460 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
most undue magnitude in public contemplation, and excited every variety of
sentiment and feeling, but which has nom long passed away from general interest
and view. We allude to the Apocrypha Controversy, and the much-deplored
and unseemly contest on matters connected with that painful discussion, between
Dr. Andrew Thomson and Mr. Henry Grey. Much misapprehension, grievous
misrepresentation, prevailed, both on the subject matter of that controversy, and
on the sentiments and conduct of the respective controversialists. It would be
unwise and unwarrantable to revive the theme. “ One is taken and the other is
left.” One hath long ceased from combat in the church militant on earth, where
his services oftentimes were pre-eminent and invaluable, and left the world
amidst innumerable and unfeigned regrets on his sudden and premature removal;
and, in the recollection of his great and various excellences and achievements,
every intermingling imperfection ought to be allowed to fade from remembrance.
Aqd the other, meek and magnanimous in endurance, patient and diligent in
tribulation, outliving every calumny, and stilling every reproach in peaceful and
ceaseless devotedness to his sacred office, hath long emerged from the momentary
obscuration hastily and prejudicially thrown over him, to dim the lustre of
his genuine excellences ; and he walks in the sphere of his extensive usefulness,
in the universal recognition and esteem of his professional talents and attainments,
and in the especial reverence and love of his enlightened and affectionate
people?
From his earliest appearance in public life, Mr. Grey espoused the interests
and policy of the popular (and now dominant) party of the Church of Scotland.
His civil political predilections are equally well known. On the visit of Earl
Grey to Edinburgh, in 1834, Mr. Grey was present at the Festival, on the 15th
of September, in honour of the patriotic character and political services of this
venerated nobleman, and officiated as chaplain on that memorable occasion.
Earl Grey sojourned, while in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, with Sir John
Hamilton Dalrymple, Bart., at Oxenford Castle, and Mr. Grey was requested
to preach in the parish church of Cranstoun on the following Sunday, which
invitation he complied with, much to the expressed gratification of the venerable
and illustrious statesman.
In October 1808 hlr. Grey was married to his cousin, Miss Margaretta
Grey, daughter of George Grey, Esq., of Sandy House, Northumberland-a
lady of superior intellectual endowments, and various literary attainments.
Their family consisted of three daughters and two sons : their eldest son, late
of Cambridge University, joined the ministry of the Church of England.
These remarks had reference to Mr. Grey while still alive. Having left the Establishment
in 1843, at the time of the Disruption, he was appointed minister of Free St.-Mary‘s Church (then
in Barony Street), and he died in 1859.
