There are numerous indications that, on the whole, a regard for religion and religious ordinances is not losing ground in Scotland.  The great number of churches—­and of handsome churches—­that are springing up, indicate, by their attendance, how much hold the subject has upon the people.  The ample funds raised for charitable and for missionary objects give good testimony in the cause; and, in regard to the immediate question before us, one favourable result may be reported on this subject—­the practice and feelings of domestic piety and family worship have, at any rate, extended in Scotland in an upward direction of its social life.  Beyond all doubt, we may say family worship is more frequent, as a general practice, in houses of the rich, and also in the houses of farmers and of superior operatives, than it was some years ago.  The Montrose anecdote about family prayers, told at page 64, could hardly have place now, and indeed many persons could not understand the point.

I hope I am not blinded to the defects of my own countrymen, nor am I determined to resist evidence of any deterioration which may be proved.  But I feel confident that Scotland still stands pre-eminent amongst the nations for moral and religious qualities.  The nucleus of her character will bear comparison with any.  We will cherish hope for the mental tone of our countrymen being still in the ascendant, and still imbued with those qualities that make a moral and religious people.  We have reason to know that in many departments of business, Scottish intelligence, Scottish character, and Scottish services, are still decidedly at a premium in the market.

But now, before concluding, I am desirous of recording some Reminiscences upon a phase of Scottish RELIGIOUS history which involves very important consequences, and which I would not attempt to discuss without serious consideration.  Indeed I have sometimes shrunk from the discussion at all, as leading to questions of so delicate a nature, and as involving matters on which there are so many differences of opinion.  I refer to the state of our divisions and alienations of spirit on account of religion.

The great Disruption, which nearly equally divided the National Church, and which took place in 1843, is now become a matter of reminiscence.  Of those nearly connected with that movement, some were relatives of my own, and many were friends.  Unlike similar religious revolutions, that which caused the Free Church of Scotland did not turn upon any difference of opinion on matters either of doctrine or of ecclesiastical polity.  It arose entirely from differences regarding the relation subsisting between the Church and the State, by which the Church was established and endowed.  The great evil of all such divisions, and the real cause for regret, lie in the injury they inflict on the cause of Christian unity and Christian love, and the separation they too often make between those who ought to be united in