PREFACE. I HAD scarcely received the intimation, alike unexpected and distressing, of the death of my beloved young friend, when I was importunately solicited to give some account of him to the world. The reasons for making this application to me, will be sufficiently apparent to the reader of the volumes, so that no explanation on that point is required in this place. Prompted at once by my love for the individual, and by a sense of duty to God, whose grace and goodness were eminently illustrated, I assented to the request, before I knew what it would involve. I had then no correct idea of the nature of the materials which existed, and supposed that a very small number of pages might include all that I could furnish of sufficient interest. No sooner, however, was my purpose made known, than, besides the papers left by himself, which were more numerous and valuable than I had supposed, his friends, and fellow-students, poured in upon me such a number of letters and communications, that I have found great difficulty in keeping my selection even within the bounds to which the work has finally extended. The individuals who have thus supplied some of the most valuable parts of the volumes, and have contented who should bear the most decided testimony to the character and talents of him whom "they admired when living, and adored when lost;" though occasionally mentioned, in connexion with the correspondence, will, I am sure, experience some gratification, in having their names more distinctly connected with this memorial of their departed friend. It is due from me to say, that without their aid, I must have failed in doing justice to his character and history. It is due from the readers of volumes, if they shall experience any gratification from those letters, which, I consider, to be no less beautiful as compositions, than they are admirable in sentiment. And it is especially due to that sacred and christian friendship, which subsisted between them and him who has gone to receive an early, but a full reward. I earnestly pray, that the band of youthful spirits, united at St. Andrew's, may, "when the dispersed of Israel are gathered into one," be again united, to rejoice together in the fruits of their sacred association. The following are entitled to an honorable place in this statement:-Mr. John Adam of Homerton, between whom and the deceased, there was a solemn agreement to labor together among the heathen, should Providence permit. Mr. Alexander Duff, still, I believe, a student, the earliest friend of John, at the University. Mr. William Alexander, his latest companion while there, and who is still prosecuting his studies with a view to the Christian ministry. Mr. Henry Craik, now at Exeter, between whom and John, a most powerful attachment appears to have subsisted, which rendered his death almost overwhelming. Mr. William Tait, son of the Rev. William Tait, of the College Church, Edinburgh. Mr. William Scott Moncreiff, of Edinburgh; Mr. Herbert Smith, of Egham, Surrey; Mr. James Lewis, Mr. Alexander Reid, and Mr. Robert Trail. To other individuals, besides these, I have also been indebted for some valuable contributions; but whose names, I could not, with propriety, mention. They will accept of my affectionate ac |