Early Days, Course at College, Leaves Glasgow

* 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.

Having been recruited in strength, and his health fully established by the summer vacation, he entered college next session as a second year s student, taking the Greek and Latin classes. In both, we believe, he obtained the first prize.

In 1829, adopting the usual custom of the university, Halley enrolled as a student of logicy but still prosecuted his study of Greek in the public class, and maintained his position against several eminent com-r petitors.*

* As a student’s position in a class is altogether a comparative thing, giving no certain indication of the absolute amount of his attainments; and as the standard of classical education in Scotland is not rated high by our English iM^ghhQurs, w« t)iinl( it proper to nqentiop (h qam af on? of

In the logic, which was his main business this session, he entered on a new walk. This period of his studies was interesting to his friends, as affording a test whereby to ascertain whether his genius were of that contracted kind which excels in one subject, but can adapt itself to one only. Hitherto his studies had been almost exclusiyely in the Greek and Latin classics. In that department he had attained the highest honours that were open to him in a Scottish uniyersity; and now that he had begun to turn his powers in another direction, it was soon made evident that his genius was of that expansive character, which can apply itself to any subject, and excel in every subject to which it is applied. In the logic class, under the efficient superintendence of the professor, Mr Buchanan, he met with the kindest encouragement, and the most ample scope for the exercise of his talents. In the daily oral examinations, and in the weekly vmtten exercises, his superiority was as distinctly marked as it had been in the languages; and again, at the close of the session, the highest honours of the class were awarded to him.

During this winter Mr Halley passed with great credit what is called the Black Stone Examination, in Greek.* The list of books given in was altogether

Halley’s class-fellows during this session — Mr Archibald C. Tait. Immediately after leaving Glasgow he entered a student of Balliol College, Oxford. There he soon attained the very highest honours, and was elected a Fellow at the earliest period allowed in the order of promotion. That distinguished scholar will not account it any dishonour, to have it told that he stood second to Halley, when side by side with equal ardour they pursued their favourite study under the auspices of Sir Daniel Sandford. We have been informed that Sir Daniel, several years afterwards, laconically introduced Mr Halley to an eminent scholar in Edinbuih, as * the man who beat Tait’

* It is a rule in the University of Glasgow, that all the students of pbilovfopfay must be examined every session on the subject of the preceding year’s

COURSE AT OOLLB<yE. 15

unprecedented in extent; and jet the examinators found him at home in every portion of it. There is in this department always a keen competition among the more eminent students, which excites much inte* rest throughout the university. Mr Haliey obtained the highest prize.^

Though employed in a very extended course of reading for this examination, and performing at the same time all the exercises of the two public classes, he yet found leisure during this session for another extraordinary feat of scholarship. This was nothing less than writing a Greek play — an original plot with all its parts complete, after the model of the tragic drama. It extended to 800 lines. This performance, done at intervals of a most laborious season, shows a familiarity with Greek iambics scarcely ever attained in modern times. It was examined by Sir D. Sandford, and mentioned by him in terms of highest admiration at the next general meeting of the university.

During the following winter, 1830-31, in the ethic and mathematical classes, Haliey ’s course was the same that it had been in the logic and Greek — diligent application throughout the session, rewarded by the highest honours at its close. The only extraordinary work in which he was engaged this year was reading for his degree. The degree of Bachelor of

study. A logic student is examined in Greek; a moral philosophy student in logic; and so on. The student cannot get his attendance at any class certified as a part of his curriculum, until ttie professor of the preceding year pronounce himself satisfied with his proficiency. The bottom of an antique chair in which the students sit, is literally a black stone, and hence the name by which the examination is known.

* Three prizes are given. And it is remarkable that the gentlemen who obtained the second and third on that occasion, Messrs Tait and Smith, are tJie same two to whom we allude elsewhere, who very soon after became Fellows of English colleges, the one in Oxford, the other in Cambridge.

] a MEMOIR OF JAMES HALLEY.

Arts may be obtained by students when they have attended the ethic class; but the common practice in Glasgow is to delay till the following year, when they may pass all the examinations, and obtain the degree of Master at once. Halley was induced to deviate from the usual custom, and take his Bachelor s degree this year, in order to have the opportunity of competing for a prize given by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Rector of the imiversity. His lordship, at his installation, had announced his intention of giving two prizes of £50 each to the best men in the examination for degrees in arts, the one in physics, the other in classics and morals. By applying thus early for his degree, Mr Halley was enabled to compete in the latter department, and he easily obtained the prize.

The next class in the course is the natural philosophy. It is remarkable in Mr Halley s case, as being the only department of study in college upon which he entered without obtaining a first prize; and yet, when the circumstances are known, his standing in that class is as honourable to his genius and industry as any position he occupied throughout the course. By this time he had conclusively determined to enter the Divinity Hall, with a view to the office of the sacred ministry in Scotland. It was necessary to attend the natural philosophy class before he could be enrolled as a student of divinity. And as a four years’ course of theological study awaited him, he could not then afford to lose a season. Thus he was compelled to attempt the natural philosophy with a very deficient preparation. He had attended only the junior class of mathematics, which is wholly elementary; and though he had manifested his usual talent in mastering the busineai of the class, he had not reached those higher departments that are necessarj in the solution of the problems prescribed in the physic class.* Accordingly he was obliged to carry on a private course of mathematical reading to enable him to perform the exercise of the day. Problems were prescribed by the professor on the supposition of that amount of mathematical knowledge being possessed by the students, which is indicated by a two years’ course of previous study. Thus, a student who entered when he was master only of one year’s course, had not only to solve the problem prescribed, but first of all to feel his way forward among the arcana of pure mathematics, in search of an instrument which he might afterwards employ in the solution of the problem. This is the kind of difficulty with which our student had to struggle; and in this way he held on throughout the session with so much success, that he obtained the second prize. The gentleman who on that occasion stood before him, was Archibald Smith, Esq., junior of Jordan Hill, who very soon after was senior wrangler at Cambridge, — the first Scotchman, it is said, who has obtained that honour. During all this period, his principal source of main* tenance was the product of his own exertion as a private tutor. A very considerable portion of his time — always four, and sometimes five hours a-day — was taken up in this way. This very materially enhances his merit, in maintaining so high a position in all the classes. It is not easy to perceive how he was able to overtake all his engagements; and yet there is no

At that time the Profeuor of Mathematics was Uid aside by age, and the class was taught by assistants appointed flrom year to year.

reason to believe that his health was injured during that period by successive exertion. He possessed great buoyancy of spirits. He was in no danger of wanting exercise from lack of inclination for amusement; and he always found leisure to join his companions in getting that inclination gratified.

We have said that by this time he had finally chosen his profession. Indeed, to devote him to the ministry, had from the first been the design of his parents, and it had been in accordance with his own boyish inclination. It is to be regretted that we have no record of the progress of his views on this subject. We cannot now trace any of the steps by which he advanced from childhood’s unmeaning desire Ho be a minister,* up to those sublime conceptions of the office, and ardent, yet humble desires to be invested with it, which appear in his letters toward the close of his life. In him the work of the Spirit was as the wind which bloweth where it listeth, and we hear the sound thereof, but know not whence it Cometh nor whither it goeth. The successive stages of the process could not be traced by others, and probably were not observed by himself. But though we cannot by searching find out those paths of the Almighty that lie in the deep, we can in this case clearly see the ’ end of His ways.’ He was led, though by a way which he knew not, to a right view of the ministry, and a hearty dedication of himself to the service of God in the Grospel of his Son. This is one among many instances of good resulting from the early dedication of a youth, by his parents, to the Christian ministry. Doubtless much evil has resulted from the practice. The evil, however, does not lie in the dedication at first, but in an obstinate adherence to it, when it has become evident that the youth, on attaining the years of understanding, has neither the fitting talent nor the right spirit. The prayers of parents, and the preparatory studies, may be blessed as the means of fitting a young man for the ministry; but the determination, if the subject of it is in childhood, should always be made with the reserve, that if it shall afterwards appear that grace is not given him, he shall not be forced into the office uncalled, unqualified, to the loss of his own peace, and the injury of the Church.

At the period to which we refer — the summer vacation after he had finished his course of philosophy — we cannot speak with any degree of certainty as to the state of Mr Halley’s religious views. It is certain that he had begun to think seriously of his future procedure, and that now in his matured judgment, he had a strong conscientious preference of the profession chosen for him in his childhood. His adherence to it at this time shows that he had more than secular interest in view; for it must have been plain to himself that his prospects of advancement in the world would have been much higher, had he abandoned it and devoted himself to scientific and literary pursuits. But, though a pretty decisive judgment had been formed, we incline to think that at this period there was not much of the spiritual enlightenment which he afterwards attained. It was at this period that one of those who now make these particulars known, first became acquainted with him, and he remembers well that Mr Halley, on his first introduction, being asked what he intended to do next session, replied in a jocular air, ‘I intend to be a divine man* — meaning that he was to be a student of theology. The impression then made on the writer’s mind, was unfarourable as to the depth and clearness of his religious yiews.

