defending his cause, received for answer, "Ye dinna ken what ye say, Maister, there's nae a puir man in Scotland need to want a friend, or fear an enemy, while Harry Erskine lives!" A testimony to real worth, which outweighs in value all the crowns and coronets in the world. The editor has availed himself of this opportunity to offer a few suggestions, and to publish some strictures upon subjects of the highest importance to mankind; and if it should be thought that in doing so, he has occasionally transgressed the bounds prescribed to a biographer, he must cast himself upon the kind indulgence of the reader, on the ground that such remarks have been prompted solely by a desire to excite greater attention to the character and moral government of God,-and to vindicate the absolute authority and supremacy of the Holy Scriptures, and that they are in perfect accordance with the sentiments of the subject of the memoir. The devil has stationed his camp behind the ramparts of modern philosophy and modern theology, and strives from thence to inflict the most wicked and deadly blows on the revealed truth of God. The father of lies, the dragon of the bottomless pit, the destroyer of souls, struggles through the tongues and pens of country clergymen, and professors, and ecclesiastical dignitaries, to convey subtle poison into human hearts; and we cannot feel easy to allow this opportunity of sounding our unprofessional note of alarm to pass by unimproved. Epsom, Dec. 1854. Introduction-containing a brief Memoir of Mr. HAY, viz.— Marriage-Death of Lords Buchan and Ducie-leaves South Lynn-Appointed to the vicarage of Netherbury with Beaminster-Serious illness and sojourn at Ventnor- Effects a separation of Netherbury from Beaminster- The simplicity, humility, and modesty of his character- Deadness to the world-Chaplaincy of the Lock-Fond- His opinions on the primary fundamental doctrine of man's depravity, and the absolute necessity of a new creation, in order to real virtue here and felicity hereafter-Bap- His opinions of modern theological writers and preachers- Opposition to all speculative and semi-popish theology— Necessity of self-abasement and mortification of natural habits-Admiration of Love's Sermons and Letters-Bos- ton's and Fraser's diary and experience-Irving's heresy -Danger of mystifying the doctrines of Scripture, among evangelical ministers-Authors and promulgators of per- nicious and blasphemous conceits, condemned by him as Page ERRATA. Page xxxviii, eleventh line from bottom, for insusceptible, read Page lxxix, first line, for along, read along-standing. Page 59, twelfth line from top, strike out any. INTRODUCTION, CONTAINING REMINISCENSES OF MR. HAY'S LIFE AND CHARACTER. CHAPTER I. 1817-1840. His birth and family-education—-ordination-appointed Curate at Bergh Upton and South Lynn. GOD's never failing providence orders all things in heaven and earth. He puts down one and setteth up another. To some he gives largely, to others scantily, as it pleaseth him. Some are strong and long-lived; others delicate and short-lived. Some live in honour all their days; others drag out their painful existence in obscurity and contempt. Some families are conspicuous for their intellect and worldly prosperity, and for nothing higher and better; others are distinguished for their relish of spiritual things, for their holiness of life, their disinterestedness, their humility and piety. Some families are even favoured to drink of both the upper and the nether springs, partaking not only of the rich temporal benefits of providence on earth, but likewise of the richer, lasting blessings of grace and heaven; a rare combination which never fails to elevate the devout mind in thankful adoration of God and his wonderful goodness. The subject of this brief memoir was descended from one of the most ancient and most exalted families in Scotland, the members of which, however, are the reverse of robust and long-lived. His father died at the early age of forty-seven,-his half-brother, the late b Earl of Errol, Master of the Buckhounds, at the age of forty-six, and he himself at the still earlier period of thirty-seven. His course on earth was, indeed, short, but it was most distinguished, although not in a worldly sense; for he was favoured to bear away the double blessing, and to live in the world and pass out of it, the undoubted possessor, not only of the nobility granted by man, but likewise of that bestowed by God. He thus took rank among the noblest of the noble; as the chosen and sure possessor, not only of honours and graces that dignify the external man, although they so soon fade away, but also of those which adorn and purify the inward man, and which are imperishable. The HON. and REV. SOMERVILLE HAY was the youngest son of the fifteenth Earl of Errol, and was born at his father's house at Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, on the 20th July, 1817. His mother was the Hon. Harriet Somerville, sister to Lord Somerville, a dignity of great antiquity. The Earl of Errol is hereditary High Constable of Scotland, a creation by charter dated 12th Nov. 1315; and is, therefore, by birth, the first subject in the kingdom of Scotland after the blood royal; and, as such, has a right to take precedence of every other hereditary honour. Burke says (Peerage of Great Britain)— "The traditional origin of the noble house of Hay is thus related: In the reign of Kenneth the third, anno 980, the Danes, who had invaded Scotland, having prevailed at the battle of Luncarty, near Perth, were pursuing the flying Scots from the field, when a countryman, with his two sons, appeared in a narrow pass, through which the vanquished were hurrying, and impeded, for a moment, their flight. "What!" said the rustic, "had you rather be slaughtered by your merciless foe, than die honourably in the field? Come, rally, rally!" and he headed the fugitives, brandished his ploughshare, and crying out that help was at hand,-the Danes, believing that a fresh army was falling upon them, fled in confusion, and the Scots thus recovered the laurel which they had lost, and freed their country from servitude. The battle being won, the old man, afterwards known by the name of Hay, was brought to the king, who, assembling a parliament at |