BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 299
He was also connected with several literary and theological societies formed
among his fellow-students; and was a member of the Newtonian Society, instituted
in 1760, which for several years continued to meet weekly in one of the
rooms of the College, and which may be said to have been the precursor of the
present Royal Society of Edinburgh.
He was
at the time very young, and not sufficiently practised in the art of literary condensation.
When it came to his turn to produce an essay for the evening, he
had entered so sincerely and fully upon the subject that he appeared at the
forum with an immense bundle of papers under his arm, and commenced by
stating that his discourse consisted of twelve different parts ! This announcement
alarmed the preses for the night so much, that he interrupted him by
declaring that he had twelve distinct objections to the production of such a mass
of manuscripts. The preses accordingly stated his twelve reasons, and was followed
on the same side by six other members, who prefaced their observations
by a similar declaration, During this opposition the temper of the young theologian
remained unruffled ; and it was not till the last speaker had finished his
oration that he took up his papers, and, without deigning to reply, walked out
of the room.
In 1770 Dr. Hunter was presented to the New Church of Dumfries, and
soon afterwards became the purchaser of the estate of Barjarg in that county,
which had previously belonged to James Erskine of Barjarg and Alva-one of
the Senators of the College of Justice. He remained at Dumfries for nine years,
and was much esteemed by all classes of the community.
In 1779 he was presented to the New Greyfriars’ Church, Edinburgh; and
whilst there was appointed the colleague of Dr. Hamilton (father to the late
eminent physician), in the Divinity Professorship of the University ; and, until
the death of that gentleman, continued to teach his class without any remuneration.
In 1786 he was translated by the Magistrates to the Tron Church, where
he became associated with Dr. Drysdalel-a clergyman much esteemed for his
Dr. Drysdale, whose presentation to Lady Yester’s Church made much noise in Edinburgh, was
a native of Kirkcaldy. He received his early education at the village school taught by Mr. David
Miller, and was the intimate associate of Dr. Adam Smith, Janies Oswald of Dunnikier, and several
other distinguished men, to whom Mr. Miller had the honour of imparting instruction. Dr. Drysdale
waq presented to Lady Yester’s Church by the Town Council in 1763. For some time prior, the
election of ministers for the city having been allowed to remain with the general sessions, the resumption
of power by the Council in this instance gave rise to much cavil and commotion. A civil process
w &t~he consequence, which was ultimately decided in favour of the corporation. Notwithstanding
the unpleasant circumstances connected with his presentation, the great talents and natural
eloquence of Dr. Drysdale, together with his known character as a man, soon rendered him a popular
minister. In 1766, he was still farther honoured by the Town Council, in being translated to the
Tron Church on the death of Dr. Jardine. Dr. Drysdale was much esteemed by his brethren ; and.
in 1773, was chosen Moderator of the General Assembly. In the affairs of this court he took an
adive interest ; and was the steady supporter of his friend Dr. Robertson, on the moderate side.
In conjunction with his venerable colleague Dr. Wishart, he was appointed Clerk to the Court ic
1778 ; and, in 1784, had the peculiar honour of bcing a second time solicited to be put in nomina-
An anecdote is told of Dr. Hunter in connection with this Society.
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.
