300 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
talents and amiable character. Although differing on some points of church
polity, the two incumbents lived on terms of the closest intimacy during the
short period of their connection j and the kind attentions of Dr. Hunter contributed
much to promote the comfort of his venerable friend in the declining
years of his long and useful life.
The lectures of Dr. Hunter, as Professor of Divinity, were distinguished by a
plain, clear, and accurate statement of the evidences and doctrine of Christianity j
and it was his uniform and earnest endeavour to promote practical piety and
ministerial usefulness among his students. For this purpose he cultivated an
acquaintance with them in private j and, to such as he found most worthy and
most in want of assistance, he not only made presents of books but frequently
aided them with sums of money, which he conveyed in such a way as to insure
the gratitude without injuring the feelings of the receiver ; while, for those who
were distinguished by piety and talents, he endeavoured to procure situations of
usefulness and respectability. He also, from his own funds, gave a prize yearly
for the best theological essay on a prescribed subject; and he was remarkable
for the candour and impartiality which he observed in adjudging the reward.
In the pulpit Dr. Hunter had an earnest and affectionate manner of delivery;
and his discourses were sound in their doctrine and practical in their tendency.
Several of his sermons, on particular occasions, have been published: one, in
1792, is entitled “The Duties of Subjects,” which seems to have been written
with a view to counteract the republican mania which the French Revolution
had introduced into the country. The discourse is characterised by a comprehensive
view of the relative duties of those who govern and of the governed.
The arguments are judicious and forcible, and the language moderate and conciliatory.
We find another published sermon by Dr. Hunter, entitled “ Christ’s
Drawing all Men unto Him,” preached before the Edinburgh Missionary Society,
in Lady Glenorchy’s Chapel, on Thursday the 20th of July 1797 ;l and in the
“ Scottish Preacher ”-a publication of very considerable excellence-two other
discourses will be found.
tion for the moderatorship ; when, in spite of every exertion by the opposing party, he was elected
by a decided majority. Although frequently urged, Dr. Drysdale always dec1ined;giving his sermons
to the world, At his death, however, several of them were collected and published in two volumes
8v0, with a Memoir of his Life by his son-in-law, Professor Andrew Dalziel-a Portrait of whom
will be found in a subsequent part of this work.
1 The office-bearers of the Society at this time were-
PRESJDENT-JameS Haldane, Esq.
VICE-PRESIDENT-Rev. Dr. Johnston.
SECRETARYR- ev. Greville Ewing.
Rev. Dr. Hunter. Rev. Mr. Buchanan. Mr. John CampbelL
Rev. Mr. Hall. Rev. Mr. Bennet Mr. William Ellis.
Rev. Mr. Peddie. Rev. Mr. Culbertson. Mr. William M‘Lean.
Rev. Mr. Black. Mr. John Pitcairn. Mr. Alexander Pitcairn.
Rev. Mr. Colquhoun. Mr. William Pattison. Mr. George Gibson.
Rev. Mr. Struthers.
TRWWREE-M~. John Tawse, Writer.
CLERK-Mr. William Dymock, Writer.
DIRECTORS.
Mr. James Scott. Mr. John Aihan.
