fore him. For human authority, the dicta of the schools, he had no respect, except as they commended themselves to his calm and matured judgment. Hence he was fearless in opposing, with a persistent and unflagging zeal, what he regarded as wrong in Church or State.

"He was a man of decided convictions upon all practical questions. And seeing clearly, he felt deeply, and often expressed himself with a strength and fervor which seemed to the unthinking and the temporizing as disproportionate, if not censorious. Truth was to him above all price, and he had little patience with those who concealed or perverted it, either by words or actions. This love for the truth and reverence for its teachings made him in the course of years a remarkably wise man. His views upon the great questions which agitated the Churches and the nation, ten years ago, then considered chimerical, are now verified with wonderful exactness, while upon questions of biblical interpretation and true Christian philosophy his recorded opinions command the assent of the best thinkers of our age.

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Another characteristic was an inflexible purpose to do what was right, when he had determined what that was. 'What is duty in this case?' was the question always asked when brought into a new position. This question settled by an appeal to his infallible guide, he never hesitated a moment in its discharge. The duty pointed out might be difficult, distasteful, or even hazardous; it might destroy his popularity, drive him from his position of usefulness and rob him of daily support; but with his face set as a flint he pressed forward through fire and water to its accomplishment. He shrank from no toil or self-sacrifice to attain the end, and this often against the advice of timorous friends. Nor was this with him, as with many, mere blind stubbornness, but the simple conviction that he was right, and the inflexible purpose to do what was his duty. When personal friends and co-laborers, destitute of his keen vision and resolute will, discouraged his efforts and forsook him as an impracticable reformer, he bowed in sadness, and waited humbly the vindication he was assured would come in God's good time.

"He denounced the despotisms of the Old World, because they kept the millions in ignorance and robbed them of their rights. He contended against Romanism, because it steeped the souls of its votaries in blind and unreasoning superstition. He opposed slavery, not because all who were implicated in it were necessarily sinners-for of these he spoke with great gentleness and forbearance-but because of the iniquitous laws defining the system which contravened the laws of God by separating husband and wife, parent and child, and by holding in enforced ignorance of God's word the entire class. These laws, which characterized American slavery, he denounced with unsparing severity, and labored to free the Church and nation from the responsibility of sustaining them. To the joy of his heart, he lived to see the system swept away in this land, and he looked for the speedy downfall of despotism in the Old World. Whatever tended to hasten this he labored for, whatever retarded this he opposed, and with a persistency of effort, singleness of purpose and loftiness of resolve which placed him on a level with the apostles and martyrs of the past ages-the highest embodiment of true greatness.

"But perhaps the most marked characteristic of Dr. MacMaster was his sympathy with man as man. Such was his estimate of the soul, its future capabilities and immortal destiny, that he made little account of the acci dental differences distinguishing one from another in this world. In his planning and prayers for the good of others he looked upon the race as on an equality before God and in view of law, and he labored for the souls of

men as lost and ruined, but redeemed by Christ, with a singleness of purpose and elevation of aim rarely attained. This ever-present estimate of the value of man made him jealous of human rights, civil and spiritual, and indignant at the wrongs inflicted upon so many in our own and other lands; and with an intense yearning he looked for the day when civil, intellectual and religious freedom should be universal. If his aims were too high to be realized during his life, he so impressed his views upon hundreds of his pupils that they will aid in their realization hereafter.

In his domestic and social relations he was gentle and loving as a child. His home was the centre of the tenderest affections, and none came within its enclosure but to feel the power of his Christian heart. In the wider range of social life, and in all variety of circumstances, he exhibited that true courtesy which springs from a noble and refined nature, while for his personal friends he had the strongest affection. If his guileless simplicity of character allowed the designing to impose upon him sometimes, this never weakened his faith in the trustworthy nor shook his confidence in those he had proven.

"With these traits of gentleness, humility, independence and philanthropy were combined other qualities, which made him one of the noblest of men; and in his early death, the seminary, the Church of God and the country have suffered a great loss, while many who sat at his feet as learners will long mourn his departure as a personal bereavement."

