complete his education, paid his mother a visit. Mrs. Graham,
considering herself as inadequate to the proper management of a son,
had at an early period of his life sent him to the care of a friend,
who had promised to pay due attention to his morals and education. The
boy had a warm affectionate heart, but possessed, at the same time, a
bold and fearless spirit. Such a disposition, under proper management,
might have been formed into a noble character; but he was neglected,
and left in a great measure to himself by his first preceptor.

For two years of his life he was under the care of Mr. Murray,
teacher of an academy at Abercorn. He was a man truly qualified for
his station. He instructed his pupils with zeal; led even their
amusements; and to an exemplary piety added the faithful counsel of
a friend. He loved, and was therefore beloved. Under his
superintendence John Graham improved rapidly, and gained the
affections of his teacher and companions. Happy for him had he
continued in such a suitable situation. He was removed to Edinburgh
to receive a more classical education. Being left there by his
mother and sisters, the impetuosity of his temper and a propensity
for a sea-faring life induced his friends to place him as an
apprentice in the merchant-service. He was shipwrecked on the coast
of Holland, and Mr. Gibson of Rotterdam, a friend of Mrs. Graham,
took him to his house, and enabled him to come to the United States.
He remained at New York for some months. His mother deemed it his
duty to return to Scotland to complete his time of service. He
evidently inclined to the profession of a sailor; she therefore
fitted him out handsomely, and he embarked for Greenock in the same
ship with Mr. John M. Mason, the only son of Dr. John Mason, who
went to attend the theological lectures at the Divinity Hall
in Edinburgh.