pious, learned and judicious Mr. James Durham,
whose labours did always aim at the advancement of practical religion,
and whose praise in the gospel is throughout all the churches both at
home and abroad. He was a burning and a shining light, a star of the
first magnitude, and of whom it may be said (without derogating from the
merit of any), that he attained unto the first three and had a name
among the mighty. He was also one of great integrity and authority in
the country where he lived, insomuch, that when any difference fell out,
he was always chosen by both parties as their great referee or judge,
unto whose sentence all parties submitted. Such was the quality of his
calm and healing spirit.

His colleague Mr. John Carstairs, in his funeral sermon from Isa. lvii.
1, 2. _The righteous man perisheth, and no one layeth it to heart,_ &c.
gives him this character,--"Know ye not that there is a prince among
pastors fallen to-day! a faithful and wise steward, that knew well how
to give God's children their food in due season, a gentle and kind
nurse, a faithful admonisher, reprover, &c. a skilful counsellor in
all straits and difficulties; in dark matters he was eyes to the blind,
feet to the lame, a burning and shining light in the dark world, an
interpreter of the word among a thousand, to him men gave ear, and after
his words no man spake again."

His learned and pious works, (wherein all the excellencies of the
primitive and ancient fathers seem to concenter) are a commentary on the
Revelation; seventy-two sermons on the fifty-third chapter of the
prophecy of the prophet Isaiah; an exposition of the ten commandments;
an exposition of the Song of Solomon; his sermons on death; on the
unsearchable riches of Christ; his communion sermons, sermons on
godliness and self-denial; a sermon on a good conscience. There are also
a great many of his sermons in manuscript (never yet published), _viz._
three sermons upon resisting the Holy Ghost from Acts vii 51.; eight on
quenching the Spirit; five upon giving the Spirit; thirteen upon
trusting and delighting in God; two against immoderate anxiety; eight
upon the one thing needful; with a discourse upon prayer, and several
other sermons and discourses from Eph. v. 15. 1 Cor. xi. 24. Luke i. 6.
Gal. v. 16, Psal. cxix. 67. 1 Thess. v. 19. 1 Pet. iii. 14. Matth. viii.
7. There is also a treatise on scandal, and an exposition by way of
lecture upon Job said to be his, but whether t