About the same time, he began to take part in the work of Sabbath school teaching, in connection with the Calton Association for Religious Purposes. Whether any thing more than a sense of its propriety, in reference to his destined profession, induced him at first to begin this work, cannot now be ascertained; ’ but it is certain that in prosecuting it, he soon found out a better reason, even a desire to save the lost, — he soon felt himself constrained by a stronger motive, even the love of Christ. In the capacity of a member of this Association, he drew up a small catechism of Scripture doctrine for children, which has been stereotjrped by Collins of Glasgow, and is now very extensiyely used in Sabbath schools.

In November 1832, Mr Halley entered the theological classes. There are three chairs in the faculty of theology — Hebrew, Church History, and Systematic Theology. It is usual with students to attend them all during their first session. Mr Halley attended them all, and obtained the highest prize in each.

In the Hebrew class he found the standard of excellence was not high. The teaching and the learning were superficial. Suddenly called to the office, without having time to prosecute those peculiar studies which are necessary for the efficient discharge of its duties, the professor was placed in a difficult position. Apparently distrusting himself, he could not inspire his pupils with confidence. It is dangerous to put questions where the answer elicited may lead the interrogator beyond his depth, and so the routine of the class was to the students very easy, but very dull. While they respected their professor for his general intelligence, and were won by the kindness and a£Fability of his manners, they sympathized with him in the embarrassment of his situation. Soon after, his patrons relieved him from the necessity of teaching Hebrew, by transferring him to another chair. Mr Halley read some Hebrew afterwards in private, but in the class no scope was given for the exercise of his extraordinary powers of acquiring a language. An essay, prescribed on Hebrew syntax, he wrote, and obtained the prize.

In the eccleaastical history class there was no teaching, and no examination. Lectures were read twice a- week, at which the students were compelled to attend, but in which they felt no interest. The only exercise prescribed or allowed was a prize essay once a-year. This prize Mr Halley obtained in each of the sessions that he attended the class.*

In the divinity class, conducted by the late venerable Dr M’Gill, the lectures and examinations were more varied and more interesting. Mr Halley always regarded this professor with the greatest respect, and ofn, long afterwards, enumerated his example and

* We are not conscious of any unkind feeling towards the persons concerned, and we strive to avoid severity of expression as far as the interests of truth will permit. We object to the system by which professors are appointed. It has now begun to be observed as an anomaly, and felt as a grievance, that the Church has no control over the appointment of those professors who are to guide her future ministers in the studies peculiar to their profession. The evil has now proceeded so far, that some remedy must needs be devised and applied. If either a minister of the Crown, or the close corporation of a Scotch university, shall nominate to a chair in theology, a person evidently unfit to teach, the Church has the power, and she ought instantly to exercise it, of relieving the students from the necessity of attendhsg the class and paying the fees.

instructions among the special mercies of God. Dr M’Giil was a man of an eminently devotional spirit, and the elevation and fervour of his daily prayers often diffused a hallowing influence over the Divinity Hall. His lectures were not confined to speculatiye theology. He knew, that to make his students familiar with the science of theology, would he of no avail, if the power of the Gospel was not felt in their hearts. Acting on this view, his teaching often assumed a character too practical for mere speculators. But we remember the respectful and earnest attention with which Mr Halley, during the fourth session, listened to his course of Lectures on personal religion, and the duties of the ministerial office; and those who were most intimate with him, could perceive that he was not a forgetful hearer.

There is so much of sameness in the four years’ course of theology, that after the preceding notices of what the classes were, we do not think it necessary to trace his progress through them from year to year. We shall now notice, without precise regard to the dates, some of the events illustrative of his talents and character, that occurred during the period.

Numerous prize essays were prescribed in the various theological classes, for nearly all of which he wrote; and, so far as we know, every eflfbrt made was successful. Besides these, there were university essays open to all the students. Of those that were gained by Mr Halley, we have no record before us, but we know that he obtained the university silver medal for exercises in theology in two diflPerent sessions. The subjects were. The Samaritan Pentateuch and The Authenticity of the first two chapters of Matthew,

COtTBfiE AT COLLEGE. 23

To illustrate the versatility of his genius, we may here mention an exploit on which he was often inclined to make merry. In the summer of 1 834, he enrolled as a student in the botanical class. This was done chiefly with a view to benefit his health. The garden in which the lecture-room was situated, lay at a distance of about two miles from the place of his residence, and the hour of lecture was from eight to nine in the morning. This secured for three months a system of early and regular exercise. It happened that, during that session, a gentleman, whose name was not given, empowered Dr (now Sir William) Hooker to offer a gold medal for the best essay on the natural history and uses of the Potato. Halley had not paid much attention to the study of botany, and the prescribed subject of the essay did not at all lie in his way; yet, he determined to write by way of amusement, and as he said, to beat the medicals.* The result was, a treatise extending to 172 closely written qilarto pages. It was pronounced the best, and the interloper carried off the medal, fairly won from the medical students on their own proper field. Whether this achievement had found its way into the Farmer’s Magazine, we cannot tell, but it had nearly procured for him a reputation of -which he was not desirous. One day a stranger was ushered into his room, announcing himself as an Irish agricidturist, who had devoted considerable attention to the failure of the potato crop. Having heard that Mt Halley had been studying the same subject, he had waited upon him to hear the result of his researches. Mr Halley received his visitor with due politeness and gravity, — laid aside his folios, and entered with all be-

24 ttEMOm Of JAMES HAIXET.

coming solemnity into the compaiatiye merits of late and early planting — of whole sets and single eyes; and after a long consultation dismissed his yisit(N:> greatly delighted with the interview.

On several occasions during his theological course, Mr Halley had opportunities of trying his gifls in public speaking. The first effort which attracted the notice of his fellow- students, was a speech in a debating society in the spring of 1834, on the question of Church Establishments, then lately raised and excitii an intense interest throughout the country. On this question the members of the society deviated from their usual method of debating, merely as an exercise of their powers. This was a real debate. It was a conflict of opinion, in which the combatants spoke what they felt. The speakers felt that the question must have a momentous praxtical result. Sportsmen though they were at other times, on this occasion they thought more of the game than of the chase. After a careful muster of the forces in private, Halley was chosen to open the debate on the side of the Establishment. This he did to the full satisfaction of his friends, in a long and most elaborate oration. It was thoroughly prepared and committed to memory. This secured a clear and close argument throughout, and yet in the manner of it there was all the freshness of an unpremeditated harangue. After a debate of three nights, it remained his right to close with a reply. The reply was skilful and effective. At the vote, the affirmative was carried by a very large majority.* This being his

* It is necessary to remind the English reader, that the principle of admission into the Scottish universities is thoroughly liberal. AU are admitted on the same terms. There is as great a variety of opinions on Church polity in the uniyersity as in the city.

first public appearance as a speaker, it was much noticed by the students, and in this walk, as in others, it was evident from the first that he was destined to excel.

Several opportunities were afterwards afforded him of exercising this talent, especially in the election of lord rector of the university. In the election of Lord Stanley, in 1 834, his influence was predominant. As the first of a series of Conservative triumphs, it was an important era in the poUtics of the university.. The sudden triumph of Conservative principles in the university at that time, has never been understood by statesmen. It was no change of view in secular politics. Previous to that date, the students belonging to the Church of Scotland were generally liberal, and they threw their influence into the liberal scale. At that time liberalism in State politics came to be generally identified with voluntaryism in Church politics. Upon the instant, the members of the Church held in abeyance their (still unchanged) opinions on secular polity, and sided with that political party who seemed most to side with the Church of Scotland. Politicians should know this. Nor do we ask them to take it on our word. We tell the story, and leave them to learn from it. After Lord Stanley’s term of office — two years — had expired. Sir Robert Peel and Sir James Graham were successively elected, by overwhelming majorities, over the most distinguished Liberals that could be opposed to them. There was much gratulation among the Tories. Aged professors came forth from their seclusion — attended the dinner of a political club that had been established among the students — announced themselves, amidst the cheers and laughter of the audience, old tough inveterate Conservatives ’ — and paid ’ a debt of gratitude ’ to the young gentlemen who had * burst asunder the thraldom of external domination, and shaken off the fetters imposed on them from without, * The joy was very great, but it did not last long. In an evil hour, Sir James Graham came down to Scotland, and gave his vote and influence, as Lord Rector, against Dr Chalmers, who was a candidate for the Chair of Theology. There he touched the Church of Scotland in the most tender point — he touched the liberties of her people in the person of their most distinguished defender. The series of Conservative Rectors was immediately broken. At the next election, the Marquis of Breadalbane, a decided Liberal, but an intelligent and uncompromising defender of the constitution of the Church, was triumphantly chosen, in opposition to the highest name that England or Europe knows. The spell was broken. The Peel Club dwindled into insignificance,, and fell to pieces; and the ‘old tough inveterate Conservatives’ were obliged to retire again within the cloisters of the college. Conservatism fell in the university at the very time when it was consummating its triumphs in the country. These are the simple facts, and they are notorious in Scotland. The lesson they contain is very plain. The Church of Scotland, as she has done in generations past, will still * oppose all deadly,’ without inquiring whether they be Whig or Tory, who attempt to infringe the liberty wherewith Christ has madCi and the constitution of the country has acknow ledgedy her free.

