1 44 HER OES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER V. 



title of "Archaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, &c., upon Stones 



and Rocks in Scotland, England, and other countries." On 



the 25th August, 1868, he received a note from Provost William 



Chambers telling him that it was the intention of the Lord 



Provost, Magistrates, and Council to present him with the 



freedom of the city. The presentation took place about a year 



after this date. In the autumn of 1868 he gained the close 



acquaintance of Mr. Spurgeon. That this acquaintance was 



useful and valuable on both sides is seen from one of Mr. 



Spurgeon's notes, written after Sir James had made a professional 



call upon his wife. " I am writing far into the night to tell 



friends how my dear wife has sped. That dear angel of mercy, 



Sir James Simpson, has been very successful, as usual, and the 



operation is well over ; patient, very patient, and in good spirits. 



If you know ten thousand eloquent men in Scotland, I would 



give them work for the next hundred years, viz., to praise the Lord 



for sending to us such a man, so skilful and so noble a doctor." 



Early in 1870 it became clear to his familiar friends that he 



was more easily "knocked up than usual." In February 



Simpson had some severe attacks of illness, and by the end of 



the month he was quite prostrate. Those who were privileged 



to be present, said it was a wonderful sick-room. He would 



say : " I have not lived so near to Christ as I desired to do. 



I have had a busy life, but have not given so much time to 



eternal things as I should have sought. Yet I know it is not 



my merit I am to trust to for eternal life. Christ is all." Then 



he added with a sigh, " I have not got far on in the divine life." 



A friend said we are complete in Him. " Yes, that's it," he 



replied with a smile. " The hymn expresses my thought : 



'Just as I am, without one plea, 

 But that Thy blood was shed for me. ' 



