ready to deliver the
exercise and additions on Hebrews vi.
4-6, prescribed to him by the presbytery
of Dumfries, he stated that he was not
aware that such a discourse had been
prescribed to him, and that the dis-

was impugned; read part of Genesis i.
in Hebrew, and of the New Testament
in Greek, ad apterturam libri; gave an
account of the Reformation in Scotland
under Knox; and was examined on per
sonal and practical religion-all which
parts of trial were likewise sustained,
and his ordination appointed to take
place on the Monday after the dispensa-
tion of the Lord's Supper, viz. on July 6.
Mr Crawford to preach, and Mr Reid to
ordain, and give the charge. The edict
was appointed to be served by Mr Bur-
gess, preacher, on the third Sabbath of
June, and to be returned on the morn-
ing of the ordination.

Montgomerie. 9th June.-Met at Dun-
dee. The clerk read a letter from Mr
Thomas Montgomerie, declining the call
from Rattray congregation.
The pres
bytery laid the call aside. Mr Ramage
was appointed to dispense the Lord's
Supper at Rattray, on the third Sabbath
of June. Mr John Ballantyne, student,
was transferred from Selkirk to this pres-
bytery, and had exercises prescribed him.
Mr Andrew Henderson, student, deliver

ed a lecture on Rom. viii. 1-4, was ex-wards of L.25 was made during the day, amined on Church History, and the 3d in aid of the funds of the station. Mr vol. of Dr Dick's lectures. These ex- Young of Ceres, and other minisercises were approved. Next ordinary ters of the Secession, have promised meeting of presbytery to be held in Dundee on the 4th of August.

their assistance during the summer months, and arrangements will in due time be made for a proper supply of sermon after that date. The field being ample, and the prospects cheering, it is hoped, that, under the divine blessing, the present movement will be attended with great success, and be productive of lasting benefit.

OBITUARY.

THE LATE REV. DR HEUGH.

Stirling and Falkirk.-Meetings of this presbytery were held in Edinburgh in May, when, besides making arrangements for the annual missionary meeting, and appointing Mr Dodds, who had accepted the call from Avonbridge, to give in his trials for ordination in July, the presbytery agreed not to enter into the merits of the decision of the first session of Alloa in favour of John Melvin, on the ground that there was no complaint against that decision; from which agreement Mr M'Dowall dissented. It is not intended, in the following inThe presbytery agreed also to recom- complete and hurried sketch, to anticimend to the favourable consideration of pate, much less to supersede those more the Synod the case of Mr David Young, ample details of the life and character of student in divinity, who had been pre- Dr Heugh, which will, ere long, doubtvented by an engagement in teaching less, be given to the world. It appears from attending the Natural Philosophy due, however, at once to the memory of Class last winter, but who pledged him- that illustrious "man of God," and to self to the completion of the usual course the widely felt sense of bereavement before applying for license. The pres-occasioned by his death, throughout so bytery held its annual missionary and large a circle, to give our readers thus revival meeting at Falkirk on the 2d of early a few notices of his life, and of his June. After devotional exercises, con- closing days. ducted by Mr Gilfillan, and an address on revival by Mr Cuthbert, the presbytery were occupied with the consideration of measures proposed by the Standing Missionary Committee for promoting the missionary spirit among us. Appointed next meeting to be held at Stirling on the 7th of July.

For several reasons, it is natural and proper to notice, first of all, the parentage of one who has handed down to his children a name of God, invested with peculiar interest to him and them—" the God of our fathers." Before the Secession Church had come into existence, while its fonnders were yet ministering Birkenhead.-A station has recently within the national church, Dr Heugh's been opened in Birkenhead, with a view grandfather had finished a somewhat to accommodate the now numerous ad- brief, but most active and devoted life herents of the Secession in that quarter. as minister in the parish of Kingoldrum The erection of a church, for which a-his maternal father having also been large sum has been subscribed, will be proceeded with, so soon as an eligible site has been obtained. In the meantime, a capacious and neatly fitted up hall, capable of holding from 300 to 400 individuals, has been rented, and there is every promise of a fair attendance. The station was opened, on Sabbath the 10th of May, by the Rev. Dr Crichton of Mount Pleasant, Liverpool (with whose congregation the station is at preconnected), who delivered an appropriate and eloquent address. Impressive discourses were also delivered by the Rev. Mr White of the presbyterian church, Islington, and the Rev. Mr Graham, Dr Crichton's colleague, in the afternoon and evening. The hall was crowded on each occasion, and a collection of up

