277 
of Edinburgh, Session 1873 - 74 . 
twentieth General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, — a 
dignity which, in all probability, would have been conferred on him 
some years earlier had the state of his health permitted him to 
undertake the duties of the office. 
Gifted with a vigorous constitution, Dr Guthrie had enjoyed 
good health, notwithstanding the excitement and toil attendant on 
the discharge of his official functions and his philanthropic efforts. 
But the continuous over-exertion to which he was exposed, espe- 
pecially in connection with the Manse scheme, began at length 
to tell upon him, and alarming symptoms, the prelude of that dis- 
ease which ultimately carried him off, became apparent. By the 
advice of medical friends he was induced, though reluctantly, to 
retire from the public exercise of his ministry, and from all engage- 
ments that might have an exciting effect upon the system. This 
took place in 1864, when a valuable testimonial was presented to 
him, amounting to L.5000, contributed by friends and admirers in 
all parts of the kingdom. On his retirement from the pulpit, Dr 
Guthrie devoted himself chiefly to literary pursuits. He became 
editor of the “ Sunday Magazine,” and contributed largely to its 
pages. Whilst thus employed he found time to make repeated 
excursions to the continent; and of his contributions to the “ Sun- 
day Magazine” not the least striking and instructive is a series of 
papers containing graphic sketches of what he saw when abroad, 
with characteristic observations and reflections on the scenes and 
incidents he describes. Most of his papers in the magazine were 
subsequently collected and published separately. These, with some 
volumes of sermons and a few pamphlets, comprise Dr Guthrie’s 
efforts as an author. His writings have been widely circulated 
in Great Britain, the colonies, and the United States, and have 
afforded instruction and delight to thousands who never saw his 
face or heard his voice. 
After his retirement from the pulpit Dr Guthrie was enabled to 
continue his literary labours in the enjoyment of a considerable 
measure of vigour till towards the close of 1872, when his illness 
began to assume a more virulent form. In the beginning of the 
following year he went to St Leonards-on-the-Sea, to obtain the 
benefit of the milder climate of that locality ; and there, on the 
24th of February, he closed his mortal career. His remains were 
