"How welcome to the saint when pressed With six day's care, and noise, and toil, Is the returning day of rest, That hides him from the world awhile." BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. T is now about twenty years since I first became acquainted with the author of the following treatise. I was then newly appointed pastor of Galashiels Free Church and Mr. Noble was employed by Mr. Smith, one of my flock, and an extensive grain and flour merchant. In the course of my pastoral visitations I frequently held prayer meetings in Mr. Smith's house, and on these occasions Mr. Noble always couducted the psalmody with great earnestness and taste. Although at this time he was not a subject of Divine grace, yet he was so remarkable for his tidy appearance, his quiet and courteous demeanour, fidelity to his master, and good moral character, that he might be regarded as "not far from the Kingdom of God." In the course of a year or so, he removed to another situation in the neigbourhood of Hawick, and I lost sight of him for a while. When attending meetings held in that town, in 1868, by Dr. Wolston, of Edinburgh, he was brought to personal decision for Christ. It is worthy of remark that, while the gentleman just named was the instrument employed to bring him to Christ, Mr. Noble did not for a moment cherish or adopt his peculiar views, viz., those of the "Brethren." A few months after he became a member of the Free Church, and enjoyed the ministry of the Rev. D. Stewart, of St. Andrew's Free Church. So soon as he knew what it is to be a true Christian he sought to influence others and bring them to Jesus. He began, and maintained for some years, a series of District Meetings for prayer and the reading of the Word of God. Whenever it was possible he got a minister to give an address at these meetings, but if no minister was available, he gave the address himself. In 1871 he got a situation as coachman in a gentleman's family, residing near Galashiels, and became a member of my congregation. I had thus ample opportunities to come into close contact with my friend, and was much impressed by his great religious earnestness, attendance at the weekly prayer meeting, the diets of worship on the Lord's day, and his desire and readiness to do work for Christ, whenever freedom from the faithful discharge of all his duties to his earthly master would allow. I was only too glad to get his valuable aid in conducting cottage meetings near his home. When I could not be present he managed them himself, interesting those who came to them in the truth, and, I trust through God's blessing, permanently benefiting not a few. Another noticeable thing in the subject of this brief and imperfect sketch was the desire which he often expressed to give himself wholly to God's work, either as a minister or district missionary. While this desire was deep, growing and abiding, it was always so governed by sound judgment that Mr. Noble never sought to rush from the sphere in which God found him. He sought rather to watch and wait for indications in God's providence telling him that the Lord had need of him. Meanwhile, at my suggestion, he devoted his leisure hours, necessarily few, and hours redeemed from sleep to study; and he used to come to me once a week to get such hints and aid as he needed. These hours spent in his company were pleasant as they passed; and they recall many precious memories as I look back on them across the years that intervene. Mr. Noble was an apt and diligent student, and made progress in all the subjects which engaged his attention-especially theology, till the middle of the year 1873, when he and I had to part, owing to my translation to Aberdeen. We often, however, corresponded. His letters always told of study and progress, breathed the old desire to be wholly occupied in Christian work, and expressed continued willingness to wait the Lord's time and way of using him. Soon after my settlement in this city I was appointed one of the Directors of the North East Coast Mission, an agency which specially cares for the hardy and industrious fishermen 1esiding in the towns and villages on the North East Coast of Scotland. It occurred to me that my old friend might find through this Mission the work he had so long desired, and for which he had so carefully prepared himself. I, therefore, mentioned his name to the Secretary and Acting Committee. He was sent for, came to Aberdeen for a few days, and made such a favourable impression upon the Committee, that they at once appointed him one of their missionaries, first in the fishing villages near Aberdeen, and ultimately in Fraserburgh: this was in 1875. During the whole of Mr. Noble's connection with the North East Coast Mission he proved himself 66 a workman needing not to be ashamed;" and earned golden opinions, both from the Committee whose agent he was, and from the communities among which he laboured. When he had been about a year in Fraserburgh, a gentleman connected with Dr. Andrew Bonar's congregation in Glasgow, heard him give an address which struck and pleased him so much that he recommended Mr. Noble as the District Missionary in Finnieston. Enquiries were made, and proved so satisfactory, that he was at once chosen as Dr. Bonar's Missionary. In this new sphere, as in that which he had left, he has done admirable work, and has been the instrument of turning not a few from sin unto God. It would be both interesting and instructive to speak of the labours and their fruits, of |