Report of Principal Macfarlan’s Speech at the Peel Club Dinner, in the ‘Glasg6w Constitutional,’ 25th December 1838.

A portion of Mr Halley’s time, during the laat three years at college, was occupied in performing the duties of librarian in the collection attached to the Divinity Hall. In this station he had an abundant opportunity of exercising his extraordinary power of memory. His habits of accuracy, and his extensive knowledge of books, were also made available for the benefit of the students in their resort to the library. One incident connected with this office should be noted here, as it made a deep impression on his mind at the time, and he often spoke of it with much interest long afterward. The afiairs of the library were administered by a librarian and a committee of twelve, chosen annually by die students from their own number. Several periodicals had been introduced which lay on the table, and were read by the students when they had occasion to louuge in the library for an hour, between the dismissal of one class and the commencement of another. Among others more appropriate, SlackwooaTs Magazine had some way or other found a place. In process of time a considei-able portion of the committee came to be of opinion that Slakwood’s Magazine should not be there. Being nearly equally divided, they had made several contradictory decisions, at different times, according as the contending parties happened to have a majority present. At one time, by a majority of one, the magazine was condemned; at another, by a casting vote, the magazine was recalled. At last an appeal to the constituents — all the students in the hall — was mutually resolved on. A meeting was arranged, and Dr M*Gill, the professor, agreed to preside. The whole matter was argued at length. The one party quoted (no very difficolt k) passages irom Blackwood to prove that it was not a fit book to be selected to lie on the table as the special delight of divinity students; the other party palliated, and urged all sorts of arguments in its favour. At length a vote was taken, and Blackwood retained by a very laige majority. This decision made a strong impression on Halley’s mind. Doubtless he felt it in some degree as a personal defeat. It was a failure where he was not accustomed to fail. With good arguments and a good cause, and his fellow-students for an audience, he had gained before this triumphs for himself, as well as righteous decisions on the questions in which he was interested. In this instance he had to endure a double disappointment — the loss of personal influence, and a wrong decision on a cause which he had much at heart. After such a course of uninterrupted success, it is not surprising that he should have been at times somewhat imperious in his rule, and somewhat impatient of restraint. He was at this time piqued at the apparently successful opposition made to his own paramount influence in college, but he was penetrated by another and a deeper feeling — even sorrow at witnessing an erroneous and discreditable decision on a question that affected the tone of religious sentiment prevailing among theological students. It was evident to those who had an opportunity of observing, that long afterward, when the resentment had wholly subsided, his judgment .of the merits of the case still continued the same. He kept a list of those who voted with him in the minority, with the view of marking how far his own judgment was confirmed by their future character. On the blank leaf of one of his latest journals the list is found written out, headed

Blackwood’s magazine. 29

bj the emphatic title — The fourteen. The formal defeat was in this case, as in many others, a substantial Tictory. Such was the moral eflfect of the contest, that soon after all agreed to give up Blackwood. It was discontinued by universal consent, and has never since made its appearance in the library of the Divinity HaU.

During the session of 1833-34, the most prominent public matter in which he was concerned, was the University Church of Scotland Society. We insert a brief account of it in his own words, irom a letter written to a friend in the country. The language is severe; but it tells its own tale, and the reader may judge for himself whether the severity is merited: —

‘Glasgow, 24«A Fdyrua/ry 1834.

My dear Chalmers, — We formed in

November, immediately after our Stanley triumph (which was most superb), a University Church of ocotland Society, whereof the first meeting was held in the Greek class-room. The Voluntaries felt bound to get up a counter association, and applied for the same room. Sandford referred them to the Faculty, which learned (and most courageous and well principled) body, through fear of alienating the Voluntaries — to whom, of course, they refused the room — kicked us out of college. We remonsti*ated in a savage memorial, which will amuse you. They replied in a contemptible, shuffling “finding,” giving every reason for their conduct but the true one. The whole matter, of which I shall tell you more fully when we meet, has marvellously enlightened me on the principles and character of public men. We have since met in the Tron Church session-house, and have discussed, since our commencement — Scripture argument for Establishments (Stevenson); Arguments for them from

Experience and Utility (Jos. Patrick); Refutation of the Leading Objections to Establishments (Halley); Argument from Scripture for Presbytery, as opposed to Episcopacy ( Arnot); History of Patronage (Mac-Corkle); Argument against Independency (James Hamilton); and next Thursday we are to have a history of Presbytery, by Stark.

.... ‘Stark’s essay was admirable, and elicited, from several members, marks of strong approbation. Next Thursday we have James Morrison as essayist — subject, History of Christianity in Scotland from its Introduction till the Reformation. A fortnight after that we are to have a miscellaneous debate on Patronage, — each member to state his own views, and make his own motion. I hope it will be spirited, and tend to raise the character of the society.

‘Talking of debates, the formal ground on which the Faculty expelled our society from college was, that it disapproved of all meetings for the discussion of questions of temporary excitement and political controversy; and yet, a few days ago, the University Forum, the chief debating society of the year, discussed the question of the right exercise of the royal prerogative in dismissing the Melbourne ministry, and is next Friday to debate the point, whether Irish Church property should be alienated to State purposes. Of course the Faculty are silent. Heu priscajfides! Honesty and consistency for ever!

* James Halley.

* Mr Wm. Chalmers,^

As yet, Mr Halley had never printed any of his compositions. About this time a communication was made to him, through a common friend, from the editor of the Presbyterian Review, requesting an occasional article. He entered into the proposal with great willingness. We shall give his own answer to

PRESByTERIAN REVIEW. 31

the suggestion from the same letter that b quoted above: —

* I come next, in due course, to notice your important communication about the Presbyterian Review. I mentioned the matter to Stevenson, who, with characteristic modesty, treated the thing as altogether out of the question. Whether it be that I have more impudence, more self-conceit, or a more correct perception of the merits of the case, I shall not say; but for myself I am disposed to treat your statements somewhat differently. Be it known to you, then, that I am a great admirer of the Presbyterian Review, and a greater admirer of its editor; and if I thought I could write any article worthy of admission to its pages, would regard it as a very high honour to have any lucubration of mine appearing therein. I did not need your hint about the editor s having the prospect of paying his contributors; for so highly do I approve of the publication, that I should be most glad to lend it any aid I can, and to place myself at the command of ite editor, without price, prayer, or reward. If, therefore, he ever thinks it worth while to ask you again about Glasgow contributors, you may tell him you know one stripling, that knows a good deal of Greek, some Latin, and a moderate quantity of Hebrew, — has a smattering of logic, moral philosophy, and divinity, — and has bestowed some pains on Biblical criticism, and the Voluntary question, — who would be delighted to lend him a hand. Greek and Logic are decidedly my fortes; and so works on subjects connected with these I should like best to review; and in subjects connected with theology, I am best up to Biblical criticism, the Voluntary and Socinian Controversies, and the Christian Evidences/

In reference to this at a later date, he writes to the same person, —

* Glasgow, 9«* /% 1835.

‘My dear Chalmers, — .... I may tell yo«, — what, however, you need not tell Mr Dunlop, — that, for the same reason which prevented me from writing you, I have not written one line for his periodical. But having looked at Mitchell’s Achamians, being assured I have something to say on them, and being now really very resolute in the way of worTdng when I take on hand any thing definite of this sort, I do most solemnly assure you, that a paper on said comedy shall be in Mr Dunlop’s hands on or before the 11th day of August — probably long before it. The book I have for some time had by me, having got the loan of it from Sir D. K. Sandford, who has reviewed it in the “Edinburgh” (ergo, by the way, I must try to write something decent on it); so I shall not need to avail myself of Mr Dunlop’s permission to draw on his resources. J. H.

