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/5

 street congregation, in London; but the Associate Synod, agreeably to his desire, continued him in Cumnock. After labouring there, however, with fidelity and success, for the space of nine years, he was translated to Edinburgh in the month of June, 1796, where he employed his splended talents for the long period of forty years and four months, with increasing celebrity. He received a call, indeed, some years after to become the minister of a congregation in Manchester; but the Associate Synod to which he was subject, considering that his sphere at usefulness was equally extensive in Edinburgh, would not consent to his removal from it. As an evedence of his unaspiring disposition, notwithstanding his unrivalled popularity, it may be mentioned to his honour that though the venerable Professor Beattie, in the College of Aberdeen, voluntarily undertook to procure for him the degree of Doctor in Divinity from that University, he mostly declined its acceptance, because none of his brethren in the Secession Church had, at that period, been dignified with the same honorary title. It is only about thirteen years since the College at Philadelphia unanimously conferred the degree upon him, and previous to that time, a similar honour had been awarded to some of his brethren by different Universities.

He was allowed to possess, in an eminent measure, the peculiar requisites of a Christian orator. His appearance especially while young, was uncommonly interesting. His person was tall, handsome, and dignified. His voice, though not sonorous, was clear, extensive, & mellifluent—modulated with natural taste and impressive variety. His eye beamed with devotional ardour, and his countenance glowed with benignant emotions. His action was animated, graceful, and appropriate, and his whole demeanour dignified; with such an air of unaffected sanctity, that the writer, on beholding his earliest exhibitions in the pulpit, was forcibly impressed with the