Rev. James Thomson, of Quarrelwood. 47 



gent, animated, and open countenance and affable manner. His 

 utterance in public at fir.st was rather rapid, but perfectly distinct, 

 and although he neither poured forth the tones nor practised the 

 gestures that are deemed necessary in modern times to constitute 

 a popular preacher, ... his audience were right in believing 

 he was possessed by the message which he delivered. His services 

 were much appreciated by other denominations. On the last 

 Sabbath of his life he ofificiated by invitation, and with great 

 acceptance, to a large audience in the newly-erected Secession 

 Church, Buccleuch Street, Dumfries. He prefaced from Psalms 

 xL, 9-10; lectured from Revelation xix., 11-16; and preached 

 from Luke xxiv., 26 — ' Ought not Christ to enter into His glory?' 

 When returning home that evening he felt somewhat indisposed, 

 but was out on the Monday on the small farm which he rented for 

 the benefit of his family, assisting his man servant in erecting 

 some fences. There he was seized with abdominal spasms ; with 

 difficulty he was conveyed to the manse. Medical aid was secured, 

 but he sank and died without a struggle on Wednesday, 18th 

 April, 1810. Few of his friends had an opportunity of visiting 

 him on his deathbed. To Mr John Courtass, son of his pre- 

 decessor, and one of his elders, he gave expression of his Christian 

 confidence. The mournful intelligence of his death reached 

 Dumfries on the market day before the people separated and 

 while the impression of his services on Sabbath was fresh, the 

 admiration of his hearers warm, and his praise still on their lips. 

 The tidings fell like a thunderbolt, spread consternation and 

 dismay, and were rapidly spread through the country. It was 

 spontaneously confessed that a great man had fallen in Israel. 

 The attendance at his funeral was very large, and many came 

 from a great distance." Much unfeigned feeling was shown on 

 the occasion and profound public sympathy. Mr Miller of Dal- 

 swinton took the eldest boy, then about nine years of age, into 

 his own carriage to the graveyard, and suggested a subscription 

 on behalf of the widow and children, which we are told found a 

 prompt response in other generous hearts. On the following 

 Sabbath Mr Rowatt, Scaurbridge, preached the funeral sermon 

 from 1st Kings xiii., 30 — "And he laid his carcase in his own 

 grave; and they mourned over him, saying, ' Alas, my brother!' " 

 Although his people were widely scattered and must have 

 occupied much of his time in visiting, yet he devoted a large space 



