t have had. We all know his saintly character, his devotion to
learning, and to the work of preaching and teaching; but he seems to
have been, like most complete men, full of humor and keen wit. Some of
his _snell_ sayings are still remembered. A lad of an excitable
temperament waited on him, and informed him he wished to be a preacher
of the gospel. My great-grandfather, finding him as weak in intellect as
he was strong in conceit, advised him to continue in his present
vocation. The young man said, "But I wish to preach and glorify God."
"My young friend, a man may glorify God making broom besoms; stick to
your trade, and glorify God by your walk and conversation."

The late Dr. Husband of Dunfermline called on him when he was preparing
to set out for Gifford, and was beginning to ask him some questions as
to the place grace held in the Divine economy. "Come away wi' me, and
I'll expound that; but when I'm speaking, look you after my feet." They
got upon a rough bit of common, and the eager and full-minded old man
was in the midst of his unfolding the Divine scheme, and his student was
drinking in his words, and forgetting _his_ part of the bargain. His
master stumbled and fell, and getting up, somewhat sharply said, "James,
the grace o' God can do much, but it canna gi'e a man common sense;"
which is as good theology as sense.

A scoffing blacksmith seeing him jogging up to a house near the smithy
on his pony, which was halting, said to him, "Mr. Brown, ye're in the
Scripture line the day--'the legs o' the lame are not equal.'" "So is a
parable in the mouth of a fool."

On his coming to Haddington, there was one man who held out against his
"call." Mr. Brown meeting him when they could not avoid each other, the
non-content said, "Ye see, sir, I canna say what I dinna think, and I
think ye're ower young and inexperienced for this charge." "So I think
too, David, _but it would never do for you and me to gang in the face o'
the hale congregation!_"

The following is a singular illustration of the prevailing dark and
severe tone of the religious teaching of that time, and also of its
strength:--A poor old woman, of great worth and excellent understanding,
in whose conversation Mr. Brown took much pleasure, was on her
death-bed. Wishing to try her faith, he said to her, "Janet, what would
you say if, after all He has done for you, God should let you drop into
hell?" "E'en's (even as) he likes; if he does, _He'll lose m