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Annandale Past and Present 1839-1900

Chapter XXII. — Home Grandparents

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Chapter XXII.
Home Grandparents.

Like the grandfather whose story we have been telling in the previous pages, this grandfather—also a pioneer, possessed a brave, bright spirit, and fought a hard fight all through life, although with different foes and weapons. His whole life was a beautiful example of unselfish heroism, joined to fine powers, which he spent freely for the good of others.

John Guthrie was born in May, 1814, in the village of Milnathort, near Kinross, a small town on the banks of Loch Leven, Scotland. In the centre of the loch stands the lonely "Isle" and ruins of the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for the year 1567; it was there she was forced to sign her abdication of the tin-one of Scotland, and from that old castle she managed to escape in 1568 by the aid of Douglas, who threw the keys of the castle into the waters of the loch. There is another island called St. Serf's Inch, at the east end of the Loch, larger than "Queen Mary's Island," on which are the ruins of one of the most ancient Culdee Abbeys in Scotland. The island was said to be dedicated to God by the last of the Pietish kings, St. Servan, some Culdee hermits taking up their abode there to worship. Hence the name: St. Serf's Inch. The whole neighbourhood is renowned for its romantic associations, its ruins of castle, kirk, and mansion.

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John Outline, senr. (the writer's grandfather), was a manufacturer of woollen fabrics in Milnathort, and a man of intellectual tastes. He was an elder in the Anti-Burgher Church, and was very proud of being a descendant, in direct line, of Win and James Guthrie, who were prominent in the days of the Persecution, James dying the death of a martyr for conscience" sake. There
Loch Leven, Isle, and Castie, Kinross, Scotland.

Loch Leven, Isle, and Castie, Kinross, Scotland.

was a family of six in the Milnathort home, John being third in age. James, the eldest son, died young; he had been pursuing the study of astronomy, and gave promise of a brilliant career. His death deeply impressed John, then beginning his studies, and decided him to be a minister. Helen, eldest sister, also died young, and then their mother, who was a gentle, refined woman, died, leaving Jane, aged 15, to take her place in the home. Jane page 239afterwards became the wife of Rev. Andrew Gardiner, schoolfellow and lifelong friend of John, and is remembered lovingly by all who knew her for her sweet womanly nature. She had a great influence over her brothers and young sister Eliza (afterwards Mrs. Barnet), who in her turn became the ruling spirit of the home. She also lives in the hearts of all who knew her, her bright ways and generous temperament giving her a character or her own.
Lower Loch Leven Castle

Lower Loch Leven Castle

Their youngest brother, William, went to Australia early in life, and died there about the year 1861 in sad circumstances, being lost in the bush and his body found some days after death. This was a heavy grief to John and his sisters. Their father had died a few years previously, and all were married by this time, the old home being broken up. Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Barnet, page 240though long since gone to their rest, are well known by name to the young members of our family circle, and as we shall see, the members of the Hay, Guthrie, and Gardiner families are connected by marriage as well as kinship.

John was a bright student; he had true poetic taste, culture, and proficiency in languages. He took his degree of M. A. at Edinburgh University. He studied under Professor Dunbar and John Wilson ("Christopher North") and he
Main Street, Milnathort, Kinross-shire, Scotland.Dr. J. Guthrie's Birthplace.

Main Street, Milnathort, Kinross-shire, Scotland.
Dr. J. Guthrie's Birthplace.

considered it the great honour of his life to have been a learner at the feet of these men of genius. He completed his course and was ordained, about the year 1839-40, a minister of the United Secession Church of Scotland (afterwards known by the name of the United Presbyterian Church); as was also, about the same time, his lifelong, friend, Rev. James Morison, of Kilmarnock.
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His first charge was Kendal, Westmoreland.* He did good work for a year or two in this quaint old quaker town on the banks of the river Kent, where he formed some lasting friendships. Prominent among those was Mrs. McNaught, with whom our father had his home for the first five years of his ministry, and who was ever his true, warm friend. [She has long since passed away, but her son and his wife continue to this day amongst the writer's best and dearest friends—"though sundered far," their home being in Worcester, England.] As long as our father lived he treasured the true friendships formed in this, his first charge, and ever spoke of his life in Kendal with glowing words.

In 1841 Rev. J. Morison was arraigned at the bar of Synod in Kilmarnock, and after a famous trial for heresy, was expelled from the Secession Church. The charge of heresy was made because he preached the Gospel of Christ as "free to every man who believed." Rev. J. Guthrie "protested" on his friend's behalf that his preaching was based on the truths of Scripture. This caused much discussion in the West of Scotland, and was followed by a widely spread revival of religion. Rev. J. Guthrie seriously weighed the charges brought against his friend, and after prayerful study of the Scriptures in the original, he felt he agreed with Rev. J. Morison in every detail. He was advised by many, friends—Professor Harper, Rev. Joseph Brown, etc., to remain amongst them, not to throw away his future prospects and wider chances of good-doing for the sake of "mere words;" but he looked at the matter differently. It meant more than "mere words" to him;

* The birthplace of "Uncle John" and the writer.

Dr. James Morison became one of the first theologians of bis day. He is the author of a well known commentary on the New Testament and many other works. He enjoyed great popularity as the founder of the E.U. Church (called after him familiarly "Morisonian"). He died within the last few years

page 242it meant life truths that he must utter, and with no uncertain sound.

Again he attended the trial of Rev. A. Rutherford at the Synod of 1843 in Edinburgh; and again he "protested." His own trial followed immediately, and a committee was appointed to deal with him, leaving him only a few hours to prepare his defence. It could only have one ending after the previous eases, and here we shall quote a few sentences from the sketch of our father's life in the volume entitled "The Evangelical Union Worthies." relating to his expulsion from the U.I*. Church (pp. 290-1):—"He was asked the following question:—'Would Mr. Guthrie be prepared to say to any individual man he met, 'Christ died for you?' lie replied, 'I feel not only free, but bound to say to any and every sinner, 'Christ died for you;' if I could not tell them this without faltering, I should be keeping back from them the Gospel.' Much debate followed, and then the severest sentence the church could pronounce was passed upon him. He was deposed from the ministry, and all the ministers of the Denomination forbidden to either preach for him or to allow him to preach for them. He stood up, and said amidst breathless silence, 'I protest against the decision of Synod suspending me from the oleic of the ministry, seeing that the doctrines, on the grounds of which I am suspended, are important truths of scripture; and I will hold myself at liberty to preach the Gospel of God's love to the world, as 'if no such act had passed.' He then left the church (where Synod was held) amidst a loud burst of applause from those who approved of his manly act. Thus was John Guthrie thrust out of the church of his fathers, in which he was brought up and ordained, the stigma of heresy fixed to his name and the doors shut against him."…

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And for what? Because, in the words of John the Baptist, he would say to every sinner—"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world," and point them to Christ, the "author" and "finisher" of their faith. The doctrinal point at issue was simple enough; he believed salvation was free to all the world, the only barrier being unbelief; taking Christ's words to mean literally what they say: "For God so loved the" world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Because they took the Bible and not the "Confession of Faith" for their text-book, these men were tried, found wanting in orthodoxy, and expelled from their mother Church.

The U.P. Church has outlived its own orthodoxy now, and would no longer condemn its ministers for preaching a free Gospel. Yet fully forty years elapsed before the barriers of pride and prejudice gave way, and exchange of pulpits with the outcast ministers became permissible. Years afterwards, it was said of Drs. Morison and Guthrie by an eminent U.P. minister, who sympathised with them and remained their friend*—"Morison is the Luther and Guthrie the Melanethon of the day, and both are fifty years before their time." The four expelled ministers (Rev. Robert Morison, father of James, having also "gone out" by this time) met the same week and formed themselves into a "Body." Our father gave the name "Evangelical Union" to the young cause, and on the same day wrote to his people at Kendal explaining his position and resigning his charge. They, however, refused to accept his resignation and rallied round him to a man, begging him to remain their pastor. Their "memorial" reached him while he was at Kilmarnock with the Revs. Morison, &c.,

* Rev. George Gilfillan, of Dundee.

page 244laying plans for future work. It could only be by the Church severing its connection with the U P. denomination that he could remain their pastor, and this they did, unanimously, thereafter calling themselves "Independents."

He remained four years in Kendal after these events, and was married during the later years of his sojourn there to Ann Orr, of Annandale, near Kilmarnock. During the revival of this time she and her youngest sister Julia (afterwards wife of Rev. A. M. Wilson Airdrie) braved the anger and bigotry of their father who was an Elder of the Established Kirk- and joined the E.U. cause, "Mori-sonians," as they were then called. The two girls had a hard time of it, hut remained true to their convictions, and eventually through them old Mr. Orr and all his family threw in their lot with the E.U.'s. Mr. Orr's youngest son, Thomas began to study for the ministry soon after this time.

In the end of 1818 our father left Kendal, being more needed in Glasgow, the heart of the young "movement." The small baud of E.U. ministers had by this time increased, and a. Divinity Hall was instituted in Glasgow for the training of the young students who kept falling into their ranks. Our father had the "Chairs" of Systematic Theology and Hebrew, and afterwards Old Testament Exigesis to fill, as well as the founding of Dundas Street E.U. Church, which was at this time in its infant stage, the congregation meeting in a hall. He was far from strong at this period of his life, and although he gave himself heart and soul to the work, it was more than he was able for, the strain on his overtaxed brain made him subject to intense headaches. But for his indomitable spirit he must have sunk under the work of those years. His love for the work of training students, and his affectionate interest in them all personally, helped to lighten the labour, and page 245his eager interest in the progress of the cause he loved would not admit of a selfish thought. In 1851 he was called to form a church in Greenock, Rev. J. Morison taking his place in Dundas Street. This change did not lessen hut rather increased his labours, as during the session he had to take a train journey of 20 miles each way daily, to and from the Divinity Hall in Glasgow.

It was in the town of Greenock Thomas Orr and James Guthrie were born, and there in the large pleasant Academy our first school-days were spent. Even these childish days were clouded by the prejudice that clung to the "Morisonians." We were outsided by our play fellows, and called "heretics." This was part of the penalty our father paid for strict honour and honesty. He could not have acted otherwise and have been true to his conscience, so whatever it cost himself and family socially, there is nothing to regret—we do but honour his memory the more! After 10 years' work in Greenock our father was called to London in 1861, again to start an infant church, the fourth he had formed. This time he built a fine stone church, with spire, in Tolmers' Square, Tottenham Court Road, and was so energetic in raising money for it, that it was entered debt free early in 1862.

This was the year of the Great International Exhibition, London, and a veritable palace of enchantment it was to our young eyes. The vast Exhibition, with its gorgeous courts full of rare works of art and barbaric relics, was but one of many bewildering sights. The Crystal Palace, in its lovely grounds, was itself a world of wonders, perhaps the most haunting memory—except the magnificent concerts in the great nave—centres in one corner of the grounds where stand grouped in strange contrast to their modern surroundings the mammoth creatures of past ages, looking as natural as pre-historic animals can look in such page 246circumstances! Hampton Court, too, with its spacious halls and pictures—Lely's famous Court Beauties, Raphael's Cartoons, &c.—a rare collection; its wonderful parks, gardens, vinery, maze, all conjuring up scenes of ancient chivalry and romance in the days of long ago, when this fine old Palace was the abode of royalty. Then the Tower, with all its bygone terrors and traditions, what a rare delight when our father could spare time to take us to see those sights, about which, as it seemed to us, he could tell us everything! His stores of information and his memory seemed to us inexhaustible. Would that his mantle could have fallen upon us, his children!

In Bernard Street, Chalk Farm, close to Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, and a stone's throw from the house where Lady Myron lived for years a sad lonely life, we spent five happy years; perhaps the happiest of all our young lives except for one over-shadowing cloud, viz., the bad health of our mother. The work of this London Church proved very wearing to our father too; but his buoyant spirit carried him on. "The boys"—John and Tom—(James was yet too young for school)—attended the Philological School, Paddington, a long walk from Bernard Street, all the years of their boyhood in London. Towards the end of our sojourn in London John was placed in J. and R. Morley's, in the City, an enormous wholesale warehouse, where he learned that his tastes could never agree with tape-selling! At this time the question, "What to do with our boys?" was beginning to be a serious one, but it soon solved itself. Meantime our mother's weak health effectually cheeked all the writer's hopes of further advancement in education, except desultory lessons and general reading, the lessons being often missed, as the many duties of an only daughter crowded in.

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In 1866 some of our father's old friends in Scotland agitated to get him back there again, and he felt ready to accept their call, although he knew it was to form another church. This time, however, the material was ready waiting. There had long been a want felt for a central E.U. Church in Glasgow, there being none between north, south, east and west "sides," and many of his truest old friends were ready to welcome him there. In September, 1866 (a few months after the first Home cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Caldwell, sailed for New Zealand from London, after spending their honeymoon with us in Bernard Street and doing the sights en passant) we found ourselves once more amongst our good old friends in the smoky city of Glasgow. For some mouths the new church worshipped in the Trades Hall, but very soon its energetic founders were in treaty with the trustees of Dr. Hately Waddell's hand-some new church off St. Enoch's Square and bought it. They also bought a large powerful pipe organ, and the music was brought to a high pitch of excellence by a well-trained choir and efficient organist. Our father was surrounded by staunch true friends, and though his work was arduous, he had every encouragement in it, and spent nine happy years in building up this "Central" Church. This seemed to be the mission of his life; to quote his own words, as given in the sketch of his life by Dr. Adamson (E.U. Worthies, p. 352):—"Mere ambition does not influence me much. I am content to be to the end, what I have most of my life been—a pioneer."

In another connection he says:—"Live throughout the breadth and depth, as well as the length of your life. 'He most lives, who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best'" (E.U. Worthies, p. 345.) Up to his own noble standard, our revered father lived, as all who knew him can testify, his self-sacrificing labours for the cause of truth gave ample proof of this. If it were necessary, many page 248testimonies could be had for the asking from men of noble life and character, for instance, Dr, Fairbairn, of Oxford, I)r. Craig, Dr. Adamson, Rev. R. Hislop (his successor in Glasgow), and many others of his "students." These all loved and revered him, and, we doubt not, some owe much of their own culture to the help he gave them in youth.

It may seem as if we exaggerate in recalling the character and attainments of our father, but one answer only need be given to this charge—if charge it be—he was held by all who knew him as noble, worthy, gifted: one whose whole life was "a great and noble creed." In reality the half has not been told, nor is it possible, within the limits of one chapter, to do anything like justice to his life and work. In disposition he was genial and generous, full of hearty humour and loving kindness. He was very quick to seethe good in his fellowmen, ever ready to appreciate another's culture or wit, and to meet it with an apt retort. Always looking at the fair, bright side of life, his ardent love of nature and all things beautiful in nature and art, added a charm to his ready wit, so that he shone as a conversationalist. In extempore public speaking he always had a fluent How of language, finding no difficulty in handling his subjects with ease and mastery. Towards the latter years of his life the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Victoria University, Canada. He had in the midst of his many labours found time to publish some books at various times - a translation of "Brandt's Life of Arminius"; lectures, "Heroes of Faith"; "Physiology of Temperance"; two prize "Essays on Disestablishment"; "Paedo-baptist Guide"; a volume of poems, "Sacred Lyrics"; and a volume of sermons, "Discourses," etc., etc, in addition to many pamphlets and manuals, "New Views, True Views," "Church Government," etc. For many years he was editor of the "Scottish Review" and "League Journal"—organ page 249of the "Scottish Temperance League,"' with which movement he identified himself, throwing his energies and influence ever on the side of temperance reform. How he managed to conduct those editorial duties, and publish the books he did, in addition to his church and professorial work, was a marvel to his friends. His family, however, well knew what it cost him, although his was the "pen of a ready writer." He robbed himself of his hours of rest to fulfil all the tasks he set himself to do. His motto in relation to the work of his life was—"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might"; throwing his heart and soul into it as he did, there is no doubt he reaped great enjoyment out of his life work, arduous and varied as it was. He had one earnest desire which he never managed to gratify, that was to write a book worthy of his thoughts on Biblical study: but though this cherished hope was not fulfilled in the way he meant it to be, for want of leisure, yet he has left ample stores of rich thoughts in the books above named, especially his "Lyrics" and "Discourses."

Soon after our return to Glasgow, John was sent to Patrick Henderson's Shipping Office, and Tom was also sent to a commercial office after his school days were over. John had a clever talent for caricaturing, which he has cultivated all his life for amusement. At this time he had a strong wish to prosecute this department of art, but our father earnestly advised a more "solid profession - medicine for preference. John then began his studies in Glasgow University, about the year 1X09. Tom had shown a decided business aptitude, and his decision was not taken for some years after John began to study. When his time came for the final decision, viz. in 1872 he was trammelled with office work for part of each day, which made his preliminary medical studies all the harder. It is, therefore, all the more creditable to him that he "got through" all his hard exams, without a hitch. James meantime had page 250given unmistakable evidence of his talent for drawing. Before he could talk even, he was covering every scrap of paper he could get with every conceivable animal in every possible attitude: pigs with curly tails, curious cattle in regard to heads and legs, horses that somewhat squarely resembled that noble animal. His taste never faltered, and he was fortunate enough to be able to indulge his cherished ambition in youth and manhood without drawback. He is an uncle to be proud of as an artistic genius, though perhaps he will never be personally known to some of our "elan," by reason of the seas that roll between us. Vet we must hope his successful career as an artist will always be followed with affectionate interest by all of us, old and young. James Guthrie has already attained fame as a pioneer of art. The West of Scotland School claims him as its founder.

In 1869-70, when our New Zealand cousin, Tom Hay—"the Maori" -arrived in Scotland, James was a boy at school, John in full swing of college work, and Tom immersed in office work. The advent of a "Maori" cousin was all that was needed to fire both John and Tom with the desire to seek fortune's favours in the distant sunny land. In course of time, as each became equipped for the battle of life, this resolution was carried out.

Three years after Tom Hay's departure from Scotland, [gap — reason: damaged], in 1873, our father was presented with a testimonial of £1000 as a token of the esteem in which he was held by the E.U. denomination. The cheque was laid on a silver salver, on which a suitable inscription was engraved.* It was an intense joy to us and to our mother to witness the enthusiasm of that vast crowd of friends and well-wishers, who filled the old City Hall, Glasgow, on the night of the presentation: and to listen to the glowing,

* This salver is in the possession of Dr. John Guthrie and his family now.

page 251living words spoken by his fellow ministers of him and of his work. He well deserved it all. His life was devoted to the cause he loved and laboured for, yet he had no thought of ever having his work so acknowledged, and it was with a full heart he rose to express his thanks, amidst loud and prolonged cheering. His speech that night was
Rev. John Guthrie, D.D.—Died 18th September, 1878

Rev. John Guthrie, D.D.—Died 18th September, 1878

one of the best He ever uttered, although the occasion was a sufficiently trying one.

He was now visibly declining in strength, and for a year previous to his presentation had had an assistant, Rev. J. Adams, who relieved him considerably of the pastoral work. He was looking forward to retiring soon, and following us his children, to New Zealand for the time page 252was fast approaching for John and the writer to set sail for New Zealand, where our future home was to be.

Shortly before our departure, a central railway station was about to be built in St. Enoch's Square, and the church was therefore sold. After a short interval, during which the congregation worshipped in West Campbell Street, they bought Pitt Street Church, and amalgamated with that congregation, who were without a minister. The Rev. Robert Hislop of Kilmarnock was called, after Mr. Adams left, to be our father's colleague and successor in Pitt Street.*

In the end of September, 1874, the sad day dawned that severed John and the writer for ever from their old home and beloved parents. We fondly hoped to meet them again before long, but, alas! our hopes were not to be realised on earth. Our own experiences and subsequent events we shall relate in their sequence, meantime, the little that remains to tell of the parents we so sadly parted from is too painful to linger over.

In 1877 our brother Tom had finished his studies, and towards the end of that year he too said farewell to home, expecting that the following year our parents and James would join us all in New Zealand. Tom got an appointment as surgeon in the emigrant ship "Appeles," other-wise his leaving would probably have been deferred till our parents were ready to set sail also. The fact that he left them to follow was an added grief to him afterwards, but all was done for the best. Shortly before Tom left, our parents spent some months at Matlock Hydropathic Establishment: the treatment there proved too lowering for our father, whose strength from that time declined. As late as 1876 he had accepted the Chair of Apologetics

* Mr. Hislop remained, until two years ago, the honoured pastor of this church.

page 253in the Divinity Hall, Glasgow, this he had to give up in 1877, and also retire from preaching, except very occasionally. He was eager to come to New Zealand, hopeful that the change of climate might restore him. Dr. Christie (whom he called his "beloved physician,"—(Dr. C. had been one of our father's old students, but afterwards entered the medical profession, and had for years attended our father) urged it as perhaps the only chance of prolonging his life.

They took their passages in the s. s. "Hankow," bound for Melbourne, to sail on 18th September, 1878, from London. He had first to face the ordeal of many farewells, both public and private, which tried him greatly. He spoke earnest, loving words to his many sorrowing friends at the large farewell meeting held in Glasgow, and, though he bore up bravely, all could see how he suffered. They travelled by easy stages to London, resting with old Kendal friends in Windermere, and again in Manchester. He had borne the journeys well so far, but, on arriving in the home of his valued friends, Rev. Wm. and Mrs. Marshall, of Hackney, London, where they were to stay a few days before sailing, he suddenly became worse, and it was only too plain that his end was near. His sufferings were very great, but his patience and calmness greater, for no murmur escaped him, yet he found strength to utter loving, helpful words to each of his dear ones around him, as well as messages to us, who were far away. He dictated a letter to us, which "Uncle Tom" (Rev. Thos. Orr, who was with him to the end) wrote the day before he died, the last words of which were:—"We may not meet in the new country where you are, my children; but there is a better country, that is an Heavenly, awaiting us all, where there shall be no more partings. Let us all meet there."

On the day the "Hankow" sailed from London—the 18th of September, 1878—our father died.

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The "Hankow" brought to us the clothes, books, and valuables belonging to the parents we were never to meet again on earth, and the arrival of those belongings intensified the grief of that sad time. Our hopes had been so bright; the weeks and months had been filled with loving preparations for our dear ones; their very rooms had been ready for their reception. Lodgings had been secured for them in Melbourne, and Tom Hay had started to meet them there and bring them home. He had reached the Bluff' to catch the steamer there, when a telegram recalled him just before he went on board. We had received Uncle Tom's first letter, which prepared us for the final news we received by cable, posted from 'Frisco a week or two afterwards.

The next mail brought us many letters of sympathy, and full details of his last hours. The funeral, which was a public one, is fully described by Dr. Adamson in his sketch of our father's life ("E. U. Worthies," p. 377). There the "Tributary Sermon," by Rev. R. Hislop, as well as the funeral service, is largely quoted from, and fully testified to the universal and heartfelt sorrow of his many attached friends. He was buried in Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow, and a granite monument was erected by his family, and a few of his dearest friends, to his memory.

We still hoped to see our mother and youngest brother in New Zealand, and for years this hope was cherished; but, notwithstanding her grief and lone-liness, she altered her plans for dames' sake, who had entered on his artistic studies. She devoted the remainder of her life to him, whose companionship was her greatest solace, as her sympathy was his inspiration.

Thus ended our dreams of an earthly reunion; the true realization awaits us in the Better Land "If only we are counted worth) - in that bye-and-bye." The bright example page 255of our parents and grand-parents shines as a beacon light along life's pathway "guiding our feet into the ways of peace, "for—"the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."