The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-14
IAN MACLAREN. HIS LIFE AND WORKS. Recent Address Delivered Before Clan Mcleod By
 James Mustarde.

The recent sad death of the Rev. pr. John Watson Clan MacLaren') in this country, ends the life of one of Scotland's modern literary geniuses. pr. Watson was well known in New Haven and several years ago he deliv- cred course of lectures at Yale and during the same year preached in Bat tel chapel, and on second visit to New Haven he delivered a lecture at the Church of the Redeemer. The fol- lowing interesting address on Dr. Wat son was delivered by James Mustarde before the members of Clan Mcleod o. s. c. some time ago, and is very appropriate at this time:
 In setting out to tell you something of the life and work of Ian MacLaren, I am, as it were, driving coals to Newcastle" But the fascination of this mans personality, and his unique and almost miraculous ascent of the ladder of literary fame, must beg the whole question for me.
 No man has ever obtained the imme- diate success and universal popularity as has Ian MacLaren. All over the English speaking world, and in many Europeon countries his delineation of Scotch rural character spread like wildfire. His name became house. hold word in the United States, and his works have had quite phenomenal sale. A wave of Scottish enthusiasm swept this entire continent, and Scot tish tweeds and tartans, fashions, ,1 4,r,-o of the day. Never before was ''puir auld Scotland so near the hearts of this great cosmopolitan people. And who will deny that the cause of all this is surely a man whom all Scotsmen should be proud to honour, the subject of this sketch-Ian MacLaren. And 1t is true "and pity 'tis, tis true" that there are many who are not in touch or sympathy with this latest Scottish lion. His life and life's work, and his success as a character painter are all but sealed books to large majority of readers. To lift the veil, and peer in to the pregnant past and living pres ent, to live and move and work and study with this great Scotsman, even for one short hour, is the object of this paper.
 Ian MacLaren, or to call him by his rbaptismal name, John Watson, was born in Maningtree, Essex of thor oughly characteristic Scotch stock. His father held very high position in the excise and was a man of marked per- sonality. Besides his strong individu ality, which he carried into every phase of his life, he was devoutly religious, profoundly interested in everything pertaining to religion and it's ultimate results, and was a devoted elder of the Free Church of Scotland. The mother, to whose memory "The Days of Auld Lang Syne" is dedicated, was of High land descent and understood although she could not speak, Gaelic. She knew enough of it. however, to be able to agree with one of her sons characters, Lauchlin Campbell, that it is the most expressive language for love or anger. She also held strong religious eonvic- tions, but differed somewhat from her husband in the matter of church gov ernment She had moderate leaning to the type of broad church. But, church government aside, she was a remarkable woman. Strong, alike in her likes and dislikes, she never lost an opportunity of visiting the sick, or those In trouble The milk of human Kindness flowed freely in all her veins, and generosity stamped her every ac- tion Class distinction she did not know and her loving kindness was un- bounded. If the gratitude and affection of those she had comforted and con- soled in days of sorrow count for any tbing, she has now an imperishable monument where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt From parents like these it is small wonder that the son-an only son-should combine and evolve all that is highest and best in human nature But we anticipate. Young Watson, all though born in England, was a pure Scot. The blood was there and could not be denied. Besides, from his boy hood, he spent the summer months in Scotland at the farms of his uncles around Blairgowrie and Neigh. His uncles belonged to the Established church so he had his sympathies early, and fairly, divided between the Free and the Auld Kirks. In due time he went to Edinburgh university, where he had the reputation of being more diligent and studious rather than bril- liant. His favorite studies were clas- sies and philosophy. He was secretary and afterwards president of the phi losophical society connected with the university.
 After completing his studies at the varsity, he entered the New College, preparatory to becoming a minister of the Free church. It had long been his fathers strong desire that his son should enter the Free church ministry. The young man was willing to accede to his fathers wish, although he hon. estly confessed that he never had felt the "call'' to the ministry that so many say they have felt. It is a great pity we have not more such outspoken hon. esty among our ministers If we had, the enemies of the church and religion would have small cause to sheer of hypocrisy, cant and humbug. For if ministers or men are not true to themselves they cannot be true to any man.
 Among the friendships he formed while a student may be mentioned such well known men as Dr. James Stalker, the late Professor Henry Drummond, Dr. Geo. Adam Smith, and the Rev. D. M. Ross Dundee, who were all stu dents at the time
 1t has been well said, 'tshow me the company and I'll show you the man" Surely this axiom was admirably eX-