of the College, and on the 23rd a letter intimating this intention was drafted and despatched.  The committee to which it was sent received it with great regret, and a unanimous feeling found expression that, at anyrate, he should retain the office of Principal.  This was echoed from every part of the United Presbyterian Church as soon as the news of his contemplated resignation became known; and in a wider circle adequate utterance was given to the public sympathy and regard.

On the 3rd of March he was able to preside at the annual conversazione of his students, when he was in such genial spirits, and seemed to be so well, that humorous references were made by more than one speaker to his approaching resignation as clearly unnecessary, and indeed preposterous.  On the following Saturday he travelled to Galashiels to attend the funeral of his cousin John Murray, whose room he had shared during his first session at the University, and in his prayer at the funeral service he referred in touching terms to the close of their life-long friendship.  Returning to Edinburgh, he went to stay till Monday with an old friend, whose house afforded him facilities for attending the communion service at Broughton Place Church next day.  For although this church, which he had attended as a student, and of which he had been a member since he came to live in Edinburgh, was more than two miles distant from Spence Street, his Puritan training and convictions with regard to the Sabbath would never allow him to go to it in a cab.

On reaching home next week he resumed his work of transcription, and went on with it till Thursday, when, after taking a short walk, he became somewhat unwell.  Next day he felt better, and did some writing in the forenoon; but in the afternoon the illness returned, and he went to bed.  In the early hours of next morning, Saturday 12th March, his sister, who was watching beside him, saw that a change was coming, and summoned Mr. and Mrs. David Cairns, who had fortunately arrived the evening before.  His brother William, on account of his bodily infirmity, remained below.  The end was evidently near, but he was conscious at intervals, and his voice when he spoke was clear and firm.  “You are very ill, John,” said his brother.  “Oh no,” he replied, “I feel much better.”  “But you are in good hands?” “Yes, in the best of hands.”  Then his mind began to wander, and he spoke more brokenly:  “There is a great battle to fight, but the victory is sure ...  God in Christ ...  Good men must unite and identify themselves with the cause.”  “What cause?” asked his brother.  “The cause of God,” he replied.  “If they do so, the victory is sure; otherwise, all is confusion ...  I have stated the matter; I leave it with you.”  Then, after a short pause, he suddenly said, “You go first, I follow.”  These eminently characteristic words were the last he spoke, and as David knelt and prayed at his bedside death came.