* Mr Wm, Chalmers:

This article was his first efibrt in reviewing. It appeared in the Presbyterian Review for September 1835, a few weeks after a similar critique in the Edinburgh Review, from the pen of Sir Daniel Sandford. It is saying enough for Halley’s article, that it is almost as lively, and quite as learned, as the production of the brilliant and accomplished Professor. If many of our readers were adepts in the minutim of Greek criticism, we could adduce from this review specimens which would make them wonder that one so young should have read so much, and studied the canons of syntax and prosody so profoundly. But since Mr Halley was so much known as a classical scholar, and since we are precluded by our plan from giving evidence of his erudition, we shall introduce, in the Appendix,* an extract as closely related to Greek learning as the plan of the work will admit. The learned reader will perceive from it how much at home he is among the institutions of Sparta, and the literature of Athens. It will, moreover, he generally interesting as a specimen of his first composition intended for the press.

His next contribution to the * Presbyterian,’ was one on which Mr Halley bestowed unusual care — a review of Haldane on the Romans. To qualify him* self for writing it, he read or consulted on the first five chapters almost every commentator on whom he could lay his hands — some of them cumbrous and forgotten books. But it was his turn of mind. He could not sit down in comfort to write on any theme until he knew how other men had viewed it. t His vigorous and independent mind often drew from their own facts and arguments, conclusions different from

* Appendix, A.

t The entries in hit diary of thia date, for eight successiTe days, are the following: —

* Mondaj/t March 21. — Two weeks shamefully omitted, chiefly, perhaps, became little was done. ... On Romans I failed most miserably, having done nothing. I resume it this morning after prayer, and hepe to go on to-morrnw and following days with vigour.

* Tuesday 22. — Besides class, library, and teaching — Romans, with Calvin, Tholuck, Stuart, and Haldane, as also Wardlaw on Infant Baptism* 8^ hours — practical reading and devotion, hour — miscellanies, 1 hour.

* Wednetdayt 2.3. — Romans, 4j hours — practical reading and devotion, 4 hour- examining a passage in Hebrews, f hour.

* Thursday 24. — Devotion and practical reading, 1 hour — Romans, 7 hours — Greek ex., 3 hours.

* Friday 25. — Devotion and practical reading, 1 hour — Romans, 8 hours — Greek ex., 2 hours.

* Saturday 26. — Devotion and practical reading, hours — Romans, 6 hours — miscellanies, 2 hours.

Monday 28. — Devotion and practical reading, 1 hour — Romans, 9

hours.

* Tuetday 29. — Devotion and practical reading, 1 hour — Romans, 10

lumrt.* what their authors designed; and great part of his originality consisted in the orthodox application of materials collected for heterodox purposes. Of this system of extensive reading, the tendency doubtless, was to give his productions a pedantic air; but its actual effect with him was to render them singularly accurate. In the case of many men much reading is a source of much plagiarism. In Halley’s case it was only the source of much learning. In the present instance a sifting investigation of the earlier chapters of the Romans was repaid by sound views and unalterable convictions on the subjects of original sin and iree justification, and resulted in an article where these truths are asserted with equal precision and cogency. It is an essay which does not deserve to perish. In a periodical which contains some of the ablest theological dissertations by the present race of Scottish ministers, there is none where the erudition is more exact, or the argument more conclusive. Indeed, one of our soundest theologians, as he read it in ignorance of its authorship, declared that he was glad the Church of Scotland contained a minister capable of writing such an article. Halley bestowed more pains on the preparatory study than on the actual composition of this paper. It was written in haste to meet the emergencies of periodical publication, — and having no opportunity to correct the press, it was a subject of great annoyance, aggravated by an almost painful punctiliousness, that typographical errors had repeatedly marred the meaning. Nevertheless, so instructive had he found the study, that he always reverted with pleasure to the weeks bestowed on it, and felt a special favour for the performance itself. It was published in the Presbyterian Review for May 1836.

During the summer of this year — 1836, Mr Halley and three of his friends in the Divinity Hall, formed themselves into a little society for the investigation of theological subjects. As all its members found signal benefit from its meetings, it may be good to tell how they were conducted. Their object was thoroughly to indoctrinate the members in the different loci communes of theology. At each meeting the next subject of examination was fixed, and books were assigned to each member, which he was expected to read and to master for the common good. For instance, if the subject were the Atonement, one of the brethren undertook to make himself acquainted with the work of Archbishop Magee; Smith’s Scripture Testimony was assigned to another; Stevenson or Symington to a third; and, perhaps, some heresiarch to the fourth. On the day of meeting they assembled early at the house of one of the party; each came furnished with a list of questions suggested by his reading; a plan was fixed; the doctrine was defined; the direct arguments in its favour were adduced; objections were discussed and refuted; and information of all sorts was mutually contributed. This scheme of study had many advantages. By a mutual compact each was committed to a certain amount of labour, and during the recess of college, when there are many inducements to idleness, the members were constrained to read many books and master many subjects, with which it is commonly agreed that students of theology ought to be acquainted, but which, from the want of an immediate inducement to study them, they too often postpone indefinitely and never overtake.

Mr Halley was a member of two other societies, — one for the delivery of discourses, with the view of improvement in the style of pulpit address, — the other for prayer, the devotional reading of the Scriptures, and practical conversation on the passage read. In both, his clear intellect, his extensive learning, and his growing grace, were exercised for his own profit, and for instruction to his friends. By the members of both societies, scattered now over this and other distant lands, he is still held in affectionate remembrance.

During the whole period of his course in the Divinity Hall, he had been steadily advancing in the matter of personal religion. Along with his study of the Bible as a theologian, he carried on a system of searching the Scriptures for the truth as it is in Jesus. While he was preparing for preaching to others, he continued seeking for himself pardon and peace with God through the blood of the covenant. The first notices written by himself with direct reference to his own spiritual state, occur at the conclusion of a letter on, Biblical criticism, addressed to an intimate friend resident in the country.

* Glasgow, Sd July 1834.

‘My dear Stevenson, — I most sincerely

sympathize with your bodily illness, and still more with your statement of the obstacles to personal piety. Your remarks read me a severe but wholesome lesson. If there ever was a being whom his own instability and dissipation of mind were irrecoverably ruining, I believe I am he. I feel constant cause to complain of myself for light-headedness and light-heartedness, when seriousness is most of all an imperative duty. I am grievously averse to every thing like spiritual meditation; on these things I can read sometimes, but I cannot (rather will not) think. To those heartcommunings ivhicb, above all other things, if done in a prayerful frame, God’s Spirit is most likely to bless, I am little better than a total stranger; indeed, the only exercise of this kind (if it can be so called) in which I can find satisfaction, is the repeating by myself passages of Scripture, psalms, and paraphrases, in which I fear there is too much parrot-work. All this betokens a most diseased state of mind. I thank you, therefore, for yQur hint about meditation, and for your counsel that I would repair to a higher counsellor. These advices you cannot too often repeat, or rather, not often enough for my need of them. In conformity with your example, and thoroughly agreeing with your remark on intercessory prayer, I have set apart a small portion of this day to engage in that exercise for you and myself; and I propose to do the same next Sabbath.

‘I shall expect, as usual, a letter from you next week, along with your sermon on the Divine Omniscience. Till then, believe me to be, your affectionate firiend, J. H.

* Mr James Stevenson*

Mr Stevenson, who had the best opportunity of knowing him about the period to which this letter refers, gives the following account of his religious progress: —

‘On Friday the 24th of October 1833, 1 returned to Glasgow, and spent two days with Mr Halley. The communion was on the 26 th. He was then in a more serious frame than I had ever seen him before. He employed a considerable time in preparation for the Sabbath s solemnities. He read the Scriptures, and a little treatise on the Lord’s Supper, with the view of assisting him in the work of self-examination. We prayed together. There was an unwonted fervour in his prayers, and great apparent enlargement of heart. I only recollect one subject on which we conversed.

It was the duty of caring for the souls of relatives. He lamented that he had never yet been able to open his heart to those who were dearest to him, and urge upon them the necessity of seeking salvation. If I were to fix on the period when a decided religious change was effected in his character, I would be disposed to point to this period, the autumn of 1833; but my opportunities of judging were imperfect, and I would not speak with confidence. True, immediately after the time I have condescended on, he was involved in all the bustle of the contest for the office of Lord Rector; but though not then on an arena favourable for bringing out manifestations of Christian character, I remember nothing that he said or did inconsistent with it.”

Besides the usual labours of a Sabbath school, Mr Halley had for several years conducted a senior class in Calton, to which he devoted a very considerable share of his time and regard. Among other things, he wrote out for them, and read at their meetings, a series of lectures on the Christian evidences. During the busiest season of his college duties, the weekly essay was written; he never would allow any thing to come in the way of it. The following notice of the class from one of his own letters, will be interesting to the reader. It is addressed to the same person from whose letter the last quotation is made.

* Glasgow, 2Sd July 1834.

