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stored mind, the singular wisdom of his counsel, his sound judgment, 
and practical sagacity. Mr Maclagan was for many years a member of 
this Committee, and the Convener of its Finance Sub-Committee by 
which the Committee itself is guided in its administration of College 
property and finance. Reference is made to this to indicate the great 
business ability, tact, and shrewdness which Mr Maclagan brought to 
bear on it. Mr Maclagan was also for several years Convener of the 
Free Church’s Continental Committee — an office which had been 
previously held by Sheriff Jameson, and, later, by Sheriff Cleghorn. 
He was an effective public speaker, and never spoke on any question 
of interest but when he had something to say, while his utterances 
were always clear, pointed, earnest, and telling. JSTot withstanding 
the engrossment of business life, he did a good deal of literary 
work, mostly of a biographical kind. His last effort was a brief, 
but hearty, appreciative notice of his friend the late Mr Samuel 
Raleigh, written at the request of the Council of this Society. The 
death of Mr Maclagan was the removal from a wide circle of friends, 
and from the Fellows of this Society, of an accomplished Christian 
gentleman. In his able and touching “ Memorial Sketch” of Thomas 
Cleghorn, “ one of his dearest and truest friends,” Mr Maclagan 
wrote of Sheriff Jameson in terms singularly applicable to himself : 
— “A mind well cultivated, and always fresh in thought and feeling 
— a decision in religious matters, thorough and uncompromising, 
united with a large toleration of the views of others — characterised 
him ; while he was a lover of all good men, and the blithest of 
companions in hours of relaxation and social fellowship.” 
Dr John Alexander Smith. By Professor Duns, D.D. 
John Alexander Smith was born in Hope Street, Edinburgh, in 
June 1818. His father was the late James Smith, a well-known 
Edinburgh architect. Mr Smith was educated at the High School 
and the University of Edinburgh. While still a student he became 
a Fellow of the Royal Physical Society. He graduated in medicine 
in 1840, was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of 
Scotland in 1847, a Fellow of this Society in 1863, a Fellow of the 
Royal College of Physicians in 1865, and succeeded the late Dr 
