his flock occupied any considerable share in his thoughts, I fear it must be confessed that the hope of advancing these interests rested chiefly on the influence he might possess in cultivating their kind and benevolent affections, in promoting a social and friendly spirit among their families, harmonizing their differences, rousing their patriotism, and becoming their example in all that is amiable, worthy, and honourable. Such seems to have been his beau-ideal of a country minister's life; and if he could live to promote these purposes, he does not seem to have questioned that he should amply fulfil all the purposes of a Christian ministry."
The first act of Mr. Duncan after receiving the presentation was well fitted to endear him to the affections of his future parishioners. By law he was entitled to the crop upon the glebe, should his settlement take place before its removal, by merely paying the expenses for seed and labour. This right, however, he waived in favour of the widow and daughter of the late incumbent, allowing her in the meantime to put into the ground what crop she pleased; and, in order that she might reap it undisturbed by legal technicalities, he delayed his settlement till the 19th of September, when he was solemnly inducted into his parish at the age of twenty-five, with a pastoral charge delivered to him by the aged minister who presided, from the text, "Let no man despise thy youth." On being settled, he entered into his clerical duties, so far as he understood them, with all the warmth of his affectionate heart, and all the energy of his active spirit, visiting and catechising from house to house, in addition to his public labours on the Sabbath. But the deep ignorance, and somewhat lawless border character of his flock—for the parish lies on the shores of the Solway, and within the border district—were not the only difficulties with which he had to contend; for to these impediments were added the extreme poverty of the people, occasioned by a course of scanty harvests, while the landlords were at their wits' end, and knew not what remedy to devise. Finding that something must be done, and that speedily, Mr. Duncan, at his own risk, and through his two brothers settled in Liverpool, procured a cargo of Indian corn, which was retailed by his orders at prime cost, and in several cases, where no money could be forthcoming, upon credit. But while comfort was thus introduced into the cottages of Ruthwell, and himself the only loser, and that, also, to a considerable amount, he rejoiced in the expense and trouble he had undergone, as his plan was adopted by many, not only on that but subsequent occasions, in several famine-visited districts over the extent of Scotland. Another public case equally urgent, although of a less clerical character, in which Mr. Duncan at this time was involved, arose from the threats of an invasion of Britain, which the French government still continued to hold out. Justly conceiving it to be his duty to set an example of Christian patriotism on this occasion, and still animated with youthful ardour, he roused his parishioners to resistance, and in consequence of this, a corps called the Ruthwell Volunteers, was soon embodied, with the minister for their captain. This office, indeed, whether willing or not, it was necessary that he should accept, otherwise his parishioners would scarcely have cared to come forward. Mr. Duncan, although perhaps the first clerical captain of this period, did not long stand alone, as many of the other parishes of Scotland followed the instance of Ruthwell, so that the same voice which uttered the military commands of to-day, was often employed in the public religious ministrations of to-morrow. It was the old spirit of Drumclog and
