that it had sacrificed for the sake of the house of Stuart. It is with Mr. Gleig, and not with the history of the Episcopal Church, that we are now concerned; and we shall only refer to the latter in so far as it connects itself with the subject of this paper.

The Chevalier's death brought the first | task was now to organize an administration real measure of relief to the non-jurors, for itself, to provide churches and funds, freeing them from an impracticable alle- and to retrieve the position and influence giance, and removing the main barrier between them and their fellow-subjects. Charles Edward died in 1788, exactly a century after his luckless grandfather had lost his crown. Gleig by this time was settled in Stirling a more prosperous charge than Pittenweem; for with the fruits of his literary work to add to his sal- The difference between Bishop Skinner, ary, he was able to marry the youngest who had now succeeded to the primacy of daughter of Mr. Hamilton of Kilbrack- the Church, and Gleig, was probably a mont, who had been among his Fifeshire reason why the latter, during his incumparishioners. Here it fell to the lot of bency at Stirling, took very little part in Mr. Gleig to introduce into the service the the public councils of the Episcopalians prayers for the royal family, which were so that followed the removal of the penal distasteful to the survivors of Culloden. | laws. His chief ambition at this time The clergy, as a body, readily took this seems to have been to discharge the duties step; but many of the laity felt their stom- of a zealous parish priest, and to add to achs rise at hearing the elector of Hanover the reputation he had already won as a prayed for as their "most gracious sov- man of letters. ereign lord, King George." At the outset numbers left the churches in disgust; others remained, and expressed dissent from the prayer by ominous coughing, or by contemptuously blowing their noses. "Ladies slammed their prayer-books and yawned audibly at the prayer for King George."

When King George was first prayed for by name in Meiklefolla church, Charles Halket of Inveramsay sprung to his feet, vowed he would never pray for "that Hanoverian villain," and instantly left the church, which he did not re-enter for twenty years. A Mr. Rogers of St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, said Bishop Skinner might "pray the cknees aff his breeks" before he would join him in praying for King George. (Bishop Jolly, p. 41, note.)

His labors were signally successful in gathering round him a large congregation, for whom he succeeded in raising a church capable of containing two hundred worshippers. His sermons must have been far above the average of those delivered from Episcopalian pulpits about this time

that of the Cowgate in Edinburgh, which was then filled by the elder Allison, of course, excepted; for when republished, they attracted the favorable notice of the English reviewers, and in particular, of the Anti-Facobin, who characterizes Gleig as "the most learned and correct of the Scotch literati,". -no slight compliment when it is remembered that Robertson and

Dugald Stewart were then his contemporaries. He had formed a close connecWe do not hear of any disturbances in tion with the "Encyclopedia Britannica, the Stirling congregation, and the tact of the second edition of which was then in the incumbent had probably been success- course of preparation; and from being its fully applied for the removal of prejudices; prime adviser on theology and metafor Gleig appears to have, long before this, physics, he ultimately stepped into the sunk his Jacobite predilections in a loyal editorship, and completed the work. He desire to reconcile his Church with the was also a contributor to the British Critic reigning dynasty. A few ultra-Jacobites, and the Anti-Facobin, and was regarded like Oliphant of Gask, might still hold by as a leading man in the world of English Henry IX., who, were he even a Mahum-letters; for he does not appear to have etan or a Turkish priest," was still the sought to make a place for himself nearer legitimate heir to a throne; but all sensi- home. Distinctions and more substantial ble men saw that a Roman cardinal would rewards followed; and though he had been never reign over Britain. Besides, George denied a seat in the college of bishops, III. was showing himself a good Churchman and a sound Tory; and these virtues were fast effacing all disagreeable recollections of the two preceding reigns.

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With the introduction of King George's name into the Scottish liturgy, the most picturesque, if the most painful, period of the Church's history comes to an end. Its

Dr. Gleig was in himself a power in the Scottish Episcopal Chuch, which the primus would not bend himself to conciliate, and which he could not venture openly to defy. The strong character of Primus Skinner, and the jealousy with which he guarded the episcopal college from the admission of any member who

might go into opposition to his own policy, corded a resolution that he would never had created dissatisfaction among a large allow himself to be subjected to similar number of presbyters, especially those of insult. In course of time, however, it bethe southern dioceses; and these looked came felt, by all who had the interests of to Dr. Gleig as the champion of their party. the Church at heart, that it was imperaHis connection with the reviews made him tively necessary to promote Dr. Gleig's rather an object of dread to his opponents, election to a bishopric for the credit of the and though they could keep him out of Episcopal college itself. He was prothe episcopal college, they could not keep posed for the diocese of Edinburgh by Dr. him from criticising its doings in journals Sandford, who was himself elected as a circulating among English Churchmen, means of drawing the English and Scottish before whom Scottish bishops were nat- Episcopalians more closely together, much urally anxious that their doings should be to Dr. Gleig's own satisfaction. On the represented in the best light. It cannot, third occasion when the Dunkeld presbyhowever, be said that Dr. Gleig abused ters made choice of him as their diocesan, his power; for when he found that his in 1808, Dr. Gleig actively co-operated connection with the Anti-Facobin was im- with the efforts of the primus to upset the plicating him in all its reflections upon election, in order to secure the see for his Scottish Episcopacy, he formally closed his young friend Mr. Torry, in whose advanceconnection with that periodical. "This " ment he seems to have taken an earnest (his alliance with the Anti-Facobin) "pro-interest. Mr. Torry was naturally unwillcured to me so much coldness from differing to accept office to the prejudice of his ent persons whose friendship I had long en- friend and in opposition to the choice of joyed and highly valued, and was attended the majority of the presbyters, and Dr. with other disagreeable circumstances of Gleig himself had to use his influence to so much more importance, that I found get him to consent to being elected. myself under the necessity of withdrawing my regular contributions from the AntiFacobin, and circulating among my friends an assurance that I had done so." This step involved considerable self-denial, for the Anti-Facobin was then in the zenith of its popularity, and a power in the press of the day.

Be assured, my dear sir [writes Dr. Gleig to him] that it will give me unfeigned pleasure to see you Bishop of Dunkeld; and let not something like a preference given by the clergy to me prejudice you against accepting of an office of which Mr. Skinner assures me that all acknowledge you worthy, at the very instant that three of them voted for me. This is not a time for standing on punctilio or delicacy of feeling; and the clergy of Dunkeld are the more excusable for betraying a partiality for me from their knowledge of the manner in which I was formerly treated when elected to that see, and when I could have been of infinitely greater use to the Church there than I could now be as a bishop.

Hardly, however, had the Dunkeld election been settled, when Dr. Gleig received the news that the Brechin presbyters had unanimously chosen him as coadjutor to their aged bishop; and this time the primus did not venture to thwart the election of the clergy.

The persistent exclusion of a clergyman of Dr. Gleig's position and abilities from the episcopate in course came to be a scandal in the Church. Twice after his first election did majorities of the see of Dunkeld choose him for their bishop, and as often was their choice overruled by the influence of the primus. We would be loath to charge so exemplary a prelate as Primus Skinner with being influenced by personal rancor, but he appears to have had a remarkable aptitude for reconciling his antipathies to Gleig with his duty to the Church. Dr. Gleig seems to have accepted his rejections by the episcopal college with entire indifference, feeling, But though Primus Skinner could not doubtless, that the general recognition go the length of keeping Gleig out of the which his abilities were receiving from episcopate, he insisted on his submitting every other quarter would not be affected to a test which had never before been by the conduct of the Scottish episcopal bench. On the occasion of his second election to the bishopric of Dunkeld, in 1792, he does appear to have felt some resentment at the illegal conduct of the college in transferring the votes recorded for him to its own nominee, a young and untried man who had barely reached the canonical age. On this occasion he reVOL. XXVI. 1312

LIVING AGE.

