said to have devolved on him; for the Vicar Apostolic, no longer able to perform the duties of his office, transferred all his faculties to his coadjutor. Henceforth Bishop Hay becomes more properly a subject of history than of biography, for a full account of his life would necessarily embrace all the important events connected with the Catholic Church in Scotland during his long episcopate.
Bishop Hay was unremitting in his attention to his flock, hearing confessions, visiting the sick, and giving instructions almost continuously. Preaching he regarded as the indispensable duty of every pastor of souls; and he himself was most assiduous in that duty. He spoke in a plain, familiar, and unaffected style; and his discourses, enriched with a variety of texts from Holy Scripture, were admirably calculated to convince the understanding and to gain the heart. His edifying example stimulated the zeal of the clergy under his charge, and his frequent Pastorals enlightened and directed them in the discharge of their duties.
To the general interests of his extensive Vicariate Dr Hay gave the most vigilant attention, visiting the various missions and corresponding frequently with his clergy. But his active charity did not rest there; he published the first English Catholic version of the Holy Scriptures printed in Scotland, and made incredible exertions to supply the faithful with pious and instructive books. He composed several excellent works in defence of religion, and entered with ardour into all the measures, then in agitation, for the repeal of the penal laws against Catholics. To attend to such a multiplicity of affairs must have necessitated a rigorous disposition of time, but the regularity of Dr Hay's life enabled him to utilise every moment. He rose very early, made an hour's meditation, recited Prime, Tierce, Sext, and None; then prepared himself, by long and fervent
