even to retain their faith. They were without churches, and almost without pastors to minister to their spiritual wants or to impart instruction; and consequently, not only individuals but many entire families fell away from their religion. In this trying crisis, the zeal, energy, and apostolic labours of a single, unpretending, but truly great prelate, contributed materially to the preservation of the faith. Indeed he may be justly said to have gathered together and consolidated the scattered fragments of the ancient Church in Scotland, for much of what she now possesses is the result of his wise and vigorous administration.
The Right Rev. Dr George Hay was born at Edinburgh, August 24, 1729. He was the only son of Mr James Hay, a non-juring Episcopalian, who had been put in irons and sentenced to banishment for his adherence to the Stuarts in 1715. From his mother he received early religious impressions, and by her was taught the practice of night and morning prayer, a circumstance to which he looked back with gratitude in later life. Being destined for the medical profession, in his sixteenth year he entered the Edinburgh University, then rising to the zenith of its fame. There he rapidly distinguished himself in his studies; and some of his fellow-students, themselves eminent, afterwards declared that had he persevered, he would have stood at the head of his profession. But his medical studies were interrupted, and finally abandoned.
The Highland army, under Prince Charles Stuart, entered Edinburgh on the 17th September 1745, and found many of the citizens secretly disposed to favour them. Mr George Lauder, Mr Hay's professor, was an enthusiast in the cause, and many of his pupils were animated by the same spirit. He was appointed chief surgeon to the Prince's army, and, in a few days, was called to attend the wounded on the