formally demanded of a Scottish bishop, and which the primus probably hoped Gleig would resist, and thus give him an opportunity of cancelling the election for his contumacy. The test incident led to a very pretty passage of arms between the primus and the bishop-designate, in which certainly Bishop Skinner did not get the best of it. The Episcopal Church of Scot

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land possesses two communion offices a more matured experience than Scottish one the well-known form of the Common bishops of that day were usually possessed Prayer-book, and the other the Scottish of. He commanded the confidence of office, based mainly on King Charles's both the Scottish and the Anglican parties Prayer-book, and finally settled by the in the Church, and successfully used his non-juring bishops in the first half of the influence to adjust the balance and reconeighteenth century. Except in so far as cile differences between the two. His the Scottish office keeps up the commun- broad mind showed him the way to surion of saints by a "remembrance of the mount obstacles that had seemed insuperfaithful departed," there is practically not able to the narrower experience of the much difference between the two; although northern bishops. He found the Church custom and prejudice have contrived to still suffering from the effects of its former extract theological odium out of the re- position of discord with society and with spective merits of the Scottish and Angli- law, and it was his strenuous effort to can uses." Gleig was the only presbyter bring it into harmony with the best objects in his diocese who used the Scottish office; of both. It was mainly due to his efforts and this fact might have been accepted as that the present firm alliance between the sufficient warranty for the absence of any sister Churches was made and cemented, prejudice on his part against it. Bishop and that the rights of Scottish bishops obSkinner broached the subject in what he tained due recognition from the English evidently considered a very diplomatic metropolitans. His charges breathe a letter, dwelling on his desire for "the spirit that is at once catholic and broad; preservation of what was pure and primi- and while he is ever tolerant of individual tive" in the Church, and laying down a convictions, he is extremely liberal in the declaration, which Dr. Gleig was required permissive scope which he gives to his to sign as a condition of the ratification clergy. Wherever party spirit approaches of his election by the episcopal college. him, he invariably seeks to meet it halfProbably the bishop thought that Dr. way, and to sacrifice his personal views so Gleig would be afraid of running counter far as these may not be fettered by printo the sympathies of his Anglican friends ciple. Such a spirit speedily bore fruit in by a public declaration in favor of the the councils of the Church. The great Scottish office; but the primus speedily body of clergy were with him in his profound that, for once, he had met his match. posals for reform; even the Rev. John Dr. Gleig was quite ready to sign the dec- Skinner of Forfar, the son of the primus, laration required "whether he was pro- hastened to give Bishop Gleig his warm moted to the episcopal bench or not; support, and strove to influence his father but he could not let slip the opportunity to co-operation. But though all the world to read a severe lecture to his opponent. was subdued, "the stubborn mind of Cato "I trust," he said, "that I shall be left at remained unshaken. The old primus thus liberty to recommend the office by those testily writes in answer to his son's wellmeans in my power which appear to my meaning counsel:own judgment best adapted to the end intended. Controversy does not appear to me well adapted to this end, unless it be managed with great delicacy indeed. Public controversy I will never directly employ, nor will I encourage it in others." Bishop Skinner accepted this implied rebuke, and Gleig was duly consecrated Bishop of Brechin. When he was installed in the see, he found evidence of his own election to the bishopric of Brechin many years before, the news of which had been so sedulously concealed in all probability by the episcopal college that he had never even heard a rumor of the event.

I must decline all further discussion of this

subject unless it come from another quarter. You have a bishop of your own, . . . and you would need to be cautious in appealing to me, as able, in my official capacity, to "bring the matter to an issue;" but you thereby confirm a jealousy, perhaps already excited, that another is, in fact, the senior prelate, and that I am only the late venerable Scottish Primus, Bishop Skinner!

In fact, the primus could not fail to see that the Bishop of Brechin had entirely overlapped his influence in the Church. He yielded so far, however, as to call a synod, in which Bishop Gleig succeeded in giving effect to his desire for uniformity, and in securing to the body of the clergy the right of making the laws of the Church, which the episcopal college had so long

To trace the course of Bishop Gleig's episcopate would be to write a history of the Episcopal Church of Scotland from 1811 to 1840. He entered the episcopal college at a more advanced age, and with | denied them.

