"No ministerial service that he had been accustomed to perform, as moderator in the Session, was ever neglected or hurried through, on account of exhaustion produced by previous duties. The long list of church members was invariably read over at the meeting of Session previous to each sacrament; and this useful and important duty he himself performed. So great an interest did he take in each individual, that few were unknown to him, as to character, family, and situation in life; and from his own keen observation whilst in the pulpit, he could in most cases speak of the degree of attention given to the public ordinances.

Anxiously as he laboured for the immortal interests of his people, their temporal ease and comfort were by no means neglected by him. The poor had often reason to bless him; and in consequence of the liberality of the congregation, he had many opportunities of indulging the kind sympathies of his nature. The sick and dying were his peculiar care; and as he outlived all those who had formed his congregation at the commencement of his ministry (with only one or two exceptions), this duty constituted a most important part of his labours. How large must be the number of those he has joined before the throne, whose dying breathings and aspirations he assisted when they were entering the valley and shadow of death!

"In considering the temporal good he bestowed, it is proper to mention the numerous situations which the influence he possessed en

abled him to procure for young men connected with the congregation; and though some of these are removed by death, there are many remaining to bear witness to his kindness.

"The very laudable custom in the Secession churches, of annual ministerial family visitation, which has been found so beneficial in creating and cherishing mutual interest and friendship betwixt pastor and people, was, till the latter period of his life, constantly and zealously attended to. A considerable portion of his congregation being composed of the working classes, the evening was the only period that afforded convenient opportunities for this devotional exercise. When the extent of ground is considered, over which are scattered the families of a Scotch congregation in London, it will cause no surprise that the performance of this duty should at last become, through age and increasing debility, very limited; but the sacrifice was made with no small unwillingness and regret. The service, as he performed it, consisted in asking the children various questions from the Catechism; and in a familiar and affectionate address to the family on some important part of our holy faith, with practical deductions; the whole concluding with ardent supplications to the Throne of Grace for blessings suited to the situation of each individual.

"Another duty which he considered of importance, was performed during the greater part of his ministry,—that of public catechetical instruction. An evening in each week during the summer months was devoted to this purpose.

On the preceding Sabbath, he intimated the numbers of the seats the proprietors of which were requested to attend. The service consisted of extensive illustrations of the questions in the Assembly's Catechism, and of answers given to questions asked on such topics as arose in the course of the conversation. However simply, easily, and kindly the exercise was managed, he found that there existed such an increasing unwillingness on the part of the people to come forward on these occasions, that it was, with great reluctance on his part, discontinued."

The following circular, addressed to each member of his church, will serve to illustrate the deep interest and the minute duties which he cultivated in connexion with his office as their pastor:

"MY DEAR FRIEND,

"The church being divided into districts corresponding to the number of the elders, and some little alteration being found necessary in consequence of the late addition to the eldership, I send this to inform you that you are placed in the division which is intrusted to the spiritual care and superintendence of our beloved brother, Mr. —.

"We nothing doubt but that the members of the church will, in the language of the apostle, know them that are over them in the Lord, and esteem them very highly in love, for their work's sake;' in the dark hour of sickness will invite them to pray over them; to comfort them, by conducting the troubled mind to the cross, to the precious promises of the Gospel, and to scriptural views of the holiness, wisdom, and goodness of Divine Providence, in all our tribulations.

"It is

very desirable that the afflicted members of the

church convey information to the minister and elders of their indisposition, as soon as possible; and when other methods fail, it is requested that they send word by the two-penny post.

"With earnest and growing concern for your spiritual welfare, and the welfare of all who are dear to you,

"I remain, my dear friend,

"Your affectionate pastor,

"AL. WAUGH."

"In the performance of the duty of ministerial visitation," says one of his daughters, " much of my dear father's time was consumed. For many months in the year the evenings of two or three days in each week were devoted by him to the visiting of his people from house to house, between the hours of six and ten; after which he would return home with his bodily strength so entirely exhausted as frequently to alarm his family; but with a mind cheerful and happy, his whole heart glowing with gratitude to God for his great kindness in giving him strength to do his work, and in providing him so many comforts when it was completed.

"On the first Tuesday of every month, from four till five o'clock in the afternoon, he met in the vestry the children of his congregation, from five to about fourteen years of age. He heard them all repeat their Catechism, and the younger ones a hymn which he had given them to learn. To the older ones he gave a question from Scripture history, to be answered in writing by the next meeting. He advised them to make their

answers simple, and as much in Scripture language as they could, that he might see they had sought in the Bible for their knowledge. This plan he found particularly beneficial, and often expressed his surprise and pleasure at the answers they brought him. His manner to them was most tender and kind; so that instead of seeking to escape from their lessons, they looked forward to the day of meeting him with great delight, and felt disappointed if any thing prevented his attendance.* He was always particularly anxious to keep this monthly engagement with the children; insomuch that, when in health, no state of the weather, although he resided a mile and a half from the chapel, ever detained him from it,-nor indeed from the performance of any other ministerial service in his own chapel, whether he was at home during the day, or out upon other duties, or in social family parties.† The last time he met them he was unusually pleased; he himself went and opened the door, patted them each on the

#

He was in the habit, twice in the year, of providing a little collation of fruit for the younger children in the vestry, and of distributing it among them with his own hands, accompanied with expressions of parental caution or encouragement to each, suitable to their several capacities and characters. This is noticed merely as a slight trait indicative of his pastoral benevolence.

+ Since the removal of Dr. Waugh, the ministers supplying the pulpit in Wells Street have occasionally resumed the above department of pastoral duty, and have expressed their gratification at the most interesting evidences given by these young children of the uncommon pains which must have been bestowed on their instruction in divine things by their late minister.