Mr Black's first settlement was at St Madoes, a small country parish, about six miles from Perth. His immediate predecessor in this charge was the Rev. Archibald Stevenson, one of the ablest and most respectable ministers of his time; whose talents and worth would have qualified him to fill with honour to himself, and with advantage to the public, any situation in the church. Mr Stevenson having died in December 1784, Mr Richardson of Pitfour, the Patron, presented Mr Black to this parish; and he was accordingly ordained, with the cordial approbation of the people, September 15, 1785. Mr Black enjoyed much personal comfort in St Madoes, and continued, for the space of nine years, to discharge the duties of his office with approved fidelity; possessing the full confidence and affection of his own people, and the unqualified estima tion of all who knew him.

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When the church of Lady Yester's, in the city of Edinburgh, became vacant in 1794, many respectable members of that congregation, as well as Mr Black's numerous friends in the city, were desirous that a minister of his character and talents should be invited to fill that important charge. The Magistrates and Town Council, concurring in the general sentiment, were pleased to grant a presentation in his favour. He was accordingly admitted to be minister of Lady Yester's, November 20, 1794.—The solemn services of the day were conducted by the late Dr Erskine,a name extensively known, and justly dear both to the learned, and the christian world. On this occasion he preached that excellent sermon, entitled, "The Blessing of Christian Teach- ́ ers," which is the third in the volume published in his life time. When that venerable man proceeded-like Paul the aged addressing Timothy his son-to deliver to his young friend the impressive charge subjoin

ed to the sermon, sentiments of veneration for the speaker, and of kind affection for the young minister, pervaded every heart. "You have begun well," said Dr Erskine, “hold on to the end with persevering and increasing diligence, and be not discouraged

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by the difficulties of your work. Take heed " unto thyself, and unto thy doctrine ; çon"tinue in them; for in doing this, thou "shalt both save thyself and them that hear "thee. You have had the honour to de"scend from two ministers of Perth, and of St Cuthbert's. May you be justly "loved and esteemed as they were, for the "amiableness of your temper, the exemplariness of your life, and your diligence "in the pastoral office. May the Lord be "with you, as he was with your fathers; " and may you have many for your crown "of rejoicing in the day of the Lord!”

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In March, 1795, Mr Black married Agnes Wood, daughter of George Wood

of Warriston, Esq. in the parish of Currie. This event he considered as one of of the happiest in his lot. Her amiable dispositions were congenial to his own; and in her piety, prudence, and tender affection, he enjoyed the greatest domestic comfort.

Mr Black continued to be minister of Lady Yester's till his death; and his services in this station were highly acceptable and useful to his people. He laboured with diligence in his preparations for the pulpit, and it will appear, from the specimen now given to the public, how much his discourses were adapted to general edification. His sermons, it must be remarked, derived peculiar advantage from his elocution and delivery. His manner was solemn and affectionate, earnest and persuasive. When expostulating with sinners, or unfolding to Christians the consolations of the gospel, there was often an animation in his address-a sacred fervour a divine

unction, which powerfully impressed the auditory. He evidently felt the truths he was delivering, and spake as one standing in the presence of God, animated with a pure zeal for the glory of the Redeemer, and the salvation of immortal souls,

Nor did he confine his labours to the pulpit. He visited his parishioners in their own houses; and regularly every summer, except while the church was rebuilding, held meetings for catechetical exercises, which were uncommonly well attended. He possessed a singular felicity in engaging the attention of the young, and was successful, in many instances, in fixing on their minds lasting impressions of the truths of religion. To the sick members of his congregation, and to others who desired his visits, he regularly devoted a portion of his time.-To the necessities of such as were indigent, he ministered with a liberality, greater, perhaps, than a rigid prudence would have dictated.