She joins the Free Church of Scotland. 271 the proceedings of the General Assembly, which were opposed to the law as interpreted by the civil courts, and which threatened to bring on a violent collision between the Church and State. She had naturally, as well as from education and position, strong conservative leanings. She represented in the north a high Tory family, and was surrounded with connections of a similar type. For a considerable period also she did not fully study the question that agitated Scotland from one end to the other, and was in some measure content to be ignorant of those great principles for which, in their application to ecclesiastical government, the Church was called so zealously to contend. But while she thus differed from many of her Christian friends in regard to the great controversy of the day, she actually rejoiced that, in the course of events, faithful ministers were sent by the General Assembly to preach the gospel in Strathbogie. She gave orders that some of these ministers, whom she named, should be entertained at Huntly Lodge in her absence; and she generously contributed to the fund for meeting the expenses of the Assembly's deputation. For at least two years before the Disruption of 1843, she was in England or on the Continent, apparently not unwilling to escape the duty of deciding which side of the question she ought publicly to take. Her moral and spiritual sympathies all along had been with that Non-Intrusion party which laid the foundation of the Free Church; but not till nearly two years after the Disruption did she give in her deliberate adherence to the principles of that Church, and formally join its communion. Up till this time she had been an Episcopalian, ready to defend the constitution and worship of the Church of England, though not blind to its faults, which she summed up in these three words, "want of discipline." All her antecedent feelings, convictions, and associations were against the step she now felt constrained to take. But the course of her religious experience, and her profound spiritual convictions, left her no choice. When the moment for action arrived, with characteristic courage and decision, she took up the cross, and became, in the face of the great world, a Presbyterian and a Dissenter. Yet a woman of her strength of mind and catholic spirit could not become a mere sectarian, or cease to love and respect Christians of all denominations. Accordingly her heart and house continued open to all servants of Christ and friends of the gospel. The hospitalities of Huntly Lodge were as liberal and unsectarian as ever. Mr Stuart, who had done more perhaps than any one else to open the mind of the Duchess to the practical bearings of that glorious doctrine, the headship of Christ, assisted at the dispensation of the communion in the old castle of Huntly in the sum mer of 1847. He gives a most vivid and interesting account of the whole scene, which evidently was one never to be forgotten by those who were present. We regret that we have not space to give some adequate conception of it, either by means of extract or abridgment. We must refer our readers to Mr Stuart's delightful pages for full details of this period of the Duchess's life. If subsequent periods are passed over more rapidly, or even with a disappointing brevity, it is not, we suppose, from any want of materials, but from a natural desire on the part of the author to avoid that diffuseness which has been the bane of modern biography. Yet, should the opportunity be given, Mr Stuart might very properly fill up the latter portion of his narrative so as to take away that aspect of meagreness which it must wear in the eyes of many. Between 1810 and 1857, the Duchess frequently travelled or passed the winter on the Continent. On account of her own health, or the health of some of her lady friends, partly also from the love of continental travel acquired in early youth, she took up her residence for a season at Pau, Nice, Cannes, or some other salubrious spot. But, wherever she resided, she sought oppor tunities of Christian usefulness. She considerately relieved the poor, helped to educate the young, kept Bible classes, held religious meetings in her house, and liberally supported the evangelical cause. Her Christian conversation, her kindly but dignified manners, and her largeness of heart, won for her friends among all classes and all nationalities. Numerous instances of her Christian effort and usefulness are given by her biographer; and we are persuaded that many more remain untold and probably unknown. The interest which this noble lady took in the "revival movement" that pervaded Scotland in 1859, and several years following, was very deep and practical. Convinced that the work was of the Lord, and desirous of seeing it stimulated and directed by experienced Christians, ministers or laymen, she flung her house open to all such labourers, and wisely encouraged whatever might lead to a wide and successful sowing of the seed of the kingdom. Such men as Mr Grant of Arndilly, Mr Brownlow North, and Mr Reginald Radcliffe, all engaged actively in evangelistic work, were her welcome and honoured guests. Interesting conferences of ministers in regard to personal religion and the revival movement were held under her roof; and latterly large meetings, attended by thousands of people from the surrounding district, were held in the park. These "Huntly gatherings," held for several successive years, were conducted with all possible solemnity and decorum, were attended with not a little blessed fruit, and gave, it is hoped, an impetus to the cause of evangelical religion over a wide dis The "Huntly Gatherings." 273 trict. It was with some hesitation that the Duchess allowed them to take place, as she was a lover of order and propriety, and feared that such assemblages of people might in some way or other make the good cause be evil spoken of. But she had no reason to regret her ultimate decision. The good order observed by the people, the right feeling they shewed, the deep convictions of sin and lively apprehension of the divine mercy felt by many, with the blessing from on high manifestly bestowed upon the preaching of the gospel, convinced her entirely that the thing was of the Lord. Some evils may have, directly or indirectly, resulted from these gatherings, and served objectors with an argument; but that they were, as a whole, orderly, blessed, and successful, will not be denied by those best acquainted with their history. Speaking of them, Mr Stuart says:-"The first was characterised by many tokens of the Lord's special presence, by much freedom and power in the speakers, by refreshing and lively joy and thanksgiving in the Lord's people, by the awakening of many of the dead, and by holy liberty granted to those that were bound." The number of persons then present