the necessary extracts upon the subject. The commission could not have been
better bestowed. "John has been so laborious in his researches," said the affectionate father, "and sent me home so many materials, that I found myself shut up to make an attempt, if it were for no other reason than to show that I
was not altogether insensible to his exertions." He felt more and more the growing lassitude that was stealing upon him, and thus wrote, eight months
afterwards, about the materials that were pouring in upon him from Geneva: "I
have neither time nor leisure to avail myself of them; and instead of rejoicing,
as I used to do, at the sight of such treasures, I rather feel inclined to weep,
Yet if I can make nothing of them, some other may." Thus he went on till
the middle of the following year, his attention to Calvin being in the meantime divided by the great ecclesiastical events that were hastening onward to
the disruption of the Church of Scotland. Of the Life of the great Reformer,
however, he had already written out, and prepared for the press three ample
chapters, in which Calvin's career was traced through the studies of his youth,
onward to his adoption of the reformed doctrines, his preface to the "Institution of the Christian Religion," and his residence in Geneva. But here the historian's task was to terminate, and terminate most unexpectedly and abruptly.
On the 4th of August, 1835, he was suddenly taken unwell; a stupor succeeded, from which it was impossible to rouse him; and on the following day he breathed his last, without a groan or struggle, but insensible to the presence of
his grieving friends who were assembled round his death-bed. Thus died, in the sixty-third year of his age, and fortieth of his ministry, the Rev. Dr. M'Crie, whose whole life had been a preparation for death, and whom death,
therefore, could not take at unawares. His remains were buried in the churchyard of Greyfriars, and over the grave a simple monument was erected by his congregation, with an inscription commemorative of his worth and their
regret. At his death he left a widow, for he was twice married, upon whom government, to show their sense of his worth, settled a liberal pension* His children, who were all by his first marriage, consisted of four sons, of whom
John, the third, his faithful assistant among the archives of Geneva, died only two years after his father. Besides these, he had one daughter, married to Archibald Meikle, Esq., Flemington. It is pleasing to add, that of the family of such a man, there is one who inherits not only his name and sacred office, but also his tastes and studies, and not a small portion of his talent.
Besides those works to which we have already adverted, Dr. M'Crie was author of the following publications :
"The Duty of Christian Societies towards each other, in relation to the Measures for Propagating the Gospel, which at present engage the attention of the Religious World; a Sermon, preached in the meeting-house, Potter Row, on occasion of a Collection for promoting a Mission to Kentucky." 1797.
"Statement of the Difference between the Profession of the Reformed Church of Scotland as adopted by Seceders, and the Profession contained in the New Testimony and other Acts lately adopted by the General Associate Synod; particularly on the Power of Civil Magistrates respecting Religion, National Reformation, National Churches, and National Covenants." Edinburgh, 1807.
"Letters on the late Catholic Bill, and the Discussions to which it has given rise. Addressed to British Protestants, and chiefly Presbyterians in Scotland. By a Scots Presbyterian." Edinburgh, 1807.
"Free Thoughts on the late Religious Celebration of the Funeral of her
