GUTHRIE, THOMAS, D.D., an eminent pulpit orator, philanthropist, and social reformer, was b. in 1803, at Brechin, Forfarshire, where his father was a merchant and banker. He went through the curriculum of study prescribed by the church of Scot land to candidates for the ministry at the university of Edinburgh, and devoted two additional winters to the study of chemistry, natural history, and anatomy. Mean while, he was licensed as a preacher by the presbytery of Brechin, in 1825. He subse quently spent six months in Paris, studying comparative anatomy. chemistry, and natural philosophy. Returning to Scotland, he for two years conducted, on behalf of his family, the affairs of a bank agency in Brechin. In 1830 he became minister of Arbirlot, in his native county; and in 1837 was appointed one of the ministers of Ohl Greyfriars parish in Edinburgh. Here his eloquence, combined with devoted labors to reclaim the degraded population of one of the worst districts of the city, soon won for him a high place in public estimation. In 1843 Guthrie joined the Free church, and for a long series of years continued to minister to a large and influential congregation in Edinburgh. In 1845-46 he performed a great service to the Free church, in his advocacy throughout the country of its scheme for providing manses or residences for its ministers. Guthrie's zeal, however, was not diverted into mere denominational or sectarian chanuels. He clime forward, in 1847, as the advocate of ragged schools (q.v.); and to him the rapid extension of the system over the kingdom is very much to be ascribed. He also earnestly exerted himself, in many ways, in opposition to intemper
ance and other prevailing vices. Guthrie possessed great rhetorical talent; and his style was remarkable for the abundance and variety of the illustrations he used. Few public speakers have ever blended solemnity and deep pathos so intimately with the humorous, his tendency to which has more frequently than anything else been pointed out as his fault. Guthrie always displayed a generous sympathy with all that tends to progress or improvement of any kind. He was moderator of the general assembly of the Free church of Scotland in May, 1862. Gutlfrie's most important published works are—The Gospel in Ezekiel, a series of Discourses (A. and C. Black, Edin. 1855); The 11'4 to Life, a volume of sermons (Edin:1862); A Plea for Drunkards and Drunkenness, a pamphlet (Edin. 1856); A Plea for Ragged Schools, a pamphlet (Edin. 1847), followed by a second and a third plea, the latter under the title of Seed-time and Harvest of Ragged Schools (Edin. 1862); The City: its Sins and Sorrows (Edin. 1857). Perhaps his Pleas furnish the best published specimens of Dr. Guthrie's eloquence. For some years before his death he acted as editor of the $enday Magacine, founded in 1864, in which year he retired from his regular ministrations. He died Feb. 24, 1873. His Autobio graphy and Memoir was published by his sons.