295 
of Edinburgh, Session 1873 - 74 . 
In every philanthropic movement the Dean was ready to assist 
with his money and influence. He gave largely, from no great 
means, to charitable agencies and to individual cases of need 
and distress. He was a friend to those of every class with whom 
he was brought in contact. The cabmen vied with each other 
as to which of them should take him for his daily drive, and 
they counted his presence at more than one of their yearly social 
entertainments a special honour. Every one seemed gratified at 
any occasion for intercourse with him, even for a few moments. 
He was essentially a gentleman, dignified, courteous, and kindly. 
The Dean’s influence in his own Communion was deservedly very 
great, and if it was exerted in every way in his power to advance 
her usefulness and prosperity, it was at the same time always 
tempered and guided by a spirit of charity and good-will, which 
enabled him to do more than almost any man of his day and 
generation to purify and sweeten the atmosphere both of social 
and ecclesiastical life in this city and country. Whatever estimate 
may be formed of the views he held, the work he did, this at 
least must be universally admitted, and may not unfitly be put 
on record even here. To Dean Ramsay, charity, freedom from 
bigotry, narrowness, and ill-will, were not the accidents of tempera- 
ment, or the fruits of an easy disposition, of high breeding, and 
culture. They were essential elements in the ideas he had formed 
of the Christian religion and of the Christian character. He 
was never tired of enforcing them in his teaching, as he never 
ceased to illustrate and exemplify them in his conduct. And that 
his endeavours to do this by every means he could, and towards 
men of every creed and party known to the religious and political 
world, were acknowledged and appreciated, the great demonstration 
which took place at his funeral amply testified. It was not only 
in numbers one of the largest which ever took place in this city, 
but it was attended by the leading representatives, both lay and 
clerical, of every denomination. Men forgot their differences and 
the causes of their separation one from another, as they gathered 
round his grave. It was the realisation for once of the dream 
and aspiration of Dean Ramsay’s own life. It was the most strik- 
ing and worthy tribute which could possibly have been paid to 
his memory. 
