BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 30 1
In discharging the private duties of his profession, no individual could be
more zealous than Dr. Hunter. The great aim of his life seemed to be in every
possible way to extend the knowledge and practice of true religion. To all the
religious and charitable institutions of Edinburgh he contributed largely from
his own substance ; and wide and judicious was the range of his private beneficence.
Both in his pastoral conduct and in the discharge of his duties as a
Professor of Theology, no individual could be more completely divested of
bigotry or party spirit. He judged of others by himself; and uniformly gave
credit to those who were opposed to him on minor points of religious opinion,
or as to questions of church polity, for the same integrity and purity of intention
by which his own conduct was governed. By his brethren he was much
respected ; and his well-known candour procured every attention to his opinions
in the church courts.'
In the following quotation the character of Dr. Hunter has been drawn
by one who knew him intimately, and whose judgment may well be considered
no slight authority :-" Eut shall I not mention the known integrity and purity
of his mind-the candour and sincerity which so eminently distinguished him
through life, and which ever commanded the confidence of those who differed
from him most in judgment-the fair, and open, and generous spirit which he
invariably discovered, when he judged of other men, or acted with them--the
scorn with which he ever contemplated an unfair, an uninterested, a disingenuous
proceeding-the mildness of his temper, of which, by the grace of God he had
acquired the entire command ; and (what can certainly be said of few amongst
us all), which was scarcely ever known to have been roused into passion, either
in public or domestic life-the earnestness and godly sincerity with which he
followed every good work, and co-operated with other men whom he believed
to be sincerely disposed to be useful ; with no shade of worldly selfishness to
pervert his conduct ; without ostentation ; superior to envy, and superior to
pride ; gentle and forbearing with all men ; but firm and immovable where he
saw his duty before him ; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." In the private
relations of life few men could be more estimable. He was one of the kindest
of husbands-an affectionate parenGand the most attached of friends.
At a period of life when actively employed in discharging the duties of his
profession and in the full enjoyment of health, on returning from the sacramental
services at Leith, he was suddenly seized with inflammation, and died, after
a few days' illness, on the 21st of April 1809. The closing scene of his life was
as exemplary and instructive as his whole previous conduct had been ; and he
looked upon his approaching dissolution with all the calmness, resignation, and
hope, which a well-spent life can inspire. Funeral sermons were preached on
the occasion by his colleague the P&v. Dr. Simpson, and the Rev. Sir Henry
Moncreiff Wellwood, Bart.; and most gratifying tributes of respect were paid
to his memory by almost all the clergy of the city.
He was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly in 1792.