in the trust, and who long and intimately knew him, that his vigour of mind, and the caution with which he deliberated, enabled him to form such decided opinions, as saved them in many cases from much perplexity; that even the minutest details of the management were never regarded by him as unworthy the attention of his powerful mind; that for the period during which he administered the concerns of the fund, not a single instance occurred of any embarrassment being occasioned to them, by any mistake or inadvertency on his
part, and on the other hand, so great was the confidence reposed in him, that they never heard of a single complaint of severity in the exercise of the powers with which he was intrusted.
"But while the General Assembly thus gratefully record their sense of the public services of Sir Henry MoncriefT Wellwood in that office to which their attention has been specially directed, it is impossible not also to remember what he was in a higher character, and in the discharge of higher duties. Endowed with great talents for the business of life, he was fitted for rising to high distinction in the secular departments of society; but with a strong attachment, which increased with his years, he devoted himself to the ministry of Christ in the church of Scotland. The church of Scotland was dear to him from his earliest predilections, and these were confirmed by his maturest judgments and long experience and observation of human life. The character of a minister of the gospel he valued above all others, and though of too just an understanding not to estimate the advantages of his hereditary rank, he never forgot, or allowed others to forget, that he held a sacred character, by which it was of chief importance that he should be known and considered. The doctrines of Christ were the objects of his firmest faith and wannest attachment, and to preach them to his people he considered to be his first duty, and highest honour. With a peculiar energy and power he presented them to the minds of his hearers, and made them the principles from which he enforced all the virtues and graces of a holy life; while with fearlessness and freedom, and great discernment of human character, he unfolded and exposed the besetting sins of men of every condition. As a member of the General Assembly he will long be remembered. His knowledge of business, his strong and masculine eloquence, the distinctness and vigour with which he went forward to his subject, and the simplicity and fire with which he stated his sentiments, secured to him at all times the respectful attention of men of every description. Equally distant from flattery and personal invective, he spoke with the freedom of an independent but well regulated mind; nor amidst the collision of sentiment and warmth of discussion did he ever forget the spirit which should be maintained in an assembly met in the name of Christ and to promote his kingdom. His life was devoted to active and general usefulness. He had no taste for frivolous pursuits, and while his judgment led him to devote himself chiefly to those peculiar departments of duty in which he believed he would be most useful, he entered with deep interest into every scheme of public utility, and rejoiced in the success of every well directed plan for promoting the cause of religion and humanity. The young and the friendless he delighted to take under his protection; and as his influence in society was great, so many were the individuals in every department of life, besides those who were within the reach of his private friends, whom he benefited by his active services and by the wisdom of his counsels."
To this eulogium may be added the following estimate of Sir H. Moncrieff's public character, by the late lord Cockburn, in the Life of Francis Jeffrey: "This eminent person was not merely distinguished among his brethren of the church of Scotland, all of whom leant upon him, but was in other respects one of
