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."

In the year 1816 Mr. Guthrie went to live with old William Foster, in the character of a cropper. Mr. Foster was a religious patriarch in those days. His house was the abode of a consecrated piety. There was no house of worship in the neighborhood, and Mr. Foster's house was used for that purpose. When the preachers passed through the country they preached there. Every influence was salutary. In the course of that year Mr. Guthrie professed religion. On a Sabbath evening, while the family were engaged in singing, he obtained the first evidence of his acceptance. He believed, however, that he had experienced a change some time before, while engaged in secret prayer.

After such an experience of conviction, and such a spiritual struggle, there could be no doubt of the stand which he would take on the subject of religion. It was a very bold and decided. He joined the "Old Ridge congregation," and soon commenced the exercise of public prayer and exhortation. His mind seemed at once to turn to the ministry. He spent some time (the writer does not know how long) under the instruction of Rev. Hugh Kirkpatrick. His early education had been defective, but no man ever made a more diligent use of time. The public impression was, however, that he was a poor prospect for the ministry. He was near-sighted, his education was indifferent, his whole exterior was rather unimposing and unimpressive; but he was zealous, and no one doubted his piety. We have another anecdote of him while he was in the stage of his progress which I am now describing. A union meeting was held at Shiloh in 1817, under the superintendence of Rev. William Hodge, pastor of the congregation. Rev. Dr. Blackburn, of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. James Gwynn, of the Methodist Church; and two or three Cumberland Presbyterian ministers, were in attendance. William Barnett preached on Monday night, on the Shortness of Time, and there was a good deal of interest. Several mourners presented themselves at the close of the sermon. James Guthrie was then a zealous exhorter, and of course was among the mourners trying to instruct and encourage them. Some one called the attention of Dr. Blackburn to him, and remarked that "the Cumberland Presbyterians were trying to make a preacher out of that young man." The Doctor, with many others, thought that it was a hopeless case. Said he, "I would as soon think of making a preacher out of any stump in the yard." His incredulity was excusable, but time proved that he was greatly mistaken. A few years after that occurrence James S. Guthrie preached in the same house, and to the same people, with an acceptance and power seldom equaled there.

In the spring of 1818 Mr. Guthrie was received as a candidate for the ministry by the Nashville Presbytery. The meeting was held at old Mother Landsden's, on Bradley's Creek, in Wilson county, Tennessee. He had attended the preceding meeting of the Presbytery, and laid his case before them. He was not discouraged by the Presbytery, but still was not received as a candidate. Presbyteries were thoughtful and careful in their action in those days. But on application at this Presbytery, he was received. On the 14th of October, 1819, he was licensed at Big Spring, and "ordered to ride all his time on the Upper Circuit," until the next meeting of the Presbytery. At the next meeting of the Presbytery, in April, 1820, he is again "ordered to ride the Upper Circuit." At the meeting of the Presbytery in October, 1821, it was "ordered that James S. Guthrie spend the whole of his time on the Hiwassee Circuit, until the next meeting of the Presbytery." The Hiwassee Circuit had been formed by an extension of what had been called the Upper Circuit. These circuits lay in the mountain region between East and Middle Tennessee. It was a rough region, but his labors were greatly blessed.

In July, 1822, in connection with the writer and Mr. Ezekiel Cloyd, Mr. Guthrie was set apart to the whole work of the gospel ministry. This occurred at an intermediate meeting of the Nashville Presbytery. The meeting was held at Sugg's Creek. Immediately after ordination, as Mr. Guthrie and myself were single men, we were sent off to attend the more remote camp-meetings. We held camp-meetings at West Harpeth, Wells's Creek, and Richland, and sacramental-meetings at Adley Alexander's, on the North Fork of the Forked Deer, and also on Clear Creek, in Carroll county. Western Tennessee was then a new country. At the meeting on Forked Deer we had the assistance of Mr. Francis Johnson. In a history in manuscript of the Nashville Presbytery, I find the following in relation to the fall meeting of 1822: "James S. Guthrie and Richard Beard were sent to the more distant parts of the Presbytery, to plant new societies, and water those already planted." Mr. Guthrie went into East Tennessee.

From this time to 1826 he labored as an itinerant preacher in Tennessee. His labors were divided between the three divisions of the State. In the fall of 1826 he went to Alabama, and about a year from that time, in the fall of 1827, he was married to Miss Lethe Burns, of Alabama.