the minister of the Establishment in the united parishes of Larbert and Dunipace. Mr Heugh of Kingoldrum was settled. while the conflict between the Episcopal and Presbyterian parties in that part of the country was fresh in the recollection of men. A remnant of prelacy in his parish survived his ordination for some time; but he lived to command the esteem and affection of the parishioners, by a devout and earnest ministry. A narrative of his deathbed experience is extant, from which it appears that his chief solicitude in his dying days arose from a fear, by no means groundless in those degenerate times, that he might be succeeded by one with the name and position, without the character of a christian minister. As for himself, he had

"a desire to depart, and to be with the object of their choice. However Christ;" and " he could die," as he ex-great the struggle which was involved in pressed it," with as little fear as a man loosing the pastoral tie between himself would feel in taking a drink of cold water when he was thirsty."

The Rev. John Heugh, minister of the Associate Congregation of Stirling, was the son of Mr Heugh of Kingoldrum, and the father of the late Dr Heugh. Mr Heugh of Stirling, as a man and a minister, was greatly and deservedly respected. His scholarship was of a superior order. His attainments in philosophy were honoured by an important appointment by the Synod, to superintend the studies of the rising ministry. Like his son, he was a man of transparent honour, and honesty of character. He was not only an erudite, but, like his son, a judicious divine; possessed of a peculiar aptitude for distinguishing between what is solid and what is subtle; and, like both his father and his son, he ended a useful and active ministry, universally respected and regretted by his flock, but received and rewarded by "the Great Shepherd of the sheep."

and his flock in Stirling (and he has been known to say it was the greatest struggle he should have to encounter till his last)-yet it is impossible to survey the wider and more appropriate sphere which he so usefully and honourably occupied amid the densest population in Scotland, without being convinced that the translation was wisely appointed by the Synod. In Glasgow he largely found the means of doing good. In connexion with its benevolent and religious institu tions he found various materials on which the zeal, and public spirit, and restless energy of his accomplished and benevolent mind, could act with advantage to the great cause that was dear to his heart as a Christian and a minister. The congregation which enjoyed for a quarter of a century his vigorous simple preaching-so varied, so full of Christ, and so ingeniously practical-is, in many respects, a monument of the success of his labours; for while Dr Heugh did so The late Dr Heugh was born at Stir- much by his counsels to develope that ling on the 12th of August 1782. At an steady progress in benevolent enterprises early age, he began his college stu- which has begun to appear in the Secesdies at the University of Edinburgh, sion Church at large, he could have used where he passed through the regular the words of Paul, especially in regard curriculum, the most interesting recol- to those who had enjoyed most largely lections of which-indicating perhaps the his pastoral instructions, and who had cast of his own mind were associated so well responded to his calls" Ye are with the celebrated Dugald Stewart. manifestly declared to be the epistle of Having finished his course of theological Christ, ministered by us; written not study at Whitburn, under the superin- with ink, but with the Spirit of the living tendence of Professor Bruce, for whose God." memory he cherished a profound respect, he obtained license as a preacher from the Presbytery of Stirling. Soon after he was licensed, he received calls from several congregations; one of these was from the congregation of his father, who had began to bend under the infirmities of a good old age. In 1806, being then in his twenty-second year, he was ordained as colleague to his father, who survived only about four years the formation of this peculiarly tender and solemn tie between himself and his only surviving son. He continued for about nineteen years subsequently to his father's death, with great energy, fidelity, and success, to conduct his ministry in Stirling, where he was the instrument, by his simple, earnest, and practical preach ing, of extensive and lasting good..