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James L. Merrick

MERRICK, JAMES LYMAN-The son of Gideon and Beulah (Stebbins) Merrick, was born at Monson, Mass., Dec. 11, 1803. He went to school in the academy of his native town, and was graduated at Amherst College, Amherst, Mass., in 1830. He made a profession of faith in his twentysecond year, and henceforth had the ministry in view. He entered upon the study of divinity in the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J., but on account of his health-which required a warmer climate-he went to Columbia, South Carolina, and entered the Theological Seminary there in January, 1831, and graduated in the first class of that institution in December, 1833. In April, 1832, he was licensed by Charleston Presbytery. After his licen he preached as opportunity offered, and after his graduation for about three months in Savannah, Georgia. He was ordained as an evangelist by Charleston Presbytery, April 15, 1834; and soon after returning to his native State he received his commission as a missionary to the Persians in the chapel of Amherst College, Mass., Aug. 10, 1834. He arrived at Tabreez Oct. 15, 1835, labored, traveled and explored among the Mohammedans of Persia somewhat less than two years, and then joined the Nestorian Mission at Oroomiah, where he remained till June, 1845. He returned to the United States Oct. 1, 1845, was installed pastor of the Congregational Church in South Amherst, Mass., June 21, 1849, and dismissed Feb. 17, 1864. He transferred his presbyterial relations from Charleston to Connec ticut Presbytery in April of 1854, and though he labored as pastor of a Congregational church, he retained his connection with the Presbyterian . Church.

He was a close student, even after he had withdrawn from the active duties of the ministry. Without any special disease, save a general breaking down of his system, he died at his residence in South Amherst, Mass., June 18, 1866.

He married Miss Emma Taylor, a native of Portsmouth, England, at Tabreez, Persia, who survives him. They had no family.

A friend writes as follows: "His heart was devoted to the missionary cause whilst he was in college, during which time he began the study of the Persian language, and he eventually became one of the finest Persian scholars. His recall from the mission by the A. B. C. F. M. was a great disappointment to him, and on his return to his native land, he published 'An Appeal' from their decision in abandoning the mission. And though this rested heavily upon his hopes and plans, and placed an irreparable blight upon his life-work, it never took away his heart from his beloved Persia; and he left a large sum of money at his death to found four Persian scholarships in the four institutions where he had received his classical and theological education, in the inextinguishable hope that the work he began in Persia might be carried forward.'

WM. S. TYLER, D.D., professor in Amherst College, Mass., writes thus: "He had a strong mind, was a good scholar, hard student, lover of study and of books; wrote much for the press and the pulpit; a zealous patriot, especially during the war, he gave a bounty to every soldier who entered the army in his own parish; an ardent philanthropist, a devoted Christian, a faithful pastor, an earnest missionary. A man of marked character, with a mind of his own and positive opinions and, as such men are apt to be, perhaps a little impracticable it was difficult for him to work with others. He left his property for four 'Persian Scholarships' in the four institutions where he was educated.'

Rev. WALTER BARTON, of Suffield, Conn., writes as follows: "I was Brother Merrick's successor at South Amherst, Mass., and was his pastor for nearly three years. He was certainly an exception to the remark that ex-pastors make the worst parishioners: my relations with him were very pleasant. He was an able and faithful minister, though it might be thought that he did not preach man's duty and responsibility as often as he ought. He was strongly self-willed, which was natural to him, and which he mourned over as a snare and trouble."

A friend, who knew him many years, writes thus: "He was a man with genial temperament and kind, social disposition. He had a superior mind, finely cultivated and endowed. He was a constant and laborious scholar from early youth, and had stored his mind with learning from books, by extensive travel and large and general observation. He was a minute thinker and close reasoner, always deciding all questions for himself after right examination, and faithful in the last degree to his convictions of right and duty. He was regarded a Persian scholar of the finest type, and well read in the Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Greek, Latin and French tongues. He studied, wrote and labored to the last of life, and died without a defined disease, wearing out a fine constitution with hard study and hard work, with a mind clear and intensely active to the last, trusting wholly and joyfully in Christ as his Redeemer and Saviour."

He was the author of "The Pilgrim's Harp," 8vo., pp. 628, Crocker & Brewster, Boston, Mass., 1847; "The Life and Religion of Mohammed," translated from the Persian, 12mo., pp. 483, Philip Sampson & Co., Boston, Mass., 1850; "Keith's Evidences of Prophecy," translated from the Persian, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1846. He left in manuscript, "A Full Work

on Astronomy, Selected and Compiled," "A Friendly Treatise on the Christian Religion," and "A Treatise on Orthography and Grammar of the English language, with a new alphabet of forty letters-eighteen vowels and twenty-two consonants." He also contributed largely to the religious and secular local press.

MUNSON, JOHN-Was born in New Jersey in 1783. But little is known of his early history, save that he was a child of pious parents, and that his father died while he was very young. His mother married Mr. Joseph Grady, and the family removed to New York State, thence to Lycoming county, Pa.; and in 1808 they removed west of the Allegheny mountains, and settled near Greersburg, Beaver county, Pa. In the academy of that town he received a fair education. He studied theology privately under Rev. Thomas E. Hughs, and was licensed by Hartford Presbytery. He joined Erie Presbytery in 1817, and was ordained by that body, at Plain Grove, Feb. 25, 1818, and installed as pastor of the congregations of Plain Grove and Centre, Pa. He was dismissed from the former, Feb. 6, 1838, by Allegheny Presbytery, and gave all his time to the latter charge, where he labored till June 28, 1859, when he resigned. He subsequently removed to London, Mercer county, Pa., where he died Dec. 18, 1866, of paralysis.