He remained in Alabama some years; then moved to the northern part of Mississippi, and finally to Texas. Soon after he reached Texas his wife died. He continued to devote himself to the work of the ministry, sometimes as a pastor, but more generally as an evangelist. Whilst the Religious Ark was published at Memphis, he is said to have been a frequent contributor to its columns. The writer thinks also that he projected, if he did not carry into partial execution, after he reached Texas, a monthly publication, designed for his own control. It was filled, or intended to be filled, chiefly with sermons--a sort of monthly preacher.

Some years before his death he had an attack of severe sickness, which resulted in the formation of an abscess on his side, accompanied by a distressing cough. Under the influence of these afflictions he wasted away. About a year before his death he attended the meetings of his Presbytery and Synod. From the Synod he was not able to return home, but remained with his friends and brethren until the time came for his removal by death. Some time before his death he wrote, or rather dictated, as the writer supposes from the hand-writing, a short letter to Rev. David Lowry, from which the following extract is taken:

"Such have been my afflictions since 1853, that I have been unable to write or preach any of consequence. I have a running abscess in my side, accompanied by a constant cough, which renders my life a burden, and yet I cannot die. I have no hope of being better in this life, but, thank God! heaven is a healthy clime. O for patience to wait, and willingness to suffer, 'till my change come.' Dear brother, pray for me and mine! The idea of lingering out an unpleasant existence here, unable to do any good, is gloomy indeed; but I must bear it as best I can."

In his last letter to his brother, Robert W. Guthrie, of Tennessee, he says:

"You need not write any more. Farewell, till I meet you in heaven!"

These extracts indicate the feelings of a good man under great and protracted sufferings, and in the prospect of death.

Mr. Guthrie left four children--a son and three daughters. They are said to be all members of the Church. It is understood, too, that he left a considerable amount of manuscript, which might be of some interest to posterity if it could be collected and published. He was a strong, if not a polished writer. He published two sermons in the Cumberland Presbyterian Pulpit--the first, in the number for March [sic: January], 1833, on the Obligations of Christians; the second, in the number for August, 1833, on Looking to Christ. This latter sermon was made a subject of severe animadversion by Rev. Finis Ewing. The position was impliedly taken in the sermon that the suffering and death of Christ upon the cross were not necessary to the atonement, but that Christ could have suffered sufficiently otherwise to accomplish the object. Mr. Ewing thought the position very objectionable, and assailed it with severity.

I have a great many personal recollections of Mr. Guthrie which are very interesting to myself, whatever they might be to others. I should be ashamed if they were not interesting to myself. He was several years older than myself, but we were school-fellows together, in my father's old-fashioned school at the Ridge school-house. He was the first person who ever made a direct and personal appeal to me on the subject of religion, after I began to approach maturity. He was with me when I engaged earnestly in the work of seeking my salvation, and I suppose did not leave me many minutes at a time during the whole struggle. He first encouraged me to look to the ministry, and was my companion in my first attendance at the Presbytery. After he was licensed, and whilst I was still a candidate for the ministry, I traveled with him once round what was called the Upper Circuit. We were ordained at the same time, and immediately sent off together to attend some remote meetings. He was on many accounts a remarkable man--an excellent preacher, never below mediocrity, and often far, very far above it. He was sometimes austere, sometimes even rough in his manners. His reproofs, when he administered them, were often terrible. His passions were strong, and his prejudices were almost invincible. In one of my last conversations with him, he remarked to me in reference to a minister who stood high in the Church, and had done so far many years, that "he had no confidence in him, and never had any." Still, no man was kinder and gentler in his treatment of those in whom his confidence was entire.

When he first attended the Cumberland Synod, he went there under the impression that there were two or three men belonging to the body who were disposed to dictate to it, and rather act the part of "lords over God's heritage." His impressions were strengthened by what he thought he saw, and he had the boldness at once to throw himself in their way. They thought it an unpardonable assurance in him to take such a stand, but he took and held it. They were good men--rugged like himself, but good men. They respected him, but felt his weight while they lived. The meeting of the Synod to which I allude was held at the Beech Meeting-house, in Sumner county.

In 1827 Mr. Guthrie was Moderator of the Synod. This was previous to the organization of the General Assembly, and the position was of course considered an important one. I suppose the appointment had never before been conferred on so young a man. He was also a delegate to the first General Assembly, which held its sessions at Princeton, in 1829.

A more distinct notice of a few of the characteristics of Mr. Guthrie, will bring this sketch to a close. It may be remarked, too, that this part of my task is not difficult--I mean that the notice of them will not be difficult, however I may fail in setting them forth in a suitable manner. His characteristics were distinctly marked. The most casual observer would detect them. Their outlines could hardly be mistaken.

