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eye, his heavenly-mindedness, and his unshaken trust in Divine Providence, which was so long put to the severest trials; and I feel more than ever the propriety of a minister of the Establishment adhering as closely as possible to the apostolic admonition, to do all things not only decently but in order." These remarks shew the humility of him who wrote them; for he himself possessed many, and especially the more amiable, of the features of the character alluded to.

Dr. Ross retained through life his early habits of studious application; and though the duties of the sacred office, after he entered into it, prevented him from giving very much of his time to any thing else, he was known to the last as a respectable scholar. He was always fond of books; and in the course of his life he collected an extensive and valuable library, of which he made excellent use. He was assiduous in his preparations for public instruction; and as his numerous avocations throughout the day broke in upon his time, he was accustomed to rise early, and to devote the morning hours without interruption to study. His judgment was solid and discriminating; his mind was stored with various and welldigested knowledge; and his conversation was

engaging and instructive, but modest and unobtrusive.

He was distinguished for personal piety, and for the practice of all the gentle and amiable virtues of Christianity. His life was a meek, unassuming, and habitual living example of pure and undefiled religion. His piety was of a cheerful and attractive nature. He walked with God. He was a man of prayer. He was kind and exemplary in his family, which was consecrated by prayer every morning and evening. With his only brother, Mr. CHARLES Ross, and his family, and with his sister-in-law, Mrs. HUNTER, he lived on terms of the most affectionate intimacy. He was given to the virtue of hospitality; and it was a pleasant thing to pay him an occasional visit, or to dwell, as many did, for some time under his roof. He was particularly attentive to young men who had in view the study of divinity; and took great delight in forwarding their prospects, assisting them in their studies by his advice, and encouraging them in the good work which they had undertaken. As a friend he was warm and steady, and ever ready to oblige and assist his friends, though to his own inconvenience. With his late colleague, the Reverend ROBERT DOIG, who died

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only a few months before him, he lived on the most agreeable and friendly footing. In the general intercourse of life he was open, engaging, and conciliating in his manner; free from envy, suspicion, and jealousy; and inclined to think and speak favourably and charitably of all. He loved and followed peace. He manifested great liberality to persons of different religious denominations. By whatever name they were called, if they appeared to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to seek the advancement of his Gospel and of the good of mankind, they were received into his friendship, and welcome to his house; and he formed, indeed, a bond of union among the various denominations of Christians in Aberdeen. Benevolence was a striking feature of his character. His contributions to public charities, and to collections made for benevolent purposes, were ample; but it was in private that his bounty flowed most copiously, and in the most diversified ways; and many an individual partook of it who knew not the source from which it proceeded.

Dr. Ross was reluctant to appear in print. He did, indeed, intend to prepare an exposition of the Shorter Catechism, to which valuable compendium of religious truth he was very partial; and

of several portions of it he delivered ample elucidations in the course of his instructions from the pulpit. He was desirous to leave something behind him for the particular benefit of his own congregation; of which, with his characteristic modesty, he said, They will read it because it is mine. This purpose, however, he was prevented from accomplishing himself; but it is conceived, that the present selection from his discourses will be no unacceptable memorial of him to those who so long listened to him with delight and advantage.

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