‘My dear Friend, — I may say just now,

that it (a promised visit) must be about the beginning of a week, and I must deny myself the pleasure of hearing any of your clergymen. For I do not wish to miss my senior Sabbath evening class more than two Sabbaths; and I believe we shall be at least two away on our projected excursion. You see I can get nobody else to write lectures for me; and they say they will not hear lectures, which I oiFered to write, read by any one else. I have, therefore, to give them a vacation; and the shorter it is the better

‘I am ashamed of myself, when I find you complaining of spiritual indifference. My mind has always been exceedingly securalized. On no subject am I wont to display much warmth; and it is only saying that I am depraved, to say that this coldness is most felt in religion. I can hardly conceive the earthly means that would inspire me with the ardour necessary to a good soldier of Jesus Christ; nothing intermediate, I almost think, could effect such a change, — nothing short of a direct operation of God the Holy Ghost. For his influences I have great need constantly to pray. I feel in myself a remarkable aversion to speaking of religion except where I cannot help it. There is only one kind of exercise of this sort that excites any feeling in me at all, — it is, conducting that senior class; and, when I feel myself there among a few immortal beings, earnest to obtain knowledge relative to the Bible, and one or two of whom, through the labours of Tait, I have some cause to regard as children of God, — I do sometimes feel a little the importance of my situation, and seem to myself to see something of the benefits of religion. The influence which, once or twice, I have felt the conducting of these exercises exert on my mind, has made me conceive the idea of a Divinity Hall Home Missionary Scheme, which I hope to discuss with you when we meet. Might not a few students of divinity, joining in a society to visit among the poor one hour daily, and meeting to pray for and report the progress of their labours, feel themselves twice blessed in such a work? More of this again. J. H.

* Mr James Stevenson*

The visiting society mentioned in the concluding sentence was instituted, and continued in operation for some time; but it was necessarily broken up when the members of it left town.

During the two or three last years of Mr Halley a residence in Glasgow, there was perhaps no subject on which he entered with so much zeal, as the business of the College Missionary Society. In 1 834 he was secretary, and the following year president. The institution had existed for a number of years; but at this period, chiefly by his exertions, and those of his immediate predecessor, a new rigour was infused into all its operations. Instead of a meeting only at the commencement of the session to institute proceedings, and another at the close to distribute the funds, the meetings were held first once a-month, and then once a-fortnight, alternately for hearing an essay and for prayer. The society collected and bound into one all who knew the meaning of the prayer, “Thy kingdom come.” Many a friendly conversation on the state of the heathen, and the means of reaching them, was heard at these meetings by the younger students who went in to listen, and many a salutary impression left. We shall afterwards give evidence, from his own letters, of the interest Mr Halley took in the proceedings of the society. Those of our readers who were in the habit of attending, will remember how much they were solemnized by his prayers, and instructed by his addresses. It was at these meetings that his growth in grace could be best perceived.* Those who were accustomed to mark something of dictation and hauteur in his manner, when he gave his opinion on other subjects, were surprised and delighted to observe a chastened childlike humility when conversing on the things that pertain to the kingdom of God, When engaged in an object directly religious, he laboured under a strong sense of personal unworthiness, which produced a very marked effect in softening and subduing his tone. His genius, when thus divested of its sterner attributes, was peculiarly attractive. Many who, on witnessing his literary triumphs, had been convinced only that his head was enlightened, saw with delight in the meetings of that society, evidence that his heart was renewed. Having often in the class-room admired the scholar, in the missionary meeting they loved the man.

At these meetings one of the most pleasing parts of the business was the correspondence maintained with societies and individuals engaged in missionary operations in difierent parts of the world. The reading of draft letters for approval before they were despatched, and of the answers which were returned, gave a vivid interest to the proceedings of the society, rendering the meetings a scene of enjoyment to piously disposed students, as well as a source of instruction. With the twofold purpose of illustrating the character of a society in which the subject of this Memoir was so deeply interested, and of affording instruction and warning to our readers on the subject of Christian missions generally, we subjoin a specimen of the correspondence. We select two letters which contain distinctly expressed opinions regarding the society and its proceedings, by two persons holding prominent and influential stations in the Church. Both were addressed to the secretary, in answer to official communications, and both intended to be conmiunicated. We assume, therefore, that it is perfectly accordant with

the intention of the ‘inters, to give the public the benefit of their opinions. We give the letters in the order of their dates, — the one from the Rev. Dr Macfarlan, Principal of the university in which the society was instituted, — the other from the Rev. Dr Duff, misr sionary of the Church of Scotland in India. The first we insert entire; of the second an extract.

Glasgow Cottege, llth March 1835.

. * Sir, — I have to acknowledge your letter of yesterday’s date, inclosing Report of the Association of Students for missionary exertions, and conveying their request that I should become a contributor to their funds.

‘It has long been my decided and avowed opinion, that such exertions on the part of students are premature and injudicious.

‘The object of their attendance here is to acquire the information, and form the principles, the application of which, in after life, will enable them to pursue valuable ends by worthy and effectual means. To anticipate the period of such exertion, appears to me not only unbecoming the station they now occupy, but full of danger to their future character and usefulness. However laudable may be the purpose of their association, it requires no small share of judgment and observation to select those means of promoting it which are at once safe and effectual.

‘These views receive additional confirmation even from the appropriation of the funds stated in the report, the objects of which are not by any means all equally entitled to support.* Holding, as I do, such opinions, you will at once perceive that it is impossible for me, in honesty and consistency, to comply with the request of the association, by adding my name to the list of subscribers.

f I trust you will receive this explanation as a proof

* The objects to which the funds were appropriated that season were the foHowfng:-^ General Assembly’s Schools — Gaelic School Society-Irish Society-^Serampore Mission — and Glasgow Missionary Society.

LETTERS ON MISSIONS — ^DRDUFF. 43

at once of my deep interest in the real welfare and improYement of the students attending this university, and of the personal regard for yourself, — with which I am. Sir, your most ohedient servant,

* Mr James Halley. D. Macparlan/

* PUIoehrie, lih March 1837.

‘My Dear Sirs, — Your interesting and welcome communication safely reached me, though, judging from its date, considerably later than the ordinary course of post; and when it did reach me, I happened to be engaged with some urgent matters that wholly engrossed my time and strength, otherwise you would have had an immediate reply.

* I had once expected to have been able to meet your association in person, — in which case much could be advanced that cannot well be committed to writing. But it was a constitution shattered beyond hope of recovery in a tropical clime, that drove me from the field of labour; and ever since my arrival in my native land, I have been buffetting with the dregs of tropical disease. In this way, rocked by discipline, and cradled by disappointment, I have been unable to overtake a tithe of what I had originally proposed to myself. But as it is the ordination of Heaven, I trust I have learned to submit in patient resignation, — ever ready to adopt the language of my Saviour and Redeemer, — “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.”

‘In the midst of the thunder of clashing interests, and the lightning of angry controversy in this distracted land, oh, how sweet, how refreshing to the soul, to enter the quiet haven of devotion, and there hold communion with the great I am, and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the Holy Spirit that enkindles with the fervour of divine love! It is this feature in the organization of your society, — effective as it is in other respects also, — that inspires me with the purest joy. An alternate meeting is devoted, you say, to Christian fellowship, prayer, and the reading of missionary intelligence. €rod be praised who has put it into your hearts to unite in such hallowing exercises. If such meetings were more general, they would be the rallying centres of hope to a divided Cnurch and a bleeding world.

You advert to the chilling influence of academic pursuits on the growth of piety in the soul. Most keenly have I felt it myself. How is it to be obviated? By constantly falling back on the touching and searching simplicity of God’s own “Word, and constantly besieging a throne of grace with the honest effusions of a heart thirsting and panting after the love of God. Without jthe unceasing recurrence of such soul-reviving exercises, I have learned, from sad experience too, that even religious pursuits, — whether these consist in replenishing the intellect with divine knowledge, or in the multiplied duties of the ministerial office, — that even such pursuits may drain up the fountain-head of spiritual vitality, and cause the Plant of Renown in the soul, for a season at least, to droop, and wither, and decay.

