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"Correspondent to the quality of his thoughts was the character of his language. By few words put together without effort, he could render thoughts luminous which many would have deemed worthy of pages of elaborate explanation: and perhaps his reputation was not so great with some, for reasons that ought to have increased it; for, as in the exposition of his ideas, he allowed to each its due space, and no more, those among them which were new or unusually valuable, having no undue prominences, did not catch the attention of some minds; and the transparency of his language made abstruse speculations so easily apprehensible, that frequently his hearers were not aware that he had brought them into the depths of divinity. To this we may add, that he had a peculiarly delicate perception of the want of clearness in the language of others; that though far from averse to the ornaments or the music of a fine style, he felt no pleasure in either if gained by the least sacrifice of that favourite quality; and that his taste in these matters having been early formed after the best models, continued steadfast through life to its first predilections, never for one moment permitting him to attempt in his own writings, or to admire in those of others, those novelties which gain from fashion a transient applause."

Such is the portrait of Dr. Dick as a theologian, drawn by one who knew him well; and having enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance, and having listened to his instructions as a theological professor, we can testify that it is entirely correct.

As the plan of theological instruction in Great Britain, and particularly in the seminaries of Scotland, is not very generally known in this country, we here insert an account of the mode pursued by Dr. Dick in conducting his class. The whole course of study directly preparatory to the ministry, extends through a period of five years: Dr. Dick's instructions were confined to the students of the last three years.

The class met twice every day, except on Saturday, when it met only in the morning; and on Wednesday, when the students met in the character of a theological society. The usual business of the morning meeting was the hearing and criticising of discourses. Two of these were delivered by different individuals, which were criticised by the professor, after the students generally had expressed their opinions. This

opportunity which was afforded the students to criticise, was, it is said, at one time very eagerly embraced by them; but for several years before the death of Dr. Dick, though regularly offered, was uniformly rejected, on the ground that they had other opportunities of exercising more unrestrainedly their powers of criticism, and also because the opinion of the professor was felt to be the only one which the person whose production was criticised was concerned to know, and by which the character of the discourse was finally determined.

Those only who enjoyed the privilege of Dr. Dick's instructions can form any idea of the deference with which his remarks on such occasions were received. This was owing not only to the high estimation in which he was held by his students as a person of great taste and judgment, but also to the sterling honesty that characterized all his criticisms. He seemed to feel that he had a most solemn duty to perform, on the faithful and important discharge of which might depend much of the future usefulness of his pupils.

The second hour of meeting was occupied with the delivery of his theological lectures. Regularly once a week, and sometimes oftener, the students were examined on these lectures, and on the general subject of which they treated. Of the character of these lectures it is unnecessary here to speak, as the public is in possession of them; yet this much we may say, that though there was nothing in the manner of the professor at all striking, his lectures were listened to with the most profound attention. We never can forget the feelings with which we ourselves listened to parts of the nineteenth and twentyfourth, and the impression produced upon the audience by their delivery.

On Wednesday, as has been already noticed, the students met without the presence of the professors, and engaged in the discussion of some topic connected with their studies, and in the criticism of essays that were then read. The evenings of Friday were spent in social religious exercises, especially designed to cherish a spirit of brotherly affection and devotion to the missionary cause.

Dr. Dick was not more venerated by his students as a teacher, than loved as a man. He was in the habit of inviting all of them to his house, in separate parties, twice during each

session, and by this means, though the number of students was very large, cultivated an intimate personal acquaintance with them all. On these occasions he entered familiarly into conversation, and proved himself to be a most edifying and entertaining companion. Though he could not but have his partialities, he was never chargeable with favouritism; on the contrary, he endeavoured to become more or less acquainted with the history of all of them; and continued, after their removal from his superintendence, to watch their movements and rejoice in their success.

It may be proper here to state, that since his death very material alterations have been made in the plan of the theological seminary with which he was connected; the term of study has been somewhat increased, and there are now four distinct professorships established, instead of two as formerly.

