New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-26

ST ANDREWS AND E1SEW II. BY the
Author OF THE Recreatons OF a Country Par
SON" Svo PIP. xiv, S+ Longmans' Green Co
Mr. Balfour. IN his recent book lays great
stress on the influence of authority in the evo-
luton Of belief There are Scotch rustics who
hold the same opinion. though they may not
make philosophical distinction between the force
OF reason and the spirit Of the Age one who
sought baptism: for his child was questioned by
the minister: " But how do you know there is
God" The hOmely answer was. It's the clash q
the kntra,' which means the belief of every one
ne knew. The poor man was quite right. 1t is
not every human being who is called on to prove
all things" The Scotchman is reputed a hard
headed thinker who carries theology TO the ex-
IRENE Of logic II the rustic does not typl-
cal of his people it may be said more is the
clergyman who tells the story DR.. Boyd is
mellowed man. scholarly. experienced dignifed
with the traditions of his calling. kindly, sympa-
thetic thoroughly spiritual yet not at all the
ascetic evidently agreeing with the author of
tom Brown" that to the children Of the Lord.
land to them alone Is that world old and new.
given. and all that IL in 1t. fully and freely 10
enjoy" He prizes honors Of the Church and
State quite frankly. admires an "outstanding'
man OF the kirk, and finds the company Of a
bishop pleasant. He believes IN authority, and
is in tho National Church not because II salts
Church by law established. Were 1t to become
Episcopal. he would gladly be Episcopal. That
is the conforming type of mind Covenanters
are not made Of IT, 1t does not lead to great
religious revvals. But. when the time comes 10
smooth away barriers and adapt religious
thought to people living under easier conditions
and not aggressvely inclined that kind OF teach
ing has It's place. Nor is ii an intelligence with
out conviction. DR. Boyd has strong opinions
evident likes and dislikes. But he is enough Of
a man Of the world to things with some
perspective. and be in all things a moderate;
sympathetic enough student of his fellowmen TO
have faith in them passing the bounds Of what
might be supposed his theology He is a man so
sophisticated that he might be a Cync were
cyncism possible in so gentle soul. Instead. he
is the wise and good-natured gossip and dream
er. who responds equally to the humor and
pathos Of life. bit OF Universalist. bit OF
an artist most of all gentle. helpful man
among men. He is a cousin to the Autocrat, who
was turned into Scotch country preacher.
Dr. Boyd depicts side of the Scotch Church
not much thought of in America. II is the side
turned toward England and looking with adj
miration on men like Stanley and Pierson. 1t
says There is no gulf between the best in the
Church of Scotland and the best In the Church
Of England" and has no objections to Anglican
orders as a step toward unity. Not all on either
side of the border have that good feeling. Or
Lees % St Giles at Edinburgh, and had dined
at the deanery on a Sunday. before great even
ing service in the nave at which Stanley was To
preach The long procession entered In all due
state; the choir first, then many clergy: and amid
that surpliced train walked side by side
vested the two ministers of the Scottish Kirk
We sat in the line with diverse canons. or chairs
I'd 1 afnbp
fine old man next me shrank away as from pol
luton. Had been a canon, should have done
exactly the same
Some of the Scotch peasants have less preju-
dice. Ir Aberdeenshire tire head of Roman
Catholic college one night found cobbler drunk
in the STOW. He got the man home. restored
him to his senses. AM on receiving thanks. said:
''Mavbe We wad not be so ceevil if We kennel
who l am
But the cobbler answered: "Ou ay ken We
Ane Ye're n Cawthlic priest. But I'm man
aboon a. prejudice" That could have happened
only in Scotland. BIT. perhaps. the reason of
another Scots affabilty to adherent OF
different religion is not exclusively national
He felt it his duty 20 be civil to hereics In this
life. for he had no hope of ever seeing them in
any other.
minister with a sense of humor can accumu-
late numberess delightful anecdotes. and no.
where can he collect them TO better advantage
than in Scotland. This story originally tod by
Dean Stanley. of Archbishop Taits adventure
when. while visiting a country house. he went
alone to the postoffice to send telegram To
his brother is characteristic that English
story-tellers have already begun to tell II with
credit to various persons which is the best earn
est Of Immortality thai story can have
He wrots ii out THE Archbishop of Canter-
Tgss han Tod
sceptcal old postmaster read II aloud IN con
temptuous tones: THE Archbishop OF Canter-
bury" and added "Wha may ye be that takes
this cognomen?" The Archbishop. taken aback
remained silent for a moment. The morning was
cold and he had a wooen comforter wrapped
around his neck; but ON second view, tne post
master thought he looked more respectable than
on a first and added Maybe ye're the gentle
man himsei" TAFT replied modestly for want
Of A better I am" which the good old Scot
FASTENED to apoogize for his frst suspicion OF
jmposture adding: II might have seen YOU were
rather consequential about the legs; Ihen ne
added words Of cheer. which TAT sald tru!y Were
vtauv Scotch IL have a son in London, lad
IN a shop: and he gsed to hear ye preach one
day and wa werra weel satisfied.
Two other recoections in the same vein are OF
southev and Wordsworth. Coming out Of Kes
wick on the top of a coach. the driver pointed to
white house and uttered the enigmatc words.
.rhat.s where Towser lived Who Towser?'
oh Towser that wrote books A traveller mild
" said. T think YOU must mean Southey' Well
said the driver in loud and indignant tones.
.southey or Towser something OF that kind: l
don't care" Two days before, passing the
Rydal on the box seat, the question was pu''
Did YOU know Mr. Wordsworth" Oh yes !
knew old Wordsworth very well He was very
fond Of the box seat. was old Wordsworth. Al
another time a presumptuous bagman entered
coach drawn by horse along little line of rails
TO Perthshre village. and said in depreclatory
tone. "a very innocent railway. NO that emo
cent" answered the indignant driver no tha'