during which he preached repeatedly in the Low and Middle churches, he took a final farewell of his friends, and returned to America, where he continued for several years more to maintain, and even increase, the reputation he had already acquired. The infirmities of age, however, began at length to steal upon him. Two years previous to his death, he was totally deprived of sight; yet such was the activity of his mind, and the greatness of his anxiety to be useful, that, even under this grievous affliction, he did not desist either from the exercise of his ministry, or from his duties in the college, although he had on all occasions to be led to the pulpit and rostrum. This affecting condition was but of short duration. He was released from it, and from all other afflictions, on the 15th of November, 1794, in the seventy-third year of his age.
Dr Witherspoon's merits as an author, preacher, and philosopher, have been the theme of much and frequent eulogium by men, themselves eminent for the attainments they so much admired in him; and we cannot conclude this brief memoir better, than by quoting the language of one of those eulogists alluded to. "Of Dr Witherspoon's character as an author," says Dr Rogers, senior minister of the United Presbyterian churches in the city of New York, "it is not necessary to say much. His writings are before the public; and to every serious and intelligent reader, they discover an uncommon knowledge of human nature, and a deep and intimate acquaintance with the holy scriptures. They generally strike us, as being at once elegant and convincing, grave and attractive, profound and plain, energetic and simple. They evidently show that the author's learning was very extensive; that God had given him a great and understanding mind, a quick apprehension, and a solid judgment. And, as a preacher, he was, in many respects, one of the best models on which a young orator could form himself."
WODROW, Robert, the faithful and laborious author of the "History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland," was born in Glasgow, in the year 1679. He was the second son of Mr James Wodrow, professor of divinity in the college of that city, a man of singular piety and learning. His mother, Margaret Hair, was the daughter of William Hair, the proprietor of a small estate in the parish of Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire. In this parent, he was equally fortunate as in the other. To all the piety of her husband, she added a degree of strength of mind, not often associated with her sex.
In 1691, young Wodrow was entered a student in the university of his native city, and went through the usual course of academical education then adopted there, and which included several of the learned languages, and various branches of philosophy. Theology he studied under his father, and, while engaged in this pursuit, was appointed librarian to the college; a situation to which the peculiar talent which he already displayed for historical and bibliographical inquiry, had recommended him. This office he held for four years; and it was during this time that he acquired the greater part of that knowledge of the ecclesiastical and literary history of his country, which he applied, during the course of his after life, to such good purpose, as to have the effect of associating his name, at once honourably and indissolubly, with those interesting subjects. At this period he imbibed, also, a taste for antiquarian research, and the study of natural history, which introduced him to the notice, and procured him the friendship, of several of the most eminent men of the day. But all these pursuits were carefully kept subordinate to what he had determined to make the great and sole business of his life, the study of theology, and the practical application of its principles. To the former, he devoted only his leisure hours; to the latter, all the others that were not appropriated to necessary repose.
On completing his theological studies at the university, Mr Wodrow went to
