Scots worthies, 1560-1688

The Guthrys.
BISHOP JOHN GUTHRY was a most active member of
the episcopal order. Bishop Henry Guthry, again, was
more of the scholar, who, in his study at Kilspindie, " investigated
the whole subject of church government," and composed those
"Memoirs" of Scottish affairs from the year 1637 to the "murder
of good king Charles 1." Of these " Memoirs " two editions
have appeared, that of 1702 and that of 1748, the latter with
a life of the author. The book is valuable ; we have few
histories from the church side, and a new edition might well be
provided ; mss. exist, and, it is believed, more correct than those
which furnished the issues named.
Bishop John Guthry of Moray was the one bishop who defied
the covenanting party, and although he had to give up his
episcopal castle of Spynie — the square tower of which yet stands —
he appears to have come off much better than some who left
their flocks and fled away.
The old tower of Guthrie is a conspicuous object between
Aberdeen and Perth, close to the railway line. The church of the
parish was originally collegiate. The bishop of Moray was the
son of a near cadet of this ancient family, and indeed became the
purchaser of their estates, which his descendants still possess. The
first important charge which he held was that of Perth, to which he
was appointed in 16 17, on the resignation of bishop Cowper. At
the famous Perth assembly of 1618 he was one of "the privie
conference." The conduct of the burghers of Perth showed the
aptness and success of his teaching. At Easter, 16 19, all agreed
— both session and people — " that the ministers give the bread and
wine with their own hands to the communicants, and that they
be humbled on their knees, and reverently receive." Very much
against his own will, and not till ordered by a royal mandate,
he became one of the ministers of Edinburgh. In 1623 he
was appointed bishop of Moray and consecrated "in autumn."
The synod record of that diocese is preserved. It dates from