Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

PARISH OF HADDINGTON. 195
Divinity under the Associate Synod. After maintaining an
eminent cliaracter for piety, charity, learning, and diligence, he
died rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, and admiring the riches
of divine grace to him as a sinner, the 19th of June, A.D. 1787,
aged sixty-five years."
Mr. Brown was born at Carpow, Perthshire, in 1722. His father,
a hand-loom weaver, died during his childhood. Only a short time
at school, he contrived, by self-application, to become acquainted
before his twentieth year with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and also
with some of the modern languages. After some years spent in
teaching he studied theology under the direction of the Associate
Synod, and in 1751 was licensed to preach. Soon after he
received calls from the Secession congregations at Stow and
Haddington. He chose the latter, and was ordained in June,
1751. In 1768 he was elected Professor of Divinity under the
Associate Synod. He published his " Self-Interpreting Bible " in
1778, which was followed by his "Dictionary of the Bible." He
also composed a "History of the Church." His lectures were
published under the title of " A Body of Divinity." Several of his
descendants have been conspicuous for their abilities and learning.
Jean Smith, wife of " Patrick Hepburn of Abbey-mill," is com-
memorated in these lines : —
" Stay, passenger, and shed a tear
For her who lies enshrined here ;
If virtues could keep from the grave,
Or features from corruption save ;
If prudence and a pious life
And what adorns a modest wife ;
If husband's sighs and cliildren's tears,
Friends' warm desires and secret fears
Could have kept her from the grave,
Still this treasure we should have.
But Heaven's wiser providence
Hath ta'en from us what came from thence,
And there where lasting joyes abound,
Have her with bliss and glory crown'd."
George Cunningham, Sheriff-depute of Haddingtonshire iiiul ;i