Memoir of the Late James Halley

* I WILL remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings, — Psalm Ixxyii. 11, 12. It is in the spirit of this declaration that we propose to lay before the public the following Memoir of a departed friend. It is only upon the principle acknowledged in this verse, that we expect the book to be either pleasing or profitable. We claim attention to the record that follows, not on the ground of our own affection for the subject of it; for in that we could not expect others to sympathize: not on the ground of stirring incidents in the narrative; for to these it makes no pretensions: not even on the ground of the extraordinary talents possessed by the deceased; for this of itself would not repay the readers pains and our own. We present the narrative as an example of the ’ work’ of God, whereon the reader may profitably meditate. We ’ talk’ of the dead, because we are persuaded that the living, for their own profit, may see in his life and character much of the ’ doing’ of the Lord.

To the reader who, by familiarity with the current literature of the day, has acquired a taste for something novel and startling in every page, we have nothing to offer. To the scholar yet in the ardour of youth, thirsting after knowledge, we have an example to hold out for instruction, and a warning to proclaim for reproof. To those who are prosecuting their studies with a view to the office of the Gospel ministry, we write a lesson which they would do well to read. But we do not exclusively direct our regard to any or to all of these classes. Like Wisdom in the Scriptures, we seek to ’ lift up* our voice over a wider sphere. ‘To you, oh merii I call.* We address the lost of every class, while we present to their inspection the experience of one whose loudest cry was, What shall I do to he saved? We have something for the scholar; and more for the professional theologian; hut most for the sinner seeking peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. We take this method of perpetuating and spreading a record of our friend’s experience, because, though it finds no place in the page of this world’s history, it will be accounted ’ great in the kingdom of heaven.’

Like many of his countrymen who have attained to eminence, James Halley inherited from his parents neither rank nor wealth; yet he obtained through their means a more substantial portion — an early edu* cation. Intelligent and industrious, they retcuned, in a high degree, that which was once universally the characteristic of the Scottish people — they made the

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education of their children the principal object of their care. James was their eldest child. He was born at Glasgow, January 17, 1814. At six years of age he was sent to an elementary English school, where he continued about one year. When between seven and eight, he entered the grammar school. The usual course of study at that seminary was five years — four under one of the masters, and the fifth under the rector. Although always a clever boy, there was nothing in Halley’s progress during the first two or three years, that strongly drew the attention of his instructors. From a low place in the early period of the course, he rose gradually year by year, till he was dux of the fourth year’s class. This place he maintained, under Dr Chrystal the rector, during the fifth and last year. Both teachers retained a strong affection for their pupil; and Mr Douie, the only survivor, still delights to speak his praise.

With a high and rising reputation, he entered the University of Glasgow in October 1826, before he had completed his ISth year. During the first session, in the Greek and Latin classes, he maintained his character; but having come into competition vnth young men of mature age, he held but a secondary place in the annual distribution of rewards. At the time, it was matter of regret to him that he was sent at first to the senior classes, because it placed him necessarily lower on the prize list; but he afterwards came to be of opinion that the method adopted by his firiends was ultimately the most advantageous to himself.

During the summer of 1827, an accident befell the jscholar, which seriously retarded his studies for a time.

Having gone to reside for a few days with a relatire in the middle ward of Lanarkshire, he was amusing himself riding in a cart along with another hoy, when the horse became iinmanageahle and ran off. The cart soon upset, and both were thrown with great violence to the ground. It was found that Halley had received a severe injury in the head. The blow took effect chiefly on his right eye. It was some time ere medical assistance could he obtained; and then, by some unaccountahle mismanagement, no blood was let until the patient was brought hack to Glasgow. There he was placed under the care of an eminent oculist, who succeeded in partially restoring the sight of the eye; hut it was then found that the organ had been driven from its axis by the violence of the contusion; and no sooner did the patient begin to see with both his eyes than he saw every thing double. In these circumstances, the restoration of the injured eye did no good. Whether this defect could have been remedied is not certain, for there was no opportunity of trying it. In the process of healing, it was found that the pupil had been fatally injured, and the sight irrecoverably lost. He could always distinguish with it light from darkness; and even by much straining could sometimes detect the form of an object; but for all practical purposes it was totally useless ever after. The preservation of his life at this time has a place in the enumeration of the special mercies of God, which he inserted long after in his diary.

Having lost much of his vacation by this accident, and being weakened in strength by the illness which accompanied it, his friends judged it expedient that he should rest, or be but partially employed during the next session of college. Accordingly, with the view of affording him a wholesome exercise without too much fatigue, they enrolled him in one class — the Greek. This season he soon attracted the notice of the eminent professor who then held the Chair, the late Sir Daniel K. Sandford. From this time the Greek became Halle/s favourite study. He devoted himself to it with the utmost enthusiasm; and this predilection he ever after retained. Perhaps the predisposing cause of his choice is to be sought in the peculiar talents of his teacher. Long after, when the teacher had passed off from the stage, the pupil, him-r self just ready to follow, enumerates, with equal accuracy and elegance, ’ the light of Glasgow college now gone down,’ among the objects of memory’s fondest regard. Certain it is, that Sir Daniel succeeded in raising the standard of classical acquirement among the youth of Scotland, and the effects of his labours are still widely felt. At the close of the session, Halley obtained the highest honours of the class.

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