was estimated at 7000, and in some of the subsequent years at 10,000." Of the last of the meetings the Duchess writes:-"I cannot but wonder to see these meetings increasing in numbers and interest every year; not as a rendezvous for a pleasant day in the country, but really very solemn meetings, where the presence of the Lord is felt, and the power of His Spirit manifested." Early in 1861, the Duchess had a severe illness, which brought her almost to the gates of death. Her experience of the preciousness of the Saviour as the "Lord our righteousness was so peculiarly vivid and powerful, that it gave a richer colouring and finer tone to the remainder of her life. She never regained her lost strength; yet was able to visit London again, to see there many old friends, and in her own sphere of duty at home, to carry on many evangelistic works. She started or stimulated new enterprises, as if she might be spared for some years longer to see them bear fruit, and justify all her care. But she was rapidly ripening for glory; and in the very midst of her growing usefulness her summons came. Towards the end of January 1864, she was seized with her last illness, and, after a somewhat painful bodily struggle, relieved by blessed gleams of faith and hope, she passed quietly and safely through the dark waters into the land of glory and everlasting rest. She died in her own home, surrounded by friends she loved, and in the midst of her own people whom she had so earnestly sought to benefit, and who, for so many reasons, revered her as a benefactor and friend.. Speaking of the funeral, Mr Stuart thus describes what he saw and felt : "At the gate of the Lodge, the funeral was met by a large procession of many hundred mourners, and by nearly seven hundred children from the schools built and supported by her Grace In the town, it was lined on both sides by crowds with sorrowing hearts and weeping eyes; the spectators gazing with no vacant or curious stare at the plumed hearse, followed by the carriages of the more immediate mourners, but looking with wistful grief on the last they were to see on earth of their beloved and honoured lady; and the mourners comforted in their own affection by the rare sympathy of a sorrow at once so wide and so deep. Her life had been passed amongst them for half a century, with the exception of a break of nine years spent at Gordon Castle; it had been mingled to nearly all with their longest, to most with their earliest, and to many with their happiest associations; many were mourning for the loss of a personal benefactor, and all as if for the loss of a personal friend. Conveyed thirty miles by rail, the funeral passed through Elgin, in the midst of deep silence and respect and universal regard, to the burying-vault of the Dukes of Gordon in that most noble Cathedral; the coffin was placed beside her husband's, in the last space that remained untenanted by the deceased wearers of the ducal coronet and their children; and, till time shall be no more, the vault was for ever closed on the last and the best of an illustrious race, who had ennobled the title far more than it could ennoble her."-(Pp. 390, 391.) We need say little more about the life or character of this admirable woman. The sketch we have given will serve to shew what noble qualities the Duchess of Gordon possessed, and what eminent services she rendered to the cause of true religion. It has been seen how she overcame the proverbial temptations of high rank and station, bore the cross in the midst of peculiar difficulties, and became one of the most active, useful, and humble of Christians. Possessed of gifts and accomplishments that lent new fascination to her exalted position in society, fitted to adorn the court of the Sovereign and to shine among the nobles of the land, she yet counted everything but loss that she might win Christ, and be found in Him, not having her own righteousness. Nor did she shed less lustre on her earthly rank after she had become a decided follower of the Saviour. She neglected none of the duties imposed upon her by her station, while she was "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Her good sense, sound judgment, and habits of application to business, never deserted her in any province of duty, temporal or spiritual. Her conscientiousness appeared in all things, small or great; and in her house, in the world, in the church, she acted like one who must render an account to the Great Master. Of her religious life it must French Religious Novels. 275 also be said, to the praise of that grace which made her what she was, that it was at once deep and progressive; not stereotyped by habit or a latent spirit of formalism, but ever quickening and expanding under the power of the Spirit from on high. She had her periods of declension, doubtless, as this volume shews; but these were so overruled that they led to fresh starts in her spiritual career, and new progress in her heavenward journey. Her religious life and character improved and ripened to the last, so that she became before her departture a singularly chastened and mellow Christian. Her influence in her own circle and in her own district was such as might be expected from her strength of character and her consistent piety. She formed a fine specimen of a noble Christian lady, standing out from the world, yet acting beneficially upon it, and helping powerfully to diffuse over it the blessings of a spiritual Christianity. When first she separated from the gay and giddy crowd as a confessor of Christ, it required much more courage to take such a step than it does in our day. But her courage and decision, though they brought trials upon her, had at last their reward in a general respect, and a high moral influence which even the children of this world are constrained to admire. She has left a name in the Church of Christ which will always be had in honoured remembrance. In respect to genuine Christian worth and shining Christian usefulness, she will take rank with the Lady Huntingdons, the Lady Glenorchies, and the Lady Powerscourts of her country. Though she gave not, nor ever sought to give, her name to any new connection or denomination, or to any metropolitan church or chapel, she occupied a place and did a work in her day, which put her fully on an equality with any honoured and noble lady that ever bore the cross, or laboured to promote the cause of Christ. J. D. ART. IV.-French Religious Novels. 1. "Le Maudit." Par L'Abbé *** Paris, 1863. 2. "La Religieuse." 1864. Par L'Abbé ***, auteur du "Maudit." THERE Paris, London, Hurst & Blackett. 1864. Author of "Under the Ban." London, HERE is a great deal of religion in France. So there is, we know, at the court of the Grand Lama; but in regard to our neighbours we are apt to forget the fact. Some English people who know nothing of France beyond the Boulevards |