His

In his own see his efforts to improve should fall into the same mistake as he the clerical standard were unremitting, had combated against on the part of the especially to secure a reading and thinking last primus- the assumption of a greater clergy. Many of the oldest presbyters personal responsibility in the government were apparently men of mediocre educa- of the Church than was strictly warranted tion and of narrow prejudices, and, as by his theoretical position in the Scottish such, unable to hold their own when college as when college as "primus inter pares." brought into rivalry with English Epis- word, however, was so much law with his copalian priests. "Good men of decent colleagues that he was perfectly safe in manners and respectable talents" were anticipating their concurrence; and his the class that Bishop Gleig sought for policy was attended with this benefit to the ordination. One unfortunate incumbent, Church, that during his primacy the conwith whom the bishop had a good deal of duct of Church affairs, especially the filling trouble, was a very bad reader, and Dr. up of charges and dioceses, was managed Gleig earnestly urged on him the propriety apart from the influences of cliques and of taking lessons. "But from whom shall family parties, which had been so manI take lessons, sir?" asked the presbyter. ifestly exercised in an earlier period. The "From anybody, sir," was the bishop's long-standing jealousy between north and curt rejoinder. His advice to his clergy south was imperceptibly effaced under about reading the books which he had Bishop Gleig's prudent management; and exerted himself to procure for the diocesan he left the Church, which he had found library was characterized by much liberality full of local divisions and factions, a solid and sound sense. "I begin," he says, and harmonious body. The present gen"with telling you that there is not one of eration knows the Episcopal Church of the volumes which you will receive that Scotland as a flourishing and influential does not contain something that is ex- body that has surmounted all the prej ceptionable, as well as much that is excel- udices that were originally directed against lent; but every one of them is calculated its position, and that has attained an to compel the serious and attentive reader authority in Anglican Christendom far out to think for himself; and it is such read-of proportion to its revenues and numbers. ing only as produces this effect that is really valuable. Clergymen who wish to improve their knowledge in divinity do not read one or two approved works with the view of committing their contents to memory, as a child_commits to memory the contents of the Catechism. It is the business of those who are to be the teachers of others to prove all things, that they may hold fast that which they really know to be good, and not to adopt as good, and without examination, the opinions of a mere man, however eminent either for natural talents or acquired knowledge, for the Scriptures alone are entitled to implicit confidence."

Bishop Gleig's accession to the primacy on the episcopal bench can scarcely be said to have strengthened his influence or raised his standing, for even before Primus Skinner's death his voice had been the ruling oracle in the Church's counsels. Bishop Skinner's death, however, removed from the Church the last shackles of provincialism, and in a great measure changed the position of Primus Gleig from a sedulous promoter of liberal reforms to a judicious guardian of the Church's conservative character, lest, the brake being removed, the coach might run too fast down bill.

It was not unnatural that so strongminded an administrator as Bishop Gleig

If we come to closely trace the steps by which the Scottish Episcopal Church has attained this eminence, we shall find that most of them were taken under Bishop Gleig's guidance, and that a very large measure of its popularity and prosperity in the present day is the direct fruit of his pre vision..

During Dr. Gleig's primacy the king's visit to Scotland took place, and the interesting episode of the presentation of an address by the bishops occurred. The chief anxiety that troubled the college turned upon Bishop Jolly's wig. This property seems to have been an integral part of the college of bishops; and though the primus and his colleagues doubted its effect upon the emotions of royalty, they hesitated to suggest that it might be altered or dispensed with. In 1811 this wig had been described by a visitor to the bishop as "indeed something remarkable. It was of a snow-white color, and stood out behind his head in enormous curls of six or eight inches in depth." It was a favorite object of admiration to the boys of Fraserburgh, to whom, when he heard them commenting on his "terrible wig," the good bishop replied, "I'm not a terrible Whig, boys, but a good old Tory." And so Bishop Jolly, wig and all, waited upon the king, who was much

struck by his venerable appearance. An | and as a teller of stories, of which he address composed by the primus was pre- seemed to possess no end, he had few sented to his Majesty; and the last link equals.” A good many of those which between the Church and its ancient allegiance was now severed by its personal homage to the house of Hanover.

