larged and generous spirit of benevolence, w^hich had asso-
ciated, in almost every mind, the name of Thornton^, with
that of philanthropy and Christian charity.
The liberal education which Mr. Buchanan had already
received, and his advanced age as a student, naturally led
his friends to wish that it might be practicable to obtain or-
dination for him without so long a preparation as a residence
at an English University for a degree would require. The
Bishop, however, to whom an application was made for this
purpose, discouraged any such plan, and it was according-
ly abandoned. It was afterwards thought, tliat holy orders
might be procured for Mr. Buchanan at an early period, on
the condition of his going abroad ; and Mr. Thornton desir-
ed him to consider, whether his liealth would allow him to
accept the chaplaincy of the colony of Sierra Leone. To,
this proposal Mr. Buchanan, after requesting Mr. Newton's
advice, signified his cordial assent ; but, for reasons wliich
do not appear, this design was also relinquished. For a
short time, the mind of Mr. Buchanan seems to have been
somewhat depressed by the failure of these attempts.
,=* See Cowper's "Charity."
44 MEMOIRS OF
<^ Notwithstanding," he says, at the close of the last quo-
ted, « your endeavours in my behalf, I have little expecta-
*< tion that you will succeed. Providence, I think, has a
^« few more trials and difficulties for me to encounter, before
" I am led into so pleasant a path ; and I know that they
" are needful to make me more humble."
He felt, too, the absence of his paternal friend and guide,
and looked around among his acquaintance for a companion,
in vain. ^< I have but one serious friend," he observes,
<< and him I only see once in a week or fortnight. Next to
" the blessing of communion with God on earth, must surely
<' be the society of his children. Yet I shall not complain,
«< if I can enjoy the former privilege ; for then, Ille solus
" turba eriV^
Amidst these discouraging circumstances, however, Mr.
Buchanan assures his venerable correspondent, that he was
never so truly happy in his life, having been guided into
^•' the way of peace," relying on the direction of divine
Providence, and being animated ^« by ^ the hope set before
« him.' "
But it was not long before the kindness of the generous
patron to whom he had been introduced, opened to him a
prospect which his most sanguine expectations had never
ventured to anticipate : instead of any further attempt to
obtain ordination for him under his present circumstances,
Mr. Thornton determined to send him to the University of
Cambridge at his own expense ; that he might thus enter
the church with every possible advantage, and be prepared
for a higher and more extensive sphere of usefulness than
any for which he could otherwise be qualified. This resolu-
tion was scarcely less honourable to the character of Mr.
Buchanan than to the liberality of his patron ; wliose dis-
criminating judgment afforded no slight presumption in fa-
vour of any one to whom his protection was extended, and
whose penetration was in the present instance amply justi-
fied by the event.
Early in the month of September, Mr. Buchanan commu-
nicated to his mother, and his friend Mr. Newton, who was
DR. BUCHANAN. 4,5
still in the country, the joyful news of Mr. Thornton's mu-
nificent intention. He had been so much depressed by the
failure of former plans, and the present offer so far exceed-
ed any hopes which he had indulged, that he was at first
almost tempted to think it a delusion ; but on Mr. Thorn-
ton's assuring him personally of the reality of the proposal,
which he appears to have originally made to him by letter,
he received it with those mingled feelings of gratitude and
humility, which were the surest pledges that the benevolent
exertions of his patron would not be made in vain.
'( I was emancipated," he writes to Mr. Newton, " from
"the law a few days ago, and am now willing to enter
« into the eternal bonds of the Gospel. I have been endea-
«^ vouring to arrange my studies in some measure prepara-
« tory to my going to Cambridge ; but I find so much to do,
<« that I know not where to begin. I wish to devote my
<« greatest attention to the Bible, and am desirous of adopt-
<^ ing some regular plan in studying it ; but I cannot
« please myself, and I am a perfect stranger to the system
« which is usually followed. The Bible appears to me like
« a confused heap of polished stones prepared for a build-
<< ing, which must be brought together, and each of them fit-
« ted to its place, before the proportion and symmetry of
« the temple appear. I would fain hope that the foundation-
" stone is laid with me; but the raising of the superstructure
*( appears an arduous undertaking, and the pinnacle of the
« temple is quite out of sight, even in idea. I conjectured
"that probably the Articles and Creeds of the Church
" contain the first principles of the oracles of God ; and
" on this presumption I have begun to prove all the ar-
" tides of my faith by Scripture. Whether I am right in
" this mode of study I know not.
