APPENDIX. 47 
fuch talents, and fuch difpofitions, it is not to be wondered at 
that in a few years he fhould have had a very great influence 
in the Church ; and that the party with which he was connect- 
ed, fhould have derived effential advantage from his fteady ac- 
tivity, prudence and popularity. 
In the year 1773, Dr DrysDALE’s numerous friends thought 
it due time to raife him to the dignity of Moderator of the Ge- 
neral Affembly, the greateft mark of refpect which an eccle- 
fiaftical commonwealth can beftow on any of its members ; 
and being accordingly chofen without oppofition, he difcharged 
the duties of the office with great fatisfaction to the Venerable 
Court, and credit to himfelf. 
AFTER this period, his influence among the minifters and 
elders of the Church ftill continued to increafe, while he per- 
fevered in feizing every opportunity to do all the fervice in his 
power, either to the Church in general, or to its members as: 
individuals. When his venerable colleague Dr WisHarT be- 
gan to feel the approaches of old age, and the difcharge of the 
duty of clerk to the General Aflembly was growing burden- 
fome to him, Dr DryspALE was always at hand to affift and 
tu relieve him; till at laft, during the Affembly 1778, Dr 
WIsHART gave in a reprefentation to the Court, expreffing his. 
defire to refign the clerkfhip, in order that he might be re-elect- 
ed, in conjunction with another perfon, on whom he might, 
under the infirmities of age, devolve the laborious part of the: 
duty. Next day, the Affembly having con(idered this propofal, 
accepted of Dr WisuHarT’s refignation, and then unanimoully: 
re-elected him, in conjunction with Dr Dryspate, in the way 
in which he had defired. 
In the year 1784, it was apprehended, that the choice of a: 
Moderator of the General Alfembly might occafion a difpute- 
betwixt the two great parties in the Church. After delibera- 
tion,, 
Account of 
Dr Dryfdale. 
