The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-09-18
The Late DIR. Norman Macleod.


Yesterday. June 20. was laid to his rest in the
churcbysrd Of Campsie. near Glasgow, beside the
grave Of his father, the chief ecclesiasic OF the
Church Of Scotland in some respects the most
conspicuous public man in the northern Kingdom.
Norman Macleod was born at Campbetown,
in Argyleshire, in 1872. His early youth was
passed partly ia that Highland Parish which
he has made famous by has livelPsketches OF his
fathers MaBse, partly at the Universities OF
glasgow and Eiinburgh, and afterwards Of Ger.
many. In 1898 be was ordained minister Of
L0ud0un, in Argylesbire. whence be was trans
lated 70 Dalkeith. There be resided till 1851,
when be Was presented to the Barony parish in
Glasgow, Of which the congregation originally
worshipped in the crypt Of the Cathedral, de-
scr5ed 10 Rob Roy. and in later times in the
large but unganly church 10 its neighborboOd.
Here the remainder Of his life was passed, en-
gagged In the laborious duties Of pastoral minis
traiions 10 500 be became the editor of Good
Words. 10 1855 he Was appointed one Of Her
Najestys Chaplains. In 1861 be undertook an
ardnous Journey to India to examine into the
state Of the Scottish missions. II was this
journey which gave the first shock 10 bis great
natural strength, bat be still maintained with
undaunted spirit bis incessant labors. In the
last General Assembly be delivered what seemed
TO those who heard it, the finest Of all his
speeches. 1t was on the occasiou-forced on
him by his failing health-of giving up the
change Of those Indian missions IN which be had
taken SO deep an interest. The effort was too
q l. e. II
pe.icardium. under which, retaining his faculties
and composure to the last be sank On June l6,
surrounded by his family.
We have said that be was the chief ecces-
asiic Of the Scottish Church. No other man has
during the last thirty years, in ali spiritual minis
traiions. SO nearly filed the place of Chalmers
DO other man has occupied SO high and important
position 10 guiding the ecclesiastical movements
Of his country since the death Of Robertson, We
might almost sly since the death Of Carstairs
In speaking thus We do not forget the venerable
survivors Of the last generation, or the ministers
Of Greyfriars, or the Professors Of Theology at
Glasgow aud St Andrews, who are quite equal
TO hold their own against their brother Profes-
sors in our southern Universities. Nor would
we pass over the eloquence Of Guthrie, or the
diplomatic skill of Candsh 10 the rival Church
Of the Disruption. or the afectiOnate reverence
which gathers round the name Of the Episcopal
Patriarch, Dean Ramsay. But we believe that
all Of these, aud certainly their countrymen at
large would agree that Norman Macleod repre-
sented Scottish Professionalism more fully aud
powerfully than any other single name. He was
the one Scotchman whose presence was enough
10 cheer. elevate, and sanctify any social philan
thropic, or religious undertaking. Under him,
and round him men would gather who would
gather round no one else. When he spoke it
felt to be the voice. the best voice, of Scotland
some Of our readers may remember Matthew
Arnold s charming essay the Celtic element
In literature Norman Macleod represents more
than any other man of our generation the Celtic
element in philanlhropie action and religious
thought The genial humor the lively imagna-
tion, the romantic sentiment may have been
shared in part by the tanner teachers Of our mixed
Anr!o-Saxon stock, but the fuIlness Of efusion
aud diffusion we're all his own. Everywhere,
whether 10 private or public life, was produced
the same broad, vast. heart-stirring impression,
as Of one who not only bad within him az mex
haustible fund Of patbOs, OF wit Of tears, and Of
laughter, but who feared not, nay, who loved TO
pour il forth for the enjoyment. for the insiruc-
ton OF bis iellow-Eorkmen. But with bis ELUSIVE
tenderness were combined force and shrewd-
ness Characteristic Of bis sept and nation. The
colossal frame and full, radiant countenance,
which arrested the attention Of all who saw him,
even before be began to speak, were but the out
ward symbols Of the giant strength, the quiet
sunshine within. which sustained while it cheered, (
ana invigoraied while it enlightened all who
came under its sway.
We can but refer, in passing to bis literary
efforts No one knew better than he how i'm
perfect and slight these were when considered as
vorks Of art But, while they we're the mere
corruscations of mind preoccupied with other
aud more serious matters. they we're the utter
anoes no less OF head and heart full Of oil the .
intellectual movement Of the day. The Song
Of the Curlers,7 tho inspiriting hymn Of Courage
Brothers" the delightful mixture OF tragic and
comic humor in the +" Starting and =" Wee Da-
We could only have issned from soul nurtured .
az Tue lFe>u Ol Tue EEe4S CSOAAASu AANAa-
ture which illustrated the beginning of this cen
tay.
Il was his true Celtic sympathy which gave to .
him bis peculiar, bis unique gift Of addressing
large puomiscuous audiences. whether in preach
ing or speaking. Other preachers We have heard,
both il England aud France, more learned, more
eloquent, more perfect, more penetrating to par
ticalar audiences; but no preacher has arisen,
within our own experience. with an equal power
Of uveting the general attention of the varied
congregations Of modern times none whose ex-
ciusion caused US more bitterly to lament the
needless distinctions which prevented him from
addressing the mul.itudinous audiences which
throug the nayes of our southern Cathedrals
none who so combined the sefcontrOl Of the
prepared discourse with the directness OF extern
poraueogs effort; none with whom the sermon
approached 50 nearly 10 its original and proper
ideal Of conversation-a serious conversation.
in which the feeting thought, the unconscious
r. n l. l.