" I never felt myself in more need of divine direction than
•« now. When I consider myself so evidently called forth
•« on the Lord's side, my heart is faint ; and I am apt to say,
i( « Who is sufficient for these things ?' I find I am unable to
" go through the important studies before me, unless I am
" led every step. At present it appears to me, that my sole
46 MEMOIRS OF
*^ business at the University is contained in one line of St.
*« Paul, < to be enriched with all utterance, and all know-
<^ ledge ;' or in other words, ^ to be eloquent, and mighty in
<< the Scriptures ;' which are said to have been the accom-
*^ plishments of the preacher Apollos. But I find that I
« must attend to various branches of human learning, for
<« whicli at present I have no relish. Alas ! Sir, if St. Paul
<« had sent Timothy and Titus to such a college as this, they
*< would have complained to him of such a plan. But he
" would perhaps have answered, as he does somewhere ;
" ' Till I come, give attendance to reading' — < that ye may
" know how ye ought to answer every man.' ''
The sentiment expressed in the latter part of the prece-
ding extract will not appear extraordinary to those who con-
sider the state of Mr. Buchanan's mind at tliis period, and
the one great object which he had in view in accepting Mr.
Thornton's offer of an University education. The same
train of thought occurs in his next letter to Mr. Newton ;
and although he afterwards acquiesced upon principle in the
usual course of University studies, it may not be without
its use to develop somewhat more fully his present disposi-
tions and feelings.
<< Permit me," he observes to his first excellent friend,
<* to thank you foy your letter. It is a mark of your regard,
« of which 1 am unworthy, and has affixed a seal to the
" truth of your interest in my welfare, which I hope will
" never be broken. Like Hezekiah, I spread it before the
" Lord, but with a different purpose ; not to avert a curse,
" but to improve a blessing. The words in Hezekiah's let-
'< ter were « to reproach the living God ;' but the words in
'' my letter were to assure me that his name is love, that he
^< is very gracious, and that I should serve him with a
<« cheerful heart. I have prayed that I may be enabled to
*« do so. Your letter is a silent monitor, whicli I hope at the
" University often to consult. It will, I trust, serve as a
<« counterpoise to the parade of worldly wisdom, and teach
^« me to reverse the motto of the schools, Ubi philosophiis
« ctssaty iliie incipit tfieologus, Chrysostom was of your opi-
DR. BUCHANAN. 47
^^ nioii ; he says, "Ottov cro<piu. &eoZ, ouKhi x^^^'* kv^^wtfiw.^. I think
*« so too ; but I also think, that the fault is not in the studies,
<« but in the manner of pursuing them. If a student could
" wed himself to the Bible, and court the sciences merely as
" handmaids to her, 1 tliink this would do very well ; but
*< when we are seized by the cacoethes philosophandi, and
<* devote ourselves to what Luther calls the idola carnalium
^< studionim, our taste becomes vitiated. Since I received
<« your letter, I have seen something of this. I was introdu-
« ced yesterday to the acquaintance of a clergyman's son,
*< who has been two years at — college, Cambridge.
^« His father, I understand, sent him to that college, that he
•'« might be under the care of religious tutors. From this ac-
" count I hoped to find him a suitable companion ; but I
«• soon discovered that he had no inclination to talk of divin-
•^ ity, or of any thing that bore relation to it. His whole
^< conversation turned on experimental philosophy and ma-
^« thematics. I have not seen a young man so mathematic-
^« mad in my life. During the whole evening I spent with
(' him, his head was (as Omicron expresses it) continually
" wool-gathering after rhomboids and parallelograms. He
" assures me, that if I do not study mathematics very dili-
*^ gently, I shall have no chance at the end of my course of
<« obtaining ^ the honours.' I told him, that I had heard
" college fame was very intoxicating ; that perhaps it might
« be prudent to sip gently of it ; and that as for myself, if I
" could pass my examination with a mediocrity of applause,
«< I should be content. He observed, that seven hours a day
" studying mathematics would be sufficient for that,
<^ How much reason is there for that * double guard of
^^ prayer and close walking with God' which you mention,
<^ in order that I may be enabled to pass through this fire
<< unhurt ! It is happy for me that I am not under my own
<f guidance. It seems it is necessary for me to be some-
"what « learned in the wisdom of the Egyptians;' but I
" trust it is, that I may be able to see and set forth ' the
« wisdom that is from above' in a more transcendent
<* light.
