been in feeble health for a number of years, died. After a widowhood of some time, he married Mrs. Nancy White, of Wilson county. Mrs. White was the widow of Rev. John White, a Methodist minister. She was a woman of great worth, and contributed much to the comfort and happiness of his latter days. My correspondent says that "in the latter part of his life he was subject to much bodily infirmity and mental affliction, yet he staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." He died in Lebanon, in August, 1851. Mrs. Cloyd, his second wife, died also in Lebanon, April 17, 1854.

The whole ministry of Mr. Cloyd extended through a space of near forty years. He was always a zealous and earnest man. He made no pretensions to a high order of ability, or attainments; he rather underrated himself in these respects; but he was a useful man, and left a precious record behind him. He was especially effective in exhortation, and in his labors with mourners. After his ordination, although advanced in life, he traveled as a circuit-rider for a number of years. For a short time he served as pastor of Stoner's Creek congregation, in the bounds of which he spent the most of his life. Indeed, he was one of the fathers of the congregation, and preached to them occasionally during his whole ministry. His son-in-law, Benjamin Alexander, an elder in the congregation, who has been curious in recording such things, has a record of two hundred and

ninety-two sermons preached by Mr. Cloyd to that congregation.

His example and presence were a standing reproof of wickedness and vice of every kind. On one occasion he was greatly troubled at what seemed to be the prospect of the introduction of dancingparties into the neighborhood. An appointment was made, as he learned, for such a party at the house of an acquaintance on a particular evening. He determined upon an effort to arrest the progress of the evil in its commencement, remembering the wise injunction, "Obsta principüs: Resist wrong in its earliest stages." He went to the house about the time he supposed the dancing would commence, knocked at the door, and was ushered into the room. Of course the company were somewhat startled at such a movement. Without taking his seat, he at once proposed singing and prayer, gave out a hymn, and a negro of the neighborhood, who had some connection with the occasion, joined him in singing. The rest of the company, however, were too much taken by surprise to participate, even if they had been disposed otherwise to do so. After singing and prayer, he delivered an earnest exhortation, and left the company. The effort was successful. Some of the young gentlemen were very much incensed-threatened violence-but the dancing-parties died out. It is worthy of remark, too, that the negro who shared in the singing afterward professed religion, and lived and died an unusually consistent Christian.

Mr. Cloyd raised a large family. As far as I

know, they all became members of the Church. His youngest son is now an elder in the congregation which his father contributed so much toward building up. His youngest daughter is the wife of Rev. John Beard, of Kansas.* His grandson is now pastor of Stoner's Creek congregation.

Mr. Cloyd was a farmer as well as preacher. According to the custom of the times in which he lived, he labored on his farm during the week, and performed his ministerial service on the Sabbath. The principal portion of this service was a work of love. He received scarcely any pecuniary compensation. Still he lived comfortably, and was always able to minister a generous hospitality to his friends, especially to his brethren of the ministry. His house was a home to such. It is pleasant to remark, too, that the same "house of cedar" still stands, a monument of patriarchal simplicity and economy.

The personal appearance and bearing of Mr. Cloyd were those of an unaffected gentleman of the old school. His dress was always neat, and his manners, without the slightest parade or pretension, were affable and kind. It is cheerful to linger amidst the recollections of such a man.

* 1862.

REV. JAMES SMITH GUTHRIE.

1822-1855.

JAMES SMITH GUTHRIE was born May 12, 1793, either in Orange county, North Carolina, or on Holston River, in what is now East Tennessee. His father was in an unsettled state at that time, and the family record is lost. It is consequently not known whether James was born in North Carolina or Tennessee. He was the eldest son of Rev. Robert Guthrie. In his baptism he received the name of James, simply, but after he grew to manhood, and before he became known to the public, he added the name of Smith to the original, to distinguish himself from a cousin who lived near his father, and whose name was also James Guthrie. He derived his middle name from his mother's family. Her family name was Smith.

Mr. Guthrie was not only the eldest son, but the oldest of five brothers, two of whom, in addition to himself, entered the ministry. He was born purblind, and was considered in his early life rather a dull boy. His dullness, however, was evidently apparent only, as his subsequent life proved; and the appearance no doubt arose in a measure from his

near-sightedness, which gave him an awkward and dull aspect, especially in his early life. He was remarkable for morality and industry. Indeed, industry was a distinguishing characteristic through his whole life. After he grew up to manhood, and before he entered the ministry, he performed more farm-labor than any ordinary man.

When about seventeen years of age he became concerned on the subject of religion. His convictions were deep, and his distress of mind was great. This distress continued three or four years, almost without intermission. It is said by a correspondent, that often during the time, "the dead hours of night witnessed his supplications for mercy." When at meetings where any interest was excited he was a habitual mourner, and, as a general thing, was first and last at the "mourner's bench," or rather, in the mourner's place-the mourner's bench had not been introduced in those days. An anecdote is told of him in connection with these scenes. He was in attendance at a camp-meeting, and as usual was a mourner. He was dressed in clothing of rather a light color. While the meeting was in progress it rained, and the seats and ground were all rendered very unsuitable for clothing of such a color; but he was still a mourner, and down upon the bare earth. His friends remonstrated, and tried to induce him to change his position, telling him among other things that unless he did he would ruin his clothes. His reply was characteristic: "I would rather ruin my clothes than ruin my soul."