Pedestrianism

APPENDIX. 273 eatled (Quakers,and became their greatest ornament and ablest advocate. Previously, however, to his embracL g the opinions of thastect, he visited his friendsof all religi­ ous persaasions, to canvass their doctrines, that he might adopt a system of faith corresponding to the truths of the gospel; and, by conviction alone,as we are informed, he was guided in his choice. But probably, when in France, he had formed an attachment to the Quietists, who were the Quakers among RomanCatholics. In the year 1670, he married Christian Molison, of the family of Lachintully, the grand-daughter ofthe celebrated Colonel Molison, who so much signalizedhimself in the defence of Candiaagainst theTurks. About this time, he first appeared as an author, by awork, entitled, "Truth cleared of Calumnies" which is an answer to " ADialogue between a Quaker and a Stable Christian," written by Wil­ liam Mitchell, a preacher, and printed at Aberdeen. A keen controversy then subsisted between the clergy of Aberdeen andthe Quakers, relative tothe doctrines ofthe latter, which, warmly interestingBarclay, called forth his talents asa polemical writer; and in the same year, he published apostcript in the form of questions. Mitchell replied to " Truth cleared of Calumnies," and our author again answeredhim in a work, entitled, " William Mitchell unmasked," which waspublished in 16724 In this contro­ versy, RobertBarclay discoversthe variety of hislearning, and that he was well acquaintedwith ecclesiastical history; but above all, he shews with how much judgment and ex- m m terity