sometimes he had to endure the suspicion of having some sinister motive by which he was actuated; -sometimes he met with intelligence and attention, and sometimes with ignorance and carelessness; but whatever reception he met with, he never failed to repeat his visits:-so strong was his desire for the welfare and salvation of his fellow

men.

"But, while he was thus attentive to the duties of religion, he was not negligent of those studies for which he had come to this place. On the contrary, I believe there were few of his cotemporaries who studied more closely than he did:-certainly, none more successfully. In only one class did he fail to distinguish himself; viz. the Logic Class; but this I am inclined to impute, not so much to any want of ability, as to a distaste for the dull and barren speculations with which the Professor of Logic treats his students. His splendid appearance in the Ethical Class, the year following, proved what he could do; and it was certainly no small achievement to stand first in two separate competitions in a class, perhaps the most numerous and able that ever attended the prelections of a St. Andrew's Ethical Professor. As far as I could judge, his talent lay chiefly in a facility of acquiring languages; and in the elegance, both of thought and expression, by which his compositions were distinguished. There were several of his cotemporaries who took a much firmer and profounder grasp of a subject; but there were few, any, who could think so clearly, and express themselves with such perspicuity and elegance, as he was able to do. Contrary to what may be inferred from the ease and beauty of his style, his habits of composition were very laborious. Begin

if

ning from a rude and imperfect sketch, he, by degrees filled up the parts and extended the outline. He scarcely wrote a sentence which did not cost him some labor; and, consequently, composition was to him a most fatiguing, and, I may say, irksome exercise. He always set himself to it with reluctance; and, indeed, it was only by the calls of duty that he could be prevailed upon to take up his pen upon any subject. I have not seen all his compositions; but the best that I have seen are a series of papers on the St. Andrew's Missionary Society, printed in the 'St. Andrew's University Magazine,' a little work conducted by some of his friends during last session;-and an essay on the duty of personally engaging in the work of missions, read before the St. Andrew's Student's Missionary Society; of which he was always a distinguished friend and supporter."

These testimonies are peculiarly pleasant and satisfactory, not only as the expressions of christian and personal friendship, but as bearing evidence to his holy and exemplary conduct. In him, religion did not appear as a profession,-it dwelt in him, as life,-it attached itself to him as clothing. It was not a holiday, but an every day garb, and was worn with the ease of a natural habit,—not the stiffness of an assumed or foreign dress. There is one testimony more which I cannot withhold, though the name of the respected individual who bears it, has been already repeatedly introduced. No one could know him better than Dr. Chalmers; and no man was more capable of estimating his intellectual and spiritual attainments. The following document presented

to John, on leaving the University, does great honor to the heart of the Professor, as well as to the talents of the student.

St. Andrew's, April 28, 1826.

"These are to certify, that Mr. John Urquhart was enrolled a regular student of Moral Philosophy in the United College of St. Andrew's, for the session of 1825-6; that he distinguished himself highly by his appearances when under examination, and was far the most eminent of his class, for the beauty and eloquence of his written compositions; that he possesses a very uncommon degree of taste and talent for the disquisitions of ethical science; and that altogether, he, as the fruit of great diligence, united with great powers, achieved the credit of being a first rate proficient in the lessons and doctrines of the course.

"THOMAS CHALMERS."

"Mr. Urquhart gained two prizes in this class; one, the first prize, for an Essay on 'The Mutual Influences and Affinities, which obtain between the Moral and Economic Condition of Society.' Another, the first prize for Essays read in the Class during the session."

Perhaps, to some readers, it may occur to ask, Did the individual, who was so successful in all his academical pursuits, take a degree at St. Andrew's? It appears he did not. If this should excite surprise, I can say in explanation, that multitudes of the best scholars at the Scottish Universities never trouble themselves about the matter; and many of those who take the degree of

A. M., never use it. But as I know John was recommended to take a degree, I can account for his neglecting to follow the advice, only by referring his conduct to that instinctive and powerful aversion to human praise, by which he was remarkably distinguished. One of his fellow students, who knew him well, and whose testimony I have not yet quoted, calls my attention to this feature of his character;-what he calls, "his total indifference to human approbation. The loudest applause of his instructors and fellow students did not seem to tell on his feelings at all. Had he been susceptible of pleasure from any distinction conferred, it must have shown, when he was singled out, and eminently honored, by such a man as Dr. Chalmers. Yet, even in this case, he was unmoved. His mind hardly appeared to have a thought for any thing, save the good opinion of Him who trieth the reins and hearts of the children of men. He arrived at this heavenlymindedness, not, I am sure, by any process of acute investigation into the philosophy of our feelings, but simply by ever exercising his affections on those things which are unseen and eternal. His indifference was not the misanthropic stoicism of the philosopher, but the perfect liberty of the christian."

Whether I am correct, or not, in assigning this reason for his declining to take his degree at the University; the reader, I am sure, will rejoice with me in the evidence of the existence of such a state of mind as that which this extract describes. It is in full accordance with other testimonies, and with all my own convictions. Genuine Christianity does not teach us to despise the approbation of others, or undervalue any useful attainment

which may be the object of that approbation. But when it obtains full possession of the mind, it, in a great degree dislodges those secondary motives and considerations, which constitute the great principles of action in the men of the world. It does not produce meanness or servility;-but it produces lowliness of mind. It not only inculcates a spirit of self-distrust and diffidence, and indifference to human glory; but in its very nature induces these dispositions. The individual who feels the charm and the power of a Saviour's love, and who attaches to his approbation all that constitutes the glory of future hope, will not be much concerned for the honors or the applause of this world. Into these views and feelings, few have entered more fully, and even enthusiastically, than the subject of these memoirs. All his letters are illustrative. of this state of mind; and his whole conduct was a living commentary on his letters.

Previously to John's leaving St. Andrew's, a negociation had been carried on, through Dr. Chalmers, with a family of the highest respectability, in which a tutor was required for an only son. It was finally agreed, that he should occupy this situation soon after the close of his college course. This arrangement arose, not out of any change in his mind respecting the work of the gospel, but was acceded to, with a view to satisfy his friends, and finally to gain their consent to his becoming a missionary; and also, in the expectation of being able to promote his own improvement by retirement and study. The following extract from a letter to his mother, will explain his motives, the state of his mind, and a few other particulars: