improvement, and under what judicious instruction has he obtained such correctness of thinking and extent of information? Can nobody tell us of the place of his birth, his parentage, his instructors, his pursuits and predilections? Can we find no tale of his boyish days, that might throw some light upon the origin and development of a mind, whose faculties are so invigorated, and whose stores of knowledge are so varied and abundant? And if we happen to pick up a book which interests us very much, we turn over to the preface and introduction, to see if any thing has been said of its author, that we may get somewhat acquainted with the man who has afforded us such rational and solid pleasure.

We are happy to satisfy this laudable curiosity on the present occasion. No one can read attentively "The Christian's Great Interest," without having a desire to know something of its author,and to such we present the following brief Memoir.

MR. WILLIAM GUTHRIE was born at Pitforthy, in Angus-shire, in the year 1620. His father was a cadet of the ancient family of Guthrie, and was laird of the lands of Pitforthy. His mother was a daughter of the house of Easter-Ogle, whose familyTM show a long and honourable genealogical tree.

He was the eldest of a numerous family, having three sisters-german, and four brothers. Three of his brothers dedicated themselves to the service of God in preaching the gospel. His brother Robert was of a too delicate constitution to weather long the

difficulties and hardships of that period, as a conscientious ambassador of Christ. He was licensed, but never ordained to a parochial charge, and sunk into an early tomb. Alexander became minister of the Parish of Strickathrow, in the Presbytery of Brechin, in his native county, about the year 1645. This parish was not blessed long with his faithful ministry, for we find his death to have taken place in 1661. John, his youngest brother, obtained the Parish of Torbolton in Ayrshire, where he remained until he was ejected at the Restoration, for nonconformity. This was too severe a blow to a naturally tender frame, with its consequent hardships, long to endure; and he sunk under it and died in

1669.

Thus the subject of the present memoir brought the weight of most respectable, and independent, and pious connections to a character, which, for talents and integrity, would have arisen and shone forth from the lowest obscurity.

He gave early indications of capacity and genius, by the rapidity with which he acquired the Latin and Greek languages. Providence cradled his infant mind in a situation which had neither the neglect of poverty, nor the carelessness of indolent parents to check the growth of its rising powers. The plant was tended and cultivated with the greatest care, that its fruit and stability might afterwards be secured. Little is known of the first ten years of a man's life, though this is generally the period when the foundation of future character is laid. And we have often to regret that the first

impressions, which are most lasting, and give a bias to the pursuits and tendencies of the man, are seldom retained in general biography. The gradual steps in the formation of the character are summed up in a single sentence, and imagination has to supply the deficiencies. So it is with Guthrie. Indeed the routine of a boy's education previous to his departure for College, leaves little upon which to dilate. And since we find nothing of any importance, which happened in the boyhood of William Guthrie, that could affect either the development of his talents or give a direction to his views and pursuits, we present him at once a student of the University of St. Andrews.

Here he enjoyed peculiar advantages. The memorable Mr. James Guthrie, who was one of the earliest sacrifices of the heedlessness and folly of Charles II. and whose name is enshrined among the Worthies of Scotland, was at this time one of the Professors of Philosophy in the New College there; and being cousin to the subject of this memoir, became at once his guardian and instructor. Lodged with this distinguished man, he enjoyed all the influence of the society and direct superintendence of one no less noted for his firmness of principle, than for his cultivated mind, eloquence, and piety. Such a situation to young Guthrie, was incalculable. Freed from the contamination of bad associates, he had the living epistle of a servant of Christ at all times before his eyes. He received important instruction from his varied and interesting conversation. Christianity was recommended, by

seeing its influence in producing motives and guiding the activities of life for the best interests of humanity. And science and literature were keenly pursued and relished, when associated with all that is dignified and academic in character, and useful to the softening and elevating of the species. To his advantages here, we may trace the formation of that character which afterwards distinguished his useful existence. He found in his guardian, Mr. Guthrie, an able instructor in all his academical pursuits, as well as a vigilant monitor over the morals of his rising manhood. And his great progress in the various branches of languages and philosophy, shows how greatly he had appreciated and used his peculiar advantages.

Having obtained the degree of Master of Arts, he applied himself with great assiduity to the study of Theology. Whatever may have been his previous views, they appear now to have taken a decided turn towards the work of the ministry of the Gospel. Heir to a very competent estate, and as yet only receiving an education suitable to that rank in which Providence had placed him by inheritance, we do not find that his attendance at the University had any other aim, until he became a hearer of the celebrated Samuel Rutherford, whose Letters breathe such simplicity and heavenly-mindedness. He was at this time Professor of Theology at St. Andrews; and under this eminent servant of Christ, William Guthrie not only studied divinity, but derived from his pulpit ministrations such views and impressions of religion, as led him to dedicate him

self wholly to the service of the Lord. He was all along piously inclined. The care of his educa

tion at home, and the vigilance of his excellent cousin, Mr. James Guthrie, checked any wayward feeling which the ardour of youth might have excited, and kept him in that respectable and decent tenor of conduct which gains the approbation of man, and often lulls conscience asleep as to the deep feeling of ungodliness, which, under the fairest outside may be slumbering at the bottom: but now, by the preaching of Mr. Rutherford, he got such an awakening as set him into a fearful state of agitation. He saw the infinite distance he stood from that holiness, "without which no man can see the Lord." He felt the justice of that condemnation which is passed upon all men on account of sin: and he stood trembling for the awful consequences of it, in regard to himself. The terrors of the Lord, indeed, took fast hold of him; but they only tended to rivet more deeply in his soul, the abiding consolations of the gospel of peace. He found himself such a debtor to the free grace of God in Christ Jesus, that he felt his whole existence must be dedicated to one who so loved him, as to lay down his life for him. And in order the more effectually to accomplish this, and to show the sincerity and strength of his resolution, he made over his estate of Pitforthy to his brother, who had not entered upon the holy ministry. Now that he was disengaged from all worldly concerns, he gave himself entirely to the solemn preparation of the duties of an ambassador of Christ. With what singleness of intention and devotedness