1. In a letter from a friend, to which I am indebted for a number of the facts heretofore stated, it is mentioned that "he was remarkable, even in early life, for fixedness of purpose." This trait of character he carried through life. If he took a stand upon any question, he was immovable. This may sometimes be a vice, as well as a virtue. If he formed a prejudice against a brother, it could hardly be eradicated. I have already alluded to this subject. Still, in all his prejudices he was honest. If he believed a brother upright and conscientious, he stood by him, whether the many or the few stood with him. If he made up his mind to pursue a particular course, he pursued it, whatever difficulties and obstructions might be in his way. Had it not been for this characteristic, deeply rooted, he could never have reached the ministry--at least, he could not have reached the eminence which he did reach. One or two anecdotes will afford some illustration.

Some time rather early in his ministry, he was traveling in East Tennessee, as an evangelist. He had an appointment in some one of the towns for a particular night. When he reached the place, he learned that another meeting was in progress, and he received the impression that some pains had been taken to supersede him in his appointment. The worship was to be held in the court-house. As soon as the house was lighted, he walked in and took his seat on the judge's bench, laid out his books, and thus gave a significant notice of his purpose. After a while the representative of the other meeting came in and took his seat near him. Mr. Guthrie spoke to the stranger, and told him that he himself had an appointment for that hour, and expected to fulfill it. Whether right or wrong, he executed his purpose. He thought he was right. He thought, furthermore, that it was the intention of the other parties to do him wrong.

The writer witnessed a similar occurrence when once in his company. In a town in Western Tennessee, three ministers had appointments for preaching at the same hour. Mr. Guthrie was one of the three. There was but one house of worship, and the people would hear but two sermons in succession. From some cause, the first place was yielded to one of the others; he, however, asserted and maintained his right to the second. Of course the third brother was excluded.

In making an estimate of such developments of character, we must take into account the circumstances which surround the actors. Forty years ago young Cumberland Presbyterian ministers were considered rather a small matter, and it was considered no great breach of propriety to set them aside when the convenience of others required it. Mr. Guthrie, however, had energy enough to maintain his own rights, when he considered them invaded or threatened.

2. The boldness with which he defined and carried out his theological opinions, and his opinions in regard to Church-order, deserves to be noticed. This sometimes led him to extremes. When he assumed a position, he had no dread of carrying it to its ultimatum. In his early ministry he took and pressed the position that "mercy is not an attribute of God." It has already been mentioned, that in 1833, in a published sermon, he impliedly denied that the "sufferings of Christ upon the cross were necessary to the atonement." It is easy for a man accustomed to theological difficulties to account for his taking both positions. They were the results of correct principles carried to extremes. Mr. Ewing assailed the latter position with considerable severity, in a sermon subsequently published.

In the General Assembly of 1846 he took a violent stand in opposition to our sending delegates to the "World's Christian Convention," which was appointed to be held, in the course of the following autumn, in London. We thought his opposition the opposition of an extremist; but he sincerely looked upon the whole matter as a great humbug. It must be confessed, too, that time has done something toward vindicating his opinions on that subject. At least, it was soon found that the doors of Exeter Hall were too narrow for the admittance of Southern Christians.

3. The characteristics of his preaching were earnestness, originality, and power. The earnestness and fervency of his early ministrations were remarkable. He felt deeply, and his whole soul was expressed in his public addresses. Many will carry the impressions received from his powerful appeals into eternity. Such a manner rendered him eminently useful. His bold and independent originality was unusual. As a model, he acknowledged the authority of no mortal man. He thought, spoke, and acted for himself. The last sermon which the writer ever heard him deliver was preached at the Assembly of 1846. Years and disease had taken something from him, but there was still a remnant of his former self. A great many of his early sermons were very powerful. On many occasions he excelled himself. There is a tradition of his preaching a sermon at a camp-meeting held by another denomination of Christians, near Jackson, in Western Tennessee. The account is that the meeting seemed to drag heavily. Some of the outsiders made application at some time near its close, to those who managed the meeting, that Mr. Guthrie, who was present, might be permitted to preach. The request was granted, not with very great apparent cheerfulness, but still it was granted. He preached on Monday, from the passage in Zachariah, "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain," etc. The sermon was represented as one of extraordinary interest and power. For years there were references to it in that country. Many similar occurrences might be mentioned. Another is remembered. It has been stated that in the fall after ordination, Mr. Guthrie and the writer, with the assistance of Francis Johnson, held a sacramental-meeting at Adley Alexander's, in the Western District. On Sunday he preached from James's description of "Pure Religion." It was a very strong and impressive sermon. At some distance behind the preacher's stand, a man sat by himself on a stump. The truth reached his heart. He wept freely. He had been raised by Christian parents--had married and become the head of a family. He had wandered far from the home and from the ways of his fathers. In a few years that man professed religion, entered the ministry, and is now an old and much-respected preacher.

