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unblemished, alluring, and instructive example; which they that observed him might, with less prejudiced minds, compare with the useless, vicious lives of many that they see to have filled up a room in the world, either to no purpose, or to very bad."

These miscellaneous observations are designed to prepare the reader for what he is to expect in the following pages. The writer of them has no romantic tale to tell; but he regards it as one of some interest, or he would not have told it. It will be found to contain nothing of the poetry or fiction of religion, which are so eagerly sought by the sickly sentimentalists of the age. It records none of those splendid acts of religious heroism, the external glory of which, the men of the world are sometimes disposed to admire, while they hate the principles which produce them. His aim is to present a faithful, though he is conscious it is only an imperfect portrait of one dear to himself by many recollections;-whose mind was cast in one of nature's finest moulds, and highly polished, not by art and man's device only, but by the Spirit of the living God;-whose character rose to maturity more rapidly than that of any individual he ever knew, and who lived as much in as short a time as most who have been honoured to adorn the doctrine of the Redeemer. Should the simple story of his short pilgrimage enforce on the minds of his youthful associates, the importance of cultivating his virtues and following his example; and lead others to examine the nature of that

religion which was the object of such devotion to a mind of no ordinary vigour and acuteness,-great will be the reward. In that case, it may at last appear that John Urquhart lived not in vain; and that the time spent in recording his history has not been unprofitably employed.

THE subject of these memoirs was born in the town of Perth, on the seventh of June, 1808. As his parents are both alive, it would be indecorous to say much more than that, professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, they felt the importance of devoting their offspring to him, and of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. To his mother in particular, he was indebted for his earliest ideas and impressions; and of her tenderness and attention to him he retained, as will afterwards appear from his letters, the liveliest and most grateful recollections.

From the extraordinary quickness and precocity which distinguished him, more than usual encouragement must have been presented to instil into his mind the elements of knowledge and religion; and I have reason to believe that advantage was duly taken of his docile and inquisitive disposition, to direct his attention to the most interesting of all subjects. It is not often that we can trace

the impressions of childhood in the future habits and character of the man. They are made during a period in which the mind is inattentive to its own operations, and unconscious of the nature of the process which it is undergoing. The effects remain after the cause which produced them is forgotten. The writing upon the heart often becomes legible, only when the hand which traced it is mouldering in the dust; and the prayers which have been frequently breathed over the cradle of infancy, sometimes do not appear to have been heard till after prayer has been exchanged for praise. These considerations, as well as the appropriate promises of the word of God, ought to induce christian parents to commence their work of instruction with the first dawn of intelligence, and not to be dispirited because they do not soon reap a visible harvest of success. To this, as to other departments of service, the language of inspiration is applicable:-"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

At five years of age he went to school, and, from having a remarkably sweet and melodious voice, soon became an object of interest as one of the finest readers among his juvenile associates. Shortly after, also, he was sent to a Sabbathevening school, there to receive instruction of a more strictly religious nature than can be communicated in the seminaries of every day instruction.

At this school he remained, I believe, with occasional interruptions, till a short time before he went to the university.

While referring to this part of his brief history, I cannot but advert to the system of Sabbath school instruction which is pursued in Scotland, and from which the most extensive benefits have been experienced. Having been myself in the situation, first of a scholar, and afterwards of a teacher, I speak from experience as well as from observation. I do not say that the system is faultless, or that it does not admit of improvement; or that it is always conducted in the most enlightened and efficient manner: but, take it altogether, it presents many points worthy the consideration and imitation of christians in England.

In the first place, these schools are for the exclusive purpose of religious instruction. No branch of secular knowledge is there attended to, nor any of the mechanical processes of education pursued. These are provided for on the other days of the week, by the parents, or by other means. No doubt can be entertained by christians as to the advantages of this method where it is practicable. Reading is a mechanical and mental art which must be taught as other acquisitions of a similar kind. The natural tendency of the process is to secularize that portion of the Lord's-day which is devoted to it; and must produce on the minds both of pupils and teachers, an impression not altogether favourable to the hallowed nature of the day of rest. Unless this tendency is carefully

watched and counteracted, I apprehend a greater injury may be sustained by religion than many are aware of.

Is it not too much children cannot be are taught on the

I am sensible of the difficulties that embarrass the benevolent exertions in which the Sunday school teachers of England are engaged. I am likewise satisfied that "The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath:"-that we are justified, on the score of necessity, in devoting a portion of the Lord's-day to the good of our fellow-creatures, though it be not in the direct form of imparting religious knowledge. But I would respectfully submit to the consideration of all who are engaged in this labour of love, whether a remedy may not be found for what must be acknowledged to be an evil? taken for granted that the taught to read unless they Lord's-day? Is not the system which is generally adopted, regarded as the only one likely to succeed? Hence it is pursued as part of a plan of permanent operation, instead of a temporary scheme which ought gradually to be supplanted by a more excellent way. Is it certain that the parents will do nothing to get their children taught on other days, and that the teacher, or others, can do nothing to assist in this good work? I merely suggest these queries, not feeling myself capable of answering them; but regarding them as of high importance in connexion with the existing machinery of religion.

I feel the more anxious to solicit attention to

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