'He shall build an house for My name.'- -2 SAM. vii. 13.

W

HILE resident in London, Mr. Nisbet was not indifferent to the wellbeing of his native town; and, entering heartily into

the Church Extension Scheme, which was

so vigorously prosecuted by the late Dr. Chalmers, he resolved, in dependence on the blessing of God, to put forth every effort in his power for the erec

tion of a new and additional church.

In entering on a project of this kind, he was aided, after much consultation and prayer, by the Rev. James M'Culloch, minister of the parish, and by Messrs. Alexander Leadbetter, John Henderson, and Robert Williamson, members of the kirk-session. Though they had many difficulties to meet, and no small degree of opposition to encounter, they gave themselves right earnestly to the prosecution of the work, and

having purchased a suitable site at an expense of about £500, the foundation stone was laid, in presence of the presbytery, the kirk-session, the trustees, and other friends, on the 3d May 1836. In due time the building was completed, and, in auspicious circumstances, it was opened for public worship on the 26th November 1837, the Rev. Dr. Muir of St. Stephens, Edinburgh, officiating in the forenoon, and the Rev. J. A. Wallace, of Hawick, in the afternoon.

And not

The expense of the building, when completed, amounted to £3000, and by far the greater part was either given or collected by Mr. Nisbet. only so, but long after Dr. Horatius Bonar was appointed to the charge, and after the infant and juvenile schools were brought into a state of active and efficient operation, he continued to take the liveliest interest in everything connected with the prosperity of the church; and from time to time he subscribed largely, for the upholding of divine ordinances, and for the effecting of all necessary repairs on the buildings. From a little work entitled 'Kelso,' edited by Dr. M'Culloch, and containing the sermons and services, both at the opening of the church, and at the ordination and introduction of the first minister, I extract, from the introductory notice, the following passage, because of the graceful tribute therein paid to the character and services of Mr. Nisbet :

:

'Kelso can now point with gratitude and pride to

her two parish churches, and to an important accession to her means of juvenile education. And the ground for satisfaction is the greater, that the new edifice,-which comprises both church and schools, -forms a splendid addition, as well to the public ornaments, as to the ecclesiastical resources, of the town; being admirable alike for the beauty of its situation, the chasteness of its external architecture, and the simple elegance of its interior arrangements. For a boon so much exceeding what many more destitute localities have obtained, the parish is mainly indebted to the suggestion, exertions, and sacrifices of a single individual, a native, though not a resident, whose munificence to his birthplace might claim an ampler eulogy, did not the circumstances under which the present publication appears, as well as the maxim not to sacrifice to public benefactors till after sunset,"-forbid it.'

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At the time of the Disruption, Dr. Bonar, his office-bearers, and the congregation generally, gave in their adherence to the principles of the Free Church, but they still continued to worship in the same sanctuary as before; and had Dr. M'Culloch, a very amiable and highly accomplished man, retained his former position, as minister of the parish, it is more than probable that no attempt had been made to eject them from the church and schools, which had been erected almost exclusively by means either

contributed by themselves, or by others now belonging to the Free Church. It appears, however, that there were parties connected with the Church of Scotland, who were unwilling that such a state of matters should be permitted to continue, and after the congregation had retained possession of the building for a period of more than twenty years after the Disruption had taken place, it was not without a feeling of astonishment and regret, that the Establishment, acting according to the formalities of law, but ignoring the principles of justice and of equity, were advised to adopt such measures as have enabled them to take the entire property into their own possession, while the ejected congregation have been subjected to the annoyance and expense of providing another place of worship for themselves.

Whatever may be the future history of the church which James Nisbet originated, there can be no doubt with regard to this point; that, in the days. gone by, it has been the centre of the most blessed influences to Kelso, and to all the surrounding district, while there are movements and memories in regard to the triumphs of evangelical religion which will live in the records of eternity for ever. This is well and strikingly brought out in the address which was delivered at the closing services by the Rev. John Fordyce, minister of the Free Church at Dunse. He says

'From the first day until now a clear gospel has been shining within these walls. The grand truths of God's word have been faithfully unfolded. Two classes have been dealt with, and only two-the saved and the unsaved. A full Christ and a free salvation have been the great themes. The sinner has been called to an immediate acceptance by a simple faith, and the immediate surrender of a will turning to God. The trumpet from this watch-tower has given a certain sound on the great verities of ruin by sin, redemption by Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Ghost. The way of peace with God has been made plain. Men have not been hushed into deeper slumber by vague hopes and a dim religious light; but roused to alarm by real danger, or led to solid peace in a sure and present salvation.

'And the Lord owned these truths in the conversion of souls. More than twenty years ago, when the Spirit was poured out at Kilsyth, Dundee, and in many parts of Scotland, He visited these borders also; and of this house it could be said, of this man and that man, yea of many, that they were born here. The instruments were various; but most of all the Lord honoured your beloved pastor, when his messages of truth and love came in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

'Recollections multiply of men of God who have testified for Christ within these walls. A cloud of

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