William Leitch - Letters of recommendation 1859
From The Space Library
Committee Meeting Minutes Approving Leitch's Selection to Queen's College
 |
 |
 |
Transcription of Committee Meeting Minutes
And the acting subcommittee unanimously resolved to do everything that lies in their power for the purpose of securing for Queen's College a Principal who as a Christian, a scholar, and a minister may reflect credit on the Church at home, and prove a blessing to the Presbyterian population of our great North American Colonies
2nd Special Meeting - 27th September 1859
The meeting having been constituted, the Rev'd Dr Barclay of Toronto and Alexander Morris Esq Barrister at Law, Montreal, forming a deputation from the Trustees of Queen's College, Kingston, Canada, were introduced by the Convener.
The Deputation reported that after extensive enquiry and mature deliberation they had resolved to recommend for the Principalship of Queen's College, the Rev'd William Leitch M.A. Monimail; and that they had much pleasure in being able to announce that his consent to accept of the appointment had brought the mission with which they were entrusted to what they deemed a most satisfactory conclusion. They further, in the warmest terms, expressed their gratitude for the cordial and friendly reception which they had met with from the Committee and from all the ministers and other office bearers of the Church with whom they had come into contact as well as for the ready assistance which they had everywhere received in the prosecution of their mission.
The Committee having heard the statement of the deputation, congratulated them on their selection, for the office of Principal and Primarius Professor of Divinity in their institution, of a minister who is distinguished by great scientific acquirements, as well as by all those moral and social qualities which, regulated as they believe them to be by religious principle eminently fit for him, in their opinion, for the office in which he has been designated.
And the Committee confidently anticipate, while they earnestly pray, that under the blessing of the great Head of the Church, the selection may, when formally completed, fulfill the highest expectations of all who are concerned in it; by promoting the interests both of the Mother-Church at home and of her loyal daughter in Canada; and by contributing to the Redeemer's Glory, through the advancement of His Kingdom in the world.
And the Committee considering that the present is likely to be the last occasion on which they have an opportunity of meeting the deputation, unanimously resolved to record in the minute of the day, their high appreciation of the frank, generous and thoroughly Christian spirit in which from first to last, the deputation had discharged the duties of their mission and the Committee further unanimously resolved to express, in the same abiding form, their earnest desire, greatly strengthened if not altogether suggested, by the meetings with the deputation, that a direct personal intercourse, which is so satisfactory and instructive in itself as well as so conducive to mutual confidence and affection, should be permanently established between the Church of Scotland at home and her ??? hearted representative in Canada.
Extracted by
John Keith Clk: Cal: Con:
7th Oct, 1859
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Transcription of first letter
Glasgow 14 October 1859
My Dear Sir
I ought to have written to you before you sailed, but unfortunately I let time slip away until it was too late. I hope this will find you safely returned home, and that you will have had the happiness on your return of finding your family and all your friends well.
I was very happy to hear that Mr Leitch had responded favourably. From all I have heard of him, I think he is the very man for the situation. He stands in high estimation here, both as a man and a minister. I know he is considered a good scholar and a man of more than ordinary attainments in science but what is of more importance he has not allowed scientific studies to divert him from the earnest prosecution of his duties as a minister. In the public business of the Church he has always taken a good share of work and has been especially useful on some of the missionary committees. You had good evidence when here of the thorough manner in which he has been performing his duties as Convener of the ?? Sabbath School Committee.
I have heard him preach twice and with much interest. He does not aim at an elaborate style of preaching, but what he says is said naturally and very earnestly, and it is always sound ??? preaching. One sees at once that the man is in earnest, and that his sole aim is to be useful to his ??? . He is a very amenable man to meet in private, and I find that those who know him intimately have deep personal affection for him. Indeed he seems exactly fitted for the office of Principal - for with every requisite qualification for the professorial duties, he is a man whom personal influence will be most excellent with the students, he is a genial kindly man who will make an admirable head of the institution and he will be found able and ready for every good work whether connected with the College or the Church. I trust the recommendation of Dr Barclay and yourself will be approved and that W. Leitch will be bound for Canada.
