The remedial administrative legislation which began with the reformed Parliament found a consistent supporter in Mr. Forsyth. He approved of the amelioration of the Criminal Law, the reform of the English Poor Law and the enactment of a similar one for Scotland, the measures for the care and protection of lunatics, the Factory Acts with which the name of Lord Shaftesbury is so honourably associated, the abolition of slavery, and the free-trade measures of Sir Robert Peel, which began with his famous budget of 1843 and culminated in the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. In fact, Mr. Forsyth was far less of a party man and much more one who rejoiced in and sympathised with the progress of freedom, the spread of knowledge, and the material welfare of the people. Before his death the Crimean War had been happily concluded by a peace in which this country came out with honour, and the neck of the Indian Mutiny had been broken, the Queen's Government had been proclaimed, and the mere remnants of the revolt were being trodden down. Never had England more completely vindicated her claim to be a great nation than in 1859, and Mr. Forsyth passed away amid a manifestation of national greatness and security which gratified his patriotic heart.

RELIGIOUS

CHAPTER X.

RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.

CHARACTER OF MR.

FORSYTH-EARLY

PIETYADVICE TO HIS GRANDSON-EFFECT ON HIS MIND OF HIGH MASS AT NOTRE DAME DE PARIS-DISPUTE IN THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND IN 1838-HIGH CHURCH PARTY—MR. FORSYTH ADHERES TO THAT PARTY-CAUSES OF THE SCHISM OF THE FREE CHURCH-BITTER FEELING WHICH AROSE SINCE GREATLY SOFTENED-DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIFE-ANALOGY AND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH CHURCH PARTIES IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND-DEMAND FOR DISESTABLISHMENT GROWING-ITS PROBABLE DIFFERENT EFFECT IN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

MR. FORSYTH early evinced great indications of that piety which distinguished him through life. He was always ready to give God the praise and the glory, and, like all truly good men, he had a deep and abiding sense of sin. In 1787 at Aberdeen, when nineteen years of age, he appears to have first approached the sacramental table, and, with reference to his intention to do so, he thus writes to his mother. "It gives me peculiar pleasure to find that you were so profitably and so delightfully employed lately at Duffus. Such occasions are indeed pleasant

waterpools in the weary journey of life. They refresh and invigorate the mind greatly. It is proposed to administer the Sacrament in this place on the second Sunday of September; and oh! how much need of preparation for appearing in so august an assembly, and on an occasion so venerable, so sacred! what need of purity in the inward man and how much contrition and sorrow for past offences! But what a noble field presents itself for expanding all the amiable affections and graces of the mind, extensive indeed and delightful beyond comprehension. Assist me, mother, with your earnest dear prayers, for I am ashamed, nay, afraid almost to go forward, yet I am aware of the danger of lingering behind, and will endeavour to trust to the mercy of our blessed Lord which is extensive as His own infinite nature." His piety was free from all taint of bigotry and cant. He was largely imbued with the spirit of toleration in its best sense, and in religion, as in everything else, his nature was pervaded with that broad and enlightened liberality which, asserting what it believes to be true, yet respects the opinions and judges charitably of the motives of others, and, even in all the confidence of faith, remembers that man is but a fallible creature, and that others, though by different ways, may

reach the haven of God's mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord as well as himself.

In the year 1808 Mrs. Forsyth lost her mother. She had gone over to Cromarty to assist in nursing her, and Mr. Forsyth wrote to her on Saturday the 30th July as follows:

"Yours of Tuesday night only came by last night's post, and that of Wednesday evening in the forenoon of yesterday by Mr. Chalmers. My heart has sunk within me since reading the former. I called on Dr. Stephen and read what relates to our beloved mother, and asked him if there was anything he wished me to say to you. He said there was nothing he could suggest, and seemed displeased that Dr. Macdonald had not written to him. Indeed, he has called several times to inquire, and always wondered he had not heard from him. In my last to you I mentioned this; and wished you to speak to MacD. on the subject, and also that he should have written to Dr. Duncan of Edinburgh.

"But, my dearest, what avails these people and their pretended skill? 'Tis of none effect in this hour of severe conflict. Nature will assert her claim, and we must yield the precious victim. Let us be much engaged in ardent prayer that the passage may be smooth and

serene, and enlivened with that foretaste and assurance of heaven which renders the flesh and the world insignificant and raises the soul infinitely above them. This is the death we must pray for her it is that too we ought anxiously to pray for ourselves. My love, by looking steadfastly to this event and to this effect of it, and surely if ever creatures could do so we may, we shall be.enabled to meet it with a composure and tranquillity unknown to those who have not their minds so well regulated. It delights me that Isabella has borne up so wonderfully. I always said hers was no common mind, and the last seven months has fully proved it. Her reward is before her and it will be most sweet. The reflection of her filial and pious conduct will brighten and illuminate many an hour which otherwise would have been heavy and dark.

"I pray you to write to me instantly on receipt of this. I felt much disappointed on going to the post to-night to find no letter from you. Say if I can be of any use: if I can in any degree comfort the dear sufferer, Isabella, or yourself, and I shall immediately be with you."

Again he writes on the following evening, Sunday. "Your heartrending letter is this