The PREFACE. lxiii Mx. ABERNETHY had the greateft fhare, both in concluding the counfels of the Nonfuhfcribers, and managing their pub- lic debates ; and he, with fome others of that fociety, acquired extraordinary reputa- tion for found judgment and eloquence. He was particularly diflinguifhed by an even - nefs and conflancy of temper, which no- thing could ruffle or difcompofe : He was always himfelf, and free from thofe tumults and agitations of, fpirit, which are often feen to deprive men of the ufe of very emi- nent abilities; let the fpirit of ílrife and contention rage ever fo much in the fynod, he feemed to catch nothing of the infec- tion : His mind always ready and clear in judging, and his utterance eafy and free : He has often fpoken extempore for a long time together, in the greateft warmth of debate, with fuch pertinency, temper and fluency of expreffion, as, while it fiirprized the hearers, commanded their refped and attention. A great vivacity and quicknefs of apprehenfion, a perfect prefence of mind, with a penetrating judgment, happily qua- lified him for the part he had to aft in thefe affemblies, which was fo much the eafier
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