48 MEMOIRS OF
^^ The method you propose for my studying the Bible ap-
<^ proves itself much to my judgment, and I desire to follow
<* it. I have begun it this day in a solemn manner. O that
« my ardour for contemplating the truths of Scripture may
*^ never abate !
" What you say of a daily retrospect of my past life is an
« instructive lesson. Is it possible that for forty years it
*' should have been so with you ? I fear I shall come far short
^^ of this ; and yet how much reason have I to sing of the
^* mercies of the Lord all the day long ? Is there any one
« of his children who is more indebted to him as the God of
^« providence and of grace than I am ? Who can < sing of
'< mercy and of judgment' as I can, when I remember him
« from the land of my nativity, all the way by which I have
*^ been led ? How few are there who would believe that a
" man could be found capable of displaying so extraordinary
^•' an act of munificence as that with which Mr. Thornton is
<* now honouring me ? Were I possessed of both the Indies^
<« I could scarcely do more for myself than he is now doing.
<* And how unworthy I am of all this! When I think of these
*' things, it is the grief of my heart that I cannot more ad-
<^ mire and love that gracious Saviour, who has so highly
<< favoured me. As yet, I have a very imperfect view of
« what I have passed through : but I trust these things will
<^ be shewn me, as I shall be able to bear them.
" Mr. Thornton intends that I shall go to Queen's college ;
" chiefly, I believe, because he is acquainted witn the Pre-
«f sident,* and thinks that circumstance may be advanta-
<^ geous to me. I am happy to hear so favourable an account
« of Cambridge. It will be an encouragement for me to
<« maintain my ground, when I see some around me who
« dare to be singular. It shall be my endeavour to attend
« to your advice with respect to my conduct to my superiors.
" I shall often pray to be endued with a meek and quiet
" spirit ; and endeavour implicitly to comply with every
« rule and every injunction in the University, for the Lord's
<« sake."
a The very reverend and learned Dr. Milner, Dean of Carlisle.
DR. BUCHANAN. 4,9
CHAPTER III.
SUCH were the views with which> in Michaelmas term
1791, Mr. Buchanan was admitted a member of Queen's
college, Cambridge. " The day of my leaving London,"
he observes in a letter to his brother, " was very solemn. It
<« was on Monday the 24th of October, exactly four years
" and two months since my entering that city. But with
*^ what a different spirit did I leave it, compared with that
<« with which I had entered it ! Had I seen at that time, in
*« the book of Providence, all that I was about to do and to
<^ suffer in that city, I suppose I should hardly have dared to
« approach it : but God wisely conceals from us a knowledge
<^ of the future.
«^ On the morning and evening preceding my leaving Lon-
<< don, I was earnest in prayer for a blessing on my inten-
<^ ded journey and its consequences. One request in parti-
" cular was, that I might be favoured with the acquaintance
«^ of some pious companions in my studies. To this prayer
'* I had an early answer. A gentleman set out witli me
^« from London in the same coach for Cambridge. He studied
^« two seasons at Glasgow, as I did ; then, like me, passed
« some years in vanity ; and now comes to the University
« to qualify himself for preaching Christ, as I hope I do.
" This singular similarity in our circumstances occasioned
<* a happiness of which none but ourselves could partake."