‘You complain of indifference to religion in general, and missions in particular. Oh, it is this indifference which I fear may eventually prove the ruin of our land, if God in mercy do not send some trumpet-peal to rouse us from our lethargy! The work of missions is so peculiarly a Christian work, that neither its principles nor its objects can be rendered perfectly intelligible to any but God’s own children. Indifference to religion in general must, therefore, produce indifference to the missionary cause. These are related as an antecedent and consequent — as cause and effect. If the souls of men have not yet been awakened to a sense of sin and danger, — if they have not yet been sanctified, they cannot be susceptible of any spiritual impression from any quarter whatever. And if they are not thus susceptible, no sense of spiritual wants or maladies can possibly affect them, — no spiritual miseries however dreadful, — no spiritual dangers, however appalling, — no spiritual cries for help, however piercing, — can produce a vital sympathy, a deep and enduring impression, a keen and heart-stirring concern for the spiritually wretched. To arrest the attention of such persons in a vital manner, and secure their sympathies and their exertions in behalf of the perishing heathen, we must first arouse them to a lively personal concern for the salvation of their own souls. To achieve this end, the soul must be brought in contact with the imperishable Word of God; and to this union of the soul and the word, must be applied the “baptism by fire,” — the lifegiving of the Spirit of God. Then would darkness he suddenly exchanged for light, and coldness for warmth, and deadness for vitality, and impenetrable hardness for the quick and ready susceptibility of every moral and spiritual impression. Then would the bare statement of dead and dving men — miserable men, daily sinking into perdition — cause these awakened susceptihle spirits to rush forth instantaneously to the

relief of the perishing Yours, &c.,,

* Alexr. Duff.’

It may be instructive to our readers to compare these two letters, and contrast the principles which they embody. Both writers refer to the same subject, and both speak out very plainly. The thing spoken of is the Association of Students for the reading of essays, conversation, and prayer in regard to Christian missions; and for collecting money, which was distributed once a year by the votes of the contributors, in aid of several missionary operations at home and abroad. This thing the Principal pronounces to be * full of danger to their future character and usefulness.* Of the same thing Dr Duff writes, — * God be praised who has put it into your hearts to unite in such hallowing exercises, There is a strong contrast here; and we leave the Christian reader to infer the lesson for himself. Our direct object in introducing the letters is to throw light on the character and fotore conduct of the subject of this Memoir. It is wdl known that there are two contending principles within the Chiu-ch of Scotland, the supporters of which are called respectively Evangelical and Moderate. We know of no sample which could give to readers at a distance a more distinct idea of the difference between the parties than the above two letters. There are exceptions, in some instances pretty strongly marked, but the amount of them is not such as to affect the accuracy of the general rule. The Evangelical is quite in character when, looking on young men’s missionary meetings, he calls them ’ the rallying centres of hope to a divided Church and a bleeding world.* The Moderate is quite in character when he is avowing his ’ opinion, that such exertions on the part of students are premature and injudicious, The reader of the following pages will be at no loss to perceive to which of these classes Mr Halley belonged. We cannot point to any one day in which his choice was made, nor to any one circumstance that formed the ground of his judgment. Having been brought to know the truth of the Gospel by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, he found that the religion which pervades Dr Duff’s letter, wherever it might be exhibited, exactly coincided with his own; while the religion which pervades the other letter, wherever it might be exhibited, alike opposed his judgment and offended his taste. His judgment against the principles of Moderation in the

Scottish Church, which latterly was so stern and severe, was of course formed and strengthened by a series of facts illustratiye of its character that came under his obserration. Of these facts, the reception of the above letter was one of the most important and effective. His predilection for evangelical doctrine did not originate in it; but it is well known among his friends that his repugnance to the opposite doctrine was much strengthened b j it. By such exhibitions of it, he was convinced that its distinguishing principle — operating with greater or less effect in the conduct of different individuals — was at variance with the spirit of the Gospel; consequently, he could not but dislike it; he was constrained to exert all his faculties to counteract its influence.

Cherishing a feeling of respect for the Principal, from whom he had formerly rieceived marks of kindness, Mr Halley did not often or pubHcly speak of this letter, but he continued to the end of his life, when occasion offered in private, to refer to it with aversion and regret. It did not escape his acute judgment — indeed a very ordinary intellect might easily perceive it — that amid much pomp of expression, the letter is as inaccurate in philosophy as it is defective in religion. To require of a body of young men, at various stages of their education, and at various ages, from fifteen to’ twenty-five, that they should attend to the business of their classes, and rigidly abstain from misdenary exertions, is cJrtainly not ‘wisdom, though it come from an academic chair. Confine the religious affection, and, lest it should go out in a wrong direction, do not allow it scope for exertion at all, during the whole period of a youth’s attendance at the uni«

Tersity! You would rigorously debar a youth from taking any part in exertions to promote Christ’s kingdom, during the whole period spent at college acquiring information and forming principles! And will the youth whose character has been formed thus, begin at the word of command, the day he leares college, to be a zealous advocate of missions? Yain thought. Even the wisdom of this world can see the folly of such an expectation. Tell a youth of twenty at college, that all exertions on behalf of missions on his part are premature and injudicious — Mr Halley was twenty-one years of age when he was formally, officially told this by the head of the university — and if he has felt the power of the truth, he vfill answer, ‘I have been bought with a price, and I must glorify God; I must work while it is day, for the night cometh. To check the outgoings of my affections now, were to seal them up for ever.’ Such, practically, was Mr Halley*s answer; and the answer contains more sound philosophy, as well as more practical religion, than the document to which it refers.

We repeat, that this manifesto from the head of the university, warning the students under his care against the danger of meddling with missions, was one of the facts illustrative of the principles and practice of the Moderates which made a deep impression on Halley s mind. Since that time, events have occurred in the Church of Scotland which make it more important than ever to judge accurately between the two classes. Our departed friend formed his judgment without hesitation, and vigorously acted upon it throughout. We have dwelt on this matter of the missionary society with the view of showing, by an example, to

Afi8EMBLT — ‘-0nirBGH BUILDIKO SOCIETY. 49

readers unacquainted with the circumstances, that his judgment was formed on sufficient grounds.

In May 1835, Mr Hallej attended the meeting of the General Assembly. A letter, written immediately after his return, contains a graphic sketch of its proceedings. From symptoms that had even then begun to appear, he declares his conviction, that Patronage would soon become the question within the Church. Of Dr Duff’s speech, which he missed, he speaks in the following terms: —

‘I went to the Assembly with Tait on Monday last, at 12 noon, having deferred my departure from six in the morning to that hour, in consequence of his urgent solicitations, which were chiefly exerted by a certain difference of two shillings on the coach hire. This turned out to be “pound-foolish,” although “pennywise;” for we lost Duff’s speech — a noble burst of enthusiastic appeal, which made gray-headed pastors weep like children, and dissolved half the Assembly in tears. Nothing could exceed our vexation; for the prospect of hearing Duff had been to both of us the main inducement to attend the Assembly.’

During the same summer, proposals were made to him for the employment of his talents, by two different societies in Glasgo w. Although he accepted of neither, we think it right to notice the proposals, that we may have an opportunity of recording the grounds on which his decision was formed. We And a brief account of both, written by his own hand, in a letter to a friend. In explanation of the first of these, it may be necessary to premise, that the Church Building Society of Glasgow were in the habit of placing a missionary in the district where they intended to build a church, — that he might visit the people, and have the nucleus of a congregation ready, by the time the building should be finished and the minister appointed. It was one of these stations he was invited to occupy. In reference to it he writes, —

‘Glasgow, 12th June 1835.

‘My dear James, — .... Before I received your letter, I had declined to become the Calton or Bridgeton missionaiy. I deUberated long, and very painfully, before I came to this decision; but I still think it was the right one .... You will say that I overrate the sacrifice; but I think not. I am far behind in doctrinal and practical theology, although, perhaps, above par in criticism; and I found (on the most moderate calculation) that five hours a-day would scarce suffice for the mission. Now, this is a very great cut in one’s time, and the labour would produce lassitude, &c. Now, I see in the very strongest light the necessity of a profound theology. I have not lost sight of the new Glasgow erections, — I could cheerfully live and die a minister of one of them. But, if ever I hoped to be useful in any charge, especially a nascent one, it struck me very powerfully that variety of topic and illustration is indispensable. Had I gone into the mission, I could not have attained this in the interim. Had I failed in conducting it well, any character I have would have been gone. Had I done it well, I should have been urged — perhaps prevailed upon — to take license sooner than I ought, and have been launched on active duty, without a deep-laid foundation on “which to repose. I thought, therefore, I should best serve the Church of Scotland, and, through her, the cause of God, by abandoning this prima facie opportunity of doing good, and stnving to arm myself for the combat more effectually. I have gained, however, something of impulse by the offer, and (I trust) some good by the meditation it induced. The offer has almost compelled me to work; for how severe will be my reflections, if, after having resigned one walk of usefulness for the sake of another, I neglect that other also; and I have learned something of the weakness of my own faith, and of my need of Divine assistance. By the blessing of God, therefore, I think the whole matter may be for my profit, although I have been obliged to relinquish the immediate exertion.

