268 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
than his son should fill his place; and they appointed an assistant till Sir
Henry should be qualified.’ Sir Henry
then repaired to the University of Edinburgh ; and, on attaining the proper
age, although he had not completed the full term of attendance required at the
Divinity Hall, he was licensed to preach, and ordained to the charge of Blackford
in 1771. He was not, however, allowed to remain long in the obscurity
of his native parish, his talents, while a student at Edinburgh, having singled
him out for the first vacancy that might occur in the city. In 1775 he was
accordingly translated to the extensive charge of St. Cuthbert’s, where he continued
during the subsequent years of his ministry.
The life of Sir Henry was devotedly spent in the practical duties of his
sacred office, and in zealously forwarding the general interests of the Church.
As a preacher, he was I‘ strong and masculine ” in his eloquence, but very seldom
indulged in the pathetic ; yet there was often, particularly towards the close
of his life, a tenderness in his modes of expression, as well as in the accents of
his voice, which came home to the heart with the energy of pathos itself.” In
the Church Courts he took an active and decided part, and from his character
and talents soon became a powerful leader in opposition to the party, who,
under Dr. Robertson, had obtained nearly entire supremacy in the General Assembly.
Sir Henry was proposed as Moderator in 1780, in opposition to
Dr. Spens of Wemyss ; and so strong had the minority then become, that his
opponent was only elected by a majority of six votes. In 1785, being again
nominated, he was unanimously chosen.
Sir Henry acted as Collector for the Widow’s Fund during a period of more
than forty years. He felt deeply interested in the welfare of this institution :
and to his excellent management it is indebted for much of its prosperity. He
was also one of the original members of the Society of the Sons of the Clergy ;
and on all occasions a sincere friend to every practical scheme for the amelioration
of society. His office of Collector for the Widows’ Fund affording him
a thorough knowledge of the pecuniary circumstances of the clergy, many of
whom, in poor and distant parishes, were living on very inadequate incomes, he
pressed the subject warmly on the attention of the General Assembly-drew up
a plan for augmenting the livings-and, though his scheme was not adopted by
Parliament, his exertions may justly be considered as having led to the Act
by which a minimum salary has been fixed throughout the bounds of the
Church.’
Sir Henry seems to have left himself almost no leisure for literary pursuits.
His chief productions were-“ Discourses on the Evidences of the Jewish and
Christian Revelations ;” two volumes of Sermons; a “Life of John Erskine,
D.D;” and a “Life of Dr. [Robert Henry, the Historian,” prefixed to the last
volume of his History, which was edited by Sir Henry, as his executor. He
This arrangement took place in 1768.
1 This was rather an extraordinary stretch of the law affecting settlements. With the consent
of the patron and all concerned, the parish waa actually kept zracant for nearly four years. His
father died on the 9th December 1767, and Sir Henry was not inducted till the 15th August 1771.