Page images
PDF
EPUB

ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS,

BY THE LATE

REV. ROBERT S. M'ALL, LL.D.,

WITH

A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER,

BY THE

REV. RALPH WARDLAW, D.D.

VOLUME I.

land

LONDON:

JACKSON AND WALFORD,
18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

1840.

GLASGOW:

FULLARTON AND CO., PRINTERS, VILLAFIELD.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER

OF THE LATE

REV. DR. M'ALL.

NEVER was request more unanticipated than the one which, in editing these Volumes, and in prefixing to them a sketch of the life and character of their lamented Author, I now fulfil. By the Trustees and relatives of the deceased, however, the request was presented in such a manner that I could not find in my heart to resist it. I use this phrase, as emphatically expressing the real state of the case. Had I consulted only my judgment, I might have met the proposal with objections of no mean strength. There were those who, having enjoyed long and intimate acquaintance with my departed friend, and, through this intimacy, multiplied and varied opportunities of marking and duly appreciating the peculiarities of his personal and official character, would, on this as well as on other grounds, have been more competent for the interesting task; and, if it was requisite that one who was himself so justly eminent should be introduced at all otherwise than by the simple presentation to the public of some of the products of his own powerful, accomplished, and holy mind—would have done it with more appropriateness, efficiency, and grace.-But there are occasions, when a man must yield to the judgment of others, rather than rest upon his own; and there will be no great difficulty in obtaining his acquiescence, when, how much soever his judgment

a

« PreviousContinue »