In 1821 he was translated to Glasgow, and inducted as minister of Regent Place congregation, whose members repeated their call a third time before they gained

Within the circle of his own pastoral charge, Dr Heugh's influence was great in proportion to his untiring activity; indeed, those who know the details of his pastoral labour contemplate them with astonishment, mingled with a regretful solicitude, lest excessive activity may have deprived the church on earth, sooner than might otherwise have been the case, of one of its pillars and ornaments.

For several years, though continuing to discharge duties requiring the largest share of energy and health, Dr Heugh had begun to receive intimations of com ing infirmity, though up to a late period he could say, "Iscarcely have ever known bodily pain." By medical requirement he had very considerably suspended the regular visitation of his flock, and par tially diminished his pulpit ministrations. By the suggestion of the same authority, he spent part of the summer of 1843 in Geneva, where his ever active mind,

the light and breath of morning, and the singing of the birds. The sunlight had just begun to appear-observing this, he immediately said" the Father of lights! how beautiful are all his works!" He was always cheerful, gentle, and especially grateful. Speaking, one evening, of the "contest beween the disease and the constitution," he added, "but I have all that I need all for the body and all for the soul." The more his illness oppressed him the more he appeared to discover reasons for gratitude, and spoke of what his sufferings might have been, and how much others had been called to suffer. Having taken occasion to speak of his life as one of rare enjoyment, and remarkably free from trial, he said with warmth "Oh wondrously exempt from trial, and loaded with mercies! Every day might have brought evil-merited evil-but it never came."

even in the period of prescribed repose, sought recreation in collecting the materials of his interesting volume on the state of religion in that quarter, published soon after his return. Meanwhile, at his own repeated suggestion his congregation began to look for one whom they might choose as his colleague and successor, and, after various steps, and longer time than could have been desired, they invited Mr Taylor (now Dr Taylor), late of St Andrews, as Dr Heugh's associate in the pastoral office. In this happy choice, it is well known Dr Heugh not only cordially, but most affectionately concurred. All but his last public services, however, were those connected with the induction of his colleague. From before that time his health had begun to decline, so as to occasion some measure of concern as to the result. During the two last months of his life he rapidly lost strength, though he retained till the last, and manifested, as far as his His illness did not extinguish his indeclining strength admitted, all his native terest in public matters. He wished to and sanctified mental vivacity and cheer-know what had been done at the General fulness.

Assembly of the Free Church, and how the Free Trade measure was progressing. When the speakers in the House of Lords and the result of the division were mentioned to him, he said, "I rejoice at that. It is great cause of thankfulness.

His deathbed was in all respects honouring to that gospel which he had believed from his earliest youth, and to the preaching of which he had felt himself devoted from a time of his life so early as to be scarcely the subject of his recol-I must say I sympathise much with the lections. old duke." After that, he never inquired about public matters.

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On his deathbed the prevailing subject of his thoughts and conversation was that However deeply the recent attack, of which was the most appropriate and most which he was the object, was fitted to comforting. He often referred, and al-wound his feelings, and even to injure ways with a firm and unfaltering voice, his health, it did not continue even in to the subject of death, and in a tone as the smallest degree to disturb his peace. much distinguished by cheerfulness as "He dwelt on high; his place of defence by solemnity. On Sabbath, 31st May, was the munition of rocks;" and there ten days before his death,he spoke freely is every reason for concluding that this on this subject. He said "no one should subject had been effectually dismissed be afraid to die if he fully trust Christ." from his mind, which was filled only Some of the members of the family had with peace in believing. It was men gone to church; with his mind apparently tioned to him that letters of sympathy resting on this circumstance, he said from the sessions of Wellington Street "dying is like going to church." He and of other congregations had come in, beautifully amplified this thought, but addressed to him. He said, "I must as it occurs in the last entry of his diary, not hear what they say, but acknowledge his words may here be quoted as recorded them immediately." He was asked, there" May 31.-Have been consider-" Shall I say you are gratified by their ing death as going to church to the kind attention?" and answered," No church of the first-born in heaven! But no; don't say that; say I am very gratewhat a church! the house of God, where ful for it." he is gloriously manifested! What a minister in that upper sanctuary! What a pure, happy, glorious assembly!"

