Page:Biographical sketch of the life and labours of that eminent minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Rev. James Hall D. D., of the United Secession Church, Broughton-Place meeting-house, Edinburgh.pdf/2





The memoirs of departed saints are interesting to surviving Christians, as they tend to unfold the providence of God towards his people, the experimental work of Christianity in their hearts, and the influence of Divine grace on their characters and conduct, and thus add confirmation to the truth of the Gospel of Christ. This interest is increased, however, when they relate to such servants of the Lord, as have long held a distinguished place in the visible church. The following is a very brief sketch of the history and character of one who was an eminent saint, as well as an honoured, influential, and useful minister of the Gospel, for the space of fifty years.

Dr. Hall was born at Cathcart-mill, on the 6th of January 1756, which is contiguous to Glasgow, and had been occupied by his ancestors for many generations. His parents, James Hall and Isabell Bulloch, were persons of decided piety, superior intelligence, and a good education. They were staunch Presbyterians, and zealously adhered to that secession from the Church of Scotland, which, about twenty years before, had originated with