JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, 15 PRINCE'S STREET
AND 26 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.

M.DCCC.XLIX.

EDINBURGH:

JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER,

104 HIGH STREET.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction-John Macdonald's Birth-His Mother-Her Influ-

ence- The Sacrament Burn"-Early Traits-The University

-His Success at King's College-His Studies-A College Com-

petition-Its Results-His Early Habits, and Conscientiousness

-Examples-Takes his Degree-His Character at this Period, 27

CHAPTER II.

Choice of a Profession-Mr Macdonald's Reading-Westerton-

His Religious Impressions deepening-Formality-Alarms-His

Self-scrutiny-Intercourse with Rev. A. Gentle-His Instability,

and Return to the World-Conscientiousness more and more de-

veloped-His gradual discovery of the Heart's true condition,

and Religion's true nature-Rev. Thomas Spencer-His views

of Preaching-His love of Poetry-The Book of Providence in-

tently studied The value of Prayer - Inconsistencies - His

training for Ministerial Usefulness - The objective and sub-

jective in Religion-Premonitions-The Great Change-Self-

examination-Nature impotent till Grace work-The Sabbath

School-Glimpses of Truth,

50

Low state of Religion in many parts of Scotland-Pluscarden-

Spiritual discipline-Joy in believing increases-The Day-star

arising-Conversion-The idolatry of Intellect-Progress-The

Christian warfare - Counsels for it-Dr Andrew Thomson-

Spiritual vicissitudes and aspirations-Mr Macdonald's view of

Faith-Nature and Grace contrasted-Infant Salvation-Aber-

deen revisited-A Covenant-Temptations-His Missionary long-

ings recur-Modern Religion described-Intercessory Prayer-

Catholic Emancipation-His standard of attainment-The para-

dox, the most advanced Believer necessarily deems himself the

chief of Sinners-" THE SUFFERING SAVIOUR "True Humility

-A Tour-Prepares for license-Is licensed,

CHAPTER IV.

Mr Macdonald's First Sermon-His Theory of Preaching-Elgin

-Its Spiritual Condition-His Prayers-He leaves Westerton-

The Effects of his Labours there-Removes to Urquhart―The

Men of Ross-shire-Concert for Prayer-Revisits Pluscarden—

His Spiritual Discipline and Vicissitudes-He is invited to Lon-

don-His Perplexity-His Correspondence-And Resolution-

He Removes to London-His Fears,

CHAPTER V.

Mr Macdonald settles in London-His Impressions and Resolutions

-The state of Religion among the Scots in London-He com-

mences his duties as a Preacher-London as a sphere of Ministerial

duty-His exercises of Soul-His views of Religion in the Metro-

polis-The effects of London Society-His Ordination-His

Views expanding-British and Foreign Bible Society-His manner

of Preaching-Open-air Preaching-Politics, and their effects on

the Christian life-His preparations for the Pulpit-Reflections

on London life-Dr Macdonald visits London-Rev. Edward Irving

-Brighton-Longings for some wider sphere-Street-preaching

-Is presented to William IV.-A Preaching tour in Scotland-

His call to Fodderty-Resolves to remain in London-Sickness-

Its Lessons-Dr Macdonald again visits London-His Labours-

His Son returns with him to Scotland-Renewed proposals for his

Removal from London-His views on Satanic agency-A Death-

bed-His views of the Church and Dissenters-Closes his Chapel

in Chadwell Street-Again an Invalid-Revisits Urquhart-Plus-

carden-Takes possession of his new Chapel, River Terrace,

Islington,

Page

100

184

. 199

Extracts illustrative of Spiritual Progress-His Missionary Longings

return-His Views and Inquiries-Visits Edinburgh-His Corre.

spondence-A Brother's Counsel to a Married Sister-His Labours

in London-The Neglected Masses-Letter to B. W. Noel-Pro-

fessor Tulloch's Testimony-The Fruit of his Labours-The Lon-

don City Mission-David Nasmith-A Christian Brotherhood-

His study of Providence-Resolves to become a Missionary-Con-

fers with Dr Duff-Receives an Invitation from the Foreign

Missions' Committee-His correspondence with Dr Brunton and

Dr Duff-Proceedings before the Presbytery of London-Repub-

lishes Brown of Wamphray's Treatise, "Christ in us the Hope of

Glory"-His final Resolution to go to India-Another letter from

Dr Duff-A Believer's Death-bed-Visits Scotland-His Labours

there-His Marriage-Leaves Ross-shire for London-Set apart

in Edinburgh-Arrives in London-John Somervell-Mr Mac-

donald embarks for India-Reflections,

Page

279

CHAPTER VII.

The Foreign Missions-Dr Inglis-Dr Duff-His Return to Britain

-Our Indian Empire-Mr Macdonald at Sea-His Services on

Board-The Cape of Good Hope-First Sight of India-Jugger-

naut-Bay of Bengal-The Ganges-Saugur Island- Kedgeree-

His Maxims when Landing-First Impressions-The Assembly's

Institution-Resumes Preaching-A Retrospect-His Duties-

Sickness-Missionary Trials-Caste-Controversy-His Views of

the Scottish Mission-His Labours-The Oratorio-Renewed

Sickness-His First-born-His Views of the Baptist Controversy

-The Calcutta Mission-The Scottish Church Controversy-The

Calcutta School-Book Society-H. C. Tucker, Esq.-Female

Education in India - Mrs Macdonald's School for Females-

Prayer Meetings -Letter to a Sister-Renewed Sickness-The

Scottish Revivals—A Missionary Letter to his former Flock-

His Tracts, and their Influence-His Views of the Disruption—

Memoirs of Isobel Hood-He anticipates the Disruption-The In-

telligence arrives at Calcutta,

CHAPTER VIII.

The Effects of the Disruption in India-Mr Macdonald becomes

Interim Pastor of the Free Church at Calcutta-His Tracts

-Addresses the Indian Government on its Patronage of Idolatry

344