APPENDIX. 45 



tereft in his tranflation to town, that he refolved to give that Account of 



° Dr Dryfdale. 



eminent leader every amftance in his power in fupport of what 

 was called the moderate party in the church ; the chief object of 

 whofe policy was, to maintain the right of prefentation as efta- 

 bliihed bv law, againft thofe who confidered that mode of fet- 

 tling minifters of the gofpel as a great grievance, and who flood 

 up for the fuperior juflice of popular election. With refpecl 

 to the merits of the queflion itfelf, men will always be found 

 to differ, nor is it proper here to enter upon the difcuffion of 

 it. But be it as it may, Mr Drysdale was fully perfuaded of 

 the rectitude of that fide he had embraced ; and though he did 

 not fpeakin the church-courts, Dr Robertson could not have 

 been more fortunate in a coadjutor. The native benevolence 

 of his heart was confpicuous in his manners, which were ex- 

 tremely popular and engaging ; and no fooner did he begin to 

 extend his acquaintance with his brethren, than he wonderful- 

 ly conciliated their efteem and affection. He took every oppor- 

 tunity of obliging them, both as individuals and as a body; 

 and his influence among them foon became very exteniive. 



Without any folicitation on his part, and even without his 

 knowledge, the Marifchal College of Aberdeen conferred on 

 him the degree of Doctor in Divinity, by diploma, bearing 

 date the 15th of April 1765 : And the following year, the 

 death of the Reverend Dr John Jardine having produced a 

 vacancy in the Tron-church, which is collegiate, Dr Drysdale 

 was tranflated thither from Lady Yefter's, which is a fingle 

 charge. He there had the good fortune to have for his col- 

 league the Reverend Dr George Wishart, principal clerk to 

 the. Church, for whom he had long entertained the higheft 

 efteem and refpecl ; and Dr Wishart in his turn, having 

 a moil (incere affection for him, they found the greateft com- 

 fort in being now fo nearly connected. Never did two col- 

 leagues live together in more cordial and uninterrupted habits 



of 