‘I need hardly say how thankfdl I was for the promptitude and extent of your consideration of my difficulties; and for your very kind ofler of aid, if I should bind myself to the work. You will give me credit for this, although I have been obliged to come to a different determination. In proof of it, I beg to submit to you another matter which promises usefulness, both present and future, though not of the kind certainly which I had contemplated. It was mentioned to me by Mr Lewis, confidentially, not by authority, but yet so as to show that it was nearly as good as a formal offer. I have whispered it to none but you; let me know your sentiments on the thing. The Educational Society want a missionary, to leave Glasgow in a month, — visit Edinburgh, Dublin, London, — Prussia for six months, under Professor Zahn, — Switzerland, Holland, and France, — inspect and estimate the modes of instruction pursued, — send occasional reports home, — publish when he returns (at the end of 1 2 months) an account of his tour, — and become Director of the Society’s Normal Seminary. He thinks there is every chance of its becoming a Government appointment, if the thing in any measure succeeds; and he states, that the immediate remunera* tion from the Society will be about £250 per annimi. Of course, he presses very strongly the thought, that no situation of higher utility can be conceived, than one which aims at the regeneration of Scottish education on the basis of Christianity. Prima facie I am averse to this, — partly because it requires a sudden and total surrendering of the coarse of usefulness I had marked out for myself, and partly because I think I am ill-qualified. Let me hear what you think of it, — what you would do yourself in such a case; and be assured that your opinions carry the highest value with me, notwithstanding the somewhat equivocal way in which this has been displayed by recent circumstances/

The grounds of his decision in declining the offer of the Church Building Society are very characteristic. He was ’ behind in doctrinal and practical theology.’ He had already attained enlarged conceptions of what the office of the ministry is; and, in his own estimation, he was ill prepared. This was the habit of his mind in every thing. His maxim was literally a/ev agitfrsvetv — whatever he did must be thoroughly done. He had got into the habit of aiming at the highest point. In nothing was he contented with a measure of preparation that would pass, so long as there was a possibility of ascending another step., In the matter of the Educational Society, he was guided by the same general principles. The thing that ruled his decision in both cases, was a desire to enter the ministry at the earliest period, and with the best possible preparation. There is a short reference to these proposals in the following letter, written after he had finally decHned them both: —

* Glasgow, 9ih July 1835.

‘My dear Chalmers, — .... Suffice it, by way of introduction to an epistle apologetic, to say, that, as I do not keep copies of my letters, I knew not that my last one had been written on February 24; and being occasionally somewhat oblivious, my memory had made a very “iinceremonious pretention” of the promise to write fortnightly/

.... * Now for my excuses. Firsts when I was in Edinburgh, I probably told you I had the offer of a mission in Glasgow, which a society, who are building a new church, wished me to undertake, with a view of getting up a congregation. I lost a week thinking on this; it haunted me every where; I could not work till I had decided on it.

‘Secondly no sooner had I refused this offer, than another came, which, but for apologetic purposes, I would not mention, and which must be strictly entre nous. The Glasgow Education Society want a man to go to Edinburgh, Dublin, London, Prussia, Holland, Switzerland, and FraDce, — to examine schools, and to report, and thereafter to take charge of their seminary here. This job, sweetened by £250 a-year, with prospects of more, was offered me; and Lewis and Stow pressed it very hard upon my acceptance. I was long tortured about it; fearing, on the one hand, to refuse a walk of usefulness which Providence seemed to be throwing in my way; and, on the other, to run the risk of never engaging in the work of the ministry. At last, two days ago, chiefly on Dr Macgill’s advice, I declined to go.

‘JLcLstly a Central Committee of Churchmen was formed on ] 7th June, to give harmony and vigour to the labours of the several parochial and Church Societies, and I was made a secretary. In forming new societies in parishes where none exist, attending meetings, &c., nearly half my time has been spent since I was compelled to take this laborious office.’

The earliest of his journals that have been preserved, begins with September 1835. We insert the first entry entire. We have never met with a more beautiful specimen of the blending together of ’ prayer and pains,* in due proportions. We commend it especially to the notice of students, as an example, in God’s good providence, set before them for imitation, of what it is to be at once ’ diligent in business,’ and * fervent in spirit, serving the Lord/

* Glasgow, lOth September 1835.

* In former years I have more than once attempted to direct my studies according to some regular system of rules, but have always, through inconstancy, so miserably failed, that shame compelled me to destroy every record of these fruitless endeavours. I still, however, see the importance of systematic labour in so great a work as that of preparation for the holy ministry; and I have, therefore, resolved to make one more attempt, of which, even though I fail, I shall preserve the memoranda, that they may at least increase my repentance. I have set myself to the task of laying out my time, after special prayer to the God of all grace for his guidance in framing, and his strength in executing a scheme; and I here record it as my most deliberate, humble, and earnest desire — a desire forced upon me by many sad experiences of my own weakness and folly — to renounce all self-dependence, to walk in reliance on a heavenly power, and to be always praying with all prayer aid supplication, that I may be strengthened by the Divine Spirit in the inner man. May I follow on to know and love the Lord; may my imderstanding of divine truth be improved, and my feeling of its importance deepened and increased.

‘I have found too minute a subdivision of time generally an evil, begetting a constraint of which one is impatient, and rendering it so difficult to act up to the prescribed scheme, that one is often tempted altogether to give up exertion in sullen despair. I shall therefore state generally what I am to do in a week giving myself full latitude to apply on one dai, to this, and another to that, as conyenience or necessity shall dictate.

In sleep I shall spend six hours daily, and no more; in meals one hour. These, multiplied by five, and deducted from the days between Monday and Friday inclusiye, will leave in these days, 85 hours. These shall be disposed as follows: —

Hours

* (a) Devotion, and reading the Scriptures,. 5 ’ (6) Divinity and Sermon-writing,.. 10 ‘Tc) Inquiry into the Scripture meanings of “Pride,” 1

* to Poor Law question,. 10

* le) Copying old Essays (the reward of indolence),

practical readings and miscellanea,. 15

* (/) Teaching (during September),.. 7

* {g) Divinity Hall Library, ... 4

* (i) Meetings of Church and Sabbath School Societies, &c.,..,.. 6

’ (t) Church and Sabbath School business,. 4

(ifc) German, ..... 10 ‘The first five of these departments are to have, at leasts the time above specified; the last we, at most, Saturday shall be spent in the preaching society, in preparing for my Sabbath classes, and in making up for deficiencies during the week.

* Every evening, beginning with to-morrow (Friday the nth), before going to bed, I shall insert in this book a statement of the books read by me, and of the work done; and every Saturday evening I shall sum up the whole, and compare the result with my plan. I shall also inscribe in the other end of this book, a list of the books I read, with their sizes, and the date on which I finished them, or left off reading them.

* And may I have grace given me to be found faithful; and the praise shall be (not mine, but) His, who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. J. H/

The record that follows, marking the number of hours given to each department, would not be generally interesting. Here and there, some very characteristic notices occur, especially in the way of recording and complaining of deficiencies. Ere the first month is done, one of the entries concludes thus: — * Very fer and very lamentably deficient. “O let Him help send from above.”’ In the middle of October, the routine of the journal is broken by the following reflections: —

‘The above record, which now, after a sad interruption, I survey on October 19 th, shows how unfit I am for any good work, and how unable to adhere to my resolutions. After reviewing the whole, and thinking and praying over it, the following remarks suggest themselves to my mind: —

’ 1. I am of so light and buoyant a spirit, that the thought of my solemn responsibility sits on me very lightly; and this is one great cause of my failure. 2. I am too much engaged with bustling out-of-door employments — in Church, Sabbath School, and Protestant Societies; and this may be a second cause. I see, too, that it is as difficult nearly to get quit of this as the other. 3. I am indolent, almost beyond conception; having almost spent every day more time in sleep than I had prescribed. This is doubly an evil; as it wastes time, and as, by making my body heavier and less firm, it renders me languid even when awake. 4. That if I continue in the same habits, I shall never be qualified to preach the Gospel, is evident; and it is as clear, that I display little of its temper, when thus destitute both of diligence in business and of fervency in spirit. 5. If I am rescued from such evil ways, it can only b§ by God’s sovereign grace, for which I pray, and to the leadings of which, as it comes through the Holy Ghost, I desire to resign myself.’

We shall insert Iiere two or three of the more ordi* naiy entries, as a specimen of the style he employed*

* Tuesday and Wednesday y Nov. 3d and 4thy were chiefly spent in letter- writing and other trifles. No important work done; and every thing good almost wholly neglected. Shall I resolve again? I dare not, hut I will pray.

‘Thursday Nov. 5, 1834. — Read “Hopkins on the Vanity of the World,” and engaged in the exercises of devotion, one hour; read Tracts, &c., on the Popish Controversy, two hours; studied on the “Pride” subject, six and a-half hours; library, class, and teaching, as usual. These, of course, I need not enrol; but, apart from these, I have always twelve hours of disposable time, of which, with divine aid, I shall try to make a good use, and to keep a regular accoimt.

