The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-07-16
From the New York Evangelist.
Life Of DR.. Thomas Guthrie

This volume Is but foretaSte Of the rich spirit.
ual banquet 90 which the Christian public will
soon be invited. Here we have this emjneutly use
fol man iO miniature; after awhile we will look
upOD che in.,-length portrait. But this book Is
all pure gold, and reprOduces IN the wOrd-pictureS
oi the Doctor, his views upon those great ques
irons co The solution of which he devoted his life.
ln every communion there are a few marked men
who, whilst sincerely attached to the Faith and
Ecclesiastical P0hty of their own denomination, are
So pbiian,hropio 10 their labors that we regard
their name, reputation and usefulness, as the CON
mon heritage of the CauJch Of Christ. Such was
Dr. Guthrie lie did not love his own deliberate
iy chosen system of doctrine the less. but he did
love above Az else, that great essential truth
That Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners, aud wherever these were TO be found
however degraded or hopeless their condition. they
were toe sutiact OF his prayers aud uncea>ing Ia
bor. The Pagan maxim, homo sum d. human
l'la wee 0tegHm pUi9, under the baptism OF
the h0y Ghost Indicated his full living sympathy
with his dear L3ri 10 both seeking and saving the
lost In tle moral movements of the age, not
only was he pioneer, bus before he laid aside his
aTm1r. be had the satisfaction of Witnessing that
great change In pubic sentiment which endorsed
hls u'e w5lk as a success. And this, too ~ his
own Uauye land, where from che peculiar Difficult
ties Co be encountered, success has a higher sig
nilcaDce thaG with as.
Ia illustration, We might refer to his earnest
.abCrs lu the Ten y ears COnfc when the Free
Church OF Scotland established the rights OF indi
vldual conscience uutrammeled by the State; bis
ealy and per>IStel, advocacy Of the temperance
cause; and in conjunction with De- Chalmers, his
systematic etf1r.s 20 give tree Gospel 10 the out
cast poor and 90 bring into what were termed
Ragged Schools, The most neglected of The chill
dren 10 tbe large cities
The suIslug words 10 which he expressed his
own principles 0i action 10 reaching the most de
graded Oi lue population, are worthy of Temem
Drance Keeping cut of view the depravity OF hui
man nature wblch Is common 10 all, these children
are very much what y0n choose 90 make them
the soul OF The rasged boy or girl is like a mirror
FroW1 upon DO, and Il irOWns upon you; look at
pc Wltn Suspicion aud % eyes you IN the sane man
uer; Inc your arm 10 strike, and there rs an arm
lifted against you turn your back, aud it turns
l-s back on y0u; tgrn round and give It smile,
and lr Smiles again IN return. lJ VIII give smile
Tor smi.e Kindness for kindness
DR. Gutbne was born 10 1903, and died on the
2+-n Oi February OF this year m the 10Th year OF
hIs age. Twenty FIVE years ago, hard work sadly
impaired bls health aud induced that affection OF
heart which at last brought him 20 the grave lie
had not eueagnd m the active duties Of the minis
Jry since l>6+ but the closing yeaes OF his life have
been Kept fresh ln the remembrance of tie reading
publc oy his able edItorshlp Of the Sunday Nag
0-'ac.
he has received his full measure of human
praise, ranking second IN Scotland 20 Chalmers
oniy as a pulpit orator and platform speaker; and
as eloquent aud effective 10 ms numerous writings,
as he was useful and Impressive as a preacher.
Bun thar va ca has most endeared him to the
Christian CbUrch IS presented M the following
tribute of an Intimate personal friend The lead
iCg a1j most essential aud characteristic peculiarly
ot Dr. Guthrie was this, that be was deeply, ear
ucscy intensely Christian. AL. other qualities
OF mud and heart and bie were merged M the 10
tGuSiJy OF Christian feeling. In his studies, his
pursuits, bis family IN his social habits, his warm
hearted friendships, his jealous philanthropy in