2 That evening (31st May) the disease made a decided advance. He slept little, and longed for the morning. When his window was opened, he greatly enjoyed

NO. VII. VOL. III.

He could, and he did, speak much of death, of his prospects in the view of dying, and of the grounds of his settled peace, without any sign of faltering; but any reference to the kindness of friends, or in any way to tender earthly ties, overcame him so much, that he

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the time of his departure. Life ebbed away without a struggle, so that it was difficult to say at what instant he ceased to breathe. That well known and noble countenance assumed the appearance of sweet sleep rather than death. It wore the expression of great benignity and elevation. He had "fallen asleep in Christ."

systematically avoided all conversation | in him might not perish, but have evertending that way. He said only once, lasting life.'" He continued "That is two days before his death, and it was to the whole gospel, and we must not overthe last stranger who saw him, "You look what the gospel is by stinting see I am very weak now, but blessed it. It is terrible to stint it." This -with great human and divine kindness." remark, directed as it was, specially He repeatedly said "the only way to to the only minister present on the occafind peace is by believing-trusting." sion, he amplified with much power and "There is," he said, "no wickedness precision of language, speaking of the like the wickedness of unbelief." He sin and danger of dividing and contracthad, he said, many a feast on that ing the gospel. passage, Behold I stand at the door and After this he spoke very little, and -knock," &c.; and he commented on it what he said referred to the prospect of more than once, saying, "He is himself meeting in heaven those dear to him the feast that he will give to all who whom he was now leaving on earth. He admit him at any time, and in any place." began to breathe with difficulty, though His whole manner in these precious it could scarcely be said with pain. Durtestimonies had about it that irresistible ing his last days he endured oppression charm of manliness, and that plain stamp rather than suffering, and so was it at of earnestness and sincerity, which shone so conspicuously in his mental and moral character. It was no common privilege to see a mind so able to judge of the - dread crisis to which it had come, reposing with such unwavering confidence on the simplest truths of the gospel in their simplest form. One of his latest testimonies was, "I have not even disquietude, not to speak of fear, at the near approach of death. He loved me, and gave himself for me. He has undertaken the work for me, and will perform it." In a little, he added, "Yes; I know whom I have believed, and what I have often endeavoured to commit to him, I have no Adoubt, is safe in his keeping." Within two or three hours of his death, his mind dwelt with great relish on the thought of committing all to Christ, Referring apparently to his great bodily weakness, which prevented him from speaking except with much difficulty, he said, "I cannot now distinguish, but commit all to Christ." He was asked if this was his last message. "Yes," he replied; "my last message-Commit all to Christ-though you had a thousand souls, commit them all to Christ." Having said this with difficulty, he added "Now, that's a relief." On being asked if it was a relief to be able to say what he had said, he replied with great promptitude, "Yes-and to do it."

Servant of God, well done,

Rest from thy loved employ,-
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy master's joy.

At midnight came the cry
To meet thy God prepare;

He woke and caught his Captain's eye,
Then strong in faith and prayer,

His spirit with a bound

left its encumbering clay;
His tent, a sunrise, on the ground
A darkened ruin lay.

THE REV. JAMES DOBBIE, A.M., ANNAN. THIS talented and useful minister died at Annan, on the evening of Friday, the 22d May, after a short but severe illness of only a few hours. Besides his aged father-who had for many years lived under his roof he has left an afflicted widow and ten children to lament his sudden and unlooked for death. It is now ascertained beyond dispute, that the proximate cause of his death was poison. On the afternoon of the day on which It may be said that he died in the act he died, Mrs Dobbie, who had felt someof giving his testimony to a free gospel. what indisposed, and to whom a little He dwelt on these words, "that whoso-porter had been recommended as likely "ever believeth in him should not perish, to be beneficial, caused one of six bottles but have everlasting life." This precious which had in the course of the forenoon fragment of divine truth he grasped and been sent from the shop of a respectable held with great delight, repeating it four dealer in the town, to be drawn; and times; and adding, "there are many after having partaken of about a winetestimonies in the gospel, but the outline glassful, she complained of inability to is just this, that whosoever believeth remain longer at the table. A farmer

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