B I 0 GR AP €1 I C AL SKETCH E S. 357
who plumed themselves on more respectable connections, but was politically
viewed as a hotbed of disaffection and sedition. Under this impression, the
General Assembly bent all its influence against the practice; and, in the
“Pastoral Admonition” of 1799 (alluded to in our notice of the Rev. Rowland
Hill), the teachers of Sabbath Schools were described as persons “ notoriously
disaffected to the civil constitution of the country.” The parochial clergy throughout
Scotland were consequently opposed to such schools; and, in several
instances, carried their authority so far as to order them to be suppressed.
In the case in question, the teachers, with the view of securing his approbation
and patronage, had requested Dr. Moodie to visit the class. The Doctor
accordingly came ; but, without condescending to examine the pupils, or inquire
into the motives of the teachers, instantly commanded the scholars to disperse.
The friends of the Professor were afterwards anxious to hush up the matter ;
but the artist, who was an uncompromising censor of the times, produced
his “Modern Moderation,” and gave full publicity to the circumstance. In
apostrophising the genius of Kay on this occasion, as “the lash 0’ Edinbro’
city,” the author of the following unpublished lines declares-
‘‘ Thoo’st gien yon billy sic a whauker,
’Twill dash his pride-
For now his faut appears the blaclcer,
An’ winna hide.
* * * *
Thy limner fame is widely spread-
Even London ne’er thy match has bred-
Wha’s like John Kay ?
Thou’lt live for aye, ”
The REV.D R. WILLIAMM OODIE, whose figure in the foreground cannot be
mistaken, was the son of the clergyman, at one time of Gartly, near Strathbogie,
and latterly of Monymeal, in Fifeshire. He was first ordained to the church
in Kirkcaldy, and from thence translated to Edinburgh in 1787. As a preacher,
he was esteemed for the chaste style of his elocution, and the classic polish of
his composition. He was an excellent scholar, and especially conversant with
the languages of the East. In 1793, he was appointed Professor of Hebrew in
the University of Edinburgh, the duties of which he discharged for nineteen
years. Besides Hebrew and Chaldaic, which more properly belonged to the
professorship, he directed his attention to the other Eastern languages ; and
was the first to introduce Persiac into his class-which has since been continued
by his successors. His conduct towards his students was that of a gentleman
and friend.
He had been long in a delicate
state of health, and was confined for a considerable period prior to his death.
A posthumous volume of his sermons was given to the public.
Dr. Moodie died on the 11th June 1812.
