The Rev. Wm. McLean, minister of the parish of Penninghame, died at his Manse on Thursday afternoon at the age of 53 years. For the past two years he was in failing health, and on the recommendation of his medical advisers spent the autumn and winter in the south of France. When he returned home he was considerably improved, and occupied the pulpit, but he suddenly relapsed, and was obliged to procure an assistant. Gradually he became weaker, although everything was done that medical skill could devise. The rev. gentleman was a student of the Edinburgh University, and there distinguished himself in various branches of learning. He studied law and medicine for a short period, but ultimately chose the ministry. He was first ordained at Ashkirk in 1854, from which parish he was translated to Mertoun, St. Boswells, and on the 7th April, 1864, was inducted to the parish of Penninghame, after the death of the Rev. Dr Richardson, he having received the presentation of the parish from the late Earl of Galloway. From the time of his induction up till two years ago he faithfully and zealously discharged the duties of a parish minister. His private ministerial duties were greatly appreciated, and no one could have been more willing and ready than he, whatever hour his services might be requested. He had a great interest in the welfare of the church, and appointed a Deacon's Court. The greater portion of the pews in the lower part of the church were re-modelled and the church painted, which had not previously been done, at a cost of about £300. Recently an organ was erected at a cost of £600. In music he was accomplished, and except when unavoidably called away attended the Sabbath School, and taught the children to sing the hymns. His death is much lamented, especially by the aged poor, many of whom were receiving Parochial relief, and through him sewing and knitting was provided them, which together was a kind of livelihood. Through his exertions a coal and clothing club was kept up, and by paying a small sum weekly, the amount being augmented by subscriptions from people in the district, many poor people were enabled to get a ton of coals or a pair of blankets who might not otherwise have had them. Ile was one of the Trustees of the Douglas Academy, and took a great interest in it. He was a member of the Mechanics Institute, and a member of committee. He was always first to open the winter course of lectures and readings, and for his able and active service was sometime ago elected a life member. On his suggestion the Commissioners of the town had the streets named and the doors numbered. The Rev. James Gould, Princes Street Free Church, on Sabbath forenoon preached an appropriate sermon, at the close of which he alluded to the death of Mr McLean, chiefly confining his remarks to the friendship which had always existed between them, and had led to occasional exchange of pulpits. Allusion was also made to his death in the, U.P by the Rev. E. Smith.