The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-25

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man s estate, his parents generously put
him in possession of the patrimony they
were able to give him among their nine
other children. This consisted of piece
of deep, clay land at Barterbrook, of the
valueof three thousand dollars, and the
animals needed to stock it, Here he be-
gan his career as an independent farmer.
His land was exhausted and scarifed by
bad tillage under the previous owner.
And his hereditary and acquired skill as
farmer soon clothed it with verdure and
fertility. Substance grew steadily around
him; he added by successive purchases to
his domain, until it had grown from a
small farm to princely estate; and he
built the solid and commodious mansion
which now occupies the very eye of that
loveliest of valleys.
Early in his manhood the faithful teach
ing and example of his parents led him
into the full communion of the Thinking
Spring church, under the pastorate of the
Rev. James G. Wilson. His early Chris
tian. life was, for few years, creditable,
but not particularly marked above that
of his brethren. He was always accus-
toned to ascribe his advancement to a
higher walk with Christ, to the awaken
ing OF his conscience to his specific duty
as steward of his property for God
One of the leading Instruments employed
in this second conversion, was the Rev.
DIR. VIM. Atkinson, who. preaching at
Thinking Spring for Mr. Wilson, faithful
ly presented the Scriptural doctrine on
this point, and urged it upon the con-
science. Mr.. Guthrie resolv: d, tina,
henceforth it should be the rule of his
life to honor the Lord literally with his
substance and the first fruits of all his
increase. That this was an honest re-
solve he proved by beginning that very
day and it was never relaxed during his
remaining life. He loved to testify, with
joyful humility, that this resolution was
the marked epoch of two changes in his
condition: one was new and richer en-
joyment of the gospel; and the other a
steady stream of worldly prosperity
which was never broken, until those con-
vulsions of the late civil war, which up
turned everything He did not at all
relax his energies as businessman, but
looked well to the state of his herds. But
his punctuality at, and love for Gods
house, his conscientious observance of
Gods Sabbath, his warmth of devotional
feeling, all became more marked. His
christian Inequalities were untiring.-
All the evangelistic agencies of his own
Church, and the American Bible Society
received his unfag ging support. His in
come was freely expended in aiding dis
tressed relatives, and educating their
children. The subsistence and comfort
of his pastor, the state of the sanctuary
and the manse, received his unfailing and
liberal aid. He could truly say of the
venerable church of Thinking Spring, in
whose cemetery his dust now rests: "How
amiable are thy tabernacles, o Lord of
hosts In its courts was his chief de
light. Among his many benefactions to
the institutions of his country, should be
mentioned his foundation, twice over, of
scholarship III Union Theological Semi
nary, for the perpetual education of a Sc
ries Of pious young men to preach the
gospel. He thought that, inasmuch as
Providence had debarred him from per-
sonal share in that best Of all works, and
had made him man of secular business.
this was the most obligatory and appro-
pirate use of part OF his wealth. The
foundation was first endowed in Confede
rate money. When he learned that this
was destroyed, he determined to replace
1T; and this purpose he carried out in his
latter years, amidst the sweeping losses
OF his wealth by his patriotic exertions
for his country, by heavy confscations
and by the insolvency of debtors.
Mr.. Guthrie was man of great deter
mination and invincible energy. His
practical judgment was clear and saga
cious. But with these more rugged dual
tiles nature and grace had made a most
unusual union of extraordinary tender
ness and warmth of emotion. His de-
votional feelings were quick and warm,
and his love for his cherished friends not
only as steadfast as the solid basis of his
principles, but as sensitive and generous
as that OF woman. He was one of these
friends that sticketh closer than a
brother. AS master, he was firm, but
wise, just. and generous. Never was
Christian lady blessed with husband
more unfailingly thoughtful, considerate,
and tender. To his adopted children
none OF his own were given to share his
loye-he was the most generous and wise
of parents.
Mr.. Guthrie was married May 31st,
1849, to Mrs. Elizabeth +. Gilkeson.
daughter of John Patterson, ESQ.,, of Au-
gusta, who survives him. He became a