With a modesty and regard to frugality which reflect upon
him much credit, Mr. Buchanan was at first disposed to
enter as a Sizer; but upon the representations of the tutors,
and of the friends to whom he had been recommended, he
determined on being admitted as a Pensioner. In a letter
to Mr. Newton, written soon after his arrival at Cambridge,
he very feelingly describes the perplexity which he had an-
ticipated from the contrariety of the studies to which he was
called, to the prevailing dispositions of his mind. Until he
was actually at college he cherished the hope of being per-
50 MEMOIRS OF
mitted to devote his chief attention to divinity, and to the
mathematics only secondarily. But he found tliat the re-
verse was expected from him; and that the excellent friends,
to whom his patron had introduced him, were quite as stren-
uous as his tutors in representing to him the necessity of
complying with the established course of study in the Uni-
versity. Independently of the repugnance which Mr. Bu-
chanan felt to this plan from the peculiarly serious frame of
his mind at this period, he feared that by yielding to it he
should disappoint the expectations of the friends who had
sent him to Cambridge, and eventually frustrate the great
object which he and they mutually had in view. The com-
paratively advanced age, too, at which he had entered the
University, would naturally tend to strengthen this appre-
hension, and to dispose him to dedicate his time exclusively
to theological pursuits. The state of doubt and uneasiness
produced by these circumstances affected both his spirits
and his health; but after stating the reasonings of his Cam-
bridge friends, and his own feelings and inclinations, he ex-
pressed to his respected correspondent his resolution to follow
that course of conduct, which after mature deliberation should
appear to him to be the path of duty.
In the case of students in general, entering at the usual
period at either University with a view to holy orders, how-
ever religiously they may be disposed, there can be no
doubt either as to tlie duty or the wisdom of devoting their
chief attention to the prescribed studies of the place. A com-
petent acquaintance with the learned languages, and with
the stores of historical and ethical knowledge which they
contain ; the principles of sound reasoning, and the ele-
ments, at least, of general science, are essential to the for-
mation of an enlightened and able theologian. The basis
of such a character must, indeed, be deeply laid in an ex-
perimental acquaintance with real religion ; and it were
devoutly to be wished, that this were more generally consi-
dered as an indispensable qualification in every candidate
for the ministry, and that more effectual encouragements
and facilities were afforded in our Universities for its at
DR. BUCHANAN. 5t
tainment. But if to the spirit of piety be not added the
advantages which are to be derived from the wise and tem-
perate pursuit of human learning, there is great danger
that religion itself will suffer in the hands of those who are
thus unprepared to teach, to defend, and to adorn it. In
the present instance, Mr. Buchanan was already possessed
of such a share of learning as might have been sufficient to
qualify him for the discharge of the ordinary duties of a
Christian minister; but it was obviously desirable that this
should be strengthened and enlarged by fresh accessions at
the seat of science, to which the providence of God had so
remarkably conducted him. Nor was it long before his judg-
ment was convinced by the arguments of his friends, that the
very honour of religion required his acquiescence in such
a measure ; and that, however the appointed studies of the
University might appear to be foreign to the important pur-
pose for which he had entered it, they would ultimately tend
in the most effectual manner to promote it. Among those
who concurred in this salutary advice was Mr. Newton
himself; and to him Mr. Buchanan early in the following
year announced his disposition to yield to their suggestions.
^^ I think," he observes, " that my way is clearer than it
<^ was, and I hope soon to have little doubt of my path of duty
" at college. Your letter helped to pave the way for me.
<< I have now taken up the study of the mathematics ex ani-
^' mo, that is, from a persuasion that God wills it. And for
•< them I have made a sacrifice of some other studies truly
** dear to me. I tried for a time to continue them botJi, but
" I found it impossible ; so that now, that portion of the day
" which I have set apart for divine things is extremely short,
" compared with what I once thought it would be ; and yet
<< I dare not tell some of my friends here that it is so long."
It will be readily imagined, that Mr. Buchanan had va-
rious difficulties to encounter on commencing his academical
course. He had indeed been received by the Vice-President,
in the absence of Dr. Milner, and by the tutors, with much
attention and kindness; but having been entirely unac-
quainted with the mathematics before his entrance at col-
5^ MEMOIRS OF
lege, it was only by hard study that he could contrive to keep
pace with the lectures. " I once thought," he says, " that
" I should have been obliged to acknowledge my inability,
" and to have fallen behind, and was wishing for the last
" day of term as eagerly as ever truant did for a holiday.
<< However I was enabled to keep my ground, and my diffi-
" culties were never known, even to my tutor. This vaca-
<« tion will give me room to have some little beforehand ; so
" that I hope to pass with more ease and credit through the
« succeeding terms."
