Thomas Boston Johnstone

“ Harris was constantly writing, lecturing, or preaching, and advocating Sunday-schools, benevolent funds, tract and book societies, and institutions for mutual improvement. He threw himself into many political and sanitary, educational, and moral movements. He was a keen radical, active for the repeal of the corn laws, on behalf of which he drew up the first petition sent from Scotland. ”

“ William received his elementary education at a school in Oxfordshire. In 1800 he resolved to study for the independent ministry. In his twentieth year he entered Hoxton academy, and entered on his first and only pastorate at Bolton in September 1807. At the suggestion of Dr. Simpson, formerly pastor of Duke's Alley Chapel, Bolton, and afterwards resident tutor at Hoxton, a second independent church had just been formed in Bolton, a chapel had been erected in Mawdsley Street, capable of accommodating a congregation of about eight hundred persons, and Jones was the first minister. ”

“ A volume of his ‘Sermons’ ran through thirteen editions, and is remarkable both for style and power of thought. In 1869 he received the degree of D.D. from Edinburgh University. In 1876 Ker was chosen professor of practical training in the reconstructed theological hall of his church. His weakness obliged him to limit his labours; but, in spite of much suffering, he performed his duties successfully till his death on 4 Oct. 1886. Besides the volume of sermons already mentioned Ker published various sermons and pamphlets. ”

“ MACGILL, HAMILTON MONTGOMERY, D.D. (1807–1880) , united presbyterian divine, born in 1807 in Catrine, Ayrshire, was educated at Mauchline,and entered Glasgow University in 1827 and the Divinity Hall of the United Secession church in 1831. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Kilmarnock in March 1836, and was ordained minister of Duke Street Church, Glasgow, in February 1837 as colleague to Dr. Muter. ”

“ He was educated at the Edinburgh High School, and in 1835 he became a student in the university of Edinburgh. He gained the first prize in Sir William Hamilton's class, and was second in both the moral philosophy and natural philosophy classes. ”

“ He next went to Hamilton, where he held office as one of the sheriff-substitutes of the county from 1816 up to 1822. He died in 1848. At no period did his income exceed a hundred a year, and yet out of this, with a family of twelve children, he educated four sons for liberal professions, often sending them his last guinea when they were students at college. ”

“ John Brown (1784–1858) [q. v.] , he entered in 1816 the Divinity Hall of the Secession Church, then taught by Dr. Lawson at Selkirk. While at Selkirk he received the freedom of the burgh along with Prince Leopold, afterwards king of the Belgians, who was then on a visit to Sir Walter Scott. ”

“ In November 1812 he matriculated at Glasgow University, having obtained a bursary on the foundation of Dr. Williams's trust, and attended classes in Glasgow during three winter sessions. His studies were much interrupted by numerous engagements as a preacher and lecturer. The Scottish Unitarian Association was formed in July 1813. ”

“ Nor were public engagements permitted to interfere with professional duties, as his pastoral and pulpit work in Brunswick Street congregation, his labours in presbytery, and the services he rendered to Lancashire presbyterianism abundantly proved. ”

“ Macleod was a man of clear judgment, cultured mind, and extensive reading. His style was fresh, nervous, and attractive. He was a favourite with children, and prepared many addresses and ' talks ' in their behalf. Apart from separate sermons, addresses, and articles in the magazines, Macleod published: 1. ”

“ His other works are:
‘The Life and Times of Alexander Henderson,’ Edin. 1836. ‘Clerical Economics,’ Edin. 1842. ‘Eight Weeks in Germany,’ Edin. 1842. ‘The Lands of the Messiah, Mahomet, and the Pope,’ Edin. 1852. ‘The Drying-up of the Euphrates,’ London, 1853. ‘St. Paul and his localities in their past and present condition,’ London, 1856. He held his living till his death in 1863. ”