* Friday Nov. 6. — Devotion, &c., one hour; Popery Tracts, &c., three hours; attended a sermon on Popery, two hours; “Pride,” five hours, during two of which, however, I was very listless and sleepy.*

Considerable portions of this journal are written in Greek. Of date December 1st, there is a curious illustration of his literary habits. Intending to conclude the short entry with the prayer from the 20th Psalm, Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion,’ he has written it in the first instance, as accommodated to himself, in Greek prose; but perceiving afterward that they would run into verse, he has so transposed and altered the words, as to compose a hexameter, without in the least altering the sense. The whole note stands thus: —

Dec. 1, 1835. — Still very deficient. Devotion, &c., one hour; OberUn — Church and Protestant busi-

* A Prize Essay on which he was engaged.

58 MEMOIR OF ^AHES &ALLEV.

ness, four hours; visiting the sick, nearly two hours — *

Under date the 18th of Decemher, there is a solemn personal covenant, wholly written in Greek. It appeals that this language was chosen as a more certain mean of ensuring secrecy; for at this period he was not at all willing to speak of his own religious state. Theie was at this time a marked shyness on the subject of personal religion, especially in presence of the members of his own family. Although it is accessible only to a limited class of our readers, we venture to insert the document entire. It will be interesting to scholars as a literary curiosity; and to those scholars who have attained the beginning of wisdom,’ it will appear posp sessed of a more powerful chann. Those who, amid many temptations, are holding on to know the Ixnrd,’ will like to see some of the secret stragglings of one who has gone before them and entered into rest.

‘Dec. 18, 1835.

* since the day on which I committed the preceding record (a praver also written in Greek) to the pages of this book, I have written no account of what I have been doing. Besides my besetting indolence, almost the whole of that time I have had a better reason for inserting nothing here — at least one that better satisfies my conscience — a severe and incessant headache, which made me wholly unfit for any good. But now, through the great mercy of my God and Saviour, having obtained, as it were, a rest apd breathing time, I feel bound to renew my prayer, that He would in mercy give me strength, and holy desires, and a mind not slothful, and a fervent spirit, — and yet make me useful, a blessing to many in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh God, do not deny me the gift of the Holy Spirit; but send him full of grace and truth to dwell in my evil heart! Come, O come, Most High I and change my nature; and enable me to do all diligently, as unto the Lord and not unto men, — all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God, even the Father, through him. May I no longer walk as a fool but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, and very few. Give, for Christ’s sake. — Amen. After a diligent investigation into the state (nature) of my heart, and a strict search for the causes of my unfruitfulness, I find (at least so it appears to roe) that the reason why so little has been done lies in my never yet having dedicated myself to God — a dedication written out and solemnly subscribed with the hand. Now, therefore, fully persuaded of this, to God Most High in Jesus Christ I dedicate myself — using few words indeed, but with a willing mind, asking divine assistance and power from heaven. And thou, O God, while I truly wait upon Thee, give me the Spirit, that I may do this as before Thee, in simplicity and godly sincerity.

Firmly receiving all that is revealed in the Scriptures of the Old and Kew Testaments concerning God and the way of salvation, to the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, willingly, ardently, and with fUll purgose of heart, I dedicate myself, to be saved from .sin and hell, by Jesus hrist, as in the Gospel he is revealed to miserable men. I am myself an outcast altogether unprofitable; and with full knowledge thereof, I come to the Saviour, — humbled and emptied of myself, I cast me into his arms; I consign all my hope to his keeping, persuaded that he will preserve it safe until that day. I pray that the Holy Spirit may come with influences

Sood and gracious, to beget in me that same mind which was in Christ esus, and present me before him holy and blameless, and without rebuke.

Our direct object in introducing the above is to throw light on the religious character of the writer; but it may serve very well also as an evidence of his scholarship. Any person acquainted with the language will perceive that he is quite at home in employing it. In applying the Greek to express his own thoughts, there is no stiffness — no straining. The idiom is accommodated to the thought, and the words flow with all the ease and freshness of a vernacular. In some places, there is great eloquence of expression, and certainly much solemnity and grandeur in the thought.

After this the daily record continues uninterrupted for a time, and then after an interval of several weeks the following occurs: —

* Feb. 18, 1836. — After special prayer for divine aid, I commenced the study of the Epistle to the Romans. I mean to devote, by divine aid, five hours of each day to it; and I earnestly pray for the Spirit’s teadiing. I have resolved also to resume my entries in this book; and to read, once a- week, the minute of 18th December, and the self-dedication it contains. — “Ye are not yovtr own.” ’

Under date 11th June 1836, after making some necessary alterations in the plan of his studies, he TOtes, —

‘In setting out on this plan, I desire to go on in the strength of God, for I have none of my own;

I pr» that God would give me the spirit of adoption, implant every holy emoaon in my heart, and lead me from strength to strength, until at last, having kept me from falling, and given me power to declare his glory, he present me spotless in the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Trusting to the promises of his Word, I commit my soul as unto a faithfulCreator, to that Almighty God who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that 1 can ask or think. And now, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with me for ever. — Amen. J. H.

62 MEMOIR OF JAMES HiXLEY.

“neither know I what to do; but my eje& are apon Thee.” I desire to take three mottoes, — two of them from the Word of truth, and one from a servant of God in whom that Word dwelt richly, —

’ “The time is short.” — 1 Cor. vii. 29.

’ “Ye are not your own.” — 1 Cor. vi. 1 9.

If we are in danger of running to any excess at all, much better, since we can live only once, that we exceed in diligence than in indolence in the serrice of that great and adorable Master, who did not spare himself in our cause but loved us and gave himself for us.” — Dr Hamilton’s Remains i. 205-6/

The journal is continued, with very little interruption, up to the 6th of September; but we have extracted enough to let the reader see the character of the whole. At one time there is a record of abundant labours — then a few days of comparative recreation, followed by severe reproaches against himself for time misspent. But the prevailing feature — the distinguishing characteristic of the book, is the spirit of prayer that runs throughout. He never stops with his complaint and his resolution; these are in eveiy case followed up by an attempt to ’ trust in the Lord.* We conclude the notice of this journal with one of the many short prayers that are interspersed through its pages: —

‘Oh God! I flee to thee to cover me from my own folly. I know that it is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps; teach thou me in the way which I should go; guide me with thine eye. O give me, even yet, to be brought back to thee, and made an instrument of advancing thy glory.’

At an early period of this summer, Mr Halley formed the resolution of spending the succeeding win-STUDIEfr-p-REASONS FOR tEAVING QLASOOW. 63

ter in Edinbiugh. Subseqttent events led him to look back on this as the most important step in the course of his life; and long afterward, when tracing to it as the immediate cause, the first commencement of his disease, he was wont to speak of it with great thankfulness, that he could review the motives which led to it with an approving conscience. It is certain that the prospect of enjoying the instructions and friendship of Dr Chalmers, was itself one strong inducement to repair to Edinburgh; but it was not in his case the onlj, or even the chief consideration. His primary object in making the change was to escape at once fiom the whole mass of miscellaneous avocations in which he was involved, that he might devote all his time to the proper studies of his profession.

About this time he had begun to direct his thoughts more closely to the work of the ministry. As the prospect of entering it drew near, he looked upon it more narrowly, — he applied to it, as it approached, that extraordinary intensity of thought which he brought to bear on every subject in which he was interested; and the result was, such a magmfying of the office, as to produce a deep sense of his own unfitness for undertaking its duties. Knowledge in his case seemed but the discovery of his own ignorance. He attained a very high conception of what it is to be an ambassador for Christ, and, as a consequence, felt that he vras far fixpm being thoroughly furnished for the work. Not that he was unconscious of his own talents and acquirements. The distressing sense of unfitness which began to press upon him at this time, did not, strictly speaking, spring from a low estimate of the talents he possessed, but from a high estinuito (T4 HEMOm OF JAMES HALLE7.

of the work in which these talents were to be employed. It was not a judgment that his powers were mean absolutely, or in comparison of others; but a judgment that they were mean when compared with the task which lay before him. To serve God in the Grospel of his Son was the object on which his heart was set It was now drawing near the time when he should be called to begin that service. The apparent magnitude of the object increased as it approached, and the feeling which pervaded his mind at the prospect was * who is sufficient for these things, In these circumstances, his design was not so much to go to Edinburgh, as to leave Glasgow. It is difficult for those who have not known him, to form any idea of the multiplicity and variety of objects which at this time engaged his attention. In Glasgow he knew, and was known over a wider circle than any other person of his age. A very clear head made every body apply to him for help, and a very kind heart made him help every body who applied. The resolution of removing to Edinburgh was adopted as the means of breaking loose from all these entanglements, that he might devote himself wholly to studies more directly preparatory to the exercise of the ministry.