publication, may exhibit somewhat of his holy skill in dropping a word for his Master on all occasions.  But what impressed many yet more, was his manner of introducing the truth, most naturally and strikingly, even in the shortest note he penned; and there was something so elegant, as well as solemn, in his few words at the close of some of his letters, that these remained deep in the receiver’s heart.  Writing to Mr. G.S., on July 28, 1841, he thus draws to a close:  “Remember me to H.T.  I pray he may be kept abiding in Christ.  Kindest regards to his mother.  Say to her from me, ’Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear, forasmuch as ye know ye were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold’ (I Peter 1:17, 18).  Keep your own heart, dear brother, ‘in the love of God’ (Jude 21)—­in his love to you, and that will draw your love to Him.  Kindest remembrances to your brother.  Say to him, ‘Be sober and hope to the end’ (I Peter 1:13).  To your own dear mother say, ‘He doth not afflict willingly.’  Write me soon.—­Ever yours, till time shall be no more.”  In a note to the members of his own family:  “The Tay is before me now like a resplendent mirror, glistening in the morning sun.  May the same sun shine sweetly on you, and may He that makes it shine, shine into your hearts to give you the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.—­In haste, your affectionate son and brother.”  There were often such last words as the following:  “Oh for drops in the pastures of the wilderness!  The smiles of Jesus be with you, and the breathings of the Holy Ghost.  Ever yours.” (To Rev. J. Milne.) “May we have gales passing from Perth to this, and from here to you, and from heaven to both.  Ever yours.” (To the same.) “The time is short; eternity is near; yea, the coming of Christ the second time is at hand.  Make sure of being one with the Lord Jesus, that you may be glad when you see Him.  Commending you all to our Father in heaven,” etc.  (To his own brother.) “I have a host of letters before me, and therefore can add no more.  I give you a parting text, ’Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.’” Another:  “Farewell! yours till the day dawn.”  To the Rev. Hor.  Bonar he says, at the close of a letter about some ministerial arrangements:  “I am humbled and cheered by what you say of good done in Kelso.  Roll on, roll on, river of God, that art full of water!  A woman came to me, awakened under your sermon to the children in the Cross Church, very bitterly convinced of sin.  Glory to the Divine Archer, who bringeth down the people!” He closes a letter to a student thus:  “Grace be with you, and much of the knowledge of Jesus—­much of his likeness.  I thirst for the knowledge of the word but most of all of Jesus himself, the true Word.  May He abide in you, and you in Him!  The Fear of Isaac watch over you.”  In concluding a letter to Mr. Bonar of Larbert, in February 1843, some weeks before his last illness, he writes:  “My soul often goes out at the throne of grace in behalf of Larbert and Dunipace.  May the disruption be more blessed to them than days of peace!  How sweet to be in the ark when the deluge comes down!  Ever yours in gospel bonds.”