SIR DAVID BREWSTER, Bart., M.A., F.R.S.,
LL.D., M.L.C.E., founder of the British
Association,
Principal of Edinburgh University, Inventor of the
Kaleidoscope, etc., author of many works. The most
important period in his life is thus
described by his
daughter.
She is recording a conversation which her father had
with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Macpherson, who says: "I
had a long talk with dear papa upon the suffering of Christ,
from which we passed on to speaking of the gratitude due
to God. . . . We spoke of the
possibility of feeling any
love towards God, and agreed that such a sentiment of
love as is possible between man and man, was impossible
between man and God. ‘How can we love Him,’
he
said--‘One whom we have not seen? We admire Him
in His works, and trust from the wisdom seen in these
that He is wise in all His dealings--but how can we love
Him?’" After this conversation, his daughter-in-law
being herself led to understand how alone the love of the
unseen Christ can be shed abroad in the heart by the
working of the Holy Spirit,
felt that she must confess
this change in her views and feelings. "He listened
most
attentively, and when I had finished, took me in his arms,
kissed me, and said, in such a child-like manner, ‘Go,
now, then, and pray that I may know it too."
Many striking incidents are recorded which show how
real was the work of grace in his
soul. On one occasion
he was listening to a brief memoir of a man of science, a
medical man, of whom it was said that "notwithstanding
his high talents and his great literary and scientific attain-
ments, he received Christ
as his Saviour."
Brewster inter-
rupted the reader with an exclamation of vehement dis-
approval. "Notwithstanding his talents!
That disgusts
me," he said; "a merit for a man to bow his
intellect to
the Cross! Why, what can the
highest intellect on earth
do, but bow to God's Word and
God's mind thankfully?"
At another time he spoke with deep regret of a con-
versation he had with one who held what are called broad
church views. Tears filled his eyes as he said, "Oh,
is it
not sad that all are not contented with the beautiful
simple plan of God's salvation--
Jesus Christ only, who
has done all for us?"
Of the Atonement, he
said to a friend, "It is everything
to me: it meets my reason, it satisfies my conscience, it
fills my heart."
He finished his course in 1868, at the ripe age of 87.