4. Mr. Guthrie's exterior was rough, but as years multiplied and he developed himself, it became impressive. His deportment was thoughtful and serious--a striking rebuke to the unseasonable levity sometimes found among good men. His kindness to young men entering the ministry in whom he had confidence was very great. If there was a want of confidence, however, he showed but little favor. Of his kindness and sympathy the writer speaks from experience. Often when he would have sunk under the discouragements and trials of an early ministry, the words of encouragement, and the undoubted sympathy of the friend of his youth, kept him up. Others no doubt had a similar experience. These are pleasant recollections. Perhaps they ought to be cherished with more tenderness than we often feel for them.

I have said that his exterior was rough. Sometimes in the pulpit, to a stranger, it was at first unpromising. I am furnished with the following anecdote: In one of the years while he was living in Alabama, he had made an excursion of some extent into Tennessee and Kentucky, and perhaps farther northward. On his return home he called at Winchester, Tennessee, and found a sacramental-meeting in progress. The evening after his arrival, by invitation, he occupied the pulpit. His clothes had become more than threadbare--they needed patching. He was a stranger in Winchester. When he commenced the service, the elders and leading men hung down their heads. They thought the prospect hopeless. But before the sermon closed, their heads were up, and they were drinking in the word of life. All were delighted with the sermon. The next morning a rally was made, a new suit was furnished to the stranger, and he left with the benedictions of the congregation.

5. Mr. Guthrie's piety was deep, sincere, and earnest. It had a rugged nature to subdue, but the subjugation was effected. He felt himself from the beginning to be a consecrated man. His call to the ministry was of the old-fashioned kind. It stirred up the very depths of his soul. "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" "My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war!" Such exclamations were common with him in his early struggles for the salvation of his friends, and of others around him; and no one who heard them doubted that they expressed the feelings of his inmost heart. His respected father once remarked of him in the early part of his work, that "James seemed to him more like a soul maturing for glory than any thing else." His devotion in those days was ardent and intense.

6. His preaching was distinguished by plainness and boldness. If sin in any particular form needed reprehension in his estimation, it received what he considered its due without measure or mercy. He made no compromise with it. Such a manner would of course arouse opposition. He would have enemies. Still, if such persons became his enemies for the truth's sake, it was a small matter with him: he went forward in his fearless course. He was one of the men for his times. God will always have such.

7. Perhaps I ought to add, as I am writing history, and not discussing opinions, that although Mr. Guthrie never owned a slave, except for a few years after his marriage, and I suppose never preached what is called a political sermon in his life, still he was intensely southern and democratic in his social and political sympathies. Some of his friends thought him too much so. In these, however, as in other things, he thought for himself. God, in his good providence, took him away before those principles and their opposites developed themselves in so fearful and violent a form as they have since done. He has met men from all parts of the land, and of all sorts of social and political sympathies in heaven--I mean, of course, such sympathies and opinions as are common among us. It is good to think that there is a land in which the sword will never be drawn, the arm of violence will never be lifted, and the tongue of vituperation will be stilled for ever.

[Source: Beard, Richard. Brief Biographical Sketches of Some of the Early Ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Nashville, Tenn.: published for the author by Southern Methodist Publishing House, 1867, pages 198-214.

1818
In the spring of 1818 Mr. Guthrie was received as a candidate for the ministry by the Nashville Presbytery. The meeting was
held at old Mother Landsden's, on Bradley's Creek, in Wilson county, Tennessee. [Source]

1819
On the 14th of October, 1819, he was licensed at Big Spring, and "ordered to ride all his time on the Upper Circuit," until the next meeting of the Presbytery. [Source]

1822
In July, 1822, in connection with the writer and Mr. Ezekiel Cloyd, Mr. Guthrie was set apart to the whole work of the gospel ministry. This occurred at an intermediate meeting of the Nashville Presbytery. The meeting was held at Sugg's Creek. [Source]

1822
Cumberland Synod - Beech Meetinghouse in Sumer County, Tennessee
October 15-16, 1822
Member present from the Nashville Presbytery - James S. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod, October 15-16, 1822]

1823
Cumberland Synod - Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky
October 21-22, 1823
Member present from Nashville Presbytery - James S. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod, October 21-22, 1823]

1824
Cumberland Synod - Cane Creek Meetinghouse in Lincoln County, Tennessee
October 19-20, 1824
Member present from Nashville Presbytery - James S. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod, October 19-20, 1824]

