From the time of his being licensed, much of the public duty of the parish devolved upon him. The weakness of age, hastened by slow consuming distress, had nearly rendered his father unfit for the arduous service of the pulpit. This his son directly supplied. Nor is this to be supposed an easy task. In that part of Scotland it is customary, in the forenoon of each Sabbath, to give two discourses, and in the afternoon one discourse, during the summer half of the year. This must have presented to one so recently licensed, difficulties of no ordinary kind, and enforced a most rigid application to study. These labours were, under a gracious Providence, softened and made delightful by the pleasing reflection, that he was thereby rendering more easy and tranquil the last days of a beloved parent; and also, that in their performance he was so acceptable to all ranks of people in the parish.

The parishioners, experiencing so much good from the ability and zeal with which he officiated amongst them, attached to him, not merely as one filling up the line of pastors, under whose ministrations they

and their forefathers had with satisfaction and improvement sat, but as one who from infancy had been brought up amongst them, and kindly mingled in all their joys and sorrows, were most anxious for his appiontment as helper and successor to his father. This expression of their approbation and attachment was most gratifying to his parent; and though he never saw it realized, yet it was a source of pleasing recollection, and of flattering expectation under his increasing infirmities, and the approaching prospect of dissolution. This desire, on the part of the parishioners, was communicated to the patron, the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Kinnoul, who, without directly refusing the request, declined compliance, upon the ground of never making any appointment during the lifetime of an incumbent.

Mr A. Ramsay steadily continued in the discharge of every duty, which, as a probationer of the Church, he was empowered to perform, during the remainder of his father's life, a period of three years and five months from the time he was licensed. This most able and zealous

minister of the Church of Christ,-most affectionate parent, and upright member of society, at length terminated his useful life, on the 1st of October 1816, with all the tranquillity and firmness of mind, assurance of faith, and elevation of hope, which only a believer in the Lord Jesus can feel.

It was on this mournful occasion, and during this trying situation of his affairs, that the excellence of Mr Ramsay's character, the tenderness of his affections, and the general steadiness of his whole conduct became more apparent. He was now the last male person of a long established and respectable family, and the sole stay and support of an only sister. The circumstances in which a Minister of the Church of Scotland leaves his family are rarely opulent. During his incumbency, his means are sufficient to support with decent respectability the dignity of his office, and to give a good and liberal education to his children; but when both are consulted, there is seldom a large remainder. In such a situation, thrown out of regular employment, and with means so exceedingly limited, and

while he was as yet undecided what measures to pursue, the affectionate regard of the parishioners of Maderty opened to Mr Ramsay the prospect of an honourable establishment, and delightful occupation amongst them in the succession to his father. Through the members of the session, they, immediately after the interment, communicated their earnest desire to have him as their minister; urged him, through every possible channel, to make application to the patron, and offered their unanimous good-will and exertions in whatever way they might be deemed most useful. Their anxiety upon this head was indeed most honourable, not merely to themselves or to him, but also to the religious establishment of their country, which thus unites its Ministers, in the faithful discharge of their duty, with the kindliest affections of the people, and awakens feelings of mutual attachment, which more splendid establishments, because in their ministrations coming less home to the heart,less engaging the moral sympathies, and less supplying the spiritual wants of their flock, cannot command. For forty

two years and a half, his grandfather had dispensed to their forefathers" the "bread of life." For thirty-two years and a half, his father had acted amongst them in the same sacred capacity, both equally beloved and respected. And now, that the son was ready to undertake, and by trial proved to be competent to fulfil, the same important duties, how natural in them to express an ardent solicitude for his succession! A petition was, without Mr Ramsay's knowledge, prepared, signed without exception by every householder in the parish, -and transmitted to the patron. This application was, in private, seconded by every noblemen and proprietor in the neighbourhood,-by Lord Lynedock,Sir Peter Murray,-General Sir David Baird, James Drummond, Esq. M. P. for the county, &c. But every expectation, certainly not ill warranted, when his interest was supported by such respectable and universal solicitation, was directly rendered hopeless, by the patron, in the exercise of his undoubted right, granting a presentation to another. If indeed any thing could, to Mr Ramsay, soften the bitterness of this intelligence,

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