From the time of his coming to college, according to the
information of a contemporary friend, Mr. Buchanan was
exceedingly regular and studious, keeping but little compa-
ny, for the sake, he supposes, of economy both as to expense
and time.
His situation, too, was at first peculiarly unpleasant, from
finding scarcely a single companion, whose sentiments and
habits were congenial with his own. His indisposition to
general visits even rendered him the subject of much ani-
madversion. But from this trial he was shortly relieved by
the praise which he received from his tutor for a Latin
theme, the composition of which, though he had written
nothing in that language for some years, was pronounced
to be superior to that of any other student. He was in con-
sequence treated with much additional respect by his fellow^
collegians, was allowed to visit them upon his own terms,
and even received several applications to assist them in their
studies, which served as a stimulus to his own exertionSi
No sooner, however, had Mr. Buchanan determined on
the diligent pursuit of his academical studies, than the
wakeful spirit of piety, by wliich he was animated, made
him anxious to guard against the possible dangers to which
such a plan might expose him. For tliis purpose he culti-
vated the acquaintance of the more serious students at dif-
ferent colleges ; and at his solicitation they agreed to meet
regularly for the purpose of reading the New Testament,
and conversing practically upon some chapter which had
been selected. Their meetings were begun and ended with
DR. BUCHANAN. 53
prayer. It is well known that such proceedings arc regard
ed in our Universities, to say the least, with much jealousy,
and are generally discouraged. Why meetings for religious
improvement, when conducted as this at Cambridge appears-
by Mr. Buchanan's letters to his correspondents to have
been, should be disapproved, more than debating, or other
academical societies, for the purposes of conversation or
even of festivity, it is not easy to discover. Young men, it
is said, are incompetent to conduct with advantage discus-
sions of a religious nature. But is their judgment at all
better qualified to determine moral, or political questions ;
and is not theg^anger, whatever it may be, in the one case
equal to that of the other? Both, it may be replied, are in=
expedient. And if meetings of either kind are intended for
the mere purpose of display, it is readily admitted, that the
time consumed in them might be much more profitably em-
ployed, ^ut in the case in question, the society met not so
much for the purpose of discussion, as of raising a barrier
against^he undue influence of secular learning on the minds
of those who were almost exclusively employed in its pur-
suit ; and of cherishing that spirit of piety and devotion, the
cultivation of which in themselves and others was to form
the one great business of their lives. Meetings such as
these may, indeed, and ever will be, objected to by those
who perceive greater danger in the warmth of zeal, than in
the coldness of indiff*erence : but it may be permitted to those
who, like Mr. Buchanan, have experienced not only their
safety but their benefit, to vindicate, if not, under the regu-
lation of that judgment which is seldom altogether wanting
in our academical students, and in submission to academic
discipline, to recommend them.
In addition to the society which has been just mentioned,
Mr. Buchanan was invited to spend an hour on Sunday
evenings at the rooms of one excellent person, who has been
distinguished during many years for his active and zealous
support of religion in Cambridge, and to whom a numerous
body of clerical and other students have been successively in-
debted, for the most important instruction and encourage
5^ MEMOIRS OF
ment during their academical progress. Of the kindness of
this gentleman, and of the benefit which he derived from his
conversation and example, Mr. Buchanan wrote to more
than one of his friends in terms of the highest respect and
gratitude.
** These engagements,'' he says to one of them, << prove
<* something of a counterbalance to the effects of human
*' learning, and preserve my mind from being wholly ab-
'< sorbed in philosophy and metaphysics. Besides," and the
remark affords a strikingproof of the sobriety as well as fer-
vour of his piety, *< I have the opportunity every morning
" and evening of attending chapel prayers, wj|ich of itself I
" consider a great blessing."
Yet with all the encouragements with which he now be-
gan to be favoured, Mr. Buchanan expresses, at the close of
the same letter, a deep, perhaps a melancholy, train of
thought and feeling, which is not, however, unconvnon with
similar characters.
" I often meditate," he adds, " on the vanity of Me, and
^< the insufficiency of the world to confer happiness. Were
*< I assured of my interest in the Redeemer, I should long for
" my departure. What is there to detain me here ? I have
*< no tie to this world, no earthly possession, no person, if I