THE MERCHANT EVANGELIST BEING A Memoir of WILLIAM M'GAVIN AUTHOR OF THE PROTESTANT' 1773-1832 BY THE REV. WILLIAM REID, D.D. EDINBURGH EDINBURGH OLIPHANT, ANDERSON, & FERRIER 1884 211.e.8 PREFACE. IN 1834 there was published a volume of Mr. M'Gavin's Sermons, with a companion volume forming a Memoir of the author, which consisted of numerous letters, a brief autobiography of his life up to the thirtieth year of his age, and extracts from Mr. Ewing's sermon preached on the occasion of his death. This volume gave really but a very imperfect view of the character of the man, and the work in which he had been engaged, and is now to be found only in the libraries of the descendants of his friends, or on the shelves of old bookshops. The present volume, therefore, has been prepared under the conviction that it is too soon to allow the memory of such an one to pass away; and is an endeavour to give greater prominence to the more important events of his life, discover his motives and springs of action, and to trace more directly the influences which operated in the formation of his character. Had this been done forty or fifty years ago, it would doubtless have proved more satisfactory, as few of those who enjoyed personal acquaintance with Mr. M'Gavin now survive. Of these I alone, perhaps, remember incidents in his private life such as usually give to biography much of its peculiar charm, and possess family papers which throw light upon his character. The volume is sent forth with the view of perpetuating the memory of a notable Christian man, and in the hope that it may be the means of awakening some from a state of profitless inactivity, to emulate so useful and noble a career. 6 MERCHISTON PARK, EDINBURGH, 1st October 1883. Note. It would be esteemed a great favour were any one to send to Dr. Reid, at the above address, a copy of the first little book written by Mr. M'Gavin for children, entitled Colin Cameron, the Shepherd Boy of Glennevis. It was first published in a book form, and then as a tract, during 1819 and subsequent years. CONTENTS. Character of his Parents-Peden's Grave-Family Religion-A Class of Remarkable Men-Home Nurture-The M'Gavins Joins the Bookselling Trade-Companions of his Youth-Wilson the Ornithologist Paisley Literary Clubs - Becomes a Teacher-Connects himself with the Antiburghers-Cha- |