He was a man of peace, and loved to promote it, especially in the church of Christ, where it ought eminently to dwell; and he therefore delighted to advance any measure calculated to remove the divisions that exist among Christians, and permanently to unite them into one happy family. Those who are familiar with the ecclesiastical history of Scotland are aware that the Secession body was at an early period divided into two hostile branches, and continued in that unhappy state until 1820, when a proposal was made for their reunion, which was very happily carried into execution. This' measure met with Dr. Dick's most cordial approbation, and he was appointed a member of the committee that framed the "Basis of Union." This event appears to have exerted a most happy influence on the Scottish churches; for it not only has made two bodies who once opposed each other with no little bitterness, one, but has evidently created a desire and prepared the way for a still more extensive union of Christians in that country. At the present time, while the tendency of things in some portions of the American church seems to be to still greater division than what even now exists; in Scotland the tendency is quite of an opposite character.

In the controversy which arose a few years since in Britain in consequence of the circulation of the Apocrypha by the British and Foreign Bible Society, Dr. Dick took a somewhat prominent part. With many more, he was startled by the first (B*)

VOL. I.-C

disclosure of it, and joined in the remonstrance which effected its discontinuance; but his confidence in the honesty and the good intentions of the eminent Christians who were the leaders of the religious public in that great and noble institution, was never for a moment shaken. He was satisfied with the expedients which they adopted to correct the evil and prevent its recurrence; and he thenceforward adhered to them with a zeal which was not a little increased by the virulence of invective with which their opponents pursued them. After the resignation of the earl of Glasgow of the presidentship of the Glasgow auxiliary, in consequence of the dispute among the subscribers, Dr. Dick was chosen to fill the office, and continued in it until his death.

We come now to consider the closing scene in the life of this excellent man. On the 23d of January, 1833, a very large meeting was held in Glasgow for the purpose of petitioning the legislature to pass some enactments then proposed for the sanctification of the Sabbath. Having been intrusted with one of the resolutions, he spoke in support of it for some time, and with great animation. He had officiated as president at meeting of the Baptist Missionary Society, held a week or two before: a week or two later, it would have been his duty to preside at the anniversary of the Auxiliary in Glasgow to the British and Foreign Bible Society; and his friends were therefore congratulating him that in his old age he should be growing in public spirit. This, however, was his last public act, and was indeed a graceful and becoming close to his very useful career.

On the evening of the same day (Wednesday) on which he made the address to which we have referred, he met with the Session of Greyfriars to make arrangements for the communion which was to be observed on the ensuing Sabbath. On his return home, he complained of ear-ache; but as he was subject to this complaint, it now excited no alarm. He spent a restless night, and did not rise until the unusually late hour of ten o'clock on Thursday morning. On this day he had resolved to call on a poor member of his church with some money for her use, but finding this impossible, he sent it to her by one. of his elders, and then devoted himself to committing to memory the discourse he had written for the next Sabbath.

The sermon has been published since his death; the text is John iii. 35. “The Father loveth the Son, and hath committed all things into his hands." It is an interesting proof that he was well prepared for the duties which he was not permitted. to discharge; and the topics and the spirit of his latest meditations were happily in unison with the event which awaited him. While thus employed he was seized with a shivering, about noon, and found it necessary to retire to bed, although no danger was apprehended. Medical aid being immediately procured, he was twice bled, and from each operation experienced relief, conversing cheerfully with those around him; but about five o'clock in the afternoon he sunk unexpectedly into a stupor, out of which he never awoke. The cause was at that time unknown, but from the examination subsequently made, it appeared that his ear had suppurated internally, and that the matter flowing in upon his brain, produced inflammation and effusion, which caused the fatal issue. All hope of his recovery was now gone, and the rapid approach of death became every moment more evident to his surprised and sorrowing family. His death took place on the afternoon of Friday, 25th of January, 1833, and without much apparent suffering. There were present at the closing scene, besides those members of his own family who then were in Glasgow, only a few friends, who, learning accidentally of his illness, had come to inquire for him, and obeying the impulse of affection and sorrow, had entered his chamber. When he had ceased to breathe, an old friend and member of his church stepped beside his now lifeless remains, and exclaimed, weeping, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

From the circumstances attending his death, it was not possible that his friends should receive any of those testimonies to the reality and power of religion which so often illustrate, as with a supernatural radiance, the last moments of Christians. To his family and friends, who believed that he needed no warning, it is a consolation that death was not preceded by prolonged feebleness or sickness, and that he was spared the pain, which to him would have been inexpressibly severe, of being conscious of parting from those whom he loved, and that the closing struggle was quickly over.

To the deep sorrow of a very extensive circle, his death was

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