e reduced to what they style
themselves in the "Informatory Vindication," a "wasted, suffering,
anti-popish, anti-prelatic, anti-erastian, anti-sectarian remnant." By
the death of Cargill and Cameron, they were left as "sheep without a
shepherd,"--broken and scattered. Through the fierceness of persecution,
and the machinations of enemies, they were in danger of falling into
confusion, and of being entirely wasted and destroyed. We admire the
gracious providence of God in preparing, at this particular crisis, an
instrument of such rare and suitable endowments for feeding "the flock
in the wilderness," and for unfurling and upholding so nobly the "Banner
of truth" amidst hosts of infuriated enemies.

James Renwick, though a very youth when he entered on his arduous work,
and trained under great outward disadvantages, had a powerful and
well-cultivated mind. He was endowed with singular administrative
talent, and had great tact and skill in managing men. He was an acute
and logical thinker, an eloquent and attractive public speaker, and was
distinguished by fertility and force as a writer. The "Informatory
Vindication"--his testimony against king James's toleration, with his
"Letters," and "Sermons and Lectures," bear ample evidence of his sound
judgment, comprehensive mind, and ability as an author. His prudence,
meekness and loving disposition, combined with his sanctified zeal, and
heroic courage, deservedly gave him great influence among those to whom
he ministered. He was eminently fitted to be "a first man among men."
The Lord held him in the hollow of his hand, and made him a "polished
shaft in his quiver."

The services which Renwick rendered to the Protestant cause were
invaluable. He organized the scattered remnant, and imparted new life
and ardour to their proceedings. He set forth clearly the principles of
the "Society people;" and in a number of able and logical papers,
clearly defined their plans of action. He rendered it, in a great
measure, impossible for enemies to misrepresent and accuse them falsely
to the Government. He was their Secretary in their correspondence with
foreign churches; and he did much to evoke the prayerful sympathy of
Protestants in other lands in behalf of the victims of persecution in
Scotland. The presence and influence of Renwick among the suffering
Presbyterians were of the highest importance in his own day; and not to
them alone, but also to the whole church of Christ in these