APPENDIX. 47 



fuch talents, and fuch difpofitions, it is not to be wondered at DrD^yaaie. 

 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 efTential 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 AfTembly, 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 Wish art be- 

 gan to feel the approaches of old age, and the difcharge of the 

 duty of clerk to the General AfTembly was growing burden- 

 fome to him, Dr Drysdale was always at hand to afliil and 

 to relieve him; till at laft, during the AfTembly 1778, Dr 

 Wis hart gave in a reprefentation to the Court, exprefnng 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 AfTembly having con'idered this propofal', 

 accepted of Dr Wish art's relignation, and then unanimoufly 

 re-elected him, in conjunction with Dr Drysdale, in the way 

 in which he had defired. 



In the year 1784, it was apprehended, that the choice of a 

 Moderator of the General AfTembly might occafion a difpute 

 betwixt the two great parties in the Church. After deliberar 



tion^ 