Dean Ramsay collected and published he learned from Bishop Gleig; and many more well deserved to be had in remembrance. Unfortunately, however, these things, if not noted down when fresh, soon pass out of men's memories; but one which thoroughly upset the gravity of an archiepiscopal dinner-table we happen to recollect.

With all his episcopal activity, Dr. Gleig never laid aside his early literary tastes. His pen was never idle; and if it was not employed in the affairs of his diocese in charges, or in papers connected with the interests of the Church, it was at work The bishop visited London in the spring for the publishers. An edition of Stack- of 1811, and dined, among other places, at house's "History of the Bible," and a work Lambeth Palace with Archbishop Manners on theology in a series of letters from a Sutton. The company and conversation bishop to his son preparing for holy orders, were alike decorous, till the subject of are among the most considerable works dilapidations was broached, and the liabil which he produced during his later years.ity of the English clergy to build and keep His strong literary predilections must have in repair their parsonages, and of rectors been greatly gratified by the mark which to deal in like manner with the chancels his son, now the ex-chaplain-general, was making by his novels and historical works. In that son Maga takes a pride in owning her oldest living contributor, the last of that goodly band who, knit together by the common bond of talent and Toryism, twined green laurels around her still young brows. Mr. Gleig had left the army, after seeing a good deal of active service, and taken orders in the Church, much to his father's satisfaction. His story of "The Subaltern" appeared in Blackwood, as early as 1824-25, and showed all the signs of that literary talent to which the readers of Maga have been so frequently indebted for over half a century. The old bishop was much aided by his son's assistance in Church affairs during the last years of his life; and he would have had a difficulty in finding a more judicious adviser.

of their churches, was dealt upon. One of the party, an English dignitary, had travelled in Scotland the previous summer, and was eloquent on the good old Scottish custom which devolves these burdens upon the heritors. He referred especially to a particular parish, of which we have forgotten the name, but in which, not the manse only, but the church also, had been entirely rebuilt at the expense of the laird. "Oh," observed Bishop Gleig, "I know that parish well, and I will tell you how it comes to be so well provided with both kirk and manse. When I was a lad, the laird, who happened to be lord advocate at the time, was likewise the patron. He took little interest in either kirk or manse till the old minister fell sick and died, when, within an hour of the event, his servant, whose name was Hugh, opened the library door and Bishop Gleig continued to live at Stir- told him that the schoolmaster requested ling all his life, and never resided within an audience. The schoolmaster, a 'sticket his own diocese a custom which, strange stibbler,' as most Scottish parish_schoolto say, was the general practice of the masters were in those days, had the repuScottish bishops down to the middle of tation of being more of a wag than a the present century. "His house," says scholar; and the lord advocate, himself a his son, 66 was a very comfortable, unpre-humorist, desired the dominie to be shown tending edifice, on the outskirts of the up. The dominie entered the great man's town, and commanded from the windows room, whom he found sitting at a writingin the rear one of the most beautiful views table with papers and books before him. in Scotland- the valley of the Forth, with Well, Mr. M'Gowan, what is your busithe ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey, and ness with me?' 'My lord, I just called the Ochils, Lomond, and Touch hills to ask your lordship wad gie me the kirk.' bounding it on every side. Here he lived You, Mr. M'Gowan! why, they tell me a simple, earnest, useful life, respected by you are but a poor scholar. Can you read his Church, by society, and by the people Latin ?' 'O ay, my lord, just as well as who came in contact with him. Here also your lordship can read Hebrew.' 'Let's he dispensed with a free hand a modest see,' replied the lord advocate, opening at and simple hospitality, in which all who the same time a Latin grammar which hapobtained access to it were delighted to pened to be beside him; 'read me these participate, for his conversational powers two lines and give me the English for were not inferior to his literary abilities; | them.' The lines ran thus:—