Side by side.

Dr. M'Dowell.

mingled, not in the city merely, but in every surrounding neighborhood, gave me the fullest opportunity of learning all his plans, and marking his going out and coming in from the beginning to the end of his ministry here. No one could know him better as a shepherd among his flock, and I am ready to testify that he discharged his duty well and faithfully.

"The people committed to his care were numerous, and they had been accustomed to see their minister frequently, as well at the fireside as in the pulpit. Long had it been their habit to look upon the man who taught them out of God's law on the Sabbath as a friend to whom they might have ready access, and who would be a guide and counselor in the various scenes of daily religious life. His predecessor, the Rev. Dr. John M'Dowell, still living happily and usefully at the age of upward of fourscore, was always regarded as a model pastor, familiar with the families of his charge, catechising the children, and conversing with individuals of all classes of society on the subject O1 their personal relations to God and preparation for eternity; and Dr. Murray nobly carried on the same blessed work. The period of their labor here was of about the same length, and very much the same indomitable energy and perseverance characterized them both. If the two men differed in many respects, and differ they unquestionably did, no one could say that the service, taken as a whole, fell off in the hands of the latter. The Church, and congregation too, expected a great deal from their pastor, and seldom had they reason to feel disappointed.

System.

Amount of work.

"Besides a regular weekly lecture, for which he prepared as punctually as for the claims of the Sabbath, he delighted to be present in the more retired praying circle, and often was he found mingling his sympathies and tears with the afflicted. So naturally did he care for the state of his people as to rejoice with those that rejoiced, and weep with those that wept. Most readily did he enter the humblest abode, to carry the consolations of the Gospel to the bedside of the sick, and direct the thoughts of the dying to Him who is the resurrection and the life. It was not difficult for him to accommodate himself to such scenes of sadness and sorrow as frequently meet the eye of the faithful pastor; and I have no doubt that some of the sweetest moments he ever spent on earth were those in which he was occupied in speaking to departing saints of another country, which is a heavenly. No one can estimate the amount of work which he thus performed in season and out of season, while watching for more than a quarter of a century over a Church of between five and six hundred members, and a congregation of upward of three hundred families. Few men could have done so much, or done it so well. Had he not been blessed with a remarkable love for his work and a naturally robust constitution, he never could have borne the burdens so long and with such unabated exhilaration of spirits. Discouragement is a feeling to which he never seemed to give place-no, not for an hour.

"It is difficult to say whether he excelled more at home or abroad; in the routine of weekly and daily

Abroad.

A citizen.

duty among his own people, or serving the cause of truth in a sphere of greater publicity and observation. Multitudes knew him as an earnest, impressive speaker, bringing out the great truths of the Gospel in his own nervous and pointed style, and invited him here and there to deliver addresses and preach ordination and installation sermons. Often was he listened to with delight as he stood on the platform, and, with a happy admixture of Irish wit and pleasant seriousness, advocated the claims of piety and benevolence. And the letters which he sent out by scores and hundreds through the periodical press were read with eagerness far and wide. His fellow-citizens, too, always found him prompt to take part in plans for advancing the moral, educational, and industrial interests of the place where his lot was cast. These things seemed enough to fill the heart and hands of an ordinary man, had he never published a book, made a visit of condolence to the house of mourning, or superintended the concerns of a parish.

"If it be asked how he accomplished so much, and did it so thoroughly, the answer is found in his untiring industry and energy. To a resoluteness of will, never baffled or turned aside by ordinary obstacles, an admirably adjusted physical frame, a large flow of the most genial feeling, deep and earnest conviction of whatever was true and good, and the constant presence under his own roof of one ready to cheer him on in his noble work, he added a perseverance which never gave way to discouragement. His motto seemed to be, Labor here, Rest hereafter. He made full

Habits of study.

Genial,

proof of the Christian ministry, giving himself to it year in and year out, as if he could never sufficiently magnify his office. I have seen many active, diligent men, but I have never seen one in any walk of life who excelled Dr. Murray. Scarcely was he through one undertaking before he entered upon another. The text for the next Sabbath morning was often chosen after the close of a third service on the same Sabbath evening. Instead of letting his work drive him, producing confusion, hurry, and disorder, he always drove his work, and thus was able to see his way, and have his mind clear and tranquil. His example in this respect is a legacy of untold value. Were all who deem themselves called to serve God in the Gospel of His Son to make equally full proof of their ministry, the happy effect would appear in the strength and permanence of the ties which bind pastor and flock together.

"To those who knew him at all, it is superfluous to remark that there was nothing of the recluse in his nature; nor was he insensible to the claims of social life. Seldom did he find himself so pressed with business that he could not spare half an hour for a friend, or give an evening to a pleasant gathering of neighbors, or take a few days for recreation at a spring side or on a mountain top. In his hands, the bow carried the arrow to its mark all the better for being occasionally unbent. No ability which he possessed of making an impression by unstudied efforts ever led him to dispense, whenever it was practicable, with careful previous preparation. If ever his reproofs took on

Social.

Tact and boldness.

them the form of cutting, biting sarcasm, as withering as an autumnal frost, it was when compelled to listen to the empty, jejune deliverances of preachers who think themselves smart enough to bring something out when nothing has been put in.

"Much of his power to gain the affections of his people so fully, and hold them so long, consisted no doubt in the cheerful smile he wore, and the friendly greeting he gave, meet them when and where he might. His genial spirit was delightfully contagious. It was difficult to be gloomy or downcast in his presence. Few men are able, in an equal degree, to make themselves agreeable to all classes, old and young, rich and poor, educated and uneducated. There was a certain something about him, in the twinkle of his eye, the shake of his head, and the tones of his voice, which could scarcely be resisted. If severity seemed necessary, nobody could be more severe; or if blandness and condescension would do better, they were always at hand. When he undertook to carry a point, few had tact or boldness enough to interpose any effectual resistance. Head of the congregation he felt that he ought to be, and would be, and, as such, he expected to be treated with all proper tokens of deference and respect, every where and at all times. There are prerogatives of office and position which he would never relinquish. Nobody knew better than he how to pour contempt upon religious nostrums of every sort, or send the pseudo-reformer from the door in disgrace. Yet it is but justice to add, he had the wisdom to reach and maintain this eminence in a way