EDINBURGH:
JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, 15 PRINCE'S STREET

AND 26 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.

M.DCCC.XLIX.

EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER,

104 HIGH STREET.

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

Page

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,

100

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,

184

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,

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,

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—Tbe

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,

344

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