B I0 GRAPH I C AL SKETCH E S. 35 1
No. CCLXXXVII.
REV. DR. JUES PEDDIE,
OF THE ASSOCIATE CONGREGATION, BRISTO STREET.
THE REV. DR. PEDUIEw as born on the 10th of February 1759, at Perth,
where his father was a respectable brewer. After having attended the grammarschool
of that city for some time, he was transferred to the academy there, of
which Dr, Hamilton, afterwards Professor of Natural Philosophy in Aberdeen
College, and author of a well-known work on the National Debt, was the Rector.
From thence Dr. Peddie proceeded to the University of Edinburgh, where he
went through the usual courses of study, under Professors Dalzel, Ferguson,
Stewart, etc. From an early age he had felt a predilection for the ministerial
office ; and, when the time arrived for choosing a profession, he became a student
of divinity under the venerable John Brown of Haddington, Professor of
Divinity to the Associate Secession Synod, of which religious denomination his
father was a member. In February 1782 he obtained license as a probationer
from the Associate Presbytery of Perth and Dunfermline ; and the congregation
in Bristo Street, Edinburgh, having soon afterwards elected him, he was
ordained their pastor on the 3d of April 1783. The election had been keenly
contested j and, upon its being decided in his favour, a large body of the members
of the congregation withdrew, forming themselves into the Associate Congregation
of Rose Street, of which the late Rev. Dr. Hall subsequently became
pastor. The Bristo Street Congregation, however, rapidly recruited its numbers
under the pastoral superintendence of Dr. Peddie ; and it has from that time
forward been distinguished for its highly flourishing condition.
From the commencement of his ministry, the Rev. Doctor was an acceptable
and popular preacher, and continued to be so although far advanced in years.
The branch of pulpit duty in which he excelled was what in Scotland is termed
Zectu~ing. In this respect he was eminently skilled for clearness in expounding
the mcaning of Scripture-for a graphic delineation of the incidents and
manners in the sacred volume-and for the sagacity and force of his practical
application of its lessons.
In addition to a most assiduous and successful superintendence of one of the
largest congregations in Scotland, Dr. Peddie through life took an active share
in the benevolent and religious societies of Edinburgh, as well as in the general
government and business of his own religious community ; and in both departments
his prudent and skilful management always secured to him a corresponding
share of weight and influence. It may be particularly mentioned, that he
was one of the founders of the Bible, of the Missionary, and of the Magdalene
