George Lawson of Selkirk. IX: Gathered to his Fathers.

George Lawson served his generation and his church as a minister, a writer and a theological professor. He criticised Sir Walter Scott’s ‘Old Mortality’ for its insult to the Covenanters, and he preached before crowned heads. But at last his flesh failed, worn down by the hard work of his pastorate and theological college. His last sermon was on the death of George III and his text ‘I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.’ He had to be carried from the manse to the church to preach it, and it was obvious to all that he was preaching his own funeral sermon as well as that of the king. A few days later his soul passed into the presence of God.
As he lay dying one of his sons said to him, “Dearest father, what is the ground of your hope and comfort in this trying hour?”
“All my hope, and all my comfort spring out of the mercy of God, as manifested in the mediation of Christ Jesus. Here are my only stay, and strength, and consolation.”
Someone referred to his useful life, but ‘the Doctor’ shook his head.
No, no; had I been such a man as Mr. Brown of Haddington, or Mr. Johnstone of Ecclefechan [his one-time classics tutor before university], I wouldf have done far more good. I have done little, very little.”
One by one he called his family, blessed them and said farewell. At last he lifted up his hands and said weakly, “The Lord bless you all.” His final words were, “Lord, take me to paradise.” The prayer was answered.

Lawson’s influence lives on in his books, which have been highly valued in the past and are still valued today by discerning readers. Spurgeon writes of Lawson’s ‘Life of Joseph’: “Dr. Lawson had a fertile mind, and a heart alive both to the human and divine side of truth. He writes with pleasing simplicity of style. One of the highest compliments to this book is found in the fact that a distinguished American scholar [Dr. George Bush of New York, no relation to the President (that we know of). The book in question is Bush’s ‘Commentary on Genesis’ which is largely plagirised from Lawson’s ‘Joseph and Andrew Fuller’s commentary on Genesis. This note is included as Bush’s book has been reprinted in the 20th century. Do not buy or read Bush’s commentary. Buy and read Lawson and Fuller - H.H.] issued much of it as his own.” (‘Commenting and Commentaries’ (London, Passmore and Alabaster, 1885) P. 54)

[Note on sources:
J.H. Leckie, ‘Secession Memories’ (Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1926). A personal reflection on the United Presbyterian Church by a theological liberal. Despite the theological reflections a good enough book.
Jabez Marrat, ‘Northern Lights: Pen and Pencil Sketches of Modern Scottish Worthies” (Third edition, London, T. Woolmer, 1885). Contains a good biographical sketch of Lawson. Evangelical
C.H. Spurgeon: ‘Commenting and Commentaries’ (London, Passmore and Alabaster, 1885). Remarks on commentaries by both Lawson and Brown of Broughton Place. No Reformed reader should be without this book.
David Woodside, ‘The Soul of a Scottish Church’ (Edinburgh, United Free Church, no date). More of an official publication than Leckie, so not so theologically outspoken. Subtitled ‘The Contribution of the United Presbyterian Church to Scottish life.” Not a history as such, but contains historical matter, including a valuable section on ministerial training.