ed eminence in the Church. With the sons ose who were, like his own father, "Se," he was on terms of peculiar intimacy. Seceders in those days clung to each other with

of unexpressed brotherhood, which enabled a lonely lad to be surrounded with kind friends acquaintances from the outset of his career. ichael Bruce's case this was so, for at the Uniy he formed a close friendship with such men r George Lawson, who afterwards became a ssor in the Secession Church and one of the g theologians in Scotland. So highly esteemed e, that the University of Aberdeen created him tor of Divinity," in recognition of his high ments. Here, too, he became intimate with the a Kinross-shire laird, Mr Greig, who afterwards e minister at Lochgelly, and Mr Dryburgh from t, who so much resembled Bruce. Close was their Iship, and much he felt the death of this friend,

Bruce's one desire. He therefore threw hims enthusiasm into all the subjects of his curr Despite the strictest economy, however, hi difficulty was how to procure books and y sist on the small means at his disposal. managed to secure some, though his moth pected that at times money went for ch volumes which should have been expended Kind friends at Kinnesswood were ever min him, and in the most delicate way were hi supplied. From letters recently discovered been found that these generous friends cons Mr Arnot, the Laird of Portmoak; Mr Wh Laird of Pittendreich; Mr White, the L Balgedie; and Mr John Birrell, parchment m Kinnesswood, who was the grandfather of Mr John Birrell, who was so engaged there a was so kind in acting a son's part to the poe

there was no summer session, so he was free evote himself to his studies, his poetry and his ds till the classes resumed in October following. e he diligently prosecuted his own studies, he not forget to assist those who were struggling

the road of learning with him. Yet he ed time as a gift given to him by his Almighty er, to be employed and economised in the most ulously faithful manner.

Refreshed by his rest and holiday, as well as red by the hospitality of his friends and the ession of good will for his future, he returned is work at Edinburgh University in October. n the first year, Junior Latin and Greek, also hematics, formed the subjects to which he ted himself, so in the second year Senior

and Greek, Logic and Metaphysics were the es which he attended. His signature can still een in the class album as in attendance on essor Stevenson's Prelections on Philosophy.