BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39
far as to profess infidelity, but I was a more inconsistent character. I said I
believed a book to be a revelation from God, while I treated it with the greatest
neglect, living in direct opposition to all its precepts, and seldom taking the
trouble to look into it, or, if I did, it was to perform a task-a kind of
atonement for my sins. I went on in this course till, while the Melville Castle
was detained at the Motherbank by contrary winds, and having abundance of
leisure time for reflection, I began to think I would pay a little more attention
to this book. The more I read it, the more worthy it appeared of God ; and,
after examining the evidences with which Christianity is supported, I became
fully persuaded of its truth,” Instead of being careless and indifferent about
religion, he now came to see its great importance; and he determined to be
content with his own and his wife’s fortune, and to quit the pursuit of superfluous
wealth. After he adopted this resolution, it appeared difficult to
accomplish the necessary arrangements for resigning the command before the
sailing of the East India fleet. The fleet, which had already been long delayed
by contrary winds, was however detained for several weeks longer, and a
gentleman was in the meantime found, properly qualified by his service, and
also able to advance the money which was in those days necessary to purchase
the transfer of so lucrative an appointment.
Nothing was further from Mr. Haldane’s purpose at this time than to become
a preacher. It was his intention to purchase an estate, and lead the quiet life
of a count,ry gentleman. But, while residing in Edinburgh, he became acquainted
with the late excellent Mr. Black, minister of Lady Yester’s, and Dr. Buchanan,
of the Canongate Church, and others, through whom he was introduced to
several pious men actively engaged in schemes of usefulness. His enterprising
mind gradually became interested in their plans ; and he was further stimulated
to engage in preaching by the visit of the celebrated Mr. Simeon, of King’s
College, Cambridge, whom he accompanied in a tour from Edinburgh through a
considerable part of the Highlands of Perthshire.
Shortly afterwards, his brother, Mr. Robert Haldane, determined to sell his
estates, and to devote his life and property to the diffusion of the gospel in India.
With this view, having sold to the late Sir Robert Abercroinby his beautiful
and romantic estate of Airthrey, he applied to the East India Company for permission
to go to Bengal with three clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Innes,’ then of
Stirling, the Rev. Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, and Mr. Greville Ewing, then assistant
minister at Lady Glenorchy’s Church, Edinburgh. Mr. Haldane was to have
defrayed all the charges of this mission, and was also bound to pay to each of
his associates the sum of S3000, and their passage home, in case they chose to
return. This benevolent design was frustrated by the refusal of the East India
Company to grant their sanction to a plan, the magnitude of which excited their
alarm ; and both Mr. Haldane and his brother therefore resolved to devote themselves
to the preaching of the gospel at home.
Late pastor of the Baptist denomination, Edinburgh.