1825
Cumberland Synod - Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky
October 18-19, 1825
Member present from Nashville Presbytery - Rev. James S. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod, Octoaber 18-19, 1825]

1827
Cumberland Synod - Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky
November 20-24, 26, 1827
Member present from Nashville Presbytery - Rev. James S. Guthrie
The Rev. James S. Guthrie was chosen Moderator
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod, November 20-24, 26, 1827]

1829
General Assembly - Princeton, Caldwell County, Kentucky
May 19-20, 1829
Commissioner to General Assembly - Rev. James S. Guthrie from Alabama Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 19, 1829]

1832
General Assembly - Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
May 15-19, 21, 1832
The meeting was opened by a sermon delivered by Rev. James S. Guthrie, from the latter clause of the 22nd verse of the 9th Chapter of 1st Corinthians.
Commissioner to General Assembly - Rev. James S. Guthrie from Elyton Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 15-19, 21, 1832]

1834
General Assembly - Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
May 20-24, 26-27, 1834
Commissioner to General Assembly - Rev. James S. Guthrie from Elyton Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 20-24, 26-27, 1834]

1836
On motion, it was Resolved, That a new Synod be stricken from the Mississippi Synod, to be known by the name of the Union Synod, composed of the following Presbyteires -- Alabama, Elyton, and Talladega; that the first session of Synod be holden at Elyton, Jefferson County, Alabama, on the third Thursday in November, 1836; and that Rev. Weyman Adair be the first Moderator, and, in case of his failure, Rev. James S. Guthrie.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1836]

1841
General Assembly - Owensboro, Kentucky
May 18-22, 24-25, 1841
Commissioner to General Assembly - Rev. J. S. Guthrie from Talladega Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 18-22, 24-25, 1841]

1843
J. S. Guthrie - writing from Benton County [today this is Calhoun County], Alabama - August 1843
[Source: Letter to the editor in Banner of Peace and Cumberland Presbyterian Advocate, September 8, 1843, page 2]

1845
"Rev. James Guthrie of Jacksonville, Ala."
[Source: Guthrie, James Smith. "Our Name." The Theological Medium, s.1 I (September, 1845), 22-23.]

1846
General Assembly - Owensboro, Kentucky
May 19-20, 1846
Commissioner to General Assembly - James S. Guthrie from Talladega Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 19-20, 1846]

1853
Minister Absent - J. S. Guthrie from Frazier Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of Brazos Synod, November 10, 1853, page 27]

1854
J. S.Guthrie - Pelview, Burk County
Minister - Frazier Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1854, page 88]

1855
Minister present - J. S. Guthrie from Tehuacana Presbytery
New presbytery to be known by the name of Red Oak Presbytery. Said new presbytery to consist of the following named ministers with all the candidates and congregations in the above described boundary: ... J. S. Guthrie.
[Source: Minutes of Brazos Synod, October 11, 1855, pages 45 & 48]

1856
J. S. Guthrie - Alton, Texas
Minister - Red Oak Presbytery - Brazos Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, page 62]

1856
The committee on the minutes of Red Oak Presbytery reported the death of Rev. James S. Guthrie.
[Source: Minutes of Brazos Synod, October 9, 1856, pages 60, 64-66]

Guthrie, James Smith. "The Obligations of Christians." The Cumberland Presbyterian Pulpit, I (January, 1833), 38-44.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Looking to Christ." The Cumberland Presbyterian Pulpit, (August, 1833), 124-132.

Guthrie, James Smith. Letter to the Editor. Banner of Peace and Cumberland Presbyterian Advocate, II (September 8, 1843), page 2.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Our Name." The Theological Medium, s.1 I (September, 1845), 22-23.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Church Government." The Theological Medium, s.1 I (November, 1845), 71-72.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Government of the Church." The Theological Medium, s.1 I (February, 1846), 143-144.

Guthrie, James Smith. "How Shall We Employ All Our Preachers, Supply All Our Congregations and Meet Other Calls for Preaching." The Theological Medium, s. 1 I (June, 1846), 238-240.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Every Preacher Ought to Have Some Special Charge by Appointment of Presbytery." The Theological Medium, s 1 I (July, 1846), 241-243.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Raising and Removing the Dead." The Theological Medium, s. 1 II (June, 1847), 478-479.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Morning and Evening Prayer in the Family." The Theological Medium, s. 1 III (November, 1847), 21-22.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Closet Devotion." The Theological Medium, s.1 III (March, 1848), 110-111.

Guthrie, James Smith. "Law, and Redemption from Its Curse." The Theological Medium, s. 1 IV (November, 1848), 25-28.