supremacy in the Scottish church. Sir Henry, however, instead of joining
with a party with which his secular rank might have been expected to inspire
him with many sympathies, took a decided part on the opposite course; and
soon rose, by the force of talent and character, assisted, but in no great degree, by his rank, to the situation of a leader in the more zealous party, over
whom he ultimately acquired a control, not more useful to their interests than,
as the result of a tacit acknowledgment of his deserts, it was honourable to
himself. In 1780, he was proposed as moderator of the General Assembly, in
opposition to Dr Speng, of Wemyss; the competition was keen, Dr Spens being
elected by a majority of only six votes: but in 1785, Sir Henry, being again a member of the General Assembly, was unanimously chosen moderator. Dr Andrew Thomson, to whom in latter life he yielded much of his influence in the church, lias thus spoken, in his funeral sermon, of the public character of Sir Henry:—
"It was in early life that lie began to take an active part in the government of our national church. The principles of ecclesiastical polity, which he adopted as soon as he entered on his public career, he adopted from full and firii: conviction; and he maintained, and cherished, and avowed them to the very last. They were the very same principles for which our forefathers had contended so nobly, which they at length succeeded in establishing, and which they bequeathed as a sacred and blood-bought legacy to their descendants. But though that circumstance gave a deep and solemn interest to them in his regard, he was attached to them on more rational and enlightened grounds. He viewed them as founded on the word of God, as essential to the rights and liberties of the Christian people, as identified with the prosperity of genuine religion, and with the real welfare and efficiency of the establishment. And, therefore, he embraced every opportunity of inculcating and upholding them; resisted all the attempts that were made to discredit them in theory, or to violate them in practice; rejoiced when they obtained even a partial triumph over the opposition they had to encounter; and clung to them, and struggled for them, long after they were borne down by a system of force and oppression ; and when, instead of the numerous and determined host that fought by his side in happier times, few and feeble, comparatively, were those who seconded his manly efforts, and held fast their own confidence: but he lived to see a better spirit returning. This revival cheered and consoled him. Fervently did he long and pray for its continuance and its spread. Nor did he neglect to employ his influence, in order to introduce pastors who would give themselves conscientiously to their Master's work, preaching to their flocks the truth as it is in Jesus, watching for souls, as those that must give an account; and faithfully and fearlessly performing all the duties incumbent on them, both as ministers, and as rulers in the church."
Sir Henry made a more successful opposition, especially towards the end of his lite, to the dominant faction in the church, than had been made for upwards of half a century before; and, in more instances than one, he let't their leader, principal Hill, in a minority: but it was, in the latter respect, adverted to by Dr A. Thomson, that his efforts were most eminently useful, and were followed with the most beneficial effect. To his efforts, indeed, are to be ascribed, in a great measure, the introduction of evangelical doctrines into parts of the country from which they had for mnny years been excluded, the preponderance of evangelical ministers and elders in the church courts, and the consequent ascendency of the popular party. Young men of piety and promise were always sure of his assistance and encouragement, In this respect many had reason to bless him; while the church at
