46 Rev. James Thomson, of Quarrelwood . 



worship, and the people of that district received a certain pro- 

 portion of sermons in the year. During his ministry the mutual 

 attachment of minister and people was not left untried. A 

 delegate was sent all the way from Paisley to Quarrelwood to 

 ascertain whether his people would be disposed to part with 

 him, and whether there was any probability of his accepting a 

 call from them were it offered. Though he did not agree with 

 travelling, and would have had less of it in such a congregation 

 as Paisley, yet he gave them no encouragement, and the matter 

 dropped." 



Though his time must have been taken up largely in 

 itinerating, yet he found time for literary work as well as pre- 

 paring for the pulpit. He and Mr Rowatt, of Scaurbridge, were 

 appointed by the Presbytery to prepare a " Testimony and Warn- 

 ing against Prevailing Sins and Immoralities." It Avas published 

 about 1805, and reprinted in 1833, and continued to speak for 

 itself. In 1808 he published a volume entitled " Theological 

 Discourses on Important Subjects, Doctrinal and Practical." 

 In 1809 he published the second volume of the same series. 

 We are told they " had an extensive circulation and were deemed 

 by the intelligent of a superior order." Had he been spared it is 

 believed he would have published a third volume at no di.stant 

 date. A writer in the "Scottish Presbyterian" of November, 

 1849, says of these discourses: — "As an author he discovers 

 intellectual vigour and acuteness and no inconsiderable moral 

 power, a ready perception, sound judgment, profound acquaint- 

 ance with systematic theology, power and tact in argument, 

 dexterity in unravelling sophistry, and in refuting error. He 

 successfully assails the Pelagian, the Socinian, the Arminian, the 

 Neonomian, and the Antinomian, demolishes their objections, and 

 triumphantly defends the citadel against their assaults; in a word, 

 he fearlessly and effectively combats the prevailing abuses and 

 errors of his day, and valiantly vindicates suffering truth." And 

 this writer further adds : — " They require to be read a second 

 time, and studied as well as read, to appreciate their excellence; 

 they are none of the light or romantic class of sermons." 



In personal appearance he is described as " a man about the 

 middle stature corporeally, but decidedly above mediocrity men- 

 tally. He was neat and well-proportioned, but much marked 

 with the smallpox, had a quick, penetrating eye, and an intelli- 



