Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/173

Rh On one such occasion the whole audience rose to their feet, exclaiming, “No war with America.” Dr. Norman Macleod wrote a paper for one of the magazines in which he urged a peace policy, and shortly after showed Mr. Carter a note from the Queen’s secretary, signed by her Majesty, in which she expressed her pleasure at the tone of the article.

On New Year’s day, 1862, Mr. Carter was invited to address Dr. Guthrie’s ragged schools at their festival. He was in the midst of his speech, and was giving an account of the career of his friend, Gen. O. M. Mitchell, the distinguished astronomer, when Dr. Guthrie himself entered the hall, and was received by the children with heartfelt applause. Dr. Hanna, colleague of Dr. Guthrie and son-in-law and biographer of Dr. Chalmers, whispered, “Mr. Carter, I wish you would begin that story over again, I want Dr. Guthrie to hear it.” The story is given here as Mr. Carter told it.

“In the summer of 1860 I visited Sharon Springs. One of the first to welcome me was a bright, noble gentleman, whom I knew by reputation, though I had never spoken to him before. We took a walk into the woods together, and had a delightful conversation. While we were gazing at the lovely scene before us, he turned to me and said, ‘Could we not have a daily prayer meeting here?’ I said I would be glad if we could. After discussing this matter for some time, we descended the hill and met some of the visitors, to whom we spoke of our plan; but the bathing interfered with it, and we had to give it up. This talk drew me to him tenderly, and I found a kindred spirit with whom I could commune lovingly. One evening we withdrew into a quiet place, where he gave me his history. I shall give it as nearly as I can in his own words,