He will be much missed at home - but the field in Canada is a very important one, and there are few men so well qualified to occupy the post in it which is in question. As you have said, the character of the ministry of the Church of Scotland in British North America may depend very much (under the ???? ???) upon the Principal of Queen's College.
You will be glad to hear that the Synod Glasgow and ??? have had the subject of the ???? under their consideration, and that the Glasgow Presbytery are to have a conference on the subject very shortly. I shall look with interest for some notice of what your College board does in this matter of the Principalship.
With very kind regards ??? ???? ???? ???? Yours very truly Alex(?) Campbell
Alexander Morris Esq Montreal
Transcription of second letter
Manse of South Leith 4th October 1859
My Dear Sir, It is with a measure of reserve, and even of pain, that I congratulate you, and your colleague Dr Barclay, on the selection which you have made of a Principal for Queen's College. I believe I have many friends among the ministers of the church; but I have had two in particular more than friends, who in several branches of learning have been my master for the last twenty years, and to whom my house has been during that lengthy period, a second home. You have not only been successful in wiling away one of these two, you have even contrived to make me an accessory before the fact.
Mr Leitch immediately after receiving license as a preacher began his professional career as my assistant at Arbroath in October 1839. he remained with me in that station till towards the end of 1841, when restored health enabled me again to undertake all the duties of my office. He then became assistant to one of my co-presbyters, for whom he laboured till the autumn of 1843, when I had the pleasure of introducing him to the charge which he still holds in Monimail.
During the whole of these twenty years our interes??, auspicious began under my own roof, has continued to be frequent, familiar and confidentially intimate. I have thus has the best opportunities of acquainting myself with Mr Leitch's character and requirements. The ???? is easily stated; I have known very few men of accomplishments equal to his, especially in ???? where he is a master, but also in mathematics, metaphysics, ???? and divinity; and I never knew any man who preserved the ??? mind, cautious, penetrating, discriminating, ???? in greater perfection. These qualities are attested by many able contributions to our periodical literature.
Of his social character I need only say that I never knew his temper to be ruffled and never heard of his being insolent in any ???? publicly or privately. What I should add here that his rare equanimity is in no wise ???? to indolence, ??? if me of the least ???? he is one of the most patiently laborious of men.
His religious views connect him quite decidedly with what ???? as the evangelical school; and he has for many years taken an active interest in all the missionary work of the church to which he belongs. And finally his personal character as the man, the christian and the minister has always been such as to need no man's eulogy.
He will go to you if it shall please God that your arrangements should be completed, followed by many prayers, and by many regrets. We dare not ???? you your acquisition, but we cannot help regretting our own loss. We will pray and venture to hope, that the appointment may ????? with the old church's more mature wisdom, that American ???? which is as full of a fine juvenile vigour and so ???? with high promise for the future.
I am My Dear Sir faithfully and affectionately yours ??Stewart?? DD Convener of
the Colonial Comm.
Alexander Morris Esg Barrister at Law Montreal
Transcription of third letter
Hatton House Ratho October 10th 1859
My dear Dr Patterson
I hasten to reply to your letter and to express my gratification that our excellent friend W. Leitch has been appointed to an office of such honour and importance as that of Principal and Professor of Divinity in the Kingston College, Canada. I have no doubt that the patrons have had very sufficient grounds for this appointment in the knowledge of Mr. Leitch's superior qualifications as a theologian as well as of his general intelligence and learning and his many personal estimable qualities. I know his careful and laborious researches on Entomological subjects, and I have had conversations with him on scientific topics connected with Physiology and Natural history which have impressed me with a high respect for his scientific attainments, and make me rejoice extremely to see these rewarded by the distinction to which Mr. Leitch has been called.
In writing to him I beg you to express my congratulations on his appointment, not unmixed with my regret that his labours are to be transferred to so great a distance.
I am very sincerely yours
Allan Thomson MD, FRS L&B
Prof of Anatomy in the University of Glasgow
Transcription of fourth letter
5 Oct-1859
I have great pleasure in certifying the very high opinion which with all his other friends - I have been led to form of the talents and character of the Revd. Mr Leitch of Monimail.
