Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/236

372 nor his words to inspire hope. To the sick and the bereaved his visits were peculiarly acceptable; for his manner and his language were kind, and soothing, and conciliating, In a remarkable degree: and, although these could not always lessen pain, they never missed of reconciling the sufferer to that which was inevitable.

Besides thus faithfolly and laboriously discharging the various important duties of his office, Dr Thomson took an active part in all the church judicatories of which he was a member. In these, his singular talents and high character, as as might be expected, always secured for him the first place, and at length acquired for him the distinction, conceded silently but spontaneously, of being considered the leader of the evangelical party in the church to which he had attached himself. Amongst the other characteristics of that party, was a strong feeling of hostility to the system of patronage; and to this feeling Dr Thomson gave utterance in the General Assembly, on several occasions, in a strain of eloquence, and with a power of reasoning, that will not soon be forgotten.

Although a zealous member of the church of Scotland, and strongly attached to her institutions, Dr Thomson's liberal and enlightened mind kept him entirely aloof from anything approaching to bigotry. With dissenters of all descriptions he maintained a friendly understanding. He made every allowance for difference of opinion on points of comparatively inferior importance; and, when he was Batisfied that a genuine spirit of Christianity existed, never allowed such difference of opinion to disturb that harmony which he wisely and benevolently conceived ought to exist between those who s after all laboured in the same vineyard, and to obtain the same end.

Ever ready to lend his powerful aid to all rational schemes for promoting the interests of religion and extending its sacred influence, he eagerly enrolled himself amongst the supporters of the British and Foreign Bible Society; and .while that society adhered to the principles which were laid down at its institution, he continued to take a warm interest in its affairs, and laboured with tongue and pen to secure success to its efforts. On the departure, however, of this society from one of the leading conditions by which it was understood it should be regulated, namely, that the copies of the Bible which it issued, should be purely scriptural, and unaccompanied by note or comment of any kind; Dr Thomson felt himself called upon, as a minister of the gospel, not only to withdraw his support from it, but to oppose, by every means in his power, the continuance of a system so injurious to the best interests of religion. Into the well known controversy which ensued, and which has been called "the Apocrypha Controversy," he entered with all his characteristic zeal; and so effectually employed his powerful talents during its progress, that his enemies, whatever cause they may have found for rejoicing in the issue, could find but little in the circumstance of having provoked his resentment

The last great public effort of Dr Thomson was in behalf of the slaves in our West India colonies; and, in the prosecution of this humane and philanthropic work, he, on several occasions, made displays of oratory, which have been seldom equalled, and still seldomer surpassed. He demanded immediate emancipation, and supported this demand with an eloquence and power of reasoning, which were altogether overpowering.

These mighty labours, and unceasing exertions in the causes of religion and philanthropy, were destined, however, to come to a premature termination. Dr Thomson's constitution was naturally strong, and in person he was robust and athletic; but unremitting study, and incessant toil of both body and mind, had their usual effects. His health was impaired; and for some time before his death, a secret sensation gave him warning that that event would take