He was three times married-first, to Miss Jennie Allen; second, to Miss Elizabeth Clark; third, to Mrs. Brandon. They had no family. His last wife died in 1860.

R. B. WALKER, D.D., of Plain Grove, Pa., writes as follows:

He was a man of superior intellect. Subjects which others could master only by study and severe mental application he comprehended almost at a glance. He was a great reader, especially of standard works, such as Bates, Edwards, &c. He always made himself master of the subject treated, and could tell all about it. In this way he treasured up stores of useful knowledge, from which, in discussing a subject, he could draw with great pertinence and force. He was an able theologian. He was familiar with all the great questions in controversy between Calvinists and Arminians, and could present these difficult subjects in the most clear and convincing manner. No one who ever read his debate with the Rev. Brunson, at Plain Grove, on the subject of Predestination, or heard his sermon preached before the Synod of Pittsburg from the text, "And the government shall be upon His shoulders," could fail to be convinced that he was an able theologian.

He was an excellent preacher. His preaching was mostly textual, and yet in his discourses he explained a great deal of Scripture, his expositions being clear and satisfactory. We have heard him say, that on entering the ministry, if there was any one thing he sincerely desired of God it was that he might be enabled to understand the Scriptures. He sincerely loved and reverenced God's word. He was strongly attached to the doctrines of our Church. He preached sound doctrine. He laid it down as a rule for himself never to advance a doctrine or idea which he could not "back up by a text of Scripture." Indeed, his preaching was very much of this sort. It was eminently scriptural. In speaking of the great themes of redemption, of God's great love and rich mercy, of Christ and his cross, in pointing sinners to the Lamb of God, and in warning them to flee from the wrath to come, he often became truly eloquent, and spoke with great freedom and

power.

He was remarkable for his conversational powers. His conversation flowed easily, and was always interesting, instructive and useful. No one could be

in his company, even for a short time, without getting a new idea or hearing something calculated to make him wiser and better. He scarcely ever lodged with a family that did not feel that they had enjoyed a real feast, and that did not wish him to return again. He was careful to use his fine powers for the good of others.

He was abundant in labors. In his early ministry he preached oftentimes day after day and night after night, assisting brethren, going from house to house, sometimes making long and wearisome journeys in order to preach to distant, sparsely-settled and destitute neighborhoods. He scarcely ever failed to meet an appointment to preach or to be present at the meetings for prayer, or to attend the meetings of Presbytery and Synod. He made it a matter of duty and conscience to be there.

Nor did he labor in vain. Owing to the loss of sessional records, it is not possible to ascertain how many were added to the churches during his pas torate. We know that at Plain Grove there were seasons of refreshing and blessed ingatherings. So also in Centre. Shortly before he gave up his charge there was a precious revival there, and a goodly number were added to the Church.

He was great in goodness. But few Christians have had a richer experience. The principles of the gospel were deeply fixed in his heart. He lived out and adorned the doctrine which he preached. It is true that he was of an ardent temperament, and sometimes spoke hastily; but no man was ever more ready to confess a fault.

He was a man of faith and prayer. great delight in reading the Scriptures. in singing some of the familiar airs set sometimes to be almost enraptured.

He "walked with God." He took He was a poet and a musician; and to our precious hymns, he seemed

He was for months para

His last sufferings were protracted and severe. lyzed so as to be almost entirely helpless. His mind, however, kept bright and vigorous. His conversation was very much about Christ and heavenly things. He spoke to those who called to see him in regard to their eternal interest, sent messages to his old parishioners and acquaintances, telling them of his peace, and giving them his love and blessing.

MCDONALD, JOHN-The son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pettit) McDonald, was born in Brooke county, Va. (now West Va.), July 25, 1794. He was educated in Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. He was licensed and ordained by Athens Presbytery in 1827. He was pastor of the church in Burlington, Ohio, and was a missionary for some time in Kentucky. In 1832 he labored in the churches of Manchester and Huntington, Ohio; and in 1836 took charge of the Pleasant Prairie Church, in Coles county, Ill. This relation existed till his death, which occurred Aug. 15, 1866, of congestion of the bowels.

He married Miss Nancy N. 'Means, who, with a family of nine children, survives him.

Rev. R. A. MITCHELL of Charleston, Illinois, in a report to Palestine Presbytery, speaks of him as follows: "In the death of our brother our Church has lost one who was possessed of rare mental strength and discriminating powers; one of extensive religious and literary acquirements; one of sterling piety, and the most unassuming Christian humility; and withal, one whose wisdom and counsels in the practical application of the principles of our Book of Discipline and Form of Government have always been acknowledged and admired by all who have associated with him in this capacity. And although the deceased, for a number of years, has not