Others can speak with greater force and power than I can of the profound theological attainments of Mr Leitch, But perhaps I may be allowed to state that amid many many personal acquaintances among the clergy, I know of none who combines in a more eminent degree than Mr Leitch the study of physiological and natural science with the studies more peculiarly belonging to his own profession.
He has made very valuable and important experiments on the subject of Entomology; I have felt astonished at his academic knowledge of some of the most abstruse departments of physiology. Let me merely add that in my opinion Mr Leitch is by his whole caste and character ???? admirably fitted to rule with great sagacity and success over any institution which may be placed under his direction.
MJ Sampson MD
Professor of Medicine and Midwifery in the University of Edinburgh.
Draft letter from Alexander Morris to William Leitch
Transcription
Edinburgh 30th August/59
My Dear Sir
I invite you to substitute another address for the one I gave you, and also to say that as we have decided on taking a little relaxation from Travelling (and thereby obtain the opportunity of) visiting some relatives, it will perhaps enable you to give the matter some mature deliberations, if the communication we shall await with so much anxiety, reach Glasgow by Monday or Tuesday next, as you may find it convenient. I shall not add anything to what I said today farther than to observe that inasmuch as after a months active inquiry we were directed to you by so many parties on whose judgement we have every confidence are thoroughly anxious that the reply may be favourable. I have thought much of the objections you indicated with regard to the teaching of dogmatic theology & while I admire the feeling which suggests the doubt you entertain I am confident you would find no difficulty in the work when actually engaged in it.
It is not for a stranger to advise I can only empress what I very much desire. You know your circumstances, and can best balance the calls of duty. But then I can say that having been led to meet you & feeling the imperative of so very important an office being entrusted to right hands of duty, I can only say that I do most earnestly hope that as the result of that calm and conscientious & prayerful deliberation which I am apeased you will accord to the matter, you will see your way to accede to our wishes. That you in your decision and we in all our actions in the results may be guided and directed by the great Head of the Church in the heartfelt prayer of.
I am my dear Sir Yours very sincerely
Alex. Morris
Address to care of
James Finlay (& Co. Merchants and Manufacturers) 22 West Nile St Glasgow
Letter from Leitch to John A. Macdonald Jan 21 1862
 |
 |
 |
Transcription
Dear Sir
The University of Toronto have recommended for affiliation several institutions which have no claim to be regarded as colleges, and which cannot give such a course of instruction as is required by the statutes. It is to be feared that the Governor in Council will unless warned grant the privilege. Nothing could be more injurious to the cause of the higher education in Canada than the affiliation of such institutions. The policy of the university is obvious. It evidently intends to stultify the claims of Queens College and other affiliated colleges. They will hold thus these schools which they wish to affiliate have as good a claim as we have. They will also hold that these institutions have a right to be represented in the university senate and so the colleges will be swamped. There are also rights belonging to affiliated institutions which it would be assured for such schools to possess, such as a seat at the convention Board - and scholarships for their pupils. It is of great importance that the recognition of the Governor in Council be delayed.
I have now taken my seat in the senate and other members have also attended lately in the hope that matters can be greatly reformed. In every division, we have had the majority and I am persuaded that the decision as to the affiliation of the above institutions, will be reversed when again they are before us.
Now that we have consented to act I think that Queen's College is entitled to a larger representation. There are 4 professors from University College. The principal of Upper Canada College. The Head of the affiliated schools of medicine and several dissenting ministers all of which will act with the University College in any important question. Mr Barclay in Toronto and Dr Williamson in Kingston would be valuable additions. We carried on Thursday last a motion to pay the expenses of distant heads of colleges and there is every probability that at next meeting we shall extend the payment to all distant members. We also intend to move that there would be only two sessions in the year. If these two points be carried distant members will have no difficulty in taking a part in the management of the University. The reform thus begun in the university shall aid greatly the action of government in reference to the adjustment of College matters.
Remain
My dear sir
Yours in ??
William Leitch
